Impartation of Joy

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” (Malachi 4:2)

I think back upon the Holy Spirt’s ministry during the Jesus movement revival, how much of the message was wrapped in positive goodness, delight in freedom, God’s loving nature and the abundant acceptance, forgiveness and grace offered by Yeshua? I recall us mocking the idea of preaching with a sour disposition, all grumpy and caught up in legalism.

I remember our marvelous leaders who were happy and had wonderful laughter, often laughing at our own human silliness or weakness in light of God’s love and truth. Have we gotten so serious, we have forgotten how the Spirit leads in joyful triumph? Is the Holy Spirit still leading with rejoicing and happiness? Do we need to get a new download of God’s delightful presence in our celebration of Him. I know the Spirit gives us all we need, when we need it. He knows we need refreshing and recreation, and draws us away from worldly thinking. How often He has comforted us with simple joys and lighthearted relief. 

Our message and countenance can be influenced by the world, but it has no control over us and we can shake off its delusion and deception as simply as kicking up our feet frolicking in the abundant pastures of the King of the Universe, our Lord Yeshua. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Especially, for those of us who are mature, it is no reason to give up laughter for sadness or  mourning. My father-in-law lived to be ninety-seven and he almost always had a joke and chuckle to share. “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalms 23:6) “From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.” (Psalms 118:26-28)

Faith in Prayer

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:21-22)

Our senior pastor believed this scripture and encouraged the congregation to as well. We were not ashamed of God’s amazing word. Our pastor shared that he wanted to have faith to pray that the dead would be raised. We prayed for our friend’s child to be raised after an accident, though the doctors would not let’s us see her, still we prayed. I read a book on miracles today and the the author shocked me as he said he had asked three times for rain to stop and it did. He didn’t say how many times he had asked in total. There are other scriptures like this that test and charge our faith to believe. There are many scriptures that Christians discount and/or set aside as not applicable today or that mean something other than what they say. An example is, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1) No scripture expires, becomes outdated or inapplicable because of modern developments. “For no word from God will ever fail.”” (Luke 1:37; Matt. 5:18)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26) Is our prayer spirit empowered? Is our prayer expectation and hope dependent upon Yeshua or more like a wish of something we would like? Spirit lead prayer will come from the word or revelation, rather than our rationale as the Spirit and Word are in unison. Paul was acting on scripture as he spread the Gospel among unreached peoples. (Rom. 15:17-21; Isa. 52:15)

“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:27) If we have great faith in Yeshua’s compassion and love, and as we begin to know Him more fully over a lifetime we should have spiritual confidence in prayer. God does not change, His character and nature is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Professional Theology

“They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ ”” (Matthew 15:9)

Is there something wrong with studying the Bible apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit? Seminaries teach, study and concoct all sorts of theories, much like scientific theory which is an imagined premise followed with supposition, testing, and evidence gathering to validate or disprove the conclusion premised. In other words, certain people may parse God’s word, ignoring or distorting actual history, in their own reasoning to their own detriment. Two examples are the pre-tribulation rapture and cessation of Holy Spirit gifts. The Pre-trib rapture was concocted by Darby around 1850 and is not described directly in scripture, conflicts with the Second coming scriptures and is supported mainly by supposition. For example, it’s said the church is not mention in revelation four through seven, thus the church must have been raptured. Cessation theory ignores actual history of Miracles and Holy Spirit gifts through history up until today and distorts scripture in order to cause entire chapters of the bible to have expired after the first century. Yeshua said, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18, also see Luke 1:37) There is the Spiritual gift of teaching, it is given by God and empowered by the Spirit. It is not merely the physical mind reasoning and analyzing apart from the Spirit. 

Scripture advises that we are to receive the word as children  with trust and innocence. We are told to study the word to incorporating it into our mind and ways. We are to take a complete view of the entirety of scripture. This is not a criticism of our mental abilities, limited as they are, but a recommendation of the necessity to rely upon the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance in all matters, specifically, regarding scripture. The Spirit and the Word are united, such that separating one from the other leads to error or worse. Spiritual gifts are tested as authentic by the Word. (1 Thess. 5:19-22) The consistent message is that physical attributes are worthless in Spiritual matters. (Rom. 8:1-16; Eph. 2:22, 3:20; 4:17; Gal. 3:2-5)

Man invented warped doctrines like beating ones self, indulgences, and trying by physical efforts to achieve holiness. Scripture even says this is worthless futility. (Col. 2:20-23) God’s ways and means are opposite from the world’s. The flesh is opposed to the Spirit. The natural mind can not comprehend the Spirit, but we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16)

Who is God

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him….” (Titus 1:15-16)

The phrase, “they will know that I am the Lord.” Is found seventy-seven times in the Bible. Why is God doing things to cause people to know He is God? Could He be mistaken for others? Have people forgotten there is a God over all? Who else could bring about the things He does? 

Multitudes of people reject even the idea of God. There are hundreds of gods worshipped in India alone, not to mention the other organized religions that name a god. The God of the Bible takes action to reveal Himself. What are these other gods doing to demonstrate their divinity? None of them have claimed to have appeared on earth as a human being, except the God of the Bible. Moreover, He allowed His incarnate person, Israel’s Messiah, Yeshua, to be killed by the Romans. Caesar claimed to be a deity, but he died like all other men. 

God does various things such as, miracles, raising people from the dead, (including His Messiah), conquering and scattering nations, bringing earthquakes and signs with natural elements, but more is required. New Generations come and go, requiring regular demonstrations every forty years or so. God must speak and act for Himself, although their are prophets, evangelists and others who provide testimony and witness to His existence. He says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Scripture acknowledges there are rewards to seeking Him, but it requires faith. Faith is a strong belief or conviction of trust in someone.

Modern man is turning to Secular Humanism, which proposes Man is god. The idea is, if the right people can get enough power they can build a utopia on earth. Marxists fashioned the idea as selfless resignation to a benevolent State, but tyrants always rule and creates pain, poverty and misery, rather than utopia. Men start with ideas and vain promises, but God takes action to prove who He says He is. 

What say you? God is interested that we give credence to His existence, deity and Lordship. What He says and does is based in Love, which desires familial relationship with the creatures of whom He said, “Let us make Man in our own image…” (Gen. 1:26)

Heavenly Identity

“Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (Matthew 22:29-32)

Do you know the scripture and the power of God? God will resurrect all those saved by Yeshua, Messiah. Even Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will receive heaven bodies. “There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another… So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body… And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man… Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”” (1 Corinthians 15:40, 42-44, 49, 51-54)

Yeshua will introduce each Child of God in heaven before the Father and His angels. (Luke 12:8) At that time, the eternal elements of our time on earth will be revealed. The temporal life, sin, failings, and selfish acts will be forgotten and perish as sin, death and time is no more. We will be given a new name. (Rev. 2:17) All sadness, crying and night will be no more. All things will be made new. (Rev. 21:4-5) Just as everything in this world has its meaning and existence in Yeshua, so Heaven will reflect Yeshua completely in perfection such that we will know Him as we are fully known. (1 Cor. 13:12) 

Revival is Coming

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14)

“And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:23) “From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God.” (Ezekiel 39:22)

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22-23)

I’ve been seeing some worship music originating from New York City, not just studios, but gatherings. I believe God can raise the dead from graves. When revival comes it may happen as it did in Nashville in 1892 when it was the most sinful city in the region. Captain Tom Ryman was touched by revival and wanted everyone to hear the Gospel. Revival and Awakenings come with life imparted to the lost, broken members of society. Although languishing weak believers can also be drawn back to fervent faith. God says, He spews out what is neither hot nor cold. (Rev. 3:15-16) 

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21) This is a reference to Joel 2:28-32, which like many prophecies have more than one fulfillment.

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19 KJV) We have firm scriptural basis for God’s desire to revive, restore and impart eternal life to those who hear the Gospel.

Future Peace

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.” (Ezekiel 28:25)

The blind selfish world does not know the future as the Only Wise God. They prognosticate with forecasts, and predict with faulty rationale. God reveals what will be to cause men to know that He is God alone. He astounds fearful cowering men with coming disasters and wars. He tells of wonders of peace and prosperity to those who trust in Him. These soothsayers among men who pretend to know things by trickery and pretense are unreliable. When there is war they predict doom and when there is peace they say it will continue, but they know nothing, but their own schemes. 

God has revealed what is yet to be and given insight to those who seek Him and listen to His voice. He opens the light of truth to His Children, while keeping the wicked in darkness. He sends evangelists with the gospel, the power of salvation, into all the world. “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Is it any wonder that secular humanists scoff and try to predict the future, vainly asserting they can do that which only God is capable. He chose Israel from the nations to give His law, display His wonders and send His only Son, Yeshua, Messiah. The enemy is always trying to destroy Israel and thwart what God has ordained.

Israel has been regathered. This will be followed by a period of peace. (Ezekiel 28:26) “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) A period of peace is coming, not arranged by men, but ordained by God Almighty. In the end great tribulation will follow that period of peace. Yeshua will then return and begin His millennial reign on earth. (Rev. 20:4)

God’s Glorious Goodness

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” (Psalms 98:1-3)

The Lord God Almighty, King of the Universe is good, merciful, loving and altogether righteous. He accomplishes His perfect will. His goodness exceeds all bounds. The Creation will be set free from decay and bought into glorious light everlasting. There will no longer be any night. God will redeem His Children and eliminate every trace of wickedness, lies, and corruption. 

