Published on April 14th, 2009 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from David Wilkerson at David Wilkerson’s Blog.

The Surrendered Life

David Wilkerson

“Surrender.” What does this word tell you? In literal terms, surrender means “to give up something to another person.” It also means to relinquish something granted to you. This could include your possessions, power, goals, even your life.

Christians today hear much about the surrendered life. But what does it mean, exactly? The surrendered life is the act of giving back to Jesus the life he granted you. It’s relinquishing control, rights, power, direction, all the things you do and say. It’s totally resigning your life over to his hands, to do with as he pleases.

Jesus himself lived a surrendered life: “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). “I seek not mine own glory” (8:50). Christ never did anything on his own. He made no move and spoke no word without being instructed by the Father. “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things…. For I do always those things that please him” (8:28–29).

Jesus’ full surrender to the Father is an example of how we all should live. You may say, “Jesus was God in flesh. His life was surrendered before he even came to earth.” But the surrendered life is not imposed on anyone, including Jesus.

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:17–18).

Jesus was telling us, “Make no mistake. The act of self-surrender is totally within my power to do. I’m choosing to lay down my life. And I’m not doing it because some man told me to. Nobody’s taking my life from me. My Father gave me the right and the privilege to lay down my life. He also gave me the choice to pass up this cup and avoid the cross. But I choose to do it, out of love and full surrender to him.”

Our heavenly Father has given all of us this same right: the privilege to choose a surrendered life. No one is forced to yield his life to God. Our Lord doesn’t make us sacrifice our will and give back our lives to him. He freely offers us a Promised Land, full of milk, honey and fruit. But we may choose not to enter that place of fullness.

The truth is, we can have as much of Christ as we want. We can go as deep in him as we choose, living fully by his word and direction.

The Path Of Surrender

God begins the process of surrender by knocking us off our high horse. This literally happened to Paul. He was going his self-assured way, riding toward Damascus, when a blinding light came from heaven. Paul was knocked to the ground, trembling. Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4).

Paul knew something was missing in his life. He had a knowledge of God, but no firsthand revelation. Now on his knees, he heard these words from heaven: “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (9:5). The words turned Paul’s world upside down. Scripture says, “Trembling and astonished, [Paul] said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (9:6). Paul’s conversion was a dramatic work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul was being led by the Holy Spirit into the surrendered life. He asked, “Lord, what would you have me to do?” and his heart was crying out, “Jesus, how can I serve you? How can I know you and please you? Nothing else matters. Everything I’ve done in my flesh is dung. You’re everything to me now.”

Paul had no other ambition, no other driving force in his life, than this: “That I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). By today’s standards of success, Paul was a total failure. He didn’t construct any buildings. He didn’t have an organization. And the methods he used were despised by other leaders. In fact, the message Paul preached offended large numbers of his hearers. At times he was even stoned for preaching it. His subject? The cross.

When we stand before God at the judgment, we won’t be judged by our ministries, achievements or number of converts. There will be but one measure of success on that day: Were our hearts fully surrendered to God? Did we lay aside our own will and agenda and take up his? Did we succumb to peer pressure and follow the crowd, or did we seek him alone for direction? Did we run from seminar to seminar looking for purpose in life, or did we find our fulfillment in him?

I have but one ambition and that is to learn more and more to say only those things the Father gives me. Nothing I say or do of myself is worth anything. I want to be able to claim, “I know my Father is with me, because I do only his will.”

Published on April 11th, 2009 | Articles, Worship

By Charles Hamilton

What makes Christianity so unique is that our leader Jesus came back from the dead. As Christians we recognize that Jesus’ resurrection confirms [declares once and for all] that He is the Lord.

The resurrection of Jesus was heaven’s powerful declaration that He is the Son of God. Jesus is the only one in history who is still alive, after having been raised from the dead (over two thousand years ago).

