Gift of Prophecy

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. … he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Corinthians 14:1,3 NKJV)

And [Jesus said to His disciples], “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’.” (Luke 8:10 NKJV)

Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge … but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)

The gift of prophecy is not the ability to foretell the future, but to see past, present or future as the Lord does, and meaningfully forthtell it to someone else. Its purpose is never to exalt the one who uses it, but the God who gives it, by lovingly providing His edification (building up), exhortation (urging, advising), and comfort to those He loves.

Prophecy is a gift available to all of Jesus’ disciples—as are all spiritual gifts—entrusted to them as a test of their love.

Oh God, You are my God. We are not worthy of the least of all the truth and love You have shown us. Make our hearts pure and fill them with love that we may prove ourselves Your own.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Everlasting Love

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NKJV)

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NKJV)

We use the word "love" to describe a feeling which says, "I must have you in my life because of how you make me feel and I will do anything for you." What becomes of love on the day when you don’t make me feel good and I fail you?

Everlasting love says, "I must have you in my life because of who you are and who I am with you, and I will be for you all you need me to be." Love is not conditional on feelings or actions.

Love’s sacrifice still loves even when it hurts to love, even when we are not face to face. It is God’s everlasting love for us. It is to be our love for Him.

Lord YHWH, Your deep love reaches the depths of heart, soul, mind and strength. Draw us to love You as You love us. Let us see one another as You do, and love accordingly.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Glorious Diversity

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (1 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV)

For it was fitting for Him … in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of the salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebres 2:10-11 NKJV)

All that is good and almighty and loving fills our glorious God beyond human comprehension. In the many names of God is revealed an awe-filling glimpse of the incredible diversity of His divinity.

Though His Holy Spirit resides in human flesh, no one of us is capable to manifest all that He is. So He puts a little of Himself in each of us, and all that He is becomes present—but only in the entire body of believers. In church unity, human diversity reveals divinity.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Precious Paraclete, Your holiness and glory and love overwhelm us. Make us one, that You might truly be manifest to the world.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Covenant

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:27-28 NKJV)

Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
(Hebrews 11:28-29 NKJV)

The Israelite marriage covenant was sealed in ancient times by the bridegroom and bride sharing a cup of wine in the presence of witnesses, both upon betrothal and at the later wedding.

Jesus betrothed to Himself a bride with His blood, and sealed the covenant by sharing a cup of wine with the bride (the disciples of His church). Until the day we again share the cup with Him, we share it in commUNION with the other members of the bride, remembering the price our Bridegroom paid to make us His, and honoring the covenant it represents as sacred.

Lord Jesus, thank You for making us Yours, when You might have passed us by as You chose the members of Your bride. Thank You for the great price You paid for us. Please make our hearts pure for our wedding day.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Stand of Faith

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV)

Jesus said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus reached out, caught hold of him, and said, "You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:29-31 GW)

All the disciples doubted the resurrection, yet only Thomas is called "doubting"—and he was the one who encouraged going to Jerusalem to die when everyone else said stay away. Peter’s weak faith caused him to sink, but he was the only one with enough faith to walk on water in the first place.

Exercising faith brings potential for failure if we forget that we are spiritual cripples who stand only because God upholds us.

Exercising faith also brings potential to walk on water with Jesus.

Lord, all things are created for Your pleasure. Please enable us to remain standing and glorify You. Please keep us just unsteady enough to remain fully dependent on You at all times.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy