The Prophetic Word - Days 131 thru 136: In the Waiting

The Prophetic Word

Day 131: What do you do when waiting for God’s help?

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on these passages of scripture:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 10:23, 30-39 NKJV

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

Job 19:25-27 NKJV

““And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:12-17 NKJV

We know that the Lord will help us. He has helped us before; we know He will help us again. But sometimes, the Lord‘s timing doesn’t seem to sync with what we think are the limits of our ability to endure.

Over the next several days we will discuss what we need to do while we’re waiting for the Lord‘s help to be manifested, not only in our own lives, but for all of His children who are suffering.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 132: Don’t allow a “mean time” in the “meantime” cause you to forfeit what God has promised.

“lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

Hebrews 12:16-17 NKJV

Let’s face it, in general, waiting can be difficult. Indeed, when people are waiting, they can allow angst to be acted out in decisions and behaviors which turn out to be disastrous.

Now, specifically, in terms of waiting for what God has promised, even worse consequences result from allowing our discomfort, distress, etc., cause us to displease the Lord when the “meantime” (the period of waiting for what we need) becomes a “mean time.”

Yes, the level of difficulty of enduring in the meantime without despairing, goes up with the level of discomfort, suffering, lack, threat, etc., we are experiencing.

The children of Israel had been miraculously delivered out of Egypt. When they came to Mount Sinai, Moses was called up to receive God’s instructions for them. But, when Moses did not return in the timeframe the people had anticipated, they made a terrible mistake. Being fearful, they demanded that Aaron make a god for them to worship, and to go before them on their journey; which he did.

“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.””

Exodus 32:1 NKJV

As a result of this disobedience, 3000 of the people were killed.

“Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’ ” So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.”

Exodus 32:25-28 NKJV

Additionally, the people would suffer again and again because of this terrible mistake.

Saul had been anointed king over Israel. The prophet Samuel had given him specific instructions as to what he was to do next.

“You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.””

I Samuel 10:8 NKJV

But, Saul became fearful of losing control over the people and made a sacrifice he did not have the authority to make. You see, the people were being threatened by the Philistines and they began to scatter.

“And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.”

I Samuel 13:7-9 NKJV

As soon as Saul made the prohibited sacrifice, the prophet finally appeared.

“Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.””

I Samuel 13:10-12 NKJV

Samuel then gave Saul the bad news that he would not have a continuing kingdom because of what he had done.

“And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.””

I Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV

What a tragedy for Saul that he forfeited an everlasting kingdom because fear caused him to displease the Lord!

In our opening scripture we see the writer of Hebrews warning the persecuted Christian Jews that falling away from their steadfastness could result in losing everything. He uses the example of Esau who let his hunger cause him to forfeit his birthright.

“And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?””

Genesis 25:30-32 NKJV

Child of God, let’s not fall short of receiving the Lord’s promises because of a mean time (pressure of any sort) in the meantime.

We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 133: God is not watching our “clock.”

“Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.””

Genesis 15:13-16 NKJV

I remember being in school and looking at the clock on the wall repeatedly to see if it was time to go yet. Now, I discovered a “law” with which you will probably identify: Being a clock-watcher actually “slows down” the space-time continuum.

Now, of course, you know that clock-watching doesn’t actually slow down the time; but it certainly seems that way! Right? And, this effect is greatly enhanced by the degree to which we are desiring some other situation than we are currently experiencing.

I’m sure you already know that this “clock-watching effect” also applies to when we are seeking something from the Lord.

Admittedly, whether a person has waited long enough on the Lord, will depend on whether the person waiting is yourself or someone else.

The other day I was meditating on the goodness of God concerning Ararat Church. During this time before the Lord He miraculously pointed out to me yet another sign that had prophesied the establishment of Ararat Church. (I say “yet another” because there have been numerous signs, sovereignly dictated events, through which Ararat Church was prophesied, established, and commissioned.)

While rejoicing before the Lord concerning this most recent sign, the Lord clearly spoke this to me: “ I have given you absolutely no reason to doubt [concerning the establishment of Ararat Church and the promises yet to be fulfilled], your problem is that you don’t agree with My timing.”

