SEPARATING THE TARES FROM THE WHEAT :
John 6:61, "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"
This scripture, as well as Matthew 15:12, reveals that people will be offended by the Gospel. As much as possible, however, we should make sure that it is not ourselves that are offensive. But we cannot labor under the deception that everyone will receive the Gospel, even if the truth was presented properly. We know that Jesus represented His Father perfectly and yet most people rejected His message.
In these two instances, when Jesus realized He had offended the listeners, He didn't apologize and try to make concessions to gain their acceptance. Instead, He got harder. This hard message of commitment is not only beneficial to those who receive it, but it serves a dual purpose in that it exposes the "tares among the wheat."
It is important to be aware that the children of the wicked one are placed among the true believers. We should be very careful about putting just anyone who professes Christianity into any position of authority (1 Tim. 3:10). Our best defense is to preach the Word of God without watering it down. False brethren will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). They leave when the Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, begins to expose the thoughts and intents of the heart. There will still, however, be those who are deceived and unaware that they are not born again, remaining among the Church until the end of this world.
As long as Jesus was in the world in His physical body, He was lighting the way to the Father. He now shines through our lives. It is our responsibility to be a witness. The purpose of a light is to dispel the darkness. So "let your light shine before men...." (Matt. 5:16).
SURFACING
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible. —Colossians 1:16
Human beings straddle visible and invisible realities—the natural and the supernatural. I thought about these two worlds when I went out in a boat to watch whales off the coast of New Zealand. A whale would rest on the surface for a while, then breathe deeply a few times, his exhalations creating a spectacular spout, before plunging a mile deep to feed on squid.
Despite having its own lively habitat of marine plants and sea creatures, the whale must surface for oxygen from time to time or it dies. Though it knows little about the world above, it needs vital contact with it to survive.
I sometimes feel like that whale, coming up for spiritual air at regular intervals to stay alive. But there is no neat division between the natural and the supernatural. The world we live in is not an either/or world. What I do as a Christian—praying, worshiping, demonstrating God’s love to the sick, needy, and imprisoned—is both supernatural and natural.
The same God who created the world that’s visible to us actively sustains it and has made a way for us to approach Him, the invisible. Paul wrote, “You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death” (Col. 1:21-22).
All our actions take place in the visible world, which we can touch, smell, and see. Yet the Creator and Sustainer of all things has provided a way for us to breathe the spiritual air we need and crave.
God’s throne is always accessible to His children.
WALK IN THE LIGHT YOU HAVE :
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. – 2 Timothy 3:14
If you're born again and have the Word of God in your heart, you can live in victory. You may not have all the answers. There may be a great many spiritual things you don't understand. But it's not those things that are most likely to destroy you. It's the things you know to do--but don't--that usually make you fall.
Just think about walking at night down a dark, unfamiliar path in the middle of a jungle. The guide up ahead has a flashlight to keep you on the right path. But then, you just decide to wander off into the darkness by yourself. What do you think will happen to you? You'll probably stumble and fall. Very likely, you'll get hurt.
That's exactly the same thing that can happen in your walk with the Lord. He knows what's ahead and He shines just enough light for you to take one step at a time. You have to continue walking in that light in order to get where you're going.
You may not know why He's leading you a certain way. You may not understand all the things involved. But God will make up for your ignorance by the Holy Spirit. He'll see to it that you have victory if you continue in what you know.
It's good to keep studying. It's good to keep learning. But, remember, it's not the great revelation you haven't yet had that will cause you the most trouble. It's failing to walk in the ones God has already given you. So be faithful in those things. Continue in them day after day after day. You'll make it through just fine!
THERE MUST BE INTERPRETATIONS OF TONGUES
Many Pentecostal churches turn away from the practice of “speaking in tongues” because there was no interpretation of tongues which Paul says is necessary (1 Cor. 14: 9 - 27). Without interpretation of tongues 1 Cor. 14: 23 the unbelievers and outsiders and believers will think you are crazy, mad. This is what has discredited the use of the amazing “Gift of Other National Languages” (tongues). Many pastors are guilty of this very infringement of an important rule of using the Gift of Speaking in Tongues. Such pastors are driving people away from Pentecostal Churches. When translated with the Gift of Interpretation people are encouraged to trust Jesus Christ because the interpretations will be messages for either individuals or the whole church as God uses these Gifts to draw unbelievers to Jesus.
