Study in Prayer

Divers kinds of tongues are supernatural utterances given by the Holy Spirit, which are languages never learned or understood by the speaker. The caveat it, the divers tongues are not always unknown to the hearers. 

What I mean by that, is there will sometimes be someone present who understands the language being spoken when tongues are being spoken in a service, etc.

Although I have never experienced this, I have spoken to several people over the years, some are very good friends of mine in the ministry, who have either been the ones speaking and another person present was the hearer, or, in one case, was the hearer of another person speaking!  Glory to God!

I have spoken with some friends that were ministering in remote villages of some foreign land. One in particular I’m thinking of, there was a team of about 10 with an interpreter. The interpreter would interpret the meetings as the team would teach, etc.

One day, they decided to split up and cover both ends of this village then meet back in the middle. Since there was only one interpreter, obviously, he could only go with one group. There was another person who understood some words, so she went with the second group. The second group was going to mainly hand out tracks, since they could not readily speak the language.

At some point, the second group was passing out tracks and the interpreter has to use the rest room and left the group for a few minutes. As they were passing out tracks, a person indicated they wanted prayer.  This female friend of mine, looked around and could not find the interpreter, but now there were three or four friends of this person indicating they wanted prayer for their friend.

So, she started to pray in tongues…

Within a couple of minutes, the person being prayed for was crying…the others were crying…they dropped to their knees and began crying out to God…

At that point, the first group arrived. The interpreter started talking to the group and discovered they all had received Jesus as their Savior because this American girl had shared the Gospel of Salvation in a way they finally understood, in their own language and, even more miraculously, in their own regional dialect that was unique only to their village area!

About this time, the other girl that could speak a few words of the language returned. She had missed out on the entire thing!  But there was no doubt the Holy Spirit had taken over and, through the speaking of tongues, a group of people, who only wanted these missionaries to pray for their friend, all were born again.

Well, word spread quickly!  They asked the missionary group to stay that night and they held an outdoor service where just about every member of that village was in attendance and received Jesus as their Savior! Only because one American girl, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, spoke with a language she did not understand, but those who needed to hear it the most DID! 

I hope that gave you a little clearer understanding of what “speaking in divers tongues” is all about. 

I want to pray with you now, that the Holy Spirit would help you to obtain a greater, deeper understanding of how speaking in tongues can not only bless you on a deeper level, but bless those around you whom may not even understand your primary language. Amen!

Let’s pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

As we covered yesterday, speaking in tongues is always manifested when folks are filled with the Holy Spirit. We can read this in Acts chapter 2 verse 4, “And whey were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The great man of God, Smith Wigglesworth, once related how he would argue with Pentecostals who said if you were filled with the Holy Ghost you would speak in tongues. He would argue with them saying, “I’m just as filled with the Holy Ghost as you are, I’m seeing miracles in my ministry, but I don’t speak in tongues.”

But one day, he heard about an Episcopal church where the pastor and many members of the Congregation had been praying in tongues and great things were happening at that church. So he decided to go and visit the pastor.

When he arrived, the pastor was not there, but his wife was. Smith just asked her about praying in tongues. He told her he had the Holy Ghost, but wanted to speak in tongues.

She told him, “No, you don’t want tongues, you want the Holy Ghost. Then the tongues will take care of itself.”

He said again, “I already have the Holy Ghost.” 

She just told him, “Never mind. Just kneel here and let me pray for you.” After she prayed, there was another knock on the door so she left and closed the door on Smith Wigglesworth so he would not be disturbed.

Smith said he had a vision of a river of blood flowing from the Throne and it surrounded him. He started to exclaim, “I’m clean! I’m clean! I’m clean!” over and over again. After a few times, he notices he was not saying “I’m clean” in English anymore! It was some strange language he had never heard. He was now speaking in tongues!”

That was when he realized, in all of the arguments he had with other believers who spoke in tongues, telling them he had just as much of the Holy Spirit as they did, he realized he had never actually been BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit! And that was the difference!

He had seen many miracles in his ministry…but had never understood the Power that was in the Holy Spirit. After he was Baptized in the Holy Spirit that day – his ministry just exploded in the Power and might of the Holy Spirit.

He realized that, in all of those years he was arguing with other believers – he had NOT been Baptized with the Holy Spirit. He said, “Before, I would have an argument about the Holy Spirit. Now, I have the experience of the Holy Spirit.”

