There is an American epidemic of overconfidence. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1Corinthians 10:12 KJV). A study of eight developed countries found that American students were dead last in math skills but number one in confidence in math skills. Atheist Bill Maher wrote, “We are number one in thinking we’re number one” (from “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You”). He continues, “Kids now have too much self-esteem, and it’s turning them into angry, screaming grievance collectors. All of that childhood tolerance is resulting in grown-up tyrants. It’s no wonder that by the time they get to college, just having to listen to an opinion they don’t agree with is considered an act of ‘violence.’” Those with true confidence see themselves and everything else from God’s point of view. LORD, grant to us the confidence that comes with standing with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Author: Ken
Mysteries of the LORD
God is not trying to exclude anyone from His company, but we block ourselves from receiving privileges from Him depending on how much we fear Him. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew [shō] them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14 KJV). “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), but He can also be a fearful master, if we do not give Him the respect He deserves. God is not like an object we purchase to be discarded, when we tire of Him. We are His creation, and we do well to find how best to approach Him. His covenant is simple. “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23). He gives us our own personal comforter (John 14:16), advocate (1John 2:1), teacher (John 14:26), guide (Isaiah 30:21), mentor (1John 2:27), coach (1Corinthians 12:1-11), body guard (Isaiah 52:12), reminder to walk humbly because the Spirit draws attention to Jesus not Himself (John 16:13), reminder of His love (2Corinthians 13:14), and insurance that we can obey His commands (Ezekiel 36:27), when we took our loyalty oath of water baptism to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Though we want to encourage all those around us to embrace the understanding He has given us, we are not to slow down or hold back in our seeking to understand more about our Master, even if our fellow disciples do not yet share all our appreciation of Him. Father, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. Cause us to be drawn to a better understanding of who You are. Cause us to be drawn into greater love with You (16:02). Show us Jesus. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.
Valley of the Shadow of Death
How we deal with aging and dying becomes increasingly important, as we advance in years. The birth rate of most nations is down. This is a crisis not only for the growth of a nation, but for its survival. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). Not simply replacing two parents with two offspring, but multiplying, increases the population. This is a prime directive for prosperity. When we age, we are not alone, unless we never truly understood the Good Shepherd. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). If our spiritual walk is only facts and doctrines, then old age is fearful, because we are walking into the great unknown, only hoping our religion will keep us for eternity. But, we need not be afraid of the dark, the unknown, or the enemy, if we walk with the Lord, so that our innermost being cries out: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Unless Christ is necessary for our very life and breath, then He is not essential at all. LORD, teach us now Your necessity that later, when the darkness closes around us in death, “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). You are the Good Shepherd. Lead us Home to Heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Why Am I Still Here?
Ever hear an extremely elderly individual voice that question, or something like it? Probably not nor may you ever. But, it’s still a good question. Paul answered it. “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot [know] not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:21-24 KJV). Evidently, your presence on this planet is still necessary, as far as our Heavenly Father is concerned, if not for your spiritual benefit, then for someone else, or both. Occupy yourself with the LORD, until He calls you Home, for you will occupy yourself with Him forever. It will never get old! LORD, cause us not to be weary in well doing. Give us the strength to match our days. Instruct us to be useful to You, others, and ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Who Came First?
God our Creator made man [Hebrew, âdâm] on the sixth day. The LORD God formed Adam out of the dust of the ground, then He specially created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. But, He allowed the man to name her, establishing man’s priority as the head of the woman. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1Corinthians 11:3 KJV). May the Body of Christ function as well in these Last Days, as He intended in the Original Creation.
Righteousness Solves the World’s Problems
Read story after story of investigative reporting, and it reveals the wrong actions of people in society, where untold damage takes place. When will we ever learn? Instead of attempting to only put out all the fires of the arsonist, catch the fire bug. Even better, deal with the fire of the human heart. Government attempts to use force to maintain society — as it must — but, right action or righteousness is primarily the domain of God dealing with the human heart. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34 KJV). As much as we desire the miraculous to solve the problems of humanity, miracles do not necessarily fix the problem of our lack of understanding of how or why God wants the world to act. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). Righteousness is right action, and we still need miracles to survive the opposition our adversary, as a “roaring lion” (1Peter 5:8), who dearly opposes righteousness. LORD, You are our Righteousness. Only Your Spirit working in anyone can cause right action. Work righteousness in us here below that it may continue into Your heavenly presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Talking About Jesus
If we were talking more about Jesus, then we wouldn’t be doing all the things we shouldn’t be doing. Would we be so brash to say we can talk more about Jesus later in Heaven, but there are more interesting things to talk about now? “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2Corinthians 10:5 KJV). Obviously, brushing aside Jesus so easily, is dancing on the edge of Hell with little thought of the eternal stakes. Danger signs should be erected to prevent the uninformed: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4). Profession alone is not possession. “4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. 5 But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1John 2:4-6). LORD, may we accustom ourselves to talking to You and about You now, for we covet Your conversation in Eternity. Wake up the Sleeping Professed Church and rescue us from the pit of Hell. Keep us from waving a false document of eternal security in front of You, while we do not the things You tell us to do. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Confessions: Why Did the Church Decline?
