Chapter XII
Revelations
For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job]. [One may hear God’s voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while slumbering upon the bed; then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings] that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and cut off pride from him [disgusting him with his own disappointing self-sufficiency].
Revelations
For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job]. [One may hear God’s voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while slumbering upon the bed; then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings] that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and cut off pride from him [disgusting him with his own disappointing self-sufficiency].
From the contents of the last chapter, it would be easy to naturally think that I am attempting to diminish the significance of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible. MAY IT NEVER BE!!! For it is a very special gift from Him that should not be ignored[1].
In fact, it would do us all well to become as familiar with our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures as He will allow and enable us to be. For it serves as written confirmation of He wants to personally reveal to each and every one of us, on an indidual basis and without exception[2].
In other words, the more familiar He will allow and enable us to become with what is contained in His Holy Bible, the easier it should become to recognize when our Heavenly Father is speaking to us. A good example of this occurred soon after He started making Himself to real to me while I was reading about Him forbidding Moses from entering into the promised land with the children of Israel because of Moses striking the rock twice, when he had been instructed to only do it once[3], in order to bring forth a flow of water in the wilderness[4].
As I was reading, a great wave of terror overwhelmed me. For I thought that there was surely no hope for me to ever be pleasing in His sight if He could be that harsh with Moses after he had been such a faithful servant for as many years as he had.
Almost immediately after being gripped with terror, another thought entered my mind that it was all part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to place Joshua in charge before they crossed over the Jordan. For He was not angry with Moses, but He did not want the children of Israel to take His commandments lightly[5].
So, He humilated Moses for their benefit[6], and then exalted Joshua for the same reason. For it is written: And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” [Joshua 3:7 NIV]
Be assured that all of that was confirmed by the Bible verses provided as reference, along with many, many more[7], within just a few days, and the only reason why it took that long is because of how new it all was to me. For I am now aware of being given Bible verses to back up what He is telling me at the very same time as He is doing so when I am having some trouble accepting what He wants me to understand[8].
No, it is not that our Heavenly Father had never spoken to me before that it was all so very new to me back then. For He had been doing so all of the previous 35 and a half years of my life in this world, but since I did not realize it, hearing His voice in 1993 was as new to me as if I had never experienced it before[9].
Oh yes, our Heavenly Father still speaks—just like He has been since the very beginning of this world[10]. For He truly is the same today as He always has been and will be forever and ever[11]. AMEN!!!
The devil and his demons are also allowed to whisper sweet nothings into our ears at times[12], and this is another reason why it would do us all well to become as familiar with our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures as He will allow and enable us to be[13]. For the witness of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit will not contradict what was written for our benefit[14]. Whereas the devil and his demons will twist things out of context[15].
Alas, therein lies the crux of the argument against faith coming from hearing the Bible being preached[16]—does it not? For what does it matter if we memorize every verse in our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible if we have no idea what they are really saying, and how could we without the witness of His Holy Spirit[17]? After all, are not our Heavenly Father’s ways much, much higher than our own[18]?
Perhaps it would be helpful to look at it in more worldly terms. For to some, love is best expressed by giving their loved ones a good beating on a regular basis, and how can we know sure that this is not what our Heavenly Father considers to be love without Him telling us so directly? For without that, all we would have would be our own opinions—even with His Holy Scriptures to go by[19].
{1}2 Timothy 3:16-17; {2}Romans 15:4; {3}Exodus 17:1-7; {4}Numbers 20:2-12; {5}Deuteronomy 9:6; {6}Numbers 12:3; {7}1 Corinthians 10:1-14; {8}James 1:5-8; {9}Isaiah 65:1-2; {10}James 1:16-19; {11}Hebrews 13:8; {12}1 John 4:1; {13}Acts 17:11; {14}John 16:13-15; {15}John 10:10; {16}Romans 10:17; {17}John 14:26; {18}Isaiah 55:6-9; {19}1 Corinthians 13:4-13.
