Organization: Emory University - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
X-Acknowledge-To: <LIBSAC@EMUVM1>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 06:33:32 EST
From:         "SHELBY A. CROSS" <LIBSAC@EMUVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      RE:PRAYING IN TONGUES, ETC.

Dear Christia,

I usually do not enter in on the discussion end because I get so busy, but I
would like to share in this one because I happen to speak in tongues after a
year of frustration, I received this gift effortlessly one Sunday.  I did not
want to make up any thing, so I closed my eyes.  I said Lord, if this is of
You, and I would like to receive this gift if You would like me to have it (at
the time I didn't know that this was for everybody in the body of Christ).
I received the gift and I am forever grateful.  Why?:

1 Cor. 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men,
but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries.   (I'm speaking to God!)

1 Cor. 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.  (I edify myself - to edify means to build
up or increase the faith, morality, etc.; instruct or benefit; uplift - Many
times the Lord will give me knowledge through this time with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is to not only comfort us but to teach, lead, and guide us.
This is a very good reason why, especially when you need direction, or the
Lord wants you to say or do a particular thing for His service.)

1 Cor. 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophe-
sied: for greater is he that prophsieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.  (Although at the
beginning I did not understand what I was saying in tongues, the Lord began
to give me the interpretation after I had prayed for the interpretation because
I wanted to know what the Holy Spirit was saying through me. This is backed up
by 1 Cor. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that
he may interpret. 14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth,
but my understanding is unfruitful.  15) What is it then? I will pray with
the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  (If we are in public
we must have an interpretation so that others will know what the Lord is saying
and when I am by myself I also want to know what the Lord is saying and what
the Holy Spirit is saying through me.)

This was perfectly illustrated by the testimonies that Marissa and Mark gave.
Sometimes I am in church and the Lord uses me to interpret.  Like anything
else the Lord allows us to do - Jesus said in John the 15th chapter that with-
out Him we can do nothing.  If you analyze this you know that Jesus does every-
thing.  Don't you begin to think that you are so special, but just let God
use you like a microphone.  You're the microphone but He is the speaker.

My final reason for speaking in tongues.  This is one of the most awesome rea-
sons that I love to speak in tongues.  I told my daughters this, who all speak
in tongues. (Which by the way at first most of them did not want the gift until
I gave them this illustration).First of all there are so many times I wanted to
tell God what was in my heart, but I felt my native language which is English
just was not adequate to talk to the Creator, at that time my heart would be
so full.  What better way to express yourself then having the Holy Spirit
speak for me and through me.  Next the Holy Spirit prays, Jesus is interceding
on our behalf to the Father, and yes folks this is a perfect prayer, because
the Holy Spirit will only pray whats best for you always lining up with the
perfect will of God - for it is God praying for you.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for the saints.
(The Bible says pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. This is
my last reason).  We are to seek all the gifts.  Read all of 1 Cor. 14.  Let
the Lord open up your understanding.  Run reference scriptures and get a good
understanding and then enjoy all the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives as He
will.

I love you all and hope you all continue to grow in God's grace.  Note a
Catholic brother started this question.  I work with a beautiful Catholic
sister from the Phillippines who has the gift of tongues and we get along
great.  We have even been given permission to use one of the study rooms
in order that we can pray together, and we have both spoken in tongues and
the Lord has allowed either one of us to interpret.  Although I am not
Catholic my co-worker and I get along great together.

Your sister in Christ,

Shelby--
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