The word of God is clear.
When there is no prophetic utterance, when there is no "Thus saith the Lord", when the word of God spoken by the Prophet is not heard the people run wild.
We see it everywhere today. EVERYWHERE.
In Economics, Culture, Politics, Media, Television, News, Education, Family Collapse and recently I saw a video of a Pastor preaching while one of his congregants was getting a tattoo right on the platform. I don't know his point, but there is obviously no prophet in the midst.
To understand this we need to dig deep into the passage we all know Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy.
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
As those called to be prophetic are silent in the face of confusion and misdirection, we have what we see around us. Please speak out against what you see as wrong and for what you see as right.
There is much rampant deception right now in the body of Christ..
No Vision, words of the Prophets ignored. And they perish
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Popular Prophet is an Oxymoron
In case you don't know the meaning of Oxymoron:
No prophet was popular .. long. Sure while they were getting soft words, while the reassurances came without much condition, that was welcome. On a personal level I will never prophecy to someone harshly. I might softly correct. I might suggest they take another look. And if that doesn't work, I will refrain from prophesying at all. I have done it. A person presents themselves to me and I remain silent before them. Smiling, maybe even hugging them.. but without comment.
As a Prophet there is only an audience of ONE. There is singular accountability. I am only responsible to say what GOD says. Not what the popular culture says. Not what makes people feel good. Not what will soothe the savage beast.
This is particularly true in public discourse. Somehow I have ended up with a voice to many some of whom no longer choose to hear. They are convinced they didn't want that much truth. That to challenge what they already have in their hearts from the culture they are trapped in, or the political views they already have or the sinful condition they are in is too hard. So they say things like, "I used to believe you were a prophet" or "I have lost all respect for you as a prophet".
If I were thin skinned (by the way a thin skinned prophet is another oxymoron) I would take it personally. I don't. I am accountable to say what God says. You might not like it. They used to cut the heads from Prophets, put them in the pit, put them in jail, burn them at the stake.
It's a little less today.
You don't have to hear what I am bringing. It's OK. There are lots of those who are willing to satisfy your itching ears. Some of high esteem. Some I used to think heard from God at some level.
I invested a great deal of time and energy trying to help several ministers over the years. Trying to bring a word of encouragement. Trying to be a friend and one who may be able to help them break thru. Those efforts have fallen on deaf ears. They didn't want to be helped. They wanted to stay in a comfort zone that they love greater than the deception they are under.
It's OK. I learned a long time that as a prophet, prophesying to the wind does little good. I must go where people will hear, where I am celebrated, not tolerated. Where what I bring has a net positive affect. Not where people are hoping for a soft word.
I'm not against any particular prophetic voices on the platform today. I do however judge them as to what they bring. I don't often openly oppose them, unless they are doing real damage.
So if you find what I write and what I bring to be offensive, you don't have to hear. You can ignore the voice of 2 Chronicles 20:20b:
What is a prophet to do? Find those who WILL listen and then proclaim the words of Success to them.. and the rest have made a choice.
noun, plural oxymora [ok-si-mawr-uh, -mohr-uh] (Show IPA), oxymorons. Rhetoric.
1.IF you think you are a prophet and if you think as you obey the Lord prophetically you should never rub people the wrong way sometimes, you haven't read much of the Bible.
a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”.
No prophet was popular .. long. Sure while they were getting soft words, while the reassurances came without much condition, that was welcome. On a personal level I will never prophecy to someone harshly. I might softly correct. I might suggest they take another look. And if that doesn't work, I will refrain from prophesying at all. I have done it. A person presents themselves to me and I remain silent before them. Smiling, maybe even hugging them.. but without comment.
As a Prophet there is only an audience of ONE. There is singular accountability. I am only responsible to say what GOD says. Not what the popular culture says. Not what makes people feel good. Not what will soothe the savage beast.
This is particularly true in public discourse. Somehow I have ended up with a voice to many some of whom no longer choose to hear. They are convinced they didn't want that much truth. That to challenge what they already have in their hearts from the culture they are trapped in, or the political views they already have or the sinful condition they are in is too hard. So they say things like, "I used to believe you were a prophet" or "I have lost all respect for you as a prophet".
If I were thin skinned (by the way a thin skinned prophet is another oxymoron) I would take it personally. I don't. I am accountable to say what God says. You might not like it. They used to cut the heads from Prophets, put them in the pit, put them in jail, burn them at the stake.
It's a little less today.
You don't have to hear what I am bringing. It's OK. There are lots of those who are willing to satisfy your itching ears. Some of high esteem. Some I used to think heard from God at some level.
