In this episode of the Everyday Jesus podcast, we look at the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is scary for a lot of people and this week I look to calm your fears on this important gift. Our Good News is about a survey that says regularly attending church makes people happier. Our Unreached People Group is the Dhobi of India. And in Today’s Word, we look at the testimony of Jesus Christ.
“20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.” 1st Thess. 5:20-22
“What! Did the word of God come forth from you, or are you the only ones that it’s reached?” 1 Cor. 14:26
“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” 1 Cor. 14:24-25
Paul says that the purpose of prophecy is for “edification and exhortation and consolation.” (1 Cor 14:3). And while I plan to go into greater detail on the purpose of prophecy on our blog this week, realize this, the Apostle Paul was basically encouraging the church in Corinth to prophesy because it edified the church, whereas tongues (apart from an interpretation) only edifies the speaker.
Prophecy is something that we should earnestly desire. You do not need a tin foil hat in order to receive prophetic words. You just need to listen to God. Remember Paul’s admonishment, “do not despise prophetic words.”
Next week we plan to continue our series by looking at the gifting called “words of wisdom”. Be sure to send in your questions to feedback@everydayjesus.net and I’ll answer as many as I can on the air.
Good News –
People Who Attend Church Regularly Are Happier
Unreached People Group –
Today’s Word – John 5:31-47
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study[c] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God[d]?
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
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