Receiving and experiencing the Extravagant, irresistible Love of Father God

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us... 1 John 3:1a NKJV

 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11 NKJV 

 In our last study, we began looking at the great Love of Father God. We saw what makes this Love so irresistible. We saw His great Love brings forgiveness. No matter how far we've fallen or bad we've messed things up His forgiveness is already there. 

 We saw that His Love brings transformation. That without any accusations and browbeating this extravagant Love alone when received brings about real transformation. We saw this Love gives the gift of no condemnation. This is what makes this Love so irresistible.

 Continuing in examining this Love, let's see the other two areas that make this Love of God so irresistible. Let's examine what makes this Love so extravagant.

The irresistible Love of God empowers

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to theend of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV

 The Lord is telling us when we receive His Spirit we receive the Power of God. God in His great Love grants unto us His Spirit. Think of this. God in His great Goodness and Love bestows His Spirit within us and upon us. 

 Look at the life at the Apostle Peter. He was always eager with his words. He told Jesus he would never leave Him. Yet Peter's actions didn't match his words. Look at this account in Matthew's Gospel. 

 Peter didn't have the strength inwardly to stand for Jesus and declare he knew Him. Peter felt like a failure. He felt like he didn't belong. He had denied and forsook Christ. Let me tell you though about another aspect that makes this Love that empowers so irresistible, it also brings restoration.

 Look what happens when Jesus arose and the angel gave a message to the disciples seeking for Jesus. Take note the angel gave a specific word to Peter. God had Peter on His mind. His Love was thinking of Peter. 

 God's Love has specific words for you. Words that bring hope. Words that bring comfort. Words that bring life and wholeness. Words that bring restoration. Words that bring healing and empowers you to overcome. 

 Jesus brought about restoration to Peter. When Peter received this empowerment from on High, the Baptism in the Spirit, there was no denying Christ. He boldly proclaimed the risen Christ to a multitude. 

 This Love empowers us. It emboldens us to walk victoriously. It makes us overcomers. It turns victim mentalities to victor mentalities. We see triumph not defeat. This Love of the Father is so extravagant and irresistible. 

 The irresistible Love of God heals and makes whole

Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24 NKJV

 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matthew 12:15 NKJV

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 NKJV

 This irresistible Love of the Father heals and makes whole. God and His Love is the reason why He heals. So often traditional religion only attributes miracles and healing to Jesus simply so He would prove His deity.

 They proclaim Jesus only healed when He walked the sandy shores of Galilee because He needed to prove He was God. He needed to prove He was the Messiah. Is this true? 

Yet He warned them not to make Him known, Matthew 12:16 NKJV

 Jesus has just healed the multitude. What a great chance to prove to all He was the Messiah. To prove He was God. Yet Jesus tells them don't say a word. 

 Jesus right here tells us the reason for His actions on Earth. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, wrought miracles, and brought supernatural provision not to prove anything. He did these great works because He is love. Because the Spirit was upon Him to do good and free those under the oppression of the enemy. He did all these things because He was representing a Good Father who so loves us all. Love, the irresistible and extravagant Love of God is why Jesus heals.

 God loves you and desires your wholeness too. God is a Good God. He longs to bring life and peace. He longs to bring healing to you. He purchased our healing in the Finished Work. Why? Because God so loves you too.

 In summation, this Love of the Father is so Good. Receive this great Love. It is truly immeasurable. It is irresistible and extravagant. This Love is for you!

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Irresistible: Receiving and experiencing the Love of the Father

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us... 1 John 3:1a NKJV

 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11 NKJV

 God's Love. Many speak of it. Many sing about it. Many quote passages about the Love of God. Yet, how many have actually experienced the Love of the Father? How many have received the Love of the Father?

 Too often we see believers struggle in their walk. They struggle with their identity. Many still seem to be plagued by thoughts of lowliness, poor self-image, and low self-esteem. Why? Because though they've received Jesus' free gift of Grace they haven't fully known and understood and received fully the great Love with which God loves them.

 The Love of the Father is great. It is matchless. There is nothing like it to compare. He loves us with a furious, passionate Love that will never be quenched. His love is unconditional. His Love meets people right where they are. His Love shows up in the fiery furnace, His Love parts the seas so we can walk on dry ground, His Love takes our place, paying the full price for our inheritance and redemption. This is the Love of the Father.

 To help people receive and experience the Father's Love let's examine this Love. Let's see what happens when this Love is welcomed, sought out, and received. Let's see why this Love is irresistible.