I thank God for His correction! Indeed, He has given no reason for me to doubt, allowing stress and strain to produce agitation or aggravation while in the “meantime.”

With that, I imagine you’ve made the same mistake: If something promised doesn’t occur within your “timeframe,” you may begin to doubt that you will ever see it. Or, perhaps, you may be more inclined/ tempted (as is in my own case), for the distress to manifest as wondering if you’ve somehow misunderstood what the Lord has said.

Sarah, possibly thinking they had misunderstood the Lord, decided to “help” the Lord by urging Abraham to conceive a child with her servant (Hagar).

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.”

Genesis 16:1-2 NKJV

Of course, that soon went south when Hagar, having conceived a child (Ishmael) with Abraham, came to resent Sarah.

“So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.”

Genesis 16:4 NLT

Then, several years later, when Abraham asked the Lord if Ishmael could be the chosen one, the Lord made clear that the promise was not through Ishmael.

“So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.””

Genesis 17:18-21 NLT

Abraham and Sarah did not misunderstand what God had promised. It’s just that the “clock” they were watching, said that it was past the time for Sarah to be able to bear Abraham a son.

And, we know (from the writer of Hebrews) that Sarah did finally grasp hold of the faith to conceive.

“It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.”

Hebrews 11:11-12 NLT

In our opening scripture we see the Lord promising Abraham that one day in the future, where Abraham is standing, will be turned over to his descendants. But, for now, the Amorites would remain in the land because “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

What? You heard it correctly: God has His own “clock” determining when things happen! He is an eternal Being Who knows all things. His “timing” is always right, even if it “hurts our feelings.”

And, yes, the day did come when the Amorites surrendered the land to the descendants of Abraham!

Joshua, speaking to the children of Israel, reminds them:

“For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.””

Joshua 24:17-18 NLT

Never more so has the matter of timing caused people to doubt, than concerning the return of Jesus Christ. Indeed, Peter warned of the folly of doubting His return based on the “clock” we’re watching.

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”

2 Peter 3:3-10 NLT

Remember, we may not be able to see God’s “clock,” but we “see” Him.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

Let’s keep watching Him and we’ll be sure not to miss seeing our promise. It’s just a matter of time!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 134: God’s ways are not our ways.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 10:23, 30-39 NKJV

As I have referenced before, Psalm 37 was one of my grandfather Aram‘s favorite passages of scripture.

The basic truth we can glean from this psalm is that the wicked’s day is coming. In other words, they won’t get by forever. And, in the meantime, we should not be discouraged because of the temporary prosperity of wicked people and their wicked plans.

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Psalms 37:7-11 NKJV

Yesterday we discussed how the Lord‘s timing is not according to our “clock.” We must add today that neither are His methods, our methods.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

Seeing that God‘s ways are not our ways, we may get discouraged while waiting for our answer, not seeing things “falling into place” as we have assumed they should.

Habakkuk was crying out to the Lord concerning the evil he was seeing all around him.

“O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.”

Habakkuk 1:2-4 NKJV

Now, near in mind, Habakkuk was complaining about evil doers among his own people.

The Lord then gives Habakkuk an answer he was apparently not expecting.

““Look among the nations and watch— Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.”

Habakkuk 1:5-6 NKJV

Yes, the Lord tells Habakkuk that He is preparing the Chaldeans to come and wipe out the evil people Habakkuk is referencing!

This revelation by God to Habakkuk throws him for a loop. Habakkuk doesn’t understand why the Lord would use people more wicked than the wicked people about which he is complaining to exact His justice.

The Lord then tells Habakkuk that what He has said, will happen, and that Habakkuk’s part is to live by his faith, yes, to be faithful.

In our opening scripture we see that the writer of Hebrews employs what the Lord said to Habakkuk as he tries to encourage the embattled Christian Jews to remain faithful.

There is a song entitled “I Don’t Need to Understand; I Just Need to Hold Your Hand.” Indeed, that title expresses a great truth: The source of our peace should be our relationship to the Lord, independent of whether things are going as we think they should.

