It was August of 2017 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. We were ministering at the first General Conference of the newly nationalized work. From our bird’s eye view of thegorgeous hotel overlooking the Kota Kinabalu Harbor on the China Sea, there was much to see. I was intrigued by the fishing vessels that would leave early in the morning, and return just as the sun was setting for the day.
There were many small boats that would stay close to the harbor, doing their work in shallow water. They weren’t equipped to go too far, and always kept in sight of land. They put in a hard day’s work, and probably caught enough fish to sell for the day. They were laboring to keep their families fed, but didn’t make any extra.
Then there were the ships. They were outfitted with bigger nets, and carried enough equipment and supplies to face any problems that might arise. They headed out into deep water far beyond the safety of the harbor. When they lumbered into port at the end of the day, they sat low in the water, their holds completely filled with fish. They weren’t only feeding their families for the day. They were affecting the commerce of a nation.
While watching these fishing vessels, the Lord impressed into my spirit that if I wanted to see His great works, I must choose to be like the ships, and not the boats. My first instinct was to remind Him of the obvious…I’m literally 9,000 miles away from home, overlooking the South China Sea, doing ministry. Doesn’t that make me a ship? The Lord’s silence assured me that it was going to take more than simply being willing to travel for me to be a ship, rather than a boat.
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” (Psalm 107:23-24)
As I considered what the Lord was revealing to me, He dropped this scripture into my mind. Such a perfect word for the object lesson He was showing me. I began to break down the passage, and noticed that even though the ships were called to go out into great waters, they first had to go down.
We all love to spend time on the mountain top, but sea level is at a much lower elevation. Revival may come on the mountain heights, but the work gets done by first going down to sea level.
The original meaning of the word business here is ministry. Many of us are willing to go and take care of spiritual business, but not all are willing to firstgo down.
To go down means that we must submit ourselves to the Spirit of God. We must get our flesh under control. We must get our self out of the way with all of its emotions, feelings, frustrations, preferences and carnal ways.
Going down is accomplished through consistent, diligent, consecrated fasting with prayer. The mountain top is where our eyes are often focused, and our hearts most desire to be. The anointed worship. The powerful Word. The comfort of unity and fellowship. Who wouldn’t prefer the spiritual heights? After all, the way down is messy, painful and we almost always have to go alone.
I feel like I have to ask…
-How hungry are you for the things of God?
-How desperate are you for a breakthrough?
-How low are you willing to go to draw closer to God?
-How many souls do you want to reach?
…Your level of fasting and prayer will answer these questions.
It is recorded in three of the gospels, Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5, of people coming to Jesus asking why the disciples of John the baptist and the Pharisees fasted often, but his own disciples didn’t fast. He explained to them that it was difficult for them to fast while He was with them daily.
He likened himself to a bridegroom. It would be unusual, and even out of place, for a wedding party to be fasting while the bridegroom was in their midst. In the presence of the bridegroom there is joy, festivity and celebration. He let them know, however, there would be a time coming when He would go away, and then fasting would become a regular activity.
Upon closer examination, we find it was actually John’s and the Pharisees’ disciples who did the asking. This lets us know that even though Jesus was walking and ministering among them, they still weren’t absolutely sure who He was. J
John’s ministry was a transitional ministry, providing a path from keeping letter of the Law of Moses out of obligation in the Old Testament to following Jesus from the heart in the New Testament. It was a time of rapidly changing thinking processes. Apparently, John himself didn’t understand well enough to explain the different way of thinking to his disciples. He only knew to point them to Jesus.
True to His Word, after Jesus rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, His disciples began to remember all He had spoken and lived before them. Along with staying full of His Spirit, prayer and fasting became the foundation for staying in constant communion with Him.
They faced terrible persecution, yet revival spread all over the known world at the time. They loved not their lives unto death. Each one of the twelve were killed for their testimony of Jesus, except for John, who history tells us was boiled in oil, refused to die, and was banished to the Isle of Patmos where he received The Revelation of Jesus Christ. They all went to their deaths with faith in their hearts, and their Lord Jesus’ name on their lips. It was the infilling of the Holy Ghost, partnered with prayer and fasting, that gave them the spiritual fortitude to stand strong all the way to the end.
For the last two thousand years, this pattern remains the source of the church’s strength. Yet, in these last days, that Jesus himself compared in wickedness to the days of Noah, we have forgotten the power of fasting. We have forgotten it’s necessity. We have forgotten where our power comes from to stand against evil, and not only to not fail, but to march forward in victory. These are the days Jesus spoke of when He declared, “…then shall they fast.”
“Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matthew 9:14-15)
“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Mark 2:18-20)
“And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Luke 5:33-35)
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench…” (Isaiah 42:3)
I purchased a three dollar potted amaryllis bulb a few weeks before Christmas. It wasn’t much to look at; just a brown mound protruding from the dirt with a sprig of green growth barely pushing through. I didn’t have high hopes for it, but it was only $3 after all.
I followed the instructions which consisted of putting it in a window, and keeping it moist. Simple enough.
To my surprise, within just a few days, that little sprig began reaching for the sky. It towered well over two feet within the week. The really exciting part began next as it produced a beautiful bud, all full of hope. It was thriving, and I was a proud plant mom.
When it began to unfold in all its glory, I couldn’t contain my joy. I began snapping photos, and sending them to my friends, proudly showing off my little $3 wonder child.
That’s when the tragedy happened. Looking back, I know I should have been more attentive. I should have noticed the disaster coming. Its gorgeous blooms were so heavy that it had become top heavy. Even though I saw it leaning a bit, it didn’t occur to me that I should add a stake for stability.
I walked past it into another room for only a few minutes, and when I came back in, its stalk had broken in half. I was shocked to say the least, to the point of almost being sick. My little $3 bulb that had grown and matured into this lovely masterpiece had been decapitated, and cut down in the prime of her glory.
I had invested too much into this Amaryllis to simply allow its full potential to be forfeited. As I looked closer, I realized there were a few fibers of stalk connecting the blooms to the life-giving base of the plant. It was literally hanging on by a thread (or two). Would that be enough to sustain it? I didn’t know, but I had to try.
Having nothing further to lose, I grasped the top part of the stalk just under the blooms, pushed it down into the gaping wound of the bottom section of stalk and quickly wrapped the two pieces together with an ancient embroidered doily. It was the only thing I could find at the moment. (Sometimes it’s the old things that work best.)
Then I prayed, and held my breath…
Almost a week later, and she’s still blooming her little heart out! But that’s not the end of her story. She’s not just a $3 bulb anymore. She’s my miracle child, and she will bloom and bring joy for many years to come.
IN SUMMARY
If God cares about my $3 Amaryllis, He certainly cares for you. Like the Good Samaritan in the Bible, He will not cast you aside when you are broken or bruised. He will bind up your wounds, and saturate you with the healing oil of His Spirit. He will rebuild, refocus, revitalize and revive you, even If you’re hanging on by a thread (or two).
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
It was Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. Christmas, or Christ’s Mass, wouldn’t be known as such until 1038 AD in England. Nevertheless, that night in the small hamlet of Bethlehem, Israel, the first Christmas Eve had come, and there was a miracle in the making.
To be clear, it didn’t look, feel, sound, taste or smell like anything resembling a miracle. Mary and Joseph weren’t guests in a comfortable inn. They were in a stable of all places. Mary didn’t have the comforts of soft bedding or an attending midwife. There was only Joseph wiping her brow, and attempting to be strong and hold himself together. No excited family members were pacing outside the door breathing whispered prayers, and waiting their turn to congratulate the happy couple. There were animals which would explain the unusual sounds and smells surrounding the event.
They had traveled for days. There was exhaustion, hunger, fear, astonishment at this overwhelming circumstance…and pain. No one observing with their natural senses would have thought this was a miracle in the making. It was all there, however. All the raw material needed for a miracle. What good is a miracle when everything is perfect? Can it even be called a miracle if it’s not desperately needed, and impossible?
That night must have been so dark for Mary. She must have felt so hopelessly afraid and alone. She most likely couldn’t see the star from inside the stable. She wrestled with the process. She prayed. She wept. She hoped. All night.
The morning light revealed the Truth. The God of all glory had come to His people. Mary and Joseph wept joyful tears. Heaven watched in awe. Angels sang. This sweet baby Jesus, Jehovah Savior. Immanuel, God with us. The whole painful process, it had been a miracle in the making.
So, how are things in your world? How about your health? Relationships? Finances? The condition of your very soul? Is your situation looking impossibly bleak? PERFECT! It’s Christmas Eve, and you have the perfect setup for a miracle in the making!
I’m thinking about biblical archaeology this morning. I love reading about bible sites and objects being found and excavated. The truth of the stories in the bible is all around us. Literally buried layer upon layer. The problem is that our memories and lifespans are too short to connect the dots and dates. At least not without interest and effort.