He will set Yeshua as King over all the earth. He will reign in righteousness and justice, no longer will there be any war. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them… They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:6, 9-10)

All misery brought about and perpetrated by the wicked will be wiped away. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.” (Isaiah 12:3-5)

The crushing burden of our own sin has been removed by Yeshua. He is returning to save Israel, unite His people and do all that only God can do – restore creation and His redeemed Children to Himself in glorious renewal. This will be accomplished on earth and finished in a new heaven and new earth. Restoration of purity and holiness is our destiny, free from corruption. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God… What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12)

Church Work

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Philippians 3:8-10)

The leadership gave an annual review of the Church. The goals, achievements, growth, measures, progress, plans, testimonies, financial status, outreaches, and recognization of various members service. It was all very impressive and seemingly quite good. I thought the plans where well selected, achievements significant and all the members service excellent. By all reasonable and rational standards it had been a successful years progress. It had been acknowledged that scriptural objectives were most important. 

However, what does scripture say about Kingdom building and life in Christ? What measures and activities distinguish the Congregation of Believers from other organizations, charitable or otherwise? Is there any distinguishing elements which can be seen in the physical processes of Christ’s church? Do spiritual tenets of faith have a bearing on things that are seen and actions taken by leaders and members of the local church? How did the first century church measure progress? 

How did Yeshua evaluate the churches in Revelations 2-3? “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,… and the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Rev. 2:14-15) “You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants…” (Rev. 2:20) “…you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die…” (Rev. 3:1-2) “…you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Rev. 3:8) “…you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! …You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev. 3:15, 17)

We are not judges and we should consider our own work. The flesh counts for nothing only what we do under Holy Spirit leading will endure. (John 6:63) Consider the entire message of scripture, it is only through Yeshua and His Spirit that we can acceptably follow in His paths. Our own “good” deeds are rags and garbage.

Light in theTunnel

Just shut your eyes and darkness is all around, but the longer you wait other senses begin to predominate. Touch feels there is more in reach. Sounds defines space from other directions. Smell and Taste could awaken memories and identify things. Movement brings more awareness, then perhaps, awareness of a greater realm of the Spirit appears beyond the physical senses. We are not alone! Inside we have an identity of ourselves, but there is an eternal part of that “self” which never grows old. This is our soul which doesn’t age and will stand and bow before our Creator God. (Rom. 14:11) Beyond all physical sense and above all imagination self-awareness and conjecture, is the only God Almighty. 

God made each of us for purpose. “For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” (Isaiah 45:18-19) 

God’s word has gone out into the world, before the printing press, before written language, He spoke to men and His Truth speaks to everyone. “ indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5) In fulfillment of much very specific prophecy God came to earth in human flesh as Yeshua Messiah. Yeshua redeemed a people for God out of Israel first and then from all nations. (Rom. 1:16) He is the Word of God and light of the world who gave himself through death on a cross so that all who believe on Him will be saved. 

From what will they be saved one may ask? They will be saved from the second death which is death from living forever in the presence, joy and glory of God and the heavenly host. Go back to the moment you shut your eyes, recall the darkness, instead of senses there will be unending grief, sorrow and weeping from being forever separated from God. (Matt. 13:41-42) There will be no peaceful nothingness or other lies of the enemy only darkness and torment. (Rev. 20:14) The only hope is to seek God and call upon the name of Yeshua, Messiah.

Fatherhood in Old Age

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

In scripture some very good things happened to old people. Zachariah and Elizabeth were able to have a son in old age, John the Baptist. Abraham and Sarah also had a son in their old age, Isaac. Both John and Isaac served as precursors to God’s chosen men. John proceeded Yeshua, Messiah preparing the way by turning the peoples hearts back to God. John’s baptism of repentance was evidence that his message of a coming Messiah was touching the peoples hearts. Isaac was the father of Jacob who had twelve sons that were to become the twelve tribes of the Israeli nation. God met Jacob at Bethel and he wrestled with a God-Man at Peniel where God changed his name from Jacob to Israel.

Both John and Jacob, had relationship with the Man-God, Yeshua, and an unnamed One which some think may have been the pre-incarnate Yeshua. John was pivotal to bringing forth the people of God, Believers in Yeshua. Israel was pivotal to the nation of Israel. Why did God choose to use the parents of these men in old age? First it showed God’s supernatural ability and it showed that He could bring about things in spite of so called “free will” or human initiative. Unless God had been with John and Jacob, they could have never accomplished what they did. I thought about whether there was anything particular about having an older father, but that was only supposition. 

God works in spite of men. He is sovereign over creation and men. Most Believers will admit that unless God had called and saved them, they would still be lost. Nevertheless, there are many who argue that we choose God and maintain obedience sufficiently to warrant heaven. Of course, this idea is not supported in scripture, other than obedience is right and we do chose God’s ways regularly as Believers living in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Old age is a blessing according to scripture. (Prov. 3:16; 4:10; 9:11) “Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten…” (Ecclesiastes 9:4-6) Lord, give us grace to diligently follow you during a long life.

Wonderful, Marvelous, Promises

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

“For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

“You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” (Isaiah 62:3)

“As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5)

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)

“Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” (Isaiah 61:9)

“…And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Why do these promises seem too good to be true or applicable to us? Because they are very great in themselves, but to imagine we ordinary, flawed, broken prone to sin and rebellion people are unworthy and not deserving such lavish favors and grace as these. That is true, however, this situation makes the gift far more astounding. 

Besides these there are many more offering forgiveness, love, mercy, blessings, righteousness, salvation, honor, peace, rest, health, and in the end a home in Heaven in God’s glorious presence which is the highest reward of all. “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”(Revelation 22:3-5)

Crying Out To God

When God seems distant. “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” (Psalms 119:10)

When the heavens seems closed. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalms 119:18)

When oppression or bad thoughts or hardship become too much. “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” (Psalms 119:28)

When enemies, real or imagined seems near. “May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise;” (Psalms 119:41)

When feeling uncertain and unsure of what the future holds. “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.” (Psalms 119:58)

When the world presses in. “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”(Psalms 119:76)

When friends or family fail. “To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.”(Psalms 119:96)

When decisions, hopes or dreams come crashing down.“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”(Psalms 119:105)

When crying out to God seems inadequate or insufficient. “Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.” (Psalms 119:132)

When weakness and long nights press-in.“I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalms 119:176)

Disaster may overwhelm us. Yeshua said, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33)

This world is in turmoil as the Lord said would happen in the end times, but more is coming, signs in the skies and earth. Already there are earthquakes, floods and famines around the world. This is not to cast us under a useless burden of fear, but to turn us from our own self confidence to the Lord God of the Universe. In Him is rest, peace, refuge and salvation. Many may call out to the heavens, but God requires that we listen and respond to His word. No one can find refuge or peace that God offers by clinging to their own resources or plans. God is not a Plan B, we can choose if all else fails. He is real, alive, in authority and sovereign over the earth, all peoples, and creation. In our hearts, we can turn and submit to Him. “The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. (Lamentations 2:18-19)

Divine Visitations

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

Scripture is full of divine visitations, the patriarchs, prophets, kings, and ordinary people were visited by angels, God’s messengers, and more commonly, God sent people as His representative to people. These are so common that we lose track of this aspect of God’s nature in the unfolding narrative of what’s happening. 

An illustration of this is the entire book of Esther. By God’s design she is chosen, not coincidentally, her uncle advises and guides her, powerful forces begin closing in on the Israeli people individually and at large, by a champion of evil. By God’s timing, appointments, advice through people, specific incidents coordinated and uncovered by God, Israel is delivered and the enemy’s defeated. Like Thomas Jefferson who rejected the supernatural, miraculous intervention of God we can ignore the clear obvious hand of God among His people. 

I recalled several incidents from my life that came with strong emotions. Emotions point to what we truly believe, whether true or fiction. Each of these memories were demonstrations of powerful love shown to me. At first I was grateful for the people involved and amazed at the timing and divine characteristics of the loving events. These people were agents of God, delivering His message of love, protection and presence.

In the judgement, Yeshua asserts to both the saved and lost: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did [or did not do] for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did [or did not do] for me.’” (Matthew 25:40, 45) God is among us. We may not have recognized angelic messengers, but He is working in the lives of Believers. We may be totally unaware of our small part in His love poured out upon His Children. He can direct or redirect our life’s narrative through small words or deeds. Just as my eyes were opened to see His hand in events that happened sixty years ago. God is Spirit and He is Love, anyone who knows God will recognize His presence and nature. It is not too late to extol Him for His lovingkindness shown to us, as helpless children, unruly adolescents, busy parents, or old people. Yeshua, will eventually reveal the times He came near us in life. We may think divine visitations are reserved for those in scriptures, but the relationship God desires is with each of us personally. 

