WATCHMEN NEEDED!

O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls;
they will pray to the LORD day and night
for the fulfillment of his promises. Take no rest,
all you who pray. Give the LORD no rest until he

makes Jerusalem the object of praise throughout the earth.
Isaiah 62:6-7
New Living Translation

The prophet Isaiah was given the mandate to be a watchman and pray for Jerusalem. In like manner, God has set believers in strategic places to be watchman and gate keepers for their families, churches, cities, nation and world. The watchmen of today must be positioned and postured in prayer seeking the face of God and hearing His voice. These watchmen stand as intercessors and sound a clarion alarm to prepare the way of the Lord.
A watchman is someone who is committed to being alert and awake, ever ready to warn of approaching danger. The watchman must have clear eyes focused on the enemy's advances and stands at his post, poised to sound the alarm and warn the people he/she serves.
In ancient times, watchmen worked in shifts around the clock to ensure the safety of the city. This occupation was one of great responsibility and accountability. If the watchman fell asleep or was not attentive, the enemy could attack and invade the city. The peace, safety and the very lives of his countrymen depended upon him being watchful and sounding the alarm to warn of impending danger.
Watchmen also stand as intercessors who cry out to God until He fulfills and manifests all of His promises in the earth. These watchmen are importunate, or are ones whose request is troublesomely urgent: overly persistent in request or demand. These people have a love for God’s plans and purposes and for His people. They will not be content until they see all of God’s good pleasure in the earth. They will never be silent and they will give God no rest!
If you name the name of Christ, you are a watchman and must be on your watch and on post. You may not be a pastor or a church leader. But you are part of the body of Christ. It is your responsibility to cry out to God to remember his mercy even in His wrath (Habakkuk 3:2). We are also responsible to warn the unbelievers of the consequences of sin and believers that judgment will first begin at the house of God (I Peter 4:7).
Have you received the commission as a watchman for your family? Your neighborhood? Your workplace? Have you been on your post? Sleeping on the job? Will you commit to crying out to God in prayer for His kingdom to come in the earth as it is in heaven? Answer the call. Watchmen needed!

WHAT ABOUT HIM?

“Peter seeing him
saith to Jesus,
Lord, and what shall this man do?”
John 21:21
King James Version

God has a plan for each individual person. He says is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” The plan is unique for each person and it is the responsibility of each and every believer to know and complete the assignment for their life.
The only way to really know the plan for your life that God has ordained is to stay in His presence in prayer, fasting and meditation of His word. It is in this private time of worship, God will begin to make known his will for your life. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Time in the presence of the Lord ensures that our path will be ‘like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]’ (Proverbs 4:18).
After Jesus’ resurrection, he meets with his disciples. He has an extensive dialogue with Peter regarding his love for Him and instructs him to ‘feed my sheep’. Immediately following this discourse, Jesus begins to unveil the path of Peter’s life. He prepares him for his life by telling him how in his death he would glorify the Lord. Jesus then says, to Peter, ‘Follow Me.’ You see, the Lord will always give insight into His plan for your life if we only avail ourselves and ask of Him.
Peter’s response is interesting. He looks around and sees John, the disciple that Jesus loved, as he is affectionately called. He then asks, (paraphrased) “What about John? What will happen to him?” Jesus basically tells him that if he wants John to remain alive until his second coming, it really is none of Peter’s concern.
What can we learn from this dialogue? God has a plan for our lives and it really is not our concern about the paths of others. We must all give an account for the path we are to follow, not anyone else. We cannot compare the paths of others with our path because they are different. The only similarity is that all paths must be the way of holiness.
Knowing God’s plan for your life is vitally important. What has God said about your life? What is the path that He has ordained for you? Are you walking on the right path? The question should never be 'what about him'? But, rather, ‘Lord, what would you have me to do to bring glory and honor to your name'?

YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED!

