God Will Address The Evil Influence Of Apostate Religion

The cause of Israel’s idolatry had to be addressed. Jezebel had infected the pure worship of Jehovah with the idol worship of her ancestral god, Baal. She used her position as queen to force all of Israel to worship Baal. The time had come for Israel to choose who they would follow and the evil influence of apostate religion had to be eliminated. Elijah ordered that all the priests of Baal were to be killed to rid the kingdom of their evil influence. Good call, right? 1 Kings 19:1, “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.” Jezebel promised to do to Elijah what he had done to her priests and he ran for his life. He found himself all alone hiding away in a deep dark cave but it is there that he encountered the Almighty Lord God Jehovah. 1 Kings 19:11, “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

There are two issues that Elijah was challenged to address. One, how could he justify his hasty retreat in the face of such a victory at Mt. Carmel? And second, could he be used of God to finish his mission? Elijah began to justify his behavior and defend his cowardly retreat. He had been very zealous for God when the children of Israel had forsaken His covenant. They turned to the worship of Baal, having thrown down the altars of the Lord and slain the prophets of God. Elijah proclaimed that he was the only one left therefore they sought to take his life. God assured Elijah that there were “7000” that had not bowed to Baal or worshiped his image. God's command was to return to action and finish what God had started.

God was getting ready to administer His judgment upon this wicked government and apostate religion and He wanted Elijah to know his role. God was compelled to let him know what He was preparing to do. God was not finished with Elijah just yet! God wanted Elijah to know that He still had large numbers of the faithful who had not bowed to Baal. Elijah had a role in bringing God's plan to its completion. God said, go and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu to be king over Israel and Elisha to be the prophet in Elijah's place (1 Kings 19:17-18).

God uses whom He wills to bring about His plan! But we must have our Elijah moment, our own intimate encounter with God where He reveals our assignment in His plan. Holy Ghost revelation is absolutely essential in these last days. God wants to speak into our lives, into our churches and into the Body of Christ His directions for the culmination of His grand plan. But, we must position ourselves in mind, soul and spirit to hear His voice and heed His call.
The Message, p.25-26, available at Amazon.com.

God Is Always The Victor!

God is Sovereign in power and authority and when He is challenged He is always triumphant. In 1 Kings 18, we read Elijah's challenge to the priests of Baal. Sooner or later God will go head to head with disobedience. This was a pivotal time for the Israelis. 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” Then Elijah proposed a contest to determine the true God. The priests of Baal built an altar and prepared a sacrifice. The God who answered with fire would be recognized as the one and true God.

The priests of Baal called upon the name of Baal from morning till noon but there was no answer. They leaped about upon the altar they had prepared but still no answer. Elijah mocked them saying perhaps he is talking, on a long journey or even asleep. They cried aloud, cutting themselves until the blood gushed out. They continued their appeal until the time of the evening sacrifice but, “there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” 1 Kings 18:29. Baal never showed.

Elijah prepared his altar and sacrifice. Then he commanded, “...Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.” vs 33-34. Elijah prayed an anointed prayer and God answered. 1 Kings 18:36, “...LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” God answered Elijah's prayer. “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench,” 1 Kings 18:38. The people fell on their knees in acclamation that the Lord, He is God. God is supreme, the creator of all life, creator of all things. The only acceptable response for the created is to fall helplessly at His feet in total submission to His Sovereignty. God is always the Victor! The Message, p.24-25, available at Amazon.com.

Our Intimate Encounter With God! Part 3

“Elijah's name means 'Yahweh is God.' This is significant in a time when the worship of Baal threatened to eliminate the worship of Yahweh in Israel.”¹⁰ God ordained His prophet to call His people out of idolatry and back to Himself. The man of God cannot look upon sin and disobedience and go silently into the night. The Spirit of the Almighty God which possesses him requires the man of God to speak. Because of the wickedness of the leadership of Israel, God pronounced a drought over the land. 1 Kings 17:1, “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” The drought was the consequence of their sin but this was only the beginning of what God had planned for this rebellious people.

We are living in a time in which the lives of men parallel that of Elijah's day. The behavior and lifestyles in this generation require God’s intervention. Look for the Elijahs in this generation! Just as God sent Elijah to warn Israel of the coming judgment, God is sending forth a new generation of Elijahs. He or she may be your neighbor, co-worker, family member, teacher or pastor. Regardless of who he or she may be, God is raising up men and women full of His Spirit and full of His Word. They are speaking out against the disobedience of man and the wickedness in high places. High places being the spiritual realm and the idolatrous lives of men. The call of God is going forth to warn all men that the sin of disobedience is reaping God’s judgment. Just take a look around you, God is at work in our world. He is presently bringing His will to bear upon the actions of men and moving us closer to the consummation of all things in Christ Jesus. Wake up, repent and return to follow God. Our intimate encounter with Him will bring it to pass! (continued) The Message, p.24, available at Amazon.com.

