Each of us are on a different location on the narrow road to the Celestial Kingdom. Some are forging ahead nearing the finish line;
others are straggling behind being distracted by worldly glitter.
Pilgrims Progress is a classic book personifying the travelers and the
pitfalls.
No matter where any of us are in the journey, we need
one another's assistance along the way. The more mature Christian needs
to help the weaker, less experienced, member of the body of Christ. It
is so easy today to get the attitude "every man for himself," but that
is not God's way. We are our brothers' keeper.
Priscilla and
Aquila demonstrated the right response when they came upon Apollos, one
who loved God but didn't have it altogether in his understanding.
"When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." - Acts 18:26
We're also instructed to "accept the one who is weak in faith, but not
for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions." - Rom 14:1
I think it is more difficult today than in those days to follow these
principles, though we must try our best. We're always trying to figure
out if someone's incomplete faith is valid or not. Those who have 30
years of grounding in the Word might look at a baby Christian with
feelings of superiority, doubting their testimony if it doesn't fit a
theological pattern they think it should.
Someone recently on
facebook read my testimony and told me my salvation process missed the
mark. He couldn't be sure whether it was suitable or not. He was
offended that I was assisted by someone from a Calvary Chapel since he
figured none of their converts were valid. Maybe if they didn't give out
the "four spiritual laws" they fell short or something.
We're
not all going to be in agreement in the application of biblical
principles in our walk. Yet we need to not grow weary in encouraging one
another to good works. I love the way the late Walter Martin used to
put it:
"If two people agree on everything all the time, one of them isn't thinking."
Social media like Twitter and Facebook may actually work against this
as it is easier to take something the wrong way when it is in print,
since you cannot hear the others tone of voice or see the expression on
their face. Yet somehow we need to learn to reason together in the new
medium without conveying aggression.
I doubt if they offer such a class in the 'School of the Prophets.' (eye roll)
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember
therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and
you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names
even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk
with Me in white, for they are worthy." - Rev. 3:2-4
"Let love be
without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be
devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another
in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving
the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to
prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with
those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind
toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the
lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for
evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If
possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Rom
12: 9-18
Did you know that the great reformer, Martin Luther, argued that the
books of James and Revelation should not be included in the canon of
Scripture?
It is understandable that one who discovered God's
amazing grace might not like James' admonition to do good works to
testify to your faith; but what did he have against the apostle John's
record of what Christ showed him and instructed him to write and deliver
to the saints regarding the time of the end?
We can't say for
sure, but it could be that it was just too hard to understand and made
no sense to his medieval mind. Just like the prophet Daniel was
perplexed with what the angel showed him, the angel's response could be
said also to Luther: "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up
and sealed till the time of the end." (Dan 12:9)
Sadly, many
churches that spun off from Rome in the Reformation to this day do not
like the Book of Revelation. Like the official Roman Catholic teaching,
the book is just a metaphor to show that ultimately good shall conquer
evil and there will be a judgment of all humans at the end of the world.
It would be a demotion for Christ to leave His throne in heaven to rule
and reign here on earth -- that's all just metaphorically speaking.
You hear them often say to us prophecy watchers, 'The church through
history has not believed in any rapture so therefore there is no
rapture.' Or, 'the church has always taught that Christ is present in
the eucharist so you can't call it false teaching today.'
But, we
do not get our teaching from the 'church.' We get our teaching from the
Word of God that was delivered to the saints. Even if those in the
church preserved God's Word, that does not make the 'church' the author
or their clergy the official interpreter. Truly the Reformers held onto
Rome's false authority for themselves.
As events unfold in these
end times, the Spirit of God is truly unveiling the Book of Revelation
and the Book of Daniel to His faithful servants. God will not add to nor
take away from His revealed Word, but as the angel said, we at the end
who are wise will indeed have understanding that the reformers did not
have in their day.
Abide in the Vine and keep on the lookout so
that you can have greater understanding as prophecy plays out. And at
the same time, watch out for deceivers -- for they are on the increase
even as prophecy foretold.
Keep on the alert!!
