Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (AMP)
1If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder,
2And the sign or the wonder he foretells to you comes to pass, and if he says, Let us go after other gods--gods you have not known--and let us serve them,
3You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being.
4You shall walk after the Lord your God and [reverently] fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and cling to Him.
5But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has talked rebellion and turning away from the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage; that man has tried to draw you aside from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So shall you put the evil away from your midst.
What message are you listening to? Who is the prophet that speaks into your ear? God’s people are entertaining the mouths of those who encourage covenant with idols.
Oftentimes, when we speak of false prophets, we reference only those who prophesy a thing that does not come to pass. Unfortunately, we don’t understand fully what the false prophet is. Did not Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and many others die before their prophecies came to pass? Were they false? Of course not!
When God addressed His people in the Book of Deuteronomy, he spoke of a false prophet whose “predictions” were accurate. It was not the word that made them false, but the motive. The prophet and his word were competing with God.
There is a warning before the people of God. Beware of those prophets who prophesy in order to create idols. It is so much more common than we would want to believe. Let’s just make it plain…
“Give $1000 and He will bless your family.”
“Run around the church three times, He will heal your body.”
“Throw $500 at your Pastor’s feet, and when they hands on you, God will save your family.”
We all hear and see such things, but when they take place, who really gets the glory? Does it line up with the word of God? Not at all.
In the church, we are too busy entertaining people. Preachers, pastors, prophets… they are getting the glory, not God! The glory, instead, is going to flesh – not only to a man or woman, but also to one’s own desire to receive. We must be so careful about seeking prophecy that is conditioned to increase our natural possessions. When we do what we do only in order to receive something, our focus is wrong!
In the first chapter of Malachi, as God begins to rebuke the priests, He asks who will worship Him for nought. In other words, who will worship God just because He deserves the glory? Who will praise Him because He’s worthy? Who will do the righteous thing just because it’s the right thing to do?
Of course, God blesses us in our obedience. Yet, if our motive is to receive something, that condition becomes an idol. Beware of the prophets, especially in this season, that prophecy on the conditions of what you will receive rather than what God has instructed, according to His word.
Selah.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Time to Stand
Timothy 4:2-4
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This week, God has dealt with me, primarily in dreams about the readiness of the Body of Christ. God is revealing that a great season of testing is upon us. This is a season when God's people MUST know who they serve and why. As leaders, we must prepare the people to stand in adversity. The season of "protecting" the sheep will be challenged. Temptation "in private" is at a new level. Spiritual warfare is peaking. Who will stand?
For too long, God's people have been sheltered with a form of religion, but denied the power thereof. We've emphasized those things that please the flesh, and neglected the weightier spiritual matters. NOW is the time of accountability. NOW is the season for boot camp, in preparation for the war to come.
People of God, we must ask ourselves - "Where does our personal relationship with God actually stand?" Outside of the church service, how much of the Word do we really know? In the face of temptation, when the others are not around, am I really able to stand? Religion is going to be challenged. Another season of great exposure is before us, and the spirit of anti-christ is indeed active among us - even within our church walls. The enemy is strategically placed and ready to challenge those who claim to be the children of God. How many of us are fully equipped?
The plan of action is this - the people of God MUST fast and pray. We MUST know the Word. There is no longer an opportunity to squeeze by and barely make it. Your relationship with God MUST be solid. No more depending on the pastor or a family member to cover with their righteousness. The biggest thing God is revealing - CHURCH WORK cannot cover TRUE MINISTRY. Too many of us are hiding behind being busy. Busy is not equivalent to ministry. Get in place. Do what God has called and ordained you to do.
You will be tested, and that very soon. Selah.
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This week, God has dealt with me, primarily in dreams about the readiness of the Body of Christ. God is revealing that a great season of testing is upon us. This is a season when God's people MUST know who they serve and why. As leaders, we must prepare the people to stand in adversity. The season of "protecting" the sheep will be challenged. Temptation "in private" is at a new level. Spiritual warfare is peaking. Who will stand?
For too long, God's people have been sheltered with a form of religion, but denied the power thereof. We've emphasized those things that please the flesh, and neglected the weightier spiritual matters. NOW is the time of accountability. NOW is the season for boot camp, in preparation for the war to come.
People of God, we must ask ourselves - "Where does our personal relationship with God actually stand?" Outside of the church service, how much of the Word do we really know? In the face of temptation, when the others are not around, am I really able to stand? Religion is going to be challenged. Another season of great exposure is before us, and the spirit of anti-christ is indeed active among us - even within our church walls. The enemy is strategically placed and ready to challenge those who claim to be the children of God. How many of us are fully equipped?
The plan of action is this - the people of God MUST fast and pray. We MUST know the Word. There is no longer an opportunity to squeeze by and barely make it. Your relationship with God MUST be solid. No more depending on the pastor or a family member to cover with their righteousness. The biggest thing God is revealing - CHURCH WORK cannot cover TRUE MINISTRY. Too many of us are hiding behind being busy. Busy is not equivalent to ministry. Get in place. Do what God has called and ordained you to do.
You will be tested, and that very soon. Selah.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
So, SPEAK UP!
Amos 3:6-8
6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
So many have questions in this season. What is God doing? Why is He allowing all "this" to happen? When will it end? Will we ever come out?
The Father would have me remind you today that is is still in control and He is fully aware of all that is taking place. In the same manner, He has set an order. That order is to speak through His prophets.
This is a season when God's people must be free. Walk in the call wherein you have been called. This is NOT the season to walk in religion, but BE OBEDIENT. Stop allowing "religion" to hold you back from godly obedience.
We are well equipped. God has ordained and sent forth. Have we forgotten the ministry of reconciliation to which we've all been called? Many are crying out for God to say something. God is saying, "I have already spoken. Yet, my people do not proclaim what I have instructed."
People of God, our Father does not lie. Open your mouth and cry out in boldness. YOU have a message that many are waiting on. When you fail to speak what thus saith the Lord, YOU cause others to doubt God.
Ezekiel was asked a question. God asked him if the dead bones could live. Then, God did something interesting. Instead of reviving the bones, He instructed the prophet to speak life into them. God has not stopped working, but He desires to work through you. SPEAK UP! Proclaim the Word of the Lord! Death and life are in the power of the tongues, so use yours to bring forth life in the dead situation.
Selah.
6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
So many have questions in this season. What is God doing? Why is He allowing all "this" to happen? When will it end? Will we ever come out?
The Father would have me remind you today that is is still in control and He is fully aware of all that is taking place. In the same manner, He has set an order. That order is to speak through His prophets.
This is a season when God's people must be free. Walk in the call wherein you have been called. This is NOT the season to walk in religion, but BE OBEDIENT. Stop allowing "religion" to hold you back from godly obedience.
We are well equipped. God has ordained and sent forth. Have we forgotten the ministry of reconciliation to which we've all been called? Many are crying out for God to say something. God is saying, "I have already spoken. Yet, my people do not proclaim what I have instructed."
People of God, our Father does not lie. Open your mouth and cry out in boldness. YOU have a message that many are waiting on. When you fail to speak what thus saith the Lord, YOU cause others to doubt God.
Ezekiel was asked a question. God asked him if the dead bones could live. Then, God did something interesting. Instead of reviving the bones, He instructed the prophet to speak life into them. God has not stopped working, but He desires to work through you. SPEAK UP! Proclaim the Word of the Lord! Death and life are in the power of the tongues, so use yours to bring forth life in the dead situation.
Selah.
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