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

Choose Life

Bobby Conner: Follow the Helper—and Choose Life!"
[from the Elijah List website]

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."—Romans 8:1

Life is filled with choices! Studies report that we make more than 2,500 choices every day! Imagine just the first ten minutes of your day. What do you choose to think as soon as you wake and your eyes open? What do you choose to do as soon as your feet hit the floor?

Without question, we determine the quality of our lives by the quality of our decisions. This is an immense responsibility, yet we are not left alone in this matter of choice: God has offered us great wisdom in understanding how to make quality choices and empowering us to make them!

Meditate on one of the most important invitations given to us by God:

"I call Heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."—Deuteronomy 30:19

This is the law of the universe: God has set before us blessing if we choose life. But what does it mean to "choose" life?

The Most Important Decision You Can Make

This Hebrew verb translated choose is a profoundly important verb for us to understand. This verb, as often as we seem to use it, does not suggest a mundane, dispassionate choice as if we were choosing between having our eggs scrambled or hard-boiled. This is not the verb used to describe a choice to turn right because the road to the left is blocked by traffic.

Not at all! The Hebrew word bachar has three significant meanings—all of them suggesting a relationship with the choice. The first meaning of bachar suggests the action of rubbing on a "touchstone"—or the gesture of dividing and examining, as if proving to oneself the truth of a matter. When we choose, according to this verb bachar, we are affirming that we have examined our choice and found it to be true.

The second overtone of this marvelous Hebrew verb is to approve of, as one approves of a beloved—one whom we have chosen because the choice is excellent, surpassing all others! As we "choose life," then, we are declaring that we love life, approving life as surpassing all other options.

In fact, the third translation of the Hebrew bachar actually means to love, to delight in any thing. This is the same verb for choose that we find in Isaiah 14:1, when God declares His profound love for Israel: "For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land..." Young's Literal Translation renders the verse thus: "Because Jehovah loveth Jacob, and hath fixed again on Israel, and given them rest on their own land..."

To choose life is to fix ourselves on life with a passionate love! To choose life is to examine and prove the truth of life as a surpassing, excellent choice. To choose life is to love life as we love a person, to take great delight in life as the Lord Himself delights in His people Israel—fixed on them, without shadow of turning. But in John 14:6, didn't the Lord Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"? John 1:4 explains that "In Him was life..."

Choosing life is indeed choosing to "live and move and have our being" in Christ (Acts 17:28). As one, we affirm and prove to be true as our Beloved, who surpasses all others, is the One and only in whom we delight!

This is how the Lord empowers us to make quality decisions during the day. As we continue to choose Life, delighting ourselves in Christ, we will "walk according to the Spirit." We will be moved and directed in our other choices by the Spirit of Christ because we have an intimate relationship with Life itself.

This relationship of abiding in Christ, choosing Him moment by moment, is vital, imperative and necessary. We must be prompted by the Holy Spirit continuously, for that is the only path of blessing. We must allow the Word of God, who is Christ Himself, to influence and direct every choice.

Consider the consequences of choosing anything or anyone other than Christ or not following the Word. Deuteronomy warns us that choosing "death" leads to curses. Read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 28 to gain a deep understanding of the life that is blessed and the life that is cursed. Make no mistake: choosing Life, choosing to live following the Spirit of Christ and the Word, is the most important decision you can make.

How Exactly Does this Precious Spirit of Christ Speak to Us and Prompt Us to Make Quality Decisions?

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, listened for the voice of the Lord in an earthquake and the fire—but could not hear Him, despite the volume of natural sound. Meditate for a moment on this life-changing lesson: the Spirit speaks to us as a Friend speaks with a friend, walking with us in the cool of the day—not shouting to us like a deafening bullhorn (unless we're in grave danger and aren't paying attention)!

One day, the Lord confided this truth to me: He may shout His truths to strangers, but He whispers His secrets to His friends. He is an ever-present help, a constant Companion and the Lover of our soul! One important way God speaks to us is through our spirit. His whispered voice inside of us prompts us when we should or shouldn't do something.

Consider the almost imperceptible reminder, for example, to take your keys or to pack an umbrella! The Maker of the Universe knows when you might be locked out or rained upon. Believe with all your heart that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, too insignificant for His care. He is concerned with every single choice and situation, no matter how minor, from the time we awake to when we sleep. If we turn to the Beloved Counselor, Guide and Teacher, the Holy Spirit of Christ, He will, without fail, lead us into all truth. His name is the "Spirit of Truth"!

