Archive for the ‘the state of the church’ Category
You can change your identity.
Posted by appolus on April 14, 2022
Posted in bible, Charismatic, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Fresh Fire, gifts of the spirit, Jesus, praise and worship, revival, Spiritual warfare, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
Finding the right path after having a wrong heart.
Posted by appolus on April 14, 2022
Act 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
This is a well known incident. Paul and Barnabas fall out with each other, so much so that they change their plans and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus leaving Paul behind. The plan had been to go back and revisit the brothers and sisters in every city and encourage them. It was a good plan, but the personalities of these very Godly men got in the way of the plan that very well was their own. Has this ever happened to you? Has you temper or some other personality trait caused you to fall out with someone and it seems that you have completely blown it? I have lost count over the last thirty years how many times it seems that I have “stepped on,’ the plan of the Lord. It never left me unaffected, quite the opposite. I would aid and abet the enemy in beating me up.
I am sure that as Paul watched Barnabas and Mark sail away, he must have regretted his “sharp contention,’ with his dear brother in the Lord. They had been through so much together. Barnabas must have looked back as the ship sailed away and had similar thoughts, the Holy Spirit, no doubt, convicting both for their parts in the contention. Yet I want you to see something. Despite us, despite our many failings, God has a plan and He is working it out. Paul decides to take Silas in the place of Barnabas. Little did not Paul know that he and Silas were about to live out one of the most famous incidents in the New Testament. Very shortly after leaving, they find themselves in the bowels of a dungeon, whipped to within an inch of their lives and in stocks.
And despite the previous failings of Paul, we see God had a plan. I believe that plan was for the jailer and his whole family to be saved. Silas was probably the perfect guy for this job. We find them both praising the Lord at the midnight hour and all the prisoners listening to them and then, a great earthquake. God came down. The doors flew open and the men, taken by the presence of God no doubt, stayed right there in their cells. The jailer, supposing the very opposite is about to kill himself but instead he gets saved and all of his family and goes on to have a house church in that city. Gods plan. Remember, God had forbidden them to preach the word in Asia, they also being refused permission to go to Bithynia. Then they had a vision of a man pleading for them to come to Macedonia. You see how every step of the way, God had a plan and He was bringing it to pass? Paul and Silas were on a need to know basis. Brothers and sisters, more often than nought we are on a need to know basis. I would imagine that knowing they were going to be scourged and put in stocks would not have helped them along.
If you have messed up and missed the mark, take heart brothers and sisters. You have no idea what God has in store for you. He uses imperfect individuals to carry out His perfect will. It is always about His plan and never about ours. We may go crashing ahead sometimes with what seems to be right, and yet it is completely wrong, its is simply our own plan. God will interrupt our plans. He will use what is useful to Him and bring you to where He wants you to be. My only advice is to listen for the direction or as in this case, the redirection of the Holy Spirit. Stay humble and broken and contrite and no matter what, move in forgiveness. Be quick to forgive those that have wronged you. After all, we are but vessels in the hands of the Lord, and if we are quick to forgive then He is faithful and just and merciful to forgive us. In the end, it is all His work and it is all His glory and it is His story. Keep walking brothers and sisters, God will use you.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, God's love, God's voice, Jesus, praise, praise and worship, revival, spiritual gifts, Spiritual warfare, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
We belong to God and one another.
Posted by appolus on April 12, 2022
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Before we knew the Lord we dwelt in darkness. We were called out of that darkness into the marvelous light of Christ Himself. In darkness we were not a chosen generation, we were a condemned people. Now in the light of Christ we are His chosen generation. In darkness we were no priests, yet now in His marvelous light we are royal priests in a royal priesthood. In darkness we did not belong to God, yet in His light we are now His peculiar people. That does not mean we are odd or strange, it means we are purchased and privileged, we are exclusively His. And by virtue of belonging to God we have been called to publish and to celebrate the one to whom we belong. The words “shew forth,’ is ex-ang-el’-lo. We are His angels so to speak, His messengers, called to go forth and praise Him and tell the world of the glory of God who called us.
