Praise and Spiritual Warfare

Our spiritual journey consists of many facets, but praising God seems to be the one that shines the brightest.  We have learned how to praise God for the sunshine and the rain, which seems to detract from the true meaning of praise. Yet, it is this type of acceptance that allows us to praise God simply because he is God, rather than for his mercies.  David instructed his singers to Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever, (2nd Chronicles 20:21). What were those mercies? 

When greeting one another we often stick to a common script, emphasizing what God is doing for us through well-used scriptures, cliches, and platitudes. Often when these occasions, services or sessions are over, many of us returned to our state of deep contemplation, wonder if this is what following Christ is all about. We are enduring our pain and suffering and our praise is based upon thanking God for waking us up this morning.  Now, I have a problem with this when I consider the lifespan of some ministers, or for example, my father, and my brother, these whom I would classify as "Men of God". When I hear the testimony of how blessed we are to be alive, there is a type of sadness that overshadows me as I wonder why were the cursed to die so young. 

When those among us through time or chance realize that waking up in the morning is no longer the sustainable option, seeds of doubt are watered.  These seeds of doubt will grow and torment the soul who is suffering from an affliction and praying for deliverance.  Where is that person that is capable of ministering to this condition of humanity?  It becomes easy to visualize a group of people following after Christ shouting praises while the sun is shining.  Then, there is that seemly forsaken multitude standing on the sideline watching, wondering what all of the hooplas is about while we all endure the same benefits. 

The first question that we will pose in this discussion is,  what is praise?  How do we praise our heavenly Father or even our earthly father?  Is praising God voicing emotionalize words of adoration, the same as the rock star who write songs praise a woman's body or the rap star whose lirics glorify drugs and crime?   Why is our existence a component of praise and worship, when if we considered the alternate, the whole act become irrelevant?  In essence, I praise God for creating me, for if he had not created me I would what...  A unique situation that is equivalent to saying, God created man so that he would have somebody to give stuff to.  Are we so important that we feel that God's plan for the world is centered around us? What do we praise God for?  Are we praising God for self-serving  items or events (money and positions) that contribute nothing to the advancement of his kingdom?  Why is opening your eyes this morning so important to the Kingdom?  When Paul reflected upon the question he concluded that to remain here would be more profitable to the Kingdom.    

The Bible is filled with scriptures that call upon us to praise the Lord.  A computer search of the King James version found two hundred eighteen verses that used the word praise, one hundred and thirty-two was found in the book of Psalms.  It seems as if David was a man who loves to praise God.  A quick study of David's life seems to indicate that he took time out of his praising to fight battles, and when the battle was won he took the time to praise God.  An interesting observation which allows the conclusion to be drawn, that if David had spent all of his time praising God, he would have lost his greatest battle. Thus, we can conclude that there is a time to praise God and there is a time to engage in "spiritual" warfare.      

In my endeavors to Understand the Word Of God, I exhibited a concern  and sought the definition of the purpose of my creation.   The ideology that God just made a man so he would have somebody to give stuff to is not fulfilling. According to Genesis 1:28, God created man for a specific purpose. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.  The use of the word subdue is indicative of a type of warfare and the history of man as recorded in the Old Testament shows man engaged in a constant battle against evil.  

Under the dispensation of the Law, this battle was fought flesh against flesh. Beginning with the flood God sought to destroy the corrupted flesh.  Later Kings was instituted whose failed mission was to destroy the sinful flesh.  With the death of Christ on the cross, the dispensation of Grace became in effect.  Under the rules of Grace, the battle moved from a natural level to a spiritual level.  We are no longer called to fight as David fought, yet we are still called to do battle. Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A noted speaker once defined spiritual warfare as praising God in the midst of adversities.  The problem with this type of definition is that it detracts from the value of praise.  As Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Therefore, we should conclude that our praise should be based upon something that only as Christians who are engaged in spiritual warfare can relate to.  Our praise and thanksgiving should be a personal thing, based upon the battles that God have given us the victory.  Any other aspect of this is trivializing and demeaning to the Word of God. over. 

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  The devil and his angels were cast out upon the earth without  a human or earthly body.  When it is necessary for him to appear in a visible form he must occupy some other mortal form.  There is a spiritual battle taking place all around us, and much of the Christian world has been lured into a sense of complacency and distracted.  Rather than focusing on the powers that surround us, we are focusing on the entertainment aspects of our mortal existence.  Too many of our preachers and teacher are promoting a feel-good gospel rather than promoting the battle for souls for the kingdom.

