“There cometh a shower …”
“And he said also to the people,
When ye see a cloud rise out of the west,
straightway ye say,
“There cometh a shower; and so it is.”
Dear David,
[Note: if your name is not David, you can put your name in instead,
and take this as an intimate message to you persoanlly,
I won’t mind, and neither will David.]
The hour is late. Our Time is running short. The coming of the Lord is soon. No one knows the exact day, nor the exact hour: But we all know our time is short, because we have only a few limited years left on our own calendar. That’s a limited number anyway you count it.
The work is great, but where will the harvesters come from?
Have we done our fair share in serving the Lord in the harvest? (Are we like the first son, or the second son? —Matthew 21:28-32. Which one best represents our actions?)
Who will God choose to bring in the harvest? If not us, then who?
God has revealed to us, in his word, the very time, and the very the season, but are we truly listening?
Are we paying attention?
Are we READY? Do we bear on our bodies, the marks of Jesus? (Galatians 6:17)
If not, then shouldn’t we get busy about our father’s business, and lay down our lives on the line, for the one who laid his life down on the line for us?
I believe, David, these are some of the things, God wants us to to know …
David,
Do you have the fear of the Lord? I do believe you do.
I believe you have a measure of the fear of the Lord.
I also believe I have a measure of the fear of the Lord.
But to be purely honest, I don’t believe I carry the fear of the Lord in fullness in my heart.
If I did, I know my actions would be dramatically different. And that saddens me.
I see how far I fall short, and that saddens me. Therefore, I want to share this with you in confidence.
God has revealed to us that his wise virgins must be ready.
They must prepare themselves for his coming. That is their job description.
If they fail to fulfill their work, (according to Matt. 25) they will share the same fate as the foolish virgins. They will be put into the same category as the duplicitous second son, who told his father, he would go into the Vineyard and work, but then he never did go and work. He actually lie to His Father, and dishonored His Father’s Name, His Authority, and His Life. (See Matt. 21).
Is not the Will of God to Keep His Commandments?
The wise virgins must do the things that God commanded them to do.
His servants must demonstrate that they are indeed faithful in his house—by what they do. (That is the primary message of Mt. 25)
This is not “works salvation,” as many emboldened and loud preachers would proclaim.
It takes great faith to put your sedentary faith into action, that cannot be accomplished by the works of the LAW–(APART FROM CHRIST: you and I can do nothing–John 15:5).
It took great faith, for Paul to disengage his life from the false religious leaders of his day, and become alone, fully accountable to Christ himself. It took great faith for Stephen to do the signs and wonders he did, and then to stand as a bold witness to those who would stone him.
It was Stephen’s great faith, and not the works of the Law that enabled him to say: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” even as the stones were raining down upon his beautiful head. None of this things could be accomplished by the works of the law, but only by works of pure and unadulterated Fatih.
That is why I think it is wise to revisit this parable of the wise and foolish virgins, again, and again until the message becomes part of the fabric of our faith and lives. I believe this parable should instill in us a deep fear of the Lord. We should continue to visit it, until, it would shapes all of our thoughts and feelings, and give us an edge in all of our our actions. This parable was designed by God to wake us up out of our stuppor. But has it done its job in our own lives?
David,
Do we need to be woken up out of our spiritual lethargy, our continual compromise, our deadly lack of self examination?
Yes, I believe we do. And the parable of the Virgins confirms this. It closes with this chilling word from Jesus:
Afterward came also the other [foolish] virgins, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.”
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:11-13 (KJV)
I believe, when we truly disgest this parable in the soul of our being, we will get a certain edge of clarity, and an edge of purpose, that will drive us into right actions, and cutting words, that will convict not only ourselves, but everyone around us.
Just as Pauls word’s and actions convicted those in his generation, so we have been entrusted with the same ministry of reconciliation, that he was entrusted with in his day, so that our words and actions should bring conviction into our generation. If that is not happening in our own personal walk and life in Christ, then I believe there is something missing.
And I will dare say with boldness, that getting the sharp edge of Word of God into our words, and into our actions is part of the critical factor of becoming a wise Virgin in the sight of the Lord.
So this is a question of self examination: Are we as effective, devoted, and as committed to fulfill our ministry of reconciliation as Paul was to complete his ministry of reconciliation? (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)
I beleive that is where we shall see the difference between the wise and foolish virgins.
