Pastor’s Bog 2.25.20

Pastor’s Blog 2.25.20

How was your prayer time today? You did pray didn’t you? Years ago I was in a conversation with Prophet Kevin Leal, and he said something I’ll never forget; “You have to remember David, you are preaching to people that don’t pray or read their Bibles”. In our Sunday series “Can you follow the directions” I have been reminding you of the necessity of a daily interaction with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Every week I stand amazed at how few “leaders” there are who do not have a healthy prayer life.

So why is it so difficult to consistently pray? When we are instructed over and over to “seek the face of God”, most seek what is in His hand, not what is in His heart. When I read the book of Revelation and I read the desire of the Lord is for us to put Him first, I am always compelled to “repent and do my first works, return to my first love, hate evil and love righteousness, hold fast that which is still with us”, and so much more. The truth of the matter is- religion is easier than relationship, why? Religion is on your terms, relationship is on His. Religion is at your convenience, but in relationship you, like Peter, must go where and when you don’t want to go…

John 21:18-19
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old , you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” NKJV

When we serve the Lord in religion we still maintain control, but in relationship we lose control and give it uncompromisingly to Him. So are you still deciding when and how you love Him or have you fully yielded to His control?

Romans 8:12-14
12 Sonship Through the Spirit Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV

Before Jesus demanded we live this way, He showed us how. Sometimes we forget the key commands in the instructions about following Jesus.

Luke 14:33
33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. NKJV

I have to forsake “things” to write like this, the nature of the prophetic is self -sacrifice. It is not easy always having to be the one telling others they are in need of repentance and renewal. Many a day my flesh just wants to say what people want to hear. I could be a lot more popular with the multitude that way. That might have a temptation for immediate gratification but I am constrained by the Spirit of God within me to continually warn of the coming judgment of the God who is a consuming fire. I have had many say to me they wish they could have the experiences I have shared having. There is an ideal to having experienced more of God that carries a responsibility of heartbreak beyond compare.

I have seen Hell and part of Heaven, and I stand and watch others, even believers, live daily as if neither exist. To be really aware of the evil in the unseen realm is a burden that weighs heavier than some can imagine. The rewards are going to be beyond imagination as well.

The truth of the matter is, religion is easier than relationship, why? Religion is on your terms, relationship is on His.

Luke 12:42-48
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given , from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. NKJV

Solomon said it best:

Ecclesiastes 1:18
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. NKJV

I love this portion of God’s word in Job:

Job 28:12-29:1
12 “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’
23 God understands its way, And He knows its place.
24 For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens,
25 To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure.
26 When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt,
27 Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'”
NKJV

Let’s make prayer and time with God a priority! Let’s shift our lives, our church and even our nation as we put Him first and on His terms!

Pastor Dave