Brother, sister. This is who your are. The devil himself will come against you with a fury when you walk in your true identity. That word we hear so much about today, identity, so much lies surround it in regard to gender and so on, the truth of that is self evident and needs no elaboration. The real battle lies in the true identity of the saints. We indeed changed identities. We were once dead in sin and now we are alive in Christ. We once dwelt in darkness with no heavenly purpose, now we dwell in His marvelous light with a singular eternal purpose. We have been called out to “shew forth,’ His praises. To noise abroad His glory. To shout from the rooftops of His majesty. To witness to a dying world the Kingdom of God and its King. We once walked in our unholiness and now we walk in His holiness. And as we walk in such light, as He is in the light then we shall have fellowship with others of the light. We are one, brothers and sisters as He and the Father are one, and in that we behold His glory.
Posted in Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »
The essential experience.
Posted by appolus on April 11, 2022
Everything about my faith was an experience. The most dramatic of which was the day I surrendered. A day that will live in infamy for my flesh, never to be forgotten. A day of great rejoicing for my spirit, never to be forgotten. I have experienced love, I have experienced joy, I have experienced forgiveness. I have experienced transformation. I have experienced cleansing. I experienced opposition. I experienced warfare. Obviously you see the word that comes up over and over again. Experience. I knew nothing of doctrine when I was got saved. I knew nothing of the Scriptures nor did I know the great essentials of the faith, but I now knew Jesus. He spoke to me, I experienced that. He taught me, I experienced that. He led me and He guided me, I experienced all of that. After about seven months I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and this was a whole other level of experience.
If you climb to the top of a mountain, it is a very definite experience. It separates you from all others who have not. It joins you to all others who have. You can read books about climbing, and watch videos and documentaries and be filled with head knowledge about it, but unless you have experienced the peak then you are not a mountaineer. Sit among a group of them and discuss climbing, they will soon figure out you are not a climber. By the same token, listen to a group of climbers speak about climbing and you will be able to pull up a chair and sit down with them, if you yourself are a climber. It is that way with the Body of Christ. It is a mysterious thing, a spiritual reality birthed in actual experience. New creatures in Christ recognize each other, they speak the same language.
Those of the head knowledge persuasion are dead set against the word “experience.’ Theologians and schoolmen and whole denominations have made themselves the deadliest enemy of experience. And on the other side there are those who endlessly speak about their own personal experiences such as roaring like lions and rolling around the floor or barking like dogs. Both of these sides serve a common purpose for the enemy of the saints. To tear down the Body of Christ, those who have actually experienced transformation. Tick six boxes of mental assent to abstract truth on one side, or get dirty rolling on the floor with the other. None of this means anything in the end. For those who have scaled the lofty heights and peaks of glory, in encountering God, live on and in their experiences walking with Jesus and transformation. The Word of God is His magnificent roadmap that leads us home through valley and mountaintop. And no matter the lofty heights or peaks or the chains and dungeon, those who have encountered Jesus, experienced Jesus, experience joy inexpressible and there rests upon them the Spirit of God and of glory.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, False Doctrine, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us.
Posted by appolus on April 11, 2022
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, God's love, God's voice, Jesus, revival, spiritual gifts, spiritual growth, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 3 Comments »
The boldness of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Posted by appolus on April 10, 2022
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, spiritual gifts, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 3 Comments »
Open your mouth and speak.
Posted by appolus on April 10, 2022
Then Peter opened his mouth………..While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard (Acts 10:34,44)
Peter was speaking to the Gentiles. This was not something he had desired to do. In fact we see a rather dramatic encounter on the rooftop where a great sheet comes down in a vision filled with any number of unclean and common animals and he is told to eat. Three times Peter resists. Now we know that the number three is very significant to Peter, for three times he had denied his Lord. Yet, here we see Peter, so ingrained with tradition that he would, in effect, say no, three times to a direct order from God. Let not any of us think that our traditions and preconceived notions are so easily overcome. And still there would be more for Peter to overcome when he is confronted, publicly, by Paul.
Yet, praise the Lord, we see a very different Peter. His resistance gives way quickly to obedience. And this obedience leads him to the door of a gentile. And, we are told, Peter “opened his mouth.” Brothers and sisters, the Lord wants us to open our mouths to all manner of men and women. The Holy Spirit will never fall on us, like in Acts, if we are too afraid to open our mouths. Any journey on foot requires us to put one foot in front of another, it is how we make forward progress. Communications from God to the lost requires His servants to first open their mouths. His Holy Spirit will do the rest if you would abandon your fear of man. Holy Spirit boldness leads us to open our mouths, He fills it, then He falls upon those who hear it. It will almost always involve the risk of loss. In our day, in the west, not the loss of life but perhaps friendship, reputation, job or career. Will you open your mouth?
