Author: Michael Young, Sr.

I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me. I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians. I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments. I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.

SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE & SUMMARY OF WHAT IS COMING

(NOTE: The prophecies of the Book of Daniel have proven to be amazingly accurate to this day.  Some prophecies are still unfolding such as the following prophetic text which was written in the 6th century BC, sometime between 605 BC and 540 BC.  I have highlighted and linked some text for easy reference.  Please open and read links for detailed explanations.)

  Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 

(Commentary:  Daniel 12:1 is a panorama of the LAST DAYS, which encompasses the Ascension of Christ, this current day, and culminates at the White Throne Judgment.)

Verse 2. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 

(Commentary:  This is a description of the Rapture from an earthly perspective)

Verse 3. “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 

Verse 4. “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

(Commentary:  Jesus OPENS the seals of this book, which began after His resurrection and continues to this day)

Verse 5.  “Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river. verse 6. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”  verse 7.  I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time;  and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. 

(Commentary:  These verses are a summary description of the 7 Years of Tribulation, also known as The Great Tribulation, which will begin with the opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.)

Verse 8.  “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. 

(Commentary:  These events were kept hidden, concealed, until the Ascension of Christ and were written sometime between AD 35 and AD 100)

Verse 10. “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.Verse 11. “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 

(Commentary:  Verse 10 give us the purpose of The Days of Distress (Tribulation Seal 1 through Seal 5.  Seals 6 and 7, The Trumpets and the Bowls are Judgments.  Verse 11 is a summary of the endurance of the Great Tribulation Period or 7 Years)

Verse 12. “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! 

(Commentary: go to “Gotquestions.org”, and read about the tribulation and the 1260 days, the  1290 days and the 1335 days)

Verse 13. “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

(Commentary: Every man, woman and child of God has their own way to go, end to meet and there is a rest and an inheritance provided for each at the end of the age.)

Take great Hope, dear friends.  God’s plan for our world and the timetable are set by Him.  We may rest securely in Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Here is a great video to accompany this post.

A Message to the Churches – p2

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

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JESUS RESPONDS – continued in detail

Matthew 23:1-36

Let’s assume the year is 2020, and paraphrasing, drawn on the 23rd chapter of the Book of Mathew:

“Jesus speaks to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “These Preachers, Priests, Rabbis, and hypocrites have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you and do and observe, they themselves do not do themselves.

  • They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders,
  • but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.
  • But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men;
    • Some wear clothing to be noticed by others, wearing the latest fads, sporting tattoos and tight fitting garments.
    • Others dress to ‘fit into the crowds they can attract, the people who think like them and want to be satisfied with a good performance.
  • These Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in their churches, and respectful greetings the get in the market places, and being called Teacher, Preacher, Father or Rabbi by men.
    • But Jesus said do not be called Teacher, a great one, or my honorable sir
    • Do not be called Rabbi, a title used by the Jews to address their teachers; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
    • Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
    • Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
    • For you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
  • Woe to you,Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
  • Woe to you Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
  • “Woe to you, blind religious teachers, who say, ‘Whoever swears by their word is nothing; but whoever swears by signing a commitment card is obligated.’
    • You fools and blind men! Which is more important, your word or committing to give an offering by signing a letter or a card?
    • And, ‘Whoever says he will do a thing, that is nothing, but whoever swears by signing a commitment card to be saved or to make an offering, he is obligated.’
    • You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the Word of a Man that sanctifies the offering?
    • Therefore, whoever swears by the his own word, swears both by the his honor and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the Bible, swears both by the Bible and by Him who wrote it.
    • And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
  • “Woe to you,Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites! For you have our personal and petty rules, in other words “you tithe mint and dill and cummin”, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law, such as honesty, justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
    • You blind Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
  • “Woe to you, Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites! For you act so holy, in other words, “you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish”, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
    • You blind Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
  • “Woe to you, Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
    • So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly
  • “Woe to you, Preachers, Priests and Rabbis, you hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in denying and ignoring the prophets, by which they were guilty as if they had murdered them.’
    • So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who by ignoring the prophets, murder them. Fill up your conscience, then, to a full measure of the guilt of your fathers.
    • You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?
    • “Therefore, behold, I have sent you prophets and wise men and true men and women of God and some of them you will kill with lies and rumors and crucify them on your evil crosses, and some of them you will attack in their Churches, and persecute them unfairly from city to city.
    • On you falls the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the spiritual temple consisting of the saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ and altar God used the whole burnt offerings which stood in the sanctuary or the Holy Place, The Cross on which Christ suffered and died. To eat of this altar which is to say “between the temple and the altar”.

