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Archive for January, 2019

In Christ alone?

Posted by appolus on January 27, 2019

Is Jesus not enough? And the sad fact is that for many He is not. Can we worship the Lord Jesus and Him alone despite any outward circumstances? Many will gladly follow the Lord Jesus to the mountaintop, how many will follow Him to the cross? So many desire His blessings but not many are interested in His sufferings. We desire to feast but we shy away from the fast. We want to be clothed in garments of righteousness and beauty but we dont want to appear to this world in what they perceive to be rags.

The riches of Christ, the depths of His glory are found oftentimes in the darkness of our circumstances. The treasure is found buried in the field. The field is the word of God, Christ made flesh, and who among us will give our all to attain this field and then set about to dig, to excavate to mine? Is not the honey found within the honeycomb? The Lord has laid down the terms to purchase this field. It requires our lives and our whole hearts.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 6 Comments »

The knowledge of God overcomes the world.

Posted by appolus on January 26, 2019

Ecc 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

It is interesting that what man wanted, more than a relationship with God, was knowledge. And yet in much wisdom there is much grief. The more we know, the more our sorrow increases. Can you imagine the burden that the Lord Jesus carried? He carried the sure knowledge of how his life would end, how he would be betrayed, how he would be reviled and rejected. Yet in all of that He loved the multitude, He loved that same multitude that would turn on Him. He did good to those He knew would hate Him and spitefully use Him.

As hard as this would be for Him to live with, to walk daily with, we must remember that He also knew that death would not be the end of it for Him, he would arise from the dead. The life that He would then live, in the glories of heaven at the right hand of the Father would erase the horrors of what He had to witness and endure in this world.

Brothers and sisters. I don’t know what you know today. Perhaps you’re dealing with the knowledge of something terrible that is happening in your life or the life of someone you know and care about? Perhaps you asked for and were shown the horrors of how this world will end and the depths than humanity will plummet to? Perhaps a doctor has conveyed knowledge to you that has increased your sorrow? The antidote to the knowledge of this world, is the knowledge of the next. The Kingdom of God is not only future it is also now. We can walk in the sure knowledge of the Kingdom, we can walk in the glories of the eternal. We can lay down in the palm of His hand.

When we are found in Him, He is all of our tomorrows. When He is our joy and our peace and our rest, then the knowledge of this world and the things that have come upon us produces love in us. And perfect love casts out all fear. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terrors of darkness nor the arrows that fly by day. Nor shall you be afraid at the destruction that you see all around you, even if ten thousand were to fall at your side. For if you make the Lord most high your habitation then surely the darkness shall not touch you for even darkness is light to Jesus.

The Lord your God has set His love upon you. He has delivered you. He has redeemed you and called you by name. If He is for you then who or what shall be against you? Come and dwell in the secret place of the most High God. He dwells in lofty places with the broken and the contrite of heart. He is your refuge and your fortress, He is your strong high tower and in Him you shall put your trust. Call upon Him and He shall answer you and visit you in the day of your trial. He will enable you to finish the race. There is nothing that you will face that is too difficult for Him. Praise ye the name of God.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 2 Comments »

My Poems of 2018-Frank McEleny

Posted by appolus on January 23, 2019

Below are poems that I have wrote in 2018. Every year I start of thinking I might never write another poem, they tend to come like waves, then all is still, until I am stirred again.

My Great God (Jan 14th 2018)

I know what a great privilege it is
For one such as thee to incline thine ear to me
To look upon one without much honor
Not upon what i am but what you would have me to be

You lead and guide with your mercy
And with such perfect grace you deem to look upon my face
I who am the least of the weakest clan
And the very air that I breathe is your exhaled grace

Father in heaven how i love you
You have heard my pleas whilst down upon my knees
I live because of your good pleasure
And have discovered a love that’s deeper than the waters of the seas

 

He took His throne (Jan 20th 2018)

The fruits of victory are not your own
They belong to Him upon His throne
For He it was that died for you
And rose again to take you through

For every part of who you are
It is the Lords and marked by scar
And nail pierced hands and wounded side
Changed you forever from deep inside

And so the victory it is won
And not by deeds that you have done
Tis His alone and looking down
Revealed the thorns that were His crown

He wore this crown for you and me
He paid the price that set us free
And when they rolled away the stone
He rose again and took His throne

 

For the day that Christ was born (Jan 24th 2018)

Daniel slept in the lion’s den
Peter slept in a prison
Jesus slept in the midst of a storm
Aren’t you glad that He has risen

Come lie down in your lion’s den
Sleep if you are in prison
Rest your head in the midst of the storm
For by His Blood you are surely forgiven

It flows when there is no way ahead
It flows when all seems lost
It flows when you are overcome
It flows by a terrible cost

Look up and see the price He paid
Look full upon Calvary’s hill
Then know that when there’s no way ahead
Just stand, covered, and be still

Be still and see the glory of our God
Be still and stand amazed
Sing with all your heart before heavens throne
Lift you voice and let Him be praised

And as you praise in the lion’s den
You will rest in the midst of the storm
You will thank our God in heaven above
For the day that Christ was born.

 

One Heart (Feb 8th 2018)

It was one heart that formed the mountains
It was one heart that tamed the mighty seas
It was one heart that raised me back to life
Twas this one heart I found upon my knees

And with this one heart I am saved forever
And this one heart has opened up the door
This one heart laid the foundations of the world
And in this one heart I will dwell forever more

It was one heart that carved out the valleys
It was one heart that planted all the trees
It was one heart that formed the little babies
Twas this one heart I found upon my knees

And with this one heart I was born again forever
And this one heart will take me gently ore
This one heart created all the heavens
And in this one heart I will dwell forever more

This one heart belongs to God the Father
And the Blood flowed from Jesus Christ His Son
And by the power of the blessed Holy Spirit
We shall all stand together here as one

One heart, one soul, one mind, one Body
One purpose in everything we do
It is this one heart that holds it all together
And it is this one heart that will see us through

 

The sun that never sets (Feb 24th)

When the rainbow bursts into a thousand pieces
And showers down into my heart
And my soul lights up with the colors of heaven
And shines out boldly into the dark

When life and all its ways flood in
And the perpetual winter is here to stay
And spring is just some distant dream
We cannot rise but fall and pray

We know there’s a bright and morning star
That rises through the depths of winters loss
And the Balm of Gilead soothes our pain
Yet we know we shall never be the same again

And twilight echoes in the sky above
Cascading down in a shower of love
And the memories fade but linger yet
Like the setting of a sun that will never truly set.