10 Ryrie, Charles C. (1978). Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, note on 1 Kings 17:1

Our Intimate Encounter With God! Part 2

Our intimate encounter with God will spot-light any disobedience and the sin of disobedience will bring God’s judgment. You can follow this principle in 1 Kings as we read about the wicked leadership of Israel. On each occasion, God spoke through His prophet warning of the inevitable result of their disobedience. In order to fully understand the gravity of the egregious behavior and wicked deeds of this period, one must be familiar with the chapters preceding chapter 17. Through them, we have a better grasp of the setting in which Elijah lived and preached.

1 Kings 16:30, “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”

This is the beginning of the reign of Ahab over the nation of Israel. Ahab was one of the worst kings to ever rule in Israel. But probably the worst mistake that Ahab made while he was king was to take as his wife a Zidonian by the name of Jezebel. She was a very evil woman who worshiped the god of her ancestry, Baal. She asserted her influence as queen to force all of Israel to worship Baal. 1 Kings 16:33, “...and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” However, God sent Elijah to warn them of the coming judgment of God. (continued) The Message, p.23-24, available at Amazon.com.

Our Intimate Encounter With God!

Paul had his time of revelation as did other followers of God. Elijah is another example of the sustaining power of revelation from God. Elijah had his moment when he thought all was lost, he was all alone, and there was no hope to proceed further. But God had all under control.

1 Kings 19:11, “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

We need to have our personal “Elijah moment.” We must have Our Intimate Encounter with God in Christ Jesus. Everyone must have their Elijah moment, and must find that still small voice experience. We must hear what God is saying. Although Elijah was in the final phase of his life, this encounter with God changed his future. Here he was thinking that his cause was lost, everyone had deserted him and the battle was over but God was not finished with him.

We are in the final season of time and the hour of our deliverance is at hand but the climax, the crescendo, the grand finale is still to come. By faith in God we will inherit our promised end, and by obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will give ourselves to the consummation of all things. (continued), The Message, p.23, available at Amazon.com.

God's Purpose Is Always Secured In The Obedient Soul!

Acts 27:41, “And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves...43 the centurion...commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” God's process will run its course and in the end, His purpose is secured. How many times in our own lives have we survived on the broken pieces of our ship? The storms have been strong and the struggle bitter but we have stayed with God and our end is secured!

The sustaining factor in Paul's life was his relationship with Christ and the fact that he walked in revelation and inspiration. Having an intellectual understanding of scripture can be an advantage. Passion and zeal have their place in the Gospel. And even our incomplete understanding of God's plan is a beginning that we can build upon. But the bottom line is that we must walk in the revelation of Jesus Christ if we are to experience His perfect plan for our lives. Just as Paul had his intimate encounter with Jesus, we must do the same! That is what sustained Paul and that is what will sustain us!  The Message, p.22, available at Amazon.com.

 

God Fulfills His Promises!

Acts 27:27, “But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down...29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.” The third element of the God Factor was that they must stay in the ship continuing to exhibit faith in the revelation and Obedience to the man of God. God's plan of deliverance included the debris of the broken vessel, the vessel that had sustained them thus far. But they had to be willing to stay with the ship until she literally broke apart on the rocks. Those broken pieces became their salvation. When our circumstances are falling apart, we must stay true and obedient to God’s command in order to be saved.

Acts 27:33, “...Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you...36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.” The fast was concluded. They could take comfort that all would be saved and they were all (276) of good cheer. They continued in Faith and Obedience as they threw everything overboard to lighten the ship. They had done what they knew to do. Now was the time to allow the God Factor to bring the end to their storm. They took up the anchors and committed to the sea. Completely free of all encumbrances, completely sustained by the wind of God. (continued), The Message, p.21-22, available at Amazon.com.

We Are Sustained by God's Revelation! Part 2

God’s revelation will sustain us if we will hear His direction and obey His command. Acts 27:21, “But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.” Revelation from God ensures survival but there is still a requirement for individual participation. Three important elements of the God Factor come into play: Repentance, Faith, and Obedience.

Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him because it was more than Paul who had discouraged this voyage. It was God through Paul! How many times has God tried to warn us along our journey and we discounted the messenger who delivered the warning? But God always has the last word. We determine our outcome by our obedience or lack thereof! So, the first thing these sailors had to deal with was their decision to sail, admit that it was a mistake and be willing to change directions and follow Christ. The Bible calls this concept, Repentance. Second, they had to believe what Paul was telling them. This was the beginning of their Faith which would sustain them in the coming days. (continued) The Message, p. 20-21, available at Amazon.com.

We Are Sustained by God's Revelation!

In Acts 27 Paul had requested an audience with Caesar. He was in the custody of a Roman centurion and on his way to Rome. Acts 27:10, “And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter;” Paul had a revelation regarding this journey, but the centurion chose to listen to the captain rather than Paul. Why? Because it was not convenient to winter there, they wanted to proceed to Crete. Circumstance inspired them to continue on their journey rather than give heed to the revelation by the man of God. Inspiration that is driven by circumstance usually comes out of our own personal desire and intellect and usually does not end well.

Acts 27:13, “And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.” This again speaks to circumstance. A temporary change in circumstance can lull us into Satan's plan...v14, “But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind...18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” Three days and nights in the storm and now all is lost and there is no hope except for God! They were not including the God Factor. They drew their conclusions based on their knowledge and the circumstance. Many times our knowledge is not sufficient to draw the appropriate conclusion from our circumstance. Then we must go to God for revelation knowledge to chart the appropriate course. And it is that Revelation that sustains us! (continued) The Message, p.19-20, available at Amazon.com.

God's Truth Will Not Change!

God’s TRUTH remains the same from generation to generation. His TRUTH is the benchmark for all mankind’s thoughts and behavior. In our search for God's perfect plan for us, we must remain flexible (fluid, pliable). A healthy tree can remain strong in the storm but if there are disease and rot the storm will expose that weakness. The storms are coming and only the spiritual virtue of our heritage in Christ can sustain us. Any other foundation will crumble and fall under the pressure of the storm. If we walk in obedience to God, we have an appointed end as described by Jeremiah. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end,” Jer. 29:11. We can know our outcome if we will put our faith in Jesus.

Paul stated that his intention was to press toward the mark. Phil. 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” Paul knew from his experience that Christian growth is a daily challenge. He must have looked back many times to his Damascus road encounter with Jesus. That day, Paul received a revelation of who Jesus really was. He came face to face with the Son of God, the Redeemer of Israel, his Messiah and he knew it in the depth of his soul. That encounter was, no doubt, an indispensable strength to him as he ministered for Christ. And the Lord continued to speak to him and reveal His TRUTH. And He will continue to speak to us and reveal His TRUTH as we walk in obedience. (continued) The Message, p.18-19, available at Amazon.com.

God Will Confirm His Revelation by His Anointing!

There is a delicate balance in pursuing God into His revelation and pursuing our own inspiration. The determining factor is the anointing of the Holy Ghost. God will anoint His revelation and Holy Ghost inspiration but He will not anoint inspiration that is born out of our human intellect. His anointing signifies recognition and approval. We must secure the anointing of God upon our message. If not, our message is not God's message. The goal for all should be to be one with Christ in desire, purpose, and message.

There is much to be said about the influence of our religious heritage. However, we can’t be stuck (consumed) in religious tradition but neither can we lose the spiritual virtue of past generations. It is important to understand that all of us are continuing to evolve into the people that God desires that we become. And just as important that we understand that the Bride of Christ continues to evolve. Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Paul says that Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for it that the process of making herself ready might be accomplished by the washing of the Word. God's plan for the Body is established in the Word. It will not change but we, the frail human characters that we are, must find His perfect plan for us. (continued) The Message, p. 17-18, available at Amazon.com.

Will You Be An Overcomer? by Myra Boozer

Revelation 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Will you be in that number? The number of Believers...the number of those who will overcome? Will you allow God to break everything unlike Him off your life? Will you allow every stronghold to crumble and fall at His feet? Will you surrender to His Voice as He calls for you to daily take up His cross?

Will you be in that number? The number of Believers...the number of those who will overcome? Will you listen to His Direction? Will you follow as He Commands? Will you wash your robes in righteousness and be ready for His Coming? His Coming is at hand! Will you be used in His perfect plan and Reign with Him in His Kingdom?

Then you must break loose from all the chains that bind you. You must seek a Power greater than yourself to deliver you from all the chains of addiction and distraction... To be set free for the awesome task to be the extension of His Arm of strength and deliverance. Be the extension of His loving heart, His kind and gentle spirit, His meek and lowly ways, His patience, slow to anger, His forgiving and accepting ways for those who ask forgiveness and even those who don't. Be the extension of His Righteous Judgment to bring counsel to those who have questions...