 1. The irresistible Love of God forgives

God and His great Love brings forgiveness to even the most unworthy. To those even the world and religion say is unworthy. 

47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:47-50 NKJV

In Luke 7 we see an amazing account of the Love of the Father and forgiveness. A woman with a bad reputation, a sinner, one who was not living right, who was living in and practicing sin, sought out this Love. She welcomed it. She received it and found forgiveness. 

 The beauty of this Love is that forgiveness has been purchased for all who will simply receive it. No matter how far you've fallen His great Love is there offering forgiveness. This Love forgives the worst of us and makes us accepted and approved. This love is irresistible. 

2. The irresistible Love of the Father Transforms

God and His great Love transforms the lives of all those who receive it. He takes us from sinner to saint. He takes us from unrighteous to Righteous, being made the very Righteousness of God in Christ.

 In Luke 19 we see an amazing account of how this Love welcomed and received brought forth transformation. 

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; Luke 19:8-9 NKJV

This is amazing, irresistible Love. Zacchaeus, without any commands, or orders from Jesus, made a change. The Love of the Father met Him right where he was. He went to his home. Jesus didn't wink at his wrongful practices and dishonesty. He didn't excuse it away. In fact, He didn't even mention it. 

 Jesus, the Love of God in action, just showed up. He showed Zacchaeus the Love of the Father. That Love received transformed him. He at that moment realized he was no longer going to cheat and mistreat people. That's Godly transformation. No condemnation. No browbeating him for his transgressions. Just the extravagant, irresistible Love of the Father manifested and welcomed and received. 

 3. The irresistible Love of the Father gives the gift of no condemnation

In John 8, we see a powerful example of the Goodness and Love of the Father. A woman was brought before Jesus caught in the actual act of adultery. She was guilty. It was as clear as if they caught the act on security camera footage. There was no denying her guilt. Yet what was Jesus' response?

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:7, 10-11 NKJV

Jesus gave this guilty woman the gift of no condemnation. If Jesus gave this guilty woman the gift of no condemnation how much more will the Love of the Father bestow this great gift upon us in the New Covenant? The irresistible Love of the Father brings restoration and wholeness to all who receive it. It removes guilt and shame and the burden of condemnation. It gives Grace and mercy which brings about transformation and right thinking. 

 In summation, we see just a few reasons why this Love of the Father is so irresistible. We will continue in our next study seeing the other two reasons why this Love of the Father is so irresistible. Receiving the Love of the Father brings wholeness and peace. It reveals to us our true identity and our worth to God. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem cannot stay when we receive this extravagant irresistible Love of the Father. 

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Why Tongues? Even more benefits

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

We've been in an extended series answering the question of why tongues? That is why speak with tongues? Why pray in the Spirit? What's the point in praying with words you can't even understand? 

 Again, traditional religion and mindsets rooted in unbelief dismiss praying in other tongues as mere gibberish. That it is an act of emotional babble. It serves no purpose and has no power or benefit to the believer in Christ. The Word reveals clearly that this is an untruth. 

 So far in this study, we have seen eleven amazing benefits of praying in other tongues or praying in the Spirit. With so many benefits how can anyone conclude tongues are mere emotional babble? That it offers no benefit for the Christian?

 With that let's continue examining even more benefits of the powerful prayer language God grants to those who desire the fullness of the Spirit.

12. Praying in the Spirit offers us a powerful way to offer praise and worship to the Lord.

 Paul's instruction reveals we can pray in the Spirit as well as sing in the Spirit. Praise and worship in the Spirit bring our devotion to a much higher level. Tradition mistakenly assigns the definition of singing in the Spirit as singing with just a little more energy, gusto, and vigor. The Scripture is clear singing in the Spirit is to sing in tongues. Paul references singing spiritual songs and hymns and making melody in our hearts towards the Lord.

 As we shared in our last study, our praise, our worship, our thanksgiving is given total expression spirit, soul, and body when we lift up prayers in the Spirit. This benefit takes our praise to higher heights. Not suggesting that those who aren't filled with the Spirit and pray in other tongues can't offer praise to God. Just stating that praise and worship in the Spirit is a powerful method to express our thanksgiving and adoration to God. 

 Prayer and praise in the Spirit capture our heart's expression of love and honor and devotion to Jesus. Again it finds its full expression of praise. This benefit takes our praise to deeper depths and opens the door to the supernatural and flow of the Spirit in our midst.

