Vote Warning

This morning, I was awakened early by the Lord. My heart was beating powerfully and I heard the Lord say “Bring a word from the voice of the prophet.” So I got up, went straight to my computer and began to type as I heard the Lord bring a message.

His words to me 10/23/24.

“For those who choose to ignore me, I will ignore them. Test me on this. If they will not vote my heart during this election, I will ‘vote’ against them on matters important to them in the days ahead. I’m watching to see if they seek me or ignore me. Why would I allow such provocative disobedience from a people who are called by my name? If they can’t take the time to seek me for the direction of their nation, then I will not hear them from on high. I will bring disaster on them and refuse to hear their cries for help. Am I their Lord or not?”

I did ask the Lord to consider that pastors across the nation are not teaching congregants to seek the Lord. His response was that He will deal with them accordingly.

Is The Watchman Accountable?

“However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” (Ezekiel 33:6 NIV)

You can’t be everyone’s buddy and be right with God. Sometimes it’s in the person’s best interest for you to be firm, speak a hard word, caution or warn, or harshly criticize to help them know truth. Those things may not look or feel good in the process but it is the loving thing to do. It may save them from future difficulties, expanded trials, hindered relationships, heartache and loss. Always point them to seek God with priority.

If God has given you insight to see what the watchman sees, then you will be held accountable by God if you refuse to warn. It doesn’t seem loving at all to stand by and watch their defeat when you could have easily spoken a word. A word of caution is much more important than a word of encouragement. Seek God yourself before speaking but speak truth!

Noah’s God

What is it going to take for God to get your attention?

Whatever it takes, He can do it. I don’t like seeing these areas ravaged from a hurricane. And as many want to think that the destruction comes from the hand of the enemy, that’s wrong. God is very aware that there is an election coming up where the fate of our nation is at stake. He knows exactly how many of our citizens have come to Him in prayer, and asked for His direction … and exactly how many haven’t.

I’ve spent the last two decades teaching people to learn to listen for God’s voice in prayer. What I overwhelmingly see is that MOST everyone refuses to listen to God because they want to be their own god. What other reason could there be? Tell me. Why wouldn’t Christians want to hear God’s voice in prayer? I’m right here. I haven’t moved. Still offering and still ignored. Maybe I’m the crazy one for still being willing to be ignored and equally ready to help.

God is very aware of your excuses. He can get your attention! But don’t believe me …

How to reach God in prayer:

1) Have the right heart. God is examining your motives. You cannot fool God.
2) Set yourself apart to know God’s will (not to change it).
3) Be willing to refocus direction and stretch your own risk levels. God will oftentimes take you out of your comfort zone.
4) Be vulnerable and humble, not proud, unteachable, or unreachable.
5) Be willing to assess your own wrong motives … especially when you know they’re there.

Contrast Teaches

There are many lessons that God teaches me through the art of contrast.

Recently, I purchased a $5 McDonalds’ gift card to have in my wallet for the next time that I saw someone in need. Just knowing that it was there, shifted my attention to the details of who might need help the most. For the two weeks that I have had the gift card in my possession, I haven’t noticed anyone in need … or at least nobody that God would point out as one who would receive the gift. Yes, I realize that it’s a small gift, but to someone it might signal that the world is less harsh, that there are those who see their pain, or even that God is providing their needs. So it’s a gift worth giving.

This morning, I was sitting alone at McDonalds. I had earphones on listening to praise music while I enjoyed breakfast. A few booths away were two teenage boys. They were neatly dressed and happily enjoying breakfast of their choosing. Another young man, carrying a backpack, approached the counter and patiently awaited for a server to take his order. He only ordered a cup of water, which I know because the server was sure to yell it loudly, non-discreetly into the kitchen.

I wanted to give the young man the $5 gift card. Wasn’t that why I had it? But, as I always do, I asked the Lord if that was His will. I was surprised to hear Him say “No”. It pained me to see the young man clearly hungry. He was just a boy. Why would the Lord withhold His help from him? Over the next few minutes, I continued to ask the Lord if I could help the young man. The Lord’s response was the same.

The contrast that I saw was that the two situations seemed to be based on parenting. The two boys appeared to have a quality family life, their needs provided, and happiness that comes from contentment. While the other boy might have hoped that he had a home or parents to rely on. I realize that I’m making that assumption with little information to go on. My compassion wanted to reach out and help the other young man feel valued, but God withheld it.

What did I learn from that contrast? I’m not sure just yet. That $5 gift card may have been there to teach me more than to help someone. What do you think is the lesson?

Authorized Signature

When the boss signs your paycheck, he is authorized to have money withdrawn from the bank as payment. The boss can have other authorized signers available to also sign the paychecks. But if someone who is not authorized to sign, signs the paychecks, the bank will refuse to withdraw payment. Is that a correct statement?

When God puts authority on someone to deliver healing, they have His authority. When God sent the disciples out, they were able to do miraculous wonders. But those who were not sent by God did not have that same ability.

If all that is true, then why would someone who is not sent by God for the specific purpose of delivering His healing to an individual be able to have His authority? They wouldn’t. God can withhold His healing power until it is delivered appropriately. You can have all the people in your church praying for you, you can have the church ministers lay hands on you, you can have a gallon of anointing oil poured on you … and still not have God’s authority. God decides who He sends. It’s not rocket science. God is the boss, and you are not. If you keep refusing His messenger, the healing will not come. But don’t believe me … ask God yourself.

Yes, this was a message for you.

The Road of Least Resistance?

It’s been 15-20 years ago since I led women’s ministry at two churches. The one church was mostly wealthy older women who didn’t seem to have a hunger to know God, and the other church was full of younger women who had so many hurts and were starving for a touch from God. The contrast was amazing and taught me something valuable.

If we are comfortable in our lives we can play what I call country-club religion. We can pray before meals in public and participate in group Bible studies to feel like we have given God His due. But when we are needy, whether it be through illness, financial hardships, abuse or loss, suddenly we are willing to put more effort into knowing God and His will for our lives.

We should thank God when He puts a great need before us if it leads us to intimacy with Him. But if that need only leads to more country-club religion rather than a true hunger to know Him, it has no value but to reduce us. Listen, God can reduce us to nothing. What use are we to Him if we are too busy enjoying the gifts and not the gift-giver.

While I believe that we should be thankful to God for the loved ones that He brings into our lives, like spouses, children, grandchildren, and dear friends, we cannot ignore God and expect that He doesn’t see.

All these years later, after walking away from women’s ministry into deliverance and prophetic ministry, the contrast of a willingness to know God intimately is so very obvious. Yes, there are times when I miss the fellowship with the ladies who I adored, but I wouldn’t trade my time with God. No regrets here with my determination to set myself apart to know God. I will walk intentionally on the path that He has for me. Will you?

Criticize Me If It Helps!

Did God put you in their lives to help them improve or to encourage them towards mediocrity?

There are people that don’t know how to guide you beyond telling you that you matter. They cannot constructively criticize you to help you improve because that would mean that they would also have to inspect themselves critically. That’s too much work. They will refuse to look beyond the surface for your sake or theirs.

Does knowing that you matter solve your problems? Does refusing to grow and mature inspire you to greatness? Does laziness create great citizens? Can we survive without nurturing and inspiration? Does telling someone that they haven’t arrived at their goals harm them or motivate them forward?

Will you leave them in their “good enough”? I know the difference in criticism meant to help me and criticism meant to harm me. There is a seething dislike in the one and a mature love in the other. The heart discerns how to filter it with wisdom.

The Father is always watching. He hears the words that you’re speaking to His child. Choose wisely. Don’t leave them in their “good enough” … inspire them to greatness.