Can you be of good Courage even in your Garden of Gethsemane? Be strong in this Day of Adversity... Be not puffed up with pride and conceit when His Blessings come down like rain. Love your enemies when they say all manner of evil against you. Know you are of the Royal Family, yet love and help those who are living in the gutters of despair.

Lord, we are ever pressing to be like you. We seek to have a broken and contrite heart... allowing you to count us worthy and add us to that number...The number of Believers...The number of those who will overcome. The number who will be like YOU!

Jude 1:20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

God Will Confirm the Truth of His Revelation!

The Church will respond correctly to Divine Revelation, therefore, God will confirm the Truth of His Revelation. The shepherds pursued after the revelation the angels delivered. “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger,” Luke 2:16. They were able to observe confirmation of the angels' announcement. When God confirms his Truth, there is always an expected result. Luke 2:17, “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” The revelation was a personal experience for the shepherds in so much that the encounter compelled them to seek the truth of the revelation. When God confirmed the truth of the revelation the expected result was that they would share with others the wonder of this event. Their experience compelled them to tell others about what they had seen. The greater circle or larger group that heard the message “wondered at those things which were told them.” The Bible doesn't elaborate on the effect this wonderful happening had upon the general public. But we can conclude with certainty that those who pursued the truth experienced revelation. “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” I am convinced that “wondering” takes place in the mind but “pondering” takes place in the heart. The wonder of the many was a transient emotion; this recollecting and brooding of Mary was an abiding habit. Mary had experienced revelation before! She was no stranger to the visitation of the heavenly and received the Divine herald in her heart. Revelation is a heart thing! (continued) The Message p. 17, available at Amazon.com.

The Church Will Respond Correctly to Divine Revelation!

The prophet Isaiah comes to mind. In Isaiah 6, he saw the Lord sitting on His throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. He responded in holy reverence by falling on his face in total submission, lying prostrate before the Lord and crying out, woe is me for I am undone. Revelation puts one in awe of how miraculous God is but brings the understanding that God wholly embraces the repentant. Isaiah came face to face with the grace of Almighty God.

How did the messenger from God respond to the fear of the shepherds? Luke:210, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,” God's revelation brought good tidings personally and “which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” These were glad tidings. The promise was not only to the shepherds but to ALL people.

We must respond to God's revelation with the appropriate action. The shepherds did just that. “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us,” Luke 2:15. God will validate and confirm His message. But we must be willing to pursue after the Truth. More often than not, God's revelation comes in steps, short messages, small pieces. In my experience, it has been much like a puzzle. Piece by piece you find its place until you can see the complete picture. (continued) The Message, p.16-17, available at Amazon.com.

The Church Will Receive Divine Revelation!

If the Church is to accurately interpret prophecy, the Church must be the recipient of Divine revelation. Consequently, we must recognize the element of revelation in our personal relationship with God and the completion of the ministry of the Church. We will experience competing doctrines and theories in our quest to understand God's Word. It is only through Divine revelation that we can know the TRUTH. There is a difference in a doctrine of error and an absence (lack) of understanding. We all lack understanding to some degree. But the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit will assist us in receiving the TRUTH if we will open our minds and hearts to it.

Revelation is a personal experience but will invariably affect the Church. A revelation may impact one person, a great number of people or generations of people. For instance, when the angel of the Lord announced the birth of the Messiah to lowly shepherds in Luke 2, they were alone in a rural area and the message was for them. Luke 2:8, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” They were in a field, apart from the traffic of nearby Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord spoke directly to these few shepherds alone in the countryside. His message was a message to them first and then meant to be shared with the world. First, the revelation was a personal experience. We can say that because they had a visual experience and it had a profound effect on them. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid,” Luke 2:9. Not only was it a personal experience but also an emotional experience. And as with most revelations from God, this experience was accompanied by awe and reverence. In some instances when God reveals Himself to us, we respond in utter disbelief that it could be happening. This scene causes my heart to proclaim, “WOW, WOW, WOW.” No doubt they were paralyzed with fear. But God always comforts (to give strength and hope)⁶ and reassures (to make feel less afraid, upset, or doubtful)⁷ when we recognize (to know and remember because of previous knowledge or experience)⁸ Him and respond properly (so that it is right, true, proper, etc..)⁹ So what is the proper way to respond to a revelation from God? One should respond with holy reverence and submission. (continued) The Message, p.15-16, available at Amazon.com.

