Category: ARTICLE OF THE MONTH

Wade E Taylor

“…he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”   Exodus 3:2

Moses turned aside to stand before a bush that burned, but was not consumed.  This bush is yet burning and the Lord is still waiting for those who will notice and then turn aside into His burning presence.

 “And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and shall say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? what shall I say to them?  And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.”  Exodus 3:13-14

The Lord spoke to Moses from within this manifestation of His presence and revealed Himself as the One who is ever present with us, and also, as being willing to meet with us and make Himself known to us.

“And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people… for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them…”  Exodus 3:7-8

Wade E Taylor

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1-2

The word tells us that Jesus is the “propitiation” for our sin.  The root word for propitiation is the same as “purgatory.”  Therefore, it can be said that Jesus is the purgatory for our sin.  He paid the full price upon the cross for our sin, and after His resurrection, He ascended and applied the blood to the altar of heaven, which eternally established our redemption.

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood….”  Romans 3:24-25

Just as we have been set free from the law of sin, we also have been set free from the law of death, or, the process of death working in our members as a result of Adam’s transgression.  Not only have we been forgiven of sin, we are also released from the process of death.  As a result, we can live to the fullness of all that the Lord intends for our lives.

Wade E Taylor

In the early days of my being a Christian, there were times when I became spiritually stirred and promised the Lord all kinds of things.  I felt that I had received specific direction and purpose and thought, “at last, I am on my way.”  The next thing I knew, I had fallen apart, and all spiritual vision and inspiration disappeared.  Then I picked myself up, shook off the dust, returned to the starting line and began again.  This was repeated many times.

This pattern may also have taken place in your spiritual experience, or, it may be a present problem that you are seeking to overcome.  Life is never easy.  We all have our ups and downs.  There have been times when I told the Lord, “I will never doubt you again.”  Soon, I was saying, “Lord, where are you?”

It is time for us to grow out of these patterns, and begin to move upward and onward without vacillation.  It is very important that the foundation upon which we stand is “The Rock,” our Lord Jesus Christ, and that our life is hidden “in Christ.”  If our spiritual experience is resting on sand, that is, if we are trusting our own abilities, we will fail when the pressures of life increase.

Wade E Taylor

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory.”  I Corinthians 2:7

The greatest gift and blessing that we possess is our spiritual sensitivity and hunger.

Unless we maintain a time of active daily communion and fellowship with our Lord, this “hunger,” along with the anointing that enables us to unlock and understand the deeper levels of revelation within the Word of God, will gradually fade until we are left spiritually barren.

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength….”  Isaiah 40:30-31

To maintain our spirituality, it is essential that we set apart a specific time and place in which to “wait upon the Lord.”  As we do this, we will be “re-charged” spiritually.  Just as a battery that has been discharged through use must be re-charged, so also, we must hold ourselves before the Lord, to allow His life and power to flow back into our being.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

The word “after” tells us that this “power” is given after we spend time in the presence of our Lord.  These times of specific “waiting upon the Lord” will impart to us a “divine strength” that replaces our human weakness.  This will result in an increase of our love for the Lord Himself, and produce within us the anointing that will quicken our understanding, enabling us to respond to the presence and promptings of the Lord.

Wade E Taylor

Heaven, most certainly, is a place.  In a larger sense, Heaven is more than a place; it is an “atmosphere.”  We may be asked, “Where is heaven?”  A specific location cannot be given, but we can say with confidence, “Heaven is where the Lord is.”

Or, we may be asked, “Where is the Lord?”  Again, we can say with confidence, “He is here, present in our midst.”

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Matthew 18:20

When the Lord brought forth His highest creation, Adam and Eve, He placed them in a special “environment” which He called, “The Garden of Eden.”  We have an idealistic image of the beauty that was within this garden, yet it was more than just a beautiful place.  It was a God created “atmosphere” that was intended to bring forth the very best from the potential for communion and fellowship that the Lord had created within Adam and Eve.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden, in the cool of the day….”  Genesis 3:8

Not only was Adam placed within a prepared place, but the Lord chose the very best time within that environment to commune with him.  From this we understand that both the time and the atmosphere in which we meet with the Lord is very important.

Wade E Taylor

The level of the Lord’s activity within our spiritual life experience is determined by our integrity, yieldedness, and sincerity toward Him.  The Lord looks deep within us to see if there is an indication of a desire to go beyond our present level of spiritual attainment, and especially a seeking to personally know Him.  When we become, in any measure, interested in Jesus, He will notice and respond.

“I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me… that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”  Proverbs 8:17, 21

When a young man becomes infatuated with a particular young lady and she notices his interest, she soon becomes singularly interested in him.  This is similar to the approbation, or the favor of God resting upon one’s life.  Our desire toward the Lord moves His heart toward us – especially when we express it to Him.