We are in the fight of our lives, but you could not tell it by much of our praise and worship.  The music, the songs, the message, have been mixed together to form a highly emotionalized and entertaining presentation that have lulled us into  a false sense of security.  This conflict, however, is very real. Paul places emphasis on the reality of this struggle, stressing that it is both difficult and dangerous. We are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God, this we should if we believe that this spiritual battle is real, difficult, and dangerous. Charles Hodge expressed it like this: “Salvation, however gratuitous, is not to be obtained without great effort” (Ephesians, Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1994, p. 210).

This warfare is clearly understood through the devil’s actions throughout history. In the garden of Eden, he brought upon mankind the curse of death. In Bethlehem, he hoped to kill man’s Savior, the baby Jesus.  In the wilderness, he tempted the Lord to abandon his mission, and in the garden of Gethsemane, he hoped betrayal would demoralize and deliver him. On Calvary, he hoped to isolate him, but on the resurrection morning, the devil’s head was stomped, and his days are numbered. Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God, and Satan cannot defeat us (Ephesians. 5:13; 1 John. 5:18), for our great God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ has already proved himself victorious, having conquered him who had power over death, that is the devil (Hebrews. 2:14). Christ Jesus has the keys of death and hades (Revelation. 1:18). 

As we fight against the corruption of the devil, let us encourage other through our testimony of praise, of the victories we have won. Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Pray For The Fruit Of The Spirit

Luke 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

An earnest observation of the events surrounding me and taking place in the world at large causes me to endure a state of confusion. This confused state, whether benign or malignant often causes me to reaccess my belief and refocus my faith.   The antics of denominational Christianity created an ever-widening gulf that ushered in the (church of the Laodiceans) seventh church age.  The devil has created a level of deliberate confusion that exist around what is faith, and prayer.  We are blinded by promises as we pray for every conceivable thing. World events are shaping up to fulfill the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, yet they are promising and we are praying for peace and prosperity.  Is there an outpouring of peace and prosperity oe is it as Solomon stated, "time and chance happeneth to them all"?

Two of the greatest assets of our Christian walk, faith, and prayer, has been hijacked by the unscrupulous.   These attributes of the spirit are cast about carelessly as we go about our self-fulfilling tasks.  We pray for rain, we pray for cars, we pray for money, we pray for favors, we even pray for football players and celebrates, when do we pray for the fruit of the spirit?  Prayer has taken on the attributes of our cell phone which was designed for a perticular purpose, now it is used for every conceivable act.

Not long ago a gentleman was found unconscious in what I will refer to as a house of ill repute.  His lifestyle, a supposedly far cry from the average Christian walk of faith, did not deter Christian around the world to entreat the God of their salvation to spare this man's life.  It became a call to touch and agree, and as his condition seems to improve the exclamation, "But God" was used to "seal the deal" that God was working in the hospital to restore this man to health, a modern day definition of a miracle.   I also remember another incident when the daughter of a deceased well-known rock star suffered almost a similar fate.   National known speakers, prophets, and preacher joined the social media to pray for God's deliverance. Even after all hope was lost there were those who stated they were holding God to his word, to do what he said he was going to do.  To those of us who are struggling to contend for the faith, the action of those who claim to possess a degree of faith often causes the faith of many to falter.  

Prayers are offered for the healing of this nation.  When there is an accident prayers go forth.  The solution to the problems within our communities and home is prayer.  But, it seems to some that God is silent.  Yet the silence of God is something we are taught not to entertain, even though the Old Testament ends and the New Testament began with the silence of God.

Publicly pray for the intervention of God, for the purpose of enhancing one's status is not in the best interest of the advancement of the kingdom.  Posting vague prophecies on the internet and encouraging people to type "Amen" serve what purpose?  What benefit does it serve to define a miracle as being delivered from a headache, or going into the hospital and surviving a surgical procedure? Much of our antics seems to revolve around a God who is looked upon by those we seek to impress as nothing but a figment of our imagine.  Deliverance from a headache or surviving a surgical procedure is no indicative of a belief in God. Whether we live to reach an  old age or die in our youth, it is not the result of prayer or God's special favors.  Ecclesiastes 9:11  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill;  

Ecclesiastes 9:12  For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Sitting in a church service, listen to the testimonies of how blessed it was to wake up this morning created a sense of despair.  Why am I being indoctrinated into a fear of death rather than to embrace death?  Was I to equate the untimely passing of my father and my younger brother as a curse?  Both of these men dedicate their life to serving God but did they fall victim to time and chance, or did call them to a higher service.  We are often comforted by the thought that they are sitting on a cloud in Heaven looking down on us.  But, is this really scripture or is this some made up theory designed to keep us from feeling so alone and blaming God for our loneliness?   Where is that Christian ministry that can minister to the reality of this situation?

