Posts

It’s Not Complicated

/in /by

Colossians 2:6-8 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.8 See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

Juxtaposition is defined as the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. In the Scripture passage above you see just such an example. What are the two juxtaposing examples? Number one: Col. 2:6 “…[so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him…” Number Two: Col. 2:8 “See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).”

Can you see it? Put simply, the first examples’ emphasis is on being in union with Jesus – seeking to be conformed to Jesus – in every way. In other words in relationship. The second example, emphasizes philosophy, intellectualism, and tradition. In other words, “the elemental teachings of the universe” that disregard Jesus and His Word. If you can imagine a scale which weighs two objects. On one side of the scale is the King of the Universe, His reality, His Presence, His revelation and illumination. On the other side the philosophy, intellectualism, and the traditions of men. Which of the two sides of this scale carries the most weight for you?

I’ve got a confession to make. I am impressed by intelligence. It’s a weakness of mine that has often proven to be detrimental, especially in regard to ministry. I have a tendency to elevate it above the Holy Spirit and His Word. I’m like a fish attracted to a shiny lure, or a moth to a flame. At other times I can fall for physical appearance, or impressive talents. What does this divulge about me? This is the human condition. Yet, Paul warns the Colossian believers against it. He states in Col. 2:2-4 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.4 I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech.

Did you catch what Paul wanted to see occur in their lives? That they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One)….With Who? Jesus! Why does he write this? “…in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech.…”

Jesus warned us! Paul warned us – that the Last Days would be a time of great deception. Brothers and sisters we have arrived! With the birthing and dawning of AI we have yet to see how our culture, Christians, and the populations of the world are about to be exploited and deceived. Jesus warned that if these days had not be cut short that even the very elect would be deceived. In fact the exploitation is already occurring. Remember the subliminal suggestions we were made aware of in the 1980’s? Guess when they began to be used? 1957. Let that sink in. That was sixty-eight years ago. What’s available to them now?

What’s the solution? Know the Truth! He’s a Person. His Name is Jesus. Know the Word of God. Know the activity of the Spirit in your life. The fullness of the Godhead and the Word of God will not mislead you. Just be sure you take the full council of the Word of God. Be alert to the fact that when man has to reinvent terms the Scripture has been touting all along you can rest assured that the twisted complexities of our sin, defected soul is at work. Be alert! Be alert! Watch and pray isn’t a suggestion.

Cramming for the All-Nighter or a Delighter in the Day of the Lord?

/in /by

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

Since our heart, or soul, is deceitful above all things it most definitely can deceive us into believing we are believing and trusting in Jesus – when in reality we are really trusting ourselves. Our soul has the potential to deceive us into believing we are worshipping, serving, and obeying Jesus – when in reality we are simply serving ourselves. For this reason we seek God. Not only does Scripture repeatedly exhort us to seek God, it provides us with appointed holy days designed purposefully to readjust our focus (if the Christian believes all the Word of God – including the Law – is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness – see 2 Tim. 3:16-17) to return to the true center of the universe: God Almighty! (Not SELF) Many of us have participated in the month of Elul’ focus on confession, repentance, and seeking God but now the focus narrows as we approach the highest of all holy days: Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday, October 1 concluding Thursday October 2, 2025. This is considered the highest of all holy days on God’s Biblical calendar. Why? The fall festival of Sukkot (or Tabernacles). Sukkot is a prophetic signpost alerting Jew and Christian when the Messiah is coming to “tabernacle” with mankind. Our Father, in His mercy and love, provides us with an opportunity to prepare to appear before Him. Monday, September 22, alerted us to the 10 Day countdown (the number ten being a prophetic symbol of judgment) to prepare for Yom Kippur and ultimately, to prepare for Jesus’ Return. Now I did not believe the church was about to be raptured on September 23, 2025. If I had of known when this was about to take place it would put me above Jesus (Who said He didn’t know the day the Father appointed – see Mt. 24:36).

Why does any of this matter? Let me explain it this way. I used to be a horrible student waiting till the last minute to cram for a test. In truth I hadn’t learned a thing. Quite simply I was doing what ever it took to pass the test and continue in my ignorance. Yet Matthew 24:42, 44, 46 states: Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming….. 44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him…. 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.

In other words don’t be waiting the “night” before to prepare for the test. Live a lifestyle of learning. Jesus provided us with another parable to alert us to what we should be doing: Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; 4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-3)

The oil in this parable is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Wise virgins didn’t wait till the last minute to prepare for the return of the Bridegroom. They had spent their time collecting extra oil. How do you get more of the Spirit? It’s no coincidence that Jesus spent some of the final days of His earthly ministry in a place called Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane was where Jesus prayed through to the Father’s Will regarding His crucifixion and resurrection. Here Jesus gathered extra Oil from the Spirit for the biggest test of His life. It’s no coincidence that this garden is where olive presses manufactured the oil sed to anoint kings and priests. Jesus wasn’t spending the night before the “test” cramming for extra oil. His entire life had been pressed in surrender to the Father’s Word and Will. Through His submission and obedience He had been gathering the Oil of the Spirit. He was a true “learner” of His Father in every way – not waiting till the last minute to regurgitate information He thought the Teacher wanted to hear. (See Hebrews 5:8-9) Jesus not only mastered the course laid out before Him He received His doctorate in order to teach others His Ways.

A Sleeping Narcissist

/in /by

Jonah 4:9-11 And God said to Jonah, Do you do well to be angry for the loss of the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die!10 Then said the Lord, You have had pity on the gourd, for which you have not labored nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons not [yet old enough to] know their right hand from their left, and also many cattle [not accountable for sin]?

All Jonah cared about was himself and his comfort. His self-centeredness went so deep that he turned a blind eye to the possible deaths of 120,000 children. What’s really interesting regarding this passage is that God not only cared for the cruel Ninevites, and their children, He also cared for the cattle that would die if He brought judgment and destruction. But not Jonah.

In the 1980’s the psychological designation of narcissus began to pick up popular, cultural steam as it entered pop psychology designating someone we used to categorize as self-centered. Sunday, August 24 I googled the question: What do you call someone who stubbornly refuses to change their behavior? I was surprised by one of the articles I discovered. It stated: “People with narcissistic personality disorder are extremely resistant to changing their behavior, even when it’s causing problems.”

What is repentance? Change. First it begins with an acknowledgement that you have missed God’s Perfect Way of Love. Next it culminates with a change of mind which leads to a change in lifestyle. Elul is a time of conversion and repentance in order to seek God.

Jnh. 1:5-6 – Jonah refused to have his mind changed – refused to be teachable – regarding his responsibility for his neighbors. How many messages have you heard, repeating the same theme, that you have refused to change your mind, behavior, actions or attitude about? Are you Christ-centered or self-centered in your lifestyle and actions? Is it possible to be a follower of Jesus and still remain a narcissist? Are you teachable? Is your thinking aligning more with the truths of God’s Word and the example of Christ than the lies of this world and popular culture? Has your thinking and lifestyle been changed to be more in line with Jesus and His Word in the past year or would others state you have remained relatively the same?

Jnh. 1:6; 2:1-2 – Jonah had become faithless in prayer – choosing sleep over praying for his neighbors. Jesus told Disciples – Followers of Jesus – to watch and pray. Would you characterize your spiritual life as watching and praying? Do you watch and pray with Jesus? Do you have a daily quiet time with the Lord? Do you sleep while a small minority remain faithful in prayer? Are you sleeping while third world countries and believers are spending sleepless nights in prayer? Are you spending time in leisure while brothers and sisters around the world faithfully pray as they face the threat of death, rape, persecution, torture, beating and imprisonment? What does your prayer life reveal about your faith?

The Watchmen!

/in /by

Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like [the calling of] a war trumpet said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future. 2 At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne!

In John 10:1-7 reveals to us Who the Door is in Revelation 4:1-2. It states: I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.6 Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.7 So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. AMPC

Watchmen open the Door! Watchmen know His Voice! Watchmen listen for the Shepherds Voice! Luke 21:36 reminds us: Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man. AMPC

What are we to be watching, praying and waiting for? The Return of Jesus. But, especially during this time of year we are to be watchful, and listening. Is there a specific thing we are to seek? Revelation 4:1-2 gives us a clue: Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future. 2 At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne! Now you may be tempted to say, Robert I can’t know what will happen in the future. I am not a prophet. Let me ask you a question. How much of the Bible do you believe and trust? Your Bible promises you in John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. AMPC

Did you see that? Do you believe it? If you believe it then you can know from the Revelation 4:1-2 connection with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – that you and I have been given an invitation to know what must take place in the future. Now you might say this passage only applies to John. I can’t go into Heaven. Yet Eph. 2:6 states, And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). AMPC According to Scripture our spirits are already seated in Heavenly Places with Jesus.

In conclusion, Can you see that the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of all prophecy? (Revelation 19:10) Prophecy fulfilled is the manifestation of spoken words becoming manifested reality. From this passage you can deduce that the testimony of Jesus contained in Scripture is a prophetic testimony waiting to manifest. Scripture is a collection of testimonies of Jesus manifesting in others lives. It is through the testimony of Scripture that Jesus became a Manifested Reality in your life. Scripture was given to us by God not simply for us to know about God but to see His Testimony manifested in our lives.

During this holy season don’t be content with simply preparing for the Return of Jesus. Take the time to step out in faith on the testimony of His Word to ask Him, Lord what is coming this new year that you want me to pray with You about and prepare others to know? He’s knocking in Revelation 3:20. Are you willing to open the Door? Are you willing to listen to what He has to say?