David, I believe:
We need this sharp edge to do our job.
.
We are called to stand out from the crowd.
We are called to step forward for service.
We are called, just like Paul, to be a witness everywhere we go, to everyone we meet, in every new town, at every new market place, in every new synagogue, and every new neighborhood, Paul stood out.
And I believe it’s not that difficult: To hand out a business card with the scripture, or a small track or to ask a compelling scriptural question. Even if we just did this five times a day, and if a whole church would make such a small commitment to do the same, what might be the outcome?
Of course, those suggestions carry minimal risk, and minimal investment, but if we don’t start somewhere, we won’t go anywhere.
But even, a minimal effort can have a profound domino effect.
Are you familiar with the short little Australian evangelist, Frank Jenner?
https://www.do-you-see-him.com/frank-jenner-wit…-simple-question/
Pau; was used as the sharp edge of the Lord, to separate the chaff from the Wheat.
Paul cut through cultural lines, economics lines. He cut spiritually and socially through military lines, government and judicial lines, everywhere he went.
Paul knew His Mission: To present the ministry of reconciliation everywhere Paul went.
The people said, Paul turned their world upside down.
That is why I believe God has chosen Paul to be a witness for us, a model we can base our lives on, to follow in Paul’s example, as He is following Christ’s example.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
Two Things come to mind Here:
- One is The Sacrifice;
- But Two, is The Adventure.
I suppose the majority of people run hard and fast and fearfully away from the The Sacrifice; but this is what the miss out on: The Adventure.
We need the Sharp Edge of God in our lives.
We need to be a sharp doubled edged sword in God’s Hand. Without becoming that, what can we do? (John 15:5-7)
To be sure, we need this edge, the sharp edge of the Lord, upon all of our thoughts, upon all of our words, and upon all our communication, just as the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the pastors, and the teachers, needed this very edge in their presentation of redemption to everyone in their generation: So we need this very edge, this sharp edge in our presentation, even as much or more so in our generation, because there is that much more to distract the people we know and love away from the gospel and away from the truth. Away from the Sacrifice, and away from the Adventure.
That describes love bond with God, that we are entrusted to protect, uplift, and behold.
God servants are to prove their loyalty to him more and more as the day approaches (Heb. 10:25).
In God’s word, especially in Matthew chapter 25, it is clearly not our beliefs that will be judged. It is our actions.
Modern preaching preaches beliefs, beliefs, beliefs, and more beliefs, but how many really live out the Gospel in their actions? How many truly live out the Sacrifice and the Adventure–deeply worshipping by faith that can move mountains? How many walk with Him in Spirit and In Truth? How many have the evidence to prove it?
How many lay down thier lives in secret?
How many carry the marks of Jesus on their bodies?
[I can only tell you from my experience: Not Many.]
A man can have all the best beliefs in the world, and all the best scholarly triaing that money can by, but sadly,until he puts them into action, they are of no value to him, nor to God.
The truth be told David, I can have all the right beliefs, all the standard orthodox, biblically based beliefs about God, and his word, and the church, and eschatology, and even evangelism, and missions, in this life: but if those right beliefs, do not turn themselves into right actions … how will they benefit me, or anyone around me in the kingdom of Heaven?
It doesn’t matter if I believe them “with all my heart.”Those beliefs will not do me any good on the day I stand before God and give an account of every careless word I’ve spoken, and every idle hour I have wasted–serving everything and everyone One, but the One Sovereign King of Heaven and Earth.
Here is a huge difference:
From: 1) believing thatthere is a son of God (that’s just a mental exercise, that is inert and inactive),
From: 2) believing in the Son of God, (that is a daily, yeah, hourly, and moment to moment discipline that bears much fruit).
We are called to go into the battle, to go into the heat, to walk through the flames, to take our hits, receive our blows, take our wounds, and all the retaliation that the enemy and his world can throw at us. That’s our job description: 2 Timothy 2:1-13.
Jesus explains this with cutting edge clarity:
In the Parable of the Steward …
Luke 12:42-57 (KJV) 42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes,
shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.[Next: Jesus gets into the nittg gritty details]
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth;
But how is it that ye do not discern this time?
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
The longer we strive against the Lord, and against doing his will, and the more we pretend that our religion gives us excuses, not to do the will of God, and not to know the will of God for ourselves, personally and intimately, even as Paul and the Apostles knew it.