This miraculous event confirms Jesus to be the Son of God. There is absolutely no one from history [past], who has been raised from the dead and is still alive today, except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus – Declared The Son Of God

Romans 1:3-4 – The New Testament in Modern English (J.B. Phillips)

The gospel is centered in God’s Son, a descendant of David by human genealogy and patently [deliberately] marked out as the Son of God by the power of that Spirit of holiness which raised him to life again from the dead. (Emphasis mine)

Sadly, Jesus himself foretold that there would be people in the world who would not believe, even though one came back from the dead.

Luke 16:31 – Amplified Bible

He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead.

Not everyone will believe the truth [good news] but if you are reading this article you have an opportunity to believe.

Why should you believe?

Because God has provided for himself witnesses of the resurrection of His Son throughout scripture.

Eye Witnesses of His Resurrection

I Corinthians 15:1-8 – The New Testament in Modern English (J.B. Phillips)

Now, my brothers, I want to speak about the Gospel which I have previously preached to you, which you accepted, in which you are at present standing, and by which, if you remain faithful to the message I gave you, your salvation is being worked out – unless, of course, your faith had no meaning behind it at all.

For I passed on to you Corinthians first of all the message I had myself received – that Christ died for our sins, as the scriptures said he would; that he was buried and rose again on the third day, again as the scriptures foretold.

He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve, and subsequently he was seen simultaneously by over five hundred Christians, of whom the majority are still alive, though some have since died.

He was then seen by James, then by all the messengers. And last of all, as if to one born abnormally late, he appeared to me!

Forever Settled In Heaven

In a court of law by the word of one or two witnesses a case is settled. Jesus was seen alive by over five hundred Christians after his resurrection. Therefore the matter should be forever settled in our minds as to the truth that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Since the resurrection is at the very heart of the gospel how can any Christian deny life after death?

I Corinthians 15:12-19 – The New Testament in Modern English (J.B. Phillips)

Now if the rising of Christ from the dead is the very heart of our message, how can some of you deny that there is any resurrection? For if there is no such thing as the resurrection of the dead, then Christ was never raised.

And if Christ was not raised then neither our preaching nor your faith has any meaning at all. Further it would mean that we are lying in our witness for God, for we have given our solemn testimony that he did raise up Christ – and that is utterly false if it should be true that the dead do not, in fact, rise again!

For if the dead do not rise neither did Christ rise, and if Christ did not rise your faith is futile and your sins have never been forgiven. Moreover those who have died believing in Christ are utterly dead and gone. Truly, if our hope in Christ were limited to this life only we should, of all mankind be the most to be pitied!

Christianity rests solely upon the truth of scripture that Christ did arise from the dead.

The last enemy of all to be destroyed is death itself.

I Corinthians 15:20-23 – The New Testament in Modern English (J.B. Phillips)

But the glorious fact is that Christ did rise from the dead: he has become the very first to rise of all who sleep the sleep of death.

As death entered the world through a man [Adam], so has rising from the dead come to us through a man [Jesus Christ]!

As members of a sinful race all men die; as members of the Christ of God all men shall be raised to life, each in his proper order, with Christ the very first and after him all who belong to him when he comes.

From Mortal to Immortality

The dead and the living will be fitted for immortality when Christ returns.

I Corinthians 15:51-54 – The New Testament in Modern English (J.B. Phillips)

Listen, and I will tell you a secret. We shall not all die, but suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, every one of us will be changed as the trumpet sounds! The trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised beyond the reach of corruption, and we who are still alive shall suddenly be utterly changed.

For this perishable nature of ours must be wrapped in imperishability, these bodies which are mortal must be wrapped in immortality. So when the perishable is lost in the imperishable, the mortal lost in the immortal, this saying will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ ‘O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’

The Resurrection has brought us victory over death and hell through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Its time for us to believe it and declare it to a sick and dying world.

Published on April 10th, 2009 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from a dear friend – Laurie Daniel.

Faith in the Indwelling One

By Laurie Daniel

Especially in these times, I desire to learn how to be more encouraging and effectual in praying for others as well as myself. Lately I have been reflecting more deeply on the ‘new creation realities’ and how they can impact my faith attitude and prayer life.