 

Lay me down (Feb 27th 2018)

Lay me down in a troubled land
I shall ever rest in the palm of your hand
My soul is refreshed by the waters of your Life
You are the Husband and the Body is your wife

I shall shout for joy from the depths of my soul
For I was broken and you made me whole
You lifted me up when I was down
It’s in Your love that I now abound

I have never hungered in a famined land
Even when I fall you make me stand
Your Living waters refresh my soul
You have replaced what my enemy stole

My leaf has not withered even in the drought
And from the mountain-tops you shall hear me shout
Glory hallelujah to the King of all the nations
I stand here not on sand but on your firm foundation

I have known your favor and Your grace rescues me
I an surrounded on every side like the deepest sea
The radiance of your beauty lights up my whole world
And Your banner over me is simply love unfurled

 

The Strings of my Heart (Mar 2nd 2018)

Wind of the Spirit play the strings of my heart
Discover who I am, each and every part
I stand before you my heavenly King
You look at me and see everything

Nothing hidden, no secrets just you and me
With eyes ablaze that can truly see
Your Blood and your love they cover my sin
And with coals of fire I am cleansed from within

There is fire in your Blood that flows from the cross
And love from above that’s more than all loss
My thoughts of these things are so very few
When I consider that now I am found in you

The strings of my heart play a glorious song
As I am swept up in a heavenly throng
The hand of My God plays a sweet melody
My heart’s in Your hand and forever shall be.

 

Towers of lost tears (Mar 6th 2018)

I was born under an angry sky
At the edge of the world in darkness
A place where the rain never ceased to fall
And boys grew up to be heartless

Tears were banished right from the start
And the foundations of the walls that surrounded our heart
Were laid deep in our souls and minds every day
It was a well-worn path and there was no other way

And the wind blew hard upon the window pane
There was never-ending darkness and never-ending rain
And the hearts of the boys grew dark in the night
Only in your dreams could you run and take flight

Still the morning would come and darkness remained
Look out of the window and it continually rained
Every blow to the heart another brick in the wall
The more you laid bare the more it grew tall

The land of broken hearts is full of high towers
Tis a black and white land ruled by darkened powers
Towers of lost tears and towers of pain
Tis full of dark clouds and continual rain

Yet there were some who spoke of a world of light
Where tears could fall and no continual night
This world had a King who had come to this land
They put nails in His feet and nails in His hand

The powers of darkness screamed in delight
As they pierced His side, this King of the Light
He had come to replace the hearts that were broken
With power and love in every word He had spoken

So they nailed the Word to the cross that day
Then they took Him down and in the cave He would lay
And they rolled a stone just to shut Him in
And the darkness fell and rejoiced in its sin

And the brokenhearted wept for their King
He had taught them to pray and taught them to sing
Yet the rain and the darkness seemed to prevail
By the power of the sword and the power of the nail

Then out through the darkness broke forth a great light
The rolled away stone revealed a glorious sight
The grave could not hold Him and death was defeated
Look up to the throne and see where He’s seated

Our King was victorious, the chains they were broken
Those asleep in the darkness were gloriously awoken
In victory He arose, He had shattered deaths spell
In the land of broken hearts the towers fell

The captives came forth their hearts were renewed
And the powers of darkness were finally subdued
No longer prisoners of the darkness and pain
Their tears were recovered and they fell like rain

 

When the sun breaks through (Mar 12th)

In my darkest moments, in the deepest seas
When deep dark waters overwhelmed my soul
I lifted my hand and raised my eyes
To see the sun break through cloudy skies

When the storm was raging and the thunder roared
And my enemy assaulted me on every side
I lifted my hand and raised my eyes
To see the sun break through cloudy skies

When hope had vanished and despair set in
And fear once again raised its ugly head
I lifted my hand and raised my eyes
To see the sun break through cloudy skies

When I was broken and all alone in the night
And the darkness tried to consume the light
I lifted my hand and raised my eyes
To see the sun break through cloudy skies

I lift my hands and raise my eyes
To see your glory ever fill the skies
Rend the heavens and let your glory fall
For you are my Lord, and you’re my all in all

 

Only in Him (Mar 27th 2018)

When you are everything
To everybody else
You will often find
That you will lose yourself

Everyone around you
Holds you lest they fall
Inside your often dying
Outside your standing tall

When all is said and done
You know it’s He Alone
If not you walk on sinking sand
And not upon the Stone

The Rock is everything
Tis the corner and the whole
And when you stand upon it
It replenishes your soul

In Christ alone we stand or fall
We approach in Him or not at all
In Him we run and never tire
In Him we fly and ever higher

 

Stephen (Mar 28th 2018)

When I was very young
A star fell from the sky
How could something beautiful
Falter and then die

The light of life shone brightly
In the struggle and the pain
And though the light it soon was gone
I’ll see that light again

Only six months in the womb
He fought for every breath
After two days here among us
His life gave way to death

Yet that star that fell from heaven
That star that shone so bright
Left his mark on me forever
Like the stars that shine at night

So Stephen, Daddy loves you
And no matter where I roam
The day is near upon us
When I’ll be coming home

Then I’ll be with you in the night sky
Perhaps I’ll sit you on my knee
When I join you in the light of Christ
Where we shall ever be.

 

And on it goes-relationships between fathers and sons. (Apr 5th 2018)

Every beat of my heart
Is the sound of footsteps in the dark
Searching,pleading, looking ,for you
Looking to find you, looking to be found

Can you see me, do you know me?
Do you even want to?
The heart keeps beating and I keep walking
Looking and looking, never dreaming of stopping

Then the steps slow down
And the heart begins to beat slower
The momentum reaches the apex then begins to fall
Slowly at first, not really noticeable, until there is nothing at all

Cant really hear the steps anymore
Maybe there are none and the heart has failed
There is only silence in the darkness, its very still
Striving’s gone, fatigue sets in and drowns the will

Somewhere in the dark
I hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps
I hear my own sons heartbeat, he says I’m over here
I stay there hidden in the darkness, the darkness is fear

And now I who searched
Hold my breath lest my heartbeat gives a sound
I don’t know why, maybe I do, maybe that’s the way it is
Running, hiding in the darkness, now it is I not wanting to be found.