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, gifts of the spirit, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »
Swept up in symphony
Posted by appolus on April 8, 2022
Every now and then, in a glorious symphony of realization, my heart is overwhelmed by the music of my Saviour’s love for me. I am swept up in its majesty! It carries me with the substantial fullness of a raging river and yet with the gentle sound of a thousand doves wings flapping in the wind. I am undone by it all. Every doubt and all the rocks of my flesh are removed and suddenly the river is in full unabated flow and all I want is to be taken. Time loses its meaning as I am swept towards the vastness of my Jesus. An ocean so vast that I am swallowed whole. Everything returns to its simplicity. All the barriers are broken down and I glimpse and am engulfed, once again, by the glory of it all.
Posted in Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Fresh Fire, God's love, hope, inspirational, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Oh what glorious fountains!
Posted by appolus on April 7, 2022
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Can you see what the Lord is saying through Peter? Obeying the truth through the Spirit is part and parcel of being purified. Let not anyone think that outside of obedience to the Word of God and the Spirit of God that that one will be Holy as He is Holy. He who called you is Holy, now, the Scriptures tell us, be Holy as He is Holy. Lift your eyes as high as they can be lifted and set your sights on the Holiness of God. Seek first His Kingdom so that you may be partakers of His righteousness and Holiness. Willing and desirous obedience as opposed to conformity to your old flesh or the world around you. This leads to walking in the love of God which is manifested in our love for one another and even our love towards our enemies.
In this, the genuineness of our our trust in Him is refined again and again in a process that God Himself has initiated. Even in the midst of our various trials and the grieving of our hearts and spirits, there is inexpressible joy and an encounter with the glory of God. Our God does not sit passively by in the midst of such trials and infirmites and reproaches. No, rather we are told that we are blessed by the “Spirit of glory and of God which rests upon you.” (1 Pet 4:14) The word “rest,’ here used in the Scriptures means to refresh and to remain. Imagine that brothers and sisters, in the midst of our great trials for the glorious cause of Christ, there remains upon us a refreshing. The inexhaustible waters that flows from the wells of salvation. Oh what glorious fountains flow. First from Emmanuel’s veins and then from the living waters of Heaven.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, God's love, Jesus, revival, sanctification, spiritual growth, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Let us see the glory of God!
Posted by appolus on April 5, 2022
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit. looked heavenwards and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Was this a church gathering? Was he in a room full of believers enjoying the corporate presence of God? Far from it, he was confronting the religious men of the day. As he was seeing these things they screamed and ran towards him and with great violence, dragged him out of the city and stoned Stephen to death. He, had committed a capital crime. He had torn down their idol, the Temple, by saying God did not dwell in temples made by human hands. He then accused them of being stiff-necked, it means obstinate and stubborn. He said they were uncircumsized of heart, meaning they were not children of God. And then, he accused them of killing the “just one,’ the Christ. All of that was true.
What Stephen said back then, we have seen play out for the last 2000 years. Religious men are still un-circumsised in heart, meaning they do not actually know Jesus. They still resist and reject the Holy Spirit in their midst. They still worship their “temple.” God’s children are still the deadliest enemy to those who are of the flesh. Yet no matter what, the key is to be “full of the Holy Spirit.” Being full of the Holy Spirit was not a random occurrence for Stephen. In Acts chapter six we are told that Stephen was chosen by the whole multitude because they knew he was a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” Brothers and sisters, we are called to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit. God prepares a table for those who are full of the Holy Spirit, in the presence of their enemies. Even when they are walking through the valley of death, they fear no evil, for goodness and mercy and the Living God has followed them all the days of their new lives. He is faithful, let us be faithful. He has given the Holy Spirit, let us be full of the Holy Spirit.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, The Psalms, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 2 Comments »
Will you rejoice in your suffering?
Posted by appolus on April 3, 2022
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
How far we in Christendom have fallen. Where is the generation that rejoices in being counted worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? The apostles had just been beaten, and yet they rejoiced. They had just suffered greatly, yet they rejoiced. They could not believe their good fortune that they had been counted worthy. The disciples and the saints were not praying for them not to be beaten. They were not praying for God to minimize or stop their suffering. Rather, we read, that the saints were praying that the apostles would have even more boldness. And when they were praying that prayer, the whole place was shaken and they were all filled afresh.
