The Age Of The Church
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Revelation 1:1
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Faith Bounding Forward
Vibrant faith is one which bounds forward, not looking back, and not to the side. It is a faith that is fixed on the Faithful One, Christ, whose word is as good as He is holy. Faith's bedrock is truth, and the One who IS truth. The abundance of faith depends greatly upon one's vision of Christ, the true perception of who He is in all His glory.
The Indwelling Gracious Spirit
When Pentecost came after the ascension of Christ, the Spirit of God was given to the disciples of Christ, not only to be with them, but to indwell in them. The proximity of God to the heart was then as close as it could be to the soul. Why? It is because of the infinite riches that are in Christ that the Father has chosen to reveal to and through the life of every believer. All things become possible when one is abiding in Christ, and Christ in them by the Spirit, the gracious Spirit.
The Essence Of The Spiritual Conflict
What is the spiritual conflict that is going on at present in this world? It is that of two opposing wills, purposes, and means of living. On the one hand, Satan's objective is to deceive mankind so that by leading them down a path that God cannot bless, their end will be death. On the other hand, Christ comes with healing, forgiveness, cleansing, and the provision of new life by the Spirit.
The Believer's Two Quests
The true believer in Christ is on two quests, among others. The first is to know Christ. This pursuit is the greatest possible one that any person can possibly have because of the worth the Eternal God, His mercy and love. The other one is to make Christ known to the ends of the earth.
Living In The Light Of Christ's Coming
There is coming a day when Christ will come, first to take His church to Himself, but then in judgment upon the earth. In both instances there will be a personal meeting with Christ. This meeting will be very real for the believer will see Him as He is. The question then becomes, are we walking in the light as He is in the light, so that we shall not be ashamed? Are we eagerly, and responsibly, waiting for His coming?
Chariots Of Fire And Rushing Wind
The power of God is revealed in Scripture in different ways. To Elisha it was in the chariot of fire which took Elijah the prophet to heaven. To the disciples who were praying together on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension into heaven, it was the sound of a rushing wind, and the appearance of tongues of fire. God gave these manifestations of power so that those who saw them would trust Him for the power that they needed to do the will of God.
The Secret Place Of The Father
The "secret place of the Father" is that place of aloneness with Him, in order to give Him all of one's attention, first of all in worship, but then to hear what He will say by the Spirit, according to the word and will of God. The reward of coming aside to the secret place with God is fellowship with the Father, and the Son, by the Spirit. It is there that God reveals Himself to the seeking heart.
The Power Of The Scriptures
The Word of God is declared by the Scriptures as being "Living and powerful." Why? It is because when God speaks His power is in His words. By the power of His words men come to the saving life of Christ and are born again. By His words, all things become possible in the will of God for the glory of God.
The Impending Mission
From the fall of man into sin, and the corresponding effects of suffering and death because of that sin, alienating man from God, the Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, and Christ, the sole Redeemer of lost men, put in place a mission. It was to be a mission of the Holy Spirit working in saved men and women, called of God to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The mission remains intact today.
The Commitment Of God To Answer Prayer
The eternal God is a covenant God. This means that what He promises to men, or to mankind, He will certainly do. God's word is not only His bond, but the extension of who He IS, and He is true and faithful. This is why He calls forth trust from our hearts, that we should know the One who is perfectly faithful and true.