The Lord Our God is One

Below is my response to a person who claims that Allah and the God if the Bible are the same. His claims come from his belief that since they are both one God they must be the same. Though the God of the Bible is One God, He is 3 in 1—Trinity. He also contended that the Jews would also be in error if God was not one, trying again to prove that his position that God and Allah were the same was correct. Here is my response.

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The Lord Our God is One

Yes, the Jew do disagree. They still await their Messiah, while we Christians have found Him. Jesus said He came to His own [people] but they did not receive Him. But to as many as did receive Him, to them He gave the right to be called the children of God. (John)


The scripture he contended with is Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" 

Deuteronomy 6:4 with the Strong's concordance numbers tied to the words, “Hear <08085> (8798), O Israel <03478>: The LORD <03068> our God <0430>, the LORD <03068> is one <0259>!”

<03068> Jehovah (YHWH) הוהי: “(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: —Jehovah, the Lord.”

<0430> elohiym: plural of 0433 “God”; The word “God—elohiym” is not singular; it is plural.

<0259> the number 1

Therefore, Deuteronomy 6:4 is saying, “Hear, O Israel: YHWH--the Eternal Self Existing One—the plural God, YHWH is One!”

The plural God (the Trinity) is One God! This truth is found numerous times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said in John 8:58, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” A statement that refers back to God’s declaration to Moses in Exodus 3:14, ““I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”. I wish the Jews understood—one day they will.

“not as the world gives”

“not as the world gives do I give to you”

I hope this encourages you to be a devout pursuer of the Holy Spirit. In Him you will have peace. Train your thinking lest the sin that is crouching at your door finds it open. (Genesis 4:7)

Jesus’ peace is not something we automatically receive when we become born-again. In this hour of history finding peace is impossible. But we can have His Peace. The peace Jesus talks about has certain characteristics and is found only in one place. Let’s look at what Jesus said about His peace so that we too can live in peace during this hour.

For context, John 13-14 was a hard time for the disciples. It was the Last Supper where Jesus clearly spoke of His departure and betrayal, and where satan entered Judas. To Peter Jesus prophesied, “you will deny Me three times.” Following is John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” Following, towards the end of John 14, Jesus again picks back up on His leaving. But right before, in the middle of His discussion, Jesus once again brings up peace. He says (25-27),

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Peace, the Peace Jesus talked about, is found only in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “My peace I leave, My peace I give.” This is the same language He used when He spoke of the Holy Spirit’s coming—Jesus would send the Holy Spirit and He would abide with us forever. Peace from God is only found in the Holy Spirit.

However, it is not a casual receiving of peace when He comes into our life. It is something we must do. ‘Let’ is a verb and demands action on our part. We must “Let not our hearts be troubled.”

Look at Romans 8:6 (NASV), “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…” Life and peace come as we submit our thinking to the Holy Spirit. When we are bent towards worldliness we cannot have His peace; worldliness only leads to death. It is deception to think otherwise.

We have to fight to overcome the world and its system that darkens our thinking. Worldly thinking is a stronghold that often manifests through loving our lives: the here and now, comfort, and ease. The only way to have Peace is to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. And through that relationship learn to have a new way of thinking.

Throughout John 13-17 a theme keeps repeating: trouble is coming; do not give into fear; the Holy Spirit is coming; He will help you; I have told you before it all happens so that you will believe and have peace…

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus states “in Me you may have peace.” It is not a given that we will have peace. But we may have peace.

I had a word of knowledge at Bible study the other night. It was about people awakening in the night in intense fear. The Lord said that it was demonic in nature; we need to war spiritually and not give into this demonic fear. Fear is crouching at our door—we must master it. We master fear by living in Jesus’ Peace that He provided for us when He sent the Holy Spirit. We apprehend that Peace as we live a life sanctified to God with a renewed mind.

To wrap this up as I was studying Peace, I came across this scripture:

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” God's heart towards mankind, as the angels declared the coming of Messiah, Jesus, is for peace. 

