Have You Trembled Lately?

[Steadfast]

I’ll never forget standing there that day. The key points that silently scream into the chambers of my remembrance are almost foreign to me now after all these years.
• I knew nothing about this God that they preached about.
• I knew nothing of His laws or even His requests.
• I didn’t know any of the words to any of the songs.
• I didn’t understand very much of what the preachers preached.

And, yet, standing there in those moments after the preaching was over something in my life forever changed. No, what happened in that moment wasn’t…
• A product of being baptized in Jesus Name because I hadn’t been to the water yet.
• A result of being filled with the Holy Ghost because it would be some weeks before I would receive the Holy Ghost.

All I can really remember about those few moments after the preaching was that there was such an atmosphere of reverence - such an aura of complete awe that covered that place - that my calloused heart began to tremble in the presence of the Lord.

And now, some 29 years later, I can walk back down the path of my memories and see that at every juncture of my walk with God the greatest…
• Gifts that I ever received from the Master were put into trembling hands.
• Callings God ever laid upon my life found it’s intended place on a trembling soul.
• Moments I’ve ever known were those times when God’s purity marched in to my presence and I made my petitions known through trembling lips.

And now, having made the journey from…
• Novice to Bishop,
• Spiritually unlearned to Scripturally educated,
• ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’ to praying in the Spirit,
• Knowing nothing about God to knowing God Himself,
… I can tell you tonight that the greatest single tool that I had at my disposal was not…
• My oratory skills,
• Some profound ability to pray or
• Some elusive ability to be a leader.

The truth is that I lacked then – and probably yet today – in those areas of my life. But if I could turn with an honest heart and a sincere confession today and point back to the greatest single tool I had at my disposal the answer would simply be… I’ve never lost my ability to tremble at the presence of God.

I walk in victory that I don't deserve. I've preached to hundreds of thousands that I wasn't qualified to preach to. I've seen miracles that other have only dreamed about. I live in victory. I walk in victory. And yet I can tell you, without a doubt, that the single attribute that has led me from victory to victory is that, throughout the years, I’ve maintained my ability to tremble in His awesome presence!

Sometimes I trembled out of a sincere fear of God.
Sometimes I trembled out of absolute reverence for God.
Sometimes I trembled out of conviction that I had displeased God.
But I've walked in supernatural realms becaue I’ve never lost my ability to tremble in His presence.

I trembled again tonigth as I preached under the weight of anointing. I trembled again as the Gifts of the Spirit flooded our sanctuary. I trembled again as the entire sanctuary wept before the greatness of God. Yes, I walked out with victory.

When is the last time YOU trembled?

[berkeley]

To answer the question, it has been several years. I long to see those days again. Thank you for sharing this. :)

[Steadfast]

To answer the question, it has been several years. I long to see those days again. Thank you for sharing this. :)

The presence of God is faithful. The 'trembling' is your part. Perhaps the very reason that God said, "If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves..."

I pray you find the peace that only comes by a trip back to Bethel.

:praying

[berkeley]

The presence of God is faithful. The 'trembling' is your part. Perhaps the very reason that God said, "If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves..."

I pray you find the peace that only comes by a trip back to Bethel.

:praying
It's a lot closer than some think. Thank you! :)

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Bro Steadfast, this is two at once tonight after the preacher disseration.

Both Home Runs, but with the fluff and stuff kinda rough and tough to think through two at once!

:ty

[Praxeas]

Be nice of Berkley and Arph could make it to Mullings church that saturday. It's only a 2 hour drive for me (and hopefully I get my car back)

[berkeley]

Be nice of Berkley and Arph could make it to Mullings church that saturday. It's only a 2 hour drive for me (and hopefully I get my car back)

Pick me up!! lol

[Coonskinner]

Elder,

You have echoes my own heartbeat here.

I preach a sermon along these lines:

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Hosea 13:1

I title it, "When Ephraim Ceased To Tremble."

Thanks for sharing this.

