...if you have love for one another. John 13:35
One of the things that we have heard most consistently through the years concerning our home is how peaceful it feels. Entertaining family and friends, holding Bible studies and small groups, having individuals in need stay for a short time or an extended period, have all taken place throughout our forty years of marriage. We are accustomed to sharing in the experiences of others, whether they are times of celebration, seasons of sorrow, or all the times in between. So this post will be written as if you were a guest in our home. Nothing else feels right when sharing with you the personal things that I believe the Father wants me to convey. With that being said, Thank You for being here today.
Throughout the years, perhaps you've wondered how we would begin to see the events surrounding the second coming of Messiah. Like you, I am so grateful that He told us some specific things like those found in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Joel. As well as chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew and the Book of Revelation. But what I never suspected was the speed at which our world changed and the ease at which world powers would take control over the people. I think that is what alerted me from the start that this was much more than what we were being told. The rapid, global change seemed to suggest how much had already been orchestrated behind the scenes while we, the citizens of the world, were unaware and simply living our lives.
So now that we are living in a time of ever changing uncertainty, the first thing I think the Father wants me to impart to you is that no matter how things appear to be, He is always Sovereign. His perfect or permissive will is always in place. If this is not the timing for the end of the age, He will intervene and bring a stop to it. Though I believe that the powers that be are fully invested in their agenda coming to fruition, I also believe that the same could have been said of Nimrod in his Babylonian city with the tower.
It's not only from Scripture that I draw that truth. There is also a more modern day example of His power of intervention that I will share with you. It was election night 2000. As I prepared for bed I was praying about the future of the United States and the newly elected president. As I prayed, I heard very clearly in my spirit, "George W Bush". I thought it was odd considering that I thought I would find out the results while listening to the morning news. But as you know, Florida's count was called into question and it wasn't until December 12 that the official ruling was announced. To tell you that I was deeply burdened during that waiting period would be a near understatement. I felt like the nation was being pushed into something sinister before it was time. I fasted and prayed for this country like I had never prayed before or since. Day and night I was in a constant attitude of intercession for His will to be accomplished. It wasn't until the announcement was made that the anguish lifted. I have yet to learn of anyone else who felt the way that I did, but to this day I still believe that I couldn't have been the only one. There had to have been a remnant. I tell you this story because it is pivotal to my trust that if it isn't time for this to progress, the Father will intervene.
However if it is time for this to take place, then we must come to grips with it. It is not the Father's desire that we live in fear and He does not want us making hard decisions with fear being part of the equation. We must make them before the time arrives so as to be free of the immediate pressure. We must stop thinking like humans who invest so much time considering our own humanity. When He first told me that, I asked Him how I was supposed to do it when I am human. Immediately characters from the pages of Scripture started coming to mind. David facing a giant. Daniel facing a lion's den. Three Hebrew children facing a raging furnace. The farmer Gideon watching his would be army dwindle in front of his eyes. These men, and more like them, did not have their eyes fixed on their immediate situations. Come what may, their hope, their trust, had already been established and it was riveted on the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and so it must also be true of us. I remember writing once on this blog that the powers that be will demand that we chose our allegiance. We must be ready to give them an unwavering answer.