Our prayers should be a prized commodity, a sacred communication with our father, not something to be cast about so freely.  The Holy Spirit never intended prayer to be used to implore God to act according to our will.  Without a deeper understanding of the meaning of prayer, we cast our wishes or demand before God.  And like the proverbial Slot Machine that pays off on its own time, we keep investing coins till we hit.  Is this a proper attitude of pray?  Imagine the condition of the world if God performed as we asked him to.  In reality, it would remove the need for Christ return.  How often do we pray, "Lord let your kingdom come?"  We are more apt to pray for God to fix my problems.  If "Ask and it shall be given", was a carte blanc invitation to ask for all types of trivial needs, then there is something wrong with this picture, but our indoctrination will not allow us to admit it.

Why They Don't Believe? Part #1

This is a question that should be at the forefront of all preached messages, Sunday school lessons, and bible discussions.  Yet, many pastors, ministers prophets, and teachers have taken a “head buried in the sand”, approach and failed to acknowledge the problem or even the question.  This is a problem that exist within the household of faith that needs to be addressed.  This problem is having an adverse effect on the soul winning ability of the Christian community. 

Simply put, in this age, this generation, there is an increase in those who are claiming a message from God.   An application of common sense indicates that if the laborers of the vineyard are increased then the harvest should increase.  Churches and expensive sanctuaries dot the landscape, yet there is a generation, a generation that grew up in the church, is walking away from God. As you look around your worship setting, ask yourself what age group is missing or is in low attendance. Understanding this reality should not force you to change your worship style or doctrine, rather it should allow you to search for the spiritual means of becoming effective soul winners for Christ in a modernist age.

Many have responded, “Jesus said if we lift him up, he will draw all men unto him.”  A rather cavalier approach to Jesus command to go into the highway and hedges and "compel".  There are those who believe that to attract, we must changing the worship setting to more of an entertainment format.  This format will allow the church to compete in a world filled with football games and nightclubs.  The end result is now many come to church to be entertained by entertainers.   The art of preaching and a fully staffed band holds sway as the spirit of God moves.  When the pastor is screaming and the music is playing how many will sit and wonder, “why they don’t believe?”

When worship service becomes a form of entertainment, a sacrifice becomes relevant to the amount of money you put in the offering. Miracles and blessing are the promised reward, thus fueling a hidden sense of doubt for many as they recede back into their same painful situation.  Was it necessary to dumb-down the meaning of blessings and miracles, thus allowing everyone to expect and enjoy the experience?  Have we become so complacent in our walk with God that we are willing to write bogus checks in Jesus name?  If we look closely at our antics it is easy to see why they don't believe us.  

In a group discussion, I posed the question, “why they (non-Christian) don’t believe us”?  Poll after poll indicates that the believability of God is at an all-time low.  This falling away is nothing new.  Jesus spoke of it and even Paul preached about it.  As far back as I can remember people have been walking away from the church and God.  A pious gentleman responded, “all we can do is tell them about Jesus, the rest is up to them.”  He finalized his position by referencing John 12:13 out of context, misquoting and misapplying the text.  Jesus said, “If we lift him up, he will do the drawing.”

The proper rendering of the verse should allow for the verse after to provide the context and meaning.  John 12:32-33  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  This he said, signifying what death he should die.  Christ used a word which has a double meaning, which is common in the Hebrew language, it signifies either to lift up or to get out of the way.  He intended for them to think of his death, but the Jews seemed to take it another way, the same as many Christians do today.

Sadly, many uses misquoted John 12:13  to justify their failure to win souls for Christ.  In this modern and pessimistic society walking in the woods preaching to trees, or standing on the street corner screaming Jesus love you, may not be the most effective way to win souls for Christ.   Showing up on Bible study nights and on Sundays is for the edification of the saints and not a soul winning technique.  Somewhere in the midst of soul winning the words of Jesus stands out, “Go into the ‘highways and hedges’ and compel them”. 

Before we began our extrapolation of the verse we should understand the meaning of the Hebrew phrase “Highways and Hedges”.Luke 14:23,  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges. The parable-story has been dealing with the past and the present Israel; it now becomes prophetic, and speaks of a state of things to be. The third series of invitations is not addressed to the inhabitants of a (Church) city. No walls hem in (unbelievers) these far-scattered dwellers among the “highways and hedges” of the world. This time, the master of the house asks to his great banquet those who live in the isles of the (the streets) Gentiles. And compel them to come in. A greater pressure is put in this class of outsiders than was tried upon the favored that was first invited.

