Make the News

This morning as I sat down to pray, I instead began to peruse the news. As I did I heard a whisper, “Be the news.” I paused and reflected. I knew it was the voice of my beloved Holy Spirit. What did He mean by, “Be the news”?

Well Christians, we get to change the world. Not only are we salt and light, but we also have an audience with the One who rules over all. Think about that.

Queen Esther comes to mind. Queen Esther didn’t have the power to thwart the plans of Haman, but King Ahasuerus did. Haman wanted all of God’s people put to death, because he hated Mordecai, Esther’s uncle. But Esther in wisdom intervened. She petitioned her husband, King Ahasuerus, on behalf of her people, putting her own life at risk.

Esther is a beautiful type of Christ and His church: us. We get to petition our King too, for whatever concerns us.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Our requests matter to God. He is interested in our requests, like a Father with His kids. Furthermore, 1 John 5 says:

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

God’s will isn’t a mystery. He is pretty clear in His word about His will. And where we aren’t sure, we request. In Esther’s case, Mordecai said that God would bring about the deliverance of the Jews through someone else, if Esther wouldn’t intercede on behalf of her people. I want to be a part of what God is up to, don’t you? That was God’s point about “Be the News.” We get to engage with God and then He changes things, all because we asked. If this wasn’t the case it would nullify many scriptures. Think about the headlines: “Jews saved from Haman” knowing it was your prayer group who went to war against the spirit behind the Haman. Wouldn’t that be awesome! Well, it can be you. You can be the Esther in your family, your church, your city, and your nation.

Too often we give up because we don’t see results. We must reconcile that either God hears and answers prayer or He doesn’t. Which is it? Jesus told a parable in Luke 18 saying “… men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Faith reaches beyond what we see into the unseen. Faith grabs ahold of the things God has said and brings them into our reality.

As I write this I’m thinking about all who will read this who have unsaved family members—children and elderly parents, vision from God that is getting dusty and faint, our nation – your nation – that need revival.

If we don’t pray, who will?

Let’s pray again.

Let’s see God work.

Don’t give up saint.

He hears us.

Everyone has Theology

Theology is the study of God and His ways, beliefs about God, and or beliefs about religion. The word comes from two Greek words: “theo” meaning “God” and “ology” meaning “the study of.” Cambridge states theology as: "the study of religion and religious belief, or a set of beliefs about a particular religion." Hence, theology is the study of God and or beliefs about God and or religion.

Everyone has theology.

Not everyone has correct theology.

And no one has all theology.

Why is it that some Christians are hostile towards theology? It makes no sense to me. Theology is study leading to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and His ways.

Paul, the apostle, bellowed: …that I may know Him (Philippians 3:10). Paul prays:

…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…

Ephesians 1: 17-18

Knowledge is good, and yet, knowledge of the Bible does not mean that one knows God. The Word of God reveals God. Jesus is the Word, the Logos, of God (John 1: In the beginning was the Word (Logos) and the Word (Logos) was with God and the Word (Logos) was God). Why wouldn’t someone who is a believer in Jesus Christ want to know Him? Belief in Jesus Christ and knowledge of Jesus Christ are related, but different. The only way to know God with certainty is to know Him through His Word: Logos. That takes an interaction with the Holy Spirit as He reveals God to us through what is written. 

Luke carefully investigated and then wrote the exact truth in order to teach others. The Gospel of Luke begins:

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word [Logos], 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write [it] out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

Luke 1:1-4

How can we accurately handle the Word of God unless we have correct knowledge of it? Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Furthermore, God said in Hosea 4:6 that His people were destroyed due to their lack of knowledge. Teaching in the Charismatic church is far underrated, which has led to great problems in both practice and understanding.

God deliberately hides truth treasures for us in His word that we might ravish in their finding through depth of study. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2). Yes, the Holy Spirit must be involved, for it is He who takes the things of Jesus and reveals them to us (John 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit can and does reveal the things of Jesus at random, however, He also delights in revealing the things of Jesus through study. As the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters during Creation (Genesis 1:2), so too He continues to move over the water of the Word on the pages and the word we have stored within us.  

