Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, the foundations of law and order have collapsed in California. The wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout our state. What can Your children do? Help us, for it seems that Your children are disappearing! Our leaders consistently tell us, “You can’t stop us!”

 

Son, as the judgment begins in California tell My children it will be a time of great opportunity, and great joy. I will bless those who patiently endure and stay faithful. Tell My children to get rid of all the filth and evil in their lives, and humbly accept My Word that is in their hearts. In the coming days My Word will be what they will need for instruction and encouragement. My children must not just listen or read My Word, but do what it says.

 

Son, here is what I have told the leaders of California through My prophets, “How dare you come to ask Me for help? I will tell you nothing because you have rebelled against Me and would not listen when I came to you!  I told you that I would pour out My fury on California if you continue in your own direction, but you refuse to listen. You even pollute yourselves with the very gifts I had given you!”

 

They tell Me that My ways are not the ways they want to follow, and shout out to everyone, “We want to be like everyone else around us.” I have examined these leaders very carefully and will hold them accountable for what is coming. Tell them that fires are coming! I will set California on fire. These terrible flames will not be quenched and will scorch everything from south to north. And everyone in the world will see that I, the LORD, have set this fire, and it will not be put out.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, don’t think for a moment that because you live in America, that you can keep quiet at a time like this, and not be affected. All of My children living on the earth today were made for such a time as this. If My children think that they will not be noticed – keeping to themselves, it will not happen!

 

When My Spirit is living in My children they will think and live differently than the world today. They live by My laws, not by the laws of the land today that oppose My laws. When My children refuse to obey the laws of the land they will be noticed and will suffer persecution. Because My children refuse to bow down to these wicked leaders and to do what they demand, these leaders will be filled with rage.

 

My children must remain faithful no matter what; for I will give them strength to endure.  I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away from Me. In the days ahead some of you will be exposed to public ridicule, but I will honor them. Some will be thrown into jail, but I will fellowship there with them. Some will have everything they own taken from them, but I restore to them even more. So do not throw away your confidence in Me; but trust in My love and promises. Patient endurance is what you need, and you will receive all that I have promised. Remember that better things are ahead for My children, and it will last forever.

 

My deliverance and relief will come to My children, for they can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus Christ. They can come into My presence with sincere hearts and fully trusting Me. I can be trusted to keep every promise I’ve made. Test Me in this!

 

So instead of being fearful – think of ways to help one another and motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Do not neglect meeting together, for this will be your encouragement during your days of hardships. This is the time to be bold and courageous.

 

Lord, when I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers with the moon and the stars that you set in place; what are mere mortals that you should think about them the way You do; human beings that reject You – that you should care for them like You do? You look deep within the mind and heart of Your children, and still You do not hold anything against us. I am perfectly secure in You Lord; what have I to fear, but You.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, think carefully about who I am, and when you hear My voice – don’t harden your heart. Do not allow your heart to turn away from Me by refusing to do what I tell you. When you refuse to do what I ask, you will not remember all that I have done for you in the past, and you will grow fat by hoarding for yourself – all the blessings I give you.

 

When My children hoard they will become fearful, proud and stubborn; they give little to no attention to My Word. They are disobedient to Me when they turn their backs on My Word day to day, and then refuse to listen to My prophets that I have sent to warn them. They will never enter My place of rest, and then wonder why they feel the way they do and have the problems they have.

 

Son, My promise of entering My rest still stands, but My children must want it. They must understand that My Word is alive and powerful in their time, as it is for all time.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes your innermost thoughts and desires. When My children believe My words, confess their sins, and start to obey Me – they can come boldly to My throne of grace, and will receive My peace. When My children have My grace and peace, it will strengthen and help them live their lives.

 

Lord, we Your children need to get right with You, then stand up and shout that we are children of the King! We need to praise Your Holy Name all over this country; the One who is from everlasting to everlasting! You alone are God, and there is no other. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all. You have done what You promised; for You see every promise that You have made – all done and finished. You are true to Your everlasting Word. My security comes from this truth. Thank You Lord!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, tell My children that in the coming days they need to listen very carefully to the truth of My Word, or they will drift away from it. For My word is absolute truth; they can trust My Word; for it has always proven itself trustworthy. My Word will give them the signs of things to come that they need to be prepared for.