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Col. 1:27 NLT

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

Jesus Christ is the most dynamic entity in heaven and on earth, and He chose to indwell us by His Spirit. 1 John 2:27 tell us that we have received an anointing that abides in us from the Holy One.

The Spirit of Christ indwelling us is mighty; far greater that any physical, emotional, financial or relational challenge in our lives. The centrality of Jesus Christ and Him living in those who believe on Him is the epic love story of all ages. The enemy of our soul trembles over this magnificent reality. He is relentless at distracting and discouraging us from the presence and power of God’s spirit residing in us. The devil would have us to be victimized by magnifying the problems of the flesh and soul (Eph. 6:12). The Lord wants our attention and affections so we become mindful of His overcoming nature dwelling the inner man of the spirit.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20

As we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, let’s remember that not only is our faithful and merciful High Priest at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us, but His spirit is indwelling us in righteousness and true holiness, in peace and joy. His love DNA born in us is victorious over every fear we will ever face.

Not only should we be looking up, but perhaps we should also be looking within – not at the “old man” of sin and death, but at the empowering Spirit of the “new man” living inside us – the spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:6 states, “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

The true Christian journey is about a love relationship between the Redeemer and mankind. This adventure is clearly more about the triumphant accomplishments of Christ than any of our own works. Our Lord is eager for us to learn how to tap into and cooperate with His Spirit living in us and also for us to learn how to live through Him in an ever increasing measure. Our glorious goal is to be one with Him. It is a place of resting in His works and ceasing from our own. Jesus said in John 15:7 that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we can ask what we will and it shall be done for us. For me personally, the well-known verse of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” has taken on new life.

Most of us have been uncomfortably aware of our own faults and failures. We have recognized that the resources of our flesh and soul are inadequate in fighting the good fight of faith and co-laboring with the Lord. The new creation within us is limitless! In Him we are complete (Col 2:9). Though our flesh is weak, the Spirit that dwells in us is always ready, willing and able. His grace is sufficient and amazing.

Our responsibility is to rightly relate to the life that is in Christ Jesus, and by faith, respond to His finished work. Jesus suffered physically and emotionally in more ways than we can ever imagine, and He was tested and tempted in every possible way, yet he did not sin. He has endured everything that you and I will ever experience, so He is well acquainted with all our afflictions. He conquered over all our enemies to make a way for us to triumph in all our troubles. His indwelling resurrection nature helps us in our times of greatest need. The Spirit of Christ living in us has overcome sin and death. His Spirit abiding in us is victorious over every trial, temptation and persecution. All we need do is call upon Him in faith. When we are weak, He is our joy and strength.

May we continually arm ourselves with the truths of the character of Christ Jesus; of who He was, is, and will always be. Our friends and family may fail or forsake us, but He never will. Everything around us is changing, but Jesus Christ is ever the same. What our Lord does and how He works may change from day to day, but His character never changes. Therefore we can safely entrust Him with all our heart and we should encourage one another frequently with this revelation.

Our Savior ever lives and He is true and faithful. He is willing and able to save to the uttermost and deliver us from evil. He is the true God of signs, miracles and wonders. He is the true Lord of healing, restoration and reconciliation. He is our peace in anxiety. He is our patience in a world of endless expectations. He is kind and gentle. He is the Master of self-control, and delights in helping us to become temperate.

In Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In Him is the all-truth and the light to direct our path. He’s our redeemer from destruction and our mercy in judgment. He is our comfort in mourning. He is our shelter from the storm and our refuge from the enemy. He restores the weary soul and the He forgives the sinner and cleanses the guilt. He is good all the time. All of these attributes and so much more are wrapped up in His Spirit that lives in us. May we continue to learn to live in that place in Him and access whatever is needed in the moment. In the process we become more like Him and then many will ask us of the reason of the hope in us.

Our moment-by-moment challenge is to be still in our soul, and by faith draw upon the immeasurable resources of Him who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. May we determine to regularly meditate in the words and presence of the Lord and feed on His faithfulness. His fresh perspectives invigorate us. He is pleased with our faith and He rewards us as we diligently seek Him.

