In Deuteronomy 12 we find Moses giving instructions of how Israel should live in the promise land. Some of you will say, “oh this is the law”. There are always spiritual principles that we can glean even from the books of the law.
The verse I want us to consider is: Deuteronomy 12:8 “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes” Israel was bringing there old behavior patterns and their personal likes, dislikes and yes their theology into the promise land. Everyone had an opinion of what they thought was right and what was wrong. Here we are 2020 and the world and even including a vast number of churches and sadly vast amounts of Christians who have now decided what is right and wrong in their opinion. From my perspective (for whatever that is worth) countless people are now walking in “doing whatever is right in his own eyes”. For many they have rewritten the Bible, they select certain verses to prove their point but purposely disregard other verses by what I call, “I think theology.” While others no longer use the bible as a source of right and wrong or even as a moral compass. With this theology where do we stop? Is it now ok that a parent sexually abuses their children saying its not abuse but love. About a year ago I was being interviewed to be a juror on a case. A father had been sleeping with his daughter for years and by his account by mutual consent because they loved each other. They were saying, “we didn’t hurt anyone, we were simply expressing our love for each other.” You might be saying, that is an extreme example. There are many more examples like this. Like how some states are allowing an abortion of a child (if they call it that) just before and just after birth on the premise of their opinion and choice. If we continue to adopt the “I think theology” and the “I think moral code” where will this bring us as a culture? Are there no longer biblical values, no longer moral ethics? Have we replaced these things by I think? No longer rights and wrongs but I think? I could quote a bunch of verses but just looking at this question “are we there” through the simple eyes of logic it is frightening to see where we will go as a culture. ARE WE THERE?
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Over the last number of months I have been reflecting a lot about the condition of America and the condition of the church. I am perplexed by both. I am having a difficult time understanding how the culture of the church and the culture of society has changed so radically in such a short period of time.
l’m not mad. I’m in shock and my heart is broken. Everything seems to be upside down. As much as I’m flabbergasted by the philosophies that are being expressed it’s like our society took some sort of “pill” that has altered people’s ability to think rationally and logically. I am literally seeing the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 12:8 where it says:
There is this voice inside of me which is speaking with passion … and clarity - You have to do it right. That was my thought from yesterday “Somebody has to do it right.” Are people seeing and hearing the Jesus in us? Do they hear love, mercy, compassion and an abundance of grace. Do they hear the voice of God or the voice of man. This is our day, this is our hour - this is our moment. We’re it. God’s counting on us Haven’t we all experienced times when we have prayed and it feels (emphasis on feelings) that we are not being heard. Not only do our emotions tell us that but Satan sure likes to add his two cents.
I can’t begin to tell you the countless times this has happened to me. How about you? I have often said when this occurs I wonder if God is in Bermuda taking a vacation. Perhaps the strongest emotion that I deal with is discouragement. It is at these times I need to find a “lifeline,” The following verse is my lifeline. Perhaps it too will become one of yours.
Be encouraged… In Acts 8 we find the Holy Spirit telling Philip to head south out of Jerusalem. As he does he meets a man from Ethiopia who was a eunuch who the scripture says in
Acts 8:27 was “a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship” It goes on to say:
Here is what he was reading
There are so many things to see in these few verses. We see Philip’s obedience to the Holy Spirit, the eunuch awareness that he needed help in understanding the scripture (a teachable spirit) but as I awoke this morning and said good morning Father I immediately heard the verse above. So what do you see in Acts 8:32? What flooded my mind this morning is the portion that says, “He was like a lamb that is silent before those who sheared him— he never even opened his mouth.” Jesus lived this verse out. It’s one thing to read and quote scripture its quite another to live it. How did Jesus respond when he was beaten, spit on and scourged? He didn’t say a word. I’m not going to develop this thought that is best left to the Holy Spirit to show each of us what he is saying to us personally. “He never even opened his mouth”. In Acts 16 Paul and Silas had been arrested, beaten and then thrown into prison and put into chains. You can say they weren’t having a good day. Here’s a question would you feel like worshipping?
Here is what is written:
Paul and Silas choose to worship rather than complain, gripe, feel sorry for themselves and a host of other ways of expressing that what had just occurred in their lives wasn’t right. It says, “but at midnight.” That would seem to indicate that they had been worshipping for a while and then a midnight - GOD MOVES… It says, there was an earthquake, foundation is shaken and the doors as well as all the chains were unlocked. Everyone was set free. We all want the earthquake and all our chains to be removed FOR EVERYONE…. Perhaps the key is to put aside complaining, griping, criticizing, feeling sorry for ourselves and numerous other “natural” attitudes and responses? We all want a “MIDNIGHT.” Then let’s “WORSHIP”, even when your having a bad day. I am so excited to see what God is about to do. To be honest we as a nation shouldn’t be surprised that God would discipline us but instead of his anger I believe we are going into a time that His goodness we be poured out.
I hear God declaring Zechariah 8:15
While there are such darkness on the earth what a perfect time for the light to be seen on us. Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.” Are we ready to carry this anointing? As I was sitting here in my office the thought came to my mind that I should ask the Lord to help me to see what I was to see and do today. Then I realized I use to get up everyday and after acknowledging him I would ask him to help me to see what He was doing and what He wanted me to see and thus do today.