In fact, it would do us all well to become as familiar with our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures as He will allow and enable us to be. For it serves as written confirmation of He wants to personally reveal to each and every one of us, on an indidual basis and without exception[2].
In other words, the more familiar He will allow and enable us to become with what is contained in His Holy Bible, the easier it should become to recognize when our Heavenly Father is speaking to us. A good example of this occurred soon after He started making Himself to real to me while I was reading about Him forbidding Moses from entering into the promised land with the children of Israel because of Moses striking the rock twice, when he had been instructed to only do it once[3], in order to bring forth a flow of water in the wilderness[4].
As I was reading, a great wave of terror overwhelmed me. For I thought that there was surely no hope for me to ever be pleasing in His sight if He could be that harsh with Moses after he had been such a faithful servant for as many years as he had.
Almost immediately after being gripped with terror, another thought entered my mind that it was all part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to place Joshua in charge before they crossed over the Jordan. For He was not angry with Moses, but He did not want the children of Israel to take His commandments lightly[5].
So, He humilated Moses for their benefit[6], and then exalted Joshua for the same reason. For it is written: And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” [Joshua 3:7 NIV]
Be assured that all of that was confirmed by the Bible verses provided as reference, along with many, many more[7], within just a few days, and the only reason why it took that long is because of how new it all was to me. For I am now aware of being given Bible verses to back up what He is telling me at the very same time as He is doing so when I am having some trouble accepting what He wants me to understand[8].
No, it is not that our Heavenly Father had never spoken to me before that it was all so very new to me back then. For He had been doing so all of the previous 35 and a half years of my life in this world, but since I did not realize it, hearing His voice in 1993 was as new to me as if I had never experienced it before[9].
Oh yes, our Heavenly Father still speaks—just like He has been since the very beginning of this world[10]. For He truly is the same today as He always has been and will be forever and ever[11]. AMEN!!!
The devil and his demons are also allowed to whisper sweet nothings into our ears at times[12], and this is another reason why it would do us all well to become as familiar with our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures as He will allow and enable us to be[13]. For the witness of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit will not contradict what was written for our benefit[14]. Whereas the devil and his demons will twist things out of context[15].
Alas, therein lies the crux of the argument against faith coming from hearing the Bible being preached[16]—does it not? For what does it matter if we memorize every verse in our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible if we have no idea what they are really saying, and how could we without the witness of His Holy Spirit[17]? After all, are not our Heavenly Father’s ways much, much higher than our own[18]?
Perhaps it would be helpful to look at it in more worldly terms. For to some, love is best expressed by giving their loved ones a good beating on a regular basis, and how can we know sure that this is not what our Heavenly Father considers to be love without Him telling us so directly? For without that, all we would have would be our own opinions—even with His Holy Scriptures to go by[19].
{1}2 Timothy 3:16-17; {2}Romans 15:4; {3}Exodus 17:1-7; {4}Numbers 20:2-12; {5}Deuteronomy 9:6; {6}Numbers 12:3; {7}1 Corinthians 10:1-14; {8}James 1:5-8; {9}Isaiah 65:1-2; {10}James 1:16-19; {11}Hebrews 13:8; {12}1 John 4:1; {13}Acts 17:11; {14}John 16:13-15; {15}John 10:10; {16}Romans 10:17; {17}John 14:26; {18}Isaiah 55:6-9; {19}1 Corinthians 13:4-13.
Chapter XIII
Can You Hear Him Now?
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:22 NAS]
Can You Hear Him Now?
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:22 NAS]
Apart from some radical factions in the Christian community, it is generally assumed that everyone in Christ has been given an ear to hear, but that is about as far as it gets for most. For who wants to admit that they have never heard His voice[1], but if this is indeed true, how can they be so sure that they have not[2]?
