"ARISE from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you; rise to a new life! Shine! Be radiant with the glory of the Lord; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness all peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you, (O Jerusalem), and His glory shall be seen on you."
(Isaiah 60:1-2)

AWAKE--ARISE--ADVANCE

The command from Heaven is extremely clear. As followers of Christ we are to: Arise! Advance! Our objective is taking the Kingdom of God forward. Every reservation and fear must be overcome. Standing strong in the knowledge of God's will for our life, we will tread down timidity. The overwhelming knowledge of who Christ is in us and who we are in HIM, will result in us becoming brave. God's promise to Joshua is for us as well:

"Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that I have given to you, as I promised Moses. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong, confident, and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only you be strong, and very courageous."(see Joshua 1:3, 5-7)

Arise; stir yourself to radically pursue your destiny. Your spiritual inheritance is too important to sit idle. It is essential that you arise with a deep-seated determination to take a hold of God's promises for your life. Access is provided to draw near to the King, thus releasing a great acceleration of Kingdom purposes and power.

SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Not only has Almighty God called you and me to be brave and courageous, He has commissioned us for these important days. We need to be prepared for a conquest that brings about a swift and sure change. God's plan for His people is the plan of victory, not defeat (Jeremiah 29:11). We are called and commissioned to be overcomers. You are created to be victorious, not a victim. Just as Queen Esther, you are in the Kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).

OVERCOMERS

Deep within the soul of every true Christian beats the heart of an overcomer. The word overcomer suggests winning after a hard struggle. We are to be strong, willing warriors. Remember, we are fighting from victory not for victory. Christ has won the victory. We merely move into what He has provided. Take a stand--become militant concerning the promises of God.

During these days is the time for the troops of the Lord to volunteer willingly (Psalm 110:3). We are to become history makers and world changers. God has determined the exact time of our birth. Truly, we are in the Kingdom for such a time as this. Consider the fact that you had absolutely nothing to do with the timing of your birth. It's God's plan. Looking forward to this day, He determined that you would be a great tool in His hands to fashion the Kingdom of God.

DAYS OF SALVATION

What a joy and privilege we have been given to live in these days of great harvest. Never has the world seen such a display of salvation. The latest reports coming from China are that for over a decade now, there is a huge revival taking place, and each hour 1,200 come into the Kingdom of God. That is twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year. Can you imagine that over ten million souls a year are coming to faith in Christ in China? And this is just the start of worldwide evangelism.

There is a church in Africa that has over 1.7 million members and over 15,000 missionaries across the earth. In Africa, a couple started with six dirty, little street children and now, twelve years later, they have over 6,000 churches and untold thousands of members.

The harvest fields are white and ready for the reaping. The harvest at the end of the age is quickly coming upon us. What we are seeing now is the harvest of the harvesters, and the reaping of the reapers. God has confidence in you. It is He working in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We discover in Luke 12:32, the Father's good pleasure is to give us the power of His Kingdom. These are decisive days of destiny. God is calling each of us to arise and take our stand for righteousness.

You are extremely unique. Over six billion people are alive on planet Earth, and guess what? Not a single person is like you. That is truly unique. The Father longs to anoint you and use you in an extraordinary way. Our goal must be to totally yield ourselves to Christ, seeking to walk in purity and power.

WORKS-NOT JUST WORDS

Our destiny is victory! We are called to triumph; to walk in victory, living in such a manner, doing everything with a true spirit of excellence for the sake of advancing the cause of Jesus Christ. True Christianity is more about what we do than what we say (1 Corinthians 4:20). It's time for action--not just mere words. Our walk will speak much louder than our talk. It will be a demonstration of Divine power, not eloquent words, that advances the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). The power of God's Holy Spirit will anoint you to accomplish awesome signs and wonders for the glory of God and the advancing of the Kingdom of God.

THE SECRET TO TRUE BOLDNESS

An extremely wise man penned these thought-provoking words, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)

With this short but inspired phrase, we discover an exceptionally significant key: the righteous are bold as a lion. This key is an awesome asset, providing much-needed insight that will unlock the mystery of our weakness. Our lack of demonstrated power is a testimony to our carnality. We must walk in purity if we are to walk in real power.

The foremost reason for our lack of genuine power is due to our lack of genuine holiness. With a repentant heart, we can move forward, seeking the Lord to extract from us everything that separates us from Him. Without question, our sin is the principal reason for our continual failure.

God's warning is exceedingly clear: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy: without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Don't confuse holiness with man-made legalism. True holiness produces overflowing life and peace, while religious legalism produces only barrenness and death. Remember, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). The happiest people I know are the people who walk upright, seeking to bring glory to God with every aspect of their lives (see Colossians 1:9-10).

FLESH VS. SPIRIT

"The righteous shall be as bold as a lion."

The body of Christ must discover and distinguish the immense difference between arrogance and genuine boldness--between being driven by our own ambitions and being led by God's Spirit. If we continue to act upon our flesh-driven presumptions, failure is certain:

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."(Proverbs 14:12)

Before Simon Peter's dynamic encounter with the Spirit of God on the day of Pentecost, he wilted under the accusations of a young, servant girl. Without the power of God's enabling grace, Peter denied the Lord three times. Yet once he was filled with the Holy Spirit's power and boldness, we see a tremendous transformation in Peter's life. Standing in true authority, he preached one of the fieriest messages in Scripture (Acts 2:14-40).

