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Believer, You are a Prophet, with a Responsibility to Prophesy

2/6/2016

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What is Prophecy?
Amos 3:7-8 describes it this way.
“For the Lord God does nothing
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?”

The central goal of prophecy is to reveal the word and will of God, it is the Word of God revealed in order prepare us or embolden us to act. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:10).
We are all prophets but not all of us have been given the gift of prophecy. 1 Corinthians 12:27-29 reads,
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.”
But in Christ, we are all called to be prophets. We are prophets, whether or not we were gifted with prophecy by The Holy Spirit. Acts 3:22-26 says,
“Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
The phrase sons of the prophets was used to denote the prophets of Elisha’s day. He was their father and they were his sons. He taught, led, and mentored the prophets and they followed his lead and became like him. Elisha was a type of Christ (a foreshadowing of Christ), raised up by The Lord, anointed by Elijah, and a mouthpiece for The Lord. Jesus was raised up by God, baptized by John the Baptist and revealed God’s Word and will to the people.
When John saw the vision of Revelation the angel of the Lord said that we are prophets. Revelation 22:8-9 reads,
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
John’ brothers, the prophets are you and me! We are prophets, and although we may not all have the gift of prophecy, we can and are expected to prophesy. Numbers 12:6-8 describes how the Lord chooses to speak to His prophets, who are His faithful friends.
“And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?””
Under the Old Testament God chose a few men and women, poured out His Spirit on them and assigned them to be prophets. But today we are all prophets. We have the Holy Spirit in us! Joel 2:28-29 says it this way,
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

The scriptures are the Word of God. When you share scriptures, when you use them truthfully and in the Spirit to teach, rebuke, reproof, counsel, or comfort, you are prophesying. When you listen to the voice of The Lord and obey, that is prophecy. When you share the testimony of Jesus Christ you are prophesying. We are responsible for the Word of God we receive, and as believers we all receive it. We have to know God to hear and recognize His voice (John 10:27). We have to discern what is from the Lord and what is false.1 John 4:1 says,
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
 And 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21 tells us,
“pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Why do we prophesy? Why do we tell people the Truth of Jesus Christ, The Word of God? Revelation 22:12-16 answers.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
God loves you and He loves the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. He doesn’t want anyone to perish and go to Hell. (2 Peter 2:9). He sent Jesus so that no one would perish but so that everyone could have eternal life (John 3:16). He has called us to tell them, to snatch them from Hell and make disciples of them. Jude verses 17-25 reads,
“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Prophecy has another purpose. It builds up the church.  It causes the church to grow become stronger. It encourages brings confidence, and inspires action. It comforts through times of suffering and develops character in the believer. It builds up the church. It tells the world who Jesus is. 1 Corinthians 14:3-5 says,
“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”
Not every word we receive is one we want to give or hear. Sometimes it is a rebuke or it includes bad news. But remember, the faithful have no reason to fear bad news, we trust The Lord God Almighty. Psalm 112:6-9 encourages us this way,
“For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.”

Rebuke and discipline from The Lord means He loves you. (Proverbs 3:11-12). If God gives you a word, a revelation, or a vision and He tells you to tell someone and you do not, you are taking on a serious consequence. Ezekiel 2:7 commands,
“And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.”
Ezekiel 3:17-21 in The Message warns,
“Son of man, I’ve made you a watchman for the family of Israel. Whenever you hear me say something, warn them for me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You are going to die,’ and you don’t sound the alarm warning them that it’s a matter of life or death, they will die and it will be your fault. I’ll hold you responsible. But if you warn the wicked and they keep right on sinning anyway, they’ll most certainly die for their sin, but you won’t die. You’ll have saved your life.
 “And if the righteous turn back from living righteously and take up with evil when I step in and put them in a hard place, they’ll die. If you haven’t warned them, they’ll die because of their sins, and none of the right things they’ve done will count for anything—and I’ll hold you responsible. But if you warn these righteous people not to sin and they listen to you, they’ll live because they took the warning—and again, you’ll have saved your life.”
 
Believer, consider the responsibility you have as a prophet of The Lord. How will you edify the church? Prophet, how will you snatch people from Hell?
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2 Kings 8:7-15 Loving and Trusting God Requires Giving the Whole True Message

