Monthly Archives: May 2025

Holy Spirit

Where Is the Fire? 

A Call to Live by the Spirit

Oh, for that flame of living fire! The ancient hymn sighs with longing, its words almost lost to a generation numb to holy passion. Where is that Spirit, Lord, which once set the hearts of saints ablaze, which filled prophets with boldness and caused apostles to endure shipwreck, hunger, and sword with unwavering joy?

We must ask ourselves, Where is the fire? And we must answer honestly. The fire of the Spirit has not vanished; it has simply been replaced — replaced by comfort, self-interest, and a cross-less Christianity. The Apostle Paul gave the key when he declared: “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14, NASB)

If we desire to live by the Spirit as those saints did, we must return to the cross. There is no shortcut. There is no modern substitute.

Living by the Spirit Begins at the Cross

To live by the Spirit is to first die at the cross. Jesus said plainly, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NASB) To live under the Spirit’s rule moment by moment, we must let the cross do its work, severing our attachment to the world and emptying us of self.

Many today want the fire without the altar. But Scripture is clear: “Present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”(Romans 12:1, NASB) Without sacrifice, there is no fire.

Living by the Spirit today looks like surrender — absolute, unrelenting, joyful surrender. It is not a Sunday activity but a daily death. It is the laying down of plans, the renouncing of pride, the crucifying of comfort.

What Living by the Spirit Looks Like Today

To live by the Spirit in today’s world is to walk in conscious, continual submission to God’s voice. It is a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB)

It looks like believers who are bold in their witness, unashamed of the gospel, as Paul was when he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16, NASB)

It looks like saints who are not driven by fear or anxiety, but who trust wholly in God’s providence: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NASB)

It looks like households where prayer is not an afterthought, but the breath of the home. It looks like workplaces where integrity shines, conversations where grace abounds, and lives so surrendered that the fragrance of Christ follows everywhere they go.

A community gathered in Spirit-led worship, encircling the fire—symbol of God’s presence—each heart lifted in surrender and awe before the Lord.

Why Has the Fire Diminished?

Why must we ask, “Where is that Spirit, Lord?” It is because we have settled for a form of godliness without its power (2 Timothy 3:5). We have exchanged the Spirit’s fire for the world’s approval. We have chosen safety over surrender.

The saints of old walked in the power of the Spirit because they first walked the narrow way of the cross. They were crucified to the world, dead to its charms, and alive only to God.

If we would regain the fire, we must return to that narrow path. Jesus warned, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13, NASB)

A Call to Rekindle the Flame

Where is the fire? It waits for those willing to lay all on the altar. It waits for those who will take up the cross daily, die to self, and live by the Spirit.

Today, the call is urgent. Lay down your life anew. Present yourself as a living sacrifice. Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Boast only in the cross of Christ, and watch as the fire returns — not as a flickering candle, but as a consuming blaze.

We need not sigh with nostalgia for a bygone era. The Spirit has not changed. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NASB) His fire still falls — but only where there is fuel. Only where there is surrender.

Let us forsake the comforts of this world and seek the face of El Shaddai. Let us live by the Spirit, moment by moment, breath by breath, until our lives burn as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Then, and only then, will the world look at the Church and see not a hollow religion, but a living fire.

Closing Prayer

Lord Yeshua, we kneel at the foot of Your cross. Crucify our pride, our comfort, our idols. Set our hearts ablaze with the fire of Your Spirit. Let us live by the Spirit, walking in the steps You have marked out for us. May our lives be living flames, drawing all men to You. Amen.

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See Also

Joy

Genuine Joy in the Spirit: A Church That Shines

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
—1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NASB)

The mark of a Spirit-filled church is not a passing happiness or a smile worn like a mask. It is genuine joy in the Spirit, a joy that abides and cannot be stolen by trial or sorrow. Paul did not praise the Thessalonians because they smiled through their pain; he honored them because their hearts, full of the Holy Spirit, radiated a joy untouched by the world’s suffering. This joy was real, deep, and everlasting—flowing not from circumstances, but from the fountain of life Himself.

You have seen it, haven’t you? The false smile of the world—quick, practiced, hollow. Walk up to many today and, as soon as they sense you wish to speak, a plastic smile is fastened upon their face. It is the mask of courtesy, not the evidence of genuine joy in the Spirit. But the joy given by the Holy Spirit is different; it is not an act, but a living reality. It sings in the prison cell, it rejoices in affliction, it bears witness when all else fails. It is the echo of heaven in the heart of a man made alive by Yeshua.

Beloved, we must ask ourselves: Is the joy within us the joy of God or the mere courtesy of the flesh? Let us not deceive ourselves. A church that bears genuine joy in the Spirit will shine without striving. It will influence not only its own members but every church and soul around it. The Thessalonians, with this holy joy, became examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia, and their faith sounded forth in every place. So it should be with us.

