For five full years between 2007 and 2012, I prayed with Wade every SINGLE DAY...him on the East Coast and me on the West Coast.
Wade's prayers and his understanding kept me alive, literally, as I was dying with a yet undiagnosed sinus condition. It was causing me to waste away.
But I literally owe my life today to the Lord and to Wade. I surely look forward to seeing him again one day.
With that in mind, please read carefully what Nancy Taylor says about her father and about taking communion! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
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This last month, as we walked our neighborhood, we could hear the sound of saws, hammers and lawn equipment, as people busily made use of their "stay at home" time. It was so nice to see more dads walking with their children; families sitting on porches or playing games in the yard, and people of all ages walking with someone or walking alone, but all enjoying the fresh air!
Faith of Our Fathers
We found ourselves doing new things as well – some we hope to continue! One, having our devotional time together on the back deck instead of always in the living room! During these times we usually read Scripture, pray, and often sing, or at least Allen does! One song that really blessed me is titled, "Faith of Our Fathers." (You can hear Allen sing this on our Facebook page, Wade Taylor Ministries/Parousia Ministries.) The song lyrics talk about the fathers of our faith and that, in spite of great difficulties, their faith stood. The words go on to affirm we, too, will stand strong in our faith. That faith still lives!
As I listened to the song I was reminded of my dad. I learned as much (or maybe even more) from the hard times my dad went through as from the good times. He would always submit himself to the Lord and allow Him to work in his life through the circumstances he faced.
As I thought of my dad's strong faith, one truth dear to his heart was his understanding of communion.
Each day, he would spend time quietly sitting in the Lord's presence in an attitude of worship. For those who knew my dad, he was tone deaf, so he definitely did not sing. But true worship is an attitude of the heart. In meetings, there were times when that worship, deep in his heart, would get stirred. As he stood at the podium, he would give expression to it by saying in a monotone voice, "Hallelujah, Hallelujah." The Lord's presence would become so strong, the whole room would break out in waves of spontaneous, harmonious worship. (Photo via Unsplash)
That anointing flowed from the time he spent each day in the presence of the Lord. At times he would simply sit quietly in an attitude of worship, while other times he would also read Scripture – sometimes the same verse for months – as life from that verse would flow into his being. Most days he also prayerfully took communion, believing into the words Jesus said as he partook.
Communion was always precious to him, but I still remember when the Lord began to quicken his understanding, giving him an even greater appreciation for that which we receive when we partake of the cup and the bread in faith. Because of his sharing, many of us began to take communion more often. I would pray, "Lord, Your Word says if we discern Your body, we won't be sick, weak or die prematurely. Help me, Lord, open the eyes of my understanding to discern Your body, that I might perceive and receive of spiritual things."
Andrew Murray, in The Blood of the Cross, wrote of the eternal Spirit of God which works in us through the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As he points out, everything else in life has a point of beginning and is subject to time. But that which is eternal has no beginning and does not change.
He Shall Supply All Your Needs
As our faith takes hold of that which is eternal, there is an understanding that we, too, can pray into. We can pray that His power would be manifest in us – His power which never changes, never grows weary, and never withers, but is always fresh. My strength varies from day to day. His does not! I can draw on His strength and power.
John Hyde, better known as "Praying Hyde," said, when he realized that we have the power of God to draw on for all our needs (Philippians 4:19), that he seldom felt tired, though he often prayed through the night. He learned to rely on God, day by day, for all he had need of.
John G. Lake had tremendous understanding regarding "the law of the spirit of life" that is ours in Christ Jesus. He lived during the time of the bubonic plague, which was so contagious, no one wanted to bury those who died. John G. Lake and another man began to help. When they suffered no harm, they were questioned. John G. Lake allowed germs to be put on his hand and a microscope showed the germs dying, rather than harming him. He attributed that to the spirit of life dwelling inside him. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
We, too, can pray into biblical truths such as these. We can pray that we also might more fully appropriate them in our lives. This last month, we fully supported and followed all the government "guidelines" of recommended precautions. Yet my heart was set on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I was contemplating truths in the New Testament that speak of serving God and even facing hardship, according to His glorious power (see Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Peter 1:3). In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul prayed that we would experientially know this power: "[T]he eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know…what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power."
Not By Our Own Strength
Come what may, we do not need to face anything in our own strength. We can live in God's strength. With so much uncertainty around us, our comfort and security are in Him. Come what may, we can shelter under the arms of the Almighty God. Whatever we face, He will be with us (Psalm 91). In times of joy, times of sorrow, times of blessing, and times of testing He gives us strength to make it through every season, as He also works deep within our hearts.
We continue to pray for those who have suffered loss; our hearts go out to you if you are one of those people. Prayer continues for our president and government officials as they work together to restore our economy; also for front line medical personnel, for wisdom and protection; as well as for countries around the world who have been impacted.
As we pray into all that is happening, our faith is also laying hold of that which is eternal. We will know the power of God in our bodies and in our circumstances and we will be made ready for eternity. Our prayer is that all those who shelter under the everlasting arms of the Almighty God will know His power and receive His strength. Together, we will be a light and encouragement to others so that others, too, may come to know His saving power.
Communion is one of the ways, as Believers, the Lord strengthens us. It is one of the ways we receive of His life and healing. As we prayerfully present these truths, our prayer is that you, too, will receive the blessing that comes when these truths are appropriated in our lives.
During this time of social distancing, we have found it totally refreshing to open a window, sit outdoors, take a walk...whatever we can do, especially if the sun is shining and the sky is blue. We have also found great strength and encouragement through our times in the presence of the Lord.
May you, too, find times of refreshing. And may you be built up, strengthened, and encouraged through God's Word and the times you spend in fellowship with the Lord.
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Nancy Taylor Tate
Parousia Ministries
Email: nancy@wadetaylor.org or joanne@wadetaylorpublications.org
Website: www.wadetaylor.org | www.wadetaylorpublications.org
Nancy Taylor Tate serves in Parousia Ministries, carrying the vision passed on from her father, Wade Taylor. In addition, she has established Parousia Ministries House of Prayer, hosts Parousia Ministries gatherings, and travels from time to time to speak and pray with others. Her background as an administrator, a pastor, teacher, and missionary has prepared her for what the Lord is doing today. 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. Nancy has an expectation for visitation and carries a prophetic word that speaks into that which the Lord is doing today. For spiritual life teachings and to learn more about the vision of Parousia Ministries House of Prayer, please visit www.wadetaylor.org.
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I learned the most about communion (that I now take daily) from Wade Taylor, my spiritual father, the very father who Nancy Taylor refers to here.
