Thank you bbyrd009, we as human beings are constantly working on ways to better ourselves. I do feel like I pay too much attention to details, I'm just the type of person who wants everything to be absolutely perfect when I do something, so I try to find out as much as I can about said thing.
Sure, me too...but I see this now as a spurious quest for a "perfection" that somehow turns into perfectionism, mostly. I don't think we can ever achieve a perfect snapshot, if you will, of the Kingdom, as it is a living, changing thing, and any definition here kind of...kills it, makes it an impaled butterfly. I think this is why the "ambiguity," I'll call it, of many Biblical concepts we deem "important," and I'm convinced we shouldn't codify many of these things.
I just don't want it to be fleshly, I don't want it to come from my mind. I don't want to be pretending, as I did when I was a kid. I want the real deal, the genuine article. I don't understand if I'm holding myself back, or if I just need to wait. Like I said before, I live as if The King is coming tomorrow. That's my personal belief, that He's coming in the twinkling of an eye, as a thief in the night. I want to be right and ready. I take Jesus as the ultimate example, it's impossible to be, but I'm striving to be like He was when on earth.
I just don't want it to be fleshly, I don't want it to come from my mind. I don't want to be pretending, as I did when I was a kid. I want the real deal, the genuine article. I don't understand if I'm holding myself back, or if I just need to wait. Like I said before, I live as if The King is coming tomorrow. That's my personal belief, that He's coming in the twinkling of an eye, as a thief in the night. I want to be right and ready. I take Jesus as the ultimate example, it's impossible to be, but I'm striving to be like He was when on earth.
Sounds like you have a healthy church environment to thrive in.
My thoughts would be this ... don't put so much emphasis on the gift of the tongues. It will come, and it will be real when you receive it. It's like waiting for water to boil. When all your attention is focused on waiting for the water to boil, it seems like it will never happen, and takes forever. But if you should step away, lo and behold, it seems to boil immediately.
So... concentrate on Jesus, loving Him, reading his Word, and praying. Don't worry about the gift of the tongues. When you are ready, it will come.
Forgive me if I can't come up with a catchy thread name...I just have some questions about tongues, I tried asking them in other threads but someone informed me A. Everyone might have already zoned out those threads and B. I might have some better luck around this time. My questions aren't to debate, I'm just nervous and want to make sure I'm not going to do something wrong, because I have before. And I'm sorry if you've read these questions on the other threads, I just want some honest opinions. So here's the questions...What should one feel like physically and mentally when receiving the Holy Ghost? What should one feel when speaking in other tongues (the initial evidence and praying in tongues, not the gift of tongues to be interpreted.) How does one know if he or she is speaking in real Godsent tongues? Is stammering lips another evidence of the Holy Ghost, and is it a requirement to have to Holy Ghost? Can you tell me of ways of knowing if when I speak in tongues it's real? Should I be praying any specific things to receive the Holy Ghost? Is it possible to receive the Holy Ghost a while before speaking in tongues?
FIRST, I want to say these are generally questions you should ask your pastor. I'll do my best to answer them based on my experience.
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What should one feel like physically and mentally when receiving the Holy Ghost?
In two words humility and brokeness. These two words will be felt in totality, in others total humility, total brokeness. You are opening yourself entirely to Christ. All selfish desires put aside, you are completely open to recieving Christ. The breaking process is a way of remaking you and reshaping you. It is the potter-clay effect. You melt into God's hands and are literally reformed into something new.
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What should one feel when speaking in other tongues (the initial evidence and praying in tongues, not the gift of tongues to be interpreted.) How does one know if he or she is speaking in real Godsent tongues?
Stammering lips generally do accompany tongues. When working with people who are praying for the Holy Ghost that's one of the first things I've been trained to look for. When the lips begin to stammer that's a good sign that tongues are about to follow.
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Can you tell me of ways of knowing if when I speak in tongues it's real?
You know when tongues are real and when they aren't. Nobody can tell you, you have to know and confess it for yourself. It will be automatic and you will be convinced and convicted in your heart. I know that's kind of a "non-answer" but it's one of those things you won't understand until you have the experience.
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Should I be praying any specific things to receive the Holy Ghost?
Being brought up in P.A.W. I was taught the traditional "call on the name of Jesus" way of "receiving it". There is not one specific way of "praying" for the Holy Ghost given to us in scripture. I would seek the guidence of your pastor on how he received it and follow suit with his instructions. God will reward you for your obedience.
FIRST, I want to say these are generally questions you should ask your pastor. I'll do my best to answer them based on my experience.
In two words humility and brokeness. These two words will be felt in totality, in others total humility, total brokeness. You are opening yourself entirely to Christ. All selfish desires put aside, you are completely open to recieving Christ. The breaking process is a way of remaking you and reshaping you. It is the potter-clay effect. You melt into God's hands and are literally reformed into something new.
Stammering lips generally do accompany tongues. When working with people who are praying for the Holy Ghost that's one of the first things I've been trained to look for. When the lips begin to stammer that's a good sign that tongues are about to follow.
You know when tongues are real and when they aren't. Nobody can tell you, you have to know and confess it for yourself. It will be automatic and you will be convinced and convicted in your heart. I know that's kind of a "non-answer" but it's one of those things you won't understand until you have the experience.
Being brought up in P.A.W. I was taught the traditional "call on the name of Jesus" way of "receiving it". There is not one specific way of "praying" for the Holy Ghost given to us in scripture. I would seek the guidence of your pastor on how he received it and follow suit with his instructions. God will reward you for your obedience.
It has been said that the Bible is clear about every important doctrine.
Mm hmmmm.
Ha, as this answer is uncomfortably close to my heart, I should redeem us by saying that Scripture tells us that satan will muddy the waters whenever possible, too; although the Bible does seem to outline like 3 different "speaking in tongues."
Timmy, we at least can rest secure that if we understand "love your neighbor," we have 9/10ths of the Law, and I bet if we just asked God about this "tongues" thing, which I admit I haven't done yet, the answers might be better than with your approach, or endless, circuitous study, both of which I've tried.
I do understand your attitude, and resonate with it, as I say, as my experience with tongues was fairly superficial, relatively speaking, and I don't much appreciate anyone suggesting that I'm going to hell for it, either.
Ha, as this answer is uncomfortably close to my heart, I should redeem us by saying that Scripture tells us that satan will muddy the waters whenever possible, too; although the Bible does seem to outline like 3 different "speaking in tongues."
Timmy, we at least can rest secure that if we understand "love your neighbor," we have 9/10ths of the Law, and I bet if we just asked God about this "tongues" thing, which I admit I haven't done yet, the answers might be better than with your approach, or endless, circuitous study, both of which I've tried.
I do understand your attitude, and resonate with it, as I say, as my experience with tongues was fairly superficial, relatively speaking, and I don't much appreciate anyone suggesting that I'm going to hell for it, either.
If only everyone would ask God about this and all doctrines, then everyone would believe the exact same things. Wouldn't that be cool? Unity!
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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