Matters of the Restored Heart

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

8/1 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

We are continuing with matters of the restored heart; i.e., what is the result of our preparing the way of the Lord? Now let us consider Exodus 19:3-6.

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Another way to say that is "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."


1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called and His disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.

John 2:1-5

The word translated as servants is the Greek word diakonos and indicates those servants who have become servants of their own free will. Only the true servants of the Lord can respond to hearing and doing the will of the Lord. Verse 5 contains Mary's most significant words that are recorded in Scripture.

Jesus said,

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:1-4, 27

In order to do whatsoever He saith unto us, we must first of all hear what He is saying. In early Bible times Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others heard the voice of the Lord for themselves. They did not have the benefit of a Bible, Bible commentaries, good Christian books and tapes, or wonderful teachers to help to guide them. They had to depend upon that which the Lord told them. The Bible does not state HOW they heard or in what form His voice was communicated.

Many long years ago, I taught electronics in the Air Force. One of the courses that I taught was called "basic radio." I taught, in great detail, all of the circuits required to make up a radio. For a radio to be effective, there must be two major components ... a transmitter and a receiver. One without the other is of little value. You may have the best transmitter in the world, but if there is no adequate receiver, then that which is transmitted produces no fruit. The same is true if you have a great receiver but no transmitter. There must be communication between the two components.

The Lord Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, is the greatest transmitter ever known. There is no lack to His ability to communicate with men. He speaks to us in ways that we do not realize. I once knew a man who said that he had heard the Lord speaking to him through dining room table place mats, a man's hat, a man's pants, window blinds, and a dog, to name a few. He also heard the voice of the Lord sovereignly, through reading Scripture, through other believers, and through heathens.

I am thoroughly convinced that the Lord wants to speak to us more than we want to hear. We need to sharpen our desire to hear His voice and then sharpen our spiritual ears to hear Him in any of the many ways that He speaks to us.

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

The only question is, how good is our receiver? Have we had our ears circumcised to hear all the truth of God? or just the part that we want to hear? Are the traditional teachings of men, even mature believers, so stuffed in our ears that we cannot hear His word?

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

The senses in the above verse does not refer to our natural senses, but to our spiritual senses, such as having eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to understand. Note that the above verse says "both" good and evil. The verse does NOT say "between" good and evil; neither can that Greek word be translated as "between." What the verse says is that we need to have our spiritual senses exercised (through use, or practice) to discern the difference between the will of God on one hand and good and evil on the other hand. Remember that God forbade Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Why has hearing the voice of the Lord become almost a lost art? For a variety of reasons: lack of understanding the ways of the Lord and self-centeredness are certainly two such reasons.

Laziness and impatience are two more reasons. We live in an age when people demand instant gratification. It takes time and effort to sit and wait on the voice of the Lord to speak to us. It is much easier to just read a good Christian book, listen to a tape, watch a video, or hear what the pastor says. We also have hardened our hearts.

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice,

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:) Hebrews 3:7-8

Is the Church teaching believers to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves? Are Christian parents teaching their children to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves? It appears that the answer in both cases is "No." The greatest service any minister can perform for others is to help younger believers to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves, to have an understanding heart to know His ways, not just His acts, and to cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean (Ezekiel 44:23). Please pause a few seconds and reflect on that word, "cause." Ezekiel 44:23 does NOT say that the priests, the sons of Zadok, will teach about discerning between the unclean and the clean. That is not good enough. That will not get the job done. For any believer to cause another to discern between the unclean and the clean is quite a strong statement.

But hearing is not sufficient. We must also obey. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." 

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken that the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

Obedience is NOT a natural quality! We are certainly NOT born with a tendency toward obedience ... quite the contrary! All you have to do is look at little children. They will pout, cry, and do ANYTHING to get their own way. And when two little children want the same toy ... LOOK OUT!

Whenever we come to know the saving grace of our Lord, we do not automatically take on the nature of obedience. Obedience is a characteristic of both the natural and the spiritual man that must be learned. When a mother tells her young child, "No, no, don't touch the fire or hot oven," the child at first cannot comprehend, because he or she has never experienced the sensation of burning. The child, unfortunately, must usually learn from a painful experience (or two) to obey the mother. Consider Jesus.

Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.

Hebrews 5:8

How could it be that Jesus had to learn obedience? because He came to earth as a man. He had to experientially learn obedience as a man. Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered. God has chosen suffering as a major avenue whereby we may learn obedience and become an overcomer. If that were true of Jesus, how much more true that is for us! Peter has much to say about the suffering which we as Christians are called upon to endure. However, 

I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Continuing with matters of the restored heart, let us consider being led by the Holy Spirit.

