Salt of the Earth

“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. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.” – Isaiah 59:19-20

When wickedness (which is always rooted in pride and selfishness) floods the land, God will combat it with a preacher of righteousness. The standard that God raises up against this swelling tide of iniquity is a standard of righteousness. You see, biblically it is only Righteousness through repentance, and agreement with and submission to the word and will of God that can stay judgment (the consequences of sin).

“And God spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;” – 2 Peter 2:5

In essence, righteousness (or being in right standing with God) is a ticket into the ark that is available to every man because of what Jesus did at Calvary. He made a way of escape from judgment by taking our sin and offering us His righteousness. Through the washing of His blood we can be cleansed and through the infilling, leading, and empowering if His Spirit we can overcome sin and walk in His righteousness, His right-standing, or out quite simply… what He says is right.

When we do this we become righteous and are protected from the judgment of the wicked, for God hath not appointed the righteous unto wrath. Therefore, when the fullness of time had come and the wrath of God was ready to be poured out upon the earth and all, like sheep, had gone astray. God sent Jesus, that through His righteousness, He might lead us to righteousness and thus sprinkle the righteous through the earth like salt, preserving the land from wrath (Until the time of the great falling away), for wrath cannot fall upon the righteous.

We see this exemplified in Abraham’s plea to God for mercy over Sodom and Gomorrah. He states that God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked. So he ask God if there be 30 righteous sin the city, will He not spare the land for the sake of the righteous that are in it? And of course God says that He would, for He will not pour His wrath upon the righteous. The enemy may bring tribulation upon the righteous but God will never send His wrath upon them. Abraham asked if there be 20, or 10, and God said that He would spare it. So in this do we see that while sin brings a curse upon a person, a people, and a land, so does righteousness bring a blessing. The sin of one will effect many around them but so will the righteousness of one preserve many around them. In this do we see why Jesus called us the “salt of the earth”, because salt preserves.

So humble yourself, repent, acknowledge your need to be in right standing, ask Jesus to cleanse you and empower you to walk in it, and remain obedient unto righteousness. Reject sin and live a life in agreement with the word and will of God. Be the salt, less you be found useless to your purpose in this earth. Preach repentance, holiness, and righteousness that you and your house might be saved and those around you might have a little more time and opportunity to do the same.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” – Matthew 5:13

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” – Psalms 32:5-7

Ministry Is Not A Competition

“I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” – John 4:38

It always baffles me when ministries try to patten, monetize, or trademark messages, mantras, or revelations that were never their’s to begin with, but were given to them by the Holy Spirit to freely give. It only serves to prove that in reality they are running a business and not a ministry.

I’m always grateful when I hear the messages that the Lord has given me being copied and repeated. It means my little talent is gaining interest, the seed planted in me is multiplying and reproducing a greater harvest in fields that I have not labored.

Besides, let’s face it. Everyone of us is still preaching Paul’s sermons. So rebuke that since of ownership. Lay aside the market model church business. Share the gospel and be grateful when someone “gets it” enough to run with it and bring it to where you can’t. Ministry is not a competition, it’s a mission and it takes more then one to win it. It’s a race to the finish for sure, but let’s remember that it’s a relay race. So pass it on.

Parable of the Talents:

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with interest. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:” – Matthew 25:13-32

“Remember”

“And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Hebrews 10:21-22

Jesus was not kidding when he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18)

He occupies the highest throne of authority! Remember:

He called a coin out of the mouth of a fish.

He stopped the waves with a word.

He spoke, and a tree withered.

He spoke, and a basket became a banquet.

He spoke again, and demons fled, sickness was healed, and even a battalion of soldiers collapsed instantly!

Economy, Meteorology, Botany, Food supply, Governments,… “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matt. 11:27)

So when we pray, we need to remember just who it is that hears us! Taking all things He is and has done should stir a faith and peace in our valleys when we call out to Him!

So pray! Since God works, prayer works. Since God is good, prayer is good. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. You’re never without hope because you’re never without prayer. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, just call on His name. He is near to the brokenhearted and they of a contrite spirit.

Going forward, when you spend your time with Jesus in prayer, just as with communion, do it in remembrance!