 

My Defender (Apr 12th 2018)

On the solid Rock I’m standing
Safe from all the shifting sands
Jesus, Lord my God and Saviour
Holds me in His precious hands.

Who will harm me in my tower
High it is above the waves
Safe and Holy is my shelter
Jesus Christ my Saviour saves

I will sleep in peace and safety
At His feet I’ll surely rest
My corner stone and strong high tower
Stands with me through every test

So here I stand, there is no other
place that I would rather be
Upon the Rock of all the ages
Who stands upon the stormy sea

 

Lord of sky and sea (Apr 13th 2018)

Heavenly Father Lord of sky and sea
Forever you shall reign throughout eternity
The skies may fall and the seas run dry
Yet we who are yours, oh we shall never die

We magnify our glorious King of Kings
Listen closely hear the angels sing
Of who you are and who you’ll ever be
You came and died so we’re forever free

Omnipotent Father, Love that knows no end
You are our Master, Saviour Lord and friend
We bow before you and we raise our hands
Your throne in heaven it forever stands

Chorus

Now I shout from the mountains high
I belong to you, I belong to you
Let no one ever doubt that I
Am yours till the day I die.

 

My eyes shall see (May 1st 2018)

Oh Lord my God when day is almost over
And night it comes a knocking at my door
The darkness comes and threatens to consume me
And life has left me dying on the floor

Chorus

I’ll cry to you with all that is within me
My tears shall fall into your loving hands
And then once more on mountains or in valleys
My eyes shall see the one for me who ever stands

Verse 2

So Lord my God I shall forever love you
Though many tears and trials are mine to own
Your light it shines upon me in the darkness
And it’s your light, your light that leads me home

Chorus

I’ll cry to you with all that is within me
My tears shall fall into your loving hands
And then once more on mountains or in valleys
My eyes shall see the one for me who ever stands

Verse 3

When all my days are gone and are behind me
I’ll lift my eyes and see where I belong
It’s in your arms and there I’ll rest forever
I’ll walk with thee and join the heavenly throng

 

Love is the wound that bleeds (May 15th 2018)

Love becomes the wound that bleeds
From nail pierced hands and wounded side
And breaks the bread and many feeds
And forms the shadow in which we hide

Love is the blow taken in my stead
The healing balm of Gilead
The narrow path that He has tread
That led Him on to Calvary

Love is the thorn that pierced His brow
And jagged stripes upon His back
He loved me so I know not how
Hell’s hold on me began to crack

Love is the blow taken in my stead
The healing balm of Gilead
The narrow path that He has tread
That led Him on to Calvary

Love is the cry “I am forsaken”
This cry is heard before the throne
And in the valley the bones awaken
As love hangs there and dies alone

Love is the blow taken in my stead
The healing balm of Gilead
The narrow path that He has tread
That led Him on to Calvary

Love is the stone that is rolled away
The tomb that once was occupied
Now sees the light of a brand new day
The angels sang and they testified

Love is the blow taken in my stead
The healing balm of Gilead
The narrow path that He has tread
That led Him on to Calvary

Love has conquered hell and death
And healed the mortal wounds of man
Whose praises rise with every breath
And cover all of heavens span

Love is the blow taken in my stead
The healing balm of Gilead
The narrow path that He has tread
That led Him on to Calvary

 

To be where thou art (May 18th 2018)

There are dark clouds on the horizon
The storms are never far away
I’ve walked through never ending rains
And suffered many mortal pains
but in the midst of every day
I see the sun behind the clouds
I know that there are blue skies there
And I know that you are every where
Which is why I sing to you

Jesus Jesus, Saviour Lord to me
An never ending blue sky that sets my spirit free
You are my Lord you are my God
The silver lining of my heart
I’ll overcome the trials of life
To be where thou art

Thou art with me through the night-time
Your my light that shines the way
I’ll walk with your forever more
My love who never did keep score
Your in my heart and ever there to stay
My God who is high and lifted up
Who always fills my empty cup
Which is why I sing to you

Jesus Jesus, Saviour Lord to me
An never ending blue sky that sets my spirit free
You are my Lord you are my God
The silver lining of my heart
I’ll overcome the trials of life
To be where thou art

I’ll walk through every violent storm
Just to be where thou art
To be where though art.

 

We live (May 21st 2018)

We live because another died
We laugh because another cried
We rise because another fell
And rose again and conquered hell

I’m blameless because another took my blame
I’m unashamed for another took my shame
I’m no longer guilty for another took my guilt
And upon firm foundations a temple He has built

I am righteous for another took my place
I am saved for another ran the race
I am healed for another took my blows
And I’ll follow Him where ere He goes

My Lord my God my substitute
You are my vine and very root
I love because you first loved me
You died to set the captive free

You rule and reign forever more
Your the sheep for the gate, you are my door
You beckon me to walk right through
To come and rule and reign with you

 

What will the world see? (May 22nd 2018)

With every passing year
The seasons grow more impatient
With alarming speed they rush on by
Yet I slow down and I ponder why

The leaves fall from the trees
And gather together on the ground
And the wind comes and blows them all away
Every leave seems to be like a single day

As my own leaves begin to fall away
And I am being slowly stripped
of all my former beauty, as it falls to the ground
And I look around for my youth, and it can no longer be found

Finally I stand there in the middle of the field
All the foliage is gone, its just me
And the snow begins to fall all around
It gathers together deeply on the ground

The very essence of who I am now stands
The culmination of the years
I find that I am what I have been
There is nothing that was unforeseen

For inner beauty, even when the foliage is gone
remains, for it is who we truly are
Even in the depths of winter, covered in silver gray
The beauty of who we are is here to stay

The tree is always the tree no matter the foliage
And when the tree is all stripped away, there we are
The many seasons of our life has fallen to the ground
And leaves us standing there, with the leaves all around

And then the wind blows and the days and years are gone
The final season arrives in the midst of our last winter
And when there is no more cover for our old and dying tree
Will you be happy with what the world can see?

