I got to see Pastor Don in counseling on Friday. Walking downstairs to Bible study he asked me to give him a topic for discussion. I blanked out, but he told me he expected a topic. I came up with Hearing from the Holy Spirit – and Pastor Don taught on that for the full Bible study – he knows the Bible so well that passages just flowed. I want to know the Bible that well, I want to be able to teach like that, to have a ready answer. I pray that God does that in my life!

The most important part of a relationship is communication. Marriages work well when there is communication between the partners. A football coach who does not communicate with his team will not be effective. Neither will a team who does not communicate with the coach work well together.

So often in our personal lives we do not communicate with ourselves. Sometimes we are divided. Hurt and pain causes us not to realize what is really in our best interests. There is often a battle between our Spirit Man and our Soul Man (physical, mental, emotional).

There are ways that we communicate with ourselves. – Spirit – body, Spirit - soul, spirit (ours) to Spirit (Holy Spirit).

When we pray in tongues (our private prayer language), we edify ourselves. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

When we speak mysteries to God, we edify ourselves. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now now condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit helps us to live free from a life of sin. The flesh does battle with the inner man, trying to keep him from walking to the dictates of God.

Romans 8:7-9 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Verse 9 often gets us in trouble for many use this verse to say that we can lose our salvation. It means more than that, it means we are deadened in Spirit, have doubt in Christ or the Holy Spirit. We have stepped out of faith and into unbelief.

God has given us the Holy Spirit as proof. If I say I can lose that, I have separated myself from God. By faith we accept His salvation. If we teach you can lose that, then we have stepped off into doubt and unbelief like a heathen. Everybody has periods of doubt. God knows that – and he has given us scriptures like this to encourage us not to doubt. The scriptures clearly show that He knows the times when a believer is disconnected from His voice. He knows when we are choosing not to answer the Holy Ghost Phone, and put on the answering machine instead. Peter promised Jesus that he would never turn away from Jesus, but then Peter denied Jesus three times. And later Jesus gave Peter a chance to affirm his love three times.

After we mess up, we can gain our strength back in the ETERNAL CALL OF CHRIST. So often we end up in a hissy fit and turn our back on Christ. But Christ does not move, He is still there, and when we repent, turn back to Him, he is ready to help us. We can’t get his help though if we are disconnected from His answers.

So many people end up with periods of stress, emotional distress, personal troubles or financial issues, and then they blame the church. They leave the church blaming the church and God for their troubles. When they were in Christ, they thought they would have it all together. Not so, we still have to face the challenges of this world, and leaving the church is leaving the one place where we can get it together. But people will use their problems as an excuse to fall away from God and leave the church.

People will get gloriously saved, and then get disheartened when in church they see fights among members, dissention, receive a negative comment, or a bad phone call. The CHURCH IS NOT CHRIST, it is the BODY of CHRIST. The church is the unpurified virgin making herself ready for the wedding – she is not yet wearing a white robe. The Church is preparing itself to be a virgin bride of Christ. When the Church falls short, it is NOT JESUS’ FAULT.

Jesus is not offended by what we do naturally, he has anticipated that we would do these things, and died for our sins before we were even thought of. Died for our sins past, present and future. As parents, we are not offended when our baby soils its diaper, we clean the baby, put on a new diaper and wait until the baby is old enough to take the next step.

In Church someones’s communication system with the Father might break down. Pastor Don told the sad joke about a scruffy man who entered a wealthy church and was shunned by the people, the pastor spoke rudely to him, and pretty much the man felt unwelcome. The man went home and prayed to Jesus asking Him why the church treated Him so. Jesus said, “I don’t know – they haven’t made Me welcome either.”

There are breakdowns in the communication system. Some things communicated in the church are not necessarily received from God. People blame God for these false things, but it is not from God.

A lot of non-Biblical things are in the Church. How can we prevent lack of communication from happening? Only follow instruction and walk in the footsteps of someone you are in constant communication with. (Preferably someone who is being led by God.) Divorces happen because of lack of communication. Church problems also happen because of lack of communication.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Pastor Don said that this lack of communication is something like God wanting to talk to us by email and we are picking up the telephone. While the telephone works, it is not the means that God is using. God wants us to get over to the computer and check our email.

When we insist on picking up the telephone when God is on email it is us acting in the flesh according to our own understanding. It will get us to the wrong place everytime. If we have disease, stress, anger, or fear we are not on God’s frequency. When we are in the mollygrubs (a word none of us knew which means depressed) it is hard to reach God. The only way to reach God in depression is when we come to the end of our depression, at the end of despair. When we are angry and upset and we don’t hear from God, we get mad at Him. It is misplaced anger, and God does not acknowledge our yammering when we are speaking out of faith. The only time God will stop to hear is when we get the the end of ourself, and we turn around (repent) and say BUT GOD…..

If God responded to our anger and despair he would be resounding in the flesh, not in His nature. God does not want to teach us inappropriate responses. (Heather’s note: in teaching my kids not to have temper tantrums I had to ignore very valid requests until they were stated in an acceptable manner. Throwing ones’s self on the ground and kicking and flailing would not get the requested thing. I knew that if I gave in, then the kids would learn wrong behavior and think that they could get whatever they wanted by kicking and screaming. How much more our loving Father will wait until we are asking in faith in the right attitude. He too wants us to grow in Him).

Now God has gotten angry, two times come to mind. When the Israelites built the idols, God told Moses to go down from the mountain so he could work up his anger. And then when Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple, he stopped and braided a cord to use as a whip. Uncontrolled anger is unproductive. Pastor Don spoke about how his sons at times were very rebellious but in such funny and clever ways that Pastor Don would have to leave the room to get his face set in angry mode so that he could discipline the kids with proper attitude, not laughing at their foibles.

What we need to realize is that our upbringing, habits and attitudes can lead to our destruction. After awhile, even a person addicted to cocaine will realize that it is deadly for them, and that it will kill them if they do not make a life change. Same way with our negative thinking and habits. We have to come to the realization that they are our downfall. If we are looking to others to make us happy, and we are miserable in attitude, nothing that the other person will do can be enough to break the cycle of misery. If we are angry with or without the input of another person. The only way to break out of the cycle is to look up to God for guidance.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Pastor Don asked if you had salt and pepper shakers and looked at them, how would you tell if one had salt or pepper – the answer was look through the transparent glass. If we become transparent we can see what is in us and holding us back. If we are speaking through lying and deceit, we can’t change. The only way we can change is becoming transparent.