Child of God, if you wait until you understand how and why God is doing what He is doing, if you wait until you see your answer coming, to have peace, you will never experience the true peace coming from just trusting Him. Remember, He’s working everything out for your good.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28 NLT

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 135: The “patience of Job” may not be what you think it is.

“constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],”

Romans 12:12 AMP

No discussion of endurance, or making it through “the meantime” before getting the help or answer you desire from the Lord, would be complete without referencing Job; specifically, the “patience of Job.”

Having recently discussed Job’s patience (“The Prophetic Word,” Day 117), it will suffice here for us to be reminded of what Job’s “patience” looked like.

Now, if you think that his patience looked like not complaining about his situation, you will be confused if you do a thorough examination of the book of Job.

Indeed, Job is complaining, vehemently at times, about his situation. But, in all that he went through, what he did not do was to charge God with “being wrong.” He did not “curse God and die,” as his wife suggests. Quite to the contrary, Job blesses the name of the Lord.

“Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Job 1:20-22 NKJV

Indeed, Job continues to confess his hope in a Redeemer Who would eventually make all things right for him.

“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth. Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God, Whom I, even I, will see for myself, And my eyes will see Him and not another! My heart faints within me.”

Job 19:25-27 AMP

Yesterday we were discussing the fact that Habakkuk was distressed over the way the Lord was going to answer his complaint. But, he also remains steadfast. Even in the midst of deep distress, he didn’t forget that God’s ways are right, even when we don’t understand them. Indeed, God’s ways are everlasting!

“He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations, Yes, the eternal mountains were shattered, The ancient hills bowed low and collapsed. His ways are eternal.”

Habakkuk 3:6 AMP

Jesus spoke of a time of great trouble that was coming on His people. He warned them that they must remain faithful through whatever they must face. And, in doing so, they would be saved!

“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.”

Luke 21:16-19 NKJV

In our opening scripture we see Paul reminding the Christians in Rome to remain steadfast, patient, yes, faithful, through their distress.

Dear friend, we may think that faced with the decision between abandoning our faith or being killed, that we would make the right choice. And I pray, by God’s grace, that we all would be steadfast in that situation.

Indeed, many of my relatives, Armenian Christians, died during the Armenian genocide because they would not give up their faith in Christ.

Now, whereas we may or may not ever face that decision, we are constantly being faced with whether we are going to believe God and be faithful to Him, even when things don’t turn out the way we think they should, or in the timeframe we desire.

Waiting when you’re suffering in some way or another is not easy. But the wait will be worth it!

Let’s look further into that tomorrow as we bring all of this together.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 136: It will be worth the wait!

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV

The Songs of Ascent are psalms said to have been sung by the people as they made their pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship.

You see, these pilgrimages could be physically arduous and these songs were to encourage the weary souls on their way. As well, these songs also prepared their hearts for their worship in Jerusalem.

Now, as we have been discussing this week, waiting on an answer from the Lord can be difficult, particularly so if we are in some way or another, suffering. But, as we walk through these “mean times” in the meantime, we must, as these pilgrims did on their way up to Jerusalem, encourage ourselves in the Lord.

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.”

Psalms 130:1-6 NKJV

In the above song of ascent, we see the intensity of this cry out to the Lord as being comparable to those who—for some reason or another—are facing a fearful night, yet looking with hope for the dawn of day.

Our hope is in the Lord. Yet, sometimes, we are tempted to abandon that hope in the midst of the confusion, that pain and suffering, can bring.

Over the last several days we have discussed what we must know in order to make it through times of pressing without falling away from our steadfastness, to endure without despairing in our souls.

What we would like to offer today is additional encouragement:

We must remember, remaining faithful to the Lord—even when we don’t understand why we’re going through what we’re going through—will be richly rewarded.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

I Corinthians 15:51-58 NKJV

Yes, the Lord will help in our present struggles. Even now, He will strengthen and uphold us by His mighty power. And, He will bring our answer in His time.

But, beyond that, we know that we have an eternal reward awaiting those who remain faithful to the end.

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.””

