Archive for the ‘theology’ Category
Posted by appolus on March 10, 2015
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
The context of Isaiah 51 is Isaiah speaking to a remnant in Babylon. They had been there for almost seventy years, living among the gentiles and a great proportion of their fellow Israelites were thoroughly taken up with life in Babylon, in fact it is reckoned that when the time came and they were released to return to Jerusalem, almost two-thirds opted to stay behind in the comfort of Babylon. Yet there was a remnant whose hearts were full of sorrow and mourning and a deep desire to return to promised land. They were promised here in this passage, that their sorrow and mourning would soon be replaced with gladness and joy. In our own day, there is a remnant people who are full of sorrow and mourning for what they see unfolding around them. Strikingly there is a great majority who believe everything is fine. They would look at those who mourn and sorrow as if they were mad. I would like to encourage all the saints whose hearts are heavy because of the low state of Christianity. You are not mad, in fact I believe that you have a fire in your bones and a burden on your heart placed there by God Himself. Can I tell you that our Lord is coming back soon and He will be looking for those who remained faithful to their calling. He will find such faith on the earth. And though there may be days ahead of great sorrow and mourning, they will be followed by everlasting joy and singing. You may not have it in this world but you shall certainly be rewarded with it in the world to come. This is the reward to those who overcome.
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 | 3 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 10, 2015
Hereβs How the New Christian Left Is Twisting the Gospel.
This article above, while making some good points, is a clear indication that there is a new generation of Evangelicals ready to rise up and defend their system. This is a reactionary piece from a growing panicked evangelical movement. The writer bemoans the passing of a moral majority generation. In a state of decline, evangelicals swing wildly from the right to the left and then back again. The very system itself denies Jesus His preeminence . The Ark has left the Holy of Holy’s and the religion reacts in an effort to desperately maintain the status quo . How sad to think folks have to fight to regain lukewarmness. Make no mistake, the birth of the Pharisee came out of living amongst a very un-godly post-exilic people. The Jewish people had lived in Babylon for seventy years and lived in a very worldly way. The Pharisee was a reaction to that. Now today, there is a great danger that the younger folks coming up will be even more political than their parents and grandparents because they see such un-godly lifestyles among their own generation. They never really question the system that produced such ungodly lifestyles amongst their peers. Now they say, ” If we could just get back to ………” you fill in the blanks. ” We just have to be more active politically.” “We have to retake the moral high-ground.” And so we repeat the damning cycles of the previous generations and are blind to the fact that the religious system itself is, at its very core, the problem.
It was those generations who believed that the way to change things was through Washington. It was those generations who really gave us cheap grace. It was those generations who raised their children under the wings of the all important American dream. Go to church on a Sunday morning-Tick that box. Drop of your children at Sunday School and let some pimply faced kid teach your children-Tick that box. Take little Johnny to baseball practice-tick that box. What, prayer meeting is on Wednesday night? sorry, that is little Jenny’s dance practice night- tick the dance practice box. Do a check of all your boxes at the end of the week. Yeah, that looks good. Christianity became just another box to tick while pursuing the American dream. Little Johnny knew fine well that his parents had no concept of being content with food and clothing. Jenny knew that her parents knew nothing of being content with where you were or that there was great danger in the pursuit of wealth. She did know that if her grades dropped below honor roll status she would be in deep trouble. She also knew that she could fail Scriptural truth all day long and her parents would never even notice. Jenny and Johnny become sold out to a system because they were taught that. What system, the religious one? Noooo, that was lukewarm and a mere addition, an adornment to their parent’s life, no the system they were sold out to was the American dream and all that it offered. Seek ye first the Kingdoms of men and all these other slightly less important things will be added unto you.
