Famine Coming and Now is!

 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God, "that I will send a famine on the land..."(Amos 8:11)  How shall we get prepared?  Store canned food in the basement, buy up gold instead of savings or stock, build a fallout shelter with stockpiles of water and survival food, get guns and ammunition, stock up on toilet paper?  Man, in his limited wisdom, has attempted all of these steps to somehow outsmart and survive the coming famine.  None of this will save us!

 God's promises and warnings in Scripture are sure.  He is not mocked; they will happen just as He says. So it is important to consider the rest of that famine verse. "...not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." The famine is about hearing the words of the Lord.  He further states that people "shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the Word of the Lord, but shall not find it.  

 Our first thought is that they will take away our Bibles, so we better memorize the Word.  While this is a useful discipline with great rewards - "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11), it is not the focus of this particular instruction.  Notice the famine is not for the Word, but of hearing the words of the Lord.  Jesus said it this way, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15)  

 Hearing requires more than letting the sound vibrations reach our ears.  It also involves a definite response to the words with appropriate action or change of heart.  Remember when Jesus gave the example of building your house on the rock or the sand, declaring "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand."  The coming famine will be an attitude of not giving heed to what God has said in His Word, or thinking man's opinions overrule God.  However, the rule of Romans 3:4 will always hold: "Let God be true and every man a liar." 

Proverbs 1:25-31 points out that those who hated knowledge and refused correction will not find God as a refuge in the day of trouble.  However, there is also given the key to what does work. Notice verse 33, which declares "whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil."  Those who listen to God will not fear.  However, it seems that more people talk about hearing God's voice than those who really do.  So how do we learn to hear Him and receive His instruction in a way that protects us from what is coming on the world? 

The majority of Christians say they want to, but really don't, hear His voice.  First, we wouldn't even know Jesus is the Son of God if the Father hadn't revealed that truth to us, so we have already heard Him.  His voice is the same as when you received conviction that you need Jesus to save you and to be your Lord.

Secondly, we can't expect God to keep talking if we haven't done what He has already told us.  Being faithful in little is the key to receiving more.  In your heart of hearts, or the part of you that just "knows" things, what has God said to you?  Maybe in your reading of the Word, in counsel of godly teachers, or in your reflections during quiet times.  By the way, God doesn't mind repeating things if you really don't know.  Ask Him.  Then do what you believe He has given you, so you can receive more.

Thirdly, take time to seek Him.  The world continually nags us to be busy with all kinds of things, but didn't Jesus say in the parable of the sower that the cares of this world choke the Word?  We all know people who want to talk to us, but they keep talking so much that we can hardly get a word in.  Are we that way with God?  There is a reason Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God."  The Word repeats many times the admonition, seek Him or seek His face.  Deliberately, come into God's presence with thanksgiving, praise, and worship (Psalm 100), and then wait for Him to speak.  Give Him as much time to speak as you have taken His time to speak to Him.  Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength and mount up with wings like the eagles.  

God is seeking those who seek Him.  A famine is coming.  Isaiah 60 reminds us about coming darkness on the earth and deep darkness on the people, but God's plan for believers is for His light to come to us and His glory to be seen in us.  We avoid the greatest famine, which is of hearing the words of the Lord, by asking the Holy Spirit to help us hear His voice, and to do what He says.   Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it, according to Jesus. 

Holy Spirit, today I choose to take time to hear Your voice.  Help me wait on You and seek Your voice. Open my heart to hear, and to be faithful to do what You say.     

   

 

Heart of the Father

Everyone needs a father's approval.  Even Jesus was given and encouraged by His Father's greeting, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

God obviously intended for fathers and mothers to be the first examples of His loving care and security, taking care of every need.  Yet even when our human fathers fall short, God is.  He is everything that fathers were meant to be.  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.      Nothing will ever replace, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Father."

  Sometimes in the moning I like to just kneel before God and acknowledge Him, Abba Father, holy, holy, holy.  Lord Jesus, worthy are You, Lamb of God.  Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me and opening my heart to know the Father as Abba, Daddy, and for revealing Jesus to me so I can know and love Him.   

  In our prideful mind we forget how much we need the Holy Spirit to know God. Galatians 4:6, as well as Romans 8:15, states that it is the Spirit who allows us to cry "Abba Father."  The Spirit causes us to know God as "Father" in a genuine heartful way. (God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crrying out, "Abba Father!")  Secondly, in John 14 and 15, Jesus points out that the Sprit will "testify of Me" and "bring to your remembrance all things I have spoken to you."  In other words, it is the Spirit who shows us Jesus.  We are blessed when we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us the way He knows Jesus, and to encourage our hearts by confirming we are the Father's beloved children.   

 This morning the Spirit gave me Psalm 18, which was written by David after he was delivered from Saul.  His words echo our heart response for being delivered from Satan and the bondage of the flesh.   "I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies."   All of these titles point to the fatherly way God stands with us and defends us as a father.  Moreover, Luke 12:32 goes even further.  It pleases the Father to give you the Kingdom.  He delights to show you mercy, to provide for your needs, and to cause you to walk in supernatural life.  You can trust Him as your Father.

The Trinity is beyond total comprehension for our finite minds, but what is revealed is given to help us get to know Him.  Have you noticed, probably around Christmas in the Isaiah 9:6 passage, that one of the names of Jesus is "Everlasting Father?"  Jesus also demonstrates the Father-heart toward His own.  Didn't Jesus say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father?  Rather than try to figure it all out, just receive it and enjoy the presence and security of a loving Father God who takes care of you today, and always will.  God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit demonstrate the heart of the Father, and the One God through the three persons will never leave you or forsake you. 

  Honor your father, or those who have fathered you, and especially enjoy the strength and encouragement of having a Father who loves you with an evelasting love.  Father's Day is a great opportunity to thank God for your father, and those who have shown fatherly care to you.  Even Paul tells the Corinthians that he is their father in the Lord because he taught the Word of God to them.  We are blessed to have those who brought us into the Kingdom and taught the Word of God to us.  Give thanks for your fathers in the Lord.  Rejoice in knowing the eternal blessings of being in the heart of the Father today, and forever.  

Weary? Never Quit!

What is God saying to the church today? 

The Lord has been showing me the importance of putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and taking authority over the works of the enemy, especially in the areas that the Lord has exposed to me.  It is easy to forget and get into the complaining and frustrated mode where the evil around me starts to depress me, rather than see this as a call to arms, to take the God-given authority that He has entrusted to believers to resist the enemy and cause him to flee.  Maybe we have fought for a while, but haven't seen instant results, so we get weary and slowly fade.

  So my Word this morning is from Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  Faith and patience (same Greek word as endurance) inherit the promises.  We all know there is a spiritual battle going on, but for some reason (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge) we get distracted or worn out and quit fighting the good fight.  In my spirit I sense that one of the major things God is doing in the church is uniting us to stand together as one in the authority of the name of Jesus.  Psalm 8:6 reminds us (as does Luke 10:19) that He has put all things under our feet.

 The word for church, "Ecclesia," means the called out ones, but it also has a political foundation from its root meaning in Greek, of those assembled to rule in the affairs of men.  Romans 5:17 would support this, "much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

  

  It is not a little thing to put on the armor - there is a real battle going on.  Gird your loins with the truth of His Word.  Thank the Lord Jesus for the breastplate of His righteousness.  Set your heart to prepare your feet to walk in the Gospel of peace to all.  Above all, choose to stand in faith that Jesus has overcome which quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy.  And rejoice as you put on the helmet of salvation, remembering that He has delivered you from all the consequences of your sin.  Last, but not least, take up the sword of the Spirit by declaring the Word of God.  When you speak the Word you release God's power and allow the Spirit of God to move. He is waiting to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18).  What specific Scriptures are you declaring today?  May I share a few of my favorites:

    Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph, 

    My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory,

    By His stripes I am healed,

    He covers the righteous with favor as with a shield,

    No weapon formed against me shall prosper,

    He makes all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,

    Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you,

    At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven, on the earth, and beneath the earth, 

    Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

 Why should we continue to be diligent to fight?  My final exhortation is bedrock, because of Jesus.  Hebrews 12:3 declares "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  Or consider the joy of Jesus speaking His praise to you as expressed in Revelation 2:3, "you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary." 

Know the Way?

Moses killed an Egyptian in his attempt to defend God's people.  However, this clearly didn't work.  The Israelis didn't accept it and when the Pharoah heard about it, Moses had to run for his life to the desert.  The point is that our ways never accomplish their purpose.  

