Spoken in Haste and Confusion
Many believe they are
in right standing with the Lord and strong in faith. That may well be quite
accurate, but be assured, if this is what you know to believe, you had best be
prepared for the violent shaking and the proving of your faith.
I do not think any of
Christ’s disciples will escape this test and great shaking - none. We will feel
like Job, and we would do well to be encouraged by remembering why Job was
going through what he went through and what the outcome was.
Yes, the accuser (Satan) mentioned Job before the holy God
and challenged his faith in God. Job was to be tested (tried) as never before. After a great and horrible trial (the Word of God never states how long the
trial was, but the first week, Job's friends said nothing, and it is quite
possible that the incredible trial went on for months).
Oh that I were as in the months
past, as in the days when God preserved (watched over me) [Job 29:2]
I was at ease, but He has broken me asunder:
He has also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his
mark. [Job 16:12]
Job felt undone, shaken
to the core (shattered), but in the
end, there was need of repentance on Job’s part due to the words he spoke out
of haste. He regretted when he was born
and had wanted to die. But in Job’s despair, he questioned God’s wisdom,
justice and fairness in all that befell him.
Have we not done that,
especially if something happens that truly tears at our heart, overwhelming us,
when the rug feels pulled out from under us and our world comes crashing in
upon us? I have. In my own haste and
foolishness, I have said things to the Lord that would have best been left
unsaid…yes, even desiring to leave this earth.
Have you ever had such
internal pain, grief, sorrow and anguish that you just wanted it all to end, to
stop, in order to gain some relief? Have you ever been confused by a hardship, the
intensity and length of a trial and wondered why God has allowed such a trial
or tribulation to take place?
Have you ever
questioned His discipline, or wondered why He has not intervened more speedily
in a desperate situation, or if He was ever going to move on your behalf at
all? Have you ever wondered at God’s love for you, His justice or His will in a
hardship? Have you ever uttered foolish
words hastily, overcome by emotion, confusion and desperation as a result?
These questions would
be for those who have gone through either an onslaught of hardships or some
great trial that were so devastating, so uncertain, so stubborn in its length
that you felt like your whole world was turned upside down and inside out. And no amount of knowledge of God seemed to
make rhyme or reason of it. There just
seemed to be no logical explanation.
Our imagination can wreak havoc on our souls,
and yes, Satan and his armies can very well take advantage (and often do) in
our weakened state. But God! Are we not
glad that God does not oblige us when we speak foolishly? Are we not glad that He is not as frail and
offended as easily as we are?
When we balance our
feelings and settle our emotions, we begin to realize how our faith has been
challenged and how we almost succumbed to utter despair. We are indeed drawn to repentance by the
goodness, mercy and love of a holy and just God, through His precious Holy
Spirit.
We respond to His love
with our love. We do repent and we do
seek to come fully into alignment with God’s Sovereignty and His will. Yes,
truly and surely – “We love Him because
He first loved us.” [1Jn 4:19]
We come to realize the
dangerous pitfalls that await us if we do not fear God and acknowledge that He
is love; He is Sovereign and He is fully in control of all things. Job had to
come to understand and know God in a way that tradition did not teach.
The Righteous Do Suffer Afflictions
We are not Job, and it
is unlikely that Satan has asked God if he could personally do everything to us
outside of taking our lives. Yet as
Peter was, Satan will most assuredly sift us wheat. Any true follower of Jesus
Christ will be challenged when it comes to their faith and their trust in and
love for God.
We know that God
disciplines those He loves, and corrects everyone He accepts as His son. [Heb 12:6]
Although Job was considered a righteous man by God (Yhvh), under great
duress by Satan, as well as the intensity and duration of his trial, there were
things that surfaced in Job that he came to realize and needed to repent of.
Who is he that hides counsel without
knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful
for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech You, and I will speak: I will demand
of You, and declare You unto me. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees You. Wherefore (as a result of which) I
abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. [Job 42:3-6]
From the time of Adam,
Job had likely heard of the Creator and understood Him by the traditions taught
(sacrifices began with Cain and Able), but all that Job had heard and been
taught about God brought confusion to his understanding in his great suffering.