Probably the most important aspect of the proper functioning of a local church is for each member to be led by the Holy Spirit, both individually and corporately.

A number of years ago, we heard several believers in a certain charismatic local church say, during the service, that their church was certainly "led by the Spirit." We are sure that those believers were well intentioned and sincerely believed what they had said. However, from our observation over a period of time, we are not sure that those believers knew what they were saying. Further, that attitude hints at the subtlety of pride.

We believe there is a difference between an individual believer being led by the Spirit and a local church being led by the Spirit. Each individual believer obviously has numerous times and events when he or she must make a personal decision of some importance.

Led by the Spirit as an Individual Believer

Living by the promptings and power of the Holy Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:14

God is the Father of us all in the sense that He created us all and His love and providential care are extended to all. But not all are His children. Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews of His day, "Ye are of your father the devil" (John 8:44). People become children of God through faith in God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13). Being led by God's Spirit is the evidence of this relationship.

No one would argue that Jesus is our pattern. No one would argue that Jesus was always led by the Spirit. He always did the will of God. As a man, He had a will, but He always subjected His will to the will of the Father.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:1

The wilderness is the proving ground. It is in the wilderness that the Lord sees whether we will follow Him or not. We find this same principle at work when the Israelites came out of Egypt.

17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 13:17-18

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18

24 And they who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25

The Lord tells us in Luke 18:1 not to lose heart. The Lord is faithful! The sufferings and travail to fulfill the purposes of the Lord cannot be compared with the glory that is to be revealed within us.

Now how do I know, or even can I know, that I am being led by the Holy Spirit? The answer to that question is the same as the answer to almost every question. Let us look at the example of Jesus when He walked the face of the earth as a man.

Luke 4:1, "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Everyone would agree that Jesus was always led by the Spirit. Why? because He always put the will of the Father above His own will. His heart was always tuned to the mind and heart of the Father.

Romans 8:13-16

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

For us, how we know that we are being led by the Spirit is the same as hearing the voice of the Lord. First of all, it is by faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. That means we must take a step of faith, trusting the Lord to show us if we are going down a wrong path. From Romans 8:14, if we are led by the Spirit of God then we are mature sons of God. Another sign is whether or not our actions bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. From Romans 8:15, if anything leads to the spirit of bondage to fear, then we are not being led by the Spirit.

We should always remember that the more we mature in Christ the more we will be led by the Spirit. We must exercise our spiritual senses to discern the difference between the will of God on one hand as compared to good and evil on the other hand.

Hebrews 5:14, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." 

Remember, throughout our journey in Christ the Lord is patient, gracious, and merciful with us as long as we sincerely desire to be led by His Spirit. What a wonderful Lord we serve!

The Restored Heart

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

The Restored Heart 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

In this word we want to share several (of many) matters of the restored heart, as it pertains to us as individual believers in Christ. In other words, what does the life of the individual as well as the functioning of the corporate body look like after we have prepared the way of the Lord? 

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his [Eliab's] countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

The first requirement on our part is a heart attitude of giving all the glory to God. We should let the glory and honor of God be habitually and in reality the chief end of all of our actions. To give glory to God should be the greatest desire of every believer. Not only should this be the supreme goal for our individual lives, but it should also be true whenever we gather in our local churches.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Everything and everyone has been designed to show forth His glory.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7

Scripture speaks of various forms or levels of glory. There is a glory of man and there is the glory of God. The glory of man is taken for worldly splendor and magnificence, which make kings glorious before men. Solomon, in all of his glory and in his richest ornaments was not arrayed nearly as beautiful as the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-29). We speak here only of the glory of God. By glory we mean, at the highest level, not only the essence of who God is, in all of His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, but also His manifest presence. He IS our glory!

My glory and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3

I am the Lord: that is My name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8

The Father glorified the Son (John 13:31) and the Son glorified the Father (John 17:4). When the Lord says, in Isaiah 42:8, that "my glory I will not give to another," He means that there is no real glory outside of Christ. "He is bringing many sons to glory" (Hebrews 2:10). "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

One of the multitude of ways that we give glory to God is through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, whether we are alone or in the midst of the congregation. Johann Sebastian Bach once said:

The aim and final reason for all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit.

One of my favorite hymns is, "To God Be the Glory," written by Fanny Crosby. Two of the stanzas of that great hymn are:

To God be the glory, great things He hath done! 

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, 

who yielded His life an atonement for sin 

and opened the life gate that all may go in.