"Do not be
bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness
and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what
harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an
unbeliever?... 'Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,'
says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome
you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters
to Me,' Says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Cor 6:14-15, 17-18
“Many
shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do
wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall
understand." Daniel 12:10
Enjoy your time with
family and friends -- and if you have no family or friends -- enjoy the
peace and serenity you get from nature and a good meal amidst sounds of gaiety. The time is short.
We see the writing on the wall here in
America that those using the name of Jesus as a cuss word are in the
majority. Tolerance toward us who lift up the name of Christ and love
God with all our hearts is just about over. One commentator, mocking
believers who mourn over the court decision to make being gay a civil
right, wrote that Christians are being driven "back into the catacombs,
where they tremble at the tread of the legions and hear the distant roar
of lions."
Not only is the unregenerate public winning the
battle against any public show of love for Jesus, but churches too are
leaving the practice of teaching the Word of God in exchange for
preaching motivational messages with a scripture tacked on here and
there. This prophecy is certainly coming true in our generation:
"Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD." -- Amos 8:11
We know things are getting worse. I don't suggest running off into
hiding, but it would not be a bad idea to find a way to live closer to
like-minded believers. There are some good churches in our country with
discerning pastors. If you have none in your area, relocate if you can.
In the day ahead, we may have to live like the Hebrew slaves did with
their bags packed and their sandals on -- ready to move at the sound of
the trumpet.
Treasure these good times while they last. Don't
let the pressure of this fallen world silence you or send you into
hiding. Utilize your liberty while you still have it. And don't be
shamed into silence.
“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me
before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of
God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of
God." - Luke 12:8-9
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." - Mark 13:13
Watching the events of Greece this week and the warnings by the
economists of a potential domino effect - first striking Europe and then
here - it can create fear of hard times ahead. But we already know hard
times are coming. We already know that God's favor has lifted from
America after its judges and president have shaken their fists at God.
It is not God in whom they trust, but they trust their own strength and
power. They are god -- a false god at that.
It
is just a reminder that we must put no trust whatsoever in our
government. They are not trustworthy. When crisis hits - crisis
management will kick in -- and the global government the NWO is pushing
for will be put in place when the world seeks human solutions to the
mess they've made of things.
Now is the time to make sure we have the armor of God firmly in place.
When hard times -- maybe even a global depression -- strikes home, we
know Whom our Provider is. Perhaps only during such dark times will the
Body of Christ be just that to one another. The local pastor will not
have all the answers -- in fact, his salary may be cut off when the
people no longer have an income from which to tithe. We'll then be
forced to look at the model church in the Book of Acts.
"Nor was there anyone among them who lacked;... they distributed to each as anyone had need." --Act 4:34a-35
We're going to have to stick together even more should an economic
collapse happen -- and not look to the politicians for assistance.
Perhaps that is one reason why we're instructed not to forsake the
assembly together even more when we see the Day approach.
Doomsday preppers are teaching people to look out for themselves --
stockpile provisions and defend themselves with their stock of weapons
and ammo. That is not God's way. Should disaster strike, it will be
easier to see who's who in the professing church. Join those who gather
together to help one another.
We may soon see the Body of Christ as it was meant to be.
Maranatha!
"The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken... The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. - Ps. 37:12-15, 18-19
I am sure you share my
feelings of loss over the state of our nation. A dark cloud seems to
have descended upon the country. Pray with me that God would lower His
own dome of safety over us, His people, and our households. It IS His
nature to do so.
We know that these things must take place -- the
cup of iniquity is not yet full. But we know it will rise to the top
before God hurls it to the earth in His wrath. I thank Him that we are
not appointed to wrath and that we can run to His arms for help in times
of trouble. Many of us have friends and loved ones who are
celebrating the victory of sin in the hands of our judges. All I can say
is, 'Forgive them LORD, for they know not what they do." They will be
the same folks who will take the mark of the beast - the same folks
whose skin will break out in boils -- the same folks who will be stung
by demonic locusts and beg for death but death will escape them. PRAY
FOR THEM!!!!
And MORE importantly -- pray for the saints (not to
them as Catholics do). The living saints -- all of us -- have entered a
time of persecution and we know it's only going to get worse. But
through it all -- my prayer is that the LORD will make His presence
known to His saints in these dark days -- regardless of what is
happening in the world. That He would give us His peace -- even as war
and devastations go on all around us.