I invested a great deal of time and energy trying to help several ministers over the years. Trying to bring a word of encouragement. Trying to be a friend and one who may be able to help them break thru. Those efforts have fallen on deaf ears. They didn't want to be helped. They wanted to stay in a comfort zone that they love greater than the deception they are under.
It's OK. I learned a long time that as a prophet, prophesying to the wind does little good. I must go where people will hear, where I am celebrated, not tolerated. Where what I bring has a net positive affect. Not where people are hoping for a soft word.
I'm not against any particular prophetic voices on the platform today. I do however judge them as to what they bring. I don't often openly oppose them, unless they are doing real damage.
So if you find what I write and what I bring to be offensive, you don't have to hear. You can ignore the voice of 2 Chronicles 20:20b:
There are many God believing saints who are standing firm in Him. Headed for heaven. YET not receiving what the word of the Lord from the Prophets are saying are still unsuccessful, not winning, not prospering. Just getting by with ears stopped up to the word of the Lord.
"Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."
What is a prophet to do? Find those who WILL listen and then proclaim the words of Success to them.. and the rest have made a choice.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Did Jesus Say, "Don't Try This at Home, I'm Jesus and You're NOT"
Jesus did a lot of astounding things while with us on earth. We marvel at them. But you remember when He said, "I do all of this because I'm Jesus the Christ, the anointed of God, the fullness of the Godhead so don't even think about trying any of these things you sinful losers".
You don't recall that. GOOD. Because he never said it.
In fact He kept trying to say IF YOU...
"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Mark 11:23
"No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. 20Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?" 21And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree Matthew 21:20
“I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Romans 4:17
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father". John 14:12
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:18
Looking for faith He encouraged us to speak in confidence at the outcome. To say to mountains and fig trees move or be cast into the sea. To do greater works. To speak to storms and they will calm.
He said ALL AUTHORITY is given me and such as I have.. you know the rest.
So what happened? Who talked us out of this? How did we get neutered? By whom or what?
The body of Christ is pretty much on the ropes.. particularly in the USA. Is there hope? Yes, but we have to get some bad religion behind us. We need to start entering into our heritage in Christ.
Am I there yet? NOPE.. not yet.. but I'm on the trail.
Time to become what our inheritance says we should be.. sick healed, lame walking, blind seeing, deaf hearing, captives freed and bound up released.
WE ARE supposed to try this at home until we get it right. Step out in faith. That was the original intent.
You don't recall that. GOOD. Because he never said it.
In fact He kept trying to say IF YOU...
"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Mark 11:23
"No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. 20Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?" 21And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree Matthew 21:20
“I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Romans 4:17
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father". John 14:12
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:18
Looking for faith He encouraged us to speak in confidence at the outcome. To say to mountains and fig trees move or be cast into the sea. To do greater works. To speak to storms and they will calm.
He said ALL AUTHORITY is given me and such as I have.. you know the rest.
So what happened? Who talked us out of this? How did we get neutered? By whom or what?
The body of Christ is pretty much on the ropes.. particularly in the USA. Is there hope? Yes, but we have to get some bad religion behind us. We need to start entering into our heritage in Christ.
Am I there yet? NOPE.. not yet.. but I'm on the trail.
Time to become what our inheritance says we should be.. sick healed, lame walking, blind seeing, deaf hearing, captives freed and bound up released.
WE ARE supposed to try this at home until we get it right. Step out in faith. That was the original intent.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
A Great Change
As I look at the spiritual landscape there is one thing that is clear.
We are in a season of great change. Everything you ever thought and assumed will be tested. This will happen on a personal and on a global scale.
It is hard to grasp because our normal human tendency is to think that we are in a linear time and whatever is the situation today it will go on like this for a long time. The reality is time and events go in huge cycles. What was true a hundred years ago is coming up on true today. What the past teaches us helps us comprehend the future.
That's why the Bible contains so much history in Kings and Chronicles. We learn from watching people wax and wane. We learn from knowing that nations and countries wax and wane.
Even the country we know as the USA will someday cease to be. It will become something else. That may be a hundred or a thousand years from now but this much is certain, nothing is forever.
I know it's heresy to many but the nation (real estate) of Israel will not always be as it is today.
There is however a nation that is growing and advancing. It is the nation of God. It is a holy nation. A nation not with borders, only subjects and citizens. A nation who's people are unique, peculiar, amazing and full of the Glory of God.
While rulers and leaders fight and dispute with words, swords and guns, the Spirit of God moves on the face of the chaos and calls out to the nation of God. One that in fact supersedes any heritage, any boundaries, any worldly effect. It is the nation that we belong to.
Does this sound like any nation on earth?