He felt that the
righteous would or should see no hardship or discipline. Job felt that God was
so unjust in what He allowed to happen to him that he actually desired to go
before God’s judgment seat and present his arguments, to so that God could
explain His injustice and reasoning.
Oh that I knew where I might find Him! that I
might come even to His seat! I would order my cause before Him, and fill my
mouth with arguments.
[Job 23:3, 4]
Even Elihu had to
rebuke Job, for Job had questioned God’s justice when he spoke of his
righteousness and how he was being treated with no more regard than the wicked.
Job felt that despite his righteousness, he still had to endure great suffering
and tribulations and he could not make sense of it.
Elihu, the youngest in
the group of four of Job’s friends, determined that Job was indirectly stating
that he was more righteous and equitable in his actions than God.
Elihu spoke moreover and said, Think you this
to be right that you said, My righteousness is more than God’s? For you said,
What advantage will it be unto You? and, What profit shall I have, if I be
cleansed from my sin? [Job 32:1-3]
Elihu went on to speak
of pride and vanity, and told Job to trust
in God because he had opened his mouth in vain and he multiplied his words without
knowledge. [Job 35:14; 16] He reminded
Job that the Lord God, who is perfect in knowledge, wisdom and strength, does
indeed give justice to the poor, and keeps an eye on the righteous. [Job 36:6,
7]
The young man explained
things to Job in ways that he might come to understand God’s sovereignty, since
Job had questioned the ways God was handling his situation. When the Lord
finally did speak to Job, He reminded Job of every detail in creation, as well
as the intricate precision involved and His ability and love in all of His
provision.
He asked Job if he
could instruct the Almighty or reprove (reprimand,
rebuke, reproach) God. He further asked Job if he would condemn Him so that
Job could prove himself to be righteous, or would he disannul God’s judgment,
or show forth the strength and power that is His. [Job 40:8, 9]
When all was said and
done, Job came to truly understand and know (see) God. He realized that God
is just in all He does. We too learn
that it is God, by His precious and Holy Spirit that brings us back in balance,
brings us back into alignment. God truly
does draw us to repentance with His goodness.
Yes, Job sincerely
repented, understanding that he was formed and created by God out of the dust, but
he was also led to pray for those who came against him. It is not that his
friends intended to come against him.
They were his friends, after all.
But they lacked the wisdom of God and leaned on philosophy and their own
logic, their own understanding. That is where they erred.
In trying to help Job,
they were sure that all his troubles were rooted in some hidden and unconfessed
sin. Is that not how some think about us
when a myriad of problems swamp us, or have we felt that way about someone else
who seemed to have more than their share of troubles (people call it ‘drama’ today, sadly).
The Lord will and does
reveal things hidden in our heart, in ways that only He can do. He may well
hold back blessings in order to get our attention. He knows the best way to handle each of His
children. He knows what He is doing and
is fully in control, whether we understand what He is doing or His ways or
not. Who can know the mind of God?
Spiritual Warfare is a Reality
Some blame everything
on Satan (the devil) or blame God for ‘allowing’ hardships or tribulation to happen. I
have written the following more than once, but as a gentle reminder, I will
take the risk of repeating myself. We need balance when it comes to the things
that happen to us and what the cause of something may be.
Multitudes do not
believe that we have an adversary that tempts or brings troubles our way
today. Some of this is because of the
Word of Faith teachers that falsely claim that a Christian will not suffer
poverty, illness, tragedy or any other such trial or tribulation, if they only
give generously, and if they confess or speak things into existence.
Again, we cannot
manipulate God or force His will to conform to our will. He is God, we are not! Some make it seem like a ‘stomping’ game,
rather than real battles and warfare. Others claim that those who speak of
spiritual warfare are playing ‘victim’ and placing all their woes upon Satan.
There are some that do blame everything on Satan, which is not correct or
accurate either.