When discoursing about theology, people have rebutted with “the greatest of these is love”; basically saying, “You take your theology and I’ll love instead.” True, 1 Corinthians 13 states that the greatest of faith, hope, and love is love, but how do they know that? It is through knowledge of His Word. His Word revealed that love is indeed greatest (1 Corinthians 13). Loving God and loving people sum up the whole Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Again, how do we know that? It is through knowledge of His Word. Contrary to popular opinion, what is love? Was Jesus loving when He calculatedly wove together the whip used on the money changers? Was He loving when He told the adulteress to stop sinning, or when He struck Paul blind, or when He told the churches in Revelation to repent or else…? Yes, God is love and love is the greatest, but love is not always soft or sweet.

Love is strong.

Love is powerful.

Love leads to changed lives.

…sometimes through painful means.

We want to know God accurately through the study of His Word and experientially through encounters with the Holy Spirit. How do we know if the experiences we encounter are the Holy Spirit? It is through knowing the Word and knowing the Holy Spirit both. The Word and the Spirit agree. 1 John 5:13 states: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. But 1 John 3:24 says that we know by the Spirit He has given to us. So which is it? Both. We know we are His children because His Spirit testifies within us of the truth which is written.

Get out your Bible and read it.

Let it heal the raw, bring comfort, and restore.

Let it speak to you.

Let it refresh you.

And let it rip you apart when needed and then put you back together again.

It is a powerful sword... 

For the word [Logos] of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Hebrews 4:12-13

Remembering Nineveh

Remembering Nineveh

In such times as these we must remember the heart of God is to relent from judgment and harm.

 

Lance Wallnau’s clip brings to light much of the tension in our government and consequently our country, which, in fact, is a reflection of the tension in the spiritual realm. See Lance’s clip at:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clW_O4g58H8

In Lance’s clip he reads notes taken from a meeting where President Trump talked to Christian leaders in late August 2018. President Trump was quoted as saying that there would be a crash in the USA if the democrats got control of the House and Senate. The intense rage against our president is witness itself of the unseen spiritual warfare surrounding this man.

Lance mentions a revelation that Heidi Baker said she saw in his clip. Heidi saw soup lines lined with the wealthy in rich attire as a result of an incredible turn in the US economy. If this is from the Lord, then it is not the final word He speaks on it. Often prophetic words are spoken to get a response from God’s people. Heidi, as do the rest of the prophetic people, prophesies in part, because she only knows in part. Other parts of the body are supposed to complete what she saw by also receiving revelation from the Holy Spirit. Can the downturn in the US be stopped? Can the US be saved in our day? There are three portions of scripture that come to mind: Jonah, Habakkuk, and Lamentations.  

O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.

                                        Habakkuk 3:2 

To paraphrase Habakkuk: “Lord, I have heard what You said and it has made me afraid. But Lord I know You, I know Your heart is to relent from hard. Therefore, Lord, I pray to You concerning Your words. Oh Lord, we are guilty as You know. We ask You to again breathe life for we are in desperate need. In our days, O Lord, in our days bring revival. And though we are guilty as a nation due to our many sins, have mercy, Lord. Deal with us according to Your mercy and not according to our sin.”

Secondly, Jonah: Nineveh was a desperately wicked city. Nineveh had done great harm to Jonah’s people, hence Jonah's intense repulsion to prophesy repentance and restoration to them. In Jonah’s prophecy, God did not even mention His relenting of judgment if Nineveh would repent. However, when they did repent, God didn’t not destroy them.

Thirdly, Jeremiah pens Lamentations after Jerusalem is taken away captive to Babylon. His heart is broken for the beloved city. Jerusalem lusted after other nations and would not repent ushering in her downfall and captivity. Although all the warnings Jerusalem received were not heeded and although she went into captivity (2 Chronicles 36:15-16), the heart of the Lord was still for good and restoration (Jeremiah 29:1-11).

I hope the United States will turn from her wicked ways and return to the Lord. 

It is true that our nation rests in the hands of the church. Not the government: us—the church!