Why has church attendance dropped so dramatically in America, if the Bible is the most read book in the world? Faith comes from the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). Hearing or reading the Word of God is essential for faith. But, unless loving obedience is required for one to wear the name of Christian, then Christianity will become a hollow shell of itself and the churches will become abandoned. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Romans 2:13). The solution to the desertion of the churches is to bring back the practice of Christianity that requires the Holy Spirit to be obeyed, in order to claim you have faith. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).
Christianity has been so rapidly absorbed by the secular community that no longer does the world become more like the Church, but the Church has become more like the world. The youth of the Church will not notice this transformation, but the older members can remember the difference. Unfortunately, we, the older members, were responsible for the Church losing ground. “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).
(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)
What Happened for the Church to Decline?
First, may God forgive us for the shipwreck of the Church. It would be dishonest to blame anyone other than self. Claiming not to know what happened is like the captain blaming the crew or passengers for a shipwreck. Just as you dare not take your hands off the steering wheel of your car and expect it to drive itself home (2024), we must assume responsibility for the Church’s catastrophe. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14).
Second, we extinguished the collective influence of the Holy Spirit by dissipating Him, like momentum lost when a rolling object comes to a halt. “Quench not the Spirit” (1Thessalonians 5:19). We underestimated how crucial obedience to the smallest Spirit led action is for the progress of the Church, so we look back longingly to yesterday, when we saw “great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Third, we abandoned our First Love, which is Jesus. If we love Jesus first and foremost, then we would rightly love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:37-39). We would not have allowed ourselves so easily to dissipate our energy and resources supporting actions, where Jesus is not the central focus. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5).
Fourth, we allowed ourselves to be drawn into unequal unions or illicit relationships with the world, because our fleshly desires were stronger than our attraction to the Lord Jesus. This was Balaam’s advice to Balak to corrupt Israel by encouraging Moabite women to attract Israelite men. He deviously understood, Israel’s set apartness to Jehovah is the secret of their success. Moabites had no such limitations. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods” (Numbers 25:1-2). Balaam rightly concluded, The best way to defeat Israel is to use Jehovah’s faithfulness in blessing friends and cursing enemies, by promoting Moabite women to attract Israelite men, thereby causing Israel to become the LORD’s enemy. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14).
Fifth, we quit looking for Jesus to return at any moment. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Failed estimates and predictions of His appearing have made us practical skeptics about His imminent return. “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). “For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Sixth, we delayed His speedy return by not promoting it. “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12 KJV). Converting the world, discipling all nations, teaching them to observe everything He commanded us, would be fulfilled, if we prayed, and He answered the prayer to come quickly. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Seventh, we practiced lukewarmness by devoting ourselves to the Lord, only to turn around and lose all our ground to coldness, legalism, or worldliness (Revelation 3:16). Back and forth in a lukewarm dance. We did not rightly handle our spirituality with the affairs of the world, riches, and prosperity. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). We did not continually consult the Spirit’s guidance in the smallest things.
In conclusion, we have a door opened to us, Repent or Else! “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20). Accept accountability for aiding the decline of the Church. Embrace the solution that everything is our responsibility, so Spirit filled action can be the only solution. Expect to be overwhelmed by the LORD with His response. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
No Fear of Death
Having no fear of death is not simply doctrinal certainty making us children of God, but the Good Shepherd’s presence leading us. If He is truly leading us now, then He can be trusted to safely lead us in the end. The 23rd Psalm teaches us how to walk Home with God, beginning with a declaration of His possession and caring for us: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want [literally, suffer need]” (Psalm 23:1 KJV). Both compelling and guiding, He determines the best place for us: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters” (23:2). Our strength is renewed, both for us and His reputation: “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (23:3). In dangerous and life ending circumstances, He comforts us. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (23:4). As a token of His favor in front of the enemy: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (23:5). The LORD watches our back and provides us forever a dwelling place with Him: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (23:6). LORD, You are the Good Shepherd. We have no one but You to conduct us through life. May our certainty about You now lead us into Your joyful presence then, when You call us Home. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Born At The Right Time
You and I were born “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14 KJV). Our various backgrounds demand we take what we know and work toward where God is directing us. What do we know? “That He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Would we seek Him, if we did not think Him to be good? What has God done? (1) God has spoken to us in the Old Covenant “unto the fathers by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1). (2) God has further “spoken unto us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2) in the New Covenant. (3) Christ has “purged our sins” (Hebrews 1:3), which we accept by faith. (4) “But unto the Son He [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8), establishing Christ’s preeminence over us. (5) God has made and will “make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). LORD, we thank You for Your wisdom in placing us in our circumstances. May we magnify You as we respond with understanding to our responsibilities and opportunities. May we embrace You as our perfection that ultimately “shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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