Yeshua’s Letter

Yeshua sends a letter to each of the churches. He knows everything, calls out what is wrong, commends what is right and charges each – “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7) The Spirit announces, “…You have forsaken the love you had at first.” (Rev. 2:4) “…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Rev. 2:10) “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,… and the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Rev. 2:14-15) “You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants…” (Rev. 2:20) “…you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die…” (Rev. 3:1-2) “…you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Rev. 3:8) “…you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! …You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev. 3:15, 17)

Love is our aim; His love for us and our desperate love for Him and others. We are to be like Yeshua, faithfully suffering for His name. False teaching is tolerated and accepted by some. False prophets with misleading teaching and immorality is tolerated. A reputation of life, while being nearly dead is serious – wake up. Though you are weak, keep holding on to my word. Compromising truth makes you wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked; repent of worldliness.

The Lord’s rewards are: “I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7)“The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Rev. 2:11) “I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17) “I will give authority over the nations… I will also give that one the morning star.”

(Rev. 2:26-28) “I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.” (Rev. 3:5) “I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” (Rev. 3:12) “I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21)

Holy Spirit Gathering

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)          

How far we have gone from the presence of God to intellectual reasonings. We have strayed from scriptures admonition to audiences in cathedrals. “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God… The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 14) “…because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:17-18)

Yes, prayer is critical and communion is a purpose for gathering. (1 Cor.11:20) Singing praise and worship are fundamental. (Col. 3:16) “Now eagerly desire the greater [spiritual] gifts.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation… Everything must be done so that the church may be built up… Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said… For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” (1 Cor. 14:26, 29, 31-33)

We gather for the presence of the Lord in Spirit. The Spirit is to lead in all things. When this happens God’s power is released and everyone is filled, healed, set free, and partakes of the supernatural love and glory of King Yeshua. I have experienced this, rarely, but it is the coming norm when prophecy is fulfilled. (John 17:20-23)

Is Yours with God

“He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:3-4) 

I asked my granddaughters if they wanted me to take them to play in our creek. All three said, “Yes.” So I got three small buckets and three small cups so each one could catch crawfish, salamanders and whatever they could out of the stream. I called them to load up and the oldest asked if I had some cups for them, to which I replied, “Yes, I have three buckets and three cups, one for each of you.” Instead of trusting me, she went and got some more cups. Later, when she saw I had prepared, I asked why she didn’t believe, but she could only say, “I didn’t think you would get the cups.” It was a small example of how we need to trust God, who never forgets and always gives us all we need to carryout His assignments. 

God calls and chooses His servants to reveal His splendor. All glory belongs to the Lord alone. The servant’s perspective of labor often seems vain, spending effort in futility. However, the faithful servant does not react to what is seen in temporal images, assumptions, and unsupported rationalizations about the duties and responsibilities of service. The loyal servant carries out the Lord’s assignment relying upon Him to supply all that is needed and trusting the Lord for a reward. God should be trusted and we must rely upon Him, rather than conclusions we draw from our faulty senses and reasoning. 

Delayed gratification is a modern term, but grounded as wisdom waits, trusts and orders what is purposeful over what is expedient. In our search for God’s daily provision and direction, we may find passion for His presence and glory. That’s good and right, but it is purpose that holds us to the task at hand; so we can see the future and say as David said to Goliath, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47) Stoke up passion for the Lord, Yeshua, and hold tight the meaning His purpose gives.

Wrong About God

“he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

(Psalms 103:10-12)

A time comes in one’s life when we realize we were 180 degrees wrong. The things we thought true were totally wrong. It occurred to me when I was treated differently from what I expected and deserved. We are easily confused, particularly about God and who He says He is and who He says we are. Moreover, believing is not just mental assent, it is trusting and relying on what we know is true. Reality for Believers in Yeshua must be different, because of all Yeshua did and continues to do for us. 

I was thinking about David when he was a shepherd boy. As he guarded the sheep, I imagine David asking for God’s help against the lion and bear,  believing God would help. Did he grab his long spear or reach for his sling? Did he see victory over the lion and bear by God’s authority? Did David prevail because he relied on God? He recited his lesson to king Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

(1 Samuel 17:34-37)

God says, “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” (Romans 9:25) What does it mean? It means what we think, may be totally opposite from reality. It means that though we deserve nothing in the natural, we receive blessing in the Holy Spirit. God is loving and merciful. We must accept all God says pertaining us, rather than rely on our understanding or our own perspectives in the natural. God is with us and affirms that everything will work out for our good. (Rom. 8:28-35) Our love my be limited, conditional, and fickle, but God’s love is never-ending and infinitely marvelous.              

Consequences of Belief

“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)

I address Believers most frequently, because we are on this journey to almighty God together. We share a common spiritual family, quest and destiny when we accepted the Lord Yeshua and His love for us, which He decided before we were born in this world. But He was patient and drew us with cords of lovingkindness. We wandered in our own self pride in search of a substitute with which the enemy and fallen world lured us. Yeshua would not abandon us to our selfish desires, nor the enemy’s torment and rescued us with His word of truth. Like a seed this truth found root in good soil. 

So, today we are all in various states of discipleship and life, but the upward call of Heaven is unchanging. God is faithful to His word. As we drive down a stake of His word, we have a sound, secure position from which to proceed spiritually or fall back to a lesser relationship with Him. Just as faith comes from Him, it must be evidenced in us. When the Lord showed up walking on the water, Peter said, “if it is you Lord, bid me come to you”, this was not just a random idea, by then Peter had seen the supernatural quality of Yeshua and he said it by faith. That is why the Lord said, “Come”. Peter had confessed Yeshua as Messiah, God’s Son, by that same faith. He knew what was a revelation of faith. (Matt. 16:17)  

This same faith is available to you and I by the Spirit. It is a revelation of what is true eternally and in Yeshua. We can receive the gift of faith, when we believe the word or respond to the Lord’s leading. God uses both supernatural and seemingly “normal” processes to accomplish His purposes. He flooded Egypt with flies and frogs, but also sent the destroying angel to take Egypt’s firstborn. Likewise, we love our family and friends and speak words of living water and pray prayers of healing and deliverance. I believe the Lord is calling us to new Spiritual exploits in these dark days, just like Jonathan who asked the Lord whether he should go take the battle into the enemy camp. (1 Sam. 14:1-15) God is victorious and His ways and means lead to triumph over the enemy. The battle belongs to Him. He is able and willing to give us the Kingdom.

Connection with God

Eternity is evidenced by a relationship with Almighty God. Yeshua taught us and His disciples what it means to be in relationship with Father God, because it was His life-line and His purpose. He was filled with the Holy Spirit as evidenced by a dove when He was baptized by John. (Matt. 3:16) I remembered an encounter with my teacher when I was in the first grade. She asked about the jacket I was wearing. It was homemade of corduroy fabric with a silky lining and zipper front. I was concerned for being singled out and she asked, “Did your mother make your jacket?” “Yes,” I responded, unsure why she asked. “It is superb, I’ve never seen anything like it.” 

Sixty-five years ago I remember the encounter and the emotion I felt as a small child. I remember, being uncertain about my homemade jacket. As an adult I realized that my teacher was complementing my mother and she deserved it because she could sew anything in expert fashion. I weep when I recall the love my mother gave me in so many simple common ways. Billy Graham preached about the heavenly reality of a mother’s love, something to which almost everyone can relate. That love connection is like the connection Believers have with Yeshua, Father God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

I believe scripture reveals there is a complete record of every event, encounter, and thought they we have in this life. During the judgement the book of life is opened and everyone who is named therein is destined for Heaven. (Rev. 20:12-15) For ones name not to be found therein must be an incomparable crushing sadness. Nothing is unavailable, all our words and deeds will be recalled and presented as evidence of who we were and how we lived life.

One overriding question will be tested, “Did we know the Lord, Yeshua and did He know us.” The final judgement is clear and terrible, “Depart, I never knew you.” (Matt. 7:22-23) Yeshua taught, “If anyone is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of them at the judgement.” (Luke 9:26) For Believer’s we know the Lord now and many can say, “It’s like I always knew him, even as a small child.” This relationship is not about getting to Heaven, but rather a way of life and purpose. We hunger and thirst for the Lord and the Spirit brings everything to mind explaining truth and scripture. It is by the indwelling Spirit of Yeshua that we live and have our being, since we were born again in the Spirit becoming a new creation. So, Heaven will be a reunion of glorious love and fulfillment of our most cherished desires, to forever be with the Lord.

Effective Word

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17)

The spoken revealing word of the Lord may become rare when no one will listen in submission and obedience. God is willing to reveal what He is about to do. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13) Who believes the word of the Lord? Some things are hard to believe with decades or centuries of spurned faith and false judgements, claiming God is no longer the God revealed in scripture.

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

(Proverbs 30:5 ESV) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) Yeshua prayed for Believers to be set apart as holy, consecrated, free and pure, by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) 

Today, our secular society deny’s the truth of God’s word; they scoff at godliness which has been esteemed and honored for centuries in this nation. Famous people laud wicked behavior of drunkenness, rebellion to authority, lasciviousness, and perversions. Some Believers unwittingly let these sentiments get footholds in their minds and eventually begin to doubt the truth and power of God’s word. The living word of God becomes a dry text of ancient origins. The Holy Spirit is quenched and resisted; forms and pretense are given, but active faith is scare. 