A wicked, religious spirit will always manifest itself by attempting to counterfeit the original. If this evil spirit cannot get into someone moving in pseudo self-confidence, it will cause the person to become weak and timid. It is high time we recognize the difference between timidity and humility, confidence and presumption.

BATTLING BEWITCHMENT

A cunning bewitchment is going on within the Body of Christ. Paul warned against this spirit when he wrote to the Galatians. This bewitching manifests itself and results in people attempting to fulfill in the flesh that which was begun by the Spirit of God (Galatians 3: 1-5).

It's time to ask some hard questions: Are we being commissioned by God's Spirit or have we birthed our own plans? The distinction can be recognized by success or failure. When one is sent by the Lord, He goes before the person to make a way. However, if the person runs without being sent by God, the person is doomed to shame and failure. We must join with Moses, "O Lord, if Your Presence does not go with us, please don't let us take a single step."(Exodus 33:15)

Jesus is the perfect example of being sent by God. Jesus said, "I only do what I see My Father doing; I only say what I hear My Father saying." It was the joy of His heart to do the Father's will. Jesus' life of absolute obedience to the Father's will must become our quest as well. It is the perfect syncopation--to seek the harmonizing of God's will and our walk. This divine rhythm was reflected in Paul's life when he said, "for me to live is Christ..."(Philippians 1:21). Near the end of his journey, he added, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

How we start is very important, but how we finish is most important. The legacy we leave behind is a testimony of how effectively we have lived our lives for the purpose of God's Kingdom.

As you read this, ask yourself--Are you running in your human zeal, or are you being carried by God's power and might? Remember, "It's not by human effort, but by His Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6). Have you become guilty of "walking in the light of your own fire" (Isaiah 50:11)? If so, it's but a dim comparison to the blazing light of the Spirit of Truth. Is it any wonder that you are stumbling in darkness? While on Earth, Jesus told the cold, legalistic religious leaders that they were the blind leading the blind; both they and their followers were destined to fall into a ditch.

Are you content to drink from your own hand-dug cisterns and forsake the fountain of living water? (Jeremiah 2:13). What a terrible exchange to settle for stale, stagnant, and polluted water instead of the refreshing fountains flowing from the Holy Spirit.

As never before, we must walk in the light of God's Word. Only there, will we find true light for our darkened path (Psalm 119:105, 130). It is only in His light that we can see light (Psalm 36:9). Scripture reveals to us this precious promise: "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness" (Psalm 18:28). He alone is the Source of true enlightenment.

The revelation of Christ the King and His Kingdom will become clearer and more concise as we set our hearts to become intimate with Him. Going ever deeper into the ways of the Spirit, we will grow in our knowledge of Christ and His Kingdom. Deep is calling unto deep--God has been releasing to us a desire to go higher and deeper than we have ever been.

PURITY PRODUCES POWER AND BOLDNESS

Let these words resound in your spirit: "...the righteous are bold as a lion..." (Proverbs 28:1), asking the Holy Spirit to reveal its meaning. Our heart's desire is that God's Spirit will launch us further into a consuming passion to walk with greater purity. Such fervor will result in real Holy Spirit-produced power. This alone is the key to walking in sustained supernatural power.

A PEOPLE OF EXTREME BURNING PASSION

The Spirit of Truth will open our eyes to behold deeper truths hidden in Scripture (Matthew 13:16-17). These divine truths will inflame our hearts, igniting within us an extreme burning passion for God's glory and for the advancing of His Kingdom.

God's Spirit is helping us come to grips with the vast difference between human arrogance and Holy Spirit boldness. Spiritual boldness does not describe many in the Church today. We have grown too accustomed to slick self-promotion--Madison Avenue-type leadership who advance their own personal agendas. Without a doubt, this is one reason we are walking in so little Holy Spirit power. It is the Kingdom of God we must seek to establish, not our own ideas.

Our heart's cry must be like David's: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). May our hearts echo this passage:

"Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us, Yes, establish the work of our hands."(Psalm 90:16-17)

PURITY--PATHWAY TO POWER

"Our life must be a fountain, filled and overflowing with the fruit of God's Spirit"

Holiness is not optional; it is essential to the Lord's abiding and powerful presence in our lives (Hebrews 12:14). The Lord is looking for a people He can promote, show Himself strong, and fully support everything they put their hands to do (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Joshua reminded God's people continually to be bold, brave, and courageous. When I questioned the Lord, "Why do You have to keep reminding us to be bold?" He answered, "Because you're not!" Our timidity is related to the fact that we are living impurely. With purity comes the Lord's presence. And where His anointing rests, there will be divine power. In the life of Jesus, we can see that God's Kingdom was revealed in power, not merely in words (Luke 10:19).

We are instructed to boldly contend for the faith (Jude 3). If we are not daily contending and defending our faith, then we are merely pretenders going through the motion. If our walk does not back up our talk, then we are speaking hollow, lifeless words. In fact, we are an embarrassment to the Body of Christ. But if we are walking in the light of God's Word, we will have a divine confidence. This confidence comes when we are walking in integrity and purity of heart. Anointing--without moral and righteous character--will always result in shame. The Spirit of God is forging our character, not just releasing gifting.

God's ultimate goal for each of us is our possessing and manifesting true Christ-like character and virtues. These graces are fundamental if we are to be a bright, shining light...a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Scripture declares that the righteous shall be as bold as a lion. True boldness stems from a steadfast, upright heart. Our life must be a fountain, filled and overflowing with the fruit of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). These fruits flourish best in the soil of love and loyalty. Jesus stated, "By this shall all men truly know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

Many Blessings,

Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org

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