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.” 20And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,“I was found by people who were not looking for me.I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.” Romans 10:19-20
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” Hosea 2:23-24
The nation of God has citizens who have allegiance to the same King, speak the same language of the Spirit and have the same worldview. Those who do not are not of the nation of God no matter what they say.
This is the Great Change coming. In the days to come, even the years to come the nation of God will become more and more evident even as nations fall away into dust.
It is a glorious future and the Kingdom is expanding. Do not be deceived. God IS NOT mocked.
You are a citizen of the greatest nation on earth.. no matter where you live.
We are in a season of great change. Everything you ever thought and assumed will be tested. This will happen on a personal and on a global scale.
It is hard to grasp because our normal human tendency is to think that we are in a linear time and whatever is the situation today it will go on like this for a long time. The reality is time and events go in huge cycles. What was true a hundred years ago is coming up on true today. What the past teaches us helps us comprehend the future.
That's why the Bible contains so much history in Kings and Chronicles. We learn from watching people wax and wane. We learn from knowing that nations and countries wax and wane.
Even the country we know as the USA will someday cease to be. It will become something else. That may be a hundred or a thousand years from now but this much is certain, nothing is forever.
I know it's heresy to many but the nation (real estate) of Israel will not always be as it is today.
There is however a nation that is growing and advancing. It is the nation of God. It is a holy nation. A nation not with borders, only subjects and citizens. A nation who's people are unique, peculiar, amazing and full of the Glory of God.
While rulers and leaders fight and dispute with words, swords and guns, the Spirit of God moves on the face of the chaos and calls out to the nation of God. One that in fact supersedes any heritage, any boundaries, any worldly effect. It is the nation that we belong to.
Does this sound like any nation on earth?
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.” 20And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,“I was found by people who were not looking for me.I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.” Romans 10:19-20
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” Hosea 2:23-24
The nation of God has citizens who have allegiance to the same King, speak the same language of the Spirit and have the same worldview. Those who do not are not of the nation of God no matter what they say.
This is the Great Change coming. In the days to come, even the years to come the nation of God will become more and more evident even as nations fall away into dust.
It is a glorious future and the Kingdom is expanding. Do not be deceived. God IS NOT mocked.
You are a citizen of the greatest nation on earth.. no matter where you live.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
IF you were given power to be His witness, if you aren't you don't have it
I know this seems harsh. It's not supposed to be. It is an encouragement to enter in to the fullness of the Power of God for sharing the truth of the Gospel.
I have taken all kinds of "Courses" on evangelism. I realized that I already knew how to do it.. I just didn't want to make a mistake. The reality is I was hoping to accumulate a few spiritual scalps to hang on my sword (Bible). Selfishness.
Now years later I no longer try. It just happens. BOOM. IF an unbeliever is around for very long he is going to hear about Jesus, he is going to see Him. I don't even try any more. It just happens.
That's as it should be. The fullness of the Spirit of God has given me all the witness power I ever need. That is enough. All I have to do is be myself and let HIM flow thru me.
I don't think we are short of people who want to witness, we need people who are full of HIM in Spirit and Truth and let it pour out. IF it doesn't you really can't be a real witness. At least not as he promised..
I have taken all kinds of "Courses" on evangelism. I realized that I already knew how to do it.. I just didn't want to make a mistake. The reality is I was hoping to accumulate a few spiritual scalps to hang on my sword (Bible). Selfishness.
Now years later I no longer try. It just happens. BOOM. IF an unbeliever is around for very long he is going to hear about Jesus, he is going to see Him. I don't even try any more. It just happens.
That's as it should be. The fullness of the Spirit of God has given me all the witness power I ever need. That is enough. All I have to do is be myself and let HIM flow thru me.
I don't think we are short of people who want to witness, we need people who are full of HIM in Spirit and Truth and let it pour out. IF it doesn't you really can't be a real witness. At least not as he promised..
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Sometimes we rob God by preaching
I was in conversation with a friend the other day. We were talking about ministry gifts and their implementation.
During this discussion these words came, "If I were to restrict my ministry to the platform I would be robbing God". That went pretty deep. Most of what happens is one on one. I end up face to face in some situation with a person who really needs a word from God. When I see that, I will very soon be given the opportunity to offer what the Lord is saying. It's how the Lord uses me.
I don't have anything against preaching, street evangelism, teaching or organizational leadership. It's just that I am called as a prophet and as such need to do what I am called to do. To stay in my call and walk it out. Sometimes that means I should not seek a platform. In fact to do so could rob God of what he has invested in me.
I believe this came to be shared because many people's whole ministry is focused on the platform. That's where the spotlight shines. They have forgotten how to be the conveyor of the Word of God.