Having this inner Counselor is a gift beyond compare. He is the treasure of Whom Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7). It was to our advantage that Jesus departed this earth in the flesh—because we now have His wonderful Spirit within our very being!

This Spirit, this Helper, is the parakletos of God. Meditate on all this beautiful name Paraklete suggests: He is One who is summoned, called to our side and present to aid, the counsel for our defense, an assistant, an advocate, an intercessor, a pleader.

When we choose to obey God's leading—His inner prompting—we will always, without question, make the right choice because we have the Helper guiding us.

Remember, there is a way that may seem to be right, but that way will be harmful to us, bringing curses and death. We must choose God's ways, as they are always the best ways. God's ways are always higher and lead us into paths of peace (see Isaiah 26:3).

Are There Any Conditions to this Walk? What Other Choices Must We Make?

Above all, we must choose to keep our thoughts pure and upright (see Philippians 4:8). With holiness and the fear of the Lord, we will be free from guilt and shame—fearing God and not man, pleasing God and not man. We will be fearless to make the right choices, no matter the consequences.

Choosing to keep our conscience clear, in fact, is the only way to maintain this clear communication with our Beloved Heavenly Father. In 1 John 3:21, we read that guilt robs us of this communication. We must repent—and repent quickly—as soon as we feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and realize we have made a mistake.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—I John 1:9

Finally we must remember Jeremiah 29:11. The LORD Almighty, King of the Universe, promises that He has great plans in store for us when we choose to follow His leading: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

This word "future" in this verse is also translated "expected." The word is translated from a Hebrew root qavah, which means to twist or bind together, as with a rope! The Lord will literally "rope us" to His future plans for us, binding us to Himself and the blessings He has ordained through Christ—as we choose Life and walk according to the Holy Spirit of Truth.

He Will Guide Us on a Path of Victory in Every Area of Our Lives

You are born to win, fulfilling the great plans and purposes that God created for you before the very foundations of the world (see Ephesians 2:10). In fact, you are more than a winner—you are an overcomer!

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."—Romans 8:37, NASB

Pray with me today: "Precious Heavenly Father! Thank You for Life in Christ. I choose Life today. I choose to follow the Holy Spirit today. Thank You for Your promises to lead and guide me by Your Spirit. I ask You to teach me to hear Your Spirit within my spirit—distinctly and clearly—and the grace to obey with all my heart. I quiet my heart to hear Your still, small voice and trust that You will guide me as my Shepherd. I shall not want. Thank You for setting me free to walk in the power and victory of Your Spirit today!" Amen! So be it!

Many Blessings!

Bobby Conner
EaglesView Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org

The FRUIT of the Spirit

A friend of mine and I were exchanging email correspondences last week and she asked me if a person can be considered Spirit-filled if they do not have the nine fruits of the Spirit, as mentioned in the book of Galatians. It was an interesting question that made me go back to that passage of scripture and study and meditate on it.

I told her the following through my email reply:

- - - - -

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." -- Galatians 5:22-23

Since the Bible uses the term FRUIT for all nine, I think it is an all-or-nothing deal. They are part of a package that I believe Holy Spirit gives to us once we receive Him. But like the fruit of earthly plants, some take more time to ripen than others.

So, I believe that we get the FRUIT of the Spirit [all nine of them] when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, with some of the nine maturing faster and manifesting earlier than others. You are a Spirit-filled Christian even if some of the nine aspects of the FRUIT, which I believe are already in you, have not matured yet. You are Spirit-filled because you are filled by the FRUIT of the Spirit, though maybe wa pa lang ni ripen ang tanan.

Remember, we are a work in progress. But God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3-11]. So that means it's all there already but we just need to cooperate with God to perfect what He has already deposited in us. That's why that passage in 2 Peter encourages us to "make every effort".

Some people may have already matured in the area of patience but may lack the manifestation of joy. That doesn't make them not filled with the Spirit. It just means they need more work in the area of joy. The fruit of joy is in there but perhaps it just needs to mature more.