I trust this post has helped give us understanding leading to a life in the Peace of God.

For further study see Philippians 4.

Overriding the Holy Spirit

Do not override the Holy Spirit

Thanksgiving Day 2016, the Lord spoke “Do not override the Holy Spirit.” As He spoke He imparted a New Year’s resolution type backdrop. As if a new year began on Thanksgiving Day.

Isn’t it interesting that people can override the Holy Spirit! How do we override Him? Either by not listening to Him or if we do hear, by not doing what He says—including both attitudes and actions. How well are we doing? Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

·      Rejoice always,

·      pray without ceasing,

·      in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

·      Do not quench the Spirit [literally, do not put out the Spirit’s fire].

·      Do not despise prophecies.

·      Test all things; hold fast what is good.

·      Abstain from every form of evil.

And, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14, which, to summarize says,

Everyone during the time surrounding the Exodus experienced and saw what God did. Most, however, chose not to believe Him nor obey Him, and therefore, died in the desert. They chose their immorality and idolatry over God, and chose complaining and grumbling rather than thankfulness.

Paul then brings this into NT context: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. You will not be given more than you can handle. Therefore, flee from idolatry. It’s your choice.

Our choices will reign within us (Romans 6:12). 

The Holy Spirit will not override us if we override Him. 

But, if the Holy Spirit lives within us then we have the ability to listen and obey Him. He will help us, and He does, but we must make the choice. Tomorrow, first thing, tell the Holy Spirit, “Today I choose You. Today I choose not to override You. Today I choose to do things Your way. Help me remember to consult You, listen to You, and obey You.”

Choose to be resolute about obeying Him.

Choose not to override the Holy Spirit.

Preaching and teaching the word is the Antidote: Insights from 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Preaching and teaching the word is the Antidote

Insights from 2 Timothy 4:1-5

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4

A few weeks ago God spoke to me from 2 Timothy 4. Since that time I keep seeing it everywhere, it seems. Every time I read it I find more and more treasure. Here are some insights.

First of all, 2 Timothy 4 seems to be a conclusion or summary of the first chapters. For example 1:6-7 Paul talks about Timothy’s gift, while encouraging him that fear is not of God. Why did Paul say that? Persecution comes as we preach the truth (2 Timothy 4:5).

And what about preaching the truth? Paul expounds that preaching the truth includes telling people when they are wrong and convincing them otherwise. (2 Timothy 4:2) This is fulfilling his ministry—telling people when they are wrong. We can find this also in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”  

2 Timothy 4:3 sounds like 2 Timothy 3:1-9 talking of the condition of mankind in the end-times.

Here are some further insights:

Ø Jesus will judge the dead and the living at His appearing (this word is only used 6 times: of the return of Christ—5 times and His first coming—1 time.)

Ø His Kingdom is also at this time.

·      That means when we are told to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” we are literally being told, by God, to pray for wrapping up this age so that the Millennium reign of King Jesus will come. At that time King Jesus will literally sit on the Throne of David and rule the earth from New Jerusalem.

Ø In view of this we are to

·      “Keep our sense of urgency” and

·      “Preach the word in season or out of season”

¨    Preaching the words means: (Greek Lexicon)

This will not sit well with those who think Jesus is always “nice Jesus” speaking in soft mono-toned voice, hands folded, saying “just love and get along; unity is what we want. Don’t cause division by your doctrine.”

·   Convince: to convict, refute, confute—generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted, by conviction to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, correct, by word, to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation

·   Rebuke: to admonish or charge sharply

·   Exhort: to call to one’s side for the purpose of straightening them out verbally. It includes entreating, begging, encouraging, comforting, all the way to admonishing.

·   With longsuffering and teaching: denotes constancy and endurance in teaching to convince others of the truth concerning doctrine.

¨    Why urgently preach and teach the word?

Preaching and teaching the word is the Antidote

“For the time will come when they will not endure <hold up> sound doctrine <teaching>.” Why? “Because they have itching ears according to their own desires.” Due to this they will:

·   heap up for themselves teachers that tell them what they want to hear

·   and turn their ears away from true doctrine and instead they will

·   be turned aside to fables <fiction, myths>.

