LOVE gifts…

Inspired by a series of recent sermons on the gifts of the Spirit, I “dusted off” a prayer language that had been gifted to me by the Holy Spirit some years back but had not been using lately, even though I had prayed and asked for that gift for years before receiving it. And I remember, too, the way it came upon me in such a flash was like unwrapping the best Christmas present I had ever received as a kid, I was so giddy with excitement!

Sadly, it didn’t take long for me to begin to doubt the gift. Condemnation set in each time I used it, with a voice of “reason” questioning how worthwhile was a language I myself did not even understand? How was I supposed to know, anyway, what was being said and that I was not just making words up as I went along? Funny how the enemy can ascertain and then twist motives born of love. He would do anything to prevent us from having that direct connection and using our voice to glorify God.

Dwelling on it as I listened to one of the recent sermons I wondered why I had ever allowed such a precious gifting to go by the wayside. So I asked the Holy Spirit to revive that in me. Not only has He, but he also shared with me a new insight about it that I wanted to pass along to all of you.

As I was praying, I got a flash of a picture in my mind (I love those!) of me with Jesus, sitting outside of time. As we sat, He delightfully made a motion to begin revealing what all I had been speaking to Him over the years in this prayer language between my spirit and His Spirit. Before He could begin, I found myself hoping that I had not said anything in my prayer language that was self-centered, misaligned, or short-sighted. It was the old voice of condemnation popping up.

It was in that moment I had a flash of insight. The reason why my flesh was not “privy” to what my spirit was communicating directly with the Holy Spirit was by design! My heavenly prayer language intentionally bypassed my own flesh nature so that my spirit was free to have that direct connection without the need to be filtered through the yet-to-be fully transformed side of me that runs all my words through my own natural desires, affinities, and perspectives. It was definitely an AHA moment to realize that speaking in a heavenly language frees the spirit to make that direct connection.

BOOYAH, drop the mic! No more condemnation, and I am excited to one day learn the conversations that transpired between us because I know for a fact how beneficial it has been in boosting my faith here and now.

Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.  - 1 Corinthians 14:1-4