No, it will probably not be a booming voice coming out of a storm that you will hear like Job did[3]. Neither will it be like a whisper on the wind, as in the case of Elijah[4]. For it is mostly through our thoughts that our Heavenly Father likes to speak to us[5].
Nonetheless, this is not to deny that our Heavenly Father will sometimes speak to someone in an audible voice that is most definitely coming from outside of themselves[6]. I have experienced this on a number of occasions myself.
The first time I was made aware of hearing our Heavenly Father’s audible voice was when He said, “Introduce Me,” but it has mostly been just calling me by name since. For I have had many doubts about being pleasing in His sight[7].
Furthermore, I have been allowed and enabled to also experience dreams that were vivid enough to be thought of as visions. For it was as if I was actually there[8].
Yes, there is a difference between visions and dreams. For visions are experienced while awake[9], but let us resist the temptation to get technical about things when it really does not really matter either way[10].
No, it should not be assumed that everyone has an ear to hear. For as it is with everything else about our Heavenly Father’s spiritual gifts, it all depends upon what He wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and to what extent, they will be allowed and enabled to hear what He has to say[11].
On the other hand, are there not many references made about having a gut feeling about something? Perhaps you have had one yourself?
How about all that is said about one’s inner voice? Could it be that these are just borrowed lines from some ancient sonnet, or could it be that there really is something to it?
Scientific research has even been conducted upon the phenomenon of certain twins having a special bond between them, and are there not times when someone will have a thought about something at the very same time as another in their midst? Surely there is more than genetics and environmental influences to these things.
No, this is not to suggest that every thought and feeling that we may have is a message from God[12], but it would do us all well to not take too much for granted. For our Heavenly Father is much nearer to us all than what most would dare to even consider[13].
Utter nonsense? Perhaps, but if it is indeed true that we were all created to be His children by faith[14], why would He not want to have a great personal interest in every aspect of our daily lives[15]? After all, is this not what is naturally expected of our earthly parents, and are not our Heavenly Father’s ways much higher than their’s[16]?
No, it is not just in regards to what we would naturally consider as being spiritual matters that our Heavenly Father would seek to guide us. For even such supposedly trivial things as what we are going to eat and what we are going to wear are all part of His plan[17].
Not buying it? Well, consider this: Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully [Ps. 55:22] . [1 Peter 5:7 AMP]
No, you do not have to take “my” word for it. For it is for such a purpose as this that our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures were given[18], but where have all the Bereans gone[19]?
Yes, the points and counter-points about this matter could make for quite a ping-pong match, and to be perfectly honest about it, I would not believe it myself if our Heavenly Father had not of made Himself real to me. For I was raised to believe that all anyone ever needed was a good church where the Bible was preached without compromise[20], but then everything changed[21].
Alas, maybe I have spent too many hours alone. For no one in their right-mind[22] would ever even consider the possibility (let alone actually accept) that it was the Lord God Almighty who was singing to them when songs like Styx’s “Fooling Yourself” would come on the radio during times of great trial and tribulation. The same also applies to many other songs, but on the other hand, it is written: For with God nothing shall be impossible. [Luke 1:37 KJV]
{1}Isaiah 65:1-2; {2}John 5:37-40; {3}Job 38:1; {4}1 Kings 19:12; {5}John 14:16-17; {6}1 Samuel 3:4-10; {7}Exodus 33:17; {8}Genesis 28:10-19; {9}Acts 10:9-16; {10}1 Corinthians 3:3; {11}1 Corinthians 12:7-11; {12}1 John 4:1; {13}Romans 10:8; {14}John 1:12-13; {15}Proverbs 16:33; {16}Isaiah 55:8-9; {17}Matthew 6:25-34; {18}2 Timothy 3:16-17; {19}Acts 17:11; {20}Romans 10:17; {21}2 Corinthians 5:17; {22}1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
No, it will probably not be a booming voice coming out of a storm that you will hear like Job did[3]. Neither will it be like a whisper on the wind, as in the case of Elijah[4]. For it is mostly through our thoughts that our Heavenly Father likes to speak to us[5].