1/28/2016

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This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
2 Kings 8:7-15
Elisha had received a word from God for Ben-hadad, the King of Syria and so he obediently went to the home of Israel’s enemy to deliver it. Verses 7-9 read,
“Now Elisha came to Damascus. Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And when it was told him, “The man of God has come here,” 8 the king said to Hazael, “Take a present with you and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord through him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’” 9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, all kinds of goods of Damascus, forty camels' loads. When he came and stood before him, he said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’”
Ben-hadad was sick and he wanted to know if he would recover or die. He was happy to have Elisha there to tell him. He was not a Jewish man, he had no idea how to inquire of God, or what the requirements were. He treated Elisha as more of a soothsayer and magician than a prophet. He paid him very well for Elisha to give him the answer he wanted to hear. But he did recognize Elisha’s authority under The Lord.
Elisha had something to tell Hazael and Ben-hadad, but it was not the answer to the question they asked. Verses 10-13 read,
“And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’ but the Lord has shown me that he shall certainly die.”11 And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. 12 And Hazael said, “Why does my lord weep?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.” 13 And Hazael said, “What is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you are to be king over Syria.” 
Elisha’s answer was that it was not the illness that would kill Ben-hadad but murder. He then went on to tell Hazael that he would be an evil king. Although the man tried to play innocent, he was not. God’s message did not deter him from his mission, it confirmed it for him.  So why would God tell him? He told Hazael that his plan would succeed and that he would be evil because He wanted the aide to know that He is The LORD. He wanted to give him a choice to recognize God as The LORD and humble himself before Him or reject Him. Elisha offered God’s salvation in that moment. What did Hazael choose? Verses 14-15 read,
“Then he departed from Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he answered, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took the bed cloth and dipped it in water and spread it over his face, till he died. And Hazael became king in his place.”
Hazael lied to his king by not telling him the entire prophecy or message from God. He made the king feel good instead of giving him God’s message. He had been entrusted with a word from God and he did not obey. Elisha said, “Go say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’ but the Lord has shown me that he shall certainly die.” Hazael left off the second part of the message for his own benefit. He then killed Ben-hadad in his bed.
Have you ever left off part of God’s message for someone? God tells you to tell someone about His love for them and how He longs for a relationship with them. He tells you to tell them about Jesus. But in your discomfort you stop at ‘God loves you’ or ‘Jesus loves you.’ After all you’re sure that they won’t give their lives to Jesus and they’ll think you are one of those ‘Bible thumping extremist Christians.’ Believer, when we do that we are being false prophets. God gave us a mission. He knows who will accept or reject, we do not. He still wants to give them a choice. He is God. He saves, we do not. We obey or flout His commands. Our obedience to the Lord is one way we love people as Jesus loves them. Our obedience to God is one way we glorify Jesus and so allow people to see Him. Our obedience to love is how people will know we are Jesus’ followers. John 13:34-35 reads,
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Is it love to think of our comfort or reputation instead of trusting God has a reason to give someone a message? Is it love to withhold the whole Truth from someone? Penn Jillette, outspoken atheist said, “how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”[i]
I want people to see me as a Bible thumping extremist Christian. My goal is to be the image of Christ. I want to be loving, patient, kind, humble, content, peaceful, joyful, perseverant, faithful, good, and self-controlled (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Galatians 5:22-23). When God has a message to give someone and He chooses us to give it, it is imperative to obey. The person’s response is not our responsibility, delivering the message is. Ezekiel 33:7-9 says it this way,
“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”
Every man deserves a choice. Who are we to say he will or will not believe? Who are we to take the choice away from him? God desires a relationship with all people (1 Timothy 2:3-4). He rejoices when the lost turn to Him, even the most evil (Ezekiel 18:23). He honors us by letting us tell the world His message. Who are we to displace The LORD and decide the message should be anything other than whole and true? Romans 10:13-17 reads,
“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Elisha traveled to enemy territory to give God’s word to people who did not believe. He obeyed. He could have been killed for his obedience since Hazael probably had no desire for people to know his insidious scheme. But Elisha loved Ben-hadad, Hazael, and Syria enough to go and even to weep for their future. Do you love and trust God enough to obey Him? Do you love His creation enough to tell them the word of Christ?


[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6md638smQd8
​
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2 Kings 6:1-7 Elisha, The Good Teacher

1/24/2016

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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:6-7
​2 Kings 6:1-7
Elisha was considered a father to the prophets of Israel. He travelled often and they gathered to him when he was near, to hear what it was God had to teach them. Many also came to his home and stayed with him there so they could learn from him. As a prophet, The Holy Spirit was upon Elisha and he spoke the Word of God to people, including the other prophets who turned around and did the same. Glorifying the Lord has two effects. People seeking God, seeking goodness or betterment will be drawn to the light and so make it possible for them to find God and His righteousness. The people who practice wickedness and seek themselves will be repulsed by the light and try to stay in the darkness. In Luke 8:16-18 Jesus explained it this way,
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Believer, whether you have been gifted with prophecy, with teaching, or with pastoring you have the Holy Spirit. You have the Word of God and you are charged with being a light and sharing it. You have to shine that light so that those seeking God will find Him. The more you share, the more you use the gifts God gave you in sharing Jesus, the more He will grow you and your gifts. If you have been gifted with hospitality, yet you do not use that gift to show the world who Jesus is, then that gift will dwindle to non-existence.
You are also charged with learning God’s Word. Acts 2:42-47 describes the believers’ devotion to learning and teaching and the effect that had.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, tothe breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
The more you receive the Word, the more you give the Word to others. This was the case with Elisha, the father of the prophets and the sons of the prophets who sought to learn from him in order to better glorify the Lord. In fact so many were coming to learn from him that his guest house needed expanding. Verses 1-3 read,
“Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.”
They were not building a permanent place to live, they were building a place that would make the temporary place, the “college dorm” more comfortable. And they all participated. They put effort into their pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven. They each went out and got a sturdy log from the banks of the Jordan. Learning is important. It is necessary. But we do not learn and do nothing with the degree. We take what we learn and we teach others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reads,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”
Teaching others what we have learned, speaking the Word God gives us is a natural part of maturation in Christ. Paul exhorted the believers not remain stagnant perpetual students in Hebrews 5:11-14.
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Notice too, that we are to continue learning. We do not keep learning the basics of ‘A is for apple.’ We move on to reading and then comprehension and writing. We keep going and we do not stop learning. We use what we have learned.
Elisha was very aware of his role as a teacher and mentor to the sons of the prophets. When his students asked him to come with them, he didn’t hesitate. And when a “teachable moment” came along, he used it to teach. Verses 4-7 read,
“So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.7 And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.”
The circumstance made the man panic. The lost axe head was not his. It had fallen into the deep river and he had no idea how to get it back. He would have to repay a debt and he had no idea how to do it. The same circumstance allowed Elisha to show the awesome power of the Lord. The student was not as spiritually mature as Elisha. Though he had faith, it was not as strong as the father of the prophets yet. Elisha didn’t glorify himself by making a big show. He cut of a stick and threw it in the water and the axe head floated up as if it were now somehow buoyant rather than iron. The student was able to pick it up.
Elisha did not scold the man for not knowing that nothing is impossible with God. He showed him that nothing is impossible with God. He spoke gently and compassionately. He did not only speak, in fact he only asked one question. He acted. He demonstrated God’s loving power and gave the man back the borrowed axe head.
Teaching does not have to be with eloquent words. Leading does not happen with speeches. Elisha went with the men, he led by example, he taught by doing. Let him be an example to us. Believer, are you a student? Are you learning more of the same or more of the mystery? Are you speaking and living what you have learned? Or are you the perpetual student afraid to use the degree you have earned? I encourage you as Paul encouraged Timothy,
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
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2 Kings 3 Don't Waste God's Word on Scoffers