 13. Tongues act as a doorway to the supernatural, flowing in the gifts of the Spirit and operating in signs and wonders. 

 Mark 16 reveals Jesus' plan for the ministry of the Church to operate in signs and wonders. He includes speaking in tongues as one of these signs. Throughout the book of Acts, we see many miracles and mighty signs and wonders manifested by the Church. None of these began to happen until the believers had received the Baptism in the Spirit and spoken in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. As we just mentioned about praise and worship in the Spirit, tongues are the open door of all the supernatural power of God. 

 The supernatural begins with being made a new creation in Christ, passing from death to life. Having all sins forgiven, past and present, and future. Being made the Righteousness of God in Christ, eternally secure in Him. It continues as one receives the fullness of the Spirit, being immersed into the Spirit Himself and speaking out a heavenly language. It culminates when we continue regularly praying or speaking forth this heavenly tongue and the Spirit begins manifesting Himself through us to bless and transform and bring wholeness to others. 

   14. Praying in the Spirit enables us to bypass our natural mind and our own thoughts and agendas or ideas and pray God's plan.

 It is clear from Paul's Epistle when we pray in the Spirit our understanding is unfruitful. In other words, tongues eliminate the potential selfish or self-seeking motives in prayer. We are able to bypass natural thinking and tap into Heaven's wisdom when we pray in the Spirit.

 So often our desires and wants can scream louder than what God is saying or doing at the moment. For example, you hear of a job offer that may pay more but at what cost? More time away from family. Relocation away from all family. Removing you out of a fellowship of believers that has helped in your spiritual growth and brought restoration and wholeness to your family. 

 The natural mind may only be focusing on a larger paycheck. Praying in the Spirit helps bypass that natural mindset and looks to God for His wisdom in the situation. In the natural, a bypass diverts us around and away from traffic congestion, and slower travel times stuck in big city traffic. Prayers in the Spirit bypass our own traffic congestion of natural wisdom, emotions, and the sensory realm and takes us straight into the Father's heart and mind on the situation. There is so much benefit to this Grace gift of praying in other tongues.

15. Tongues are God's plan and will for all believers. 

Mark's Gospel reveals the words of Jesus. This is His best and will for all His Church. Tongues? Blame Jesus! Paul's Epistle echoes the same sentiment. It's always been the Father's highest and best for His Church to operate in the power of God. When we receive this free gift we are fulfilling His plan and desire for the Church. This is not to say God is disappointed or looks down on those who have yet to receive. The Finished Work is what completes our identity, not any Spiritual gift.

 In summation, in these studies, we have listed fifteen benefits of praying in the Spirit. Don't allow the enemy or religious tradition or negative experience deter you from receiving all God has for you. This gift of the Holy Spirit infilling and accompanying prayer language belongs to you in Christ. Simply desire it and ask for it and you will receive it. This power and these benefits are for you.               

  

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Why Tongues? Some more benefits

        But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

 We are continuing in our study, asking the question of why tongues? What is the purpose and point of speaking with/praying in other tongues? Why should we speak with tongues?

 We have detailed seven benefits so far as to answer the question, why pray in the Spirit? Praying in the Spirit brings a rest. Praying in the Spirit brings refreshing, for your whole man. Yet with all these benefits religious traditions of men still oppose and resist the bestowed blessing and benefit God gives His people.

 Again I say, tongues are not mere gibberish. Tongues are not emotional babble. Tongues are supernatural. Tongues are not natural. Tongues are not intellectually realized and understood. The natural, carnal mind, can't understand the supernatural power of God.

 Will you allow the Spirit to take charge? Will you give Him the reigns and allow Him to guide and direct your life? Will you freely receive all He has for you?

 Yielded to the loving Lord Most High, let's examine some more of the great and wonderful benefits of praying in the Spirit.

8. When we pray in the Spirit we are stimulating our faith or trust in God.
 Jude reveals by praying in the Spirit we stimulate our faith in God. This intimate prayer reminds us we can rest in His all the time goodness. We can put our full confidence and trust in Him.

 Faith is being fully persuaded that both what God has said in His Word and the work finished in Christ is truth and is ours right now. Praying in the Spirit stimulates this Faith in God. Praying in the Spirit helps bring clarity and understanding of what it means to be fully persuaded. Praying in tongues brings to our remembrance our total dependency on God. 

