Desiring prophecy

Romans 12:6
1 Corinthians 14:1-5

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Focusing on prophecy as an opportunity to "strengthen, encourage, and comfort" other people, what a wonderful gift to be able to offer the Body of Christ. Who would not want to build up Christian brothers and sisters to grow in their faith? Those who avoid it are probably considering it only as a gift to predict future events and are a little afraid of its misuse (understandably), yet Paul's description of a gift to be sought after is one we might all ask the Holy Spirit to grant us. Consider every time that you didn't know what to say to a friend in tears; consider moments when you wish you had a better response to someone doubting your faith; consider what it would be like to carry on a conversation with someone and find out later that God used what you said to transform that person's life. Prophecy is the spiritual gift that helps us hear the words that God might have us say in those situations.
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To use the gift of prophecy "according to the proportion of faith" points to the direct link between our relationship with the Lord and our ability to receive His gifts and to then use them. How can we hear from God what to say if we're not listening? Those who practice listening will generally be better able to hear than those who expect the gift to simply show up when they need it. Besides asking the Lord to grant us the gift of prophecy, we need to look for every opportunity to grow in faith, to ask Him for input into our lives, to read what He has already said to all of us in Scripture, to pray and listen on a regular basis. Without these practices in our lives we aren't likely to receive or be capable of using the gift of prophecy even if it is given to us.
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Linked with Encourage One Another