ListenDaily - 10 February 2009; What does the Word say?
There are less Scriptural references to speaking in tongues than you might imagine, though that does not, in any way, lessen the impact of this gift. Oh, the word 'tongue' or 'tongues' appears many times, but I am not including instances where the actual, anatomical tongue is referenced.
So, as we move on, please look over these passages. I am, with intent, not looking at any commentaries or articles in these first few days. I am going to stick strictly to the Scriptures, and attempt to write without considering any previous bias; I will ask that you read the same way. So then, the next step is to read over these passages, and ask God to open us to His truth. Below is the first half (or so), tomorrow we will look at the 1 Corinthians passages. From there, we will begin dissecting them. For today, while reading, look for the place or role of the speaker, the hearer, and God in these instances, and see what else God shows you while reading.
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:15-18
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Acts 2: 1-11
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." Acts 10:44-47
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:4-7
(find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What thoughts or feelings does this reading raise?
2. What did you learn today?
3. What will you do with that?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We are the Bibles the world is reading;
We are the creeds the world is needing;
We are the sermons the world is heeding."
Billy Graham
"Our seminaries today are turning out dead men."
Leonard Ravenhill
"Courage is contagious.
When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
Billy Graham
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
ListenDaily - 09 February 2009; Who are you?
ListenDaily - 09 February 2009; Who are you?
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
Last Friday, I asked for prayer to help me decide whether or not to delve further into the subject of speaking in, and the interpretation of, tongues. I thank you for the prayers, and the emails, 100% of which requested that we go on. As if I needed further affirmation, as I sat down to write, I received an email from the Barna Group (barna.org) entitled: "Spiritual Gifts that Christians Say They Have". George Barna is a noted expert in church statistics and trends.
As we move into this topic, there is some really important information he provides that we should consider. For example, the geographical location in which you live has a direct relationship to your beliefs about Spiritual gifts:
"Awareness of spiritual gifts was most common among self-described Christians who live in the South (75%) and West (71%),
and least common among those living in the Midwest (63%) and Northeast (58%)." *
Another determination is the 'what-kind-of-a-Christian-are-you' factor. This does not refer to denomination, but rather some specific beliefs. I usually avoid labels, but sometimes they do lend understanding:
"Born again Christians" were defined as people who said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that was still important in their life today and who also indicated they believed that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as "born again."
"Evangelicals" meet the born again criteria (described above) plus seven other conditions. Those include saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church attended. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as "evangelical."
"Nominal Christians" were defined as individuals who described themselves as Christian but did not meet the born again criteria (outlined above)." *
Among these 'types' of believers (I really hate saying that!) Barna says there are these types of differences, in reference to Spiritual gifts:
"99% of evangelicals have heard of spiritual gifts...74% among non-evangelical born again Christians and 58% among notional Christians.
Similarly, there was a large gap between Protestants (75%) and Catholics (54%) in awareness. Even within the Protestant community there was a noteworthy gap between those who attend a mainline church (68% awareness) and those who attend a Protestant congregation not associated with a mainline denomination (78%)." *
I will say it again...I REALLY DO NOT LIKE LABELS.
But...I would ask you to look over the descriptions of "Born Again", "Evangelical", and "Notional" and see where you find yourself, in a category or somewhere between. I will continue to eschew labelling myself, for I believe they are only self-describing. However, so that you may know the perspective from which this is always written, I personally adhere to these of Barna's statements:
I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important.
When I die I will go to Heaven because I have confessed my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior
Faith is very important in my life today.
I have a personal responsibility to share Christ with non-Christians.
Satan exists.
Eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works. (But I would add that works are a responsibility of the saved.)
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
The Bible is accurate in all that it teaches.
God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.
You should ask yourself what you believe. You should ask your Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, and pastor what they believe as well. There is room for discussion, but you should know from what perspective your teacher is teaching!
* Quotes are from: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=326
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What thoughts or feelings does this reading raise?
2. Have you ever examined your own beliefs?
3. Do you know your pastor's perspective? If not, will you ask?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We are the Bibles the world is reading;
We are the creeds the world is needing;
We are the sermons the world is heeding."
Billy Graham
"Our semiaries today are turning out dead men."
Leonard Ravenhill
"Courage is contagious.
When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
Billy Graham
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
Last Friday, I asked for prayer to help me decide whether or not to delve further into the subject of speaking in, and the interpretation of, tongues. I thank you for the prayers, and the emails, 100% of which requested that we go on. As if I needed further affirmation, as I sat down to write, I received an email from the Barna Group (barna.org) entitled: "Spiritual Gifts that Christians Say They Have". George Barna is a noted expert in church statistics and trends.
