1 John 4:1-6
4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us.
By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. NKJV
I like what our pastor spoke on Thursday evening. He was speaking on that KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT! Of course, we know what that is, right? But he simplified it: walking with the spirit is the building up and anything else is the tearing down.......that spirit of error!
In looking into that which we see in those with a prophet's call will see this:Jeremiah 1:9-12
Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me:
"Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant."
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." 12 Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." NKJV
Like what was given to Jeremiah, the prophet, certainly represents the picture of whatever is to be built was first rooted out........that which did not belong there in the first place. Pull down anything existing in structure........see it destroyed and then to build and plant.
It was a seeing what needed to come down.........that needed to be destroyed in Israel. But in all this for Israel.........that which was given to Jeremiah was for judgment to the people and the land! But we have the PROPHET:JESUS!
Today, we can see people who thoroughly want to destroy what has been established by God and they will use any means to do it. But in truth, these folks are only hurting themselves. We certainly do not want to be found fighting against God.
DISCERNMENT
IT IS GIVEN BY GOD:
Daniel 2:20-22
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him. NKJV
He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. Is that not the most wonderful thing to hear?
Like Daniel, we can see into that darkness, and find answers that may seem to stop us. But finding this takes prayer. When we read the entire portion in context, Daniel had asked his companions to pray as well.
Daniel 2:17-23
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said:
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.
23 "I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king's demand." NKJV
Yes, Daniel went to his house.......and sought out his companions and asked that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret.
Verse 19.....the secret was revealed and Daniel blessed God of heaven.
We certainly can find wisdom in the pages of Proverbs..........and read a chapter for everyday of the month!
GIVEN TO US THROUGH HIS WORD:
Hebrews 5:13-14
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. NKJV
We find in the verses above that we can discern both good and evil.........truth and error.....by taking on the solid food........that is God's Word for us! That solid food helps us to grow and to exercise in discernment!
Our living on milk only is for infants. But the real meat is for those who have grown in their Christian walk. It is by doing that which helps us practice the Word, learning right from wrong and walking in righteousness. (Hebrews 5:12-14 TLB)
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. NKJV
Loving God's word will produce in us a discernment that is rich in truth, Embracing God's Word brings to us the good.......and show us clearly that which should be avoided. He directs us through to that which is excellence and of the best thing for us.
GIVEN TO A RENEWED MIND: KNOWING GOD'S WILL
Romans 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV
2 Corinthians 2:16-17
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. NKJV
ASKING: TO RECEIVE DISCERNMENT FROM THE WISDOM OF GOD
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. NKJV
NO doubting now, but if you lack wisdom ask God who will give liberally and without reproach.
Is it not interesting that God adds this portion to this verse...........no doubting.........for that man is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind?
Ever seen this in church? Church service begins.......people are worshiping..............PERSON....comes in and sits at the front and middle of congregation. They will not stand.............but said PERSON....just sits............placing their face in their hands. Then in the next moment.........the cell phone comes out..............PERSON......takes it in hand and writes out some text. In the next moment.............PERSON.........puts phone down............places face in hands again............and THEN LEAVES THE SANCTUARY...............never mind service has BEGUN!
NOT WORSHIPING GOD RIGHT NOW!!!
PERSON............goes out to the foyer to find some shoulder.........NOW, THIS IS NOT FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AND interesting is the truth....of.....how many are out in the foyer.....some 15 -20 minutes after service has started.
What do people need to talk about while a service of worship is going on?
Not sure why I thought of this: but here goes!
Back in April, we had put some property on the market to be sold and praise the Lord, it sold! Hallelujah! My husband had wanted to go up and check on the property when we put it up to be sold. The few days before he was to go, we heard about this young woman, 19 years old..........drove off an overpass of I-5 while she was texting. She flew over and that Ford Explorer slammed to the ground. Yes all was recorded..........and it happened at 3:40 pm.......blocking southbound lanes till after 5 pm that eventful Friday the 10th. ( the texting we heard some days later as many investigated this tragic end)
What would have been so important to cause one to text and drive at the same time? My first thought was if "she was saved".
