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Open Heaven

The mystery was made known to me by revelation. (Ephesians 3:3 ESV)

As we take account of the situation today we feel more and more deeply convinced that the greatest need of the hour is for men of vision and courage. But we use the word "vision" in the specific sense in which it is used in the Bible and not in the general sense, of enterprise. That is, what is needed above all else is men who have had a Divine revelation by the Holy Spirit in their own hearts as to God's purpose in this dispensation, and the particular Divine emphasis for the present hour. There can be much enthusiasm and zeal put behind a more or less generally conceived idea of what needs to be done, with a resultant activity and "movement." The opposite of this, and that which we are seeing to be so much more needed, is a burdening of the hearts of "chosen vessels" with God's own most pressing concern at this time, resulting in an all-consuming passion which will accept all the cost of its realization....

There are very few men in our day of whom it can be truly said, "That man has had a revelation from God." There is all the difference between being saved and then going into Christian service with the resultant studying of the Bible, the preparation of sermons, addresses, lessons; collecting material, mastering themes and subjects; etc., etc., and giving this out as required or as opportunity affords there is all the difference between this and an open heaven, an anointing, a revelation by the Holy Spirit. It is the difference between our laboring to get, in order to meet a constantly recurring demand, and the Holy Spirit continually revealing Christ in us. This is a general difference, but it is a very great one, and it may represent all the difference between bondage and liberty, between limitation and fullness, even between Life and death in ministry. But this is not our particular point. The need of the hour is not only for a higher spiritual level of ministry in general, it is for men with a specific revelation which will meet the situation as it is now.

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. § Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

I … beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness … endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Jer. 32:39;  Ezek. 36:26;  Ps. 25:8  Ps. 25:9;  Ps. 25:10;  John 17:21;  Eph. 4:12,6;   Eph. 4:3,4;  Eph. 4:5,6

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.

When I am weak, then I am strong. § My God shall be My strength. § He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. § Let him take hold of My strength.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. § The arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.

I will not let You go unless You bless me!

You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. § Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

Isa. 40:31;  2 Cor. 12:10;  Isa. 49:5;  2 Cor. 12:9;  Isa. 27:5;  Ps. 55:22;  Gen. 49:24;  Gen. 32:26;  1 Sam. 17:45;  Ps. 35:1,2

Birth: Saviour; Growth: Spirit

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16).

We receive life by reliance upon the Saviour; we grow in that life by reliance upon the Spirit.

"Many think that because of faith they are cleared of everything before God through the Cross, and therefore by faith they are clear of everything in themselves. But that is the error of holiness by faith.' The objective (position) is that we are clear before the Father; the subjective (condition) is that we are cleared from ourselves by the growth ministry of the Holy Spirit."

"As you by faith in the positional facts realize that you are in the Father's presence, you will not try to depend upon any sense of His presence. You know His presence because you know that your position in the Christian life is a life of faith in the facts - nothing else. That the Father forces you to live by faith so as to draw you into His presence - not you, by sense, trying to draw Him into yours." -M.J.S.

"We are, naturally, suspicious of any offer to make us happy in God. Because our moral sense, our natural conscience, tells us of our having lost all right even to His ordinary blessings. But in the Word of our Father, faith reads our abundant title to be near to Him and happy with Him, though natural conscience and our sense of the fitness of things would have it otherwise. Faith feeds where the moral sensibilities of the natural mind would count it presuming even to tread." -J.G.B.

"The moment we walk by sight we are outside of faith. The Father would never have us outside of faith; hence, even in answering faith, He so answers it that we need it again the next moment, even while we are enjoying the results of it." -J.B.S.

"Faith is. . . the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).

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Our Sufficient Saviour