Published on January 25th, 2010 | Articles, Guest Posts, Worship

This guest post comes to us from Laurie Daniel on Facebook.

Faith’s Outworking

by Laurie Daniel

The end of a thing is better than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

We each carry dreams, passions and promises in our heart, both for the things that pertain to this life, as well as to the next. We yearn for realities not yet fully realized or experienced. We live by faith, not by sight. Sometimes our soul doesn’t feel like it, but our spirit is alive with anticipation concerning our future. We have tasted that God is good and faithful and we know that He can be trusted. As Hebrews 6:4-5 says, we were enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.

The world calls us foolish for living by faith. By it we have entered into a relationship with the Heavenly Father. We have been learning His will and how to receive His blessings and admonitions, and we are standing in faith for more Godly desires to be fulfilled. In the mean time, the devil relentlessly distracts, deceives, and discourages. He wrestles with us, hoping he can wear us down to the point of giving up our faith in bitter defeat. But we are not ignorant of his devises, so by God’s grace we get back up and fight the good fight of faith. As many times as we might get knocked down, we keep getting back up. There is a race to run, battles to win, strongholds to overcome, and we desire to finish well and receive the prize.

The majority of us are all too familiar with those chasms of time that exists between standing on God’s promises and the realization of them. During that time period there are shakings within and shakings without. We are challenged on several fronts; finances, time, health, relationships and reputation. Things just don’t go how we had imagined. We become disappointed in our expectations. Doubt and confusion concerning our dreams and visions of the future knock at our door.

These days, most of us are being impacted at a deeper level of just how critically important patience is in our faith journey. Genuine faith cannot be separated from patience. Patience is our outworking of true faith. In Genesis we read about Joseph’s dream and the years of trials that he endured before it came to pass. In Acts 14:22 we read Paul’s revelation concerning the Christian voyage of faith with patience when he said, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” The passage of time proves all things. Our lives are to be seasoned, tried in the fire and purified. It requires time, heat and pressure.

There are numerous biblical, as well as historical figures who demonstrated faith through patience. Hebrews 6:12 tells us to follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience. Hebrews continues about the promise given to Abraham. By faith he obtained it, but not until he had first patiently endured for many years. Through that passage of time, instead of being discouraged, his faith in the Lord grew stronger. Then when the promise came to pass, there was no doubt that the Lord had done it, so that Abraham could not boast in his own abilities or strength.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. Romans 4:20-21 NLT.

The book of James gives more insight into patience.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:7-11

God is pleased by our faith and its outworking in patient endurance. It is also a wonderful testimony of Christ’s character. But God is not pleased by “grumbling,” murmuring and complaining. Have you noticed the correlation between our patience and our tongue?

James exhorted the believers of his day, who had scattered due to heavy persecution to:

Count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience. Let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-3

As patience is allowed to have its way in us, we become more spiritually mature in our words and deeds. The epistles reveal the incredible trials of the Apostle Paul’s faith. He grew in patience. Because of this, he had matured to a level where he confidently explained to the Philippians:

I know how to be abased and how to abound, everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:12-13

There are no short cuts or substitutions in growing up in Christ. Anything that is of significant and lasting value does not come quickly or easily. Apparently “blood, sweat and tears” is part of the maturing process. To everything there is a season and a purpose. We are to rejoice loudly and suffer silently. In patience may we possess our souls (Luke 21:19). Paul exhorted the church at Rome to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfast in prayer (Rom. 12:12). Many times we just need to rise up into our spirit-man and engage our tongue in the victory!

Just as in Jude’s day, so we too are exhorted to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). The same truth that the Lord Jesus told Paul holds true for us: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

By the power of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to continue to withstand and endure to the end. So we set our feet to dancing and our voice to singing, because the joy of the Lord will strengthen us! We need to believe that the Lord is right in the middle of our trials with us, leading us into maturity and the reward at the finish line. God works it all together for good. What He started by His spirit, He will complete in us by His spirit as we submit to His work. No striving in our flesh or premature actions will produce good fruit. The attitude of gratitude continues to be a cure for discouragement. Paul’s prayer for the church at Thessalonica should be our heart cry: May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ (2Thes 3:5).