Will we heed the voice of the prophets?

Will we—the church—humble ourselves and pray?

Will we—yes, the church—will we turn from our wicked ways?

When will the leaders preach a message of holiness and the fear of the Lord again?

Or are we too politically correct for that?

Getting Real with Jezebel

Getting Real

Anyone who has been in the church for any length of time has probably heard various definitions of Jezebel. Preachers, teachers, and prophets all have their exegesis on who she is and how she translates into New Testament (NT) life. I want to talk about Jezebel in the Thyatira Church. What was Jesus’ beef with her anyway?

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.’”

Revelation 2:18-23 (ESV)

Jezebel promoted sexual immorality and idolatry. Jezebel was a person in the Thyatira Church. She was not a spirit. She was likely a face well-known to the congregation in the Thyatira Church and a friend to many. She was one of them and she had influence. Notice that Jesus says the church allowed Jezebel to teach and seduce others regarding sexual immorality. She was allowed to have an influence on others and was not disciplined nor restrained by the leaders of the church.

Since Jezebel was promoting sexual immorality and Jesus was about to judge the church for it, what does the NT define as sexual immorality and what are the consequences for it?

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Revelation 22:14-15

According to 1 Corinthians 6, sexual immorality includes fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. Revelation 22 states that the immoral will not enter the city (New Jerusalem) and 1 Corinthians says they will not inherit the Kingdom. Both scripture references place sexual immorality together with other vile sins.

How often do we hear messages on holiness? Are people dealt with biblically regarding these vile sins? Paul, by the Holy Spirit, says:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (ESV)

The man spoken of (“Purge the evil person from among you”) was having sexual relations with his step mother and would not repent. Sexual immorality was not tolerated! The remedy was to expel the person from the congregation—with the hope of restoration. The goal was to get the person to acknowledge their sin, repent, and be restored, so that they would not be judged. In this case it worked: the man came to his senses and was restored (2 Corinthians 2).

Sexual promiscuity and perversion are prevalent in the church today.

They are tolerated.

They are allowed.

By the church…

… but not by God.

God is Holy and we too are to be holy (1 Peter 1:15). People who are living an immoral lifestyle or who are promoting such a lifestyle should not be allowed to stay in the congregation where they will have influence. They should be given space to repent, as was Jezebel. Jesus said: “I [Jesus] gave her [Jezebel] time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.”

This is New Testament Christianity. God is kind and God is merciful, yet He does not tolerate sexual immorality within His church. His kindness does not translate into passiveness. And since judgment is not handed out immediately, people continue in sin (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Really, it’s time to stop sinning, whatever our sin may be. Don’t be passive about sin—God isn’t. Encourage your friends to serve the Lord with passion and holiness.

God is Holy.

Be holy.

when + = - & - = I

When Adding = Subtracting and Subtracting = I

Why Some People Leave the Prophetic Movement—Reason 4

Some people leave the prophetic movement without intending to do so... and... sometimes it is the Holy Spirit who leaves. Though Jesus said He would never leave us, He does lift His anointing. How devastating when that happens. It isn't unlike Samson who was lulled to sleep by Delila and then didn't realize that God had left him. (Judges 16:20) Samson's story is a sad one. But how does Samson's story fit into New Testament Christianity? 

Back in the 1990s we were experiencing a great deal of outpouring from the Holy Spirit. It was a fantastic move of God and radically changed my walk with the Lord. Many of my friends would concur that their lives were radically changed as well. The Holy Spirit would visit us with such intensity that we would laugh, fall down, shake violently, or stagger like drunken sailors as the Holy Spirit came upon us. What was manifesting on the outside was nothing compared to what was happening on the inside—as we laughed God transformed us. We pegged these wonderful experiences as “carpet time.”

But then something happened: instead of people manifesting because the Holy Spirit came upon them, people would shake or laugh or stagger hoping the Holy Spirit would come in response to their  “manifestation.” But He didn't. He won't anoint flesh. Let's see if the New Testament has something to say on this subject.

Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 

What genuinely began by the Holy Spirit can, and sometimes does, end as a monument with the inscription “God Was Here.” How does this happen? Let me explain using the statement: 

+ = - & - = I

When adding flesh (or self or good ideas or formulas) to what God is doing, God usually lifts His anointing (subtraction). Subtracting God's anointing leaves only "I" (self). Hence, adding self = subtracting God and subtracting God leaves only I.

God likes to use people and has throughout human history. He likes to work with us, but God demands that He has control. We are to be led; He gets to lead. Things don't go well when those two are reversed. When the flesh begins to control what the Holy Spirit began He will lift, therefore adding the flesh results in subtracting the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, when programs, formulas, and laws replace the Holy Spirit people enter into a pseudo Christianity: true Christianity is Christ-centered and Holy Spirit led, while pseudo Christianity is self-centered and self empowered. 

About 20 years ago a pastor told me to give nice prophecies, so I tagged on a “Remember I love you, says the Lord” to a prophecy. Can’t remember the prophecy, but I sure remember the tag. As I walked away from the mic I determined that I would never do that again. I never want to add to what God is saying or doing. As Proverbs 30:6 says, Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 

I read and see many things that reek of the flesh, but mascaraed as the Holy Spirit. He knows and so do those who are close to Him. 

So how does the flesh take control? The devil knows he can’t stop what God is doing so he adds to it and he finds people such willing participants. Flesh wants to promote self, so with a little nudge the enemy finds people his tools. We feel important. We maybe even look anointed. But, look at this scripture in James 3, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 

Self-seeking is evil and it invites every evil thing. No wonder the Holy Spirit backs off when we are trying to control Him by our flesh; He won’t anoint the flesh—He just won’t. He only anoints what is of His Spirit. 

Better is a cave with the Lord than a platform of self.

Pastors and the Pasture

Pastors and the Pasture

Many dynamics are woven into the fabric of a church culture, but the most important is the aggelos, the senior leader of the church. People have great ideas on what a church should look like, but only One can infuse a leader with the wisdom needed for the church they shepherd. A wise master builder is of utmost value: a man who has deep callouses on his knees and a worn-out Bible he studies—a leader who touches God before he speaks to the people. Leaders are, in reality, gatekeepers for the local church culture.

George and I have moved quite a bit and finding a home church was always a challenge. Reading websites and visiting churches was just the beginning of each adventure. Noting the “What we believe” tab was followed by the “What we value,” and then the numerous visits before finding out the real dynamics of each church culture. Usually what is truly valued is quickly apparent, for it flows from the pulpit each service. Jesus said that out of the mouth flows the heart, so if prayer or the Presence of the Holy Spirit or community or the lost is valued, the leader will talk about it and it will be woven into the fabric of the church culture.

The senior leader determines what food is served at the Sunday banquet, but only in part; what food can be served is also determined by the maturity of the people seated at the table. Hebrews 5 states that the writer wanted to serve the Hebrew church steak, but the people could only digest milk. Their spiritual maturity determined their diet. However, a wise leader, the one with calloused knees, will not only see the current condition of the people, but will also see how to keep them (or get them) moving forward. It isn’t healthy when people continue to drink milk year after year. Neither is it healthy for people to be unchallenged in their spiritual walk with the Lord.

Years ago the Lord showed me a picture of a leader as they were teaching. The leader became a prism as the Holy Spirit moved through them when they taught. Each person listening was touched by a different color of the spectrum, as the Holy Spirit took the things of Jesus and revealed them to the people. The Holy Spirit, knowing each person, was able, through one message, to touch each person exactly where they were currently in their walk. But this type of message does not come from putting together a good message, it comes from revelation, from anointing—from the Holy Spirit. 

A leader who only speaks to people where they are at will never move people forward. People need to be challenged. People need vision. People need to hunger for more of God, His Kingdom, His ways, His Presence. As hunger is stirred, people themselves begin to feast throughout the weeks as they feed themselves. There is nothing more intensely valuable than a personal encounter with the living God. This is where vision from God is birthed. This is where spiritual maturity increases exponentially. This is where deep calls to deep. This is what we are created for.