First of all,
spiritual warfare is no game. Second of all, we are not ‘victims’ if the enemy
and his armies come against us. Satan hates all of mankind, and has set out to
deceive, to steal, kill and destroy. It
is true that we cannot put all the blame upon him. Oh, how he would love to
take the spotlight and the glory. Revelation speaks of Satan’s wrath.
Jesus Himself was
tempted in every way and he was no victim. He spent a good part of his ministry
casting out demons, delivering the captives and healing them. It was no game
and he did not waste words conversing with the demons, asking them many
questions. They are liars. Only once did He ask the name of a demon, and it replied,
‘‘My name is ‘Legion’, for we are many.” [Mk 5:9]
Jesus (Yeshua) did not
need to know the name of the demon, as I am sure He knew exactly what He was
dealing with. However, by doing so, the
people who were witnessing would see that whether there were only one or ‘many’
demons, Jesus had all power and authority over them. There were other reasons
also, but that is not the heart of this writing, so let that be a tidbit of
meat to chew on.
We are told to resist
the devil and he will flee, but that does not mean that there will not be a
battle. Look how demonic forces came
against Michael and Gabriel in the book of Daniel. It can be a battle, but greater is He (Jesus)
that is in us than he that is in the world. [1Jn 4:4] We must understand Satan wars for our very
souls.
We need to discern
when it is the fallen condition of the world (life itself), people’s choices and sin that has come against us, or
demonic activity, or whether God Himself is disciplining us, or even purging
and purifying us. It is imperative to stay close to God and keep in prayer.
Yet, we were warned
about these latter times also.
See that you refuse not Him that speaks. For if
they escaped not who refused Him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we
escape, if we turn away from Him that speaks from heaven:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He
has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are
shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken
may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot
be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. [Heb 12:25-29]
Many today do not fear
God; they have no godly fear and expect God to let them get away with their
sins because He 'understands' and 'loves them'. They say, "God is no respecter of persons",
not understanding that in both Romans and Acts where that statement is made, it
pertains to salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.
Past Sins Forgiven
Some believe that when
we come to Jesus, all sins are forgiven, past, present and future. This is not
so and it is a false teaching. No one
would keep a repentant heart if all present and future sins are forgiven at the
time we first repent and are saved.
All sins are indeed
forgiven up to that point and they are forever gone into a sea of
forgetfulness.
He will turn again, He will have mercy on us;
He will subdue our iniquities; and will cast all our sins into the depths of
the sea. [Micah 7:19]
I like what Corrie ten
Boom said when she was speaking about God forgiving us of our sins and casting
them into the depths, into the sea of forgetfulness. She said that God posted a
sign that said, “No fishing allowed.”
In other words, do not
go back and bring past sins back up again. Jesus added that we must forgive
others also, so we can be forgiven. We
cannot walk in hatred and bitterness. We too must extend mercy.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
obtain mercy.” He also said, “Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
[Mat 5:7;
9]
The purpose of this
final purging (and yes, due to the time
we are in, I believe it is one of the
Bride's final purging, for some are still entering in [being saved]) is to
reveal anything in us that is not of God, and to give us a chance to repent and
die to self in every area. God will have a holy (set apart) people.
The purpose of pruning, purging and refining is to be made holy, pure and
worthy of our beautiful King and Savior, the soon-returning Lion of Judah.
Addictions and unhealthy habits are being exposed or brought to the forefront,
in order for us to repent and to let them go and die to self - so that the
glory of the Lord can fill these earthen vessels.
God is also revealing
the root cause of the addiction. Some breathe a sigh of relief declaring that
they have no addictions or ungodly habits; they either already dealt with them
long ago, or never had the problem to begin with.
