The man or woman who waits upon God with patient endurance and does not fall back upon his own strength or power is living the life of faith. Our own strength and power and abilities tend to puff us up and we can lose sight of our dependence upon God. Short term gains often cause us to believe in the strength of our own arm yet leads to weariness and fainting.
Archive for the ‘pentecostal’ Category
Living the life of Faith
Posted by appolus on August 19, 2015
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Tagged: patient endurance | 2 Comments »
No more Ishmael’s
Posted by appolus on August 17, 2015
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. (Gen 15:5)
We all know that God had promised Abraham that his seed would be more numerous that the stars in the heavens. We know that Abraham, or Abram as he was known at that time, believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Yet, it must be noted that from the beginning of the promise until its fulfillment was a span of some 25 years. Somewhere near the middle of that time Abram and Sara come up with their own plan using their own common sense in order to try and bring Gods plan, His promise to pass. This of course had disasterous consequences, consequences that the world is still dealing with 3000 years later. Ishmael is the way of the world, Issac is the plan of God.
Now before we are too hard on Abraham, how often have we despaired when God does not seem to answer us? Waiting on God is perhaps the hardest part of our walk. Or lets put it another way for clarification, how often have we despaired while waiting upon a direct promise of God to us? Now prayers and seemingly unanswered prayers are one thing but a direct promise from God is quite another. We know that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts but do we really know that or truly consider that?
And so the temptation is to take matters into our own hands to bring about the promises of God. This typically does not end well. The promise is good and the final results are good but how we get there is of equal importance. To try and force the timing and get to the final destination of our promise by our own means typically finds us fallen into a ditch. Or, to put it another way imagine that I sit high above the earth and can see above the mountains and the valleys and the great forests. I can see where you are and I can also see your final destination. You shout up and ask me if I can see where you are going and I tell you I can. You ask me to direct you there and I say that I will and begin to direct you.
Now, I tell you to go directly west even although you know that your final destination is due north. Yet what you cannot see is that if you went due North right now, it would lead you to a raging river that cannot be crossed at that point. You would eventually have to turn back to where you started or follow the river west which turns out to be long and torturous path. What I can see is that if you go west for a month and then head back north you will be able to cross the river easily and find a valley that will take you between two mountains and allow you to find your way north. How many of us have destroyed ourselves trying to cross a raging river? Or even if we manage to cross it we find ourselves in a place that is insurmountable because a huge mountain lies straight ahead.
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: (Isa 40:22)
He indeed sits high above us and He sees the beginning from the end. We can fully trust in that. He knows the way ahead for His children and even when it seems to make no sense to us we must remember that He sees it all. The path that He picks for us may be difficult but not so difficult as the path that we would forge under our own strength. He will be with us when we pass through the waters. He will be with us in the midst of the fiery furnace. He is an ever present help in time of need. He is a cloud to us by day and a fire by night. We may still be in the desert but in that place of death He keeps us as we move towards the fulfillment of His promises to us. So many have created their own Ishmael’s in an effort to bring to pass what is or is perceived to be God’s will for our lives. It can only end outside of the anointing of God.
There is a small narrow path that often makes no sense yet it is the narrow path of life. So often we have to give up common sense and natural abilities and simply take His hand and shut our natural eyes and move forward with the eyes of our heart trusting in our God who not only knows the way but is the Way. Will you trust Him today. He sits high above it all, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and He laid the foundations of the earth. Who is like unto Him? Is there any? Is there anything too difficult for Him? He sees it all, the beginning from the end for He is the Alpha and the Omega. You can trust Him. Trust Him today saints and stand fast.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Tagged: Abraham, final destination, Ishmael, promises of God | 2 Comments »
Faith delivers what Grace provides
Posted by appolus on August 8, 2015
Faith delivers what Grace provides-Don’t measure your faith, measure your God-David Legge.
