Prayers
Praying for Spiritual Gifts
There are some in the Christian world today who does not believe in Spiritual Gifts operating among believers right now. They will preach and teach against other Christians who operate in the Gifts of the Spirit and who believes in Miracles, Signs and Wonders. So then, who has the right concept of faith about this topic of Spiritual Gifts in operation today?! Are the Christians who believe that Miracles, Signs and Wonders are for today correct—or the Christians that don’t believe in the Gifts of the Spirit correct? The Apostle Paul, Peter and Luke gave us the clarity we need to put this question about Spiritual Gifts operating today to rest.
Paul’s Prayer and Revelation about Spiritual Gifts in Operation Today
Teachers Note: Here’s something that I learned studying Scripture over the years that I would like to pass on to new students of the Bible. Sometimes when we are studying about a certain topic in Scripture—The Holy Spirit will show us a Truth about another topic that we were not looking for.
For example, it was the topic of Prayer that I was digging out, that the Holy Spirit revealed to me the Truth about the topic of Spiritual Gifts in operation today. Although I believe in the Gifts of the Spirit and I operate in them Biblically and effectively since September 2nd, 1992. Let me share the topic of Prayer—with the concept of Spiritual Gifts operating today.
Paul opened up the Book of 1 Corinthians with a Greetings, and then a Prayer, here’s what he wrote;
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; (v.4)
That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (v. 5)
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (v. 6)
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 7) (1 Corinthians 1:4-7 KJV)
Focusing on verse 7 where Paul said—that we come behind in NO GIFT. UNTIL JESUS RETURNS (1 Corinthians 1:7 KJV). Is a Revelation of Scripture that will cause a panic and controversy among those who do not believe that Spiritual Gifts are not operating today, however, Paul Prayed that we do not come behind in NO GIFT. UNTIL JESUS RETURNS. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to figure this out it is written as plain as day-light. Paul Prayed that for the Church at Corinth, however, Paul had the following generations in mind when he wrote this statement knowing well that if the Lord tarries (delays HIS coming) the Prayer would apply to following generations UNTIL JESUS RETURNS for the Church at Corinth.
This simple little verse blows away all the negative doctrine and teaching that speaks against the operation of Spiritual Gifts working among believers today. We must clearly see and understand that Paul believed and taught that Spiritual Gifts will continue to be in operation UNTIL JESUS RETURNS for HIS Church. Peter and Luke said the same thing in the Book of Acts chapter 2.
Peter and Luke on the Operation of Spiritual Gifts--Until Jesus Returns
Luke who wrote the Book of Acts recorded what happened on the day of Pentecost;
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. (v. 14)
For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. (v. 15)
But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (v. 16)
And it shall come to pass in the last days, (THAT’S NOW!!! WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS!!!) says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. (v. 17)
And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. (v. 18)
I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. (v. 19)
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. (v. 20) (Acts 2:14-20 NKJV)
Notice that Luke wrote about what happened on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down as a rushing Mighty Wind and filled the 120 disciples who were in the upper room waiting for the Promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit so they may be empowered to be powerful witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:5-8 & 2:1-20 NKJV) They experienced it and began speaking in unknown tongues and the people in Jerusalem thought they were drunk but Peter assured them that this was the Prophecy of Joel coming to pass at that very moment and the reason for all the commotion was a result of God’s promise coming to pass.
Key verses to Consider
Let’s consider some key verses that will support the concept of Spiritual Gifts in operation today UNTIL JESUS RETURNS.
1. And it shall come to pass IN THE LAST DAYS…(Acts 2:17 NKJV)
2. …BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD (Acts 2:20 NKJV)
What is God doing from the Time Peter and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit—and--BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD?
1. God is pouring out HIS Holy Spirit on all flesh (v. 17)
2. Sons and Daughters are Prophesying (v. 17)
3. Young men are seeing Visions (v. 17)
4. Old men are dreaming Dreams (v. 17)
5. Men and maid servants are Prophesying as well (v. 18)
6. BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD (Acts 2:17-20 NKJV)
We don’t need to be Theologians to figure this out it’s written as clear as day-light. Peter, Joel and Luke spoke and wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and they clearly shared that God is still manifesting Signs, Wonders, and Spiritual Gifts UNTIL JESUS RETURNS.
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Gifts
Again, Paul Prayed that the Church of Corinth Does Not COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT. UNTIL JESUS RETURNS (1 Corinthians 1:7 KJV). We must catch a Biblical Revelation of this TRUTH and Pray likewise for our Churches today. We must Pray that our Churches today will not COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT, UNTIL JESUS RETURNS. It’s a simple but Powerful Prayer we must continually Pray.
Desire and Prayer (The Sincere Motive to see Results)
When Paul was teaching the Christians at Rome about Praying for the Salvation of Israel he mentioned two important words (Desire and Prayer). Let’s read it again;
Brethren, my heart’s DESIRE and PRAYER to God for Israel is that they may be saved (Born-again). (Romans 10:1 NKJV)
The point I would like to share is that Divine DESIRE along with sincere PRAYER has to be offered to God so HE may answer our Prayers. Whether it’s for God to answer our Prayer for Salvation or Spiritual Gifts—God has to Divinely Motivate us as HE did with Paul to Pray specifically for what HE intends to accomplish in our lives. It was the Holy Spirit that inspired Paul to Pray for Israel so they may be Saved (Born-again) (Romans 10:1 NKJV), and to Pray for the Christians at Corinth so they will not COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT. UNTIL JESUS RETURNS (1 Corinthians 1:7 NKJV).
Paul Taught us to DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
But earnestly DESIRE the best GIFTS. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31 NKJV)
Pursue love, and DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV)
There’s so much to teach here but to keep it simple and in-line with my point that I’m trying to get across. We do not have to wait until God places a DESIRE in our heart’s to Pray for Spiritual Gifts. Why is that? because Paul taught us to Pray for Spiritual Gifts, and secondly, he told us to Desire Spiritual Gifts.
So I Pray for the entire Body of Christ around the world—that you do not fall short or COME BEHIND IN ANY SPIRITUAL GIFT. BUT THAT GOD WILL TOUCH YOU TO BELIEVE HIM TO MANIFEST ANY GIFT THAT HE WISHES TO BRING ABOUT IN YOUR LIFE, WHILE YOU ARE SERVING HIM ON THE EARTH, IN JESUS’ NAME, Amen
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