The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 3:
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
As Sons and Daughters of FATHER we have hope to walk in the full maturity and see Him as He is without any hindrance. Our hope is to walk in the fullness of His power and authority in order that we may effectively bring forth the Kingdom of GOD on this earth and reclaim everything given up by Adam.
There are many Sons and Daughters who are dealing with their own issues which require their full attention. I understand this fully for I have had to overcome the very same issues as well thus I don’t discount the situation in the least. This is why I wake up early in order to spend time with FATHER, before the issues of the day present themselves.
Many of the issues our brethren are dealing with center around finances. I understand the pressure caused by finances first hand. When we were married in 1972, we lived on “Hamburger Helper” and my wife learned fifty different ways to prepare hamburger for dinner. FATHER delivered us out of that era by directing my path to the various jobs HE instructed me to take.
Fast forward to April of 1995. My business revenue went to zero and there was no expectation that the situation would improve. We were clearly headed to bankruptcy so I went to FATHER and HE said “Son, you are in the financial wilderness.” I said, “Get me out!” HE responded “You will be there for eighteen months.” That is not what I wanted to hear.
HE had led me to pray each morning before work for an hour each day since 1990 and I thought things were moving along in a reasonable fashion until this event. My wife was distraught because of the lack of funds. Every morning I had to fight fear attempting to grip my heart. My prayer time would often exceed one hour until peace replaced the fear in my heart. During this time, HE provided for us from unexpected sources.
At the end of eighteen months, revenue began to flow again and I was totally relieved that we overcame the financial wilderness. Why am I sharing this with you? It is important for you to know that FATHER will not leave us or forsake us even in the most challenging times and there is a reason for such challenges. I came out stronger at the end of the wilderness journey and my trust in FATHER’S provision is at a much greater level.
The Word purifies us and when we pray in THE SPIRIT, that too is an integral part of purification. During those eighteen months, I relied heavily on “praying in THE SPIRIT” because I did not know what else to pray. I can relate with Joseph when he suffered extreme lack at the hands of his brothers. However, FATHER had a plan for him just like FATHER has a plan for you and me.
When I write these blogs, they are meant to encourage you to overcome the challenges set before you. I write from experience and trusting FATHER no matter how dismal the future appears to be. HE is not some distant GOD WHO is unaware of our situations. On the contrary, HE never left me or forsook me. HE explained the situation even though it was not what I wanted to hear. In looking back, I needed to go through that wilderness for the sake of cleansing my heart.
I am thankful for that period but I assure you I would not be excited about doing it again. I am now more determined than ever to proceed to full maturity as a Son and fulfill all that I am called to be. Don’t be discouraged but join me on the path called “The Way” and together we will destroy the works of the devil.