Ø But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions (maybe added because afflictions come as the truth is preached), do the work of an evangelist (Timothy’s calling), fulfill your ministry (probably reference to 2 Timothy 1:6-7).

Prophetic Dream About 2 Timothy 2:2

I had a prophetic dream the other night. It is a message for some—not all.

In my dream I had a child of someone who I had invested in spiritually for years staying with me. After a couple days the child (probably somewhere between 6-9 years old) came up to me tugging on his diaper asking me if I was ever going to change it. I was filled with all kinds of questions and felt as though I had let my friend and her son down by not noticing he would need his diaper changed. At the same time I kept thinking that I hadn’t even considered that this child would still be in diapers. At his age he shouldn’t need someone to help him in the very basics of growing up—to be potty-trained. He should have even been able to help a younger brother or sister by now, but he couldn’t because he wasn’t trained himself. Sounds like Hebrews 5.

When I awoke I felt bad like I hadn’t done enough for my friend. Then, knowing it was prophetic, I began to pray asking the Lord what He meant by the dream. The Lord answered and gave me 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” His message was not about my friend and me, it was about passing down the value of discipleship to the next generation.

Have we done a good job discipling others, if we have not instilled in them the same value of making disciples who would in turn make disciples, who would in turn make disciples…? Some have, I am sure, while others have not. This is a call from the Holy Spirit to focus on making disciples who will reproduce disciples. It is a call to focus on the generations to come by highlighting the necessity of 2 Timothy 2:2.

Jehu and the Prophet's Son

2 Kings 9:11-13

[After a prophet’s son, sent by Elisha, prophesied to Jehu] Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the man and his babble.” And they said, “A lie! Tell us now.” So he said, “Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’” Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!”

Berta paraphrase: “These prophets and their sons are insane crazies. But humor us why did he come to you and what did he say? We know they only babbled madness. Entertain us, what did he say?” … “Oh wait, he said what? He said you are king!! We like that…Jehu is king!!”

What happens when people cannot recognize the word of the Lord when they hear it. We are called mad babblers, but then, when they like what they hear they claim it as true.

Where are the Teachers?

Where are the Teachers?

“Where are the teachers?” Over and over I kept hearing, “Where are the teachers?” Prophets and the prophetic in general, pastors and evangelists, and even apostles (though they may be called denomination heads or superintendents), are widely accepted by the Charismatic Christian community. But are teachers? Are 5-fold equipping teachers embraced by the Charismatic church at large? (All overseers must be able to teach, but not all overseers are 5-fold governmental teachers.)

As the Holy Spirit asked me where the teachers were, He showed me a picture of a train to speak about the 5-fold ministry and the church.

Blueprints for the train were given to Apostle. Apostle helped others see their part in building the train, since the train is built as each member does its work.

Pointing the train in the right direction was Prophet. Prophet saw conditions ahead and helped others to see too. I saw Prophet leaning out the side of the train into the future. Wind blowing in their face—stretching and pointing ahead trying to get those they had gathered around them to see what and as they saw.

Pastor’s main concern and focus was for those on the train. I saw that Pastor reproduced their ministry in others; therefore, those on the train began to serve and take care of one another due to the ministry of Pastor.

Leaning out the window at every stop was Evangelist. They were pleading with all to get on aboard. Evangelist ran up and down the train's aisles to stir up as many as possible trying to get them involved—to get them to see the condition of the people off the train. Evangelist caused quite a commotion.

And Teacher—Teacher’s function and key ministry was to keep the train on the tracks. Teacher knew it took quite a bit of skill and study to maneuver through the storms and winds, but they found great joy in doing so and in teaching others to do so, as well. Teacher knew the train was built to run on the tracks and there was great danger if the train got off the tracks.

