Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 14:
1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
In this one verse we are given the simplest of directives by FATHER. Our first and foremost goal is to be fully grounded in Love and pursue its path in all matters. Our perspective must be Love’s perspective when dealing with the various situations in life. Our core motivation must be that of Love and not of self thus we will not exploit men as FATHER endows us with Spiritual gifts.
Earnest desire is serious, purposeful, and focused intent. Once we have matured in Love let us earnest desire Spiritual gifts in order that we may better serve mankind. When we see the multitudes in need we should be moved with compassion just as Jesus was moved with compassion in Matthew chapter 14:
14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Love not only is but Love does. We must not let our hearts grow cold but stoke the fiery Word in our hearts and let our passion for the lost and sick motivate us to pursue FATHER’S Spiritual gifts in order that we may minister to a dying world. Jesus proclaimed that we should “Go into all the world” so let us become fully equipped and answer the call. By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in 2 Timothy chapter 3:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We should earnestly desire to be complete and equipped for every good work to benefit others, not just our self. As we become fully equipped, we should expect the Holy Spirit to draw men and women to us in order that we may minister life to them.
In seeking the Spiritual gifts, we are to especially focus on prophesying. To prophesy is to speak by Divine Inspiration. In other words, we should speak what we hear FATHER telling us. In John chapter 14, Jesus spoke:
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
All the words Jesus spoke were Divinely inspired by FATHER WHO dwells in Him. FATHER dwells in us as well and we are to become HIS Mouthpiece to minister to all mankind. Let our words be Divinely inspired and prophesy to those whom FATHER sends to us. As we fully mature in these directives our “tent stakes” will be expanded and our ministry of Love will grow. Let us earnestly desire to pursue the Spiritual Gifts given to us by FATHER.