The Daily Word of Righteousness

A Giant Step Forward, #34

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (I John 4:1)

Brother Stanley Howard Frodsham prophesied some years ago to the effect we must beware of movements that are eighty percent scriptural and twenty percent questionable. This appears to be sound advice. In some of the "revivals" of today there are parts that are scriptural but other aspects that are questionable.

I do not feel called on to judge these refreshings, only to keep looking to Jesus to make sure that it indeed is He who is at work.

The Lord told us to pray that the Father would not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. We ought to pray this every day. The believer who does not realize any Christian can be led down the path of deception has not had much experience with the Lord. Numerous Christians are smug in their belief that they are advanced disciples, when the truth is they are walking in the deception that sometimes affects the religious extrovert. They are confusing their religious actions with spirituality.

All of us should continually ask the Lord Jesus for a "report card" to make sure we are not pursuing some religious adventure that does not include Him.

We live in perilous times in both the physical and spirit realms. The two realms run parallel, it seems. The drums of Hell are beating to the attack. The three-point sermon, the choir anthems, the musical "specials," no longer are sufficient to meet the needs of the believers. We must have much more fire and life in our assemblings.

My own hope rests on the young people and children. I think we older people in America are backslidden—much, much too involved with money and our retirement. If we are willing we can serve as Joshuas and Calebs, providing experience and wisdom for the younger people. But I think it is the children of today who will reach the summit to which we have been called; who will cross over the Jordan, so to speak, and inherit the good land of the Kingdom of God.

I do not expect the Lord to return tomorrow. I believe there is much more to do in the way of getting the Church ready for His appearing.

The trumpet of war is sounding. Listen to the new choruses being sung in the churches that are moving forward. God is ready to make the enemies of Christ His footstool. God is beginning with those of the churches who are prostrate before the Altar of Incense, saying fervently "Not my will but Yours be done."

The remainder of the churches are oblivious to the new season and are preserving the Christian traditions, some of which have no basis whatever in the Scriptures.

The Bible teaches clearly in many symbols that the Church will be divided into a militant remnant and then a general body of believers. Perhaps the account of Gideon and his 300 is one of the stronger of these symbolic portrayals.

If you desire to be on the front line of the march toward Jordan, then tell Jesus about it. Open the everlasting doors of your heart. Let the Lord of Glory come in, the Lord strong and mighty in battle.

He will dine with you. Your food is His body and blood. His food is your adoration and obedience. Enter the eternal romance. Welcome Him who comes leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. He knows how to play.

He will help you through the age of moral horrors we are approaching. He will protect you and your loved ones if you are faithful.

He will set a table before you in the presence of your enemies.

He will teach you to play! (from A Giant Step Forward)