Summer 1992

Going On
Wade E Taylor

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also
walk in the Spirit" Gal 5:25.

The Lord is seeking those who are willing to go beyond complacent "church-ianity" into a higher dimension of spiritual life and experience. "Church-ianity" refers to a "passive" attitude of heart in those who are satisfied with attending Church, but have little interest in a developing personal relationship with the Lord, or in actively seeking spiritual growth and purpose. To these, their Church "program" is an end rather than a means to a higher end.

It is important for us to understand that between our present level of spirituality and a hoped for "land" that flows with milk and honey, is a wilderness that must be traversed. This wilderness is directly before each one of us. There is no way around it, nor is there any way to escape. For many, the easier choice is to stay within the security and comfort of their present spiritual experience.

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the
good of the land" Isa 1:19

It is urgent that we, without further delay, begin to move on with the Lord, for the pace of end-time events is quickening. Through willing, overcoming obedience we can complete our wilderness journey and emerge, just as Jesus entered the wilderness, overcame all that He faced, and returned in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. Our time in the wilderness will depend upon the depth of our need for the corrective working of the Holy Spirit and our response to it.

"Now when all the people were baptized, it came to
pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying,
the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended
in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice
came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son;
in thee I am well pleased" Luke 3:21-22.

"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from
Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being
forty days tempted of the devil ... And when the devil had
ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into
Galilee" Luke 4:1-2a, 13-14a.

Jesus, having been singularly commended by His Father, entered the wilderness in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Notice that being "blessed" does not exclude us from our wilderness experience. Spiritual power is never a gift. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is a gift, but the power of God in our lives and ministry requires our having been tested and proven.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth" Acts 1:8.

Presently, the Lord is moving upon those who are spiritually hungry and desire to follow Him - all the way. Having completely submitted "all" to Him, and to His Kingdom rule, you may find yourself within a wilderness of testing and proving. Do not despair, nor question why you are now suffering instead of being blessed.

Our Lord is ever faithful, and is leading you just as He led His Son. Know that there is an end to your time in this wilderness experience. You will come out with a fresh awareness of His presence, and the touch of His power within.

Many of us, in one way or another, are experiencing a phase of our personal wilderness journey. The Lord is patiently waiting for us at our point of exit from this time of testing. We must realize that He knows the end from the beginning and, along with us, greatly desires the completion of this essential, foundational part of our spiritual growth and development.

Only then can we be birthed into this higher "dimension" of Spirit whereby we might be a part of all that our Lord is about to do.

"And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:
and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round
about" Luke 4:14.