Have you ever spoken with someone who talked just to hear themselves talk? Have you listened to someone explain something and you're more confused about it after hearing them than you were before they "explained" it? Have you ever thought or said to someone, "Can you explain that in English so I can understand?"
Paul addressed the Church of Corinth in two different letters. In the first one he sent them, God inspired Paul to write about their overzealous use of the gifts of the Spirit. They were coming together and people were speaking in other tongues so much that it brought confusion and we know God is not the author of confusion. God does operate through the gift of tongues and interpretation, yet God also inspires Paul to say something profound to the Corinthians. It bears relevance for us today also, since we are all a part of the same body of Christ!
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NKJV)
I decided to take Paul up on his challenge. Could I find "five words" within Scripture that would speak volumes? I think I have found some instances where "five words" are enough! Follow along with me and let's examine them together...
1) Lord, teach us to pray!
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 ESV)
2) Give thanks in all circumstances!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)
3) You must be born again!
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:7 NKJV)
4) I will build my Church!
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ESV)
5) And we beheld His glory!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NKJV)
6) The Lord is my Shepherd!
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 NKJV)
Maybe you can find other Scriptures where "five words" stand off the page to you and speak life to your soul. These that I've discovered encourage me and here's why...
I want to learn to pray like Jesus prayed! I don't want to pray like the Pharisees who boast of themselves and their works. Neither to I want to pray like those who speak vain repetitions thinking that many words will save me.
I must learn to give thanks in all circumstances; even when I don't understand what it is I'm going through. God's will is for me to learn to give thanks and when I am thankful even in the midst of trials and tests, I become a living testimony to those around me.
I MUST be born again! I must take on His nature! I must be filled with His Spirit! I am not a "self-made" anything; I need Him. And I need Him daily! Being now born again, I must now also walk in the Spirit!
One plants and another waters, but God gives the increase. Except the Lord build the house, the laborers work in vain. He will build His church. I just need to do what I'm called to do. In fact, If I will do what I can, God will do what I cannot.
I can't answer for you, but I want to behold His glory. I want to see the manifestation of His Spirit. I want to see the demonstration of His Spirit and power. Like Moses, I pray, "Lord show me your glory!" And that's another "five words" I will speak with my understanding!
And finally, no matter what I'm going through; no matter what I'm facing; THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD! He loves me. He leads me. He protects me. He provides for me. He is all I need!
PS... why the picture of the mailboxes? First, because there are five of them. Second, because "you've got mail." Be blessed today in Jesus Christ my friends and fellow laborers.