Many people will tell you directly that: They know God.
But the critical factor, that will change their eternity is this:
Does God know them?
Does God know their ways, their word, their life? And does God give his seal of approval on their words, their thoughts, and their deeds. If God doesn’t know them, if they are not familiar with them, with doing life from God’s Perspective, then sadly, God does not know them.
But this message is glaringly absent from the modern day pulpits. It is missing, but it is at the core of the Gospel. Doing God’s Will, God’s Way, by God’s Design, and God’s Power. That people can be sad to be known by God, for he listened for God’s Voice, and heard it and followed it. (“My sheep know my voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27) .
The more we ignore His Word, His Voice, and His Perspective, The more we put ourselves, our wives, our children, our friends, and our neighbors in jeopardy. And the more we invite evil into our lives and culture and world.
I believe, David that if we truly believe the word of God, from His Heavenly, Holy, and Unchanging Perspective: It will reproduce powerful fruits in our lives, all around us. We will become the Salt and Light, God has called us to be.
But we know it won’t all be Roses …
One Super predictable negative by product, is that the Word of God and the Will of God, and the Work of God, all together are assuredly going to cause Division.
Not Peace. But Division. It did for Charles Finney, and it will be the same for you and I.
If our goal is to keep the Peace, rather than Keep God’s word, then we are not going to bear the kind of fruit Jesus and All his early followers reproduced. Why? Because our priorities will stop us.
Trying to do God’s Work without God’s Priorities is like trying to build a castle on thin air. It cannot be done. Once we get our priorities straight, then we can do something to get our work straight.
Now, guess who can and will likely be the number one stumbling block that will do almost anything and everything, to keep you and I from getting our priorites straight????
Did you guess it? It is often the people closest to you. You Spouse. You Parents. You Children. You Mother-in-Law. And let’s be clear, that is not me saying that: That comes directly from the Mouth of God.
And in fact: If you believe any thing I have presented thus far is me just saying stuff, then I challenge you to check it out, and ignore it, and then correct me. If you love me and see me walking in error.
Here is big priority, many do not have straight, or even on their list:
As a long term believer, every follower of Christ should know this High Priority Item of God’s Priority List:
It’s Called Persecution.
Matthew 5:10-12 (KJV)
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
If we don’t value God’s Word, from God’s Perspective: We can quickly Miss, Avoid, or be Negligent with God’s Highest Priorities, and miss the boat when the rubber meets the road, and we are instructed to live by, and embrace the priority of God over our own priority of self interest, or self preservation.
That is what makes the whole true gospel of Jesus Christ, such a radical document in such a life changing and heart transforming work that cannot be compromised, especially when it comes to God’s priorities. One week compromise God’s priorities we actually morph God’s gospel into our own gospel message and life. Which, in the end looks nothing like the gospel of God, nor the life of God, nor the Savior of the world Jesus Christ.
If our top priority is to go along to get along, we will actually fragrantly violate the word of God on a regular basis. And overtime we will be like the servant that buried his talent of gold in the sand. We won’t have the true measure of God’s power, God’s wisdom, God’s grace, and God’s supernatural resources to do the work of the ministry to which we were called—just as Paul was called to the work of the mystery, and as Paul called Timothy to do the work of the ministry, and as Timothy went on to call others to do the work of the ministry. That is the gospel life, the gospel message being reproductive at its core base–for all those who will embrace the Highest Priorities of the Gospel, and put them into action, just as the orginal believers did.
Now here’s a challenging Question:
If we, David, (meaning you and I) do the same things that the early believers did, following the same principles, abiding in the same Vine, using the same priorities, believing and following the same Holy Spirit, receiving the same gifts of the spirit, and the same manifestations of his grace and power, shall we not perform the same works, like that the early church performed?
Does not the scripture teach: That Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever? So if we put in the same work, baking the cake by the same recipe, should we not expect to get the same result, or similar, or even better? Because God is no respecter of Persons.
But here is the problem: We can’t skip any steps. We can’t leave out any ingredients, like saphron, becase it is too expensive, etc. If we do, we won’t have the same cake.
Likewise, if we leave out persecution, and personal sacrifice, and risk being rejected and worse, then our priorities are not the same, and will not, reproduce near the same results, nor near the same character, and strength, and faith, that is necessary to reproduce those results.
