Rising Waters

"I tell you,
now is the time of God's favor,
now is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians 6:2b)
Beloved, I've missed you! Those precious few of you who regularly stoke "Fan into Flame" know that the posts here are often irregular. I don't write daily or weekly but only when prompted by the Holy Spirit ... only when the Lord gives me something to say. Sometimes, it flows like a flood! Sometimes ... {insert sound of chirping crickets here} ... it doesn't.

The times of stillness are a glorious gift from the Lord. Be assured that He is graciously and wondrously speaking. I'm just listening to Him. And learning from Him. And leaning on Him. And loving Him. I pray that you are, too, during this Harvest journey.

In the three weeks since Good Friday, I've been watching. Observing. Listening. Grieving. Rejoicing.

I am an alien and stranger here on earth (reference Psalms 39:12; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11), but, as time passes, I acutely feel even more alienated ... and stranger than ever before! I discern in my spirit--and witness in my flesh--waves of deception washing over the earth. They once were fewer and farther apart, but, like the labor pains immediately preceding childbirth, they are greater, faster, and unrelenting. The shock is drowning some, who haven't accepted the Lord's safe harbor. The turbulence is neutralizing some, who haven't learned to navigate enemy waters. The impact is knocking some to their spiritual senses, all glory to God! And the tumult is bringing some to the surface, who stand amidst the storm, rising confidently and firmly in the power of the Lord.

Beloved, the side effects of polluted waters abound. I don't need to list them here. There's neither time nor space to exhaust the list of ills weakening our country and our world. They make me sick. I know they make you sick, too. And, you know I'm not talking about swine flu.

Let's just call a spade a spade here. Let's address the cause beyond the symptoms. The common denominator behind every perversion of the Lord's goodness, holiness, and righteousness is the enemy of the one and only Most High God. He is a counterfeiter and a liar, and those who don't recognize that truth are, sadly, floating in the filthy waters of his deception.

"... Jesus ... said, 'I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.' The Pharisees challenged Him, 'Here You are, appearing as Your own witness; Your testimony is not valid.' Jesus answered, 'Even if I testify on My own behalf, My testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, Who sent Me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One Who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, Who sent Me.' Then they asked Him, 'Where is Your Father?' 'You do not know Me or My Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.' ... 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the One I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.' 'Who are you?' they asked. 'Just what I have been claiming all along,' Jesus replied. 'I have much to say in judgment of you. But He who sent Me is reliable, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world.' They did not understand that He was telling them about His Father. So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the One I claim to be and that I do nothing on My Own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.' Even as He spoke, many put their faith in Him. To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'I tell you the Truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill Me, because you have no room for My Word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.' 'Abraham is our father,' they answered. 'If you were Abraham's children,' said Jesus, 'then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill Me, a man Who has told you the Truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does.' 'We are not illegitimate children,' they protested. 'The only Father we have is God Himself.' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent Me. Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me! Can any of you prove Me guilty of sin? If I am telling the Truth, why don't you believe Me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.' "
(John 8:12-47)
Beloved, this post is not what I intended it to be today. It never is. All thanks and glory to God! I planned an exhortation about the freedom, power, and authority you have in Christ. Perhaps that's another post (or series of posts!) for another day.

In the meantime, know that the waters of deception will continue heighten. They just will. Godlessness will continue to increase. It just will.

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
But, most of all, precious ones, know this: The enemy's days are numbered--they are! Jesus Christ reigns--He does! He's returning--He is! And, when He does, He will replace the seas of sickness with the River of Life (reference Revelation 22). He will. He just will. And we who know Him will dwell with Him in the house of the Lord ... forever.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
(Psalm 46)
Precious Father, how wondrous it is to live in the embrace of Your grace! You sit enthroned over the flood (reference Psalm 29:10). All glory to You! Thank You for strengthening Your children during the storm; thank You for the protection of Your peace in the midst of the turbulence. Your Living Water refreshes us, sustains us, and keeps us afloat. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--Your perfect Son and my precious Savior. Amen.