I want to pray for you to have that kind of experience that Smith Wigglesworth had. That I have had. As we close today, I want to tell you a quick story…

At a ministers conference, a preacher was talking about Lester Summeral. Lester was a disciple of Smith Wigglesworth. When Lester left for America, Smith Wigglesworth laid hands on him and imparted the same spirit that was on him, Smith Wigglesworth, into Lester Summeral. 

As Lester was getting on in age – and he had a tremendous ministry here in America – one of his personal students, one of those he had taken under his wing as a disciple, was Scott Webb. 

At this conference Pastor Webb was relating how, before Lester Summeral passed away, he had called Scott and laid his hands on him and imparted to him the same spirit that was on him that Smith Wigglesworth had imparted to him.

Think to the story of Elijah and Elisha if you will…

I have been a student of all things Smith Wigglesworth related. I’ve been studying his ministry for years. I had prayed to God a few months before attending that meeting, that “I would like to have that same spirit that was on Smith Wigglesworth to be imparted to me, Lord.”

I had no idea who Scott Webb was or that he was even going to be at the conference I was going to. But when I heard that, I prayed, “Lord, is this why you had me come here? If so, then I ask you to arrange a chance to talk with Pastor Webb.”

I’m not kidding, within about two minutes, Pastor Webb was approaching where I was standing. He was going to pass by (in other words, he was not walking out there to talk to me in purpose).

I asked if I could talk to him for a minutes and he stopped and we chatted. As I told him about my prayer and everything I just shared with you, I started to shake and get emotional. The Holy Spirit was definitely present.

Pastor Webb looked at me… at first it was a quizzical look. I imagine he was thinking “What in the world…” But soon, he realized the Holy Spirit was at work.

Long story short, HE laid hands on my and imparted the same anointing that was on Smith Wigglesworth, the same he laid hands on and imparted to Lester Summeral…the same that Lester Summeral imparted to Scott Webb – has now been imparted to me.

But that is not…I am not saying this to puff me up…no – not at all.

I’m saying all of this so you WILL understand, the impartation of the Holy Spirit – the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – The INFILLING of the Holy Spirit – IS REAL. And the manifestation that it has truly happened IS the speaking of tongues.

I want to pray with you right now that you will grasp – your spirit man will grasp – that this is REAL. Amen.

Let’s pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Scripture of the Day:   

Acts 22:17

“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the Temple, I fell into a trance…”

Praying in Tongues Part One

I know I’ve been talking about praying in tongues for the past few days, but for the next few days I’m going to go even deeper into this subject. I just believe that the Holy Spirit is going to have me reveal some things that will absolutely revolutionize the thinking of someone who may not believe in Speaking with Tongues or may have some doubts about doing so…

So, with that being said…

Believers receive the Gift of speaking in tongues when they receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As I’ve said before, I was blessed in receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at the same time I received my salvation and new birth. Praise God. 

For some, it happens that way. For others, it is a separate experience. Either way, it does happen. Amen!

Now, in 1 Corinthians 12 verses 7 through 11, Paul lists the nine gifts of the Spirit, or nine manifestations, if you will, of the Holy Spirit by which the Holy Spirit demonstrates Himself.

Three of these gifts are utterances or inspirational gifts. These gifts, which are sometimes called the vocal gifts, are designed to be an inspiration in public worship.

Of these three vocal gifts, the gift of tongues is the most predominant. Speaking with other tongues is important to the believer because tongues is the gateway to the Supernatural things of God. Amen!

As I shared about my background as a preacher in the Independent Baptist Church circuit, some would say, “I don’t understand why those Pentecostal people emphasize speaking in tongues so much.” Once I started to experience and associate with those from the Pentecostal background, I realized they don’t emphasize it that much.

You see, the Bible discusses the importance of tongues and the prominence tongues is supposed to have in the life of a true believer. 

The reason it seems so much emphasis is placed on tongues is because folks are always asking us about this gift. Which brings it up in discussion so it seems like there is a lot of emphasis on it.  And, through the process of discussing it, as we are today and have been the last few days, we are ready to give an answer to those that ask. Praise God!  Can I get an amen?

