Whay shall I say?

1 Corinthians 14:13-19
¹³ So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. ¹⁴ For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.

¹⁵ Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit,^[d] and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. ¹⁶ For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? ¹⁷ You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. ¹⁹ But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

Summary:

I have had an interesting time researching and trying to understand why God would have us speak in tongues. In a church service Paul is saying that He would rather have 5 languages that people can actually understand than one that they can not. I truly feel that speaking in tongues has a time and a place. When I am alone in bedroom crying out to God and seeking for answers. I believe that is a good place. When speaking in tongues comes with an interpretation and edifies the body I believe that is a good place.

Not all times and all places are appropriate for everything. Speaking in tongues is the same way. I believe that God gives that gift to those who can use it appropriately and not bombard people with the knowledge that everyone has to speak in tongues. The gift of tongues is the Holy Spirit speaking to our Spirit and uttering things for a purpose. All the things that God does for us has a purpose. This does too.

I'll show you what I got

Acts 3: 4-6
⁴ Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,^[a] get up and^[b] walk!”


Peter was always very out spoken. From telling Jesus He would never betraying Him. To betraying Him 3 times and cutting someones ear off. He is passionate and innovative. I believe this is why God made Peter the Rock of the church. Jesus knew that once Peter grabbed hold of the truth He would run with it and never let it go.

Peter was offering this man a new start at life. Peter gave Him everything He had. Peter gave the man Jesus. What a gift:)

I will hold my peace.

Exodus 14:14

The Lord shall fight for you and you will hold your peace!

As I was reading last night this particular verse jumped out at me. The Children of Isreal had just been freed from slavery and Pharoh's army was bearing down on them. Not only did they leave Egypt free, they left with cattle and food and clothes and everything they'd need for the long journey ahead.

They took spoils from Egypt without so much as throwing a punch. The walked out of centuries of bondage wealthy and blessed!

Yet when Pharoh's army was getting close, they started to fear. They started to complain. They started to blame Moses and God. At one point they even said slavery in Egypt was better then freedom in the wilderness.

Moses, as I'm sure I would have too, got pretty upset at the grumbling and griping. Until he finally told the people, "HEY!!!! God's got this! All you need to do is shut up and watch."

It's so easy to forget somedays, where God has delivered us from. We can get caught up in the cares and worries of our lives. Money, kids, the demands of our spouses, the demands of our jobs, hobbies, and other pursuits. If we allow these things to swim around in our heads, they will overtake our thoughts and overwhelm us. We'll find ourselves telling God, "Hey, my life was better before you brought me to this place. At least I knew what to expect."

The Lord shall fight for us. We're supposed to let Him and hold our peace.

Hold

our

peace.

Hold: to have or maintain in one's grasp.

Peace: A state of tranquility or quiet.

Keep in your grasp a state of tranquility or quiet.

Devotional

I read this morning in Psalms and at the moment the chapter is eluding me. David was crying out to God. He felt at the end of His rope. He did not want to on any further. Today, I feel like that with my weight loss. I lost 30 pounds and gained it all back again like I always have. I do not want to be the weight I am and I have tried to change it over and over and I syill end up right back here. At times I want to cry out Lord Can't You fix this? Then I remember that the Lord is my guide and my provider. he will comfort me even when I don't feel like it. Lord I pray today that you will help me to loose the weight and to keep it off. I need Your help. I am desperate for it.