The false prophets are here!

"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many...And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many..." Matthew 24: 4-5,11

A good friend of mine reminded me of an occurrence near Atlanta, Ga, a few years ago. A woman claimed that "the virgin Mary" had appeared to her and told her that the water in her well was now blesses and was, in fact, Holy water. Somehow, this news item hit the main stream news and it became an international sensation. People by the thousands began to show up at this woman's house. She began to sell small vials of this "Holy" water for $8.00 a vial. Tour buses were chartered to bring the people, seeking a sign from God and a blessing. This woman sold many, many bottles of water.

Finally, the state of Ga decided it might be a good idea to investigate the cleanliness of the "Holy Water", since it was being sold to the public. So, the health department was sent out to test it. Low, and behold, they discovered that this "holy water" was not so holy! "Holy" as you know, means "pure". This "pure" water was not only not pure, it was so contaminated that the state shut off the use of the well, even the use of the woman who owned it.

This is a sad case of people being hungry for God, but looking for him in all the wrong places. Many are the false religions that claim to have a insight from God, given to them by an Angel (i.e. Mormonism, Islam, etc), even though scripture tells us that "if we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you any other Gospel, let them be accursed". Yet, many follow after the latest fad, the latest faith healer, the latest soul winning gimmick, the biggest named preachers who have been falling by the wayside by the droves lately.

The truth is that we don't need to seek after a sign from God. Scripture says that "these signs shall follow them that believe." We are not to follow after men, for men will always let us down. Even Godly men make mistakes. We are to, in all things, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

Whatever our need, Jesus is our answer. However dire the situation may be, Jesus is our way out. Many false religions prosper because they fool well meaning men and women by their good works. This is possible because people don't like to pray and study to show themselves approved of God. Politicians use the word of God to get elected, but live lives about as far away from a godly lifestyle as heaven is from hell.

The bottom line is this: "Buy the truth and sell it not." Jesus says "I am the truth." Therefore we are to give all the we have, are, and ever will be to obtaining a relationship with our almighty God- Jesus!    

More of you, Lord!

" Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:12-14

         I must make a confession: I am fidgety. I am not satisfied. I have a strong yearning in my heart to see what I haven't seen before, do what I haven't done before- go far beyond the places in God that I have been to.
I've been born again since December of 1990. I've been preaching since Easter weekend of 1998 (I say Easter, not to glorify the word, but to give a timeline that people can understand). I've seen many things:

I've seen healing, on many occasions.

I've seen demons cast out of folks.

I've seen folks born again.

I've seen lack and I've seen plenty.

I've seen God repeatedly open doors and make ways where there seemed to be no way.

We've been loved and maligned, hurt and healed, thrown down and lifted up, praised on hated, yet, through it all, Jesus has been faithful!

When I first came to the Lord, it was because I was hungry for more than the dry religion I had been raised in could ever offer me. Something had to give. Something had to change. And change me he did!

Now, I have a yearning inside of me, not an emptiness like before, but a drawing to a deeper place than I've ever been. Greater submission. Greater prayer. Greater study. Greater relationship with Jesus, out of which will grow greater ministry to effect change in the spiritual lives of many that we meet.

I LONG to be about my Father's business! I yearn to grow to that place where he CAN open those doors. Right now, I feel like the child looking through the candy store window- I can see the good things on the inside of the store, but the window and the lack of currency in my pocket prevent me from having it.

Yesterday's blessings were great, but they are gone with the winds. Great memories, but nothing I can eat right now- this instant. Yesterday's words and directions were great, but what now?

Oh, Lord, open my eyes, let me see through your eyes! Teach me the ways I need to know! Equip me for your service! Open the door and let me feast with you and lead others to your table! I'm weary of just having the uniform, Lord. Please, place me on the playing field! I will fight the good fight! I will stand for your righteousness and speak your words without fear or favor!

In Ezekial 47, you speak of waters to the ankles, the knees, the loins, and to swim in. I'm grateful for each level, Lord. I'm thankful for the initial salvational waters to the ankles, that changed the direction of my life and the way that I walked. I'm grateful for the waters to my knees that taught me how to pray and seek your face. I love the waters to my loins that help me be of sound mind and in self control of my base human desires. But Lord, I want more!

I long to swim in your holy waters! I yearn to be moved by the current waters of your Holy Spirit inside of me! A place where you direct everything! A place where my feet cannot touch the bottom and my hands cannot touch the sides. A place where YOU are in complete control!

Please, Lord, Let me go swimming! I long to be in the place with you that we read of the early Apostles being in, where thousands are born again, cities are changed, multitudes are healed, the fear of the Lord reigns, and the peaceable fruit of righteousness reigned amongst your people. Lord, take us there!

We are your people and you are our God! Take us all there and beyond, for your word says that the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the glory of the former. Please, Lord. We are not worthy, in and of ourselves to be a part of your promised revival. But you make us worthy through your blood and spirit. Help us to love you above all, love others as ourselves, and love not our lives- even unto death.

In Jesus name! AMEN!