Bobby Conner - Gaining the Gaze of God: A Short Story from Amazed by the Power of God

BOBBY CONNER

B obby Conner has an extensive ministry background as a Southern Baptist pastor, and he ministers in a high level, proven prophetic anointing. He believes his calling is to equip the Body of Christ to hear and discern Gods voice in these times. He is well-loved and best known the world over for his sensitivity to and leading of the Holy Spirit. Highly esteemed as an internationally acclaimed conference speaker, Bobby has ministered effectively to more than 45 foreign countries as well as in the United States for many years. Bobby has been ministering for more than 38 years, and averages speaking five times a week.

Bobby Conner provides insights about how you can gain the gaze of God:

N othing could be more satisfying than knowing that your life is pleasing to God and hearing, This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased!

The Lord is looking for a people whose heart is upright with Him, so that He can fully support all that they are doing see (see 2 Chron. 16:9). The Spirit of Truth is raising up leaders that will teach the people the vast difference between what is pure and what is profane (see Ezek. 44:23). It is crucial that we walk in uprightness if we are to ascend the hill of the Lord (see Ps. 24:3-4). It is very important that we do whatever needs to be done to walk in true authority. However, there is something more needful than just ascending into the hill of the Lordthat is abiding in the hill or presence of the Lord (see Ps. 15:1).

The Body of Christ must advance from just visitation to habitation (see Eph. 2:20-22). It is one thing to display the power of God but is so much better to reveal the person of Christ. As we embrace accountability, we can then be trusted with more true authority. Christ Jesus informed us that if we are faithful over little, we will become ruler over much more (see Matt. 25:14-21). On the other hand, if we fail to handle small things correctly, even the small things are in danger of being removed (see Matt. 25:24-29). It is required of a steward that he be found faithful (see 1 Cor. 4:2). Our goal is to live in such a manner that when we stand before the Lord He will say well done good and faithful servant. These days call for the highest standard of leadership.

The message of the Book of Jude is blasting out to this end-time Church age. The warning is all too clear: if we do not return to the acts of the apostles, we will continue to see the actions of the apostates. It is imperative that we become contenders and defenders of the faith, and... contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3).

In a vivid prophetic experience the Spirit of the Lord spoke these encouraging words to me, Accept no imitations! Expect no limitations! Embrace infinite possibilities! As we aspire to make these three areas a living reality in our lives, we will see the Church being launched into a much higher level.

Artificial, counterfeit, syntheticthese are but a few words that help us grasp a better understanding of the word imitation. I once asked the president of a leading bank, How do your tellers detect a counterfeit bill? His answer was profound, The best way to expose phony money is to have someone who is so accustomed to handling the real thing that when they touch a fake, something within them instantly sets off a warning.

This is what the Body of Christ must have: true intimacy with Jesus that instantly reveals any imitation. We must become so accustomed to His voice that we are not moved by the enticing of a strangers voice. If we are the sheep of His fold, we must come to know His voice, and follow the voice of our Shepherd. We cannot continue to spend our lives on that which is worthless. Everything that is wood, hay, and stubble must be removed from our Christian walk.

It is crucial for the Church to commence walking in true apostolic authority. However, if we are going to be trusted with a higher level of authority it is essential for us to walk in integrity and uprightness. The writer of the Book of Hebrews instructs us to pursue peace as well as purity for without it we will not see the Lord.

The Lord spoke these encouraging words to me, If I can find a people without mixture, I will pour out My power without measure. According to the Book of Revelation, there will emerge a group of overcomers walking in true Kingdom power. This causes three questions to arise in my heart: If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?

I was recently in the Northwest region of the United States and it suddenly began to rain the most wonderful sweet, steady rain seemingly from a cloudless sky. I asked the Lord, What is this rain a sign of? In response, I heard within my spirit, The substantial rainfall signified the anointed teaching that is being released through the emerging Zadok priesthood. These anointed priests will begin to authenticate that which is holy and expose that which is profane. This is what the Lord called the Zadok priesthood to do: Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean (Ezek. 44:23 NASB). What is the difference between the profane and the holy? The Lord said what He called profane was anything we are doing that He did not initiate. Remember the words of Christ Jesus when He states, I never knew you, depart from Me you who practice lawlessness (Matt. 7:23). These words were spoken to a person who had been very involved in religious activity, but did not truly trust Christ.

The fundamental purpose of the Zadok priesthood is to minister to the Lord as described in Ezekiel 44:15-16:

But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood, says the Lord God. They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.

This signifies an emphasis on the fivefold ministry of prophetic teachers as they prepare the Body of Christ to receive the strong prophetic and apostolic ministries yet to be truly inaugurated.

The Spirit of Truth is seeking to establish each one of us in truth. Christ Jesus commanded, Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth (John 17:17). As believers, we are to have upright lives which are characterized by authentic lifestyles of faith. Our walk must match our talk if we are to have a message that will legitimately change lives. It is time to take a stand for righteousness and holiness.

Grace is not a license to live loose. In our attempts to appear politically correct, have we drifted far from the calling to stand for truth and righteousness? Only as we return to true holiness of heart can we be vessels of honor. This will allow us to be sanctified in truth and be presentable to the Lord as consecrated vessels. The call is clear. We must present the truth in order for true freedom to reign in our hearts. God is calling each of us to embrace the conditions of Second Corinthians 7:1, Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Many feel a sense of disorientation at this time; this is the result of being upon the Potters wheel. However, be assured the Master Potter Himself is about to touch the soft pliable clay, and soon we will bear His image. We are in a time of transition that will produce transformation. Our responsibility is to remain soft and moistyielded upon the Masters wheel. If we attempt to mold ourselves or if we allow ourselves to become dry and brittle we must be broken and remolded. It is imperative that we stay soft and surrendered before the Lord.