The promise is that the Holy Spirit is available to each of us, which includes our own special prayer language with God that is unique to all of us.

It says that for those who are afar off means two things.  Those who are far away in distance, and those who are far away in time.  This means that this promise is for all who come to Jesus in any place and at any time.

Do you have to speak in tongues to be saved? No. Do you need it to stay saved and have the life Jesus promises you?  Absolutely yes!

Many people have come to Jesus, but then they have walked away because they wondered if God was real.  Everyone who comes to Jesus comes to a point where they question that.

When you have your prayer language, you get to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is real, because you are having a conversation with Him.  You will feel something amazing, that will calm all your fears and make you bold as a lion.  This gift is what made all the difference in the early church and is still available today.

God wants you to know Him deeply and wants to converse with you on a higher level. This gift turned the early church from wimps to invincible.  It can do the same for you today!

What do you have to lose?  It is a gift that you don’t have to take, but what if you do?  Imagine!

Do we believe this?  God wants us to be free, to be all that we want to be, and so much more, but we have to believe this.

How do you show that you believe this? You live this way, putting your belief into action, praising God for your freedom, and refusing to let the things of the world to have a hold on you.

Then Jesus will show up in your life, so that you can realize that you are actually free, despite what is going on around you!

This weekend we will celebrate Memorial Day, where we remember those who died so that we can be free.  That is something to be thankful for and to rejoice about. It's why we celebrate on this day.

God says though in this verse that we should rejoice always, not just on certain days or occasions. I think that is a problem way too often. We tend to rejoice for a set time instead of always.  Then we go back to worrying, complaining, being fearful, anxious, and depressed. Do you want these negative habits to end?  Then choose to rejoice more. Try rejoicing always! 

When you are rejoicing it does three things.  1. It allows you to get your mind off the problem and onto the solution.  2. It prompts God to work on your behalf so that you can continue to rejoice always.  3. It shows those who come against you, that they can’t steal your joy.

When you rejoice, you always feel better. You may think that rejoicing always is too hard, because tough things happen, a lot by the way, but it's what God instructs us to do. 

Rejoicing is not fun alone.  It's much better with friends.  So, when life is tough, call someone up and ask them to celebrate with you.  It's so much easier to do with more people!  They will help you.