Speaking in Tongues – Larus Press

Spending Quality Time with Jesus

This week I was encouraged to sit still, pray, and watch what GOD would show me…

Watching Him Walk

The first picture I had this week was of Jesus; he was walking along a barren beachfront. The light was gentle but grey, the sound of the sea was distant.

I watched as Jesus touched the air and as He did, colourful flowers appeared, fuscia pink.

Another morning, another picture of Jesus. I watched as He continued along a sandy beach I’d not seen befor. He said “follow me”. I did.

I didn’t move beside Him but I hung back a little, so I could see him and watch him as He moved ahead of me. His full-length white robe blew gently in the breeze. His hair was shoulder length as seen in many classic portraitures. He resonated peace, joy, fulfilment… and more peace. I smile as I think of it.

Jesus is worth watching

As I watched Jesus this week I absorbed some of His grace and His peace. I hope I can transfer that to others I engage with.

My time with Jesus was precious: enlightening and absorbing. Although we need the Word of GOD, I realised I don’t sit with Him nearly often enough.

We need the Word and we need the Spirit of GOD. Following the Spirit must never contradict the Word, but without the Spirit’s input, life is complete in all GOD’s fullness.

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5a)

Recommendation

Yes of course we must spend time in the Word. But also, let’s spend time waiting on GOD. Let Jesus reveal Himself to us personally. It is a wonderful opportunity to grow in Him and to learn from Him.

I think it pleases Him too.

I pray for more of this type of encounter, for myself and for all of us.

Baptism means ‘to submerge’ so to be baptized means to be immersed in water. By definition there is no such thing as full immersion baptism as opposed to any other sort, because – at least as I see it – the word implies full immersion and nothing else.

So, if baptism means ‘to be submerged’ then what is Holy Spirit baptism? What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit’?

Ready:

On the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover and Christ’s Crucifixion, many were gathered when tongues of fire descended upon them and they spoke in various languages (Acts 2). This is one manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The Pentecostal Church denomination was founded upon this truth, and it is their doctrine which says you will speak in tongues if you are baptized in the Holy Spirit. For me, Baptism in the Holy Spirit is even simpler than that: the manifest presence of God will fall upon anyone it wills and the power and presence of God will be experienced.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, comforter, and will convict us of sin. He is our helper (John 14, 15, 16) Any who believe and follow Jesus receive the Holy Spirit at the time of rebirth. But how do we experience His presence? How do we know the power from on high? And do we need this power if we are saved by God’s grace? Indeed we do. Why?

We live in dangerous times. Many say it is the End Times.

Jesus had the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. In Luke 4 Jesus quotes Isaiah 61, speaking of the Holy Spirit of the LORD resting upon him. If he operated in and through the Spirit, then how much more do we need Him?

“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news….” (Isaiah 61: 1)

And yet I for one, haven’t enough of Him. I have experienced His power and presence. I have basked in the beauty of His holiness on more than one occasion. And yet, I am fearful of Him whenever He draws near, not because He will hurt me, but because I am anxious when it comes to surrender. Even though it is always good, always refreshing, always renewing, my flesh resists and I struggle to yield.

Set:

I experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the following ways:

He makes me nervous

He makes me tremble

He gives me a rumbling ache in my tummy

My mouth wants to shout praise

I am sleepless

These are just clues to manifestation of Holy Spirit.

The fruit is patience. The fruit is greater love for others and for God

The fruit is joy, peace, goodness, faith, greater kindness, gentleness and/or self control.

Nothing ill comes from Holy Spirit. He does not overtake our bodies or our minds. He does gently and sometimes persistently prompt us to surrender to God’s timing, Word or wisdom. He does wake us up to spiritual understanding, deepening our experience or understanding of God’s word. He does not take over or harm. He is to be awed but not feared, to be followed, to be comforted and nurtured by. He protects, warns and guides.

Yes, in these end times, if indeed they are End Times, we need Holy Spirit. And those operating with Him can do much to bring God’s kingdom here, on Earth, as it is in Heaven.

Go:

Plan to experience a deepening awareness of God’s Spirit upon you.

1. Invite Him

2. Choose to trust Him

3. Give Him time to descend upon you and to fill you

4. Surrender: fear, suspicion, anxiety to Him

5. Receive from Him

May you have a Spirit-filled day!