So we come back to PERSON. What if something really big is coming toward her and she needs God for the answer?
PERSON...........now has several patting them on shoulder............and said PERSON.............does not know what to do in THIS SITUATION. REALLY?!? Saved for decades now, and gone through really high water and things that can cause death..........and.......come out on the other side.........and still this up and down, up and down..........OH, POOR PERSON!
I have been there. But we really must grow up in the Lord. Friendship is awesome. Cherish your friends but do not let THEM become a "god" to YOU.
I like what Joyce Meyer said about something like that! She mentioned her early years, and how she was up and then down......depressed, not depressed.........and in reality.....she mentioned that those times of being up and down can sometimes be because "PERSON" likes the attention.......more ................ than God teaching them how to go forward. They really like the ATTENTION!
But the main thing I remember what Joyce said was, that her husband would call her on it......this very thing, when she acted like this........! And he would speak something ...and Joyce said that he was right............She would be up one day and down the next. She was happy one day and sad the next. She said if someone did not speak to her, or she did not have the day she thought she should have had...........well, it was all over! Then she would go back and be depressed. But Joyce's husband told her she needed to stop doing that. Either God was God in her life or He was NOT! (She probably has a teaching on this!)
Well, Shelley, I think you are just judging PERSON. Scripture tells us that we can judge their fruit! What fruit are they producing?
Matthew 7:17-20
17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. NIV
Matthew 7:19-20
19 So the trees having the inedible fruit are chopped down and thrown on the fire. 20 Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit produced. TLB
Not good for anything.....my words!
I go back to the teaching on Thursday night, and the scripture our pastor gave on Galatians 5. And like God's fruit, there is (verse 22-23) love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV
Yikes, yes, there it is.........crucified that flesh creature with its passions and desires. Now, let's take a look at us. Do we do any of that? If we live in the Spirit, then we are to walk in the Spirit.
Okay........so let's say, we have to stand in line at the grocery store.........will we complain about it? It is the city you know! What about not being chosen to do something you really want to do? What about the pastors not noticing you at all.............they will not talk to you! Yikes!
So if PERSON is really needing say help for something serious....like life or death......why take it out to the foyer..........God says He inhabits our praises, right? So what about worshiping God and finding the answer in asking Him about it instead of man!
We must let God lead us, and that is into truth always! People like PERSON can certainly have some trying moments in their lives, but however hard that wave comes and however painful it may be......it is by His Word and His touch on our hearts that will brings us to the moments of victory. Yes our times are in His hand. He Who created the Heavens and the earth........He is the Master craftsman and He has a wonderful plan for PERSON!
But what if you or I "try to help PERSON"........BUT only end up giving her some crutches.........instead of what she really needs. What if you gave PERSON a boost last week and she still acts like she does? Well, Shelley, she seems to hear from God! So does the devil!
Job 1:6-12
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. NIV
I have been in that place where the pity pat worked for about 2 minutes. But ultimately we all need God............that friendship with man can take you so far, but it is that friendship with God that brings us to peace in HIM! And believe me, I would rather be in His peace when needing to make a MAJOR DECISION! Seriously, if someone has had the same behavior pattern , and nothing changes, then it is only God who can help. We should not be dealing with stuff that causes us to fall back into unbelief. If we have that kind of stuff that is a wave after wave............up one minute and down the next..........we as the individual have to find out why we do it, and then stop doing it!
FOR that word in James 1:5-8........is truth and anyone double-minded will not receive that wisdom of God.
I would rather have the wisdom of God and know that He is with me when those bad reports come. For people cannot be with you at 3 AM in the hospital room when the Admitting Dr. appears and tells you ARE of the "high risk" you just signed up for, but the ONLY other answer is "death".
No, our trust has to be in God and in His wisdom.............to know when there is "truth or error" in our lives. We must know when to sign our names and get the needed treatment or leave it alone and go home. (see blog on HIGH RISK!)