Nonetheless, this is not to deny that our Heavenly Father will sometimes speak to someone in an audible voice that is most definitely coming from outside of themselves[6]. I have experienced this on a number of occasions myself.
The first time I was made aware of hearing our Heavenly Father’s audible voice was when He said, “Introduce Me,” but it has mostly been just calling me by name since. For I have had many doubts about being pleasing in His sight[7].
Furthermore, I have been allowed and enabled to also experience dreams that were vivid enough to be thought of as visions. For it was as if I was actually there[8].
Yes, there is a difference between visions and dreams. For visions are experienced while awake[9], but let us resist the temptation to get technical about things when it really does not really matter either way[10].
No, it should not be assumed that everyone has an ear to hear. For as it is with everything else about our Heavenly Father’s spiritual gifts, it all depends upon what He wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and to what extent, they will be allowed and enabled to hear what He has to say[11].
On the other hand, are there not many references made about having a gut feeling about something? Perhaps you have had one yourself?
How about all that is said about one’s inner voice? Could it be that these are just borrowed lines from some ancient sonnet, or could it be that there really is something to it?
Scientific research has even been conducted upon the phenomenon of certain twins having a special bond between them, and are there not times when someone will have a thought about something at the very same time as another in their midst? Surely there is more than genetics and environmental influences to these things.
No, this is not to suggest that every thought and feeling that we may have is a message from God[12], but it would do us all well to not take too much for granted. For our Heavenly Father is much nearer to us all than what most would dare to even consider[13].
Utter nonsense? Perhaps, but if it is indeed true that we were all created to be His children by faith[14], why would He not want to have a great personal interest in every aspect of our daily lives[15]? After all, is this not what is naturally expected of our earthly parents, and are not our Heavenly Father’s ways much higher than their’s[16]?
No, it is not just in regards to what we would naturally consider as being spiritual matters that our Heavenly Father would seek to guide us. For even such supposedly trivial things as what we are going to eat and what we are going to wear are all part of His plan[17].
Not buying it? Well, consider this: Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully [Ps. 55:22] . [1 Peter 5:7 AMP]
No, you do not have to take “my” word for it. For it is for such a purpose as this that our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures were given[18], but where have all the Bereans gone[19]?
Yes, the points and counter-points about this matter could make for quite a ping-pong match, and to be perfectly honest about it, I would not believe it myself if our Heavenly Father had not of made Himself real to me. For I was raised to believe that all anyone ever needed was a good church where the Bible was preached without compromise[20], but then everything changed[21].
Alas, maybe I have spent too many hours alone. For no one in their right-mind[22] would ever even consider the possibility (let alone actually accept) that it was the Lord God Almighty who was singing to them when songs like Styx’s “Fooling Yourself” would come on the radio during times of great trial and tribulation. The same also applies to many other songs, but on the other hand, it is written: For with God nothing shall be impossible. [Luke 1:37 KJV]
{1}Isaiah 65:1-2; {2}John 5:37-40; {3}Job 38:1; {4}1 Kings 19:12; {5}John 14:16-17; {6}1 Samuel 3:4-10; {7}Exodus 33:17; {8}Genesis 28:10-19; {9}Acts 10:9-16; {10}1 Corinthians 3:3; {11}1 Corinthians 12:7-11; {12}1 John 4:1; {13}Romans 10:8; {14}John 1:12-13; {15}Proverbs 16:33; {16}Isaiah 55:8-9; {17}Matthew 6:25-34; {18}2 Timothy 3:16-17; {19}Acts 17:11; {20}Romans 10:17; {21}2 Corinthians 5:17; {22}1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
MP3 Audio Player From: [BlogDumps Video]
FOOLING YOURSELF (THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN)
STYX
THE GRAND ILLUSION ALBUM (1977)
You see the world through your cynical eyes
You're a troubled young man I can tell
You've got it all in the palm of your hand
But your hand's wet with sweat
And your head needs a rest
And you're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself
If you don't believe it
Why must you be such an angry young man
When your future looks quite bright to me
How can there be such a sinister plan
That could hide such a lamb
Such a caring young man
You're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself
If you don't believe it
Get up
Get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat
And you know it
Come on
Let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot
And don't blow it
You're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're killing yourself
If you don't believe it
Get up
Get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat
And you know it
Come on
Let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot
And don't blow it
Lyrics From: [Sing365.com]
Chapter XIV
In The Fear Of The Lord
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Lyrics From: [Sing365.com]
Chapter XIV
In The Fear Of The Lord
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
When I talk about our Heavenly Father making Himself real to me, the only thing missing is not being able to actually see Him. For aside from being in almost constant communication with Him in one way or another, which is all part of what it truly means to pray without ceasing[1], there have been times when I have felt Him actually hold me in His arms[2].