That is always a good
thing to not have to suffer through addictions. Various forms of lust, pride,
arrogance and greed/selfishness are also being exposed and dealt with.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world. [1Jn 2:16]
There are those who
believe in once saved, always saved, but fail to understand that we are saved
from death (second death) and sin, but salvation is a process of growth. We are being transformed into the image of
Christ. [2Cor 3:18]
Some tend to neglect Jesus'
words that ‘if it were possible, even the
elect would be deceived’, [Mat 24:24]
and warnings in scripture about a 'falling
away'). [Heb 6:4-6] I have always said
that a person can only fall away from a place where they once stood.
Last Days Increased Sin
Sexual immorality is
at an all-time high. It is absolutely worse than the Israelites in the
wilderness carousing before a golden calf, Babylon and its temple prostitutes,
idolatry and human sacrifices, or even Sodom and Gomorrah –rebellion, idolatry,
witchcraft, lust and much more, all wrapped into one.
Familiar, unclean,
seducing, lying and evil spirits are as real today as they were in the days of
old. Demonic activity has increased, even in many of today’s churches in these
last days.
Adultery, fornication,
orgies, bestiality, covetousness, phone and cybersex, pornography,
masturbation, incest, homosexuality, gluttony, drunkenness, divination, and
onward it goes.
Offenses,
unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, hatred, gossip, pride, betrayal - anything,
any thing of the flesh must be
repented of (turned away from, a change
of mind and heart) and purged. Die to self – a clean vessel, waiting for
the glory of our King to fill us.
This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy:
Without natural affection, covenant breakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good;
Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [2Tim 3:1-5]
Ancient Paths
Thus says the Lord, Stand you in the ways and
see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you
shall find rest for your souls. But they
said, We will not walk in it. [Jer 6:16]
It really has come
down to the brass tacks. We are told to return to the ancient path. This day
had to come on a global scale because it is written in the Holy Scriptures.
People are waiting for revival when all around there is evidence of increased
apostasy, reprobates and a great falling away.
Many are turning to
other religions, being tired of the false doctrines, false teachers, hypocrisy,
compromise and greed being found in alarming proportions in too many of today’s
churches and leaders.
Some people who are
falling away cannot even see that they are falling away. They still confess to
be in the faith - they are blinded and deceived by their own sins that they
refuse to let go of. They cling to the life that they love and refuse to lay it
all down.
There are many
believers that are not only following after their own lusts, compromising with
the world, but they are following the counsel of ungodly and sinful people. If
this is you, please turn your eyes back to Jesus, repent and allow Him to purge
you so that you may be part of the Bride, His army and a vessel unto honor in
these last days.
Why would anyone
jeopardize their walk with God by living in lies, deception and the ways of the
world? This life is temporal. Everyone has hardships in this life, but those
who love their sin (pleasures of the
flesh) more than they love God will die in their own foolishness, having
hardened their necks and hearts in rebelling against a holy God.
They refuse to let go
of their life and trust God, who gave them a chance at life to begin with.
Revival always begins in us individually. The Lord will have a pure Bride. In
His great mercy, He is giving all of us yet another chance to be holy, to be
that pure Bride, a peculiar people, a chosen generation - holy (set apart) unto the Lord.
Yes, there is
something different about the trials and the circumstances that people are
going through these days. It is like a pressing down, a shaking, a stretching,
a pressure felt as never before. Multitudes are going through various
situations, but the consensus seems to be the same - it is like nothing they
have experienced before.
This is the common
thread and the common statement. All believers can attest to the fact that
there is an intensity and depth to the trials and tribulations happening. There
is a testing of our faith that is beyond what we could have imagined and like
nothing we have experienced before - although many of us would say that we had
been completely broken before, completely undone.
The Lord has been
teaching us to trust Him and to obey His leading. He has been teaching us about
humility and walking in His love. It is true that all these things typically begin
to happen as soon as we choose to make Jesus the King and Lord of our lives.
Sifted as Wheat
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for
you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your
brethren. [Lk 22:31-33]
When we first believe,
Satan immediately tries to shake up our belief and bring us back to the dark
side. However, what is going on at this time truly is different. Not only has
it affected me, but countless others are reporting a purging, a shakeup, a
cleansing - even a testing like never before.