I certainly like spending time with people and love hearing them laugh and tell their stories, but I am not one to stroke the fur. If we truly desire to move out of the mundane and into the supernatural of God, we must be men and women who seek God daily to know His wisdom. It is in Him that we are to live, move and have our being.
If we see someone in need, pray for them........encourage them in the Word..........maybe they need someone with them as they go for a test at the hospital or maybe help with a suffering or dying spouse, but we are not to become god to them. We are to direct them to God.
In closing:
I return back to what our pastor was speaking and that which builds us. If we are seeking that which strokes our fur, is that not the "bad thing" in getting people to rally around us? Are we those who attend church "with our own agendas" or we truly there to worship God?
In our distinguishing that which is Holy from the common thing is this:
Leviticus 10:8-11
10 Your duties will be to arbitrate for the people, to teach them the difference between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is pure and what is impure; 11 and to teach them all the laws Jehovah has given through Moses." TLB
1 Peter 3:3-6
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. NIV
And do not give way to fear................good word.........!
1 Peter 1:13-19
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
NKJV
Conducting our lives is that which is of faith and hope that are in God. Not living anymore in ignorance, but living out our lives in the fear of God. If our hope is in God, will we not trust Him completely? Like Jeremiah the prophet, we are the prophets of our own lives. As God had called Jeremiah, God has called us each to that which He placed in us long ago. It is certainly His plan to build. But running to others when we have a crisis can become serious when we begin thinking they have the answer for us. If we keep running to them instead of God, we become of no effect. And the devil will know it. It can then turn out to be detrimental at times. For some folks certainly have loose lips, and loose lips can sink ships. Certainly we are to be those leaders who solve problems, but our first priority should be to pray for them, and not just give a pity pat on the back!
Ours is not to think towards the negative of a "thing" but toward what God has planned. If one like PERSON, desires to be wrapped up in the wave after wave of doubt and unbelief, then where is God in all that? In the Superstorm Kartrina back in 2005...........who should "one" have run to? Seems like most did not have an answer and most could not come to help..............there was flood waters everywhere!
People did not need the pity pat on the back, they needed a solution to the problem. AND ONLY GOD HAS THAT ANSWER.
In Daniel, we can read throughout many times when he and his companions were put on the line, so to speak..............that someone was coming against what they believed..........as in ONE GOD...........and not to pray to HIM....but Daniel brought his companions together to pray. If there is a crisis or a problem, by all means seek out a prayer person to agree for a healing, a promotion, a salvation, or even finances to come, but not to have the "fur creature stroked"!
Let's not be those with the "doom" mentality. We have a God who has a place wrapped up for us and that is in that knowledge of Him.
May we pray like Daniel, and speak as the "prophet" over our lives............and expect good things!
We can look into that "darkness" and know without a doubt that God will bring His light and gives us details of what we can do going forward.............to build! Amen!
Father, thank You for Jesus. He was made wisdom to us. As Jesus grew and became strong in spirit, may we also become the strong in spirit; filled with wisdom. (Luke 2:40)
May we even speak like Jesus did when He was only twelve years old, and that others would be astonished at our understanding and answers. May we be about Your business and not the world's. May we forego the "me, myself and I" trip.
But like Jesus, we desire to increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with You our Father and with men. (Luke 2:52)
May we be so much like Stephen to be full of faith and power doing great wonders and signs among the people that will bring glory to YOU our Father. (Acts 6:8)
We desire to not be those "tossed by every wave".....like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For whatever wind of doctrine........even our own made up ones, have to be stopped. We desire to not be double-minded in all our ways. We have people counting on us as in our husbands or wives, children and even a elder parent or two.
Father, in Jesus' name, we pray and give thanks for the communication of our faith becomes effectual by acknowledging every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. Wisdom and might are YOURS. (Daniel 2:20) It is You who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Daniel 2:21) It is YOU Who reveals deep and secret things.........that which is in the darkness. Thank You for giving to us that which we have asked of YOU. We are those who today are led into truth by Your Holy Spirit. And whatever He hears from the Father, He announces and declares to us those things that are to come. Thank You Father.AMEN!