Does this all sounds too good to be true? That is just what our enemy wants us to believe. Every day the battle in our mind is won by denouncing our human reasoning, and choosing to believe and profess who the Lord is, in us and for us.

What greater way to encourage one another in the faith than through centering our conversations on the Compassionate and Perfect one indwelling us? He knows our frame, and our end from before our beginning. We were in His heart before time began and we are finding our way back into His holiness and purity. How wonderful are His plans of peace and prosperity for us! He has already successfully paved the way through to the finish line. He indwells us and has equipped us for the journey. There is no greater place then He in us and we in Him.
To be One with our Lord is our destiny – what an awesome, spiritual reality!

Published on April 5th, 2009 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from Paul Keith Davis at White Dove Ministries.

A Vision of the Coming Days

By Paul Keith Davis

On July 31, 2008 while in Red Deer, Alberta Canada for a conference, the Lord took me into a very interesting and enlightening revelatory experience. It was approximately 3 o’clock in the afternoon after spending considerable time in preparation for the evening service. My subject was one that I had been diligently studying for several months involving the Lord’s admonition saying:

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:37-39

The Lord spoke to me clearly saying, “It would behoove you to understand as much as possible concerning the days of Noah; what overcame Noah’s day, your generation must overcome.” As a result of that charge I have been consumed with passion to fully understand Genesis 6 and its relationship to the days ahead.

While sitting on the couch in my hotel room in Red Deer, I was contemplating the biblical implications of Genesis 6 in relationship to our day when suddenly I went into a revelatory encounter. I found myself in the Spirit standing in an evangelistic crusade being conducted on a football field. My first observation involved the people riveted to a message that was being preached from a podium on the field. I then clearly recognized the voice of the evangelist… it was the great Billy Graham preaching the cross of Jesus Christ as only he could.

I was able to recognize the people’s attire resembled that from the 1960′s. I could hear Dr. Graham presenting his anointed message from the four spiritual laws as complete silence filled the auditorium with the exception of his voice. Then I could hear the song, “Just As I Am” being played as hundreds responded to his invitation and began quietly and orderly making their way to the alter.

Then a Voice spoke in the vision saying, “What is coming will not be like this!” With that statement I knew the coming revival would clearly have a strong evangelistic anointing like a heard from Dr. Graham, but also of a different nature that facilitated a compelling demonstration of the Spirit’s power producing reverential awe and conviction according to 1 Thessalonians 1: 5 saying:

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

With that statement I found myself standing in a large auditorium with a considerable altar area filled with the sick and afflicted on cots, gurneys and wheelchairs. To my amazement the entire altar was filled with the sick on a scale I have only seen in pictures from past revivals. To my right I noticed a man lying on a cot whose bones were twisted like pretzels. Further to the right another man was seated in a wheelchair with his legs elevated and his feet curled under by a hideous bone disease. Beside him a man was lying on a gurney with a large tumor protruding from his abdomen.

I actually felt encouragement from this scene derived from the faith that permeated the atmosphere. These people were here because of the expectation and anticipation of God’s Presence to heal and deliver. Suddenly with that realization, the double doors of the sanctuary burst open and a family of approximately ten people came through the doors escorting what appeared to be a young teenage girl that was clearly demonized. I watched as she was screaming, cursing and throwing grown men around like rag dolls.

Then one of the men in the family spoke with a very demanding tone saying, “somebody had better be here that can deal with this.” With that statement I could sense the family’s desperation for God’s intervention. They had tried every other alternative possible with no success. Only the power and authority of Christ could help this family.

As the family made their way up the aisle I walked towards them with the profound awareness that there was no time to call for a host of intercessors nor was there time to pray and fast. It was like a Mount Carmel showdown between light and darkness requiring that we call upon God’s grace and manifest Presence resident in us to meet this incredible need. I was immediately reminded of the Lord’s confrontation with the demoniac of Gadara. I was also thoroughly convinced that a mere spiritual gift, as wonderful as spiritual gifts may be, was not sufficient to overcome this level of darkness. It required “Christ in me, the hope of glory.”