Life will always provide us with a reason to get upset. Life is not perfect. Some think that when they are unhappy money and things will make them feel better. But the problem is, you never have enough money. There are many happy people who we would consider poor that are happier than many of the rich people we know. The real issue is, “Where do you set your meter of satisfaction?” Unhappiness, depression, anger is related to where the meter is set, but we can reset the meter.

Pastor Don and Cynthia (his wife) went down to New Orleans and started talking with people. Two best friends who were both Christian, had the same insurance company and similar damage to their homes spoke with Pastor Don. One was bitter and angry, the other was happy – she had a job, a room to stay until her house was rebuilt. The other lady was complaining bitterly to the insurance companies, and anyone else who would listen. Her friend told her to be sweet and thankful, but she did not. The end result was that the other woman was happy, and God did a remarkable outpouring of blessing into her life to get her back on her feet. The bitter, angry woman held onto her bitterness. Another waitress counted herself blessed and highly favored because God was good – this woman was a waitress (had a job) and had a room that she shared with six family members but was grateful.

Pastor Don said that we have to ask: WHO IS TALKING TO WHOM.

Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors–not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if  you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

You can’t be led by somebody you aren’t talking to. If you are not leading under guidance of the Spirit, you are like the blind leading the blind, and you will fall into a pit. To be led you have to have someone going ahead of you.

Pastor Don gave an example of how many people “follow” God. He said imagine you are in your car and God is in a car. God knows the way to go, and you “follow” God by being the lead car. You come to a stoplight and turn right, then you glance in your rear view mirror and notice that God’s car isn’t there. You stop to get a latte at Dunkin’ Doughnuts. Then you go back to the stoplight where you last saw God’s car. You go straight and don’t find His car. You then go back to the stoplight and make a left turn. There is God in His car waiting on the side of the road for you to get to where He is. He then waits to see what you will do, will you again take the lead or will you wait for God to move and follow Him. Either way, He will not leave you or forsake you, but He will let you go your own way until you finally realize that in order to follow Him, you have to FOLLOW HIM.

So often we go our own way and then feel God has left us. We get angry when we are not going the direct way, when we go the wrong way. We have to communicate with God to know where He wants us to go and where He is going.

Then someone asked a question about anger, and Pastor Don said Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, and do not sin” do not let the sun go down on your wrath. And Psalm 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

Most any emotion that we have can either be used in a Godly fashion or as a sin. Pastor Don asked: Is there love that is a sin? Is there grief that is a sin? Is there gladness that is a sin? (glad someone you don’t like got in trouble) Is there joy that is a sin? Anger is just another emotion.

Psalm 4:1-8 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. (2) How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah (3) But I know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. (4) Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah (5) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. (6)There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. (7) You have put gladness in my heart more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. (8) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep: For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

(Heather’s note this Psalm also talks about where one puts the meter of satisfaction and joy. gladness in a hear even more than when grain and wine harvests increased). But Pastor Don pointed out that this is a good Psalm to read when you are having problems sleeping at night.

Thinking of God gets us out of distress and away from focusing on ourselves. When we speak praise to God, He hears and responds. Verse 3 – God sets apart those who are godly, It is ok to get upset, but don’t focus on it to the point where it will get you to sin. Righteous indignation is ok. If I offend you, you have a right to get upset, but you do not have the right to gossip about it, curse about it, profane God, or use profanity if you speak to me about it. You sin when you are angry and the resulting action is inappropriate and wrong. You can speak to me about the thing that caused anger, communicate your feelings, take them to God – that is permitted.

Then Pastor Don pointed out that God schedules divine appointments for us, but that doesn’t mean that we have to attend, we can choose to not listen to the Holy Spirit and miss the appointment. The way God schedules divine appointments is to lead people to where we are supposed to be, but many of us do not go to where we are supposed to be. And if we are there, we are not doing due diligence. Usually when we learn from God, God is prompting the students down a road. Sometimes satan tries to mess with God’s guidance. Pastor Don asked us if we have ever been driving in a car to someplace and had an urge from left field to crash into a tree, or had an urge to date a person that we know isn’t God’s best for us? If satan can send us on a side excursion or tempt us to do harm to ourselves physically, emotionally, or spiritually he can prevent us from making our divine appointments.

We need to check ourselves and our promptings – not all promptings are from God. Ask ourselves, “AM I HEARING FROM GOD?” We need to make sure we are on the correct frequency.

Not all the shows on Christian Television are giving accurate Word of God. Some are saying that they are speaking prophetically, but where they are getting their information is NOT from God.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adaption by which we cry out “Abba, Father.”  You need to know when something you have received is not from God. If it brings fear on us, it is not from God. The only kind of fear we can have with God is Godly fear – which is awe and respect. We are not meant to be in bondage, or in fear, fearing consequences that may not come about.

Romans 8:16-19 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

God’s nature is in us, in our spirit. It will be revealed on the outside so that it impacts other people. If I am a Christian, I want people to see it in how I walk, how I talk, how I live my life.

Pastor Don kept reminding us “THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE FEELING. Are you functioning out of fear or out of faith? Are you looking in the rear view mirror, or following God? Are we communicating with the Great Communicator, or acting on our own? Before you make a decision, take a moment, and ask your inward witness what your decision should be. When we are a follower of Christ, we must apply every aspect of what we are doing to what Christ is wanting for us. Who are you listening to? Make sure it is from God!

When we are unsure, ask God. He will get the answer to us. If we find we have missed God, go back to where we last saw Him. Ask: WHAT CAN I DO FOR THE LORD? Where are my talents and how does God want me to use them? How has God prepared me to use them? What further preparation do I need to do what God wants me to do? Are my excuses for not doing these things valid? Most often, we don’t have to do as much as we think in our own understanding that we have to do.

