Speaking in Tongues

Should man be speaking in tongues in the church? Many believe that speaking in tongues is no longer for man, that it was just a thing for the apostles and early Christians. That is not the TRUTH.

The gift of tongues is often misunderstood by so many because when they think of the gift of tongues they think it is one thing when in fact there are different types of tongues.  There is a tongue of men, which is simply different languages and then there is a heavenly tongue, the tongue of angels or you could say the language of angels. 

1 Corintians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The bible teaches us that one sign when we have received the Holy Ghost is the evidence of speaking in tongues.  In other words, speaking in tongues is a sign that the Holy Ghost has come upon you. This is the type of tongue that was spoken on the Day of Pentacost. 

The deciples were told in Acts 1 to tarry for the promise:

Acts 1:4-5  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

In Chapter 2 they received the promise.  The Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues!  This type of tongues is simply another language other than the one you normally speak.  It's the language of heaven.  For instance you may speak English, but when you speak in the heavenly language, then those around you can understand you even if they don't speak the same earthly language that you speak! This is the "Gift of Tongues".

Acts 2 

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

⁶ Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

⁷ And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

⁸ And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

We are taught in Mark that one of the signs of a believer is speaking in tongues. 

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Man cannot have power over the devil in himself.  It takes the Holy Ghost to bring the power to cast out a devil.  The gift of tongues may be used here when the Holy Ghost speaks through man and speaks directly to the evil spirit.  The evil spirit has no power against the Holy Ghost.

This is a heavenly language that no man can interpret unless he has the gift of interpretation.  I believe this is the type of tongue that Paul is speaking about in 1 Corinthians 14.  He calls it an unknown tongue.  When they spoke on the day of Pentacost it was in other tongues, a heavenly language that could be understood by people of other nationalities.  That is why in verse two Paul tells us that no man understandeth him, it is not a language of this world and only someone with the gift of interpretation can understand it.  That is why you should always pray for the gift of interpretation so that you might be able to give the message to the church if the Holy Ghost speaks and brings a message forth.  Paul calls it an unknown tongue many times, this tells you that it’s not any known language.

1 Corinthians 14:2

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:4

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1Corinthians 14:13

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:14

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1 Corinthians 14:19

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:27  

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:28

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Verse 28 is the one that often confuses most people because they think of tongues as just one thing and don’t realize there are different kinds of tongues.

It is my opinion that Paul is not saying you can’t speak in tongues in the church, rather he is telling you to speak to God.  In other words, when you are praying and the spirit takes over and you begin praying in tongues, you are speaking directly to God, not to the church.  When the Holy Ghost comes upon you with a message for the church there is a different tone to the message.  Usually when he, the Holy Ghost starts to speak, everyone becomes silent and when he is done someone will stand and interpret what he said.  I say he because whether it’s a man or a woman that is giving the message in tongues it is not the person speaking, it is the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost is a he, the third person of the trinity.

Romans 8:8 teaches us that in the flesh, we cannot please God.

Roman 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Therefore, the spirit, the Holy Ghost will help us in our prayer lives by praying for us directly to God the Father. 

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Paul taught us in Ephesians that we should pray always in the spirit and in the spirit make known the gospel.

Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Finally and probably most important of all, Jude taught us to remember the words of the apostles.  They warned the people that in the last days that Christians would be mocked for what they believed in, but he still told them in verse 20 to pray in the Holy Ghost.   If we fail to believe and pray in the spirit then our spirit never gets to talk directly to God the Father. This my friend the what the devil ultimately wants for all mankind, that they do not talk directly to God the Father.

Jude 1:17-21

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

I have another post on Spiritual Gifts that goes along with this one.  Click the link here or below to read it.  

Spiritual Gifts

Kathy Wellman
Reference:  King James Bible

A grafted branch can be easily removed

Thought for the day:  If God destroyed his own people for their evil and unbelief, how much more so shall he destroy those that have been grafted in.  We need to beware that we don’t let evil people turn us away from God.  Making sin a law does not make it right and it does not make it any less a sin.  Stand up for what you know is right.  If it doesn’t line up with God’s word, then it is wrong, period.  No compromise.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

                                                                                           Kathy Wellman

Does God answer prayers?

There have been times when I've prayed and I felt that my prayers did not even get passed the ceiling of the room, but I prayed anyway because I know that I serve a God that hears me when I pray.  I may not always feel his presence during prayer or the Holy Ghost may not always show up, but I know he is listening.  Daniel cried and prayed for twenty one days and didn't think God heard him but God sent an angel to tell him, I heard you the first time you called.

Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

And then there are times when I pray and God moves on my prayers immediately.  I have seen God answer my prayers so many times.  One time in particular I was faced with a situation and was truly at a loss for what to do.  I simply turned and walked away, lifted my hands and gave it all to God.  I just cried out to him that he was the only one able fix it.  I give it to you Lord because you are able when I am not.  The Holy Ghost showed up and spoke my needs directly to God.  Within minutes of my praying, the thing was done.  There was no doubt in my mind that God stepped in and fixed the situation.  One person told me later that he was angry one minute and the next minute he felt a great calm come over him and he knew there was a better way to fix things.  This is how God works.  He speaks to the wind and says "Peace be Still" and even the wind obeys him.  