 

My Word tells you about the wonderful gift of My Holy Spirit that sets you free from the bondage of sin and of this world. My Word is able to help you through every time of testing. My Word tells you there is great joy ahead so you will not become discouraged and hopeless.

 

In these days My children must not follow the advice of the wicked, or associate with people who reject and mock My Word. My children must know My Word by meditating on it day and night.

 

Tell My children, “Don’t be afraid and sad because of what is coming, but celebrate instead; for it is a sacred day, the Day when truth wins! I will be their joy and strength. When they know and understand My Word, they will only need to ask Me, and I will give to them.”

 

Ask those people who refuse My word, “What makes you think you can escape what is coming?”  Tell them, “When you refuse My word, there is only one path left, and it leads to destruction.” For I have only one path that leads to the Truth.

 

Son, do you see the detestable things people do to drive Me away? Do you see what the leaders of America are doing? They are leading this whole nation into violence. They shout to everyone, “Let us be free from the bondage of the Word of God. Let’s break the chains of His words and completely remove every word of His from our land.”

 

Tell these leaders and those who follow them, “The end is here, and your vain hope won’t help or save you.”

 

How foolish they are to hope for something that will not come about!  What fools they are; they do not know how to solve the problems they have created themselves! I will now call them to account for all their rebellion and detestable sins. Therefore, disaster after disaster is coming! The day of destruction is dawning. Shouts of anguish will be heard throughout the land because the wickedness that is taking place has blossomed to full flower. Soon people will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on the Day of My anger. None of their plans will succeed. They will look for peace but not find it because they have refused My way of peace.

 

Lord, help me to understand that this is a great day of celebration, and not to be afraid of what You have said is coming. It is when I meditate on Your words that I will know that this is the beginning of Your Rule, and I will no longer am bound with a sinful nature. Oh how thankful I am to You for setting me free with Your truth and love, and giving me the only hope that won’t disappoint me in the end. 

Relationships – Chapter 10

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Reconciliation – Part 3 – Must Risk Confrontation

 

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

 

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”

 

One of the greatest difficulties in the area of leadership is the inability to confront when necessary.  Often the leader gets pushed into a corner where he must confront and then it is done in a wrong manner and does irreparable damage.

 

Many people fear confrontation. There are probably a number of reasons for this. It might be that we are afraid of making judgmental statements, or we have a feeling of inadequacy ourselves (who are we to judge?), or we ourselves have things to cover up.  In other words, we do not have a clear conscience and so we feel hypocritical.  Whatever the reasons might be, confrontation is something that we try to get out of.

 

Yet, when I read a verse like this in Matthew the one thing that comes out to me is that God wants a constant movement towards one another.  “If I see my brother… go!” “If I know that my brother has something against me… go!” We need to have honest communication with one another.

 

Often we go, but not to the one that we should go to, but we go to a third party and there we do our sharing. It becomes more of a time of gossip (God forbid that we call it “gossip!”) than a time of honest sharing and praying.

 

Some people ask the question: When should I go to another person and confront for any grievance or something that I think is wrong? I have found that before I confront another person I should first bring the matter before the Lord.  I have learned that when I have brought certain things before the Lord that soon they were erased from my mind.  I took this to mean that I was not to confront the other person with it.  However, if after I have brought it to the Lord and it still remains in my mind, often this is something that the Lord wants me to bring out to the person involved.

 

Sometimes when a person is confronted with something, they deny it. What do we do then? We take it as far as we can and then we leave it with the Lord.  When I was the director of the Doulos (one of Operation Mobilization’s ships) I had a situation where a brother was confronted with a particular thing, but he denied it.  I left it at that. A few months later I was visiting his country and through some rather strange happenings I found out that this brother had lied.  Later I confronted him with this.  At that time there was real confession and repentance.

