#104 Testimonies of the Infilling- Part 2

Dr Wesley L. Duewel: George 
Whitefield, for some time a co-worker of the Wesleys, had a clear experience of the new birth before the Wesleys did.

   His old friends thought him insane because he was so zealous for Christ. Later he spent days and nights in prayer and fasting because of his battle with pride and other inner defeats. (Google image, Restoring the foundations)

#103 Testimonies of the Infilling- Part 1

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: George Fox, 
founder of the Society of Friends, was born again at the age of eleven. But when he was twenty-three and after hungering and thirsting for a deeper experience, a new enduement of power came upon him.

   From that time on he was mightily used of God as again and again he described the power of the Lord on him and through him. The Spirit clothed him wherever he went, and until his death he was a mighty instrument in the hand of God. (Google image, The Holy Spirit empowers)

Focus

So many fail to comprehend the meaning of God's Word

When reading in the Bible where His Spirit can be heard

They fail to see the beauty that is ever present there

Because their minds are cluttered when they pause with Him in prayer

And rush to meet their burdens with a sympathetic ear

When God had much to tell them they were just to dull to hear

That would and could provide them with the wisdom that they need

If they would stop and listen and His Holy Spirit heed

But time that we're all given is to them too dear to spend

On Him Who is our Source of life on Whom we must depend

And when they should spend focused time with Him upon their knees

They're focused more on vanity and vane activities

That last but for a moment in the great grand scheme of things

Just like a passing vapor or a wisp upon the wings

When paired against eternity and all that God has planned

For those who truly seek Him and attend to His command

To seek Him with a whole heart with a mind that's pure and clear

That listens while observing in His Word the voice they hear

That speaks to them in silence while the world is still at rest

Preparing with God's Spirit for each moment life will test

The strength of their connection with the One true Source of all

The worlds and all the living who abide the Father's call

Whose pleasure is to serve Him without question when they hear

His voice of love and passion that is always standing near

So friend be not too hurried when you take your time with Him

Who loves you without measure proved that night in Bethlehem

And everyday He suffered while He walked this earth alone

The One Who knew His future and the Price that must atone

For you and me together with all of humanity

That He from the beginning loved with His infinity

And focused on completely til He was completely done

Providing for our future when in Him we could be one

In heart and mind and strength and faith one body born in Christ

Who through the Father's Spirit lived to pay the greatest Price

So we could choose the life He has provided for us there

With Him Who is our Life our all each day in focused prayer

1 Peter 4:1-11; Romans 8:1-6

Lee Forbes

(Google image, Woman reading the Bible)

Let's pray-

   Father, may we not be counted among those who fail to comprehend the meaning of the Bible when reading it.

   May we un-clutter our minds as we pause to spend time with You in prayer to prepare for our activities of the day before we rush off. 

   Do doubt, You have much to share with us about the burdens of the day ahead, so help us not be dull of hearing, but to hear The Holy Spirit with Your wisdom that will be needed throughout the day.

   Help us seek You with our whole hearts with a mind that's pure and clear, listening as You speak to us in silence while the world is still at rest.

   May we in our hearts, minds, strength and faith as one body born in Christ, choose the life He lived to pay the greatest Price provided for us on Calvary.

   Help us live our lives focused on prayer for guidance throughout the day.

   We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

"Oh, how sweet the light of day,

And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!

Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted.

Take delight in each light-filled hour,

Remembering that there will also be many dark days 

And that most of what comes your way is smoke."

— Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (The Message)

       Phil. 3:12-14 Good News Translation (v. 12) "I do 

       not claim that I have already succeeded or have 

       already become perfect. I keep striving to win

       the prize for which Christ Jesus has already 

       won me to himself. (v. 13) Of course, my friends, 

       I really do not+ think that I have already won it; 

       the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is 

       behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.

       (v. 14) So I run straight toward the goal in order to 

       win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus 

       to the life above."

Today's quote-

~ Del Fehsenfeld, Jr- (From his article, Fire From Heaven): "When the fire falls, there is deep conviction and grief over sin. The intense searchlight of God's holiness makes things once thought acceptable suddenly become abhorrent. Indifference is turned to morning. A casual attitude toward sin is replace by brokenness and genuine repentance.

   When the fire falls, our traditional methods and programs are yielded to His lordship, and the Holy Spirit begins to preside over the workings and operation of  His church. 

