Throughout church history, there have been times when believers have been confronted with the important decision of picking a side.  They have been forced to choose between God Almighty and the god(s) of this world.  In the early centuries, many Christian martyrs met their death in the colosseum in Rome, while others were burned alive at the stake.

The practice of giving thanks is woven into the fabric of biblical faith. The psalms are filled with thanksgiving, Paul and his missionary friends give thanks at many points in their journey, Hannah gives thanks when God answers her desperate prayer and one of the men healed of leprosy returns to give thanks after he is healed.  The list of grateful characters is endless.

Last week, I inquired whether you are prepared for what’s coming. The whole world is shifting, and we are entering a different and much more challenging spiritual season. This season will require greater spiritual wisdom and discernment as false teachers and false prophets proliferate.  This season will require spiritual maturity. This is our part; we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, daily surrendering to our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.

Signs across the earth are blinking “Code Red.”  The weather is raging, systems are changing, alliances are shifting, and powers are aligning for good and for evil.  Are you prepared for what’s coming?  It is true that victory is in God’s hands, but it is also true, that God has clarified his process for victory.  It goes like this, “If his people will…then he will….”  God in his mercy invites all who fear and revere him into this process that leads to victory.  What mercy!

One night Daniel was lying in bed, tossing and turning in his sleep.  As he slept, God gave him a dream and a vision of “the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.”  One could say Daniel was restless, and something deeply disturbing was going on in his soul. But right then, in the midst of chaos, God spoke to him in a language that he understood.  You see, God had given Daniel the ability to understand dreams and visions.

Brethren, we have entered a period of great deception and spiritual discernment is an imperative. False Messiahs and False teachers are among us. Matthew warns that many will come saying ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ Others will perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, ‘even the elect.’

I have a habit of judging people by what they say, do, or by what they look like.  Quite often, I have to reprimand myself to make room for grace. For example, I was sitting in a restaurant one day, when I saw a young woman walking across the street, skimpily dressed and leaving very little to the imagination. 

What does it mean to be a citizen? Currently, there is great upheaval in our nation surrounding the question of citizenship.  There are numerous conversations and debates about who belongs and who does not.  Some of us may even be drawn into taking a stance on this issue.  But who do we really represent, are we citizens of heaven or citizens of earth?

I’ve been mulling a lot lately about what it means to walk in the Spirit. It is the way Jesus walked, and as followers of our Lord, we are called to follow him by walking in the same manner.  Walking in the Spirit is more than mere piety.  It is complete surrender to the Lordship of Jesus over every sphere of our lives. 

Eons ago, the Salvation Army organization hosted an international conference for its employees.  Their founder, William Booth, was supposed to give the keynote address, but he fell seriously ill days before the conference and could not travel.  Those who had gathered for the conference were told he would not be attending but had sent a letter that would be read at the conference.  As the envelope was opened, the employees waited with bated breath to hear what their revered founder was going to tell them.