Revelation 14:13 NKJV

Praise God, the day is coming when our labor, our struggle, will be over. And in that day, whatever suffering we have experienced here, will seem as nothing compared to the glory awaiting us.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

II Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV

So, for now, how shall we live, even in the midst of our trouble?

Let’s do what Habakkuk did when he was in distress and did not understand God‘s ways.

In our opening scripture we see that Habakkuk encourages himself in the Lord, speaking wonderful words of faith, reminding himself that no matter what is going on, the Lord will help him make it through!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word - Days 125 thru 130

The Prophetic Word

Day 125: The time comes to put up or shut up.

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on this passage of scripture:

““For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.””

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 NKJV

Moses struggled with a group of rebellious, unbelieving people for over 40 years as they wandered through the desert. During this time, those who failed to believe God, rather, choosing to believe the evil report from 10 of the spies, perished.

Now the time had come for Moses to die and the children of Israel to finally take possession of the land God promised them. It is within this context that Moses issues this important warning (in the passage above) to the people who were about to enter into the Promised Land.

Now, what does this have to do with us and the time in which we are living?

We’ll talk more about this over the coming days.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 126: The time for “staging” is over.

“So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.””

Numbers 14:1-4 NKJV

There is a practice popular among those trying to sell a home, called “staging.”

With “staging,” an otherwise empty house is filled with furniture according to a room’s intended use. So, in the great room, for example, there will be couches, chairs, even a TV on the wall.

Here’s the thing about “staging,” it’s meant to give the house the “appearance” of being lived in so that the potential buyer can “imagine themselves” in the home.

But, the fact is, all the furniture, even the appliances, are not really being used. Indeed, the refrigerator is probably empty. Even further, the bed “mattresses” may be big boxes; the “food” on the counters may be fake; in short, no real living, no real activity of a home, are taking place there.

Sadly, many Christians have made their approach to their relationship with the Lord as if they are staging a house. You see, many Christians eat, sleep, conduct business, etc., from another place, another “home;” but make their life in the Lord look as though it is active. But, everything is for show. Nothing is real.

Jesus, in referencing the religious leaders, spoke of them as having what amounted to a “staged” devotion to God.

“‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”

Matthew 15:8 NKJV

“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

Matthew 23:5-7 NKJV

Indeed, He spoke similarly about the church at Sardis:

““And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 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.”

Revelation 3:1-3 NKJV

Living a “staged” Christian walk can end up with this scenario:

““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

Some Christians are even self-deceived, believing that they have a real relationship with the Lord. They may even complain that the promises of God aren’t working for them, even though they are “faithful.” However, an examination of their lives may well reveal no real obedience to the Lord or any other evidence of having a new life in Christ!

In our opening scripture we see that the children of Israel, having been led out of Egypt with great and mighty wonders, are faced with the proposition of going in to possess the land. However, they haven’t really developed a relationship with the Lord. In fact, their hearts and minds are still in Egypt!

So, the time came for them to act on God’s word and they recoiled, turning what could’ve been an 11 day journey into 40 years of wandering.

Child of God, we are living in a day and in an hour in which the biggest decision of our life will be made: Will we move forward and live the word of God? Or, will we be content to just look like God’s people?

We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 127: God has not engaged us in a guessing game.

““For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not [a secret hidden] in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 AMP

Some people maintain that knowing what God wants is too difficult, His instruction too obscure. But, the fact is, God has not only given His word in which is recorded His will for mankind, He also, through His word, has provided many examples of what has worked, leading to good things, and what has not worked, leading to judgment and sorrow.

Indeed, God challenged His people when they didn’t understand why they were being punished.

“I have not spoken in secret, In a corner of a land of darkness; I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain [with no benefit for yourselves].’ I, the Lord, speak righteousness [the truth—trustworthy, a straightforward correlation between deeds and words], Declaring things that are upright.”

Isaiah 45:19 AMP

The cause and effect relationship between disobedience and judgment was not lost to the prophet Isaiah.

“Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us. We [expectantly] hope for light, but only see darkness; We hope for gleam of light, but we walk in darkness and gloom. We grope for a wall like the blind, We grope like those who have no eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; Among those who are healthy we are like dead men. We all groan and growl like bears, And coo sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us.”