And No. When we walk in compromise, or in complacency, or without a single eye, and a single purpose empowering the Gospel of Christ to take us into places prepared for us by the will of God. Heavy Places. Hard Places. Faith building places.
Then no, We may not be persecuted, but chaces are good, we will not be effective, as effective, well trained, and filled with the spirit of courage, as the saints who had those things who have gone before us. Why? Because chances are good, we will focus on being “ACCOMODATING” rather than focusing on being COMPELLING and CONVICTING, even as Jesus and his early followers were.
When we will do everything in our power, everything in our heart, everything in our mind, with all creativity, with all passion, with all diligence, with all objectivity, and conscience, and discernment, to bring the gospel to every person in our family, and our neighborhood, and call everyone in our church into a pure and heavenly devotion and obedience to Christ:
Then, I dare say, it may be safe to say: We will all be following in the footsteps of Paul and Christ.
And we will see, and experience the Adventure from the inside out, rather than just reading about it, from the outside.
I am excited to share with you the Autobiography of Charles G. Finney.
I believe, You will see that life of Charles Finney, is a modern example of Paul, the apostle, and a righteous example of the kind of life, God has called everyone of his children to believe in, and walk out.
Finney’s Walk with God, His Testimony, His Laboring among the Lost, literally transformed the Nation of the United States.
Finney has been called the greatest evangelist in US history. And I believe that is a fair evaluation. I think it is fair to say, that no public figure, has accomplished the same lasting results (in depth and breadth) reproducing God’s life transforming salvation, and deeply instilling in all of his true followers, the ministry of reconciliation, as Finney lived and practiced it on a daily basis for the whole of his life, as a believer in Christ.
[A Note of Caution: If you Google Charles Finney’s name you will find many naysayers, that I believe falsely and ignorantly and speak against Finney, and his ministry. They openly deny the fruit and work that was done (which has been thoroughly vetted and documented, and is well known, easily verifiable).
To be sure, there are many, many theologians, Bible scholars, and church leaders, that have tried to put to shame the works and laborers of Charles Finney. But I believe once you investigate them on your own, you will see the spirit of division is not coming from Finney, nor from his laborers, but from false doctrines and false brethren, breathing false accusations, who are like wolves among the sheep, and tares among the wheat, breathing false condemnations that are frivolous and misguided.
I see that as a fruit of their lives. That is often because they never truly believed, nor truly committed themselves to the full work and ministry of the Gospel and the challenge to live by it, all the days of their lives. All of that work based on grace and faith is (and not on law that any man can boast) puts those wiithout any work, and fruits, any lasting labors to shame.
Those who do not see, nor believe the ministry of reconciliation has been given to us, are often divided from those who know and act as though it has. That’s getting back the division, Jesus was mentioning just above.
It is just as Jesus said. Jesus did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
He will come to divide the sheep from the goats, the wise from the foolish virgins, the good Stewards from the bad Steward. The Faithful and diligent Servants, from the Carnal, Lazy, and glutonous Servants.
Jesus is clearly going to judge us by the golden talents, he has given us, and what we have done with them.
- Did we put them to good use?
- Did we bury them in the dirt? (Matthew 25:14-21)
Even now, Jesus is dividing the good fish from the bad, the wheat from the tares. (Matthew 13) And everyone will be receiving the reward according to his labors, that he shall receive from God for all of eternity.
I believe the Word of God is clear on this:
Every word we speak, every thought we have, every action we take, will ultimately be weighed in the balance and judged according to its own merit.
And Judgement will first begin in the House of God:
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?1 Peter 4:17-18 (KJV)
Rev. 2 and Rev. 3: Is pretty clear, that not only are individually judged, but so are whole churches.
Every hour we spent in idleness, chasing after worldly idols will be measured.
All of our idolatry, all of our worship of mammon, and worldly culture shall be weighed in the Balance.
All our worship of our material possessions, all of our selfish hoarding, and lack of giving, lack of serving, lack of compassion, lack of providing for those far worse off than ourselves (all around the world) and lack of discernment of spirits, I believe will be weighed in the balance. And we will be found wanting.