Great things He hath taught us, 

great things He hath done, 

and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; 

but purer and higher and greater will be 

our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Not My Will But Thine Be Done

"Standard" Christian teaching says that we consist of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). "Standard" teaching also says that our soul likewise consists of three parts ... the mind, will, and emotions. Moreover we have free will ... we are able to make free choices and decisions ... we are NOT a robot with no will of our own. The same was true of Jesus when He came to the earth in the form of a man. (We believe that most of our problems stem from our disobedience and self-will, not from the devil.) I visited one church a few years ago. The question was asked, "Did Jesus have a choice when He went to the cross?" The leadership said, "No, Jesus did not have a choice." We must respectfully disagree. We believe that Jesus had (has) a free will of His own, but He always subjected His own will to the will of the Father. We must do the same.

38 Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.

39 And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Matthew 26:38-39

If Jesus Himself prayed (Verse 39) that the will of the Father might be done, can we do anything less? We must be careful not to run ahead of the Lord, thinking that we already know the will of the Lord in a given situation.

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:7

Jesus came to earth as a man to do the will of the Father. We have the same mission ... to do the will of the Father. We, like Jesus as a Man, have a will. The will of man is, by our sinful nature, to do our own will ... to satisfy our carnal desires and lusts. Even after we are apprehended by the Spirit of the Lord, we still tend, at times, to let our will override the will of the Father. But our will must become a servant to the will of the Father.

If you think about all of the "great" men and women in the Bible, they all came to the place where the will of God was uppermost in their minds. For example, let us revisit Samuel.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord

7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not rule over them. 1 Samuel 8:4-7

Note, in Verse 6, above, that the request of the elders displeased Samuel. Samuel KNEW that the request of the elders was not in the will of the Lord. Nevertheless, even though he knew their request was misguided, he still prayed and asked the Lord what he should do! Samuel COULD have told the elders that their request was displeasing to the Lord and that he would do no such thing. But he did not take the matter into his own hands. Instead he prayed and asked the Lord what he should do. We should do the same as did Samuel in every situation of any consequence! Is it the will of the Lord for believers to be healed of sicknesses and disease? Of course! But we need to be careful that we don't fix the fix that the Lord has set up because the Lord is after some higher purpose in that believer's life. We need to be "neutral" in heart and mind and will as we pray for the Lord to reveal His will. Otherwise we become like Moses, who struck the rock the second time because he saw that it "worked" once.

Come and See

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God.

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. John 1:35-39

The two disciples, in the above verses, asked where Jesus dwelt physically ... what house or tent. However, Jesus gave them a spiritual answer, and one that they did not understand. That last verse may be translated as, "Come and you shall see!" See what? more scriptural truth? NO! Come to Jesus where He is and you shall see THE TRUTH ... Jesus Himself, the personification of all truth. Where does Jesus dwell today? the same place that he has always been ... in the realm of the Spirit. And so the key for us today is the same key that has always been there ... coming to Jesus. Jesus prayed,

Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

Note that Jesus did NOT pray that they might be with Him where He would be, but where He was, even before His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Where was Jesus? in the realm of the Spirit! Man is forever trying to pull Jesus down to where we are, but Jesus wants to draw us, by His Spirit, up to where He is! When Jesus was crucified, we were crucified with Him. When Jesus died on the cross, we died with Him, When Jesus arose from the grave, so did we. In all points we must identify with the Lord Jesus!

It is only by the grace of God that we have been allowed to come unto Jesus initially and experience His saving grace.

No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.

John 6:44

The mark of Christian maturity is the degree to which we have become as a little child. When we come to Jesus, we must come as a little child, trusting completely in Him.

Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16

Some wonderful results of coming to Jesus are (1) a quenching of our thirst, (2) eternal life, and (3) rest.

If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. John 7:37

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6



39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

40 And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

This rest that Jesus spoke about is the same rest spoken of ten times in Hebrews, Chapters 3 and 4. That rest is a ceasing of our works and an entering into the works that the Father has ordained for us to walk in from before the foundation of the world.

However, coming to Jesus, except for the initial salvation experience, is not free. There is a price to pay.

And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mark 8:34

There is a difference between knowing about someone and knowing that person. In one sense you all know me, but you actually only know a few things about me. My wife, Linda, knows me very well! Why? because she has lived with me for 61 years. She knows my strengths and my weaknesses. In like manner, the only way we can truly know Jesus is to come to Him, dwell with Him and He with us, be taught by Him, learn to trust Him.


10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.

Hebrews 8:10-11

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

Knowing the Lord was/is a sign of Israel's blessing.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.

Hebrews 8:10-11

Similarly, evils came to Israel from not knowing the Lord.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: But Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider. Isaiah 1:3

The Greek word, eido (pronounced i'-do) is translated "know" in the New Testament 180 times and 80 times as "see." Conclusion? To see Him is to know Him!

When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, He said, "If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father" (John 14:8-9).