9. When we pray in the Spirit we are recharging our whole spirit soul and body. 
 Paul teaches when we pray in tongues we edify ourselves. This word "edifies" in the original Greek means to build up, to repair, to restore. It also connotes the idea of promoting growth in wisdom, Grace, and blessedness. It is equivalent to recharging a battery. We are energized, recharged in our total being by praying in the Spirit.

 We are recharging our whole man not just our spirit man. Yes, we receive a fully recharged spirit when we pray in the Spirit. We also though recharge our soul and our body. 

 We recharge our mind and will and emotions to be more Christ-centered when we pray in the Spirit. We break strongholds of wrong thinking as we pray in the Spirit. We build up our bodies as well. That is we receive health and wholeness as we pray in the Spirit for we are plugged in if you will, to the healer Himself. 

10. Praying in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. 
 As Paul teaches about the proper exercise of praying in tongues amongst the unlearned, he reveals a great truth. Prayer in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. Our worship is taken to a higher dimension with tongues. 

 Thanksgiving is a powerful tool for the believer. When we give thanks no matter the situation we are in we have supernatural peace. We can abandon fear and hopelessness and put our trust in Christ more fully. When we give thanks unto God we are putting Him into remembrance of all He's done for us. 

 Now don't get religiously ridiculously goofy. We don't give thanks for evil or tragedy. We don't give thanks for the trouble, for God didn't send the trouble, we just give thanks amid the trouble. We don't thank God for the illness. We give thanks because we know Jesus is the healer, and here's a chance for Jesus to show forth His healing power. 

11. Praying in the Spirit magnifies God. 

 The book of Acts reveals to us when we pray in tongues we magnify God. We know God doesn't actually become physically larger. It just means He becomes bigger to us. His love, His wisdom, and guidance and Word become bigger within us than whatever we are facing. In our worship and devotion, we magnify Him. We're able to offer our good Father praise and worship and thanksgiving in the Spirit.

 Praying in the Spirit enables us to focus on God more perfectly. We can turn off and tune out all the distractions of life as we pray in this supernatural language. So in essence God does become bigger in our eyes and thinking. 

 Again we see such marvelous benefits of praying in other tongues. This amazing gift that's been made available to all, to whosoever will may simply ask for it. Don't allow religious tradition to rob you of experiencing this marvelous gift.

 In summation, we see more and more benefits of praying in other tongues. We must never allow fear or the religious traditions of men to keep us from receiving all God has for us. Yes, it is not the natural way to pray, it's the supernatural way to pray. Certainly, the enemy and religion want to keep you from receiving all God has for you. Don't let the defeated devil nor deceived religious traditional minded folk keep you from partaking of all God has provided. 

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Why Tongues? More benefits

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

We are continuing our study answering the question of why tongues? We are answering the questions why speak with tongues? Why pray in a language your natural mind cannot understand? 

 The truth we must set in remembrance is that we don't discern or comprehend the things of God with mere intellectualism. How God becoming a man, dying on a tree, and raised to life again and our subsequent acceptance and trust in this truth, makes us redeemed, whole, and Righteous in the Creator's eyes doesn't make much sense naturally speaking. Yet it's the absolute truth nonetheless. 

 We are examining this wonderful blessing of prayer in the Spirit. That is prayer in other tongues. Contrary to religious tradition and the intellect of man, tongues are not mere babble. Tongues are not gibberish. Speaking with tongues isn't nonsensical speech. It isn't excited babble from an out of control,  over-emotional state of mind. 

 Speaking with tongues, prayer in the Spirit is a powerful gift God has bestowed upon the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many great benefits derived from this powerful gift. We gain better insight into the working and purpose of God for our lives. It enables us to see His will and plans more clearly for our lives and the lives of others as we intercede for them. 

 Tongues are a blessing. Let's continue looking at these great benefits. Last week we shared the first three.

4. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God is revealed to us when we pray in the Spirit. We receive wisdom, revelation, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. 

 Paul reveals this wonderful benefit in 1 Corinthians 2. Speaking words the Spirit gives is praying in the Spirit. When we spend time praying in the Spirit we are tapping into God's wisdom. We can receive insight, direction, and guidance from the Spirit when we pray in the Spirit. 

 Need wisdom on a particular matter? Spend some quality time praying in the Spirit and God's wisdom will be revealed much clearer. Need insight on a challenge you're facing? Pray in the Spirit and God will bring clarity where there seems to be none. 

 

5. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying God's best and perfect will. We don't always know what to pray or how to pray in a given situation but He does.
 Romans 8 reminds us we don't always know what to pray in some situations. Thank the Lord we can rely on His Spirit praying through us. We can trust when we pray in the Spirit we are following His guidance in prayer. 