The Church needs simple stuff. If God has given you a job to do you must keep doing the job until you find a Joshua (Joshua carried on where Moses left off), or until God tells you to stop doing the job. If you stop because you are tired or bored of the job you are out of line.

We often spend a lot of our life doing things both we and God get little benefit from – jobs we may like to do, but God is not there telling us to do them. God prepares us, gives us the background and training for future things we have to do. God does not want us so busy that we neglect our life – our family, our spiritual growth. We have to take time out to hear God’s voice, to read His Word, to pray.

We must learn to hear His voice and He will speak to us. Sometimes it is through the radio, through a song, through our Bible reading, through Prayer, through the Holy Spirit, through others, at church, during a sermon, even unsaved people might have a message from God for us. We just have to make time to listen to God and obey His Word.

Hope you have a blessed day today. In New York, Columbus Day is a holiday, so kids are off from school.

Heather

Thought you might want to see a picture from New York City. Jim actually knelt in the bus lane to get a picture of us in front of the parabolic mirror at Rockefeller Center. If you look at the cars you actually see Jim reflected in the mirror near the rear wheel of the red car kneeling in the bus lane. We were concerned and trying to smile at the same time.

Here is Edward dressed up in a suit with his sunglasses. Kind of reminds me of Men in Black.

And all three kids together – From left to right – Christopher, Katherine and Edward. They are great kids!

I will try to get Friday’s Bible study up later after church!.

Heather

I got to see Pastor Don today. One of the things I always do is give Pastor Don copies of the Bible study notes that I share with you, and your comments. The other day I put up an entry about the Holy Spirit and Tongues. I printed that out too because if I am sharing something I want to make sure it is Biblical. Pastor Don spent some time reading comments and gave me answers to two of the commenters. You should know that Pastor Don values any comments you make on his teachings, for it helps him to see what he still needs to teach on, and also he loves to hear what others have to say. You bless him with your comments. So tonight, I am going to put up the two comments that Pastor Don addressed and his responses. I was scribbling notes -it was like my own private Bible study.

Here is the article on the Holy Spirit link.

First comment:

Pastor Don pointed out that the support verses used for your argument are not taken in context. For your reference to Acts 2:7-12 you have to go back to verse 4 to gain insight into the context. Acts 2:4-6 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own tongue.

Verse 4 The Holy Spirit utterance was not a language that they knew (other tongues), and some accused them of babbling. There would be no miracle if the men were babbling. So in order for this to be perceived as a miracle, the were actually speaking in foreign languages that they did not ordinarily speak or that they were speaking in tongues – with interpretation in foreign languages.

Verse 6 the weight of the miracle is actually in this confusion – they would not appear drunk.Verse 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. If they spilled out into the street speaking intelligible language it would be no miracle. If they were speaking a foreign language it would be assumed in this coastal town that they were familiar with the foreign language that they were speaking, that they were just being loud in the morning, and it would not lead to conversions.

The only explanation to this passage as a sign and wonder is that they were speaking tongues in an unintelligible language and this converted many nonbelievers and witnesses and participants in that miracle (sign and wonder) and the tongues were interpreted by the listeners into their language.

1 Corinthians 14:21-22 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people, and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me, says the LORD. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

The prophetic reference to the verse above said of tongues is for the purpose of prophetic conversion of unbelievers. Paul’s quote of the Old Testament was pointing to the fact that God in the later days (from the cross to the present) would use every vehicle of language to reach the unsaved and to reach unbelievers who refuse or are unable to see God’s supernatural ability by using unintelligible tongues and languages. But yet and still people will not hear. The passage is a reference to tongues being used under the Spiritual Gifts of Corinthians 12 to profit all, not from Corinthians 14 which is a prayer language to edify the individual believer.

I Corinthians 14: 2, 4 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him, however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries, (4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

I Corinthians 12:27-28 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed to these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is wanting to correct the situation of confusion and warns us not to forbid speaking in tongues I Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

He encourages us that we need to pray that God gives us interpretation of tongues.                 1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. We are told to pray in the Spirit even though tongues is a prayer language unfruitful to our understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. He concludes that we are to pray both with understanding and with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; Paul exceeds the church in Corinth in praying in tongues – he prays in tongues more than them.  Therefore his letter is his effort to set forth that the gift in chapter 12 is not practiced in the same manner as the prayer language in Chapter 14. Consideration must be given to politeness and spiritual order. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.  Verse 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

God is a God of order. He reminds us in verse 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

In the modern church, instead of bringing order to the use and operation of tongues as a personal prayer language and signs and wonders, of prophesying in the congregation. The church has thrown out the baby with the bathwater. In the church is preached doubt and unbelief rather than practice and yieldness, thereby robbing the church and the saints of the individual edification, weapon of evangelism, and prophetic edification of the Church by the Spiritual voice of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Don then said, as a Baptist boy who did not believe in tongues, I prayed a simple prayer.”If it is a twofold gift by the Holy Spirit I yield to it and I receive what you have for me. If it is of the devil or just error, I trust you to keep it from me, and protect me by your power.” This simple prayer of faith opened the door to the supernatural for me and It will do the same for you.

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The Biblical answer to what you shared is Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He who makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

*****

I hope that the answers to these comments bless you too.

Heather

Pastor Don pointed out that if we get these Kingdom Principles,  our lives will change dramatically. It will change our physical, mental, spiritual and social lives.

Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying,”What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”

KINGDOM PRINCIPLE: Do not worry. Pastor Don pointed out that this was not a suggestion, not a recommendation, but it was a command: DO NOT WORRY!

People want to glorify worry. In fact, if someone is sharing a problem, they will tend to get upset if you tell them not to worry. They will fight you to worry. We make worry a habit. We practice worry, feed worry, and keep it going.

One example is when we rehearse what we are going to say to someone – we know that there might be a problem so we lay awake at night running scenarios in our mind – if he says this, I will say that….But when the time comes, many times our scenarios do not pan out and we spend hours of sleeplessness worrying about something that isn’t going to happen.

We also spend time worrying whether or not someone likes us or not.