[Barb]

Thought provoking, Steady...thank you...:praying

[Sherri]

Thanks for these words. There is nothing like the powerful heavy presence of God. I love those services where you cannot hardly move or breathe because the power of God is so strong that you are almost paralyzed.

[Annie]

What a soul stirring post. My heart weeps, in remembrance of times past. I LOVE when the anointing is so strong, you have no recourse but to fall on your trembling knees in worship unto Him.

It's been awhile.

[rgcraig]

Beautiful!

What type service could we have if everyone could get here!

[Steadfast]

Elder,

You have echoes my own heartbeat here.

I preach a sermon along these lines:

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Hosea 13:1

I title it, "When Ephraim Ceased To Tremble."

Thanks for sharing this.

My original post was pretty much the introduction to last night's message. Ironically, I used the very same scripture that you posted (Great minds?) and titled it "The Triumph of a Trembling Heart".

[Steadfast]

Thanks for these words. There is nothing like the powerful heavy presence of God. I love those services where you cannot hardly move or breathe because the power of God is so strong that you are almost paralyzed.

You're exactly right. Nothing in this life like the kind of services that remind us that we are but 'dust' and that He's the eternal King of Kings. Oddly enough, I find the more completely I'm in His presence the more minute I feel.

Perhaps this is why John would say, "He must increase and I must decrease". I've long maintained that 'spiritual pride' is a sad paradox... truly being in His Glory is a humbling experience. I think God wants it that way.

[Coonskinner]

My original post was pretty much the introduction to last night's message. Ironically, I used the very same scripture that you posted (Great minds?) and titled it "The Triumph of a Trembling Heart".

The way I wrap the message is with the passage in Isaiah wjere the Lord says, "...to this man will I look...that trembleth at My Word."

That is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

I have always felt that the capacity to be moved to trembling by the Word of the Lord was the thing that has kept me in some of the things I have walked through.

I have told the Church I pastor this many times.

I feel this quality isn't developed as often where strong conviction isn't preached. I learned to tremble at His Word because of a silver-haired pastor who would walk out of his office with an anointing and an authority to preach to me about heaven and hell and eternity.

A tender conscience is developed by the hammer blows of the Word of God.

We don't hear as much conviction preached anymore because of our desire for political correctness, and because of the level of consecration required to preach conviction convincingly.

This is a candy stick of mine.

[Steadfast]

The way I wrap the message is with the passage in Isaiah wjere the Lord says, "...to this man will I look...that trembleth at My Word."

That is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

I have always felt that the capacity to be moved to trembling by the Word of the Lord was the thing that has kept me in some of the things I have walked through.

I have told the Church I pastor this many times.

I feel this quality isn't developed as often where strong conviction isn't preached. I learned to tremble at His Word because of a silver-haired pastor who would walk out of his office with an anointing and an authority to preach to me about heaven and hell and eternity.

A tender conscience is developed by the hammer blows of the Word of God.

We don't hear as much conviction preached anymore because of our desire for political correctness, and because of the level of consecration required to preach conviction convincingly.

This is a candy stick of mine.

Wow. What an incredible 'wrap up'. You know, you ARE supposed to be here next week and my Church wouldn't mind hearing it again..... :bliss

I agree with you on the 'conviction' part. Nowhere close to enough of that kind of preaching. This fact rings closely to the other thread I started in the early hours of this morning pertaining to the neutralizaton of 'preaching' personalities.

I just don't know if this generation would accept another O. R. Fauss whose preaching made you quake.

[LadyChocolate]

We don't hear as much conviction preached anymore because of our desire for political correctness, and because of the level of consecration required to preach conviction convincingly.

This is a candy stick of mine.

Conviction............ Oh, how I miss that in services.... It bothers me that people can sit in the pews and on the platform, and not be moved by the power of God. I've spoken about this many times with friends... I have seen a pattern, that when you start losing respect for the house of God, when the house of God starts becoming more of a social gathering and a place of entertainment, we lost that reverence and awe that we once felt......It seems that church is now more geared for fun in some places , and now being comfortable on the pews is so easy.... jmo

[Titus_2_3]

The presence of God is faithful. The 'trembling' is your part. Perhaps the very reason that God said, "If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves..."
I pray you find the peace that only comes by a trip back to Bethel.

