Do All Speak Languages? (Gifts Of The Spirit)

I have been studying the scriptures and praying for more understanding on the subject of receiving the Holy Spirit and the evidence that a believer will manifest when the Spirit of God comes to dwell inside the heart.

The Holy Spirit gave me some more insight into the scriptures that many people use to say that 'not everybody speaks in languages' and many believe that languages are not the sign that a believer of Jesus Christ will manifest as initial evidence that they have received the Holy Spirit.

Well let's take a closer look at the scriptures in question and break down what they really say. I'll be using my Greek-English Interlinear bible and the NKJV.

1st Corinthians 12:1-3

"But as to spiritual things brothers, I do not wish you to be ignorant. You know that being led away, you Gentiles were led to dumb idols. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says Jesus is a curse. And no one is able to say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."

The first thing we need to take a look at is who is Paul talking to? As we can see in the first verse of chapter twelve Paul is addressing the Corinthian brothers, those who were already converted to Christ when Paul went to preach the gospel in Greece. (See Acts 18)

He was talking to the believers about spiritual matters because he didn't want them to be ignorant of the workings of God through His Holy Spirit.

In truth, every epistle (letter), after the book of Acts was written to the churches that were established in the first century and to the individual saints who were made disciples by the apostles and baptized in water and Spirit.

Yes, every scripture is most certainly God-breathed and profitable for teaching, correction, etc..., but the scriptures need to be read in their proper context, and we need to understand that we cannot apply every single scripture literally to ourselves.

1st Corinthians 12:4

"But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit;"

So Paul is telling the saints that the Spirit gives different gifts. Notice he is not talking to them about salvation, receiving the Holy Spirit, or being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

1st Corinthians 12:5-7

"And there are differences of ministries, yet the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but the same God is working all things in all. But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit."

Paul is saying that each individual member that enters the body of Christ is given a spiritual gift of the Spirit to profit the entire body.

1st Corinthians 12:8

"For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another, a word of knowledge, according to the Spirit;"

Now let's take a deeper look into the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to individual believers in the body of Christ.

1) Word Of Wisdom

The spiritual gift of word of wisdom is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the wisdom of God spoken by the Spirit to the saint supernaturally, and gives them divine answers and counsel in any given situation, or circumstance. It is the supernatural impartation of God's wisdom; it is not natural, it does not come by carnal reasoning, and it cannot be gained by study or experience.

Luke 20:21-26

"Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent."

Luke 21:12-15

"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."

Mark 13:11

"But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 10:18-20

"You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Acts 6:8-10

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke."

2) Word Of Knowledge

The spiritual gift of word of knowledge is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is supernatural revelation from the mind of God about a person or situation which is not learned through the efforts of the natural mind. It is a fragment of the divine knowledge of God spoken by the Holy Spirit to a believer disclosing the truth which God desires to be made known concerning a particular person, group of people, or circumstance. This divine knowledge speaks most often about the present or something which happened in the past.

John 4:13-18

"Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

Acts 10:17-20

"Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

1st Corinthians 12:9

"And to another, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit;"

3) Gift Of Faith

The spiritual gift of faith is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit that miraculously gives a believer the assurance that what they speak, ask, or pray for will come to pass BEFORE it is seen with the natural eyes. It is God working on behalf of the believer to perform something impossible by ordinary human efforts. It is believing you have it WHEN you pray, and knowing the roots are cursed before you see the tree die. It is the supernatural ability to believe God without doubt, combat unbelief and visualize what God wants to accomplish.

Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

"Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it."

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

Mark 4:35-41

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Acts 3:13-16

"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

4) Gifts Of Healing

The spiritual gifts of healing are given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to heal all kinds of disease, illness, sickness, and oppression of the devil without human aid.

Matthew 4:23-24

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them."

Luke 6:17-19

"And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all."

Acts 10:37-3

"That word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

Acts 5:12-16

"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."