Not only will we have to trust Him in ways that are now foreign to us, we will have to learn to obey His commandments in ways that are perhaps foreign to many of us. Because there is a common denominator in the characters I mentioned that we cannot ignore. They were obedient to the commandments of God. We have not been sufficiently taught this importance, but Scripture is clear that His presence and protection surrounds those who keep His commandments. Two of the commandments that He has reminded me of in recent days is that it was HE who delivered the Hebrew children from their bondage in Egypt and it was HE who delivered us from the bondage of sin and the sentence of eternal death. We are not to have any other gods before us. Another commandment that He reminded me of is His Sabbath Day - to keep it holy. Even before I realized its importance for myself, I recall a Sunday morning service when a pastor was saying that he had had a conversation with a Catholic priest, during which he told the priest that the Catholics really messed up when it came to the Sabbath. The priest chuckled and said something along the lines of, "Well, what are you gonna do?" Without hesitation, the words popped out of my mouth, "Change it back!" Although we always sat near to the front and it was said to the volume that only those closest to me could hear it, I'm as sure as I can be that the pastor also heard it because he stopped speaking, paused, and looked in the direction to where I was seated. The priest in the story chuckled, but be assured that it is no chuckling matter to the One who established the Sabbath and made it holy. HE told the children of Israel that it is a sign (also a mark in the Hebrew) for all time between Him and them throughout all their dwelling places. And since we are grafted into the olive tree, are we to do less? To me He has made the admonition clear. In our own individual lives and in the lives of our children, He is asking us to, "Change it back!"
Something else He has brought to my attention is that we have to accept our own mortality. Some years ago, after I started receiving dreams and visions of things to come, a woman asked me what was one of the central things that I was learning from them. I told her that we will be telling people good bye. Messiah Himself told us that there would come a time when people would think that they were doing God a service by putting His followers to death. We must come to terms with the facts that without cause they hated Him first and none of us is greater than our Master. As time progresses, more than being heart sick over the news that someone we know in the faith has passed, I suspect that we will be relieved and thankful that the Father has delivered them from all that has come upon the earth.
If one could look upon these days as being used for something positive, it would be to reveal the evils in the world for what they are and to call people to repentance. The exposed darkness is exceedingly so, causing an unequaled time in recent history, of the great divide between the holiness of The Almighty One and the lawlessness of the evil one that is intended to shake us up so that we awaken from our slumber, see what is taking place, and want to cling to One and utterly reject the other. And lest we think that those in the church are exempt, we need to be reminded that a major sin of the Laodicean's was their sin of presumption. They thought because they were well fed and rich when compared to much of the world's population, that they were fine, when in truth, their spiritual condition was far from it, and if nothing else, the exposures of 2020 have brought that truth to light. The utter depravity of the evil one has been on full display this year and as it continues, I recall a voice from the past, crying, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions: If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. ..." We are being made personally aware as never before that we cannot serve two masters. It is time to be finished with sin, which is the violation of the law of God. Not just blatant sin, but the Bible also tells us that to know the will of God and not do it is sin. The time is now to truly repent of whatever we're doing that is wrong and whatever we are putting off that we should be doing. And the timing of this announcement couldn't be more perfect as His Day of Atonement is coming at sundown on September 27 to sundown September 28. "For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God." Leviticus 16:30 So I encourage, no, I implore you to take the days between now and then to die to whatever and whomever (including yourself) you need to in order to put on Messiah and live the life you are intended to live in Him. A life free from the lust of the flesh and the desires of this world.
Living His life frees us from so much fear because we are confident that He is in control of our destinies.
We would also do well to remember that until our deaths or His return, we, like the ten servants in Luke 19, are called to occupy. If we have been born again in Messiah then we are part of His body. Each member having gifts that are intended to be used for the building up of the saints. The one who was chastised by his master was the one who buried his gift, refusing to use it. We need to stir up our gifts and use them because our brothers and sisters have need of them. It's rather ironic, don't you think, that Scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves, especially as we see The Day drawing closer, and the world's leaders are telling us just the opposite? And at a time when people desperately need encouragement and counsel from their clergy, those whom they call shepherds are keeping a safe distance. Since church doors have been reopened, I've been heartsick to hear of pastors who don't come into direct contact with a single congregant on Sunday mornings. I know that there are exceptions who don't act like hirelings, but how few are they in number? So more than ever the members of the body of Messiah need to use the gifts they've been given. His servants are expected to have streams of living water flowing through them, but if those servants aren't partaking in the water and cleansing of the word, then the Holy Spirit is quenched and they cannot be a source of nourishment to others; unable to give what they don't posses. And as sad as it would be, perhaps that's the greater story.