Another problem is that we think it’s all about us, not taking into account that every generation before us thought the same thing. We build and plan, focusing only on us and ours, believing somehow we’ll be the generation that beats the odds, and lives forever. Psalm 49:11 speaks to this point:
”Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.” (Psalm 49:11)
We live on a farm with many acres of land. On the backside of the farm, there is bottom land with two raised mounds of earth. These are Indian mounds where generations of Native Americans lived their daily lives. Many arrow heads have been unearthed as a result of breaking up the ground in preparation for spring planting.
We act surprised every time we find a piece of their history like we have forgotten they existed. Or like they lived millions of years ago in a different reality. When, in fact, it’s only been a few generations since the land we call ours was sustaining them and their families.
Bible lands, the Promised Land, Israel is no different. It’s all there. Every Bible character. Every story. Every battle. Every weapon forged. Every scrap of cloth. Every drop of blood spilled. Every grave or tomb. Every brick oven. Every well or cistern. Every altar. It’s all still there under the layers of each generation’s passing. A silent testimony of the Truth of God’s Word.
I love biblical archaeology, but I’ll probably never have the opportunity to take part in an actual archaeological dig. It’s a good thing that digging into the Word of God, mining out nuggets of history and truth is even more trustworthy than shards of pottery and dead men’s bones. It’s the Living Word, and it’s not just history. It’s our story too.
Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of year. Right? The truth is that Christmas is indeed a wonderful, beautiful, glorious time of celebrating our Savior’s birth with family and friends. The truth is also that the Christmas season is a time of excessive spending, impossible expectations, heightened emotions and major overwhelm.
There. I said it. Someone had to.
We’re going to wake up on December 26th taking inventory of our bank accounts, and our senses. Like previous years, most of us will immediately make a commitment that next year will be easier, simpler, less exhausting…It’s me. I’m most of us.
In order to get ahead of the overwhelm, and navigate the season a bit easier, here are a few points to ponder.
SIMPLE IS OKAY
Every year, I see pictures of holiday decorations in magazines and social media feeds, and think I’m going to try that next year. When next year comes, however, I don’t have the energy or time. I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that simple really is okay. My house doesn’t have to look like Martha Stewart decorated for me. The same can be said for gift giving.We have allowed the spirits of capitalism and consumerism to cause us to make spending decisions far beyond our means. Give yourself permission to go simple and easy this year.
INVEST IN MOMENTS
We tend to get our focus on the whole, big festive picture, and overlook the small moments. Memories of the decorations and gifts will fade quickly, but memories of experiences will last longer. Hot chocolate with marshmallows, the smell of wassal simmering on the stove, decorating a food tree for the birds, decorating Christmas cookies with the grandkids and reading the Christmas story. I plan to make these memory moments this year. Oh, and my husband brought home mistletoe, and I plan on kissing him, and each of my grand boys under it.
BE MINDFUL OF OTHERS
In all of our celebrating, we need to remember that not everyone is joyful through the holiday season.
1. Many people are missing lost loved ones, and that void is a deep chasm of grief. They press on for family and friends, but are aching inside. Another consideration is the financial circumstances of others.
2. Many don’t have the resources to purchase gifts for their loved ones as others do. We should take care to not overburden people to measure up to our standards of gift giving.
3. Some people suffer from a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is something I personally struggle with. Our brains are wired to need an appropriate amount of natural light to function and feel emotionally healthy. People who suffer from SAD have a very difficult time feeling the joy of the holiday season.
4. We should also be mindful of the convictions of others. Not everyone decorates trees, and not everyone believes in Santa.
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.“ (Luke 6:31)
FOCUS ON JESUS
It’s easy to get our focus on everything but the Lord during the holidays. But we need to remind ourselves Who we are actually celebrating. Spend time in His Word and Presence every day of the season. Allow Him to focus your mind, and calm your spirit. Look for ways to incorporate Him into activities, festivities, gatherings and conversations.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.“ (Luke 2:7)
CORRAL EMOTIONS & WORDS
How many of us remember a Christmas when that one person lost control of their emotions, and everything spiraled? Most of us can remember at least one incident. Emotions are heightened during the holiday season. Finances are tight. Expectations are too high. Health and energy levels are being stretched. Self control is often out the window. Let’s pay extra attention to our thoughts, emotions and words this season. Before you say something you’ll regret, ask yourself, Does it really matter? Does it really need to be said? What will be the repercussions of my words or actions?
