Why did God choose tongues as the sign that a person has been filled with His Spirit? 

Perhaps the first reason, is that it is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. 

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." - Isaiah 28:11-12 

Paul refers to this scripture in 1 Corinthians: 

"In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." - 1 Corinthians 14:21-22  

{Note: “Sign” (“as tokens of Divine authority and power”) “Prophesying” (“signifies "the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God"”) From: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words} 

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8  

The disciples that were gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues. The tongues was a sign they had been filled with divine authority and power. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4  

Then, Peter stood up and prophesied, speaking forth the gospel under the anointing of the Holy Ghost to the Jews that had gathered.  

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 

The second part of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Holy Ghost and tongues (Isaiah 28:12) speaks of the rest and refreshing of God’s Spirit. 

Jesus spoke of this rest, saying it comes from him. When we take upon us his yoke through baptism in Jesus name, he promises us his Spirit, which is our rest and refreshing. 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30  

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" - Acts 3:19

To be continued…

Money  and the pagan goddess 

In our day and age, at this time of the year stores stock up on plastic jack-o’-lanterns, masks, figures of witches, demons, and such. This reminds me of the Ephesians and the money they made off the pagan goddess Diana.

"And the same time there arose no small stir about that way {the Way of the followers of Christ}. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said,

“Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

“And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying,

“Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

"And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

"And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

"Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out,

“Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

“And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said,

“Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

“And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly." - Acts 19:23-41 KJV

Jesus the “Son of David”

The word of the LORD came unto Nathan the prophet in a vision:

"And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever." - 2 Samuel 7:12-13

"But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." - 2 Samuel 7:15-16

When people called Jesus, “Thou Son of David”, they were recognizing that Jesus is the offspring of King David whose kingdom would be forever, as was prophesied by Nathan the prophet. He would have “the sure mercies of David.” The Lord’s name would be upon Him - He would build a house for the Lord’s name. That house would be called “The Son of God.”

"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" - Romans 1:3-4

"For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." - Hebrews 3:3

"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." - Acts 2:29-31 (Acts 2:27)

"And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David." - Acts 13:34

The angel told Mary her son would fulfill the promise of God to King David.

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." - Luke 1:30-33

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:6-7

The multitudes that followed Jesus recognized that He is the Son of David. Jesus came in the name of the Lord. He is God manifest in flesh. (John 5:43, 1Timothy 3:16)

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." - Matthew 21:9

Heard a message preached... The second step of forgiveness is, "I forgave those that sinned against me, now I'm asking GOD to forgive them." We can forgive a person, but then say, "I forgive them, but they are going to face God for what they did." 

The Second step of forgiveness goes beyond this and asks GOD to forgive and forget their sin! "Lord, don't hold their sins that they have done to me against them."  

This is what Jesus did when the people did all the evil against Him, whipping Him and finally putting Him on a cross after He had ministered to all that came to Him with healing, miracles, deliverances, and teaching. 

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do... 

This is what Stephen did, when he was falsely accused and martyred , after being full if faith and power, and doing great wonders and miracles among the people. 

Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge... 

True forgiveness is "complete" forgiveness, not desiring to "see" vengeance upon the one who hurt us. Lord help us to be filled with your Spirit in order to fulfill your Word!

Sunday is the first day of the week 

What happened on the first day of the week? 

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." - Genesis 1:3 KJV 

When God manifested in flesh to die for the sins of the world, He brought mercy and came as the light. 

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12 KJV 

When we are born again of water and of the Spirit by repentance, water baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy Ghost, we become the children of light. (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, Acts 2:38) 

"While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light..." - John 12:36 KJV 

It was on the first day of the week that Jesus was resurrected and when He first appeared to His disciples. 

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." - Mark 16:9 KJV 

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." - John 20:19 KJV 

The disciples assembled together on the first day of the week. 

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." - Acts 20:7 KJV 

"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." - 1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV 

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord!

Jesus cares about you. Trust Him and love Him. He wants the best for you. Listen to His voice and He will lead and guide you. Cast your cares on Him and He will help you. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

Signs Following

Jesus spoke to His disciples:

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." - Mark 16:15-18 KJV

The word “follow” as it is used in Mark 16:15-18 means, “to be always present, to attend one wherever he goes”, according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon.

When we obey the gospel, these signs follow us!

Believers have the power and authority of Jesus name to cast out devils. (Luke 10:17, Acts 8:7,9:12,15,16:18)

Believers speak with new tongues. It is the sign that they have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 10:45-46, 1Cor.14:22)

At times, the believer will speak in tongues when he is praying, the Lord praying through him according to His will and knowledge. (Rom.8:26-27, Jude 1:20-21)

When the serpent attached itself to Paul’s hand and bit him, it did him no harm. (Acts 28:3-6)

Elisha’s disciples were not harmed by the deadly stew, (2Kings 4:40) as well as believers’ modern day testimonies of protection.

Believers lay hands on the sick and they recover. (Acts 28:8, Acts 5:16)

Jesus gives these promises, privileges, power, and authority to those that live for Him and obey His gospel!

How do we obey the gospel of Jesus?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV