Is the gift of knowing God's will for me in a given situation sufficient?  Is speaking in tongues required?
126574
I always was told that speaking in tongues was the evidence, but it was not until I had an experience like described in the bible.  It says in the bible that fire rested on the follower's heads.  My experience was similar, but the flame rested in my heart.  After that I began to change.  I could like, see people through God's eyes, feel his love for them.  All this was with my heart.  It still amazes me how God loves people, all people.  My behavior changed.  My desires changed.  I often have states of bliss where I feel engulfed in love.  I can see why the holy spirit is referred to as the "comforter".  To me this was the baptism of the holy spirit.
336762
Acts relates tongues and prophecy with the instances of Holy Spirit filling.  Paul, however, asks the question "will all speak with tongues?" having an implied answer of 'no'.  No matter what physical evidences one may manifest... the fruit of the Spirit growing in a changed heart is by far the most convincing evidence of Holy Spirit filling.
350316
You will need to check all directions and guidance from what the Bible teaches anyway so one of the best things you can do is to read and study and familiarise yourself with The Bible - a bit like the Bereans in Acts17/11.\n\nGod through the Holy Spirit is able to guide and lead and open your understanding, especially through The Bible. Just ask Him, and watch and pray.\n\nHaving said that it can be very helpful to have someone who can help spiritually and I strongly suggest you pray to God Himself to provide you with someone suitable. He is well able and it would be a good spiritual excercise to place it in His hands and wait on Him for His answer while you look.\n\nIn addition, if you are able to meet with other Christians that can be very encouraging and helpful and probably it is best to take time to get to know them to find out who is trusworthy and Biblically sound.\n\nMay God's provision prevail.
87998
:]\nRather , eo you have sufficient worth, that God should accept your worship
503368
Salvation is a gift, but we must hold onto it and persevere in our faith, not just pray a prayer one time and then live any way we want. I hope the first link below will be helpful for you. Feel free to e-mail me at chad@jesusfreak.com if I can help.
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Faith!  To have total faith that Gods will is what is right.  And, to accept his decisions...whatever they may be.  Knowing that He knows best.  \n\nLove!  Love others.  Love yourself.  Love God, above all.  And, no....I'm not a bible banger.  lol\n\nJust passing on what I have learned.  When I learned to accept the things in my life that happened....good or bad...and to realize that those things were His will....that they had a purpose in my life....I was much happier.\n\nFighting against what is meant to be, is so futile.  And, believe me....God is the one in control.  Yes, we can make some decisions...are are expected to use our brains and logic.  \n\nBut, when I lost my Dad to cancer....I learned who is really in control.  \n\nA lot of what makes us happy, is in how WE CHOOSE to look at a situation.
447315
I would say many things are possible when you set your mind to it. But I believe there are God given talents or gifts. Example:  When I was a teenager I wanted to be the fastest man alive (Track). I practiced everyday, raced against the guys in my neighborhood who were the fastest.  Believe me I became faster.  But then as I became older I realized I would never be able to run a 9.2 seconds 100 meters, the best I could do in all my training was a 10.5.  I realized some people has a gift from God.  (In track and field)  But it didn't keep me from believing I could.  Everyone has a God given gift.  But I enjoyed the ride I was the best in my neighborhood. And I loved it.
595627
I agree.  That's why it's so important to become a student of the word of God yourself.  Then you will be able to "rightly divide the word of truth" no matter who is saying it.  We need the gift of discernment now more than ever.  Too many "Christians" are depending solely on the words of a preacher they will never know personally to give them direction instead of seeking the Holy Spirit and participating fully in a local body of believers.  Hope you are learning and growing.  God bless.
477479
God wants us to be knowledgable.  He wants us to read His Word and really study it.  This way we can feel confident and then help pass it on to others.  A preacher might help clarify some things to you or give you new persepectives but you definitely should study yourself.  In instances of uncertainty, then you should take God's word for it, pray, and trust that He knows exactly what He's doing.\n\nIn response to a comment made above that said that Christians are taught to believe eveything in the Bible and, therefore, can't think for themselves - not true.  Most Christians I know including myself choose to believe everything in the Bible because we feel inside ourselves (from the Holy Spirit) that it is the absolute truth.  You can be taught anything, it doesn't mean you have to believe in it.  It's your own choice to do that.
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I feel it is no longer the way G-d answers prayer.  He can, of course if He wants to.  He may do this to a very new baby Christian.\n\nIf you have matured in your walk, you do not need a sign.  You need the Holy Spirit.  He will guide you in all righteousness.  He will lead you to the right answers.  Understand His role.  Perhaps you need to pray for a greater measure of the Holy Spirit.\n\nBlessings!\nDavid
27072
You should have a daily Bible reading to learn and understand the ways of God so you can gain wisdom and strength in your walk with the Lord. Also if you are not baptized yet it would be a Very good thing to do along with obeying God no matter how hard it is (personal lesson I have had to learn).\n\nI will keep you in my prayers and hope this answers your question
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Your desire to hear God is the strongest thing you have going for you in your quest to hear him. Yes, an attitude of prayer will help open you to him. And he hears you prayers, but it may not be his desire to answer so that you are aware of him. Instead he may answer within you to that part of you that is in communication with him, your soul. His answer will then manifest itself in you as if it actually was you who determined it. God may not be ready to speak with his still voice within you since you may not be ready to hear him. Often, I think, one has to be prepared first, and God will do this in his way. Have patience, and it will come.\n\nWe have an intermediary with God who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who carries our prayers to God, and the Holy Spirit brings our answers to us. Then it is the Holy Spirit within us that we can hear in supernatural ways when God desires us to hear him.
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You can't force the Spirit -- wait patiently, and know that God loves you.  The Spirit is a gift.
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Father I ask you to open our minds to receive and to be able understand  what is being taught today. \n\nHoly Spirit help us remember  the things we have learned today, so we will be able to bring them to mind, when we need them. \n\nJeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you don't know
318385
Interesting question. I know that some faiths recommend assistance in a person's approach to God via prayer by using special words and through intercession with a "Holy Spirit".   Sometimes using the a well-known poem, or pre-lude to prayer, or mantra, or words learned as a child, will enable a person to prepare themselves for communication with God.  The words spoken aloud or mentally chanted help to clear the mind and bring focus to the person's thoughts.  \n\nPeople communicate with God not only in prayer, but also in praise and to give thanks.  When was the last time you thanked God?  Did you need to use a prelude prayer or intercession with the Holy Spirit to give your thanks?  Or, did you just say, "Thank you, Lord, for what you have done for me!"  Have you ever mindlessly said the words, "Thank God!", when something truly miraculous and wonderful has happened to you?  Did you really mean to be so abrupt with God?  Were your thanks, prayers and praises heartfelt and were you fully congnizant not only of the words, but also of the meanings?  \n\nNearly every Muslim I know always includes the words "Prase be to Allah" whenever they say or do something - they acknowlege God out loud and in writing regularly and often.  This is also true of my friends who are devout Christians who also regularly remember to mention their belief in God and Jesus out loud.  Other friends who have other beliefs are prone to keep their beliefs to themselves - they find their faith to be more private.\n\nEach person has to communicate with God in their own way according to their own faith.  If the words in the prayer you shared with us have meaning and value to you and help you communicate with God, then I believe you should use them.  I hope this has helped answer your question.
92053
It is my understanding that speaking in tongues is the language spoken in Heaven.  It is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament.  Jesus told us He would send a "Comforter" (the Holy Spirit).  Evidence of being baptized by the Holy Spirit is the speaking in tongues.  Someone reading the New Testament will see this.  Speaking in tongues is suppose to "edify" the speaker.
339807
Nope. If you live in God's will you are willing to accept that some times what you want is not what God wills. You do not and can not buy God's blessings or bribe God into giving you what you want.