- - - - -

All of us seriously need to mature in the fullness of the Spirit. It takes time for the FRUIT to mature but if we cooperate with God and allow Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done, we'll get there much faster.

You Know You Can Hear God

James W. Goll:
"Our Geiger Counter of Guidance: Hearing the Voice of God"
from the Elijah List website


Thank you for all of your prayers for my family and me in this season of adjustment. One thing I have always tried to do is remember the ABC's, especially when change is happening all around me. That is why I want to share an excerpt from The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God, titled "Geiger Counter of Guidance."

In these times we need to be moving according to the leadings of the Spirit and not moved by the media, world events, people's opinions or the latest news report. We need to, like John the Beloved, lean our head upon the chest of our Messiah, listening for the very heartbeat of God and cultivating a friendship with Jesus.

True guidance is not just a one-time thing or a one-time event - it is finding the Guide Himself. Remember, Jesus did nothing of Himself. He only did those things which He saw the Father doing. This is our model and example. Let us "look to see" what our Father is initiating. Then we need to DO IT!

These are times when we truly need divine guidance and wisdom. For some solid foundations in this area of discerning the voice of God, I encourage you to read The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God. It is an excellent source to start learning how to hear the voice of God.

May you grow in your knowledge of the love of Jesus this week as you listen to His heart!

In Christ Jesus!

James W. Goll

Our Geiger Counter of Guidance

"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.

"Although the Lord has given you the bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. And your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:18-21

Perhaps you have come a long way in your journey of learning to hear God's voice. But as for my life, I always have to review the A, B, C's! Reflect back with me for a moment...from the starting block of realizing our need to hear God, we became familiar with our personal tutor, the Holy Spirit, given to guide us into all truth.

Yes, there are many courses to take in the lost art of hearing God. We must have a working knowledge of the Word of God. We must have the spirit of revelation, according to Ephesians 1:17-19. But now I want to give you some important guidance lessons for wisdom for the journey. We have been given a "Geiger Counter of Guidance."

Hear the Clicking?

Do you remember playing games as a child? One child would be blindfolded and the others kind of steering them around. Some object in the room would be selected and the one blindfolded would have to try to find it. Shouts of, "HOT!", "No, COLD!" proceeded from the children participating in the room. Hot, of course, meant you were getting closer to the desired object. Cold meant you were going in the wrong direction. It was fun, remember?

There is an interesting instrument called a Geiger counter. Its use is actually similar to the game I just described. A German physicist invented the Geiger counter in 1945. It is an instrument used for detecting the presence and intensity of radiation (as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of the ionizing effect on an enclosed gas, which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving visible or audible indications. The thing I remember is the distinct clicking sound it makes.

The closer you get to the substance and the greater intensity of its matter, the louder and faster the clicking noise becomes. I have often thought that is a lot like hearing God's voice once you put all the pieces together. There is an inner witness that you learn to pay attention to. You check in with the Holy Spirit; you listen to your "knower"; and you bear witness or you don't. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit there is a divine guidance system that comes with the package.

Are you getting warmer - closer to the desired subject?

Or are you getting colder - further away from the will of God?

Do you hear the clicking...?

Ten Principles of Divine Guidance to Help you Find God, Not Just His Will

Number One: The Will of God is Made Known in the Word of God.

Now let's start by getting real basic. One day you read in Exodus 20:14, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." That registers in your spirit and remains. Not long after, you are walking in the mall and you hear some inner nudge say something like, "Look at that person. They really want you!"

But because the Scripture is hidden in your heart, it is easy to reject that thought. You don't even have to evaluate whether that voice was God, you know it isn't. You know because you have read the Word and have hidden it in your heart. So our first guidance principle is always the will of God is made known in the Word of God. God's Word is the final judge in all guidance.

Number Two: The Will of God is Confirmed through Circumstances.

Years ago in my senior year of college, I was quite zealous for the Lord. I probably needed a little bit more tethering in those days, but I was so on fire for God and I didn't care anymore about the pursuit of credentials in this life. I was ready to quit college at the end of my first trimester of my senior year, needing only 20 more hours to complete my degree.

I was ready to quit university, but I diligently sought the Lord's direction. "Oh God, I just want to forget this stuff and get on with my real calling." I don't know for sure how I said it, but it was something like that with an addendum: "But if You want me to finish out this year, I bid You to do something. Show me Your will!"