How, then, do we apply this? We must welcome the Word of God, not with the fleeting smile of Sunday religion, but with hearts open wide in obedience. We must seek to be filled, not merely stirred. We must ask the Spirit of God to make His home in us, burning away the pretense, leaving only what is true. Joy that is born of the Spirit abides; it does not shift with the tides of fortune. It is planted deep, rooted in the unchanging character of El Shaddai.

I challenge you, reader: cast off the mask. Let the world see a people not merely polite, but gloriously alive in Yeshua. Let your business dealings, your family life, your worship, all be soaked in the reality of genuine joy in the Spirit. Then, and only then, will we be the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, and the lost will come, drawn by the fragrance of Christ Himself.

I love being with the family of God. Whether we gather in a building, a home, or under the open sky, I can hardly keep from smiling when I’m with the saints. There is a deep and unshakable joy that rises up in me whenever I am right where God wants me to be—surrounded by His people. This joy is not the fleeting happiness of circumstance—it is genuine joy in the Spirit, a river flowing from walking in His will. The trials of the world and the sour attitudes of others cannot touch it. It is not a mask, nor a performance; it is real, it is deep, and it abides. Even in seasons of hardship, that joy anchors my soul, and no storm can wash it away.

Spirit-filled church—this is not a fantasy or a relic of ancient days. It is our calling today. Do not settle for the appearance of joy; pursue the Person of Joy, the Holy Spirit, and the Joy of Heaven Himself, Jesus Christ. Press in until your life becomes a living testimony, speaking without words, shining with the joy that only comes from abiding in Him.

Joy that no sorrow can replace,
A river flowing from His grace;
O Spirit, flood this heart of mine,
Until my life in You will shine.

Closing Prayer

Father, deliver us from empty smiles and passing cheer. Fill us with genuine joy in the Spirit—the joy that comes only from abiding in You. Let Your Spirit dwell in us so richly that every mask falls away, and what remains is pure and radiant. May we be a church that lives, sings, and breathes Your glory, that the world might see and believe. In the name of Yeshua we pray. Amen.

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See Also

Faith

God’s Faithfulness and Promises

In the beginning, God spoke, and all creation obeyed. From the first breath of life to the stars flung across the heavens, the Word of God stood sure. God’s faithfulness and promises are not mere whispers in the wind; they are the bedrock upon which all life stands.

Throughout the ages, God has never broken a promise. When He covenanted with Noah, He sealed it with a bow in the clouds (Genesis 9:13, NASB). When He spoke to Abraham, He swore by Himself, for there was no one greater (Hebrews 6:13, NASB). In every generation, God’s covenant love has remained steadfast.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9, NASB)

The faithfulness of God is not abstract. It is not distant. It breathes into the heart of every believer. When we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13, NASB). His promises do not depend on man’s strength, but on His eternal nature.

The greatest expression of God’s faithfulness and promises is found in Yeshua, our Messiah. In Him, every promise finds its “Yes” and its “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NASB). The covenant of old, sealed by the blood of bulls and goats, gave way to a better covenant, established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6, NASB).

Beloved, consider the promises of God:

  • He promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5, NASB).
  • He promised to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NASB).
  • He promised eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16, NASB).
  • He promised to finish the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6, NASB).
Prayer of agreement

God’s faithfulness and promises are not fragile threads but cords of love that cannot be broken.

In our lives, we see His faithfulness in every sunrise, in every answered prayer, and even in every waiting season. His Word stands eternal. When the world shakes, God remains unshakable.

Abraham waited years to see the son God promised. Israel wandered the desert but eventually entered the Promised Land. David, anointed king in his youth, waited decades to sit on the throne. In all of this, God’s faithfulness and promises proved true.

Let this truth sink deep into your soul: God does not lie. He does not waver. What He has spoken, He will accomplish. “God is not a man, that He would lie, nor a son of man, that He would change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19, NASB)

Child of God, you are living proof of His covenant-keeping love. You are a testimony that God’s faithfulness and promises endure. Every breath you take is grace. Every step you walk by faith is a declaration: “My God is faithful.”

Do not grow weary in the waiting. Trust Him. Hold fast to the promises. For it is written: “Let us hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, NASB)

Teach us to pray like Moses
Learn to pray like Moses through Psalm 90—teach us to pray like Moses with awe, humility, and eternal perspective in every word.

God’s faithfulness and promises are the anchor for your soul. In joy and sorrow, in plenty and want, He remains the same. Press into Him. Seek His face. Remember that His covenant with you is sealed by the blood of Yeshua and cannot be undone.

Let us pray.

