<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Thomas Umstattd Jr. &#187; Holy Spirit</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.thomasumstattd.com/tag/holy-spirit/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.thomasumstattd.com</link>
	<description>An unusual perspective on religion, politics and life.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:48:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
<xhtml:meta xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" name="robots" content="noindex" />
		<item>
		<title>The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Power (Part 2)</title>
		<link>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/02/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-power-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/02/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-power-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:18:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Thomas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Christian Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holy Spirit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Praying Out Loud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual Warfare]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thomasumstattd.com/?p=1045</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We live in a world spoken into existence. The power of God’s tongue created the world. He made us in His image and our tongues have power as well. 
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/01/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-agreement-part-1/' rel='bookmark' title='The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1)'>The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1)</a> <small>Someone once asked me. "Why should we bother to voice...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/02/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-authority-part-3/' rel='bookmark' title='The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3)'>The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3)</a> <small>If you can write company checks in the boss’ name...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/04/spoken-prayer-and-our-insecurities-praying-aloud-part-4/' rel='bookmark' title='Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4)'>Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4)</a> <small>Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting...</small></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1083" title="Prayer Sword" src="http://www.thomasumstattd.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Prayer-Sword.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="253" /></p>
<h2>Power of the Tongue</h2>
<p>We live in a world spoken into existence. The power of God’s tongue created the world.</p>
<p>He made us in His image and our tongues have power as well. In fact, of all of the faculties imparted to mankind the tongue may be the most powerful.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”<br />
- <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018:21&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">King Solomon</a></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”<br />
- <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015:4&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">King Solomon</a></p>
<h2>The Sword of the Spirit</h2>
<p>The Bible often compares the tongue to a sword <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2057:4,%20Psalm%2064:3,%20Proverbs%2012:18&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">Psalm 57:4, Psalm 64:3, Proverbs 12:18</a>. Swords were the primary weapon in the ancient world and the tongue is our primary weapon in the spiritual war.</p>
<p>“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:12&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:12</a>.</p>
<p>Praying aloud allows you to brandish the sword of the Spirit. The unspoken word of God is about as deadly as a sword still in it’s scabbard. As you put His words in your mouth you will see the world change around you. When you pray in your mind only God hears you. But, when you pray aloud the unseen spiritual hears you, and trembles.</p>
<h2>A Dangerous Weapon</h2>
<p>Like a <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203:4-5&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">rudder on a ship</a> the tongue can change the course of history. It can build up and tare down. Of the many uses of our tongue, prayer is the least likely to do harm and the most likely to do good.</p>
<p>But still we must be careful for as <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203&amp;version=NLT" target="_blank">Saint James asks</a>, “Who can tame the tongue?”</p>
<p>Jesus has given His followers the authority to influence the unseen spiritual realm in His name. We must be careful not to take his name in vain by doing something he wouldn&#8217;t do. If I have the authority to sign company checks I must buy only what my boss would buy. <strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p><strong>If you are unaccustomed to praying aloud, </strong>praying the scriptures is a great place to start. Start by praying the Psalms. Then move into other books. For example, after you read about Jesus exhorting his disciples to preach the Gospel, pray aloud that God would give you boldness to obey.</p>
<p>A great book I would recommend on prayer is <a id="static_txt_preview" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977861414?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=evangelismtra-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0977861414" target="_blank">From Duty to Delight: Finding Greater Joy in Daily Prayer.</a></p>
<h2>Walking in Victory</h2>
<p>God has given you a mighty weapon. Will you achieve victory without using it?</p>
<p>Are you</p>
<ul>
<li>Struggling in your spiritual walk?</li>
<li>Going through a tough season?</li>
<li>Feeling defeated?</li>
</ul>
<p>If so, brandish your tongue and pray out loud in boldness. You will see the world around you change. You will see yourself change. You may move the heart of God.</p>
<h2>What do you think?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Do you think that prayer effects the unseen world?</li>
<li>When you fight spiritual warfare does it help to pray out loud?</li>
<li>What keeps you from paying out loud?</li>
</ul>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/01/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-agreement-part-1/' rel='bookmark' title='The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1)'>The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1)</a> <small>Someone once asked me. "Why should we bother to voice...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/02/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-authority-part-3/' rel='bookmark' title='The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3)'>The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3)</a> <small>If you can write company checks in the boss’ name...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/04/spoken-prayer-and-our-insecurities-praying-aloud-part-4/' rel='bookmark' title='Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4)'>Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4)</a> <small>Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting...</small></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2010/02/the-benefits-of-praying-aloud-power-part-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My take on the gifts of the Spirit.</title>
		<link>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/11/my-take-on-the-gifts-of-the-spirit/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/11/my-take-on-the-gifts-of-the-spirit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:21:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Thomas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Christian Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Evangelism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holy Spirit]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.CompuChristian.com/?p=85</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Not having a gift is no excuse for disobedience.
No related posts.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="itembody snap_preview">From the archive&#8230;</p>
<p>Some are gifted at intercession, but we are all called to pray.</p>
<p>Some are gifted at understanding the scriptures, but we are all called study the Word.</p>
<p>Some are gifted at mercy, but we are all called to act with compassion.</p>
<p>And some are gifted at evangelism, but we are all called to fulfill the great commission.</p>
<p>Sharing the Gospel is just as essential as prayer and Bible study to the Christian walk. If we truly love our neighbors like ourselves we will do everything in our power to warn them about eternity. Not having a gift is no excuse for disobedience.</p>
<p>No related posts.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/11/my-take-on-the-gifts-of-the-spirit/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