"Therefore let everyone who is godly
pray to You
while You may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him."
(Psalm 32:6)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Believer or Deceiver"
• "There's a Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On"
  
• "Resolute in Absolute Truth"
• "The Great Depression"
• "In God We Trust"
• "No Flood is Greater Than His Blood"
• "A Storm is Coming ..."
• "The Battle Rages"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

There's a Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On!

"I have set the LORD
always before me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken."
(Psalm 16:8,
see also Acts 2:25)
My home is within about 10 miles of a major military base. From time to time, I can hear (and feel!) the military maneuvers in progress. The aftershocks physically shake my home, rattling windows in the frame, popping nails in the ceiling, and shaking dishes in the cabinet. Sometimes, an explosion is so palpable that it quickens my heart, jolting and startling me, even though I'm halfway expecting it.

Today is one of those days, and, as I listen to the sound of military exercises for the practice of war, my heart is drawn to those in the Middle East, particularly those in Israel and the Gaza Strip, who are being shaken by the sounds of actual war.

I'm not sure that the Lord desires for my opinions about the current fighting there to litter this post, but I am sure that He desires my prayers for all who are being affected by it.

One thing I do know, as does anyone who treasures God's Word as recorded in The Holy Bible, is that we are commanded to pray for the peace of Israel. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity." (Psalm 122:6-9).

Another thing I know from God's Word is that there will not be lasting peace until He returns to restore it (reference, among other Scriptures, Isaiah 9:7, 49, 66:12-16; Jeremiah 23, 30; Ezekiel 13:10-16; Hosea 2:16-23; Micah 3:5; Haggai 2:1-9).

In the meantime, there is a whole lot of shakin' goin' on ... not only in Israel, not only in the Middle East, but in every city, every country, and every continent around the world. The shaking will only intensify until it culminates on the Day of the Lord (reference, among other Scriptures, Isaiah 2:6-22, 13, 24, 30; Joel 2; Amos 9; Haggai 2; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36).

As the Lord's shaking sifts and winnows, hold fast to Him. Be encouraged by His Spirit and enlightened by His Word.

"Do not fret because of evil men

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass
they will soon wither,

like green plants
they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land
and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD

and He will give you
the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in Him and He will do this:

He will make your righteousness
shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause
like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret
when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out
their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger
and turn from wrath;

do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For evil men will be cut off,

but those who hope in the LORD
will inherit the land.

A little while,
and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them,
they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy great peace.

The wicked plot
against the righteous

and gnash their teeth at them;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

for He knows their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword

and bend the bow

to bring down the poor and needy,

to slay those
whose ways are upright.

But their swords
will pierce their own hearts,

and their bows will be broken.

Better the little
that the righteous have

than the wealth of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked
will be broken,

but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The days of the blameless
are known to the LORD,

and their inheritance
will endure forever.

In times of disaster
they will not wither;

in days of famine
they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:

The LORD's enemies will be
like the beauty of the fields,

they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

The wicked borrow and do not repay,

but the righteous give generously;

those the LORD blesses
will inherit the land,

but those He curses will be cut off.

If the LORD delights in a man's way,

He makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him
with His hand.

I was young and now I am old,

yet I have never seen
the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

They are always generous
and lend freely;

their children will be blessed.

Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell
in the land forever.

For the LORD loves the just

and will not forsake His faithful ones.

They will be protected forever,

but the offspring of the wicked
will be cut off;

the righteous will inherit the land

and dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks what is just.

The law of his God is in his heart;

his feet do not slip.

The wicked lie in wait
for the righteous,

seeking their very lives;

but the LORD will not leave them
in their power

or let them be condemned
when brought to trial.

Wait for the LORD

and keep His way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

when the wicked are cut off,
you will see it.

I have seen
a wicked and ruthless man

flourishing like a green tree
in its native soil,

but he soon passed away
and was no more;

though I looked for him,
he could not be found.

Consider the blameless,
observe the upright;

there is a future for the man of peace.

But all sinners will be destroyed;

the future of the wicked
will be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous
comes from the LORD;

He is their stronghold
in time of trouble.