“So you have every gift from
God while you wait for our
Lord Jesus Christ to come again.”
1 Corinthians 1:7
New Century Version

God, in his sovereignty, wisdom and love, has given His children everything necessary to live in this present world in victory. With that, He has equipped us with ‘all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:3) so that we can be blameless until His coming.
Where God guides, He provides. Where there was a need, He graciously provided the resource to eradicate it and supplied plenty. The believer has no excuse to come behind or lack in any gift. Why? Because He has given us everything we need to come to Him and remain in Him until the day of His Second Coming. When Jesus was on the cross and said “It is Finished,” He really meant it! His work on Calvary was perfectly complete and completely perfect! Many times we continue to ask God for things He has already provided. All we need to do is learn to access, develop and exercise the spiritual blessings He has already so graciously provided.
The first thing we needed was a Savior or a Redeemer. So, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). We also needed faith to believe that He really was the savior, so ‘God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith’ (Romans 12:3). We needed to hear about this Savior so, he sent preachers. Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" (Romans 10:15). Because of our sinful condition, he knew along with the preaching, his Spirit would have to draw us to Him (John 6:44). After being drawn to Him and receiving Him as Savior, the Holy Spirit was given to teach, comfort and lead us into all truth (John 16:7-15). Not only was His Spirit given, but Ephesians 4:12 says, “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Ephesians 4:8). He gave us apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists (governmental gifts) to ‘prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger’ (Ephesians 4:12). “A spiritual gift (congregational gift) is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church” (1 Corinthians 12:7). God covered every base and equipped us with everything we need to live victoriously so we can meet in peace at His coming.
You have what you need to accomplish the assignment and mandate for your life. Take inventory of what God has provided you with and realize you really do have what you need!

THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY

“…And yet show I
unto you a more excellent way!”
I Corinthians 12:31b
New Living Translation

The spiritual gifts were very important to the Corinthian church, as they should be to any assembly of believers. However, they put more emphasis on the more ‘showy’ and spectacular grace gifts of the Spirit. In doing so, it caused much confusion in the body of Christ. From the text, there were feelings of superiority, inferiority and individuality. The Corinthian church did not esteem the sovereignty of God and His placement of gifts in the body. Also, the Corinthians failed to celebrate their diversity and chose rather to vie and jockey for only a few of the gifts.
The Apostle Paul used the analogy of the human body to help the Corinthian believers understand that it takes every diverse part of the body to operate for the body to be healthy. When each part of the body operates as it should the body will be healthy and will mature.
The Apostle Paul went on to give a ‘more excellent way’ to conduct body ministry that should be the standard of each congregation. It is the higher way of love! Love should be the only motivation for ministry. Love for God and then love for the brethren. Without true {agape} love as the motivation, all the gifts are as ‘sounding brass and tinkling cymbals’ or just noise (I Corinthians 13:1)! Church life is not about trying to fit in or about being recognized. Once we are baptized into the Body of Christ we are already accepted and fit in. The scripture says that we have been accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). When we assemble and have other motives and intentions that drive us, then we are not operating in the more excellent way. The love of God that has been poured into our hearts should always be the impetus for operating in the spiritual gifts.
We know that ‘God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call}’ (Romans 11:29). It is possible to operate in gifts and callings without love or without being in right standing with God and even have a degree of effectiveness. However, since God looks on the motive and intent of the heart, will He know us on the day of judgment? Will all of our works be burned by the fire because it was only not motivated or done in love?
Allow the more excellent way of love for Christ and His body to motivate you to discover, develop and exercise your spiritual endowments for the health and increase of the body of Christ.

THE BEST GIFTS

“And in any event, you should desire
the most helpful gifts…”
I Corinthians 12:31
New Living Translation

The Apostle Paul spent a considerable amount of time instructing the Corinthian church about the importance of each part of the body and each spiritual gift. The Corinthian believers were intrigued by the special abilities or ‘grace gifts’ given to each one by the Spirit. They put more attention and focus on the spectacular or ‘showy’ gifts rather than understanding that each gift was an important aspect of helping the body to be healthy.
Are some gifts better than others? After an entire chapter of explaining that each part plays a specific role and the diversity of gifts, does it make sense for Paul now to tell the Corinthians to seek the best gifts? Not really. So, exactly what is Paul saying?
The King James version says, ‘covet earnestly the best gifts.’ Covet means to ‘pursue; to desire one earnestly, to strive after, busy one's self about him; to exert one's self for one (that he may not be torn from me).’ The Corinthians were instructed to pursue the gifts that were the most helpful. Since the Spirit gives the gift as he wills, each individual believer must know the importance and significance of their endowment and pursue, develop and mature in it to ensure the health of the body of Christ.
Each believer is placed and positioned in the body of Christ by His sovereignty. The best gift for you is the one that God has bestowed upon you! When each part does its own special work, ‘it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love’ (Ephesians 4:16).
If Paul meant that we all should seek one or two gifts in particular, then the body still would not be healthy. Why? Because it would not really be a body with several different parts working interdependently. It would be just an eye or just a leg or just an ear! It takes all the different parts to make the body a body and to make it healthy and cause it to grow.
It is vital for each believer to discover and know their part, placement and endowment in the body of Christ. Each one and every part of the body is significant, important and vital to the growth and health of the body of Christ. You can seek a spiritual gift from God and be zealous after it by seeking to develop that area. God may give you that as a spiritual gift, but He may also feel that you are better fit to serve Christ with a different gift. Trust and be content with the sovereignty and wisdom of the head of the body, Christ!