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HONOR YOUR PARENTS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #26

  • Honor Your Parents

 “For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.” (Matthew 15:4).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

First, this is of the “Ten Commandments” found in Exodus 20:2-17 and in Deuteronomy 5:6-21 and it says,

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 5:16

The second half of this verse is found in Exodus 21:17, ” And he that curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”.

The greater context of this Teaching is about …

“The Traditions of Men versus The Commandments of God”.

This Teaching begins in Matthew 15:1 “Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,  v2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

v3  And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

v4  “For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.’

v5  ” But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’

v6  In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents

v7  “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

v8  ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

v9  ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

For the disciple of Jesus, there is both a promise and a warning.

1.  “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”

The word “Honor” is a word heavy with the idea of honoring, respecting, promoting, giving glory to, and is grave in its demands. 

It is and imperative command and is in the imperfect tense which means it is incomplete which requires and ongoing action by the doer.

2.  “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”

This is a conditional promise.  Again, it requires an ongoing action, but it brings the promise of a  prolonged life which is good and pleasing, a healthy life accompanied with gladness, joy and wellness.

A mark of a True Disciple of Jesus is one who Honors their Father and Mother.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?

 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(PS: I will admit honoring my mother and father was not easy for me in my earlier life. But, as God gave me the grace to forgive and honor my parents a great burden was lifted from my life. The peace of God began to settle over me. I began to find the good and pleasing things in life. I began to experience a new and healthier life accompanied with gladness, joy and wellness. It’s worth the effort!)

TAKE ON MY YOKE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #25

  • Take My Yoke upon yourselves

 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28–30).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus uses the same word here when He says, “Come to me” as He used when He called Peter and Andrew and said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Peter and Andrew understood this was an invitation to a close, personal and lasting relationship.   This was not a casual encounter.  This is the Call of God for all to follow Him, and a yoke is the perfect illustration to describe this new relationship with Jesus.

YOU ALSO ARE THE CALLED OF JESUS CHRIST

Romans 1:6

  • They also understood that Jesus’ words were not a simple request.  It was spoken in the imperative as a command “come hither, come here, come now!”
  • They understood the context and vernacular of this word to mean, “Follow Me in order to be taught by me, looking over my shoulder.  You will learn by watching and you will be identified with Me.”
  • Secondly, in the times of Jesus’ earthly ministry, people clearly understood the significance of “putting on a yoke”.  A yoke was for animals of labor, it was a metaphor of any burden or bondage such as that of slavery.  So, why would any person voluntarily submit to a yoke or heavy labor or bondage of slavery?
  • Jesus uses the imagery of a yoke but redefines its meaning from slavery to freedom!

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1”

Being yoked with Jesus is freedom from what binds you, what ails you, what plagues you.  Know that Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  His yoke is a yoke of freedom!

A disciple of Jesus – A Christian – is identified as having been with Jesus. 

When people see you, are they be amazed, and recognize you as having been with Jesus?

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”  Acts4:13

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?

The day is at hand.  Let’s pray for and encourage on another.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

whitestonefellowship@earthlink.net

THE EARTH IS GROANING

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE ENTIRE EARTH IS GROANING

  • Red Alerts – Arctic Lands Grow Greener.
  • Scientist Find Record Warm Water in Antarctica, Cause of Glacier Melt.
  • Sea Level Rise could Reshape the United States, Trigger Migration.
  • Climate researchers can now detect the fingerprint of global warming in daily weather observations at the global scale.
  • Groundwater depletion in America’s West.
  • Climate warming disrupts tree seed production.
  • Climate warming speeding up earth’s ocean currents.
  • A worldwide push toward One World Government (Globalism).
  • Worldwide anarchy, wars and rumors of war.
  • Climate changes of historic proportions.
  • Strange new and threatening diseases.
  • Global Pandemics.
  • Droughts, famines and increasing frequency of earthquakes.