1st Corinthians 12:10

"And to another workings of powers; and to another, prophecy; and to another, discernings of spirits; and to another kinds of languages; and to another, interpretations of languages."

5) Workings Of Powers (Miracles)

The spiritual gift of workings of powers (miracles) is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit.  It is a direct intervention in the natural universe by God who works through His Spirit in an earthen vessel to perform His will on earth. It is a supernatural intercession that transcends natural laws and a divine act by which God reveals Himself to mankind.

John 2:6-11

"Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

John 4:46-54

"So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee."

Matthew 14:13-21

"When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children."

Matthew 14:22-27

"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

John 11:40-44

"Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Acts 9:36-42

"At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord."

6) Gift Of Prophecy

The spiritual gift of prophecy is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is a divinely inspired and anointed utterance, a supernatural proclamation in a known language of man. It is a direct and immediate word from God Almighty to His people spoken by His Spirit through His chosen vessel. It is spoken forth to reveal truth, exhort, edify, comfort, strengthen, to bring correction, judgment, and repentance to the hearer(s).

2nd Peter 2:19-21

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 24:1-2

"Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Acts 13:9-12

"Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord."

Acts 11:21-28

"And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar."

Acts 21:8-11

"On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

1st Corinthians 14:3

"But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."

7) Discernings Of Spirits

The spiritual gift of discernings of spirits is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to perceive and see into the spiritual realm, and discern the source of a spiritual manifestation to determine whether it is of God, Satan, or man. It is the ability to see in the spirit to know the root causes of oppression (pride, unbelief, bitterness, lust, etc..) and true motives of people, to discern whether they have a good or evil spirit.

Matthew 16:21-23

"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Luke 8:26-31

"Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.When he  saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss."

Luke 9:51-56

"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village."

Acts 8:18-24

"And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

Acts 16:16-18

"Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour."

8) Kinds Of Languages

The spiritual gift of kinds of languages is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to speak in a foreign language that one has not previously studied or had knowledge of. It is known languages of men (French, Spanish, etc.) that can be understood by others and interpreted by the speaker or one who has been given the spiritual gift of interpretation of languages.

The spiritual gift of kinds of languages should not be confused with the language that is spoken by all believers as the initial evidence or sign  that they have received the Holy Spirit into their heart. This is a language that cannot be understood by man, and is commonly called 'prayer language'. It's a language that you speak through your spirit to edify, build yourself up, and talk to God.

When Paul asked the Corinthian saints 'Do all speak languages?' he was talking about the spiritual gift of kinds of languages! Not that some believers would speak new languages and some would not. It is true that all believers won't receive the spiritual gift to speak in kinds of languages (Russian, Chinese, German, etc.), but all believers of Jesus Christ will speak in other languages as the Spirit gives them ability when they are baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit!

If it were true that every believer wouldn't speak new languages then Paul would be contradicting his own self and going against the very words of Jesus who sent him out to preach the gospel as His apostle!

Acts 2:5-11

"And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful works of God.”

1st Corinthians 12:27-30

"And you are a body of Christ, and members in part. And God placed some in the church; firstly apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? All prophets? All teachers? All workers of power? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?"

1st Corinthians 13:1

"If I speak in the languages of men even of angels, but I do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."

1st Corinthians 14:13

"So then, the one speaking in a language, let him pray that he may interpret."

1st Corinthians 14:18-19

"I thank my God that I speak more languages than all of you. But in a church I desire to speak five words with my mind, that I may also instruct others, than myriads of words in a foreign language."

1st Corinthians 14:22

"So that languages are not a sign to those believing, but to those not believing."

1st Corinthians 14:26-28

"Then, brothers,what is it? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm; he has a teaching; he has a language; he has a revelation; he has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two or three at the most; and in turn, also let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself and to God."

***Prayer or spirit language***

1st Corinthians 14:2,4,14-17

"For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries."