The Lord, furthermore, spoke about the Holy Spirit’s fire that burns fuel to power the engine. There were different fuels and different ways that He converted it into power. The Lord is a consuming fire, and we are the sacrifice that is to be burned, along with the oil of His Spirit that we purchase. (Matthew 25) Our hearts should look like this train's firebox.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 warns and instructs us not to put out the Spirit’s Fire. Without fuel converted into power the train won’t go anywhere—except downhill.

Ephesians 4 says the purpose of the 5-fold is for equipping and edifying the church, so that she will grow up able to discern error, stand in truth, and promote growth by speaking the truth in love.

Doctrine that is off-center is incapable of keeping people biblically sound. It is also incapable for healthy growth and will not lead to the Kingdom of God manifesting on the earth through the church. The body of Christ needs teachers to break through erroneous doctrines and by the constraints of sound teaching move people who are off the tracks back onto the tracks.

However, truth comes at a cost. Paul said to the Galatians, “Have I become your enemies by telling you the truth?” Stephen was stoned after speaking truth to the Jews. When Jesus spoke the truth, “Before Abe was I AM,” the people picked up stones to kill Him on the spot. The Jews (and Romans) killed their Messiah—the Truth incarnate. Think about the Old Testament prophets and others who stood for truth—many were killed.

Here is an example of a teaching that will undoubtedly stir up some conflict. It is an example of why Charismatic churches need to embrace teachers.

I often hear, "You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28 NAS)

The point leaders are making is that we can decree a thing, as the church, and it will be established. So, people go on decreeing things they want done—maybe even things God wants done. The first time I heard this taught some years ago, I felt uncomfortable. When I got home I looked up the scripture in the Bible. I found it in Job 22:28 NAS.

There are rules for Bible exegesis. Context is one of those rules. “Decree a thing, and it will be established for you” was spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite! God said to Eliphaz in Job 42:7, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” (NKJV) To use Job 22:28, spoken by Eliphaz, as a proof-text that we can make a decree and it will be established is completely against sound Biblical exegesis. We cannot pull from Eliphaz’s words to establish a doctrine—he did not speak accurately about God! There is another who didn’t speak accurately about God and I don’t imagine we want to quote him for a proof-text either.

A teacher should inspire others to pursue truth. They should not be boring information providers. They should speak under the Anointing of the Holy Spirit and ignite others to search out the scriptures. They should equip others on how to study the Bible, receive the truth within, and rightly handle the Word of Truth.

A teacher should whet the appetite of those they instruct.

A teacher keeps the church on the tracks.

satan is a community organizer

The other day as I was reading Hebrews another scripture gusted into my thinking – “truth is fallen.” This scripture is from Isaiah 59:14-15a, “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” In context Isaiah 59 is about the dark-heartedness of people and says that God was astonished that there was no man to intercede…so He did it Himself. Isaiah goes on to say, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” (59:19) Although Isaiah 59 is specifically prophetic about Jesus Christ coming to save us, most Old Testament prophecies have at least duel applications.

satan is a community organizer

How was it that Jesus was finally put to death? Not by what means, as in the Cross and the nails, but rather why did the people kill their Messiah King? What set the stage for such a diabolical rage of the mass?

From the time of Jesus’ birth satan wanted this One – this Only Begotten – DEAD! It seems obvious that it was he who incited Herod to kill ALL the babies around Jesus’ age, thus his evil pursuit began right after Jesus was born. Jesus however escaped due to his parents’ prophetic revelations from God. First to Egypt, then to Galilee. Later satan tempted Jesus in the desert trying to gain His allegiance through intrigue, but to no avail.

We know Jesus laid down His own life, but what was satan’s part? How did satan finally accomplish his evil scheme? Besides his brief appearance in the desert, while Jesus was fasting, the Bible doesn’t say much about what the enemy was doing between the birth and death of Jesus. So what was he up to? I think he was community organizing!

satan worked through the masses – the people. He knows the heart of man, apart from God, is desperately wicked, so they would be his pawns, his puppets – his ignorant allies.  He waged war through their thoughts, religion, jealousy, and through deception. He worked by enticing the soul of man. Man at his worst. Man’s twisted evil unregenerate soul. Then he gave them a channel through which their anger and hatred could flow. That is how satan worked out his evil scheme. He thought, “I can’t kill Him so I will incite others to do it for me. I will use their system, their framework, and their laws … their evil hearts will bow to me – they will do it for me! Yes, that is how it will work.” And it did.

