30.11.2012 Views

THE FIERY SPIRIT - Coptic Orthodox Electronic Publishing

THE FIERY SPIRIT - Coptic Orthodox Electronic Publishing

THE FIERY SPIRIT - Coptic Orthodox Electronic Publishing

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

poor from the West, but actually to learn this from the simple<br />

persons of our people, children and poor!<br />

b. Concerning the meetings to study the Holy Bible, I<br />

gave an example of such meetings that are held at St. George’s<br />

Church at Sporting. Hundreds of church members meet at<br />

vespers, youth meetings, either for young men or ladies, to<br />

study the Holy Bible. Moreover during summer, youth go to<br />

camping for a few days to study the holy Bible. I was asked as<br />

well to give a hint on Pope Shenouda III’s meetings, and<br />

meetings for Bible study at different Parishes.<br />

6. RENEWAL AND CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR<br />

In our <strong>Orthodox</strong> Christian understanding, life with<br />

Jesus is a unified life. We do not separate our life into a life of<br />

private or group worship, witnessing to Christ's Gospel or<br />

dealing with others at work, either with friends, beloved people<br />

or ones who annoy us. It is one life which is daily renewed from<br />

all aspects, and each growth should be for the general good, not<br />

in one side at the expense of the other, but all complementary to<br />

each other. Thus church renewal affects directly or indirectly<br />

our practical attitude under any circumstances.<br />

The most important aspect in the phase of renewal, is<br />

for the believer to share a life of joy by feeling the kingdom of<br />

God within him. A true Christian would run to Jesus in time of<br />

suffering Who will change his anguish to experiences of glory.<br />

St. Paul lived a life of joy amidst all his suffering. In his<br />

imprisonment, together with Silas, they used to glorify God at<br />

midnight “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing<br />

hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts<br />

16:25).<br />

Thus preaching to the prisoners with great joy, and<br />

converting many (Acts 16:34).<br />

Dear Reader, You need to test the joy of the Spirit as a<br />

predominate divine gift, while suffering, as He is the food of the<br />

62

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!