God is Speaking

Have you ever had a Scripture jump off the page right into your heart? I’m sure you have! In theological terms, we refer to those times as “Kairos” moments. A “now word” from God. A word in time. A word from the throne, a promise for whatever you’re experiencing at a precise moment in time. During this pandemic, I believe God wants to give a “now word” to keep His people in check.

Recently, Matthew 8:8 spoke powerfully to me: ”And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, ‘Lord my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fully tormented.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion said,, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.’”

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such greater faith with anyone in Israel’....And the man was healed that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-10, 13).

When God speaks, things happen! Four words invaded my spirit when I read this passage. I too marveled at the centurion’s faith -- “Just say the word…” My faith was elevated when I was reminded that God is still speaking today in the middle of this Coronavirus pandemic. Like you, I need all of heaven’s encouragement I can get!

“Just speak the word…” This same God, who spoke the worlds into existence during creation, still speaks today. His creative Word formed the sun, moon stars and everything else we see. In Genesis 1, we read nine times where “God spoke.” And every time He spoke, He formed something out of nothing.

I love what the centurion said: “Just speak the word…” He evidently had seen Jesus speak other miracles into being. The spoken word in that very moment healed the centurion’s servant! This same God wants to speak into our lives today.

You too may need healing. You may wonder how you’re going to fare financially. The needs are incredible at a time like this. I need the Lord to speak into the uncertainties of my life. I want to be like Samuel, who while being mentored by the High Priest, Eli, said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

This is a world-wide pandemic.  I believe God is speaking to responsive hearts all over the earth. Just as the Holy Spirit hovered at creation, so God is hovering over the earth, waiting with great anticipation to speak to those who fear Him. The nations seem to be reeling under fear and great anxiety.  Governments remain uncertain regarding right decisions. But God is speaking. Daniel’s God is still on the throne of the universe. Daniel, an obscure man in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, was raised up to speak to the nations, and I believe God is still raising up accurate prophetic voices to guide today’s dilemma.  

But understand something.  You too can hear from God. He’s speaking to the world, to nations, to states, to communities, and TO YOU!  Just as Jesus commanded turbulent waters to calm, he desires to speak peace into our individual lives during this time of turbulence.  We have never navigated the present troubled waters -- no one has! We’re all in the same boat! And we need Jesus to speak peace. He spoke healing over the centurion’s servant and He spoke peace over the panicky disciples, and He wants to speak peace, provision, or whatever into your life today.  Ask Him!

Coupled with Matthew 8:8, the Lord alo spoke Isaiah 30:15 into my spirit.  This was a “now Word” for me, and I want to pass it along to you. “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest,  you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” During Israel’s turbulent days, the prophet addressed the nation as a whole, but also directed his remarks to individuals. 

Pandemic storms may rage, but we as followers of Jesus Christ are promised peace in the midst of tumult.  He wants to give every believer -- that means YOU -- a “now Word,” one that will hold you steady during these uncertain times.

Our medical profession has asked us to practice social distancing.  When in groups less than ten, to practice the “six-feet rule.” Crowds of more than ten are strongly urged not to gather.  I can’t help but feel God is using these dynamics to draw us away from others into His presence. The Lord is asking for an audience of one!  God wants to give YOU a “now Word.” You need one! He’s still speaking and He has a message crafted specifically for you!  

I appreciate what our government is doing, and I pray earnestly for our President and the many other front-liners, so I beg you, don’t waste your time wasting time!

Use this interruption to get before the Lord .  Open His Word with a humble, searching heart. Like Isaiah suggested, “Seek repentance and rest.” You will be saved (from external stimuli) that threatens your peace.  Cultivate a daily quiet time with the Lord and place your trust in Him. He wants to keep you strong!

Listen intently and honestly as you search the Scriptures.  What is the Lord asking you to change in your life? Do you continue to harbor secret sins?   Have you grown complacent in your Christian life and service? What attitudes have you fostered that are counterproductive to your spiritual well being?  Are you angry? Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you struggle with sexual lust? The Lord wants to speak specifically to you! He will lovingly confront you, convict you, and by His grace show you a better way!  Isn’t He wonderful?