Father, we stand in awe of Your faithfulness. You have never failed. You keep all Your promises. Anchor our hearts in Your truth. Teach us to trust You even when we do not see. Help us to walk by faith, knowing that You are working all things for our good. Draw us closer to You. Let us live as testimonies of Your unchanging love. In the name of Yeshua, our covenant-keeping King, we pray. Amen.

See Also

Five Fold

Apostles and Prophets: Rooted Yet Ready

The early Church was built on a living foundation: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20, NASB). These men and women were not ornamental — they were essential to the growth and strength of the Church. Yet how they moved and ministered often raises questions for us today.

Were apostles and prophets called to stay planted in a single church? Or were they called to move continually? And should they even have a home church if their mission requires constant travel?

Let’s walk slowly and biblically, for God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33, NASB).

1. Jesus’ Ministry: Relationship and Movement

Jesus Christ — the Chief Apostle (Hebrews 3:1) — gives us the first and clearest model.

He ministered through deep relationships:

  • He called the Twelve to walk with Him (Mark 3:14).
  • He ate with sinners and built trust (Luke 5:29–30).
  • He wept over Jerusalem, showing the depth of His love (Luke 19:41).

Yet Jesus was also continually moving:

  • “Jesus was going about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 9:35, NASB).
  • “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20, NASB).
  • “I must also preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43, NASB).

Jesus was rooted in love but ready to move wherever the Father sent Him. He did not settle in one place permanently because His mission was to reach the lost, to proclaim the Kingdom, and to prepare the way for the Church.

The apostles and prophets would follow His model.

2. Apostles and Prophets in the Early Church

The word apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos) means “one who is sent.” The word prophet (προφήτης, prophētēs) means “one who speaks forth” by inspiration. Both callings imply movement and message — to go where God sends and to speak what God says.

Apostles Moved with Purpose

Paul’s life is a clear picture:

  • Sent out from Antioch after prayer and fasting (Acts 13:1–3).
  • Traveled from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum (Romans 15:19, NASB).
  • Returned to his home church to report what God had done (Acts 14:27).

Peter, John, Barnabas, and Silas also moved widely. They built churches, appointed elders (Titus 1:5), and laid foundations.

Apostles were not tied to one congregation. They were tied to the mission of Christ.

Prophets Strengthened and Encouraged

Prophets like Agabus traveled from Judea to Antioch (Acts 11:27–28) and from Jerusalem to Caesarea (Acts 21:10–11).

Judas and Silas, called prophets, traveled to Antioch and “encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message” (Acts 15:32, NASB).

Prophets built up the Church wherever there was need. They were both local and itinerant, moving as the Spirit led.

The Joy of Heaven
Jesus rests with friends in Bethany, finding peace and fellowship before the cross, while Mary and Martha quietly serve in love.

3. Did Apostles and Prophets Have a Home Church?

Yes — but not in the sense of being locked into one location.

Paul and Barnabas had Antioch as their sending church (Acts 13:1–3). It was where they were known, prayed for, and commissioned. It was where they reported back (Acts 14:27).

A home church meant:

  • Spiritual covering — prayer, accountability, wisdom.
  • Fellowship — a place of encouragement and growth.
  • Discernment — confirming the leading of the Holy Spirit.
  • Provision — at times practical support (Philippians 4:15–16).

But it did not mean:

  • Restriction to one local ministry.
  • Settling permanently into one congregation.

The home church was a wellspring, not a leash.

4. Rootedness and Readiness: Both Are Needed

Some today say apostles and prophets must settle permanently in one church, citing Jesus’ emphasis on relationships. But remember — Jesus moved continually according to the Father’s will.

Likewise, apostles and prophets must be:

  • Rooted — in love, humility, accountability, and fellowship.
  • Ready — to go where the Holy Spirit leads.

They build relationships deeply, but they are not called to stay comfortable. They are called to equip the saints, “for the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, NASB).

Apostles and prophets belong to the universal Body, sent not just to their own, but to all who will receive the Word.

5. Why This Matters Today

Without a home church:

  • Apostles and prophets can become isolated and unaccountable.
  • They risk drifting without spiritual family.

Without readiness to move:

  • They can become stagnant.
  • They miss the calling to reach and strengthen the wider Body.

Both are needed: rootedness in a local body and readiness to obey the Spirit’s call.

This guards against pride and independence while releasing the fullness of their calling.

“He looked at me—not past me. Not through me. At me.” On the shore of grace, Peter meets the eyes of mercy and knows—He came back for me.

6. How Does This Look Today?

In 2025, whether in a non-denominational church or a denominational setting, apostles and prophets must walk carefully and biblically.

