Reflections

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.”

1 John4:18HCSB

It is a brand New Year. Resolve this year not to be driven by fear.  So much of what is happening in the world today is based on fear.  The media uses fear to get us to react to the news.  Governments use fear to control its citizens.  Many use fear as a tactic to gain power.  God does not give us a spirit of fear.  Fear comes from Satan.

The antidote to fear is love.  God’s perfect love drives out fear.  Often times where fear is being used, hatred is at its root.  For example, we see how ugly politics are getting.  Many politicians are using fear to justify their hatred toward a group of people.  When people are afraid often times their speech will be full of hate.

This is why we must show love.  When we show love we are driving out the spirit of fear.  This is why the Bible tells us to love our enemies.  Hatred is driven by fear but perfect love casts out fear.

We do not have to be afraid because God loves us. Be guided by God’s love in this new year. Extend that love to others. Our world would be so much different if we demonstrated God’s love toward others.

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“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV

Happy New Year! 2022 is now here and 2021 is in the past. This time of year people are making new year resolutions. Gyms will be packed this month with people promising to get in shape and lose the weight gained during the holiday season. Self cleansing recipes will be popular as people are desiring to free their bodies of all the impurities and junk they ate over the holidays.

Instead of just focusing on our outward appearance we should also focus on our spiritual lives.  The Apostle Paul is admonishing us to put off our old self that only desires what the flesh wants.  Instead we need to put on our new bodies created in Christ Jesus and renew our minds.  We are to walk in true righteousness and holiness.  Let us commit in 2022 not to allow sin to ensnare us but to be led by the Holy Spirit.

A perfect looking body means nothing if our soul is corrupted by deceitful lusts. Allow the light of Jesus to shine from within for others to see.

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“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”Matthew24:11NKJV

““Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” Matthew24:23-25NKJV

When I was in college I had two professors that gave True and False quizzes. They instructed us that if the statement was false we had to identify the false statement and give the true statement. This made the test much more difficult because we actually had to know the material in order to not only identify the true statements but explain why the false statements were not true. This is the same with God’s word. If we are going to be able to identify the false we must know what is true and we must study God’s word.

Jesus is warning the disciples in Matthew that in the last days there will be false christs and false prophets.  They will be able to show great signs and wonders and deceive many.  Their acts will be so believable that if God does not cut short these days even the elect could be deceived.These false christs and false prophets will come from the church.  They will be people who were once in the light and knew the truth but departed from the way and fall into darkness.  We will not be able to distinguish them by their signs but Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.

It is so important for us to know and understand the word of God.  So many today are consumed with signs and wonders.  False teachers will be able to perform great signs and wonders but their lifestyle will be full of unrighteousness.  We also cannot entertain false teachings.  A little of bit of error is not acceptable.  Satan will deceive us by twisting the word of God.  Most false teaching is about 90% true.  We will not be able to discern the truth if we are not in the word of God. 

Another major sign of false christs and false prophets is the anti-christ spirit they will have.  Their hearts will be full of hate, their conscience will be seared and the truth will not be in them.  The Bible describes these individuals.  So please do not be fooled by their acts.

Jesus rebuked the Jews because they wanted signs. They ignored Jesus’ teachings and His word. They said they would only believe if they were shown a sign but even the signs Jesus performed they still denied Him. We must pursue the truth of God’s word. We must grow in the knowledge of Jesus. This is how we guard ourselves against deception and many that will come in Jesus’ name claiming they are the “Christ.” Be alert. Be on guard. Stay sober and meditate on God’s word day and night.

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“And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”

Matthew24:4-5NKJV

There has been great debate about the end times. From a historical perspective the end times have been predicted multiple times but has yet to come to pass. There are many that are looking for the antichrist or the mark of the beast. Most would agree we are living in the last days because of the signs Jesus speaks about in Matthew 24.

The disciples asked Jesus to tell them the sign of His coming and the end of the age.  Jesus responds first by telling them not to be deceived.  After that statement Jesus said that many will come deceiving people.  When we look at the text closely the word deceive here refers to “cause to wander”.  In essence Jesus was warning the disciples not to wander from the truth – Jesus’ word.