 

I can do no thing (May 24th 2018)

You can’t have a valley without a mountain
You can’t have living waters without a fountain
You cannot be a bird without wings
There aint no violins without strings

You can’t have a storm without the rain
You can’t be hurt in this life without pain
You cannot have the sun without a shadow
You cannot take the knocks without the blow

You cannot cry without shedding tears
You cannot be brave without overcoming fears
You cannot walk upon the water unless you look into His eyes
Anymore than a bird without his wings can ever hope to fly

You cannot build a new life without the old one coming down
You cannot shy away from life if you hope to wear the crown
You cannot stand for Jesus if you will not stand for truth
Sometimes to get your healing you have to tear a hole right through the roof

You cannot win the race if you refuse to run
You cannot see God’s glory if you cannot see God’s Son
You cannot win the war if you refuse to fight the battle
You cannot walk in power if you cannot wear the mantle

The valley teaches me to appreciate the mountain
Living waters teach me to appreciate the crystal fountain
The storms they teach me how to keep my eyes on Him
The beauty of His holiness teaches me to hate sin

In the end I have learned that I can do no thing
I cannot hear the violins nor hear the angels sing
Unless you give me ears to hear and eyes to truly see
And wings to cause my heart to soar and set my spirit free

 

Be still my soul (Aug 17th 2018)

Dear Father Lord, be still my soul today
Please fill me with your grace, as I walk along the way
For each new day, I arise with the morning light
And renew my strength and gird my loins to aid me in the fight

Be still my soul that I may hear my beating heart
And know with every beat, of whom I am a part
I in You and You in me, this stone shall find its place
As you build your Holy Temple and we gaze upon your face

Be still my soul and know just who you serve
Your grace it grants me favor, and not what I deserve
For when you found me Lord, I was surely dead in sin
And then you cried ” come forth my son,” and there was life within

Be still my soul and rest in pastures green
Our Lord has gone before us, to a place no eye has seen
Now rest beside still waters, then rise with each new day
Trust not thy understanding, then He will lead the way

Be still my soul come lay your burden down
Be patient in thy sufferings, and you shall wear a crown
Glory in your tribulations, for they will teach you how
To humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, to bend the knee and bow

Be still my soul then you shall hear His voice
So even in the depths,your heart shall still rejoice
And when the roll is called up yonder and the days they are no more
We shall sing the glories of the Lord on that golden distant shore

As the waters cover the sea (Sept 23rd 2018)

Though the fig tree shall not blossom
And no fruit hangs from the trees
Nor field’s of wheat for harvest
Nor fish found in the seas

I shall rejoice in the Lord my God
He is the God of my salvation
He makes me strong when I am weak
And is a light to every nation

He takes me up to higher ground
And sets my spirit free
To dance and sing and praise His name
And to come on bended knee

Even in the midst of judgement
He shall not forget His mercy
And His glory will cover all the world
And He is water to the thirsty

He is freedom to the ones in chains
He is food to those who hunger
And to those who are so very weak
The Lord is so much stronger

He is your strength to carry on
He is your strong high tower
He has filled you with His Holy Ghost
And so endued you with His power

So glorify the Living God
For His mercy endures forever
He is strong when you are weak
And has the power to deliver

Walk on dear saint you’re not alone
For your God He sits upon His throne
Night and day He never sleeps
He is the comforter to all who weeps

So in the midst of darkness stand in light
Walk in the day for comes the night
When the enemy roars in like a mighty flood
We shall not drown who are covered by His Blood

 

Clothe me in your love (Sept 28th 2018)

Open up your heart oh Lord
And clothe me with your love
Surround me with your glory Lord
For I could never get enough

I’ve walked through many desert lands
And the nights were very cold
Yet I am wrapped in your great love
And your glory forever takes its hold

I have run through many fires and floods
And never drowned nor was engulfed
For I am hid in the depths of your heart
And my enemies were repulsed

I have climbed the tallest mountains
And there seemed no way ahead
Yet you oh Lord you strengthened me
And showed me steps that must be tred

I have traversed the deepest valley’s
In the darkness you held me fast
Your light it shone in golden streams
And led me home at last

I have run the race that you have set
I have lived to tell your story
And now that you’re so very near
I am surrounded by your glory

 

Draw me ever nearer. (Oct 7th 2018)

Anoint me Lord for all my days
That I may walk with you a ways
Not just to follow where you led
But walk to where you died and bled

To walk with you sets my heart on fire
To walk with you lifts me ever higher
Not only shall I take your lead
But stand and fight and die and bleed

For I could follow from afar
And you could be my true north star
But when we walk both hand in hand
Forever on the Rock I stand

Tis one thing Lord to follow You
Believe the Word every part be true
It’s another for the world to see
That you Oh King doth dwell in me

For then I am both salt and light
And they behold your glorious sight
Your perfect love casts out all fear
When you to me are very near

Draw nigh to me then I to you
With power from on high endue
Then you shall walk each day with power
And know you need me every hour

 

You are not alone (Oct 25th 2018)

You may feel very lonely saint, but you are not alone
There is one who walks with you and sits upon His throne
You may feel very tired, this old world has got you down
But the one who dwells within your heart will always be around

You may be troubled on every side but know you will survive
For remember you were dead in sin but now you are alive
The light that dwells within you is the light from up above
He breathed into your very lungs and filled your heart with love

You may have battled with despair but joy comes in the morning
The darkness tries to lie to you and fill your heart with mourning
Yet deep within your very heart sits the one upon His throne
And then when all seems lost to you, you’ll find your not alone

He is our very present help in the times we are in need
For the one for whom the Son sets free is surely free indeed
Free to call upon His name in the darkness or in the light
He’s with us through deep waters and He guides us through the night

So precious saint consider this, consider His great love
Consider He came down to us from the glories of above
He loves you so He died for you He will never leave you alone
He forever intercedes for you before His Father’s throne

 

The Lion roars and I am free (Nov 28th 2018)

