As my wife and I were engaged in our daily Bible reading a couple of days ago, I had a very pointed question enter my mind. We are involved in a Bible challenge at our church that includes reading through the entire Bible in a year. Vickie was reading from Mark’s Gospel account when the question popped up on the inside of me: ‘Where is this Jesus today?’
I am speaking of the Jesus described throughout the various Gospels. I am talking about the Jesus that went about doing good and healing those who were sick and oppressed (Acts 10:38). There seems to be many versions of Jesus being preached, sold, and marketed in our society. We have a “Jesus 12-Step Program” for nearly anything that ails humanity. In our attempt to be ever more popular with the world, we have grown fearful of demonstrating the true power of Christ to heal and deliver. In the early chapters of the book of Mark, we see Jesus healing great numbers of folks. He is casting out demons and even violating the traditions of the religious community. Christ was not seeking acceptance of men; rather, He came to fulfill the will of His Father. As a result, many people were astonished and even more came and began to follow Him.
So, where is this Jesus today? Perhaps we need to ask ourselves this question. Is the New Testament church the “Body” of Christ on the earth, or are we just a religious community that meets regularly in a vain attempt to have needs met? Is Jesus really the “Head” of the church, or have we done things the way we have seen fit and simply respect Christ as a figurehead?
Early in His ministry Jesus is seen imparting His anointing to those who were commissioned to go. As they went, they were instructed to do the same things the Master had been doing. We live in a time and culture that is void of real spiritual truth. What the world needs now is love, love, love . . . seen in a demonstration of power and authority. The Church has been granted both. We have the authority of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit.
This is a season of great impartation and release for the people who truly know the God of the Bible. We need and have available fresh impartation of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of impartation is empowerment. As a result, we are released to go into the highways, hedges, marketplace, and everywhere we conduct daily business. As we go, we are to manifest the power of God; signs and wonders will be the result. May the Church arise in a demonstration of the love and Spirit of God, and may the people who know their God do great exploits.
In Him,
PG
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Change the Atmosphere
God seems to watch over the earth, looking for certain places to manifest His presence in unusual ways. This is clearly illustrated throughout Scripture as the Lord chose where, when, and through whom He would perform great wonders.
Today, as much as ever, the God of creation desires to pour out His Spirit and manifest His glory in the earth. And although the creation showcases His wondrous works and displays His glory, it seems God chooses specific times and places to demonstrate His presence in unique and powerful ways.
The Spirit of God moves more freely where His presence is neither despised nor hindered. As a result, we, as God’s ambassadors on the earth, can cultivate an atmosphere where the Spirit moves freely and God’s glory is manifested in a greater way.
If we, the people of God, are going to take seriously the need to create an atmosphere where God’s Spirit can freely move, we must engage in some personal examination and scrutiny.
God’s anointing is poured out where unity is found (Psalm 133).
The Psalmist makes clear that the oil of God’s anointing is poured out where His people dwell in unity. The oil is seen flowing down the beard of Aaron and continuing down to the hem of his garment. Thus, the entire body is covered. In addition, there is a refreshing that comes as the anointing freely flows. There has never been a time in history when there was a greater need for such anointing and refreshing than there is today.
With this in mind, let’s consider the following:
Strife and division hinders the anointing, or the pouring out of God’s Spirit. Apostle Paul makes a remarkable statement to the believers at Corinth in his first letter to the Corinthian church.
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
This strikes me as one of those near impossible biblical injunctions. There was clearly some degree of discord in the house of God and the lives of God’s people. It seems this has always been the case. Yet, Paul writes that believers were to think, speak, and act in one accord. How could this ever be accomplished?
The only way men could ever hope to think, speak, and act in agreement is when they drink from the same source of knowledge and wisdom. Only when the Word of God becomes the basis of judgment and information can the Church hope to walk in such agreement.
The apostle even cited specific cause for strife and division in a later portion of the same letter.
“For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men” (1 Corinthians 3:3).
Paul addresses the issues of envy, strife, and divisions. He states that the people were “behaving like mere men.” The implication is that as citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are no longer to conduct ourselves as mere carnal or earthly men. Rather, we are to walk according to the Spirit and in subjection to the Word of God. Much of this carnal behavior can be attributed to a lack of true spiritual discernment and sound biblical judgment.
Romans 12:1-2 becomes all the more clear when we consider that God has not recreated us in order for us to continue to think, speak and act as those who have not experienced regeneration.
In order to know and do the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, we must be transformed through the renewing of our minds. Believers must come to a place of submission and surrender to both the Word and Spirit of God. As we put away childish disagreements by receiving the wisdom of God, there will be a change of atmosphere in our hearts, homes, workplaces, and even our churches.
Let’s purpose to walk together in subjection to the Word of God and put off carnal thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. As best as we can, let us walk and live in peace. This means experiencing peace with God, ourselves, and those around us. Let’s make an effort to cultivate an atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord can freely move and miracles can take place.
In Him,
PG
Today, as much as ever, the God of creation desires to pour out His Spirit and manifest His glory in the earth. And although the creation showcases His wondrous works and displays His glory, it seems God chooses specific times and places to demonstrate His presence in unique and powerful ways.
The Spirit of God moves more freely where His presence is neither despised nor hindered. As a result, we, as God’s ambassadors on the earth, can cultivate an atmosphere where the Spirit moves freely and God’s glory is manifested in a greater way.
If we, the people of God, are going to take seriously the need to create an atmosphere where God’s Spirit can freely move, we must engage in some personal examination and scrutiny.
God’s anointing is poured out where unity is found (Psalm 133).
The Psalmist makes clear that the oil of God’s anointing is poured out where His people dwell in unity. The oil is seen flowing down the beard of Aaron and continuing down to the hem of his garment. Thus, the entire body is covered. In addition, there is a refreshing that comes as the anointing freely flows. There has never been a time in history when there was a greater need for such anointing and refreshing than there is today.
With this in mind, let’s consider the following:
Strife and division hinders the anointing, or the pouring out of God’s Spirit. Apostle Paul makes a remarkable statement to the believers at Corinth in his first letter to the Corinthian church.
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
This strikes me as one of those near impossible biblical injunctions. There was clearly some degree of discord in the house of God and the lives of God’s people. It seems this has always been the case. Yet, Paul writes that believers were to think, speak, and act in one accord. How could this ever be accomplished?
The only way men could ever hope to think, speak, and act in agreement is when they drink from the same source of knowledge and wisdom. Only when the Word of God becomes the basis of judgment and information can the Church hope to walk in such agreement.
The apostle even cited specific cause for strife and division in a later portion of the same letter.
“For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men” (1 Corinthians 3:3).
Paul addresses the issues of envy, strife, and divisions. He states that the people were “behaving like mere men.” The implication is that as citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are no longer to conduct ourselves as mere carnal or earthly men. Rather, we are to walk according to the Spirit and in subjection to the Word of God. Much of this carnal behavior can be attributed to a lack of true spiritual discernment and sound biblical judgment.
Romans 12:1-2 becomes all the more clear when we consider that God has not recreated us in order for us to continue to think, speak and act as those who have not experienced regeneration.
In order to know and do the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, we must be transformed through the renewing of our minds. Believers must come to a place of submission and surrender to both the Word and Spirit of God. As we put away childish disagreements by receiving the wisdom of God, there will be a change of atmosphere in our hearts, homes, workplaces, and even our churches.
Let’s purpose to walk together in subjection to the Word of God and put off carnal thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. As best as we can, let us walk and live in peace. This means experiencing peace with God, ourselves, and those around us. Let’s make an effort to cultivate an atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord can freely move and miracles can take place.
In Him,
PG
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