(the previous headline actually goes with this posting. I'll figure it out.)
Comments from Pastor Rich Marshall for the readers of "Prayer On Fire", by Fred Hartley III, chapter 3.
The fullness of the Holy Spirit in my life - and in your life - is one of the most essential acts of God's grace toward us, and on of my most favorite things in the Christian life. The promise of the Father spoken of by Jesus the Son, by John the Baptist, and by the Apostles in the New Testament is only fullfilled by the overflowing presence of God the Holy Spirit in believers like us. Only the fullness of the baptism in the Holy Spirit results in the glory of God in our lives. Without the baptism with the Holy Spirit in your life, you are left with the unpleasant mire of mere religion. It is most unpleasant to try to walk with Jesus Christ without the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I urge you with all that I can: Seek and receive all that the Father has promised. All that He has for you is all that you must have.
I just want to pray:
Thank You, Father, that this fullness, this baptism in the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, is not dependent on how educated, qualified, or talented we are. Thank You for pouring out Your presence, Your Holy Spirit, into all who wait upon You in humble repentance and full surrender; and that You design Your fullness to be a flowing stream that cleanses, refreshes, and empowers each one over and over. I declare, in Jesus' Name, that the heavens are open for the Faith Center family to receive the in-filling of the Holy Spirit - whoever comes in humble repentance and obedience to You - just as Your Word says in Acts 2:37-39 and Acts 2:4; and Ephesians 5:15-21. Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful desire that daily rises up within me; that desire to worship You with words and expressions of love. When I open my mouth to express what is in my spirit, I know that the Holy Spirit is giving me what is needed - whether with Spiritual language or with the understanding of my mind. Now, Lord, I ask You to give us gifts of the Spirit as 1 Corinthians 12 shows us. Set our prayer ministry on fire with Your presence. Enlarge Your calling upon each one so that we receive Your vision for Holy Spirit-gifted ministry and for our church's ministry. It is Your church, Lord. Set Your fire within us all, with the decency and order that You always bring. As a simple pastor and shepherd in this family, I receive the Holy Spirit in renewed flow and fullness in the church. Oh, Lord Jesus, I call upon You to move powerfully upon each and every one - that they will not be content until they personally surrender completely and experience the fullness of Holy Spirit baptism. IN JESUS' NAME. Amen.
What you've already received from the Lord is miraculous. And because God is always going to be greater, deeper, fuller and more powerful than you or I have ever known before, I say this with complete certainty - He has still more of Himself to reveal to you than ever before. Open yourself to the fullness of the Holy Spirit today, and again tomorrow, and again each day to come. Welcome His overflowing fullness, and He will welcome you to overflow His life each day.
There is no confusion in the Lord. If all your questions about the full baptism with the Holy Spirit are not yet answered, then rest your mind and heart, read your Bible and pray, ask the Lord to reveal more of Himself to you, and come talk to me about it this Sunday morning. Be hungry for all that the Lord has for you.
I bless you with the love of God,
and pray that the full fire of His Spirit light you up,
Pastor Rich
(Seek the Bible-evidence for the fullness of the Spirit. Let the Word define this for you - don't rely upon how you feel about it. Here are some key verses: Luke 11:9-13; John 14:8-17; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4, 11; 2:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; and many more. Let the Word and the Spirit guide you. Receive by faith, and enter-in with a humble worshipping spirit.)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
FINDING FIRE IN THE WORD
Comments based in the reading of "Prayer On Fire" by Fred Hartley III, with Pastor Rich Marshall of FaithCenter Aloha (The Foursquare Church in Aloha, Oregon). This week, October 18 - 24, 2009, chapter two.