He told us in Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

The key word here is "believing", we must believe that God will answer our prayers.  

The next thing we must do is pray in his will.  We must always remember when we ask God for something that we should pray if it be thy will to do this for me.  Jesus taught us to always pray that the Father's will be done when he taught us how to pray with the Lord's prayer.

Matthew 6:10
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Let me assure you that God does answer prayers.  The answer may not always be what you expect it to be, but it will always be what God plans it to be.  And if we leave the decision up to him and let him do things his way then his answers will always be what is right and good for us.  

Kathy Wellman

RE: King James Bible

What will God do?

Psalms 37:5 tells us: Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

We don't know exactly what he will do or bring to pass, but we do know that he will do it. There is no limitation to what God will do if we commit our ways to him and remain in his will. If we are in his will, he will bring it to pass. You might ask, what will he bring to pass? The answer: He will bring to pass whatsoever is good, whatsoever is right, In short, his will....when it is "His Will" it is right and good. When we step outside his will then we limit what he will do.

It is possible to even limit God in our prayer life. When we pray and ask God to do this or that instead of praying not my will but thy will be done, then we are limiting what God will do. Jesus taught us how to pray. He told us to stay in the father's will. Mathew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

So if we stay in the father's will, what will he do? He will do what is needed and whatever he does, it will be right for us. It may not always be what we expect, but it will always be what is right.

Jesus taught us in Mathew: 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Stand on faith and commit your way to God's will and believe for whatever you need and God will do it!!

KathyWellman

RE:  King James Bible

Taste and See

Sharing the gospel of Christ is the duty of every christian.  We are to tell others about the Lord and his goodness so that they have the same opportunity that we had to come to know him as Lord and Savior in their lives.  Satan would have you believe that you are not worthy of God's grace, but Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  

John 8: 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Many believe that they need to get their lives in order before coming to Christ, but God does not expect you to fix everything.  He tells us to come to him all who are heavy laden and he will give us rest. 

Mathew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 We can't fix things by ourselves.  While the words "Come just as you are" are not found in the bible, there are many scriptures that show us that God does indeed want us to come to him just as we are and allow him to heal our broken hearts and make us whole.  Following are just a few scriptures that teach us that God wants us to come to him just as we are.  They don't teach us that we need to get our lives in order.  They don't teach us that we have to stop all of our bad habits before coming to him.  They simply teach us to "COME"

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Satan would have you to believe that you need to make yourself worthy before coming to God, but the truth is that you will never be worthy.  If we could make ourselves worthy then Christ would have died in vain.  His GRACE would not be needed, but thank God we are saved by GRACE and not by making ourselves worthy.

I invite you today to come to Christ.  Talk with him and get to know him.  He loves you just as you are.  If you come to know Christ and find that you are not content in your relationship with him, then I promise you that Satan is standing close by and will be happy to take you back.  The bible tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good.  Forget about trying to make yourself worthy and just kneel and talk it over with him.  Get a taste of Christ's goodness.  

Psalms34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Kathy Wellman 

RE: King James Bible

Forgiveness

Do you know the importance of forgiveness. 

Our ability to forgive others is the key to whether or not we are forgiven and will be able to spend eternity with God.  Forgiving someone is a very hard thing for the flesh to do and many times seems almost impossible, but when we finally let go of the hurt and anger and forgive that person we find that we are filled with a remarkable sense of love and security.  I speak from experience not just from the need to witness for Christ.  I have forgiven others of things that I thought would never be possible and some of them probably don't even realize that I have truly cried their names out to God and prayed for them.  God in turn has forgiven me and blessed me above and beyond all that I could hope for.  Start praying for that one that you thought you could never forgive and watch what happens in your life.  God's word will never come back void, he will hear your prayers and you will be blessed and forgiven.

Mark 11: 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Kathy Wellman
RE:  King James Bible

Anger

How do I know if my anger is righteous anger?

Don't let the devil fool you into sinning.

All my life I have heard people say, get angry but sin not. I have ask myself, how do I get angry and not sin? Anger itself can be a sin unless it is righteous anger. This brings us to the question, what is righteous anger?

Righteous anger has at least three attributes.

1: It arises and reacts because of SIN and your hatred for sin, not because someone did something you did not approve of.

2: It focuses on God and how he feels about the situation and not on yourself.

3: It is always accompanied with Godly qualities in your life such keeping self control and praying over the situation.

When you get angry or mad at something, look at it. Are you angry at the person or are you angry at the sin. Righteous anger will be directed toward the sin and not the person. You should still feel love for the person and pray for them while being angry at what they have done. Righteous anger is always directed at the sin which is the thing that God hates. God hates sin and won't look upon it. The prophet Habbakuk taught us this.

Habbakuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Man always tries to justify his anger by thinking it is righteous. One of Satan's greatest tools is to fool man into believing his anger is righteous when in fact it is usually a sin in itself.  Man's anger is rarely righteous.

James 1:19-20:  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Kathy Wellman
RE:  King James Bible