I believe the Lord is endeavoring to move the church into a place where the Holy Spirit can flow freely to through us to others. As we open ourselves up to be obedient to His promptings, expect the signs and wonders that follow the ministry of the Word to increase! (Mark: 16:20).
Yesterday I began discussing the river that flows from the Millennial Temple of God and how that is analogous to the moving of the Holy Spirit right now in our day. The water flowed from the temple, and the farther it flowed the deeper it went; ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, and waters to swim in (See Ezekiel 47:1-9). Here are a few thoughts about the water flowing from this temple and how it applies to the moving of the Holy Spirit among us right now at the end of the church age.
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar (Ezekiel 47:1).
Notice that the water flows out, not in! The Holy Spirit will work in us only as we get our eyes off of ourselves and began to live to bless others. Put yourself last and others first. An acronym for JOY is Jesus, Others, You. Remember that Job was delivered from his terrible plight when he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10). Jesus said give and it shall be given to you (Luke 6:38).The Spirit can flow from us when we put others first!
Notice in this verse also that the water flowed from the Temple, a Holy place. Only as we pursue the holiness of God will the anointing of the Spirit flow. We’re encouraged to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1)! We are to be holy in all our conduct, for it is written, be holy, for I am holy (1 Peter 1:14-15). Purity precedes power!
Lastly notice that the water flowing from the temple flowed from under the threshold. This speaks to us of the humility of spirit by which we should live. Notice Isaiah 57:15:For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Personal humility draws the presence of God!
Peter tells us, Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). John the Baptist proclaimed, He must increase, but I must decrease! (John 3:30).
Let’s make a choice today to put others first, to pursue holy living, and to live in humility so that the Spirit of God can use us with His might and power to give glory to Jesus and to bless others!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Unselfishness, Holiness, and Humility
Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 8:59 AM by Pastor Mitch
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Whenever we pray for someone else, we are recharged, refilled, and refreshed.
ReplyDeleteThe church should be a healthy, fruitful vineyard that will bring honor to Christ, a church after Christ's own heart where He can look at the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Among the people should be a beautiful simplicity and a radiant Christian love so it would impossible to find gossips and talebearers. There should be a feeling of humble reverence and an air of joyous informality, where each one esteems others better than himself or herself, where everyone is willing to serve but no one jockeys to serve. Childlike candor without duplicity or dishonesty should mark the church, and the presence of Christ should be felt and the fragrance of His garments smelled by His beloved. Prayers should be answered so regularly that we think nothing of it. It would be common because God is God, and we are His people. When necessary, miracles would not be uncommon. Is that, in the light of Scripture, unreasonable and undesirable to expect of a church? . . . Is this impossible? Is anything impossible with God? Is anything impossible where the Lord Jesus Christ is? Is this unscriptural? No! The only thing that is unscriptural about this vision is that it is not up to the standard of Scripture yet. The scriptural standards are still high. If you answer, "No, it is not unreasonable, undesirable or impossible," then you are saying you believe in this. If you believe in this, if you would like to become the church that could begin this reformation, this change toward the better, this recapturing of the ancient power of God in the souls of people, then there must be a radical psychological break with the prevailing religious mood...."A CHURCH Church" A.W. Tozer
ReplyDeleteThank you for following His lead!
Meera