In fact, there have been times when His presence has been so intense that I have felt myself starting to shake as if very afraid. Hence, what it means to truly be in the fear of the Lord.
No, that is not what has been widely taught. For being in the fear of the Lord is supposed to be about being literally afraid to do anything to upset Him according to religious traditions.
It makes sense—does it not? For we are talking about the One[3] who can erase all memory of an existence[4] whenever He feels like it[5], but what about what He actually says? For it is written: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. [1 John 4:7-21 NIV]
Yes, the last part of that passage provides clear written confirmation of the absolute truth of the matter truly being that a great, great many really do have good reason to be very afraid if they continue along the path that they are now on[6]. For it is written: Then He said to me, "It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." [Revelation 21:6-8 NAS]
On the other hand: Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. [1 John 3:18-24 NAS]
The key to it all is truly hiding His Word in our hearts[7], which is to have and to hold the witness of His Holy Spirit[8]. For far too many in the Christian community are living a lie[9], and this grieves our Heavenly Father deeply[10].
{1}1 Thessalonians 5:17; {2}John 14:18; {3}Deuteronomy 6:4; {4}Exodus 17:14; {5}Job 9:12; {6}Ezekiel 18:30-32; {7}Psalms 119:11; {8}John 14:26; {9}Isaiah 29:13; {10}Jeremiah 5:30-31.
In fact, there have been times when His presence has been so intense that I have felt myself starting to shake as if very afraid. Hence, what it means to truly be in the fear of the Lord.
No, that is not what has been widely taught. For being in the fear of the Lord is supposed to be about being literally afraid to do anything to upset Him according to religious traditions.
It makes sense—does it not? For we are talking about the One[3] who can erase all memory of an existence[4] whenever He feels like it[5], but what about what He actually says? For it is written: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. [1 John 4:7-21 NIV]
Yes, the last part of that passage provides clear written confirmation of the absolute truth of the matter truly being that a great, great many really do have good reason to be very afraid if they continue along the path that they are now on[6]. For it is written: Then He said to me, "It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." [Revelation 21:6-8 NAS]
On the other hand: Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. [1 John 3:18-24 NAS]
The key to it all is truly hiding His Word in our hearts[7], which is to have and to hold the witness of His Holy Spirit[8]. For far too many in the Christian community are living a lie[9], and this grieves our Heavenly Father deeply[10].
{1}1 Thessalonians 5:17; {2}John 14:18; {3}Deuteronomy 6:4; {4}Exodus 17:14; {5}Job 9:12; {6}Ezekiel 18:30-32; {7}Psalms 119:11; {8}John 14:26; {9}Isaiah 29:13; {10}Jeremiah 5:30-31.
Thank you for such a scripture rich post and full of words of wisdom and blessing from our Lord. May God continue to bless you as you bless others through your writings.
ReplyDeleteMay our Heavenly Father continue to greatly bless you and your's, my dear Mike!!!
ReplyDelete