It has been going on (as far as I personally know) for some
years now, a ripple effect throughout the Body of believers. Yes, as stated, we
have all been through hard things before, but there seems to be a difference
now. There is an urgency God’s people are sensing and understanding.
It does not seem to
matter the age, gender, race, position in society, class bracket, denomination,
nothing - there is a searching of the heart and a trying of the reins going on
by our holy Creator.
It is happening in
waves also, meaning that not everyone is experiencing these trials at the same
time, although several are going through trials at the same time. We are told to resist Satan and to remember
that our brethren all over the world are suffering the same afflictions. [1Pet 5:9]
There are those who
were confident that there was nothing standing between them and the Lord (not experiencing anything heavy) who
have suddenly found themselves in the most trying challenges, situations,
circumstances, and often when they felt the most secure. The faith of
multitudes is being stretched almost beyond what they can bear.
Run with Endurance
Many, including
myself, have cried out to God, wondering if we will make have faith to endure
to the end. In the mid-summer of 2014, I awoke with three words on my mind: test of endurance.
I spoke about it on
the radio and wrote about it. Nothing happened right away, so after a time, it
was filed away somewhere in my mind. I
had also changed the name of the radio program to “warriors of endurance”. Little did I understand, or perhaps fully
realize that endurance is produced from suffering.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulation
(suffering), knowing that tribulation works patience (endurance); and patience,
experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. [Rom
5:3-5]
Yet, it did not seem
too long before people would write or call, mentioning the 'test of endurance'
and how they felt like it was upon them. Then, it hit home for me, particularly
in the past year (2015-present, August 2016).
Battles, temptations, heartache
and heavy trials have come upon so many disciples of Christ that it simply cannot
be ignored. Health, finances, job security, home security, ministries, accidents,
natural calamities, war, death, personal relationships, a trying of our faith,
trust, obedience and patience – you name it, multitudes have suffered or are
suffering in one or more of these areas.
Witchcraft and the
attacks of Satan and his cohorts against the true and dedicated believers have
also increased. There were those who said nothing was happening to them, and
then suddenly, something hit. Be on guard.
Pray to God to find
out if what is happening is from the enemy, circumstances of flesh and/or sin
or something the Lord has allowed for His good reasons. He will let us know
when He chooses to. We learn of His love, grace and mercy and learn to pursue
holiness and walk in love and humility.
Evil Intent
 |
| ELF |
 |
| HAARP |
Whether people want to
believe it or not, there is substantial evidence that various governments,
their agencies and the military-industrial complex have been experimenting with
EMF (Electro-Magnetic Frequency), ELF (Extremely Low Frequency), GWEN (Ground
Wave Emergency Network), HAARP (High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program)
for the purposes of behavioral and mind control of the masses, along with RMCT
(Remote Mind Control Technology) weapons (now
called neuroweapons/neuroscience), as well as chemtrails.
I will post a couple
of links that reveal this has been going on for decades. Take all things to the
Lord. He does not want us operating under a spirit of fear, but He has been
revealing things to His people in these last days.
We can deny these
things as conspiratorial, as many do, but there is also real evidence that
these things have been implemented and experimented with for a longer time than
we could imagine.
It is my firm belief that the Lord is purging
His people in a way as never before because of the time we are in. We all read
about the last days and have heard (since
the time of the apostles) that these are the last days. Many mock and say,
"Yeah, yeah, our grandparents and
their grandparents all expected Jesus' return! Where is He?"
People laugh (false prophets, teachers and doctrines have
all helped with the ridicule). And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [2 Pet
3:4]
Yet, never before have
prophecies been coming true at such a pace as they are now. Never before has
mankind had the means and the ability to destroy itself, its people and the
earth as is possible now.
We need the return of
the Lord; the earth and all of creation are groaning and travailing. It is my
belief that everything that can be shaken is being shaken - the Lord will have
a pure and holy people. Woe to those
though that will experience God’s wrath in the days spoken of in His Word. [Isa
13, 19 and 24; Zeph 1; Ezekiel 30, Joel 3; Amos 5; Rev 6]
From the signs in the
heavens to the signs upon this earth, we have entered into a time like never
before. Natural calamities and violence are increasing and becoming more
frequent, as the birth pangs of a woman in travail.