When we look at the world today we see a lot of deception.  We know that there are false prophets, false teachers and people claiming to be Jesus.  However, Jesus’ warning was in the time of deception we cannot wander from Him – the truth.

Many may think deception is simply having the “wool pulled over our eyes”, but Jesus warns that people will actually be led astray from Him.  This is one of the major signs we will see in the last days – people falling away from Jesus.

It is important that we guard against all deception that would cause us to wander from the truth of Jesus Christ.  We must know that Jesus is the word made into flesh, so the words of Jesus are the truth that we live by.  We must guard our hearts in Jesus’ word and keep our minds stayed on Him.

Deception is only going to increase in the last days. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples what will happen. There are also other scriptures that warn us about various types of deceptions that we must guard against. Keep in mind the warning of Jesus in that no matter what deception is cast before you do not wander from the truth. The truth is what will protect us in these last days and help us to endure. Heed Jesus’ warning – Do not be deceived!

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“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.””

Deuteronomy30:19-20NKJV

I am not here to refute any specific prophetic words about what is happening in our country, but want to give context to prophetic words spoken from a biblical perspective.

There are many of us that have received or heard prophetic words over our lives.  This is true of many in the Bible, that their lives were spoken about prophetically.  We know that God is sovereign and His word will not return to Him void.  However, most of God’s word and promises are conditional.  The only prophesy that has been fulfilled and is being fulfilled despite man or Satan is the prophesies of Jesus.  Other prophetic words about our own lives is contingent on our faith, actions, and obedience to God’s word.  We can nullify God’s promises and even His prophetic declarations over our lives.

There are some prophetic words that we will have to wait and see if they come to pass.  For example, there are some prophesying that Trump will be President for the next four years and until January 20, 2021, we will not know for sure if these words were true or not, when the inauguration takes place.

If these prophetic words are proven to not come to pass, it does not mean that these were false prophets.  Prophets know in part and prophesy in part.  We are ultimately responsible for any prophetic word spoken over our lives by obeying God.  Disobedience will nullify these words.

In Deuteronomy, God tells the children of Israel they have a choice to make – life or death.  When we receive a prophetic word we still must make a choice.  In Deuteronomy 28 God clearly explains what will happen if we obey Him (blessings) and what will happen if we disobey Him (curses).  So if you receive a prophetic word choose life and obey God so that word will bear fruit.  If you disobey God you will nullify that word and it will not bear fruit.

We have several examples in the Bible.  Samson was chosen by God to judge the Israelites, but when Samson allowed his hair to be cut, the Lord departed from him.  Eli was chosen as a prophet but his sons lived wickedly, so God chose another.  King Saul was chosen and it was promised his family would reign, but King Saul disobeyed God, and God rejected Saul as King.  King Solomon was told to obey God but he failed and Israel was divided.  There are others who were chosen by God but did not experience the promises of God because of their disobedience.

It would be easy to label these men and women as false prophets but the word is given as seed form and we have to cultivate it.  If we give a prophetic word to others let us encourage them to obey God and move in faith.  We should also bring correction to them and remind them of the word spoken over their lives.  Ultimately it is our choice to work out these words in our lives and experience the fruit of God’s promises.

Finally, if we are going to publicly declare a prophetic word from God let us make sure it aligns with the testimony about Jesus. The world desperately needs to hear the prophesies of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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“You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

John 5:39-40 NASB

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Romans1:21NASB

I gave my life to Jesus Christ over 27 years ago.  I thought I knew everything I needed to learn about Jesus years ago.  Unfortunately, about two years ago I felt burnt out as a pastor and felt my faith waning.  I still believed in Jesus but my passion and fire for Him had waned.  I then set on a journey to get to know Jesus more intimately and not for the purpose of new material for sermons or writing, but for the sake of my own soul.

