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!