I thank you Lord for broken chains
I thank you Lord that our God reigns
In heaven above and the earth below
You came that all the world might know

That heaven’s gates are opened wide
And flowing waters run deep inside
And I am redeemed and forever set free
And before your throne I’ll forever be

The Lamb of God rises in my heart
The Blood of the Lamb covers every part
Of who I am and forever shall be
The Lion roars and I am free

I run to you my Lord and King
Once had no voice but now I sing
Like a bird that rises on the eternal breeze
To the one who loves and forever frees

I thank you Lord for your holiness
I thank you Lord when I’m in distress
That you are there like you said you would
And in the depths of me I am understood

The Lamb of God rises in my heart
The Blood of the Lamb covers every part
Of who I am and forever shall be
The Lion roars and I am free

The Lion roars and I am free
The lion roars and I am free

 

Soldiers of the valley (Dec 6th 2018)

The bones are rising in the valley
The wind of the Spirit’s drawing near
Like a flood He is raising up a standard
That sweeps away every doubt and fear

An army’s rising in the desert
A broken people devoted to His name
At their head rides the Lord of all salvation
For since they met Him they have never been the same

Their songs of battle rises to the heavens
And all the world is shaken by the noise
The gates of hell begin to crack and crumble
And the hosts of heaven marvel and rejoice

Listen closely ye soldiers of the valley
Overcomers in the name of Christ the Lord
We are marching onwards unto glory
Behind the one who ever wields the sword

So march on my brothers and my sisters
And stand now for all the world to see
In lockstep we shall ever stand together
We are marching right on to victory

For we know the outcome of the battle
And we know what surely lies ahead
For we, the army of the risen
Once lay broken, battered cold and dead

Now we are the dry bones risen
To the heights of heaven we have scaled
The breath of life came down into the valley
He breathed out life and His soldiers all inhaled.

 

If I die (Dec 18th 2018)

If I ever have to leave you
Just know that I’ll be there
I’ll be the bird that sings the morning song
And the sunlight in your hair

When you see the wind blow in the trees
And at night the falling star
And you hear the whispers in the breeze
You will know that I’m not far

For our love so true shall never end
It was birthed from God above
He took His ink and thus He penned
The story of our love

And so before the world began
Our story it was written
And across the heavens it did span
That you and I be smitten

So even though I leave you now
And my time on earth be finished
Yet listen love please hear me now
Our love is not diminished

It was by His hand it came to life
This love that’s made us one
And forever you shall be my wife
And shine like the eternal sun.

 

He is my mast. (Dec 30th 2018)

The storm is raging all around
And it seems you’ll be swept away
Wave after wave assaults your soul
Will you see the light of another day?

In that desperate moment when all is lost
You lash yourself to the mast
That it may hold you firm in the mighty storm
And all your hopes upon Him you have cast

Who will you cling to when all is lost
Who is your solid ground
Who sticks closer than a brother to you
When no one else can be found

Who is a Father to the fatherless
And who gladly took your place
Who comforts you when no one’s around
Who’s love is amazing grace?

In Christ our King we stand or fall
To you and I He’s all in all
In every dark and stormy night
He gives us strength to stand and fight

He is our Mast and we are one
And He shall finish what He’s begun
He is the ground beneath our feet
He is our Lord the Mercy seat

Take hope my child I stand with you
And I will lead and guide you through
Through wind and rain and stormy gale
In I alone you shall prevail

As the night is lit with lightening flashes
From this darkness shall come beauty from ashes
I rebuke the wind and still the waves
I am still the Lord who ever saves

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christian poetry, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, poetry, revival, spiritual poetry, the crucified life, the deeper life, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »

Life and that more abundantly.

Posted by appolus on January 23, 2019

Only that which flows from an uninterrupted gaze upon Jesus has any real value. Everything else is the shadow of the object. Granted, one can still enjoy the heat from the sun in the shadow, but to stand in the unadulterated presence of God, to enter the impenetrable light, to come behind the veil, this is where our lives are altered and changed forever. People who work in a hospice know that a dying man or woman who eats even the smallest of meals can live for several more days. When people stop eating, then they begin to die. Just one moment in the manifest presence of God edifies the inner man. It feeds him in ways that nothing else can do. It never stops feeding him. Yet, the distractions of this life and ministry can easily draw us away from Him. The cares of this world can choke the life out of any man if he allows it. Just like the flesh, this world demands our attention and it simply will not take no for an answer. It must be put in its place.

And so, if one morsel can keep the human body alive for several days, just imagine what a sumptuous meal would do? Imagine the power and the strength that one would have if they were made to lie down in green pastures and sit beside still waters. Even if that one was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, their souls would still be renewed every day and they would fear no evil. They would be invited to sit down at the Lord‘s banqueting table, even in the presence of their enemies and would have eyes to see the goodness and the mercy of God because his eyes are focused on Jesus. He has invited us to sit down at His banqueting table, to be intoxicated with His manifest presence and when we do His banner over us, His hedge around us, His fire by night and His cloud by day over us is love and power and strength and most importantly, life. His life in us, flowing through us, touching and healing and bringing His life wherever we go.

He stands at the door and knocks. Who among us will repent from having neglected Him and lift our eyes up to see through an open door to heaven? To see Him high and lifted up, to see Him in all of His majesty and glory. To see the train of His robe fill the temple. Can you see it brothers and sisters, it is all about seeing Him, keeping our eyes on Him. How important is it? Just ask Peter in the midst of a great storm as he walked on and above the stormy waters of life. The very second he takes his eyes off Jesus he begins to sink into a morass of this world and all of its demands. You can spend the rest of your life cursing the darkness with your eyes firmly focused on sin, but do not be fooled, you will only ever magnify that which you gaze upon. Gaze continually upon your sin and the sin of this world and begin to die. Gaze upon Jesus and His majesty and His glory and live. Feast upon His presence and soar. The thief came to rob and to steal and to destroy. Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly. You abundant life in Him is your witness to the world.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »

Mystic or rationalist?

