The emperor Nero was a Roman ruler who ruled from 54AD to 68AD. He was, to put it simply, a very bad man. His debauchery is legendary, and his cruelty was second to none.Fueled by a hatred for Christians, Nero would often hang Christ-followers from crosses and even feed them to dogs. On multiple occasions, Nero would dip Christians in hot oil or wax and light them on fire to illuminate his garden at night. Why am I telling you about the atrocities of a psychopathic, murderous, first-century ... Read More
First-love Fast: Is this really the time to fast?
Is this really the time to fast? I have to be honest, I was less than excited to engage in a 21-day fast this year. After all, have we all not been living in a 9-month fast of sorts? We’ve had to go without certain things, say no to things, and embrace various reductions and experience inconvenience. We had our routines shifted, priorities changed, and, for some, our jobs diminish or even cease. Some of us had a lot of extra time on our hands, while others became busier than ever ... Read More
First-love Fast Devotional: Did you Learn to Love?
Did you learn to love? This is a reflection-question that I often ask myself after a hard season, or a season of blessing, or a season of struggle and pain, or even a season of fasting: Did I learn to love? No matter what life throws at us, there is always an opportunity for us to grow in our love for God. So as we enter into this 2021 First-love Fast, let this question lead us and guide us into the love of God. After all, fasting is really all about love; it is ... Read More
Stations of the Cross
"Will you keep watch with me?" [Matthew 26:38]During this season, we pay special attention to suffering, anguish, and the journey of Jesus to the cross. The Stations of the Cross is one of the ways that we can set aside some focused time to meditate, pray, and enter into the mystery of the death of our Savior at Calvary. We have set up the 12 Stations of the Cross in the Prayer Garden at Calvary. This is open to anyone who wishes to come and participate. There are no set times. You may come and ... Read More
When God Calls You Friend
Over the last number of weeks, we’ve been journeying through the book of Song of Songs. In this beautiful love song we see the beauty, the glory, and the tender leadership of Jesus as he gently, and with divine precision, draws His bride deeper into His heart. Throughout her transformation from immature love to mature love, we see the Bridegroom-Jesus speaking words of life and affirmation over the bride. Even though, at times, she stumbled and disobeyed, Jesus’ redemptive ... Read More
Love’s Great Adventure – Encountering Jesus in the Song of Songs
First Love In this season, God is calling the church to return to our first love. God is jealous for our hearts. The Holy Spirit is passionately committed to seeing the First Commandment in first place in our lives. As a body we are responding to this word by remembering His love, repenting of all the things that we’ve allowed to stand in the way of love, and renewing our commitment to keep the First Commandment in first place. The Apostle John tells us in 1 John 4:19 that “We love [God] ... Read More
“Where there is no prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint….”
“Where there is no prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint…” (Proverbs 29:18). As I reflect back on the spring Propel Apostolic Conference and look forward to the upcoming fall Propel Prophetic Conference, I can’t help but be amazed at God’s beautiful, sovereign, and strategic wisdom. God spoke to us through Apostle Mosy Magduba in April to “return to our first love.” We said “yes” to the Lord, and are currently and actively responding to that word right now. Now the ... Read More