Matthew 6:32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

We are not to worry about any physical thing, any financial thing, our clothing, our food. The Gentiles worry about these things. God knows what we need before we ask Him.

In the Kingdom, God is a benevolent dictator, who is responsible for everyone in the Kingdom. He will provide for the needs of his subjects. We, on earth, have a democratic mindset. We worry about everyone and we worry about ourselves.  Christians live in the Kingdom of God. The things we need are the Kingdom’s responsibilities not the world’s or ourselves.

When we worry we are refusing to obey the dictates of the Kingdom and espousing to take God’s position. This is not just disobedience, it is anarchy. It is God’s job to see to my needs. It is my job to show up where He wants me to show up. I won’t be able to do that if I am not plugged into the Kingdom as a subject and waiting for His instructions. We need to practice waiting for and obeying His instructions for our lives.

When we worry we work at justifying our need to worry. Some people worry so much that they end up not having a life to tell about, because they are so worried about things. But what they are worrying about is not life.

Pastor Don gave an example (using women of course she says smiling). A woman is going to an formal event and she needs a dress. She worries about what she will wear. According to Pastor Don the problem is simple – open up your closet door and look – you either have a dress to wear in there or not. If you don’t, you need to go shopping. Of course, Pastor Don is amazed at how women can have a closet full of clothes and feel they have nothing to wear. In the Kingdom, if you need a dress you have the freedom to get a dress.

If I am worrying about a situation – worry is not going to help.
If I am worrying about a situation – I believe I am in control.
If I am worrying about a situation – I believe I am responsible for it.

In reality none of the above three sentences are true! If I am living in a state of worry I will be adopting a lot of alternatives to prove that my worry is accurate.

We need to ask ourselves this important question: CAN I THINK ABOUT WHAT I AM THINKING ABOUT? Is what I am thinking about Kingdom thinking?

Our minds can run thoughts that are not Kingdom thoughts – and then it is like running without a throttle. We need to take our thoughts captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

We need to be obedient to Christ, not obedient to our worry. When we realize that we are thinking thoughts that are not Kingdom thoughts, we need to stop ourselves. I don’t need an excuse to worry. I have free will in the Kingdom of God to go shopping (back to the formal dress scenario). I don’t need to worry to make an excuse to shop. Christians refuse to give themselves permission to be happy.

Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Worry won’t add to or change the picture. People worry about what others think about, but the ones that they are worrying about have no Kingdom authority over them. There are only two people that you have to worry about what they are thinking about you. 1) Jesus Christ and 2) your spiritual head. And if your spiritual head is being a good shepherd, the only one to be concerned about is what Jesus is thinking about you.

Others in the church that have their opinions are only beneficial for sharpening your spiritual skills. Some may challenge you in the area of love, or acceptance, or sharpening each other’s skills, teaching us where we need to work on ourselves.  The best place for annoying people is in the church, for they are beneficial for helping the saints to grow in love, and the annoying people will also begin to learn to get their annoying behavior under control.

Part of our training is to learn how to keep in perspective why people are in our lives. We need to learn how to stay in the Kingdom when others in our lives are outside of the Kingdom in their actions. We cannot let the fleshly emotions affect us in the Kingdom.

John 18:33-36 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done? Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

KINGDOM PRINCIPLE. Just because everybody is doing it doesn’t excuse you for doing it. We don’t get offended and we don’t fight. Jesus could have called down legions of angels to protect Himself, He could have rallied the nation of Israel to fight for Him, but that is not what He did. He pointed out that His kingdom was not the earth’s.

We are concerned about the proper use of money, but not concerned about the possession of money. God will not fully bless us in any area until we show that we are trustworthy in that area. If we are going to use any area in our lives in an unkingdom like manner, God will not bless that.

In the Kingdom I can have money but money doesn’t have me. If God allows us to have money, He will want it used according to Kingdom Principles.

In the Kingdom things that get you upset are not the same as what would get you upset in the world. In the World you get upset when your hero is hurt and when you get offended you fight. The spiritual leaders do not remember that they are servants, and they get offended if they are not served by the people.

Jesus did not take offense when people mistreated and abused Him. He did not strike back, He served the people, healing and providing teachings. When He spit at someone, it was to heal them. In the Kingdom we don’t do what others expect us to do, for we are functioning under Kingdom Principles.

Romans 14:14-15 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

KINGDOM PRINCIPLE: If anything in my behavior will cause you to sin, I will not do it in front of you. Pastor Don pointed out that if he is with someone who is a non-pork eater, he won’t order bacon. For some dietary restrictions are the only part of their lives that they have control over, and it would be a shame to do anything that would weaken that control. This has nothing to do with a value judgment, it is part of not wanting a person to stumble.

When we come to Christ, we sing, “I surrender all.” Once we state that, we can no longer use the excuse, “That’s just the way I am.” That is a lame excuse for doing the worldly behavior we still want to do. We need to be doing Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. This is part of the analysis of a Kingdom Principle. I have to reorganize, realize what thoughts are permitted and line up with God’s Word, and recognize what is not beneficial.

KINGDOM PRINCIPLE: To be concerned about the spiritual well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ. To not do anything that would cause them to stumble in their spiritual walk.

You may have an opinion about me, but I am not going to let your opinion of me limit my freedom in Christ. I am still free in Christ. You may not like me, but that will not cause me to cease loving you, change my actions, limit my freedom in the Body of Christ. I won’t allow my opinion of you cause me to influence you to sin. I will not even bring an accusation against you.

Romans 14:16-17 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

There is a difference between spiritual worship and religious worship.

Religious worship is being led to worship according to cultural dictates and traditions of a people or group. (Stand, sit, kneel at prescribed periods). But when asked to show where a particular action is Biblical, often there is not a chapter or verse that states that this is how it ALWAYS is. The Pharisees and Scribes were doing things out of a religious practice. There is a major problem with this type of worship. Everybody can get to a relationship with God by spiritual worship, but religious worship and traditions do not guarantee a relationship with God. The traditions exert a political and social control over the people. Often they are made by leaders who pick traditions that they like and do well, or that they like to see others doing.

Spiritual worship is relational, you are led to worship in a certain way by the Sprit. And if asked why you are kneeling or standing, or singing, you can give chapter and verse. If you are seeking God for relationship, He will show up.