There is a spirit of familiarity with Jesus that plagues the body of Christ.  We have taken the idea of dominion authority and used it to further our own agendas and have neglected our reverence and love for Jesus.  We have been captured by the things of this world and have not grown in our knowledge or teachings of the gospel and Jesus Christ.  We are satisfied with a simple gospel track to hand out to others but not to live in reverence and in awe of our Savior.

As a result we have witnessed men and women who claimed to know Jesus, walk away from the church and the faith.  They feel that the requirements of Christianity are too constricting and have sought to find their own spiritual awakenings.  The truth is they do not fear Jesus.  We don’t fear Jesus.  We know He exists but we neither honor Him nor give thanks to Him.  Instead we complain and go after our “enemies”.  Lying to them and ourselves that Jesus functions as our Lord when in reality we have elevated ourselves above Him.

Many would say that they believe in Jesus and they acknowledge Him as the One and Only God.  However, it is our actions, our speech and our fruit that bears witness to how we view Jesus in our lives.  Jesus stated that if we love Him we would obey His commandments.  We don’t.

We search the scriptures to justify our own beliefs and to prove that we are right and others are wrong.  We glorify ourselves and demonize those that disagree with us.  We no longer testify about Jesus but about ourselves and the world we want created.

We no longer judge ourselves by Jesus’ demonstration or life.  We justify our actions and sins by quoting a prayer we said years ago.  We do not exemplify the life of Jesus.  We act as if Jesus simply lived, died and rose again so we could live how we saw fit to live in this life.

I realize in my journey in cultivating my relationship with Jesus, that we really have stopped teaching about Jesus.  He is no longer the center of our teaching and many just don’t know who He really is.  I have discovered so much about Jesus that we no longer discuss or demonstrate.  We have spent so much time making ourselves powerful.  We have designed our own truth.

As a church we need to refocus on Jesus. We need to return to the fullness of Jesus and begin to grow and mature in the knowledge of Him. We need to let go of self and make Jesus the center of our faith once again. We must stop chasing men and women to be our saviors. Ministries need to be built around Jesus Christ and not charismatic people. Jesus is our rock, the Head of the church. Let us go on a journey together to discover Jesus and testify about Him to a lost and dying world. Let us learn to Abide in Christ.

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“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

(more…)

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But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.”  Isaiah 53:10 NASB

 

When Jesus was baptized a voice came from heaven and declared “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NASB).  The Father was pleased with Jesus’ obedience and His life on earth.  God made this declaration even before Jesus started His ministry.  We see the love between the Father and the Son.  Jesus knew His purpose to fulfill the desire of the Father and carry out His will.

In another scene we see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, before His arrest, pleading with the Father about the cup of wrath He is about to bear.  Again Jesus surrenders His will to the Father’s and prays that God’s will be done. (Mark 14:35-36)

God designed man’s plan for salvation, from the moment Adam had sinned.  God knew the law could not save man and animal sacrifices were not enough to atone for mankind’s sin.  So God turned to Jesus in whom all things were created.  Jesus is the source of life and now God was ready to sacrifice His only begotten Son as a ransom for man’s sin.  Jesus was without sin.  Jesus did nothing wrong.  Jesus was obedient until His death on the cross.

God was not just pleased with a Jesus’ life but ain’t pleased God to crucify Jesus on the cross.  God found great pleasure in sacrificing Jesus so that mankind would be saved.  As much as God loved His Son Jesus, He desires to be reconciled to His creation.  God has given us the one thing that pleased Him the most and that was Jesus.

God is not interested in our human sacrifices.  He desires that we all will come to know His Son Jesus and put our faith in Him.  When God sees us He is reminded of the gift He gave us through a His son Jesus.  That is why salvation is a gift, Jesus fulfilled the law’s requirement of sin and death.  Jesus took our place so that we may live and be reconciled to God.

Jesus’ death on the cross was deemed a Good by the Father.  Jesus death put an end to the curse of sin and the damnation of mankind. Adam introduced sin and death into the world. As sin came through Adam, now salvation comes through Jesus.  Let us remember why we call this Good Friday – Jesus’ death was a good thing.

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