In a Non-Denominational Church:

  • Apostles and prophets often arise organically, recognized by their fruit rather than formal titles.
  • They should remain submitted to church leadership and known among the people.
  • A home church should commission them through prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2–3), maintaining ongoing relationship and accountability.
  • As they travel and minister elsewhere, they regularly return to their home church to report, refresh, and reconnect.
  • Healthy churches release them, understanding they are gifts to the whole Body, not just their local assembly (Ephesians 4:11–12).

In a Denominational Church:

  • Many denominations have formal structures for recognizing and sending leaders.
  • Apostles and prophets may operate under different titles — sometimes as church planters, missionaries, or overseers.
  • They still must be rooted in a local congregation and affirmed by trusted leadership.
  • Movement is often more structured, but the heart remains the same: relationship with a home body, readiness to serve wherever God leads.
  • Accountability may involve multiple layers, such as local pastors and regional leaders, ensuring both freedom and spiritual safety.

Across both models, the essentials are:

  • A clear home base — not as a limitation, but as a fountain of strength and covering.
  • Spirit-led movement — not driven by ambition, but by the voice of God.
  • Mutual trust — the church trusts the sent ones, and the sent ones honor their sending church.

In short, apostles and prophets today must balance belonging and being sent — deeply connected, yet joyfully obedient to the Spirit’s call. The New Testament model is timeless, even in our modern structures.

7. Final Thoughts

Apostles and prophets need a home church — and they need to move when God says move.

This is the model of Jesus Himself. Deeply relational, radically obedient. He calls His servants to the same path.

If you are discerning a calling to apostolic or prophetic ministry, hear this: God plants you in fellowship to nourish you — and He sends you out to be His hands and feet. Do not resist either. Stay rooted. Stay ready.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB).

A Prayer for the Called

Father, we ask You to raise up apostles and prophets in our generation — men and women rooted in love, steadfast in truth, and obedient to Your sending. Plant them in strong fellowships. Fill them with boldness to go where You send. Let them serve not in their strength, but in utter dependence on You. More of You, less of us, O Lord. Teach us to walk in step with Your Spirit, anchored in Your Word, and aflame with Your purpose. In Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.

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No Guilt in Life No Fear in Death
The face of an apostle, marked by reflection and resolve, beholding the risen Christ—no guilt in life, no fear in death.

P.S. A Word About Today’s Church Culture

In today’s churches — whether denominational or non-denominational — visitors are often viewed as potential members. Growth strategies, assimilation systems, and local community focus shape the atmosphere. But what happens when an apostle or prophet, sent by God, comes not looking for a home but carrying a word or a mission? Often, they are quietly overlooked:

  • They don’t fit the membership model.
  • They aren’t long-term attenders, so little relational investment is made.
  • They are seen as outsiders, not trusted contributors.
  • Their divine calling remains unseen in systems focused on stability.

This reality creates real tension for modern apostles and prophets, who are called to strengthen, edify, and establish the Church.

Practically, this means:

  1. Expect Resistance — Like Paul in Acts 9:26, acceptance may not come easily.
  2. Walk in Humility — Seek the open hearts and houses God prepares (Luke 10:5–6).
  3. Build Strategic Relationships — Focus on friendships and networks that value fivefold ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12).
  4. Anchor in a Strong Home Church — A sending church becomes vital for encouragement and covering.
  5. Be Faithful Despite Reception — Jesus said, “Shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14, NASB). Faithfulness is measured by obedience, not applause.

Today’s culture may not easily make room for traveling apostles and prophets — unless they’re celebrities. But God still sends them. The true call demands humility, persistence, and a heart set on the approval of God, not men.

See Also

Faithful Living

Walking Faithfully with God

A Call to You, Beloved

“Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].” — Genesis 5:24 AMP

Beloved, hear the Word and do not harden your heart. In the beginning, before the flood, when darkness had spread like a veil over the earth, there was one who chose to walk another way. Enoch did not follow the crowd. He did not bow to the idols of ease or pride. He did not walk in his own strength. He chose, instead, the narrow road—a road lit only by faith. And because he walked faithfully with God, he pleased God. He vanished from this world because God took him. Enoch did not taste death.

You must understand this: you cannot walk with God and walk with the world. The path of the righteous has always been lonely, yet it is filled with the presence of the Lord. Enoch’s testimony still speaks—he lived close enough to Heaven that God brought him home. He lived as one who knew God, not as an idea, but as a Person. Not a doctrine, but a daily companion. His life exposes the shallow living of his generation—and ours.

Oh child of God, are you walking with Him, or are you drifting? Do not be deceived: this world will never honor the Spirit-led. It will mock your holiness and call it bondage. It will seduce your soul with busyness, pleasure, and endless distractions. But hear me—this world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever (1 John 2:17 NASB).