They preach.
So whatever your call is.. do that.. and sometimes maybe even preach. Most of the call of God is done in small groups, one on one, in media or some other way. Don't rob Father by trying to fill a role he didn't call you to.
During this discussion these words came, "If I were to restrict my ministry to the platform I would be robbing God". That went pretty deep. Most of what happens is one on one. I end up face to face in some situation with a person who really needs a word from God. When I see that, I will very soon be given the opportunity to offer what the Lord is saying. It's how the Lord uses me.
I don't have anything against preaching, street evangelism, teaching or organizational leadership. It's just that I am called as a prophet and as such need to do what I am called to do. To stay in my call and walk it out. Sometimes that means I should not seek a platform. In fact to do so could rob God of what he has invested in me.
I believe this came to be shared because many people's whole ministry is focused on the platform. That's where the spotlight shines. They have forgotten how to be the conveyor of the Word of God.
They preach.
So whatever your call is.. do that.. and sometimes maybe even preach. Most of the call of God is done in small groups, one on one, in media or some other way. Don't rob Father by trying to fill a role he didn't call you to.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Where are the Wise??
I have a really hard question. Why is there such a lack of WISDOM in church leadership? Men and women of God you don't need to be perfect, just wise. But I see how many comport their own lives and family and not in a hundred years would I send one of the dear ones I come across to them. These leaders are not wise. They might lead a fine church but they lack common sense.
Pastor Dan was wise as an owl and had many men of significant net worth who were in his congregation and submitted to him. He was a listening ear and a word of wisdom. A wise old owl. These men are very few. Just being able to preach well, sing well, even prophesy isn't wisdom. It comes down to weighing all the facts and issues and offering wise counsel. I know few. Far too few.
I have wondered if the ministry doesn't attract those without core wisdom. You can know the Bible cold, you can sing a thousand worship songs, but if you are missing the capacity to deal with life's difficulty when brought to you.. you are not wise.
You might be anointed, but lack common sense wisdom to help others navigate things that come along.
So how do you get wisdom, get understanding. When I see some of the posts, some even political, I scratch another. They are simply ignorant of the facts.
I wish there was one such in Gainesville I could point a friend to who is going thru a hard time. Who could offer Godly Counsel. Who would be there when hard decisions are being made.
I will do long distance what I can.. but the truth is, there must be ONE Godly wise man or woman within a hundred miles of here. To find them is another issue.
I don't mean to be insulting.. if you are insulted... that an indicator. Whatever offends the mind reveals the heart.
I simply want those who are called of God to a higher level. One that can sit among Kings on the earth and like Joseph in Egypt be wise counsel. Where are they?
I prophesy to you that the next call on those who are called will be called to wisdom.. we are outliers in a culture where we should be calling the shots..
If you read Proverbs, particularly the first 6 chapters, there is much about wisdom's call. Who is heeding the call?
ANYONE? Or do we remain a fringe on society when we were called to rule and reign? WE AREN'T READY TO RULE AND REIGN!
Pastor Dan was wise as an owl and had many men of significant net worth who were in his congregation and submitted to him. He was a listening ear and a word of wisdom. A wise old owl. These men are very few. Just being able to preach well, sing well, even prophesy isn't wisdom. It comes down to weighing all the facts and issues and offering wise counsel. I know few. Far too few.
I have wondered if the ministry doesn't attract those without core wisdom. You can know the Bible cold, you can sing a thousand worship songs, but if you are missing the capacity to deal with life's difficulty when brought to you.. you are not wise.
You might be anointed, but lack common sense wisdom to help others navigate things that come along.
So how do you get wisdom, get understanding. When I see some of the posts, some even political, I scratch another. They are simply ignorant of the facts.
I wish there was one such in Gainesville I could point a friend to who is going thru a hard time. Who could offer Godly Counsel. Who would be there when hard decisions are being made.
I will do long distance what I can.. but the truth is, there must be ONE Godly wise man or woman within a hundred miles of here. To find them is another issue.
I don't mean to be insulting.. if you are insulted... that an indicator. Whatever offends the mind reveals the heart.
I simply want those who are called of God to a higher level. One that can sit among Kings on the earth and like Joseph in Egypt be wise counsel. Where are they?
I prophesy to you that the next call on those who are called will be called to wisdom.. we are outliers in a culture where we should be calling the shots..
If you read Proverbs, particularly the first 6 chapters, there is much about wisdom's call. Who is heeding the call?
ANYONE? Or do we remain a fringe on society when we were called to rule and reign? WE AREN'T READY TO RULE AND REIGN!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)