It’s worth considering those quotes for a few moments for the truths that they speak to can transform your walk with God. So, if faith delivers what grace provides, what does grace provide? And if faith is so important then why should we ignore faith, s to speak, and rather consider the vastness of God?
If faith is the evidence of things not seen, and it is , then it is first and foremost the evidence of God. We see God in the man who walks in faith. We see God in love and hope and mercy and forgiveness. We see Him in joy and peace and self-control. We see Him in all of these attributes distilled in us and we see Him more clearly the darker the background. The more difficult the circumstance of our lives then the greater the canvas for memorializing God in the hearts and minds of the world.
And so, if the unmerited favor of God first and foremost provides salvation, justification, then it also provides us with the means of how to live out that justification. Grace gives us access to faith and faith is the evidence of the man or woman who walks in close proximity to God. The closer the walk, the greater the faith. The greater the faith, the deeper the love. The greater the faith the more abundant the hope. The greater the faith the more abounding the mercy and forgiveness. And finally, the greater the faith the greater the expressions of joy and peace and self-control. And all of these add up to an expression of the reality of God seen in us, and expression of the reality of the unseen God. A light that pierces the darkness of this world, the hope of this world.
If faith is that important. If it is the deliverer of what grace provides then how shall a man increase in faith? Shall he pray more? Shall he tithe more? Shall he live a more holy life? Shall he increase in the rigors of religious life and then somehow earn more faith by denying himself? Now obviously praying and tithing and holiness and even denying oneself are not inherently wrong. Yet they become disastrous if they are flowing from the heart of one who is trying to earn faith by their own efforts. Everything must flow from the presence of God. What is begun in the Spirit must abide in the Spirit and walk daily in the Spirit. The key of faith, given to us by Jesus that unlocks the door of salvation is also the key which unlocks every other door.
I have seen men trying to kick in the doors of mercy and peace and joy. I have seen groups of men with battering rams trying to break down the doors of love and forgiveness and holiness. I have been that man at times, I have held that battering ram at times. Yet no door that opens deeper into the heart of the Father can be strong armed open. It is not by might or any power it is by His Spirit alone. And it is by weakness and an understanding of our weakness that draws us near to the Father and deeper into His heart. As we draw near, faith is increased. As our faith is increased then it delivers what grace has provided. As we receive what grace has provided then we share with others with what we ourselves have been freely given. As we share this with others, faith is increased and the evidence of God walking amongst us is evident to men and He and He alone is glorified.
Will you draw near today? Will you enter into His rest and cease from your own works today? In His presence there is fulness of joy. In His presence there is a peace that surpasses understanding. In His presence there is forgiveness and restoration. In His presence there is purity of heart. In His presence there is mercy and love beyond measure. In His presence there is strength for the weak. In His presence you can run and not grow weary, you can walk and not faint. In His presence you can mount up with wings as eagles and soar to unimaginable heights. Will you draw near today saints?
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, faith, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
I will make a way in the wilderness.
Posted by appolus on August 4, 2015
Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
A desert is a place of thirst and hunger. Can I suggest that Christendom finds itself caught up in a great desert? There is starvation and people are dying because they have no living waters. The desert is a place of death. It is without form and the shifting sands that are at the mercy of the wind simply gather where the wind blows it. The very landscape is shaped by the direction of the winds. This landscape is inhabited by jackals and scorpions and snakes. Without water, everything dies in the desert. In this desert it is every man for himself and each man is a law unto himself, he is lawless.
There is another kind of wilderness desert. It is the desert that the Lord calls us into. Prior to Jesus’ ministry, he is called away from his life and into the desert. In this place He fleshes out fully depending upon His Father. He suffers from hunger and thirst and He is tempted time and time again. In a sense, this was the Lord’s baptism of fire. He was there for forty days. Moses spent forty years in the desert. The children of Israel later spent forty years in their own desert prior to entering the promised land. There is a spiritual principle at work here. Moses had to learn to die to his own ways before he encountered the burning bush. He then fully enters into his ministry. The children of Israel only enter into the promised land after forty years of desert. Jesus ministry begins after a symbolic 40 days in the wilderness.
