Lost

Jan05
by Michael King on January 5, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Posted In: being spirit led

 

Lost

Are You Lost? Do You Want To Find Your Way Home?

In today’s Christian church, there is much emphasis placed upon the study of God’s word.  While study is profitable, I believe that we may be missing the more important area of hearing God’s current word for today. 

For example, if I wrote to you on Sunday asking to meet me at 5th and Main on Tuesday and then later, on Monday, called and said I would be at 4th and Steward at noon: where and when would you meet me?  Here is a truth,

“It does no good to be so tied to where God was that we miss where God is.” 

To be sure, the Bible is the word of God.  All scriptures were received through holy men of God who spake and wrote as the Spirit led them.  It is also true that the translations we have today are largely inerrant and are true to the original Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew texts.  The scriptures, spanning thousands of years, also allow us to derive general principles of who God is and how He deals with mankind.

However, let us keep in mind that men and women of God received specific and timely communication in order to perform the great acts of faith we read about.  Abraham spoke with the Angel of the Lord about those in Sodom. Moses meets God in a burning, instructed to return to Egypt.  God warns Joseph in a dream to flee with Jesus into Egypt.  In fact, every significant saint of old experienced direct communication with our Father in one way or the other.  These personal communications allowed them to know what to do in specific circumstances and when to do it.  

The questions we may all need to consider is:

“If Abraham, Moses, and Joseph needed direct communication isn’t it just as necessary for us to do the same?”

I assert that all Christian believers need to know God’s voice in order to receive specific direction for what He presently wants done in their day to day lives.  In fact, hearing God’s voice should be the normal experience of everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord.

For instance, the Bible says that we should study to show ourselves approved.  However, it does not tell us specifically what we should study on a day to day basis.  Study scriptures as directed today because God knows you are going to meet someone who needs specific encouragement. Ask God what to study, allow His Holy Spirit to guide you. 

Here is a truth:

“While the Bible is good at giving general principles, you still need individual direction from the Holy Spirit in order to be 100% effective.”

Likewise, if you read the holy writ and apply the principles to your life only through natural minded thinking, you may or may not be doing the will of God.  We need specific direction in order to fulfill the will of God for our lives today.

The question we must all ask ourselves is:  

“If God speaks to you but you do not follow His voice are you truly one of His sheep?”

Sadly, many people count themselves to be Christians simply because they belong to a church.  However, following rules does not necessarily mean you have a relationship with the rule giver.  To have a relationship you must become personally acquainted with Him through conversation. 

Communication is a two way street. Each party must speak and then also listen for any meaningful dialogue to take place.  God always listens to our prayers and always speaks.  However, though we speak much, we often times do not listen. God says today what He speaks to us NOW.

Doing the “things” of God is not the same as having a “relationship” with Him

Some believe that doing the things of God is the same as having a relationship with Him.  One does not always follow the other.  Many obey formulas that they have been told will grant them eternal life.  However, what assures us a place in heaven is a relationship with the one who grants that access.  If you do not know Him, He will no let in, no matter how many rules you have followed.  

In conclusion, know God’s voice so that you will know what He wishes for you to do today.  Let the Holy Spirit replace your natural mind as the decision maker in your life.  To walk in the Spirit, simply let His Spirit lead and guide you in your actions and interactions. 

Though the cost is great, the will of God is this:

“Live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, both in the past and in the present.”

In this way you will become both hearers and doers of the word of God. Moreover, in the resurrection, you will be counted as a friend of God.   

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Knowing The Times And Seasons

Dec26
by Michael King on December 26, 2013 at 11:09 am
Posted In: prophecy
times and seasons

Jesus says,

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:”

Mark 13:28

And,

“He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

Mathew 16:2,3

The end of the Gentile Church Age

There is a lot of interest in Bible prophecy these days and many believe that we are fast approaching the end of time.  Many expect Christ to return, literally, at any moment.  I remember, as a young Christian, I was very scared that Jesus would return and I would be left behind.  Watching such movies as “A Thief In The Night” scared me plenty.  At the end of the movie, there was a dramatic plea to dedicate all to Christ.  A minster said, “if those present did not give their lives to Christ that they, they might be left behind to face the Antichrist”.  Needless to say, many came forward and gave their lives to Christ that night.   NO ONE wanted to be left behind.  However, many accepted Christ out of abject fear for their personal safety rather than heartfelt conviction of sin.

I personally believe very strongly in the rapture, however, I do not believe in scaring people into the kingdom of God.  There is no telling how many conversions, made because or abject fear, lasted.  I know personally, once the threat of imminent death passed, my commitment waned.