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

Colossians 1:16-19

Just Enough

We love to pray for blessings, for abundance, for excess, but this is not really a biblical mindset. It’s a worldly one. One of the most beautiful, humble, passionate, powerful, and wise prayers in the Bible goes like this:

“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me (just enough): Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” – Proverbs 30:8-9

It’s pride, selfishness, and foolishness that begs for abundance. In fact James, the brother of Jesus said that many ask and do not receive what they ask because they are asking for things to consume upon themselves, their desires, and their lust. God’s mercy does not answer such prayers but I fear that sometimes the devil does. Armed with this wisdom the writer of the proverb prays to be guarded from this snare of the enemy. He does not ask for riches, attention, possessions, positions, or abundance. He ask for just enough. Just enough to keep him from the temptation to resort to thievery, dishonesty, or unbelief. Yet not so much that he might lose his dependency on God and forget Him knowing that need drives men to seek, and a seeking man will not stray from the hand that feeds.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:7-12

This is the lesson that God was teaching His people in the wilderness when He supplied Manna from heaven for them. He needed to lead them. He needed them to seek Him. Not to get ahead of Him. Not to stray trying to make their own way. So He supplied their need day by day. If they tried to collect more then enough for that one day, the abundance would quickly rot away. They could not move on without Him or forget about Him, because He only gave them just enough, and He did it because He loved them.

If we could grab hold of this biblical mindset. That trust, communion, and dependence on God is of greater value then the riches of Egypt; we would quickly rid ourselves and the modern church of this worldly mindset that puts more value on abundance then on relationship, selflessness, faithfulness, righteousness, and the souls of men.

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” – Hebrews 11:24-26

Prayer:

Lord I do not ask for more, for You alone are my greatest reward. I ask instead for just enough, that I not be distracted from the depths of Your, which always meets me at the place of my need. I pray for You to be my daily bread. That which sustains me. I pray for Your wisdom and Spirit to lead me, to rightly use that which you give me. To always pour it back out into growing Your Kingdom. Never to use it on self-building, pleasure seeking, or easy living. Never to consume it on selfish lust, but to trust You each day for just enough.

The Marriage of Holiness and Biblical Unity

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” – Ephesians 4:1-8

There is one truth, one way, one door to access heaven, and there is one Spirit given to lead us there. Therefor to truly be part of the body of Christ, His true church, His true bride and not just a counterfeit or even an antithesis of it, we must be led by that Spirit.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” – Romans 8:13-14

Every revival, outpouring, releasing of God’s giftings, or mighty move of God in History came by way of two things. Holiness and unity. Knowing that Holiness literally means “separation”, this might seem impossible, but it’s not. Because what many who preach unity fail to clarify is that the Bible says that there are two kinds of unity, unity with the world which makes you the enemy of God, and unity with the Spirit which makes you the enemy of the world and will by default of it’s very nature produce Holiness (which is separation).

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

You simply cannot serve two masters, saltwater and fresh can’t mix, what Agreement has Christ with Baal? To unify with it makes you a spiritual adulteress who has left her first love, Jesus, to cheat on Him with the unholy spirit of this age, become a spotted unholy unexceptional bride to an antichrist spirit run church system. It’s counterfeit and God will not endorse it, He will separate Himself from it for He is Holy.

“Be ye holy; for I am holy says the Lord.” -1 Peter 1:16

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” – James 4:4

So that now we see that they are one in the same because you cannot have one without the other. It’s a marriage, for me to be in unity with my husband I have to be set apart from all others and by holy unto him. True biblical unity, unity (are marriage) with the Holy Spirit will cause you to take a stand for Him that is set apart from the world system. It will cause you to “take God’s side”, to obey His voice, to preach His truths, to be holy, and for this He will endorse you, cover you, provide for you, be with you, and empower you.

This is the biblical reality that we see played out through all of history through Noah, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, and countless others who’s names are recorded in heavenly archives of glory and honor unto the day of revealing before all the saints and angels when God Himself will tell their story and commend them for it.

“For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” – 2 Corinthians 10:18

So if you want to truly be used mightily by God, this is what it will take. Holiness (separation from the world, it’s lust, it’s lies, it’s desires, it’s pride, it’s compromise, and those who esteem it of any value), and unity with the Holy Spirit (agreement with God and submitting to His Holy Spirit even though all the world will often seem to hate you for it. Yet will God Himself endorse it). This is what brings a true God birthed Holy Spirit outpouring.

“And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” – 1 Kings 18:41

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4

Follow Jesus, Not Men

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” – John 1:35-37

John the Baptist was a great man of God. By God’s own declaration there had been no greater prophet ever born to woman then John. He preached, he baptized, he prophesied, and Andrew was one of his faithful disciples!