I write this to my brothers and sisters who are in their own wilderness. I consider most of the Body of Christ to be in the wilderness right now. I want you to consider what the Lord is preparing for you. You see, in a real desert the only thing that matters is life itself and what gives life. Water. It must be found. It must be sought out. It’s importance must be fully appreciated. Trivial matters do no exist in the desert. The entire focus is upon that which gives life. This kind of preparation is vital because of the darkness which even now approaches. The greatest storm of evil ever known is already gathering strength and it is taking direct aim at the Body of Christ.
When the Body of Christ emerge out of this desert by the power of the Spirit of God, they will be prepared for ministry for such a time as His coming back. Every Christian that emerges from the desert has and will discover that it is He and He alone that sustains them. When everything was stripped away, they discovered a source of water, the fountain of life, the river that makes glad and they discovered it where no water should exist. Now they have an inexhaustible supply, they always had it but now they know it. They are now equipped to follow in the footsteps of the prophet who walked out of his own desert and pronounced “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The Body of Christ is being prepared to come out of the desert and into the teeth of the storm pronouncing ” Behold the Lion of Judah comes.” Stand fast brothers and sisters, there is a purpose in your suffering and it will soon be revealed.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
I know about thy Grace
Posted by appolus on July 31, 2015
I know about thy grace
I simply look into the mirror
And gaze upon my face
I see no reason for His mercy
nor love He has for me
I see a man who was a prisoner
longing to be free
I see a man who long ago
found life though he were dead
A man who had been starving
and God gave him some bread
I see a man who walked in darkness
in whom there was no light
I see a man who was delivered
who was blind but given sight
I look away now from the mirror
and lift my eyes to glories throne
I see that I who once was lonely
shall never be alone
I see my risen savior
and He is high and lifted up
I stand there in His presence
for He has filled my cup
It’s filled with living water
my sin there is no trace
There’s only Gods own glory
and His unending Grace.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christian poetry, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, poetry, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
And then the end shall come.
Posted by appolus on July 28, 2015
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Mat 24:9-10)
Jesus has much to say in Matthew 24 about the end times. Much has been written on this chapter and 2000 years later the eternal word of God continues to give us insight into the unfolding truths of our world and what shall be its end. Many times Jesus spoke in parables and often the truths of which He spoke were hidden from those who did not have ears to hear. Yet, it could be argued that this chapter may be the least ambiguous of anything spoken about the end times which so many brothers and sisters believe we are now living in.
In verses 9-10 we see a good example of plain speaking. There is coming a time when the saints will be hated by all the nations for the sake of the name of Jesus. There will also be mass betrayal and hatred among people who call themselves after the name of Jesus. People who read my writings will know that I refer to everything that calls itself by the name of Jesus as Christendom. And so as the world turns on genuine saints, so will those who are merely Christians in name only but do not belong to the Kingdom of God.
It cannot be argued by anyone that there has ever been a worldwide persecution of Christians. It has been localized.It has certainly spanned nations and sometimes continents but never has the whole world hated Christians. Yet this is what Jesus says is coming. Kingdoms would rise against Kingdoms, meaning countries and we have certainly seen that in two world wars. In the last century more people were killed in two world wars that in every other war in the history of the world combined. Yet Jesus said this would happen, but not only Kingdoms against Kingdoms but nations would rise against nations. The word nation in the Greek is ethnos, it is where we get our English word ethnic or ethnicity from. People groups within Kingdoms would rise up against each other. Right now we have no declared wars between Kingdoms, but we do have people groups within kingdoms tearing themselves apart and threatening the peace of the whole world by perpetrating unspeakable evil on their fellow man.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, prophecy, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Kingdom of God, Kingdoms, the kingdom of God | 4 Comments »
When my spirit is overwhelmed
Posted by appolus on July 23, 2015
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
There is a certain kind of comfort to be had when we realize that even giants of the Bible, men like David, men after Gods own heart experienced being overwhelmed. Psalm 142 was one of two Psalms written from a cave the other being Psalm 57. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed today? Maybe your situation is so dark that it is hard for you to see anything at all never mind anything good? Yet, God knows your path. He knows the road you have walked on. He knows how you ended up where you are. In Psalm 57 David starts out by saying that his soul trusts in God. He says he will find refuge in God, under the shadows of His wings until his calamities pass.
