Aug 19 – Song 5, Song 6, Song 7, Song 8 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Psalm 100:1-5
1 Cor 12:29-31
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Gifts are great! Prophecy – words wisdom, healing! Wow! Paul encourages us to desire these gifts. And we should desire them – they are powerful.
But there’s something better out there!
He said I will show you a still more excellent way. That’s right, something we should desire more than the gift of prophecy, healing or miracles!
What could it possibly be? Well, it would be a little more obvious without the chapter divisions but Paul runs right into the answer.
If he has prophetic powers, understanding of all mystery, faith even to move a mountains… it’s nothing without the most excellent way.
And that’s Love.
You can be the most prophetic, passionate, intelligent expositor of the word alive… without love you are wasting your time.
Prophecy is great – love it better. Miracles are wonderful. Love is better. Healing is amazing. Love is better.
If we desired to love others and each other as much as we desire miracles… what a difference we would make.
Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
How do we enter into our time with God? With thanks and praise. What is Praise?
When you Praise someone you tell them what a good job you they are doing. You thank them for all they have done.
That’s how we should enter into our meetings. With Praise. We should thank Him for his goodness. Gratitude to His goodness blesses Him. We don’t enter his gates causally. We enter with praise.
