Luke’s gospel begins in an uncomfortably familiar place. We learn of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an older couple, faithfully following the Lord, but experiencing disappointment in how their lives have turned out. They’ve longed and prayed for a child, but their prayers have not been answered…yet. This passage speaks into our deep places of difficulty, and invites us to prepare ourselves for God’s new things.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul urges his listeners to “eagerly desire” the gifts of the Spirit, and then adds, “especially prophecy.” How can we effectively pursue spiritual gifts with love as our goal, and why does Paul specifically identify prophecy as a gift worth going after?

We must step into the body of Christ and the work of Christ's Church with LOVE. No matter how 'gifted we are', without LOVE, our efforts are useless.

Paul addresses the over-emphasis the Corinthian Christians had on the gifts of the Spirit. Paul argues that love is the key ingredient in church life - if you lose love, you lose everything. He shows, the gifts are useless without love and the gifts are temporary, but love is eternal. Following the example of Jesus, love has to be our motivation, our attitude, our main value, and our most visible characteristic.

God has graced his church with a great variety of spiritual gifts. Every believer has been given abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit to be used in ministry for the building up of the church. Yet when it comes to spiritual gifts, many believers are uninformed, insecure, judgemental, or just simply inactive, and so much fruitful ministry simply never happens. Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 12 to be informed, correct our attitudes, and get to work.

Are you using your gifts to build the church with a heart of humility and servanthood? So often believers are content to sit back and let others carry the load of ministry. Others step in but are driven by ego rather than a heart of love for the Lord and others. True Christian ministry is founded on humility and unity, is powered by Spirit-enabled people, and is aimed at producing maturity in Christ. All followers of Jesus are called to humbly share in the work of building up the church in love.

Each person has a unique calling in God’s Kingdom. What is yours? The story of Isaiah’s calling from hundreds of years before Christ contains so many pieces that help us understand the journey of growing to understand our calling.

Is there any place in life so humble and powerful as the place of prayer? Prayer is precisely that spot where we admit our need for God and invite his help. It’s the place where we tangibly respond to Paul’s challenge to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Prayer is and must be seen as a critical part of the foundation to our walk with Jesus, because prayer is conversation, and relationships talking.

Salvation is available to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ. As we come to God and confess (agree with Him about) our brokenness and need for Him, He restores us to a right relationship with Him. Come to Jesus or recommit your life to Him today. This is where true life is found!