1/17/2016

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And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2
​2 Kings 3
Ahab and Ahaziah were both dead. Since Ahaziah had no sons, his brother Jehoram became king. Verses 1-3 read,
“In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years. 2 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it.”
Even though Jehoram did not worship idols, he still chose to worship wrongly. Rather than worship the Lord as He had commanded at The Temple in Jerusalem and with the priests God had appointed, he followed the way of Jeroboam and worshipped with false priests in a false temple. He led Israel to sin in worshipping in a way he chose to, instead of in truth of the Word. He scorned God by scorning His commands.
Jeroham had a problem, the king of Moab had made a deal with his father Ahab but was now reneging. Verses 4-8 describe it.
“Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. 5 But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 6 So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. 7 And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?” And he said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 8 Then he said, “By which way shall we march?” Jehoram answered, “By the way of the wilderness of Edom.”
Israel and Judah united to take down the Moabites led by King Mesha. The king of Edom joined them and they made the arduous journey into the wilderness of Edom. Verses 9-14 read,
“So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.”
                There was no water and the men would die. Jehoram didn’t turn to God for other reasons but the situation was dire and so he suggested asking The Lord for help. In those days, The Holy Spirit was not on all the faithful. He was only on a chosen few and so the kings needed a prophet in order to ask God anything. A servant spoke up and suggested Elisha and so the three kings traveled down to meet him.
                Elisha knew Jehoram didn’t obey God and prophesying for him was futile. Jehoram, like the evil kings before him didn’t want to know what God wanted from them, they didn’t want to hear what He had to say, they wanted to hear what they wanted to hear. They treated God like a Crazy 8 ball or a vending machine. Prophesying to scoffers is wasted. God’s word is precious, it is a treasure. In Matthew 7:6 Jesus talked about giving His word to people.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”
But because Jehosophat was a faithful and obedient king, The Lord chose to answer him. Verses 15-20 record God’s answer.
                “But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ 17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ 18 This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, 19 and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” 20 The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.”
                The Lord gave them their answer not through the mouth of Elisha but through the mouth of a musician. Perhaps it was to protect Elisha from throwing pearls before swine or perhaps to show His almighty word was His to give to whom He chooses to give it. But His word was, ‘This is an easy thing. I will give you all the water you need, not just for today, but this place will be full of water and you will fight your battle and every good thing of Moab will be cut off and cut down.’ God fulfilled His promise to them the next morning as they (likely led by Jehoshaphat’s priest) were worshipping God in truth at the time of the sacrifice.
                God always keeps His promises. Often they are connected to commands. If we obey the command, God blesses us with the manifestation of His promise. Sometimes the promise stands alone, like the one God made to the three kings. But He does not give it right away. That doesn’t mean we wail and cry and lose faith. We, like Jehoshaphat remain faithful, continue obeying The Lord and in His time the promise is fulfilled.
                God has reasons for His timing. His reason for the timing of this promise is revealed in verses 21-27.
                “When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, from the youngest to the oldest, were called out and were drawn up at the border. 22 And when they rose early in the morning and the sun shone on the water, the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. 23 And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely fought together and struck one another down. Now then, Moab, to the spoil!”24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose and struck the Moabites, till they fled before them. And they went forward, striking the Moabites as they went. 25 And they overthrew the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a stone until it was covered. They stopped every spring of water and felled all the good trees, till only its stones were left in Kir-hareseth, and the slingers surrounded and attacked it. 26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him 700swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom, but they could not.27 Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel. And they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.”
                God provided the armies with the water they needed and His perfect scheduling made the Moabites think that they had fought and died. The Moabites let down their defenses, maybe even took off their armor and went to plunder the spoils of the fallen armies. God’s provision was also what led to Judah, Israel, and Edom winning the fight.
                When Mesha saw he was losing the fight, He did not turn to the Lord. He turned to his false god, himself and sacrificed his own son to save his own skin. With his son dead, the remaining troops would have to protect their king during the retreat, since no one was around to take his place if he died. Mesha had no god to turn to other than himself.
                Jehoram turned to God only when he was desperate and angry. And the problem he turned to The Lord for was a problem born of selfishness and pride. Jehoram was a scoffer, not a believer. He mocked God’s word by refusing to obey Him and doing things his own way. God will not give His word to scoffers. Proverbs 9:7-8 says,
“Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
   and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.         
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”

God didn’t help Jehoram for Jehoram’s sake, but for Jehoshaphat’s who had united with Israel for their defense. The Lord will always bless the faithful and obedient. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is a list of the many ways God will bless obedience. I highly recommend you read this scripture. Verse 2 of that passage reads,
                “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
                Obedience requires faith and if we obey we will not be able to escape the flood of blessings God will pour out onto us. Verses 12-14 of the passage say,
                “The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them, 14 and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”
                Jehoram was only blessed because of Jehoshaphat’s obedience. The Lord would not have allowed Elisha to give His precious words to the swine without Jehoshaphat’s faith standing in the gap for Jehoram. Believer, I encourage you to seek the Lord, to ask Him and remember your help comes from God. But remember also that God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7), and if you deride His word and refuse to obey it, He will not waste His treasure on you.
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2 Kings 2:15-25 God Sees You through Supernatural Eyes

