Circumcision of the Heart Ministry
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
 The Bishop's Desk
Bishop J. N. Hall Jr.
                                                               Vision and Purpose


"...A horror of great darkness fell upon him."
Whenever God gives a vision to us, He puts us in the shadow of His hand, and our duty is to be still and listen. There is a darkness that comes from an excess of light, and then...it is the time to listen. Genesis 16: is an illustration of listening to good advice when it is dark; instead of waiting for God to send the light. When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait.

God will make you in accordance with the vision He has given, if you will wait for His time. Never, ever, try to help God fulfil His Word. Abraham went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all self-sufficiency was destroyed; there was no possibility left of relying on common-sense ways or leaning on his own understanding. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not of displeasure. Even my time here in this place was and is necessary for God to work on me. Some might argue differently. Nevertheless, I'm right where God wants me to be. My vision, in the darkness of my incarceration, He's bringing to light. Never pump up joy and confidence, but stay upon God (cf. Isa.50:10-11).

The questions are, have I any confidence in the flesh? Or have I gotten beyond all confidence in myself and in men and women of God; in books and prayers and overwhelming delight; and is my confidence placed now in God Himself, not in His blessings? Questions I've had to answer and questions you must ask yourself. "I am the Almighty God"--El-Shaddai, the Father-Mother God. The one thing for which we are all being disciplined, is to know that God is real. As soon as God becomes real, other people become shadows. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever make uneasy or anxious the one who is built on God.

Be anxious for nothing. Wait on the Lord to reveal your vision and out of the darkness of your trials and circumstances God will make your "vision and purpose" clear to you...

Bishop J. N. Hall
1-31-2011