A quiet river winds through a lush, untouched garden where fruit trees flourish and golden light streams from Heaven—a glimpse of Eden, where God still walks with man.

The Secret Place of the Faithful Walk

You were not made to walk alone. You were not made to carry your burdens without help. The breath in your lungs, the beat of your heart, the thoughts in your mind—all are sustained by God. You depend on Him for everything. Every. Single. Thing. And yet how often do you live as though you are sufficient?

Enoch knew better. He knew what you must know now: our strength fails, but God never does. The devil whispers to your soul, “You’re doing fine. You can take care of yourself.” But you cannot. You were created to walk hand-in-hand with El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. You were never meant to lead your own life.

Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. The Spirit is calling you out of mediocrity and into intimacy. Not to religious routine, but to fellowship. To the secret place. To the stillness where God speaks and strengthens.

The Voice Still Calls: Walk With Me

The Lord is calling. He’s not calling the crowd—He’s calling you. He wants your attention. He wants your obedience. He wants your heart, wholly surrendered. Not once, but daily. Moment by moment. He wants your walk.

To walk faithfully with God is not merely to believe that He exists—it is to believe Him, trust Him, follow Him. “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). No, beloved. You cannot walk with God while holding hands with sin. You cannot walk in the Spirit while dragging the chains of compromise.

Lay them down. Lay down your pride. Lay down your fear. Lay down your timeline. Choose Him now. Say with your heart what Enoch said with his life: “I will walk with You, even if I must walk alone.”

When shadows press near and voices grow loud,
I follow You, Shepherd, apart from the crowd.
Your whispers are clearer than thunder or flame,
And I walk in Your shadow, upheld by Your name.

Prayer of the Heart

Holy Father, I need You more than breath, more than rest, more than anything this world offers. I have tried to walk in my own strength, and I have failed. But now I come. I return to the narrow road. Take my hand, Lord. Lead me like You led Enoch. Let me walk faithfully with You until the very end. May Your Spirit fill me, guide me, and keep me. Let me not stray. In the name of Yeshua, my Redeemer, amen.

See Also

For the Worshiper (Go Deeper)

Footsteps wind through a misty forest toward the light, symbolizing the soul’s desperate journey—walking faithfully with God, step by step, breath by breath.

The Song of Enoch
“And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him.” — Genesis 5:24 AMP

Verse 1
I was a man among many, born of dust,
Yet my soul found no peace in the ways of the earth.
Their laughter was hollow, their idols were rust,
So I turned my face to the One of true worth.
In the silence of dawn, I heard Him call—
Not in thunder, but in the hush of my fall.
“Walk with Me, son, and trust My way,”
And I bowed low—I could not delay.

Chorus
For I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot stand but by Your strength.
Each step, each heartbeat, each fragile day—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I am, and desperate I stay,
Forever dependent—O God, be my stay.

Verse 2
The world mocked softly, with velvet chains,
Whispered, “Why strive for a God you can’t see?”
But I saw His glory beyond the plains,
And His voice thundered in secret to me.
The stars could not guide me, the moon did not know,
But the flame in my bones began to grow.
Not by sight, but by holy fire,
I walked with God, my one desire.

Chorus
For I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot stand but by Your strength.
Each step, each heartbeat, each fragile day—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I am, and desperate I stay,
Forever dependent—O God, be my stay.

Bridge
I did not seek reward or crown,
I only sought to hear Your sound—
The footsteps of the Living One,
The whisper of El Elyon.
When all around me turned to dust,
Still, I held Your Word in trust.
“Abide in Me,” You gently said,
And You became my daily bread.

Verse 3
Now the path grew narrow, the crowd grew thin,
But I would not trade this walk for sin.
For I have seen the Holy Flame,
I have heard Yeshua call my name.
And when the earth could hold me no more,
You opened wide the unseen door.
You took me in—not by death or rod,
But by the hand of the Living God.

Final Chorus
I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot rise but by Your strength.
Eternal steps on Heaven’s way—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I was, and desperate I’ll be,
Forever held in Your eternity.

Tag
So teach me, Lord, to walk like this,
In holy fear and Heaven’s kiss.
Let every breath, each footstep trod,
Cry out—I’m desperate for my God.

Personal Holiness

Becoming a Man of God

“Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” —Matthew 7:17, AMP

What kind of tree are you becoming? The words of Yeshua are clear—our fruit reveals our root. A good tree cannot help but bear good fruit, just as a tree corrupted at the core will bring forth bitterness in season. But too many attempt to fix their fruit without tending to the tree. They adjust behaviors without addressing the soul. They mask sin with service and substitute image for integrity. Yet God sees through every leaf and branch to the heart of the tree itself.

