The Morning Star Rising on the First Day
The Morning Star Rising on the First Day
GOD KEEPS ON TALKING
In our recent postings we have provided a basic understanding of the bride of Christ. In these postings we have illuminated a vision of who the bride is and in doing so, have adequately revealed her mission as taking up the work that Jesus did on earth. We started all of this because of my experience of being a part of the bride in a prayer group meeting.
The Power of Prayer
THE VOICE OF GOD
One day, I was out on the deck soaking up some sun and looking at the ocean. After fifteen minutes, I decided that I had enough sun and started back inside through the doorway leading from the loft. As I proceeded through the doorway I heard a powerfully masculine and yet gentle voice say, “Joe Gordon.” It was as if everything else stopped when the voice spoke. While it was speaking, everything started moving in slow motion—time itself was slowing down. While it was speaking, I could hear nothing else. I knew that it was the audible voice of God. I lost control of my muscle function, and my entire body turned as limp as a jellyfish. My legs stopped moving at the precise moment that the voice began, and my knees started to crumble as I fell forward through the doorway. My forward momentum carried me on a collision course with the glass top of the pinball machine that was just inside the loft door.
Amazingly, my muscles regained their strength at the very instant the voice stopped. It stopped just in time to enable me to get my hands and arms in position to brace my fall against the metal edge of the pinball machine. I had adverted injury that could have been substantial had I not regained my strength at the last moment. I got my feet and legs back under me and gradually stood up straight, looking around the room for a visible manifestation of God. I saw nothing but the things in the room. I waited silently for more words from God but none came. I did not know what to do. So, I responded in the same manner as the prophets of God in the Bible. I said, “Here I am Lord,” but there was no answer. My heart was pounding as I stood perfectly still, hoping that the voice would return. I wondered if there would be a message or direction from God. Still, there was only silence. Eventually, I slowly walked off, being very puzzled.
I started thinking about the voice that for a moment had nullified my strength. It was so perfect, and I could not help but wonder about it. How could the voice be so powerful yet so gentle at the same time? This voice displayed perfect pace and enunciation as well. The inflections of the voice seemed to convey a type of call but otherwise did not evoke any other kind of emotion. It was devoid of anger or agitation. It was a voice of peace. I did not know what to make of a voice that simply called my name and uttered nothing more. I would get additional insight into this event the very next day.
In an effort to get closer to God I had made a commitment to read the Bible every day. It became my habit to get up very early each morning and read prior to prayer. I had set a goal of reading the entire Bible from cover to cover. At the time, I had already finished the entire New Testament and was almost half way through the Old Testament. The following scripture was one of the passages I read
the next morning:
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, oh Jacob and He who formed you, oh Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:1–2).
This scripture was the confirmation of what had happened in my life. Chills ran up and down my spine as I realized that God had just called me by my name. I belonged to Him now, and if I did not know it before I now knew that He would be with me through all the difficult times ahead. He was with me at that moment, and would be there throughout my future. He would be there for my walk toward His plan.
SEEKING JESUS 