The Need For an Active Personal Relationship
With the Lord
Wade E Taylor

A “word” that is being quickened at this present time is, “Rise Up,” or, “Come Higher.”  Wherever we are in our spiritual life experience, the Lord is challenging us to come higher.

“After these things I saw a door standing open in heaven. The first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”  Revelation 4:1  International Standard Version

There are several terms that relate to a deeper walk in the Lord.  One of these words is “overcomer.”

An “overcomer” is one who “rises above” a situation, or a difficult circumstance, by dealing with it.  Being an overcomer is not the result of something that we do; rather, it is what we have become through the experience of what we do.  It is the unconditional commitment of our life to the Lord - the “heart attitude,” or motive of our spirit and soul.  We are to live in the Lord's presence, as being totally dependent upon Him, as a “branch” depending upon the “vine,” to which it is vitally attached.

The world recognizes our need for increased energy, and advertises all kinds of things to give us that energy.  Our spiritual energy also needs to be increased, but this “energy” must come from above.  Jesus said:

“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

The vine has roots through which it receives life.  The branch is attached to the vine, and draws life from the vine.  If the branch is detached from the vine, within a short time, it will become withered and soon die, as it has no life “within itself.”

The Word tells us that we are a “branch.”  Therefore, we must attach ourselves to the vine, in word, prayer, in vision, and in the intent of our spirit.  As we do this, and we begin to draw on the life of the Lord, we will have a deep inner-sense that we are “receiving” the very life of the vine into our lives.  We are receiving of His life.

In His resurrection, Jesus said to Mary, “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father” (John 20:17).  He ascended to the altar of heaven, applied the blood, and the full penalty for our sin was accomplished, and we are eternally forgiven.  He then spent forty days appearing to the Church of that day, strengthening and empowering them, as they touched His very life.  This impartation of “His life” that came into their being was so powerful, that the first generation Church literally turned the world of that day upside down.

In His ascension, the blood of Jesus became “the power of an everlasting life.”

“Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”  Hebrews 7:16

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6.53).  As we partake of His life in true intimate fellowship, and in communion, we are receiving the “power of an endless life.”

As we receive the life of the vine (Jesus) into the branch that we are, we will live.  The Lord said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

There is an end-time witness that the Lord will give to this world, through the present day Church.  Today, the world laughs at the Church, and considers it a nuisance.  But the world is about to be shaken, as there is an “empowering” from above that is about to be released.  The powers of heaven (the throne of God) are increasingly being made available, but we must “tap in,” as a branch coming to the vine to receive its life and strength.

Most of us can say that we have never been busier in our lives.  There is so much going on, which keeps us earth bound, and unable to take the necessary time to “ascend,” to receive of His life and strength.  These things need attention, but in the end, they will all be left behind, for they have no value in relation to eternal things.

There is another word, “Bride,” that is being quickened at this present time.

Our being a “Bride” speaks of a submissive relationship to the Lord.  This Bride is “within” the present-day Church, and is quietly being made ready for her unveiling.  As we confess our utter dependence upon the Heavenly Bridegroom (Jesus), and commit our lives to Him, we loose our identity, and take on His identity, that in a submissive relationship to Him, we become the witness and expression of His life, as was John the Baptist.

“He said, I am the voice of One crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.”  John 1:23

Another term that relates to the present workings of our Lord is “the sons of God.”  Being a “son” speaks of our having a “cooperative relationship” with the Lord.

“Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.  Let us get up early to the vineyards.”  Song of Solomon 7:11-12a

We are living in the time of the last days.  The Lord will demonstrate through the present day overcomers - those who have made this level of commitment, His life and power to this world.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:28

In the Church, “under the anointing,” there is neither male nor female.  We can all function as we are enabled by the Lord, totally irrespective of gender.  Male and female become a type of our relationship to the Lord.

As a “Bride,” I am dependent and become “one” with Jesus.  As a “son,” I enter into a cooperative relationship with the Lord.  I “rise above” the earthly as an “overcomer,” and His power - His very life begins to flow out through my life.  I am then able to give expression to the life of the Lord, as my life becomes the witness of His life.

We are approaching the last days, the time of the closing out of the Church Age and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, which is the government of God ruling all mankind.

“And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”  Matthew 25:10

Those who are prepared to enter with the Lord into the marriage feast, will be able to say in that day:

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy ... and have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”  Revelations 5:9-10