Posted by appolus on January 22, 2019

“A definite difference exists between the evangelical mystics and the evangelical rationalists. An evangelical mystic like the apostle John stands in the presence of the awesome God and cries “Holy, holy, holy,” and falls down at His feet as dead. The evangelical rationalist figures it all out and says “We can understand it;we know how it is,” then writes a long learned book about it, describing exactly what it is like. The evangelical rationalists are trying to educate themselves out of the miry pit, but they will never fully get out. God will never allow man, while the world stands, to think his way out of this horrible pit. You are going to have to have an open vision, an open door, an illuminated heart, and then you are going to have to stand, looking through that open door at that awesome throne, saying “Oh Lord God, is it I?” (A.W.Tozer)

In this scenario from Tozer, who are you? Are you a mystic or a rationalist? The above passage is speaking of the vision John has of the open door to heaven’s throne in Rev 4. Jesus tells us through John in Rev 3 that “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.(Rev 3:20) Just a few sentences earlier, he tells this group of people who are neither hot nor cold that although they think themselves rich, they are poor, although they believe themselves to be clothed, they are naked, though they think they are in need of nothing, they have in actuality nothing. Though they believe they can see they are indeed blind, blind to their own condition.

What is the remedy to such a condition? The Lord’s counsel is to buy from Him gold tried in the fires. Jesus Himself is our treasure. The Lord our God was tried in the fires of Calvary and everything we need can be found in Him. Yet how does one purchase anything from the Lord? What do we have to offer God? Ourselves. Those who try to save their lives shall lose them, but those who lose their lives for His sake, they are the ones who find eternal life. Can the rationalist give up what he has? Can he empty himself and come humbly to the Lord seeking to see what only eyes that have been opened by Him can see. The start of this process is to repent.

Right away John says “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
(Rev 4:2) He was in the spirit, a phrase that will be unfamiliar to the rationalist. And yet one must be in the spirit if one is to gaze upon the very same throne that John gazed upon. One must be in the Spirit to be able to cry out “Holy, holy, holy is our God.” In this moment, the lukewarm is burned up by the refining fire of the gold of Christ Himself. It is by the power of the Spirit that we are transformed, renewed, sanctified. It is by the Spirit of God that we can cry Abba. We can do none of these things clothed by our own minds and wisdom. If that is all we have, then we are naked indeed. If this is our condition we must repent. God Himself is waiting to open the eyes of our heart. To the heart that longs to see Him in all His glory He awaits, He stands, He knocks. Will you open the door?

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, manifest presence, new wineskins, pentecostal, revival, spiritual growth, the crucified life, the deeper life, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 6 Comments »

Love lifted me

Posted by appolus on January 18, 2019

A number of years ago I was in the midst of a situation that did not last a week or a month or even a year, it had been going on for a number of years. Near the end of this situation I found myself surrounded by darkness and despair. I had no idea it was almost at an end, but God did of course. I found myself lying on the floor, engulfed with hopelessness and as far as I could see, no light. When suddenly, after months and months of crying out to God His light pierced the darkness. There is a song, an old Hymn, written by a Welshman at the turn of the last century. His words perfectly describe what happened to me and millions others like me.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.

Love reached down and with a glorious light pierced my darkness and the darkness fled followed closely by my despair. Brothers and sisters, if you know something of that situation today in your own life, don’t you stop crying out with all your heart to a the living God who sees the afflictions of His people. He sees your darkness, He sees your despair. He knows your pain and He sees your struggle. He will lift you again, He will raise you up. He will flood your heart again with love and with hope and with praise. Why don’t you start today and sing this song and remind yourself that the very same Lord, the very same love that lifted you when you were drowning in sin and far from the peaceful shore will lift you once again above the stormy waters of life and then you can sing once more “Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me.”

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, praise, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized, worship, worship music | 6 Comments »

The King of China is the risen Christ- Pastor Wang Yi

Posted by appolus on January 17, 2019

This is an extract from Pastor Wang Yi’s sermon that saw him arrested a few weeks ago in China. The brother that shared it with me said that this man said more in this 6 min extract than most pastors say in a 60 minute sermon. I believe my brother was being overly-generous. The glorious gospel and its power is set before us. It transcends man, it transcends illnesses, it transcends institutions and governments and kings and rulers. It is the power of God unto salvation and it overcomes and overwhelms princes of the powers of the air and over regions. This truth revealed is why this brother in Christ was arrested.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »

Why do the heathen rage?

Posted by appolus on January 16, 2019

If we look around the world right now we see utter turmoil. Britain is completely embroiled in Brexit and confusion and fear reign. Much of America’s government is shut down with no end in sight. There is a singular lack of Statesmen on either side of the Atlantic. Both sides of the pond are bogged down in fear, anxiety, confusion and pride. Pride and hatred has separated the people. They have never been so divided as we see them today. We have rich and poor and the gap widening. We have straight and gay with a gay mafia that hunts down and tries to destroy anyone who dares to disagree with them. We have black and white, left and right, Republicans and Democrats, Tories and Labour and even those factions are fractured themselves.

The people are turning on themselves. Jesus said that nation would rise against nation. The Greek word for nation is ethnos, it is where we get our word ethnic from. And we can see it can’t we? The tensions are rising and where will it all lead? Civil war? Destruction? A breakdown of society? Perhaps all of the above, what it certainly means is that Jesus is at the door and the prince of the power of the air is in a rage and the people’s of the world are in a rage.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Psa 2:1-3)

As the kingdoms of the world get further away from the Lord and His people, when they make His ways a target for destruction and turn an angry eye on His children, when they not only reject God but shake an angry fist at God, what can this world expect other than to experience judgment? I would put it to you reader that if you look around the world at the chaos and lack of leadership, you see the people under judgment and they are devouring themselves. Everything that can be shaken, every kingdom, every leadership, every institution that sets itself up against the Lord and His anointed, is being shaken to its very broken foundations. God alone, and His ways, are the answer for a broken world. Jesus is the answer, His ways, His holiness, His righteousness, His word. Reject the light of His ways and only darkness follows. This is true not only for Kingdoms but for individuals. The kings and the Kingdoms of this world, their rulers and their leaders should repent and cry out to God.

