Tongues, Prophecy and Lessons learned part gazillion

11:33am, Friday : Mandaluyong, Philippines
I’m able to spend a lot of time in the Word this morning. Many lessons learned are:

• The Word (text, teachings of the Bible) unites people of different nations. The Gentiles in Rome were encouraged to unite with the Jewish believers. How important this is now since the advent of technology in our world is allowing us to interact more, across the world and allowing us to visit and live in countries and places aside from where we were born.
• It is important to learn the language of the nation you are ministering (serving) in so that there is one less barrier for you to connect with the people there.
• The Bible (Word), gives insight on how God wants you to live your life. In marriage, in dealing with your children, in dealing with elders, in dealing with co-workers, friends, other Christians. We are relational beings meant to interact and figure out how to love, be and live with each other.
• Learn what your Spiritual Gifts are and the lessons you have learned to date. This is where God wants you to focus your efforts on. Learn new gifts and this teaches you more about where your focus should be. I recommend reading the book by Rick Warren, A Purpose Driven Life. There are arguments both for and against the book. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to truth found in the book so that you may grow in spiritual maturity and love for Jesus.
• God answers prayers when you want to learn more about Him. I prayed about learning about tongues, and He brought my brother Rocky to guide me in verses in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 14 teaches us about speaking in tongues and how it should be used to build up the church and believers in Jesus.
• Reading the verses above, also teaches of what prophecy is. NIV Bible reads in the footnotes: “Prophecy does not just refer to predicting the future; it can also mean giving a message received from God to the community of believers: ‘Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort’”. Some have interpreted prophecy to be fulfilled in various sermons throughout church history. Others say that prophecy is not a sermon but a spontaneous Spirit-inspired message that is orally delivered in the congregation for the edification and encouragement of the body of Christ (to build up spiritually, intellectually and morally the church and its believers)”. In other words, it could just mean preaching God’s message or Word.