Christianity is not a religion but a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You can read about Christianity all you want, but you will never know the depths of that Man from Galilee until you experience Him, walk with Him, dwell with Him, and understand His ways. It is one thing to understand Scriptural truth. It is quite another to experience THE Truth (the person of the Lord Jesus Christ).

Historically, we can (and do) hear, understand, and recover scriptural and doctrinal truth (by the grace of God). We also can (and do) become satisfied and even ecstatic with this newly unveiled scriptural truth. We can go to our nice meetings, sing some nice, worshipful songs, hear a nice polished teaching or preaching (perhaps with some new revelation), say some nice prayers, and never know what we are missing! We need to be careful that we are not "playing" church. We need to be very careful that we do not fall into the category of,

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. 2 Timothy 3:5 

You will NEVER have a fruitful local church simply by reading a book, not even the Bible!
Jesus said to the Jews,

39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

40 And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40

The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life (2 Corinthians 3:6). A good book about the Church can only point you in the right direction. The ONLY way to have a fruitful, thriving local church is to "Come and see Jesus." Seek Him who is the author and finisher of our faith. After all, He is the one who founded the Church. He has ALL of the keys to success. Unless the Lord is satisfied, neither will a local church be satisfied or fulfilled. Only the Lord can bring about fulfillment and satisfaction in an individual life or in a church. Never lose sight of your priorities. The Lord MUST be first. He must come first before our spouse, our children, our job, and even our God-given ministry. But we can NEVER be fully satisfied until the experiential life of Christ is made manifest within us! Christ in you, the hope of glory! The ONLY way we will ever be satisfied is given by:

As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness. Psalm 17:15

The Restored Church

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

8/5 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

We have shared with you several messages concerning the restoration of the Church. In this final message on restoration, we will share a few thoughts with respect to how, we believe, the restored church should operate. We are fully aware that much of the following may sound radical to many believers, primarily because of the traditions of men.

There should be a freedom and liberty for each gift and ministry to function, but under the control of the Holy Spirit. Avoid getting into the same routine at each gathering of believers. A gathering of believers should be anything BUT something routine or mechanical. We have believed for 48 years that there should be fresh revelation coming forth in EVERY gathering of believers! We have seen it happen too many times. We have also seen the fresh revelation unable to come forth because of the traditions of men and control by men. We need to be careful not to frustrate the grace of God.

At the same time, we must be careful not to use that liberty for an occasion to the flesh (Galatians 5:13). Unfortunately, the Corinthian spirit pops up through supposedly "mature" believers in a multitude of charismatic churches and conferences. We must have the balance of:

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

One of the most critical areas in order for a local church to function as a well-oiled machine is the recognition and appropriation of the various gifts and ministries that have been placed in the body by the Lord. I remember the very first word that I shared publicly. The word was "appropriating the Christ in others." I also remember that I spent much time preparing that word and I was very nervous as I spoke. I have no idea whether any of the 40 or so believers present received anything of value from that teaching. Only the Lord knows. But the essence of that word has been made very real to me over the years. One appropriate Scripture is:

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Corinthians 11:29-30

The word "unworthily" is not in the original texts. It is not a "bad" insertion as long as we understand what the Spirit is saying here through Paul. If we read the context (what precedes), it is clear that at the agape love feasts, many were just looking to eat all they wanted, with no thought for the less fortunate believers. The word "damnation" means judgment. The judgment is given specifically in Verse 30 ... many are weak and sickly, and many sleep. Why are many weak and sickly in the Church and many sleep (died physically)? because they do not discern the Lord's body, neither naturally nor spiritually. In the natural realm their gluttony overshadows their compassion for other believers who are also hungry. I witnessed a vivid example of this many years ago at a covered-dish supper for believers. I was next to last in line for food and could see that very little food was left. The young man in front of me piled his plate high with an abundance of food. Apparently he had no thought for anyone behind him who might also want something to eat. When he left, the hostess pulled out a jar of peanut butter, which became her supper. Would you believe that the Lord took that young man home at the age of 51?

In the spiritual realm many do not recognize or appropriate the gifts and ministries that the Lord has set in the body as it pleases Him. If you have a toothache would you go to a car mechanic? If you have a leaky water pipe would you go to an artist? No matter how hard you try, the hand just does NOT see as well as the eye; neither does the foot hear as well as the ear. We do well to read again 1 Corinthians 12. We need discernment to recognize and appropriate the gifts and ministries that the Lord has placed in the body!

The other side of appropriating the Christ in others is to function in the place you have been called.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

1 Corinthians 7:20, 24

One reason why the Spirit-filled community is greatly divided and fragmented, based on different understandings of scripture in general, is because too many ministers are trying to function in a place where they have not been called. The American Church is distinctly "pastor" dominated, almost to the exclusion of other ministries. The pastor preaches, teaches, administrates, and in general "calls the shots."

