From the desk of Steve Shultz:
When the Lord of the Universe asks you to obey His command and "do something," HE knows you simply cannot do in your power, that which requires the Hand of God. But He wants you to discover this on your own.
There is always an important point to what God asks you to do...when that "thing" is impossible for you to do...and it nearly always IS impossible.
God is ALWAYS seeking a greater and deeper relationship with you – a relationship that must be built on total trust in Jesus as the living Bread of Life. You can't get that obedience or that relationship on your own.
You need God to bring you closer to God!
What is God asking you to do that is utterly impossible? Go ahead and "do it" – or at least try to obey... and when it reveals the sudden intervention of God, then you'll find yourself loving Him far more deeply than before this "trial of trust" you just passed.
Blessings,
Steve
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Wade E. Taylor:
Choosing to Be Identified With Jesus: Going Beyond Our Abilities
"And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased." John 6:2
When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Matthew 14:15-16
Five Loaves and Two Fishes
Philip would have sent these to the fast-food restaurant in the next village. Andrew remarked about a "lad" who had some food, but he only had "five loaves and two fishes."
Jesus had told the disciples to feed all who were hungry. Immediately, these disciples began to express the reasons why they were unable to do so, saying that they did not have adequate resources. It is very important to recognize that Jesus already knew that they did not have the means to feed this multitude.
"And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do." John 6:6
The Lord often asks us to go beyond our abilities. Our usual response is to express our limitations, not realizing that Jesus is asking us to place our limited ability in His hand, so He can multiply it.
Therefore, concerning these five loaves and two fishes, Jesus said:
"Bring them here to Me." Matthew 14:18
Once the limited resources of the disciples were placed in His hands, Jesus multiplied them, and the multitude was fed to the full. Later, Jesus asked, "Do you remember the numbers?" They repeated back, "five loaves, two fishes, and there were twelve basketfuls left over" (see Matthew 16). These numbers reveal a principle that will come into operation in the last days.
The "lad" speaks of our utter helplessness in the face of the time of increased tribulation during the closing out of this age. The "five loaves" speak of the protective "grace and wisdom" that the Lord will give. The "two fishes" reveal the principle of obedience; for we cannot obey unless there is an alternative. Through grace and obedience, His glory will be revealed. There were 12 basketfuls beyond what was needed, twelve speaking of "divine government."
A Higher Realm of Identification with Him
This was perhaps the best meal this multitude had ever eaten. But several hours later, they were back asking for a repeat performance. Jesus refused and brought a word of correction. He told them to seek their satisfaction on an higher level. Then Jesus offered His very life for them to partake of.
"I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:51
They had gladly received the miracle of multiplication on the lower level of experience, but rejected the higher realm of identification with Him.
"The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" John 6:52
If we are perceptive, we will discover that this spiritual principle is in operation in our lives at this present time. Whenever the Lord moves on us in any measure of provision or healing, it is His intention to take us further, into a higher realm of identification with Him.
Jesus was unable to explain the means He would later provide, by which they could indeed partake of His "flesh and blood." This was because He had not yet come to Gethsemane, where He would drink the cup of our sin in preparation for His sacrifice on Calvary's Cross. For, in resurrection, He would become the "quickening – life-giving Spirit," the very source of eternal life, of which we are to partake.
Jesus was looking forward to the time when He would stand at the door of our heart, knocking, in order to gain entrance that He might sup with us, and we in turn with Him, in which we partake of His very life and blood.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20
Partaking of His Life
When He fed the multitude on the lower level, they sought to take Him by force to make Him their King. But on the higher level, they rejected Him. Therefore, Jesus stands alone at the door, speaking to whomever will respond (if anyone hears).
Today, all too many Christians are satisfied to remain in the first area of spiritual blessing and provision, and are not seeking to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord, in which His very life is to be partaken of.
There is a depth in spiritual revelation and understanding into which the Lord desires to bring us, which involves a partaking of His very life. This will bring us into an identity with Jesus in the "fellowship of His sufferings," which refers to His (and our) being rejected and misunderstood, but leads to a depth of satisfaction and fulfillment that only those who partake can understand.
"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death." Philippians 3:10
There are many who will respond when the blessings are flowing, but when it comes time to "eat His flesh," they say, "This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" and they disappear.
The Lord is speaking of our partaking of the foundational characteristic of His life – that of giving His life for another. Many will receive the blessings that He offers, but few will identify with His sufferings.
The purpose of this revelation of Jesus to us, as being a person with feelings, is to bring us into the experience of personally knowing Him, that we might be able to identify with Him in the giving of His life to others.
In this last hour, the Lord is yet seeking those who are willing to go beyond the surface blessings, to enter into the place of identification with Him in the "fellowship of His sufferings."
Here, in intimate, deep communion with Jesus, we will begin to partake of an intercessory identification with Him, in which His life can now be lived and made known through our lives.
Wade Taylor
Wade Taylor Ministries / Parousia Ministries
Email: nancy@wadetaylor.org
Website: wadetaylor.org
Wade Taylor graduated to Heaven on February 29, 2012. He served others as a teacher and spiritual father for over 50 years. He was respected and loved by many for his quality of spirit and walk with his Lord. He was an anointed author, bringing forth deep truths of the Spirit with a clarity and simplicity that drew the reader up into a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Nancy Taylor Warner, daughter of Wade Taylor, spent most of her childhood in a Bible school environment due to the calling on her father's life. In 1981, the Lord called her to support his message and she since has functioned in a variety of positions. Today, in response to her dad's wishes and the encouragement of its board of directors, she now oversees Wade Taylor Ministries. Nancy travels at times to speak and pray for others. She particularly enjoys teaching on intimacy with God and other truths that relate to our spiritual growth. She brings an expectation for the visitation at hand, and prays for the life and ministry of Christ to be imparted by the Holy Spirit each time she ministers. Nancy's special gift of relating to and loving people stems from her own love for Jesus and His Kingdom. Her spiritual life messages flow into the hearts and spirits of those to whom she ministers.