Jesus is offering Kingdom righteousness, peace and joy in relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The problem is that when you are born again it is not a guarantee of righteousness, peace and joy. You can wake up tomorrow and find that you do not have righteousness, peace and joy. You can have a bad day, a foul mouth. You need to bring yourself in line with the Kingdom of God to attain righteousness, peace and joy.

Romans 14:18-19 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

We need to put Christ first, and edify the body of Christ.

Hebrews 1:8-9 But to the Son (Jesus) He (God) says: “Your throne, O God (Jesus)  is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God (Jesus), your God (God), has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.

Here is a verse that shows that Jesus is God. The Father is speaking to the Son, and calling Him God. The scepter is a symbol of power and authority in righteousness. One thing you cannot compromise on is your individual personal righteousness. You can’t take 1/2 step in the wrong direction. You can’t talk about prosperity and cheat on your taxes. The Kingdom of God is Righteousness (the first thing mentioned) peace and joy. You cannot abdicate on any of the 10 commandments, or part with any of the gifts of the spirit. Righteousness establishes you as an member of the Kingdom of God. Jesus never forsook righteousness in any of His dealings on earth. If we lose our righteousness, we lose our peace and joy. After the devil tempts us to unrighteousness, he steals our peace and joy. The good news is that once we repent 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Someone asked what righteousness was, and it is living right, just doing right. Pastor Don said that one time he asked his father if he should do something or not do something and his father answered him, “If you think it is wrong, don’t do it.” If the Holy Spirit gives you a check in your spirit don’t do it. We are clothed in righteousness because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Hebrews 12:27-29 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

Fire cleanses and purges anything that is not of God. Everything not of God will be burned away. What we want is for God to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God will look not at what we do (not if we are pastor, potentate, janitor, sanitation engineer, soldier, etc) but what we do with what God has given us. Will we use His gifts the way He wants us to use them in service of His kingdom? Kingdom values are different from earthly values. God wants to know if we have sown seed, produced new seed, growth for the Kingdom. That is what matters in God’s kingdom. We don’t ever retire from Kingdom work, we can’t stop talking about the goodness and love of God.

Mark 12:28-34 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “There is no other commandment greater than these.” So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher,” You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus did not tell the scribe that he was IN the Kingdom of God, just that he wasn’t far from the Kingdom of God. The scribe had intellectual understanding, but hadn’t come to the point of relationship with God. Revelation without relationship is empty. God wants us to come into relationship with Him. Jesus will come for His Bride. He knows us intimately, and wants relationship with us. Marriage is a commitment. We have a relationship with Jesus even though we do not have everything revealed to us.

In the Kingdom of God, we know the Beauty of the Groom, Jesus Christ, and even though we don’t know every aspect of what He is doing in our lives, we receive by faith the relationship.

Matthew 13:10-13 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given to you in that hour, speak that, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Mysteries are given to us of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is relational, revealed truths of the gospel. The Body of Christ can be confused by teachers that stick to tradition instead of preaching the Word of God. Righteousness, peace and Joy is the goal. Righteousness is the most important goal, after that various areas of prosperity are received. But God is not going to release that if we are not living rightly. Jesus says we have not because we ask not, or we ask AMISS. It is amiss if we are seeking prosperity instead of righteousness, peace and joy. God has given everyone a measure of faith, and it is up to us to use that measure.

When we use our faith we receive abundance and knowledge. Fear keeps the Body of Christ from prosperity. The work plan of God gives us the seed to sow. We are not to eat our seed, but to sow the seed to grow the Kingdom.

KINGDOM PRINCIPLE: God has a destiny for us. He wants us to go from here to there. The space between were you are and there is affected from the beginning to where you are now. That is the space of preparedness. What we do to prepare helps us to get to there.

What is sad is that many people spend time preparing, then they get off the track and end up on a side journey. When they look back at their life they can’t figure out why they aren’t going where God wanted them to go, not realizing that they had gotten tricked by a side journey that led them nowhere.

God teaches us and gives us the tools to get from here to there. But we have to obey His guidance and avoid the sidetracks. In the Kingdom of God we will not have to wonder what He has equipped us to do. We must seek the Kingdom and God and He will then open up the understanding to us.

Hope this teaching blessed you. It sure has given me a higher level of accountability. I so much want to do what God wants me to do, and to be a good ambassador for Him.

Have a blessed day today!

Heather

Chapter 2 skips to Moses at about the age of 40. Moses has been living in Pharaoh’s household with perks, education, and now he is grown.

Verse 11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.

I find it very interesting that Moses still identified with the Israelites, calling them his brethren. Seems that Moses’ mother did a good job in teaching him the truth. Moses went out (like Jesus came down) and saw the burdens of his people. Unlike Jesus who did what His father told Him, Moses acted under his own prompting, and like us – when we do what seems right in our understanding we often get it wrong. Moses will get it wrong here.

Moses now acts rashly, but thought that he was being cautious, but his sin will find him out. Verse 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Moses looked this way, and that way, but he did not look UP to see if this is what God wanted. I think that sometimes we do similar things to what Moses did. We see a need and jump right in to try and ease the need. Sometimes it is not what God intended, or how God wants us to minister – so we end up killing the opportunity that was there for God to intervene. And instead of much good coming from it, the opportunity is wasted. I am trying to really act as God directs, but still too often I act on impulse.

This is a case where Moses wanted to help God out by protecting his brethren, but God doesn’t need our help, He does permit us to work alongside with Him, but He can do what He needs to do without our help. Moses thought that he had fully covered up the murder.

Verse 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion”. Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!”

There is so much in this – notice the second day (on the third day Moses will be in the wilderness – I am trying to track mentions of third days). But Moses took it upon himself to judge between the two men, but remember that he had compromised his authority by the murder of the Egyptian. Moses was judging from a place of sin. Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Moses had lost his moral authority with the murder of the Egyptian. And because he was an Israelite in the Egyptian household, he did not have the same bond with the people. I think it is incredible that God can take a murderer, look beyond the surface and see the leader that is hidden underneath the dross. We too are murderers by Jesus’ standards, for anyone who bears a grudge against another commits murder in Jesus’ economy. God sees our rough forms and allows life to smooth out the rough edges so that we fit perfectly in the whole Body of Christ. Sometimes the shaping process can be tough too.