1/16/2016

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So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me." - Genesis 16:13
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. - John 7:24
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. - John 7:24
​2 Kings 2:15-25
Do you know who you are? Do you think of yourself as the world sees you or as God sees you? It is easier and more intrinsic for us to view ourselves through the natural eyes of the world. We are born with those eyes and we learn to see through them first. Once we’re saved we get God’s Spirit, He gives us a new mind, heart, and nature. We learn to see ourselves and others through His eyes, but sometimes there is a struggle between our flesh and spirit over our identity or the identity of someone else. And those without God’s Spirit well they still see us through their dimmed sight.
Elisha had served Elijah for many years. Elijah had a great reputation as The Lord’s prophet, but Elisha had not yet earned that reputation. Elijah had just been taken up to Heaven. Elisha had witnessed it and had been given a double portion of The Spirit who had been on Elijah. But the people of Jericho did not witness it, did not have The Spirit, and did not have the faith of Elisha. So when Elisha returned from The Jordan to Jericho the people there wanted to talk to Elijah and they wanted to make sure that the whirlwind which took him to Heaven and not dropped him onto a mountain. Verses 15-18 read,
“Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.”17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him.18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”
Elisha was the prophet now and they could see that, but they could not grasp that The Lord had actually taken Elijah to Heaven and worried he was hurt on a mountain somewhere. Elisha told them not to go, but they didn’t completely trust Elijah’s pupil just yet. For three long arduous days they searched the mountain terrain looking for an injured and possibly dying man. But of course they didn’t find him. They would have to trust that Elijah’s student had now graduated and was The Lord’s prophet that they knew him to be.
I wonder how that made Elisha feel. Was he exasperated at their blindness to who God had made him? Was he angry that they didn’t recognize his office? Was he doubting who he was, because they didn’t trust him? I know I have had each of those reactions to others not recognizing Christ in me or not trusting The Holy Spirit in me. But the fact is, if I trust God, it doesn’t matter if others trust me. God will be God, I only have to walk in faith and obedience to my Lord. The people who see my life lived in that manner will eventually trust God themselves or reject God. It is He who saves, heals, moves, and speaks; not me.
Jesus saw through God’s eyes because He is God and because The Holy Spirit was on Him (since the Holy Spirit is His Spirit). If we have the Holy Spirit indwelled in us, we should see through God’s eyes as well. Isaiah 11:2-4 reads,
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”

It took the men of Jericho three days to decide Elisha had spoken God’s word and not his own. Verses 19-22 read,
“Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.”20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.”
How much easier would it have been for the men had they trusted God and listened to Elisha rather than go on a grueling and futile three day search and rescue mission for a man who was in Heaven? How much easier would it be for us if we would just trust God to be God and recognize people, including ourselves by His Spirit rather than our flesh?
Even if Elisha was hurt by the men of Jericho’s mistrust, he obeyed God and healed their water. Imagine if he had let his flesh win and chose to let them suffer. What would that have said about God? Rather than let his pride win and ‘teach them a lesson,’ Elisha glorified The Lord and demonstrated the love and mercy of The Lord.
We are not impervious to the pain inflicted by people’s doubt. Their questions about our identity in Christ are like flaming arrows headed for our hearts. Any chink in our shield can let one of those arrows injure and weaken us. We are not perfect, we all have chinks in our armor. There are times when some of those arrows will strike our hearts. That is what happened to Elisha after he left Jericho and went to Bethel. Verses 23-25 record the story.
“He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 25 From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.”
That is a big gang of little boys. Certainly those children couldn’t physically harm Elisha but their words were exactly the weapon Satan needed to try and destroy the prophet. Maybe as Elisha walked back to Bethel, he was thinking about Elijah and the journey they had taken before he saw his adopted father and mentor taken up to Heaven. Maybe he was thinking about who God is and who he was in Him. Or maybe he was thinking about the men of Jericho and how they disbelieved him and wondered if anyone would ever recognize God’s Spirit on him. I would venture to guess that had He been meditating on who God is, praising Him, and thanking Him that he would have responded differently to the boys instead of becoming so angry that 42 of them ended up dead.
Elisha’s temper and his pride did not glorify God Almighty as Deliverer, or Loving and Merciful. Elisha’s pride glorified Elisha. Yet God still used Elisha after his error. The boys judged Elisha for being bald. The men judged Elisha for being the apprentice who washed Elijah’s hands. God knew Elisha was his faithful prophet.
Do we remember Elisha for being bald? Most people do not even know this story. We remember Elisha for being chosen by The LORD and adopted by Elijah. We remember him for being a great prophet. He is remembered for being who God made him and the faithful and powerful life he lived.
You are who God has made you, not who the enemy or the world or even your family tells you that you are. Those people still see us as who we were born as and not as who God made us when we were born again. Even Jesus dealt with misgivings from the people who supposedly knew him best. The people of his hometown doubted him. His brothers and sisters were among the last to recognize him. Matthew 13:53-58 tells the story.
“And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”
If Jesus who is God Himself was not recognized then don’t you think you will also be discounted? Be encouraged that it is not who the world sees us as that counts, but who we are in Christ that matters. Keep being who you are called to be. Love them anyway. See them through God’s eyes anyway. Eventually, they will recognize God in you. We are here to glorify Jesus, not ourselves.
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2 Kings 2:1-14 Elijah and Elisha’s Journey: Elijah taken to Heaven and Elisha made Prophet