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 | 4 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 9, 2015
You hung there on that cross
Bruised and battered and torn
You hung there for the Father’s glory
Yet it was not for that alone
You hung there on that cross
Naked, for all the world to see
For the joy that was set before you
You died there just for me
I’d often have my trials cut short
And wish the pain would go away
Thank you Lord in heaven above
You hung there till the end, that day
You hung there on that cross
On Calvary’s bloody hill
Twas there you suffered loss
Just to do your Father’s will
Oh Lord in the depths of my trial
Give me eyes that I might see
That you stayed there in the fires of hell
Right to the end at Calvary
Oh Lord give me strength for the battle
That I would not fall but continue to stand
To the end, to the end to the end of the road
On the Rock that is Christ not today’s shifting sand
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 | Tagged: cross | Leave a Comment »
Posted by appolus on March 9, 2015
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.(Act 6:13-14)
Can you see the accusations that are hurled towards Stephen who would become the first martyr? They accused him of blasphemy because of the words he spoke about the temple, the very heart and soul of the system that gave these men their position in society, their livelihood. Speaking against religious systems is a dangerous thing to do, it is not how to ” make friends and influence people.” Quite the opposite. You will suffer loss, perhaps not as Stephen did, but you will suffer loss. Consider what Stephen was speaking against. Just a few short years later the temple was completely destroyed, just as Jesus had prophesied, not one stone left unturned. The gold that adorned the walls were actually built into the structure, so the stones had to be overturned in order to get every last piece of gold. When Titus entered the Holy of Holies it was said that he uttered these words ” What is all this fuss about an empty room?” You see, the Ark of the Covenant was not there. It is now reckoned that it had been removed almost 500 years previously at the time of Jeremiah. Over 500 years of religious activity would follow, so much religious activity, and at the heart of it all was emptiness, certainly devoid of God. God did not speak until John the Baptist was found in the wilderness.
When the veil, the curtain that covered the holy of holies was torn from top to bottom when Jesus hung on the cross, God was undoubtedly saying ” look, I am not here, I am hanging outside the camp.” One can imagine the religious men furiously repairing the curtain to maintain the illusion that is religion. Brothers and sisters, we have a system today that has as much if not more religious activity that the Jewish people of old. God did not leave one stone unturned on the temple and was found outside the walls. If God does not burn at the heart of everything, then it is nothing. If He swept away that system, then represented by the temple which had stood for a thousand years, what will He do to our own modern system of religion? Consider the final nail in the coffin for Stephen. “Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet.” Stephen would not recover from this statement. He had just struck at the very heart of everything they believed in. By saying that God did not reside in the Temple, which would soon be proved by Titus, he sealed his fate. They were ” cut to the heart and gnashed on him with their teeth.” Seething anger and rage does not truly convey what they felt for the man who had just exposed their religion for what it was, empty of Gods presence. And so the ultimate fate for all who expose the emptiness of religion and the fact that God’s presence does not reside there is at the very least rejection and isolation and in the days to come, a similar fate to Stephen. The first martyr was not the last, and there will be more prior to the return of Jesus, and religious men will lead the way in hunting down “blasphemers.”
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 | Tagged: religious activity | 15 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 8, 2015
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. (Psa 57:4-5)
In Psalm 57 David is writing from a cave. He finds himself in the darkness, having fled his enemies. Perhaps you find yourself in a place of darkness today? Have you fled to your own personal “cave?β It is interesting that places that start out as a place of refuge, a hiding place can quickly become a prison. In Psalm 142, we again find David writing from a cave, he cries out to God “bring my soul out of prison.β His cave, his place of safety and refuge had become a prison. What calamity has overtaken you? What trial has driven you into your cave? What is it that you seek refuge from? Has that place of refuge now become a prison to you? In Psalm 57:4 David says that his soul had been amongst lions. I can only imagine the fear and the terror of being surrounded by actual lions but quite often we are confronted by situations that threaten our very sanity and we feel utterly over-whelmed. It should bring a certain comfort to know that the spiritual giants of the Bible faced situations that brought them to a place of darkness and despair. How did King David get out of his cave? He says in verse two of the 57th Psalm “I will cry out to my God.β Has your circumstances or situation drowned out that small still voice? Have you lost your peace? Do you have your song in the night?
Perhaps no one on the βoutside,β would even know the depths of the darkness that you feel on the inside? God knows. Cry out to Him. And so we see David lay his head down to sleep and He cries out to God, He prays with everything that is in him to His heavenly Father. Then we see something else, when the time is right, he get up early in the morning, grabs His harp and begins to praise God. He says “Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will shall awaken the dawn. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. (Psa 57:8-11) Pray to God and praise Him, He will give you eyes to see even in the greatest darkness. When others despair and fall, you will praise Him and rise. When others cannot see a way ahead, you will see by the light of God even in the greatest darkness. Faith is the evidence of things not seen, it forms the substance of hope. Who could see in a dark cave except the Lord light up the way? Even now in the depths of your darkness, God has made a way for you to see. He will shine a light on hope in the depths of the darkness of despair. And you will be filled with the glory of His presence and this will be for a witness to all those around you.