And therin lies the key to David overcoming. Even although he is desperate and his situation is desperate, he is not giving up on God. He says he trust in Him and will hide in Him until all his troubles pass. You see, something in David knew that his calamities would pass. The man or woman who has been on the road a long time knows that despite the fact that they have faced many difficulties and troubles, perhaps too many to mention, God has kept them. David also says ” I will cry unto God.” In our self-made world where we celebrate independence, it takes much humility to cry out to God, yet God hears the humble desperate cries of His children. Perhaps you need to cry out to God today?
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
Victory is mine
Posted by appolus on July 19, 2015
As I was out walking this morning, praying and being alone with the Lord, this song came into my heart ” Victory is mine.” And, because of the wonders of modern technology, I pulled it up on my phone and began to listen to this old gospel song. Now, a couple of years ago, my old auntie had to have brain surgery. Part of her preparation was to have her genes tested, dont ask me why. Anyway, it was discovered that there is 10% of African blood in the McElenys. I think this is awesome but I can report that none of that blood has translated into me being able to dance or move in any kind of reasonably rhythmic fashion. So, when I put on the song this morning as I walked along the trail and I had an urge to walk in rhythm to the music I had to scan the horizon in all directions to make sure it was all clear. It was. I could now give way to my urge to kinda dance/walk along the way. I think it looked something like John Travolta walking down the street with his platform shoes in Saturday night fever. Sure enough, within about a minute, two people passed me on their bike, sniggering I am sure. Now I am either old enough or bold enough to not really care.
As I replayed the song and felt the power of God begin to run through me as I considered that Victory was mine, my legs and hips wanted to get in on the action. Before long my hands were jealous and even although I looked round each time I added to my dance routine, every time after about a minute, I was passed by folks on bikes. Now, I did resist the urge to do jazz hands 🙂 It is a wonderful thing to be unashamed of God. It is a wonderful thing to be filled with His Spirit as we consider His Victory in our lives. But can I tell you, when you are walking through the darkest periods of your life, when the narrow path takes you through the deepest darkest valleys, if you can sing in your heart the victories of God, if you can proclaim to the enemy that Victory is yours and tell Satan to ” get thee behind,” what wonderful light comes pouring into your spirit.
The joy of the Lord is my strength. God comes and inhabits the praises of His people. Darkness flees when Christ comes into a situation. The situation might not change but strength and courage and encouragement comes flooding into our souls. If you are struggling today, if you are feeling low and discouraged, I want to encourage you to remind yourself that ” Victory is mine.” Declare it out loud. Then add joy is mine, peace is mine. They are yours, they are yours in Christ. If you will wait upon the Lord, if you will continue to trust in Him no matter what, if you will continue to give thanks to Him despite your situations, then He will come and you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not faint, you will mount up with wings as eagles and catch the updrafts of His presence that will lift you up and draw you deeper into the Father’s heart. Stand fast saints, the day of His coming is one day closer than it was yesterday.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Tagged: gospel song | 6 Comments »
Lost and Forsaken
Posted by appolus on July 18, 2015
Lost and forsaken, wretched and blind
Then my Christ He came to stay
And from that day forward, I was never alone
He was always with me before His throne.
