The Power Of The Ascension
The significance of the ascension of Christ must never be minimized, for by that act of God, when Christ went to heaven as the disciples looked on, there was accomplished the word of Christ, which would provide for the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon all flesh. The ascension was in one respect the confirmation of the coming of the Spirit of Pentecost, the fulfilment of Christ's promise.
The Fellowship In The Gospel
What is fellowship but a common sharing of blessing. From a spiritual standpoint, as one considers that every believer has been placed by the Father into living union with Christ, fellowship is that sharing of the divine Life by the Spirit. With respect to the spreading of the Gospel, fellowship is in both the blessing and the work, all in the Spirit, as the Word of God is taken to the ends of the earth, so that many come to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Kings And Priests To God
In the perspective of God, all that He has chosen us to be from the foundation of the world, exceeds anything we could think of or grasp. Look at Christ who came to us in humility. Now look at Him in His glory at the right hand of the Father. What a contrast between earth and heaven. For the believer he is called to be kings and priests to God, those wielding His authority in the doing of His will, but those who minister to Him in worship, and this perpetually. The eternal nearness to God is the expression of the eternal goodness of God.
A Morning Prayer
Prayer is that blessed means which God has given to mankind to come to Him, expressing the deep needs of the heart, but also, verbally seeking to worship the Creator and Redeemer by the Spirit. It is that means of expression, that essential element of communication whereby the believer can seek and find God, receiving from Him Life and blessing by faith. The prayer of the morning is a blessed gift of God, for then and there, God meets man by His Spirit.
A Deadline In Heaven
In the Scriptures we find where God fixes certain times, days, and even moments, when He will work in specific ways. These are points of reference when we can look back and recognize His sovereignty and authority, and realize anew that He indeed is God, the only true and living God. In light of Him fixing these dates and times, mankind is called upon to seek Him so that one might live in an attitude of meeting God, being faithful to do His will, and honor Him.
When God Speaks
Scripture tells us that God is constantly speaking to mankind by the things He has made, but more importantly, and precisely, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The words that Christ spoke while on this earth were by the Spirit, and filled with His Life and power. By them Christ forgave sins, accomplished a perfect work on Calvary, and fulfilled His promise to send the Spirit of God to be poured out upon all flesh. Hearing the words of God is essential if man would truly know and trust Him.
The Race And Objective Set Before Us
The true Christian is in a race against time, and the opportunity that God has given him. It is a race first and foremost to know God, Christ, and learn His ways. But secondly, it is a race concerning the accomplishment of the will of God, seeing the advancement of His kingdom. Time is limited, but God has provided all in Christ to run well the race, and to finish it in a way acceptable, and blessed of God.
The Liberating Power Of The Gospel
One of the great, and wonderful aspects of the good news of the Gospel of Christ, is that it is a message of liberation, of freedom. In it is revealed God's way of being delivered from sin, Satan, and the world. By the revelation not only of the truth in Christ, but also, of His saving power, the message becomes real and effective. Herein is true freedom.
The Call To Communion With God
The Call of Christ to the heart of every soul is first and foremost a call to come to Him, to learn of Him, and to know the reality of communion with God. The perfect work of redemption which Christ accomplished on the cross had for its purpose, not only to justify a lost sinner before God, but to bring that saved sinner into communion, or fellowship with God, there to know Him.
God's Shaking Of Heaven And Earth
There are times when God moves in mysterious ways, "His wonders to perform," and this in the quiet, and the unseen. There are other times when He raises up kings and brings kings down. When Jesus died on Calvary, and victoriously conquered all the power of the enemy, it was a shaking, a breaking up of the hold that the enemy had on the souls of men. God moves to loose the authoritative power of men, in order to establish His kingdom. Even so, through His church, He puts the enemy to flight by the power of Jesus' name. The believer is called to trust Him for the manifestation of His victory.