Day Twenty Eight
Excels In Virtue
Proverbs 31:29...Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all...
Virtue is defined as the practice of moral duties - any good quality - excellence - and can only be achieved through obedience to the Father's voice. The following is a message written by my husband Paul, about obedience:
We see several examples in the bible of the analogy of sheep when God talked to the Israelites. Many, being herdsmen, understood the behavior and temperament of sheep. He spoke of the sheep knowing the Shepherd, knowing His voice. While pondering this, my mind went to the temperament of dogs, because we have had several over the years. The Lord then began to speak strongly about dogs, chasing cars and obedience.
We all basically understand the temperament of a dog. Let's look at this picture: a well trained dog stands beside his master in total obedience and submission, waiting for the command to go. The dog's muscles are tensed, ready to move as he watches the activity going on around him. He is eager to run, yet he does not move until his master gives the command. Now, let's look at another picture: a dog dragging his master as they walk, straining and fighting against the leash, sometimes even breaking free, and he bounds after every squirrel, car or whatever he sees. At this point, the dog's emotions and desires are controlling him instead of obedience. Not every thing he chases after is necessarily harmful, but now the excitement of the chase is the dog's focus rather than pleasing his master. Have you ever noticed that when a dog starts to run after things in disobedience, he gets farther away, even though his master is calling him back? He is too excited to listen. And I have seen dogs get injured because of the chase. Interestingly enough, the dog is loyal, loving and faithful. And in some instances, will even lay down its life for its master.
We live in a time of mass information. Knowledge is increasing at an astronomical rate. There are many 'cars' to chase, almost something new every day. Yet, Solomon tells us there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The understanding may be clearer, but not new. So what is my point? There are things that people chase after which can bring them harm, even delusion, if the Master's voice is not being heard, even if it looks godly.
Over the past several years, there has been an increase of books, conferences, revelations and revelation based activities that people flock to. Some meetings claim a special anointing or power if you attend. Some advertise this 'special anointing' for every meeting they have. There has also been an increase of people running after every new thing that comes along, all in the Name of God. Many are being led by their emotions and not by the direction of God. Instead of sitting in a position of obedience, the muscles of their spirit tensed and ready for God's command, they see a 'car' and the chase is on. The focus is not on the Lord and His will, but on the chase and the thrill (emotion) that it provides. I am not saying, in any way, that all of these cars are harmful, in and of themselves, but not hearing God's voice is.
As we enter the last days, there has been an increase of 'people being lovers of self'. This has actually been gaining momentum as time goes by. We are told this would happen (2 Timothy 3:1-2), but the Word also says that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and this is more than just a scripture to read and forget. Deceptive times are upon us. The bible says that at a time, even the elect of God would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). How can this happen? Surely it can't happen to me? It can if you do not hear the Master's voice and walk in obedience.
I wold like to give a few examples of the 'cars': the Jabez prayer,
God-chasers, conferences, revival meetings, tours, the latest prophecies, the latest types of prayers, including warfare, spiritual mapping, intercession, etc. Again, there is nothing wrong with any of these things in themselves. But what has happened as a result of not hearing the Master's voice, is that chasing this or that particular car becomes a fulfillment of excitement and self and has no lasting fruit. It is just an experience, and a door is opened to deception. We have literally witnessed this over and over. When the chase is over, people begin looking for the next chase, and have a hard time walking their normal daily lives without the excitement that a chase provides. There have been people who have actually boasted of being at this or that place multiple times, but there is no lasting fruit, growth, nor maturity from these experiences, only an emotional high. And the bottom line is this...the chase becomes about 'me'.
It is only by God's command that we move. Jesus gives us the perfect example. He did or said only what the Father told Him to do or say. When we chase after cars, we get farther and farther away from the Master's voice, just like a dog. At some point, it becomes all about the chase, it becomes about us and not God and His direction and plan for us. There may be times when everyone else is going here and there and the Lord will instructs you to be still. It hurts to sit back and think you are actually missing something that everyone else seems to be enjoying. The reality is, though, that not everyone 'enjoying' it is supposed to go. Or other times, there may be very specific teachings that you are to receive from going to a specific place. But the point is, we must...we must...we must learn to be obedient in our actions and in our words. We must learn to recognize, hear and obey the voice of God. Only through that can we be kept from deception and the fulfilling of our 'self' desires.
A hearts' cry...Father, this day, may Your Spirit speak to each and every heart. We speak many words, we pray many prayers, we go many places, and we do many things, but how many of us actually 'know' Your will and then are obedient? Yes, Father, may Your Spirit speak to each and every heart...