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Rev 16:21) Even after great earthquakes and plagues, men did not turn to God, with their hardened hearts they blasphemed Him.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 5 Comments »

For thou art with me

Posted by appolus on January 14, 2019

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psa 23:4) Isn’t that the beginning and end of it all? No matter what we are suffering, no matter what we are going through, as long as He is with us then we can go through. Through the waters, through the floods, through every trial and tribulation and vexation of heart and soul and mind and body, if we are found in Him and He is in us and with us then we shall prevail, we shall overcome. God bless all who find themselves in any kind of shadow today. There is a light and His name is Jesus.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 5 Comments »

The way of knowing God.

Posted by appolus on January 13, 2019

1Cor 8:1b Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies

It is interesting to consider that the very first act of defiance against God was carried out in a pursuit of knowledge.The results of that disobedience, that desire to know, separated man from God. Consider this Scripture that speaks of riches- But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.(1Ti 6:9)

You see that riches in and of themselves are not sinful or harmful. It is the desire to be rich that draws men into temptation and a trap, and releases many hurtful lusts which the Scriptures say drown men in destruction and perdition, which means eternal destruction. These are very solemn and frightening warnings. Now I would argue that knowledge, in and of itself is fine, but the pursuit of head knowledge in relation to God has the same kind of consequences. It draws men into the harmful sins of pride and ego and of course pride separates us from God, He resists the proud.

There is a way to know Jesus more deeply, it is found through suffering. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Co 12:9) Here Paul is speaking about how the power of God may rest upon us. It is ironic that so much of the charismatic movement is taken up with a desire for the power of Christ yet rather than submit to suffering and infirmities and simply trust in God knowing that His grace is sufficient for us, they desire the opposite. They see no place for suffering or infirmities, to them it is a sign of a lack of faith.

Can you imagine if your pastor stood up next Sunday morning and asked the congregation is they desired the power of God in their lives. We can say with great probability that almost everyone would raise their hand to that question. Next he tells the congregation that in order to truly move in the depths of Christ, to be closer to Him and to have the power of Christ rest on them they must surrender to sufferings and trials and tribulations and infirmities, not only surrender to them but praise God for them for when we are weak, then He is strong and He is glorified in the midst of our own sufferings. How many would come forward to the altar for that call?

University and Bible college will not bring you closer to God. Head knowledge will not bring you closer to God. You can pursue degree after degree and masters and doctorates, but this desire for knowledge, for the sake of knowledge will draw you away from God. Those who suffer much for His cause, those who face trial and tribulation for His sake, those who have thorns in their flesh are humbled for if the Lord will give us an abundance or revelation we need to be in such a state of humility.

God’s remnant saints walk the way of infirmities and weakness. They know what it is to be persecuted and hated for His sake. They do not desire to impress men, they do not suffer from the fear of man, they are anointed with the fear and the favor of God. The pursuit of anything other than communion and intimacy with Jesus will lead us away from Him. No matter how righteous the matter is that you are pursuing, if it is not Jesus then you are in very real danger of falling into temptations and being caught in snares. Perhaps you have been pursuing something other than God. Today is the day to die to that pursuit and know that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Rest in Him, be found in Him, it is the greatest treasure that exists and it is the only way to know Him more deeply. Come into His depths this day.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

A brief history of God’s called out people (remnant) by Chip Brogden

Posted by appolus on January 6, 2019

Throughout history, God has continually called out a people, a remnant that will represent His heart and mind in the midst of universal deception and decay. To answer this calling, God’s people have always been asked to leave where they are and travel through an unfamiliar, lonely place – a wilderness – in order to reach the place He has prepared for them.

This happened twice in the history of Israel, and it has happened twice in the history of Christianity. By looking back on how God has called His people out in times past, we can better see and appreciate the significance of the final exodus that is taking place at this time.
Israel’s First Exodus: God Called the Hebrews Out of Egypt

We have already seen that Moses established a “church in the wilderness” by leading the Hebrews out of Egypt and into the Promised Land by way of the desert of Sinai. This exodus is recorded in our Bibles, not just for its historical significance, but for us to learn by: “With most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us…” (1 Cor. 10:5,6). We see how they were tested in the wilderness, and how they failed many of the tests, and failed to enter into the Promised Land because of doubt and fear. We also see how many of them were tempted to go back to Egypt.

All these things are recorded so that we will recognize this tendency in ourselves today and not make the same mistakes they made. So this first exodus establishes the spiritual principle of God calling His people out and is the key that unlocks our understanding of how God goes about the difficult work of calling and setting apart a chosen people for Himself.
Israel’s Second Exodus: God Called the Jews Out of Babylon

Once the nation of Israel was established in the Promised Land, they began a slow and steady moral and spiritual decline, occasionally punctuated with godly kings and periods of repentance and revival. But eventually the wickedness of the nation called for judgment, and this judgment came in the form of Nebuchadnezzar, who conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, killed most of the people, and took the remainder as captives with him to Babylon, where they lived in exile for 70 years.

After that, the Lord once again called them to come out – to leave Babylon, journey back through the wilderness to Jerusalem, and rebuild their Temple and their city. The significant thing about this is that most of the Jews stayed in Babylon. Out of an estimated Jewish population of greater than one million people living in exile, only 42,000 returned. The vast majority preferred the comfortable bondage of Babylon to the uncomfortable, uncertain future of rebuilding their nation. The significance of this is extraordinary. Just as the young nation wanted to return to Egypt, the nation in exile wanted to remain in Babylon.

So we have two exoduses in the history of Israel that provide us with spiritual discernment into what follows after. Let us now turn to the two exoduses in the history of the Ekklesia.

Our First Exodus: God Called the Christians Out of Judaism

A remnant of Jews did return from Babylon. They rebuilt the Temple and inhabited Jerusalem once again. Having paid the terrible price of their idolatry, they resolved to never disobey God again. But in their zeal they went to the opposite extreme of fanaticism. What eventually developed was a religious system and a hypocritical priesthood obsessed with outward appearances and obedience to the letter of the Law while overlooking mercy, grace, righteousness, faith, and love.