In those days, murdering an Egyptian was a capital offense, and because Moses knew that he had been found out, he had to run. He reacted and ran to the wilderness. But Moses also knew that his adopted siblings would have gladly done away with him, because he was a threat to their inheritance, and to their power. So Moses had no choice but to run. Even when we react to a situation, do something in error, God will use that to shape us and form us to his Perfect Will. Moses will learn much that will grow him to take the ultimate job that God has in mind for him, the freeing of the Israelites and guiding them towards the Promised Land. I am so glad that we serve such an awesome God!

I am going to post this, we will get to the rest of the chapter after a brief interlude tomorrow to post Pastor Don’s Bible study. We do serve an awesome God. What I am finding interesting is how the various Bible studies I am taking are meshing so much together. I think God is working some things out in my life through them, so if I linger somewhat, it is because I am really reflecting on what God is trying to tell me.

Have a blessed night!

Heather

I counted the number of Bible studies that I went to last week – it was 6 in one week – maybe I can go for the Guiness Book of World Records? Anyway, guess what – there is a chapter 2 in Exodus and we have finally made the trek to get there.

If you recall 430 years passed that the Israelites were in Egypt – and due to a change in leadership, the Pharaoh did not remember what Joseph did for his country generations ago. The Israelites started multiplying, and their many offspring became a threat to Egypt. The Pharaoh’s solution was to kill all the boys – something like that would also happen when Jesus was born – definitely a plot of satan to destroy the line that would lead to the salvation of the world. The midwives refused to go along with Pharaoh’s program so Pharaoh decreed that any male sons would be put into the river and drowned. Well, the best laid plans of Pharaohs will not succeed, for this plan will ultimately lead to the redemption of the nation Israel.

So, now Chapter 2 – many years will be condensed in this chapter.

An Israelite woman bore a son, and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him three months. But, and this is exciting, she could not hide him longer than three months (remember 3 days in tomb, etc). she built an ark of bulrushes, daubed it with asphalt and pitch and put him in the ark, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.

First of all, there is no logic in that, for there were soldiers stationed at the river’s edge to kill any child put in the water, so it is not “logical” how she preserved his life by putting the baby in an ark, in the river. But then, God’s plans are foolishness to us - this woman is a very resourceful woman – she will manipulate things so that she gets paid for raising her son, and she instills the teachings of the Israelites in him.

Verse 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.

I find the concept of arks very interesting – they all serve the purpose of preserving life. There is Noah’s ark, this ark, and then later we will see the ark of the covenant -where man can meet God at the mercy seat. All of the arks are a picture of Jesus Christ, for all deal with death, life and salvation.

What is interesting is that Noah’s ark and this ark for the boy is covered with pitch. Pitch was what was used in the making of mummies, and speaks of death – yet death will preserve life – just like Jesus’ death preserves our life. The asphalt (also in some translations called slime) was the same substance that was used for the tower of Babel’s construction, it speaks of man’s efforts, which are imperfect attempts at imitating God. It is also interesting that God closed Noah into the ark, and Moses’ mother closed Moses into his ark. Both arks preserved life from drowning, both arks lead to the preservation of the line from Adam to Jesus.

So Moses is laid in this ark and his sister (Miriam – who we will meet later) stood by the river to see what would happen to this child. We all know that there are no accidents in God’s kingdom, so it is exciting what happens next.

Verse 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside, and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

Against her father’s orders, she has compassion on a Hebrew boy child who her father had ordered to be slain. Only God could instigate something as wildly wonderful as this!

The baby’s sister (Miriam) asked Pharaoh’s daughter if she should go and find a wet nurse for the baby. Well the wet nurse is none other than the boy’s mother.

Verse 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

She was paid to nurse the child, and given permission to let him live. Praise God for that.

Verse 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Moses has had training from his mother regarding the Israelite history and culture, now he will be trained in Pharaoh’s court – and learn all the “knowledge” of that day and age. He will be in a position to straddle both kingdoms – and ultimately will make his choice. Moses could have chosen to live a life of luxury, to be a member of Pharaoh’s court, a son of Pharaoh, but Moses will make a different choice. I love how God gives us that option. We too make a similar choice when we choose Christ – for we choose to give up the kingdom of this world for a far greater kingdom.

But, before God can really use Moses, Moses will have to cool his heels in the wilderness (as many of us have had our wilderness experiences). He will have to be refined, and learn to be a shepherd first of sheep, then later of the Israelites. Moses will soon make a rash move that will cost him exile, but God will redeem that, and Moses will begin to act for God, instead of out of his rashness. But Moses will later on, miles down the road make another rash act that will cost him entry into the promised land.

But more about this tomorrow. My husband needs the computer tonight. I hope you have a blessed evening!

Heather

Thank you for your prayers. We had a great visit – no cavities for five people. Pretty good if you ask me. We also went to the World Trade Center site and spent some time at Rockefeller Plaza. The kids were off for Yom Kippur.

I have to tell you that God has been dealing with me for repentance lately, and I am repenting. I count myself so blessed to have the relationship with God that I have – never would I have thought that God would bless me so much with His presence. God is so awesome.

I save devotionals that are pretty awesome, and today during our long visit to the dentist my middle son was building houses of cards (granted that they were business cards) but it reminded me of the following devotional. I hope it blesses you. For most of my life I always thought that my life was as feeble as a house of card, but God has redeemed even that. May you never look at a deck of cards the same way again. This is from an anonymous source.

Deck of Cards
 
 This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign in World War II.
     After heavy fighting, the man returned to camp.  The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up church service.  The men were asked to take out their Bibles or Prayer Books.  The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards.  After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen.  The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself.
     The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained:  Well sir, 

I pray that God blesses you. I know that I am blessed by knowing all of you!

Heather

Off to the dentist this morning – ours is in New York City, hours away – so we won’t be back until late tonight – all five of us get our teeth cleaned the same day, usually around school vacations or days off - so it is a looooong day.