Highways and hedges—outside the city (church) altogether; historically, the heathen, sunk in the lowest depths of spiritual wretchedness, as being beyond the pale of all that is revealed and saving, "without Christ, strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12); generally, all such still. Thus, this parable prophetically contemplates the extension of the kingdom of God to the whole world; and spiritually, directs the Gospel invitations to be carried to the lowest strata, and be brought in contact with the outermost circles, of human society.

To be continued in 

Part #2

The Promise Out of Context

The Israelites were in exile in Babylon, a punishment from God as a result of their disobedience.  In Jeremiah 29, the prophet Jeremiah confronts the ever popular false prophet, Hananiah, who had boldly proclaimed that God was going to free Israel from Babylon in two years.  The two years time span was enough time for him to build his following and present himself as a messenger of God.  A study of the scripture shows that God did not do this.  Today, the masses are being misled by false messages from God based upon this and other scripture.  A careful study of this scripture and a deeper understanding of God word would show parallel events are taking place today.  Many church services are not complete until the prophet has spoken.  Jeremiah 29:9  For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

The auditorium was packed and a combined sense of urgency and exhilaration filled the air.  The crowd was waiting for a well-known prophet/preacher to bring them a message of God’s promise for their prosperity.  Some needed jobs, some need healing and some just needed money in their bank account.  Not only was he going to tell them of the promise, he would explain to them how to collect on the promise through the planting of a seed.  This is an indoctrinated fallacy that many have taken to the extreme.  The meeting was equivalent to something I had experienced in the early seventies at a “Dare To Be Great”  meeting hosted by Glen Turner.  In these meetings, hundreds of poor, out of work and broke people mortgaged their homes and life savings and welfare checks to buy into the dream of financial independence.  A dream whose foundation was built upon a pyramid scheme. Aside from the number of people who lost their homes or life saving, there was always enough (suckers) to parade in front of a hungry crowd to support the thesis that the idea was working.

Offering envelopes and Literature was passed out by the ushers.  Both framed the ever popular Old Testament scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” subconsciously we were asked to lay aside our knowledge of God, “common sense” and accept an alien interpretation of the scripture.  Alien in the sense that the verse was surgically removed from the supporting scripture, stripped of its context and present as a complete message from God.  Who is talking, who is he talking to and what is the subject matter was of no value, the verse was purported to be a message of prosperity sent to this eager and waiting audience.  The literature promised God's bountiful blessings upon the crown in exchange for the sowing of a seed.  "And the church said amen." This appeared to be equivalent to the email scam the promise you several million dollars, if you pay the processing fee up front.

Jeremiah 29:1 explains who was talking and who he was talking to.  "Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;"  Now if we continue to read a deeper insight will be given into, who Jeremiah was talking to and what he was talking about.  Further study of the chapter will reveal a message within the context of the scripture that is applicable to the church or God's people today.  

Many of us, on a day to day base, encounter numerous incidents or situations that just don’t make sense.  Whether it is Christian endearment, business transactions or  in the field of race relations, there is that highly vocal element  that has proven its inability to think rationally.  These entities of irrationality thought patterns  though lacking the ability to lead, possess the innate ability to indoctrinate and manipulate the masses.  In their wake of deliberate confusion, they leave behind a mass of used, tangled and tortured souls.  The falseness that exists in each one of the fore mention  arenas speaks for themselves and somehow has found a means of acceptability.  Yet I cannot reconcile the lies and falsehoods that emulate from the household of faith, especially when receiving the blessing of God is reduced to paying money or even typing Amen in a Facebook status.

A deeper Understanding of The Word of God will destroy what Jeremiah 29:11 has become to mean to so many.  Let's try to re-frame the verse  so you understand it better within its original and intended context.   We are often taught ‘by men in pinstripe suits’ or pious prelates to approach this verse and other Bible verses as a security blanket: God has a plan for me that is good, so clearly this suffering I’m going through will end soon and then my flourishing will begin! Scriptures that purport jubilee and a time of refreshment is added for further enhancement.  But this is not what  God was promising to the Israelites, and it’s not what he’s promising us, either.  To make most meetings or assemblies attractive to the masses, a promise of miracles or blessing is  often promised.  

What is often overlooked in these interpretations of the scripture is, Israel and the church are not and cannot be the same.  Israel was and is an earthly people and their blessing was of an earthly nature, whereas the church is a spiritual entity and its blessing are of a spiritual nature.   1st Corinthians 10:32  Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 

Noted Preachers, authors, and bloggers have spoken out, Jeremiah 29:11 doesn’t mean what many of us is being taught.  The heart of the verse is “Not that we would escape our lot, but that we would learn to thrive” in the midst of it.  This is the same message Paul advanced in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Paul’s message was, if it means going to jail for Christ sake, I can do that.  For John the Baptist, it meant, if it means losing my head I can do that.

