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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “Don’t Try to Walk before You Can Crawl” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/17/08)
YOU MAY ALL PROPHESY!

The Young Congregation met regularly for fellowship, breaking of bread, the Apostles teaching and prayers, while many miracles and unusual signs took place among them.

Having received from their ascended Lord Jesus the promise of the father, every time they came together God could be observed among them as the Holy Spirit gave gifts to whomever he chose. A little like Old Mac Donald’s Farm.

Here a word of wisdom – there a word of knowledge – there faith – and close by the working of miracles – or gifts of healing – and yet again – prophesying – unknown tongues – discerning of spirits – and the interpretation of tongues.

Anyone listening could tell that God was among them. Their leaders encouraged them to experience all or any of these gifts saying you may all be used, but warned against trying to imitate them. It was all so new and different. They would feel a sense of God’s presence and as they allowed the Spirit to take control they would find themselves used according to the needs of those gathered.

Whenever someone spoke in tongues they would wait for an interpretation so that all could understand the message. The interpreted message was the same as prophesy.

A young man bellowed out his message in an unknown tongue but the leader said, “Our brother is just praising God in a new language” and there was no interpretation. The young man sat confused; what had he done wrong?

Later the leader spoke to the young man:

“I suppose you wonder why there was no interpretation to your tongue?”

“I sure did.” The young man replied.

“Well I discerned that yours was just exuberant praise and not a message. As you grow in the Lord you will be greatly used in many gifts of the Spirit from time to time, but now you must learn to be led by the Spirit.”

The young man thought in his heart, “Who does he think he is?” but said nothing.

Years later this same young man told me, “He was right you know. I have been used in almost every gift of the Spirit very specially. We must learn not to go ahead of the Spirit.

366 words
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Carol Shaffron
01/25/08
Great message for pastors! Many pastors need to learn to allow their flocks to try and fail and learn. If we can't learn how to discern the Spirit and let Holy Spirit work through us in the safe walls of the church assembly-how we going to do it in the marketplace and streets where we are really called?
Dee Yoder
01/25/08
There's a message for every believer in this entry-wait on the Holy Spirit to lead and direct!
Yvonne Blake 
01/25/08
Interesting... I was hoping for more. How did others use their gifts? I was a little confused at the change from the early church to the present time. There needed a transition phrase or sentence.
Good job...keep writing