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: King David | 3 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 7, 2015
Jer 7:12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
Jer 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
It seems obvious from the Scriptures that what God builds He can also tear down and replace. In fact, when God does a new thing, then the old must die. Shiloh was corrupt and had displaced God by their system. God was gone but they still continued to function in their religious activities. It was replaced. The Temple system, that place where the Shekinah glory of God came down so heavily that the priests could not stand, was eventually corrupted. The presence of God was gone yet they still continued to function in their religious activities. Not one stone left unturned. It was replaced. A system, devoid of God, God tears down and replaces. In all of those systems there would be some good men and woman to be found and their hearts were for the glory of God. Not all men bow their knees to Baal. They would be ready for the new wine of God. Wherever the presence of God was, that was where they wanted to be. They were not idolators of a system , they were worshipers and followers of the living God. Any system which displaces God from His rightful place and begins to corrupt the people, God replaces. When the New Covenant was ushered in, the old had to die. When a new man is born in Christ, the old has to die. Christendom is corrupt, it has displaced God by its system. If you do not believe that God can tear down a system and replace it then you have missed that in His word. Shall you pray for Christendom? Shall you mourn its passing? Saints that belong to the Body will not mourn the passing of a system that has displaced God. They will simply follow His presence as they always have. We must simply allow the dead to bury their dead, when the blind lead the blind then the final destination is the ditch. Followers of the living God will follow the life of God and leave the cemetery behind.
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 | Tagged: Christendom, presence of god, religious activities | 11 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 6, 2015
Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Hab 2:12-13 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
The people shall weary themselves for their vanity. Men who build their own kingdoms weary themselves and others by their pride. To work feverishly towards worldly aims is to labor in the fire. In the end it produces nothing of eternal value, nothing. This is a plain truth to the man or woman of God. The present danger is that so much labor goes on in Christendom which is merely laboring in the vanity of building a man’s house, laboring in the fire, a fire that will consume all wood , hay and stubble. When the Lord builds the house then our labor produces gold and silver, refined by the very same fire. One set of works is consumed and turned to ashes, the other works is refined and beautified and eternal. This truth applies not only to churches but we as individuals. Does the Lord direct your steps? Is His Kingdom and the building of it our main priority? Now please do not confuse that with any kind of works as in ministries, although it can be, but first and foremost it starts with us. We we stones that are being shaped to fit rightly into the Temple, living stones for a living temple. We must yield to the Master builder’s hammer and chisel. This is our chief work. If we are not doing that, if we are not being refined and shaped by God, if we are not learning to yield to the Holy Spirit, then all other work is in vain.
Posted in Christian, christian living, Christianity, church of scotland, Daily devotional, Devotions, end times, Jesus, pentecostal, prophecy, revival, the state of the church, theology | 7 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 5, 2015
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:12-14)
What a powerful Scripture, it says so much. I want you to notice the word “trusted,” and then the word ” believed.” There is practically no difference between these words. The word believe in the Greek means to entrust, commit to, to have faith in. This word ” believe,” in the English falls way short of the depth of the true meaning of the word in the Greek. How many times have you heard this at an altar call “all you have to do is believe that Christ is the Son of God to be saved.” That is not true and is the genesis of cheap grace that has all but ruined Christianity. You see, Paul is calling himself here one “who first trusted Christ,” then he says ” in whom you also trusted after you heard the word of truth.” So let me paraphrase what Paul is saying here in the modern venacular and see if you recognize it.
“We who have entrusted our whole lives, mortal and immortal to Christ should bring praise and glory to His name. And not only us, but you guys as well who entrusted your whole lives to Jesus after you heard the truth preached should also bring Him glory. And because you trusted Him he has marked you with the Holy Spirit just as the lintels over the doorpost were marked by the blood of a lamb. This is a guarantee of your inheritance, you are now engaged and betrothed to each other and the day is coming soon when the Bridegroom will come back for His bride, so wear the mark of the Holy Spirit well, by this mark all men will know that you belong to Jesus just as an engagement ring tells the whole world that you are promised to another.”