I have never met a true pastor, a believer who has been called to pastoral ministry, who is likewise a visionary. This is NOT being critical in any way because that is not the function of a pastor. I HAVE known several believers who are visionaries and have tried to function as a pastor. In general, that also does not work well, except possibly for a short season. A pastor is primarily attuned on the horizontal level ... to the needs of people. We need more good pastors. They have a vital role to play in the Church. What we see in the Church today is that pastors, subject more or less to some elders, are setting forth the "acceptable" doctrine through teachings. But what says the Scripture?

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:19-20

3 How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Ephesians 3:3-5

Those verses indicate that the apostles and prophets are charged to set forth doctrine. The problem is that there are too few genuine apostles and prophets. In fact, who even sees the need for such ministries? Further, the Church does not discern between the holy and the profane. One good brother in the Lord told me a number of years ago that the best thing that could happen to the local church in his area was for it to disband completely and start all over on a more sure foundation. I cannot disagree with his observation.

Is it time for pastors to pastor, teachers to teach, all believers to intercede on behalf of the church, watchmen to stand upon the walls and proclaim what they see, and apostles and prophets to set forth doctrine and lay the foundation in the Church? Is it time for the mouth to speak, the heart to lean on Jesus' breast, the eye to see, the ear to hear? The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, addresses that question very clearly in 1 Corinthians 12. Is it time for each member of the body to function in the place he or she has been called and for each member of the body to recognize the place where other members of the body have been called? Is it time to realize that God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him (1 Corinthians 12:18)? Is it time to repent and return to our first love? Is it time to cry out for the grace and mercy of God to be upon us and all of those whom the Lord has called?

This word applies to every believer, which includes my wife and me. Believe me, we are NOT perfect! Just ask my wife about me! EVERY believer is called to the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec and that part of that priesthood includes intercession for the lost and for others in the Church who have lost their way or strayed in some manner. Obviously we have NO control over other people. We do exceedingly well to control our own spirit.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32

But we CAN groan in the Spirit, weep over the present state of the Church, and intercede fervently for those who need help. Is there any believer who does NOT need help? Does the visible church need help? I have become thoroughly convinced over the past several years that intercession is what is urgently needed in this hour. If you have not yet sensed the burden of intercession in your life, ask the Lord to show you that truth and then to fan the flame within your soul and spirit. Stir up the gift that is within you! Ask the Lord to cleanse and purify you because the effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Many years ago the Holy Spirit quickened to me that the Book of Isaiah prophetically speaks of the history of time before the second coming of Jesus. Then, about ten years later a good brother on the West coast told me that the Lord had quickened that same truth to him many years before I received it. If that be true, then where are we today in the chronology of Isaiah?

We would say that we are PAST Isaiah 59. There are TWO significant events in Isaiah 59.
They are,

And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.

Isaiah 59:16

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Certainly the enemy has come in like a flood. But the Lord is in process of lifting up a standard against him. This is a sovereign work of God.

Isaiah, Chapter 60, speaks of the dawn of a new manifestation of God's redeeming glory. That is like a little cloud out of the sea (of humanity), like a man's hand rising up in the distance, afar off (1 Kings 18:44). We are in the few hours which precede the dawn's early light.

Isaiah 61 speaks of the good tidings of salvation and also proclaims the coming day of vengeance of our God. Isaiah 62 proclaims ... THE RESTORATION OF ZION.

A careful study of those chapters bears a striking resemblance to the Book of Joel. And why not? Both books were inspired by the same Holy Ghost.

Finally, we desire to emphasize what happens in Isaiah 66.


7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8

It is reasonably obvious that (spiritual) Zion has not yet travailed. The timetable of the Lord is that Isaiah 62 (the restoration of Zion) precedes Isaiah 66 (Zion's travail).

This word also challenges EVERY reader (including myself and my wife) to a life of intercession that the restoration of Zion may be completed and that Zion, in turn, might travail in intercession for her children (the young, immature believers) to come forth. The BIG question is ... WHO WILL ACCEPT SUCH A CHALLENGE?

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

If we see the state of the present, visible Church in America, and if we lean on the breast of Jesus and sense in some small part the heartbeat of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, then we have no choice! We MUST accept that challenge! We MUST travail in intercession that the will of the Father may be completed ... that He might restore all back to what was in His heart and mind from before the foundation of the world.

For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons [huios] unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10

Why does the Father want to bring many sons unto glory? He wants a kingdom of priests with whom He can have fellowship. If Enoch walked with God on this earth, why can't we?

