Tongues.

Have you ever been in prayer, now I mean serious prayer? For instance when I am in heavy repentance. Or maybe intercession prayer for someone very near and dear to me, there maybe a breakthrough I am praying for, a healing of a disease or sickness. Or what about some sort of spiritual demon who seems to be taking over someone's mind. Well when I am praying for things that deep I sometimes fell I just cannot convey to God exactly what it is I want to say. I mean I find myself maybe pausing too long during the prayer, I start giving to much emphasis on how to get my point across. In other words there is something I want to convey to God but I just cannot find the idea that can match the words I want to say, THAT IS WHEN I FEEL I MUST PRAY IN TONGUES.

1Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

Now I know if you go just 2 more verses down it says:

1Corinthians 14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

Understood, no problem, which is exactly why I would not speak in tongues in a crowd, I understand that if everyone else can not understand the tongues then everyone else cannot benefit from them, but that is my exact point, THIS IS NOT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE (look at the first part of 1Corinthians 14:4). My prayer time is the time I take out to commune with God, to talk to him about my private matters, I share with Him the inner-most secrets of my heart and I pray to Him that he can continue to wash me, repentance is a daily thing and I can not always convey my passion in my own language, thus enter tongues. My tongues are used between my God and myself. I am not speaking in tongues because I am afraid Satan can hear my prayers in English and work against them, I really have no worry about that.

Listen I would never try to pressure someone into practicing my practices. I am just asking, what is the difference between Paul and I, what is the difference between Elijah and I? Jesus said he did nothing on his own accord, but all he did was what he saw and heard the Father do and say. So I am taking Him for His word. God has no favorites so I am going to try my absolute best to try to live as the saints did, live just as Jesus does. I am going to heal the sick, I’m going to speak in tongues to edify myself and pray, I am going to make the cripple walk, I am going to do these things and greater because I am holding Jesus Christ accountable for every word He said, and he said:

John 14:12-14 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!

I guess one of the biggest points I am trying to make is why would some of the bible be good for use today and not the entire bible. Of course I understand about the things spoken of in Deuteronomy, I mean we can not go about taking our children to the front entrances of our apartment complexes and begin to stone them to death when they misbehave. Some things are obvious and go against all modern LAW. I am not speaking of those things; I am talking about the gifts, the miracles, the signs and wonders of ancient times. I believe they are for use as much today as they were back then, if not more.

The scriptures did say that the tongues where used to convince the unbeliever, but the scriptures also say tongues were to be used to edify “HIMSELF” not just “THEM.” Also, the scriptures NEVER state in unambiguous words that they were limited for a certain era. I know 1Corinthians 13:8 says:

“Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.”

But it never specifically says WHEN they will cease.

1Corinthians 13:10 But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.

Granted, but I interpret “when full understanding comes” to be the return of Jesus Christ and I have to tell you, I haven’t heard anything about the rapture yet.

Why, in the name of such an incredible, powerful, omniscient, loving, caring, good, merciful, gracious God would we continuously confine Him to the times of ancient? I will continue to live with one belief guiding everything I hold dear about my God, and that is, the Bible is not a history book, it is God’s very word on how to love like Him, live like Him and most important, how to teach others how to do the same. I can not put God in a box and pull him out for only certain things. God is everywhere and I place Him in His right perspective… right the middle of everything.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

I yearn for the days when we as the body of Christ will burn Isaiah 55:7-9 into our hearts and understand that there are some things we just will NEVER UNDERSTAND as long as we are still here on earth. To close the door on all supernatural thinking is just robbing yourself of all God has to offer. I believe this is what "RENEWING YOUR MIND" is all about, thinking in a whole different manner.

Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

God Bless You,
Frank Aponte Jr