Speaking in tongues is always manifested when believers are baptized in the Holy Ghost. In fact, speaking in tongues is the Biblical evidence for receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. You can read that yourself in Acts chapter 2 verse 4.  But once the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, he or she is to maintain a continual experience of speaking in tongues which will impact their life moving forward immensely. Amen!

Also, there is a private use of speaking in tongues as the believer communes with God. I’ve discussed this aspect previously. This is a way for the Holy Spirit to communicate directly with our Spirit man and give us guidance, perspective and warnings that otherwise we would not understand. 

There is also a public use of speaking in tongues during a formal assembly. But this is different from your private time with the Lord and speaking in tongues. My intent is not to go too deep into the differences between these two today.

The essence of speaking in tongues is the same, and the source of speaking in tongues in both instances is the same. Both come from the Holy Spirit.

If we have people being filled in our midst with the Holy Spirit, there will be speaking in tongues happening in the church service. It is an evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit taking place. Not only that, but the Spirit filled believer does not have to stop talking in tongues after their initial experience. They can continue to speak with tongues, although they may not be used publicly to  minister or speak forth a message during a church assembly. Speaking in tongues can be – and should be – used in the believers private time with God in prayer and worship. 

This one aspect of the benefits of speaking in tongues may confuse some of you. This is one reason I believe the Holy Spirit is having me focus so much attention on this one aspect of the Spirit filled life. 

I want to pray with you to receive Godly Wisdom and understanding on this subject. I want to pray against the spirit of offence and ask God to impart His Wisdom in your understanding. Amen.

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Scripture of the Day:   

Ephesians 3:!4

“For this reason, I kneel before the Father…”

 Cast Your Cares Upon Him!

When I started out in ministry, I was part of an Independent Baptist church and we were part of the Central Texas Independent Baptist Association of Churches. I used to preach in our church, at least once per month…but we would hold monthly conventions where all of the preachers would gather and hold a couple hours of sermon teaching and prayer time. 

I would be invited to go and speak in their churches, hold revivals, etc. I was an evangelist and thought I knew a lot about the Lord and the Bible, etc.

This would have been about 1995 or so. 

But then, something happened.  I was exposed to the Pentecostal way of worshipping the Lord. I had been Baptized with the Holy Spirit the night I was born again on January 25, 1992. I had spoken and praised God in tongues…I knew what it was.

But the Independent Baptists did not do that and, I was trying to fit in, so I did not do it either…

In those days, if you were “one of them tongue talking preachers,” you were booted out of the fellowship…

But the longer I stayed in that group, and compared the results they were seeing and praying for compared to what I was seeing amongst those that DID believe in speaking in tongues – I couldn’t believe the differences!  It was almost like night and day.

Then, the opportunity came, through a person I was associated with in my secular business, to meet Dr. Vernard Johnson. He is known as the “World’s Greatest Gospel Saxaphonist.” He was really, REALY popular at the time, especially in the COGIC circles.

Through the process of meeting him, talking with him and even helping out at a few of his concerts and getting to know him a bit on a personal level, he offered me an opportunity to have my first real, paid, ministry job by helping him organize and promote his concerts.

I mentioned this to our little group, trying to get them to come out to a “Soul Winning Concert” that would be in the area. After all, that is all they talked about was “winning souls for the Kingdom.”

Don’t you know, THAT VERY NIGHT, they shunned me! Nobody would talk with me. Nobody would sit with me at the same table in the fellowship hall. When I left that building, I asked God, “Why?  They don’t want anything to do with me just because I want to win souls for the Kingdom?”  The Spirit of God spoke directly to my spirit and said, “Don’t worry about, they don’t want anything to do with me either…”

How tragic!  An entire group of probably 20 churches that just refused to admit that the Holy Spirit was real and that speaking in tongues was a way to communicate with God and have God communicate with you. 

I never was invited back to speak in any of those churches ever again. 

I found out later, several of those churches had to close their doors. Many only had a handful of people attending their services – even after 20 years. For many of them, the only new additions was when someone would have a baby.  

What does all of this have to do with the subject of “Cast Your Cares on the Lord?”  Because that night, I did just that. I had been trying to “please men” by pleasing those preachers. To be accepted. But when I decided to put the Kingdom first, to win souls for the Kingdom by helping another ministry that “was not part of their clique” – I was shunned.