Pentecost came to give us the power to do just that ... to walk with God.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 11:25

In summary, nothing has changed in 6000 years. The nature of man has never changed. The sad part is that too many Christians (even one is too many) do not see the bondage and captivity that we are in. And very few seem to care.

The Lord always wants to challenge His people. The Lord challenges His people to do all for the glory of God, to come and see where He dwells, and to follow Him. Then the Lord will bring about a complete restoration of His Church, restoring all things to that which was in the mind and heart of God from before the foundation of the earth. Those who follow Him wherever He goes will rule and reign with Him on earth for 1000 years.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

When the Lord gets through building His Church, it will not look anything like what we see today. The question every believer must decide is whether we are content just to get to heaven one day or whether we want to rule and reign with Christ in His throne for 1000 years. If we want the latter, then there is a price to pay here and now.

Revelation 3:20-22

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Those verses in Revelation 3 are for true Christians. Note that we have to open the door of our heart and we must become an overcomer, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Led by the Spirit as a Corporate Body

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

In our previous message, we shared some thoughts and scriptures about being led by the Spirit as an individual. Now we will share some thoughts on being 

Led by the Spirit as a Corporate Body 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

8/5

The Church at Corinth is a pattern of a corporate group of believers who were NOT led by the Spirit when they came together corporately. They were led by the flesh. We call that the "Corinthian spirit." The believers at Corinth were born again, baptized with the Holy Ghost, and had every gift in operation. But they had no maturity about them. They had charisma but not character. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul says:

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

In effect, the believers in Corinth, when they assembled together, wanted to be seen and heard. I have witnessed that same Corinthian spirit on numerous occasions. They exercised the vocal gifts to an excess, but it was primarily motivated by the flesh. Their gatherings approached chaos, with no order or harmony in what was brought forth. Peter said,

If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11

When the Lord, through Moses, sent the ninth plague upon Egypt (the plague of darkness),


24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.

26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither. Exodus 10:24-26

We do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we get to the meeting! The movings of the Holy Ghost cannot be predetermined or duplicated and are like tomorrow's wind ... yet unborn. Just before the day of Pentecost, how much time did Peter spend in planning and rehearsing his sermon?

Those verses speak of the spontaneity that should exist within corporate gatherings. From 1969-1980 we were part of a New Testament house church. We had no one who had been to a seminary or Bible college, no paid ministries, no written program, no podium, never passed a collection plate, never knew what songs we would sing, and in general never knew who was going to teach or preach. We came close, during the "heyday" of that church, to being led by the Spirit.

We have believed for 48 years that there should be fresh revelation in every gathering of believers. The tradition of some charismatic leaders is to preplan every meeting, including what songs to sing and when, and who is to be the scheduled speaker. That certainly creates a very predictable situation. Unfortunately, such gatherings may easily miss that which the Lord wants to say. We strongly recommend that each elder be prepared to share a word at each and every meeting. Then, if the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is there, one or more elders can easily speak forth that word. By this we do NOT mean to imply that only elders can speak during a meeting. In general, the smaller the number of believers present, the more each believer should have freedom to speak. With larger numbers of believers, it is generally more in the will of the Lord for more mature believers to speak.

Around 6 a.m. on April 11, 2004, the Lord gave me a dream. In the end times, "your old men shall dream dreams" (Joel 2:28). In the dream I was sitting in a rather large assembly of charismatic Christians. I did not know anyone at that gathering. At the beginning of the meeting a woman stood up and gave an impassioned, personal plea for spiritual help. I do not remember the specifics of her request other than it was a heart-felt cry for someone, anyone, to help her in her situation. When she finished, there was silence in the assembly for what seemed like a long time, although in reality it was probably no more than one or two minutes. One or two minutes of silence in a charismatic assembly seems like a very long time! The silence seemed to indicate that either no one knew how to help her or that no one wanted to be bothered. At that point, sensing that I could and should help the woman, I stood up, carrying my Bible, and walked toward the front of the large room where the believers had assembled, looking for whoever was "in charge" of the meeting. Since I did not know any of the believers who were present, I had difficulty locating the "elder in charge," although I believed it was one of three men that I saw. One of those three men then went over to a raised platform where a number of musicians were seated. So I went over to that man and told him that "I have the word of the Lord for this assembly." The word was directly related to the woman's plea for spiritual help. The musicians had already started playing so I had difficulty hearing the man's response to me, particularly since he spoke in a rather low voice. So I repeated that "I have the word of the Lord." Again, the man (elder in charge?) said something to me in a low voice. I could hear that he mentioned my name. He said, "Mr. Padgett, we cannot allow you to speak." An interesting question is how did the man "in charge" know my name? I had never met any of those people in my dream. Then I woke up from the dream. When I woke up, I immediately received the interpretation of the dream. The woman who had made the impassioned plea for spiritual help represents the body of Christ. It is significant that in my dream NO ONE actually helped the woman! Again, in my dream, the Lord did have a word that would address the woman's sufferings and bondage, but the "religious system" did not allow the word to come forth. That dream was literally fulfilled in reality a few weeks later! The woman's plea for help and deliverance from her bondage and sufferings reminds me of the time of Moses.

23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

Exodus 2:23-25

Then God released Moses, whom He had been preparing for 40 years, and sent him to be used as the human deliverer for His people. But God never released Moses until the people cried out to God. Why did it take the Israelites 400 years before they cried out to God? At least four generations had grown up in bondage and never knew there was a better way! They thought their life of suffering and bondage was "normal" UNTIL the suffering became unbearable.

The Lord also reminded me of a "Lay Witness Mission" I attended in the mid 1970's in a Methodist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. On Sunday mornings, instead of a "sermon" the leader of the Lay Witness Mission usually gave his/her personal testimony of how the Lord had apprehended him/her. Everyone was seated that morning as we sang the hymn right before the time for the "sermon." The hymn was, "To God Be the Glory." As the congregation sang the second verse of that hymn, a few of the members of that local Methodist Church stood up, raised their hands into the air, and started praising the Lord. More did the same, such that at least half of the people were standing, arms upraised, and praising the Lord. I remember sensing the very strong presence of the Lord. When the hymn was over, the coordinator took that service right back into the normal routine. He stood up and gave his personal testimony of how the Lord had apprehended him. I remember that I groaned in my spirit. The Holy Spirit was beginning to move in that Methodist Church but the coordinator quenched the Spirit by going right back into the usual routine. We will never know what we missed that morning!

The same thing happened in my dream Easter morning, April 11, 2004. The Lord wanted to do something in that meeting, but the elder in charge took the meeting right back into the usual routine. The musicians started playing their three fast songs, which is somewhat customary in our charismatic meetings. Just like the Israelites in Exodus 2, the people of God don't know there is a better way, a way that is truly led by the Holy Spirit. There is nothing more scary than the Holy Ghost beginning to take over and the person who has been in charge suddenly not knowing what will happen next. If we know what is going to happen next, then we are most likely NOT being led by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, if we know what is going to happen next, we don't need the Holy Spirit in our meetings. This same spontaneity is reflected in 1 Corinthians 14:29-30.


29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. This verse is somewhat amazing in that very few charismatic churches have one prophet, much less two or three! Does this reflect how far we have fallen? Do the local churches see the need for two or three prophets? We are not talking about those who have a gift of prophecy.

We strongly recommend that believers pray fervently that the Lord will raise up one or more true prophets in your midst. Then after the Lord grants your request, ask for His grace that you can accept what the prophets say.

A good verse that applies both to being led by the Spirit as an individual and corporately is, 

But there [in Zion] the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. Isaiah 33:21

A galley with oars is one that is being led by man. Man does the rowing and thus controls both the direction and the speed of the ship. A galley without oars means that man has no part in the guiding of the ship. The Holy Spirit is the guide! A gallant ship speaks of someone who has acquired a "name" in the body of Christ ... someone who is well known to men, but not approved by God. When we are truly led by the Spirit, we have no oars to propel the galley, neither is there any gallant ship to sail across the rivers and streams. Praise the Lord!

I am sure that some pastors would say, "But brother, we believe that we are being led by the Spirit when we plan our services ... what songs we will sing and who will be the scheduled speaker." I am certainly not in any position to say that you are wrong. However, when any pastor preplans the agenda for any gathering of believers, there is NO room left for the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit to move in that meeting. The Holy Spirit MUST have the freedom to move upon whomever He desires to say or do whatever He desires to bring forth at that moment in time. We must ALWAYS be alert to recognize God's leading in our midst. Without this sensitive awareness, churches, like individuals, can easily lose the focus of their mission and develop a false sense of self-worth and sufficiency. Jesus said,

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:8

Now some might say, "But brother, if we allow that kind of spontaneity in our meetings, we would have chaos!" If that is true then you are not teaching the people the right things ... things such as the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ, how to hear the voice of the Lord for yourself, the fear of God, and if any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God. Certainly, order can and should be maintained during the flow of the Spirit.

Part of the difficulty is that we have been thoroughly trained and conditioned as to how our gatherings should evolve. Everyone has read all of the books, listened to all of the tapes, watched all of the videos, and heard all of the teachers and preachers. Not the least problem is all of the "How To" teachings and writings ... how to be born again, how to be healed, how to be delivered, how to receive a financial blessing, etc. We are an "I know that" people. We also have a tendency to revel in revelation, rather than in the Author of that revelation. But,

 

... if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought.

1 Corinthians 8:2

The following is extracted from the June 2005, monthly newsletter, written by our good friend, Marion Fretwell, who was solid in the Lord. The title of the article is "Pentecost." 

An old friend of ours, Howard A. Goss by name, received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in 1902. It was just after the outpouring in Topeka, Kansas. He told us of how he couldn't speak in English for several days. When he would go to the grocery store, he would have to point at things. He couldn't tell them what he wanted.

Brother Goss told Pearl and me about some of the meetings they had in those days. People would go out into towns, rent a hall, and start holding meetings. There was not much need to advertise - the Holy Ghost did that. Folks came from far and near to see what was taking place. They were seldom disappointed - the miracles of healing, and other manifestations of the Power of God were very convincing - and CONVICTING.

As long as the young people were at a loss to know what to do, and when to do it, God took over and did things the right way. He knew when to do what, and how to do it.

But little by little, men began to "LEARN HOW" to do things, and the Holy Ghost backed off and let them "do it."

Revival fires burned for several years, however, and in 1913 Brother Goss and a few other men organized the Assemblies of God movement. There was a need, they thought, for a more orderly method of getting the Gospel out. There were some of the brethren who were doing things which were not correct in the sight of most of the brethren. And there could be strength in numbers. More could be accomplished for the Lord.

There are folks today who doubt the wisdom of the move those men made back there. God alone REALLY knows.

The Assemblies of God was split almost as soon as it was born. Bitterness was the result, which remains today.

During the Exodus, every day brought fresh manna from the sovereign hand of God. The Church must have fresh manna, fresh revelation, every day or we will starve. The Church cannot progress on leftovers from previous visitations. Transformation comes only in the light of the present glory and revelation of Jesus Christ.

A good brother named Merle Maupin was almost 102 years young when he went to be with the Lord about 15 years ago. He had been given a rather unique ministry of playing the piano in the Spirit. He would open up the Bible, read some scripture, and then play those verses on the piano. He never knew the notes that he was going to play and he could never repeat what he had just played. But the clear move of the Spirit through him was like a breath of fresh air moving through the trees. That is the way that all ministry in the congregation should operate.

Structure, organization, and control are much easier, much more manageable, and much more predictable if we stick with the traditional denominational or charismatic format. That also helps to keep more money coming in. In reality, it compromises or trades more money for the life of the Spirit. If the Lord establishes something, the Lord also provides the wherewithal. This principle applies on an individual level as well as a corporate level. The traditional format also tends to keep more believers comfortable, because far too many believers do NOT want to be stirred up. We like the tradition, the routine, the fixed format. Change is very difficult for us people, but sadly, we may miss out on the life flow of the Spirit.

Please note that Jesus promised, in Matthew 16, that He will build His Church. He did NOT say that you or I will build His Church. He did NOT say that the pastor will build His Church. We all need to be ever mindful ... that the LORD is in control! The big question is ... Are the church leaders of today willing to let go of THEIR control and let the Holy Spirit have His way, producing spontaneity and a freshness and originality in that which is brought forth to glorify the Lord?

We are talking about a big change ... a transformation. What we have spoken is radical to many. But we see no other way to true restoration. It takes an adjustment to our way of thinking ... like Peter walking on the water. What it takes ... is faith. 

Frank Bartleman, in a book called "Another Flame Rolls In," has written of the mighty, spontaneous working of the Holy Spirit in the 1906 Azusa Street revival. That author says:

The spirit of singing among God's people was like a harp spontaneously flowing in the midst of His people. In fact it was the very breath of God, played on human strings or human vocal cords. The notes were humanly impossible. It was indeed singing in the Spirit. We had no pope or hierarchy. We were brethren. We had no human program. The Lord Himself was leading.

There was no priest class. These things have come in later with the apostatizing of the movement. We did not have a platform. All were on a level.

Ministers were servants according to the true meaning of the word. We did not honor man after their advantage in means or education. We honored them for their God-given gifts.

The place was never closed or empty. People came there to meet with God. 

He was there.

Hence a continuous meeting went on.

The religious ego preached its own funeral service quickly.

No subjects or sermons were announced ahead of time.

There were no special speakers for such an hour. All were spontaneous speakers. All were anointed of the Spirit. All wanted to hear God (and not man). We were delivered from ecclesiastical systems. We wanted God. In honor we preferred one another. When God spoke we all obeyed. It seemed a fearful thing to hinder or grieve the Spirit. He was in His Holy temple.

But that is all consistent with God's ways. He chooses what man rejects.

We challenge each and every believer who has heard this word to seriously be before the Lord to see whether these things are so or not. May the God of all grace be gracious unto us as we make our decisions.