Dear Beachside Family and Friends,
It has been said that we live in a multi – cultural society. It certainly is true that our country is inhabited by many who speak languages other than English, and posess values different than those of traditional Americans. In some cases, communication between citizens and non-citizens has become difficult, and people do not understand each other.
I heard once that the United States and Great Britain were two great countries separated by a common language. This is certainly true when considering accent. While American English and the Kings English do differ in sound from each other, most of the words and concepts are derived from common ancestry, In addition, traditional English values and traditional American values are similar, because they are at their foundation Christian.
While American English speakers and British English speakers usually understand each other, the situation inside our borders is different than it once was. Enclaves exist in our nation where people speak exclusively Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages. If I were to go to a Spanish speaking market and need assistance, I am sure I could find a clerk willing to help. I could ask him in English what I am looking for, and he would smile at me and desire to help, yet he could not. I could ask him over and over where the potatoes were, but unless I asked him " Donde estan las papas?", he would be unable to help. Why? The answer is simple: unless I speak his language he cannot help me with my problem. He is ready and willing to help, but in order to act on my behalf he must understand me. We must speak the same language.
Communication problems do not exist solely between human beings. In order to experience the blessings of God in our lives, we must be able to communicate effectively with Him. Many Christians do not understand why it seems they are not getting through to God. They know that God desires to bless them, but wonder why they have not yet seen the benefits God promises in His word. This situation exists not because God is holding out, but because there is a communication problem. There is a language barrier between God and some believers.
When I need God's help with a problem, I must speak the same language He does. God only speaks one language, He expresses it in many different human dialects, but He speaks just one language. HE SPEAKS BIBLE! If I need the help of the Spanish speaking clerk I mentioned earlier, I must speak his language. If I want the blessings and benefits of God, I must speak His language. I MUST SPEAK BIBLE, the language of faith. John points this out in 1 John 5:14-15 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." Where do we find His will? In the Bible! We have confidence that if we speak God's language in prayer, He hears and answers our prayers. He does not answer them because we beg and cry. He answers prayers when we speak the Word, the language of faith. He answers our prayers because we speak Bible!
When I need God's intervention in my life, it is an absolute waste of time to complain to Him about my circumstances and how badly i feel. God does not speak the language of complaint, sickness, poverty, or depression. HE SPEAKS BIBLE! If I desire to communicate effectively with Him, I need to find out what the Bible says about my problem and speak with Him in His language: the language of faith, healing, and deliverance. GOD SPEAKS BIBLE, AND IF I WANT HIS HELP, I MUST SPEAK BIBLE!
God operates solely by faith, and those of us who expect His benefits must operate the same way. Since Rom. 10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing the word of God, when we speak Bible, our faith is strengthened and we please Him. (Hen 11:6) Speaking God's language is also essential because "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom 14:23b) Since the Greek text tells us that sin is "missing the mark", we must not miss out on proper communication with God. There should be no language barrier between us and our Father: "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he SAYS will be done, he will have whatever he SAYS. (Mark 11:23) WE MUST SPEAK BIBLE!
Pastor Ramon