Here’s the context: the Israelites were in exile, a punishment from God as a result of their disobedience. The prophet Jeremiah confronts the false prophet, Hananiah, who had boldly proclaimed that God was going to free Israel from Babylon in two years Jeremiah calls out Hananiah’s lie, and then states the promise we read in 29:11. God does indeed have a good plan for the Israelites, and it is a plan that will give them hope and a prospering future.  The perfect message for the fleecing of the sheep, right?  The plan was not the one presented by Hananiah, nor is it the one presented by the prosperity preachers of today.

The thing is before he shares this promise, he gives them this directive from God: “seek the peace and the prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (29:7).  Here again, this is an earthly promise to an earthly people.

This is not at all what the Israelites wanted to hear! They wanted to be told that they were going to go home. They wanted to be told that their suffering was going to end. Instead, God’s plan was for them to stay right where they were, and to help prosper the nation that enslaved them!  And then came the biggest blow of all. In verse 10, God says that he would fulfill this “after seventy years are completed in Babylon.” This meant that none in the current generation of Israelites would ever return to their home. What a crushing thing to be told!

 God knows the plans He has for us. And ultimately He will give us a glorious future. But as we walk out our lives on this crazy earth, let’s remember that the best growth comes through persevering through trials, not escaping them entirely. And when we learn perseverance, we find surprising joy.  A better interpretation of Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me would have, “ I can endure”.

What hard thing are you currently going through? In the midst of your suffering, cling to Jeremiah 29:11, but cling to it for the right reason: not in the false hope that God will take away your suffering, or he will fill your bank account with money but in the true, gospel confidence that he will give you hope in the midst of your suffering. It is blessed are the poor in spirit, not that they will have prosperity here on earth, but they shall see God.

A Conversation

On a day to day base, there is that pious person instructing the indoctrinated and yearning masses on how to get what they want from God.  There are many of us who began our day feeling alienated or rejected by God because we are not enjoying the blessings that other are proclaiming.  We are being told that we have entered a season where God is pouring out his blessing upon his wayward children.  Yet, many of us fail to see that beacon of light radiating out from those who professes to be enjoying those special blessing of God.  Is it because the meaning of a blessing has been dumbed down and we are blessed because we woke up this morning?  

There do not appear to be a fence of protection separating the righteous from accidents, death, disease and suffering. Oftimes we are left wondering, "why do God allow bad things to happen to good people?"   Matthew 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  There appears to be a great difference between what God wills and what God allows.  It is not God's will that anyone should perish, but God will allow us to perish.  Matthew 18:14  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

There are many great testimonies of how God is blessing financially and there are many great messages of how to reap these blessings, but at the root of receiving these great blessings, there is always the need to plant a seed.  Is God like an ATM machine, where you punch in the right code and receive what you requested?  If our prayers are not answered within twenty-four hour, is it because much of what we consider to be prayer does not fit within God's definition of prayer.   Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  It is interesting that the disciples would ask Jesus to teach them how to  prayer.  He gave them a model prayer  in Luke 11:2.  Another interesting point is much of what we pray for today is missing from the model Jesus gave to his disciples.  

The trivialization of God has resulted in  that which is Holy is being invoked in many unholy situations.  On Facebook this morning I was encouraged to type "Amen" and my house would be free from financial worries.  Matthew 6:5-8  tell us how not to pray, and Jesus ends with Be, not ye, therefore, like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. If this is true why are we using the social media to collect "Amen". After reading many of the postings,  I usually end up with the uneasy feeling that my spirituality has been raped.

The focus of today's prayer services is blessings and miracles.   Then, there are those prophets that are predicting the outpouring of God's wrath upon an unrepentance world.  Salvation and financial blessings have become synonymous.  I along with many, in and out of the organized church have begun to secretly wonder if we are making this stuff up as we go along.  We cannot openly question the cute cliches and proclamations, by doing so would expose us to the wrath of the Christian community.  Cute cliches and proclamations without substance appear to be one of the reasons the believability of our God is suffering. 

Understand how God works and what to expect from God is two of the important elements of our Christian journey.  Made up promises and making vast and vague claims that God is not about to answer is not in the best interest of promoting Christianity.  In Matthew 21:22 Jesus said, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."  The key and operative word is prayer.  What is a prayer?  Is asking God for one million dollars an act of prayer?   Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave richness.  Maybe we should simply pray for the fruit of the spirit. 