The LORD helps them
and delivers them;

He delivers them from the wicked
and saves them,

because they take refuge in Him."

(Psalm 37)

Precious Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word, which enlightens and encourages us. Thank You for the gift Your Spirit, Who indwells and guides those who accept the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Father, I pray for Your people, Israel. I pray so many things on their behalf, but, most of all, I pray for the complete revelation of You. I pray for those who harm them out of ignorance, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). I do not know what to pray for those who purposefully defy You, but I trust in your justice and righteousness (reference Job 37:23; Psalm 9:8, 33:5, 36:6, 89:14, 92:2, 103:6; Isaiah 1:27, 5:16, 9:7, 16:5, 28:17, 32:1, 32:16, 33:5, 51:5, 56:1; Jeremiah 9:24; Hosea 2:19; Amos 5:24), and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, "the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1)! Amen.

" 'Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet My unfailing love for you
will not be shaken
nor My covenant of peace
be removed,'
says the LORD,
Who has compassion on you."
(Isaiah 54:10)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Ready or Not"
• "Resolute ... in Absolute Truth"
• "A Holy Harvest"
• "No Flood is Greater than His Blood"
• "A Storm is Coming ..."
• "A Battle Rages ..."

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Epiphany: Our Coming King

"Every good and perfect gift
is from above,
coming down from the Father
of heavenly lights,
Who does not change
like the shifting shadows.
He chose to give us birth
through the Word of Truth,
that we might be
a kind of firstfruits
of all He created."
(James 1:17-18)
Beloved, I pray that your Christmas was filled with the hope, love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ!

As we begin to clean away the remnants of our celebration, and as the world moves along, expediently but blindly going about its business, I encourage you to linger in the glory of Christ. Move beyond the celebration of the manger to the appreciation of the cross. And look beyond the appreciation of the cross to the anticipation of the coming King.

Today begins a twelve-day journey from Trumpet and Torch Ministries, specifically written to keep us Christ-centered and King-focused as we move from 2008 ("The Year of the Lord's Favor") to 2009 ("The Year of the Harvest"). "Epiphany: The Coming King" provides three daily devotions (one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), conveniently delivered via e-mail. Click here to receive twelve more days of Christmas!

Precious friends, God is so good to intersect the hearts of those who love and live for Him "at such a time as this" (reference Esther 4:14). It is indeed a divine blessing to share the privilege of serving our Lord with you.

Precious Father, I thank You for Your goodness, Your love, and Your good gifts, especially the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As our traditional Christmas observances end, precious Father, I pray that we would remain filled with the ebuillient joy of the Wise Men (reference Matthew 2:10), the humble amazement of the shepherds (reference Luke 2:8-20), and the unshakeable faith of Mary (reference Luke 1:26-38, 46-55; 2:19). May we acknowledge that the baby in a manger is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and may we live pure and holy lives in anticipation of the establishment of His righteous and eternal kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our coming King! Amen.

"In the presence of God
and of Christ Jesus,
Who will judge
the living and the dead,
and in view
of His appearing
and His kingdom,
I give you this charge:
Preach the Word;
be prepared in season
and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage--
with great patience
and careful instruction."
(2 Timothy 4:1-2)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"
• "Ready or Not"
• "Time is Short: Seek the Lord While He May Be Found"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Ready or Not ...

" 'So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man
will come at an hour
when you do not expect Him.' "
(Matthew 24:44)
Oh, precious friends! I am so delighted to be back at the keyboard! The past week and a half has been busy, and while my flesh cried out for time to write, my spirit patiently waited upon the Lord's timing.

Many reflections are swirling about in my head and in my heart. I want to write about faith in the fire, as righteously exemplified by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. I want to write about greed, deceit, and the love of money, as unrighteously demonstrated by Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. But the word that the Lord has given me for today is "ready".

Among the definitions for "ready", this particular one struck me: "completely prepared and in fit condition for immediate action or use".

Completely prepared for immediate use. Completely fit for immediate action. Oh, beloved, does that description fit you? Does it fit me? Does it fit the Church, the bride of Christ?