The Lord never said, “By their gifts you will know them.” He said, “By their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). These fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22–23)—can never be manufactured. They grow only from a heart surrendered to El Shaddai, cleansed by the blood of Yeshua, and filled with the Spirit of holiness.

The Broken Cup

A cracked cup cannot hold what it was made to carry—only the Potter can restore it to fullness and purpose.

Imagine a cracked cup. You can polish it, decorate it, and fill it with the finest drink, but the leak will remain. Only the Potter can mend what is broken. God is not impressed with how well we appear to hold righteousness; He desires to make us whole. “Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earthenware… If anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20–21, NASB).

God calls us not to do more, but to be more like Him. A man of God is first a man possessed by God—his identity, his affections, his mind, and his motives all yielded to the will of the Lord. When this is true, all his work becomes sacred. Whether farming, building, managing, or preaching—every action flows from the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.

A Holy Man Makes Holy Work

This is what makes the difference: a holy man makes holy work, not the other way around. Even our best deeds are stained if they do not spring from purity of heart. “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3–4, NASB). Holiness is not a performance; it is a possession. It is the Spirit of God indwelling you, purifying your desires, setting you apart.

Paul told Timothy, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:11–12, NASB). That charge was not limited to preachers. It is the daily call of every man who longs to walk with God.

Abiding in the Vine

This pursuit is not about striving harder—it is about abiding deeper. “Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine… apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4–5, NASB). To become a man of God is to abide in the Son of God. Your fruitfulness depends entirely on your connectedness to Him.

Don’t just polish the leaves. Go to the roots. Invite the Holy Spirit to examine your heart. Confess your sins. Surrender your will. Let His fire purify, and His grace empower. Then your life will not just contain good works—it will become good because He is good.

⸻

O God, plant me by Your living stream,
Let righteousness rise as my only dream.
Purge the rot, the pride, the shame,
That I may bear fruit that glorifies Your Name.

⸻

Prayer

Father, make me a man of God. Not by title, nor by appearance, but by Your Spirit working deep in my heart. Cleanse me from every hidden sin. Mend what is broken. Shape me like the Potter with holy hands. I surrender not just my actions, but my affections. Fill me with Your Spirit, that the fruit of my life may reflect the root of Your righteousness. Let all I do be marked by who I am in You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

⸻

See Also

Personal Holiness

Create in Me a Pure Heart

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, AMP)

This cry echoes from the soul of every believer who has stood face-to-face with their own brokenness. It is not the prayer of the self-righteous but of the exposed—those who have come to see the depth of their sin and the instability of their flesh. David, once a man of power and promise, wept these words after his own deception was uncovered. But it was in that very moment of divine exposure that hope began to rise. For God does not expose to destroy—He exposes to heal.

Yeshua knew well the weakness of man. When Peter, full of zeal and good intentions, swore loyalty even unto death, the Lord replied, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34, NASB). Peter did not believe it. He trusted in his own strength, as many of us do. Yet when the rooster crowed and the shame of his denial pierced him, it was not the end—it was the beginning of mercy. Peter wept bitterly, but those tears were the water God used to begin purifying his heart.

So often we hide from the Holy Spirit’s conviction. We numb ourselves with busyness, justify our failures with excuses, or point fingers to deflect blame. But the Spirit of Truth was sent not to condemn us but to cleanse us. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9, NASB). He exposes not to shame us, but to restore us.

The instability of our flesh is no surprise to El Shaddai. He formed us, He remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14). But He desires hearts that are yielded, not self-reliant. As Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NASB). The answer? Only God. And only He can create in us a new heart—not patched up, not remodeled, but made new by the breath of His Spirit.

Beloved, it is a dangerous thing to trust in our own goodness. Good habits, strong character, noble deeds—these are but fading garments if they are not clothed in grace. “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NASB), Yeshua said. To walk in truth, we must first ask to be undone. The fire of holiness begins with the broken cry: “Create in me a pure heart.”

Let this prayer rise like incense before the throne. Let it be your confession when pride whispers that you are strong. Let it be your anchor when sin has knocked you low. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). And to those who call on Him with a contrite spirit, He draws near.

⸻

Expose me, Lord, and make me whole,
Not for my shame, but for my soul.
Let not my sin stay hid or deep,
But purge with fire and let me weep.

⸻

Prayer

Father, I stand before You in need. I cannot trust in myself, for my strength fails and my heart wanders. But You, O Lord, are faithful. Expose the hidden places of my soul. Tear down every false strength, every secret sin, every shadowed idol. Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Fill me with Your Spirit, and let me walk in truth all my days. Let me decrease, that You may increase. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, Amen.

See Also

ginosko

Know the Living God

“Be still and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

Beloved, it is not enough to know about God, but to know the Living God. Many have studied His name, read His Word, even walked among His people—yet never encountered Him face to face. This is the tragedy of religion without revelation, theology without intimacy. But God did not create you for a shallow knowledge. He created you to know Him.