"The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up;"

"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind. Else, if you bless in the spirit, the one occupying the place of the unlearned, how will he say the amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you say? For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not built up

*** Signs And Gifts***

There is a difference between the word Signs and the word Gifts in scripture. Let's take a look at how they are used in scripture to get a better understanding of the two.

The word for Signs in the Greek means:

4592. semeion say-mi'-on neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.

John 4:46-48

"So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

John 12:37

"But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him."

Mark 16:14-20

"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."

Acts 2:42-43

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles."

Acts 6:8

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people."

2nd Corinthians 12:12

"Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."

Hebrews 2:4

"God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"

The word for Gifts in the Greek means:

5486. charisma khar'-is-mah from 5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:--(free) gift.

Romans 11:28-29

"Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

Romans 12:5-8

"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

1st Corinthians 1:4-7

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1st Corinthians 12:4

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."

1st Corinthians 12:31

"But earnestly desire the best gifts."

Hebrews 2:4

"God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"

Now we can understand the difference between signs and wonders that follow true believers in Christ, and the gifts that are given to each individual member of the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit as He wills.

9) Interpretations Of Languages

The spiritual gift of interpretations of languages is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to interpret a message being spoken in a foreign language not previously known by the speaker, and reveal the meaning of it. The interpretation of the message being spoken can come to the speaker themselves as they speak or to another believer who has been given the spiritual gift of interpretations of languages.

It's important to note that 'interpretations' of languages is not the same as 'translation' of languages, because the interpreter never understands the foreign language being spoken. The interpretation of the message is given to the interpreter supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and the interpreter just speaks out what they hear. The message in languages could be long, but the interpretation short, because the interpretation only gives the meaning. On the other hand, the message could be short, but the interpretation long or it could also be a word for word interpretation.

1st Corinthians 12:27-30

"And you are a body of Christ, and members in part. And God placed some in the church; firstly apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? All prophets? All teachers? All workers of power? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?"

1st Corinthians 14:5

"And I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy - for greater is the one prophesying than the one speaking in languages, unless he interpret that the church may receive building up."

1st Corinthians 14:13

"So then, the one speaking in a language, let him pray that he may interpret."

1st Corinthians 14:26-28

"Then, brothers,what is it? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm; he has a teaching; he has a language; he has a revelation; he has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two or three at the most; and in turn, also let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself and to God."

In Closing

1st Corinthians 12:11

"But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each as He wills."

This study has been a very enlightening one for me, and I praise God for His Spirit who teaches me all things, and guides me into all truth!

Zechariah 4:6

"So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts."

In His Ever Increasing Love,
Tyrone

God Is Sovereign!

Isaiah 6:1-3

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Job 40:6-14

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you."

Psalm 107:23-43

"Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end. Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders. He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. When they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock. The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth. Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD."

Isaiah 40:21-26

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing." 

Isaiah 43:10-13

“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the LORD, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?”

In The Creator's Hands,
Tyrone

Prideful Hearts and Closed Ears!

The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to all who have ears to hear,

I was in prayer and much travailing today in my 5th day fasting and the Lord started talking to me in Jeremiah 13 about the people who say that they are from God and in reality are not. Those who even once used to be close to Him but now they are extremely far from anything that is godly. Once close to God does not mean you will be close to Him forever!

This blog post is really to call all sinners, all backslid and all those who deceive themselves saying and thinking  that they are disciples of Jesus Christ but are not doing what He asks them to do. The bottom line is: Either you are from God or you are not, there is not a "in between". Either you are a child of God or you are a child of satan. Whoever is not of God is also called wicked. Whoever DOES the will of God is of God. Whoever keeps sinning is NOT of God and did not know God!

This is what the Lord Almighty says:

I The Lord will ruin the great pride of wicked people who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, I will make them useless and allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep Me from destroying them.