:praying

Brother, I am not pointing any fingers, but I just this morning read an article in The Vision A paragraph leapt out at me, and I will share with others.
Quote: Other stranglers keep us from doing God's will. Some people get so wrapped up in hobbies or working on their computers that they have little time to do anything else. Anything that keeps up from putting God's will first in our lives is like a boa constrictor. Unquote
Many here are registered and post on several different forums and spend hours in front of their monitor. In doing this, there is less time for Bible reading and study, less time for prayer and meditating on God. The Computer has become an instrument that has robbed us of our valuable time with God.

[Ravens]

Conviction............ Oh, how I miss that in services.... It bothers me that people can sit in the pews and on the platform, and not be moved by the power of God. I've spoken about this many times with friends... I have seen a pattern, that when you start losing respect for the house of God, when the house of God starts becoming more of a social gathering and a place of entertainment, we lost that reverence and awe that we once felt......It seems that church is now more geared for fun in some places , and now being comfortable on the pews is so easy.... jmo

We came close to this trembling in our service yesterday. .unfortunately we have people like those described above who sat unmoved/unchanged. I, for the life of me, cannot understand how the power of God can be so strong in a place yet people can sit there as if those getting slain in the spirit are a show for their own entertainment. If EVERYONE was in the same frame of mind, I agree. . there is no telling what kind of service we'd have. We've just got to get there. . . .

[Ron]

Very good Steadfast. I think it is something that is missing from the Church world (even Pentecost) is an awesome reverence for God, and the things of God.

You are so right, everything I have I don't deserve.
I am trying to get our kids to realize that Church while it can be fun is also a place where we come and draw nigh unto God.

I pray they learn to tremble a bit in the presence of God.

May we never get casual to the presence of God.

[Coonskinner]

Wow. What an incredible 'wrap up'. You know, you ARE supposed to be here next week and my Church wouldn't mind hearing it again..... :bliss

I agree with you on the 'conviction' part. Nowhere close to enough of that kind of preaching. This fact rings closely to the other thread I started in the early hours of this morning pertaining to the neutralizaton of 'preaching' personalities.

I just don't know if this generation would accept another O. R. Fauss whose preaching made you quake.

I honestly am not trying to just engage in carnal emulation here, but one thing I have lamented about long and often is the proliferation of echoes among us and the dearth of voices.

Balance is over-rated.

It is usally men who are extreme in some dimension who make things happen and get things done.

[Annie]

I honestly am not trying to just engage in carnal emulation here, but one thing I have lamented about long and often is the proliferation of echoes among us and the dearth of voices.

Balance is over-rated.

It is usally men who are extreme in some dimension who make things happen and get things done.


And who are remembered by most. *smile*

[Steadfast]

Brother, I am not pointing any fingers, but I just this morning read an article in The Vision A paragraph leapt out at me, and I will share with others.
Quote: Other stranglers keep us from doing God's will. Some people get so wrapped up in hobbies or working on their computers that they have little time to do anything else. Anything that keeps up from putting God's will first in our lives is like a boa constrictor. Unquote
Many here are registered and post on several different forums and spend hours in front of their monitor. In doing this, there is less time for Bible reading and study, less time for prayer and meditating on God. The Computer has become an instrument that has robbed us of our valuable time with God.

I would say that in many cases you're right. Even computing can strip away precious time with God and, hence, the tenderness to tremble.

[Steadfast]

I honestly am not trying to just engage in carnal emulation here, but one thing I have lamented about long and often is the proliferation of echoes among us and the dearth of voices.

Balance is over-rated.

It is usally men who are extreme in some dimension who make things happen and get things done.

And who are remembered by most. *smile*

These are the kinds of opinions that I'm looking for on the RIP: The Neutralization of 'Preaching' Personalities thread. I genuinely have doubts about whether the kinds of ministries that you are speaking of would even be accepted by the general population of Pentecost now. Yet, as you both have said, those are the kinds of voices that are most effective and most remembered.