Yet when Jesus passed by and the time of stepping out had come. Andrew had to make a hard decision, yet he made it without flinching! This was the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed One, Jesus. John was a great man, but this was Jesus. John was a great preacher, but this was Jesus. John was a great prophet, but this was Jesus. John was a great leader, but this was Jesus. John was a great friend, but this was Jesus. Andrew made the right choice, he followed Jesus, even though he had to walk away from John to do it and John understood. John, being a true man of God concerned with building God’s kingdom rather then his own, humbly and wisely said “He must increase and I must decrease.”

With that John proved to have the most successful ministry. A ministry that raised people up to follow Jesus, not a man, a ministry, a doctrine, or a program, just Jesus Himself. Real ministry is not about building a large following that forever come to you for an other bottle of milk. It’s about being the voice of one crying in the wilderness “repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Not the kingdom of a man. It’s about raising up men and women of Faith, pointing them to Jesus, and teaching them how to hear Him personally so that when their time of visitation comes they will hear His words, “come and follow Me” and obey joyfully!

When a young Christian is first saved they depend heavily on their leaders, preachers, disciplers, and teachers, and a good minister will invest much into them. But there comes a time when they must be willing to say, today is the day that I must decrease so that He can increase, go and follow Him, build His Kingdom.

In this moment, and in this moment only, is the minister truly a success, this is why God Himself proclaimed before all eternity, that among ministers, John was the best. Yes, sometimes you will have to walk away from great men in order to walk with Jesus because we all have a place in the Kingdom and work to do for Him. John knew his place was but a member in the body and he dared not assume himself the head to be followed, but rather a part in the process, a mere servant.

There have been many great men and women of God throughout history. Some well know and followed and some more hidden. There have also been many who made themselves known spouting things that were wrong. Jesus addressed this issue among His followers by asking them this simple question, “who do you say that I Am?” To which they began to recite other men’s interpretations of Him saying:

“Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” – Matthew 16:14

Jesus was not satisfied with who others had told them He was, so He asked again saying, “but who do you say that I Am?”. This is what Jesus is asking each one of us. He expects a personal relationship which brings us personal revelation of who He really is, not who others say that He is. In this instance all the others were wrong and the personal revelation that God placed in Peter through the experiences he had with Jesus personally revealed the truth to Him.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:16-18

Jesus was not pleased with them relying on men to interpret who He was to them. He was satisfied when they drew revelation personally from the Holy Spirit for this was the reason that Jesus was given. To build a church that was not dependent on temples and priest nor the teachings of men but upon personal revelation through encountering Him. Unless we abide and commune with Him daily we will stray and fall sway to the ideas, teachings, and traditions of men when we were never called to follow men, we were called to follow Him.

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” – Matthew 4:19-20

We have all followed someone at some point. Some were great men like John the Baptist who pointed us toward Jesus. Some spoke things to us that were wrong like those the disciples spoke of. Yet we will all come to a place, a fork in the road, a road to Damascus, a valley of Decision where we will encounter Jesus personally. We will experience Him in a real and personal way. His Holy Spirit will move in undeniable super natural ways to reveal how real, and present, and powerful the person of Jesus Christ really is, and in that moment we will have to make the decision to go and follow Him and His will for us. However to pick up our cross and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit will most assuredly cause us to walk away from many men in the process. You can’t walk in newness while living in the past. Count the cost, esteem Him the treasure of greatest value, and follow Jesus.

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” – 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” – Philippians 3:7-8

Just Because

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:14

Today I saw a picture of a small child hugging his dad. To which the picture said, “Happiness is when your child comes up to you and hugs you, just because.” How true this is. Such total, innocent, unassuming, agenda-less love. An absolutely safe hug! Safe to receive and safe to return! No fear of betrayal, no threat of insincerity, no preconceived notions, no shame, pride, or dishonesty. Just love. There is no safer place to receive love from and release your love too, then to your child when it comes to you, just because. What happiness it brings, what joy, what a blessing.

Remember God is a parent too, and this is a blessing that He can only receive from you. When is the last time that you went to Him simply to love on Him, just because? No petitions, no needs, no wants, no burdens. Though He does want us to take these things to Him in prayer, yet when is the last time you came to Him just to be there? Not for us, but for Him. Not to get, but to give? To love Him, to bless Him, to hug Him, just because.

