Two posts in one day. I don’t think this has happened it a very long time. It has been an unusual couple of weeks and today has been a wonderful, powerful day.

Fulfilled or filled-full? It is what I preached tonight. The Lord helped me and the results were in what happened afterward. Before I tip my hand and reveal what took place I want to ask you, dear reader, can you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory?

Have you been to church and come away bored and anything but full of joy? Then you may need to be filled-full of the Holy Ghost.

Some point fingers and try to cast down what we, Apostolic Pentecostals believe and preach. They say things like, “Oh they preach if you don’t speak in tongues then you are not saved.”

Did you know that it isn’t written anywhere in scripture specifically that you must speak in tongues to be saved? However, Jesus said these signs shall follow them that believe…they shall speak with new tongues(languages).  Jesus said tongues was a sign that followed them that believe. Are you a believer?

Tongues isn’t the important thing here. It is just a sign. The Spirit of God is what is important. Speaking in tongues will not save but God’s Spirit will. Some say that tongues and the gifts of the Spirit are no longer for the church. Don’t buy into that lie. And before you say that tongues is just an added blessing, or just a gift, then you couldn’t be further from the truth. Remember it is a sign that follows the believer.

When the Holy Spirit fell and different tongues(languages) sat on each of them some say that the tongues were used to get the gospel out for the first time. However, Peter preached in his own language and people understood him. He didn’t preach in tongues. He did point to the tongues and said, “Acts 2:16-17  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:”

Peter pointed at tongues as a sign. Before you say that was a special day you should consider other passages too. There are five instances in the book of Acts where they spoke in tongues when receiving the Holy Spirit.

It would be easy for humans to back away from the Spirit and stay carnal and not have a move of his Spirit. Some preach and say it is just an added blessing. My point is this. Preachers need to challenge people to be closer to God not further. Tongues do not bring you closer but what happens when you yield yourself to God does bring you closer. Much closer. You will speak with a new language when you believe and yield yourself to God.

Scripture says that a man that can’t tame his tongue then his religion is in vain or meaningless. When you yield your most unruly member to God then he tames it.

Tonight Jimmy Loveless received the same Holy Spirit that Peter received in Acts 2. Wow. This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, God poured out his Spirit upon flesh tonight!!

Don’t make excuses for dead church. Don’t make excuses for the flesh but look for every chance to let the Spirit of God move in your life!

Be filled-full because this is that!

The past week has been one of great difficulty. Tom Allen, my Great Uncle, and a man I have helped at his church, passed away. Sunday, his wife passed away. It is painful for the family, so during this time please pray for them. The lives they lived were beautiful, married 64 years, ministered together, prayed together, laughed together. They died 8 days apart.

I anticipated preaching Tom’s funeral but was at a loss when asked to minister to the family for the loss of Clara. I wrote and wrote and thought but when I prayed, the Lord helped me. I spent as much time in prayer as it took to write the words. It truly is amazing what happens when we pray. I was at a stand still in my heart, searching for the proper words to say but found nothing. After spending time in praise and worship and focusing on the one who knows how to say the right words. It all started working.

The first order of business was to get me out of the way. It was only my second funeral I’d ever preached and it was the second one in 7 days. How I treasure the opportunity, and the honor of being called upon to minister – but I had to go. I had to get out of the way. True ministry isn’t about the minister. It isn’t about the ability of the minister or their experience level. It is about becoming a conduit for the supernatural power of Jesus Christ.

Once again, I am humbled by the grace and mercy of my Lord. For just a few moments in time, my hands became his, my mouth spoke his words, my eyes saw with his compassion. If only I could stay in that place.

The place of being a servant of Christ. Truly being a tool for his work, for his glory, and for his kingdom. Some said what I spoke at the funeral was wonderful, it showed great word smithy. I can’t take that credit. A minister does not own his words if they are truth. Nothing in me can say the right things unless God gives it.