1/15/2016

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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17
​2 Kings 2:1-14
Knowing an event is going to happen does not lessen its emotional impact when it does happen. If we know we are going to lose a loved one, the grief of losing them is no less heart-rending than losing them suddenly. Elijah, Elisha, and all the prophets of Israel and Judah knew Elijah was going to be taken up to Heaven. While I am sure that Elijah and Elisha were happy that Elijah was going to be in Heaven, they were still sad that his earthly life would be ended and that they would no longer be able to enjoy their friendship. Yes, Elijah would be in “a better place,” but that meant he wouldn’t be with Elisha or prophesying for The Lord. Elisha felt the sorrow of Elijah’s impending departure very sharply. He was determined to spend as much time with the Prophet as possible and the journey of Elijah’s last day can teach us very much.
Verses 1-3 read,
“Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”
While Elijah knew that he would be taken up to heaven by a whirlwind, neither he nor anyone else knew where or what it would be like. He had been told go far and only one part of the journey at a time. Elisha’s love and honor of his adopted father is the epitome of commitment to who God has placed us with. Ruth’s words to Naomi when Naomi begged her to go make a life for herself are reminiscent of Elisha’s words to Elijah.
“Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17)
That is the kind of commitment we are supposed to have for one another, for the family given to us by God. Our mission and purpose though expressed differently and holding various focuses is ultimately the same, to glorify Jesus Christ and to build up the Kingdom of Heaven. Elisha was determined to be with Elijah for as long as he lived, even if being with him when God’s whirlwind took him meant danger or pain. Once at Bethel, Elijah was told to go further, Verses 4-5 read,
“Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”
The prophets of Jericho, just like the prophets of Bethel told Elisha that his mentor and father was being taken away. They said, “Do you know?” He told them he did and he had no desire to discuss it. He wanted to spend what time he could with Elijah. He wanted to soak up everything he could on this last day. He didn’t want to have superfluous conversations about what he already knew. Every moment of this last day with his friend, dad, and teacher was precious. Once at Jericho, God told Elijah to go further. He sent him to the Jordan. Verses 6-8 read,
“Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.”
Notice the journey God had Elijah make, they began at Gilgal where the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. There they built a monument of twelve stones. Those twelve stones are a reminder that God is our Almighty Deliverer. Joshua said it this way in Joshua 4:21-24,
“And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Next, they went to Bethel, the place where Jacob dreamed of the Stairway to Heaven, the place where God reinstated His promise to make Abraham’s descendants like the dust and to give them the place where Jacob was sleeping. Jacob named the place Bethel (House of God) and used the stone he rested his head on to make a monument to God. (Genesis 28:10-19). To be in the House of God, at the gateway to Heaven (Genesis 28:17) is to be in the presence of God. Bethel reminded Elisha that God would always be with Him in a very real and intimate way.
Then they traveled to Jericho. Jericho was the first city that Israel had to take in order to begin claiming the land that The Lord had promised them. But the battle was extraordinary. The Lord Jesus spoke to Joshua face to face and told him, “I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come… Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” (Joshua 5:14-15). The men didn’t fight, they walked in faith and obedience to God. They walked around the walls of the city and it was The Lord who brought down the walls. (Joshua 6). Jericho is a reminder that the battle belongs to The Lord, He is Lord of Hosts and He is here with us. We can have faith and obey. Exodus 14:14 reads,
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Elijah’s last stop was The Jordan, the river Joshua parted so that Israel could cross over into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). It was the border from Israel’s life in the wilderness to their new life in The Land of Milk and Honey. Elijah would be taken up into eternity there. The Jordan reminds us of living our eternal lives now. It reminds us that Heaven is ultimately our home. I found it very interesting too that when Elijah and Elisha got to the river, Elijah part the waters as if it were as ordinary as opening a door. Elijah and Elisha understood God’s great power and they were never surprised at His miracles. Elijah parted the Jordan, called fire from Heaven, and made flour and oil last without adding his drama for his own glory or making it look difficult. He just did it. He knew God could and would.
Elijah’s time on earth was coming to a close. Verses 9-10 record Elijah and Elisha’s last conversation.
“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 
God had made Elijah perhaps the greatest prophet of all time. His impact on the history of Israel, the kings, and the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be denied. That had not made his time on earth pleasant. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit not because he wanted power and honor on earth, but because he wanted to serve the Lord just as well as Elijah. Verses 11 and the first half of verse 12 tell us if God granted Elisha’s request.
“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.”
I cannot begin to fathom the glory Elisha got a peek at. While he received confirmation of his request, he also got to see something that had to buttress and buoy his faith. God gave Elisha what he asked. But knowing, even seeing the glory Elijah entered didn’t take away the pain of losing him. He was comforted and the sting of death was absent but his anguish was there. He still mourned. The rest of verse 12 through 14 reads,
“Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.”
Elisha tore his own clothes off, picked up Elijah’s cloak, put it on and crossed back over the Jordan. He took up Elijah’s mantle and was now the prophet in his place. He put on a new identity, his new self. Elijah’s cloak represented his office and his spirit which was the Holy Spirit on him. Now it was Elisha’s. He asked, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” He didn’t ask because he didn’t know. He asked to proclaim that the Lord was with him and on him now. He answered by parting the Jordan as simply as Elijah had done it. When Joshua did it, he required the ark (the symbol of God’s presence with Israel.) When Elijah and Elisha did it, they needed no such symbol, they were confident that God was on them.
Believer, Elijah’s mantle is now ours. We have been called to his office. We are the prophets. We have the Holy Spirit not merely on us but actually indwelled in us. In Acts 2:16-21 Peter declared that the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 was fulfilled and that Believers would prophesy because we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. That passage reads,
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

What is it a prophet does? He discerns the truth and declares the word of God. We are called to do those things, Believer. 1 John 2:20-27 reads,
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
You have all knowledge, you know the truth! You must proclaim it. Colossians 3:16 reads,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Believer, take up Elijah’s mantle, you have not only been given a portion of God’s Spirit, you have been given His Spirit fully and completely. You are part of a united family. Remember God is Almighty Deliverer, Emanuel, Lord of hosts, and Alpha and Omega.
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Revelation 22:6-21 Prophecy and The Grand Invitation

1/10/2016

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The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17
Revelation 22:6-21
This book is intimidating to some. It seems mysterious and dark to some, exciting to others, and terrifying to others. But it is important we read and heed this book of prophecy. Depending upon our viewpoint we either wait hopefully, apprehensively, fearfully, or apathetically for its fulfillment. But as with all of God’s prophecy, it is meant to warn us, prepare us, call us, teach us and encourage us. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:3). The central goal of prophecy is recorded in Amos 3:7-8.
“For the Lord God does nothing
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?”

