There was a time when I was an impressionable child that the only cereal I would eat was Wheaties – the Breakfast of Champions.
I strived to be the best I could be, so I would feed myself the best food only champions would eat. This carried over in my adult years when I was born again of God’s spirit. I desired to be my best for the Heavenly Father. Because of this I sought out what would be the pinnacle of God’s revelation to man.
He says, “man cannot live by bread alone [including Wheaties], but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Mathew 4:4).
There are 66 books in the Bible. Which ones should I read? God’s Word is organized in a way that there are certain parts for certain people. The three main groups of people to whom the Word of God is address to are: Jew, Gentile and Church of God (I Corinthians 10:32).The section in the New Testament that is addressed to us as born again ones is the Church of God. Generally speaking the Church Epistles from Acts on is written to, or pertains to, those who are Christians. Which of these would be the ultimate communication in what God has done for man?
Romans primarily teaches man how to be born again and realize he is righteous without the law. Man is justified freely through the redemption in Christ Jesus. The rest of the epistles builds on this. The one epistle that takes man to the highest of position and honor is Ephesians.
It is Ephesians that stands out above all others with the greatest revelation given to man. Here we learn that we are: (ESV Translation)
These truths are monumental! We can feed on these and many others daily with expectations of God’s hand upon our lives forever. Truly Ephesians is the breakfast of champions.
Agape,
Bob
The coveted pink slip! It is what every car owner strives to achieve. Very few people have one unless they have fully paid for their vehicle. It represents complete and final ownership.
There is another item of ownership that far exceeds a car or anything else. It is holy spirit.
This most precious gift of holy spirit is a permanent possession for every Christian. What confirms that we have received the holy spirit which gives us eternal life, being a son of God, having the hope of Christ return? Speaking in tongues is the one manifestation so designed for the believer to demonstrate the reality of holy spirit being within.
What is so magnificent about this gift of holy spirit? It is a seal or a pledge of the awesome spiritual benefits we use today and as well as things to be revealed in the future.
Ephesians 1:13 and 14: KJV
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
II Corinthians 1:21 and 22: ESV
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
The gift of holy spirit is a seal, an earnest [down payment], that is our guarantee (pink slip) of belonging to God Almighty!
How do you know you have holy spirit in you? Speaking in tongues is the one manifestation designed to demonstrate the presence of holy spirit in you. When you speak in tongues you are showing your spiritual “pink slip” that you have complete ownership of the gift of holy spirit.
Remind yourself often of the eternal powerhouse reality that lives in you by showing the pink slip often by speaking in tongues much!
Agape,
Bob
I was watching a TV program about a court case and the prosecutor had brought in an expert in the field of DNA to verify facts about the accused. Since it was a high profile case, the district attorney brought in not any DNA expert, but the most renowned scientist in the field. Obviously he was very convincing and was a major determining factor in the outcome of the case.
In light of this, I was thinking about the significance of believers speaking in tongues much in their lives. I then imagined we were at a court proceeding and the jury wanted to see why speaking in tongues should be such a vital part of a Christian’s life. What expert witness could I bring up to the stand to testify of the importance of speaking in tongues?
OK, who is the most qualified expert in the field of Christianity that we could call up to the witness stand. The answer was quick and really rather easy coming to my mind. The Apostle Paul. He was the one God and His son Jesus Christ called to carry the leadership of the ministry as well as being the writer of the Church Epistles that gave the doctrine of Christianity.
What was the testimony of the Apostle Paul for this all important question of the importance of speaking in tongues? Here is what he said:
“I would that you all speak in tongues.” (I Cor. 14:5)
“I Thank my God, I speak in tongues more than you all.” (I Cor. 14:18)
“Forbid not to speak in tongues.” (I Cor. 14:39)
I rest my case! Every believer should be speaking in tongues. They should not forbid anyone to speak in tongues. Paul believed so much in God’s desire for people to speak in tongues that he spoke in tongues more than the Corinthian Church! He must of spoke in tongues “like a house on fire.” Jesus Christ even taught His disciples when they operate the gift of holy spirit, it should flow out like a river of living waters.” (John 7:38).
Why are there so few that speak in tongues and why do those who partake of it, spend such minimal time doing it. We can blame the devil for the most part. But really we are all responsible before the Heavenly Father on how we live our lives. Let’s take to heart the testimony of God’s Word and speak in tongues much and more.
Agape,
Bob
The importance of prayer was emphasized to Timothy in a most unique way.
I Timothy 2:1-3:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Many Biblical scholars call the books to Timothy leadership epistles. Those who serve in ministry are benefited to read these books. Paul right away sets the importance of prayer as displayed in the record above.
Many however, miss the dynamics of why prayer is so important by not reading the previous verses, which are connected by the words: “I exhort therefore.” Here are the preceding verses to Chapter 2 that demonstrate why prayer is so essential:
I Timothy 1:18-20:
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
The times were challenging in the early Church and Paul was not going to be around much longer. He was, by revelation from God, passing on wise counsel to young Timothy. As Paul charges Timothy to “war a good warefare” he reveals those who worked against the Church. Hymenaeus and Alexander were not recoverable and cast over to Satan. What follows this drastic action is a most critical act to be done. That is prayer. See how verse 1 reads following 1:20: “I exhort therefore,”. As a result of this act and charge in the previous verses, it is essential that leaders have a vibrant prayer life.
For us who serve today, may we realize how important our prayer life is for the blessing of all men and those in authority. God calls this “good and acceptable” in His sight.
Agape,
Bob
There are many elements within our fellowships that really bless people. These include: The teaching of God’s Word, prayer time, testimony sharing time, singing, hearing messages from the Heavenly Father via the manifestations of holy spirit, Godly conversation, counseling and more. There is so much in our meetings that help the believer. This is all wonderful, but what is the ultimate aim of our fellowships?
Our purpose is to bring people into experiencing an intimate relationship with God. For me this was the ultimate, that I could talk to God Almighty and I could hear from Him. It could not get any better than this, except the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Intimacy at the Highest Level
What is the one thing I have learned in God’s Word that opens intimacy with the Creator of the Heaven’s and earth? Speaking in tongues!
I really enjoy reading and studying God’s Word. God magnified His Word above all His name (Psalm 138:2), so it is great stuff. One thing it teaches is what the believer has, being born again. One great reality is being filled with the power of the holy spirit. That spirit has nine abilities or manifestations that describe what it can do. One of the greatest manifestations is speaking in tongues. God designed this so you could pray to Him in the spirit (I Corinthians 14:15 & 16). When you speak in tongues you speak to God not to man (I Corinthians 14:2). When you speak in tongues you magnify Him (Acts 10:46). You also speak the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). You give thanks well to God by speaking in tongues (I Corinthians 14:16 & 17). How awesome is our God to make this relationship so personal and dynamic.
The highest honor is worship. God’s Word says, “God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). To worship by the spirit is to speak in tongues. God loves it when we speak in tongues. It is a “heavenly language.” It brings us very close to the Father.
I have never felt any closer to God than when I speak in tongues. God loves it! We should speak in tongues much to bless the Father. It makes for a very intimate relationship with Him.
Agape,
Bob
PS: Acts Now Fellowship is doing a Day in God’s Word on March 10th called: “Speaking the Wonderful Works of God.” It will deal specifically with speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy. Pleases join us to experience what it is like to have an intimacy with God on the highest level.
Details on the website: www.actsnowfellowship.net