Speaking In Another Language

I found this very informative write up at Got Questions that helped me with more understanding of "speaking in tongues" or more correctly, "speaking in other languages".

https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-in-tongues.html

This following paragraph stood out for me as I have no idea if I speak in tongues of another identifiable human language as no one has ever told me "I hear you speaking in __________ language!"

"Acts chapter 2 describes the first occurrence of the gift of tongues. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues. Acts chapter 2 makes it clear that the apostles were speaking in a human language (Acts 2:6-8). The word translated “tongues” in both Acts chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is glossa which means “language.” It is the word from which we get our modern English word “glossary.” Speaking in tongues was the ability to speak in a language the speaker does not know, in order to communicate the gospel to someone who does speak that language. In the multicultural area of Corinth, it seems that the gift of tongues was especially valuable and prominent. The Corinthian believers were able to better communicate the gospel and God’s Word as a result of the gift of tongues. However, Paul made it abundantly clear that even in this usage of tongues, it was to be interpreted or “translated” (1 Corinthians 14:13, 27). A Corinthian believer would speak in tongues, proclaiming God’s truth to someone who spoke that language, and then that believer, or another believer in the church, was to interpret what was spoken so that the entire assembly could understand what was said."

This is what the scripture says in Acts 2:1-8 and I have underlined and changed the color to red on the words that jump out to me,

'And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?'

I have no doubt about being filled with the Holy Spirit personally.  I can feel him in me and I have heard him audibly speak to me one time.  He is as real to me as a person standing next to me but I am unable to see him visually with my eyes.  I do not know if the tongue/language that I speak is or is not another language of another nation here on earth since I cannot verify it.  I have never spoken out in a public meeting to test it.  I thought it was a prayer language but apparently a "prayer language" is something totally different but I do use this same language in my prayer time on occasion.  I do have several other gifts from the Holy Spirit so if speaking in another language is not one I have, I have no problem with that.  He is God.  I am not.

Got Questions has a good response about the Spiritual Gifts I also thought worth mentioning.

https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-gifts-survey.html

We are each uniquely and wonderfully made by the Creator and I cannot and will not say one is or isn't filled with the Holy Spirit because another human says so. I cannot and will not say one is or isn't saved by the blood of Jesus if they have been baptized in his name and walk as a follower of Christ. The final answer comes from God.

Jesus told us that we would be known by our fruit.  He does not say how many or how few fruit but only that a barren tree will be cut down and burned.  I see much of the fruit in my 68 years of life and feel no shame.  I will continue to do my best to remain fruitful for my Lord until I draw my last breath.  Thanks for hearing me out as I continue learning, seeking and growing by the revelation and discernment of the Spirit of God in me.

Yehovah Elohim

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

From the very beginning of Biblical scripture we hear the word "God".  Our human minds place him as the creator of our world and everything in it and mankind.  The ruler of our lives.  The one who loves us and saves us from death and destruction.  The one who makes the final determination if we live past this life into the next or places us in eternal punishment that we rightly deserve as sinful creatures.

Of course only those who have searched their hearts and minds for the spiritual part of life are the ones who question any of the spiritual aspects of life.  Those who turn their back on any part of a spiritual life are lost in a void of darkness by their own choosing.  All human beings of a certain age at one point of time question why they are alive and breathing on earth.  All human beings of a certain age at one point of time in their lives question what happens at death. 

Many argue there is no God and there is no Supreme Creator.  They choose death and the grave at the end of their lives.  They choose not to open their spirit to God.  They make their choice and live with it.  Once in a while something happens in their lives to open them up to question their decision but too many times they turn their back and walk away because faith is not something scientific.  They choose to believe in the power of science which saves no one spiritually.

In this first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, the word God in Hebrew is the word Elohim.  Elohim is a plural word for God. God the Father.  God the Son.  God the Holy Spirit.  The Hebrew writer using the word Elohim tells us he knew the triune nature of God.  Something like this can only be revealed to the human spirit by the Spirit Creator.  These revelations can only come into a human mind and a human spirit by a supernatural Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing earthy that can reveal this to the human brain of mankind.

All throughout Chapter 1 of Genesis the word Elohim is used to describe God.  The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit were creating together as One.  Elohim!