It is a revelation of the will of God. He wants us to know. He tells us quite clearly what His plans are. This book is not meant to make us cower, it is meant to prepare us for what is coming and embolden us to action. Too many people have not read or heard the words of the Revelation for themselves. They have a fantastic and horror-filled Hollywood vision of what the book includes. Even people who have read it have chosen to ignore the Holy Spirit and assign twisted and strange meanings to Jesus’ Revelation. Believer, you and I have read this book together. We have not skipped one verse, one word, or letter. I have done my best to not interpret or discern anything without God’s Holy Spirit. I have done my best to back everything with scripture. We do not have to be shocked at the state of the world as Jesus’ coming gets closer. We do not have to tremble in fear of the unknown. God has made it known and we have read it.
The final verses of this book invite us to take note of what we read, to put it into action, and to take part in the work of the Saints in these last days. Verses 6-7 read,
“And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
This is what Revelation is about, this is what all the prophecies that came before it are about, and this is what all the scriptures are about; Jesus is coming soon. We are not only to note, hear, or read the words of the prophecy of this book, we are to keep them. The word keep is the Greek word threw (tay-reh'-o) it means to hold fast, protect, and to undergo in a militant manner. Verses 8-9 read,
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
John had been warned a couple of times previously not to worship the angels giving him the messages but the overwhelming emotion of everything he had received must have made him want to fall down and worship the messenger and the message. Isn’t this the case today? How many people do you know who seem to worship the Book of Revelation, all end-time prophecy, or the people who teach on the subjects? It is not the prophet or the prophecy we worship. We are told to worship God. But we can’t go the other direction and ignore the words either. Remember we are to actively keep the words here. People will and do go right on living their lives and ignore prophecy, but that is not our directive.
The angel calls John and his brothers, prophets. Who are John’s brothers? Believers, they are you and me. Under the Old Testament God chose a few men and women, poured out His Spirit on them and assigned them to be prophets. But today we are all prophets. Not everyone has the gift of prophecy, but everyone can prophesy (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). And today more and more people are being gifted with prophecy. Joel 2:28-29 says it this way,
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

So then that makes us responsible for the words of Revelation, the Scriptures, and the words God speaks to us. Verses 10-11 say,
“And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
We are to take prophecy seriously. We have to know God to hear and recognize His voice (John 10:27). We have to discern what is from the Lord and what is false (1 John 4:1). And 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21 tells us,
“pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Jesus reminds us what the prophecies of this book are about in verses 12-16.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Certainly there are people who fear this book. There are numerous horror movies, TV shows, documentaries, and even so-called Christian films which all distort, falsify, and exaggerate the prophecy of the end-times, Jesus’ return, and Judgement Day. They drum up fear and emotion and use the book to propagandize for personal goals. But we are not called to fear this book. Jesus is the Bright Morning Star, the Alpha and Omega and our Savior. What do we have to fear if we have Jesus? We do not have to be afraid of the events described in Revelation. We are prepared for them. We must remain aware, warn others, and let others know they are invited to the wedding feast. Verse 17 says,
“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
The Spirit says, “Come.” We the Bride say, “Come.” Those who hear the invitation say, “Come.” Those who seek God say, ‘Come.” What do we come to? We come to eternal life, where who we seek is found. We are thirsty and the living water is waiting for us. It is free, Jesus already paid for it. What an amazing invitation!!! And when we receive that invitation, we are to become an invitation to others. Do your life, your attitude, and your words lovingly say, “Come” or do they send another message?
Once again, we are warned to take the prophecy of Revelation seriously. It is not a fairy tale or a scary story. It is the truth. Adding our interpretation based on anything or anyone other than the Word and the Spirit has deadly consequences for us and those who hear the words we spread. Leaving the parts we do not like out of it has the same results. Verses 18-21 read,
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
The Spirit says, “Come” to you and to others. Bride of Christ, do you say, “Come?” Jesus is coming and soon He will say, “Come up here.” Are you ready?
 
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1 Kings 18 Elijah Had a Reputation as a Man of God and a Troublemaker