No interpretation means nobody is encouraged except a few pride filled believers because people will think or believe that you are crazy. And, since Paul’s advice is ignored, I believe that they are spiritually crazy, mad, and not concerned with the conversions to Jesus Christ that are lost. That is the reason in all meetings, we must wait for the interpretation of all tongues messages or else we have to declare them to be both unscriptural and unedifying because God’s “Communication System” which consists of a combination of “tongues with interpretation”. No interpretation of tongues means No messages from our Heavenly Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, no matter what kind of situation you are in today, I encourage you to see yourself in Christ. All that He is and has applies to you, right now in this world (1Jn 4:17)! And where is Jesus today? Eph 1:20–23 tells us that He is seated at the Father’s right hand, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named. As Jesus is far above every principality and power, so are you! As He is far above every disease and physical condition, so are you! As He is far above every kind of fear, depression and addiction, so are you!
SAME SPIRIT, SAME POWER :
"And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11, AMP)
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of you. That's God Himself, the same Spirit with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! His resurrection power can bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. He can restore hope and breathe life into your dreams. In fact, He can resurrect any area that may seem dormant on the inside of you!
The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus. You may have been burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there's nothing that can stand against the power of God. Rise up and declare by faith, "He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!" Receive His truth, declare the Word, and activate His power within you!
The Parallel Flow of the Spirit
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.... The manifestation of the 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 of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:1,7-11).
This passage talks about the nine spiritual gifts of the Spirit, but there is a lot of confusion about "praying in the spirit" and the gift of "different kinds of tongues." Much of the reason is because of avoidance, fear, and ignorance on the subject. Paul said here that he did not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts.
The word ignore is the root word for ignorance and ignorant. When you ignore something, you become ignorant and walk in ignorance. Because of past abuses and because of incorrect teaching, many ministries, pastors, and teachers have chosen to ignore anything in the Word concerning speaking in tongues.
This avoidance has left the church void of one of the greatest spiritual tools provided to the Church today. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that the gospel was not complicated, but was actually quite simple. Anything avoided or feared will seem complicated, but understanding and truth bring clarity. For this reason, we must search the Word, study, and understand what the Holy Spirit teaches us about tongues.
Generally speaking, there is a parallel flow of the nine spiritual gifts. One flow operates through the will of the Spirit-filled believer and the other is manifested by the will, desire, and timing of the Holy Spirit. For example, wisdom is obtained by asking God. (James 1:5.) The word of wisdom is a gift of the Spirit. Knowledge is obtained by study of the Word. The word of knowledge is a gift of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:8.) Faith is obtained by hearing the Word. (Rom. 10:17.) The gift of faith is a gift of the Spirit. Praying in the spirit is a result of your desire to pray God's will in tongues. The gift of different kinds of tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit that is distributed as He wills.
For this lesson we will only focus on the parallel flow of tongues, but before we do, we need to understand something about praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is available to all Spirit-filled believers. This can be done anytime. Praying in tongues is subject to the timing of the one praying in tongues. The Bible calls this praying with the spirit. (1 Cor. 14:15.) You can do this whenever you want to.
We are also told in the Bible that when we do not know how to pray, that the Spirit enables us to pray in such a way that He is actually interceding for us. In fact, when we pray in the spirit, we are praying the will of God.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 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 makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26,27).
The great thing about praying the will of God is, when we pray His will, we are assured that He hears us and also that when He hears us, that we receive our request.
So when you pray in the spirit, you can be assured that you are praying God's will and that He is committed to fulfilling that prayer.
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).
Although operating in the gift of different kinds of tongues may sound or even seem the same as praying in tongues, it is actually quite different. While you can pray in the spirit (in tongues) anytime you want and there does not need to be an interpretation, the gift of different kinds of tongues is given by the Holy Spirit as He desires. The gift of tongues requires interpretation of tongues (another gift) in order to benefit all. (1 Cor. 12:10,11.)
Some denominations and ministries teach against the gifts of the Spirit and seem to focus on what they call the error of tongues. Sadly, because they don't understand the parallel flow of the Spirit they lump praying in the spirit and speaking in different kinds of tongues together as the same thing. Until this basic difference is understood, the scriptures on the gifts will seem confusing.
Remember, praying in the spirit is something you decide to do. Operating in the gift of tongues is something the Holy Spirit decides you are going to do and you yield to His will and His gift.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY :
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
Dear Lord God, I praise You. I honor You. You woke me up with Your tenderly kisses early this morning. The voice of love from the Cross came to my ears; telling me now is the time to praise God for another beautiful day. I rejoice in the Lord for I am now free from all bondage's, I simply soak in the riches of the glory of God. May the unfailing love of God come upon me and surround me with the song of deliverance's in all of my days!
Gratefully, in Jesus’ holy name. Amen !!!
