Shared devotional content from the common study platform.
Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
When we hear the word prophecy, we often think of predicting the future or handing down heavy warnings. But in the Bible, this gift is actually beautifully simple: it is about hearing God’s heart for someone and sharing it to build them up. Before we even ask for this gift, we are told to make love our highest goal, because love is the engine that makes our words safe and effective.
You can step into this today just by paying attention to the people around you. Ask God to give you His perspective on your family members, a stressed coworker, or the tired cashier at the grocery store. When a sudden thought of encouragement, a helpful Bible verse, or a kind truth about them drops into your mind, do not keep it to yourself.
Speaking life over someone isn't about looking super spiritual; it is about being profoundly helpful. When you share a much-needed word of encouragement, you might be the exact voice God uses to keep someone from giving up today. Chase after love, ask God to speak through you, and watch how He uses your words to bring deep comfort and strength to others.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and inviting me to be part of Your work. Please give me Your eyes to see the people around me today, and give me the courage to speak words that build them up. Help me to make love my highest goal in everything I do. Amen.