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;“ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
PRACTICE THANKFULNESS
We’ve just passed Thanksgiving, and most of us aren’t feeling very thankful. Let’s commit to beginning and ending each day of the holiday season by telling the Lord something we’re thankful for. Keep a thankful journal. Write it down. When you’re feeling overdone, find something to be thankful for. You’ll be surprised how your outlook will change for the good.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
PRAY
Never is there a time when 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is more appropriate than the holiday season.
I recently listened to an episode of the podcast Apostolic Life In The 21st Century where the question was asked, “Why don’t we see more devils cast out in North America?” My immediate thought was that the enemy doesn’t have to rely on possessing people in America or other developed countries. Most of humanity in these areas have already forfeited control over their lives and souls to him.
SIDE NOTE
Demon possession most often happens when a person has repeatedly initiated, invited or otherwise opened themselves up to demonic activity, often through occult practices.
Revelation chapter six describes four spirits that will control masses of people in the years before Jesus returns for His people, and sets up His earthly Kingdom. No one enjoys the feeling of being controlled. We like the feeling of having the ability to make autonomous choices. Those of us who are part of the born again Church, however, willingly give control over our lives to the Spirit of God. People who are not part of the born again Church, even many who proclaim Christianity, are being controlled by one of these four endtime spirits without even realizing it.
The skeletal structure of the book of Revelation consists of Seals, Trumpets and Vials. Together, they reveal Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer and King of all kings. The seals are the long story ending at Armageddon. The trumpets are the shorter story ending at Armageddon, and the vials are the really short story, also ending at Armageddon. The four spirits we cover today are loosed when the first four seals are opened.
These four endtime spirits are symbolized by riders upon different colored horses. Notice that it is Jesus, symbolized as the Lamb, who actually opens the seals, and allows these four spirits to be released in the earth. As we study each one, we realize this isn’t for a time in the far distant future. All four of these evil spirits have been influencing masses of people on the earth for many years.
THE WHITE HORSE
“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2)
Upon first glance we might think the rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ. But remember, these four spirits are evil spirits sent forth to influence, deceive and control masses of the population. This horse is white symbolizing a false holiness. It is not Jesus. Nor is it His true church. On the contrary, the book of Revelation calls her the “mother of harlots.” This false church looks and teaches nothing like that of the early Church birthed in the book of Acts. Revelation 18:4 admonishes us to “…Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” The rider wears a crown symbolizing false royalty or deity. He carries a bow with no arrows symbolizing spiritual warfare. Yet he is sent forth to conquer the masses. This spirit had already infiltrated the Church, and controlled many as early as the 2nd century, and had become a stronghold over the masses by the time of the Counsel of Nicea in 325 A.D. The rider of the white horse is CATHOLICISM.
THE RED HORSE
“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4)
The rider upon the red horse is sent to rob masses of the population of their peace. He brings much death through warfare. What geopolitical system in modern time has consistently caused much bloodshed through its influence and warmongering ideology? It began in 1848 with the publication of the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and continued to become a full fledged political system by 1917. It is an ideology of warmongering, and government control, recognized by the color red. The rider of the red horse is COMMUNISM.
THE BLACK HORSE
“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”(Revelation 6:5-6)
The rider upon the black horse is carrying a set of balances or scales. A voice is heard that sounds suspiciously like a stock market report. Commodities are being weighed and adjusted. The rider of the black horse influences commerce. He is CAPITALISM.
I’ll take a little time here because most of the people reading this live in North America where the spirit of capitalism has such a stronghold. It’s known as the Land of Opportunity and the American Dream. Sadly, that dream most often revolves around getting, having, buying, owning and acquiring more stuff. Not only tangible possessions, but hobbies, pastimes, activities, events, trips, vacations, sports, concerts, clubs, groups, fashion, technology, business opportunities and the list goes on.
Our culture is completely consumed with wanting, pursuing and having more. All of this together leads to the constant feeding of flesh, and promoting of self. People who are controlled by the spirit of capitalism find it very difficult to become grounded and consistent in their local church. They may claim Christianity, and even be born again, but allow the smallest thing to keep them from being faithful in their walk with God.
THE PALE (GREEN) HORSE
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:7-8)
There was a religious belief system birthed when the Arab military leader Muhammad received a visitation from a supposed angel, proclaiming him to be the messenger of God. From this, the radical belief system emerged that has promoted all manner of persecution, torture and death to anyone who wouldn’t convert. We’ve seen the rise of groups such as ISIS beheading people in public executions, and we continue to see radical leaders from these groups getting control over our cities and communities through liberal political policies. Americans are generally very naive and slow to realize the lengths these radical followers will go in order to establish a worldwide caliphate. Green is their banner. The rider upon the green horse is ISLAMISM.