As I walked towards the family my spiritual eyes were opened in the experience and I could see an evil being occupying this young girl that seemed to be approximately 12 feet tall. It was then I remembered my study concerning Genesis 6 and the Lord’s admonition that the day of His coming would be just as it was in the days of Noah. I knew that I was dealing with a being in the spiritual realm that had its origin in Genesis 6. What overcame Noah’s day in the natural, we must overcome in the Spirit!

Suddenly, a realm of authority rose up within me that I knew transcended present understanding of spiritual authority. Out of my mouth the words “be gone,” proceeded with great power and authority. As quickly as the words were spoken the spirit left the young girl. Of course, I realize this was a teaching experience to illustrate the authority we must aspire to and demonstrate in this generation to meet the great demands and level of darkness that will define the final days before the Lord’s return. It is the realm of Christ’s authority that the Bride must come to know in fullness in order to gather the great harvest.

As soon as the evil being left the young girl, the entire family came under the spirit of conviction and gave their lives to the Lord. Then I heard the Voice speaking again saying, “What has previously been relegated to India and Africa is coming to America and somebody had better get authority with Me and in a hurry.”

I knew that I had seen a spiritual confrontation that is commonplace with ministry in Africa and India. Some form of restraining force has been removed from our country that has sheltered us from this realm and dimension of spiritual darkness on a broad basis. It has been seen in isolated areas and circumstance but not as widespread as we are about to witness. We must prepare now to meet this incredible challenge. This level of hostile opposition will require the Lord’s Bride to enter a level of maturity belonging to “the fullness of Christ” and absolute demonstration of the Lord’s victory over death, hell and the grave. The apostle Paul admonished us saying:

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

I believe with that admonition we will also see greater expressions of the spirit of revival that will be of a different nature than outpourings of the past. We have been ardently contending for mantels of revelation and power that were demonstrated in prior generations to be mingled with the fresh and unprecedented. Even though the Lord promised Joshua that He would be with him as He was with Moses, the ministry of Joshua had little resemblance to that of Moses. Likewise, though we may carry the same spirit of revelation and power that rested upon prior champions, the model of ministry will be considerably different.

Interestingly, shortly after this experience Wanda and I had the privilege of ministering in a conference alongside Heidi Baker. I took the opportunity to convey this revelation to her and asked her to share some of the confrontations with deep realms of darkness that she has personally experienced as a missionary in Mozambique, Africa. Without a moments hesitation she recounted several encounters with evil beings and people given over to them that most Christians in the West couldn’t fathom nor are prepared to deal with.

Even so, the Lord is opening the door of opportunity for us to pay the price as the early apostles did in order to carry this level of spiritual authority and dominion. Clearly the Bible foretells this as part of the last day’s ministry. The book of Revelations outlines a period of time in which the enemy is cast down to the Earth with great wrath and anger. Likewise, at that time a voice will be heard in Heaven with a promise to the Lord’s people that:

Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Revelations 12:10-11

This confrontation is imminent. Since I have been bringing this message we have already noticed numerous accounts in the US media of darkness and spiritual violence that is staggering to the imagination.

The prophet clearly admonished us saying:

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3

Published on April 2nd, 2009 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from Wade Taylor at Wade Taylor Ministries.

A Call to Turn Aside

Wade E Taylor

“Behold, the days come, says the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor thirsty for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11-12

Many consider this passage of Scripture to refer to a time during the later days when ministry will be greatly hindered. However, the famine referred to in this Scripture is not the result of a lack of the “proclamation” of the Word. Rather, the Word can be heard over the pulpits of more churches than ever before. Radio and television preachers are plentiful. An abundance of Christian literature is available, especially on the Web.

The “letter of the Word” will continue to be increasingly available. However, the “words of the Lord” will become scarce in another way. Because of an increasing scarcity (famine) of “heart obedience” to the readily available “letter” of the Word, there is an increasing famine of the quickened, anointed Word.

