As Christians, I think we are all aware that there are times when we need some “refreshing” in our personal walk with the Lord. And in the collective sphere, many seem to be always looking for “the next revival”. But our need, in fact, goes beyond “refreshing”. Although we have become expert at masking it, there is a deep dissatisfaction lying beneath the surface of our lives which causes our spirits and souls to “groan within ourselves”. We long for
Peter exhorted the people to repent and return to the Lord “in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This article discusses why we – the Church, the Ekklesia Jesus is building – need “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord”
The Holy Spirit is the only One who gives the life of Christ which sustains His Body. (John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6) Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would “take of what is Mine and declare it to you”. (John 16:13-15) “The fellowship of the Holy Spirit” is people participating in what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing – He shares with us the life of Christ, and we share the life of Christ with one another.
We hope for many things in life. But we all have experienced disappointments – unfulfilled hopes. In his Letter to the Romans, Paul, stated that “hope does not disappoint”. What hope is he talking about? He said there is “a hope that is reserved for us in heaven”. That’s a future hope. He also spoke of “the hope of the glory of God”. Is that a hope for the here and now? Can we hope to experience “the glory of
From the moment of his birth throughout most of his life, Jacob “wrestled” with people – particularly his brother. He wrestled in order to position himself – that is, in order to get things the way he wanted them. It was his nature to wrestle with everyone he encountered before he finally wrestled with God. But after having his ultimate wrestling match with God – that is, after “wrestling for the blessing”, both his name and his nature were changed.
This article, which deals with the subject of “personal identity”, is an excerpt from the book “Wrestling for the Blessing”, which endeavors to show that Scripture reveals God’s desire to offer each individual in Christ a unique expression of their personal identity. This was clearly initiated in the Garden, lost through the Fall, restored collectively to the people of God in the Old Covenant, but restored on an individual basis for each person in Christ. Further, the personal application of
This article, which deals with the subject of “personal identity”, is an excerpt from the book “Wrestling for the Blessing”, which endeavors to show that Scripture reveals God’s desire to offer each individual in Christ a unique expression of their personal identity. This was clearly initiated in the Garden, lost through the Fall, restored collectively to the people of God in the Old Covenant, but restored on an individual basis for each person in Christ. Further, the personal application of
This brief article discusses the following aspects of Experiencing the Manifested Presence of God: Being “In the Spirit” Spiritual Perception “Under the Influence” of the Spirit A Foretaste of Heaven
In New Covenant worship, we are raised up (in Christ) into the spiritual realm – “the heavenly places” – “in the spirit” – in order to experience the Manifested Presence of God and the Shekinah Glory. Because this is spiritual and not physical, does not mean it is not real. In our study of Scripture, a Christocentric Hermeneutic and Typology will give us an understanding of “The Presence of God In Light of the New Covenant”
When discussing any topic, it is wise to define the terms one is using so that authentic communication takes place, and a rational, and coherent discussion ensues. As I have previously stated in another article, “Worship. Prayer & Music”, biblically speaking, singing songs is not essentially “worship” – it is a form of prayer. And I defined “worship” as a lifestyle of surrender and service. In this present article, which is also an excerpt from “The Manifested Presence of God”,
