Preparation

I watched a video today. The guy was predicting that the $ will no longer be accepted as the world's default currency, and that they are working on a new, one-world currency. No surprise here. We are in for hyperinflation. Soon, our dollar will not be worth the paper it was printed on. Economic hardship and poverty will reign. Of course, this guy has investment strategies he will sell you to avoid the hardships that are coming. But neither he, nor anyone else, has the full picture of what the world will be like once the balloon bursts. Suffice to say, darkness will reign, and, as our LORD predicted, "No man can work".

Thus does this coming judgment require preparation. As I said in my last post, that preparation must be intimacy with the LORD. He knows exactly what is coming, who the players are, and when it will all break loose. Above all, the LORD knows how to take care of those who are His. So now we seek the LORD while it is day, lest, when the night falls, He shall say of us, "I never knew you". 

Oil in our lamps

1 ¶  "Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3  They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,4  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6  And at midnight there was a cry made: ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’
7  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.8  And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’9  But the wise answered, saying, ‘Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
12  But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.

Perhaps we have overlooked something in this parable: When the LORD came back, EVERYONE of the virgins were asleep! Half were prepared, though, for his coming, and half were not. Darkness has fallen, when the LORD tells us "no man can work", how will we then see? Well, if we have oil in our lamps, we will see quite well! So then, what steps must we take to ensure our lamps are full?

I believe the oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit, coming into our hearts through our intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. We know that a dark time approaches, and we who are wise would prepare ourselves. We do not store up for ourselves treasures here on earth as those who know not God. Indeed, no matter how much food one would store, or guns one would have to defend it, when the apocalypse falls on this world, all will be washed away. But if we store up treasure in Heaven by practicing intimacy with the LORD we will have all that we need during the great tribulation. Remember, saints, "call 911"!



 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1

Charles Templeton

Templeton, as many others, seems to have struggled with the age old question: If there is a God, why is there such misery and suffering in the world? The Bible records another man's struggle with this, and his story is found in the book of Job. After many trials, which Job thought were unfair, as he had done nothing to deserve them, Job accuses God of being unjust. So God answers Job "out of the whirlwind" and basically asks him where HE was when God created the world. That is, Job, if you have the power to Create as I do, maybe, just maybe, I will let you question my purposes.

God does what God does. If it seems unjust to us that only a small minority of people who have ever lived will be saved, what is that to Him? We are not in a position to question the Almighty. He offers us reconciliation, but on HIS terms, not ours.

Thus God, "opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". All our objections to Him are resolved when we, like Job, meet Him face to face. In the end, Job says, "I had heard about you, but now I have seen you, and I repent in dust and ashes".

Thoughts on the election

 "Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers, who stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in, who bringeth the princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted, yea, they shall not be sown; yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth. And He shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble." Isaiah 40:21-24



Here in Hawaii, the people had the chance to chose a moral, righteous, man for governor, but he was soundly defeated. Hard to see any silver lining here. But the LORD encourages me with these verses: It is nothing for Him to "bring the princes to naught". I don't believe the governor-elect will ever be able to bring his evil agenda to pass upon us, unless God allows him to do so.

Once I found out that the righteous candidate was not going to win (and as expected my own candidacy was soundly rejected) I got into my car. As I did, I looked down on an old gum package that said "Eclipse". Immediately the Spirit witnessed to me that something is coming, perhaps a supernatural storm, that will so far eclipse the events of this week that we will no longer even remember our former angst, so great will these times be.

Transformation Hawaii has a vision for the first Christian State. Of course, until Jesus comes back, this cannot exist, for His Kingdom is "not of this world". But is that to say that Christians cannot, and should not, try to influence government? Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. When the NT was written, not a one of those men could have anticipated a republic such as we now have. In their days, kings ruled, with an elite class of nobles supporting them. How could they have spoken to our day? Yet our times and seasons have never been unknown to God. If we prepare ourselves for the day of judgment, we shall stand in the end.

A voice in the wind

Running for political office has proved to be trying beyond measure to me. The wisdom of the world tells me I must advertise, make phone calls, promote my name, etc.

Well, so much for all that. The only thing that matters is that the LORD JESUS is exalted. In the end, I am powerless in my flesh. I must accept this, and let the LORD establish me, if indeed I would be successful.  The wisdom of God is in the cross. Utter foolishness to the world. Isaiah 53:1 essentially says, "Who's going to believe this one, Lord?" Indeed, the wisdom of God revealed in a Suffering Servant? The world's rulers did not get it, but in the end, they cannot conquer the one who would lay down His Life. This wisdom has been hidden from the proud, the boastful, those who trust in the flesh. But to those of us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

As I was leaving my friends house, I noticed he had a tree in his yard that had had it's branches removed. The trunk still stood eight feet tall, so it must've been quite a large tree. Standing in a yard with no grass, it was quite a symbol of barrenness. But I looked again, and behold, new branches were coming out of the tree, for it was very much alive! The sap was still flowing. As long as its roots were planted in the soil, that tree was not going to die.