Into this atmosphere our Savior was sent, just as Moses was sent to Pharaoh with a mandate to bring God’s people out of bondage and into the Promised Land. And, just as Pharaoh resisted Moses, so the religious leaders resisted Jesus. Undaunted, Jesus promised another “church in the wilderness” that would stand forever, and charged His disciples to take this message to “all nations” and “to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

Even with this clear direction, it would take many years for the truth to sink in: faith in Christ was not compatible with Judaism. Peter struggled with preaching Christ to the Gentiles and was rebuked publicly by Paul. James, based in Jerusalem, tried in vain to make Christianity fit in better with Jewish ideology. But once the Gospel was preached to the Gentiles, it marked the beginning of something new. The Way, as it was then called, was no longer a mere sect within Judaism. The Gentiles heard the message, and thanks to Paul, understood that faith in Christ has nothing to do with obeying the Law of Moses.

Now followers of Jesus were forced to make a decision. Were they going to “come out of Judaism” and be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a set-apart people” distinct from Judaism, or, would they cling to their Jewish traditions and the teachings of their elders, all of whom rejected Jesus as the Messiah?

The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jews struggling with that very dilemma. After demonstrating conclusively that you cannot enjoy the benefits of the New Covenant while clinging to elements of the Old Covenant, the author concludes:

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin, are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured” (Heb. 13:10-13).

Once again, when offered a choice between comfortable bondage and uncomfortable freedom, we find many chose to stay “within the camp.” They were known as the Ebionites – Jews who accepted Jesus as the Messiah but insisted on obedience to the Jewish laws and customs in order to be saved. Of course, they also rejected Paul as a genuine apostle. This group flourished within Jerusalem until it was destroyed by Titus in A.D. 70., after which they established themselves in Pella. They persisted for some time, but by the fourth or fifth century they were no longer in existence.

Our Second Exodus: God Calls the Remnant Out of “Churchianity”

By that time, the followers of Jesus were recognized as something springing out of, but totally different from, Judaism. For about 300 years the followers of Jesus practiced their faith in simplicity and in obedience to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, even when enduring fierce persecution from the Romans and the Jews. Eventually, Rome accepted Christianity and made it their state religion. Masses of “converts” poured in. Pagan temples were converted into “Christian” churches, and more church buildings were constructed. An elaborate hierarchy of bishops was established and a religious system was organized that soon exceeded the Jewish religion, both in numbers of adherents and in material wealth. Christianity became institutionalized into three main sects: Catholicism, Orthodox, and Protestantism. Out of Protestantism, Christianity was further splintered into thousands of denominations.

So we see that Israel’s history has repeated itself in the history of Christianity. Just as God called the Hebrews out of Egypt to form a new nation, so God called the early Christians out of Judaism to form a “new nation” of kings and priests. When Israel rebelled against God and committed idolatry, they were led away to Babylon for judgment. In like manner, when Christendom rebelled against God and created an idolatrous system of worship “in Jesus’ name,” they were also brought to judgment; the chief difference being that God did not send them away – He simply gave them over to their own devices, and they were quite content to proceed under the assumption that God was endorsing and blessing the works of their hands.

This brings us to the present time. Just as God called out a remnant of Jews to leave Babylon and journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, God has in these last days called out a remnant of Christians to leave “Churchianity” and take a journey through the wilderness. What is He bringing them to? Not to a temple made with hands, but to a house of living stones. Not to the Jerusalem that is below, but to the Jerusalem that is above: the New Jerusalem, the Heavenly City, whose builder and maker is God. It is a “Church in the Wilderness” – not a building, but a body of people in transition between the religious system and the spiritual fulfillment of God’s original intention for the Ekklesia.

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 12 Comments »

Making war with the remnant

Posted by appolus on January 2, 2019

Rev 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Much has been written about “the woman,’and her “seed,” Who is the woman,?Who is the seed,? Who is the remnant? You can read any number of books and articles on this subject. I don’t want to write about that today. I have written many times about the remnant, indeed my website is entitled “A call to the Remnant,” and my Facebook page is simply called “The Remnant.” Yet you wont be able to read anything I write, then fit me into a certain eschatological camp. Now you will know that I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, but that is about it.

I want to focus on the last few words of the above verse. When talking about the remnant of her seed John describes them. He finishes the sentence by saying they are those who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Let me ask you something saint. Do you have the testimony of Jesus Christ in your life? Do you keep His Word? Then you are the remnant of God and you have an enemy that has made war against you.

In the latter days, which I believe we are in, then the enemy will come against the saints for a “final solution,” if you like because his time is short and he knows it. He will not come after folks simply because they are called “Christian.” He will not come after the apostate church and denominations that already do his bidding such as approve of abortion and sanction gay marriage and so on. Why would he? They are a vital ally to him as he seeks to weed out the wheat from among the tares. In Christendom today we see a field of tares and among them are stalks of wheat. And so, how to identify them? You will know them by the fact that they have a testimony. Every genuine saint has a testimony of Christ in them. And if called to give their testimony the saint gladly gives it. He or she will tell you how they were born again, how they became a new creature in Christ. They will rejoice in the retelling of that story.

They will also live exemplary lives. They will not be perfect people but their lives will glorify God. In their communities people will know of them because of the change in their lives, their very lives are a testimony to the power of God. Hundreds of years ago, many genuine saints were identified for execution because everyone in their towns or villages knew them because of their exemplary lives. Now this flies in the face of those who preach cheap grace, but that’s ok. As it was then, so now shall it be. The very lives of the saints will identify them. Their love for one another and their love for the truth will mark them. This too has always been the case. A genuine saint will never and could never deny the truth of Christ in them or the Word of God. They will not compromise with the world. Their very lack of compromise identifies them for the enemy. He will know who to make war with and his fury will be boundless, but be of good cheer saint for the Word of God says in the very same chapter that ……………….

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Rev 12:11)

So brothers and sisters, the enemy can and will make war against us. His power and fury will be great but blessed is the name of the Lord for He who is within us is greater than he who is in the world. By the blood of the Lamb we stand justified before a Holy God and no power that exists can ever take us out of Hid hand. By the testimony of Jesus Christ in us we stand as a witness, as a light that shines into the darkness. And because of that , because we have already died and been born again, we fear not the death of this body nor the one who can kill this body, but we magnify the one who has the power not only over our bodies but over our eternal souls. In this we stand. If He is for us, who can be against us?

Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the persectuted church, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »