Page 14 - Hide and Seek

Chapter One
urgent demand from the Spirit of God to live in obedience
to Him.
The same spiritual renewal I had experienced began
creeping into my ministry, before I knew it, I was laying
hands on and praying for people. We watched the power of
God deliver people from great spiritual strongholds cast out
and people filling up the altars to get saved and wanting to
receive the Holy Spirit.
This season of ministry went on for almost two years
increasing in strength as it continued. One day I received a
polite invitation from the Board of Deacons to resign my
position as Pastor of that church. They suggested that
I find a new location and start my own “charismatic”
ministry .
The committee that approached me made it clear that this
type of ministry was not desired in their church. What I
was doing was in direct conflict with the doctrine of their
denomination. I declined their polite offer, which included
a fair amount of money. A few months later, on display for
all to see, my services were terminated and I was locked out
of the church building.
Our family absorbed that blow. We had some close friends
and members who stood with us. I did just what those
Deacons had factiously suggested. I rented hotel space and
started a new ministry a few blocks up the street.
The ministry was a non-denominational church. I would
have nothing more to do with that denominational crowd.
They were un-spiritual. I’ll show them. I am going to build
14 Hide And Seek
Chapter Five
ne of the dangers of living hidden behind a mask,
is that you can forget the truth about your own
O
identity and loose your ability to see the truth
about God. When we are in hiding we are afraid
to meet God face to face. Like a child awaiting the admon-
ishment of a parent many of us are afraid to open our eyes
and see God. We think that God is angrily waiting to punish
us for our misbehavior . When you are expecting a rebuff,
it’s difficult to believe that God is drawing you close to love
and protect you. It’s hard for someone that feels con-
demned to believe that God will not to reject them.
Our fear of wrath prevents us from receiving what God
wants to reveal to us. With our faces so guarded, we are not
open to see or hear anything from God. There are people
who feel they must protect themselves when they come into
God’s presence, covering up and closing off sensitive areas
of their life. How unfortunate to be in the presence of the
Almighty and not see your purpose in life or hear Him
speak the words that can shape your destiny.
Countless numbers of people leave church services and
evangelistic crusades with their faces still covered and they
bare no evidence of being exposed to God’s presence.
When God first spoke to Moses, He expressed His concern
Hide And Seek 41