AUTUMN
The Path
Part I
OUT OF THE DARKNESS
Out of the darkness into the light, Up from the terrible blackness of night Into the sun in the brightness of day The Lord my God has led the way.
Faithfully, lovingly, each step of the way, He guides and directs when I trust and obey. Though the suffering is long and there’s no end In sight, believe in His love: It will be all right.
For He’s working and divinely in spite of the pain: He’s molding, reshaping, to glorify His name. He knows that you’re hurting and crying within, In spite of all this, will you glorify Him?
For He loves you too dearly to count it all loss, He loves you so much that He died on the Cross.
By Martha Otto-Oberst 2000
THE VISION
And I saw a dusty road stretched out in front of me. I began walking. I had on a white cotton dress and I had no shoes on because it was Holy ground. The Lord was with me and He began touching the people who came to the road. It was the mantle of Peter that was seen at a time when hope was gone from the earth. The people were healed as I walked by and Jesus was calling to them, “Come to me and I will give you hope and eternal life, but if you turn away all you will see is hopeless”.
This is the vision Father God gave to me when He called me to live His will and not my own. Of course, along the way I have stumbled and fallen, but He has been faithful to pick me up and set me down on His road. There have been victories in my walk with Him and I know it is only because of His grace. My job was and still is to learn to hear His voice and obey, I can only do this through continued relationship with my God--talking to Him and listening with my heart. The most important lesson I’ve learned when He speaks is not to interpret or add to it in my own power.
The time has come to do what the Holy Spirit speaks to us in the voice we know is God. The time for learning is behind us and it is time to apply the lessons we’ve been taught. An army that stays in camp is ineffective. God will speak clearly to the new believers as well as the seasoned veterans. School is out and the army of God (followers of Christ) is ready to go forward and take the territories God has for us. The gifts have been honed and many warriors are in the pews waiting for God’s timing, so the Holy Spirit can use His gifts to wage war on spiritual demons and darkness, where Satan breeds fear, hate and procrastination. Who of you are willing to step onto the dusty road of His will? The path of righteousness, joy and peace that leads to His kingdom.
Now if you are reading this and say, “What if this happens or what if that happens? Will order go out the window?” I say to you, has not God raised up among you apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, pastors and elders, who hear the voice of God? If so, the body of Christ will be in His perfect order. Are we afraid to stand up and be the strong army God has built through His servants? Fear is from the pit of hell and we are wallowing in it because we will not break out of the apathy we are stewing in. The attribute that controls the standstill in the coming move of God is our pride. None of us can point a finger at another in Christ Jesus and not understand, it is in us, to be prideful.
Are you ready? Are you willing? Are you reaching for purity and holiness for God’s glory, not your own? Then stretch out your tent stakes and risk taking a step of faith towards your Father God and say, “What will You have me do today? Your will be done in my life, not mine, Lord”. The body of Christ Jesus must be serious in their search for God’s face, crying out to Him as Moses did, “Let me see Your glory”. We must repent of our weaknesses and get out of His way, so He can move mightily in our midst. We must die to selfish motives and then God will be able to fill our spirits with more of Himself. What a powerful army we could be if we allow the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our every step.
And I saw a dusty road stretched out in front of me. I began walking. I had on a white cotton dress and I had no shoes on because it was Holy ground. The Lord was with me and He began touching the people who came to road…Amen.
Scripture references: Exodus 33:18-23; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 37:9, 10; Matthew 6:33; 7:1; John 3:36; 10:27.
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