In Matthew 5:3-12 Jesus expounded upon the attributes of being blessed in such a manner that that it should be impossible to misunderstand the meaning.   Yet, we still consider waking up to be included in the list of blessings.  I can and should be glad I woke up this morning because it will give me another day to work for Christ, but the blessings I should expect to receive is in the kingdom of Heaven.  This was Paul's reason for wanting to stay here. Philippians 1:23-24, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Simply put, going home to get our reward should play an important part in our daily walk. 

To make the Christian walk more attractive, why is it necessary to redefined blessings and make them collectable on a daily base.   There are those who are standing by prepared to teach us for a fee, how to collect our blessings and count them, naming them one by one.  The blessings that Jesus expounded upon did seems to indicate that there was a reward pending, but this reward was in Heaven.  Matthew 5:12  Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  In the Old Testament when the old patriots blessed  a child, it merely empowered them to act in the name of the father.   In today's society, collecting freebies and blessings is a way of life many.  

Often, in the midst of our pain, in the midst of our suffering the message is to wait on our deliverance or it's already done.  Many will speak with conviction and authority as if they have the Word of God in their mouth.  You will be left with the belief that the only thing standing between you and your deliverance is you acceptance.  Often there is an urgent need for the fruit of the spirit to manifest itself. There is a need for a message of joy and peace and this message will shift our focus from our condition, it will allow us to glory in our Christian walk.  The fruit of the spirit will become our most important asset.  

The type of messages that focused on our healing even as we go into the hospital often leave many feeling confused and rejected.  The reshaping of the message to indicate that God is using the hospital or the doctor as instruments of his healing power is no longer persuasive.  At the end of the day, we still wonder if God has rejected us.  In my sickness and in my suffering, in my search for God, I cried out, don't tell me what God can do.  If you cannot help me accept what God is doing, or what God is not doing, then hold your peace.   

As I walk through the valleys and the shadows of death, I rise to the occasion to speak like the three Hebrew boys, "Wheather God deliver me or not He is still God." Because of my acceptance of that concept, that ideology, I do not pray for financial gain, I do not pray for healing,  I pray for the fruit of the spirit.  With joy and peace, whatever my situation is, I will fear no evil for thou are with me...

Preaching In The Parking Lot

The question is what did Jesus preach and teach about.  Within the contents of the bible, we are given an insight of Jesus message to the multitude, his message to his disciples, and even his message to the ruling authority.  It is only in the book of Revelation, we are given an example of Jesus messages to the churches.  I often compare the message that Jesus sent to the church at Smyrna a suffering church and the message that is being delivered to the church today.

Revelation 2:8-11 and unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; these things says the first and the last, who was dead and is alive; I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which you will suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

Is this Jesus idea of a message of hope and encouragement? The devil will cast some of you in prison, you shall have tribulation, be faithful unto death, then I will give you a crown of life.  It would seem as if Jesus would have taken this moment to assure his church that he was waiting to open up the windows of Heaven and pour out his Fathers blessing.  A seasoned minister that have mastered the "art of preaching" would no build an inspirational message around sad metaphors or similes and promises of blessings after death.  

The second church named in the scripture is the church at Smyrna The message to the church, the period of the great persecution somewhere around 316 AD.  There is seven representative churches mention in the book of Revelation.  The briefest of the spirits messages to the churches is that message to the church at Smyrna, The longest message is to the church at Thyatira.

The representative church at Smyrna was suffering, and Jesus saw and understood their suffering.  Jesus commended them for their suffering and not one word of reproach is addressed to the assembly there.  By the way of contrast, the message to the assembly at Laodicea is a message of rebuke.  Not one word of commendation or praise is in the message to the Laodiceans. 

The church at Smyrna was a representative church, the number two church of the seven churches.  Seven being a representative number used to indicate the time of, the fullness of, a marker that indicate the completeness of the works of God.  If the man is involved, then the number seven requires, and is indicative of, an act of faith. Joshua was required to march around the walls of Jericho seven times; Naaman was required to wash in the dirty river of Jordan seven times.  Now, if we can view the seven churches as representative churches, then we can see the history of the church and the message that is passed down to the church of today. If we refuse to accept these churches as representative churches, then we are justifying the changing messages to the churches of today

There are those who will debate the relevance of the book of Revelation and its application to the events taking place today.  Revelation is described by some as a dated book and the events portrayed or spoken off no longer apply to this age.  The Bible is the world best-selling book.  Year after year millions of copies is sold or given away.  Most ancient books have disappeared from memory, the bible continues to be printed more than any other book and is available in more than 2000 languages.  Yet in spite of its popularity, it has been described as the world’s most misunderstood book.   Although million of people read the bible, many find it hard to understand.  It is the language of the bible that mystifies those who read without studying

When Jesus spoke to the multitudes he spoke in parables, yet one would think because of the simplicity of a parable everyone would be able to understand it.  Yet it is because of the simplicity of the message everyone cannot understand it.  Read Matthew 13.