During this pandemic, I remain committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I remain “confident of this one thing -- that “He who began a good work in me (over 49 years ago), will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). 

God is speaking.  Listen!  

Forced Disconnection

In the Gospels we read about Jesus’ need to withdraw from the crowds, daily life activities and the demands of ministry – those times when he got away to a “quiet place” to commune with His Father.  “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).  If the Son of Man had to get away from it all, how much more do we?

I’m concerned.

It appears to me that life is too hectic and that many of us are experiencing emotional and mental burnout.  Many too, are forfeiting precious time in the Lord’s life-sustaining presence.  Someone aptly said, “If we don’t come apart and rest awhile, we will surely come apart!” 

My wife and I were discussing this concern the other day when Lori asked, “Why does it seem that some people find it easier to connect with God than others?”  Lori then said, “God’s presence seems to intensify when we experience a 'forced disconnection.'”

What is a “forced disconnection?” 

Whenever we purposefully set aside time to experience the Lord’s presence, and we refuse to allow distractions of any kind, we are practicing a “forced disconnection.”

Going to church with the express intention of worshipping God and listening to the preached Word without interruptions is an example of “forced disconnection.”  When we refuse to allow the concerns and drama of life to distract our worship, we are practicing “forced disconnection.”  Time spent in the Lord’s presence releases the hold that stress tends to exact on our minds.

I loved going to church camp as a kid.  And I remember thinking, “Wow, the presence of God is so much stronger at camp than in my home church.”  In retrospect, this was not true.  The truth was that when I went to camp I experienced a “forced disconnection.”  My heart became tender toward the moving of the Spirit because I was forced to focus on spiritual matters all day, every day.  I experienced the necessity of a “forced disconnection.”  I more easily sensed God’s presence because I did not have outside interruptions.

 Now let’s apply the necessity of “forced disconnection” to our every day life.  Are we turning off the television, withholding commands for “Alexa,” putting our laptop computer on the shelf, silencing our cell phone and getting away from the noise of the day to meet with God?

The Scriptures give this promise:  “Call on Me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

As I write this, my heart yearns for His deeper presence in my life.  Perhaps like you, I have allowed the cares of life to squeeze out precious time with Him.  The very presence that longs to sustain me, many times is pushed aside for lesser pursuits.  I plan to pursue His presence through “forced disconnection” in the days ahead!

No Tattletales!

Nobody likes a tattletale -- an individual who makes it his goal to keep others straight.  They are self-made watchdogs. Snitches.  They are a pain in the neck!

I remember tattling on my brother Jeff when we were growing up.  He had snuck ice cream from our basement freezer and I felt it my duty to tell my parents.  Not only did my parents yell at me, but later Jeff beat me up.  He got a spanking, and I got a black eye!

Did you know that not even God tattles on us?

Since about the late 1980’s, the phrase, “prophetic word” began circulating in certain streams of Christian endeavor.  I personally felt uncomfortable from the very on-set of what is now referred to as the “Prophetic Movement.”  It seemed that everyone had a “word from the Lord.” 

I believe in the office of prophet, simply because the Bible tells us that “Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service…” (Ephesians 4:11-12).  And Amos 3:7 tells us that before the canon of Scripture (66 books of the Bible) was closed, God spoke nothing except through the prophets. 

Here’s where it gets sticky.  Many today run to prophetic meetings to get a word from the Lord.  People are taught to hear from the Lord and share what they hear.  While I believe the Lord certainly speaks to us, if we will listen, I don’t believe I need to rely on prophetic words to make it through life. 

