This prophecy was given back in 1965 and I believe it is very pertinent for today.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Stand before the Lord
“For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12)
As we go through rough times in our life, for most of us, in the back of our minds we feel there is someone or something “out there” that can help, guide or comfort us besides the Lord. It might be family, a friend, a doctor, a lawyer, our money, the church or the government. Yet we will sing the song to the Lord that says, “He’s all I need” and to an extent we believe that and it is true, as least for those who that have truly committed their life’s to him and daily pick up their cross to follow him.
But there is coming a time, and I believe it is fast approaching us, when the Lord would have us put aside all the crutches we have used in this life and look only to the Lord. God is looking for a people that will hear HIS voice, trust and follow HIM; even if they are totally alone they will not fail, because they KNOW their God. They will recognize HIS voice, whether it is through another person or directly to them by the Holy Spirit. We need to stop depending on a preacher or a teacher to tell us what is in the Word or what God’s will is for us or what is going on in these last days. While we can share and have fellowship with one another, our leadership needs to come from the Lord alone!
This is a new concept to many that are in the religious church system today. They look up to a “Pastor” as their spiritual head, and go to him for their spiritual needs. This is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which God hates! The power of the clergy over the laity.
(Revelation 2:6) "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."(Revelation 2:15) "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."
If you don’t think this is true, how many could give a word from the Lord to the assembly they attend without first getting permission? What if God gave you a song to sing? Or would you first have to get permission from the “powers that be” in your assembly? If the Holy Spirit is directing you, why would you need to go to a man for permission in a place that claims to be of the Lord? Let us agree that the church system today is not setup that way, it would not be “practical”. It is not a “normal” thing for them to do; it would be too disruptive and confusing with their large crowds. But their way is NOT the way of the Lord and NOT the way the first assemblies were held in the days of the Apostles. Therefore it does not encourage that kind of personal relationship all members should have with the Lord ……so that problem doesn’t arise much. But God is going to shake all that up! And through tribulation, will cause his people to call on him.....and him alone.
The Lord really brought all this home to me the other day…the seriousness of what we are about to see….and what some of us may go through….and the absolute necessity of following the Lord for ourselves. While in prayer the other day the Holy Spirit came on me and I began to pray earnestly in the spirit. Then I heard the voice of the Lord say...."So you want to answer directly to me do you?".....an invitation….. And the fear of the Lord came on me, for a moment I had a real revelation of what it meant to have NO ONE to look to but God! To stand before God all alone. Later, I thought of how the Children of Israel told Moses “You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:19)
Even though many of us are outside of the religious system, God has brought us together with others. We learn from each other, encourage one another in the Lord and share sweet fellowship. We, or at least I, have thought of this as a "group" thing and it is as far as the Body of Christ is concerned as a whole....we are fitly joined together in the spirit.....But in the natural there is coming a time that some of us will no longer have this luxury, I think. Have you ever thought who Jesus had to talk to besides the father? All his "guidance" came from the father....there was no contemporary for him to "bounce" things off of. He taught his disciples, but he did not have that kind of a relationship with them at that time....
This has brought me to my knees afresh. I thank the Lord for the growing relationship he has brought me into with him these last few years and his constant love and guidance….but all I can think right now is I need to know him SO MUCH more!!!! We need to know HIM and HIS voice…..and follow him where ever he goes.
These are they who have not defiled themselves by relations with women (the apostate church?), for they are [pure as] virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are they who have been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from among men as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)
As we go through rough times in our life, for most of us, in the back of our minds we feel there is someone or something “out there” that can help, guide or comfort us besides the Lord. It might be family, a friend, a doctor, a lawyer, our money, the church or the government. Yet we will sing the song to the Lord that says, “He’s all I need” and to an extent we believe that and it is true, as least for those who that have truly committed their life’s to him and daily pick up their cross to follow him.
But there is coming a time, and I believe it is fast approaching us, when the Lord would have us put aside all the crutches we have used in this life and look only to the Lord. God is looking for a people that will hear HIS voice, trust and follow HIM; even if they are totally alone they will not fail, because they KNOW their God. They will recognize HIS voice, whether it is through another person or directly to them by the Holy Spirit. We need to stop depending on a preacher or a teacher to tell us what is in the Word or what God’s will is for us or what is going on in these last days. While we can share and have fellowship with one another, our leadership needs to come from the Lord alone!
This is a new concept to many that are in the religious church system today. They look up to a “Pastor” as their spiritual head, and go to him for their spiritual needs. This is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which God hates! The power of the clergy over the laity.
(Revelation 2:6) "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."(Revelation 2:15) "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."