Isaiah 59:9-11 AMP

Isaiah knew that what they were experiencing was directly the result of their refusal to obey what God had spoken.

The fact is, God has always been clear with His children as to what He expects. Most importantly, God sent His Son to plainly declare Who He is and what His desire is for us.

Sadly, those who have no desire to please God, have no desire to be obedient to His way of being and doing, have closed their spiritual ears to His instruction.

Jesus pointed out the fact that the religious leaders’ inability to understand Him was because of their closed hearts.

“Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word.”

John 8:43 AMP

Jesus further explained that the truth He brought was as clear as a light placed on a stand for those who wanted to hear it.

““Now no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a container [to hide it], or puts it under a bed; instead, he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come out into the open. So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.””

Luke 8:16-18 AMP

After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the time came for the children of Israel to enter into the Promised Land. Moses, knowing that he would soon die, spoke prophetically to the people as to how they were to conduct themselves in the coming days.

In our opening scripture we see part of Moses’ instruction in which he explains that how they were to live in the land of promise, was not an enigma. Rather, it had been placed in their hearts (by being taught and rehearsed), and had been spoken from their own mouths, for quite some time.

The question now was, what will they do with it?

My friend, God has made clear what He wants from us; He has made plain the Way to life. What will we do with what He has said?

We will discuss more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 128: There is no middle ground.

“Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people [of Israel] did not answer him [so much as] a word.”

1 Kings 18:21 AMP

Recently, while watching a political debate, I observed this rather troubling exchange:

The moderator asked a question of the several debaters before him. He then instructed that they indicate “yes” to the question with a show of hands, which some debaters immediately did.

However, I noticed that others were looking side to side to see what the “consensus” was, at which point they raised their hands as well. You see, they wanted to have the option to go either way, depending on what seemed most expedient. (As an aside, I will say, that’s not the type of person you should want leading you.)

Now, that way of operating may work in politics; but it certainly won’t pass muster with the Lord (“pass muster” is appropriately used as this phrase employs the act of passing a military inspection of troops). God requires a decisive alignment with His way of being and doing.

As well, I’ve noticed recently that some previously “neutral” countries, have “suddenly” changed their stance, now fervently seeking to align themselves with nations they think can protect them from an aggressive foe. You see, that’s the thing about neutrality; it only works when there is no enemy, no evil.

Given, neutrality, or middle ground, may be possible regarding some things. But, make no mistake, it is not possible in terms of good versus evil, the Lord versus the world system. Why? Because we are in a battle in which there is no provision for neutrality.

Indeed, Jesus made clear the folly of attempting to maintain divided loyalty in terms of our relationship with God.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].”

Matthew 6:24 AMP

Some people may contend that they haven’t chosen evil; yet, they have not chosen to be obediently devoted to the Lord, either. Jesus also addressed that mindset.

“He who is not with Me [believing in Me as Lord and Savior] is against Me [there is no impartial position]; and he who does not gather with Me [assisting in My ministry], scatters.”

Luke 11:23 AMP

The Lord issued this stern warning to the “lukewarm” church at Laodicea:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Revelation 3:15-16, 19 NKJV

And then there’s this:

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.”

James 4:4-5 NLT

Yes, God requires that we serve Him alone. To not make that decision, means that you have made another decision, whether you know it or not.

In our opening scripture we see the prophet Elijah, before having a showdown with the priests of Baal and Asherah, clearly challenges the people to choose who they will serve.

Sadly, the people—following the guidance of their leaders (Ahab and Jezebel)—had mixed the worship of other gods with the worship of the Lord.

In the case of Elijah’s challenge, the people were lost for words.

Friend, at some point, in all of our lives, we will face that same decision: whether we will serve God or the gods of this world. And, we must not be silent.

Again, there is no middle ground between God and the world system. And, if you think that’s where you are standing, you’re simply not recognizing that you have thrown in with the wrong side.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 129: Choose life.

““Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!””