Scripture speaks of this condition. “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matthew 24:10-12) “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20)

“…In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” (1 Samuel 3:1) “Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-6)

Lord, Yeshua, forgive us and send revival.

What is Coming Soon

“…without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,” (Philippians 1:28-29)

Scripture reveals the future so we can be encouraged, prepared and expect what happens without fear. The Holy Spirit is necessary to bring scripture as the living Word of God. Those who doubt may read the words, but without faith and the Spirit, they walk away with no revelation or insight. 

The Congregation of Believers around the world collectively are experiencing various degrees of persecution. The Lord Himself told us this would happen. During the end times the generation alive at that period will have unity with First Century Believers. (John 17:6-9,20-23) This unity will fulfill prophecy and Yeshua’s prayer, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23) The unity between generations over two thousand of years apart will be seen by the spread of the Gospel, awakening, and revival. Persecution will spread and martyrs increase. There will be a dichotomy among society’s such that Spiritual life will grow rapidly as forces of darkness will become more brazen in evil. 

Eventually, the restraining action of the Holy Spirit over evil will be removed. (2 Thess. 2:7) Then the enemy will reveal his goal; 1) Annihilating Israel at Armageddon, 2) Setting up a one-world Government, 3) Revealing the Anti-Christ leader, 4) Establishing Satan’s physical rule over earth. Then  also, Yeshua, Messiah will return and defeat Satan. This and further detail is prophesied in Revelations, Daniel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Matthew, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Peter. 

However, unity of First and Last Century Believers will be evidenced by persecution, spread and acceptance of the Gospel, God revealing His supernatural nature through healing, deliverance, and Holy Spirit leading, via spiritual gifts,  teaching, prayer, fellowship, giving, worship and praise. This unity will cause the world to know Yeshua, Messiah and the love of God, which is salvation. Finally and importantly, we will see a First Century view of Yeshua’s imminent return. Both then and now these two generations have a growing expectation of Yeshua’s soon return. He is coming soon. Maranatha, Lord Yeshua. 

Ultimate Pursuit

There is a supreme activity, akin to a search. In the past we’ve seen a type of desire that caused men to abandon everything and go in search of gold. Even as thousands were rushing on reports of gold finds in California and later Alaska. These people went off, some prepared, others with nothing but desire. The reports of gold were true, but for how long? I can imagine the passion that came over these men and women, but I cannot feel it for any amount of gold or money. Earthy wealth is possessed in massive levels today, by an increasing numbers of billionaires, who own more than a thousand million. I do not believe these people are happy because of their wealth, if they are happy.

There is an ultimate search in this life that has nothing to with physical wealth or possessions. The passion we feel is real and possibly greater than any other quest, search or pursuit in this life. This calling is life-long and consistent, but also recurrent. It is described in scripture: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the greatest quest of anyone. There is no higher goal, no more worthy sacrifice, no more lofty objective.   

Our ultimate pursuit can be stalled and blocked, but it is perennial and springs back new and reinvigorated. Even if, and when, we have abandoned or insulted God with idols and are in a  miserable place, scattered, alone and captive, He reminds, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)  

Spirit inspired worship and praise leads us to our hearts most precious love, through His gates into His courts. “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deut. 4:24) He jealously longs for the Spirit He put within us; the Spirit of Yeshua draws us to Himself. Forces beyond any earthly tempest, hurricane, earthquake, explosive eruption, tsunami, or tornado surround and envelope us on this divine journey and pursuit. The same Word that created the universe, is that which calls us homeward. No diabolic lie or snare will prevail over us, “As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”” (Romans 9:25-26; also see,1 Pet. 2:9; Isa. 43:1) God is calling all people to Himself. Have you set out toward your heart’s true desire?

Communion

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day…“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40, 44)

Are we believing what can’t yet be seen? Do we read, meditate, pray, worship and commune in relationship with the unseen Triune Almighty, I Am? John 6, tells of Yeshua feeding five thousand and includes more than the miracle. Yeshua knew what He would do before hand. Philip provided knowledge of how much money would be needed by worldly means. Andrew spoke up with a seed of faith and a small boy who had five small loves of bread and two small fish. Yeshua provided the miracle of multiplying what was available. In the end they took up twelve baskets of leftovers. What a great answer for those who would have said this was hypnosis.

Later in this chapter, Yeshua desired to show that He is the “bread from heaven” that gives eternal life to those who eat it. He is that bread. No you can’t physically eat His flesh, but you can spiritually absorb  every bit of Him.“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”” (John 6:47-51, 53-58) “Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.”

Living with Yeshua

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

Do you wonder what it would be like to have Yeshua here in the flesh and be His follower? Have you ever read an account of the disciples and thought you would not have disbelieved as they did? Do you ever weary of trying to hear the Spirit’s voice on decisions, direction and situations? What example did Yeshua present about such matters? What did He say about life as His follower? 

I’m not sure of all the answers in particular circumstances of individuals, but I can’t get away from His lifestyle of consistent long periods of prayer. Yet, His life was immersed in relationship with family, friends and people He met on a daily basis. He was impacted by government authority. He was impacted by the religious establishment of society. He was impacted by family members and relatives to and for whom He had certain responsibility. 

The disciples lives were changed drastically with most being martyred in the end. When did the “Christian life” become an add-on to our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? 

I have believed in God/Jesus as early as my first memories and I have gone to church, carried by my parents, later, on my own, and then with my own family up until today. It seems minuscule in the big picture of life. What I remember most are the tear-filled times of the presence of the Lord, whether in peaceful contemplation, broken neediness, lonely desperation, lost crisis, stranger’s mercy, joyful worship, supernatural presence or vision and too many other times to describe. When this life is over, I will leave with nothing in my hands and nothing to commend my lifetime of decisions, words, deeds and service before His presence, other than His hand of grace and friendship upon me.

Today, I want to spend more time with Him in His presence. Love is all. I didn’t choose Him, but He chose me. He has been faithful to His word, promises and love. He saves us, not because of anything we have done, and His grace was given to us before the beginning of time. (2 Tim 1:9) We don’t seek Him for selfish motives, but in response to His love drawing us with cords of kindness. We know whom we have believed; look up, our redemption is coming near. 

Assembly of the Firstborn

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)

A new start begins with desire for good, freedom, holiness, blessing and peace. These are more valuable than gold, but they may be obtained by us, today. At what cost? That depends, not on us, nor our circumstances, resources or ability. It depends on who we know. 

The Universe, including the world in which we live, is fundamentally good. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good….” (Genesis 1:31) The fall of man and the Enemy being cast down to earth did bring sin, death and a multiplicity of lies, but these have no bearing on God, His Sovereign purposes for mankind, or His nature of love, truth, justice, mercy, forgiveness, and blessing. Scripture demonstrates and teaches this clearly, but secularism denies it and promotes fear, doom, calamity, random chaos, selfish indulgence and every form of evil wickedness. Most of us, even Believers, have been deceived occasionally, in-part and stumble into worry,  apprehension, distrust, trepidation or worse. However, God has given us Faith, Hope and Love. (Heb. 11:1, Rom. 15:13; 1 Pet. 1:3)

Followers of Yeshua are among the “Assembly of the Firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven.” Our home is certain and infinitely glorious, such that words cannot express. Yeshua, is there and with us forever as per His affirmation, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) This promise is supported and vouched for by the “Blood of the Lamb”. The token of guarantee is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, of which God Himself jealousy yearns. (Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; James 4:5) Everything has already been done for us, our part is to believe and see it as “innumerable angels gathered in festal gathering.” 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) We can hear the Lord’s voice, obediently carryout the deeds He prepared in advance for us to do, and please Him by exercising faith – Believing Yeshua, Messiah.

God’s Word and Spirit

Is it possible that God’s word in the Bible is utterly true, not parsed or subjective like physical facts in this world. What evidence exists to affirm the validity of scripture? How are unseen physical truths defined and verified by the scientific method of men? Is the limit of observation and experimentation superseded and accomplished by other means? God gives faith, the Bible and His Spirit so we can know Him.

Are we subject to being loved by God as David or John described the love of God. If He does love us and those around us, as scripture says, does it make a difference? John described himself as “the Apostle Yeshua loved.” David wrote numerous psalms describing his relationship with God and expounding upon God’s specific acts of love, e.g. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:2-3) John writes, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:7-10)

Peter did what he saw Yeshua do, he healed a paralyzed man and he raised Dorcus from the dead. (Acts 3:6-8; 9:39-41) It is by the Word and Spirit that we live and accomplish God’s will on earth. His purposes are loving, though not of worldly love. He is still the same today, unchanging perfection. Yeshua clearly said several times that the impossible would be made possible by God as we asked and believed. (Matt. 7:7; John 15:7; 1 John 5:14)  God is Supernatural, miracle working, and He has revealed Himself and answered prayers of every Believer. These answers are often supernatural, beyond our physical ability to accomplish. We forget and we doubt. God is willing to do all He says He will do. He has treated us according to His great love and compassion and loves with an everlasting love.