How do you pray saints? When you or one you know is suffering for the cause of Christ, how do you pray? Do you pray as the saints in the early Church prayed? Are we so westernized and have we suffered so little for the name of Jesus, for so long, that we forget how to effectively pray, to the point that the everything is shaken and we are filled afresh? The Holy Spirit initiates boldness, and when that boldness is acted upon He fills us again…… and again……..and again. When the apostles are dragged in front of the Sanhedrin for violating their previous orders of not mentioning Jesus. Here is their reply. “We ought to obey God, rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree……….and we are His witnesses.” We too, brothers and sisters, are His witnesses, it is our calling, it is why we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Exercise boldness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and He will continually fill you, even as you rejoice in suffering for His name sake.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, churches, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, Spiritual warfare, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, The Psalms, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
No pre-trib rapture, only a second coming of Jesus.
Posted by appolus on March 31, 2022
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, church, church of england, church of scotland, churches, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, End Times Eschatology, Eschatology - Study of the 'End Times', Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, The Psalms, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 4 Comments »
To be shaken and to be filled.
Posted by appolus on March 31, 2022
Act 4:2 Being greatly disturbed that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the priests and the captain of the temple were greatly disturbed that disciples taught the people. This was their first crime. When was the last time you greatly disturbed someone? Who were these unlearned peasants who dared to teach the people? The religious folks of the day were grieved in their spirits that they were being usurped. If the ordinary folks were listening and being taught by other ordinary folks, where would that all end? They were, of course, particularly grieved that they taught that Jesus was the Christ and that He was alive! Now, the rulers and the elders and even the high priest had the disciples set before them. Outside of the Romans, these were the most powerful men in all of Judah. They demanded to know by what authority they spoke. It is always about authority.
Peter stood up, and, filled with the Holy Spirit told them boldly and plainly that it was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ they spoke “whom you crucified.” And then, to hammer home the point about Jesus being the Christ says “there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved.” Unlearned men, untrained blue collar workers. Their only qualification, which was recognized, was that they had “been with Jesus.” Praise the Lord. When they were commanded by the rulers to never speak of Jesus again, the disciples rebuffed them by asking, who should we listen to, you or God? Oh for a tiny portion of that boldness in our own days. Never in the history of the Church has this kind of boldness been more needed.
The same religious men in our days have attempted to silence “the unlearned and the untrained.” And for the same reasons. Authority. They desire the authority and the preeminence. If every ordinary man or woman could preach or teach or give a word of wisdom or a word of knowledge or a tongue or a prophecy then where would that leave the religious leaders? Probably out of a job. If Christians this day had the same boldness to stand and be counted for the cause of Christ as the disciples did, not afraid of what might become of them, then we would have a Church like the early Church. And when the disciples went back and recounted what had just happened to them, their brothers and sisters prayed over them for even more boldness “and when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Would to God that we would pray that same prayer and experience that same shaking and filling.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, church of england, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, pentecostal, revival, signs and wonders, spiritual gifts, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, The Psalms, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »
Why we must be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Posted by appolus on March 29, 2022
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, church of england, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, Fresh Fire, Jesus, revival, spiritual gifts, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
A disaster has befallen us (abortion)
Posted by appolus on March 29, 2022
Posted in Babylon, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, church, church of england, church of scotland, churches, consequences of sin, Daily devotional, Demonic, Devotions, end times, Jesus, revival, Spiritual warfare, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, 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 »
Fullness of Joy.
Posted by appolus on March 29, 2022
Act 2:28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you shalt make me full of joy in your presence.
When we are laid down in the earth, our corruptible bodies shall rise again in incorruption. Our resurrected bodies will encompass our eternal spirits. This is the way of life and not death, this is the portal through which we must pass from this world to the next. And there our joy shall be full in the presence of the Lord. His smiling face gives light to our spirits. We can undoubtedly experience His presence here on earth, in part, and even in the smallest measure it fills these broken bodies and gives us great joy. And this joy, the joy of the Lord, is our strength. Yet the fullness of our joy awaits us yet when life arises from death.