If you don’t think this is true, how many could give a word from the Lord to the assembly they attend without first getting permission? What if God gave you a song to sing? Or would you first have to get permission from the “powers that be” in your assembly? If the Holy Spirit is directing you, why would you need to go to a man for permission in a place that claims to be of the Lord? Let us agree that the church system today is not setup that way, it would not be “practical”. It is not a “normal” thing for them to do; it would be too disruptive and confusing with their large crowds. But their way is NOT the way of the Lord and NOT the way the first assemblies were held in the days of the Apostles. Therefore it does not encourage that kind of personal relationship all members should have with the Lord ……so that problem doesn’t arise much. But God is going to shake all that up! And through tribulation, will cause his people to call on him.....and him alone.
The Lord really brought all this home to me the other day…the seriousness of what we are about to see….and what some of us may go through….and the absolute necessity of following the Lord for ourselves. While in prayer the other day the Holy Spirit came on me and I began to pray earnestly in the spirit. Then I heard the voice of the Lord say...."So you want to answer directly to me do you?".....an invitation….. And the fear of the Lord came on me, for a moment I had a real revelation of what it meant to have NO ONE to look to but God! To stand before God all alone. Later, I thought of how the Children of Israel told Moses “You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:19)
Even though many of us are outside of the religious system, God has brought us together with others. We learn from each other, encourage one another in the Lord and share sweet fellowship. We, or at least I, have thought of this as a "group" thing and it is as far as the Body of Christ is concerned as a whole....we are fitly joined together in the spirit.....But in the natural there is coming a time that some of us will no longer have this luxury, I think. Have you ever thought who Jesus had to talk to besides the father? All his "guidance" came from the father....there was no contemporary for him to "bounce" things off of. He taught his disciples, but he did not have that kind of a relationship with them at that time....
This has brought me to my knees afresh. I thank the Lord for the growing relationship he has brought me into with him these last few years and his constant love and guidance….but all I can think right now is I need to know him SO MUCH more!!!! We need to know HIM and HIS voice…..and follow him where ever he goes.
These are they who have not defiled themselves by relations with women (the apostate church?), for they are [pure as] virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are they who have been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from among men as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
BREAD OF LIFE!
BREAD OF LIFE!
Consider these words... let them sink in...
I AM the Bread of Life!
He that comes to ME, will never hunger... and he that Believes on ME will never thirst.
Jesus spoke these words over two millennia ago, yet they are as powerful and vital today as the moment that He first uttered them. How so? Because God is a Spirit... He created time, (as we know it in these mortal bodies of clay), but He is in no way limited by time. Jesus, The Christ, is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Not a single one of His words will ever return to Him void, but will accomplish that to which it was sent.
These words speak to our inner man... that spirit being within each one of us. Now, even as then, Christ's words fall upon carnal ears and understanding, while the carnal intellect tries to make sense of them. And now, even as then, these same words also fall upon spiritual ears that are hungering and thirsting in this wasteland of sin and misery... ears that can spiritually discern the truths contained in these simple terms.
I Am the Bread of Life! Jesus is making a statement of FACT... there is no margin for error here... no 'maybe,' no 'I could be.' HE IS... the 'I AM.' This is the first thing that we need to come to grips with.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4.
Forget all of your theological training. Forget all of your opinions and theories. Throw away all of your fancy charts and graphs created by men in an attempt to 'figure out' the 'Plan of God' in a logical, predictable way. We are inundated with the teachings of men, while we are starving for the Life-Giving Bread that is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the WORD. Jesus is the LIFE. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" John 1:14.
Hear what Jesus said:
Consider these words... let them sink in...
I AM the Bread of Life!
He that comes to ME, will never hunger... and he that Believes on ME will never thirst.
Jesus spoke these words over two millennia ago, yet they are as powerful and vital today as the moment that He first uttered them. How so? Because God is a Spirit... He created time, (as we know it in these mortal bodies of clay), but He is in no way limited by time. Jesus, The Christ, is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Not a single one of His words will ever return to Him void, but will accomplish that to which it was sent.
These words speak to our inner man... that spirit being within each one of us. Now, even as then, Christ's words fall upon carnal ears and understanding, while the carnal intellect tries to make sense of them. And now, even as then, these same words also fall upon spiritual ears that are hungering and thirsting in this wasteland of sin and misery... ears that can spiritually discern the truths contained in these simple terms.
I Am the Bread of Life! Jesus is making a statement of FACT... there is no margin for error here... no 'maybe,' no 'I could be.' HE IS... the 'I AM.' This is the first thing that we need to come to grips with.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4.
