Think it not strange

We are living in exciting times! I say exciting, because we are literally seeing prophecy unfold in regards to the warnings Jesus and the Epistle writers gave in His word. It's time for the separation of the sheep and the goats. (Matthew 25:32). At the same time we shouldn't think it's strange that we are going through certain fiery trials. The trial is for our faith to be purified as gold in a furnace. When the Son of Man comes back, will he find faith in the earth?

I Peter 4:12-19 says,
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 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? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

In Matthew 10:16-32 Jesus sent out his disciples and as he sent them out, so is he sending us out. We need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. It's interesting that he says to "beware of men" and that brother shall deliver up brother to death.. Wow! That's heavy!

Matthew 10: 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

The only way I could ever imagine that fellow brothers and sisters in Christ could be so deceived is because of pride that has somehow crept in. Proverbs mentions that pride comes before a fall. In Rick Joyner's book The Final Quest he mentions that as people make it up to the mountain that we need to beware of the spirit of pride. It hides behind the bushes. It is not easily recognized if you're prideful, it has a way of blinding you.

"Pride is the hardest enemy to see, and it always sneaks up behind you," Wisdom lamented. "In some ways, those who have been the greatest heights are in the greatest danger of falling. You must always remember that in this life you can fall at any time from any level. Take heed when ye think ye stand, lest ye fall. (I Cor. 10:12)" (Rick Joyner in the Final Quest)

Staying humble and walk in forgiveness

As we find ourselves in a situation where we are being persecuted for what we believe in, it's important that we forgive people when we pray for them. As we do, our Heavenly Father also forgives them. God loves us SO much! It is awesome to know that we can loose people from unforgiveness and judgment, and AS WE DO, God will do the same. I think that's just awesome! In Matthew 5:11 Jesus calls us blessed. He says, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. James takes it one step further. he said to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations.

James 1:2-5 reads, "2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I Peter 5:5 says, "... Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

So be encouraged! Stay sweet. As Bill Johnson says, we need to look at everything, especially our past, through the Blood of Jesus. Mercy triumphs over judgment. His love covers a multitiude of sins.



Recommended book: Welcoming a Visitation of the Holy Spirit by Wesley & Stacey Campbell. This book is just awesome! To those of you that are searching for answers, this book will answer a lot of questions about what what to expect when there is an outpouring of God.