...And You Shall be Baptised With the Holy Spirit and Fire

The Fire of God is a fascinating topic. When you do a word study on Fire in the Bible there are certain characteristics that show us when the Fire is from God and when it is the creation of or by people. One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in Scripture is that of oil.

Lk 3:16-1716 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire . NIV

We use the symbolism of oil when we are speaking about being anointed by God. You will discover that this anointing oil is also used in conjunction with the lamp stand or that which burns in the lamp stand. One of the concepts connected with fire in scripture is the refining that fire brings forth. The example that we most often think of related to this concept is the refining fire that causes a separation of the gold and the impurities in it, which are separated out when enough fire is applied to the gold.

The fire of God keeps buring in our lives until we go to meet Jesus. The purifing work of the Spirit's fire can cause us to wonder if we will survive the anointing of God in our lives.

There are three books that I want to recommend to you if you find the anointing of the Spirit just a little to hot! The Upside of Adversity by OS Hillman, Surviving the Anointing by David Ravenhill and Praying Through Job by Elmer Towns.

The Up Side of Adversity by Os Hillman

It can be extremely difficult to see God's Hand in our lives when we are going through hardship and adversity. TGIF Today God Is First Daily Devotional author Os Hillman knows this all to well. He lost his marriage, his business, and his financial "nest egg" all within a short period of time. Through a challenging seven-year process, Os learned that God was at work using these painful circumstances to prepare him for the calling God had on his life.If you are in the middle of adversity, or you know someone who is, or just want to learn more about why God allows adversity into our lives, this new book by Os Hillman will be a tremendous encouragement as well as a Biblically-grounded discovery of what God may just be up to "behind the scenes" during this painful and challenging time.

In The Upside of Adversity, you will learn…
Why some people are called to extraordinary adversity.
Why adversity is sometimes necessary to fulfill your ultimate destiny
Whether you have the key attributes of a Joseph Calling upon your life and what this will mean for your future
What the Black Hole is and whether you are in it!
The four tests Joseph had to pass to fulfill his destiny and why you MUST pass these same tests
Why good people suffer
Why leaders God uses always experience adversity
The role generational strongholds play in adversity
Why fear of failure often causes adversity
What you can learn from successful people who have faced adversity
How to avoid becoming a victim to your circumstances
What the upside of adversity really is
Why adversity is sometimes necessary to fulfill your ultimate destiny
Whether you have the key attributes of a Joseph Calling upon your life and what this will mean for your future
What the Black Hole is and whether you are in it!
The four tests Joseph had to pass to fulfill his destiny and why you MUST pass these same tests
Why good people suffer
Why leaders God uses always experience adversity
The role generational strongholds play in adversity
Why fear of failure often causes adversity
What you can learn from successful people who have faced adversity
How to avoid becoming a victim to your circumstances
What the upside of adversity really is


Surviving the Anointing by David Ravenhill


Surviving the Anointing is a solid teaching tool for church leaders who are facing not only their own struggles but also reaping the fallout of recent moral failings of nationally well-known church leaders.
David Ravenhill addresses the very real issues of how and why modern-day pastors and church leaders succumb to the enemy. He offers practical ways to survive the calling and the anointing. He openly discusses the inherent pitfalls of being anointed and compares today's trials and troubles to those faced by biblical leaders.

This book candidly discusses a wide range of important topics, including:
Intimacy
Authority
Persistency
Empathy
Humility
Worship
Diversity
Family
Adversity
Integrity
Unity
Eternity

Each topic is thoroughly discussed and documented as it pertains to a leader's responsibilities and its importance to Surviving the Anointing.


Praying the Book of Job by Elmer L. Towns

The book of Job was the first book written in the Bible. It represents the thoughts and logic of the early patriarchs. Even though early and embryonic, it contains the root fundamentals of Christianity. It contains a view of a sovereign God, Creator, guide, and judge of all men. The author tells us salvation is found only in God and even though we pass through the inevitability of death, yet there is coming a resurrection when we shall see God. The righteous will live with God and the wicked will be punished in Sheol (Hell).
This book will help you understand why there is suffering in the world and what God wants to accomplish through it. Also, learn the wrong reactions to suffering. Some of the "poor theology" you might hear in hospitals today is as old as Job.
Praying the Book of Job is not just a translation to help you know better the book of Job, but this is a devotional to help you know God. So reach out to touch God as you pray the book of Job, but more importantly — let God touch you.