Watch and Pray

/in /by

“Organized missionary work and world evangelism as we know it today really did not exist in the western world until God lit a fire in the hearts of the Moravians through the ‘watch of the Lord.’ It was no accident that God restored the fire on the altar first, and then ignited a passion for lost souls in the world through prayer.” – Pastor James Goll

“In an era when missionary outreach was almost non-existent, the Moravians covered the world, going places where most refused to go. They suffered disease, poverty, and death, all to have the honor of being called “Ambassadors for Christ.” Half a century later, William Carey, the father of modern foreign missions, asked his Baptist brethren these historic words: “See what the Moravians have done? Cannot we follow their example.. and preach the Gospel to the heathen?”

The well known German historian of “Protestant Misisons,” Dr. Warneck, testifies: “This small group of people in twenty years, called into being more missions than the whole Church has done in two centuries.” This missionary work, that would soon fill the Kingdom of God, was birthed by intense intercessory prayer. Perched atop a prayer tower, these nearly forgotten prayer warriors took turns praying 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from 1727 – 1827 – 100 years nonstop! – Frank J Di Pietro

Unfortunately it wasn’t always this way. In the early 1700’s a group of Christians called the Moravians were fleeing from intense persecution in Bohemia, Poland and Moravia. In 1722 a lone Christian refugee named Christian David showed up at an estate owned by Count Ludwig Von Zinzendorf requesting permission to settle a group of these refugees on Zinzendorfs’ property. It wasn’t long until Christian returned with 300 of these refugees building a community of believers there on the estate. They called the community, “Herrnhut” or the “Lord’s Watch.” Author Di Pietro continues: Zinzendorf immediately “sensed a spiritual kinship” with these humble people. It wasn’t long before Herrnhut began growing and accepted refugees from other doctrinal persuasions. Now there were not onlyMoravians, but also Lutherans, Calvinists, Catholics, Separatists, Reformed, and Anabaptists. They were all seeking the fellowship of others who were looking for a heavenly city. The vision of Count Zinzendorf was that of the restoration of the apostolic community. He worked to establish a community of prayer, encouragement, and accountability. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. As you imagine, with such a wide diversity, doctrinal disputes arose, along with bickering over which style of liturgy or worship was appropriate. It even went so far as calling the Count the “Beast” mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Yet Zinzendorf refused to defend himself going from house to house, counseling each family from the Scriptures, teaching, and exhorting them.

“Before long the small community was becoming one as more and more homes were opening day and night for prayer, fellowship, and teaching. Small groups began holding all night prayer vigils, and it seemed almost weekly that the spiritual unity and the bonds of love were becoming perceptively stronger.” – Di Pietro

On May 12 Zinzendorf led the community in covenanting together to pray and labor for revival. Services held at this time usually ended in weeping, deep repentance, and lying prostrate on the floor. “By August 5th, anticipation was building to the point where many did not want to sleep for fear that they would miss something God was doing. One meeting started at noon and ended at midnight. The entire community walked as one in God, full of repentance and consecration. On Wednesday, August 13, Count Zinzendorf visited every house in Herrnhut in preparation for the Lord’s Supper. Everyone had come to a conviction of their sinfulness, need and helplessness. During the service, they made many painful prayers for themselves, for fellow Christians still under persecution, and for their continued unity. At that time, Count Zinzendorf made a penitential confession in the name of the entire congregation. The congregation knelt and sang, then began praying for one another. – Di Pietro

Suddenly with the sound of a mighty rushing wind, the power of the Holy Spirit swept across the congregation in waves. The noise of the wind was loud enough that many in the church looked toward the windows expecting to see a gale raging outside. The manifestation of the Spirit was not relegated within the four walls of the church, but fell throughout the community. Men, women, and children were touched as a passion for God and His purpose swept through their hearts. – Di Pietro

Zinzendorf records: “It was such a sense of nearness of Christ bestowed in a single moment upon all members of the community at once; it was so unanimous that two members, at work twenty miles away, unaware that the meeting was being held, became at the same moment smitten with the same blessing and anointing.”

One Moravian remembers: “We had quit judging each other because we had become convinced, each one, of his lack of worth in the sight of God. On that day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we saw the Hand of God and His wonders. We were all under the Cloud of the Father baptized with His Spirit. As the Holy Ghost came upon us, great signs and wonders took place in our midst. From that time, scarcely a day passed but what we beheld His Almighty workings among us. A great hunger after the Word of God took possession of us, so that we had to have three services every day. Everyone desired above everything else that the Holy Spirit might have full control. Self-love and self-will as well as all disobedience disappeared and an overwhelming flood of grace swept us all out into the great ocean of Divine Love.”

Jesus reminds us in Lukes Gospel of the importance of watching and praying: Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.(Luke 21:36 AMPC) The question is, Are we willing to turn our faces away from the anesthesia of entertainment and turn to Face God in prayer?