As a pastor, "Prayer On Fire" is the kind of Christian book that I love to see my friends reading. It feeds your heart, soul, and mind, helping you grow stronger in the Spirit of God. Take an extra half hour to re-read this second chapter of our book. Take a pen with you so you can underline sentences that inspire you, or that raise questions in your mind. (Especially questions like, 'what should I do now?') The author has given you a foundational tour through scripture references (use the endnotes in the book) for understanding that God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has revealed Himself down through Biblical history, especially using fire as a vehicle for getting His point and His presence over to people. Since this study is given to help your understanding of God (Greek word for God - 'theos') we rightly refer to this second chapter of our book by its title: A Biblical Theology Of Fire. Theology means, the study of God.
God wants to get His fire burning in you. That is what the gift of the Holy Spirit is all about - His presence poured into a willing and welcomming person (you and me) causes the glow of what the Bible calls His glory. I love the hymn 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus'. The chorus ends with "and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace". The essence of Grace is the presence of Jesus (John 1:14-18), and the glory of God is the light that radiates from His presence. We humans were created to be the display dispensers (complete with variable personalities) of the fire, or glory of God as light to all that He has created. Jesus Christ redeems you out of the darkness of sin, for the purpose of relationship in restored glory. Compare two verses of scripture for a moment just to get a glimpse of what Jesus has done to restore your life to its full God-intended purpose: Romans 3:21 and Colossians 1:27. (I'll let you look those up and think about them.)
While we live in this world, we are on a journey - a camping trip, if you please. Thank God that He so closely identifies Himself with fire. You can't have a successful camping trip without the use of fire - in its many forms and shapes. Apply that idea to your life: You need the fullness of God's fire. In Acts 1, Jesus instructed those who believed to simply wait in prayer together - wait for the power, wind, and fire of His Spirit that would come upon them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Encourage one another. Wait on the Lord and He will light you up.
In His Grace,
Pastor Rich
Study Guide questions for chapter 2 are on page 159.
As a pastor, "Prayer On Fire" is the kind of Christian book that I love to see my friends reading. It feeds your heart, soul, and mind, helping you grow stronger in the Spirit of God. Take an extra half hour to re-read this second chapter of our book. Take a pen with you so you can underline sentences that inspire you, or that raise questions in your mind. (Especially questions like, 'what should I do now?') The author has given you a foundational tour through scripture references (use the endnotes in the book) for understanding that God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has revealed Himself down through Biblical history, especially using fire as a vehicle for getting His point and His presence over to people. Since this study is given to help your understanding of God (Greek word for God - 'theos') we rightly refer to this second chapter of our book by its title: A Biblical Theology Of Fire. Theology means, the study of God.
God wants to get His fire burning in you. That is what the gift of the Holy Spirit is all about - His presence poured into a willing and welcomming person (you and me) causes the glow of what the Bible calls His glory. I love the hymn 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus'. The chorus ends with "and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace". The essence of Grace is the presence of Jesus (John 1:14-18), and the glory of God is the light that radiates from His presence. We humans were created to be the display dispensers (complete with variable personalities) of the fire, or glory of God as light to all that He has created. Jesus Christ redeems you out of the darkness of sin, for the purpose of relationship in restored glory. Compare two verses of scripture for a moment just to get a glimpse of what Jesus has done to restore your life to its full God-intended purpose: Romans 3:21 and Colossians 1:27. (I'll let you look those up and think about them.)
The effect of fire gives us a picture of the effect of God's presence upon our souls.
Fire provides light. If you've ever gone on a hike late in the day, even staying out past sundown, then you know the value of seeing a campfire burning back at your campsite. It locates the place you want to go and provides the comfort of guidance. Even if you stumble over rocks or debris on the trail or in the woods, that light up ahead will give you the encouragement you need to go the right direction. Fire makes warmth, but only when you stay close enough to it, while also respecting its intensity. Fire consumes flammable material. That's both a good thing, and a great thing as you apply fire to your spiritual growth. It is good because there are many waste materials in you that need to be burned to ashes. The consuming fire of God's presence should regularly be causing wasteful or sinful characteristics to be burned. You shouldn't be comfortable keeping sinful, selfish behaviors in your life. When you experience conviction (guilt, sorrow, and the motivation to go God's way) about the way you are, then spend time with the Father about it. Pray and confess in Jesus' Name. Turn away from your sins and thank God for His convicting fire. Then thank Him for His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). Don't stay in the place of guilt by yourself - that only leads to self-condemnation. That would be like staying out in the woods because you don't want anyone to see your face around the campfire. There is no good reason to stay away. Come to the fire of God's presence, together with others who are drawing near to Him. We burn better together, instead of smoldering alone. Fire is amazing. The flames themselves are quite a facsination. The Lord knows just how to build the right fire in us - both as individuals in relationship with Him, and in us together as His Church. We are the flammable material He uses to kindle the manifestation of His presence.