 Sometimes when we are praying for a need we can be caught up in the pressure and stress of the situation. In these times we have the potential to pray selfishly or only focus upon ourselves and our own needs. Praying in the Spirit ensures we are praying the complete will of God into any situation. Prayer in other tongues is such an invaluable gift.

6. When we pray in the Spirit we are receiving spiritual refreshing.
 Isaiah prophesied of the refreshing that praying in the Spirit brings. Feeling "burned out"? Pray in the Spirit. The world system offers refreshing. Chemicals, pills, illicit affairs, all they offer bring with it much consequence and pain, and will never satisfy. Christ and His gifts bring true refreshing. 

7. When we pray in the Spirit we enter into the rest.
 Again Isaiah prophesied of the rest and refreshing brought forth by praying in the Spirit. Feeling weary? Pray in the Spirit and enter into God's rest. 

 Weariness and stress seem to burden us all down at different points in our life. Dealing with unruly children, supervisors, and bosses that don't always seem to have our best interest at heart, and life in a fallen world can bring much weariness. God offers us real and lasting rest with His Grace gift of praying in the Spirit. 

 In summation, once again we see the great benefit of praying in the Spirit. Don't allow the traditions of men to rob you of such a wonderful experience. There are still more benefits to this great gift of praying in the Spirit. 

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Why Tongues?

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

 Previously, we began a study asking who's afraid of the Holy Ghost? We looked closely at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. With that understanding, it seems good to go further and deeper into the study of the power of the Spirit. This power from on high that is made available to all who call on the name of Jesus and receive His Grace.

 With any study of the Baptism in the Spirit, the subject of Tongues is inevitable. When a believer receives the infilling of the Spirit they receive the personal prayer language God gives them. Again, praying in the Spirit, the Baptism in the Spirit, are not marks of maturity. They aren't a sign that those who've received are somehow superior to other Christians or better than another believer. 

 With that understanding, and the foundation of the Baptism in the Spirit already laid, let's examine this question why Tongues? Why speak in tongues? Why would one desire to pray in a language you don't know? Why speak words that are unknown to your natural mind? What purpose does it serve? In what way is it beneficial?

 I want to take the time to answer these questions and reveal the amazing benefits of praying in the Spirit, speaking with tongues. So relinquish traditions of men. Let go of any fear or concerns. God is a Good Father and He only gives good gifts to His Church.

Graceful benefits of praying in the Spirit

 1. Tongues serve as evidence of one having received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-6  all clearly reveal tongues as the evidence one has received this Baptism in the Spirit. Peter used this experience of the Baptism in the Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues as proof that God was granting salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. 

 These passages reveal the first benefit. Tongues serve as a sign, as evidence that you have received the fullness of the Spirit. That you have indeed been filled with the Spirit. This helps you when the enemy comes with his lies, his temptations, his accusations, and wants you to believe you're powerless and helpless. This prayer language reminds you that you've received the mighty infilling of God's Spirit. That you're more than a conqueror, and that you have power over all the lies of the enemy. 

2. Tongues serve as a reminder of the indwelling presence of God. It helps us be more God inside minded. 

 Jesus declared the Spirit will be upon us and shall be in us. Becoming God inside minded makes us more aware of His presence within. We won't be overcome by feelings of loss, abandonment, or loneliness when we realize that He is always with us.

 In this life, we may feel alone or as if we are going through it all by ourselves. When we are God inside minded, we know He is with us, always. It serves as a reminder that we are not doing life on our own. His power and presence are with us. 

 When we pray in the language only He can give, it reminds us He is right there in our midst. It tells us He is with us and directing our prayer. He is listening and ready to answer in His power and love.

3. When we pray in tongues we are praying divine secrets or praying mysteries.

 Paul revealed this wonderful benefit in his Epistle to the Corinthians. This word translated mysteries in the original Greek reveals some powerful truths. In Greek, it means a hidden thing or secret thing not obvious to the understanding. It's hidden counsel or purpose. It's hidden counsels concealed to the ungodly and World but made plain to the righteous. We tap into these hidden counsels by praying in the Spirit.  

 There is so much to be said about the benefits of praying mysteries. 

 You see, a person speaking in an unknown language is not addressing the church because he is really addressing God—those who overhear don’t understand because he is speaking in the Spirit the depths of the mysteries of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 14:2 Voice

 When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 14:2 TPT

For he who speaks in a 'tongue' addresses God not men; no one understands him; he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit.  

