September 20, 2010 A Vision In The Fire

Instead of trying to figure all this out in my mind, I just let the words today swirl around me and soak into me.  Don't you just love the visions of the Lord here, how He stands out with such magnificent beauty and glory?  The visions of judgment can create an overwhelming fear in people sometimes, but in these passages we are given such a clear vision of the Lord and His indestructible kingdom, that if we keep our eyes on Him we will be able to stand and trust Him until it is all accomplished.  Seeing Him in this way reminds me of what the three Hebrew men saw in the firey furnace:  the Lord Himself present among them.  They came forth without even the smell of smoke on them.  When we are in the Lord, this is what our experience will be.  Whether we are being persecuted by the wicked, or the fires of judgment burn, we will be preserved and protected by our Savior when we are standing with Him.

Weighed in the balance:
HYPOCRISY
"Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites," Isaiah 33:14

We may be fooled by false righteousness, but it will not hold up against the fire.  If we have a fear of judgment, we may want to examine ourselves and see if we are walking in hypocrisy.  It can sneak up on us even when we are serious about walking with the Lord.  The sure way to stay secure is to
WALK IN THE SPIRIT.  Because God looks at the heart, there is no "formula" for living that is fireproof.  Good behavior can be hypocrisy when it covers up hidden lust in the heart (and lust is simply whatever is motivating the flesh at the time).  God is so good to bring things about in such a way as to reveal to us what we thought was the fruit of the Spirit but was only our own effort at being good. 

Only the fruit of the Spirit can hold up under pressure, and fire.  There is no reason to worry about this: walk with Him and trust Him to reveal what needs to be revealed.  A desire to walk in the Spirit, and humble prayer for the Lord to teach us how, will set us on the path.  His voice is always leading us, so all we must do is listen and obey.  The Word is our guide as well; if we neglect the Word, it's harder to hear Him speak to us in our heart.  The good news is, if you are born again, it is natural for you to walk in the Spirit!  The more mature you get, the more swiftly you will run.  You are free to BE in Him, you see!

Questions to ponder:
What fruits of the Spirit have you been able to see in your life lately?  How about in your spouse, child or friend?  Have you ever thought about mentioning it to them?  How would you feel if someone pointed out a fruit of the Spirit that they saw growing in your life?
What is it about hypocrisy that bothers you the most?  In yourself?  In another?  What is your response to it?  What did Jesus say about it?
What would hypocrisy look like on a national level?  What should our response be to hypocrisy in the government or in our leaders?

  

August 6, 2010 God's Two-Part Plan For Establishing His Abiding Glory

I may have said this before, but it's hitting me like waves:  Babylonian captivity is all about worship.  We go into captivity and confusion because we worship other gods.  When we come out, the first thing that happens is that the true worship of God is restored. 

The things we're confronted with in captivity are all the things we've worshipped instead of God:  What am I trusting in?  Who do I fear?  What do I desire most of all?  Who or what am I molding myself to?  Who am I trying to please?  What am I filling myself with?  Who am I following?  How am I getting guidance?  What do I think about all the time?  What do I crave?  Who or what intimidates me?  What am I addicted to?  What am I patterning my life after?  Who or what do I run to for protection?  What or who do I count on for provision?  For fulfillment?  For worth?  For identity?  What are my entanglements?  Who or what do I actually worship?

Because there are so many things we worship as idols instead of, or along side of, God, we might have to go into captivity more than once.  But every time we are released, we are back to getting true worship established once again.  This is a life process for all of us, I think.  The faster we're willing to relinquish our idols the quicker we are out of captivity and into freedom. 

If we want God's abiding glory, we must first turn away from our idols (and this is why God identifies them to us and shows us His perspective on them).  Then we must follow God's directions for establishing true worship.  While this is happening, there will be opposition. 

In these chapters today we see opposing ages and the spiritual rulers of these ages at work.  There is this present age of the world (which is reaching its end), and the satanic spirits that rule over it.  There is also the Kingdom age (which began with Christ's appearance in the world). That has been a mystery that has slowly been revealed since then, and is still being progressively revealed.  The Spirit of Truth is the ruling spirit of the Kingdom Age. 

Every person has to choose which age he or she will partake of.  We are born, naturally, into this present worldly age.  What could we call it?  The age of rebellion?  The age of lies?  When we're born again, we begin to partake of the Kingdom age in some ways.  But  just because we're born again in the spirit doesn't mean we're able to understand or accept much of it-- it's so different than what we've gotten used to.  We find ourselves in two opposing kingdoms and two opposing ages at once, and we are mighty confused!