10/10/2015

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​1 Kings 18
Do people know your stance on God? Do they know you are zealous for Jesus Christ, filled with The Spirit, and obedient to The Father? Do you have a reputation?
Elijah had a reputation as The Lord’s prophet. Both people who loved God and those who rejected Him and followed idols knew about Elijah. Ahab hated Elijah since Elijah had delivered the Word of The Lord against him and announced a terrible drought. There had been no rain in The Northern Kingdom for three years. At God’s direction, Elijah had lived near a brook until it dried up and after that with a widow for whom The Lord had provided miraculous flour and oil. Ahab had searched everywhere for the hated prophet with no luck. Then The Lord told Elijah it was time to go talk to the evil king.  Verses 1-6 read,
“After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.”
Obadiah had a precarious position. He was head of Ahab’s household, yet he feared God. Ahab was the most evil king to have ruled Israel in its history, his queen Jezebel was just as evil, if not more so than her husband. They hated anything of God and sought to kill all the prophets. Obadiah did a great and courageous act for 100 prophets in his position over the royal household. Now he was searching for any sign of growth in Ahab’s effort to save his horses. But on his search, Obadiah ran into Elijah. Verse 8 reads,
“And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
He was thrilled since he knew Elijah’s reputation. He was so happy he fell down on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” But he didn’t stay thrilled for long. Elijah told him, “Go tell Ahab I’m here.” Obadiah said, “Dude! What have I done to you? If I do that Ahab will kill me! He’s been searching for you for a long time. I’ll tell him you’re here, he’ll come to kill you, God’s Spirit will protect you and whisk you away and he’ll kill me when he doesn’t find you.” But Elijah promised he would be there when Ahab arrived. So Obadiah went and told Ahab.
Elijah’s reputation was so great that Obadiah had no doubt that The Lord would miraculously protect him. He knew Ahab was bent on destroying the prophet and he knew His God would not let that happen. Elijah lived a supernatural life naturally. Obadiah fully expected a great miracle.
Ahab arrived and said, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” Ahab knew Elijah’s reputation as well, but to him, he was not someone to be respected with the title of lord. Elijah’s attempts to speak the Word of The Lord and change Ahab’s wicked course unsettled the king. He couldn’t take responsibility for Israel’s drought, so he blamed Elijah. Elijah didn’t take the bait. He had a challenge to show Ahab and Israel how great and awesome the Lord was. Verses 19-24 read,
“Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”
20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.”
The people thought, “450 men against one? No problem!” So they chose a bull and prepared it and from morning ‘til noon they made a show of calling on their god. They carried on so long that they were limping around the altar. Elijah had a good ol’ time watching the show. Verses 27-29 read,
“And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”
Elijah’s reputation was not based on an imaginary god. Baal’s prophets made a big show and there was nothing and no one to answer them. Elijah didn’t have to go crazy all day, crying out to a make-believe idol. Verses 30-35 read,
“Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.”
Elijah was very careful as he rebuilt the altar. He used it as a time to gently remind the people of Israel who they were and where they had come from. He knew that they would remember their history and recall that they were God’s people and He was their God, not Baal. Perhaps every day at this time they offered their sacrifices to Baal, but tonight, the sacrifice would be for The Lord and so it would be done properly. He prepared the burnt offering and then had the people pour water over everything. There would be no way anyone could say it was the heat of the day, the sun, or any other natural happening. Elijah didn’t stop expressing The Lord there, when He prayed, not with pomp and circumstance but sincerity, he continued to glorify God. Verses 36-40 say,
“And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.”
Elijah lived up to his reputation, he did it by furthering The Lord’s reputation. Every chance he got, he obeyed, he did great works in the name of the Lord. He withheld rain from Israel, he was fed by ravens, because of Elijah the Lord provided supernatural food to a widow and her son, he prayed and the Lord brought a child back to life, and he asked and The Lord burned his sacrifice including the wood and the altar. Elijah’s reputation was so great because He knew how truly great God was. He had faith. Now it was time to end the drought. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It had not rained in three years. Verses 41-46 read,
“And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went toJezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Although there was no rain and no cloud in the sky, Elijah told Ahab to go ahead and eat and drink, celebrate because he could hear the sound of rain. That is faith. Elijah himself went to pray because the drought would end with his request. He had to ask seven times for rain. He didn’t give up when he asked and noting happened, he just asked again. He prayed seven times and then he saw the tiny hand shaped cloud. With that little cloud, God told Elijah, “You better hurry and you better tell Ahab to hurry cause it is gonna rain and it is gonna rain hard!” Sure enough soon the sky was black with heavy clouds and Elijah ran. He ran supernaturally fast and past Ahab who had left well before him.
Elijah had his reputation because he trusted the Lord’s reputation. That faith allowed him to live a supernatural life in which he consistently exalted God. His reputation and favor flourished and because of that God’s reputation flourished.
I encourage you today to remember who God is and who you are in Christ. Trust Him and choose to express Jesus in everything you do. Let Him grow you, your ministry, and your reputation.
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1 Kings 13 God NEVER Goes against His Own Word.

9/29/2015

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1 Kings 13
We don’t live in a bubble. Obedience and sin both have consequences and repercussions. In this chapter the only names we know are Jeroboam’s and Josiah’s. The other names are lost to everyone but The Lord Himself, all because one man lied and another disobeyed God.
Jeroboam who had just made up his own religion which looked close enough to Judaism to please the people was about to make offerings on his new altar. Just as he was getting ready to begin a man of God showed up. The Lord had called this unnamed prophet out of Judah to confront Jeroboam and stop him before he went too far. The bravery of the man of God probably surprised the king because rather than deride Jeroboam or even speak to him, the prophet cried out to the altar, an inanimate object built by Jeroboam for Jeroboam. Verses 2-3 read,

“And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

God tried to tell Jeroboam that his false religion would be defiled and he ought to stop. Josiah would fulfil this prophecy 300 years later. (2 Kings 23:15-20). Jeroboam got angry at the man’s words. He pointed at the man and ordered his men to arrest him. And there were immediate consequences.  He had the choice to listen to the Lord and repent, but instead his arrogance got in the way. Verses 4-5 describe it,
“And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. 5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.”
The sign the Lord promised was direct and instantaneous and Jeroboam was frozen by the sudden shriveling of his hand paralyzed in mid-air. Jeroboam had the charm that many psychopaths have. He quickly acknowledged the prophet’s power and asked him to fix his hand.  The man of God could have said, “Ha! See there! I was right and you were wrong, live with it buddy!” But he didn’t. He was a man of God and so responded by asking the Lord what He wanted. God had him heal Jeroboam’s shriveled hand. Jeroboam who just moments before had ordered the man to be seized now invited him to his home, rest up, and be rewarded. Verses 8-10 read,

“And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.”

The Lord gave him this directive for several reasons. Jeroboam was charming and persuasive enough to make 10 tribes of Israel turn away from the Lord and begin the false worship Samaria became famous for. He also didn’t want the man to be in any way indebted to Jeroboam. Also serving God does not come with pay. (Matthew 10:7-9). And God does not want us muddying up our beliefs by discussing His pearls with unappreciative pigs. 2 John 1:7-11 reads,

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”

As the man of God was on his way he was feeling pretty good about himself. Maybe he was feeling a little prideful crediting his goodness with God’s greatness. So the man of God was headed home and an old prophet who lived in Bethel heard about everything that had happened from his sons. He really wanted to talk to this man so he saddled up his donkey and headed to find the man of God. Verses 14-17 read,

“And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” 15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 And he said, “I may not return with you, or go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place, 17 for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.’”

The man of God knew what God had said. He repeated it to the old prophet without a problem but the old prophet perhaps was offended that God wouldn’t want him to talk with him, he was after all a prophet. But he was a prophet who had decided to stay in Bethel, who for whatever reason was not chosen to go speak to Jeroboam. God had to call a man to make the journey form Judah to Bethel instead of using a prophet in the same place as Jeroboam. Verses 18-19 read,

“And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him. 19 So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water.”

