Nancy Taylor Tate
This last month as we walked our neighborhood, we could hear the sound of saws, hammers and lawn equipment, as people busily made use of their “stay at home” time. It was so nice to see more dads walking with children! Families sitting on porches or playing games in the yard. People of all ages, walking with someone or walking alone, but all enjoying the fresh air.
We found ourselves doing new things as well – some we hope to continue! One, having our devotional time together on the back deck instead of always in the living room! During these times we usually read scripture, pray, and often sing, or at least Allen does! One song that really blessed me is titled, “Faith of Our Fathers.” (You can hear Allen sing this on our Facebook page, Wade Taylor Ministries/Parousia Ministries.) In spite of great difficulties, their faith stood. The words go on to affirm that we, too, will stand strong in our faith. That faith still lives!
As I listened to the song I was reminded of my dad; I learned as much (or maybe even more) from the hard times my dad went through, as from the good times. He would always submit himself to the Lord and allow Him to work in his life through the circumstances he faced.
As I thought of my dad’s strong faith, one truth dear to his heart was his understanding of communion. (for “Communion” by Wade Taylor – see note below)
Each day, he would spend time quietly sitting in the Lord’s presence in an attitude of worship. For those who knew my dad, he was tone deaf, so he definitely did not sing. But true worship is an attitude of the heart. In meetings, there were times when that worship deep in his heart would get stirred. He would give expression to it as he stood at the podium, by saying in a monotone voice, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah.” The Lord’s presencing would become so strong, the whole room would break out in waves of spontaneous, harmonious worship.
That anointing flowed from the time he spent each day in the presence of the Lord. At times he would simply sit quietly in an attitude of worship, while other times, he would also read scripture – sometimes the same verse for months, as life from that verse would flow into his being. Most days he also prayerfully took communion, believing into the words Jesus said as he partook.
Communion was always precious to him, but I still remember when the Lord began to quicken his understanding, giving him an even greater appreciation for that which we receive when we partake of the cup and the bread, in faith. Because of his sharing, many of us began to take communion more often. I would pray, “Lord, Your word says if we discern Your body, we won’t be sick, weak or die prematurely. Help me Lord, open the eyes of my understanding to discern Your body, that I might perceive and receive of spiritual things.”
Along the same lines my dad taught and believed into, Andrew Murray, in The Blood of the Cross, wrote of the eternal spirit of God which works in us through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As he points out, everything else in life has a point of beginning and is subject to time. But that which is eternal, has no beginning and does not change.
As our faith takes hold of that which is eternal, there is an understanding that we too can pray into, that His power would be manifest in us – His power which never changes, never grows weary, and never withers, but is always fresh. My strength varies from day to day. His does not! I can draw on His strength and power!
John Hyde, better known as Praying Hyde, said when he realized that we have the power of God to draw on for all our needs (2 Timothy 1:8), he seldom felt tired, though he often prayed through the night. He learned to rely on God, day by day, for all he had need of.
John G. Lake had tremendous understanding regarding “the law of the spirit of life” that is ours in Christ Jesus. He lived during the time of the bubonic plague, which was so contagious, no one wanted to bury those who died. John Lake and another man began to help. When they suffered no harm, they were questioned; John Lake allowed germs to be put on his arm; a microscope showed the germs dying, rather than harming him. He attributed that to the spirit of life dwelling inside him.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
We too can pray into Biblical truths such as these, that we too might more fully appropriate them in our lives. This last month, we fully supported and followed all the government “guidelines” of recommended precautions. Yet my heart was set on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I was contemplating truths such as these.
Verses in the New Testament speak of serving God and even facing hardship, “according to His glorious power.”
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:11
“…be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8
“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3
In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul prayed that we would experientially know this power: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know…what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
Come what may, we do not need to face anything in our own strength; we can live in His strength. With so much uncertainty around us, our comfort and security are in Him. Come what may, we can shelter under the arms of the Almighty God (Psalm 91).
Whatever we face, He will be with us (Hebrews 13:5). Times of joy! Times of sorrow. Times of blessing! Times of testing. He gives us strength to make it through every season, as He also works deep within our hearts.
As we pray into all that is happening, our faith is also laying hold of that which is eternal, that we will know the power of God in our bodies and in our circumstances, that we will be made ready for eternity.
Our prayer is that all those who shelter under the everlasting arms of the Almighty God, will know His power and receive His strength, that together we will be a light and encouragement to others, that others too, may come to know His saving power.
Communion is one of the ways, as believers, the Lord strengthens us. It is one of the ways we receive of His life and healing. As we prayerfully present these truths, our prayer is that you too will receive the blessing that comes when these truths are appropriated in our lives.
Being inside a lot, we have found it totally refreshing to open a window, sit outdoors, take a walk…whatever we can do, especially if the sun is shining and the sky is blue. We have also found great strength and encouragement through our times in the presence of the Lord.
May you too, find times of refreshing. And may you be built up, strengthened, and encouraged through God’s word and the times you spend in fellowship with the Lord.
Note:
To read “Communion,” by Wade Taylor – scroll down our Menu until you see “Search”
Type in Communion; then press Go; several articles will come up; select the one you want to read.
To hear an audio by Wade Taylor on “Communion,” – scroll down our Menu to “Messages to See and Hear”