JUST DO YOU! Part 3

“So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.”
I Corinthians 12:25
The Amplified Bible

A head shot is usually used to identify a person. Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the church. The body of Christ is identified by its HEAD, not its parts. Each part of the body must recognize that without the head there is no body!
The body of Christ must submit to God’s sovereignty because he has placed each part in the body as he so desires. Furthermore, he has designed it so that each part has a special work, uniquely its own, which creates diversity. Finally, we must know that God expects unity. The result of these three elements creates HARMONY.
Each part must know that they are just that, a part, not the whole. The body is comprised of many different parts that are all important to the body. In order for the body to operate as God intended, there is no room for feelings of inferiority, individuality or selfishness. Neither is their room for pride or feelings of superiority. Each part must recognize and honor the significance of the other parts while holding tightly the head, Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:19).
So that there is no division or discord in the body each part must be honored, but especially those parts that are not seen, or the not so comely parts. Have you ever seen your lungs, heart, kidneys or stomach? No! Do you want to try to live without them? Which is more important to you, your eyes or your heart? Are your eyes more important because they can be seen? Just because the internal organs cannot be seen does not make them less important. Actually, it is quite the opposite. You can live without your eyes, but you cannot live without a heart! Many people in the body of Christ will never stand behind the pulpit to preach a sermon or lead praise and worship. Does that make them any less important to the body of Christ? Of course not! Try preaching a sermon without a sound technician. Try leading a song without a musician or back ground singers. What about the intercessor who woke before morning to pray for the success of the sermon? Because they are not seen does that make them less important? No! These behind the scenes contributions to the body make ministry more effective and efficient.
Harmony in the body of Christ can only be achieved when each member recognizes the sovereignty of God. The parts are diverse, but yet interdependent on the others parts. This understanding and practice will create an environment of humility, honor, respect, edification and encouragement until the body is mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

JUST DO YOU! Part 2

“If the foot shall say,
Because I am not the hand,
I am not of the body;
is it therefore not of the body?”
I Corinthians 12:15
King James Version

Each part of the body has a significant role in the growth, health and development of the body. As each part is connected to the Head, which is Christ, He holds every part together with strong bands. The Body grows from the nourishment that comes from God.
In the human body, although each part has a unique and special work, all parts are interdependent on the other for growth. For instance, the lungs do not function as the heart and the heart does not function as the lungs. Yet, the heart and lungs work together to clean the body of wastes and to get oxygen to the cells. Each time you breathe in, the blood in your lungs gets fresh oxygen. This blood then travels to the heart, which pumps it to other parts of the body.
The Apostle Paul uses the human body to show how the body of Christ should function. What if the foot says, “I want to be the hand and I want to function as the hand. Since I can’t, I am no longer part of the body.” That is nonsense! What happens when the foot does not function as it should? The body suffers. What happens if the foot is disconnected from the body? It dies. The problem is the foot does not see its significance to the body and the vital role it plays for the body’s mobility. The foot cannot live dependant of the body and the body cannot function properly without the foot.
In the body of Christ, what happens when a part of the body is not cognizant of or realize its significance to the body? The entire body suffers and that part begins to either malfunction or cause dysfunction! It could also cause other parts of the body to compensate and work harder to keep the body functioning.
It is vitally important for each believer to know their role and function in the body of Christ. Your role and function can only be determined through study of the Word, prayer and seeking the Lord. Not only that, but each believer must be content with the where the Lord has set them in the body. Remember, “God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation” (I Corinthians 12:18). God makes the choice, not the individual.
Just as it takes many different parts for the human body to function properly, so it is with the body of Christ. We do not all have the same role or function. Nevertheless, that does diminish our significance and worth to the whole of the body. The body requires this diversity to bring harmony. There is no need for jealousy, envy, competition, inferiority or intimidation because every joint supplies what is needed (Ephesians 4:16). When each part supplies the body edifies itself in love. Know your role and just do you!