Through the night, through the day
And in every way, He is always by my side
The Groom and the bride, standing as one
Marching to victory for the battle is won
The path grows narrow the darkness falls
The Master call us to stand and see
The glory of His coming, an end to the ages
Time simply closes histories pages
Men sense in their spirits the end is near
Yet they do not fear, they drink and are merry
For tomorrow they die, they neither seek nor find
They stumble along for they are spiritually blind
Dwelling in ditches and ivory castles
Deeper in sin as the time draws near
Though judgement rains down and eyes are wide open
They are blind and wretched and thoroughly broken
As the enemy comes in, rising like a flood
Then God shall raise His own standard
He shall pour out His Spirit and baptize with fire
The saints are refined and are lifted higher
Then His glory shall cover all of the earth
As the waters cover the sea
Every knee shall bow and tongue confess
As the saints take up their final address
A place where His glory outshines the sun
Where every tear is wiped away
And the saints are refreshed by the waters of life
And they live forever, the Groom and His bride.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christian poetry, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, poetry, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »
Walking in the Light
Posted by appolus on July 14, 2015
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
This then is the message that John has heard. He brings it all together in the statement that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. What then is the message? John says in the opening verses that he has seen the Christ with his own eyes. With his own ears he has heard God speak to him through the flesh. His eyes beheld Him and he even touched him. He handled the Word of Life. He embraced Him and he hugged Him and he kissed him on the cheek. For over three years he walked with Him, he walked with God and the message that he is now sharing is that in Him there was no darkness at all, they had walked in the light, and in this all-seeing all-knowing light it was impossible to walk in darkness. You simply could not walk with Jesus, could not fellowship with God if you were walking in darkness for God would call you on it.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1Jn 1:7)
What does it mean to walk in the light? It is not a small point, it is a vital point for it has major ramifications for who we are and how we live before men. You will notice that it says that if we walk in this light then we shall have fellowship one with another. Now, perhaps you did not know but there is two possible interpretations of this phrase ” one with another.” Many have believed that it means fellowship with other believers would not be possible if one were walking in the darkness. The other interpretation and the one that I believe and prefer is that “one with another” means having fellowship with God. Now, this will ultimately lead to a breaking in fellowship with other believers who may be walking in the dark, but primarily this scripture speaks to our relationship with God.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: fellowship, fellowship with God, relationship with God, walking in the light | 1 Comment »
Leaving Babylon behind!
Posted by appolus on July 12, 2015
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isa 51:1-3
Isaiah is speaking to a people in chapter 51 who have spent a long time away from Jerusalem. He is speaking to holy remnant people who long to return to the place from whence they came. Long have they suffered in a land full of sin. To add to their sufferings, so many of Gods people seem to have been taken by Babylon, seem to be indulging in all of its worldliness and comforts. In fact, when the time came to leave, historians tell us that almost three-quarters of the Israelites did not return but did in fact choose to stay.
But what a joy it is to be comforted by the knowledge that the Lord can and does and will comfort His people in the ” waste places.” He promises to make the desert places like the garden of Eden. Joy and gladness shall be found in the wilderness and the voice of melody shall carry on the hot desert winds. The Body of Christ finds itself in such a time. Long has it dwelt in Babylon. Long has the hearts of the saints been vexed just like righteous Lot’s. There is a grieving in the hearts of the saints as they witness the comfort and those at ease in Babylon. The saints know in their hearts that when made to choose between ease in Babylon or the long winding narrow path through the waste places and wilderness that leads them home, so many will choose to stay in Babylon.
Yet, it is better to experience the joy of the Lord in the wilderness places that to experience the joy of the world for a season. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. (Heb 11:25-26)
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Babylon, waste places | 3 Comments »
Why do the nations rage?
Posted by appolus on July 6, 2015
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together.(Act 4:25-27)
In the days just after Jesus died and rose again we see Peter praying prophetically. He quotes Psalm 2 as undoubtedly led by the Spirit and speaks of how the whole world will rage against God and His Christ. Brothers and sisters, we are entering into those days of this prophesy finally being fulfilled. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to speak the truth and the Word of God without being ridiculed or threatened. In verse 29 Peter prays on and says “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”
It is interesting that Peter describes in his prayer, every aspect of society. There is Herod the King, and then there is Pontius Pilate who represents the power of the world. We have the gentiles who are simply the unbelievers in general and then finally the people of Israel who represents all the religious aspects of society. They all come against the Apostles. The nations do indeed rage and the people certainly plot against the Lord and His anointed. These are the days in which we live, these are the beginning of sorrows, the birth pangs if you like.