If you have not entrusted the Lord Jesus Christ with your whole life, mortal and immortal, then the promises do not belong to you, you are not sealed nor promised to the Bridegroom. There is no guarantee for those who have not entrusted their whole lives to Jesus. Perhaps someone once told you “all you have to do to be saved is to believe.” It is very important that you know what the Scriptures was talking about when you read that English word believe. Living vibrant faith that leads to the ” praise of His glory,” does not come through a mental assent to an abstract truth.
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 | 2 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 4, 2015
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. (Eph 1:16-19)
I give thanks this morning for the Body of Christ, the saints around the world, His remnant people. There is one thing that I have noticed as I have met genuine saints from every conceivable background. They have ” eyes of understanding.” Not head knowledge, but eyes of understanding. Notice what Paul is praying for here; that they may have a deeper wisdom, a deeper revelation, an understanding that is more enlightened. His focus for the saints is that they have an even greater revelation of the riches of our inheritance. Is that how we pray today brothers and sisters? Do we have our eyes of understanding so focused on the riches of His glory that our prayers for the saints is that their understanding of the riches of His glory simply increases? Very rarely if ever do we see the Apostles pray for an alleviation of circumstances, no we see that the prayers are for a greater revelation of the glory of God and the eternal world to come. It is in this revelation that we are empowered to stand in the midst of any circumstances.
Too often the prayers of the saints are focused on the alleviation of the immediate physical circumstances, not realizing that the true power of those who walk the Kingdom walk, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, lies not in an alleviation of circumstances but an elevation of Spiritual awareness. And who gives us this elevation of Spiritual awareness? “The Father of Glory.” The very essence of glory, glory itself. God the Father is not glorious, He is glory itself. Just a glimpse of His glory elevates us high above the circumstances of our lives. We see this when Peter steps out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm. As His eyes are focused upon God, He is elevated above the storm. That which was sent to destroy him, now simply becomes a vehicle to bring glory to God. Right now, in the midst of your circumstances, what would bring God the most glory? We already know that God can calm any raging storm at any time, yet He bids us come up higher for His glories sake. He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. While they rage with all of their fury, we sit in peace in His presence and this confounds the enemy of our souls and brings glory to God, and in this, goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our lives.
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: glory to God, God the Father, revelation, the spirit of wisdom and revelation, understanding | 3 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 3, 2015
When the cliffs are to your back
And the tide is coming in
When the waters surely rising
And you know you cannot swim
And the water comes so slowly
But you know there’s no escape
It laps around your ankles
It will take what it will take
You know your slowly drowning
But you do not seem to care
What you really are afraid of
That come the morning your still there
How many tides have come and gone
How many fogs have rolled on in?
How dark has been the darkest night
It tries to drown the light within
And suddenly you realize
You are a beacon in the night
You stand above the highest tide
Eternally a shining light
A lighthouse standing on the Rock
For all the world to see
Standing whole and strong above the storm
Shining light for all eternity
Through endless storms and ages past
Through every dark and stormy night
You’ve come to learn this single thing
There always comes dawns early light
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 | 2 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 3, 2015
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1Jn 2:26-27)
Now here is an incredible thing, every genuine saint has an anointing from God to know and to hear and to understand the truth. So if anyone is deceived, he has allowed himself to be deceived and by an act of his own will, determined in his heart to ignore that inner anointing. Now why would anyone do such a thing? They have responded to the siren call from the soul and those sirens will lure them onto the rocks. To be deceived by a false prophet or a seducer is an act of indulgence , laziness or lust. Now this anointing does not mean that you do not need to be taught, although if circumstances warranted it , God is well able to teach you. No, it means that you will be able to discern, through your inner witness, what is true and what is not. No man has dominion over your faith, over your anointing, over your inner witness by the Holy Spirit from God. Stand upon the Word of God and the inner witness that testifies to it for you will be accountable for your own walk. No finger will be pointed at any man or the devil saying ” he made me do it.”
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 | 5 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 2, 2015
1Co 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. (25) And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
When was the last time you saw someone fall down on their face because they were convicted by the presence of God? Notice that the Scripture here does not just speak of the unbeliever but also the uninformed. This particular chapter of Corinthians and really the whole book is speaking to disorder in the Church. It is said that when they came together they all had a teaching, they all had a tongue, they all had a revelation, they all had a psalm, they all had an interpretation.