JUST DO YOU!

“Under his direction, the whole body is fitted
together perfectly. As each part does its own
special work, it helps the other parts grow,
so that the whole body is healthy and
growing and full of love.”
Ephesians 4:16
New Living Translation

The human body consists of a head, neck, torso, two arms and two legs. By the time the human reaches adulthood, the body consists of close to 100 trillion cells. These cells function for the benefit of the total organism. Each is part of an organ system designed to perform essential life functions. In like manner, we are the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul says, “Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]” (I Corinthians 12:27).
As a believer, God has placed you in the body of Christ perfectly to function and operate as He desired for the benefit of the entire body. You are vital to the BODY of CHRIST! He knows exactly where you are to be placed and has equipped you to function in that position. The ‘special work’ you are supposed to do must be developed, but nevertheless, the ability and grace of God to perform the function is present within you from birth.
First and foremost, we must be connected with the head, which is Christ. Each true believer is connected to Christ, which is the head of the body. Only then are we joined together in his body by his strong sinews (or tendons), and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God (Colossians 2:19).
It is vitally important for each part to function as it should for the welfare of the entire body. When one part does not operate, not only does that part suffer, the entire body suffers. The health of the body is jeopardized when one part does not, or will not, function. The cells are interdependent on each other for the body to be healthy. Being interdependent means that each part is mutually responsible and share a common set of principles with the other part. Interdependence recognizes the truth and importance of each position and weaves them together.
As a member of the Body of Christ, when you do your part, you help the other parts grow and help the body stay healthy. Because each part is interdependent on the other, each part is treated with respect and honor which causes the body to be in harmony and full of love.
Stay connected to the head {Christ} for nourishment and strength and function in your God-given role and ability. Realize that you play a vital role in the health and wellness of the body of Christ by contributing your portion. Just do you!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

“Hypocrites! You know how to understand
the appearance of the earth and sky.
Why don't you understand
what is happening now?”
Luke 12:56
New Century Version

Has the battery ever gone dead in your wrist watch? Without replacing the battery, have you continued to wear it just as an accessory? The very instrument designed to help you meet appointments and deadlines lost its purpose and significance. The watch was relegated only to be a ‘fashion piece.’ In like manner, the Bible is the believer’s ‘time piece.’ The Word of God is designed to tell us what time it is in history.
Jesus reprimanded the people because they were able to look at the sky and tell whether it would rain or be hot based on repeated observations of the sky. By taking notice of the recurring weather patterns they equipped and prepared themselves for inclement weather. They were able to discern and recognize what kind of weather they would have that day. Even though sometimes the weather could change drastically in a matter of minutes, yet they prepared based on what they deemed as a worthy sign of rain or heat.
However, when it came to being able to recognize the Messiah, they seemed to only have on a watch that had no batteries! Although they said they were looking for and expecting the Messiah, they still we unable to recognize and discern “the day of their visitation” (Luke 19:44). Not only did they have the words of the prophets, Jesus had worked numerous signs and wonders. Yet, the scribes and Pharisees wanted more ‘proof.’ They should have been able to discern what time it was and recognized Jesus as the prophesied Messiah.
From study of the word of God and observing the ‘signs of the times’ are you able to discern and tell what time it is? To discern means “to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy.” Does anything else have to happen for us to realize that we are living in the last days? The Bible says of the sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32 ‘they were able to discern the times and they knew what to do.’ Are you discerning the times in which are currently living?
What time is it? Psalm 119:126 says, “It is time for the LORD to act, For they have broken Your law.” I Peter 4:17 says, “For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children.” Mark 13:33 says, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Finally, Mark 1:15 says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." It is time to study, discern and prepare accordingly to the wrist watch of the BIBLE and the signs of the times. Are you using your Bible to tell you what time it is or is it just a fashion piece?