While we live in this world, we are on a journey - a camping trip, if you please. Thank God that He so closely identifies Himself with fire. You can't have a successful camping trip without the use of fire - in its many forms and shapes. Apply that idea to your life: You need the fullness of God's fire. In Acts 1, Jesus instructed those who believed to simply wait in prayer together - wait for the power, wind, and fire of His Spirit that would come upon them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Encourage one another. Wait on the Lord and He will light you up.
In His Grace,
Pastor Rich
Study Guide questions for chapter 2 are on page 159.
Monday, October 12, 2009
God on Fire
Notes related to Chapter 1 of "PRAYER ON FIRE" by Pastor Fred Hartley III, (c) 2006. Navpress. Colorado Springs, CO.
Many times, God's Word uses the illustration of "fire" to describe the fact and the effect of God's Presence. Pastor Hartley provides a great rundown of instances of God's use of fire, beginning with Abraham and on through. More often than not, when we Christians think of fire, we think of the general conditions of hell, or perhaps of a condemning style of preaching. But from the outset let's track with our friend, Pastor Hartley and with the Scriptures - fire is the description of God's presence.
'Prayer on fire' is the condition we experience when our approach to God - our prayers and thankful worship under the covering and authority of Jesus' Name - meet the manifest Presence of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Presence of God is what Adam forfeited by entering into disobedience. Out of God's Presence, he and his offspring, including us, became subject to the nature of sin, and the consequence of death. Sin, as you know, never provides the life-satisfaction that temptation promises. It never provides the warmth, the light, or the love that the soul truly needs. Though the soul of man strives to find or fabricate the secret passage on his own, life without the presence of God is frustrating, sorrowful, and sarcastic.
The Presence of God is restored, not through human re-training or qualification, but through God's initiative - manifestation. God has broken in to make Himself known, and to do necessary work. Take a moment to read John 1:1-18 ... and Hebrews 1:1-7. God has manifest Himself to accomplish the work of redeeming (paying the price required by His own justice), and restoring those who place their faith upon Jesus to the place of relationship with Him. He created humankind for close personal relationship with Himself, and with one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) His manifest Presence for redeeming is the Person of Jesus Christ, through whom we gain access to God by faith in what He has done. When His Presence touches believers the manifestation is the fire of restored and useful relationship between God and man - this is the baptism with the Holy Spirit. His part is finished - to make the way open for His own Presence to enter - because we had blocked His Presence by our sinfulness. Your part is to simply and sincerely call upon God the Father, in the name of Jesus the Son. (Romans 10:13; Hebrews 12:28 - 29; Colossians 1:27). Then, with worship and thankfulness, wait on His promise to manifest Himself.
"The God who answers by fire, He is God." 1 Kings 18:24
Have a great time of prayer. Enjoy the fellowship and discussion in your Growth Group.
Finding fulness and fire in Jesus,
Pastor Rich
For more inspiration, read the "Fire Starters" on pages 149 - 155 of Prayer On Fire.
For thought and discussion, consider the Study Guide Questions, beginning on page 159.
Many times, God's Word uses the illustration of "fire" to describe the fact and the effect of God's Presence. Pastor Hartley provides a great rundown of instances of God's use of fire, beginning with Abraham and on through. More often than not, when we Christians think of fire, we think of the general conditions of hell, or perhaps of a condemning style of preaching. But from the outset let's track with our friend, Pastor Hartley and with the Scriptures - fire is the description of God's presence.