Then a surprising thing happened. I was ready to quit in November with only six months to go till graduation. Somehow I received another scholarship and was given a Religious Leadership Scholarship at a secular university to help me financially complete the rest of my year. So I decided, "That's a pretty good circumstantial sign. I'd better go ahead and complete what I have finished!"

I realize there are some exceptions to this one, but God does guide us circumstantially as well. I'm glad I completed that degree.

Number Three: The Holy Spirit Speaks from Where He Dwells.

Where does God dwell? God not only dwells in Heaven, but if you are a child of God, and if you've been filled with the Holy Spirit, He lives within you. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, "We are the Temple of the Living God." He speaks to us from where He dwells. Where does God dwell? Colossians 1:27 tells us plainly, "Christ in us is the hope of glory" (Scriptures paraphrased).

Have you listened to your heart lately? What is beating in your heart? The Holy Spirit is Heaven's Representative in all-true guidance. John 16:13 states, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."

Number Four: Divine Guidance Comes from Meeting God's Conditions.

Isaiah 58 is an incredible passage of Scripture where God's chosen fast is brilliantly described in detail. It speaks about honoring God and the observance of the Sabbath. Removing the pointing of the finger and feeding the poor are also addressed. Several key conditions and the attitudes required are listed.

Then God's corresponding promise is listed in Isaiah 58:11, "And the LORD will continually guide you." But the conditions are listed first.

The passage quoted at the beginning of this chapter (Isaiah 30) gives us marvelous promises: The Lord will be gracious to you; He will be your Teacher; You will hear a word behind you. On and on it goes... But conditions are laid out that must be met as well. "When He hears the sound of your cry..."

What are the conditions that must be met for your promise to be unlocked? Has He heard you really cry out to Him? Meet the conditions and His eye will surely guide you.

Number Five: True Guidance is Accompanied by the Peace of God.

There is peace in the midst of a storm. Peace does not mean there is no storm. Peace does not mean there's no warfare either. There is a center of quiet that is in the midst of the turbulence of life. True guidance from God does not push you; it brings peace and satisfaction.

James 3:17 remarks, "...the wisdom (which comes down) from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." I love the order. Pure, peaceable, gentle... Isn't that everything you would want hearing God to be all about? Don't you want to bear good fruit?

Number Six: Much Guidance from God Comes Unaware.

Much of our guidance comes undetected. We're often unaware that we are being guided. Why? Because of His marvelous ways! Also because we've asked Him to continually guide us! We want to do His will.

Psalm 25:9 wisely depicts, "He leads the humble in justice, and teaches the humble His way." I love the ways of God. Again, a condition is spoken which unlocks the provision. Humility is the doorway whereby we learn not just the will of God, but the ways of God.

Thank You, Lord, for Your gentle nudges, whispers in the night and even what seems like pushes and shoves at times. Even Your electric cattle prodding's are wonderful. Thanks for guiding us even when we did not acknowledge it was You.

Number Seven: Divine Guidance Does Not Mean We Know All the Details.

Oh-oh, that isn't what you wanted to hear. Now the Lord wants us, in a sense, to have a rooftop view. But along the way it's often only the knotholes that we get to look through. There are those special times perhaps, in revelatory giftings and experiences that we see A, B, C and even see a portion of the end of the matter of X, Y and Z. These experiences are for a great, awesome purpose. They're to ruin your life, so that you will never, ever be able to be a successful, boring Christian again. You will know you have a destiny in God and you will pursue the God of destiny no matter what!

But most of the time, you will only see what is in front of you. A word of wisdom - enjoy life. Life is more than just another meeting or hot word. Life is precious. Live it to the fullest and for His ultimate glory!

Number Eight: The Process of Guidance is Not Always Pleasant.

Isaiah 55:8-9 declares, "...My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

There is Good News though. The New Testament teaches us that we can have the "mind of Christ." But still, guidance isn't always pleasant. He calls us to authentic apostolic lifestyles where bearing our cross is not a pain but a delight.

God has made a decision in His walk with you, that you will never remain in a static position. And when you start freezing up, God just says, "Change!" That's when guidance doesn't appear to be very pleasant, because there are breakings that occur.

