God Speaks: from reading Nehemiah 4

I have challenged my cell group members to get a revelation from God while reading passages of scripture. Here's what the Lord has spoken to me after reading the 4th chapter of Nehemiah...


There is a rebuilding going on in individual lives and in our nation as well. We must be aware of the areas in our lives where walls have been breached and start the work of rebuilding these.

Friday night (June 4) God spoke to me about to me about restoration; Sunday night (June 6) Kim John talked about reformation. This is the time to be militant and be aware of the threats to our spiritual security. The devil has not relaxed from his work of sowing seeds of rebellion, disobedience, complacency, hatred, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and offense. Yet we act like all is well and many of us WILLINGLY ALLOW THE DEVIL TO PLANT SEEDS IN THE GARDEN OF OUR HEARTS. We don't even PUT UP A FIGHT!

We need to wake up and realize that the walls of our lives have been breached. We need to realize that God wants to rebuild these walls, but that He won't do it without our cooperation. We have to be willing to be restored and our walls rebuilt if we are to ever live lives of victory against the devil; otherwise the destroyer will keep coming back to steal and kill using his all-access pass through the walls of our garden.

Our God is an awesome, powerful Protector, but if we neglect to take dominion over the open doors and the broken walls of our lives, HE won't be able to help us because HE has already given us authority to tend the garden of our hearts. HE RESPECTS WHAT WE DO WITH FREE WILL.

However, the choice between LIFE and DEATH, BLESSINGS and CURSES has already been given to us. So we will either repair and rebuild the broken walls with God or leave the fortress breached and allow the enemy of our souls to waltz in and out of our lives freely.

YOUR CHOICE!

Deep is Calling Unto Deep

Wade Taylor:

Walking in the Spirit, Entering the Depths of God

If We Live in the Spirit, Let Us Also Walk in the Spirit

Christianity is a way of life that is both practical and mystical in its outworking. The Scripture expresses both aspects of this truth in Galatians 5:25:

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

"Living in the Spirit" lifts us into a realm of revelation and intimate communion with our Lord. But these experiences in heavenly realities must find expression in, and give direction to, our daily walk in temporal reality. Therefore, we are exhorted to "walk in the Spirit," which relates our spirituality to our everyday practical experiences.

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...—John 1:14

The manifestation of God in Jesus Christ was not limited to an intellectual concept or rational understanding. The Eternal Word that created the universe came down to a manger and lived out a human pattern of life and experience, through which He gained total victory and brought Salvation to mankind. He maintained an intimate fellowship and communion with His Father (living in the Spirit), yet He lived among men (walking in the Spirit).

Jesus taught and ministered in very practical ways. He related Eternal Truth to the practical things of His day, which the people were familiar with and could easily understand. Then He said, "Let him that has an ear hear." He was not speaking of our physical ear, but rather He was saying, "There is a deeper vein of truth that is available to each one whose heart has been prepared to understand and receive."

Hidden Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

Jesus hung openly visible upon a cross for all to gaze upon. Yet of this same Jesus, the Scripture says: "In whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

There is a basic level of truth in the Word of God that can be seen and understood by all who have a desire to know the Lord. But, parallel to this is the mystical aspect of the Gospel, the unfolding of "hidden" spiritual treasures. Type and shadow fade as the "Light of His Presence" ushers us behind the veil of printer's ink (the letter of the Word), into the glorious revelation of His being (the spirit of the Word).

In the Lord's dealings with His Bride in the Song of Solomon, there is a beautiful progression that leads her from being satisfied with having the "things of God," to a desire for the "Lord Himself," until finally, all of her self-desire is lost and merged into "His desire for her." She has come to the place where she is "living in the Spirit." Now He could say to her,

"Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages" (Song of Solomon 7:11).

The time had come for her to enter into the depths of God, and begin to "walk in the Spirit" with Him. She must first come to Him, before they can go forth together. A beautiful Scripture in the Psalms expresses the outworking of this process, as the Lord draws us to Himself.

Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterspouts: all Your waves and Your billows are gone over me.—Psalm 42:7

"Deep calls to deep." This "Deep" desire of the Lord is calling forth the "potential," which He formed within us, to enter into and experience deeper realms of communion with Him. The Lord longs for our fellowship, and He seeks to fill this created "deep" that is within us, with Himself.

"At the noise of Your waterspouts" speaks of the Lord giving His full attention to bringing us into this personal relationship with Himself. This "waterspout" is as a whirlpool that sweeps all temporal things away and leaves us with God alone. In the beginning, all this may seem as being "noise," but as we continue to walk with the Lord, it will become a song.

"All Your waves and billows are gone over me." Now, my feet can no longer touch bottom, where I once was in control and walked as I pleased. I am committed to the "depths of God" in total trust, and all control has passed to Him. Jesus has become Lord of my life, and has set before me the realm of spiritual life and fellowship that He so desires to share with me.

"Launch Out into the Deep"

And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, "Launch out into the deep..."—Luke 5:3-4

There are two different realms represented here, the "land" and the "deep." The land represents our "self-life" where we once walked as we pleased. The "ship" that He entered represents our life set apart for His purposes. Our being "thrust out a little" speaks of the preparation that is necessary to enter into the depths of God. The "deep" represents the outworking of this, where we begin to walk in the Spirit in union with Him.