The unpleasnat message to many will be: That Like Belshazzar: They have been weghed in the Balance, and found wanting, may it it ring in our ears, so that we will get off our backsides, and starting living by God’s Heavenly Priorities and His Eternal Perspective. (Daniel 5:7)
Here’s the Big Deal: The Elephant in the Room
If I am going to be weighed in the balance or on the scales for my Spiritual Life, and found wanting, lacking, actually with a hugh deficit:
Would it not be nice, kind, caring, loving, and honoring to me: If you let me know before hand?
Even if you had to do something drastic to get my attention.
Like Openly Offend me. Or Openly and directly, refute my False Beliefs from the Word of God …
Wouldn’t that be much better than “just going along to get along, and complacently keep letting our friends, co-workers, neighbors, family members, and employers— ALL face the judgment of God, without anyone preparing them for what is to Come?????
What is more compassionate? To let someone burn alive, while their home burning down, or to shake them awake, and drag out, even agressively, and possibly harming them on the way out? Or to let, the person remain, sleeping peaceably, oblivious to the danger they are in, and saying nothing that would arouse or awaken them out of their dangeroous sleep? And just stand back and watch their home burn down to the ground all around them?
Almost Done:
What happens when the fire of Judgement
shall burn up all of ones work?
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (KJV) 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
It shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
So there it is in black-and-white: Some of us may make into heaven only to have the smell of smoke of our burning idols attached to our clothing.
We need to reckon with many of the false beliefs that keep people in their burning building feeling safe and secure, but only falsely.
Being a member of a church does not save me. Being a leader in a church does not save yme. Being a Bible Study leader, small group leader, Being a pastor of a church does not save me. None of these things save me.
Only Doing the Will of my Father, will save me. That is the deciding factor between HEAVEN AND HELL.
I clearly need to know him and know his work, and I clearly need him to know me and him to know my work that it has his signature of approval on what I am doing.
The faith of a man, will be proven by the actions of the man.
Just as a tree will be judged by the fruits it produces: So will not the man be judged by the fruit he produces?
“The Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward?”
Is that not a fair question for the Lord to ask?
“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
As you and I can see, David,
It is not what the servant believes in his heart to be true, that is not what he is judged by.
It is what the man is doing: When the Lord returns, that is what he will be judged by.
And this I believe with all my heart: that as long as the true servant of God has breath in his lungs, and brain waves in his skull, he will use those two gifts to call men to repentance, and faith, and to redemption in Christ.
And by the way, I hate to burst your bubble, but I am not saying all this like I am a good example. Far from it. I am a miserable, weak, fearful, fallible, and grossly immature follower of this WAY. And I know it.
I am writing this down, so I can lean into it. Grapple with it. Let is sink in, and let it wrestle me to the ground, so that eventually I will do it. I will say it. I will put my priorities in alignment with God’s. I will rejoice in my persecution. I will take the challenge to be rejected. I will rejoice when I spoke without duplicity. When I link up with others who will walk with me. When the Father, brings godly ordained men of faith, passion, truth and purity, to be a light and a guide, and a mentor, like Paul was to Timothy.
This is my Hope and Prayer for Me and all of Mine:
With every last breath should not the faithful Steward, and Servant of the Lord, be calling men out of darkness into light? Out of death into life? Out of sickness, and out of folly into righteousness and truth? Out of sin, carnal perversion, and narcissistic selfishness, into heavenly holiness, and godly compassion?
Should this not be our high priority, to call lost sinners, and wayward saints in the church out of the Pit?
Out of worldly idolatry, and religious hypocrisy, calling all men everywhere to repent and to come out of their sins, and to give their whole lives to Christ? To become end harvesters in the Final Harvest before the Return of Christ?
That is what Charles Finney would do. That is what John Wesley would do. That is what John Knox would do. That is what Stephen in the book of Acts would do? Is that not what Peter would do? Is that not what Paul would do?
Is that not what you and I should do?
Especially if we are going to follow Paul, as Paul followed Christ?
Shalom!
God says to: “Make Your Election Sure”
See below, especially verse 10
This is God’s Calling Out to You and I, to continue to press into God, to grow in our loyalty, our commitment, our degree of obedience, our continued efforts to Do His Will above our own, and to continue to be diligent to put His Fruits into our Basket, so that we won’t be empty handed on the Day that matters most.
2 Peter 1:5-11 (KJV) 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and
[He] hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Yes. Character Matters.