Crank Up The Heat!

I'm sure many of us have enjoyed the change in the weather recently.  Some of us have complained about the weather for months, but give it a week or two and we'll start complaining about the cold:)


It won't be much longer until the cold settles in for the winter.  (Of course this all depends upon where you live.)  As the temperature drops on the outside, it begins to affect the inside.  And unless your a tightwad or a mountain man, your gonna crank up the heat on the thermostat.  The colder it gets on the outside, will require some adjustment on the inside to keep the temperature the same.  


What we see going on in the natural, is also going on in the spiritual world and within the church.  As the days seem to go by more hastily, this world becomes more evil and corrupt.  I don't believe that there is any news that would shock us anymore, we've heard it all it seems.  The pressure is increasing and the temperature is dropping.    Spineless, emergent, compromising churches have already felt the shift in temperature and have done nothing to adjust the inside.  They are being frozen by the winds of apathy and complacency.


If there's ever been a time when the Apostolic church needs to take a stand for truth, righteousness, and holiness, the time is now.  We've got to kindle the fire on the inside to ward off what is stirring on the outside.  Now is not the time to follow the fad of letting down on holiness. 


 Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
1 Peter 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.


When your full of the Holy Ghost and are striving to have a relationship with God, you should have some personal convictions.  Holiness must be more than standards and rules but we must pray for a spirit of holiness.  The condition of the heart will be reflected in the outward appearance and lifestyle.  


We must increase our prayer.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman still avails much.   Prayer is what makes the difference .  It is one of the main elements of revival and a move of God.  We must strive to pray in the Holy Ghost and enter into the Holy of Holies.  That is where things are broken in the spirit and prayers are answered.


And as the winds of comprimise and complacency grow colder we cannot leave spirit filled praise and worship behind.  We must remember that music in and of itself is not what creates an atmosphere for God to move, but it's our praise and worship.  David said I will enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.  When I step through the doors of the church I want there to be a praise in my heart and a song on my lips.  I won't be concerned if visitors are watching.  They need to see a red hot apostolic worship service!!  I don't want the devil to be comfortable in a cool, complacent environment.  


Prayer and worship are two close allies that support each other.  Without one or the other we cannot be a succesful revival church.


Evangelism has got to become important to us!  What a great time of year to tell somebody about Jesus.  The church must be a refuge to the people of our communities.  We are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  A beacon of hope to troubled souls, a lighthouse to those lost on the seas of life.  Everyone else can bow to pressure but in 2012 I'm believing God for mighty revival in our churches.  Why don't we crank up the heat a little and see the kingdom of God go fourth?