As we move into this topic, there is some really important information he provides that we should consider. For example, the geographical location in which you live has a direct relationship to your beliefs about Spiritual gifts:
"Awareness of spiritual gifts was most common among self-described Christians who live in the South (75%) and West (71%),
and least common among those living in the Midwest (63%) and Northeast (58%)." *
Another determination is the 'what-kind-of-a-Christian-are-you' factor. This does not refer to denomination, but rather some specific beliefs. I usually avoid labels, but sometimes they do lend understanding:
"Born again Christians" were defined as people who said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that was still important in their life today and who also indicated they believed that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as "born again."
"Evangelicals" meet the born again criteria (described above) plus seven other conditions. Those include saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church attended. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as "evangelical."
"Nominal Christians" were defined as individuals who described themselves as Christian but did not meet the born again criteria (outlined above)." *
Among these 'types' of believers (I really hate saying that!) Barna says there are these types of differences, in reference to Spiritual gifts:
"99% of evangelicals have heard of spiritual gifts...74% among non-evangelical born again Christians and 58% among notional Christians.
Similarly, there was a large gap between Protestants (75%) and Catholics (54%) in awareness. Even within the Protestant community there was a noteworthy gap between those who attend a mainline church (68% awareness) and those who attend a Protestant congregation not associated with a mainline denomination (78%)." *
I will say it again...I REALLY DO NOT LIKE LABELS.
But...I would ask you to look over the descriptions of "Born Again", "Evangelical", and "Notional" and see where you find yourself, in a category or somewhere between. I will continue to eschew labelling myself, for I believe they are only self-describing. However, so that you may know the perspective from which this is always written, I personally adhere to these of Barna's statements:
I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important.
When I die I will go to Heaven because I have confessed my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior
Faith is very important in my life today.
I have a personal responsibility to share Christ with non-Christians.
Satan exists.
Eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works. (But I would add that works are a responsibility of the saved.)
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
The Bible is accurate in all that it teaches.
God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.
You should ask yourself what you believe. You should ask your Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, and pastor what they believe as well. There is room for discussion, but you should know from what perspective your teacher is teaching!
* Quotes are from: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=326
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What thoughts or feelings does this reading raise?
2. Have you ever examined your own beliefs?
3. Do you know your pastor's perspective? If not, will you ask?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We are the Bibles the world is reading;
We are the creeds the world is needing;
We are the sermons the world is heeding."
Billy Graham
"Our semiaries today are turning out dead men."
Leonard Ravenhill
"Courage is contagious.
When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
Billy Graham
Friday, February 6, 2009
ListenDaily - 06 February 2009; What next? Please pray for guidance...
ListenDaily - 06 February 2009; What next? Please pray for guidance...
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
I sit here this morning, pausing...wondering if, due to the responses and questions I have received, if we need to take a turn into a study of speaking and interpreting tongues.
As I pause I pray...and receiving no clear indication one way or the other, I will continue in the direction which God has led me, and pray over the weekend, which way to go on Monday.
So let us look at more of Paul's teaching on gifts, including tongues:
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing...and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. From 1 Cor. 12-13
As I pray, and ask you to pray with me, whether or not to dig further into the subject of 'speaking in tongues', let us consider three of the things Paul teaches us here:
1) No one has all of the gifts.
2) But the Spiritual gifts should be present in the church, for God put them there.
3) Without love for God first, and love for others immediately following, all gifts are useless.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1) No one has all of the gifts.
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
2) But the Spiritual gifts should be present in the church, for God put them there.
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing...and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
3) Without love for God first, and love for others immediately following, all gifts are useless. One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on 'speaking in tongues'?
2. What does your church teach, concerning Gifts of the Spirit?
3. Will you pray for me, that I will see God's plan for the next phase of this study?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"No matter how just your words may be,
you ruin everything when you speak with anger."
John Chrysostom
"An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence;
a vain man, in order that it may."
William Hazlitt
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret."
Ambrose Bierce
"God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak.
The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word."
A.W. Tozer
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
I sit here this morning, pausing...wondering if, due to the responses and questions I have received, if we need to take a turn into a study of speaking and interpreting tongues.
As I pause I pray...and receiving no clear indication one way or the other, I will continue in the direction which God has led me, and pray over the weekend, which way to go on Monday.
So let us look at more of Paul's teaching on gifts, including tongues:
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing...and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. From 1 Cor. 12-13
As I pray, and ask you to pray with me, whether or not to dig further into the subject of 'speaking in tongues', let us consider three of the things Paul teaches us here:
1) No one has all of the gifts.
2) But the Spiritual gifts should be present in the church, for God put them there.
3) Without love for God first, and love for others immediately following, all gifts are useless.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1) No one has all of the gifts.
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
2) But the Spiritual gifts should be present in the church, for God put them there.