Anyway pray for me, I am petrified of dentists – and have panic attacks thinking. I am trying to not be afraid as God commands, but prayer can help in that regard. I keep telling myself it is just a teeth cleaning, just a teeth cleaning, sigh. I am still puzzled about some people’s careers and why they chose them. Dentists are universally not popular unless one’s teeth are hurting, then they are your friend.  Anyway, have a blessed day.

When I get back home, and can have access to the computer, I will try to respond to more of your comments. I appreciate your input into the Holy Spirit passages.

Heather

I am doing a Bible study called Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. We are all human, and I dare say that no one person, including me, has anything 100% right when it comes to knowing the truth that God has shared with us. Usually 99.9 % of what Beth teaches blesses my socks off, but there is always one or two paragraphs that raise my hackles – that don’t seem to exactly line up with God’s Word. Most times it is a little thing that ultimately doesn’t really matter, but this time the hackles were raised big time.  I am going to share what concerns me, but each person must make up their own minds according to the scriptures. It is an area that causes division between some churches today and my desire is not to bring division, but to share my concern. There are many baptisms in the Bible, and differences between them. I think Beth Moore is mis-reading the passages on tongues.

Here is the passage (p. 36-37) “The third ministry of the Holy Spirit is baptism. The Greek word for baptizing is baptizo, which means “to dip, immerse, submerge, to overwhelm, saturate….First Corinthians 12:13 refers to this Spirit baptism as “an act performed by God in joining all true believers to the body of the Lord Jesus.”
     The word baptizo was often used to describe the procedure in which a piece of cloth was dipped into dye, resulting in an entirely new color. Surely we have been dipped into the precious blood of our Savior, emerging as white as snow.
     Confusion over the exact moment of the believer’s baptism by the Holy Spirit divides denominations and individuals. Many of our fellow believers who are charismatic in their practices of the gifts of the Spirit have been taught that baptism of the Holy Spirit is the onset of the gift of tongues.
    Please look carefully at 1 Corinthians 12: 13, 30. Verse 13 says that we are all baptized by one Spirit. Verse 30 assumes we do not speak all tongues. No matter how you feel about the gifts of the Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues are not the same thing. If you have been born again, you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.”

(Heather’s note, I do agree that when we have been saved, dipped in the precious blood of the Savior, we do emerge white as snow. No problem there. I also know that when we are saved, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. My problem with this passage has to do with her interpretation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues.

Lets look at the verses that Beth uses for her proof verses to make her point. But instead of reading just the two verses she shared, let’s read the whole passage to get the context.

1 Corinthians 12:1 -11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: you know that you were gentiles; carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I made known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all, the manifestation of Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as he wills.

So this chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 is dealing with SPIRITUAL GIFTS – and from this passage, Paul is talking about the various gifts which are word of wisdom through the Spirit, word of knowledge through the same Spirit, faith by the same Spirit, gifts of  healings by the same Spirit, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different tongues, the interpretation of tongues. These are specific ministries given to people for the EDIFICATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. They are not private gifts, but are used to help others in Christ. They all stem from the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and are given to us to use to help others.

We are individuals and God deals with us individually. Paul points that out to us with the next few verses. 1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

OK, we are all one Body in Christ Jesus, and just like our human bodies have many members – feet, eyes, toes, ears, hair, elbows, so do all those who are one Body in Christ Jesus. Please read carefully verses 1-12 – does it mention anywhere BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit – no. It is talking about GIFTS of the Holy Spirit. These Gifts come to us after we have the Holy Spirit within us, after we are saved. There are other places in the Bible where it mentions Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but here Paul is talking to us about the gifts that are given through the Holy Spirit – it is a very different thing.

Now the word baptism does occur, but hear its context – 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. This is talking about what happens to us when we are saved – we are baptized into ONE BODY, drinking ONE SPIRIT. This shows that once we are saved and accept Jesus Christ – we are part of the Body of Christ. But that is ALL this passage is talking about – and then if you go to the previous verses you see that the ONE SPIRIT then gives gifts to the members of the ONE BODY – each gift is given according to the individual.

Paul continues on in verses 14-16 to elaborate about how the different parts are made to do different things, an eye cannot be a foot, etc.

Verse 18: But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

We do not become clones when we are part of the Body of Christ, God deals with us individually, and we cannot reject any part of the body, he continues, the eye can’t tell the hand I don’t need you, etc. Paul also points out that we are part of a whole body and if one part suffers, so does the other. We can think of that in our own lives, if we are in pain in one part of our body, then we are not able to do other things that we might need to accomplish. Not to mention that a body composed of all eyes, or all hands would be rather useless.

From a previous teaching I learned that the parts of the body mentioned here are all the extremities, but no where is the head mentioned – our head is Jesus Christ. And Paul says that greater honor is given to that part (Jesus). so that there should be no schism in the body. Our body needs a firm head – and Jesus provides that. When we are in Christ, we are operating through him, much the same way that our brain causes the rest of our body to function. Without the brain, without Christ, the body parts would again be useless.

Verse 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

I just love that individual part. It took me a long time to realize that God does not want clones, does not want robots, he knows us. He has formed us from before the beginning of the earth, shaped us, molded us, we are the clay and He is the potter, but He is going to use his creation in the best possible way. And His best for us coincides to what our best for us is. When I quit fighting against God’s desires for me and came in line with them, my life improved exponentially.

Then Paul talks about the various ministries and gifts that God appoints to the believers. Verse 28: And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Now that last phrase is interesting – varieties of tongues – variety means more than one kind of. The tongues mentioned in this passage in verse 10 is a specific kind of tongue – the kind that is used to help the whole Body of Christ. If we read further we will see that there are tongues for our private prayer life, and that there is an appropriate way to handle tongues in a corporate setting. When we read about tongues we have to see the whole context of what the passage is talking about. The gifts and ministries that Paul is talking about here are ones that are used for the WHOLE BODY of Christ, not the individual cells (ourselves), and the gifts are given to people INDIVIDUALLY, as God deems appropriate. Not all of us will be pastors, not all of us will be prophets, or apostles, not all of us have the gift of administration, and not all of us have the varieties of tongues for corporate ministering.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Within the above passage is Beth’s other proof passage. No where except being baptized into Christ Jesus is the word baptism mentioned, and definitely not baptism of the Holy Spirit. But this whole passage talks about the gifts of the Spirit. Not all have the same giftings to help the Body of Christ, but we are told to desire the best gifts, then God will show us a more excellent way. I wish they had not divided the chapter where they did because I think that Chapter 13 dovetails into Chapter 12 and is very important, so we will continue.