Forget all of your theological training. Forget all of your opinions and theories. Throw away all of your fancy charts and graphs created by men in an attempt to 'figure out' the 'Plan of God' in a logical, predictable way. We are inundated with the teachings of men, while we are starving for the Life-Giving Bread that is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the WORD. Jesus is the LIFE. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" John 1:14.
Hear what Jesus said:
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Deceiving....and Being Deceived
(2 Timothy 3:13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The following is a word the Lord gave me last year about the Angel of Light.
The following is a word the Lord gave me last year about the Angel of Light.
Satan, as the Anti-Christ Spirit, has been masquerading as an Angel of Light, and he has been given power to deceive many even the "very elect" if it were possible in these last days.
"And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light."(2 Corinthians 11:14)
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24)
The word "light" in the above scripture is the Greek work "phos" meaning - to shine or to make manifest. From this root word also comes the word "photizo: as in 1 Corinthians 4:5 “to bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest”
1) to give light, to shine
2) to enlighten, light up, illumine
3) to bring to light, render evident
a) to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
4) to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge
a) to instruct, to inform, teach
b) to give understanding to
With the above definition of Greek word for "light" we can understand that 2 Cor. 11:14 is saying that Satan comes as an angel of light, giving "understanding" of spiritual things. It is a false light with a false understanding of spiritual things.
Paul had to deal with the false "angel of light" in his day, but said it would become much worse in the last days. Even as Jesus himself warned: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."(Matthew 24:24)
Paul had to deal with the false "angel of light" in his day, but said it would become much worse in the last days. Even as Jesus himself warned: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."(Matthew 24:24)
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"(1 Timothy 4:1)
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1)
We know that in these last days God will be shedding more light and revealing truth that had previously been hidden. Many things have been "sealed" until the "time of the end". God revealed mysteries to Paul that had been "kept secret" to all previous generations , he wrote:
"...the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," (Romans 16:25)
"...how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hathnow been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;" (Ephesians 3:3-5)
Revelation means to bring to light that which was hidden, disclosure of truth, instruction concerning things before unknown. Things that Daniel wrote thousands of years ago have been sealed until our time.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4)
As Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1, these are perilous days we are in. And as God is revealing truth to his body, Satan will try to deceive "even the elect" if he can with His own brand of the "truth". Satan has had 2000 years to perfect masquerading as this angel of light. There has been a great falling away from the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom as it was first preached by the apostles. God is now returning the truth of this Gospel to his people. It is the powerthat can transform us into that a people He is looking for, it is a "church" without spot or wrinkle.
It will not be easy to deceive those who seek Christ for truth; Satan will have to cloak the deception in the midst of much truth, becoming a master of deception as the "angle of light". I believe He will use the scriptures as His biggest tool to try to deceive the elect, he knows them well and knows how to twist them. He will put scriptures together and make it seem logical and right, but will be doctrines of devils. Those who are not willing to lay down ALL other props for guidance, rather than trusting in Christ to being led by His Spirit and have not received a love of the truth no matter what it might cost them, will be deceived in one fashion or another.
It will not be easy to deceive those who seek Christ for truth; Satan will have to cloak the deception in the midst of much truth, becoming a master of deception as the "angle of light". I believe He will use the scriptures as His biggest tool to try to deceive the elect, he knows them well and knows how to twist them. He will put scriptures together and make it seem logical and right, but will be doctrines of devils. Those who are not willing to lay down ALL other props for guidance, rather than trusting in Christ to being led by His Spirit and have not received a love of the truth no matter what it might cost them, will be deceived in one fashion or another.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditionof men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
The word for today is BEWARE. Beware of the traditions and "religions" of men. Beware of the "rudiments" of the world. A definition of "rudiments" is: a statement of fundamental facts or principles. It is human reasonings rather that being led by Christ. If we hold to any of these things, our traditional way of doing things or our reasoning, even our own understanding of scripture if it is contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, it will become an "idol of our heart" and will leave us open to deception. There is no other sure foundation than Christ and being led by His Spirit. If we look to anything else besides Him, it will become a stumbling block for us and we will not see the truth and will be deceived. God will give us over to believe this counterfeit "angel of light" and will believe the lie unto our own destruction.
(Ezekiel 14:4) "Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Every man of the house of Israel that taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I Jehovah will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols;"
In these last days there will be wonderful revelations from the Lord returning us to true holiness, and pure word from Him. We must judge all things through Christ and He will be faithful to lead us to the "Life" that manifests His nature...the "church" without spot or wrinkle.
