All who read this site frequently have a desire to see the Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father expand throughout the earth. How will it expand if you and I don’t ascend to full maturity? Do we think that FATHER will somehow suddenly send each of us a special anointing on a specific date beyond what is already accounted for in HIS Word? The disciples spent 3 1/2 years with Our Lord Jesus Christ in preparation of their ministry and we see their weaknesses arising from their immaturity throughout the Gospels. Yet their weaknesses did not deter Jesus from preparing them to spread the Gospel. Instead, we are encouraged by the fact that Jesus selected average men, some who were fishermen, to be prepared to expand the Kingdom of GOD after His departure. Peter is a great example.
In Acts chapter 5, it is written by THE SPIRIT:
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The above event could have easily been described in the Gospels where Jesus’ shadow would have had the same result yet it was the shadow of Peter in this instance. This former fisherman was now walking in a great anointing and producing the same results as the ministry of Jesus. Even his shadow was considered enough for people to receive their healing. There were those who were unable to be in such close proximity yet they were healed as well. Shouldn’t we come to expect similar results as well? I believe so, and as we move toward full maturity, our expectations of similar events will no longer be a distant or nonexistent thought. It is not by our might but by HIS SPIRIT that we will be used to minister in the same manner.
People hunger for the supernatural as confirmed by all the movies being released these days. The movies can simulate the supernatural but FATHER is the Source of true power and authority superseding man’s current condition. HE has given us the roadmap to maturity and the choice to follow The Way or choose other paths which lead to destruction. FATHER has given us examples such as the one above to encourage us as we pursue a deeper relationship with HIM. HE has a solid plan to spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and HE has determined to raise a remnant who will die to the flesh and be led by THE SPIRIT to accomplish HIS plan.
I encourage you to let the past failures go as well as any misperception about your ability to ascend to full maturity in your calling. Each of us has a specific function to fulfill in the Body of Christ and FATHER has accounted for the resources required to achieve our individual callings. The only thing lacking at the individual level is a delay in the maturing process. We must not allow worldly matters to impede our progress and this is one reason I believe FATHER has me write to you daily. We have all fallen short of HIS Glory in the past, but the past is no more. Nobody knows this Truth better than Paul when he expressed his past failures. Let each of us press in for the time is now to prepare for what lies ahead. Otherwise, we will only be observers of HIS Power and Authority. I say press in!