This is the blessed hope that we rest in brothers and sisters. It gives us great peace to know that death is merely the passing from this world to the next. That knowledge is strength. Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave where is your victory? Knowing this brothers and sisters we should be steadfast in our walk and unmovable by circumstances. The apostles witnessed this very thing. They saw the Lord crucified, and they saw the Lord resurrected. They saw the empty tomb, they saw the Lord and they saw the marks on His hands and on His feet and on His side. They were witnesses to life, to eternal life springing up from the grave. Saints, we died and we were born again. The very same life of Christ raised us up as new creatures. We are witnesses to His resurrection power. He has made known to us the ways of life and we are called to live that life abundantly. Let us live that abundant life before men.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
Does the fire yet burn?
Posted by appolus on March 27, 2022
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Power brothers and sisters. Power, primarily, to be a witness! So much has been written about the Holy Spirit. So much has been spoken of about the sign gifts. So much has been counterfeited by sheer emotion and even the enemy himself. What are the signs that a man or a woman are Baptized in the Holy Spirit? Is it tongues? Is it being an apostle, a prophet, a worker of miracles? …Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.(1Co 12:29-31)
All of these gifts are from the Holy Spirit indeed, yet the primary identification of one baptized in the Holy Spirit is your witness. It is the life that you lead. A life that clearly identifies with Jesus. It is the words that you speak, the Word of God that does not return void. It is your un-ashamedness. Are you ashamed of God before men? Are we too afraid to share the gospel with others? This is a sure sign that we are either not baptized in the Holy Spirit or that we thought, somehow, that is was a onetime thing and that there was no requirements to be “full,” of the Holy Spirit. We must abide in Christ and in His word. We must walk closely with the Lord, seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness that we may be partakers of His righteousness and His holiness. And we also are called to be disciples.
On the road to Emmaus Jesus walked with two disciples. And when that walk was over, they later marveled “did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” The fellowship of the burning heart. Brothers and sisters, those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit will have such a fellowship. Their hearts will burn within them as the Holy Spirit opens up to them the Scriptures just as Jesus did with these two men. The Greek word for heart is Kardia, it means “the effective center of our being.” If Jesus is the effective center of our being then there shall be a fire at the very heart of who we are. Does the fire burn brothers and sisters? Without the wind of the Spirit there is but a smoldering ember. With the Spirit there is a raging fire that burns. It is this passion of all things Christ, that creates in us the light of the Gospel of the Kingdom and this light shines into the darkness.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, gifts of the spirit, Jesus, manifest presence, revival, signs and wonders, spiritual gifts, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
No more weeping!
Posted by appolus on March 24, 2022
Posted in Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christian poetry, Daily devotional, Devotions, intimacy, Jesus, poetry, revival, spiritual poetry, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | Leave a Comment »
The vastness of God!
Posted by appolus on March 24, 2022
Posted in Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, theology | 1 Comment »
The propulsion of the Holy Spirit.
Posted by appolus on March 24, 2022
2Jn 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found some of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
In 2nd John 1:4 John says that he rejoiced greatly to have found some of the saints walking in the truth having received the commandment from God. In 3rd John 1:4 John says that he had no greater joy than to hear that his children were walking in the truth. Imagine that, the great Apostle’s greatest joy was the saints walking in the Truth. Why was this his greatest joy? John knew that if we walk in the Truth, then and only then will we make forward progress in the Kingdom, overcoming trial and temptation and becoming more like Jesus. Obedience is the key to this.
Imagine you are in a small boat in the middle of a vast ocean. You have no sail and you have no motor to power you. What will happen? Without the thrust of forward momentum you will drift. The power that will move you will be the current of the ocean. It will take you where it will take you. I want to suggest to you that without obedience to the Word of God and to the Holy Spirit you will not make any forward progress on your spiritual journey.
Obedience is the outboard motor that will propel your forward. The Holy Spirit is the fuel in the motor. Obedience is the raising of the sail that will catch the wind, the Holy Spirit is the wind that will propel you forward against the forces of the current.. How mature are you? How many weeks old are you in the Kingdom? We make forward progress in the Kingdom by prayerful obedience to the revealed will of God. What is the revealed will of God? First and foremost it is the Word of God, the Scriptures. Secondly it is the still small voice of God, the Holy Spirit. And of course, one will never contradict the other, there will always be perfect harmony between the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. He is the author.
Posted in bible, Christian, christian blog, christian living, Christianity, church, Daily devotional, Devotions, Jesus, revival, testimony, the crucified life, the deeper life, the gospel, the persectuted church, The presence of God, The Psalms, the remnant, The State of the Chuch and Manifest presence, the state of the church, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
A Call To The Remnant 