Let me put it this way:  The Old Testament prophets foretold; prophets today forth tell.  In other words, we have the written Word of God and God certainly speaks messages through His five-fold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors-teachers), based on His already revealed Word.  I can in no way elaborate on this wide subject in this blog, except to summarize the overall purpose of each office with these gerunds:

Apostles – to send

Prophets – to see

Pastors – to tend

Teachers – to teach

Evangelists – to preach

Now, back to tattletales.  Like in any move of God, people tend to become imbalanced and even abusive.  The prophetic move certainly brings value to the body of Christ, but sadly some have used this wonderful gift to exploit and “tell on other believers.” 

Let me put it succinctly:  God never tells on His children.  He’s never going to tell one “kid something about another.”  We all have the same access to the throne of grace and God does not favor one request over another.  To see ourselves as personal spokesmen to/for others can bring them harm and confusion.  I believe that God can burden us to pray for others, but I do not believe He gives us a play by play on what other believers have done. This does not line up with the fatherhood aspect of God’s character. 

Even words of knowledge and words of wisdom come with great accountability – those times when God reveals information to specific individuals for specific purposes – when God allows us to “read someone’s mail!”  During these times God reveals His heart of love and calls upon us to pray for those to whom He lays upon our heart. But I personally draw the line with “assembly line” prophetic words.

When I pastored in Elyria, a certain lady kept asking me for a “word.”  She repeatedly said, “Pastor, I need you to give me a word.”  Finally, one Sunday I handed her my Bible and said, “Here’s God’s final Word to you. This is all you need.”  She became indignant at my suggestion!  Here was a woman who kept a prophetic journal, chasing after prophets to “get a word from God.”  I noticed she spent more time journaling and studying prophetic words given to her than reading and studying the Bible for herself.   

Like anything else God does, He desires that we walk in balance while benefitting from this gift. Let’s understand that tattletales have no place in the community of faith!

A Walk in Nature

Theologians tell us that God reveals Himself through General and Special Revelation.  In other words, He reveals Himself generally through nature and specifically in the Bible.  As I write, I am looking out the window of my home, marveling at the massive trees and beautiful terrain that surround me.  Ashtabula County really is a nice place to live.   Someone greater than I displays His handiwork!

The Designer has done well.  Centuries ago, the psalmist, while gazing upward was moved to write, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 18:1).

As a boy, I too witnessed God’s hand in creation.  Two incidents fashioned my belief in God and served as precursors to my conversion to Christ at age 14. 

It was a lazy summer day in 1963.  I was playing outdoors when suddenly I experienced a “visit from above.”  While swinging, I gazed high into the sky and was immediately overcome with emotion.  A loving presence embraced me and I cried openly as I basked in “His” wonderful love and warmth.

I can remember thinking, “I want to be a preacher.”  Later I wondered, “What is a preacher?”  You see, I wanted to preach before I personally knew the Lord! 

Five years later this unseen guest again revealed Himself to me in the middle of a severe summer thunderstorm.  For reasons I cannot remember, I retreated to our garage for solace after feeling quite upset with a family situation.  I was lonely and needing connection.

Torrents of rain eroded places in our gravel driveway.  The rain pounded heavily on the roof, and I reacted strongly to the noisy confusion.  I cried out, “God, if you’re real, make it stop raining on the roof only, and let it keep falling everywhere else.”  Immediately, the garage became quiet as heavy rainfall continued to pour around me.  Someone heard a 12-year-old boy’s request.  Overcome by emotion, I wept profusely.  Again, I was blanketed with love when heaven responded.

Two years later I heard a sermon about the Rapture of the Church preached by the late Donald Schorsch.  The same God, who twice revealed Himself to me in nature, spoke to me directly through His Word.  And I was what Jesus referred to as “born again.”  John 3:3 says, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 

Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit used 44 writers over a period of 1,600 years to bring the written Word to us?  From time to time, I’m asked the infamous question, “Will the heathen be saved?”  I was!   Both General and Special Revelation were imparted into my life.  The God of nature and the Author of the written Word is no respecter of persons.  He desires that all come to know Him intimately. 

The next time you feel down, take a walk and survey the beauties of nature.  Enjoy the designs and ask the Designer to touch you!