Then it's time to choose His way over our way. It might seem painful for the moment, but the end result will be His life expressed through us in exchange for our own efforts. Choose Life. Choose His ways!

Number Nine: Hearing God Speak Should Prompt You to Action.

Daniel 11:32b promises, "but the people who know their God will display strength and take action." I want to be a person of faith and who does exploits in the name of the Lord. Don't you?

If there's been a failure or a fumbling, cry out for the great mercy of God. I've been learning our God is the God of the fiftieth chance. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Wash yourself in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and learn from the past. But forgetting what lies behind, press forward into the upward call of Christ Jesus. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of Christ. Let's show that we are a genuine community of faith and get to movin' for Jesus' sake!

Number Ten: Guidance is a Skill to Be Learned Over a Lifetime.

It's not a one-time experience where you heard God speak once and then you rehearse the same old testimony all the rest of your life! It is a skill to be learned over a lifetime and passed on to others.

One time I was sitting at my office desk getting ready for an appointment when the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "You are now hearing Me through a gift." Interesting. So I listened some more since a gift was being activated! The still small voice continued, "But when it comes to you and Me, I speak to you through a relationship."

Be like John the Beloved and lean your head upon the chest of your Messiah and Master. Listen for the very heartbeat of God. Cultivate a friendship with Jesus. True guidance is not just a one-time thing or a one-night stand, it is finding the Guide Himself.

Here is my parting word of wisdom: Hearing the voice of God is a lifetime relationship that can never be taken away.

Blessings and Grace,

James W. Goll
Encounters Network
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com



ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
http://www.elijahlist.com/
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

If You Listen, You Will Hear

Even in the smallest, most minute way known to man, God speaks. If you pay attention to the subtleties of His communication, you will get what He is saying.

Then there are also none subtle ways that God speaks. But even that still requires focus and determination to hear something from your Creator.

To the best that I can, I always start the day with the Word of God and talking to God. I want to hear what my Father has to say about life, about today and so on. It doesn't take hours, mind you. My morning devotional is a prep for my full day's worth of devotional time to the Lord.

For the past few days He's been speaking. And I have been listening. Here are some of the things He had to say:

"Sow in tears. Reap in joy."

"Let your light shine!"

"Endure hardship as discipline."


Today, He spoke to me about putting feelings aside and letting faith prevail. Sometimes there are things that God asks us to do that we don't really feel like doing. But as citizens of His Kingdom, your choice is just either to obey or disobey. It's a simple as that. And the Lord told me that even when I don't feel like doing what He asks me to do, I must still submit to His will and purposes and do it!

The Bible warns us about hearing His voice and not heeding it [Hebrews 3:15]. We really need to open our spiritual ears and take a listen to what God saying. Because He does still speak to us. He hasn't stopped communicating with His creation. He's still in the business of conversing with us. He's just waiting for us to take notice.


God is speaking to you. If you listen, you will hear.

Heart of Revival

During our time of soaking with our worship team the Lord showed me a vision of the globe with the Philippine archipelago on the horizon. Then I saw a big white arrow point down on the Philippines.

As the Lord brought me closer, I saw that the arrow was pointed towards Cebu island. As the arrow points on the island, a shockwave spreads from Cebu, to the Philippine islands, then to the rest of the world.

Then as the Lord brought me closer I see the words "PERPETUAL BRIGHTNESS" labeled on Cebu island. Then the Lord brings me closer and I see that the tip of the arrow rests above Cebu City and He says to me this is the center of true worship.

As the Lord brings me even closer I see that the tip of the arrow is pointing at a heart -- it was my heart; it was the heart of every Cebuano worshiper. And then the Lord says, "THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS!"

Let the River Flow 2008: Kingdom Vision

Feb. 19, 2008 Tuesday 10:00 am
Pastor Rich Oliver

Kingdom - His rule, His power, His reign

God wants to see our government, our community, our schools changed.

God has transformed us and called us to be world transformers.

God is looking for people who will go where He goes and will say, "Lord, what are we going to do now?"

A revelation in our spirit about God's Kingdom will teach us about all we need to know.

CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOM PEOPLE:

Kingdom people have a GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER.

It’s not just about God knowing our heart, it is also about KNOWING WHAT IS IN GOD'S HEART.

EVERY MOVE OF GOD BEGINS WITH PRAYER.