Psalm 81:11-12

¹¹ “But My people would not heed My voice,
And Israel would have none of Me.
¹² So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart,
To walk in their own counsels. 

Ephesians 5:3-7

³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know,^[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Hebrews 2:1-4

¹ Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ⁴ God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Proverbs 16:18

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Romans 13:11-14

¹¹ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

May the Lord reward the obedient ones in these last days finding them worthy to escape what is coming,

Cynthia R. Palmer

By Their Fruits You Will Know Them!

  
Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

In these scriptures Jesus is telling His disciples and the multitude of people who gathered on the mount to watch out for false prophets, those who claim to speak on behalf of God but they are not sent by Him, nor do they have His words in their mouth. They come looking and dressing like sheep, they speak nice sounding spiritual words and even quote scripture, but inside the heart they are ravenous wolves ready to devour the sheep of the Lord. They are bad trees!

Jesus said, 'you will know them by their fruits'. What fruits was Jesus talking about here? The fruits of the Spirit.

John the baptist talked about the Pharisees and Sadducees during his ministry because he saw their hearts even before Jesus began His earthly ministry. The Pharisees knew the law and the prophets inside and out, they read the scrolls every Sabbath day but the word of God did not enter their hearts and they did not obey the law.

Their eyes were blinded by the letter of the law and even though they read the scriptures their ears were dull and they could not hear the voice of the Spirit. They reasoned the scriptures with their carnal minds, and added many of their own traditions to the law, the true interpretation of the spiritual scriptures was hidden from them.

Matthew 3:7-10

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Jesus and John spoke the same word about the trees (people) that don't bear good fruit. This spiritual concept of seed sowing and fruit bearing in the hearts of man can be seen throughout the New Testament scriptures and Jesus made it clear that without His Spirit, His life, and His word, (written & spoken) abiding in us we can't do anything.

John 15:1-8,16

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Jesus is the true vine and He sustains us by His life when we are in Him. The Father is the one who prunes, chastens, and causes increase of the branch's in Christ. Every branch (person) that does not bear the fruits of the Spirit are taken away from the Vine.

These are the ones who are born from above, but don't obey the word. They receive the gift, but they don't do anything with it, they don't seek the face of the Lord and they don't surrender their lives completely to Him and allow the Holy Spirit of God to circumcise their hearts so they can bear His fruits. They are unwilling to undergo the discipline, correction, pruning, and suffering that's needed to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Those who do go on to bear fruit the Father prunes, which means: 2508. kathairo kath-ah'-ee-ro from 2513; to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate:--purge.

So the Father cleanses or purges those who bear the fruit of the Spirit in their heart and they go on to bear even more fruit. The cleansing process is not easy for those who bear fruit in Christ and they go through many tests, fiery trials, tribulations, and suffering in the flesh, but the end result is a whole heart, maturity, sanctification, and all the fruits of the Spirit birthed in the heart.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

Jesus gives us a clear understanding about what His disciples need to do in order to bear fruit. They must abide (stay, remain) in Him! His words must also stay in the hearts of those who believe in Him.

Jesus also tells us that once the fruit is birthed in the heart that it will remain. Those in Christ don't ever have to fear losing a fruit of the Spirit.

Now let's take a look at the spiritual fruits Jesus was talking about:

Galatians 5:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

1) Love -  26. agape ag-ah'-pay from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. (SGL)

1st Corinthians 13:4-8,

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

1st John 4:7-21

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

2) Joy - 5479. chara khar-ah' from 5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

John 15:11

 

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

 

John 3:29

 

"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled"

 

Acts 13:49-52

 

"And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

Romans 14:17

"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy  Spirit."

Romans 15:13

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

2nd Corinthians 8:1-2

"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality."

1st Thessalonians 1:5-7

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe."

1st Peter 1:6-9

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

3) Peace - 1515. eirene i-ray'-nay probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

John 14:25-27

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Colossians 3:12-15

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Philippians 4:6-7

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Romans 12:14-18

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

4) Longsuffering - 3115. makrothumia mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah from the same as 3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.