From what Paul is saying about wisdom and spirit, I understand that the wisdom of this age comes from the heart of pride and rebellion that originated with satan.  The wisdom of the Kingdom of Christ proceeds from the heart of God.  Since it's written that it's the spirit of man that knows the "things of a man" and that the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God, I'm taking it that the wisdom of this age is also what comes from the heart of man separated from God.  Satan is completely obsessed with man, however, so it takes discerning of spirits to sometimes be able to tell the difference between what's coming from man's spirit and what's coming from demonic spirits. 

The spirit of man gravitates one way or the other.  People are going to receive from demonic spirits or the Spirit of God, like it or not.  If we've not put ourselves in subjection to the Kingdom of God, then we're subjected to the kingdom of rebellion (or lies, or darkness).  The "rulers of this age," that Paul speaks of, can't logically be human, as he's talking about the fact that they crucified Christ, not knowing that He would be risen from the dead.  Obviously, they worked through people.  These spirits are still around, still working through people, trying to keep the Kingdom of God from prevailing.  Too late!  They've been defeated.  They didn't stop it from coming and they didn't even see what was going to happen.  They can't possibly stop it.  The glorious reign of Christ on earth is inevitable.

Carnally minded people, even Christians, have a hard (or impossible) time seeing what's going on in the Kingdom of God.  Until we reject the idols of this present age of rebellion, we can't be spiritually minded.  Until we are spiritually minded, we can't receive the deep things of God revealed by the Spirit of God.  When we are worshipping idols, we are still receiving only the wisdom of this age, the same "wisdom" that blindly crucified Christ. 

Wrongly directed worship destroys the fruit of the Spirit in us and tears down the seed of the Word in us.  It defiles and defames the temple.  When we get disgusted with living in the age of rebellion, and reject its idols, we can then become cleansed from their influence and become a vessel for pure worship of God.  We begin to have the fruit of the Spirit in abundance.  Instead of ourselves usurping the throne of our hearts (being actually "puppet kings" of satan), then Christ is welcomed as King of kings, and we are holy participants in the Kingdom Age.  We are now worshiping Him in whatever areas we are not rebelling against Him as King.  He is working on getting all of us to absolute worship of Him!  Give us an undivided heart to worship You!  Glory!!

The Kingdom Age has glories in it we are only beginning to see as we come out from this putrid cloud of darkness.  The Spirit of God delights to reveal these things to us; Jesus Christ knows all things of the Father's heart, and instructs the Spirit to reveal them to us when we are ready to receive them. 

I hope this helps you to rise up and put off everything that hinders you from worshiping God purely from the heart.  It certainly does motivate me!

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NKJV 

Questions to ponder:
Has your concept of idol worship changed?
What idol or idols in your life has the Spirit of God identified to you today, or recently? 
How is He motivating you to turn away from them?
What is He showing you to do that will replace the practices of idol worship?
What glimpse of His glory has He given you to keep you wanting the deep things of God?

June 29, 2010 The Mighty, Prevailing Word of God

Sometimes it feels like we're in the middle of the riot in Ephesus, with everybody chanting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"  When large numbers of people get together, all worshipping the same god, a lot of shouting happens if you say anything about Jesus Christ being Lord.   Confusion and mindlessness are a symption of mass deception.  It's hard to get it to listen.

In order to save our nation, we need revival-- meaning: we need a majority of people who are free from mind-control and who believe and follow the truth of the gospel.  We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to break through and open people's minds that have been captivated by lies, so that they can receive the truth.  This prayer has already had great effect.  However, just because we pray doesn't mean there isn't more to do.  Everyone who is free has work to do to get others set free.  The word of God still needs to be shared: taught, preached, written about, discussed, illustrated, etc.  Now is not the time to be lazy or intimidated.  We need to work harder than the devil is! 

There are two strategies I see that would be useful in dealing with the problem of mass deception as we get the word of God out: 1) publicly demonstrate the power of God and His word in a way that is undeniable.  2) relate to individuals in a way that doesn't trigger the programmed response (in other words, have wisdom in how you approach people about the gospel, and other subjects--included is a discussion on what to do if you if you end up triggering people).

If you'll think about it, you'll see that Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did both these things.  He was dealing with a nation of people who were captivated in a religious "stronghold."  Even some of the Pharisees, who were controlled by it but were also using it to control the masses, were won by the prevailing Word of God.  Jesus demonstrated God's power by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, as well as other miracles.  Jesus also spoke in parables to the people, getting the truth into them, in part, by by-passing their mental triggers.   He didn't talk to the people in the same religious way that the Pharisees did, and they listened.  I think that Jesus may have deliberately triggered the Pharisees to show what spirit they were really of!

These strategies are going to take a lot of prayer, submission to God, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We know, without a doubt, that it is God's will to get people set free.  Why else would Paul the Apostle have been casting demons out in the name of Christ?  (possession by a prevailing mindset of lies is just as bad as demon possession, isn't it?)  This was true demonstration of the power of God, and it couldn't be duplicated by those who were not obedient to Christ.  (It wasn't the only way Paul showed God's power, however; he did many other miracles.)

When the power of God is demonstrated along with the preaching of the word, the fear of the Lord rises up in people.  The result is that 1) people come to Christ (by their own choice), 2) people confess their sins, and 3) people lay down their idols and their idolotrous practices because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  (you can see this is verses 17-19)

I am fascinated by this verse:  "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Acts 19:20  We need not be intimidated by the seeming power of a crowd of deceived people.  When the word of God is spoken, it gets planted in people.  I think when people see God's word in action, it sort of pokes a hole in them, and the seed of the word goes down deeper-- has a chance to take root.  God's word grows in people, then bears fruit. This takes time.  (Some of the hard times we've been going through are perhaps digging the "rocks" out of people-- softening the hardness of people's hearts and making them better "soil").  All the Christian mass media in the world won't suddenly change society by suddenly changing the crowds' mind.  But the word of God spread en mass will touch many individuals.  And God's word always prevails.

There is nothing mightier than the word of God.  In the Psalm today, we are reminded how the word of God controls nature.  He created nature in the first place-- with His word.  He created mankind.  He upholds the universe with His word.  If He can do this, then He could control a crowd, easily, with His word.  But I don't see that He has ever done this, even with His own people.  He doesn't violate His own policies, and the individual's free will is one of the things He has set up.  It is a key to His kingdom. 

Satan, however, has no qualms about violating God's laws.  Controlling a group is something he tries to do as much as possible.  (In the incident in Ephesus, Demetrius was used by Satan to stir up a crowd against the gospel, using a group deception that was already in place and a strong economic incentive: and the devil always uses "fear, shame and the need to belong".)  Even so, God sets people free individually.  Otherwise, we would just be pawns in a duel between God and Satan, and we are not.  God is not controlled by Satan's tactics.  We don't have to be either.

God's people, when we become full of His Word and Spirit, will eventually act as one-- not because God is controlling us against our will, but because each of our wills are freely submitted to the Head, who is Christ.  We will choose to do His will because we want to.  It is pure worship.  If we are submitted to the Head, we will be free of any other type of control.  We will not fear or worship anything else.  We will move as one-- His Body.

In the words of John, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1John 5:21 In order to free others, we must be free ourselves.  Watch for how the enemy promotes controlling mindsets through the media.  He does it by saturation, seduction and peer pressure (and other forms of intimidation).  Don't become a cult-victim of the prevailing culture.  Let God's culture and His powerful word prevail in your life.  The choice is yours. 

*******
The following is specific instructions about dealing with triggered behavior.  I just wanted to let you know in advance, so you don't get mad at me for taking up so much of your time.  It might be very useful for you, either now or in the future, especially if you are in ministry.  It just seems that, since this is a very common problem, and the Scripture readings brought it up, it would be wrong of me to not share what I know, at least briefly (and this is very brief, really).

Satan believes that if he can get people, either in a mass or individually, so programmed that they will not be able to think or listen (or even get angry and attack) if they are triggered, that we will stop preaching the gospel to them.  Since this is a widespread phenomenon, we either have to avoid the triggers (and they are often common and avoidable), or learn to deal with people when they are triggered, either by ourselves or others.  What we must not do is become afraid of people and stop speaking the truth in love.  I will share with you a little of what I have learned so far; some of it was revealed to me as I read the Scriptures today.

Sometimes God will lead us to do or say something that will trigger the programmed response, either in a crowd or in an individual.  This is to show us what is controlling the crowd or person.  It is possible to calm a crowd, as we saw by the speech the clerk gave in the theater.  But all he did was cater to their belief system.  It didn't set them free.  I'm not saying we should do this.  Sometimes Paul was barely able to talk sense into a frenzied crowd (such as when they tried to worship him as Zeus).  In my limited experience, it is possible to speak (whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to) into the volitile situation.  This can change a hostile atmosphere by the work of the Spirit, who speaks to individual hearts and allows His peace to overwhelm enemy activity.  This is temporary, but it gives you the chance to share the word of God to the group of people.  I believe angel ministers also help in this situation when we speak the word given us. You also can speak directly to an evil spirit who has tried to invade a meeting, and you can directly cast it out (if you've been given authority over the meeting).   I can't share experience on what to do in situations like Paul was in, since I've never preached in venues like he did.  Thankfully, if I ever have to, I know that God's grace is sufficient for all things. 