Inquire of God

“…those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.”” (Zephaniah 1:6)

Do we inquire of the Lord? Have we opened scripture to hear His word? Have we prayed asking for His answer to us and our friends? I inquired of God as to why many of my friends rejected me and turned away. I prayed, but could not shake the loneliness, but felt only oppression as from the enemy. I read scripture today of the Apostles and disciples after the ascension, growing in numbers, peace and favor among the people. I read about many miracles performed by the Holy Spirit. Lastly, I read how the Apostles were flogged refusing to be silenced about Yeshua Messiah, but they rejoiced at being found worthy of suffering for the Name. (Acts 5:41-42) 

I must continue sharing by the Holy Spirit through loneliness and minor ridicule or rejection because of the Name and testimony of the Spirit of Yeshua. This is the response from my inquiry of God. “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9) “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”” (Galatians 4:6) ““When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” (John 15:26)

The Spirit is powerful and well able to direct us as we focus on Him and yield to His leading. “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6-10) The Spirit is the “Finger of God”, He moves upon and in us, in spite of our slight afflictions.

A Prophets Call

Every Believer has a calling, though it may be expressed in different terms. Many, if not all, preachers will refer to their calling to the Ministry. Scripture teaches that God’s gifts are given to all His children, as the Spirit determines. Gifts and callings my be denied, buried, run away from and/or squandered. Nevertheless, God is sovereign and fully able to accomplish His will and purposes in and through men and women. Jonah is an example of one who tried to run away from his call. In the parable of the talents the one given one talent was fearful and faithless, burying his talent in the ground. The prodigal son squandered his inherited gift. 

John, the Baptist, was a great prophet called to prepare the way of the Lord. His baptism was evidence of God’s preparation of the people for their Messiah. Yet, John may have described his calling much differently. His lived in the wilderness living on honey and locusts. He was a solitary person who described himself as a voice calling out in the wilderness, preaching repentance. John was humble and turned away from notoriety, instead pointing his followers to Yeshua. John was unjustly treated and imprisoned by Herod. Did he feel deserted by God? Did he struggle to see God’s purposes and fulfillment to His prophetic word? Did john question God’s purposes while in jail? 

We must live and carryout our calling and move in our gifting by faith. It is impossible to please God without faith, which is obedience without seeing, reasoning, and /or working in our own human ways and means. 

The way of faith is through the empowering gift of the Holy Spirit which is also unseen. God’s gifts are not like toys given to children for their own self indulgent entertainment. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable, unlimited, and spiritual. (Rom. 12:29, John 3:34) They are for the building up of the body of Believers, rather than individual notoriety. How can human efforts accomplish the supernatural calling of God? We may think with good intentions, “If we could just raise enough money, we could eliminate poverty. If we could form a government for the workers, we could establish fairness for all.” These are wicked, secular, godless sentiments which have historically produced only tyranny and oppression. 

God’s way is in submission and surrender to the Spirit’s leading. It may lead through the valley of hardship and suffering, just as Yeshua demonstrated. Will we follow Him, as our “so called” friends desert and malign us? Will we wait for His ways and means? Will we accept being called a failure, renegade, or radical? We we embrace a Prophets call? 

Confirmation

There is a time and way to confirm whether a thing is from God or not. In 1 Samuel the Philistines took two cows with caves to lead a cart with Israel’s ark of God back to Israel. Such cows would typically return to their calves. Many times in scripture ways and means were derived to get confirmation God’s will. Gideon asked God to let a fleece become wet or dry overnight. God gave the Urim and Thummim to the High priest. (Exodus 28:30) Many times God himself gave confirmation of His will and purposes through prophecy or signs.

We have the Ten Commandments listing things that are directly and always opposed to His will as sin. However, on occasion we are faced with decisions that are not overt sin and which we would like confirmation. The secular world involves much activity around decision processes and confirmation, not of God’s will, but success. Accounting analysis of trends, statistical analysis, surveys, research and studies of all sorts are used for predictions. 

Believer’s often mimic the world’s ways using rational and reason-based analysis. What does scripture teach? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight… When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, 24-26)  This is opposite from worldly ways and calls for trust in God, His goodness, lovingkindness and faithful provision. Yeshua demonstrated the Believer’s practical approach to decision making – prayer. (Luke 5:16, 6:12; Matt 14:20; Mark 1:35) Would we know how to spend all night in prayer? I do recall our church occasionally having all night prayer gatherings, with volunteers coming and going and staying as each was able by faith.

Faith is how Believer’s live and that through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The opposite of faith is not doubt, but self-reliance. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) When God  leads, He also provides, even though we may not be able to see or have it all in advance; if we have faith we can rest assured.

The Next Vision

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” (1 Samuel 3:1)  

I have been spoiled, if possible, by Father God as to His presence, gifts, and word. I hunger for Him and though He is always near according to His promise, I sometimes feel alone and am often surprised when He interrupts my routine. God is drawn to faith and draws us by impartation of faith. He is the initiator, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,…” (1 Peter 3:12)

Paul advised Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline… That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day… Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, 12, 14) This does not sound like “church goers” today, who sit as mere audience members. How long has worldly thinking and resistance to the supernatural Holy Spirit quenched faith down to a lecture hall where a “Word of the Lord” is rare. 

The next generation right after a mighty revival and awakening, may hardly express hunger for the “Presence”, and may have no expectation of a Word of the Lord or visions. (Judges 2:10) Each generation must have its own outpouring of Holy Spirit power and love. Every Believer must have their own fire of God giving flame to His gifts within. Though we may tell succeeding generations about the Lord and His goodness, each generation must go beyond knowledge to experience. This is the prayer and message I speak for my children and grandchildren, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29) “From there” is anywhere we may find ourself away from God, suffering under idolatry’s oppression. Like the Father of the Prodigal son, God will welcome us back to Himself, He remains faithful. (2 Tim. 2:13)

Temporary

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)  

This was Job’s worship after losing everything. I experienced loss it in a very minor way. We had a blue spruce tree which I planted ten years ago and was admiring its beauty. The next day we had a storm with swirling winds over forty miles per hour. It knocked out our electric power for several hours. The next morning I was thankful as it looked like we came through with very little damage. Later, I found the blue spruce tree broken over at the trunk. I was sad, but recalled that every good and perfect gift comes from God. (James 1:17) Moreover, He gives and takes away. 

We must develop a heart that appreciates life and its blessings, but sets it’s hope and desire on all things eternal.  We may know it intellectually,  but Yeshua calls us to more, saying, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) 

One day even our life will be take away by God. It may be as some used to say, “He died of old age.” Contemporary society is now too arrogant and secular to leave death in God’s hands and we may not recognize His Sovereignty over life and death, albeit through accident, disease, bad habits or even pure evil. My tree may have out-lived me, but it would still die, as do all earthly things. Yeshua’s encouragement is altogether right that we are to live out of the abundance of a good heart, rather than intellectual ramblings. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) 

Job demonstrates a principle in scripture, love and faith overcome evil. Love endures and never fails. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Facing Consequences

It is hard sometimes to look in the mirror. When I wake up my hair can look ridiculous. However, there is another mirror that is not a reflection of physical images, but emotional, mental, and spiritual conditions. It is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. These work in tandem to reveal truth about our hidden innermost being. Scripture tells us the Spirit divides or differentiates or distinguishes between Soul and Spirit. (Heb. 4:12) 

The things we see and despise in others are within us! Shocking, how can this be true? It is true because we are generally blind in our inward view and because we consciously or unconsciously judge others harshly. Moreover, whatever we sow we reap, so when we cast seeds of pride we raise a crop of condemnation from the poisonous fruit of pride.

When we see arrogant  intellectualism in others we will adopt this mindset ourselves, unless we actively and sincerely forgive it in others. Self discipline has a place, but scripture says, “These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”(Col. 2:22-23)

The answer comes from God, His word and Holy Spirit. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:2-3, 5) “Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:13-14)

Love is active and passive. It serves and gives, but it also bears insult without striking back. It endures disrespect and forgives without petition. Loving our enemies maybe the highest power of love, but loving God is first. The purity of love is its grace that Shakespeare described.  

“The quality of mercy can’t be forced. It falls like gentle rain from heaven onto the place below. It blesses twice—the person who gives it and the one who receives it…it’s an attribute of God himself.” (The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, modern translation) God truly provides everything we need to live a life pleasing to Him. Our part is to believe and accept Him, then die to ourselves, putting on new life in the Spirit.(Col. 3:5, 9-10)

God Revealed

There is something very desirable in God being revealed. I’m reading again the book of Daniel and it starts with several accounts of God revealing Himself. These “Bible stories” are famous and are used to teach little children about God. There is an account of Daniel and his three friends rising within the Babylonian royal court. God gives Daniel prophetic knowledge of the King’s dream, as well as its interpretation. The account of the three young men who refused to bow down to the King’s golden idol and were cast into the furnace, but were miraculously delivered by God. The account of Daniel interpreting the King’s dream and his exile from human society in madness and return when he acknowledges God’s Sovereignty over all the universe. There are even more stories of deliverance with amazing prophetic revelation. 

Why do these stories, that secular society denies, appeal to us, especially children? Is it because they are wondrous with good triumphing over evil. They reveal God’s loving, merciful, powerful nature. There is no moral virtue in secularism, no love or compassion of a father to his children. We want to see God and His supernatural deeds. This can be wrong when we desire to satisfy our selfish need for wonder and amazement. God is not our entertainer. Moreover, a miracle doesn’t always serve God’s highest loving purposes, (making them rare), even though they still happen today. 

