Hello, I've been lurking here and popping in once in awhile. Since I've been given permission to express myself here, I wanted to just go ahead and share. First, I am not looking for a debate or argument and will not do it.
The crux of the matter is that I've noticed that when people talk about people who speak in tongues, they have done it with a harsh and judgmental tone. My spirit is grieved to see such dissention and hardness. I also noticed that there was legalism. If anyone worships differently, IE doesn't worship on Saturday, then they aren't obeying God. If anyone speaks in tongues, they are holier than thou and think they know it all and know when the Lord is coming. First of all, you have to love each other anyway. I am a Sunday worshiper. I don't plan to change that. Second of all, I am one of those Christians who speaks in tongues and I was very offended to read some of those harsh comments. I resent being thought of as a know it all and someone who knows when the Lord is returning. That is apostasy!!! That is crazy! Also, when it was said that someone was just speaking a bunch of garbage, well, tongues isn't to edify us, it is to edify the Lord. Look at First Corinthians 14 verses 6 through 25 to learn more about speaking in tongues. Yes, when someone gets up in front of a group and starts speaking in tongues, then there should certainly be an interpreter and if not the Pastor should stop it. When people are praying and they start to speak in tongues, that is considered a prayer language and it is a time of prayer, praise and worship. Tongues is used during spiritual warfare, or heavy praise. It is not used to be a show thing, and yes, if you don't speak in tongues, you are still saved and going to heaven. I think that to say the spiritual gifts are dead for today is like saying God is changeable. I want to be obedient to God at all times. My heart cries out to be obedient to God and to be always on the same page as He is. I love to deeply worship Him with hands raised. I have dreams and visions from God all the time and it doesn't mean I'm mentally ill--it means I am wanting to receive and hear from God. Now, I do lean on the Lord's word. If a dream or vision doesn't line up with scripture, then it isn't from God; it's as simple as that! I do not appreciate being lumped in and judged as those who want to give tongues and spiritual gifts a bad name. Yes, there are those out there giving true believing charismatic a bad name, and those people out there may as well be following Satan. I'm not kidding. I've been to those churches and was equally grieved. I've seen a lot spiritually, and I can never believe that the spiritual gifts are deat for today. Furthermore, I am grieved when I read of devotionals that espouse the views that you're not an obedient Christian if you don't worship on Saturday, or you're in error if you speak in tongues. We need to lift each other up, and this is not uplifting to read things that put down another's beliefs. We all need to be encouraging each other and praying for each other. If you don't think someone is following God, then you pray for that person and listen to what God tells you to do or not do. Obey Him. I will not keep silent for I know that if I speak the truth of what I have witnessed, it will set me free. Saying that the spiritual gifts are dead for today is like putting God in an air tight box. I'm sorry... I won't be doing that to God. No amount of arguing or debating with me will change what I believe. It will only succeed in making me hold fast to the Lord and the beliefs He's given me even stronger. Finally, we need to be careful with our words. Sticks and stones may break my bones and both names and words do hurt me. If you're honest with yourselves, you will note that they hurt you too. they might not be the same words to hurt me as those that hurt you. Since we are a diverse group, I really urge you all to be soft with your words. I'm saying all including me, because It would be course and demeaning to go around, singling people out and pointing a finger. I'll let God take care of it from here. Showing facts and scripture is one thing, but being harsh and judgmental is completely unacceptable. I also urge you to not close the door on God and put Him in a box. Religion needs to be balanced with the personal spiritual daily walk with Jesus. God is the Word--listen to Him. Look at John and Genesis. You'll find it there. Look at Romans. What does Romans say about how to deal with people who have other beliefs that you don't? Read Romans chapter by chapter and don't look up anything. Ask God. Be quiet after reading and just let him speak to you. the Word is God. Whoever is open to the message of the lord--let him receive. Sean, River, and my feathered friend Marvin Walking and living in Victory! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