I immediately thought why did I stop asking Him that? I recall that I just didn’t stop but over a period of time I would skip one day, then another day and within a short period of time I stopped all together. I also have to admit my seeing and doing has diminished because of it. I asked the Lord what happened. One word came into my my and that word was erosion. I then saw in the spirit homes in Plymouth, Mass and homes on the coast line on Cape Cod. As I was watching this vision i saw the water from the ocean slamming against the land these homes were built on. Then over a long period of time these homes fell into the ocean. That is a true story they did and other homes were being threatened today. How can this happen? Simple answer slow erosion. Are you beginning to see a parallel here? You might be wondering why the home owners didn’t do something about the erosion? Hmmm… That a good question. For those home owners but also us. Many of the home owners were hoping it wouldn’t get that bad. That everything was going to be fine. Some home owners really didn’t pay attention to the erosion taking place. Are we relating? Other owners were overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. While others saw what was going on and they researched (studied) and found out exactly what to do but more often then not they didn’t do anything. The biggest reason was they couldn’t afford to do what was necessary. Anything resonating? They also saw that it would be a process to repair and restore their footings and foundations. Is our phone ringing? Then as the vision was concluding a scripture came to my mind. It was:
Ok we all have enough biblical knowledge to be aware of Satan’s devices/tactics. So what happened? Answer is - the concept of spiritual erosion. So now what? I just got another picture in my mind. It’s a picture of a tool shed and inside the tool shad there was a multiplicity of tools that were neatly that were all hung up on the wall or neatly placed against the wall. Most of the tools have rusted from lack of use. Then I hear run to your tool shed and grab some tools and go to work. Then I saw two angels go into the tool shed and grab some other tools to help us. They were working right beside us. Now what? Let’s run to the tool shed and stop the erosion. Tonight at mid week service Lisa (Ps Tom’s wife) spoke on choices and as part of her presentation she spoke on Elijah from I Kings. After the service I took a moment and continued to read in 1 Kings 18. Lisa had used part of the story when Elijah told King Ahab that he heard the” sound of abundance of rain.”
If you remember it hadn’t rained in 3.5 years and Elijah had to have heard in the Spirit and by faith told the king it was going to rain. Big step of faith. The example of hearing something in the Spirit before we see any visual evidence of that prophetic word. Ahab leaves for Jerusalem and Elijah goes to prayer. As he begins to pray he sends his servant to see if there was any evidence that rain clouds had appeared. Remember he had already told the king it was going to rain before there was any evidence of that reality. If we wait for evidence it will hinder walking in faith. So he prays and he sends his servant to see if there was any evidence of rain. His servant came back and said, “I didn’t see a thing.: Elijah’s response was “go again” and I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us don’t quit, keep pursing . When you have heard God then It’s time to pursue what you have heard. Yes, it often takes persistence and endurance. Here is the verse.
I really feels many of you need to hear this word. When you get discouraged “GO AGAIN.” Oh, Elijah pursued and persisted because he prayed. “GO AGAIN” As I have said several times I just love Sunday mornings (in church) for multiple reasons. One of the reasons is during worship the Holy Spirit enjoys talking to us. Yesterday I was delighted when the Holy Spirit added to what I spoke oblast Wednesday night. It is posted here in Facebook if you’re interested in knowing what was said.
One of the key points from last week was found in Mark 16:20:
How awesome is it that the Lord continues to work with us as we share the things of the Kingdom of God. Then Sunday in church I heard and read Revelation 1:18, (notice what it says). Jesus says he holds the keys to death and hell.
He said he WILL GIVE (not earned) US THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM… This past Sunday Jesus was walking through the room unlocking the locks on chains that were keeping people bound in chains. Jesus had a very large key ring but only one key was on it. I wondered about that then I heard, “that that one key will open every lock. After Jesus unlocked the chains he handed the chains to each person. Then he went and got a trash barrel and went and stood before each person. Everyone had choice to through the chains into the trash barrel or they could keep their chains. I then saw in the spirit that many people kept their chains Musing: You and your potential
I’m sorry but I can’t get this thought out of my mind. A day hasn’t gone by in weeks that I don’t think about YOUR potential. Admittedly for years I was wrapped up in being concerned about my potential. What a waste of time. But each time I think about people my heart is filled with this burning desire that cry’s out “Oh Father, show them, show them how you see them. I keep imaging if everyone truly captured WHO THEY ARE AND STOP FOCUSING WHO THEY ARE NOT… A few weeks ago I used the following verse to challenge the people in attendance and those who would watch on our streaming it says:
While the verse is directly speaking about sound biblical doctrine I also see it another way. I see it asking who hindered you from obeying the truth - what is the truth? The truth is who you were created to be. The truth about all the gifts that are hidden inside of you. Perhaps we can ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what does hinder us and then how we can unearth the gold inside to each of you.l You were created to carry the Glory of God;
The hour is upon us! Our Father is overwhelmed with joy to reveal to you the awesome “truth” of who you are. |
AuthorPastor Brian R. Weeks began ministering in 1972 and has served as a pastor to both youth and young adults. He also served as an associate pastor for eleven years, and then for 25 years as a senior pastor, apostolic missionary, and church planter. In March of 2017 he released his church Solomon’s Porch, but in order to remain part of the local church, continues to serve among its several pastors. Archives
January 2022
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