Thomas the apostle, refused to believe Yeshua was raised to life without seeing for himself. Yeshua granted his desire, but said those who believe without seeing are more blessed. (John 20:25-29) There are several lessons in these stories. They show God’s merciful deliverance for His followers; His almighty power; that He transcends time, knowing our thoughts before we think them, but it also shows that God will go out of His way to rescue us, even from our own waywardness – God is merciful.

I believe the greatest revelation of God is His love. While miracles may demonstrate His love, they are not common. We should mark them and thank Him for His acts of love. Who has not been lonely, depressed or lost and surprised by God’s friendship and rescue. If we review our lives we will find countless evidences of God’s lovingkindness. Though we may not be delivered from lions or a furnace of fire, His love and mercy follow before and behind every Believer. (Ps. 139:3-8) Additionally, God is even kind and merciful to His enemies. We must not forget that we all at one time were lost and opposed to Him, but it was His kindness that leads us to repentance. (Rom. 2:4) 

Crying Out to Him

“Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)

Seeking God is good. Desiring Him and His ways is commendable. Following in Yeshua’s path of love and service is wise. Turning away from selfish pursuits is healthy. Thinking about what is lovely, good, pure, excellent and noble is proper. Waiting for the Lord is necessary and shows patience. 

Even so, we may reach a place where we call out: “I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalms 42:9-11) Life is full of work and rest, peace and strife, abundance and want, but we have something far greater than these promises, virtues, and qualities. Paul observed, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor. 15:19) Our reward is in Heaven where He is at the right hand of God. Nothing short of His presence will suffice, but that full magnificence and glory cannot be experienced in this carnal life. 

We have a risen living Lord and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Along the journey with Yeshua the Spirit comforts us, as He was comforted by angels. Scripture reminds us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”(Hebrews 13:2) It is easily dismissed with a temporal mindset, but we can have the mind of Christ. “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:2-3) We can participate in the divine nature, through the Holy Spirit. We can taste and see that the Lord is good. Hope does not disappoint. “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [Daddy] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16)

Architect and Builder

“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house…And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Hebrews 3:4, 6)  

I like to build things and I have experience building with reclaimed and repurposed materials. For some reason unknown to me, I find satisfaction in salvaging value from things that appear  worthless and have been discarded. For example, certain species of trees will die, but still have quality wood. The trees must be felled where they stand in the forest. The straight portions of the trunk must be cut into logs and milled into lumber. The lumber must be dried and sized after being rough sawn. Then, an Architect and builder can designed and construct a house.

I often bemoan to my wife saying, “I was surprised how long it took to finish that project.” She will remind me, “You always say that.” I should know it by now, but I’m still surprised. It’s a lesson I cannot learn and if I did I might quit. I see the finished product, not the process. God’s activity is similar is many ways, although perfect and inspired by love. 

He is the architect and builder of a city with foundations. (Hebrews 11:10) The city will be populated by His children made perfect and redeemed from their temporary brush with death. God is able to find and restore that which was lost. He says, “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” (Romans 9:25) He redeems those that were deemed worthless. (1 Peter 1:18) He uses various methods like hardship and struggles. In the heat of a crucible and furnace, He removes impurities and tests the human heart. (Titus 2:14;  Prov. 17:3) 

We are His materials in constructing a holy temple for His dwelling until we are all brought into His eternal presence in Heaven. (1 Cor. 3:16; Rev. 21:3) Even today, the Congregation of Believers world-wide are a habitation of the Holy Spirit on earth. (2 Cor. 6:16,19) Yeshua said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt. 18:20) God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden and He still desires to walk among His people in fellowship. Yeshua has restored us to Father God. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

I will not Fear, God Helps Me

“The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.” (Isaiah 50:5-11)  

Who does God help? Does He help those who try to help themselves? No. He helps those who rely on Him. Though hardship comes, we trust in God our deliverer. Though we face difficulty, God is our shelter and vindication. God is merciful to those who cry out to Him. He knows all things, He experienced the ultimate sacrifice for us, to provide righteousness for those who trust in Him. We wait on God because there is no other who is loving, forgiving and faithful to His promises. 

I charge you and all Believers to live without fear of man, the future, calamity, the Enemy, mockers, threats, disgrace, shame, false accusations, curses, want, or any misfortune, solely by faith in God our shield and protector. Surrender and submission to His vindication by faith is the path of those who rely on Him exclusively. We know this world is full of hardship and injustice, moreover, our Lord endured much of it, but He knew His fate was secure in God’s hands. We can be free of fear and dread, such that, even if a gun is pressed against our head, the Lord is master of all that concerns us and our lives are in the everlasting arms. (Luke 22:35; Isa. 58:11; 1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 31:15, 139:16; Deut. 33:27)

Disappointment

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”” (Romans 3:3-4)

Occasionally there are serious consequences of disappointment. What first comes to mind was Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. He thought he was starving, so what value would a future benefit be if he died. Later, he was disappointed by his decision, but couldn’t repent. The rich young ruler may have been disappointed in Jesus’ answer to give away his wealth and come follow Him. Judas may have been disappointed that Jesus didn’t miraculously convince the Pharisees to believe He was the Messiah and/or use His supernatural power to defeat to Roman’s, or assume the kingship the public offered. We can see Judas’s intensions, plans, desires and actions ended in disappointment. (Matt. 27:5) King Saul was disappointed when he failed to obey God’s clear direction. (1 Sam. 15:19-24) Our unfulfilled dreams and wishes can produce disappointment, but must it be so? Redefining our expectations or keeping them extremely low can be a coping mechanism to prevent or mitigate disappointment. If we have inconsistent, faulty or unreliable people in our life, we may become insecure, skeptical and doubtful based on observation.

Do we believe God is who He says He is, including being good, loving and rewarding our belief/faith. (Heb. 11:6) After we accept His existence, do we get mired in disappointment regarding His dealings with us? Whether He is a rewarder of those who seek Him can be parsed, into a subjective theory of uncertainty or actual faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. (Heb. 11:1) 

If we can’t tolerate disappointment we might construct reasons such as He has ceased to do miracles, answer prayers or actually do what the Bible claims with respect to Him and us. This is not a proper response to differences that exist between what we desire, think is God’s will, or expect. We are to submit and surrender to God fully putting our trust in Him. All through scripture we see people missing God’s will, even as they set out to do it. The fault lies in us, not God. He doesn’t disappoint, but we do by raising our own will above His perfection. Things may appear as defeat, that the enemy prevailed, but God is far beyond our understanding and the enemy’s plans to kill, steal and destroy. Victory belongs to the Lord alone. 

Hearing God’s Voice

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

I want to hear the Lord’s voice. I wondered who in the Bible is the most proficient hearer of His voice? Yeshua, is the obvious answer and He spent much time away praying and communing with the Father. He said often that He only did what He saw the father doing. Was He given visions of God’s work? He was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:21-22) Can we derive anything about His interactions with the Father from our experiences with the Spirit? (Heb. 2:17, 4:15)

Moses also spoke with God regularly. “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord…” (Numbers 12:6-8) We are in a relationship with God, by virtue of His holy spirit, that was hidden for ages, but has now been reveled through Yeshua Messiah. 

The Lord was clear that He was imparting the indwelling Holy Spirit to every believer, even Gentile Believers. (Acts 1:8, 2:38; 1 Cor. 2:12; Acts 11:15-18) A new and improved communication and relationship is possible because of and through Yeshua. We are to be in Yeshua as He is in the Father. (John 17:21-23) Is He referring to the gift of the Spirit as “the Glory”? How are we taught to rely and interact with the Spirit? As a young Believer I asked our pastor about the Holy Spirit and he replied, “The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Godhead.” I never heard more. Even early Believers accepted Yeshua without hearing of the Spirit’s indwelling presence, but the apostles remedied that situation. (Acts 8:15-17)

Scripture says, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God… This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words…The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”(1 Corinthians 2:9-16) Yeshua was given the Spirit without limit. (John 3:24) is it true for us?

The Obvious denied

There is an evil in this world which is obvious and denied. It pervades all spheres of society, but is seldom mentioned or acknowledged. It is hidden by forces of evil, even the ruler of this world system. 

Bluntly stated, it is a mental concept that is believed by multitudes, but has no truth or substance to make it desirable, beneficial or helpful. We are conditioned to believe many concepts irrespective of their ultimate virtue or truth. For example, advertisements affirm the virtues and benefits of products and services, but these may turn out to be false or far less helpful than asserted. We all form opinions about many uncertain things that only the future will verify. Entire industries are formed around prediction, valuation, planning and speculating about future events or opportunities, all of which are highly uncertain. So, we are very used to and comfortable with ideas of specious source.