   When the fire falls, there is power. There is life. There is purity. There is spontaneity. There is reality."

[Taken from Herald of His Coming newspaper, Vol 77, No 11 (923), p. 1, Nov. 2018. Used by permission.]

Today's guest post-

Junkyard Treasure

Marcia Vogl- He walked through the junkyard, looking for something he treasured—and he found it. The first car his dad had given him.   

He ran to the junkyard owner and asked, “Is that car for sale?” 

Startingpointsearies.com A great series of 8 videos by Andy Stanley, on starting over again in our faith, and learning to be more solid in the faith we've had since childhood. He compares religions, and shows us the true value of Christianity. It is great for doubters, non-believers as well as those who have faith to some degree.

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

Upcoming posts-

     #103 Testimonies of the Infilling- Part 1

27th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

     #104 Testimonies of the infilling- Part 2

29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

          Blessing in the Mess

12/1- Saturday's post by Monika Brands

     #105 Dwight L. Moody had Already been Filled

12th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Trees covered with snow

     

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Healing Thoughts and Prayers

Jean's Craft Brochure

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage.

#102 Definiteness of the Infilling

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: To be filled with the Spirit is more than to be spiritually inclined. Even some unsaved people are spiritually hungry and "spiritually inclined."

   They are reaching out to God, perhaps, as fully as they have light. But like Apollos they need to be taught the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26). (Google image, Filled with the Spirit)

#101 Terminology of the Spirit's Infilling

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The Bible is not written in the form of a theological manual. Scripture writers describe God's grace at work in the soul and urge us to appropriate that grace.

   The Bible includes testimonies of those transformed by God's grace. Scripture uses human pictorial language, and many of the deepest theological truths are described in picture words and phrases. (Google image, Bible)

What's to Fear?

Jean Oathout- The following is a good 
word for us on fear by Sherry Edwards Mackey- "Do not fear!  I see a map and dark is the enemies place of devising plots plans and schemes against God’s beloved!

The enemy is so desperate!  He knows it has been prophesied that we win! But it is his assignment to command demons to go after God’s voices and your voice specifically! (Google Image, Chronic anxiety and fear).

#100 Be Filled with the Spirit

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: There is no more blessed command in the Word for you as a Christian, and especially as a Christian leader, than "be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18).

   It parallels and flows from Christ's command to His disciples not to begin their ministry until they had been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:48). (Google image, Two women praising God)

#99 Integrity in Ministerial Ethics

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: A person of God must maintain the highest level of integrity in all aspects of his ministry and leadership. 

   The ministry, like every profession, has its code of ethics, and Christian workers need constantly to manifest the highest ethics in their interrelations as well as in their work. (Google image, Preacher man)

Sky Garden (in London)

   Bill Crowder- "While in London, a friend arranged for my wife Marlene and me to visit the Sky Garden.

   On the top floor of a thirty-five-story building in London's business district, the Sky Garden is a glass-encased platform filled with plants, trees, and flowers. (Google images, Sky Garden). 

#98 Integrity in Finance

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The person of God must maintain total integrity in his stewardship of possessions and finance—in his handling and accounting for personal finances, and in his handling and accounting for all finances that pass through his control.(Google image, Man and money)

#97 Integrity in Personal Ethics

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The person of God must maintain such integrity in his personal ethics that others can safely make him their role model.

   Jesus was constantly setting a pattern for His disciples, establishing the standard of what a Christian life and ministry should be. He illustrated this by His attitudes (Phil. 2:5) and by His actions (John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21). (Google image, Man of integrity ) "A man of integrity is honest and ethical, but not only with others – with himself."

Take Goliath Down!

Max Lucado- Goliaths still roam our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Danger. Deceit. Disease. Depression. Super-size challenges still swagger and strut, still pilfer sleep and embezzle peace and liposuction joy. But they can't dominate you. You know how to deal with them. You face giants by facing God first. Focus on giants—you stumble. Focus on God—your giants tumble. (Google image, David verses Goliath).

#96 Integrity in Word

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The person of God must be a person of his word. His holiness, love, and integrity must be evident in his speech. All our statements, reports, and writings must be open, honest, and kind.

   Both God and man judge us by our words. "I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37). (Google image, Man speaking).