So, what was the point of Peter’s prayer? What was Peter praying for with such power that the Holy Spirit fell upon them? “And grant unto thy servants, that will all boldness they may speak thy word.” You see the prayer brothers and sisters? You see what Peter truly wanted in times of extreme persecution? He wanted courage and strength and boldness to be unashamed of the Lord and His word and speak the truth in love. He did not pray for deliverance from the world that was out to get them or from the threats of torture and violence they faced daily, He prayed for boldness to stand in that day. And what was the results of such a God pleasing prayer?
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 8 Comments »
Despite is All
Posted by appolus on July 5, 2015
Despite it all-Love
Despite my falls-Love
Oh Father in heaven who could foresee
The tremendous love you have for me
The days are dark and the night is long
Yet within my heart there abides a song
Of Love and joy and the days to come
When the Body of Christ shall stand as one
No longer divided by time and space
But united together to finish the race
Christ the King is on His way
And shall we live to see that day?
We shall sing aloud until the day is done
And stand together we shall stand as one
With a lamp for our feet the night shall be day
And the light shall shine to show us the way
So, despite it all-Love
And despite my falls-Love
Oh Father in heaven give us eyes to see
Your tremendous Love has set us free
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christian poetry, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, poetry, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Oh Father in heaven | 1 Comment »
Who do men say that I am?
Posted by appolus on July 1, 2015
Mark 8:27 Whom do men say that I am?
Interesting question from the Lord. He asks that question to his disciples and they start to tell him what other men say about Him, but he wants to know what they say. What do people think about you? People in general may have some idea who you are, but your friends, your family, your co-workers, what do they say? Who do men say you are?
Who are you fundamentally? What is the thrust of your life? Now I am not asking how you performed today or this week, I am asking who are you? If people had to put something on your headstone, what would it be? What is the thrust of your life? Is Jesus the passion that drives your being? Is God the essence and the affection of your heart? We know that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What does your mouth speak? We know that men who are passionate about politics speak about politics. We know that if a man is passionate about sports he speaks about sports. And these people who are passionate about sports or politics know all about their chosen passion. They know names and stats and history. They will take any opportunity to speak about their passion whether it be at home or work or standing in a line at the supermarket. It takes very little for them to want to engage people about their passion. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | 2 Comments »
And the pages of history turn
Posted by appolus on June 27, 2015
The ruling of the Supreme Court will challenge every aspect of our faith and we will be the better for it, stronger refined and more confident in what we believe. For those whose faith is built upon anything less that Christ Himself, then they will be swept away by the flood and the cultural winds that are now blowing at hurricane strength.
Now why would I say that the cultural winds are blowing at hurricane strength? Has there not always been societal pressures in the West, cultural aspects of who we are that challenge our walk with God and our witness to our communities? In fact, the subject of marriage is one aspect of the culture in the west that has continually brought shame on what is known as Christendom. The truth is, the Christian community has remained silent to a great extent on the fact that in so many churches up and down the land, 40-50% of their congregation are divorced. That alone disqualifies us from speaking from a position of authority on the subject. We do not hold the moral high ground on this subject and ours sins have found us out. God is not mocked, that which a man sows or winks at, he reaps. We are reaping today.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, prophecy, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Christ Jesus, Christendom, persecution, visible church | 8 Comments »
Dark comes the night
Posted by appolus on June 27, 2015
It is not a pleasant thing
To walk into the wind
To walk in shades of grey
To dwell where all have sinned
It is a pleasant thing
To walk with you each day
To fellowship , to honor
To worship and obey
Each day the wind grows stronger
And the proud are standing tall
Each day the tide is coming in
And the pillars begin to fall
Truth lies broken in the street
And the structures are on fire
The Vandals and the Visigoths
Draw men into the mire
Sinking, slowly, unaware
Into the miry clay
Rebellious men without a prayer
Sinking deeper every day
When did the day become the night?
