Fire on the Altar

My heart is broken for the family who lost a son, for the city of Ferguson, and our nation as violent protesting seems to continue to spread. I am praying and will continue to pray for all those affected by this crisis. This post is not taking sides or pointing a finger or casting  judgement on anyone involved but rather taking a Biblical look at how the church should respond in times like these. I don't pretend to understand all the complexities of the issues that drive the crisis in Ferguson.  But I do believe this simple outline is the way Jesus would expect any one claiming to follow him to respond.

Luke 24:44-46 KJV And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: "It behooved Christ to suffer" Behooved- it is necessary, or a necessity, it is a duty or responsibility. Why was the suffering and the death of Jesus a necessity?

 Just an observation: No one wants to be warned about sin or enjoys being told to turn away from sin or likes simply being told what they should or should not do....But everybody loves and can even get excited about hearing about blessing, prosperity, healing and victory. The sad part about this observation is the thing they don't want or enjoy is very likely the direction/ instructions that will lead them to the thing they want to experience. 1. The fear of the Lord is the starting point for entering the knowledge of God. Simply stated without the fear of the Lord we can not and will not know God. Proverbs 1:7 NKJV The fear of the Lord  is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 2. The Fear of the Lord brings illumination, revelation, understanding and direction in our lives. Without the fear of the Lord our days are short and we will lack a real understanding of life and God's will for our life. The fear of the Lord positions...

I have recently been studying the subject of the fear of the Lord from the book of Proverbs. But I feel led to share two verses on the subject of the fear of the Lord from 2 Corinthians. If we are honest we all have to admit the American church is lacking the power and anointing of Jesus Christ. I am convinced that the lack I see is certainly not with Jesus  because we know He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. I also know that the anointing of Jesus did not stop with the apostles. Because Jesus said that the church should do greater works than He did. The anointing is available it's the will of God that the church do greater things than even the apostles and Jesus did while here on earth. From my study in the book of Proverbs and from these two verses in 2 Corinthians I believe the lack of anointing comes from the churches lack of the fear of the Lord. I believe to have the fear of the Lord is to have respect, reverence for God. I believe to have fear of t...

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 .....Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.  NEVERTHELESS God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforted us...... nevertheless  in spite of that; notwithstanding; all the same; in spite of that, despite that, be that as it may, for all that, that said, just the same,all the same I am tired and worn out, I have troubles on every side, everywhere I turn there is trouble, without are fightings, within are fears I am scared and don't know what to do...... In spite of circumstances, God all the same, God be that as it may, God that said, God just the same, God all the same, God God is our answer! God is more than enough! God is all we need! God is all sufficient! God is all knowing! God is all powerful! God is omnipresent! The key is to see through/ to look past the present circumstances into the eternal promises of God. 2 Corint...

Psalms 37:1, 7-8 NKJV 1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 7 Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret— it only causes harm. Three practical steps on how to not worry! 1. Rather than worry look to God and His creation how he continues to feed and clothe the birds and take care of His creation. Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothin...

Five signs you need Revival in your life! Romans 6:1-4 NKJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1. You are continually falling in the same sin. I John 2:15-17 NKJV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 2. You are more connected to the world than you are the One who created the ...

Grow in grace and knowledge. II Peter 3:17-18 NKJV You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. Increase and abound in love and holiness. I Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Abound more and more in obedience. I Thessalonians 4:1-2 NKJV Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. Increase more and more in love toward the brethre...

Psalms 19:7-8;11 NKJV The law of the Lord  is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord  is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord  are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord  is pure, enlightening the eyes; 19:11Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there  is great reward. The Word is Perfect! The Word is Sure! The Word is Right! The Word is Pure! Five affects the Word of God has on us as we read, study and meditate upon its truth. 1. The Word brings conversion, change, restoration and revival. 2. The Word brings wisdom. 3. The Word brings joy and causes us to rejoice/ worship the Lord. 4. The Word brings enlightment/ revelation  so that we can see and know God in a deeper way. 5. The Word brings great reward to those who hear and obey its warnings. This is why David says in Psalms 19:10 "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey ...

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Philippians 3:12-14 KJV Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. When we are learning to drive it's important to know how to use your mirrors properly. We must know when to use our spiritual mirrors properly in our relationship with Jesus. No doubt there are times in our life where we may need to be reminded of past victories in Christ in order to build our faith in our present circumstance. But Paul emphasizes a important factor in pressing forward i...

1 Peter 3:11 .....let him seek peace and pursue it. Many times in the midst of the storms we face, the natural thing to do is worry. The natural thing to do is doubt. The natural thing is do is to be frustrated. God hasn't called us to walk in the natural but He is calling us to walk in the supernatural. God is calling us to walk by faith and not by sight. I want to share with you briefly six practical ways that by faith you can pursue the peace of God. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving , let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are  noble, whatever things are  just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are  lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there  is any virtue and if there  is anything praiseworthy— m...

1. FAITH-  complete trust and confidence in God Matthew 17:20 NKJV (Jesus speaking) I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 2. WARRIOR   SPIRIT -  fully aware of spiritual warfare and   fully equipped in the whole armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplat...

Hebrews 3:12-13 NKJV Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Four signs that you may be or have already departed or backslidden in your relationship with Jesus. 1. Unbelief. You find yourself doubting the power of God in your life. Rather than turning to God in prayer you look to the world for help. 2. No hunger or desire for God in your life. You have become so busy with life that you can go days or weeks without thinking about God or His will for your life. You do not have any desire to pray, read the Word, or be with the people of God. 3. You love yourself, money, and pleasure more than you love God. God demands and deserves to be Lord and Master over every area of our lives. God's Word tells us if we love Him we will obey His commands. 4. Fear. Your life has become co...

Six heart conditions that require CPR Christ Producing Revival. 1. SYMPTOM OF A HEART CONDITION Burdened Heart, this person is weighed down with issues of life, feels hopeless, this person may be lonely, depressed. Matthew 11:28 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus is looking to the person burdened and weigh down with life and is saying Come to me the One who baptizes with the HOLY GHOST FIRE AND RECEIVE REVIVAL!! Cast your cares upon me for I care for you! 2. SYMPTOM OF A HEART CONDITION, Unforgiving bitter heart, You been mistreated, abused, despitefully used, Matthew 6:14 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Jesus is saying to you look to the cross remember the love that I showed to you. He would say to you I want to release  Holy Ghost REVIVAL in your life. I desperately want to renew a right spirit within you. I forgave you so please forgive others no matter the pa...

"Five Benefits of Real Christian Fellowship/Community" 1. Steadfast fellowship brings a reverence for God and empowers the church for the supernatural. (See Acts 2:43) Acts 2:42-43 NKJVAnd they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 2. God's faithfulness is revealed when we except the call to fellowship with the body of Christ. I Corinthians 1:9-10 NKJV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. 3. Godly fellowship brings encouragement and provokes us to love more and to serve more. Godly fellowship should drive  us away from s...