As we respond to His desire for us—"Deep calling to deep," Jesus will enter our life's "ship" and push us out a short distance from the land. Here, He will teach us the principles of "living in the deeper realms of God."

As soon as these principles are established, the Lord will be able to say to us, "Now you are ready, it is time for you to begin walking in the Spirit. Launch out into the deep and let your nets down for a draught."

If you desire to go beyond your present spiritual experience, say "yes" to this desire of the Lord for you. Then, invite Him into your "ship" and allow it to be pushed away from the shore line of shallow Christian experience, and launch out into the deeper realms of divine activity with Him.

As we enter into the "depths of God" and begin to "walk in the Spirit" with Him, we will receive all that He has for us.

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death... Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:10-12

Wade E. Taylor

Wade Taylor Ministries

Email: wade@wadetaylor.org

Be Still and Know

Francis Frangipane:

Cease Striving and Know That I Am God

Among the many complex and sublime faculties of the human soul, one attribute functions as a servant to all: the nature of the soul is porous. This means that in addition to latent strengths and talents, the soul is also shaped and developed by external stimuli: we learn customs and language, habits, virtues and vices largely by importing reality as it surrounds us. Indeed, the marrow of life itself, as we subjectively know it, is created by the inward flow of these outward realities.

Thus, the soul, while it is born with innate powers, it is also the product of its times and circumstances. Because we live in unprecedented, prophetic times, individuals born during the last five or six decades are impacted, not only by the common struggles and joys of life, but also by the unspeakable disasters as they occur around the world. As a result of live media coverage, we vicariously experience repeated participation with human suffering. We see the actual faces of those traumatized by earthquakes and tsunamis, famines and wars. Again, because of the porous nature of the soul, when we view life's terrors, we are repeatedly absorbing these fearful realities into our consciousness. We cannot help but be affected.

How do we erase from our minds the faces of earthquake and tsunami victims? How is it possible to forget the horrific memory of people leaping to their deaths from flaming windows high on the Twin Towers on 9/11? What happens to our souls when we view news reports of Iraqis and Israelis being blown apart by terrorists' bombs?

If you are an intercessor, or even one who possesses just basic, human compassion, the flood of sorrow and terror rising from terrible disasters cannot be stopped by a levee of human intellect. Life's pains, even when they aren't our own, are still absorbed at some level into our soul, and more so if we know the one suffering.

To cope with our vulnerabilities, we have created some positive remedies: hospitals, relief agencies, first responders and charitable giving all are relatively new means of dealing with human sorrow. We are compelled, not only to help the victims, but to help ourselves digest and respond to the emotional overload of our times.

Media Manipulates Our Fears

It is important to remember that the main goal of the news media is not to communicate current news but to make money doing so. Thus, even minor stories are often sensationalized to bring back viewers. I, for one, am worn out by the highly publicized scandals and moral failures among leaders, whether political or religious. If I am not careful, the flood of these realities can jade my heart, harden my soul and make me cynical.

Added to these things we are daily reminded of current economic pressures, plus the threats of disease and the advance of crime and lawlessness in our communities. Our souls churn with the added news. How can mere man cope with the fearful conditions of the world?

Magnify the Lord

It is here, in this valley of pressure, conflict and fear that would-be saints lose heart and fade from the race. Yet, it is also here that the God seeker is driven closer to the Lord.

The psalmist cries, O magnify the Lord with me! (Psalm 34:3). The closer we are to God, the more we are infused by His strength. The world around us may not get any better, but through the Holy Spirit, we gain new strength.

In His presence, the demons of our world shrink in proportion. Beloved, in these very circumstances, let's magnify the Lord! We have read the final chapters: every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! (see Philippians 2:10-11).

When our enemies multiply and pressures mount, retreat—yes, retreat into the stronghold of God. Are you anxious? Fearful? Remember: He who sits in the heavens laughs (Psalm 2:4). Are you being accused by the enemy? Again, the Lord says, In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15). When the accuser comes to incarcerate you in your sin, shame and regret, you do not have to defend yourself. You have a right to remain silent. God Himself has appointed an advocate for you, and it is His very Son, the One who died for your sins.

Do not magnify your problems; let God be exalted over all the earth. Do not let your unbelieving words deplete your soul of life, for the more you talk, the more peace you lose. Be slow to speak. Before you can learn to speak for God, you must learn what NOT to speak. This battle is not about overcoming difficult circumstances around you; it is about listening to the Lord, hearing what He intends to do, then following Him to victory.

Remember, dear friend, the words of Paul: "Be anxious for nothing." The true battle you are facing is not one of action, but direction: you must ascend vertically to be successful horizontally. Secure your soul in God and you will secure victory in your life. In the presence of God, the porous nature of the human soul is a great advantage. We can escape the stresses of life. We can actually be saturated with the life-restoring substance of God!

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;


Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.


The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;

He raised His voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD,

Who has wrought desolations in the earth.


He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariots with fire.

"Cease striving and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."


The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Francis Frangipane

Ministries of Francis Frangipane

Email: francis1@frangipane.org