But I want to say something about gifts. When I give my kids a gift I sure hope that they open it and enjoy it. I get great pleasure from watching them enjoy the gifts I have given to them. I really hope I have picked the right ones and that they find pleasure with them. I think God feels the same way with the gifts that He bestows on us. He wants us to use them and find pleasure in them, whatever the gifts are that He individually picked for us. Will I cease loving my kids if they reject a gift I have given them? No. Will God cease loving us if we do not use the gifts? No. Will we still be saved and go to Heaven? Yes. Will God love us? Yes. But again, just like my children, I know their potential – I expect them to do well in school. If they refuse to apply themselves to their studies and get failing grades, I am going to poke and prod them to do better, but if they refuse, will I cease loving them? No, of course not. I will love my kids passionately, no matter if they succeed or fail, if they use their talents and gifts wisely or not. But my heart will break because I would know that they could do better. I think sometimes God’s heart breaks when we reject a gift of his.

If someone gives us a million dollars, deposits it in a bank account with our name on it, gives us the checkbook and tells us to use it as we will. The money is ours, but if we choose not to believe that it is there, choose to eat cat food and struggle for every penny, if we wear rags because we think we can’t afford new clothes, the person who gave us the million dollars might be rather puzzled. The money is ours, but if we don’t use it, it is useless to us. I think Paul was exhorting us to choose the best gifts – to open up the presents that God has given us and use them, to desire the best gifts. Using the gifts God gives us makes us more effective in His kingdom. They are for the whole Body of Christ. We will be loved no matter what we do or don’t do, but just like with our kids, God wants the very best for us.

Now Paul ends chapter 12 stating that he will show us a more excellent way. What is that way.

Chapter 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbol. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. While we are to desire the gifts of chapter 12, and while God will bestow them on us, if they are not used with love, they are nothing. They will not bless anyone else, nor will the use of them please God. Paul then continues to talk about what love means. This is an important prelude to chapter 14 which deals again with tongues. Paul is going to talk about the proper use of tongues, when to use them, and we will see that there are two types of tongues – one for the corporate body (church) and one for personal edification.

Chapter 14:1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophecy. Paul is telling his followers to pursue love and DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS (one of which is tongues, and interpretation of tongues). And that we prophecy – which means speaking forth God’s Word. In fact, if you ever hear a prophecy that is not confirmed in God’s Word, don’t believe it, for the Spirit and the Word must agree.

Chapter 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him, however in the spirit he speaks mysteries. When we speak in tongues we are talking to God – it is mystery to us, but God understands perfectly.

Verse 3 But he who prophecies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Prophecy – speaking forth God’s word edifies and exhorts and comforts others.

Verse 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself but he who prophecies edifies the church. When we speak in a tongue in private we build ourselves up, but for the church our personal tongues do not edify the church, that is where prophecy comes in.

Verse 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied, for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets that the church may receive edification. Paul here is wanting all to speak in tongues, but in the church itself, unless tongues is accompanied with interpretation it is “not a blessing” (as Beth Moore says). But if tongues are spoken and then interpreted so that all in church are on the same page, then it is a blessing.

Paul realizes that the Corinthians are desirous of spiritual gifts, but cautions them, verse 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. For personal vanity, for being puffed up, for one’s self alone is not what the gifts are for.

Paul states, verse 13-15 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Paul says that he will pray both with the Spirit (tongues) and with understanding (prophesy). He asks people to pray that they may learn to interpret tongues. So therefore the tongues that seem like gibberish to some, can be interpreted, and God, through the spirit will give interpretation. Paul does not reject tongues, but wants them used properly.

Verses 18-19 But I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, then ten thousand words in a tongue.

Paul, implies that he speaks more in tongues than any of his listeners – so he must be praying in tongues in private, but in a church setting, unless there is interpretation, he would rather speak clearly. But that does not mean that Paul is stating not to use tongues.

Here is an interesting passage to consider verse 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. To an unbeliever tongues is a sign and wonder – and for believers speaking forth the Word of God in prophecy.

Paul then continues on about order in the church – the idea being that unbelievers will be convicted by words of prophesy, and come to God. That in the church if all spoke in psalms, hymns, and spiritual tongues, then there would be chaos. He suggests that when someone speaks in tongues in church (2-3 at most) that there must be an interpretation of what is spoken, or the tongues were spoken out of order.

Again, in all three of the above chapters there is NO MENTION of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

For clarity, lets check out the Infilling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They (the disciples, Mary, Jesus’ mother,  and the other women) were gathered together IN ONE ACCORD – one Body. Now did they already have the Holy Spirit in them? Yes – remember John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to You! As the Father as sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained.”

The Holy Spirit was breathed into the disciples but they did not receive the Power of Holy Spirit until Pentecost, when they were infilled with the Holy Spirit and tongues. In fact, they were speaking tongues, and in that coastal town were many nationalities were represented, all heard in their own language what the disciples were saying. And the disciples after that infilling were made into bold warriors for Christ.

Now one more passage might show that there are two baptisms. Acts 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”  Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Now one more passage, Acts 10:44-48 This passage is very interesting because here tongues are given to gentiles BEFORE they are baptized into Christ.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered. “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Notice also that the gift of the Holy Spirit was identified because the gentiles SPOKE IN TONGUES.

I think that the scriptures speak for themselves. And it becomes a choice about what you believe or don’t believe. But for sure, we cannot put God in a box, and He does act as He will. And He loves us so much that He wants to bestow precious gifts upon us. I want to use as many of the gifts that He is willing to give me. I hope this has helped to clarify about tongues.

Have a great weekend.

Heather