In Hebrew, yadaʿ; in Greek, ginōskō. This is not mere head knowledge—it is intimate, covenantal, heart-deep knowing. It speaks of relationship, not information. It is how a husband knows his bride, with love and faithfulness. It is how a shepherd knows each sheep by name, tenderly and without mistake. It is how a child knows the voice of their father, with instinct and trust. This is how God knows us—and how He calls us to know Him. “I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me” (John 10:14, NASB).

From the beginning, God has desired to be known so that we would know the Living God. “They will know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 29:46, NASB). His mighty acts were not for spectacle but for relationship. He gave signs, sabbaths, deliverance, and commandments—all so His people would know Him. He speaks to the humble, “That I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight” (Exodus 33:13, NASB).

But how easily people settle for knowledge about God instead of truly knowing the Living God. They memorize doctrine but never fall in love. They attend services but never commune with the Spirit. They use His name but do not know His voice. What did Yeshua say? “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3, NASB).

Do you know Him? Truly?

The prophets cried out for this very thing. Hosea wept, “Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3, NASB). Jeremiah thundered, “Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:24, NASB). And the psalmist declared, “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You” (Psalm 9:10, NASB).

To know the Living God is to walk in His presence, abide in His truth, and burn with love for Him. It is to hear Him say, “You are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1, NASB), and to answer, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12, NASB). This is the call—to move from the outer courts of information to the holy of holies of intimacy.

The early church knew this power. Paul cried out, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10, NASB). Peter prayed, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God” (2 Peter 1:2, NASB). And John testified, “We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true” (1 John 5:20, NASB).

This is your invitation.

Not just to study—but to seek.
Not just to understand—but to encounter.
Not just to hear about God—but to know Him.

Let us pray

Father, El Elyon, the Most High—draw us close to You. Open the eyes of our hearts to know You, not by intellect alone, but by Spirit and truth. Like Moses, we say, “Show me now Your ways, that I may know You.” Like Paul, we press on to know the Living God. Like David, we thirst for You as the deer pants for the water brooks. Take us deeper than we’ve gone before. Let our hearts burn with the knowledge of the Holy. Let every other pursuit fade until we are found in You alone.

We want to know You.

Not just facts—but Your face.
Not just power—but Your presence.
Not just names—but You, Yeshua, our God and King.

Amen.

See Also

Prayers

Appeal to Heaven

What Happens When the Anointed Cry Out

There is a cry that reaches beyond courts, armies, and kings. It is the cry of the righteous when all earthly help fails. It is called an Appeal to Heaven. Though it once flew on a flag in America’s fight for freedom, its origin is older—found in the Scriptures and written on the hearts of those who walk with God.

To appeal to Heaven is to say: “God, You alone are Judge. You alone are King. My cause is before You.” And when the anointed of God pray with clean hands and humble hearts, Heaven listens—and moves.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry for help came before Him into His ears. Then the earth shook and quaked… He bent the heavens down and came down, with thick darkness under His feet.”
—Psalm 18:6–9 (NASB)

This is no mere metaphor. God literally bows the heavens when His people cry out. The firmament—the unseen layers between heaven and earth—shifts. The Lord arises. Justice rides on the wind. And He comes not as a whisper, but with fire and trembling.

You may contend with many in this life. But you do not want to contend with someone who walks with God and knows how to pray. Because when they make an appeal to Heaven, you are no longer up against them—you are up against the God who defends them. This is the true power of appealing to Heaven.

David understood this. Though Saul hunted him unjustly, David said, “I will not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:11, NASB). David feared God more than he hated injustice. He knew that it is God who lifts up and tears down. Touching God’s anointed without cause was not just unwise—it was dangerous.

Elijah knew this power. When he stood on Mount Carmel and prayed, fire fell from heaven and consumed the offering (1 Kings 18:36–38). God answered with fire because His prophet prayed. His appeal to Heaven was answered with divine intervention.

Hezekiah laid a letter from his enemies before the Lord, and cried out. And Scripture says: “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah, saying, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: Because you have prayed to Me…’” (Isaiah 37:21, NASB). That same night, one angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Why? Because he prayed.

In the New Testament, Peter was in chains. Herod had already killed James and was planning to do the same. But it says, “So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church” (Acts 12:5, NASB). God sent an angel, the chains fell off, and Peter walked out of a locked prison under the guard of soldiers. That is the power of an appeal to Heaven.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ, before the cross, made His appeal in Gethsemane. He said, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42, NASB). And Heaven responded. Not with deliverance, but with strength. “Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.” (Luke 22:43, NASB)

Heaven always responds. Whether with fire, angels, deliverance, or strength, God answers the cries of His people. Their appeal to Heaven never goes unheard.

