Page 9 - Living Epistles

The Father knows that the first step in walking in faith is for His children to
receive revelation from Him. He wants us to hear Him clearly in this so that
we will have a solid basis for a trusting response of obedience. Abraham knew
clearly that God told him to go sacrifice his son on an altar. He didn’t have to
wonder about God’s direction. He knew what God was requiring. Likewise,
God’s will was made plain to Gideon. It still required a tremendous response
of trust in God to follow through on what God required, but God made it plain
what He was requiring...
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I have felt it necessary to stress that faith consists of an initial word from God
and a response of trusting obedience, lest some should think while reading the
testimonies that follow that all one need do is step out in some area of need
and expect God to respond according to their desire. As you read the
testimonies that follow, if you will look closely you will see that there was
always a word of revelation from God that preceded any act of faith.

Another point to understand when considering a life of faith is that God leads
each one of us differently, and we are all at different levels of maturity. The
apostle John in his first epistle speaks of three levels of saints. He addresses
little children, young men, and fathers. God will not ask a little child to do the
same thing He will require of a father. Nor will He ask all fathers in the faith
to do the same things. We all have different areas of testing, and various trials
of obedience. The common factor is that all are to be led of the Spirit, and all
are to obey the Spirit's leading.

In Revelation the overcomers are identified by the fact that "they follow the
Lamb wherever He goes." A little child in Christ can be an overcomer if they
will not shrink back, but will follow Christ wherever He leads. A young man
in Christ can be an overcomer if he will also follow the Lamb wherever He
goes. The same is true for a father in the faith. So the mark of the overcomer
is not that they all look the same, or do the same works, but rather that they
are all following God, walking by the Spirit, hearing God's voice, and
responding with trusting obedience.

May many saints be encouraged to this life of intimacy with the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit as they venture forth in response to the Lord's call.

The days ahead will test the faith of God’s people. Only a remnant will be
willing to follow wherever Yahweh would lead them, casting their entire lives