This community organizer’s intrigue is on the rise again with increasingly intense acceleration. He is stirring up the masses by inciting hatred, flaring racial tensions, social tensions, religious tensions, and economic tensions. He is breaking down the doors wherever sin has been crouching. With every opportunity he is ravaging our streets – in our America, in our world.  

But what did the Lord say? “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” God is a community organizer too.

To be continued in Part 2...

"I AM-the-God-Who-Sees"

"I AM-the-God-Who-Sees."

"I AM-the-God-Who-Sees you." For some "I AM-the-God-Who-Sees you" (El Roi) strikes a chord of fear (minor of course), but in truth this is of great comfort. God sees us! He sees our struggles, He sees our finances, He sees our friendships, He sees our family, and He is the-God-Who-Sees me -- my heart, my thoughts, my intentions, my "why I do what I do"s; He is the God Who sees [me]. He is my El Roi!

How many times have I prayed "Jesus, save me![!!]"? Some days it is a prayer that reverberates repeatedly. No I'm not talking about the "Jesus save me" from hell. This "Jesus save me" is a crisis bellowing from deep within me and for no apparent reason except that I am faced once again with the realization that apart from Him I can do nothing.

Here I am, here -- right here -- in my life. I can think that we (George and I) have made all our decisions -- moving here, moving there, this job, that church, that..., this..., and on and on. But where is that in the life of a believer? The end of that kind of thinking is a pretty scary place. And it totally takes God's sovereignty out of the picture of our life -- your life, my life -- when His sovereignty is supposed to [and does] frame our lives.

Even if we have made decisions that weren't His best, our lives are still framed by Him. He surrounds us. He knows us. He loves us. He sees us!

Take comfort and regain some reliance that He is you El Roi too; He is the God Who Sees you!

From Genesis 16:13 "You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees."

Prophetic Lessons from Thessalonians

Prophetic Lessons from Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…”

2 Thessalonians is specifically directive concerning the coming of the Lord – His return. Nevertheless, it can educate us on how to navigate current winds, reports, and prophecies, whether true or not.

Because many people are out to gain reputation for themselves and promote their name (among other motivations) there are all sorts of perspectives and winds voiced. People who engage in self-promoting mindsets usually are not people of prayer, since having a vital prayer life keeps us from such foolishness. Note the attitude of our Lord Jesus from Philippians 2, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form [morphe: internal manifesting externally] of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped [seized], but emptied Himself, taking the form [morphe] of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Because He was God, He lived as a servant. Furthermore, because He was God, He died. Intense!

Getting back to 2 Thessalonians. As stated, 2 Thessalonians is prophetic about the returning of our Lord Jesus. Since it is prophetic in nature, we also may be able to glean from it some helpful instructions on the prophetic. It seems there is so much more that resides within the depths of these scriptures.

Initially we have this exhortation, “do not be soon [hastily or quickly] shaken in mind or troubled...” This sets quite a sea-tossed stage in the Greek, denoting the imagery dominance of the word “shaken.” The Greek word means literally “the tossing or swell of the sea.”

Paul goes on to say how these winds can come to us, “either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us.” We may want to throw in “by phone, email, text, TV, radio, or web.” Demons can and do speaks lies to people that are then repeated through seemingly prophetic means. Throw into that mix people’s emotions and unspiritual thinking, you then end up with a ship tossed back and forth in hurricane force winds. (Sounds like Ephesians 4 – how desperately we need the 5-fold to rise up and equip the church!) Paul even says that these “prophecies” may even come through people in positions of authority “as if from us” – maybe even from people we trust in the church.