The materials above are from the publishes web sites or from sites trying to sell this work.

Worship: An Inductive Study

Our daily journey of faith is often consumed with the experiential elements of our walk with God and often needs to be expanded and strengthened with the anointed insights of those who have gone before us and disciplined Biblical study to keep our walk with God from becoming shallow and weakened by an over exposure to our own understanding of life and God's relationship with us. This expansion and strengthening of our perspective and grasp of God's Word will allow our worldview to grow more to fit God's and keep us from developing an understanding that is more about us than God has designed and desired that we have.

Recalling the Hope of Glory by Allen P. Ross is one of those studies of God's Word that will help us not to get off course and that will help us to drink deeply from the river of life, which can give us a more complete understanding of why we worship that will make our journey more fruitful and full of God's light and wisdom. the material that follows is from the book and can be found at Amazon.com. Please click the link below the title and it should take you to Amazone's page.

Book Description
Moving beyond worship wars over style and denominational proclivities, this book considers all the major biblical passages about worship. Regardless of their denomination, pastors, worship leaders, and laypeople interested in the biblical themes of worship will benefit from this definitive resource.

From the Inside Flap
"For any significant change to occur in our worship activities," writes Allen Ross, "we have to get behind forms and methods and changes in style and focus on the biblical theology that informs worship. " Out of his concern for worship to be as glorious as it should be, Ross has provided readers with a methodical, detailed study of all the biblical testimony on the subject of worship.

Many "biblical" studies of worship explain Scripture only where it is most applicable to the author’s own views, but very few, if any, have attempted an inductive study of worship throughout the entire Bible. Beginning not with early Israelite worship but with creation itself, seasoned biblical scholar Allen Ross uncovers the glories and beauty of worship as it is progressively revealed from its beginning in the Garden of Eden to its climax in the new heavens and new earth. Along the way, the historical development of worship is considered from the religious world in antiquity and worship in the early church to modern traditions and liturgy.

Neither technical, simplistic, nor specific to one denomination, Recalling the Hope of Glory is designed for all God’s people. Pastors, worship leaders, professors, students, and laypeople will find exposition that challenges, informs, and furthers our understanding of glorious worship. Through this study, readers will see patterns and principles of worship emerge, understand more fully our great heritage and its traditions, and discover ways to improve their worship.



From the Back Cover
"The publication of Recalling the Hope of Glory is a splendid addition to the growing number of works on biblical worship. Not only is this work a comprehensive theological vision of creation, incarnation, and re-creation, it is also a genuine work of praise." —ROBERT E. WEBBER, author of more than forty books on worship and the church



"Stunning in scope, Recalling the Hope of Glory provides a historical-theological study of worship from creation to the new creation. The logic of Allen Ross’s ranging exposition across the flow of biblical history will challenge every reader and grace every church, regardless of tradition. Here is dazzling substance for recovery of robust worship of our sovereign and holy triune God. Sure to be a standard work." —R. KENT HUGHES, pastor, College Church in Wheaton



"This book deals expertly and thoroughly with worship in the Bible. What is most refreshing: it is not at all ideological. People of all persuasions will find it valuable as a reference work. It also gives us a large perspective on worship that is likely to moderate the current discussion." —JOHN M. FRAME, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary



"Allen Ross takes his readers back to the Bible itself to paint a colorful picture of worship that is spiritually vibrant, theologically sound, and focused on Christ. His passion for worship that glorifies God and his thorough knowledge of Scripture are obvious throughout. For the western church, which needs desperately to recover its biblical and theological roots, this book will be an extremely helpful resource." —DANIEL I. BLOCK, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College



About the Author
Allen P. Ross (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School. Prior to this, he taught at Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry and Dallas Theological Seminary. His publications include Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis, Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus, and An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew.

What is Your Worldview and what is It based On?

I have been fascinated as I have been on this journey with Jesus. Beginning that day when He reached out to me and rescued me from the mire and dust to see how many false things I believed about the world around me, mankinds nature and abilities and the spirit realm.

