"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28
I heard a great quote yesterday on a radio show, "We're not looking for the Anti-Christ; we're supposed to be looking for Jesus Christ." Amen.
What are we looking for? There are so many accusations and assumptions of the Anti-Christ and the end times these days. The Kingdom of Heaven is near, and we do need to know the signs of those times. But the instruction of Jesus regarding these times is not to be stirred to anger and "shout at the darkness" from the safe comfort of your home and church. His instruction was to "look up", because He is coming soon; fix your eyes on Him.
The title of this blog, "Prepare His Return", comes from this very subject. John the Baptist's message was to "prepare the straight way of the Lord". This message is a call to action for those who are in Christ to live in a way that does not hinder the straight way of the Gospel; to prepare a straight path for His return. Test your actions: are your efforts stemming out of a fear of what can be taken from you (American way of life), or are they stemming out of a zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? American freedom was won by Godly folks who had a zeal to worship their Lord freely. This freedom was a gift from God to men and women who had their eyes fixed on Him.
Remember when Peter walked on water? I'll use this story often. Peter walked on water when his eyes were fixed on the Lord. But when he looked at the wind and the waves (the world around him) he began to sink. Where are your eyes fixed?
"...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:20
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Awake, O Sleeper!
"Awake, O sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14
A dream is an expression of our subconscious mind. If we're honest, most of us either do not remember our dreams or our dreams are so filled with random appearances and happenings that we simply write them off. Because of us not paying attention to our dreams, and our thoughts being dulled by useless activity, we have eliminated a tremendous tool to hear in clarity from the Living God (see Job 33:14-15).
John Moore says, "In order to dream, we must wake up!" We live very active lifestyles here in the U.S. We do not, however, live very substantial lifestyles - lives of SUBSTANCE. Without substance, we fall asleep, and eventually die. Just as if you lived on a diet of twinkies - your body can only use so much twinkieness. While the twinkies definitely add to the "space" of our bodies and fill up our stomach (schedule), the nutrients are useless. Useless activity is more detrimental than inactivity.
In the same way that our minds are asleep because of useless activity, the desires of our heart (dreams) go unrealized because of our delight in vanity. The Lord says that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). We must awaken in the Lord so that He will shine His light on our true desires. Pray that the Lord will draw out the desires of your heart. Seek Him to know Him, that you may find delight in Him.
(My thoughts today come mostly from the writings on John Moore http://johnlmoore.com/, and the Holy Spirit.)
A dream is an expression of our subconscious mind. If we're honest, most of us either do not remember our dreams or our dreams are so filled with random appearances and happenings that we simply write them off. Because of us not paying attention to our dreams, and our thoughts being dulled by useless activity, we have eliminated a tremendous tool to hear in clarity from the Living God (see Job 33:14-15).
John Moore says, "In order to dream, we must wake up!" We live very active lifestyles here in the U.S. We do not, however, live very substantial lifestyles - lives of SUBSTANCE. Without substance, we fall asleep, and eventually die. Just as if you lived on a diet of twinkies - your body can only use so much twinkieness. While the twinkies definitely add to the "space" of our bodies and fill up our stomach (schedule), the nutrients are useless. Useless activity is more detrimental than inactivity.
In the same way that our minds are asleep because of useless activity, the desires of our heart (dreams) go unrealized because of our delight in vanity. The Lord says that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). We must awaken in the Lord so that He will shine His light on our true desires. Pray that the Lord will draw out the desires of your heart. Seek Him to know Him, that you may find delight in Him.
(My thoughts today come mostly from the writings on John Moore http://johnlmoore.com/, and the Holy Spirit.)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Desperation
"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him." 1 Samuel 22:2
There was one thing in common about the army that gathered around David, the anointed king of Israel: desperation. They were a group comprised of homeless, thieves, drunks, murderers, adulterers, IRS agents, fallen out government officials, church-goers, church-haters, you name it. But all of them had one thing in common: desperation. They had given up on any fulfillment that the world could bring them. They saw the anointed king of Israel, who was, at that time, and outcast from his own kingdom and on the run for his life.