Why are so many wrong about Bible prophecy?

That story happened nearly 30 years ago and there has been no rapture.  Many people predicted many Bible prophecies would soon come to pass because Israel became a nation in 1948. Jesus said that generation would not pass away until all had been fulfilled.  Those who interpreted scripture predicted, in great detail, the end would take place by the 1980’s.  In retrospect, almost nothing those self-proclaimed prophets came to pass.  Such books as “The Late, Great Planet Earth” written by Hal Lindsey, have since fallen in to disrepute for lack of accuracy.

Although the Bible does contain a large amount of prophetic writings , people almost always get the interpretation wrong.  It seems that, in every generation, some take up a sort of pseudo mantle of old testament authority.  They declare “follow me!”, to safety.  These are sorcerers who seek to divine the future through peering into scriptures like a crystal ball.  By getting people to believe they know the future, false prophets gain sway over many, leading them astray.

Prophecy is not intended to be a crystal ball

Prophecy is not intended to allow people to know the specifics of the future.  Prophetic scripture is designed to allow people to realize that “this is that” when events foretold by God come to pass.  The fulfillment of prophecy is a witness that what God foretells is accurate and trustworthy.  The main benefit of biblical prophecy is  for people to accept what God is doing “at that time” and act accordingly.  Here is a truth,

“Prophecy is mainly good for confirmation.”

God foretells the future through His prophets and His word it is always 100% accurate.  Yet, those who try to know the future through Bible prophecy are almost 100% inaccurate.  Even when people experience the events foretold in scripture, they still don’t get it.  Why is this so?  What is the disconnect that makes people so wrong when it comes to knowing the times and seasons of God?  The answer to this question is,

“Though the fulfillment of prophecy is exact, many do not receive it (even when it happens to them).  People do not recognize the seasons, because they’re hearts are darkened.  Therefore they cannot receive nor understand what they read or even witness.”

God says,

“I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

John 10:30-33

Even though the Son of God stood before them, they could not recognize their times and seasons.  Even though Christ did many good works, the Jews still wanted to stone Him.  Though Jesus fulfilled literally hundreds of prophecies, the religious leaders could not discern the times and seasons.  The reason their eyes did not perceive their Messiah is this,

“Understanding the times and seasons of God is not dependent upon intellectual ability but upon the condition of your heart before Him.”

God says,

“…, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 

…he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.”

Luke 2: 25-33

And,

“...there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Luke 2:36-38

Recognizing the times and seasons

Simon and Anna knew the Christ even as a baby.  At only eight days old, those who waited on God, recognized the Christ.  On the other hand, natural minded chief priests, scribes, and pharisees could not know Him as a fully grown man.  Simon and Anna knew the Christ because God revealed who he was by His Spirit.  likewise,  we cannot know the times and the seasons of God through our natural minds either.

The things of God are spiritually discerned.  More than any other part of scripture this is true about Bible prophecy.  Unless we become close to God in prayer, we cannot begin to know the deep things of God.  Those who approach the interpretation of future events without walking in the Spirit can never correctly interpret prophecy.

Much of what passes eschatology is simply prideful people speaking vain words about things they do not understand.  They are pretenders who parade ignorance around like the emperor who had no clothes.  Gathering followers, like some pied piper, false prophets lead many to destruction.  Instilling fear in those who follow them, they promise safety in the coming apocalypse.

God has not given us a spirit of fear

God has not given us a spirit of fear.  If others inspire fear in you through their words, know that what they say is most likely not the Holy Spirit.  God tells us about the times and seasons to encourage us.  When foreseen events come to pass we can rest assured that God has planned accordingly.  Realize, that even though God determined to cause a flood, He spoke to Noah well before tha time.  Noah hear God’s voice and through building the Ark spoke plainly to a generation.  The message was there for all to see, it was is just that no one, except 8 individuals, had ears to hear it.

In conclusion, if you wish to know what Bible prophecy really means, be in prayer and draw close to the heart of God.  Just as God spoke of what He was about to do to His friend Abraham, He will also speak to you.  However, if you do come to understand the true meaning of prophecy, you may not find others eager to embrace that revelation.  Do not assume that because you understand they will understand.

Being alone with God

Revelation tends to separate us and, like John the Baptist, it sometimes drives us into the wilderness.  Being alone with God and free from the distractions of normative Christianity is not bad, but very few will understand why.  With great revelation comes great responsibility. We must see ourselves as you really are; poor, blind, and naked except for the covering of the Most High.

Prophesy by Plantshakers

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