In all of the verses of Genesis 1 until Genesis 2:3 only Elohim is used when referring to God.  Then in verse 3 of Chapter 2 the writer uses the terms "Lord God" not just Elohim.  Lord in Hebrew is the word Yehovah.  The Hebrew writer uses only the word Elohim to describe God until the point of creation when Elohim has completed his or their creation work and blessed, sanctified and rested on the seventh day in Genesis 2:3.  After that, starting in verse 4, Lord God becomes the words used to describe God.  Yehovah Elohim!

Yehovah means eternal or self existent. Yehovah is our eternal God.  God the Father.  In combining Yehovah with Elohim we have our separately existing yet triune God.  Father, Son and Spirit.  One, yet three.  Eternally self existent.  Eternally together.  

When the creation of mankind is described in Genesis 1:26-27 by Elohim it is stated that we are created in the three images of Elohim.  When you read the following verse think Elohim for each word God; 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ~ Genesis 1:26-27

We are created in the Godhead images of Elohim, the Father, the Son and the Spirit!  We are three in one as He is three in one.  

Matthew 27:46 tell us as Jesus was dying on the cross, just before his very last breath, he cried out, 

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

'Eli' is a form of the Hebrew word Elohim.  Jesus is calling out to the Father and Spirit.  The word 'lama' means why and the word 'sabachthani' means left me alone.  The human Jesus cries out to them, Elohim, that he feels all alone on the cross for that moment.  The human Jesus shows his humanity to the world.  We are each crying out to Elohim that we feel we are alone.  But we are not, even when our feelings try to tell us differently. Our spirit and Elohim are together!

And the LORD , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Hebrews 13:5

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. ~ Joshua 1:9

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Joshua 1:5

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ~ Matthew 28:18-20

Discourage, Encourage, Courage

These words just popped into my head while preparing for our Power of Twelve meeting in a few hours.  Three words with so much difference in meaning.

It seems like each time I am preparing myself for a meeting and wanting the Holy Spirit to move in our time together, a bit of discouragement comes on me.  I throw it aside as fast I can but nonetheless it comes into my mind.  I think about the ladies who will not be attending due to circumstances of life and then wonder who else will not come.  The questions come at me, are they tired of the group, is it not fulfilling to them spiritually, did I say something wrong that offended them, does it not meet their needs of encouragement any longer? Every time it is some kind of question and usually it's an attack on me, that I am not doing something right or that I am not hearing from the Lord in a positive uplifting way and therefore it's not apparent when we gather. When I feel a bit of discouragement it generally passes quite fast as I pray to the Lord and ask him to tell me something positive or to give me joy that I am doing his will by opening my home and continuing on in his plan for these women, whomever they are, that do come into my home to have love and fellowship, even if it is only a few!

Once I come to the Lord in prayer and seek him, the encouragement comes!  I just got the sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning the toilet done and I feel at peace!  He has encouraged me to clean up and get prepared for my sisters to come.  All of these women mean so much to me and to my life.  They each have such a special place in my heart for being a part of my life and this group and I know the Lord feels even more encouragement than I.  He smiles with pride that month after month we gather for this small amount of time and share him and our hearts with one another!  He is in love with us as much as we are in love with him.  That is one of the most beautiful things about all of this.  The love!! His love, our love for him and our love for one another. We are sisters in the Lord seeking him and his encouragement is so apparent in our lives.  Look at all the love that is in our lives on a day to day basis.

Then I think of the word courage.  I never had the courage that I have now to speak up and speak out about Jesus Christ, the savior of all.  I would love to be one who could shout it from a rooftop but feel I am too old for that kind of experience.  Therefore I am led to shout it out to this group of sisters and to share the words he gives me to share.  Each one of them have different things happening in their lives that are not pleasant.  Each one of them have trials and tribulations.  Each one of them has people that bring them sorrow but also people who bring them joy.  If I can help them focus on the joy, then hallelujah.  If I can speak a word of encouragement, then hallelujah.  If I can speak a word of wisdom, hallelujah!  I know that sometimes I am out on social media speaking words that are not encouraging and I hope that each one of them forgive me for my discouraging words.  I have lots of faults and hope my sisters still love me when my human nature and mouth are not so encouraging.  God knows I beat myself up enough over some of my words and he also informs me when I have overstepped my bounds.  Sometimes it takes courage to admit one needs to be silent and let him speak to souls without my help.  

The Lord does not want us to be discouraged.  He wants us to have the courage to encourage those who have not accepted Jesus as their savior.  He wants us to love the lost.  Love the sinner for all of us are sinners who he paid the price of salvation for.  He just loves us that much and encourages us to do the same out there in this crazy world, one day at a time!!