This group of desperate men sought to know the king as their only hope. As a result, the future "mighty men of David" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) were trained by the king; men of great exploits...giant-killers...lion-killers...men of war, unaffected by pain and fear. The great men of valor that would comprise the Great Army of God's children began with 400 desperate men seeking a king who was not governed by the things of this world.
Today, we have a new King over Israel. But the requirement for the army is still the same: desperation. If this world holds value for you, you are not fit for the King's warfare, and you'll simply be a civilian casualty. A comfortable world does not need a Savior. A comfortable, polished, civilized church congregation crucified our Lord Jesus because He threatened their way of life.
Have you reached the point of desperation for your Savior?
There was one thing in common about the army that gathered around David, the anointed king of Israel: desperation. They were a group comprised of homeless, thieves, drunks, murderers, adulterers, IRS agents, fallen out government officials, church-goers, church-haters, you name it. But all of them had one thing in common: desperation. They had given up on any fulfillment that the world could bring them. They saw the anointed king of Israel, who was, at that time, and outcast from his own kingdom and on the run for his life.
This group of desperate men sought to know the king as their only hope. As a result, the future "mighty men of David" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) were trained by the king; men of great exploits...giant-killers...lion-killers...men of war, unaffected by pain and fear. The great men of valor that would comprise the Great Army of God's children began with 400 desperate men seeking a king who was not governed by the things of this world.
Today, we have a new King over Israel. But the requirement for the army is still the same: desperation. If this world holds value for you, you are not fit for the King's warfare, and you'll simply be a civilian casualty. A comfortable world does not need a Savior. A comfortable, polished, civilized church congregation crucified our Lord Jesus because He threatened their way of life.
Have you reached the point of desperation for your Savior?
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Refiner's Fire
"...And he who rules his spirit (is better) than he who takes a city..." - Proverbs 16:32
Lately, I've been faced with some questions that I couldn't really answer clearly and quickly. So I'll share them with you. I think it is important to be ready to answer these 5 questions at any time. We cannot rule our own spirit, as stated in the above verse, if we do not know the state of our own spirit. This comes only by seeking the Lord.
1. What is the reason for your faith? (see 1 Peter 3:15)
To be a good salesman, you must believe in the product. We must have a personal testament of why we have made Jesus Christ Lord.
2. How has God moved in your life recently? (read the story of the Chariots of Fire in 2 Kings 6:8-22)
We must have fresh reason for thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on the move, but we must ask Him to open our eyes that we may see Him.
3. What do you need prayer for (spiritually speaking)? (see Hebrews 12:25-27)
We must constantly let the Lord search our hearts for what is hindering us from Him, and be ready to put to death all disobedience.
4. What are you working toward? (see Proverbs 29:18)
We must have fresh revelation of purpose and vision for our lives.
5. What is the Spirit speaking to you today? (see Matthew 4:4)
We are given life by the spoken Word of the Lord. What is He moving you to do today? What is He telling you about Himself today?
These are simple questions, but to truly get the answers, we have to get down and dirty in the Lord's Refining Fire. This takes time and diligent seeking, but the reward is a spirit and life that is in step with God.
Lately, I've been faced with some questions that I couldn't really answer clearly and quickly. So I'll share them with you. I think it is important to be ready to answer these 5 questions at any time. We cannot rule our own spirit, as stated in the above verse, if we do not know the state of our own spirit. This comes only by seeking the Lord.
1. What is the reason for your faith? (see 1 Peter 3:15)
To be a good salesman, you must believe in the product. We must have a personal testament of why we have made Jesus Christ Lord.
2. How has God moved in your life recently? (read the story of the Chariots of Fire in 2 Kings 6:8-22)
We must have fresh reason for thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on the move, but we must ask Him to open our eyes that we may see Him.
3. What do you need prayer for (spiritually speaking)? (see Hebrews 12:25-27)
We must constantly let the Lord search our hearts for what is hindering us from Him, and be ready to put to death all disobedience.
4. What are you working toward? (see Proverbs 29:18)
We must have fresh revelation of purpose and vision for our lives.
5. What is the Spirit speaking to you today? (see Matthew 4:4)
We are given life by the spoken Word of the Lord. What is He moving you to do today? What is He telling you about Himself today?
