Thoughts for Life: #1 Foreword for ABLAZE For GOD

Robert E. Coleman: Ablaze for God is a book that speaks to the desperate need for spiritual leadership in the church.

One does not have to be a theologian to recognize that persons prepared to minister in Christ's stead are in short supply today. (Google image, ABLAZE For GOD)

The necessary enduement for such service can come only through the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. We may try to get by on less, but without His indwelling mastery we are noisy brass and tinkling cymbals.

Jesus made this clear to His followers before returning to heaven. Though credentialed as His witnesses and commissioned to disciple the nations, they were instructed to tarry until endued with power from on high. Nothing less than a baptism of consuming fire would suffice for the task to which they were appointed.

The pentecostal effusion of the Spirit marked the beginning of this new era of ministry. It was the culminating step of the descent of the divine into the human.

Jesus as an external Presence now became the enthroned Sovereign in the allegiance of His people. His word became like fire within them, and with hearts burning with the love of God, they went on their way with gladness and singleness of desire, praising their Lord.

What the apostolic church experienced is the privilege of every believer. "The promise is unto you, and unto your children, and all that are afar off " (Acts 2:39, KJV).

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel, eminent author and missionary statesman, brings this truth into focus in these pages. With keen sensitivity and deep humility, he sets forth qualities of life becoming Christian ministry.

His treatment is simple and down-to-earth, and unfailingly reflects the mind of one who has sought to set at the feet of Jesus.

Reading the book has been both a searching and uplifting exercise for me. I commend it to you with the expectation that it will be the same with you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God
#1 Foreword for ABLAZE For GOD
by Robert E. Coleman
(pp. 9 -10) ZondervanPublishingHouse

Our prayer today-

Leisure girl outdoor prayin

Father, our prayer is for our church leaders, that they will spend the time and effort to become endued with Your Spirit to enable them to have the grace needed to accomplish Your will for them.
Even though they are properly trained and prepared to minister, they are in need to receive power from You, and nothing less than the baptism of consuming fire will be sufficient for the tasks they're assigned.
May Your Word become like a fire within them, and may their hearts burn with Your love, so they can serve with gladness and singleness of desire, praising and serving the Lord Jesus.
We ask this in His name. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

"Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion" (Ps. 20:2 KJV)
"Break up your fallow ground . . . " (Jer. 4:3 b KJV) "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD" (v. 4 a).
"For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth" (Ps. 17:5 KJV).

Today's quote-

Michael Catt- Changing a mindset doesn't happen overnight. You have to deal with it Biblically and consistently. If you're in a situation where people refuse to reach out and cross socioeconomic or racial barriers, you can't make that change by snapping your fingers.
You must take the time and effort to express compassion, love people and teach them to love others. America is becoming such a diverse culture that this is no longer an option for any of us; we've got to learn how to relate to one another." (pp. 100, 101 of Prepare for RAIN.

Today's popular post-

#57 Releasing Evangelistic Power

C. Peter Wagner: I believe we will not
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Artemis of the Ephesians (#56 Artemis
of the Ephesians) as a territorial spirit
and see the possible relationship that
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