ruinedforordinary

I stumbled upon a song on Spotify entitled, “Ruined for the Ordinary” and I said to myself, “Yes Lord!  That is me!”

Once we experience Him in such an intimate way, HOW CAN WE BE THE SAME AGAIN?

I was hooked the moment I felt the Lord in a tangible way.  When His presence was so weighty that I couldn’t stand and when He gave me the ability to do things that I couldn’t do in my own knowledge or strength — I was forever changed!

I don’t want what the world has to offer!  

1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.   For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.   But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.   He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.   I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

God calls us to PURSUE love and DESIRE spiritual gifts.   These things are good!  I do try to pursue love with everyone and though I fail sometimes — I continue to press towards the mark.

Religion would say DON’T desire the spiritual gifts, but I can’t help myself.  I’m never satisfied with where I am.  This is NOT to be confused with discontentment.  I am content, but not willing to stay stationary.  I just want to know God more and more!  There are endless areas in the Kingdom of God to explore!

Prophecy …

My friend Angie and I were discussing prophesying yesterday.  That is one spiritual muscle that intimidates me for some reason.  I know that it is a step of faith just like everything else in our walk with the Lord.  We really do have to step out and trust that there is a holy invisible step to catch us!

I had a new friend pray with me one day and she totally caught me off guard when she said, “Prophesy over me.”  Huh?  Me?  Uhhhhh …. I prayed, saw a picture in my mind of her facing the ocean.   That was much easier for me … but to prophesy?

Angie and I went to a prophetic “training” type of conference a couple of years ago.  Yikes, if I had known we were going to have exercises where we had to prophesy over others, I would have run in the opposite direction!  But God proved to us that we do hear from Him and He did reveal the hearts of others to us.  I was grateful — yet I still hesitate!   God help me!  (Ok, I know He will … )

Angie laughed at me because she said, “You will pray with strangers for healing” but this stumps you?  But see, for healing — that is on God, not me.  With prophesies we place our “necks” out a little more.  I certainly never want to miss the mark and share something from my soul versus hearing clearly from the Lord.

It really is no different from stepping out with other spiritual gifts.   When God gave me the gift of tongues, I had to use my own will to speak out the syllables I was hearing in my mind/thoughts.   Just like a baby taking first steps, I stumbled over each word as I used my own tongue to make heavenly sounds.   Now words flow like a river.

Angie used the analogy of a spiritual muscle because the more we use it, the stronger it gets.   That really is a great analogy.  The more we step out in faith and use these gifts, the easier it becomes.

I’m sure I am strange to those who are perfectly happy just going to church each Sunday (or perhaps not going at all) — just skating along the edge of tradition and the norm.  I can’t help myself because God placed this deep within me and I’m grateful.

Hunger for holy things.  Hunger, pursue, and desire!

1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

Just as it blesses us when our children desire good things, I’m sure it pleases the Lord when we desire His gifts.  I am going to start stepping out more in this area of prophesy.

What are YOU desiring today?

Are you exercising your spiritual muscles?  It is time for a workout.