So if you are facing injustice, persecution, or trouble—don’t panic. Pray. If you walk in righteousness, your voice reaches the throne. As it is written:

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to eliminate the memory of them from the earth.”
—Psalm 34:15–16 (NASB)

God hears. God sees. God defends. When the anointed cry out—when they make an appeal to Heaven—the court of Heaven opens, and the Judge of all the earth rises.

Be encouraged: Heaven still bends low. And our God still answers with power.

🎵 “When the Anointed Cry Out” 🎵

(Verse 1)
When earthly strength has faded,
When hope seems all but gone,
We lift our cry to Heaven,
Before Your righteous throne.
You hear the anointed cry,
You bow the heavens down.

(Chorus)
When the anointed cry out,
You answer with power.
You shake the earth, You rend the skies,
You move in this hour.
Fire and angels, deliverance and might—
When the anointed cry out,
You arise in the night.

(Verse 2)
The world may come against us,
The proud may raise their hand,
But You defend the humble,
The righteous who still stand.
You hear the anointed cry,
You bow the heavens down.

(Chorus)
When the anointed cry out,
You answer with power.
You shake the earth, You rend the skies,
You move in this hour.
Fire and angels, deliverance and might—
When the anointed cry out,
You arise in the night.

(Bridge)
Strength for the weary, fire for the fight,
Chains are broken at Your command tonight.
Heaven bends low, the righteous rise,
When the anointed cry out,
Victory’s in Your eyes.

(Tag/Outro)
When the anointed cry out,
You bow the heavens down.

See Also

Lukewarm

Rise into the Fullness of Faith

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15 (AMP)

Beloved, hear what the Spirit is saying: God is not calling you to climb halfway. He is not pleased with lukewarm devotion, for the Lord of glory did not pour out His blood for mediocrity. He gave everything that we might live in the fullness of faith and wholly unto Him.

Many walk halfway up the mountain and pitch their tents there. They are no longer in the valley of open rebellion, but neither have they ascended into the holy place where the presence of God fills every breath. Like Israel standing at Sinai, they see the smoke and hear the thunder but dare not draw near. Yet the voice of Yeshua still calls: “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1, NASB).

The blood of the Lamb was not spilled for a half-hearted Church. It was shed that we might be redeemed, sanctified, and filled with power from on high. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1 Peter 2:9, NASB). This is not the language of mediocrity. It is the high calling of saints set apart in fullness of faith.

Let us not forget: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, NASB). If the risen King indwells you by His Spirit, how then can you be content with a life of shallow devotion and powerless ritual? The Holy Spirit is not a concept. He is a consuming fire. He leads us into all truth, convicts of sin, strengthens in weakness, and overflows with rivers of living water (John 16:13; Romans 8:26; John 7:38).

Tozer wrote rightly: “They are morally above the hardened sinner but spiritually beneath the shining saint.” But let the Word of God rebuke this halfway living. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm… I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16, NASB).

You must choose. Choose today. As Joshua declared before the assembly, so now the Spirit presses upon the Church again: Choose whom you will serve. The cross demands your everything. The Spirit demands your yielding in fullness of faith. And God will not share His glory with lesser loves.

There is more in God than most dare to ask for. More love. More power. More holiness. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NASB). But the halfway Christian will not draw near. He remains in the shadow, comforted by good reputation and empty religious habits. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. What you sow, you will reap (Galatians 6:7).

El Shaddai has not changed. He still speaks in fire. He still shakes the heavens and the earth. He still fills the house where the saints gather with wind and glory (Acts 2:2–4). The difference is not in God—the difference is in us. Will we go beyond the threshold? Will we press in to know Him? “Let us press on to know the Lord. His going out is as certain as the dawn.” (Hosea 6:3, NASB) as we journey in the fullness of faith.

No more mediocrity. No more compromise. Let us throw off every weight and sin that so easily entangles, and run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1). Let us be done with the praise of man, the fear of missing out, the paralysis of indecision. Let us burn for God.

⸻

Your altar blazes with holy flame,
And still I choose to climb.
Though feet may falter on the way,
Your Spirit speaks in time.
No peak too high, no cost too steep,
To gain the One divine.

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Prayer:

Abba Father, we reject mediocrity in Your name. You are worthy of full devotion—not a portion, not a part. Cleanse us from half-heartedness. Burn away the dullness of routine. Ignite in us a hunger for Your presence that nothing else can satisfy. Fill us with Your Spirit, El Elyon, that we may serve You fully, walk in power, and reflect the image of Yeshua to a world in darkness in fullness of faith. We seek Your face—not just Your gifts—and we say with trembling hearts, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Amen.

⸻

See Also