'Prayer on fire' is the condition we experience when our approach to God - our prayers and thankful worship under the covering and authority of Jesus' Name - meet the manifest Presence of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Presence of God is what Adam forfeited by entering into disobedience. Out of God's Presence, he and his offspring, including us, became subject to the nature of sin, and the consequence of death. Sin, as you know, never provides the life-satisfaction that temptation promises. It never provides the warmth, the light, or the love that the soul truly needs. Though the soul of man strives to find or fabricate the secret passage on his own, life without the presence of God is frustrating, sorrowful, and sarcastic.
The Presence of God is restored, not through human re-training or qualification, but through God's initiative - manifestation. God has broken in to make Himself known, and to do necessary work. Take a moment to read John 1:1-18 ... and Hebrews 1:1-7. God has manifest Himself to accomplish the work of redeeming (paying the price required by His own justice), and restoring those who place their faith upon Jesus to the place of relationship with Him. He created humankind for close personal relationship with Himself, and with one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) His manifest Presence for redeeming is the Person of Jesus Christ, through whom we gain access to God by faith in what He has done. When His Presence touches believers the manifestation is the fire of restored and useful relationship between God and man - this is the baptism with the Holy Spirit. His part is finished - to make the way open for His own Presence to enter - because we had blocked His Presence by our sinfulness. Your part is to simply and sincerely call upon God the Father, in the name of Jesus the Son. (Romans 10:13; Hebrews 12:28 - 29; Colossians 1:27). Then, with worship and thankfulness, wait on His promise to manifest Himself.
"The God who answers by fire, He is God." 1 Kings 18:24
Have a great time of prayer. Enjoy the fellowship and discussion in your Growth Group.
Finding fulness and fire in Jesus,
Pastor Rich
For more inspiration, read the "Fire Starters" on pages 149 - 155 of Prayer On Fire.
For thought and discussion, consider the Study Guide Questions, beginning on page 159.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
COMMENTS ON THE INTRO TO "PRAYER ON FIRE"
Reading "Prayer on Fire" by Fred Hartley, III, with Pastor Rich Marshall and folks in the congregation of FaithCenterAloha, The Foursquare Church Of Aloha, Oregon. A chapter each week October through December, 2009.
Writing has always been a pleasure for me, and I enjoy reading good writing. Reading well written books on the Christian life is an equal pleasure because of the value that is gained. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Roy Hicks, Sr., instructed us as young pastoral students. Doc often said, in his gravelly southern tone, "When you need a word from the Lord, do as I have done: Read yourself full, pray yourself hot, and pour yourself out." Doc Hicks' instruction will serve you well as you set out to receive from Fred Hartley's excellent book "Prayer On Fire". Read yourself full during these coming weeks as we read together. Get a copy of the book, either at the local bookstore, online (www.Navpress.com, www.CBD.com), or at FaithCenterAloha while the supply lasts ($10).
Pastor Hartley's writing will lead you toward greater heights in Holy Spirit-filled partnership with God. Prayer is that place of relationship-building, purpose-pursuing, life-increasing partnership with God, where no less than His Holy fire will invade your soul and light your way.
I am impressed with the style of Hartley's writing, in that he is personally transparent as a Christian who is discovering new and deeper dimensions in the life of prayer. That single feature should help you to make the author your personal friend as you seek to grow in prayer. Great assets like Bible knowledge, ministry experience, years of believing, even formal theological education can only serve you by ushering you to the place of prayer. In fact, without actual, on-going growth in personal prayer you'll experience only the germination of your seed of faith. But to grow strong roots and a fruitful life that can bear the coming tests of your faith, you will find no effective substitute for fire-filled prayer - emblazoned with God's Presence, indeed, His own characteristic - consuming fire.