Later, in Exodus 33:13, Moses makes a completely different type of prayer:  "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know you and that I may find grace in Your sight."  Asking God to show us His way is equivalent to knowing God.  

As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)  When we realize that God's thoughts and ways are completely superior to our own thoughts, we will trust Him to take care of everything in our life.  The other alternative is to trust our own efforts to control the details around us, which is simply a version of pride.  Independence is the fruit of pride.  God's grace, His shield, and His peace overflow our minds and hearts when we seek and trust His way.

However, what does it take to get us from asking God to give us what we want, to the point where we transition to "God, what do you want for me today?"  Maybe that is why James 1 talks about trials producing changes until we are perfect, lacking nothing.  Troubles have a way of making us realize our ways do not work.  They can move us from doing things our natural way, to "God, show me Your way, so that I can please You."  God is working in you to will and to work for His pleasure.  

Jesus stated in John 17:3 that eternal life is "that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent."  Eternal life is a quality of life, a way of enjoying His glory forever, not just a duration of time.  Moses knew that knowing God's way will reveal who He is, "show me Your way that I may know You."  Likewise, the more we hear the Word and get this life-giving truth in our hearts and not let this Word depart from your lips (speak it because we believe it!), the more we will know God.  

Praise God that Jesus is the Way.  His Word opens up our hearts and minds to know Him. Furthermore, the more we know and walk in His way, the more we allow Jesus the Way to be manifested through us. In short, when we walk in His way we glorify Him.  Stated in 2 Samuel 22:33 (and repeated in Psalm 18:32), God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. 

Are You Prepared for the Fight

As the Colrado Avalanche defeated the Las Vegas Knights in overtime, the crowd began chanting "We want the Cup!"

A worthy goal but certainly one requiring great physical battle yet to come.  Similar thoughts went through my head this morning as I read Joel 1 and 2, "Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of judgment of the Lord is coming" and "Blow the trumpet in Zion, set apart a fast, call a solemn assembly...let them say, 'Have pity and spare Your people, O Lord,"  As you know in the rest of the chapter, when all the people and priests cry out, God is moved with jelousy for His people and answers their prayer mightily. 

Likewise, in Luke 2, Simeon said to Mary, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through you own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  To top off this thought, my reading in Psalm 2 talked about the kings of the earth casting off God's laws and mocking God.  It is given as a warning to them, that God has set His King on the throne and He laughs at their foolishness of thinking they could overthrow God.  But they will try. 

The point is that there is a spiritual battle going on, and as we draw near to the end time, it will only intensify.  Jesus is a sign that will be contradicted.  Christians will need to be prepared to stand in the armor and provision Jesus has given to see the Lord overcome (in and through us).  We will have to trust God when all else seems to be falling apart.  Persection is real in the world, and more people are losing their lives for the Lord Jesus today than at any other time in history.  However, nothing draws people closer together than laying down our lives to fight together and seeing God turn it all into victory.  Isaiah 60 speaks of the world covered by darkness and the peoples by thick darkness, yet God's light and glory are seen upon His people.  God's anointing and power will work in our lives beyond anything we have ever known, but it will be at a cost in the midst of a darkened world system that rebels against Him.    

God is faithful.  We will be led in triumph.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God, no power of darkness can take us out of God's hand.  These are more than sentimental verses, these are given as anchors of our soul which will keep us in faith and patience in the hard times.  We can count it joy when we walk through various trials, knowing God is using it all for good.  However, we do need to count the cost, to be prepared to fight the good fight of faith no matter what challenges lie ahead.  To whom much is given, much is required.  Through all trials God gives both the strength to endure and the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Stanley Cup is the highest trophy in hockey.  We want the Cup, not the perishable one of the world, but the eternal crown of triumph uniting with the Lord Jesus over every power and attack of the devil and the fallen world.  Because of the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross.  God sets before us the ultimate Cup of knowing Him, knowing His mercy and glory forever.  It is worth the price.  Paul considered the suffering of this world nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed.  The church in the Acts, in the midst of trials, grew in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the fear of the Lord.  

Walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and let the awesome awareness of His holiness in your life keep you from sin. Refuse to let go of the robe of righteousness and the garment of praise, no matter what the enemy is saying.  My prayer is that God continue to prepare us for every good work ahead, and that we don't lose heart in the season of heat and pressure.  The Lord bless you and keep you.