Dr, Ed Murphy speaks about the Biblical worldview in his book 'The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. His book, which I highly recommend for its breadth and scope of topical coverage, is one of the most comprehensive books on the subject or Spiritual Warfare. Below is a link and some text from Thomas nelson the publisher. "The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare is the most thorough treatment available of biblical and theological foundations and practical concerns for spiritual warfare. Further revised and updated for the 21st century. http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/

The Book:
1. Equips leaders and mature believers
2. Comprehensive coverage of all 3 dimensions of spiritual conflict: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Endorsed by Frank Peretti, Dr. C. Peter Wagner, and others." http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?dept_id=11850&sku=0785250263&TopLevel_id=110000 I would not recommend this book for new believers but I do highly recommend the books below for all bel;ievers!

There is another book that opened my eyes to the area of Worldview many years ago and is still around, now in its 4th addition. James Sire's "The Universe Next Door" is a wonderful resource and should be mandatory reading for all Christians who interact with anyone who was not been raised in the Church. Sub titled 'A Basic Worldview Catalog' the reader of this book is treated to insights, such as how the Church's weakened Spiritual state led to the rise of false religions and a dependency on science as the underpinning of mankind’s belief systems. Below are some of the materials on the IVP web site. IVP is the publisher and I commend them for continuing to publish this excellent work.

About the Book:

When The Universe Next Door was first introduced nearly thirty years ago, it set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. In concise, easily understood prose, James W. Sire explained the basics of theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism and the new consciousness.

The second edition was updated and expanded to include sections on Marxism and secular humanism, as well as a completely reworked chapter on what is now widely known as New Age philosophy rather than new consciousness. And the third edition offered further updating and revisions, including a thoroughly revised chapter on New Age philosophy and, perhaps most importantly, a new chapter on postmodernism.

Now the fourth edition refines the definition of worldview itself, incorporating Sire's thinking and teaching during the past decade. (His recent work is showcased in a new book, Naming the Elephant, also published by IVP.)

The Universe Next Door has been translated into several languages and has been used as a text at over one hundred colleges and universities in courses ranging from apologetics and world religions to history and English literature. With the publication of the fourth edition, this book will continue to aid students, teachers and anyone who wants to understand the variety of worldviews that compete with Christianity for the allegiance of our minds and hearts.

If you want to know more go to the IVP web site http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2780

IVP Extra!
Available as an audio book from Hovel Audio.

Table of Contents & Book Excerpts »
Reviews & Endorsements »
Author Interview »
Features & Benefits

Table of ContentsPreface to the Fourth Edition

1. A World of Difference: Introduction

2. A Universe Charged with the Grandeur of God: Christian Theism

3. The Clockwork Universe: Deism

4. The Silence of Finite Space: Naturalism

5. Zero Point: Nihilism

6. Beyond Nihilism: Existentialism

7. Journey to the East: Eastern Pantheistic Monism

8. A Separate Universe: The New Age

9. The Vanished Horizon: Postmodernism
10. The Examined Life: ConclusionIndex

Features & Benefits
1. Introduces the Christian worldview and its major alternatives, both Eastern and Western
2. Explains and evaluates
3. Clear and nontechnical
4. New edition is revised and updated throughout
5.Incorporates refinement of the definition of a worldview
6. Over 250,000 copies in print in more than one dozen languages worldwide

Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept

http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2779

What is a worldview?
What lies behind your thoughts about almost everything?

For more than thirty years, James W. Sire has grappled with this issue. In this book he offers readers his most mature thought on the concept of a worldview, addressing such questions as
What is the history of the concept itself?
What is the first question you should ask in formulating a worldview?
How are worldviews formed existentially as well as intellectually?
Is a worldview primarily an intellectual system, a way of life or a story?
What are the public and private dimensions of a worldview?
What role can worldview thinking play in assessing your own worldview and those of others, especially in light of the pluralism in today's world?

In his widely used textbook The Universe Next Door, first published in 1976, Sire offered a succinct definition of a worldview and catalogued in summary fashion seven basic worldview alternatives. Students, critics, new literature and continued reflection have led him to reexamine and refine his definition of a worldview. This companion volume to The Universe Next Door is the fruit of that effort.

