Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1   Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.      We have to recognize spiritual gifts, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.  One the one hand, 1 Corinthians 12:11 says that the gifts are given to each one, just as He determines, on the other hand, we need to eagerly desire spiritual gifts. This is not for one's personal benefit, but the whole Church must desire all kinds of spiritual gifts. Why? Because, we desire to see God's work be restored so that others may see His almighty power.  Signs and wonders can turn people's hearts towards God and allow people to receive God's love and mercy.  For this reason, we need to eagerly desire spiritual gifts.    Eagerly desiring does not mean forcing.  In the past whenever I pray for healing, I often complain about God not healing. Why does God not work even when we are fervently praying? Finally I read in a book, "When you complain about your prayer not being answered, it is because you think you deserve to get what you are praying for."  When God does not answer our prayers, we become bitter and we complain.  The truth is only He is God.  He acts according to His will and gives spiritual gifts just as He determines.    However, we need to eagerly desire. In the past my wife often asked God to give her the gift of healing. In the beginning, I was nonchalant about it. I thought the Holy Spirit will give to each person as He determines. It does not matter how much you ask. I watched my wife pray for the sick to the point where she would be in tears, crying out for them.  God's mercy and compassion was working in her.  When I saw that, I could not help but say, "Lord, please give her the gift of healing! Please perform a healing miracle!"  Because she has such compassion, through these years I have seen her being touched by God's compassion, and her gift of healing growing increasingly evident and God using her to accomplish His healing work.    When someone has the desire, God will definitely give all kinds of spiritual gifts as He determines. If we cannot care less, God will not give us anything. As such, we need to eagerly desire. However, our attitude is not one of forcing God, but one of patiently waiting on God because we know that the One who gives the gift is the Lord Himself. When we understand this truth, we can have a good balance and not deviate from the truth. Let us eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but wait on the Lord to distribute these gifts as He determines, so that the church may be built up.        Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we pray that you will give all kinds of spiritual gifts to the church and that you will give us the desire to eagerly desire all kinds of spiritual gifts.  May all kinds of gifts be manifested in the church so that your glory may be displayed in our midst. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!      Find out more about ROLCC Ignite English ministry, a dynamic multi-ethnic young professional congregation!