[rgcraig]

I would say that in many cases you're right. Even computing can strip away precious time with God and, hence, the tenderness to tremble.

Yes it can and also the attitude behind the poster can hinder too.

[Steadfast]

Yes it can and also the attitude behind the poster can hinder too.

:heeheehee




Miss RGCraig... I agree!

[jillian]

What a soul stirring post. My heart weeps, in remembrance of times past. I LOVE when the anointing is so strong, you have no recourse but to fall on your trembling knees in worship unto Him.

It's been awhile.

Amen!!

I also love the service where the annointed preaching of God's word convicts me to the same point. The point that drives me to my knees in repentance. Tears running down my face.

When the Lord brings conviction, correction and reproof to my soul, then I KNOW he loves me. He doesn't want me to die lost!!!!!

[Carpenter]

Note to Admin: I am beginning to really like this Steadfast guy...regardless of the fact that he insists on posting in size 27 blue font! :heeheehee

[Ron]

Note to Admin: I am beginning to really like this Steadfast guy...regardless of the fact that he insists on posting in size 27 blue font! :heeheehee

He is likable.


Be thankful it is blue & not Red!!!:heeheehee

[Steadfast]

Note to Admin: I am beginning to really like this Steadfast guy...regardless of the fact that he insists on posting in size 27 blue font! :heeheehee

Let's just say the size.... :bliss ... fits me!

[Warmbee]

Steadfast, my pastor preached on obediance to the Word last night and yes, I was trembling at the alter thinking of God's power and that he has blessed me with such wonderful truth!

[Steadfast]

Steadfast, my pastor preached on obediance to the Word last night and yes, I was trembling at the alter thinking of God's power and that he has blessed me with such wonderful truth!

We need more preaching that takes us to that 'trembling' place. Actually, we need more prayer and praise that takes us to that place, too.

I concur with you... what a wonderful truth!

[Coonskinner]

I always had a heavy sense of reverence for the Word of the Lord.

I recall once when I was in a rebellious state, I went to a special service where Larry booker was going to be preaching.

When I got to the church where the meeting was being held, I got under such heavy conviction that I got physically sick.

A few minutes before the service was to start, Brother Booker happened to look back my way and make eye contact with me. I nearly passed out. :)

I was convinced he saw into the depths of my sinful soul...I became so ill that I vomited and had to leave the service and go home before he ever got up to preach.:)

I repented and got my heart right anyway, and didn't even hear the message.

[Steve Epley]

I’ll never forget standing there that day. The key points that silently scream into the chambers of my remembrance are almost foreign to me now after all these years.
• I knew nothing about this God that they preached about.
• I knew nothing of His laws or even His requests.
• I didn’t know any of the words to any of the songs.
• I didn’t understand very much of what the preachers preached.

And, yet, standing there in those moments after the preaching was over something in my life forever changed. No, what happened in that moment wasn’t…
• A product of being baptized in Jesus Name because I hadn’t been to the water yet.
• A result of being filled with the Holy Ghost because it would be some weeks before I would receive the Holy Ghost.

All I can really remember about those few moments after the preaching was that there was such an atmosphere of reverence - such an aura of complete awe that covered that place - that my calloused heart began to tremble in the presence of the Lord.

And now, some 29 years later, I can walk back down the path of my memories and see that at every juncture of my walk with God the greatest…
• Gifts that I ever received from the Master were put into trembling hands.
• Callings God ever laid upon my life found it’s intended place on a trembling soul.
• Moments I’ve ever known were those times when God’s purity marched in to my presence and I made my petitions known through trembling lips.

And now, having made the journey from…
• Novice to Bishop,
• Spiritually unlearned to Scripturally educated,
• ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’ to praying in the Spirit,
• Knowing nothing about God to knowing God Himself,
… I can tell you tonight that the greatest single tool that I had at my disposal was not…
• My oratory skills,
• Some profound ability to pray or
• Some elusive ability to be a leader.

