A clash of powers

There are two types of spiritual power that are, in some senses, very similar. They are both supernatural. But one is of God, and the other is of the devil.

Matthew 12.22-45. This passage is about two different types of spiritual powers. Understanding what it is that the Spirit of God does. Because, superficially, supernatural manifestations have much in common. So it is that, in the last days, the anti-Christ will deceive people: Revelation 13.13-14; 16.14; 19.20.

We need to see:

1. The importance of grasping that salvation, and the path of life, is made known to our humanity through humanity. Salvation is not about escape from the limitations of our humanity. Salvation is about the fulfilment of the purpose of our humanity:1 John 4.2-3; 2 John 1.7.

2. The Spirit, working in our humanity, calls us into the path of Christ: John 16.5-16.
It is in and through the lives of disciples who live in harmony with the Holy Spirit that other people are presented with the reality of God and the truth of Life.

3. The Holy Spirit works in those who walk the path of Christ: Luke 4.18. He is active in filling and empowering those who identify with Christ crucified: Philippians 2.5-11. Those who share in His life also share in the power of His resurrection: Ephesians 1.18-21. This is how the Spirit of God works in us.

Awakening

Sometimes I wake up early in the morning with startling clarity about something I'm writing or teaching. I have come to value these times and get up to write down what I have seen in a fresh way. It happened today at 4.30am! It's very simple.

To be part of Bristo is to be part of a group of Christians seeking to do church in a new way - veering back to basic foundations to be part of emerging church in the 21st century. Because church is designed by God to bring to daily life:

• God’s supernatural presence


• Jesus based relationships and life-objectives


• A portal for people to pass from death into eternal life

So you and I need to:

• Plug into the Holy Spirit


• BE God’s building


• Get serious

It really is that simple. Up for it? Welcome to Bristo!

Foundations

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3.11).

Jennifer and I are just back yesterday from a wonderfully enjoyable holiday in Bulgaria, partly spent with our friends Stoicho and Yura Apostolov in Lom. Also in a mountain town, in the north west of the country. There we are engaged in renovating an old building as a holiday/retreat centre. It made me think a lot about foundations.

Whatever we do in life, we need foundations to build on. This building needs to be strengthened, to stand firmly on the foundations. It’s easy to get carried away with superficial niceties and decorative features. But the foundations are where detail and investment matters.

I feel challenged to make my own personal foundations deeper in the right way. Is this a good time to check our foundations?

Soaking

Go about your life in a way that is being directed by the Spirit of God! And don’t allow the passions of your fleshly nature lead you into their inevitable outcome ..... (Galatians 5.16)

Rain, rain, rain ..... what weather! But so necessary to bring life to the earth. Yet we prefer the sunshine alone, even if the UV light rays can kill us! This is true of the spiritual life too.

It’s so easy to lose an appetite for being in Gods presence; and so hard to get it back again, when we’ve got to love the things that kill us! And this really is what happens, when we allow our passions and longings, unrestrained and unrestricted, to lead and direct us. They will carry us on into death. Our lusts fulfilled will bring us death.

The Spirit leads us into a harnessing of our longings. Harnessed to God. Trained to express His presence. His purpose. His pleasure.

And we can get to enjoy this again. To laugh with delight and bask and soak in His presence. This is life. I’m really enjoying tasting this presence of God. Try it again. Get harnessed to Jesus once more.