John 6:61, "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"
This scripture, as well as Matthew 15:12, reveals that people will be offended by the Gospel. As much as possible, however, we should make sure that it is not ourselves that are offensive. But we cannot labor under the deception that everyone will receive the Gospel, even if the truth was presented properly. We know that Jesus represented His Father perfectly and yet most people rejected His message.
In these two instances, when Jesus realized He had offended the listeners, He didn't apologize and try to make concessions to gain their acceptance. Instead, He got harder. This hard message of commitment is not only beneficial to those who receive it, but it serves a dual purpose in that it exposes the "tares among the wheat."
It is important to be aware that the children of the wicked one are placed among the true believers. We should be very careful about putting just anyone who professes Christianity into any position of authority (1 Tim. 3:10). Our best defense is to preach the Word of God without watering it down. False brethren will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). They leave when the Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, begins to expose the thoughts and intents of the heart. There will still, however, be those who are deceived and unaware that they are not born again, remaining among the Church until the end of this world.
As long as Jesus was in the world in His physical body, He was lighting the way to the Father. He now shines through our lives. It is our responsibility to be a witness. The purpose of a light is to dispel the darkness. So "let your light shine before men...." (Matt. 5:16).
SURFACING
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible. —Colossians 1:16
Human beings straddle visible and invisible realities—the natural and the supernatural. I thought about these two worlds when I went out in a boat to watch whales off the coast of New Zealand. A whale would rest on the surface for a while, then breathe deeply a few times, his exhalations creating a spectacular spout, before plunging a mile deep to feed on squid.
Despite having its own lively habitat of marine plants and sea creatures, the whale must surface for oxygen from time to time or it dies. Though it knows little about the world above, it needs vital contact with it to survive.
I sometimes feel like that whale, coming up for spiritual air at regular intervals to stay alive. But there is no neat division between the natural and the supernatural. The world we live in is not an either/or world. What I do as a Christian—praying, worshiping, demonstrating God’s love to the sick, needy, and imprisoned—is both supernatural and natural.
The same God who created the world that’s visible to us actively sustains it and has made a way for us to approach Him, the invisible. Paul wrote, “You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death” (Col. 1:21-22).
All our actions take place in the visible world, which we can touch, smell, and see. Yet the Creator and Sustainer of all things has provided a way for us to breathe the spiritual air we need and crave.
God’s throne is always accessible to His children.
WALK IN THE LIGHT YOU HAVE :
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. – 2 Timothy 3:14
If you're born again and have the Word of God in your heart, you can live in victory. You may not have all the answers. There may be a great many spiritual things you don't understand. But it's not those things that are most likely to destroy you. It's the things you know to do--but don't--that usually make you fall.
Just think about walking at night down a dark, unfamiliar path in the middle of a jungle. The guide up ahead has a flashlight to keep you on the right path. But then, you just decide to wander off into the darkness by yourself. What do you think will happen to you? You'll probably stumble and fall. Very likely, you'll get hurt.
That's exactly the same thing that can happen in your walk with the Lord. He knows what's ahead and He shines just enough light for you to take one step at a time. You have to continue walking in that light in order to get where you're going.
You may not know why He's leading you a certain way. You may not understand all the things involved. But God will make up for your ignorance by the Holy Spirit. He'll see to it that you have victory if you continue in what you know.
It's good to keep studying. It's good to keep learning. But, remember, it's not the great revelation you haven't yet had that will cause you the most trouble. It's failing to walk in the ones God has already given you. So be faithful in those things. Continue in them day after day after day. You'll make it through just fine!
THERE MUST BE INTERPRETATIONS OF TONGUES
Many Pentecostal churches turn away from the practice of “speaking in tongues” because there was no interpretation of tongues which Paul says is necessary (1 Cor. 14: 9 - 27). Without interpretation of tongues 1 Cor. 14: 23 the unbelievers and outsiders and believers will think you are crazy, mad. This is what has discredited the use of the amazing “Gift of Other National Languages” (tongues). Many pastors are guilty of this very infringement of an important rule of using the Gift of Speaking in Tongues. Such pastors are driving people away from Pentecostal Churches. When translated with the Gift of Interpretation people are encouraged to trust Jesus Christ because the interpretations will be messages for either individuals or the whole church as God uses these Gifts to draw unbelievers to Jesus.