Basically, the Holy Spirit is saying, “Do not let things you hear create hurricane force winds in your thinking causing you to be frightened and alarmed.” Jesus said to take heed to both what [who, which, what] and how [in what way] we hear. Sometimes we do not have control over what we hear, but we always have control over how we hear. So, how can we be discerning and not tossed about? How can we stand stable in a fluctuating and violently blowing world?

First of all, as we hear it is essential we rely on the Holy Spirit and His Word to help us judge what we are hearing. Along with that let’s be courageous enough not to believe everything we hear no matter who we hear it from. Know God for yourself. Know His word so you have a context for things you hear. He has graciously granted us His anointing, Who teaches us all things. 1 John 2:27b (NIV) says, “But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit —  just as it has taught you, remain in Him.” We can rely on His anointing to guide us through the tumultuous seas and guide our ship safely to its haven. It is not counterfeit though the liar wants us to believe it/He is! We have the ability through the Holy Spirit to make righteous sound judgments. In fact, we are supposed to. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says that the spiritual person judges all things. Let’s stop being blown around, grow up, and make righteous judgments. (As a side note, sometimes we don’t “hear” a true prophecy because it doesn’t apply to us. It is for others but not for us.)

Interestingly this exact theme is in John 14:25-29, spoken to the disciples by Jesus. He told them the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, that He would give them peace, and also that He was leaving and coming back again. There are plenty of reasons to live in the hurricane, but we can and should live in peace – peace that is discerning.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.”

If you are in the hurricane, tossed to and fro, stop listening to the winds. Rely on His Spirit to guide you into truth. He is your Due North.

God Enjoys Revealing Secrets

God Enjoys Revealing Secrets

There are times when we think that God isn’t around; we feel lost and alone; we feel like God is silently leaving us with unanswered questions.

Hebrews 1 says that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father – the perfect imprint and very image of God, and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In Luke 24, right after the Resurrection, two disciples were walking on the road towards Emmaus. They were sad and had many unanswered questions. Their Hope had died. But as they conversed Jesus actually joined them; He entered into their discussion. Interestingly they admitted later on that they could feel His Presence, though at the time they didn’t realize what was Him.

Jesus is the same today. He joins us even when we don’t recognize He is with us. He speaks truth to our hearts and opens up scriptures that are veiled. I just don’t think we often recognize Him. Jesus spoke in John of the Glorious Holy Spirit Whom He would send; He would teach us things and reveal things to come. He – the Holy Spirit – will “glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” This is coupled with, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…”

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would both tell us things and He would guide us into all truth. These are two different dynamics, though both are revelatory in nature. One is progressive, while on our journey down the Emmaus Road. It's truth spoken to us by the Holy Spirit and it builds upon itself. The other is a declaration – the text mood seems to point to an "in the moment" revelation – He will declare the things of Jesus to us.

However, three places in the New Testament the scriptures tell of times when He could not take people deeper or couldn’t feed them the meat of the Word (to the Corinthians, the Hebrews, and the disciples). Every time it was because they couldn’t handle it, not because God wanted to withhold the deeper things. The Father’s heart is to reveal the things of Jesus. Our hearts must be holy, set apart to Him; that good soil, prepared not only to hear, but also to allow that word to take root and bear fruit.

The Holy Spirit is always at work to guide us further down our Emmaus Road, but whether or not we hear Him, while on that road, is really up to us – our maturity. Daniel says “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets...” That is Who He is! He enjoys revealing His secrets. 

Jesus answers our questions when we can hear them. Sometimes He even answers our questions, but we don’t recognize it is Him – like the guys on the Emmaus Road. He sent us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and to tell us things when we can bear them. Sometimes we don’t get answers because we cannot hear them yet. But, be assured that He is with us. He is walking with us. He may be veiled, our eyes may be restrained [divinely] from seeing Him, but be assured that He hears every word, sees every thought, and answers every question. Howbeit, when we can bear it.

John 16 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

Hebrews 1 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Luke 24 “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.”