“Some Christians have been taught to repress their emotions as they worship. They’ve been told to fear feeling anything too strongly, and that maturity means holding back. But what we want to avoid is emotionalism, not emotions. Emotionalism pursues feelings as an end in themselves; it wants to feel something with no regard for how that feeling is produced or its ultimate purpose. In contrast, the emotions that worship is meant to express are a response to who God is and what he’s done.” Bob Kauflin

We are not only to pursue God with our mind and will, but with our emotions also.

Everyone is zealous about something. All people have an innate desire to be passionate. I’m not talking about romantic passion, but rather a passion for life and a desire for purpose. We are passionate about work, striving to succeed. We are passionate about possessions, striving to have more. We are passionate about our sports teams. Think of this… we always have enough time, energy and money for those things about which we are passionate. The real question is: are we passionate about that which is most important? Are we passionate about God? The Bible has much to say about our 'zeal' for God.

Topics studied recently: The Pentecostal movement; The Holy Spirit Baptism, a life-changing encounter; scriptural examples of receiving the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, and conditions on receiving the Spirit fullness.

Robin Bertram encourages Bethel to assume its kingdom role in authority in the resurrection power of Jesus.

Jesus promised a vibrant pathway of life for every one of God’s beloved children — a way of: fullness (overflowing of the Spirit), fruitfulness (service to others), and fulfillment (joy through relationship). He promised “a well” of indwelling grace and joy when we come to know Him as Savior (John 4:14). He also promises rivers of grace and power when a believer receives the Holy Spirit Baptism to flow out from him to others (John 7:37-39).

In describing the Holy Spirit’s coming, Jesus specifically said, "Rivers of living water shall flow from the inner being of all those who believe me" (John 7:37-38). On Pentecost, what Joel had prophesied, Peter preached: "God has poured out His Spirit; a stream of restoring, healing power is released to mankind!"

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The book of 1st Corinthians is rich in information that our churches of today need to be aware. The problems faced there are still with us today, in so many ways. Perhaps in looking at this book, God can show us ways to face similar situations, and deal with them, so that we can accomplish much for His kingdom on this earth. Two of the main problems were dis-unity (which we dealt with earlier) and the problem of open, un-repented of sin in the church.

Following a night and morning of torture and ridicule, Jesus was crucified, and for six hours He hung on the cross. There was darkness from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3pm). At noon when Jesus was put on the cross the sun should be brightest. A very unique act took place during these three hours of darkness; when as the Son of God he was made sin for us. A transaction took place between a holy God and a perfect sinless sacrifice; and it was nothing for sinful men to pry into – So the cross was shrouded in darkness. In the darkness there was a penalty paid, a substitution endured and propitiation made.

No epistle in the New Testament gives a clearer insight into the life of the first-century church than I Corinthians. In it Paul provides straightforward instructions for such moral and theological problems as sectarianism, spiritual immaturity, church discipline, ethical differences, and the role of the sexes and the proper use of spiritual gifts. Where these same problems exist in the modern church, the remedies are the same. Spirit Filled Bible