“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1
What a wonderful way to start a book! The verse came to me as I was contemplating the true essence of worship. It is not about concert quality music, charismatic sermons, chasing after signs, wonders and experiences. True worship is opening the Bible because when we do we are seeing the heart of God through Christ Jesus who IS the Word. Our society has become accustomed to fast food, microwave ovens, high speed internet, and instant messaging. Many expect the same from God…fast food spirituality, if you will. But there are no short cuts. Jesus is the Word, the Renewer, the Bread of Life, the only spiritual food, which will not only sustain us but cause us to thrive.
Busy lives in a high speed fast food society have set the stage for a dangerous movement which is NOT of God, but rather chases signs, wonders and experiences. The emphasis is on the move of the Holy Spirit, to the extent that He has been given more attention than Jesus. When the focus is taken off Jesus, then the spirit manifested is a false one, nothing more than an idol, but nonetheless dangerous. True moves of the Holy Spirit will draw people closer to and exalt Jesus to the point where true repentance happens, just as when Jonah preached in Ninevah. People in this dangerous movement think they are hungry to experience God yet they fail to realize that they can experience Him EVERY TIME they open their bibles. This movement, called New Apostolic Reformation, is nothing new. It has been around since the church began, however, it picked up speed and gained a global foothold when the Toronto “blessing” began 20 or so years ago. Since then it has led to many false converts, people who believe they are saved but are really on the broad road that Jesus warned would lead to destruction. Just as not everyone who would say “Lord,Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, not everything that looks like the Holy Spirit is actually the Holy Spirit. Pharaoh’s wizards did many signs and wonders and the devil is still up to his same old tricks.
“ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Matthew 14:28
Years ago I was struck by the fact that Peter knew to make sure it was actually Jesus who was calling to him. Lord IF it is You. The entire experience hinged on this one little word. IF. We all should be so wise, praying always for discernment before stepping out of the boat to follow spirits which we are TOLD BY MEN are holy rather than told by God Himself. This discernment can only come through careful and persistent study of God’s Word.
What might seem to be missing when reading the Bible, is the emotionalism that ramps people up when they sing together with concert quality christian music, witness signs and wonders or just the high that comes from fellowship. Please allow me to clarify this one point. There is nothing wrong with being emotional however, if a person is not equally passionate about reading the Word, then there is something seriously missing. Period. I know because I walked that path for a number of years until the Lord shook the scales off my eyes.
When Jesus was tested in the desert, the devil twisted Scripture. An ordinary man would have fallen for it, but Jesus, BEING the Word, knew the Word and used it properly to defeat the enemy. Likewise, this is the only way for us to successfully detect the presence of and do battle with the enemy. When Galatians 6:10-18 speaks of “putting on the Armor of God” notice that the belt of Truth, breastplate of Righteousness and the Gospel of Peace can only be obtained through the reading of the Word. Faith is referred to as a shield, but a shield is only as efficient as the one who holds it. If one grows weak because he is not strengthened by the Word, the shield can easily be dropped.
The “helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” can be picked up and used as defensive and offensive weapons, respectively. People caught in deception have dropped their shields because they have not been properly nurtured or strengthened by the Word. Once dropped, they become susceptible to the “fiery darts” of the enemy. They seek Jesus through experience, totally unaware that they can experience Him through His word.
Fast food, high in sugar and fat and highly addictive, temporarily provides sustenance and even a high of sorts. Ultimately, however, it leads to death. Likewise, anything spiritually consumed that is not the Bread of Life….has but one outcome. Reading the Bible takes time and effort, as well it should because every relationship requires sacrifice. God has already done His part. When we open the Bible we do ours.
So…….PLEASE READ YOUR BIBIE….today and every day until the Lord takes you home. That is the only way that you can be kept safe from the counterfeit.
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