6 Comfort. 2016. In Merriam-Webster.com

Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort

7 Reassure. 2016. In Merriam-Webster.com

Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reassure

8 Recognize. 2016. In Merriam-Webster.com

Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognize

9 Properly. 2016. In Merriam-Webster.com

Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/properly

The Church Must Accurately Interpret Prophecy!

We must approach the prophetic with Holy fear and reverence. We can not afford to misinterpret God's message. Accurate interpretation of prophecy is critical to the mission of the Church. If we don't know then we don't know! We need to wait for God's revelation in the matter. There are times and seasons for God's message. For example, much of the writings of Daniel have dual applications. They were to reach out over the expanse of time affecting succeeding generations. However, the last chapter deals with the last days of Israel and we can conclude from the language that the revelation of these prophecies will be understood in God's timing. Daniel 12:4, “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.” He appears to indicate that “as the end approaches that people will travel about seeking to discover what the future holds. Even Daniel did not understand all the prophecies.”⁵ Daniel 12:8, “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” The Message, p.14, available at Amazon.com.

5 Ryrie, Charles C. (1978). Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, note on Daniel 12:4

 

 

Let Me See You Jesus! by Myra Boozer

Let me see You Jesus, high and lifted up in Your Glory, in Your wealthy prominent estate. For You are rich in Royalty and flow with Grandeur. You are covered in the precious Anointing of Your Father.

But first, I see you differently. I see You as one cast down upon a stone, crushed as an olive... There You give forth the healing balm to all who believe in You…I see You being stricken with great ridicule and yet You are humble and You never lash back.

I see you being mocked and despised by those that have little or no regard for who You are... But you say not one word.

I see you cast aside as a foreigner by those who once loved you and called you Lord...yet you still love them...

I see you forgotten and forsaken by those of your own Household... You still call them Your people.

I see you thrown into the pit as Joseph and pushed into the crowds of the homeless, the rejected, the despised... Yet you are The Master of all things.

Yes, You were held a short season by those who were blinded by their doctrine, traditions and selfish motives...those whom God allowed.

The same is happening today...Many are blind and they do not see the evil doctrines and hideous acts they are condoning...pushing you completely out of their lives. Many are cold, heartless and rebellious. You are still calling out to them in Your Mercy.

You are being crucified afresh...tortured by the heathen and they see you not. For You are the Son of God... and they are blind.

They give you no esteem for being who you are...They cast you down and consider You useless to them...They consider you powerless and weak, crumbling under their rejection of You...They seem to despise what You represent...Holiness...Truth...and Life.

Lord I am captured by Your love for mankind...that You suffered and died for all who would call on Your Name...You went through much agony for us to be with You one day... I see You Strong and Mighty, full of Righteousness, High and Lifted up...Coming in Splendor to receive unto Yourself...Your chosen Ones...Those who call You Lord...Those who are willing to die for You if need be...mjb

What's Ahead? Part 2

Time is passing swiftly. We are at the beginning of a new month and soon to see the birth of a new year. As I am writing this, we are getting reports of new atrocities taking place against Christians in Iraq. What lies before us only our heavenly Father knows. God knows what He wants to happen in our world today. Every living soul is posed with the decision of whether to heed the leading of God or to choose and alternative. Many are struggling to define God’s purpose and will for today while others are literally giving their life’s blood in the name of Jesus. All over the world every person has that choice and God’s Spirit is striving with us all. But, it shall not always be for the Bible says, “...My spirit shall not always strive with man...” Genesis 6:3.

God is dealing with all of us as individuals urging us to follow His path. For some, God will make His presence known in a very strong and profound manner. For others it may be less conspicuous. However, God will expose the world to His influence and every person will make the choice to follow or not. Thereby, we choose the course of our lives and the inevitable end of that choice.

The leaders of governments will make decisions today that will bring them and their system of government more inline with the justice and rule of God’s law or their decisions will put them in opposition to God. It is called “anti-Christ” and the leaders of nations are making that choice today. Thereby those choices will put them on an inevitable collision with the judgment of God. Many have already made their choice and are suffering the pains of Divine judgment.

Our heavenly Father knows the way that we should take. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We must walk close to Him so He may convey His direction to us. He will direct our steps if we will hear and obey His voice. John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Our relationship must be such that we will hear and willingly consent to His guidance. He will lead us! He will be all that we need Him to be! He will never leave us nor forsake us! Glory to the name of Jesus our Christ! Amen!!!