Deuteronomy 30:15-19 NLT

People who represent the Lord as looking for a reason to destroy or punish people, really do not know Him. The fact is, all through the word of God, we see the Lord imploring His people to choose the way of life. In fact, the Old Testament is riddled with the Lord’s pleas to His people to turn from their wicked ways so that they could live.

““Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”

Ezekiel 18:30-32 NLT

Yes, using the prophets, the Lord implored the children of Israel, time and again, to return to Him to find life.

“Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me.”

Jeremiah 35:15 NLT

Finally, God sent His only Son to offer life to all of us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 NKJV

Indeed, David speaking prophetically, describes the One Who would make a way to life for us; yes, to be that Way of life for us!

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Psalms 16:11 NKJV

Yes, the life Jesus offers is abundant life, eternal life.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 NKJV

Yet, when Jesus lived His earthly life, those who should have known better, rejected the life He was offering.

“You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

John 5:39-40 AMP

You see, they wanted to choose their own way—just like so many of their fathers who had gone before them. Jesus’ way to life was too “narrow” for them.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV

Earlier this week we discussed the fact that God clearly shows what He wants from His people. And, we discussed what He spoke to the children of Israel through Moses, at the end of Moses’ life, concerning that very thing.

In our opening scripture we see that after having told the people that He had made clear to them what He expects, God now implores them to choose life, explaining to them what will happen if they don’t.

Why would anyone not choose life?

We’ll bring all of this together tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 130: Those who will not obey, will not dwell in the promise.

““Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

Jesus came to offer us life. Indeed, He has made clear that He IS our life.

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NLT

Through believing in Jesus Christ, we access all the promises of God!

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”

II Corinthians 1:20 NKJV

Sadly, just as the children of Israel so often failed to access the promises they had been given, just so, many people will not be able to experience the wonderful fulfillment of the promises of God in their life—indeed, the promise of eternal life with Him—because they will not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ Whom He sent.

You see, truly believing in Jesus Christ, is not just knowing information about Him. Even demons know Who Jesus is.

“And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?””

Matthew 8:29 NKJV

We must show that we believe in Him by being obedient to His word.

Ironically, some Christians will accuse you of “legalism” when you talk about being obedient to Christ. Yet, Jesus Himself said that if we love Him, we will be obedient to Him.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”

John 14:15-17, 21, 23-24 NKJV

James put it this way:

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?”

James 2:19-21 NKJV

This week we have been discussing the choice between life and death. It’s the same choice that God put to the children of Israel many times throughout the Old Testament.

In our opening scripture we see the Lord speaking through Moses, making it clear what is required in order to peacefully dwell in the Promised Land. Tragically, we know that they often fell into disobedience and suffered the devastating consequences.

Child of God, let’s not fail to live in the promises of God in this life, and fail to attain the promise of full sonship in eternity, by refusing to be obedient to the Lord.

As we are living in the Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that there will be increasing pressure from all directions to fall away from our steadfastness. But, we must remain faithful and obedient to our soon coming King!

You see, the choice to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to do what He said, is not just any other choice; it is a choice between life and death. Choose life and dwell in the promise of God!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word - Days 119 thru 124: A More Perfect Union

The Prophetic Word

Day 119: How to have a more perfect union.

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on these scriptures:

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I Corinthians 6:15-20 NKJV

“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”

I Corinthians 7:4 NKJV

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

Ephesians 5:22-32 NKJV

Psalm 45 (all)

Currently, half of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce. As well, we know that many Christians will either depart from the Faith or grow cold in terms of their relationship with the Lord.

Now, could there be a common denominator connecting these two tragic phenomena?

Over the next five days we will look into this.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 120: How ‘bout us?

“The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.””

Matthew 19:3-6 NKJV

The year I married there was a popular song called “How ‘bout Us?” The chorus goes like this:

“Some people are made for each other

Some people can love one another for life, how 'bout us?

Some people can hold it together

Last through all kinds of weather, can we?”

Of course, my groom-to-be and I were starry-eyed and just knew that our marriage would make it; which it has for nearly 5 decades!

However, I can assure you that our “success” is not owed to any romantic notion we may have had; but rather, to the One Who instituted marriage in the first place.