George and I have had great teachers whose teachings were anointed systematic lessons and we have had an anointed leader who mostly shared his messages. One leader took his messages right out of the Thompson Chain in the back of the Bible—good message, no anointing. It was obvious which leaders spent time with the Lord.

A few weeks ago the Lord showed me a picture of a green house. Along with the picture was an understanding that the green house represented the church—my church, in particular. I understood, through the Holy Spirit’s revelation that the green house is a uniquely designed environment for optimum growth. However, everything within the green house must be brought in: the soil, sunlight, seeds, fertilizer, pots, water—everything. The door is tended by the leader(s) of the church, and whether or not they acknowledge it, whether passively or actively, they determine what comes into the green house.

Bottom line, senior pastors determine the pasture in the local church. An aggelos’ personal relationship with the Lord should spur people on to go after God, instead of giving them a nice padded cushion for their rump.

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. 

Psalm 127

Jars of Oil

Jars of Oil

A couple weeks ago I was invited to meet with a group of leaders within the Truckee Meadows valley. Different ministries were gathering for fellowship. The intent was to build relationships with each other, so that we would begin to work together in relationship, honoring each other’s gifts and walk with the Lord. To build, so to speak, a wall around the Truckee Meadows valley; a spiritual wall, much like the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah.  

As we discussed ministry, the Holy Spirit showed me what I thought were jars of oil—dusty jars lining dusty shelves. The feel was much like traveling medicine gypsies. “Interesting,” I said, “I just saw dusty jars of oil lining dusty shelves.” Everyone hit “pause,” then without interruption tapped the “pause button” again and continued with their conversation, as if uninterrupted. I was startled by the revelation the Holy Spirit had shown me, and left the meeting pondering, asking the Lord, “What did those jars of oil represent?”

In the days following it became quite clear what the Holy Spirit meant when He showed me those dusty jars sitting on dusty shelves. First, the oil was no longer fresh and flowing as it once had been, rather it was stagnant, bottled and stored, ready for sale. Ready, that is, to be pulled off the shelf whenever something resembling anointing was needed. “I’ve got just the thing just for that…”

Of course this is not to say that everyone in the area is peddling anointing, but some are. 2 Corinthians 2:17 says, For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. Some peddle their ministry; not all, but some. People whose job it is to lead God’s people ought to get paid for what they do. The Bible makes clear that they should. (See Matthew 10:10) The jars of oil have nothing to do with leaders getting paid. What the Holy Spirit showed me was an entirely different storyline.

Consider that when people have had an anointed ministry they can stop operating under His anointing. Probably not all at once, but slowly, surely, they begin to operate more in the flesh than in the Spirit. They continue in ministry, howbeit, sadly an unanointed ministry. And since gifts and callings are irrevocable, there continues still, by God’s grace, a hint of what used to be. People can fake anointing in a lot of different ways and usually only those who know the Holy Spirit and His anointing can tell. Maybe they themselves don’t even realize that they have make a great exchange—flesh for anointing. Hebrews 2 descriptively says, Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. The natural human tendency is to drift away from God.

In the letter to Sardis Jesus says, “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name [NIV reputation] that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

Jesus makes clear to Sardis they used to walk in a place they now only have a reputation for. Revelation 3:3 says Sardis Church was to “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast [to attend to carefully, take care of] and repent.”  Furthermore, He commands them, “Be watchful [give strict attention to], and strengthen the things which remain.” How had they received and heard and what was Sardis commanded to “attend to carefully and take care of, giving strict attention to”? Jesus doesn’t specifically say, probably because we all have our own stories and walk with God. This is true both individually and corporately, as individual local churches. Most assuredly though, it has to do with their deep relationship with the Lord that gave them a reputation of being alive.

Where are you now? 

Are you full of life?

How is your oil? 

Is it still flowing? 

These are questions we should regularly consider before the Lord.

In the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25), five were wise and five were foolish. The five foolish didn’t take oil with them and didn’t realize that their lamps were going out until it was too late. They were dimming down. When they asked the five wise for some of their oil they replied, “No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.” So, there is a place to purchase oil.

Where?