GOD'S PRESENCE, WAYS AND WORD

“You will teach me how to live a holy life.

Being with you will fill me with joy;
at your right hand I
will find pleasure forever.”
Psalm 16:11
New Century Version

We are changed into the image and likeness of God by spending time in His presence (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is in His face, we learn His ways, gain insight and get a better understanding of His Word. This cannot be accomplished on a once a week basis, but must come from daily interacting and engaging God. It is the individual responsibility of each believer to develop a personal, intimate relationship with Him. Believers must actively pursue God by staying in His presence, learning his ways and studying His word. By His Spirit, we are transformed into His image and likeness as we are before Him and learn how to live holy lives that will please him. The pleasures, or sweetness, of His presence include the building of our faith, gaining His perspective, or viewpoint, and having our discernment sharpened.
Spending time in his presence through prayer builds our faith, or confidence, in Him. In His presence we experience His unfailing love and fullness of joy. We begin to know that we are complete and accepted in the royal family of heaven. In His presence, our faith matures because He begins to share His wisdom, His perspective and we begin to learn His ways.
Learning the ways of God, is vitally important. Moses, asked God in Exodus 33:13, “show me your intentions [ways/character]so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do.” Moses wanted to have a God’s-eye view of things. Psalm 103:7 says, “He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” The children of Israel never responded to what God did because they never understood or appreciated why He did it! Because of this, they never saw things from God’s perspective and many times were offended with God. It is vital to learn and appreciate the way God chooses to accomplish His will.
Our faith in God and confidence in His ways will lead to keen discernment. Only by studying His word will our discernment be sharpened to recognize error, lies and deception. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Discernment is vital, especially in these last days.
The presence of the Lord is not just to get a good feeling or to make you happy. The presence of the Almighty God is to bring us to fullness, completeness and perfection by His Spirit. Our faith is increased and we also learn His ways, get His perspective and are trained to distinguish between good and evil. Get in God’s presence, learn His ways and stay in His Word!

ENGAGING GOD

“And you must love the Lord your
God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”
Mark 12:30
New Living Translation

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you were not fully engaged in the dialogue? What I mean is either you were not listening intently or what they were saying did not strike your emotions whatsoever. Have you ever been talking to someone and they were busy doing something else and you felt like you did not have their undivided attention? Could the above examples describe some of your times of worship and prayer with God where you were not fully engaged with Him? A Barna Research group study says only one-third of all church regulars believed they "always" experienced God's presence or intimate interaction with Him during corporate worship times. Certainly, the problem is not with God. The problem may be that very few actually engage God with their heart, soul, mind and strength, or with their whole being.
Jesus said the first and greatest command is that we love God with all of our being. God made us tripartite beings, meaning we are a spirit that possess a soul and live in a body. Worshipping and loving God means that every aspect of our being is fully engaged in worship, privately and corporately. Psalm 103:1 says, “My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name!” This is vital to our corporate worship experience because our corporate times of worship will only be as deep and meaningful as our private, individual worship experience. It is vital to engage God fully on all levels all the time. In order for us to experience Him fully, we must be able to yield and surrender fully to Him.
What does it mean to engage God? To engage means ‘to offer, to provide occupation for; to hold the attention of and to engross.’ Therefore, in worship, where we freely offer and express our love to God, we are engrossed with God in our heart, soul, mind and strength. We become fully occupied with His love, glory, splendor, character, holiness and mighty acts.
To engage God with your heart, comprised of the soul and the conscience, means worship becomes an act of the will or volition. You make a choice to worship God. Engaging God with your soul means the emotions are active. You may feel sorrow or conviction of sin, joy, or maybe even laugh or cry. We must be willing and open to respond to God emotionally. Intellectually loving God with the mind means to understand the truths of God’s word, his character and his ways. Finally, engaging God with your strength means to allow your physical body to give expression of your choice to worship, your thoughts of God and your emotions. This would include lifting or clapping your hands, kneeling down, singing and dancing. Release all inhibitions about demonstrative worship.
Engage God today! Yield every part of your being to Him in extravagant worship. The Father is seeking this kind of worship. Will he find you fully engaged with Him?