Breakthroughs come when you have the HABIT OF PRAYER.

Kingdom people have prayer as a CORE IN THEIR LIFE.

Kingdom people RECEIVE REVELATION FROM GOD... it is supernatural.

Expect dreams and visions from God. He has something for us; EXPECT GOD TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.

The young do not have any preconceived ideas of how things are going to be done. We need to have that kind of spirit in us that says, "LORD OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART. I WANT TO KNOW YOUR POWER."

Kingdom people are WILLING TO BREAK TRADITIONS.

We need to ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE OUR WHOLE THINKING just like He did to Peter. He broke the traditions of religion and society FROM A RIGHT HEART.

We need to SUBMIT OUR HEART TO GOD TO SEE HIS KINGDOM ADVANCE.

Pray for a teachable and accountable spirit.

Kingdom people LISTEN FOR GOD TO SPEAK.

God gives vision for a purpose. We have to wait on the Lord and ASK GOD TO UNDERSTAND THE DREAM.

Ask God and WAIT FOR THE REVELATION TO COME.

Kingdom people have EARS TO HEAR. We don’t have to keep moving when God is not moving.
YOU NEED WISDOM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VISION.

Pray for understanding with the vision.

Kingdom people OBEY THE LORD.

God is doing a new thing in our midst. We need to KNOW THE VOICE OF THE LORD and must BE WILLING TO OBEY THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

RADICAL BREAKTHROUGH REQUIRES RADICAL OBEDIENCE. He is looking for a people of faith who TRUSTS AND OBEYS BEFORE THEY KNOW.

OBEDIENCE TELLS THE FATHER THAT YOU LOVE HIM AND TRUST IN HIM.

Our relationship with Him is BASED ON FAITH RATHER THAN KNOWLEDGE.

Kingdom people are WILLING TO BE CHANGED.

More and more people will WANT TO BELONG BEFORE THEY BELIEVE.

We have to be willing to CHANGE OUR VIEW OF THE KIND OF PEOPLE GOD WILL SAVE. We have to ACCEPT EVERYONE because God's Kingdom is bigger than what we picture in our mind. We should purposely embrace these changes.

Pray for a willingness to be changed.

Kingdom people LIVE IN THE SPIRIT.

We need to LISTEN, WALK AND LIVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. He will take you right to the edge.

His interest is FOR US TO GO TO PLACES WE WILL NEVER GO ON OUR OWN.

Kingdom people RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR DIRECTION AND FOR EMPOWERMENT.

Kingdom people RECEIVE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.

Ask God for SPIRITUAL SIGHT.

DONT STOP AND BE CONTENTED WITH THE REVELATION.

Kingdom people ARE ACCOUNTABLE.

There is SAFETY IN ACCOUNTABILITY.

Pray that you are an accountable Christian so that greater revival is released.

Kingdom people PRAISE GOD TOGETHER FOR BREAKTHROUGHS.

REJOICE WITH ONE ANOTHERS' VICTORY, HEALING AND PROPHETIC INSIGHTS because we are called to be A FAMILY OF GOD that SPEAKS REVIVAL AND BREAKTHROUGH INTO OUR NATION TOGETHER.

From the Last Season

It has been such an intense season, the one that just passed by recently. It was, in hindsight, God's way of training my hands for battle and arming me with strength to make my way perfect. The circumstances aren't any easier now than they were in the past season but with the lessons the Lord taught me then, I feel more equipped to face the challenges of this new season -- with God's grace of course. After all, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

The lessons that I have had to learn in the past several months included the discerning of spirits, the exercising of faith and total dependence on God, and the bending of the ego to an even lower level of humility. And if there is one word that I would use to describe how I felt in the last season it would be stretched. I really felt the Lord stretching my spirit to see how much more I can have of Him, and my body to see how much more of my flesh can be submitted to His will.

At the start of the new season, I believe that the Lord has anointed me and equipped me to take on the things that are yet to come. With the lessons I learned in the last season and the encouragements that culminated with the propetic conference last month, I really believe that God has trained my hands for war, lifted me up to a new level of dependence on Him, and gave me His supernatural strength to soar in this season of war!