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing...and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
3) Without love for God first, and love for others immediately following, all gifts are useless. One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on 'speaking in tongues'?
2. What does your church teach, concerning Gifts of the Spirit?
3. Will you pray for me, that I will see God's plan for the next phase of this study?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"No matter how just your words may be,
you ruin everything when you speak with anger."
John Chrysostom
"An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence;
a vain man, in order that it may."
William Hazlitt
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret."
Ambrose Bierce
"God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak.
The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word."
A.W. Tozer
Thursday, February 5, 2009
ListenDaily - 05 February 2009; What did you say!?!?
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
Speaking in tongues...this gift of the Spirit, and its relative, interpretation, have been the cause of much controversy in some parts of the Body, and totally ignored in others. I have seen churches that look down upon those that do not, and have seen churches that look down upon those that do.
And yet...
And yet this gift is given.
We will take a few days to look at this topic. I feel the need to reflect on the 2nd chapter of Acts (v.1-12) to begin, in order to define what 'speaking in tongues' is, and what it is not.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Look at these phrases specifically:
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...
...God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven...heard them speaking in his own language...
...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Most often, when we hear about, or talk about speaking in tongues, the idea seems to be some sort of speech that sounds like gibberish to most people listening. And we most often refer to this passage. Yet what we plainly see here is that, at least in this circumstance, this language was used so that everyone listening could hear about the wonders of God."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on 'speaking in tongues'?
2. Have you ever experienced it, personally or second-handed?
3. How does the passage from Acts 2 compare to your notion of 'speaking in tongues'?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"No matter how just your words may be,
you ruin everything when you speak with anger."
John Chrysostom
"An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence;
a vain man, in order that it may."
William Hazlitt
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret."
Ambrose Bierce
"God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak.
The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word."
A.W. Tozer
....to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
Speaking in tongues...this gift of the Spirit, and its relative, interpretation, have been the cause of much controversy in some parts of the Body, and totally ignored in others. I have seen churches that look down upon those that do not, and have seen churches that look down upon those that do.
And yet...
And yet this gift is given.
We will take a few days to look at this topic. I feel the need to reflect on the 2nd chapter of Acts (v.1-12) to begin, in order to define what 'speaking in tongues' is, and what it is not.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Look at these phrases specifically:
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...
...God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven...heard them speaking in his own language...
...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Most often, when we hear about, or talk about speaking in tongues, the idea seems to be some sort of speech that sounds like gibberish to most people listening. And we most often refer to this passage. Yet what we plainly see here is that, at least in this circumstance, this language was used so that everyone listening could hear about the wonders of God."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on 'speaking in tongues'?
2. Have you ever experienced it, personally or second-handed?
3. How does the passage from Acts 2 compare to your notion of 'speaking in tongues'?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"No matter how just your words may be,
you ruin everything when you speak with anger."
John Chrysostom
"An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence;
a vain man, in order that it may."
William Hazlitt
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret."
Ambrose Bierce
"God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak.
The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word."
A.W. Tozer
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
ListenDaily - 04 February 2009; "Who told you to do that?"
ListenDaily - 04 February 2009; "Who told you to do that?"
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another distinguishing between spirits,...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
We are all prompted, at times, to do, go, say, or in some other way act. We must discern as to whether this urging is from God, man, or Satan.
To some, are given this gift, this revelation of discernment. This is a Holy Spirit revealed truth which affirms or denies the urging. This is a gift which I hope we would all seek at the appropriate times. However, if we do not have it, may we seek out those who do, or find it through prayer, Scripture, and affirmation of Christian brothers and sisters.
Friends, this is a short, but vital message. Too often we get a prompting and react, because on the surface it seems right. Often it has to do with church work, and so we assume it must be from God, but church work is not always God's work. The Apostle Paul was prevented, by the Holy Spirit, from preaching in Asia. (Acts 16:6)
Friends, we must make every effort to affirm things we are called to do and say. We may pray for the gift of discernment, but we must remember also, that God provides other ways to discern His will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. How do you discern God's will?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum."
A.W.Tozer
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another distinguishing between spirits,...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
We are all prompted, at times, to do, go, say, or in some other way act. We must discern as to whether this urging is from God, man, or Satan.
To some, are given this gift, this revelation of discernment. This is a Holy Spirit revealed truth which affirms or denies the urging. This is a gift which I hope we would all seek at the appropriate times. However, if we do not have it, may we seek out those who do, or find it through prayer, Scripture, and affirmation of Christian brothers and sisters.