I’m quite sure there is only One Who has oil to sell. It isn’t cheap, but it is free.

  

Fear

Fear

Is fear controlling you?

Have you ever given a word, or preached, or led worship, or stepped out into a ministry just to find a whiplash of darkness surround you? Maybe you haven’t recognized it is the enemy, but rest assured it is. It seems when we are pressing hard ahead, the enemy’s resistance becomes more intense. You know that irrational dark sort-of emotion you sometimes feel? Yep, that is the enemy. 1 Peter says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Years ago I heard the Lord say, “Fear is crouching at your door and you must master it.” Reminds me of Genesis 4:7 “If you [Cain] do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Fear crouches at our door, will we master it?

Sometimes fear is natural, sometimes it is spiritual, and sometimes fear is a spirit. Fear always demands a response. If you are driving down the road and a car pulls out in front of you, fear strikes and you respond. In such a case, you have experienced a natural healthy fear. But there is fear that is not healthy. It’s…

A fear that dominates.

A fear that demands.

A fear that makes you want to run or hide or just leave.

It's a fear that becomes an idol.

Yes, an idol. The word “worship” literally means to “bow down.” How often do we bow down to that kind of fear?

I started writing this blog a few days ago. Then today at church I had a revelation from the Lord. I saw spiritual gifts deposited in the people of God. I saw that many of the people had been used by the Lord in various spiritual gifts, specifically words of knowledge and prophecy. (Not at the exclusion of the others.) Then I saw Goliath standing upon a hillside gazing down at the Israel army—the people of God. As each one would begin to confront Goliath, Goliath would thump his chest, while whispering threats as they approached. “I’ll kill your kids if you give it all to the Lord,” he would whisper. “I’ll make you bankrupt.” “You’ll look stupid.” “No one likes you.” “Why should they listen to you?” “Who do you think you are?” On and on it went from this invisible Goliath hurling fear-bombs at the people of God. I saw God’s people retreat as they heard his threats, not knowing the source was a lie from the enemy.

Fear is a big strategy of the enemy. Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7) that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. How often are bouts with depression, inferiority complexes, and despondent fears—that big dark nebulas cloud—nothing more than a demon whispering lies to us that we believe? We live in a spiritual world with real spiritual enemies. They want to stop the work of God in and through us. Don’t let them. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the ways the enemy works. 

A few people thanked me for the word. One in particular said they could totally relate. They had been feeling like the “voices” were never ending. Without knowing it is nothing more than the enemy’s whispers could lead a person to think they were going crazy.

We all go through seasons when darkness’ encroachment is intense. Sometimes it seems it will never end. Don’t give up or stop pressing forward. The gifts God has given to His people are valuable no matter which gifts you have. We all need what each other has. The lost needs them too. We must keep pressing into the things of God.

Next time you encounter that dark nebulas cloud, rebuke it in the Name of Jesus Christ. Stay on your guard for you enemy goes about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 

Don’t be that person. 

Don’t let those around you be that person.

The Making of a Calf

The Making of a Calf

People are prone to idolatry. Throughout the Old Testament and into the New we find the inspired writers' warnings against idolatry. 

Right before the deliverance of Israel God spoke to Moses. God told him the Israelites were to ask for articles of silver and gold from the Egyptians as they left Egypt. They did as Moses directed them (shocking). In this way the Israelites plundered the Egyptians as they left Egypt. (Exodus 11:1-2 and 12:35 below)

Later, in Exodus 32, during the 40 days while Moses and God communed on the mountain, the children of Israel grew impatient. In their defiance they asked for gods to lead them. They gave their golden earrings to Aaron and out of the gold Aaron made an idol.

A golden calf.

Their new god.

They had been slaves, where did they get this gold?  It had to be the same gold that God had told them to ask for from the Egyptians. 

Then they took what God had supernaturally given them and made it into an idol. 

How often do the things that God gives us become our idols? God blesses us, then we in turn become so occupied with the blessing it becomes an idol we serve.

When this happens, we have made our calf.

How are you doing with God?

Exodus 11:1 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.”

Exodus 12: 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.