In this society of Mankind, the enemy, Satan, was casts down from Heaven. (Rev. 12:7-9; Isaiah 14:7:20) Unregenerate mankind believes he is good, contrary to reality, history and scripture’s clear declaration, “only God is good.” (Matt. 19:17; Luke 18:19) Practically, every hour of the day people think evil thoughts and/or do selfish or wicked deeds. History is undeniably full of murder, war, crime, and every form of evil. The scriptures expose and detail the wickedness inherent in nations, kings, leaders and individuals. He thinks he is good, though his decisions are unjust. He thinks he is good, as he kills and abuses children. In all his ways he denies righteousness and does evil wicked deeds. Simply watch a little TV or movies and you will see wickedness of worldly men, portrayed as normal and good. In total delusion wicked politicians assert there are more than two genders. (Gen. 1:27)

There were only two men who were taken up to Heaven without dying until their return before the end. (Gen. 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11-12; Rev. 11:3-12) The only sinless man is Yeshua, Messiah, who was crucified and raised from death in resurrection and ascended to heaven evidencing His divine authority as God’s only Son and Savior of all who believe and rely upon Him. This acceptance by faith upon Him as Lord and Savior is accompanied by Spiritual regeneration. (John 3:5-8) Truth is revealed, Holy Spirit is imparted, and blindness to the lies and deception of the enemy is removed. The greatest miracle of God’s gift of salvation is not righteousness, but love. (Rom. 8; 1 Cor. 13) To know God is to know love. (1 John 4:8,16; Rom. 5:8; Eph. 3:19; 1 Cor. 13:4,13)

Darkness and Light

I was daydreaming and thought of the Israeli hostages trapped and abused by Hamas terrorists. I wondered whether any of the hostages were Believers, like Richard Wormbrand who was in a similar situation and would praise and worship God in between beatings by his Communist captors. I thought of the power of God’s praises used in battle as the Israelis marched out behind trumpets and worshippers. I did hear a brief testimony of one hostage saying that his faith in God sustained him during his long captivity in darkness, insufficient food and water. I wondered whether boldness in praises to God in such a hellish situation could have impacted the tormentors or transformed the situation.

Then I recalled, Paul and Silas who were unjustly imprisoned for their testimony. They were singing hymns and praising God during the night from jail. God sent His angel to set His people free and by consequence also saved the jailer and his whole family. (Acts 17:22-35) I don’t know why all this came into my mind, but it is a reminder and testimony of how dark things are in the world and that God is not unaware nor unconcerned when His Saints who cast their lives into His hands and care. Scripture clearly reveals God’s provision and deliverance for His children who give themselves to His will and purposes. 

Our God is faithful, even unto and through death, should He determine it is best. Martyrs hold a high office in the Kingdom of God. (1 Thess. 4:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11, 17:14; Luke 21:12-19) Our eternal life will eclipse this temporal life do much that a comparison cannot be made or even remembered in Heaven. The enemy lies to terrorists that by evil, murderous, heinous acts and suicide they can enter a poor afterlife of satisfied lusts. On the contrary, The Children of the day live in the light of God’s truth and love. There are many illustrations of God’s care in daily routine affairs as well as rare death defying circumstances. We have no catalog of these events in our lives to share and evaluate and scoffers would continually object, but we know God spares children from serious injury. He continues this throughout our lives, if we have the faith to admit it. God is sovereign, loving and merciful; His nature as a Father is demonstrated in this world by restraining the forces of darkness.  

Spiritual Renewal

A hymn so powerful can set our heart aright, even in our great need. Acknowledging the Lord is a source of righteousness and goodness. (Exodus 20:3-6) Even the ability to sing and cry out properly must come by His instruction. Remembrance and reflection of our Savior rescuing and helping when we were lost, a stranger in great need, unworthy, yet pardoned is only right. Such grace constraints our longing, wandering heart, prone to leave and needing His seal upon our heart to bind us in His loving presence. Everything is from Him and to Him. We cry out, “Lord come”. He is loving and such love has power to free our bonds and break the oppression that our selfishness has wrought. His fountain of blessing ever flows with streams of mercy through Jesus precious blood. 

This is spiritual medicine for the lonely weary soul, in a wilderness of need, without hope or resource. Our condition, nature and history is defined by inherent deficiency, contrasted by God’s great grace and love, unconditional, undeserved, yet free and transforming, healing, forgiving and restoring. We can’t work to earn or access the fountain, it must come to us. 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth… There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells…God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble… The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalms 46)

Come, Thou Fount 

Come, thou Fount of every blessing tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love

Oh, come thou Fount of every blessing

Come, thou Fount

Oh, come thou Fount of every blessing

Come, thou Fount

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Hither by thy help, I’m come

And I hope, by thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger

Interposed his precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be

Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above

God’s Help

Today I needed a cap for a garden hose due to a particular leaking situation. I knew there were some around the house somewhere, but I could not imagine where among our supplies, tools, equipment, implements, parts, and/or miscellanea. I asked God to help and show me where one is. I started my search in a closet in the garage where I once had some hose parts. Nothing was there, then I searched among some shelves. Before I went to the barn where most hardware and tools are kept, I remembered beneath the porch where some extra hoses, though I didn’t think anything was there. I opened the door walked in and saw the hose ends where not capped. As I turned to go, I looked down at the ground and a black hose cap was there and I had just walked over it. 

The Bible has at least two parables of lost items being found. God knows what it means for things to be lost, including donkeys, sheep, coins and people. Moreover, He recognizes the joy there is in finding that which was lost. (Luke 19:20, 15:8-10) Our Father God cares about us, even the little things and knows the number of hairs on our head. Helping us is a small part of His grace and compassion shown to us. Yeshua put no limits on prayer when He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) Like a child, I try to trust God in things large and small, nothing is too hard for Him. Could it be that He wants to build our confidence in small things, so that we will have faith for the impossible? 

Yeshua, didn’t turn people away for asking, but rather for doubting, questioning and having no faith. The disciples were unable to deliver a boy from a particular affliction attributed to an evil spirit and asked the Lord, why? He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:18-29) Do we truly believe and know the power God gives us in prayer? It is not about us and our desires. I wanted the hose cap to solve a leak for my wife’s project. James is clear in addressing selfish prayer, but also about doubt illustrated by failing to ask. (James 4:2-3) The Lord said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24) Where is your faith?

Not a Creep

You are not a creep.

You are not a weirdo. 

You are special. 

You do belong here. 

You don’t want to be in control. 

You don’t need a perfect body. You can have a perfect soul. He does notice you. 

You’ve believed lies. 

You have judged others and everything wrongly. 

Ignore the world’s ways,

Listen to the Lord.

Love is all around.

Help is here for you.

Healing is coming.

You are set free.

What a friend you have 

in Yeshua.

Shower of Blessings are falling

all around,

Nothing can separate you

from Him.

You have been delivered from

the dominion of darkness

And transferred to the Kingdom of the Son He loves. 

Provided of course that you have believed Yeshua, know Him, trust him and live your life as his disciple/follower. We can’t and don’t have fellowship will those who are incompatibly with our lives. One who is destructive to our health and well-being, family and friends has no lasting place in our presence and company. There, nothing is shared or to be shared. In the contrary, friendship is built and nurtured, such that the friends and followers of Yeshua are our friends.

The world is full of people from every stripe and sect. Though we have guidelines and traditions for order and mutual respect in society, these are subject to wide variance and in recent years have welcomed delusion, profligates, shameful ways, false notions, lies and dark hearts. There are creeps and weirdos, who seek control and are given over to evil lusts. They are captive, in bondage to the enemy and father of lies. 

We all have been subjected to these traps and the associated misery of delusion and utter selfishness, but there is a way of escape. (Ps. 124:7)

God is greater than the enemy and His goodness is clearly seen in creation and the blessing of life. The power and glory of His love is understood in our innermost being, such that we have no excuse for rejecting life itself. We do understand the inherent difference between good and evil, intuitively, we know it is wrong to kill and innocent child or rape a woman. 

Yeshua, Messiah brought God’s message and word. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1:4-5, 14, 18)

The Spirit Presence

“…I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” (Revelation 19:10)

I remembered the Believers on the day of Pentecost gathered in a house. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:2-4)

This gathering must have spilled out into the streets as eventually thousands of people from all around Jerusalem came to hear and observe this miraculous outpouring. The miracle wasn’t only tongues of fire which rested on each one, but the words they were uttering in every language, “..we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11) 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Practically everything in the Bible started by God’s intervention through the Patriarchs, Judges, Kings, Prophets, and ordinary people, foreigners, and eventually, Yeshua, Messiah, the Apostles, Disciples and us today, who have been filled with the Holy Spirit, the mystery hidden through ages – “God in us”. (Col. 1;27) The same Holy Spirit that led the writers of the scriptures is in us today. (1 Peter 2:19-21) That is not to say we overrule the Bible or are equal to the authors who is God alone. It is the same God we serve and His undiminished power that is still active today. (Mal. 3:7; Heb. 13:8; Num. 23:19) 

Some people like to characterize periods of God’s work to limit Him and excuse  lack of faith, particularly with respect to His miracle working power. This is contrary to scripture and reality. (See Miracles, Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, Craig Keener) Biblical prophecy has not ceased as there are many events recently confirmed and others foretold. In 1948, God’s miracle working power reestablished Israel as a nation and the regathering of Jews world wide. The last days revival, the Rapture, Battle of Armageddon, Yeshua’s return, acceptance of Yeshua as Israel’s Messiah, His millennial reign and the destruction of earth are yet to happen. These and many accompanying details will display God’s miracle working handiwork. In this light those who resist the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s miraculous nature are like silly secular scoffers who don’t believe what they know and see. (John 9:13-33; 14:17)

With the Morning

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

There are shalom blessings in Yeshua, but we must enter them with faith. Shalom” comes from the Hebrew root meaning peace, “to be complete” or “to be whole.” It encompasses much more than just a hello greeting or farewell goodbye—it signifies wholeness, completeness, harmony, and divine blessing. It has a divine characteristic and promise, exceeding temporal measures. As Yeshua is the “Prince of Peace” He is the source of all perfect Shalom. (Isa. 9:6) Gideon recognized, God is Peace/Shalom. (Judges 6:24) There is much more to this Hebrew term, but knowledge is completed in experience. 