Beloved, we need discernment like we never have before because the deceptions that have overtaken the world are growing stronger and will continue to do so. We have been warned beforehand and it appears that now the time is upon us. The Bible promises us that if we ask for wisdom, it will be generously given to us, but we must be sincere in our asking. If we want the truth, He will reveal it to us when we seek Him with all of our hearts. And I know from experience when we truly seek Him, wanting the truth and needing His wisdom, then He steadies our hearts and keeps our minds at peace, no matter what.
As I have sought Him these last few months, I need you to know that all that I've written here has first found its place in me. I turned 59 last Sunday and I am still in need of the correction that He imparts to me. It comes to me as it does to you, through His Word and His Spirit and through the lives of others. It is humbling and it hurts, sometimes severely. But I know that the Father disciplines those He loves and His Beloved Son is coming for a pure and spotless bride. One who is not sharing her affections with another and is faithful to Him, no matter the cost. He has always been faithful to me and He deserves nothing less. Once upon a time we might have been told that His grace was easy and this road of holiness was just imparted to us, but it cost Him everything. Should it cost us any less? No indeed. The longer we walk this road, we realize the narrower it becomes, leaving room for only one at a time. And at the end, it's just you and Him. Him and me. And I don't want us to come to that point and look into His eyes, the One whom we've waited for, and then turn around to see the sin we brought with us; only then being willing to repent.
Today it is all too apparent that because of lawlessness the love of many is growing cold. Even the mandates put upon us are not helping people to have warm feelings toward one another. But our God is Love and His Messiah commands us to love others as He has loved us. Even our enemies. He calls us to a different life; one where we pray for those who persecute us and dispitefully use us. To go so far as to show them kindness. Were it not for the fact that He loved us first, and sent us His Spirit to help us carry out His commandments, it would be humanly impossible. But remember when I wrote earlier that He has instructed me to stop thinking like a human? This is part of the process that He wouldn't have asked of us if we were incapable of doing it, with His help. Remember that Scripture tells us in Romans 8 that, "creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." Many could be brought to salvation by the godly love they witness in us and through us, when others have turned to hate.
In closing, whether His return is soon or very soon, "These three things remain, Faith, Hope, and Love. And the greatest of these is love." May we be living sacrifices to these, for His sake and for His Kingdom.
Shalom, Dear Ones.
Sue
Scriptural References:
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
33 Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. Romans 8:33-39
3 And they said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.' And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.' 5 And YHVH came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And YHVH said, 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.' 8 So YHVH dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there YHVH confused the language of all the earth. And from there YHVH dispersed them over the face of all the earth." Genesis 11:3-9
8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off'; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:8-10 (365 times we're told in Scripture not to fear)
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." Psalm 103:17-19
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:3-6
Deuteronomy 28 and many more passages
2 I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:2-3
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHVH your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHVH blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." Exodus 20:8-11
12 And YHVH said to Moses, 13 "You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, YHVH, sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to YHVH. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed." 18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:12-18
1 YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to YHVH in all your dwelling places." Leviticus 23:3
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. 18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without cause.'" John 15:17-25
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26 So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." Matthew 10:24-26
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
1 "I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me." John 16:1-3
24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24
14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold or hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Revelation 3:14-17
21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If YHVH is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21
4 Everyone who commits sin transgresses the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
15 Do not love the world of the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
6 For this reason I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you though the laying on of my hands, 2 Timothy 1:6
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Messiah, 13 until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Messiah, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which is is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13
37 On the last day of the feast, (Sukkot) the great day, Yeshua stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37-38
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me, 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. John 16:3-4a
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-7
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in YHVH forever, for YHVH Elohim is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4
12 For YHVH corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which we all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good. that we may share in his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12-13
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy to find that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few...." Matthew 7:13-14
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
John 15:1-27a
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Messiah rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:12-16
