Reflections

“The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace — only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the Lord has truly sent.””

Jeremiah28:8-9HCSB

All the prophets of God had prophesied the exile and captivity of Israel.  The message of redemption would come from the Messiah.  There were false prophets, in the Old Testament, that would tell Israel not worry they would experience peace, opposite of what God actually said.

We must be careful of people prophesying the opposite of what God is saying.  Prophetic words should line up what God is saying through His Word.  What prophetic spirit are we under today?  What does the Bible prophesy for today.  Let’s see:

Spirit of Prophesy is the Testimony of Jesus

“When I heard this, I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I serve God, just as you do. I am God’s servant, just like believers who hold firmly to what Jesus has taught. Worship God! The Spirit of prophecy tells the truth about Jesus.’”Revelation 19:10 NIRV

The true spirit of prophecy always shows itself in bearing witness to Jesus.  Our prophetic words should have Jesus at its root.  It is wrong for us to prophesy to unbelievers how great their lives will be when they are dead in their sins.  How can we talk wonderful words about their destiny on earth, if their ultimate destination is hell?  What does it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their own souls?  We must prophesy the message of reconciliation in Jesus and God’s plan for them is eternal life.  The message is clear repent, turn to Jesus to live – the Kingdom of God is here.

Prophesy should encourage our life in Christ.  It is not to appeal to our flesh.  Prophetic words should crucify our flesh, and give life to our spirit.

In the Last Day God Speaks Through Jesus

“Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him.”  Hebrews 1:1-2 HCSB

In the gospel of John we are told that Jesus is the Word.  He is the word made flesh.  So since God has chosen to speak to us through Jesus then we know the primary way God speaks to us is through His word.

Paul told Timothy that God’s word is good for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 Timothy 3:16).  So the prophetic should also be good for these things.  Unfortunately many have used prophesy to predict the future just like the world does through psychics and other fortune tellers.  We have to be very careful not equate prophesy with reading cards and tea leaves, or looking into a crystal ball.  Prophesy speaks to the will of God and ultimately God’s will is that everyone should come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  We should be prophesying so that people will grow in their walk with Christ.  The word reveals the truth of Jesus and it is still the primary way God speaks to us.

There are plenty of scriptures that tell us about the end times and these last days.  We cannot prophesy from our own desires but we must speak the truth.  At times the truth must be a word of rebuke and correction.  Ultimately the prophetic word should point us to Jesus because He is the spirit of true prophesy.

I believe the reason Paul said he desired all believers to prophesy was so that the truth of Jesus would be on all our lips.  We would proclaim the glory of our Lord and Savior.  When seeking that gift or when looking for a prophetic word make sure it lines up with the word of God.

I know most of us desire peace and want a life free from suffering. However, in God’s word and in Jesus’ own words we were told that they would hate us just like they hated Jesus. The Apostles preached the gospel in light of facing death every day. They believed at any moment Jesus could return and they were determined to get the gospel preached. We are living in an unprecedented time and have so many avenues to share God’s word. People need to hear the truth of Jesus and how to obtain eternal life. It is wonderful to prophesy destiny, let us be sure it lines up with God’s word and His plan for eternal life.

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“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” II Chronicles7:13-15NKJV

This year in 2020 we have seen unprecedented events take place in our country.  The coronavirus has impacted over 7.44 million Americans, over 210,000 people have died and there are reports of the virus spiking in many parts of the country.  This pandemic has impacted the entire world and every aspect of our lives.  We have also seen fires burning in California and so far over 4 million acres have burned and there are fires still burning.  California suffered a drought for years and now with the fires there is such a desperate need for rain.  Yet in the Atlantic Ocean we are seeing a record number of tropical storms taking place in this hurricane season and parts of the US has experienced record number of rainfall and flooding.  With the uncertainty to tomorrow many people are afraid.  Scientists and our governments are trying to stymie all these events, but it is really out of their control.

For too long we downplayed the coronavirus, expecting it to fade into the summer months and we could return to our normal lives.  We were not prepared for this nor for the long haul of fighting this disease.  Also, so many other things have been happening in our nation that most Americans have gone numb and don’t know what to do.  Conspiracy theories have exploded many saying the coronavirus was a hoax or it was no worse than the flu.  Yet when you look at the numbers and how many people are being impacted by this virus we know it is far worse than any flu or cold season.

