Beginning Tomorrow Today - By Timothy Sherman

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). At the first part of the encounter He did not speak to me with the words of His mouth but spoke His glory rays into me, in fusing me with His Word, the Scripture, and with visions and rev elations of heaven and of future events. He is the Word made flesh. He shines as the sun in its strength, every ray His Word. His light, life, and love have transforming, transfi g u ring and translating power within them! He also spoke mind to mind. These encounters and appearances are a gift from Jesus inviting us into a more intimate relationship with Him. They were given to me to be given to all, for the salvation of souls and for the advancing of the Kingdom to prepare for the return ofthe King. They highlight the need for Him in our souls. He longs for these intimate encoun ters more than we do. He has drawn us by His intimate love into an intense, passionate willingness.,We even abandon ourselves to fast ing and prayer with worship, and seasons of aloneness with Him. It is here that we wait quietly in thanksgiving and adoration to Him alone, in absolute surrender. I know these actions of pursuit seem extreme to some, but Jesus and the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles practiced and taught these secret weapons of spiritual warfare, the war with the darkness we encounter on fallen earth. As the old hymn says: "Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross o fJesus going on before." These preparations are for the saving of souls so they can ex perience the freedom ofknowing God as Father. These are the things I began to pursue and practice, while overflowing with worship and love for our Savior. Throughout the ages there have been disciples 39