The truth is that I lacked then – and probably yet today – in those areas of my life. But if I could turn with an honest heart and a sincere confession today and point back to the greatest single tool I had at my disposal the answer would simply be… I’ve never lost my ability to tremble at the presence of God.

I walk in victory that I don't deserve. I've preached to hundreds of thousands that I wasn't qualified to preach to. I've seen miracles that other have only dreamed about. I live in victory. I walk in victory. And yet I can tell you, without a doubt, that the single attribute that has led me from victory to victory is that, throughout the years, I’ve maintained my ability to tremble in His awesome presence!

Sometimes I trembled out of a sincere fear of God.
Sometimes I trembled out of absolute reverence for God.
Sometimes I trembled out of conviction that I had displeased God.
But I've walked in supernatural realms becaue I’ve never lost my ability to tremble in His presence.

I trembled again tonigth as I preached under the weight of anointing. I trembled again as the Gifts of the Spirit flooded our sanctuary. I trembled again as the entire sanctuary wept before the greatness of God. Yes, I walked out with victory.

When is the last time YOU trembled?

Very good and timely thank you for this.

[Felicity]

Awesome post by Steadfast!

[Barb]

We need more preaching that takes us to that 'trembling' place. Actually, we need more prayer and praise that takes us to that place, too.

I concur with you... what a wonderful truth!

Amen!!

[Coonskinner]

Bump because this is such a timely thread.

[LadyChocolate]

I always had a heavy sense of reverence for the Word of the Lord.

I recall once when I was in a rebellious state, I went to a special service where Larry booker was going to be preaching.

When I got to the church where the meeting was being held, I got under such heavy conviction that I got physically sick.

A few minutes before the service was to start, Brother Booker happened to look back my way and make eye contact with me. I nearly passed out. :)

I was convinced he saw into the depths of my sinful soul...I became so ill that I vomited and had to leave the service and go home before he ever got up to preach.:)

I repented and got my heart right anyway, and didn't even hear the message.

You know, it was times like that I remember, it wasn't soo easy to walk out on God........................ It was a struggle to make that decision...I am glad I never did. Even in a backslidden state, my soul cried out and longed for those intimate times with God.... I don't understand how people just walk out. God's been too good. Just too good...I've been hurt, I've had rough times. Saints have lied on me and turned away, but GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL. When you've walked with God, been in deep places with Him, you don't want to leave........but complacentcy (sp) and time tend to sneak up on you.....

BTW thanks steadfast for this thread.......

[Steadfast]

After watching this thread for a few days and having time to think about how important it is to stay tender before the Lord... I can't help but wonder if the greater question would have been, "How ofted do you tremble when you're NOT at Church?"

Perhaps that's the truest test of all.

:sad

[Steadfast]

BTW thanks steadfast for this thread.......


Thanks... but the responses are what is making it a good thread.

[Annie]

I always had a heavy sense of reverence for the Word of the Lord.

I recall once when I was in a rebellious state, I went to a special service where Larry booker was going to be preaching.

When I got to the church where the meeting was being held, I got under such heavy conviction that I got physically sick.

A few minutes before the service was to start, Brother Booker happened to look back my way and make eye contact with me. I nearly passed out. :)

I was convinced he saw into the depths of my sinful soul...I became so ill that I vomited and had to leave the service and go home before he ever got up to preach.:)

I repented and got my heart right anyway, and didn't even hear the message.


The pastor I grew up under, made you feel this way EVERY service! My mom is almost 70 years old, and she was talking about him last week. She was almost afraid to shake his hand- she felt him reading her mail everytime he got close to her...hehe Almost like feeling guilty when a police car pulls in behind you in traffic, and you have done no wrong....YET. :heeheehee

[SDG]

Bump for Ronzo ... this is it ...

[Sacerdotal]

Interesting thread

[Ronzo]

Bump for Ronzo ... this is it ...
"Interesting."

[Coonskinner]

"Interesting."

Elaborate, Ron.

[Ronzo]

Elaborate, Ron.
No. Sorry.

[Sacerdotal]

No. Sorry.

I'm not sure I see anything questionable about the thread.

There is a need to be tender before God.