These are simple questions, but to truly get the answers, we have to get down and dirty in the Lord's Refining Fire. This takes time and diligent seeking, but the reward is a spirit and life that is in step with God.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Grasping for the Wind
“ 'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities! All is vanity'.” - Ecclesiastes 1:2
We're committed to so many things that we don't have time to be devoted to anything. In our culture, commitment has no meaning, and devotion has no place.
I guess that's all I have to say today.
We're committed to so many things that we don't have time to be devoted to anything. In our culture, commitment has no meaning, and devotion has no place.
I guess that's all I have to say today.
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Sure House
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Your fight is never with your spouse. Can we live in a marriage free from contentions and fights? I believe so. Not only do I believe this, but if I'm reading the Word of God correctly, we're not supposed to fight against our spouse...at all...ever. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that. That's a tall order, but I'm not going to give us an "out" by saying, "well, it's bound to happen."
We must learn to recognize the deceit of the enemy. As we learn to discern, we can go before the Lord in prayer for our spouse, for ourselves, and against the enemy. This is cannot be just a "dear Lord prayer", but a prayer of battle. By the way, husbands, I'm challenging us to go to the front lines.
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Matthew 12:25). The enemy turns us against our spouse by using emotions, fatigue, hormones, moods, hunger, sickness, pain, my plans and agenda, finances, sex (or lack of), possessions, etc. Adrian Rogers said, "The Jesus in me won't disagree with the Jesus in her." If we are not in tune with the Spirit of God, all we see is what's in the flesh, and we see our attacker as our spouse; we are blind to the true enemy.
Husbands, is your wife blameless in your sight today (Ephesians 5:27)? Have you presented her to yourself as such? Wives, do you respect your husband as minister unto the Lord for you today (Ephesians 5:33)? I now pronounce you man an wife - join together and pierce the darkness!
Your fight is never with your spouse. Can we live in a marriage free from contentions and fights? I believe so. Not only do I believe this, but if I'm reading the Word of God correctly, we're not supposed to fight against our spouse...at all...ever. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that. That's a tall order, but I'm not going to give us an "out" by saying, "well, it's bound to happen."
We must learn to recognize the deceit of the enemy. As we learn to discern, we can go before the Lord in prayer for our spouse, for ourselves, and against the enemy. This is cannot be just a "dear Lord prayer", but a prayer of battle. By the way, husbands, I'm challenging us to go to the front lines.
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Matthew 12:25). The enemy turns us against our spouse by using emotions, fatigue, hormones, moods, hunger, sickness, pain, my plans and agenda, finances, sex (or lack of), possessions, etc. Adrian Rogers said, "The Jesus in me won't disagree with the Jesus in her." If we are not in tune with the Spirit of God, all we see is what's in the flesh, and we see our attacker as our spouse; we are blind to the true enemy.
Husbands, is your wife blameless in your sight today (Ephesians 5:27)? Have you presented her to yourself as such? Wives, do you respect your husband as minister unto the Lord for you today (Ephesians 5:33)? I now pronounce you man an wife - join together and pierce the darkness!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Lord's Beloved Sanctuary - Marriage
"Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves..." - Malachi 2:11
Familiarity without intimacy is breeding ground for insecurity. Are you intimate with your spouse, or are you just familiar with them? Is your marriage a sanctuary? Is it a place where anything can be brought at the feet of your spouse and no shame be passed from one to the other? Is it a place where there is no record book for past offenses (1 Corinthians 13:5)?
Intimacy has seen the deepest darkest places of the heart and chooses to cherish the beautiful things, of which we all have been given by the Lord. Most of us are very familiar with our spouse, but very few of us are intimate with them. What offense or fault in your spouse preventing advancement in the fulfillment of the sanctuary that the Lord loves?
Shame, insecurity, and offense are abundant in many marriages. But true intimacy without shame can only be cultivated by the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Where these fruits are abundant fullness of life is found. And the fruits of the Spirit cannot be grown without the Spirit. They are not called the fruits of John Paul. Let Him cultivate your life and His fruits will nourish your marriage, and all relationships that the Lord plants you in.
Make it your goal today to spend time in prayer for your spouse. Pray that the Lord will lift him/her up in His grace and draw out the beauty of their heart. Pray that He would use you to draw out the beauty in the heart of your spouse. Then, pray with your spouse. Come together in the Lord. Make this a daily practice, to bring your marriage before the Throne. If you pray for nothing else, pray for your marriage. If you pray with no one else, pray with your spouse.
