I Believe it Because it is Written in Scripture

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This is written in Romans chapter 8 verse 28.

Do I believe it? Yes, but not because circumstance tells me it's true. Because circumstance doesn't tell me it's true.

I believe it because it is written in Scripture. And I believe what's written in Scripture. Hopefully you do, too.

In 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7, it is written, "We walk by faith, not by sight". Our faith is based on what's written in the Scripture, our sight is based on circumstances.

Today, November 11th, is the anniversary of the death of my brother along with six other kids. Thomas Carroll was 14 years old at that time.

After 47 years, circumstance has yet to tell me this was a good thing. Oh, A few people got saved. Yes, that was good. Nevertheless, I lost my brother that day.

Larry Carroll

Finish Well

 

Retirees, and anyone close to retiring: Finish well!  Finish what well? Finish this life well!

OK, so how is this measured? And Who is it that's doing the measuring? Well let's see what the Bible has to say about finishing well.

In Matthew chapter 25 verse 21 we read that Jesus said Father God will be saying this "Well done good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord", to those who finish well!

Well, the righteous will finish well, it says in Psalm 92 verses 12 to 15:

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord

Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;

They shall be fresh and flourishing,

15 To declare that the Lord is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Paul the apostle declared that he finished well.  It says in Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8:

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

A very sad example of one who did NOT finish well is King Solomon, son of King David, who married foreign wives. And they led him into idolatry.

How about you and me? Well, what should we do? OK, since for everyone it's different, then let's ask Him what He wants each of us to do personally to finish well.

I'm writing this primarily to warn people not to retire and then coast for the rest of their lives. But I must also warn people not to wait until they retire to get busy with the Lord's work. And yes, He is gracious and merciful, even here as He answers us. Don't be afraid to ask, no matter how old you are, no matter how messed up your life is.

Let me repeat - let's ASK Him what He wants each of us to do personally to finish well.

Larry Carroll

Tongues, A Blessing

 

Praying in tongues is such a blessing for me and to me. My favorite time and place, but not the only time or place, to pray in tongues is when I'm peddling on the exercycle in the cellar.  It's wonderful. I intersperse praying in tongues with praising the Lord and a lot of "Hallelujah"s.

Now some people think that praying or speaking in tongues is weird. Well, OK, they don't have to pray or speak in tongues. Salvation does not require it. It's not part of the Gospel, the Good News.

I use the word "praying" when there is no audience, and I use the word "speaking" when there is an audience. Praying in tongues is by some people called a prayer language. This is what I do.

Well, what's it worth? What's the value of praying (or speaking) in tongues? Is it just to make me happy? No, it's much more valuable than that. In 1st Corinthians Chapter 14, we can read a lot about praying or speaking in tongues.

In verse 2, this is written, "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."  (My emphasis)

So, the Lord God knows what's being prayed but nobody else does.

Let me also say that sometimes really crazy, or really critical, or really hopeless, situations come up, and I don't know what to pray, or how to pray, because the situation is a great mystery. Then for me to pray in tongues right away is wonderful. (And it makes me happy. Just saying.  OK, it makes me hopeful, too.)

Now in verse 4, this is written, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies (builds) himself, but he who prophesies edifies (builds) the church." It does not say "He who speaks in a tongue puffs himself up proudly", because that is not true!  Praying in tongues builds us up in the Spirit!

Now in verse 5, this is written, "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;"

So, we see that both tongues and prophecy have great value in the Kingdom of God in its personal and corporate advance in this world!

Well then, if you want these spiritual gifts, just ask Father God for them!

In Matthew chapter 7 verse 11, this is written, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

Gifts of the Spirit are good things!

I asked for tongues in April 1969 and finally got the manifestation of this gift in August of that year while I was driving down a California freeway, paying attention to where I was going, and not struggling hard to pray in tongues.

Let me end with this: praying in tongues is such a blessing for me and to me.

Larry Carroll