I am amazed at the simple, yet profound perspective in the classic Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Has there ever been a more crucial time in our lives to cheer lead one another on; to diligently exhort one another to patiently endure; to stir up one another with the hope of Christ?

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3

That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

Published on January 23rd, 2010 | Articles, Guest Posts, Worship

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

A Personal Testimony

Wade E Taylor

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12, 14

A teacher (Walter Beuttler) in the Bible school I attended often spoke of having a “dissatisfied satisfaction.” He was thankful for, and satisfied with all that he had received from the Lord, yet he was dissatisfied as he knew there was much more that could be possessed.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

These “good works” are the things or circumstances that the Lord places in our path for the outworking of His purposes – first within us during our time of preparation, and then through us for the benefit of others. The word “should” is conditional, which means that we have a part in choosing the path that we will follow in the outworking of the Lord’s purpose for us. Because the right choice is usually not the easiest or most convenient, it is extremely important that we choose rightly.

After graduating from Bible school, I diligently sought the Lord as to what I was to do, but seemingly, I was not receiving direction from the Lord. I knew about a new school that was about to open. One of their goals was to train students to minister in the Italian language, and I was unable to relate to this, as I am not Italian, nor felt any calling to minister to Italians.

Therefore, I pushed aside the “drawing” that I felt toward this school, and instead, I decided to pioneer a church on Stenton Avenue in north central Philadelphia. On July 4, 1959, I started toward Philadelphia, a sixty mile trip, to rent a store front for the church, and to find a place to live. As I drove south, the feeling that I was going in the wrong direction became stronger and stronger.

I stopped the car and asked the Lord about this feeling. He responded that I was to go to this new school. I had to turn around and go in the opposite direction. I had prayed much about what I was to do after graduation from Bible School, but the Lord waited until I had taken an active step toward serving Him, then He spoke regarding the place where I was to be.

Soon after arriving and being settled in a guest room, I found a quiet place where I could pray, and repeated to the Lord that I did not want to come here, but that I wanted His best. In response, the Lord clearly spoke the following into the depth of my being: “I will allow you to go to Philadelphia, and I will give you a ministry there and I will bless it. But, this is where I want you, as this is My will for you at this present time.”

The next day, I was accepted as a student and moved in. A few months later while alone praying, suddenly I was in heaven, standing in the presence of God. I knew that He was directly in front of me, seated on His throne, but I could not see Him as I was blinded by brilliant glory. I had a sense of holiness that was beyond any ability or words to express.

As I stood there facing the throne, from my left, intense wave-like streams of glory, in brilliant color, began to move slowly toward me and entered into the depths of my spirit. This could be compared to a freight train, with each box-car carrying a cargo that was deposited into my spirit. As each of these entered into me, one after another, I became aware that I was to establish a ministry on this property. It was as if every cell in my body became a sensitized voice box, and I understood the Lord’s desire for a “set-apart place” in which He could both be and do as He desired.

When I returned from heaven to the place where I had been praying, I was so deeply affected by the manifest glory I had experienced, that I had great difficulty in relating and functioning in my normal circumstances. It was two weeks later that I was able to be “normal” again.

I gradually became aware that the purpose of the “ministry” to which I was being called would be to prepare those whom the Lord would send, to recognize and become responsive to His voice and also to have a respect for, and a sensitivity to His manifest presence. This related to those who would be “called apart” to be “made ready” for His end-time purposes.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

This Italian Assemblies of God school closed at the end of its third year and remained vacant for six years, when in a very unusual way, this property was given to me. While waiting during this period of time, the Lord caused me to know that I was being prepared to be used as an end-time “John the Baptist.” Later, the Lord confirmed this through a Scripture that expresses the deepest irony in all the Word of God.

“Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” Luke 3:2

“Annas and Caiaphas” speaks of the headship and function of the established religious system, which the Lord by-passed. “John… in the wilderness” speaks of an isolated, barren environment, which the Lord used to prepare John for a critical time of ministry.

The Church system was fully in place and functioning. Yet the Lord could find no one within the religious system of that day who had a “hearing ear,” to whom He could impart a “present” word. Therefore, He chose one who was not a priest, and led him into a “wilderness experience” to be trained.

Today also, there are those within the Church who have fully committed the totality of their being to the Lord, and are being called apart to receive a fresh word from the Lord. This speaks of the absolute necessity of our receiving a “present word” concerning preparation (our being an end-time corporate John the Baptist), to become a witness of the Lord’s manifest presence in these last days. Therefore, we must make the right choices to bring this witness into its full expression, first within and then through us.

This religious system, which the Lord by-passed, had experienced the glory of God and had received much by direct revelation from the Lord. However, they became dependent upon past experiences for their present standing with the Lord. The fact that the Lord had moved through them in the past was not enough to equip them for the present need. They were incapable of hearing a present word concerning the soon to appear “Lamb of God.”

During this present time, there are those who are being called apart concerning the soon to appear “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” Therefore, there must be within each of us a present seeking of the Lord, even though we may have received much revelation from Him. Yesterday’s revelation is not enough to prepare us to face today’s problems and pressures.

While I was a student in Bible School (1956-1959), we experienced a major visitation from the Lord which lasted two weeks. We were daily in Chapel from early morning until late at night. In the beginning, there was a time of intense confession and cleansing, after which His “manifest glory” was poured out upon us. Along with this, a “fountain of new wine” was discovered. Anyone who “drank” therein became intensely filled with the Holy Spirit in boldness and power.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

“Being not drunk with wine, wherein is excess” speaks of a substitute for this higher spiritual impartation and enabling power. This substitute (wine) has been used by Satan to wreck countless lives and families. Any seeming “benefit” that comes from it is deceptive, and carries a terrible price tag.

“…but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18-19). This is the transforming effect of the real wine of the Holy Spirit. It will release us into a spiritual boldness and liberty beyond that of which we are capable, which will glorify God and enable us to minister in great freedom and power.

However, no matter how tremendous this experience might be, we cannot continue to depend upon the experience of “drinking at the fountain of past visitations.” It is urgent that we begin seeking the Lord to bring us into a fresh new dimension of the supernatural. No longer are we to look back to where we first met the Lord. Nor, are we to tell the Lord how, when, or where the “new” is to come into our lives and ministries (I turned around went north to a place that seemingly did not fit the calling I had received).

We must have a “dissatisfied satisfaction” – our being thankful for what we presently have, but actively seeking the Lord for “more.” There are two sides to a coin. They are different, yet make a singular whole. Our past and present experiences must merge to make a way for us to enter the future.

John’s testimony was that he is the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.” He clearly saw the urgent need of that hour by saying, “Prepare you the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Mark 1:3). The very heart of my calling and ministry is the preparation of a “voice” that can speak in our day, as John spoke in his day, to be available to the Lord for His purposes during this difficult time in which we live.

All this came into being, when, on July 4, 1959, I stopped the car while driving toward Philadelphia, turned around and went in the opposite direction, in response to “a present word” from the Lord. Looking back, I can rejoice in the fact that I made the right choice.

Many years have passed since that date in 1959. There were years of glory, spiritual impartation, and transformed lives. Mistakes were also made, for which I have repented and received forgiveness from our Lord. Now, at this present time while residing in Washington DC, I am receiving a “present word,” and I am again making another “turn” that I might move into a higher outworking of my calling and ministry, which is now coming into its intended purpose and fulfillment.

I pray that you also will look beyond your past spiritual experiences, and your present circumstances, and make the right choice during your critical moment of decision.