Here is an excellent resource for exploring more deeply how and why worldview thinking can aid you in navigating your pluralistic universe.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

1. Camel, Kangaroo and Elephant

2. Worldview Definitions: From Dilthey to Naugle

3. First Things First: Being or Knowing

4. Flesh and Bones: Theoretical and Pretheoretical

5. Rational System, Way of Life and Master Story

6. Worldviews: Public and Private

7. Worldview: A Refined Definition

8. Intelligent People Who Clash by Day: Worldviews as a Tool for AnalysisIn

Understanding Matthew: The Early Christian Worldview of the First Gospel

This work, a companion volume to Westerholm's Understanding Paul provides an introduction to the early Christian worldview of the First Gospel. The study is neither a verse-by-verse commentary nor a narrowly focused academic monograph. It is an engaging reader's guide to Matthew's worldview and his story of Jesus' life, preaching, andcall to discipleship. Westerholm's goal, as he writes in the first chapter, is that readers might "begin to understand how Matthew made sense of things, and to see how it makes sense to make sense of things that way." His introductory chapter examines the idea of a worldview. He then considers the centralaspects of Matthew's worldviewIsrael's understanding of God, his dealings with the Jewish people, and Jesus' preaching about God's kingdom.

Go to the equippers network Blog for my article on the Role of Biblical Immersion in forming our workdview. http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com

The Spirit Formed Life

In a world of three-day diets and game-show millionaires, we can easily lose sight of the importance of the spiritual disciplines the Lord has given us for victorious living in Christ. Jack Hayford invites readers to rediscover the power and the blessing that come from such disciplines as prayer and fasting, feeding on GodÕs Word, submission to His will, daily worship and experiencing the release of repentance and forgiveness. Pastor Jack examines and celebrates what it really means to be an effective disciple of Christ in modern times.

In a world with so much competing for our attention, it’s easy to neglect or lose sight of the importance of the spiritual disciplines the Lord has given us for victorious living in Christ. Pastor Jack Hayford shows new believers and mature Christians alike how to rediscover the power and blessings of such basic disciplines as prayer and fasting, daily worship, and the release of repentance and forgiveness. What Pastor Jack offers is an inspiring guide to the Spirit-Formed life – where God guides and we thrive!

The Fountain Head

There is no greater Resource than the Bible itself. It is the inspired, 'God breathed' communication of God to people. To gain true understanding of the Bible also known to believers as God's Word, the Bible itself tells us we must know the author Himself.

The Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit is the one who illuminates or reveals it's truth to us. Without the Holy Spirit the Bible is a 'Stumbling Block or Foolishness' to us.

There are many good resources which can help us understand the Bible, but they must never replace the Word of God as the source of truth and life itself for us who have recieved Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Seven Practices of Effective Ministry

Discover seven simple ways to revitalize your ministry through the parable of Ray Martin, the founding pastor of Meadowland Community Church. Busyness, pressures, and programs have blurred his original vision. But a night at a most remarkable baseball game changes everything! Pastors and church leaders will welcome this refreshing approach to ministry. 240 pages, hardcover from Multnomah.

There’s no scoreboard in the sanctuary, and the only plate is probably for the offering. But every church leader needs to know how to win, and every congregation needs to know when to cheer. This insightful book speaks to every church leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. An engaging parable about one overwhelmed pastor is followed by an overview of seven successful team practices, each one developed and applied in a ministry setting. Reinforced by relevant discussion questions, these clear, easy, and strategic practices can turn any ministry into a winning team.
http://northpointresources.com/book_detail.aspx?ISBN=15905237337


Seven Practices of Effective Ministry By: Andy Stanley, Lane Jones, Reggie
http://www.practicallyspeaking.org/

Practice #1 - Clarify The Win: Even the best team can't score if it can't find home plate. In this conversation we'll discuss the importance of clearly defining a win at every level of your organization.

Practice #2 - Think Steps Not Programs: Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you want to go. In this conversation we'll discuss the importance of a clear ministry strategy.

Practice #3 - Narrow The Focus: The longer a ministry operates, the more complex it can become. In order to maintain a winning organization, we must continually face the challenge of narrowing its focus.

Practice #4 - Teach Less For More People are bombarded by thousands of messages every week. If the local church is going to be effective, it must cut through the noise. It must learn to say only what needs to be said to the people who need to hear it.

Practice #5 - Listen To Outsiders: Why don’t the unchurched people in your area go to church? Could it be because you’re focusing on who you’re trying to keep instead of who you’re trying to reach?

Practice #6 - Replace Yourself :We are all replaced eventually. The wisest leaders will extend their influence by finding and mentoring their replacements.

