The world today seems almost to be spinning out of control. Fear has gripped the hearts of millions whose minds cannot fathom what is transpiring before their eyes. The terms "helpless" and "hopeless" may be among those most commonly used to describe one's feelings. What is the reason, and why do even Christians experience such dread when they look around at the current downward spiral?
The answer can be traced to one thing. That "one thing" is an enemy so cleverly masked it is rarely, if ever, recognized. What, or who, is our greatest enemy, and why is it so hard to detect?
The Holy Spirit has been prompting me daily, giving me thoughts to record as I prepared to write what He is saying. Come along with me now as we expose this enemy and its profoundly insidious deception. [full article]
The feverish search by many to learn the identity of "the Antichrist" has produced a plethora of ideas--all spoken with an air of authority. In this time of financial turbulence and political mayhem there have emerged "prophets" to give their spin on what is about to occur. Of course, they all attempt to prognosticate using Bible passages to validate their words. We hear them on television, read them in magazines, on the Internet and on mailing lists sent to subscribers, many of whom have itching ears.
People today have a lust for "prophetic words" to tell them what is coming. With ears wide open, they are ready to receive anything that is spoken as a "thus saith the Lord" prophetic word. There seems to be little discernment as to whether the prophecy is inspired by the Spirit of God, or simply the words of a popular "prophet."
Who are the true prophets and who are the false? Who is the "antichrist prophet?" What does the Bible say? [full article]
This article has been "in the works" for several weeks and now is the time to get it done and published.
We find ourselves in increasingly fearful times. Should we be fearful? Millions are! These times should come as no surprise, for our Lord warned repeatedly, as did His apostles the beloved brethren who walked with Him. Even before the birth of Messiah, there were the prophets of old. Before them were men like Enoch, Elijah, and others who KNEW God. We have the record of Jehovah's dealings with Israel, and the methods He chose to preserve a people for Himself. He chose to offer salvation to a "people who were not a people" (Gentiles) in order to provoke Israel to jealousy. Just as Jehovah had His "wife" (Israel), His Son Jesus has a Bride whom He anxiously awaits to take to Himself. But is she ready? What will it take for the Bride to be free of her "spots and wrinkles" as described in Ephesians 5:27? [full article]
"Chaos" is one of numerous words that could be used to describe what we see unfolding on a daily basis. The news media keeps us abreast of what is playing out on the world financial front, especially here in North America. Even the "experts" are asking questions and wondering with deep concern over what the future may hold for millions of people. There are reports of some losing their homes due to the mortgage debacle; enormous "invincible" banking institutions failing; gigantic insurers going broke, and people looking to "big government" to bail them out, etc., etc., etc.
Since I don't spend a lot of time watching television or reading newspapers, I'm sure I've heard only the proverbial "tip of the iceberg." But what I do know is that although we are still in this world, we are not of this world. So then, how are we to survive here amid such financial losses? This question must be on the minds of countless people - not only in North America but around the world.
There is a very simple and very tangible solution. This article is a short read and will show what the Lord quickened so clearly to my spirit and urged me to share at this strategic time. [full article]
Without an individual revelation from God taken into the heart of each believer from His throne, there is no truth in man. The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of Truth. Have you ever pondered the question oft parroted in Christendom, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?" They who ask this rightly expect you to do so, but beyond here their expectations go amiss. They next expect the new convert to be baptized into their collective whole. Baptism becomes a rite by which one is initiated into their Christian sect or denomination-the collective. Other rules demanding compliance soon follow; church attendance, tithing, unquestioned obedience to church authority, etc. If you cross this group or question its authority and teachings often enough you get the same reception that Jesus did when He questioned the authority, righteousness and beliefs of the Jewish leaders. The crowd which once affectionately accepted you soon resembles a lynch mob more than the loving Personal Savior they often speak of.
Why is it that this collective of the religious establishment is often so contrary to the nature of Christ? It is because the collective or the crowd always becomes (and believes in) a lie by removing from its converts the right to engage their Father in a meaningful, personal way outside of their approval. Jesus taught that the doctrines and traditions of men always make of no effect the personal commands and communications of God to the individual. This very thing makes . . . [full article]
Almost daily we hear reports of spurious signs and wonders taking place. In some cases, we hear from those who are deceived and desire to "spread the good news." But in others, we hear from true believers who are deeply grieved at what is transpiring. The pace at which these lying signs and wonders are increasing is both shocking and sickening. The Bible has numerous warnings of the things we now see coming to pass. They should come as no surprise but when the reality of it all "hits home" we often find ourselves voicing, "How can this be? What an insult to the precious Holy Spirit!"