Familiarity without intimacy is breeding ground for insecurity. Are you intimate with your spouse, or are you just familiar with them? Is your marriage a sanctuary? Is it a place where anything can be brought at the feet of your spouse and no shame be passed from one to the other? Is it a place where there is no record book for past offenses (1 Corinthians 13:5)?
Intimacy has seen the deepest darkest places of the heart and chooses to cherish the beautiful things, of which we all have been given by the Lord. Most of us are very familiar with our spouse, but very few of us are intimate with them. What offense or fault in your spouse preventing advancement in the fulfillment of the sanctuary that the Lord loves?
Shame, insecurity, and offense are abundant in many marriages. But true intimacy without shame can only be cultivated by the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Where these fruits are abundant fullness of life is found. And the fruits of the Spirit cannot be grown without the Spirit. They are not called the fruits of John Paul. Let Him cultivate your life and His fruits will nourish your marriage, and all relationships that the Lord plants you in.
Make it your goal today to spend time in prayer for your spouse. Pray that the Lord will lift him/her up in His grace and draw out the beauty of their heart. Pray that He would use you to draw out the beauty in the heart of your spouse. Then, pray with your spouse. Come together in the Lord. Make this a daily practice, to bring your marriage before the Throne. If you pray for nothing else, pray for your marriage. If you pray with no one else, pray with your spouse.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Humiliation of the Lord
"...He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death..." - Philippians 2:8
I've been praying a lot on humility, asking God to enable me to live a humble life. Jesus was a humble man because He positioned Himself as one who did the works of His Father. He humbled himself first before the Lord, not before men (1 Peter 5:6).
This began in Heaven. Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, and at His Word all things were created (John 1:3). But the will of the Father required that He empty Himself of all divinity (Phil 2:7 NASB) and take on what we could not. A.W. Tozer points out that the act of Jesus becoming a man put Him as a subject under the very laws of Creation that He Himself put in place - the Creation that we corrupted with sin. The Word that brought forth all Creation became flesh to be governed by the perishing dust of a corrupted creation. He ate, He drank, He slept, He was tempted, He lived, He died.
When He was in anguish before His death (Luke 22:39-46), I don't think that His fear was of the physical pain He would go through. I think His inner turmoil was because He was about to be subjected to the very thing He came to abolish: death. As mortal men and women I don't think we'll ever truly understand this. Though I pray we all gain more revelation into it. Jesus is Life. Life itself was handed over to the hands of death, that He might destroy it from within it. All this so that you and I might one day exist in Life as we've never known. This is the will of the Father.
Lord, give us understanding into Your humiliation, that we may see past our short, perishing perspective, and take on a perspective of Life. Thank you for humbling Yourself before the Father, that we may exist in Life.
I've been praying a lot on humility, asking God to enable me to live a humble life. Jesus was a humble man because He positioned Himself as one who did the works of His Father. He humbled himself first before the Lord, not before men (1 Peter 5:6).
This began in Heaven. Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, and at His Word all things were created (John 1:3). But the will of the Father required that He empty Himself of all divinity (Phil 2:7 NASB) and take on what we could not. A.W. Tozer points out that the act of Jesus becoming a man put Him as a subject under the very laws of Creation that He Himself put in place - the Creation that we corrupted with sin. The Word that brought forth all Creation became flesh to be governed by the perishing dust of a corrupted creation. He ate, He drank, He slept, He was tempted, He lived, He died.
When He was in anguish before His death (Luke 22:39-46), I don't think that His fear was of the physical pain He would go through. I think His inner turmoil was because He was about to be subjected to the very thing He came to abolish: death. As mortal men and women I don't think we'll ever truly understand this. Though I pray we all gain more revelation into it. Jesus is Life. Life itself was handed over to the hands of death, that He might destroy it from within it. All this so that you and I might one day exist in Life as we've never known. This is the will of the Father.
Lord, give us understanding into Your humiliation, that we may see past our short, perishing perspective, and take on a perspective of Life. Thank you for humbling Yourself before the Father, that we may exist in Life.
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