“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

Genesis 2:21-25 NKJV

God never intended that marriage be entered into flippantly and dissolved so recklessly.

When two become one flesh, separation should be out of the question. Indeed, I believe that it is because so many people consider marriage as just some other kind of relationship, rather than a supernatural joining, that they so often end up casting it off.

[Please understand: Our purpose here is not to bring condemnation on those who have experienced divorce. Yes, God is able and willing to forgive and restore fallen souls! Rather, our purpose is to point out the reason for the ubiquity of divorce.]

In our preparation yesterday we pointed out the fact that approximately 50% of the marriages in the United States will end in divorce. Now, the “reasons” given for seeking a divorce may vary. But, the common denominator is that the marriage covenant was not held as sacred, as something that should never be breached or broken.

In our opening scripture we see Jesus’ answer concerning whether people could get divorced for just any reason (Matthew 19:3). After hearing Jesus’ response, the Pharisees then asked why Moses spoke of certificates of divorce. To which Jesus responds:

“He said to them, “Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.””

Matthew 19:8-9 AMP

[A woman seeking a divorce is not referenced because women could not initiate a divorce at that time.]

The men were instructed as to how to proceed with a divorce, limiting the grounds to indecency.

“"When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house,”

Deuteronomy 24:1 ESV

Because people are still subject to sinning, there needed to be provision to be separated from one who is not faithful.

However, it would appear that at the time of Christ, indecency had come to mean anything a man wanted it to mean. Jesus clarifies that it was only to mean sexual immorality. He further emphasizes that God never intended for marriage to be dissolved.

Knowing what being married really means—and living according to God’s standard—should put the question of divorce to rest.

We started the week off suggesting that there might be a shared cause between high divorce rates and people falling away from their faith. Is the shared cause unfaithfulness?

We’ll look into this further tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 121: God knows when you’ve lost that lovin’ feelin.’

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”

Revelation 2:2-5 NKJV

Yesterday we employed a secular love song to begin our discussion. Once again we will turn to a secular love song; this time, one bemoaning passion having left a relationship.

In 1965 the Righteous Brothers recorded a song entitled, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’.” Here are some of the lyrics:

“Now there's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you

And now you're starting to criticize little things I do

It makes me just feel like crying

'Cause baby, something beautiful's dyin'

You lost that lovin' feelin'

Whoa, that lovin' feelin'

You lost that lovin' feelin'

Now it's gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh”

We probably all know what this phenomenon looks like in a marital relationship. It’s sad, often being the first step toward unfaithfulness, and the destruction of a marriage.

God recognized when His people lost their love for Him.

“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”

Isaiah 29:13 NLT

And just as is often the case in marital relationships, the slipping of His people’s love, led to full-blown spiritual adultery:

““I thought to myself, ‘I would love to treat you as my own children!’ I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land— the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me. But you have been unfaithful to me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. I, the Lord, have spoken.””

Jeremiah 3:19-20 NLT

“They will eat and still be hungry. They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it, for they have deserted the Lord”

Hosea 4:10 NLT

“And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!””

Ezekiel 15:8 NLT

In the New Testament, James likens loving the things of this world to being an adulterer.

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.”

James 4:4-5 NLT

As well, James reminds the reader that the Lord is very passionate toward us and requires our undivided loyalty!

In our opening scripture we see that Jesus speaks to the church at Ephesus concerning their having lost their first love.

Indeed, all of the other good works they are doing, cannot make up for the fact that they don’t love Him as they once did.

Again, the Lord knows better than we do that looking away from Him—in terms of our love and devotion—will result in our being unfaithful to Him.

Unfaithfulness ruins marriages. As well, unfaithfulness leads to spiritual adultery. So, how can we have a more perfect union in both cases?

We’ll look into this more tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 122: It’s always been about a marriage.

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.”

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 NKJV

We have been discussing our relationship with the Lord in the same terms we use to reference marriage. Indeed, we have discussed that unfaithfulness in either, leads to great sorrow.