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." - (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Eye On The Prize
"All of us, with unveiled face, continued to behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)
"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
Simple?* No! Four thousand years to explain it…..two thousand years to demonstrate it. And now, when we are told it is impossible, we will see the fulfillment of it.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)
"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
Simple?* No! Four thousand years to explain it…..two thousand years to demonstrate it. And now, when we are told it is impossible, we will see the fulfillment of it.
The verses above apply to a time we will see before the literal return of our Lord Jesus Christ as explained in Acts 1:11.
"But we are citizens of the state which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)
We will have an “appearing” IN us…..Christ manifesting HIS life in us before that “Great and terrible Day of the Lord!
Keeping our eyes on the prize, allowing him to conform us into his image, minding the things that are above and not on earthly things. In this we will have our rest…yet there remains a rest for us…..when we shall see him coming to dwell in his body.
"For if Joshua had given them rest, He [God] would not speak afterward about another day. So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God; For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own. Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience." (Hebrews 4:8-11)
It is Christ and not our own efforts any longer. He must increase and we must decrease.
Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; he goes and sells all he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44). And again he says it is like finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:46) Jesus describes the kingdom many different ways in scripture….but one things is sure…..when we find it…we will give up all to have it! We will not be willing to let it go for a bowl of pottage as Esau did.
Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; he goes and sells all he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44). And again he says it is like finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:46) Jesus describes the kingdom many different ways in scripture….but one things is sure…..when we find it…we will give up all to have it! We will not be willing to let it go for a bowl of pottage as Esau did.
*Note: (2 Corinthians 11:3) "But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ." Three times King James translates the word “sincere” (Greek: haplotes) as simplicity, from this they say the Gospel is simple….this whole idea comes from ONE misinterpreted word!
Strong’s definition of the Greek word "haplotes":
1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty
a) the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generousity
1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty
a) the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generousity
Friday, October 10, 2008
His Voice and Not Another
Hbr 5:13-14) “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Brothers and Sisters, if there was ever a time to start getting it right….it is now. Many of us have been saved for many years but have not grown past the childhood stage in the Lord. But we will not survive in these last days living on stale milk.
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
It is time to grow up and forsake the ways of the world. Many believe that just putting away the “fleshly sins” found in Gal 5:19-21 and not “running with the crowd” that live such lifestyles is all there is to “coming out of the world”. But this alone is NOT forsaking the ways of the world. Growing up involves so much more than that, it cuts to the very core of our own understanding. Growing up is truly becoming as a child, depending on our father for everything. (Pro 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”)
(1Co 2:12-14) “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Let us put aside our own reasoning and forsake our own ways. Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Man’s reasoning’s are the way of the world.…..We must stop trying to figure everything out with our own wisdom and understanding….if not, we will drown out the voice of the Lord….we must be quiet in our own reasoning so we are able to clearly hear the “still small voice” of the Lord and to be led by him.
When we look at scriptures with our carnal mind and reasoning we will be like Paul said: (2 Timothy 3:7) “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to lead us into all truth”.
Jhn 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Luk 24:45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
Whether we are reading scripture or listening to someone teach we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open up the word of truth to us. So many times things sound good to our natural understanding, but learning the difference between our own understanding and a revelation from the Holy Spirit is the only way we will not fall into deception.
If we do not have a genuine love of the truth, and a desire the follow the Lord where ever he leads us, we are dead in the water before we even get started. The scriptures tell us that only a small remnant of people will truly seek the Lord in this way. Most will be as Paul describes: (2Ti 4:3-4) “they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
This a dangerous place to be! If we continue to lean unto our own understanding and follow what “seems” right to us, we have opened up a door for Satan to enter in and deceive us. This is what the following scripture is talking about…it is the anti-christ spirit who will be able to deceive and is deceiving many now who call themselves Christians. (2Th 2:9) “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” They had picked out for themselves teachers that told them only good things and how to live in pleasure. You will notice, the scripture isn’t talking about people in the world, but those in the “church”. And make no mistake….it is happening NOW!
(2Th 2:10-12) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We have awesome promises from the Lord if we walk in his light and not our own. Being weak, so he can be strong, even blind so we can see through his eyes.
Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
In our carnal mind this seems impossible, the job too big, how can we know when it is the right voice or not…..especially when it seems to go against everything we know. There are so many voices to listen to. There are our thoughts, then all the advice from other people, and then there are all the religious teachings that is so ingrained in us.
But through the entire maze we find comfort in the scriptures. In John the 10th Chapter Jesus tells us that his sheep will know his voice and will follow him. He said that his sheep will not follow another. That means we will not follow any other man, for we cannot climb into the sheepfold on another’s back no matter how holy they are. We are required to have our own relationship with the Lord and hear from him for ourselves.