We are living in the time of this dearth of the anointed, convicting, burning “words of the Lord” that have power to change lives. The Laodicean church of Revelation 3:14-17 thought themselves to be “rich and increased in goods.” Instead, the “word of the Lord” that was spoken directly to their spiritual condition exposed them as being “poor and blind.” They were described by the Lord as being “spiritual babies” (naked), because they were not assimilating His Words into their being, nor were they seeking an active personal relationship with Him.

“Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17

Their interest was only in the things that the Lord could provide, rather than in their fellowship with the “One” (Jesus) who gave all these things. Therefore, they received a corrective word from the Lord.

“I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:18

The Lord desires to perfect His nature (gold) through His workings and dealings within those who have yielded the totality of their being to Jesus, and are completely sold out to Him.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB

This “gold tried in the fire” speaks of an intimate, direct encounter with God that causes all that is contrary to His nature to be consumed, as we are chastened and corrected by His Holy Spirit, which will result in our spiritual development and growth.

The Baptism of Jesus, which is an “immersion in the Holy Spirit and fire,” has been made available to each of us. John said:

“I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12

This “Baptism” will burn away all of the dross that is within, and purify us to become as He is.

“For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29

Our being changed into His image is of far greater eternal value than any of the temporal things that He may provide. Therefore, during this time of famine, a provision has been made by the Lord for each individual who is spiritually hungry and who earnestly seeks to become as “gold tried in the fire.”

Jesus is standing outside the door of this present day Church, saying:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

This call is to the individual, who will respond to His voice.

“But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6

Those who are dissatisfied with their present spiritual experience and are seeking something more are being drawn aside into His presence. In spite of the famine, the Lord is present, waiting with His reward.

A similar call to turn aside had a vital part in the preparation of Moses to deliver the Lord’s people who were in bondage to the world system of their day.

Moses understood that he was called to bring deliverance to the children of Israel, but this alone did not qualify him. He had sought to accomplish the will of God with his own ability and understanding, but had utterly failed, and as a result, fled into the wilderness.

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.” Exodus 3:1

“And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.” Acts 7:30

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” Exodus 3:3-4.

Moses was moving toward the mountain of God because he had an intense desire to serve the Lord. In the barrenness of this wilderness, he finally noticed this “bush” that burned, but was not consumed, and “turned aside” to that which yet burns.

As Moses stood before the manifest Shekinah in the burning bush, all of his former ambition and drive melted away. His own eloquence was replaced with the words that the Lord personally spoke to him. He purchased “gold tried in the fire” of a present visitation, and was ready to fully obey the Lord.

From the “burning Word” that the Lord spoke came the impartation and anointing that would enable him to lead the children of Israel out from their bondage. Now Moses, who had been mighty and eloquent in words and deeds, could speak to the Lord and say:

“…O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since You have spoken to Your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Exodus 4:10

He is saying to the Lord, “In the past, I spoke quickly and acted upon what I thought was your word, but I have learned that this does not work. Now, unless you speak, I have nothing to say. Now, I will speak only Your words.”

Previously, Moses fled from Pharaoh, but now Pharaoh shook as Moses spoke forth the anointed “words of the Lord.” At Pharaoh’s rejection of a quickened, present word, all of Egypt was caused to tremble, until the people of God were cast out of Egypt in a mighty deliverance.

In our day, when many are as Moses was – “mighty in word and deed,” the Lord is looking for those whom He might take through a process of reduction, that they only speak His words. He is seeking for those who will turn aside when they recognize His “burning presence.”

To those who have a “hearing ear,” there is a “seeking presence” that is available, which transcends all that was discovered, or obtained in the past.

The Lord is asking, “Are you willing to turn aside and stand before My presence, at the burning bush of a present visitation, to hear a present word?”

If we will respond, the famine need not come, as you will hear and receive the anointed “word of deliverance” that will bring the Lord’s people into a land that flows with milk and honey.