Colossians 1:9-12

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

Ephesians 4:1-3

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

2nd Corinthians 6:3-6

"We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,"

2nd Timothy 4:1-2

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

James 1:2-4

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

5) Kindness - 5544. chrestotes khray-stot'-ace from 5543; usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor):--gentleness, good(-ness), kindness.

2nd Peter 1:5-8

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

6) Goodness - 19. agathosune ag-ath-o-soo'-nay from 18; goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence:--goodness.

Romans 15:14

"Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

Ephesians 5:8-10

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

7) Faith - 4102. pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Acts 6:8

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people."

Acts 11:22-24

"Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

Acts 26:17-18

"I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."

Romans 1:16-17

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

1st Corinthians 2:3-5

"I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

2nd Corinthians 5:6-7

"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Colossians 2:11-12

"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

8) Gentleness - 4236. praiotes prah-ot'-ace from 4235; gentleness, by implication, humility:--meekness.

2nd Corinthians 10:1

"Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you."

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

Philippians 4:4-5

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand."

1st Timothy 6:11

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

 9) Self-Control - 1466. egkrateia eng-krat'-i-ah from 1468; self-control (especially continence):--temperance.

 

Acts 24:25

 

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

 

1st Corinthians 7:5

 

"Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

 

1st Timothy 2:15

 

"Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."

 

2nd Timothy 3:1-5

 

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

 

In closing, I pray that these words of life will sink down into your hearts and ears, and that you will examine yourselves to see if you are really in the faith. (2nd Cor. 13:5)

 

Matthew 7:21-23

 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

 

In His Love,

Tyrone

Pela Fe...

By: Cynthia R. Palmer

Dizer o que? A Palavra diz tudo! Leia, medite e viva!

HEBREUS 11

¹Ora, a fé é o firme fundamento das coisas que se esperam, e a prova das coisas que não se vêem.