And all around is falling
When did the darkness quench the light?
And drown out God’s own calling.
Godless men rejoicing
In the darkness they call light
They are singing and they’re dancing
And arming for the fight
Oh children of the Living God
Find refuge neath His wings
Run now into your Tower
For we can see what this night brings
The hordes of hell are massing
The wolves are circling round
And evil is surpassing
With a mighty rushing sound
Yet Christ in all His glory
Is coming for His own
The culmination of His story
Ends with Him upon His throne
Stand fast ye children of the light
For though the day has come the night
We shall prevail and overcome
For Christ the battle He has won!
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christian poetry, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, poetry, prophecy, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
What can the righteous do?
Posted by appolus on June 25, 2015
Psa 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
We live in days where one may hear the sentiment of this Scripture over and over again. We saints could look around the world and see it burning in the flames of sin and ungodliness. We could have ears to hear despairing thoughts as our eyes behold the ever-increasing darkness that is enveloping us like a creeping fog that rises up from the lower reaches and seems to level everything in wickedness. We undoubtedly live in times where in the secular world and in so much of Christendom the foundations of truth and life and light are being replaced by lies and death and darkness. Yet, what is the foundation of the righteous?
The foundation of the righteous is trust in God. When Davids friends or enemies tried to persuade him to ” Flee as a bird to your mountain,” he starts out by reminding them ” In the Lord put I my trust.” This is our testimony to the world is it not? That we have put our trust in God, in Christ alone for our eternal souls. Now, no matter what is coming upon us, no matter that the pillars of truth and the foundations of righteousness are being torn apart with every passing day with increasing speed and venom, still out trust is in the Lord. This is our testimony. We shall not flee to the mountains but rather we shall stand, even as the whole world is falling around us, for the righteous foundations are ours and ours alone to stand upon.
When the ungodly and the religious can no longer stand then we shall stand. As the world descends into moral and unholy chaos then it is our time to truly stand upon the foundation that belongs to us, Jesus Christ our Lord and the Word and the Spirit which He gave us. When Paul told the folks that he was headed to Jerusalem, they pleaded and prophesied to him not to go there for surely great harm would come to him. What was Paul’s reply?
Posted in Charisma Magazine, Christian, christian living, Christianity, Church history, church of scotland, churches, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, inspirational, Jesus, new wineskins, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Finding the Body of Christ
Posted by appolus on June 18, 2015
Wayne Jacobsen writes in his book Finding Church ” I’d been living in church most of my life without recognizing her because I was too busy trying to create a version of my own. I’d tasted her reality in the closer friendships of virtually every congregation I had ever attended but because this was not part of the official program I didn’t see them as Church, it was a classic case of missing the forest for the trees and explained why we allowed the needs of the program displace those friendships.”