SIDE NOTE
I realize this passage uses the word “pale.” The original Greek word, however, is “Chloros,” which means GREEN. It is the same root word that we get the word chlorophyll from, obviously referring to the process whereby grass gets its green coloring. The original translators of the scripture knew there was no such thing as a green horse, so they used a word they thought was more fitting. The AUTHOR of the Bible, however, knew there would be a religious ideology in the last days that would use the color green as their banner of recognition.
IN SUMMARY
The riders of the four horses in Revelation 6 are CATHOLICISM, COMMUNISM, CAPITALISM and ISLAMISM. They are not simply life choices, ways of thinking, or groups of people who choose to believe the same thing. They are ideologies propagated by evil spirits, whose purpose is to influence masses of the population away from the One True Living God.
The hard truth is that if you are not willingly influenced by, and submitted to, the Holy Spirit of God, then you are most likely controlled by one of these spirits. This is the case for most of humanity. If this is the case for you, then satan has no real reason to attack, persecute, oppress or possess you. He has already drawn you away from seeking God in Truth.
Hopefully, you will become more aware of the influence of these spirits in the world, as well as in your own life. In order to insure you do not fall under the control of one or more of these spirits, you must be born again. Your enemy satan is the god of this world. He will use one of these ideologies to control you unless you take action. The way to be born again and make sure your life is submitted to Jesus Christ is found in the book of Acts.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
***Again I ask, what spirit is controlling you?***
Every person who has ever lived for God, or considered living for God, has asked this question. Even people who have lived for God many years often find themselves wondering how to hear from God, and how to know for sure if they did, indeed, hear God’s voice. First, let’s be clear. God does want to communicate with His people, and is, in fact, talking to us continuously. It is us who must learn to “tune in.”
In order to answer the question of how to hear God’s voice, we first have to talk about the ways God actually speaks. Here are the main ways He communicates with us.
1. HIS WORD
God has given us His Word through anointed men of God who wrote under the unction of His Holy Spirit. We call this collection of writings the Bible (the books), and it has stood the test of time through the millennia. The Bible is the account of God’s creative works, His plan of redemption for a lost humanity, the history of His people, His commandments and principles to live by and ultimately his prophetic words concerning the grand revealing of endtime events culminating in His return and establishment of His everlasting Kingdom.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“ (2 Peter 1:21)
God’s written Word, the Bible, cannot be separated from His Voice. Just like your word cannot be separated from your voice. Whether you think it, speak it, or write it, it is still your word which has imitated from your mind.
God’s Word is the first way He speaks to His people. He will never speak to you in any way that will go against or circumvent His written Word. This is one reason it’s so important to be students of God’s Word. We must study to know His will, and to be able to detect deception.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.“ (Psalm 119:11)
2. THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
In addition to His written Word, God has given us a structure of support in the church called the five-fold ministry. These offices include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The people who hold these positions are gifted and trained specifically to guide, teach, build up, encourage and instruct God’s people. His intention is for us to look to these ministers for help in finding God’s will for our lives. Beyond reading the written Word, it is by the preached Word that we hear God’s Voice in a practical way. This includes seeking confirmation on something we think could be the voice of God, but are unsure. God has strategically placed the five-fold ministry in the church for our guidance, and will not circumvent their influence in speaking to you.
SIDE NOTE
Every local church will have a pastor and teachers. Their guidance should be sought first. There will not be apostles, prophets and evangelists in every local assembly because their ministries reach further than the local church. They will, however, be available regionally, and known by the fruit of their ministries.
3. PRAYER
Prayer is to be our continual channel of communication with the Lord. We should spend as much time listening as we do speaking. He will drop a thought into our minds as we wait on Him in prayer. Anything He reveals to us should always be checked and weighed against His written Word, and the counsel of the ministry.
4. OUTSIDE VOICES
Sometimes God does use other godly people who are not necessarily part of the five-fold ministry to speak a word, make a suggestion or help us make a course correction. HOWEVER, we must take into account the first three avenues of His communication with us. He will never use an outside person to give direction that goes against his basic established structure of the Bible and the Five-fold Ministry. Most often. When someone gives us a “word from God,” it will most often be a confirmation of what we have already felt by reading His Word, counseling with the ministry and have sought in prayer.