Join me in that prayer:
Heavenly Father, we Your people come humbly before you on behalf of our
loves ones, near and far. Forgive us our faults, known and unknown, and
empower us to be Your witnesses in the coming days. Even if you have
given over our country, keep us in Your care and show us Your hand of
protection on our behalf, giving us the peace that passes all
understanding. Raise up voices of Truth to rise above the voices of
ignorance and as You promised, when we come before kings and rulers, put
Your words into our mouths that they will not be able to refute. Revive
Your people, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us all, and let your grace
and mercy cover our transgressions as we struggle to know how to respond
to our culture without compromise. As we confess You before men, take
the fear of man far from us and hold our heads high above the flood of
dissipation in which we dwell. Send Your Son soon to restore all things.
In Your name and Your Son's name in the power of Your Spirit - Hear our
prayer. Amen!
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does
not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with
many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving
punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be asked. I have come to bring fire
on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a
baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is
completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you,
but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided
against each other, three against two and two against three. They will
be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against
daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against
daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” - Luke
12:47-53
"Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of
the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret
this present time?" - Luke 12:56
This is a difficult time to walk uprightly with the LORD because of
the plethora of temptations in our culture everywhere you turn. The
world offers so many empty trinkets and allures many into snares for
them to fall into sin. The saints need God's grace on a daily basis.
This verse is a warning to us not to stop striving in our battle against sin:
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put
before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I
let Myself be inquired of at all by them?" - Ez. 14:3
What kinds of idols can we set up in our hearts today that can weaken our resistance causing us to stumble into iniquity?
Love scenes from movies replaying in the mind's eye that send the message that adultery and fornication are normal;
Pondering memories of old lovers from BC days causing desire to
resurface for them --many have fallen for this idol in their hearts when
they attend their high school reunion;
The allure of material
things -- like expensive cars, motorcycles, pure-bred pets -- that are
purchased with money the family needs;
The idol of fame and
fortune and success that prosperity seekers set up in their minds and
passionately pursue to their own detriment.
I could go on and on.
I think some of us baby-boomers struggle the most with living in the
past since our youth is fading. We have a way of glamorizing the good
old days -- and though there's nothing wrong with that -- for some it
can become obsessive and unhealthy.
So let's press on and just
be conscious of what idols might cause us to stumble as we strive to be
pleasing to the LORD in these perilous times.
Keep your eyes on the Prize.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of
God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ"
- 2 Cor 10:3-5
"Then He said to another, 'Follow Me.' But he
said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him,
'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of
God.' And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first
go and bid them farewell who are at my house.' But Jesus said to him,
'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for
the kingdom of God.'" Luke 9:59-62
There is no other book like the Bible. It holds the wisdom of the
ages -- kept for us over many centuries, even millennia. Nothing else
ever written by the cunning of man compares to it. Any wisdom found in
any other book has its origin in the revelation of God to mankind. It is
a miraculous book.
In college, I took a class called "The Bible
as Literature." It was taught by an aging hippie professor who professed
to be an atheist. I kept hammering away at him all
semester long with questions aimed at making him think about what he
was reading and quoting.
I would frequently quote parallel passages to
point the truth of the passages to him. One day towards the end of the
course, he started talking, giving an overview of the semester. As he
spoke it's like something hit him square in the eyes, and he was struck
by the uniformity of the message from Genesis to Revelation. And
exclaimed, "I've never seen that before." The light went on.
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart." - Heb 4:12
For those of us who have been quickened by
His Holy Spirit, as we read His Word it certainly becomes the "Living
Word" to us. These are not simply words written on paper. As we read It,
we are often left in awe, brought to tears, inspired to praise the
Author. It evokes reverence, humility, love, gratitude, and drives us to
our knees. It even instills fear - godly fear - as we look upon the
Greatness of our God -- the Creator of all things visible and invisible.
No book ever written can be compared to the Bible. Yet for those who do
not have eyes to see and ears to hear, It is academic - just like it
was to that Professor -- until the Light comes on.
If you run
into a Gideon today -- give them a holy kiss. The Gideons provide the
Word of Life to millions and deserve our support.
"The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken.” - Is 8:13-15
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him." - Ps. 34:8-9