 

When I look back over this incident I see a spiritual truth coming out about how to deal with confrontation.  In 1 John 1:7 we read, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  When I originally confronted this brother I was walking in the light that I had.  When he denied it I had no more light at that time.  However later on, through circumstances arranged by the Holy Spirit, I received more light on this brother’s situation.  I now needed to walk in the new light that I had received and to confront that brother with it.  The result was brokenness, confession, repentance, fellowship and through restoration this brother is now being used by the Lord.  I often thought what would have happened with this brother if these steps were not taken.

 

In Matthew 5:23-24 the idea is that confrontation is to take place quite quickly, but first we need to pray and make sure that we have the log out of our own eye.  Then sometimes we allow too much time to go by so that when we think about confronting, it seems that we are bringing something out from the past and so we would like to by-pass the incident.

 

When confronting we need to make sure that we go with humility.  This is the idea that comes out in Matthew 18 where it says that we should “go.”  The Greek word brings out the idea “to lead oneself under, to withdraw or retire as sinking out of sight.”  In other words, we are to go with humility.  It always helps to realize that we have the same capacity for sin as the brother we are confronting.

 

My prayer for myself and for those who read this is – that we might be the kind of confronters that God wants.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, things are not going well for Your children today, for they are in great trouble and disgrace. People who do not know the truth become angry when Your children tell them truth. They shout, “What are you doing? Why are you rebelling against the thinking of today?”

 

Son, I am giving you a message to a rebellious nation. Because of their rebellion to Me they have become stubborn and hard-hearted. The have turned to follow their own path; a path going downward, but that they call “progressive.” Yes, a progressing downward path! They refuse to listen to the message of My spokesmen, but even if they refuse to listen, you still must give them My messages.

 

Tell My children, “They are living in the last days, and it will be very difficult for them. People today only love themselves and their money. They have become boastful and proud; scoffing at My wisdom and warnings. They are unloving and unforgiving; they slander others to get what they desire and have no self-control. They are cruel and hate the truth. They have become reckless, puffed up with pride, and lovers of pleasure. They act religious, but they reject the power that could save them.”

 

These rebellious people have created a counterfeit faith where evil people and impostors flourish, and where good people are treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are treated as though they were good. This counterfeit faith is all about deceiving people.

 

My children must remain faithful to the things they have been taught by My faithful teachers. The time is now when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. But will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after lies.  

 

My children must understand that to live a godly life – they will suffer persecution. They must know My Word which was written by Me and is useful in this day. It will show My children what is true. It corrects them when they are wrong and teaches them to do what is right. I will use My Word to help them be prepared and on how to live in this day. My children must live out My Word in their lives, and be prepared. I have a crown of righteousness, which I will give them on the day of My return, because they eagerly look forward to My appearing.

 

Lord, when You spoke to me Your Spirit that in me confirmed what You said. Therefore, I listen carefully to Your words to obey every one. You stand with me, and give me the strength I will need; I will tell everyone what You have said.

Relationships – Chapter 9

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Reconciliation – Part 2

 

Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

 

When it comes to reconciliation one of the first steps we are to take is to start with ourselves. The above passage illustrates the truth that it is easy to see what is wrong with others, but far more difficult to see what is wrong with us.  We are to make sure that the ‘log’ is out of our own eye before we try to take the ‘splinter’ out of the eye of our brother/sister.

 

This, I believe, is a very delicate matter.  I think this is the reason why the Lord Jesus uses the illustration of the eye since the eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body.  So when the Lord talks about relationships and reconciliation, I believe these must be treated as delicate matters.

 

Ephesians 4:1-3 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 

We have unity in Christ.  It will take work and effort to maintain this unity.  Here in Ephesians Paul is giving us the type of behavior necessary to maintain unity and to bring about reconciliation.  This is what we must consider to make sure that we have the ‘log’ out of our own eye.

 

1. Humility:  The Greek word means humiliation of mind, i.e. modesty.

1 Peter 5:5 probably best brings out the idea of what Paul is trying to say here. “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”  The idea is to bring ourselves under.