Now Wayne was a Pastor for decades. He has seen countless programs come and go and the conclusion that he has come to is that the needs of the programs over-ride and displace the creating of true fellowship. This has been my experience. If you have ever been involved in organizing anything, you will know that the reality of what you’re organizing takes over and the thing itself becomes the central focus. If there is one thing that I have learned in all my years as a Christian is that whatever distracts us from Christ Himself is the enemy of coming into His presence. Even as we go about our daily business, there is a reality of this world and there is a Kingdom reality and the reality of this world demands first place. It is immediate, it can be seen, it presses upon us and ignites our senses and demands to be attended to. The Kingdom reality is always there but never takes second place. If ignored, it simply fades into the background, retreats away from the noise of this world.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Body of Christ, the words of Jesus | 17 Comments »
Finding Church in a land full of churches-A vision from God
Posted by appolus on June 10, 2015
” Some of us have already left institutionalized Christianity either because we were pushed out for asking the wrong questions or because we could no longer continue to serve the demands of an institution that seemed so at odds with the passion growing in our hearts. None of us did so easily, having spent decades serving in local congregations and engaged in multiple efforts to reform them. In the end we left not to abandon our faith but to explore that faith on a more vibrant journey than those structures would allow.” ( Wayne Jacobsen, Finding Church)
There is nothing more important for each saint than His journey home. This journey with the Lord is a vibrant unexpected one where we never really know what is around the next corner. The wind of the Holy Spirit blows where it will and none of us truly know from what direction it will blow next and where it will lead us. Many years ago the Lord gave me vision. It was as if I was hovering over the land of America. I could see the States kinda mapped out below me. There was a great migration taking place. People from the Midwest were striking out in a great journey westwards in wagon trains just as they had in this country 150 years ago. They were leaving everything they knew behind and were fully committed to the journey ahead. They knew some of what lay ahead from others, but still there were many unknowns and dangers. None of that put them off. They were committed to the journey ahead. So they struck out from a place called Independence.
They struggled over many different landscapes and each landscape seem to represent some portion of their sanctification. There were rivers and mountains and valleys and storms and deserts and so on. And they represented pride and independence and lust and anger and un-forgiveness and all the many sins and deficiencies of the human nature. As they got further away from Independence, their dependency upon God grew. Each mountain climbed, every river forded, every storm endured drew them closer to the Lord. They were being shaped by their journey and by their dependence upon God. Finally I saw them arrive at the Pacific Ocean. Now shortly after arriving there, a ship approached and the captain urged them to get on-board. They shouted to Him, ” where are you headed, where will the ship takes us?” The captain pointed at the horizon. They asked Him if he had any maps or charts to show them what lay beyond the horizon, He did not. A few decided to get on board but the vast majority decided to stay. They had had some ideas and maps of how to get to where they were now, but to get on this ship and sail into completely unknown territory was simply asking too much and they were not prepared to risk it all.
Their temporary wagons were broken down in the beautiful place and they began to set up permanent structures. Each day the ship would re-appear and each day the captain would beckon to them to get on board but His voice grew dimmer and dimmer and suddenly the ship and the captain appeared no more. With the journey over and the permanent structures erected the people grew weak and had no vision. While on the journey the storms had made them strong and drew them closer to the Lord but now the storms were weakening them and they withdrew from the coast. Yet each time they fell back and restructured they became weaker still and had to continually fall back. They eventually arrived back at the very place they had left all those years before, Independence.
I don’t want to expound too much on the vision. I would simply like you to reflect upon it and see if the Lord would speak to your heart through it…………………bro Frank
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, prophecy, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology, Visions | 4 Comments »
The Word and the Spirit alone must be our guide.
Posted by appolus on June 8, 2015
We are living in strange days I am sure you will agree. Days in which folks no longer listen to sound doctrine. In 2:4 Tim we are warned of such days and rightly so of course. Paul tells Timothy that people will look for teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear. The old phrase sola scriptura is latin for scripture alone. It was the battle cry of the reformation. It was the sword that sent a tremendous blow into the heart of religiousity. The traditions of men had swamped the truth and religious leaders made the people bear heavy external burdens without any regard to their internal spiritual state. All that mattered was what was seen on the outside.
And so, we often regard this warning from Paul as pertaining to the last days meaning perhaps the last of the last days for surely we have been living in the latter days since the birthing of the Church. Yet in this chapter Paul says “ for the time will come.” What time? Our time? His time? After he dies? A progression or better still a regression of all of these? Listen to what Paul says in Acts 20 to people he would not see again, his last words to them so to speak…..
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Act 20:28-31)
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, the remnant, the state of the church, theology | Tagged: holy spirit, Word of God | 2 Comments »
A Call To The Remnant 