Much is being said, written, speculated, predicted, and prophesied right now about end times. I suppose there are such signs in each generation, and there are certainly many indicators of end times present in today's world. But, dear friends, it really shouldn't matter whether Christ returns tomorrow, next month, next year, or a hundred years from now. We should be ready, regardless.

We do not know when Christ will call for His bride. " 'No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.' " (Matthew 24:26, see also 24:50, 25:13; Mark 13:32; Luke 12:46). We do have signs of the end of the age as recorded in God's Word (reference Mark 13 and Luke 21). But, dear ones, I believe that our purpose is not to live in conscious analysis of current events and select passages of Scripture. Rather, I believe we are to live in the unconscious synthesis of the Holy Spirit (reference Galatians 5:16-26) and the entire Word of God. That seamless manifestation of His Truth, His Light, and His Love can radiate from us only when we are completely surrendered to the Lord.

The Bible states "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Proverbs 25:2) and "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). The Lord reveals Himself everyday ... in every way. But, precious ones, I don't believe that we are to seek to exist in the ecstasy of His signs and wonders. In order to be of service to the Living Lord, we must descend from the joy of our mountaintop experiences and live in His Truth and in His Light, down on the ground in the midst of the battle.

Living every day as a soldier in the Lord's ground troops is not for the weary, the uncommitted, or the faint of heart, and the Lord winnows His warriors (reference Judges 7:1-8). It is hard work, often requiring us to slog through some most undesirable circumstances. But, precious ones, faithfulness and obedience in those seemingly unglorious assignments are precisely what readies us for His return.

What glory does He get from a watching world, which perceives Christians as incubated and intubated in a Holy bubble? If I may be so bold, I submit that the Lord's greatest glory comes not from periods of untested joy and prosperity, but from periods of proven faithfulness and obedience, purposefully independent of earthly circumstances. From faith in the fire, a la Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). From faith in the absence of fact, demonstrated by Noah (Genesis 5:28-9:29; Hebrews 11:7). From faith in fearful circumstances, characterized by the obedience of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 11:8-10). From faith in circumstances beyond human control, reasoning, and understanding, characterized by Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, 2:19). From faith in the face of death, represented by Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), and ultimately, embodied by Jesus Christ Himself.

The faith of these, and the faith of countless others--known and unknown, named and unnamed, past and present--was and is a ready faith, cultivated by a carefully chosen lifestyle, which consistently honored and glorified the Lord. None were perfect, but all were faithful. Long before (more than 500 years before!) the Lord directed Noah to build the ark, "he walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). Long before Abraham became our Divinely appointed patriarch, his life was characterized by prompt obedience to and faith in the Lord (Genesis 12:4, 15:6, 17:23, 22:3, 22:8). By continually walking with God, by constantly seeking His face, by consistently searching His heart, they were--and we are--made ready for the day of our greatest test of faith.

Beloved, let us cast off every shred of complacency and mediocrity, clothing ourselves instead with the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-18), including "the readiness that comes from the gospel" (reference Ephesians 6:15). Let us be ready. Let us be completely fit for His service. Let us be completely prepared for His immediate use.

He's coming ... ready or not.

Precious Father, oh glorious Lord, I thank You for incomparable and inconceivable eternal kingdom plan! I thank You, Lord, for the treasured glimpses of Your delight in our faithfulness, which encourage us as we trudge forward on the ground below. Please help us remember that our plodding is not without purpose and that our sole responsibility is to remain rooted and ready in You. I pray that our witness would go before You, "... in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17). May we " 'be dressed ready for service ...' " (Luke 12:35), and may we sound a clear call so that others will ready themselves for battle (reference 1 Corinthians 14:8). On the day of the Lamb's wedding supper, may we be found worthy to hear those precious words, " '... For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.' " (Revelation 19:7) I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Leader and Commander (reference Isaiah 55:4). Amen.

"Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In His great mercy
He has given us new birth
into a living hope
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade--
kept in Heaven for you,
who through faith
are shielded by God's power
until the coming of the salvation
that is ready to be revealed
in the last time.' "
(1 Peter 1:3-5)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• "Because He Says So"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.