 

2. Gentleness: The Greek word brings out the idea of mildness, meekness. Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Meekness does not mean weakness. Perhaps the best way to describe this is “strength under control.”  It is the ability (or strength) to destroy, but held in check.  A good example of this is Moses.  He was the meekest man on the earth. When he came down from the Mountain with the Ten Commandments in his arms and saw the debauchery taking place among God’s people he could have stepped aside and allowed God to destroy them, but he didn’t. Strength under control.

 

3. Patience:  Perhaps one of the best definitions of the Greek word for

patience is, “to be long-tempered.”  One of the problems in relationships is anger. This is something that we will look at later.  When it comes to establishing and maintaining relationships, anger is something that will have to be dealt with.

 

4. Forbearance: Again the best definition for this word is, “to put up with.” In the New King James Version of the Bible it says: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) We see that ‘forbearance’ is one of the attributes of God.

 

In closing I would like to say that the prayer for myself and for those that read this is that we might experience daily revival.  We need to see afresh how important relationships are and yet often how difficult they are to maintain.  Still maintain them we must.  This is our message of reconciliation and we cannot allow anything to interfere with that message.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Because your leaders have been persuaded to abandon Me, the LORD, the God of their ancestors – divine anger is beginning to fall on America. Since they have abandoned Me, I now abandon them; therefore judgment will be carried out.

 

When My children stand firm in their faith, unite and decide to act as children of the light; they will live their lives filled with My love and light. They will stand out in the darkness. They must not take part in the worthless deeds of evil any longer, but instead, expose them. They must make the most of every opportunity in these evil days by understanding what I want them to do. When they sing among themselves, making music to Me in their hearts, being thankful for everything, this will cause their enemies to become confused.

 

So My children, expose these leaders that have abandoned Me. Stand your ground against the progressive thinkers of today. Put on the belt of truth and the armor of My righteousness. Know who you are fighting and Who you belong to. Know what I have said about this day. Then PRAY, PRAY, and PRAY!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I am the One who provides the sun to light the day, the moon and stars to light the night. My name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what I have to say about America.

 

Without wise leadership, America will fall; the fall has begun. America’s elected officials that it has now – are leading your country to ruin. Wickedness never brings stability; for the wicked have no common sense; what they have is nonsense. They have become altogether worthless, chasing fantasies.  These wicked leaders are trapped by their own words, and soon their lies will be exposed. Even some of My children believe their lies, and have turned their backs on the truth, and even on Me. They refuse to listen to My prophets whom I have sent with My message of warning, and with My words of hope and encouragement. Therefore, people are hopelessly confused, even while they argue and debate; for their minds are full of darkness. They have shunned the truth and deceived themselves. They have searched for evil and it has found them.

 

Son, this is what I say to those who search for Me with all of their heart. “There is hope for you!” I have unlimited resources, and by My Spirit I will empower them with inner strength.

 

When I am Lord of your life I am able to accomplish infinitely more than you might think you can do. So lead a worthy life because you are My child. Don’t be childish any longer, or you will continue tossing and turning, blown about by every wind of new teaching. Mature children will not be influenced when people try to trick them with lies that are so clever – they sound like the truth.

 

Guard your words; speak the truth in love. Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Let My Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature created to be like Me. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words encourage faith, hope and love in those who hear them.

 

Lord, I am sorry for listening to the wrong people; allowing them to control my feelings. I want to kick myself for being so foolish when You have been so direct and truthful with me. I am thoroughly ashamed. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your unfailing love, and the future You have for me.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

“God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.” – Hudson Taylor

 

“Son, do you trust Me with all your heart; then do not depend on your own understanding. Seek My will in all you do, and don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Honor Me with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, Don’t envy the power of violent people or copy their ways intimidation. Don’t forget My words, but take hold of My instructions; never let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. Let them penetrate deep into your heart. Allow them to burn in your soul, and then look straight ahead at what lies before you, and you will know what to do!

 

I am shocked that so many have turned away from Me and My word. They have been fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Me, and misinterpret My word to serve themselves. They take away the freedom in My Son Christ Jesus. They think the way to reach Me is to follow rules and rituals. The way to reach Me is by a truthful relationship through My Son; for He is the only way.

 

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” — C.T. Studd