5. SIGNS
This is the avenue that many people want to start at to hear from God, but it should be the last. This area is very often used by the enemy to draw us away from Truth and godly counsel. Many good, God-fearing people have been led away and deceived in this manner. While scripture assures us that signs will follow believers, it also very plainly tells us not to be sign seekers.
When we depend on signs above God’s Word, above the counsel of ministry and above consecrated prayer, we open portals into the spiritual realm of darkness called the occult. It is through these access channels that the enemy gains control of our minds, and ultimately our souls. Not everything spiritual is holy. It is sad when people will make decisions based on a sign, but refuse to read and apply God’s Word or seek godly counsel. When God chooses to show us a “sign,” it is most often to confirm what we’ve already received from the first three avenues of communication.
SIDE NOTE
Here is a personal example of wrongly seeking signs. Even from a child, I’ve always had a heart toward God and a tendency toward the supernatural. However, I wasn’t raised in the Apostolic church, and had no foundation to know how to hear God’s voice. One day when I was in junior high, I was walking to a friend’s house. We lived out in the country, and it was back in the day when kids spent time outside. On my way, I saw a red cardinal. A little further down the road, I saw a red scrap of cloth on the side of the road. Yet a bit further, I saw a piece of red trash stuck in a tree.
In my desire to hear from God, but having no foundation of how to do so, I determined this must be God attempting to speak to me. It wasn’t. It was a red bird, a red scrap of cloth and a red piece of trash. Because I had this tendency, my heart and mind were open to things like evil dreams and even apparitions appearing in my room at night. I was tormented by the spirit of fear for years until I was born again (Acts 2:38) and became grounded in a local assembly that taught the truth of God’s Word. But for the grace of God, I could have been deceived and lured away from truth.
IN SUMMARY
It is true that God created us to be in communion with Him, and that involves hearing His voice. It is also true that He is always communicating with us. It is us who must learn to hear what and how He is saying it.
He has placed specific processes in place for us to hear what He is saying. These include His written Word, the five-fold ministry, consecrated prayer. Then further removed, He sometimes uses outside godly voices, signs and occasionally His audible voice. It is absolutely necessary for us to remember that each one of these processes build on the previous ones. They do not circumvent them.
Realizing how God uses these ways of communication, and how vital it is to not be deceived, we must also realize the need to be rooted and grounded in a local church that preaches truth. Many people want to have their own relationship with God without actually submitting themselves to, or investing themselves into a church family. This is not God’s plan. He designed the church to be where we learn to hear from Him as we mature spiritually.
Here are four simple truths. ONE: God uses people. TWO: You are people. THREE: God desires to use you. FOUR: Most people feel unqualified to be used by God.
MOSES
Most of us are familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush. It was at this dramatic event that he was commissioned by God to be the deliverer of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. We don’t always talk about Moses’ reluctance to tackle his God-given calling, however.
Like most of us, Moses had legit excuses to justify his hesitancy, the first being, “Who am I?”The second, “They won’t believe me.” And the third, “I’ve got this stuttering problem.”
“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10)
“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
I can sure relate to this one. Like Moses, I wasn’t raised in the Israelites’ faith. I’ve often said, “The world raised me.” This doesn’t negate the love and provision that was granted me as a child, only the culture of the world that surrounded me.
I know what it is to feel unqualified to teach, write and speak what God has called me to when surrounded by saints who were born and raised in the Church. Who am I, indeed? Yet, just like Moses, God has given me a promise that He will be with me every step if I simply continue to be faithful.
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”
GIDEON
What are the words most associated with Gideon? Mighty Man of Valor! To be clear, he didn’t start out feeling or being a mighty man of valor. His first excuse was that his family was poor, and he was the least in his family. Boy, oh boy! I know what this feels like. Being adopted, and never knowing my birth parents, let’s just say I know what it is to feel insignificant.
“And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
“And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:14-15)
Still, God gave Gideon a promise to be with him every step of the way to victory over the Midianites. Even when Gideon tested God with back to back fleeces, God answered by the supernatural, and affirmed his calling.
And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:16)
SAUL
Ahhh…King Saul, the first king of Israel. Surely, he had a confident start to his calling. Actually, not so much. He had previously been anointed to be king, but when the Prophet Samuel came to make him king publicly, he was hiding among the “stuff.” I’ve always thought this word referred to junk or clutter. The Strong’s Concordance number H3627 clarifies its meaning as any apparatus such as implements, utensils, weapons, armor, artillery, instrument, tools, etc. Saul wasn’t just hiding in the clutter. He was staying busy with needful things while avoiding the most important thing.