We know that our kids come to us when they are hurt, or hungry, or in need and that’s just fine. But it’s those times when they come to offer back to us all that they really have to offer, their love, that safe hug that melts away every sorrow, if only for a moment and makes all the heartache in the world, worth it.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2

Prayer:

You are so good to me Lord. I can’t thank You enough. I love You with my all and all. If all I have is You for eternity then I have all I need and ever want. I wanna make You happy. I’ll be a fool to make You smile. I’ll be rejected to see You defended. I’ll be worn to see You rewarded. I’ll be Yours, to see You honored and adored. I give You my all, Lord. My whole heart. You cherish it, You see it, You never deceive it. You are my resting place, my joy, my safety, my hope, my love, my savior, my rescuer, my redeemer, and my home. I’m only ok when I’m with You. I want You to be ok when You’re with me too. Make me someone You can trust with Your love. Make me a safe place for You to rest. Like the embrace of a toddler to it’s parent, where they can abandon all and just receive it knowing that it is pure and selfless. I want to be that for You. A safe hug, a safe place to just love. Just like that toddler, I may get tired, I may fall down, I may make mistakes or get confused but I will never not love you. No matter what happens or what I go through. I will always be Your safe hug because You have always been mine.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

Feed My Lambs

“For, lo, there will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” – Zechariah 11:16-17

The modern word “pastor” comes from an Old Testament word “pasturer”. It was a type of shepherd who tended to the needs of a flock that was not his own. When a good shepherd had many sheep, he would appoint pasturers to shepherd smaller flocks of his sheep for him. Their job was to tend to their needs on the good shepherds behalf. To mend the broken, to set the captive ones free from being entangled in snares, to lead them to safe waters, to protect them from wolves, and most importantly to feed the lambs. Being young, frail, and inexperienced, lambs cannot always find their own food and fend for themselves like mature sheep can. It was the pasturers job to see to it that the lambs got fed and had a fighting chance to make it to maturity. They need special care and it’s a lot of work but a good shepherd does it because he is selfless and loves his sheep, and a good pasturer does it because he loves the sheep and the good shepherd and desires to please him.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” – John 21:15

Yet there are times when those appointed shepherds over God’s flocks loose sight of their purpose. They forget that the flock is not theirs, that the good shepherd is taking account of their selfish actions. They eat the sheep and take the fat for themselves (that which was meant for God’s glory). They drive the sheep to lands and labors that the good shepherd commanded not. Yet worse of all, they sit idly by while the lambs starve, the broken are not mended, the lost are not recovered. They work their own plan, they build their own house, they consume but they do not feed. All because they have strayed away from the good shepherd to do their own thing and taken His flock with them.

The sad truth is that the pasturer did not have to come up with food, he only had to feed what the good shepherd gave him. He only had to lead the flock where the good shepherd told him, but for lack of communion he strayed and began to do his own thing and took the good shepherd’s flock with him. Then being cut off from the good shepherds provision, the flock began to succumb to starvation. Yet the selfish pasturer cared not for the starving lambs, he pressed on doing his own thing and feeding on them. So finally the good shepherd stepped in and had to deal with him, and his dealing was quite severe. He brought the sword against him and cut off his right arm (spiritual strength) and plucked out his right eye (spiritual vision/revelation), leaving him with visibly shameful wounds. A pasturer with no strength or vision and publicly disgraced, never again able to lead, or lead astray.

So minister, the Lord is saying to you today:

“Examine your heart. Your building, your plotting, your schemes. Are you feeding the lambs or are you feeding on them? If you love Me, feed My sheep. If you love yourself you will feed on them or feed them to the wolves for selfish gain. You will not come to me to obtain what you need to feed them and wisely lead them. You will weary the matured and abandon the young leaving them to starve. You will use the fatted ones until there are no more. You will lead them to polluted waters and when wolves sneak in to over take them you will not risk all to save them, because you’ve built your own kingdom and nothing is worth loosing it. But the good shepherd gives his very life for the sheep. Like little David running toward the bear and the lion to save one lamb from it’s mouth because he had My heart for the sheep, and you can only get My heart from spending time with Me.”