Fred Hartley writes to us out of a foundation that reflects a stable, conservative evangelical approach. So often in our media-afflicted, 24 hour a day Christian TV era, you might expect that a book that features the word fire so prominently might come from a wild-eyed imbalance, merely seeking hyperbolic spectacle - but not so in Prayer On Fire. You'll find the author to be Biblically sound, respectful of differing doctrines (within Bible believing Christian faith), and no matter your current level of growth, encouraging - though not timid about the reality of true Holy Spirit fullness.
As a shepherd, I am overjoyed to lead you to the good pasture provided in Prayer On Fire. As you read, wait on the promise of the Father that Jesus the Son delivers - the firepower of His Presence just as in Acts 2. Without that fire-filled fullness of the Holy Spirit, all we would have would fall short. But now in Christ, the fire is falling upon those who would wait as Jesus said, and be set ablaze by His Gift. You cannot receive His fire except by His invasion. Seek Him for the sparks that become the glorious flames of His unique Presence in you.
Read yourself full. Pray yourself hot. Pour yourself out in expanding prayer and the love of God.
NOW PLEASE READ ON THROUGH CHAPTER 1 OF "PRAYER ON FIRE"
Your brother and fellow servant,
Pastor Rich Marshall
Writing has always been a pleasure for me, and I enjoy reading good writing. Reading well written books on the Christian life is an equal pleasure because of the value that is gained. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Roy Hicks, Sr., instructed us as young pastoral students. Doc often said, in his gravelly southern tone, "When you need a word from the Lord, do as I have done: Read yourself full, pray yourself hot, and pour yourself out." Doc Hicks' instruction will serve you well as you set out to receive from Fred Hartley's excellent book "Prayer On Fire". Read yourself full during these coming weeks as we read together. Get a copy of the book, either at the local bookstore, online (www.Navpress.com, www.CBD.com), or at FaithCenterAloha while the supply lasts ($10).
Pastor Hartley's writing will lead you toward greater heights in Holy Spirit-filled partnership with God. Prayer is that place of relationship-building, purpose-pursuing, life-increasing partnership with God, where no less than His Holy fire will invade your soul and light your way.
I am impressed with the style of Hartley's writing, in that he is personally transparent as a Christian who is discovering new and deeper dimensions in the life of prayer. That single feature should help you to make the author your personal friend as you seek to grow in prayer. Great assets like Bible knowledge, ministry experience, years of believing, even formal theological education can only serve you by ushering you to the place of prayer. In fact, without actual, on-going growth in personal prayer you'll experience only the germination of your seed of faith. But to grow strong roots and a fruitful life that can bear the coming tests of your faith, you will find no effective substitute for fire-filled prayer - emblazoned with God's Presence, indeed, His own characteristic - consuming fire.
Fred Hartley writes to us out of a foundation that reflects a stable, conservative evangelical approach. So often in our media-afflicted, 24 hour a day Christian TV era, you might expect that a book that features the word fire so prominently might come from a wild-eyed imbalance, merely seeking hyperbolic spectacle - but not so in Prayer On Fire. You'll find the author to be Biblically sound, respectful of differing doctrines (within Bible believing Christian faith), and no matter your current level of growth, encouraging - though not timid about the reality of true Holy Spirit fullness.
As a shepherd, I am overjoyed to lead you to the good pasture provided in Prayer On Fire. As you read, wait on the promise of the Father that Jesus the Son delivers - the firepower of His Presence just as in Acts 2. Without that fire-filled fullness of the Holy Spirit, all we would have would fall short. But now in Christ, the fire is falling upon those who would wait as Jesus said, and be set ablaze by His Gift. You cannot receive His fire except by His invasion. Seek Him for the sparks that become the glorious flames of His unique Presence in you.
Read yourself full. Pray yourself hot. Pour yourself out in expanding prayer and the love of God.
NOW PLEASE READ ON THROUGH CHAPTER 1 OF "PRAYER ON FIRE"
Your brother and fellow servant,
Pastor Rich Marshall
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