Believers are facing
choices as never before - obedience versus disobedience, trust versus
rebellion, truth versus deception, life versus death, spirit versus flesh.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same
shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? [Mk 8:35, 36]
Comfort zones have had
their boundaries lifted and invaded; distractions and temptations have
increased; persecution, violence and crime increases; relationships are under
attack; areas of weakness are being exposed; and the list goes on.
Where people stand in
their character, their heart and their faith is being revealed through various
circumstances and truly we begin to understand why Jesus/Y'shua asked if He
would find faith when He returns.
Those by the wayside are they that hear; then
comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should
believe and be saved.
[Lk 8:13, 14]
Yes indeed, the Lord
will allow things to test our obedience. He will put us in positions to test
us, to see where our heart is, to see where we truly stand with God. The
hardest thing God makes us face is ourselves. He will search our hearts and
make us look at that which is deep within.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn
of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it
brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that
hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. [Jn 12:24, 25]
Big “I” Generation
We live in a world
where it is all about 'I' (self) and the mindset or brainwashing compels people
to focus on 'self' and what 'self' wants, its desires and needs. I-pod, I-pad, I-phone,
I-paws and many other “I” products have been introduced to the world.
It is the final
generation, where self and people are exalted, rather than God. There is a love for the creature more than
the Creator. Many walk in lies and deception, but swear they speak only truth.
Many long for the
lusts that satisfy the flesh, but claim to they belong to Jesus, but are not
“perfect” and that God “knows the heart”.
Sin is justified and excused; evil has become good and good has become
evil. There are those who offer up lip
service, but their hearts (mind and
actions) are far from God.
Faith will be tested
for its genuineness. If you really love the Lord, then you must take your stand. We cannot be lukewarm. We may be able to fool
others, but we cannot fool God. He sees all and He despises deception in any
way, shape or form. He will bring justice, and He will cause people to reap
what they have sown.
There are believers
who want to be the remnant without any cost. Some think that because they have
been through some hardships in life that they are the remnant - however, even
unbelievers go through hardships throughout life.
There is rarely anyone
anymore who has not gone through something traumatic or difficult in this
fallen and heavily corrupted world, although it is true that some go through
much more than others do. We are at the end of ages and the return of Jesus the
Messiah is fast approaching.
Let these trials come
and purge the dross out because that is how silver is refined and how gold is purified.
We give up our name and take the name of Jesus/Y'shua. We die to self, so that
the King rules upon the throne of our hearts.
We have to be seekers
of truth, yes, but lovers of truth will be doers of the word. We cannot
manipulate God, nor can we trick Him into taking sides. He is Faithful and
True; a holy God of justice and judgment. Stand back and wait upon the Lord.
I urge you not to
compromise with sin; not to allow your flesh to overrule your spirit; not to
strive so hard to be accepted by the ungodly, the world or false brethren. Brokenness brings the Lord close, for He is
close to those with a broken and contrite spirit [Ps 34:18]
Do not tempt God or
force the Lord to shut the gate on you, pass you over. People say that is not
possible; Jesus will not pass us over. Yes, it is written that if we continue
in sin (workers of iniquity), He will shut the gate on us.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once
the master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to
stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and
He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not who you are:
Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and
drunk in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets. But He shall say, I
tell you, I know you not who you are; depart from Me, all you workers of
iniquity. [Lk:24-27]
We have to be serious
and overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and echo
the brave words of our Saviour: “…not my will, but Thy will Father!
Resist Temptation
We have to choose to
let go of sin. We cannot say we love truth, but refuse to let go of sin [Rom
1:18]. We have to let go of gossip, unforgiveness, worldly ways, uncleanness,
offenses, lusts, pride - all!