1 Corinthians 14:2 Moffatt 

 

 When we pray in the Spirit, we are praying intimate secrets. We are praying out the will of God in secret. When we pray in the Spirit we are going deeper in prayer and intimacy with the Father. This strengthens our walk and relationship with God. It gives us better insight into the heart of our Good Father. 

 

 We've seen just three of the great benefits of praying in the Spirit. One may be thinking what must I do to receive? How can I get this in my life? The good news is this amazing prayer language is free. It is readily available to any of God's people who simply desire it and simply ask for it. You can't earn what's free!

 In summation, we aks why Tongues? Because of the amazing benefits. There are so many benefits to praying in the Spirit. Religious tradition is afraid of the Holy Ghost so they create obstacles and objections to this beautiful prayer language. Don't let the enemy or religion rob you of all God has provided for. Simply receive by Faith what Grace has freely provided. 

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What about the end times?

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 

Acts 2:17 NKJV

 In our last study, we began looking at the Holy Spirit and His empowerment. It seemed good to let that word soak in your thinking and understanding another week. So today, I'd like to address some areas concerning Bible prophecy. Needless to say, any end-times study is wrought with much controversy. 

 What is the point of Bible prophecy? The answer is simple and clear. Hope. We who received Jesus have hope. We can have hope in this life no matter how the world and the ways of the world turns. 

 Bible prophecy is not given to create strife and division. I've witnessed how ministers will preach a message on prophecy and whether it was intended or not, give the impression that all they're saying is all these other teachers are wrong and I am right and here is why. That can lead to strife and division in the midst of people.

 Another area I've witnessed how ministers help create atmospheres of division and isolation is when they bring accusations into their teaching. What I mean is this, when you hear a minister proclaim if you don't accept my end-time view then you are promoting fear. You don't believe in a victorious end-time like I do. This isn't ministering life or hope or joy to anyone. All this type of ministry does is force people to choose sides and divide one believer from another. It's yet another subtle form of condemnation.

 We know condemnation is the ministry of death. We know condemnation does nothing but promote a sense of separation. It promotes a mindset that others don't measure up. Thank God for the Finished Work, which shows us who have believed are accepted, approved, and forever forgiven. This Righteousness in Him isn't rooted by what end-time view we take. 

 So which is the right view? That is a question that no one can answer because no matter how much I study, how much of the Word I rightly divide, no matter the context, someone will still disagree. Let's ask another question, would it matter what view I hold, if you still receive the truth of His all the time Goodness, Love, Grace, and Faith, and power from on High, through this ministry?

 I desire above all your growth in Grace. Your growth in Faith. I desire that your Faith grows exceedingly. I desire that you grow deeper in the Love of God, and love for others. I desire you to grow strong in joy, and in the things of the Holy Spirit. Learning how to flow more and more effectively in the Gifts and power of God. Regardless of what end-times view I hold to these are points we all can agree with strongly. 

 That stated I want to clarify, there is no Radical Grace view on end times. We have futurists and those who believe its all fulfilled preaching and teaching the Radical Grace and Goodness of God. So let's throw away the stones brethren. 

 Let's not try to divide ourselves, brethren. I will readily admit I have some concerns and reservations about the idea that all or most Bible prophecy has been fulfilled. Others have concerns about futurists who give the perception that we "check out" and don't engage our culture. So where do we go from here?

9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  1 Thessalonians 5:9 MEV

 No matter what the future holds, this is a promise all believers can cling to and remain steadfast in. We know we are appointed to salvation, preservation, and deliverance, no matter what is happening in this world. This is hope. This is victory in Christ.

 So if we are preaching Bible prophecy, what do we minister? We above all minister hope. We minister His hope in a fallen, fractured creation. We don't promote or advance a sense of fear about the future. We must never proclaim a doom and gloom future. We preach Christ and His victorious work at the Cross, and His soon triumphant return. 

 

Prophecy is given to comfort not bring anxiety, distress, or disturbance. So proclaim His hope above all. When the world is upside down, or all seems to be going well, know our full redemption draws near as Jesus is coming again. We aren't abandoned or alone in this world.

 In summation, never proclaim fear, or dread, or doom and gloom. Don't promote hopelessness. Proclaim His triumphant victory. Don't give in to the temptation to be a tool of division, strife, and isolation. We are one in Christ.

image by miaikransen @Pixabay