In ministering to an individual who you see is being controlled by something, we have to have discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment.  I have had lots of experience with this in the counseling room, as well as everyday life, but there is no formula.  Sometimes you can cast a demon out, but lots of times there is more to it, and you just have to calm the person down and go at the problem from a different angle.  You may have to wait for another time.  When I was counseling one time, a lady client was triggered into a tizzy because I wore the color pink!  It seemed bad at the moment, but it led us to a place that needed healing.  No, I didn't cast a demon out!  Yes, I have cast demons out before.  Just try casting a wound or a thought-process out though!  Discipleship, and often deliverance, is a process.

If you trigger a controlled throught-process, evoking a programmed response (and then you're dealing with an unreasonable, and even dangerous, person at that moment), most likely your conversation is over for the time being.  Make a note of what you learned.  You will have to go around the "back door" and, in a different way, begin to share the word of God that will refute the lies that the person is believing.  Once the person believes the truth, they will overthrow the demon themselves, if there is one. This is best and most permanent.  (There isn't always an actual demon present, because the human psyche is capable of all sorts of strange defensive behaviors, which often look demonic to us, but aren't necessarily.  The number of demons in the world is finite, and Satan won't use them if he doesn't have to.  He has had thousands of years to study human psychology, and he knows more than you do.  He is a master mind-twister.  Good thing we have access to the infinite mind of Christ!  God's wisdom and knowledge always trump the devil!)    If there is a demonic guard everywhere you go in talking with a person, then you are going to have to get them delivered.  Prayer over the situation is advised before you act. I'm sure Paul was praying over the girl with the spirit of divination, and he knew exactly what he was getting into.  I have been led, in some instances, to immediately command a demon to leave, and it has left.  But if you don't help the person close the door that let it in, it will be back, guaranteed.  This is worse, and to be avoided.  Jesus taught about that.

Christian deliverance is not exorcism!  Never forget that the word of God is His will; it is powerful and it will prevail.  If Christ lives in you, then His authority will speak through you when He gives you the word.  You never have to exert human power; if fact, in dealing with demons, you are only giving them something to feed on when you do things in the flesh.  It makes them stronger.  The fruit of the Spirit is poisonous to them however, so make sure you're in the Vine and bearing lots of fruit! Doing something "in the name of Jesus" requires doing it in His nature.  You can't use the name of Jesus as a magic potion. 

When you are walking in the Spirit, then He will lead you only to places in which He will either work through you, or teach you with what you are experiencing.

March 9, 2010

Have you ever heard the term "spiritual pride"?  I understand that people use the term to mean "proud over their spirituality" or something like that, but it seems to me that pride is anything but spiritual!  Satan fell by being proud, didn't he? 

Remember the reading from February 26?:  "But when He [Jesus] had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:33    No matter how "spiritual" we think we are, if we're in pride, we're not walking in the Spirit.  If we're arguing with Jesus, we're taking sides with the devil!  Satan is a spirit, but he became carnal by being proud.

All human beings have spirits, whether they walk with Christ or not, and all spirits are not of God!   Does this change your point of view about non-Christians?  About spirituality? 

If you can get a handle on the truth that pride originates in your spirit, it will revolutionize your Christian walk!  [Bonus:  there's a reason humility isn't listed in the Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.  Humility is an attitude or position of the spirit, and it is your free-will choice;  it takes humility to "walk in the Spirit" in order to bear fruit.]

Moses and Jesus both demonstrated, through their words and actions, what it is to be humble.  They were submitted to God.  "Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3  He had an intimate relationship with God.  Jesus is the Son of God, and the most spiritual of all wouldn't you say, and He prayed, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." Mark 14:36 

The readings today show both Old Testament and  New Testament examples of how pride is a spiritual issue, what the outcome is, and how to avoid it.  In Numbers 11, God had just transferred some of the anointing Moses had onto seventy of the elders, and they prophesied.  Although Joshua expressed some concern over this, Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake?  Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!" 11:28-29  I'm thinking some pride was exposed by this turn of events, for it wasn't long before Aaron and Miriam rose up in criticism of Moses saying, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?  Has he not spoken through us also?" 12:1-2  Miriam must have instigated it, as she was the one who was disciplined.  Do you think perhaps the Lord was giving a strong warning to those who had received the Spirit, not to walk in pride over it?  How does this pertain to us?

Jesus' disciples seemed to have had the same problem.  They'd been singled out to walk with Jesus day by day, and He had told them many things in private.  I think they began to see themselves as very spiritual, so much so that they wouldn't receive a serious warning from Jesus.  "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you," said Peter.  And all of them said the same, even though Jesus had just told them they would all run off.  He gave Peter, James and John the chance to "keep awake and pray,"  but it seems that they were overwhelmed and went to sleep instead. 

Pride does not watch and pray, but humility does.  Pride falls into temptation, humility falls on its face before God.

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble." Proverbs 11: 2