²Porque por ela os antigos alcançaram bom testemunho.
³Pela fé entendemos que os mundos foram criados pela palavra de Deus; de modo que o visível não foi feito daquilo que se vê.
⁴Pela fé Abel ofereceu a Deus mais excelente sacrifício que Caim, pelo qual alcançou testemunho de que era justo, dando Deus testemunho das suas oferendas, e por meio dela depois de morto, ainda fala.
⁵Pela fé Enoque foi trasladado para não ver a morte; e não foi achado, porque Deus o trasladara; pois antes da sua trasladação alcançou testemunho de que agradara a Deus.
⁶Ora, sem fé é impossível agradar a Deus; porque é necessário que aquele que se aproxima de Deus creia que ele existe, e que é galardoador dos que o buscam.
⁷Pela fé Noé, divinamente avisado das coisas que ainda não se viam, sendo temente a Deus, preparou uma arca para o salvamento da sua família; e por esta fé condenou o mundo, e tornou-se herdeiro da justiça que é segundo a fé.
⁸Pela fé Abraão, sendo chamado, obedeceu, saindo para um lugar que havia de receber por herança; e saiu, sem saber para onde ia.
⁹Pela fé peregrinou na terra da promessa, como em terra alheia, habitando em tendas com Isaque e Jacó, herdeiros com ele da mesma promessa;
¹⁰porque esperava a cidade que tem os fundamentos, da qual o arquiteto e edificador é Deus.
¹¹Pela fé, até a própria Sara recebeu a virtude de conceber um filho, mesmo fora da idade, porquanto teve por fiel aquele que lho havia prometido.
¹²Pelo que também de um, e esse já amortecido, descenderam tantos, em multidão, como as estrelas do céu, e como a areia inumerável que está na praia do mar.
¹³Todos estes morreram na fé, sem terem alcançado as promessas; mas tendo-as visto e saudado, de longe, confessaram que eram estrangeiros e peregrinos na terra.
¹⁴Ora, os que tais coisas dizem, mostram que estão buscando uma pátria.
¹⁵E se, na verdade, se lembrassem daquela donde haviam saído, teriam oportunidade de voltar.
¹⁶Mas agora desejam uma pátria melhor, isto é, a celestial. Pelo que também Deus não se envergonha deles, de ser chamado seu Deus, porque já lhes preparou uma cidade.
¹⁷Pela fé Abraão, sendo provado, ofereceu Isaque; sim, ia oferecendo o seu unigênito aquele que recebera as promessas,
¹⁸e a quem se havia dito: Em Isaque será chamada a tua descendência,
¹⁹julgando que Deus era poderoso para até dos mortos o ressuscitar; e daí também em figura o recobrou.
²⁰Pela fé Isaque abençoou Jacó e a Esaú, no tocante as coisas futuras.
²¹Pela fé Jacó, quando estava para morrer, abençoou cada um dos filhos de José, e adorou, inclinado sobre a extremidade do seu bordão.
²²Pela fé José, estando próximo o seu fim, fez menção da saída dos filhos de Israel, e deu ordem acerca de seus ossos.
²³Pela fé Moisés, logo ao nascer, foi escondido por seus pais durante três meses, porque viram que o menino era formoso; e não temeram o decreto do rei.
²⁴Pela fé Moisés, sendo já homem, recusou ser chamado filho da filha de Faraó,
²⁵escolhendo antes ser maltratado com o povo de Deus do que ter por algum tempo o gozo do pecado,
²⁶tendo por maiores riquezas o opróbrio de Cristo do que os tesouros do Egito; porque tinha em vista a recompensa.
²⁷Pela fé deixou o Egito, não temendo a ira do rei; porque ficou firme, como quem vê aquele que é invisível.
²⁸Pela fé celebrou a páscoa e a aspersão do sangue, para que o destruidor dos primogênitos não lhes tocasse.
²⁹Pela fé os israelitas atravessaram o Mar Vermelho, como por terra seca; e tentando isso os egípcios, foram afogados.
³⁰Pela fé caíram os muros de Jericó, depois de rodeados por sete dias.
³¹Pela fé Raabe, a meretriz, não pereceu com os desobedientes, tendo acolhido em paz os espias.
³²E que mais direi? Pois me faltará o tempo, se eu contar de Gideão, de Baraque, de Sansão, de Jefté, de Davi, de Samuel e dos profetas;
³³os quais por meio da fé venceram reinos, praticaram a justiça, alcançaram promessas, fecharam a boca dos leões,
³⁴apagaram a força do fogo, escaparam ao fio da espada, da fraqueza tiraram forças, tornaram-se poderosos na guerra, puseram em fuga exércitos estrangeiros.
³⁵As mulheres receberam pela ressurreição os seus mortos; uns foram torturados, não aceitando o seu livramento, para alcançarem uma melhor ressurreição;
³⁶e outros experimentaram escárnios e açoites, e ainda cadeias e prisões.
³⁷Foram apedrejados e tentados; foram serrados ao meio; morreram ao fio da espada; andaram vestidos de peles de ovelhas e de cabras, necessitados, aflitos e maltratados
³⁸(dos quais o mundo não era digno), errantes pelos desertos e montes, e pelas covas e cavernas da terra.
³⁹E todos estes, embora tendo recebido bom testemunho pela fé, contudo não alcançaram a promessa;
⁴⁰visto que Deus provera alguma coisa melhor a nosso respeito, para que eles, sem nós, não fossem aperfeiçoados.

Que Deus possa abencoar sua vida te dando FE e FE para viver a Sua Palavra,

Cynthia Palmer

By Faith

Hebrews 11

By Faith We Understand

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;^[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child^[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,^[c] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”^{[d] 19} concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in^[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,^[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

May God bless your faith,

Cynthia Palmer