āThe Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.ā ā Exodus 13:21-22
Intro to this issue
When the Lord first spoke to Moses he made his presence known in the fiery bush that was not consumed. When Moses led his people out of Egypt, the Lord went before the people and revealed his continual presence with them with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
When the Risen Lord Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the Fatherās right hand, he instructed his disciples to wait and pray for the promised Holy Spirit who would continue to guide, teach, and direct the community of disciples on their journey of faith and mission to spread the Gospel to all the nations. āI am with you always, to the close of the ageā (Matthew 28:20).
On the day of Pentecost, the first disciples of Jesus where filled with the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire appeared over them. The Lord Jesus wants his people today to be filled with the fire and love of his Holy Spirit. Fire both purifies and releases energy and spiritual power to perform the works which Jesus did when he proclaimed the imminent coming of his kingdom.
This Issue focuses on the grace and work of the Holy Spirit which began on the Feast of Pentecost and continues today in the Body of Christ ā and in a special way through the charismatic renewal and covenant community movements.
You’ll notice this issue has a new design by Paul Codouni. If you have any feedback or issues with the new format, please email Paul.
May we continue to earnestly pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and yield to the Spirit as we seek the Lordās direction for the advancement of his kingdom throughout the world today.
Sincerely in Christ,
Don Schwager
editor
Credit for “Pillar of Fire” image: artwork by SermonView.com. Used with permission.
Don Schwager is the editor of Living Bulwark and author of theĀ Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation website. He is a lay religious brother and life-time member of the Servants of the Word.