THE SIGNATURE

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. Matthew 4:1 (New Living Translation)

Hello friends: I want you to remember that the authorized “Signature” on the life of authentic Christian service and ministry is not in the public image, number of followers, or in achievements, however impressive.   The “Signature” is neither in the number of great deeds done, nor found in religious position or prominence. The “Signature” is simply…”was led by the Spirit.”

Never head into any spiritual endeavor of service or ministry, and certainly not encounter with the enemy because you feel adequate and ready.  Even Jesus was not led by self. If you go off on your own into the best arenas you can choose and run into the enemy, though you may possess great spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities; you will be on very dangerous ground. However, If you are “led by the Spirit” into the worst of the wilderness to face the enemy’s taunts and temptations, you can rest assured that it is the enemy who is on dangerous ground. The enemy knows when he is facing the self-led or the Spirit-led.   The former is familiar to him for he is filled with it; the latter is frightening because he possesses none of it.

Do not throw terms like “Spirit-filled” or “Spirit-led” around lightly. “Self” may often appear as if it is the “Spirit,” even as counterfeit money or art may appear genuine. The counterfeit of “self-led” has no real value no matter who it impresses because it bears no authorized signature. You can usually identify the “self-led” because they respond to the temptation to demonstrate what they are capable of as opposed to the Spirit-led response of living by every word proceeding from the mouth of God.

​There is only one authorized “Signature” for a Christian life of service…”led by the Spirit.”  May we find that authenticity increasingly written on the portraits of our lives, for it is the Spirit’s signature that brings immeasurable eternal value to our lives in the heavenly market place.   No earthly rewards that “self” can obtain compares with our value to the Father when we are Spirit-led.

From "your father's heart with love"