That sounds like someone I know. Me. I’m someone. I can find endless important things to tackle physically and mentally while I purposely push THE THING to the fringes of my consciousness.
“And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.” (1 Samuel 10:20-21)
“Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.” (1 Samuel 10:22)
ESTHER
When the wicked Haman came against the Jewish people to have them slaughtered, Mordecai appealed to his niece, Queen Esther, to intercede before the King for their protection. Understandably, she was more than a little hesitant to do so because of the law stating that anyone who approached the King without a personal invitation could be killed. When he pressed her, she made a decision to push past her fear, and trust God.
There have been plenty of times in my walk with God that I’ve been terrified to do the thing He called me to do. Some times, I allowed my fear to win. Other times, I trusted God, and pressed through.
“All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” (Esther 4:11)
”Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16)
PAUL
The great Apostle Paul. Previously Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians. (Not to be confused with Saul, the first king of Israel.) I love this guy! Paul only met Jesus once that we know of, and that was after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into Heaven. It was on the road to Damascus. Saul/Paul was on his way to wrangle up yet more Christians to be thrown in prison, tortured and likely even killed. He was on a mission, for the Lord no less. But when the resurrected Jesus called to him on the road that day by a great light and voice of all authority, he was never the same. It was a Divine Intervention. From that day until his death, he labored tirelessly for the One who changed the course of his life, always acknowledging that he wasn’t worthy.
Even though Paul knew he was unworthy to be called an apostle, he allowed his thankfulness to keep him focused on ministry. I’m ever so thankful for the Divine Intervention in my own life, and agree with Paul that I am the least of these.
“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:8-10)
MARY
She was just a girl. Betrothed, but not yet officially married. She is approached by the angel Gabriel who tells her she has been chosen to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah. The Savior of the world. No pressure. Talk about feeling unqualified. She wasn’t exactly doubtful. She simply wanted to know HOW??? When Gabriel explained that it would be a supernatural act by God’s Holy Spirit overshadowing her, she still didn’t fully understand. How could she? Yet she placed herself in the path of scandal, and in the hollow of God’s Hands, and responded by saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
I can’t count the times I’ve asked God, “HOW???” When it makes no sense in my head. How? When I can’t see all the pieces in place. How? When others won’t cooperate with the plan. How? When I’m fearful of what others will think. How?
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be,…” (Luke 1:34)
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.“ (Luke 1:38)
IN SUMMARY
We all have plenty of reasons to push back against God’s plan for our lives. Perhaps like Moses, we weren’t raised in the Church. Or like Gideon, we feel insignificant compared to others who are more qualified. Maybe like (King) Saul, we are too focused on being busy for God that we can’t say yes to the thing He’s calling us to. It could be that we are like Esther, afraid to follow through with God’s calling because of repercussions for not following the established rules. Maybe like Paul, we remember where we came from, and everything we took part in before Jesus found us, and granted us a Divine Intervention. Or perhaps we are most like Mary, and love God with all our hearts. Like everyone around us, we’ve waited in anticipation for God’s plan to unfold, and then we realize what that unfolding will cost…us. Perhaps it seems like the most outlandish and impossible plan. More extreme than anything we could have ever dared to dream. I pray we can find enough faith to say, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.“ (1 Corinthians 9:25)
Most professing Christians have good intentions toward serving the Lord. It’s the day to day follow through that gets in their way. Neither the enemy of our souls, nor our flesh is ever going to make it easy for us to serve God, and be fruitful. There must be something within us (dare I say it?…) in addition to the Holy Ghost. There must be a resolve to continue, to keep pressing, to get back up. Lack of consistency is a major factor in why good people fall away from their walk with God. Here are seven areas where practicing consistency counts:
1. PRAYER
When a baby is born, we listen for that first cry, and rejoice when we hear it. That’s certainly not the only time that baby cries. His voice is heard from that day forward, and matures into full conversation throughout his life. So it is with prayer. When we come to the Lord in heartfelt repentance, we begin our conversation with him. That conversation continues to develop and mature throughout our lifetime. We should wake up talking to Him, go to sleep talking to Him, and visit with Him throughout the day. In his book The Book On Prayer, Rev. Ken Gurley calls this “practicing His presence.” Becoming consistent in prayer isn’t simply asking the Lord for more and more stuff. It’s Lear I g how to be “with” Him.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
2. FASTING
Most Christians don’t give the process of fasting enough credit. The world and the devil know its benefits, however. This is another discipline where implementing it only one time will likely make you cranky and frustrated. We must give ourselves to the process of fasting with consistency. Ask the Lord to give you a fasting plan, and then be consistent in the follow through. He has promised in His Word that fasting properly breaks yokes, tears down strongholds and causes our our health to “spring up speedily.” None of this will happen if we only fast once in a while.