No interpretation means nobody is encouraged except a few pride filled believers because people will think or believe that you are crazy. And, since Paul’s advice is ignored, I believe that they are spiritually crazy, mad, and not concerned with the conversions to Jesus Christ that are lost. That is the reason in all meetings, we must wait for the interpretation of all tongues messages or else we have to declare them to be both unscriptural and unedifying because God’s “Communication System” which consists of a combination of “tongues with interpretation”. No interpretation of tongues means No messages from our Heavenly Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, no matter what kind of situation you are in today, I encourage you to see yourself in Christ. All that He is and has applies to you, right now in this world (1Jn 4:17)! And where is Jesus today? Eph 1:20–23 tells us that He is seated at the Father’s right hand, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named. As Jesus is far above every principality and power, so are you! As He is far above every disease and physical condition, so are you! As He is far above every kind of fear, depression and addiction, so are you!
SAME SPIRIT, SAME POWER :
"And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11, AMP)
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of you. That's God Himself, the same Spirit with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! His resurrection power can bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. He can restore hope and breathe life into your dreams. In fact, He can resurrect any area that may seem dormant on the inside of you!
The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus. You may have been burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there's nothing that can stand against the power of God. Rise up and declare by faith, "He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!" Receive His truth, declare the Word, and activate His power within you!
The Parallel Flow of the Spirit
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.... The manifestation of the 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 of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:1,7-11).
This passage talks about the nine spiritual gifts of the Spirit, but there is a lot of confusion about "praying in the spirit" and the gift of "different kinds of tongues." Much of the reason is because of avoidance, fear, and ignorance on the subject. Paul said here that he did not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts.
The word ignore is the root word for ignorance and ignorant. When you ignore something, you become ignorant and walk in ignorance. Because of past abuses and because of incorrect teaching, many ministries, pastors, and teachers have chosen to ignore anything in the Word concerning speaking in tongues.
This avoidance has left the church void of one of the greatest spiritual tools provided to the Church today. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that the gospel was not complicated, but was actually quite simple. Anything avoided or feared will seem complicated, but understanding and truth bring clarity. For this reason, we must search the Word, study, and understand what the Holy Spirit teaches us about tongues.
Generally speaking, there is a parallel flow of the nine spiritual gifts. One flow operates through the will of the Spirit-filled believer and the other is manifested by the will, desire, and timing of the Holy Spirit. For example, wisdom is obtained by asking God. (James 1:5.) The word of wisdom is a gift of the Spirit. Knowledge is obtained by study of the Word. The word of knowledge is a gift of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:8.) Faith is obtained by hearing the Word. (Rom. 10:17.) The gift of faith is a gift of the Spirit. Praying in the spirit is a result of your desire to pray God's will in tongues. The gift of different kinds of tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit that is distributed as He wills.
For this lesson we will only focus on the parallel flow of tongues, but before we do, we need to understand something about praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is available to all Spirit-filled believers. This can be done anytime. Praying in tongues is subject to the timing of the one praying in tongues. The Bible calls this praying with the spirit. (1 Cor. 14:15.) You can do this whenever you want to.
We are also told in the Bible that when we do not know how to pray, that the Spirit enables us to pray in such a way that He is actually interceding for us. In fact, when we pray in the spirit, we are praying the will of God.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 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 makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26,27).
The great thing about praying the will of God is, when we pray His will, we are assured that He hears us and also that when He hears us, that we receive our request.
So when you pray in the spirit, you can be assured that you are praying God's will and that He is committed to fulfilling that prayer.
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).
Although operating in the gift of different kinds of tongues may sound or even seem the same as praying in tongues, it is actually quite different. While you can pray in the spirit (in tongues) anytime you want and there does not need to be an interpretation, the gift of different kinds of tongues is given by the Holy Spirit as He desires. The gift of tongues requires interpretation of tongues (another gift) in order to benefit all. (1 Cor. 12:10,11.)
Some denominations and ministries teach against the gifts of the Spirit and seem to focus on what they call the error of tongues. Sadly, because they don't understand the parallel flow of the Spirit they lump praying in the spirit and speaking in different kinds of tongues together as the same thing. Until this basic difference is understood, the scriptures on the gifts will seem confusing.
Remember, praying in the spirit is something you decide to do. Operating in the gift of tongues is something the Holy Spirit decides you are going to do and you yield to His will and His gift.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY :
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
Dear Lord God, I praise You. I honor You. You woke me up with Your tenderly kisses early this morning. The voice of love from the Cross came to my ears; telling me now is the time to praise God for another beautiful day. I rejoice in the Lord for I am now free from all bondage's, I simply soak in the riches of the glory of God. May the unfailing love of God come upon me and surround me with the song of deliverance's in all of my days!
Gratefully, in Jesus’ holy name. Amen !!!
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