The Spirit of the Lord – Seven Flaming Torches

The journey to Perfectland

Post author:Catherine Nortey
Post category:The Spirit of the Lord
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Post last modified:14/05/2023

Growing up in Sunday school, the perfect Christian life felt like a series of handed-down dos and don’ts. By talking, behaving, or wearing certain clothes, one stood a better chance of being accepted into Christian circles. You can imagine my utter surprise when I finally truly encountered Papa, and He wasn’t interested in my failed attempts at perfection. Instead, He showed me unconditional love and grace I hadn’t known before. Nothing on my perfection wish list interested Him. On the contrary, He asked me to tear up my list because He only wanted my heart. He sent His Son to die for me so He could give me everything He is. I didn’t have to work my perfection up to be accepted by Him. His perfection was more than enough for me.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; and He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalms 18:30–32

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In touch with the cross

Post author:Catherine Nortey
Post category:The Spirit of the Lord
Post comments:1 Comment
Post last modified:14/05/2022

But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. We saw his suffering. We thought God was punishing him. But he was wounded for the wrong things we did. He was crushed for the evil things we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him. And we are healed because of his wounds. We all have wandered away like sheep. Each of us has gone his own way. But the Lord has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done. Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV

Christians from all over the world have recently marked the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My dear husband also blessed us with his exposition on the cross: For Real. Therefore it was somewhat surprising that I found myself drifting into Isaiah 53, where we get an accurate depiction of the life, humiliation, suffering and finally, the exaltation of Christ. Wondering why God will highlight these short verses to me, I couldn’t help but realise that there’s some richness in these verses God wants to pour into us. This passage draws attention to the intimate relationship God desires with His children.

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Private unction before public display

Post author:Catherine Nortey
Post category:The Spirit of the Lord
Post comments:2 Comments
Post last modified:14/05/2022

He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfilment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority. But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces even to the remotest places on earth!” Acts 1:7-8 TPT

God is such an awesome and good Father who doesn’t raise microwave leaders. He loves us too much to see us fail because He wants glory out of our lives. He usually develops and encounters us in our secret place to unction us for transformation and empowerment by His Spirit for our leadership assignment. When He publicly displays us, it presents an opportunity for people around us to receive all that He has deposited in us. God does not desire His children to rush into public ministry when He hasn’t anointed them to handle the pressures that come with it.

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