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)
3. BIBLE STUDY
Being consistent in Bible study makes an invaluable difference in maturing spiritually. Perhaps you read the Bible every day. But do you study it? We can read God’s Word on many levels. One of the first ways we learn to read His Word is by starting with “Bible Stories” such as David & Goliath, Noah’s Ark. Daniel In The Lion’s Den. Perfect. This is absolutely the best place to start. However, there are so many other ways to study His Word in a deeper way. There are so many nuggets to mine out of the Word. Read deeper. Study deeper. Memorize scriptures. What do people’s names mean? They matter. What do the names of cities mean? They matter. How did a Bible character handle a similar situation to what you’re dealing with? It matters. I’m a firm believer that there is an answer in the Word of God for every question, situation or problem we might have. The answer will either be found in commandment, example or principle.
”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
”Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
4. SLEEP
This may seem an odd thing to think about being consistent in. Many will be happy to read it here. The truth is we don’t get enough of it. Sleep is when our body and mind heal, resets and gets refreshed. Our generation stays so stressed and filled with anxiety. We go go go, and fill the rest of our time in front of screens. Bodies weren’t designed to function properly in that condition. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Sick? Frustrated? Undone? Overdone? Anxious? Sorrowful? Go to sleep.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)
5. EXERCISE
Similar to sleep mentioned above, our bodies need to move. They were not designed to be sedentary. Without going into anything scientific or medical, which I’m not qualified to do, we can simply take a visit back to the Garden of Eden. God didn’t create Adam & Eve, and place them in an office building surrounded by monitors, wires and cushy chairs. He placed them in a garden, and told them to take care of it. From the beginning, their lives were filled with motion and work.Their bodies were, no doubt, healthy, muscle-toned and strong. Their lives were the exact opposite of sedentary.
When we don’t get enough movement, stretching and lifting, our bodies become weak, and depression sets in. Lack of consistent movement affects our mental state. It doesn’t have to be in a gym. I can’t with a clear conscience even suggest that unless it’s a ladies only or men only facility or class time…but that’s for another blogpost. I can suggest, however, that you make time to get outside on a regular basis. Work in the garden, do yard work, walk the neighborhood, take the grands to the park, do jumping jacks on the carport, buy a jump rope…just get moving.
6. GIVING
This one tests our spiritual maturity level, for sure. Christians are called to be givers. The first area of giving we think of is money, and it’s absolutely needful. We are called to give a tithe of our income to the Lord. A tithe is one tenth. Ten dollars out of every one hundred. You might say you can’t afford to pay tithes. Friend, you cannot afford NOT to pay tithes. Scripturally, it belongs to God. We are not only called to pay tithes, but to also give offerings. It is God’s tithe, and our offerings. The Word declares we rob God when we refuse to give.
”Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)
Beyond tithes and offerings, we have so much we can give. Mainly, our time, attention and energy. When we spend time with people, gifting them one of our most precious resources, we assure them Jesus’ love is working through His people. Make the phone call. Cook the meal. Sit on their porch and visit. Listen to their stories with a smile and a nod…again. Rake their yard. Babysit their children. Do their grocery shopping. The opportunities to give consistently are endless.
”Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)
7. MINISTRY
Here’s an area we need to remind ourselves that takes consistent attention. We don’t say it out loud, but there is an unspoken belief that Ministry will somehow just fall upon us with no effort. Granted, our God-given calling may present itself with no previous thought on our part. God chooses callings. What we choose to do with those callings, however, become ministries. We can sit on a calling, tucking it away unseen, and it will not develop into a Ministry. Or we can focus on it, hone our skills in that area and mature it into a ministry that is beneficial to the Kingdom of God. It’s our choice.
A singer must practice singing. A teacher must practice teaching. A preacher must practice preaching. A writer must practice writing. You get the idea. What are you called to do? What is your gifting? Are you practicing it consistently? Will that song ever get written? Will that lesson ever get taught? Will that message ever get preached? Will that book ever get written? OUCH! I just stepped on my own toes! That thing you’re called to do…practice it daily.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)
IN SUMMARY
Whatever you are called to do, it’s going to take consistent doing. Let’s do a personal evaluation of what we’re called to do, and how we are working to make that happen. It won’t come to fruition without a commitment to consistency.