Though we can hear the Spirit of the Lord through others, it is the Lord that we follow. They are only sign posts pointing to the him. It is God’s choice on how he speaks to us and he has been known to use even a donkey (22th Chapter of 1 Kings).
(Joh 10:27) “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.”
If we seek the Lord with our whole heart, we know “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hbr 11:6) We have faith to know he will do as he said, he will cause us to hear and follow his voice, it will rest on his shoulders, not ours. For we can do nothing of ourselves.
This is the faith we have, as scriptures say: “The just shall live by faith!” If Jesus said we would hear his voice and follow him…..then we just believe that we will do exactly that. Not because we are so smart, but because the Lord will have mercy on us and perform this work in us because we ARE weak. Praise his Holy Name!
As the world is falling in to turmoil and great confusion all around us, we know these things must come to pass. We are to fear not, he will lead us through.
Brothers and Sisters, if there was ever a time to start getting it right….it is now. Many of us have been saved for many years but have not grown past the childhood stage in the Lord. But we will not survive in these last days living on stale milk.
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
It is time to grow up and forsake the ways of the world. Many believe that just putting away the “fleshly sins” found in Gal 5:19-21 and not “running with the crowd” that live such lifestyles is all there is to “coming out of the world”. But this alone is NOT forsaking the ways of the world. Growing up involves so much more than that, it cuts to the very core of our own understanding. Growing up is truly becoming as a child, depending on our father for everything. (Pro 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”)
(1Co 2:12-14) “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Let us put aside our own reasoning and forsake our own ways. Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Man’s reasoning’s are the way of the world.…..We must stop trying to figure everything out with our own wisdom and understanding….if not, we will drown out the voice of the Lord….we must be quiet in our own reasoning so we are able to clearly hear the “still small voice” of the Lord and to be led by him.
When we look at scriptures with our carnal mind and reasoning we will be like Paul said: (2 Timothy 3:7) “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to lead us into all truth”.
Jhn 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Luk 24:45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
Whether we are reading scripture or listening to someone teach we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open up the word of truth to us. So many times things sound good to our natural understanding, but learning the difference between our own understanding and a revelation from the Holy Spirit is the only way we will not fall into deception.
If we do not have a genuine love of the truth, and a desire the follow the Lord where ever he leads us, we are dead in the water before we even get started. The scriptures tell us that only a small remnant of people will truly seek the Lord in this way. Most will be as Paul describes: (2Ti 4:3-4) “they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
This a dangerous place to be! If we continue to lean unto our own understanding and follow what “seems” right to us, we have opened up a door for Satan to enter in and deceive us. This is what the following scripture is talking about…it is the anti-christ spirit who will be able to deceive and is deceiving many now who call themselves Christians. (2Th 2:9) “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” They had picked out for themselves teachers that told them only good things and how to live in pleasure. You will notice, the scripture isn’t talking about people in the world, but those in the “church”. And make no mistake….it is happening NOW!
(2Th 2:10-12) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We have awesome promises from the Lord if we walk in his light and not our own. Being weak, so he can be strong, even blind so we can see through his eyes.
Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
In our carnal mind this seems impossible, the job too big, how can we know when it is the right voice or not…..especially when it seems to go against everything we know. There are so many voices to listen to. There are our thoughts, then all the advice from other people, and then there are all the religious teachings that is so ingrained in us.
But through the entire maze we find comfort in the scriptures. In John the 10th Chapter Jesus tells us that his sheep will know his voice and will follow him. He said that his sheep will not follow another. That means we will not follow any other man, for we cannot climb into the sheepfold on another’s back no matter how holy they are. We are required to have our own relationship with the Lord and hear from him for ourselves.
Though we can hear the Spirit of the Lord through others, it is the Lord that we follow. They are only sign posts pointing to the him. It is God’s choice on how he speaks to us and he has been known to use even a donkey (22th Chapter of 1 Kings).
(Joh 10:27) “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.”
If we seek the Lord with our whole heart, we know “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hbr 11:6) We have faith to know he will do as he said, he will cause us to hear and follow his voice, it will rest on his shoulders, not ours. For we can do nothing of ourselves.
This is the faith we have, as scriptures say: “The just shall live by faith!” If Jesus said we would hear his voice and follow him…..then we just believe that we will do exactly that. Not because we are so smart, but because the Lord will have mercy on us and perform this work in us because we ARE weak. Praise his Holy Name!
As the world is falling in to turmoil and great confusion all around us, we know these things must come to pass. We are to fear not, he will lead us through.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Hab 3:17-19
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Hab 3:17-19
Let us take our rest in him. Amen!
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