The more powerful something is, the more precise you need to be. Praying in the Holy Spirit is an extremely powerful element of your spiritual life. Unfortunately, people have not always handled this gift with precision or approached it from a Biblical perspective.

By now we know that the main ministry of the Holy Spirit is personal and devotional. When it comes to your prayer language, there are private, personal tongues, and then there are public tongues. This distinction must be made, or else it creates confusion and does not edify the believers involved.

It doesn’t say in scripture that all believers do or will pray in tongues; however, all of them may, and should desire the benefits of this gift. What are these benefits? Your prayer language is available anytime and for anything. It is volitional, and does not need the hype or emotion that some associate with it. Praying in tongues is for edification, building up and restoring the believer. It also enables you to give thanks well. On that note, praying in tongues is a supernatural and direct means of speaking to God. Don’t be afraid that the devil will get involved; if you are operating out of your heart and according to Scripture, it can only serve as a pure communication with God. It reveals mysteries, bringing things to light in ways natural prayer cannot. Just as some say God is a Great Physician, He can also be a Great Psychiatrist, pulling things out of you that you may not have even known. And lastly, it tunes your spirit. You will be more apt to be sensitive to and controlled by the Spirit, rather than the flesh.

Being filled with the Spirit and praying in tongues truly is a gift, in every sense of the word. If you will ask, you will receive!

MEMORIZATION:
Jude 1:20-21
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Week of August 29, 2010

MONDAY

Your enemy, the devil, wants to keep your from knowing God and having eternal life. Scripture says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The opposite is also true: Be busy, and you will forget that He is God.

(Psalm 46:10)

• Think of the times that you feel closest to God. Is it in stillness or in busyness?

TUESDAY

Busyness is an enemy of intimacy with God and with others. We live under the tyranny of the urgent and exciting, bearing the burden of obligation, driven by guilt and sincerity. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that busyness tricks us into believing that the things of God are optional.

(John 17:3)

• Is your daily schedule more about activity or about intimacy?

WEDNESDAY

Busyness stems from the nature of our culture, unresolved emotional needs, unrealistic expectations of ourselves or an undisciplined lifestyle. To solve any or all of these, you have to correctly prioritize “the big three”: worship, work and play. If they are out of balance, life is distorted.

(Proverbs 14:15)

• Do you allow any of these causes of busyness in your life? How do they alter “the big three”?

THURSDAY

To deal with the traps and trick of busyness, start with prayer. Wisdom asks God, “What is best?” Then, recommit to your priorities and principles. They will grant you both liberty and safety. Next, plan. Do you want to live a life of generalities, or of precision?

(Proverbs 21:29)

• Are you allowing time for creative thought, rest and wisdom?

FRIDAY

Prune your life by consolidating and eliminating. Be more selective, and you will be more effective. Finally, protect your time and energy. Learn to say “no” to what is wrong, and “yes” to what is best.

(Hebrews 12:1)

• What areas of your life do you need to eliminate?

SATURDAY

The wrong mindset is that there is never enough time, that there is too much to do and that responsibilities and circumstances will keep you from balance. The right thinking is that God will provide all the time and energy you need, if you seek Him first and let Him guide you!

(Ephesians 5:15-17)

• Look to Jesus’ example. How did He focus His time and energy?

MEMORIZATION:

Ephesians 5:15-17

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Your enemy, the devil, wants to keep your from knowing God and having eternal life. Since he cannot overwhelm you, he has to set traps and tricks for you. One of his main traps is busyness. Scripture says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The opposite is also true: Be busy, and you will forget that He is God.

Busyness is an enemy of intimacy with God and with others. It works against your joy, peace, health, fulfillment, satisfaction, emotional stability, spiritual life and real productivity. We live under the tyranny of the urgent and exciting, bearing the burden of obligation, driven by guilt and sincerity. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that busyness tricks us into believing that the things of God are optional.

Busyness stems from the nature of our culture, unresolved emotional needs, unrealistic expectations of ourselves, or an undisciplined lifestyle. To solve any or all of these, you have to correctly prioritize “the big three”: worship, work and play. If they are out of balance, life is distorted. To deal with the traps and trick of busyness, start with prayer. Wisdom asks God, “What is best?” Then, recommit to your priorities and principles. They will grant you both liberty and safety. Next, plan. Do you want to live a life of generalities, or of precision? Allow time for creative thought in your plans. You don’t just want to work hard, but to work smart. Then you must prune. Be more selective, and you will be more effective. Finally, protect your time and energy. Learn to say “no” to what is wrong, and “yes” to what is best.

Jesus went from one place of prayer rest to another. He was never stressed or in a hurry. The wrong mindset is that there is never enough time, that there is too much to do and that responsibilities and circumstances will keep you from balance. The right thinking is that God will provide all the time and energy you need, if you seek Him first and let Him guide you!

MEMORIZATION:

Ephesians 5:15-17

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.