Luke 18:1-8- When I come shall I find FAITH on the earth?

Luke 21:26- the time prior the  Lord’s return  will be so perplex that men’s hearts will fail them for fear as they behold what is happening upon the earth…V36…”watch ye therefore and pray always…”

This week in our peaceful and tolerant nation of Canada we have experienced the unthinkable…2 terrorist attacks on Canadian soil directed against those in uniform. 2 soldiers are dead due to these attacks and the nation is wondering how it could happen here.

The world is desperate for answers to the Ebola crisis with as many as 1.4 million cases predicted by early 2015.

Every day there are terrifying images from the Middle east of beheadings, kidnappings, maiming, oppression, and devastation.

Every 5 minutes there is a Christian killed for their faith

The world is definitely out of control but how do we as Christians keep ourselves in such times

We MUST DRAW FROM THE WELL ON THE INSIDE- John 7:37

Jude 20- But ye beloved, building up yourself on your most holy faith Praying in the Holy Ghost

• Building = 2026 = to build upon, a gradual increase

The Church needs to be “repentecostalized”. It is not enough to just be baptised in the Spirit…the Holy Spirit is IN US to lead us (Luke 4:1, Rom 8:14), Give us guidance in life (John 16:13), to teach us about God and the Word (John 14:26, 1Cor 2:13, 1John 2:27), to change us into the image of Christ (Titus 3:5- renewing = “complete change for the better”), fill us with power to live the Christian life (Acts 1:8), is the abiding and manifest presence of God (John 14:16, 21-23), Fills us with assurance concerning the person of Christ (John 15:26), helps us to know right from wrong (John 16:7-11), helps us to understand what is to come (John 16:13), helps us to pray (Romans 8:26)

God has given us a “supernatural means” to pray in our natural world which will invigorate our faith, bring refreshing, and empower us when we feel powerless

The first words of the Spirit-baptised Church was in a supernatural language called Tongues

Acts 2:1-4            The Church was born speaking in tongues

Speaking with tongues is a communication with heaven and it connects us to the glory of God….V11: …we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Wonderful works = 3167 = megaleios = (meg-al-i-os) = magnificent (characterized by grandeur, beauty, splendour, noble, majestic), perfection, great things

Benefits of praying in Tongues

1. Praying in tongues is SUPERNATURAL PRAYER”
   1. 1Cor 14:15- 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
      1. Understanding = nous= intellect, mind
         1. Speaking in our understanding is communication to the natural realm
         2. Speaking in the spirit is communication to the supernatural realm
      2. Singing = 5567- psallo= to rub or touch the surface, to twitch or twang, to play on a stringed instrument, to celebrate divine worship with music and accompanying odes.
   2. Praying in tongues give us LIFTING POWER
      1. 1Cor 14:4- He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself
         1. Edifieth = 3618= to be a housebuilder, construct, to put together
      2. In Genesis 11:1-9, we read the account of an attempt to build a tower to heaven out of brick and morter. At that time the people spoke one language over all the earth and God caused the language to be confused so to to cause the work to cease. This was an idol temple led by Nimrod, who was a rebellious  and idolatrous leader. If permitted to proceed the whole earth would have been controlled by this rebellious man both religiously and governmentally. Confusion of tongues caused the work to cease as the people could not agree on matters of religion and politics…Nimrod was leading the whole world in a rebellion against God. In the OT , confusion of tongues cause disunity. In the NT supernatural prayer bring UNITY. Mystery Babylon is rearing her head in these last days and the tower of Babel is being erected again…not a physical tower but an idealogical tower…the result is a one world religion which is “anti-christ”, opposed to Jesus and Christians everywhere
   3. Speaking in tongues is the gateway to the supernatural
      1. Mark 16:17-18…these SIGNS shall follow those that believe…they shall speak in new tongues
         1. Isa 8:18- Behold , I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders…
      2. Speaking in tongues gives spiritual understanding
         1. 1Cor 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.
         2. 1Cor 14:2-amp- For one who speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning , because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things not obvious to the understanding.
         3. Rom 8:27- he that searcheth the heart s knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit…
            1. Searcheth = investigate, to study
            2. Mind = 5427 = inclination or purposepeaking in tongues LIBERATES us from limiting thoughts of unbelief
         4. We are freed from limiting thoughts of unbelief
      3. Speaking in tongues is the key to your revival
         1. Isa 28:11-12

Summary

We are living in perplexing times and it can be difficult to know how to pray. God has given us every resource from heaven to live life here on earth. Our faith is ignited as we “consecrate ourselves” to Jesus.  As we pray in the Spirit we are edified,encouraged,aware of God’s power, and stirred up for Jesus in our hearts, and kept in difficult times. Our passion and love for Jesus “keeps on burning” through supernatural prayer.

If you have never given your heart and life to Christ then you may do so now…this is the the most important moment in your life as you surrender yourself to God and put your trust in Jesus. Find a quiet spot and when you are ready repeat the following prayer

Rom 10:9- …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved

Heavenly Father, I come before you now and confess that I am a sinner. I thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross and pay the price for all my sins. Your word says that if I confess my sins you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that you raised Him from the dead. Lord Jesus come into my heart and live in me. I receive you by faith and thank you for giving your life for me so I can live forever with you. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

If you have invited Jesus into your heart , please let me know so I can help you get started with your exciting life with Jesus!

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and give you peace

Blessings