Friends, this is a short, but vital message. Too often we get a prompting and react, because on the surface it seems right. Often it has to do with church work, and so we assume it must be from God, but church work is not always God's work. The Apostle Paul was prevented, by the Holy Spirit, from preaching in Asia. (Acts 16:6)
Friends, we must make every effort to affirm things we are called to do and say. We may pray for the gift of discernment, but we must remember also, that God provides other ways to discern His will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. How do you discern God's will?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum."
A.W.Tozer
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
ListenDaily - 03 February 2009; "To another, prophecy"
ListenDaily - 03 February 2009; "To another, prophecy"
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another prophecy...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
"to another prophecy..."
The word 'prophecy' has widely come to be known as a sort of foretelling, the sharing of events before they happen. Although some prophetic events in Scripture were of this nature, prophecy is not limited to knowing, or telling, the future. Prophecy, is insight from God, whether about past, present, or future events.
Even though we hear so much talk about "prophecies being fulfilled', the Old and New Testament examples of prophecy bear out that prophesy has other purposes as well.
In the New Testament, the gift of prophesy is referred to as Godly insight for current events ( see Matt.26:67-68, John 4:16-19). It certainly can involve future events. (Acts 21:10-11) Prophesy is understood withing the limits of our minds, and to the level God would have us understand, but always points toward ultimate truth. (1 Cor.13:9).
Some question whether or not God uses prophets today, the argument often being that Scripture has taken the place as the mouthpiece for God.
One thing is certain; a prophet is subject to God and His Word. Anything that anyone ever speaks, whether prophesying or sermonizing, must be compared to God's Word. "If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored." (1 Cor. 14:37-38)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think there are prophets in the world today?
2. Is this view of prophecy different from your earlier understanding?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum."
A.W.Tozer
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another prophecy...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
"to another prophecy..."
The word 'prophecy' has widely come to be known as a sort of foretelling, the sharing of events before they happen. Although some prophetic events in Scripture were of this nature, prophecy is not limited to knowing, or telling, the future. Prophecy, is insight from God, whether about past, present, or future events.
Even though we hear so much talk about "prophecies being fulfilled', the Old and New Testament examples of prophecy bear out that prophesy has other purposes as well.
In the New Testament, the gift of prophesy is referred to as Godly insight for current events ( see Matt.26:67-68, John 4:16-19). It certainly can involve future events. (Acts 21:10-11) Prophesy is understood withing the limits of our minds, and to the level God would have us understand, but always points toward ultimate truth. (1 Cor.13:9).
Some question whether or not God uses prophets today, the argument often being that Scripture has taken the place as the mouthpiece for God.
One thing is certain; a prophet is subject to God and His Word. Anything that anyone ever speaks, whether prophesying or sermonizing, must be compared to God's Word. "If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored." (1 Cor. 14:37-38)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think there are prophets in the world today?
2. Is this view of prophecy different from your earlier understanding?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum."
A.W.Tozer
Monday, February 2, 2009
ListenDaily - 02 February 2009; POWER!!!
ListenDaily - 02 February 2009; POWER!!!
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another miraculous powers...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Miraculous powers..."
I have to honest here; the idea of there being even more powers than those listed (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in and interpretation of tongues) makes me pause for a moment.
What else could there be?
For examples, I would think we should look at the miracles performed by 'ordinary people' in the New Testament. Demons were cast out, people were healed, and they were not all pleasant...Acts 13 tells of a man going blind, through Paul.
So it seems that these "miraculous powers" could be referring to things in our list as well as other miracles, as deemed necessary by God.
A question is; do these same things happen today? Are these "miraculous powers", or any of the gifts of the Spirit still available today?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you accept, reject, or feel unsure about these gifts?
2. Do the leaders of your church discuss them?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
As our Lord asked the sick man whether he wished to be healed, so, without our consent,
He will not save us; and sinners are without excuse for not consenting to the will of the Lord and their own salvation."
Cardinal Bonaventura
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given...to another miraculous powers...
From 1 Corinthians 12 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Miraculous powers..."
I have to honest here; the idea of there being even more powers than those listed (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in and interpretation of tongues) makes me pause for a moment.
What else could there be?
For examples, I would think we should look at the miracles performed by 'ordinary people' in the New Testament. Demons were cast out, people were healed, and they were not all pleasant...Acts 13 tells of a man going blind, through Paul.
So it seems that these "miraculous powers" could be referring to things in our list as well as other miracles, as deemed necessary by God.
A question is; do these same things happen today? Are these "miraculous powers", or any of the gifts of the Spirit still available today?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you accept, reject, or feel unsure about these gifts?
2. Do the leaders of your church discuss them?
3. Why do we not see more manifestations of the gifts?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
As our Lord asked the sick man whether he wished to be healed, so, without our consent,
He will not save us; and sinners are without excuse for not consenting to the will of the Lord and their own salvation."
Cardinal Bonaventura
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