In Matthew 13:9, Jesus gives the same exhortation to the multitude, that he gave to the churches in Revelation, “Who has ears to hear let him hear.”  It seems Jesus was concern about the day when humanities ears would become dull, and the ability to hear would become selective.

   If we follow today’s learned dissertations we will have created a model for a book that has no concrete value or meaning. If we can accept the testimony of Moses and Elisha If we can accept the four gospels and the teaching of Peter, Paul and the other gospel writers, why shouldn’t we also accept the VERY testimony of Jesus Christ as being relevant and ageless?  Is it because of the bloodbath predicted?  Or is it because we cannot accept the final consummation of things?  

To simplify, the teaching of the bible was applicable in the ancient days and is applicable today.  It is how we hear and apply the scripture.  There are four applications that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write in reference to scripture, “before and after” I am not going to try to create a debatable issue as to what period he was speaking of.   In 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The reduction of the bible to surgically removed sound-bites and astute messages that bring on a state of euphoria is not in accordance with Jesus teaching or his final message to the churches.  The purpose of Christianity is the processing of humanity to fill the need of the Kingdom.  Remember God lost a third of his stars or children when the Devil was cast out of Heaven.  Christianity was not designed by God to make your life easier on planet earth.  It was designed to see if you could stand up to the Devil.  Then, If life on earth is a test are we praying for God to circumvent the test?  In church today all types of promises are made. If you are struggling God will make a way.  If you need a Job God will give you one. If you need a husband or wife God will hook you up.  If you are sick God will heal you. We hear beautifully crafted messages about walking in God’s favor, or abundant life here on Earth.  Have we ever considered the possibility that we are writing checks on the name of God, and God is refusing to honor them and we are afraid or ashamed to admit it?

Jesus message to the angels or messengers of the seven churches should serve as a guide to the pastors, teachers and church members of today’s church. 

Revelation 2:7, Jesus speaking to the church at Ephesus he said, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”  He did not say, “Hear what man say unto the church,” He invoked the spirit and he were not speaking of an earthly entitlement what he is speaking of is a promise in the Kingdom of God. 

Now let us look at what Jesus considerate to be a message of encouragement to the church at Smyrna. Revelation 2:10, he says “Fear none of those things which you will suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”  Jesus did not make any promise to deliver them from their earthly suffering; In essence he said, “if you die for me I will give you a crown of life.”  Here again, Jesus is speaking of a Kingdom of heaven entitlement.  Imagine the ministers of today speaking to the church at Smyrna.  They would be told, you are suffering because you are not trusting God.   Jesus said, “I know you are poor, but yet you are rich.”  By your earthly standards, you are poor, but by your spirituality you are rich. He did not say sow a seed and I will bless you. 

Seeing how all of these promises are fulfilled in the Kingdom of God, it is interesting to note that this was what Jesus message was about, the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Prophecy and Revelation

Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  1st John 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Some years ago to coincide with the publication of my book, "My Search For The Real God", I started a bible study group called, "Prophecy and Revelation".   The purpose of this group was to study biblical prophecies, in search of a deeper understanding.  Since that time, the word prophecies have taken on an ominous meaning as end time prophecies flooded the internet.  The religious community has been inundated  with a new breed of prophets and they are  making their presence known.  Many church services are not complete until the prophet has spoken.  These prophecies  run the gauntlet of 'someone" (A rather ambiguous term, that was not used by God.) is about to receive a blessing to the threat of death to those who do not agree with the leadership.   To maintain a degree of separation from this emerging entity, we have changed the focus of the bible study group to, "Understanding the Word of God". 

The tagline for the video on the internet said President Obama will not finish his second term. Those who were dissatisfied with the president's antics and those who were curious quickly clicked the link.  The video began with a quote from Jeremiah 50:6. "My people have been lost sheep, their shepherds have led them astray." For thirty-four-minute, I sat with my eyes glued to the computer monitor. Bible verse after bible verse mixed with images of world leaders and catastrophic events set the stage for a compelling video of a world on the brinks of destruction.  The prophecy predicted that the events depicted were to take place before the end of 2016, while the present president is still in office.  The antichrist would be brought down and the (world?)  (The United States?) would be destroyed by fire.  To survive this catastrophic event I needed to purchase the book offered at the end of the video.  Isn't it true the same book used to validate this prophecy tells us how to escape the wrath that is to come?