Now, in our day what a marvelous problem it would be if we had the problems of the Corinthians, now, by design, we have the exact opposite problem. One man speaks. No one has a tongue, no one has a message, no one has a psalm, no one has a word of knowledge, no one has a prophecy. What would Paul write to the average church today? Are we not still in disorder? Is the Body not deathly sick because of a lack of edification as defined by the Word? We have went from the ridiculous to the sublime. If men came into your gathering, would they see a church that was in order as prescribed by Paul? 1Co 14:27-29 “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. (28) But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. (29) Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.” If the Body was operating as it should then men would “report that God is truly among you.” In all things we are called to follow the wisdom and the direction of God and not to deviate from it. What disaster has befallen us because men have decided that they know better.
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 | 10 Comments »
Posted by appolus on March 1, 2015
Heb 2:14-16 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (16) For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
He humbled Himself and became a man and raised the state of redeemed man to be higher than the fallen angels. These angels who fell remain where they are, there is no redemption for them. Their leader is the father of sin and the first to sin and then to beguile men to sin and to be takenΒ captive by the bondage of that and eternal death. Yet the children of light, the redeemed of the Lord no longer dwell in such bondage and can say ” Oh death where is your sting, oh grave where is your victory?” Jesus was victorious over death and the grave, He has arisen and He bids men to join Him. Brothers and sisters, consider your freedom this day from bondage. The fallen angels found no such aid yet you, think slowly, you have been raised up with Christ. Your outward man is perishing, but your inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.2Co 4:17-18
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: eternal death, fallen angels, fear of death, The fallen angels | Leave a Comment »
Posted by appolus on March 1, 2015
A poem to encourage the saints around the world and a declaration to the enemies of our bodies and souls. Whether we live or whether we die we have triumphed in Christ and will bring glory and honor to Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb.
In the midst of the battle
In the dark of the night
When they put out my eyes
Oh Lord give me sight
That I would have eyes
That could truly see
That despite these chains
I am surely free
Free to worship, free to love
Free to fly to my Father above
Take my head from my shoulders
Cut me down, burn me up
In Christ alone I will drink this cup
Read the rest of this entry »
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 | Tagged: Jesus Christ | Leave a Comment »
Posted by appolus on February 28, 2015
There is an ancient battle that is playing out before our eyes. Now this battle has always been ongoing for those with eyes to see, but now the battle is increasing and will eventually be globally recognized. There will be an unveiling of evil for all the world to see. The anti-christ is arising and at some point will be unveiled.
ISIS and the various groups right now that have captured the media and worlds attention by their acts of horror, are but a mere prelude for what is to come. If we are to have ” eyes to see and ears to hear,” what is going on and what is to shortly unfold, let us look at Scripture. Many do not realize that Job was the first book of the Bible to be written which makes it a book of huge importance. All Scripture is Divine and important, but there is always something about the first and the last books. And so, what was the Lord showing to us in the drama that unfolded in Job…………….
Job 1:7-11 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (8) Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (9) So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? (10) Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” Read the rest of this entry »
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 | Tagged: principalities and powers | 2 Comments »
Posted by appolus on February 27, 2015
2Co 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
Oh brothers and sisters, where is the Apostolic leadership of our day? Where is the wisdom of God? Where can we find such leadership that would proclaim that they do not have dominion over ones faith but are actually fellow workers for the joy of the saints? If one of the chief purposes of gathering together is for the edifying of the saints, for the equipping of the saints, for the feeding of the sheep, then where is the servant leadership today? In our day we produce leaders, yet all though the Bible leaders were called of God by His Spirit. When Christendom is reduced to an industry, then the industry itself finds, promotes and trains its leaders. The land is in desperate need of men that are called by God and who reject all titles and privileges. All too often and in too many places the saints have been reduced to dumb spectators whose tithes and offerings are for the equipping of the salaried staff. We have it backwards, may the Lord forgive us.
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: Apostolic leadership, servant leadership | 6 Comments »
Posted by appolus on February 26, 2015
Mat 21:33-40 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. (34) Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. (35) And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. (36) Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. (37) Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ (38) But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ (39) So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. (40) “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”
Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees here. This must have incensed them as they realized He was talking about them and the people they led. God is the Landowner and the nation of Israel and its leaders were the vinedressers. Now it must be realized that God has also planted a church, the church was born at Pentecost. Just as the Lord was looking for fruit from ancient Israel, He is also looking for fruit from the church. God sent messengers and prophets to Israel and they abused them and treated the cruelly and killed them. Over the last 2000 years God has sent messengers and prophets to His church. Is there fruit behind the walls? Will He find faith on the earth? If He cut of the natural branches should that not give pause for thought to the branches that were grafted in? There is a harvest coming. The owner is coming back for what is His. Jesus’ first coming was the culmination of all the messengers and the prophets. His second coming will be heralded as well. The people and their leaders will be without excuse. God continually reaches out and exhorts and warns of that day that is to come for His love is without question and His long-suffering with a stiff-necked people is remarkable.