As Believers we have access to a spiritual spring welling up to everlasting life everyday. We need not travel around the world to a shrine, make sacrifices, spend hours and days in solitude seeking piety, or certainly not flagellation, physically or mentally. All these efforts are worthless as they originate from our own attempts to be cleansed and acceptable. There is only one path and gate to acceptance – Yeshua’s finished work upon the cross on our behalf. Even as important and good is obedience, we enter into grace by faith, not works. (Rom. 5:1-10) We turn away from our selfishness and sin by sincere confession, relying on the blood of the Lamb. (1 John 1:9; Heb. 9:14) God knows our weakness and inclination to waywardness and He disciplines those He loves, but He promises to never leave us. (Heb. 13:5)

It is by faith and the Holy Spirit that we live, overcome and please God. The Spirit intercedes for us, but He responds to faith. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8) Each Believer needs a word from the Lord to resist the enemy, cast out all fear, and step out in faith on God’s promises that are more certain than the sunrise. His love has been poured out into our hearts. No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless, and Yeshua’s righteousness has made us blameless. (Ps. 84:11)  As we listen to the word and the Spirit’s voice, He will open doors of blessing. Our desire is for God’s presence and ways; He will fulfill that desire for more of Him. (Rom. 8:31-32). Our God is a consuming fire who will triumph over every enemy, eventually casting him in the lake of fire. (Isa. 30:27-30) Let’s ignore the world’s lies and fear and keep in step with the Spirit.

Church Unity

There are many descriptions of what church unity would encompass and look like. To the extent there could be unity of theological perspective or doctrine is to many a greater miracle than parting the Red Sea, but God alone can do the impossible. I think the Bible gives us a glimpse from the first century of unity among Believers. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47)

In these five verses we see: 1) devotion to scriptural instruction, 2) fellowship and prayer, 3) authentic signs and wonders giving everyone awe of God’s power and presence, 4) Believers sharing everything in common via property and possessions, 5) everyday meeting to eat, (partake communion?) praise God and enjoy one another in homes and public worship places, and 6) the Lord adding new Believers daily.

It doesn’t say they had uniform doctrine and faith, which scripture clearly says varies among Believers. (Rom. 14) God was active in this unity by revealing His supernatural nature; bringing new Believers to faith, and giving Holy Spirit leading of teaching, prayer, fellowship, giving, worship and praise. Although much of this seems absent today, with God all things are possible and this absolutely once took place in history. 

Yeshua prayed, “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) This prayer is for two groups, the disciples the Father gave Yeshua when He was on earth (v. 6), and those who believed by their message (v. 20). In order for the world to believe God sent Yeshua, these to groups must be one in unity with God. Many have read Yeshua’s prayer looking forward to a time of world-wide unity of all Believers, so that the World will know Yeshua was sent by God. However, it is not unity of believers at a point in time, but unity of future Believers with First Century Believers. That unity is described in Acts 2 and God, rather than men, will bring it about in His ways, time and means. Yeshua’s prayers will be answered.

Dreaming Sadness

I was in university again, pursing a degree. My classes seemed fine and I was interested. I liked my professors. However, I really had trouble waking up and when I eventually got up and ready, I couldn’t seem to find any of my classes. My roommate was long gone and had encouraged me to leave. Making a late interruption into class seemed just too embarrassing to face, so I found the library. I wasn’t even sure whether I could find or reach the classroom building where my classes were located. I was finally able to find some books, none relative to any of my classes. I asked for help from one of the librarians who easily provided more books. Perhaps I could read some of these books and it would count for something. There was no way to forget or make up for the glaring reality that I was missing my appointed classes and the world would move on without me. I have had this dream or a variation of it several times over the years. The emotions it evokes were very heavy, dissatisfaction, foreboding, loss, helplessness, lost with aimless wandering and failure.          

I don’t know of any event or reality that I can associate or that might trigger such a dream as this. I have no related past experiences. The only similar thing I can imagine is the thought of missing the second coming of Jesus Christ. There will be no second chances, no way to make it up or excuse. When Yeshua returns all who are ready and waiting for His appearing will be caught up into the air to meet Him in the clouds. (1 Thess. 4:15-17) I can assure you, His return is certain and there are criteria for meeting Him, though He will be seen from every location on earth and by every eye. (Rev. 1:7) “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27) His return is for those who are waiting in anticipation of His coming. They have a relationship, knowing Him as they are known by Him. This will be their delight, longings fulfilled, exceptions satisfied. I can think of very few things that are as sad and disheartening as missing Yeshua’s return. Scripture reminds us to eagerly look for his return and be in close relationship with Him so we will be ready.

Seeing Prophecy

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”(1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

This scripture reveals the Spirit distributing kinds of gifts; the Lord distributing kinds of service, and Father God distributing kinds of work over them all and everyone. So, in us are God’s gifts, service and work. Prophecy in the New Covenant is the greatest Spiritual gift and we are told to earnestly desire it. (1 Cor. 12;28-31) In my life I have seen prophecy working and I would describe the gift as conveying encouragement to others in various means through supernatural revelation. This revelation is not necessarily different from the Lord’s direction given to you or any other Believer who has ears to hear the Lord’s voice. All understanding received from the Lord will complement and agree with scripture. 

Yesterday, I was clearing fallen trees and limbs from my driveway after an ice storm. In the midst of this difficult and strenuous work, I heard the words coming from within me, “The Lord’s is still overwhelmingly good and merciful, even now He will pour out His lovingkindness.” This is the best interpretation into english I can provide, but the truth and reality of the message brought tears to my eyes as a witness of the Spirit’s presence. If you cannot recognize the presence of the Lord in your experience and the surprise, various emotions, love, knowing and/or stirring in your innermost being, I can’t expect your rational mind to accept things of the Spirit or anything of God who is Spirit. (John 4:24)  Unbeliever’s, skeptics, scoffers, doubters and some Believers who are resisting and quenching the Spirit will cite the co-existence of emotion with God’s presence as evidence of fraud. However, all through scripture people encountering the gifts, service and/or works of God clearly expressed emotion, even so unbelievers. (Acts 8:6-8; Luke 10:20; 17:15; 1 Cor. 14:25) Why should we not expect a continuity of human experience as recorded in scripture with us today?  Yes, emotion alone should be tested, even as all prophecy should be tested. (1 Thess. 5:19-21) Other peoples emotions can have an opposite effect on us, I understand this, emotion is opposite from mental  rationalization and analysis. However, remember that emotions lead to what we truly believe.

Returning to the event of driveway clearing, within a minute of getting the message from the Spirit, I looked up and saw my son-in-law coming up the drive. He brought some supplies, good news, and encouragement, physical, emotional and Spiritual. The word proceeded the natural and that is an illustration of prophecy, simply hearing the voice of the Almighty. 

Power of an indestructible Life

Yeshua is our High Priest, “one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (Hebrews 7:16, 25-26)

Has a lack of faith of leaders and fellow Believers caused a horrible weakness within the American Church? Leaders do not believe in the priesthood of all Believers and/or they look to intellect and mental acuity, rather than the filling, gifts and power of the Holy Spirit. Believers sit in an audience listening to sermons and teaching for decades, but have not been released into Yeshua’s ministry through prayer, laying on hands, Spirit led encouragement and blessings.

In the early church the whole church would confess and profess the mercy, presence  and love of God through the Word and Spirit and unbelievers would have their heart secrets revealed and call out, “God is really here!” (1 Cor. 25) Teaching is one gift of the Spirit among many others, prophetic encouragement is a higher gifting. (1 Cor. 12:28,31) If years of teaching has not equipped Believers as ministers and pastors and intercessors, then it never will and the church should stop repent and ask for guidance and help from the Lord to take over leadership of His Church.

Yeshua’s own words to the churches is “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7) It may be that the American Church is like Sardis, to whom Yeshua said, “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” (Revelation 3:1-3)

Human efforts are insufficient for God’s service, He must do the heavy lifting and we are like children relying on Him in every act. Faith in Yeshua is the source of our confidence. The disciples did nothing in their own strength, but they believed and served a miracle working God. We must exercise faith to look and find where God is working and join Him in His work. Our first effort is to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers in His harvest. (Matt. 9:8) All through scripture it says, “ask and you will receive.” We have not because we have not asked. (James 4:2) Is it time to give in to God’s ways and despise our own. (Isa. 55:8-13, Prov. 3:5)