There are prophecies and there are prophecies.  Many of these prophecies are the result of a deviant form of scriptural reinterpretation.  The arrival of the antichrist and his ungodly minions often serves as the backdrop for a vast number of end time prophecies.  The struggle to place a face on the antichrist is often fueled by world events.  There are very few modern day presidents who have not earned this honour.  Presidents, popes and even Saddam Hussian have held the distinction of being label the antichrist.  Is there such a thing as a person who will come onto the world stage and will be identified as the antichrist?  Or, is antichrist merely a metaphor  used to reference those who stand against christ? (Comments are welcome at the end of this blog.)

There is a problem with the interpretation of the scripture to provide for the coming of a person known as "the antichrist".  Antichrist is a Christian term based on interpretation of passages in the New Testament, in which the term "antichrist" occurs five times in 1st John and 2nd John, once in plural form and four times in the singular.  1st John 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  2 John 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  I am unable to find a specific scripture that support the thesis that one individual called the antichrist will appear at the end of days.  According to 1st John 4:3 he seems to be stating that there is the spirit of Christ and the spirit of antichrist.  The spirit of antichrist was present in John's day and it exist today. 

Down thru the ages and dispensation, God used the prophets to warn his people off  impending doom or disaster.  The message was often directed to a people or person and God always validated his messenger or message.  A problem with many of today's prophecies is that the message is often dubious and lacking in validation.  To proclaim that somebody here is going to receive a blessing from God does not meet the criteria of a prophecy from God.   Most often these are self-serving proclamations designed to impress and improve one's status.

There are numerous end time videos making their presence known on the internet.  Many of these videos are professionally produced and the Bible is used as a backdrop or to validate the opinion or interpretation of the author.  As with any prophecy, the element of fear is amplified.  What is common with most of these  attention-grabbing videos, at the end there is a sales pitch to buy something.  This type of marketing is used in and out of the religious community to create a revenue stream.  There is a prophet mention in the old testament scripture who sought to profit from the prophecies of God. 

Judgement day prophecies are nothing new.  As a young child growing up, "judgement day," dates were often being set.  Often the date were set far into the future, thus allowing the person who had the revelation to enjoy the maximum notoriety.  Many of these dates have passed into obscurity and that knowledge that only the Father knows remain hidden.  We do not know the day nor the hour that the son of man will appear.  This the Bible does tell us, every since Jesus set foot on this earth, was crucified, rose again and ascended unto his Father, we have been living in the last days.

Christianity has always been plagued with false prophets.  As we draw closer to the end of days, the fear of God has diminished.  We are often titillated  through our ears and eyes, over the internet and in the church of the many wonderful things  God is doing and going to do for us.  Typing or speaking "Amen", has become the golden key to receiving  "blessings".   Because of the clamouring for a blessing, we have become susceptible to a form of apostasy that has crept upon us unaware.  Men and women adorned themselves with impressive titles and make promises in the name of God.  The gospel of salvation has become obscured as we perform these acts or deeds that the prophets have assured us, will cause God to pour out his blessing upon us.  Because false prophets are not falling dead, but rather they are enjoying the fruit of their laid up treasure, this is used to validate their walk with God. 

 A message depicting the love of God is more conducive to a pessimistic society. We can easily take a scripture out of the context that it was spoken and proclaim, "love covers a multitude of faults", thereby setting the stage for the justifying of our faults in the eyes of God.  The self-made messenger of God now proclaims, "God want you to be happy", and the masses said "Amen".   This is a statement that I doubt the Apostles or even Paul, who suffered immensely for Christ sake, would sign off on. 

An interesting side notes on how God work, if these prophets had existed under the administration of the law, God might have judged them and destroyed them.  After God, divorcement proceedings against his chosen people were complete, God was silent. The God that emerged after his silence was a more kindly or friendly God who began to store up his wrath.  Under the presumption of grace made through his son, his wrath was withheld and humanity was given a chance to repent.  Whereas the Pharoah of Egypt, who chased the children of Israel into the Red Sea was destroyed in the Red Sea, God gave Herod a pass when he sought to destroy the Son of God.  

Durning the early years of Christianity, even before Paul boarded the ship for Rome, he warned the church of those who would come in seeking for positions of authority and destroying the faith in the process.  Jesus rebuked the church in the Book of Revelation because of the false prophets who was allowed to stand in the sanctuary and issue false prophecies.   Many of the organized churches of today  is suffering from a type of spiritual abuse by those who are misusing the gifts they are claiming to be from God.