There is something far more insidious we need to consider. It has weighed on my heart ever since I completed "Tried and Found Wanting." You may ask, "What could be worse than the things going on all around us that cause such devastation in the Body of Christ?" My response is, "Follow along with me; God's Word holds the answer."...[full article]
Romans 13:11-12, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." ...[full article]
{Originally Published by Bethany House Publishers in 1980}
The Journey
In my dream I see the lone figure of a man following a road. As the sun sets beneath the hills, a city comes into view. Nearing it, the traveler sees what appears to be a large group of churches. Spires and crosses pierce the skyline. His pace quickens. Is this his destination? He passes an imposing structure, a neon sign flashing "Cathedral of the Future." Farther on a floodlit stadium supports a billboard boasting that fifty thousand people crowd into evangelistic meetings there three nights a week. Beyond this, modest "New Testament" chapels and Hebrew Christian synagogues cluster together on the street front.
"Is this the City of God?" I heard the traveler ask a woman at the information booth in the central square.
"No this is Christian City, "she replies.
"But I thought this road led to the City of God!" he exclaims with great disappointment.
"That's what we all thought when we arrived," she answers, her tone sympathetic...[full article]
When all is said and done, there is one vital thing God is looking for in those who call themselves disciples of Jesus Christ. What is it, and how, if we were tried, would we be found wanting?
Of all the articles I have written of late, this could well be the most important. I am about to share some powerful truths the Lord has revealed in recent days. God does not give me these "nuggets" to keep to myself. I must share them. My prayer is that you would be challenged to examine your own heart, as I have done, with the various thoughts presented herein.
Let's get to it! [to full article]
We are bombarded on every side with news of "signs and wonders," "moves of God," "the mark of the beast," "wars and rumors of war" - the list is endless. Everyone is looking for some visible manifestation around which they can wrap their minds in an attempt to grasp the reality of what God is doing in these last days. Portions of Scripture have been taken so far out of context that the truth is more and more obscured in man's attempt to interpret what God has spoken. Today we have strange doctrines and grand presentations of "what is to come." And in every case Scripture passages are used to "validate" what is being put forth by these creatures of flesh - mere men and women.
Who do we believe? How do we sort through the myriads of web pages, book pages, or emails flooding our inboxes on a daily basis? When and where will it all end? How did the apostasy reach such magnitude without our seeing it? Do we really need to occupy our minds with so much "news" and so much "prophetic discernment?" When all is said and done, what is the real issue? What is the main message in God's Word?
Over the past several weeks the Lord has been speaking to me about writing this article. He has been quickening various Scripture passages to my spirit. And a few days ago, when I looked at a word meaning in the Greek, the "go ahead" came loud and clear - it is time to write! I am excited to share what the precious Holy Spirit has shown me, and I pray that He will quicken to you these treasures found in the Bible. Now let us look at one thing that will deny access to the Kingdom. Although I use the words "one thing," could it be that it is the most important thing? ...[to full article]
This is the age of apostasy! We live in a day when deception is all around us and increasing at an alarming rate. As has been said previously, the nature of deception is "stealth" and is not easily discernable. In what is commonly called "the Church" there is no area left un-touched - deception is everywhere, having turned countless souls away from single-minded devotion to Jesus. This statement speaks volumes: "The false church has enough truth to deceive the faithful and enough lies to damn its followers. " (Unknown)
The faithful church-goers see the "falling away (apostasy)" to be the "forsaking of gathering together." (Hebrews 10:25). They think that those who have chosen to follow Jesus, rather than some man, are the defectors from the faith. We must get right to the core of the issue to see what, in reality, has transpired. Like the true Gospel, it is simple but man has complicated it by attempting to understand it with a mind of flesh.
There is that word again! FLESH!! As I wrote in Calling Forth The Remnant, every problem within the "Church" has as its source that one thing called "flesh." Flesh is the reason Jesus had to die, but that basic truth has been misconstrued in the mind of fleshly man. That is error at its worst!
"For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist." (2 John 7)[...full article]