Glory to glory

Good morning dear friends

Let us reflect on these words

2 Corinthians 3:18

18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

The Christian walk is one of progression and the growth progress is not hard but requires grace and dependence on God. It requires faithfulness, obedience and endurance.

But let me ask you right now....do you want more of God and his glory to rest upon you?

Then be prepared to walk through the fire.

God is calling you higher.

God is pouring out his Spirit in such an unprecedented and uncommon way. If you will only just say YES LORD! He will fill you to the overflow. Overflow? Yes because the filling is not just for you to be blessed but for you to touch many more lives.

Here is an adapted study on the matter to help in your growth process:

The Bible often describes the presence and glory of God as a fire. The fire of the Holy Spirit creates a burning passion that moves you forward, aligning you with God’s will. In Hebrews, it reads, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

5 Ways the Fire of the Holy Spirit Aligns You with God

The Bible often describes the presence and glory of God as a fire. The fire of the Holy Spirit creates a burning passion that moves you forward, aligning you with God’s will. In Hebrews, it reads, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

The Holy Spirit brings conviction, leads us, and comforts us. In John 14:16-17, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as our Helper (or Comforter) Who leads us into all truth. In all the ways the Holy Spirit operates, He desires to communicate and bring you into union with God the Father and Jesus.

7 Ways God’s Presence is Manifested as Fire

“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.”—Exodus 3:2 (emphasis added)

“…as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.”—Judges 13:20 (emphasis added)

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.”—1 Kings 18:38 (emphasis added)

“Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.”—Ezekiel 1:4 (emphasis added)

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”—Matthew 3:11 (emphasis added)

“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.”—Numbers 11:1 (emphasis added)

“Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire.”—Numbers 9:15 (emphasis added)

Welcome the Fire of the Holy Spirit!

The fire of the Holy Spirit is a beautiful picture of how God imparts His presence upon us, equipping us for our Kingdom destinies. When the Holy Spirit descended like tongues of fire at Pentecost, the Jewish disciples were empowered to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Here are five ways the Holy Spirit aligns a Believer’s heart and will to God’s…

1 The Fire of the Holy Spirit Changes Your Thinking

The Holy Spirit brings transformation by the renewing of your mind. He indwells your new heart and writes God’s law upon it (Jeremiah 31:33). When you seek the fire of the Holy Spirit, God consumes your mind, will, and emotions, aligning them with His heart and empowering you to be the light in this world.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:14-16

2 The Fire of the Holy Spirit Hungers for God’s Instruction

The evil principalities in this world seek to confuse you. They whisper lies that say God is far from you, striking at the deep fear of abandonment and separation. If God feels far away, it’s not because He is. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and back into the presence of your ever-present Father. The Holy Spirit’s fire burns up the lies and reveals the truth of God’s loving instruction so that you know the ways in which you should go. His precepts preserve you and strengthen your heart to trust that God will never leave you.

3 The Fire of the Holy Spirit Creates a Passion for God’s People 

Have you ever been burdened to pray for others? Jeremiah described the Word of God within Him as a burning fire that He could not hold back (Jeremiah 20:9). He had to speak it out on behalf of God’s people! The passion to pray can feel like a burning deep in your soul that compels you to act. Welcome it, for this is the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in your heart. He will cause you to fall in love with the Word and pray intercessory prayers for God’s people with boldness.

• “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.”—Acts 4:31

• “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”—Ephesians 6:18

4 The Fire of the Holy Spirit Compels You to Sing Praises.

When you encounter the fire of the Holy Spirit, your voice will praise Him. An exuberant, joyful song is evidence of a Spirit-filled Believer. Singing and dancing are manifestations of joyful worship.

David danced, sang, shouted for joy, and blew shofars with all his might before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-15). He could not contain the Spirit. His cup ran over. Luke 10:21 tells us Jesus Himself rejoiced greatly in the Spirit!

5 The Fire of the Holy Spirit Purifies You 

The fire of the Holy Spirit purifies you. His power enables you to live a holy and godly life. His purifying work in you cleanses your soul. He calls you to live virtuously and victoriously. You get to partner with Him and partake of this divine nature, escaping the corruption of the world. The testing and purifying are all for a holy purpose and will cause you to come forth as gold (Job 23:10)

I pray that God will give you the grace and strength to walk through the fire. May he be glorified in our lives in everything we do and say

May he move us from glory to glory.

The Kingdom of God is to be built with fervency and power, there can be no "drawing back" at this time. Onward Christian soldiers.

Walk good in Christ

Till we meet again

Pastor J