GUARD AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF ERROR

“We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer
knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God
does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know
(recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.”
I John 4:6
Amplified Bible

I think we can all agree that we are living in the last of the last days spoken of in 2 Timothy 3:1. The Bible gives the signs of the last days. Along with the wars, rumors or wars, earthquakes and pestilences, the bible says to “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].” Jesus goes on to warn that the false prophets, false teachers and false messiahs WILL deceive many (Matthew 24:5, 11; Mark 13:6). Paul told Timothy that in the last days men would resist and set themselves against the truth. Like Jannes and Jambres, they would withstand and oppose the truth. The Apostle Jude says they will oppose authority and speak evil of angels. The spirit of Cain, Korah and Balaam would also be prevalent in the last days. The phenomenal thing is that, these things will be going on right in the church! Jude says, “When these people join you in fellowship meals celebrating the love of the Lord, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are shameless in the way they care only about themselves” (Jude 1:12).
How can we guard against the deception of the last days? Jesus said MANY would be led astray. So, how can we know the truth from error? The truth from a lie? How can we detect even the slightest deviation from the truth of God’s word? One consolation is in Matthew 24:24 where it says, “They will try to fool even the people God has chosen, if that is possible.” If you stay rooted and grounded in God’s word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will “he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
The Apostle John gives insight on how to guard against deception and error in the last days. Key phrases in the book of 1 John are “truth” and “light.” Also, the phrases, “in the light” and “born of God” are prevalent. By doing these things, not only will it safeguard you from error, but also enable you to discern those who are false and living in error!
First, we must be born of God. Meaning we must accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior by the regeneration of the Spirit. Secondly, we must actively pursue and learn about God, His precepts and His ways. Next, the love of the truth is a safeguard from deception! What is Truth? The Word is truth (John 17:17). 1 Thessalonians 2:10-11 says, many will die because they did not LOVE the truth. As a result, they will become strongly deluded! Love the truth, even if it hurts! Finally, speak the TRUTH in love. If it is received, then you will recognize the Spirit of Truth. If the Truth of God’s word is rejected, you will be able to discern and know the spirit of error.
Actively pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. LOVE, RECEIVE, HEAR and OBEY the truth! This will guard against the false teaching, error and lies of the last days. Be on guard and love the truth!

DEPENDENT CHILDREN on a DEPENDABLE GOD!

"If you then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
Luke 11:13
New American Standard Version

Children rely on their parents for the necessities of life; food, clothing, shelter, love. Babies rely on parents to provide all of their needs and wants. Simply speaking, children are dependent upon their parents for survival. It is the responsibility of the parent to be dependable. Dependability is a value showing the reliability of a person to others because of his/her integrity, truthfulness, and trustfulness, traits that can encourage someone to depend on him/her. Most parents will go without to ensure the needs of their child are met.
Jesus uses this example of the dependence of a child on his father to teach a spiritual lesson. He begins by saying if a child asks for bread, will a parent give him a stone? If the child asks for fish, will he be given a serpent? Or if the child asks for an egg will he be given a scorpion (Luke 11:11-12)? The logical answer for all the questions is a resounding ‘NO, of course not!’ Jesus goes further to say that although earthly parents are evil, in an ethical sense, diseased or blind, they still provide good gifts and the necessities for the child. He then compares the dependability of earthly parents to our heavenly Father. There is no comparison. Even the best parents, at times, may have difficulty providing for the needs of their children.
First, is it comforting to know that he says ‘heavenly Father.’ So, that he means he sees us as his children. As children, he knows that we are dependent upon Him. God is totally faithful, trustworthy, true and reliable, therefore, dependable.
We have needs of food, clothing and shelter. Matthew 6:32 says, we don’t even have to take thought for these things “for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” He is dependable and faithful to provide all these things when we seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
How much more do we need the gift of the Holy Spirit! He is our Comforter, Teacher and Helper. He brings all things to our remembrance and leads us into all truth. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by asking. Receiving is as simple as asking.
Are you depending on another source? Have you asked for the gift of the Holy Spirit? Do you realize how much you need the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost to live in these last days?
Whatever the need or situation, God is faithful and reliable. Ask for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. It is a necessity and our heavenly Father knows we have need of Him. Children, depend on your dependable Father!