A New Season

During last night’s revival service, I got confirmation of many things that have been swimming in my head. It felt good to know that despite my shortcomings the Lord has graciously led me to the path that He wants me to walk on. Those confirmations were also assurances that my desire to be able to clearly hear God speak to me has been granted in ever increasing measure.

My pastor, Joseph DiSarno (my friends fondly call him Joe Di), mentioned in the midst of the service that he sees a changing of seasons. He sees it in the spiritual: a new season is coming. This confirmed what I have been sensing in my spirit: that the Lord is bringing me into a different season. I also sensed this changing of seasons in Maranatha Christian Fellowship (my congregation), the New Life Sounds Choir (one of the ministries I am involved in) and the Philippines (my beloved nation).

Another word I received last night was a confirmation of my decision to totally lay down something that I had been holding on to for quite some time. When one lays something down before the Lord, it has to die. And when something is dead, it has to stay dead... until God decides to resurrect it, or use it as a seed to grow more Christ-like qualities in one's character. Either way, the decision has already been made. This particular season in my life has ended. The rest is now up to God.

Thirdly, Pastor Nap, who shared the word last night, spoke on the need for change in the Philippines; that there needs to be a turning of the fathers' (the Elijahs') hearts to the children and the children's (the Elishas') hearts to the fathers. This one confirmed the Lord's recent reminder to me to pray for my nation, and to continue fasting and praying with my congregation until God pours out His justice on the Philippines.

- - - - -

A few days from now the Let the River Flow Prophetic Conference will take place here in Cebu. Stacey Campbell is coming and so is Pastor Jerome (Ocampo). Things are stirring up in the spiritual atmosphere in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu. I believe, along with my congregation, that God will unleash a prophetic word and anointing for the body of Christ in this nation. New oil that will bring the church -- and the country -- to a new level of faith and dependence on the Almighty God.

A new sesason is coming. The prophets are rising. And a new Philippines is just a matter of time.

Driven by Faith

“Don’t define truth by what you see!”

I recall Coach Al Hollingsworth saying those words a few months back when he brought Vertical Leap to my city. Those words are essentially what faith is all about: having the courage to believe in the invisible and the intangible in the midst of the overwhelming visibility and tangibility of our circumstances.

In recent months, those words have been the anthem of my waking life and, to the best of my abilities, made every effort to march to its beat (I’m still learning how, day by day). It is not easy – especially for someone who has been conditioned to walk by sight and to gauge reality by emotions and circumstances.

As a human being, I have been given a plethora of physical senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, temperature, pain to name a few. These physical senses are designed to help me perceive things physical in nature. They enable me to define my physical reality. However, for those who believe in God and have a faith-based relationship with Him, another set of senses overrides the physical ones.

Man is more than just flesh and blood – he is a spirit being, made in the image of God who is also a spirit being. To perceive the things of the spirit, we have been given spiritual senses to live by. Spiritual senses that help define our truth in line with God’s truth. This is where faith comes in.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” [Hebrews 11:1]

The tough part about faith? You don’t perceive what’s coming to you using your physical senses. Tough because most – if not all – of us have been trained from birth to rely on what we see, hear and touch to determine reality. To see is to believe after all. Faith, on the other hand, requires more. Faith is taking a step out of the boat and believing you can walk on water. Faith is turning the laws of physics upside down and commanding a mountain to throw itself into the bottom of the ocean. Faith is believing first, seeing second.

It is absolutely essential for professing Christians, who believe in the invisible God, to have faith - to live in it, walk in it, breathe in, sleep with it. We have to be sold out to the fact that when we are called out to tread on water, we won't sink; that when we are called to uproot mountains, they will obey; and that when we believe, what we prayed for and believe in will come to pass. Otherwise, all will be meaningless and useless because without faith, it is impossible to please God.

As I continue to live out my life in Christ, as I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, I find it more necessary to believe what the Word of God says. I find that the more I believe what He says in His Word, the more my faith increases -- or more appropriately, the more He increases my faith. The more He increases my faith, the less I rely on my physical senses for guidance and direction.

It is now the Holy Spirit that guides me past the capabilities – and limitations – of my physical senses, as He shows me that I can see more, be more and do more when walking in faith, using my spiritual senses. The worlds says to see is to believe. The Spirit says believing is seeing. This is the essence of a faith driven life.

My goal? To let God show me how to live not only a purpose driven life, but a faith driven one as well.