What can I say? I identify with that tree. After walking on this planet over a half century, what do I have to show for myself? What does anyone, for that matter? I suppose all men come to that point when they realize that far from attaining their dreams, they have gotten ripped off by staying in survival mode. That is more or less how I have lived my life so far: as long as I can make the next house payment, I'm cool. However, there is a cost to the comfortable life. It zaps the dreams right out of a man, and a man without a dream is more dead than alive.

As I was leaving, the verse about seeking first the Kingdom of God came to me. I had sought "all these things" and really never got any of them. Why? Well, that's not the order Jesus commanded! Seek FIRST the Kingdom, that is, make sure that God is first in your heart, THEN all "these things" are tacked on as well. God promises to provide for me, but to this point, I had focused on that provision, not realizing that He Himself is my provision (John 6). Jesus, having ministered to the woman at the well, tells his disciples, "I have food to eat you know not of", for His food was to do the will of God. Something about doing God's will actually filled his stomach, and He needed nothing else.

My goal then is a refocusing of my heart. I am not saying that I will never eat again, but that my heart should be so tuned to Christ's heart that I will be satisfied no matter what else He adds to me. I am not abandoning my desire, but refocusing my heart. I still desire "all these things", and expect one day to receive them. In God's timing. In God's way. When, so focused on His heart, that they are no longer of prime concern to me, they shall be mine. I can not control the manifestation of these things, but if my heart's desire is for Jesus, I am sure I will have Him!

Existentialism

There are, in today's church, many existentialists. They may not know it, indeed, may not even know what existentialism is, but the fruit of their lives bears witness. In short, existentialism, the way I understand it, says, "If it works, it is good". Conversely, "If it doesn't work, do something else". Sounds like good, solid, pragmatic philosophy. And in a way, that is what existentialism is. But there is a caution that must be raised.

When Jesus was tempted in the desert, he was offered existential satisfaction of the lust of the flesh (make the stones bread), the lust of the eyes (all the kingdoms of this world) and the pride of life (show them how powerful you are). These were very devious temptations, for Father God provides bread for us, He will put us in positions of authority and will bless us materially. But for Jesus, there was only one desire, to please Father, and He did so by continually honoring the Word. Yes, Satan, it is true that I can command these stones to become bread, but I have food that you know not of, that of the Word of my Father. Yes, it is true that angels are set about me lest I stumble, but I will not put my Father into a position where He must save me to exalt myself before men. Finally, it is true that all the kingdoms of this world will be mine one day, but I will not worship anything, or anyone, but my Father.

So we have today's existentialists faced with the same temptations. They attempt to use spirit power to meet carnal needs. Those who manipulate them make millions off of their self-help books, tapes, "seed money" donations and other such temptations. The subtlety of these temptations is that there are indeed spiritual principles that teach that if you give, you receive more in return in money, power, and position. So their teaching is hard to refute. Their existentialism works for them, and they are convinced it works for anyone who obeys this teaching. But may I suggest that where they fail is in lack of submission of "all these things (Mat 6:33)" unto the Father? Their hearts, though outwardly pointed to God, in reality are far from Him, no matter how much their lips confess otherwise. In other words, they are out for the bread that perishes (John 6) and not for that which truly satisfies (Isaiah 55).

This crowd was around in Jesus' day, too. They ate bread, and wanted more. John tells us that Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for He knew what they were about. He knew when the going got rough, they would check out. He cried out,

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:51

Well, that was too much for the carnally minded followers. Jesus was laying out the cost of discipleship, taking up ones cross, dying to self, that they might gain Christ. But they would have none of this. They all checked out, save the 12. They also were offended at Jesus' teaching, but like Peter said, "Well, to whom shall we go, Lord? You alone have the WORDS of eternal life!" And having begun to feast on His Words, the disciples knew they weren't going back.

Existentialism is not all about deception, though. When things really are not working, all the saints from Job to David to Elijah to Paul have had to ask the question, "Where is God when life doesn't make sense?". That existential question will either drive us to our knees in humility, or cause us to walk in bitterness. God is not offended by our honest existential questions. When it comes down to it, we all have our Gethsemane gardens, where the cross is presented before us, and it makes no sense whatsoever. How we deal with the difficulty presented before us is our decision to make. Will we accept our cross, by faith, knowing of God's good character, trusting Him that if nothing works out existentially, we will still follow (nevertheless, not my will, but Thine)? Or will we "Kick against the goads" in rebellion? May we be granted the revelation of God's Name, saints! Therein lies the key to our victory. Since we know God is good, and everything He does is good, we ask not for deliverance FROM the cross, but THROUGH the cross. Externally we waste away (II COR 4:16) but internally we are being renewed day by day. We demand nothing. We deserve nothing. In everything giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, we abide in His Word. And the peace of God, transcending all human understanding, keeps our hearts and minds (Phillipians 4:7). Amen and Amen.

Love of God

My inward struggle has always been

New Year's Promise

This year I am seeking an opportunity to go beyond myself and into the Kingdom Life promised in John 10:10. The devil is a thief, and he has stolen many things from me, but by God's grace, he shall do so no more. I am committed to a life that is fully lived, ready to bless others through the working out of the Kingdom in my own walk.

I want to live large, but cloked in the raiment of humility. May Jesus alone be exalted as I walk forward into the opportunity He has prepared for me in 2010. Amen.