My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27,28
In these late days with evil on the rise, it is all the more critical to be following His inner voice to remain safe in His hands.
“Lord – give me this day the desires to do your will and the grace to be obedient…
We see an important theme being played out in the interaction between Israel and the Lord.
Having not yet been given the gift of His indwelling presence, Israel tended to lean on Law and principle and often despised the prophetic voice.
We are no better, even with the gift of His word within, we choose our own way.

Friends this is a serious issue.
Whether you are a celebrity or of no account in the Christian system, we all need to heed His word within to be fruitful and safe.
It is clear that this fundamental flaw within the modern church, otherwise we would not see the spectacular fall of leaders bringing embarrassment to our faith and dishonor to Him. Also, we would not see disillusioned believers struggling to find their place on the ‘Christian stage’.

At the heart of walking with Him is humility, and a love for His Living Word.
Now there are seasons of regular inspired routine, and sweet exceptions easily missed when the force of habit drowns His voice of exception.
When Art Katz was invited to lead a youth work in the US he immediately called for several days of fasting – the response was… What about the programme?
Did we not see this when Jesus drew on the sand…
The routine demanded a stoning.
His Word is for relationship, but we have established a programme that must be followed… and Jesus weeps.

The structures and routines we have created will not stand in the coming hours.

While there is concern about sleeping cells in our neighborhoods…
Let us awake to His Living Word within, not just to be safe, but to arise as a people filled with love and obedience to His inner voice. Inspired and empowered as the first Church, bringing His Living Word to the world as His inner voice leads.

Shalom.
Carl Emerson                                                                                                         October 2014