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: Israel | 2 Comments »
Posted by appolus on February 25, 2015
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
“I am the Truth.” Wow. Jesus had not come to teach us the truth, He had come to show us the Truth. Jesus was not another teacher teaching us about truth, He was Truth and He had come to reveal Himself. Jesus says in another place that if we abided in His Word then we would know the truth and the truth would set us free. In another place we are told that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus is the Word. The Word and the Truth are Jesus. If we abide in Jesus, if we dwell with Him, if we come to Him, then we will know Him and in knowing Him we shall be set free. He who the Son sets free is free indeed, liberated from bondage and the curse of sin. Now, you can know the Bible and not know the Truth, but you cannot know the Truth and not know the Bible. Those who are in Christ and know Him are in the Word and the word is in them and they continue in it, they abide in it. There is a huge difference between memorizing Scripture and knowing the Word. He showed us the Way by showing us Himself who is the Truth and it led us deeper into Him, who is Life. All of that leads us to the Father. Show me a man with the life of Christ in Him and I will show you a man knows the Truth and walks the narrow way that leads to the Father and eternal life.
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 »
Posted by appolus on February 24, 2015
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Hab 3:17-19)
Have you ever seen the mountain goat traverse almost vertical sheer cliffs? It is a sight to behold. In the making of these goats God withheld fear. It is as if the mountain is not there. There is something in their very make up that causes them to move with ease in surroundings that would kill almost any other living creature, God made it so. When gross darkness comes upon us brothers and sisters, there is a perfect love that casts out all fear. We traverse the mountains and the valleys and the shadows of death with power and love and a mind that is stayed upon Him. He is your strength and He will make you fearless when the time comes and you will walk in high places. Even in the midst of great turmoil and chaos, peace will reign in the hearts of the saints whose eyes are stayed on Him.
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 | 4 Comments »
Posted by appolus on February 23, 2015
The title of this piece is very controversial. I have lost friends over this subject. I do not take it lightly. It is quite an audacious thing to say that the very system that most of Christendom labors under is un-biblical and flawed but there it is, that is what I believe. The mere fact that it has existed in some form or fashion for countless centuries in no way legitimizes it.Β If it did, then the Catholic church would be the most legitimate church out there. It seems plain enough that in Scripture, Christians met in their homes and their very homes became places of worship, houses of prayer if you like. The outside world saw life in these people, saw love in these people and God Himself added to them daily. Think about all the church programs that are designed to ” get,” new members or to somehow stop the ” revolving door,” and keep the folks who come and visit. Yet the early believers had no such programs.
What led people to the truth was the very life in those who represented it. A burning love and passion for Jesus.Β They had no desire to bring folks to their particular house, or tell people that they must hear their particular teacher or pastor, no their singular obsession and passion was for the one who radically transformed their lives and it was now no longer them that lived but Christ lived in them. Therefore they were not afraid to die for Jesus , in fact, the early Church counted it as a great honor and thanked God that they were counted worthy to suffer for Him. This was the life of Christ burning in their bones, coursing through their veins, it completely dominated their whole lives, their life was about His life in them and this drew others to Jesus. God Himself was given all the honor and the glory for the drawing of others to Himself as of course it should be. Consider the words of T.A.Sparks……………………………
The Lord has not called upon us to form churches. That is not our business. Would to God men had recognized the fact! A very different situation would obtain today from what exists, if that had been recognized. It is the Lord Who expands His Church, Who governs its growth. What we have to do is to live in the place of His appointment in the power of His resurrection. If, in the midst of others, the Lord can get but two of His children, in whom His Life is full and free, to live on the basis of that Life, and not to seek to gather others to themselves or to get them to congregate together on the basis of their acceptance of certain truths or teaching, but simply to witness to what Christ means and is to them, then He has an open way…. Read the rest of this entry »
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: the Body of Christ, The Pilgrim Church | 19 Comments »
A Call To The Remnant 