Jesus stood up against
the religious system. In His love, God cautions us to not continue in sin (thought, word or deed). [1Jn 2:1] There is
no secret sin with God. He sees and
knows all. You cannot justify what you know is wrong. David with Bathsheba is
an example of the dangers of secret sin.
God's promises are
dependent upon obedience, all throughout the Bible. In Numbers 14: 18-23, we
see where the Israelites saw many miracles, but they would not see the Promised
Land because of fear, unbelief and rebellion (idolatry, the golden calf was only was only one of their sins).
God will bring
judgment, if the person He made a covenant with refuses to obey, repent or
discontinue sin. With righteous anger, the Lord spoke to the Israelites:
After the number of the days in which ye
searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities,
even forty years, and ye shall know My breach of promise. I the LORD have said,
I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together
against Me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall
die. [Num 14:34, 35]
People can be
double-minded, saying that was before Jesus, while at the same time state that
it is written that the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Word
of God speaks about having the conscience seared [2Cor 3:3] (a hardened heart).
We are warned about apostasy
(turn or abandon gospel truths, loss of
faith), and about sinful and worldly ways (moral insensitivity, doctrinal deception, refusal to depart from sin,
compromise with the world).
In His mercy, grace
and love, God allows further testing so that we can see where we are in the
faith and what is deep within our heart. We are either serious or we are not. We can cling
to this life, enjoying all the sinful pleasures that we can, but we will soon see
how frivolous and temporal the satisfaction is, and just how shallow and
short-lived the pleasure of sin is.
We can refuse to obey,
take the Lord for granted and face the consequences or we can let go and choose
to trust Him! Don't take God's presence for granted - don't make Him pass you
over like He did Saul and choose another, as when He chose David.
The pleasure that
people get out of sin drives them and if they do not overcome or lay it down,
they become workers of iniquity, whilst still professing to be believers.
Besetting sin must be overcome. We are not helpless or forsaken. We have Jesus
Christ and are more than conquerors through Him. He will intervene when we cry out for His
help.
Yes, it is a war and
we are called to fight. Yes, there is a cost, but the Lord is worthy. Eternity,
eternity - this life is so temporal. If the Lord took everything from us and we
knew no struggle, we would not know what it is to overcome.
Who has saved us and called us with a holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [2Tim 1:9]
Do we fear God? Do we
love Him? Do not listen to the lies of the enemy! He is inundating many with
fiery thoughts of various temptations in the mind. He speaks in the first
person, so you think it is your own thoughts; cast down all vain imaginations
that are not of God [2Cor10:5]
Our Flesh Wants its Way
Esau crossed the line,
selling his inheritance for temporary gain, to satisfy his flesh. Put off the
old man with all of its desires, lusts, pride, sins - put on the new man. Those
who have secret sin will fall under the power of Satan. Forgive and let the God
of justice take care of it all. God is listening; He is watching. Trust Him and
leave all in His hands.
The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom. Those who fear God hate evil. He is the glory and
the lifter of our heads. By our God (when
we walk in obedience), we will run through a troop and scale over a wall.
God may use the
wicked, the unrighteous to bring us to our cross. But after we have taken up
our cross to die to self, then justice will be served and judgment will be upon
those who did you wrong in bringing you to your cross.
There was a popular
saying about the word FEAR and its acronym - False Evidence Appearing Real = FEAR. It is true.
Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world. We have to lay down
our lives. Give your anxieties, cares and struggles over to God.
Arise Warrior
For a just man falls seven times and rises up
again, but the wicked fall into mischief.
[Prov 24:16]
We can all fall, but
we have to arise again, and again. The danger comes when people excuse their
sin. There is still a small window of time to repent, but tribulation is coming
- tomorrow is promised to no one.
All the masks are
being removed. The Lord is searching the hearts and trying the reins. Our
opinions, our ministries, our sermons, our strengths, our relationships -
nothing means anything without Jesus. We will fully understand that on the day
we all bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ (Y'shua) is King of kings
and Lord of lords. No flesh shall glory in His presence.