I have been reading and listening to different prophetic words on the matter.  Many prophetic words have been rooted in hope and some are the doom and gloom prophesies.  As with any prophetic word we are trying to convey what God is saying in this season.  I believe that the primary way God still speaks is through His word the Bible and I have been studying God’s word and history of how God has responded to past pestilence.  I know there is a great need for prayer and ours church has been praying and I know many churches and Christians are praying.  The last weekend in Washington D.C. Franklin Graham hosted and event to pray for our nation.  We have to remember we are not fighting flesh and blood but principalities.  Unfortunately, many still hold a mindset this is all just going to go away.

Last week when news broke that the President of the United States, his wife and others tested positive for the coronavirus I knew it was time for us to take this seriously and turn to God.  I know there are many prophetic words on the good days that are coming but we cannot ignore the plight of our country today.

The above scripture is often quoted but we usually focus on Verse 14.  We need to read verse 14 in the context of the scripture before it and after it.  This scripture was God’s response to Solomon building the temple for God.  God accepted the temple as His dwelling place (prior to this it was the ark of the covenant) and gave parameters how He would receive prayers.

Notice in verse 13 God says that when we see pestilence in our land that is a sign we need to turn to Him and pray.  Today we teach that God is love and He is but we often times ignore that He is also one that judges.  When the enemy is allowed to bring pestilence to the land we need to pay attention to what God is saying and understand what is really happening.  Since things have not gotten better in our country we have to recognize that God is allowing these events to take place and we have to turn to Him.

Notice that God starts off by saying “when I shut up heaven…”, this means that we are not receiving God’s blessings.  Something is hindering God from opening up the doors of heaven.  As a result of God shutting up heaven, pestilence has now come upon the land.  Another sign. That heaven is shut is when our prayers are not effective.  God tells us in verse 14 what we need to do.

Verse 14 is conditional it begins with the word “if”, God is looking to His people, not the world but His people are called by His name.  Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep knows His voice.  God is looking to His children to respond to Him not the entire world.  God is calling His children to the following:

HUMBLE OURSELVES

We need to drop the act that we are in control.  We also need to stop lying to ourselves and others by saying there is peace and safety in the land.  We are in trouble our world is collapsing and we need God.  We do not know what to do or how to stop any of these things.  We need to humble ourselves and cry out to God.

PRAY

Prayer meetings and praying is a difficult thing.  The mistake we make is we pray a few times and expect results.  We don’t persist in prayer.  We may give ourselves a timeline like 40 days but what if in those forty days nothing happens.  We are called to persist, to keep praying and not to cease.  This season we are called to endure, even if we know the end is victory we must press in and endure until the prayers are manifested in the natural.

SEEK GOD’S FACE

We are looking to so many things including our own government.  We have parked ourselves in front of the computer or television to listen to the latest news and what everyone is saying.  We have promoted conspiracy theories and lamented on what various states are doing and how our rights are being violated.  We waste time arguing over whether this is as bad as the expert say but we are not seeking God’s face on this matter.  In seeking God’s face we need to be spending everyday in his Word, reading and listening.  Faith comes by hearing.  Also by seeking God’s face we can learn what He is telling us to do and be obedient to his word.

TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS

Collectively as a body of believers we have allowed hatred to permeate through us and outside of us.  We have allowed our hatred toward certain groups to spill out in our speech.  We have justified hatred by focusing on our enemies and how we have been wronged.  Many in the body have turned that hatred toward their own brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We are called to love, even our enemies.  We are supposed to display love and be known for our love.  Also, we are supposed to walk in righteousness and by the Spirit.  Currently we are not doing these things and we have instead displayed anger and hatred.  This is all wickedness to God.  God is asking His children to turn from their wicked ways.

When we have done these things and turn to God, He says then He will hear us, forgive our sins and heal our land.  In verse 15 God’s conditional promise is that when we do these things His eyes will remain open and He will hear our prayers.

Let us stop entertaining worldly arguments and conspiracies and turn to our God in our time of need. We need to be obedient in everything God is telling us to do. It is time to repent an turn our faces back to God.

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“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

II Corinthians7:10-11NKJV

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