At first, I was devastated. “Was I wrong?” “Should I go back and apologize?”

But the more I prayed about it, the answer from the Lord was clear, “Leave those things behind and continue to press towards the mark of your high calling in Christ.”  Praise God!

And do you know when that download came to me?  While praying in tongues! Bless God!

At that point, I cast the entire thing over onto the Lord and have never looked back again. And now, our ministry is thriving and almost every single one of those churches in that group have closed. I’m not happy they are closed, don’t get me wrong. I’m not pleased about that at all.

The point I’m trying to make is this…

If you will pray in tongues and communicate with the Holy Spirit, He will guide you. He will direct your steps. He will make sure YOU complete YOUR mission that HE has for YOU!

When you understand that, you can cast ALL your cares over on Him and He will take care of them for you. Then you will be free to follow Him and accomplish your mission on this earth. Amen!

Let’s pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Scripture of the Day:   

2 Corinthians 13:9

“We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.”

If in Doubt – Then You’re Out!

If you are a saved, born again child of the Living God, then you are never supposed to doubt the Word of God. You are never supposed to doubt ANYTHING you read in His Word. Every single word, every single letter, every single punctuation mark has a specific purpose if it is in the Bible. Amen.

When you believe that with all of your heart, spirit, soul and every fiber of your being, you will never quake the devils presence. Ever!  Why?

Because GREATER is HE that is in you than he that is in the world. Amen!

When the devil tries to get you off of your game plan – which is to trust 100% in Jesus and all that He accomplished for you, if the devil can get you to doubt just ONE PART of God’s Word, he has a foothold in your life.

You may be one of those that do not believe speaking in tongues is for today…

Guess what, you’re right! Anything to do with speaking in tongues and the benefits you will gain from it – are worthless to you. You get zero benefits.

That moves over into receiving your prayers as answered as well. You will not see any resulting answers to your prayers… Period.

That also concerns sickness in your body…no healing for you…

The devil will have free reign to take sniper shots at you anytime and anywhere he chooses to do so…

Have you ever felt like, just as things start going good, SOMETHING bad happens? Have you ever noticed that, just as soon as you start to get a little bit ahead financially, the car breaks down or the TV goes out and now you have to spend even more money and “Back into debt” you go…maybe even deeper in debt than you were two weeks ago? Have you ever noticed anything like that?

Why does that happen?

When I hear people talk like that, one of the first questions I will ask is about their prayer life.  Are they praying every day? Consistently?  And do you know the response I generally will receive?

“Of course, brother Bob. I pray every day (and then – they add the qualifier)…BUT, I only have time to pray while I’m in the car or it may only be for a couple of minutes…”

And, as bad as that is…it will still WORK if that is all the time you truly have. 

My next question is something like, “You don’t have a lot of time? You can’t pray 15 minutes a day? What are you doing at 4:30am every day?”

99% of the time it will, “Sleeping?”  

Then I hit them with what Jesus asked His disciples, “Why are you sleeping? Couldn’t you pray one hour with me?”

But, IF (and this is a BIG IF), they do respond with they are praying, I will the ask, “Are you praying in tongues?”  

THEN I get the “deer in the headlights” look. They begin to stammer and stumble. Some will even come right out and say, “I don’t believe in that stuff. It’s of the devil” Or “It’s not for us today” or some bogus thing like that…

Folks, if it is IN Bible – and especially IN THE NEW TESTAMENT – it is for us today in the church age! Glory to God.  What other benefits are there for praying in tongues?

In 1 Corinthians 14:2-5, we see the Apostle Paul telling us that God is speaking to our spirit man directly through His Holy Spirit. This builds up the power of faith that works within us. This gives us direct information that our spirit man can pull on throughout the day. This is given to us in a way the devil cannot understand the secrets God is sharing with us. This is a way for God to give us warning about plans the devil is devising and God’s plan to counter the attack.

BUT – if you are one of those who refuses to believe…If you DOUBT – then you are OUT!

So, I want to pray for you right now. I want to pray that your spirit man would become sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I want to pray for you to renew that power that is within you – and you do that through studying the Word of God and praying to God on a consistent basis…and praying in other tongues to allow the Holy Spirit to plant HIS thoughts and HIS plans into your spirit man in order to counter every plan of the enemy and bring you to total and complete Victory in Jesus…amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2