Practice #7 - Work On It: All of us work in ministry every day, but is that enough? Working on your ministry requires time to evaluate your work and to celebrate your wins.

Christian Podcast Sites

Check Out what claims to be thelargest Christian Poscast site.

Wasting Time With God

Wasting Time With God

A Christian Spirituality of Friendship with God By Klaus Issler

This information is from the IVP website. The link is given below.
When it comes to developing a deep, trusting relationship with God, efficiency and productivity are not the answer. It's far better to "waste" time with him, to just enjoy being with him. After all, that's how any friendship grows.
But making room for God in the midst of our fast-paced lives is not an easy task. Just as time with our best friends can get squeezed out by the rush of activities, so can time with God. Even "wasting time" with God means making a commitment and setting priorities--whether it's something we enjoy or not.
Beginning with the supposition that God desires friendship with us, Klaus Issler encourages us to consider seven character traits and to develop their companion disciplines: friendship, humility, faith, commitment, communication, apprenticeship and partnership. Here is a full-orbed model of Christian spirituality that will be of lasting value. (IVP web Site)

Visit Klaus Issler's website at Biola University!
It has a great deal more info.
http://people.biola.edu/faculty/klaus/wtwg.htm#toc

Table of Contents
Foreword by James M. Houston 9

Acknowledgements 11
1. The Quest: Knowing God More Deepl 13

Part I: Making Room for God
2. Friendship: Approaching the God Who is Love. 37
3. Humility: Honoring the God Who is Holy 67
4. Faith: Seeing the God Who is Invisible 90

Part II: Deepening our Friendship with God
5. Commitment: Seeking the God Who Hides 123
6. Communication: Hearing the God Who Speaks 151
7. Apprenticeship: Yielding to the God Who Disciplines 183
8. Partnership: Asking the God Who Answers 214
Notes 249
Indices 283

IVP also has Book Excerpts
@http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/toc/code=2280

Features & Benefits
*offers a full-orbed model of Christian discipleship
*shows you how to make room for God amid daily responsibilities and pressing events *highlights the value of developing friendship with God
*explores the relationship between character development and spiritual disciplines
*considers seven disciplines: friendship, humility, faith, commitment, communication, *apprenticeship and partnership

Next Generation Leadership

This book is listed in a recent article from Leadership Journal online, How Comptent Are You? Listed and linked below.

The Next Generation Leader has been challenging young Christians eager to learn, grow, and lead in ministry or in the marketplace since its original release in 2003.

Now with an all-new look, this repackaged version continues to advance the mission of the first release. Mentoring young leaders as they face the unique issues of a changing world has been pastor and bestselling author Andy Stanley's passion for more than a decade. Here he shares material from his leadership training sessions, developed to address essential leadership qualities such as character, clarity, courage, and competency. This is the perfect guide for any new leader - or for the mentor of a future leader! Get more info at the link below.


http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product/?item_no=525396&p=1006328#curr

The artilces below are also important for leaders.

Can I Trust You? Strengthening the three legs of trust. by Angie Ward,
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/cln60814.html

Assessing Character Part two of a series, "The Three Legs of Trust".by Angie Ward
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/cln60918.html

How Competent Are You? Part three of a series, "The Three Legs of Trust."by Angie Ward
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/archives.html

Discipleship Journal's Best Bible Study Methods

One of the featured books this month is Discipleship Journal's Best Bible Study Methods from Navpress. Below is a quote from their site about this book.

"WHO SAID BIBLE STUDY IS BORING? NOT US! Discipleship Journal® believes God’s Word should not only be instructive, challenging, and life-changing, but also creative, intriguing, and just plain fun. That’s why we compiled this unique handbook of 32 ways to study Scripture, drawn from the pages of our magazine. From word studies to role-playing to personal reflection, both pastors and laypeople explain how to infuse study with fresh insight—and without compromising the Bible’s meaning or integrity. Whether you’re new to Bible study or a seasoned pro, you can unearth deep spiritual gems and enjoy the process. So dig in and discover the joy of getting into God’s Word. "

PRODUCT DETAILS Discipleship Journal's Best Bible Study Methods [ISBN: 1576832910](Paperback)[size 6x9] For more information and a sample chapter click on the link below.
http://www.navpress.com/Store/Product/1576832910.html#ProductDetails