“For, lo, there will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” – Zechariah 11:16-17

Unity With Egypt

“For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” – Isaiah 30:15

The enemy was amassing against the Israelites and they were facing a full on attack. They needed only repent of their sins and unbelief and to cry out to God in faith in Him to deliver them as He had moved to prove that He could do in times past. In quietness and rest through prayer, seeking, and waiting on the Lord they would have been saved, yet they did not put their trust in Him. They did not come in prayer and faith, they began to plot and to plan instead and to put their trust in man, mammon, battle plans, and alliances.

Pride comes before a fall because pride doesn’t seek the Lord. Instead they hastily sought an Alliance with Egypt, revealing that they trusted more in Egypt’s tools, weapons, chariots, and mighty masses of men then in God, His faithfulness, power, and wisdom, and God saw it as sin. You see God counted Moses righteous because that he refused to put his trust in the riches of Egypt, esteeming faith in, and alliance with, Christ of far greater value. However, here God counted the Israelites unrighteous for doing the exact opposite; for putting their trust in the riches of Egypt and esteeming faith in, and alliance with it of far greater value then trusting in God.

“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” – Isaiah 30:1-3

How sad for this people whom God had once defended. Yet now they had made an allegiance with God’s enemy. So God determined to turn them over to it and show them the consequences of such unwise and faithless decisions. God cannot defend that which is contaminated with sin, error, or Rebelion. You cannot mix the world in and expect God to endorse it or have any part of it.

God calls you friend? Be cautious then because friendship (or alliances) with the world does not make them God’s Friend because of you. It makes you God’s enemy because of them. Stand for Holiness, stand for God, because God is Holy. If it’s not Holy it’s not of God and if we are not standing with Him we are taking a stand against Him. So be warned that unity with the Holy Spirit of a Holy God will cause you separation from the unholy spirit of the world (Egypt). Or else unity with the unholy spirit of Egypt will cause a Holy God to separate Himself from you. So choose ye this day whom you will serve and love God enough to take a stand for Holiness, because as for me and my house….

“know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” – James 4:4

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:16

“(Jesus said) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” – Matthew 12:30

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:14-15

“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.” – Isaiah‬ ‭31:1-9‬ ‭

When a Nineveh Repents

“And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” – Jonah 4:9-11

Jonah had been called by God to deliver a warning of eminent judgment to the vilely wicked city Nineveh. Total destruction was coming upon them because of their selfishness and violence against the innocent. Jonah really did not have a heart for these people, they were evil, they were vile, they were the enemy of his people, they were the descendants of corruption, and they were not much worth saving in his eyes. He lacked a love for the souls of this people yet God did not, and He made a way through Jonah to warn them of judgment.

You see God is just, and justice demands that sin be judged, yet does it also demand that a warning of it go forth that opportunity be given for repentance. This is always God’s desire for it is not His will that any should parish but that all should come to repentance.

Jonah delivers the warning of judgment and then sits back and waits for it to happen hoping that it does. This wicked plight of a people would be wiped out and he would be known as a great and mighty prophet of God for wanting of it! Yet the unexpected happened. Revival happened. True revival! They prayed, and fasted, and repented, and God was able to stay the judgment. It passed over them. What a miracle of biblical proportions.

Yet here sits Jonah, in this rare moment when a people actually heeded the words of a prophet so that the warning did not have to come to pass, and he pouts about it! You see when the words of the prophet are not heeded then nothing good happens in the spiritual so that bad things then happen in the physical. But in this case, because that the words of the prophet were heeded, nothing bad happened in the physical because something great happened in the spiritual! However, Jonah couldn’t see that from where he was sitting in his place of selfishness. He thought he looked like a false prophet, he thought he looked like a failure, he thought his trials had been in vain because that there was no earth shattering demonstration of his mandate.

What a shame. He couldn’t see the greater thing that had been done. The battle had been won in the spiritual so that there was no need for God to take a physical action. God then rebukes him and lovingly but firmly reveals his desire for vain glory and man centered validation to him. Jonah wanted God to pour out a demonstration of His disapproval of the people to them but instead He sends demonstration to Jonah to relay this message to him.

“Jonah, don’t be so selfish, so compassionless, so faithfulness, so narrow and physically minded. You care more about a plant because it’s physical manifestation gave you comfort and glory and demonstrated My favor upon you, then you do for all these souls that you suffered so long for because you got no earthly reward or recognition for your ministry to them. Oh Jonah, does it do you well to pout about this?”

Oh ministers of the living God. It would do us well to remember this.

“And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” – Jonah 4:9-11