Now, we don’t employ marriage to reflect our relationship with the Lord arbitrarily. In fact, the Lord referenced His people as being married to Him repeatedly in the Old Testament. Here are a few examples:

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.”

Hosea 2:19-20 NKJV

“For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the Lord has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says your God.”

Isaiah 54:5-6 NKJV

“You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah [Married]; For the Lord delights in you, And your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.”

Isaiah 62:4-5 NKJV

As well, Jesus explains the Kingdom of God in terms of marriage in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-14), and in the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 23: 1-14).

Paul instructs concerning the Faith in terms of a marriage.

“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”

Romans 7:2-4 NKJV

“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

II Corinthians 11:2 NKJV

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

Ephesians 5:23-32 NKJV

Yes, Christian marriage reflects the relationship we have with the Lord. Tomorrow, we will bring out some other scriptures further illustrating this point.

For today we will leave you with our opening scripture.

The Song of Solomon is a wonderful love story. And, whereas it is referencing an actual human love story, it also illustrates the love the Lord has for us; and yes, the love we should have for Him.

Indeed, the story of God and His people, of Christ and His Church, has always been about a marriage.

We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 123: Made one; but which one?

“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

John 17:21 NKJV

Someone once said that marriage is about becoming one. But the question is, which one?

“And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Genesis 2:23-24 NKJV

Yes, woman was taken out of man and God’s design was for marriage to be the means through which they again become “one flesh.”

Now, marriage should not be a battle over which spouse is going to have their own way.

Rather, marriage is intended to be worked out from a perspective shared by the spouses: What is pleasing to the Lord? What is best for us?

Interestingly, Paul quotes from this passage in Genesis when explaining the seriousness of sexual immorality.

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I Corinthians 6:15-20 NKJV

We talked earlier this week about the two becoming one in marriage as pertains to the issue of divorce. But now look where Paul takes this discussion of men and women becoming one through the joining of their flesh. He is, as well, talking about our union with Christ!

Paul makes the point that we no longer should see ourselves as an autonomous being. Rather, we must recognize that we now belong to Christ, we have become one with Him.

Further in this discourse, Paul reflects back to the union of marriage, pointing out that spouses should—because they are now one flesh—surrender authority over their bodies to each other.

“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”

I Corinthians 7:3-4 NKJV

How much more should our union with Christ make withholding anything from Him out of the question?

Our bodies, our lives, must now be totally surrendered to the Lord to be used according to His will and purposes.

“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”

Romans 6:13 NLT

Paul makes clear that we have a new life; that is, my old life has been replaced with the life of Christ.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 KJV

In our opening scripture we see that Jesus prayed to the Father that we be made one—not just with Him—but with each other. Therefore, as Christians, we must recognize that even as we are not autonomous from the Lord, we are not autonomous from each other.

Tomorrow we will bring all of this together concerning how we can have a more perfect union with our Lord.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 124: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!”

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.””

Revelation 19:7-9 NKJV

““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:16-17 NKJV

Psalm 45 is a beautiful song of love in which the glory of the Messiah and His Bride are enumerated.

“Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house; So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

Psalms 45:9-11 NKJV

In the above scripture we see reference to the Queen who will be given the honor to stand beside this wonderful King.

Earlier this week we discussed the fact that marriage is a reflection of the relationship between God and His people, Christ and His Church. Think of it! This wonderful Queen dressed in gold represents the faithful of God!

As we have said, unfaithfulness in marriage is actually an offense against the created order and can end in the loss of the marriage.

Unfaithfulness in our relationship with the Lord most certainly can lead to losing everything.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Matthew 16:24-27 NKJV

Marriage relationships thrive when spouses recognize the spiritual aspect of marriage: the two become one flesh.

Our relationship with our Lord thrives when we recognize that we have been made one with Him. And, as such, we belong to Him. His authority over EVERYTHING concerning our lives must be welcomed!

Our opening scriptures are two passages from the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. You see, we already know how things are going to end: Those who remain faithful to Him will be one with Him, ruling and reigning with Him forever!

But, make no mistake, part of our faithfulness to Him in the here and now is crying out for His Kingdom to come to earth as it is in Heaven.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!