Miracle Moment

“In the same way the Spirit also joins to help our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, he also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those he justified, He also glorified.” (Romans 8:26-30)

We do believe and teach baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. People pray in tongues because we do not know the perfect will of God, but Holy Spirit does. The Holy Spirit does not take over your vocal cords and you don’t “feel weird” or out of control while praying in the Spirit. You can stop or start whenever you want. There is nothing hocus pocus about it. Praying this way is simply a way to connect to the will of God.

In Jude 1:20 it reads “But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…” Praying in this manner is also a way for us to build ourselves up spiritually. There are two types of tongues as well. There are the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues mentioned in I Corinthians 12:10. These gifts are used to edify others. One person may begin praying in the Spirit and when they stop another will speak up in his own language and give the interpretation of what was spoken.

Then we have what was mentioned in Jude and in John 7:38. In the latter, the scripture reads that it will be like rivers of living water flowing out of your belly. This is a more personal praying meant to build you up. Again, both types enable us to pray more effectively. Jesus said we would speak with new tongues. (Mark 16:17) The Apostle Paul goes even further talking about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 14)

In Verse 29 we see the words “foreknew” and “predestined.” I don’t believe in a set in stone predestination. I do believe though that God has had a general plan since before the foundation of the world and I do know that plan will be accomplished. I also know God knows the end from the beginning. God saw it all play out. He knows who will choose to serve Him. He knows the mistakes we’ll make. He’s not sitting in heaven biting His nails. I know He did not choose our paths for us. It says in John 3:16 that God so love the world, that’s everybody. And also in II Peter 3:9 that God is long suffering, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It’s apparent from just these two scriptures that it is actually God’s perfect will for everyone to be saved and with Him and we all know that isn’t happening. He created us with free will and the ability to choose. Our choices influence others and alter God’s “perfect” will. We make our own way. A pervert’s free will decision to rape someone affects the one being raped. As horrible as that is, God is still able to bring all of this around for our good if we will choose to love Him. There will always be two paths laid before us and it is up to us to follow God. For those of us who choose God, He has “predestined” us all to be conformed to the image of His Son. He desires that we all end up looking like Jesus. He was our role model, our big brother, our joint heir in the kingdom. We are God’s children and nothing will ever be able to separate us from Him nor take that away from us.

PRAYER:

Father, thank You for allowing me to be Your child. I love You so much. I pray for those in the world who don’t realize they are Yours. I ask You to reveal truth to them. I pray You would save and sanctify them for Your glory. I pray for the peace of Israel, asking You to show yourself strong, protecting and drawing them unto Yourself. Lord, may You be glorified in all that we do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.