I read Psalm 2 tonight, and then it was crossed referenced with Acts 4:23:31. Using the NKJV this time.
And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
The Amplified says, “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.” Earlier in the prayer it says with full freedom to declare God’s message. That is what I want, full freedom and boldness. Christ has called us to proclaim His name, and spread his love and glory everywhere. There are those in other countries literally laying down their lives, and we’re often times too scared about what a classmate or coworker may say if we proclaim Jesus name. We have to become knowledgeable about the things of God — ignorance is no excuse, especially since we have the Word of God.
We need a passionate army for Christ.
what up bro? long time, yeah? well quoting J.I. Packer here
“Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit. The spirit… that spaqns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God.”
We have brushed aside the fear of the Lord and embraced the fear of men more. This is my own conviction as I fear about what they’ll say, that I’m a hypocrite, or a poser. Sometimes I don’t like how people brand me as someone who’d join this religion because of the vunerable women we have in churches. These are the things that brings the reality of Christ down, and simply thinking more of ourselves I think.
And I agree on you on we really need a forerunner army who bears the Knowledge Of God on their hearts… gripped by His reality and never denying His Holiness… this is what we need, for I believe that just the presence of a person who bears the knowledge and the fear of the Lord is enough to touch a person’s heart and share reality to that person.
This is so true. A large part of the western church is so timid and scared of the things of God, it enjoys just holding on to the little, more tangible things of God. We need to return to holiness and the Fear of the Lord — and in doing so, we’ll get rid of a lot of the materialistic things of this life. Without the Fear of the Lord, we’re obliged to live life however we wish (as did many of the kings of Israel). With the Fear of the Lord, you’re longing to live a life completely for God (as did David, and the other godly kings of Israel).
I agree! Here in America we are shy about giving the gospel, thinking people would think weird about us. That’s defiantly not the model Jesus showed.
Mind if I add you to AIM?
Of course, feel free to add me on AIM. 🙂
I myself have gone through a month long of backsliding hiatus lately, and now I just find myself yearning for what is unknown. And when you see people who have touched this unknown (eg. David, Moses, Apostles) you can see how bold they have become. Whats the difference between them and me? For one, it is that reality weight that burdens their heart. Christ is real to them, and that I want to seek for myself. The kind of reality when you come into prayer all you can experience is unvoluntary shaking and trembling of your hands and knees. That Awe-ing presence that will make you say that nothing really else matters.
The western world is suffering from a spirit of complacency aswell. We are created deep (image and likeness of God). And only a deep solution can ever solve a deep container’s lack. And no Xbox, no Drugs, no nothing but Jesus can ever fill this gap that we have within us.
The only thing I can leave for instructions is Proverbs 2. Knowledge of God = Revelation = Fear of the Lord.
Hey, just want to say that I think this is awsome, sometimes I feel like the church of Christ is so far from being who we have to be and then I find people like you guys and it makes my heart so happy to know that someone else agrees that the army of God has to be risen and that they are willing to live for Him not just from words. God is rising a generation passionate for Jesus, we’re gonna change the world because we believe. I’m from Argentina, but distance doesn’t make a difference because my precious Jesus brings His chuch together no matter where we are, thank God for your life and what ur doing, God bless you.