The Lord is looking
for those who are willing to BE the message, to be crucified with Christ -
carrying the flames of fire of the Holy Spirit. First we are consumed in the
purifying fire. He desires to reveal His
glory to others through His Bride, but in order for Him to do so, we must be
dead to self, empty and clean vessels.
The Lord loves us.
There is a still a window of time left for purification of the Bride and that
is what many of us are going through in this hour, purification. We need to rejoice that the Lord is allowing
our faith to be stretched as never before.
It hurts; it is uncomfortable,
but do not panic. The Lord is bringing all that is not of Him to the surface. If we love Him and not let go of our faith,
we will obey and trust Him, not allowing anything to stand between us and our
King. It is so close – can you not sense the urgency of the Lord to come into
alignment with His will?
Yes, we will weep and
mourn as this flesh dies, but keep in mind that weeping endures for a night,
but joy comes in the morning. The heat of the furnace may get turned up seven
time hotter, but Jesus walks with us through it all.
The peace that passes
all understanding will come when we lay down our lives and trust fully in the
Lord. Pride must be exchanged for humility.
Do not give into the temptation to take matters into your own hands,
especially if it seems that God is not working fast enough and His promises are
slow in coming.
Satan still beguiles
us - "Has God said?" He is
a liar and the father of lies. Hold fast to the Lord and trust Him as you lay
it all down. Let fear and unbelief go. We have need of patience; we must enter
into the rest. The Lord is preparing a humble people, a holy and peculiar people
who are wholly surrendered to Him and obedient to His leading.
Do Not be Impatient - Wait
Don't be like Saul and
buckle under pressure. He was told to wait seven days for Samuel, but the Lord delayed Samuel's arrival to test the
heart of Saul. He did not trust the Lord when he saw Samuel was delayed.
Fear entered Saul and
he failed. He was impatient and fearful.
He had not learned to wait upon the Lord or to trust Him. He allowed
anxiety and discouragement to control him and his fear caused him to disobey
God’s commandment when Samuel did not arrive at the time he said he would. [1Sam 13:7, 8]
Be patient and wait
upon the Lord, fully confident that when He has finished purging, cleansing and
purifying us, we will be vessels unto honor. His promises, which some of us
have believed and waited for, for years, will arrive. If we are tried by having
to wait, then let us wait with trust in God.
For many of us, sin,
fear, unbelief or other hindrances may stand in the way. Others (and
in fact, all of us), have to learn to wait upon the Lord. Faith will be
stretched and tried. The Lord has ways to teach us to endure to the end.
God is chastening
many; having revealed deeper impurities. We must repent and be done with it, for the
glory of God. Wait upon the Lord and do not let flesh or the enemy win - this
is a test. It is a test of endurance.
A Message
This is a time of
intense spiritual warfare - be on guard against spiritual double agents, wolves
in sheep's clothing and false brethren that will betray. Temptations will
appear as something from Me, but it will not be. Remember how Satan offered My
Son all things in the desert wilderness; the adversary can only offer things
pleasing to the flesh - lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life.
Cover yourself in a
canope of love and offer up praise and thanksgiving, worshipping Me in spirit
and in truth. Keep on the full armor that is provided and stand in the gap.
Rise up and stand.
I gave you power to
tread upon serpents and scorpions, not to pick them up and play with them. Now
is not the time to weary. Now is not the time to doubt, fear or follow after
the lusts of the flesh and pride.
Come away from the
entanglements of the world and allow Me to prepare you as a vessel unto honor -
or hold fast to your life and be prepared for a vessel unto dishonor. My people
are urgently alert in the spirit. I AM preparing the inside of the vessels.
This purging is necessary - it is a good work.
Wait upon Me, be
strong and of good courage. Again I say to those who are going through the
brokenness, the purging and cleansing, I say, wait patiently and trust Me. I
call upon you to become warriors of endurance and not casualties of despair.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait
on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your
heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. [Ps 27:13, 14]
for His glory alone
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
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