Where was the man’s faith? He had just uttered prophecy, with a sign and had seen the sign come to be immediately, he had witnessed God shrivel a man’s hand and heal a man’s hand. Did he really think The Lord would have said one thing to him and another to someone else? God doesn’t give people disparate messages. That was his clue that the old prophet was also a false prophet. But he believed the old prophet, whose words sound so much like the serpent’s in the garden of Eden, “Did God really say…” 
God reacted quickly. He had the old prophet deliver a message to the man. Verses 20-22 read,
“And as they sat at the table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back. 21 And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the command that the Lord your God commanded you, 22 but have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’”

Both men had to acknowledge their sin. The old prophet had lied and that lie had led to a horrible punishment. The man of God had figured that he could eat with a prophet, God must not have meant what he said. Now he was going to be punished. When he died, his body would not be laid with his fathers, he would be forgotten in his family history. Proper burial was important to Israel. One wanted to be buried at least in his home town and certainly with his ancestors. Jacob said, “Bury me with my fathers.” (Genesis 49:29-30). The punishment the man faced was one most Israelites and Judahites would dread.
Just as swiftly as everything else had happened, this prophecy came to be very quickly and even more horribly than the man could have imagined. The old prophet saddled his donkey for the man and sent him on his way. Verses 24-25 describe what happened next.

“And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body. 25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown in the road and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.”
The two animals just stood there next to the body and people saw this incredible sight and talked about it but couldn’t do anything about it. So of course word reached the old prophet. He was very upset, he was deeply convicted about tempting the man away from his way home. If he had not lied, if he had stayed away or perhaps chosen to walk part of the way with the man, it wouldn’t have happened.
So he saddled a donkey and went to find the man’s body. It was there just like everyone had described. He put it on his donkey and brought it back home where he buried the man in his tomb. He was profoundly sorry. His punishment was worse than the man’s, he had to live with the consequences. So he mourned and repented. Verses 31-32 read,

“And he laid the body in his own grave. And they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!” 31 And after he had buried him, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. 32 For the saying that he called out by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places that are in the cities of Samaria shall surely come to pass.”

He also saw that God’s word was real and true. He knew that the prophecy about Josiah would come to pass and if he were buried as Jeroboam’s priest or prophet, his bones would be desecrated. He ensured he would not be burned with the rest by having his body buried so closely with the man that they would be indistinguishable when both were bone and dust. He made sure the tomb was inscribed, not with his name or position but with the man’s title. In his longing to preserve dignity in death he took on the punishment of being forgotten in death. (2 Kings 23-17-18).
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Ezekiel 14. God isn't a deck of tarot cards or a Magic 8 Ball.

2/28/2015

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Ezekiel Chapter 14

We can’t fake devotion to God. We might be able to fake it to the world and even to ourselves, but not to God. If there are idols in our hearts, we cannot expect to treat God as if there are not. When one cheats on her husband then goes home to be intimate with her spouse, she is a liar and an adulterer. She may fool her husband, but God will not be deceived. He knows our hearts. He sees what she does, even in the dark. We can’t turn to astrology, expanded consciousness, or other spiritual avenues and also turn to the LORD God. He is the One True Living God. He had some words for the people who practiced idolatry and yet still came to seek His advice. He would not allow them to consult Him as if He were a Zoltar Fortune Teller game or a Magic 8 Ball. Verses 6-8 read,

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 7 For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself. 8 And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

It isn’t good and happy news that these kind of idolaters receive. They will get what they asked for. The LORD will answer them personally. Not by giving in to inquiries, but by telling them who He is. He is a jealous God and He will not put up with idolatry.

It is not only the cheaters who must beware, it is the prophet to whom they turn. It can be tempting to give them the answers they seek or give them sugar-coated watered-down messages rather than “repent or be punished.” But the LORD doesn’t want or need His children to change His word. Verses 9-10 speak to the prophet who is deluded by the idolater.

“And if the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. 10 And they shall bear their punishment—the punishment of the prophet and the punishment of the inquirer shall be alike”

To tell the idolater what she wants to hear is to lead her away from the truth instead of to the Lord. To let someone think that God approves of a melting pot of beliefs, where He holds the same weight as a charm bracelet is synonymous with teaching them to worship a god of their own making. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. He is the only way to the Father. Allowing people to think God is cool with any other path is letting them walk down that path toward Hell.

We can’t dilute His message. We can’t let people think live and let live is okay. To live and let live is not only to live and let die but leading people to death. Tell them the truth and let them make the choice without our or God’s stamp of approval. What is the truth? God loves them and wants them to know Him, the real Him, not the god they’ve created. Verse 11 says it like this.

“that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord God.”

A child will not stop behaving badly if she thinks her parents endorse her conduct. People will not stop sinning if they think the Lord sanctions it. It isn’t your job to make them feel good about themselves and their practices. It is your job to obey the LORD. It is your job to glorify Him and make disciples. God knows what He is doing. Some people need to suffer or struggle before they turn to God. Do not take that away from them. Verses 21-23 read,

“For thus says the Lord God: How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast! 22 But behold, some survivors will be left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out; behold, when they come out to you, and you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, for all that I have brought upon it. 23 They will console you, when you see their ways and their deeds, and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord God.”

Glorify the Lord. Do not compromise. Do not allow idolatry into your life. If someone comes to you seeking counsel from the Lord, listen to what the Lord tells you and speak only what He tells you. You are not a psychic and God is not a pack of tarot cards. To offer them the advice they ask for is to be deceived and to minimize the Lord to a crystal ball. Just because they ask God, doesn’t mean they worship Him alone. Just because they come to you doesn’t mean you should offer your wisdom. Let them repent or let them find their answers in their horoscope.

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    Give to Salt & Light

    Donna Campbell

    As I read the Bible every day, I take what God teaches me, what He says, and write it out. I then share that with you. It gives me a deeper understanding of the Word and I hope that it will encourage you as it does me, to put your love and faith into action.

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