It can be said that the Lord chooses a person who has chosen Him.  The Lord knows our heart’s desire and intentions, and He responds accordingly.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

Wade E Taylor

There will be a full restoration of the Apostolic with the power and authority that the early Church experienced.

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”  II Corinthians 12:12

This power and authority was totally lost during the Dark Ages.  Toward the end of this time of religious darkness, Martin Luther rose up against the selling of indulgences and proclaimed that salvation cannot be purchased or earned, but is given by the Lord as a free gift.  As a result, a true “pastoral” ministry was restored to the Body of Christ.

The understanding of salvation gradually began to unfold.  Then came the belief that because we are saved by grace and become a “new creation,” there should be visible evidence of this.  John Wesley began to teach the process of sanctification, and the Methodist (method) movement was born.  As a result, a “teaching” ministry was restored to the Body of Christ.

Many began to be stirred, being convinced that this salvation, which had changed their lives, should be shared with others.  Whitfield and others began to proclaim the Gospel of grace and as a result, the “evangelist” was restored to the Church.

Wade E Taylor

The Word tells us that Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).  Thus, the transgression of Adam did not take God by surprise, as the Lord had a purpose in mind when He created man.

“In the beginning, God...” (Genesis 1:1).  Before anything was created, God already existed.  It is difficult for us to comprehend that God is without a beginning.  Also, the vastness of the universe is incomprehensible.

I have wondered why such a vast universe was brought into being, and I have sought understanding concerning this.  When I ask, the Lord always responds with the following understanding – Because God is a social being (we are created in His likeness), He desires fellowship and communion, in which there is satisfaction and fulfillment.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

Wade E Taylor

Each of us has varying amounts of information about Jesus, and many are satisfied with this.  But some are being stirred to seek a higher level of spirituality in which they experience not only His presence or power, but have an active personal relationship with Him.

“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

Jesus desires to make Himself personally known to us.  Therefore, it is essential that we respond to this inner stirring of the Spirit, especially at this present time, as we are approaching the Kingdom Age.  Jesus said that we cannot enter the Kingdom, except we first become as little children.

Wade E Taylor

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….”  John 1:14

The eternal, living Word became the greatest revelation that God could ever give to man – the Lord Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin and dwelt among us in condescension as “Jesus of Nazareth,” which at that time was considered as being a place of reproach.  As He walked the dusty roads of His day, the world saw a visible demonstration of the power and truth of the eternal Word.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life… that which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us….”  I John 1:1; 3

Each aspect of our life should be of such purity and quality that the “Word,” which we receive into our spirit, can find its full expression and fulfillment through us.  The “written” Word is to become the “experiential” Word – a personal reality in our life experience, to be “seen” and “handled” by those who surround us.

Wade E Taylor

“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.”  Our Lord is a seeking God who is constantly searching for those who will respond to His desire for communion and fellowship (“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock….” Revelation 3:20).

Therefore, by “divine intent,” we were created with the capacity to hear and respond to this desire of the Lord for fellowship and communion.  As we respond in anticipation, we will be lifted into the realm in which we will be able to say with David:

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4

Wade E Taylor

“And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by Him.”  Colossians 3:17

Each spiritual consecration or decision that we make has an eternal purpose and reward that transcends its present purpose and effect.  It is very important for us to understand this spiritual principal.

“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

We remember most of our important spiritual consecrations because they have a recognizable purpose and directly affect our spiritual life in some way.  We value these and hold them as being important spiritual experiences.

Along with these, there are the many seemingly unrelated choices that we make each day of our lives, that do not appear to have any lasting purpose.  We tolerate these, but think concerning them, “If I can just get past all of these mundane things, then I will be able to seek that which is of spiritual value.”

Wade E Taylor

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace… Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”  Romans 8:6; Galatians 6:1 NKJ

It is difficult to express the idea of true “spirituality,” but it can be narrowed to a principle: In order to relate to and function spiritually, one must be “spiritually minded,” or be “in the Spirit.”  For us to be considered as being “spiritual” indicates that we have come into a degree of spiritual balance and maturity wherein we are living and walking in an ongoing personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine….” Ephesians 4:14

Wade E Taylor

“Zion” relates to worship that ascends in harmony with the choirs of heaven, to the One who sits upon the Throne.  Zion speaks of “a set apart place” in which the expression of pure adoration and love flows up to the Lord through spontaneous worship.

Spiritually, Zion resides within us as being “a habitation of His presence.”  As we maintain the poise of our spirit in an attitude of worship, we enter Zion.  Then, whenever we attend a meeting and blend our personal flow of worship into the flow of corporate worship, the heavens will open and release a manifestation of the presence of the Lord moving through a meeting in waves of glory.

There is an urgent need for us to understand the value of our coming into the atmosphere of Zion, to worship.

“When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.”  Psalm 102:16