With all that is going on in the news, it is easy to overlook a recent article appeared on a Fox News feed, (excerpts)

“The Arctic is figuratively and literally on fire — it’s warming much faster than we thought it would in response to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and this warming is leading to a rapid meltdown and increase in wildfires,” University of Michigan environmental school dean Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist, said in an email.”

“The record warming in Siberia is a warning sign of major proportions,” Overpeck wrote. 

“Persistently warm weather, especially if coupled with wildfires, causes permafrost to thaw faster, which in turn exacerbates global warming by releasing large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide, said Katey Walter Anthony, a University of Alaska Fairbanks expert on methane release from frozen Arctic soil.”

“Methane escaping from permafrost thaw sites enters the atmosphere and circulates around the globe,” she said. “Methane that originates in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. It has global ramifications.”

“That seems to weaken and sometimes even stall the jet stream, meaning weather systems such as those bringing extreme heat or rain can stay parked over places for days on end, Cohen said.”

FEAR-MONGERING or FACT?

The weather channel has an article saying “A new study has found the Gulf Stream is circulating at its slowest rate in at least 1,600 years, contradicting reports to the contrary. Climate change is to blame for the slowdown, the study concluded. If the circulation stops completely, it would have catastrophic impacts on our weather.”

The article briefly states that “some scientists who weren’t involved in the study agreed with the findings, but others said a lack of data left them skeptical of the study. MIT professor Carl Wunsch said the study’s “assertions of weakening are conceivable, but unsupported by any data” in an interview with the AP.

“A separate study, also released in the journal “Nature“, claims the 150-year slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, (AMOC). is a result of natural changes, not man-made climate change. But, both conclude, the slowdown is occurring, and it could impact our weather in the coming years.”

A 2000-YEAR-OLD WEATHER FORECAST:

“Revelation 7:1, says, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.”

HERE IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE WINDS STOPPED BLOWING:

“It would rarely rain in inland locations (wind moves moist air over dry spots and falls as rain). All land not near a body of water would turn into a desert.

“There would be more extreme temperatures (the warm/cold air over the ground would not be replaced by the steady temperature air of the oceans and seas).

“The trade winds would no longer exist, and ocean stream currents would eventually stop. This would to serious climate changes. (The Gulf Stream keeps Europe warm).”

“After a few days the problem arrives. Without wind systems, warm, moist air won’t move around. Water might still evaporate, but it won’t travel, meaning anywhere away from a large body of water will dry up. Lakes might be alright as the evaporating water will fall back into them and the sea will be fine but anywhere else will get very dry, very quickly. Plants, animals and humans will slowly die from dehydration with most water inaccessible as salt water or ice. Even if we survive this, the problems don’t stop. The equator will no longer shed its heat as quickly, so it will become very warm, mountains may remain cool enough to be habitable but nowhere else will. At the same time, the poles, deprived of heat from the equator, will freeze solid.”

Science is recently saying what the Bible has been saying for centuries.

AN URGENT MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

All of this has been recorded ahead of time and is foretold in great and frightening detail.  You simply need the “eyes to see” and “the ears to hear”.

All of these things and this historic time had been recorded, in various books of the Bible, in particular, the Book of Revelation.

THE ENTIRE EARTH IS GROANING

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.   For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?   But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

Our time for this planet is short, but God says,
            “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME, I LISTENED TO YOU,
            AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION, I HELPED YOU.”
            Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—

The wise man or woman will turn to God and live, but the fool says in their heart that there is no God!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

If you have the time, please read further:

Frightfully, most Christians have bought into a ‘wait and see if it’s really true, narrative’ fed to us, some by our own religious institutions.

Listen to what the Apostle Peter tells us about this,

Act 2:14 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them:

“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;

Verse 16. But this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

Verse 18. EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.

Verse 19. ‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.

Verse 20. ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.

Verse 21. ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

Peter is telling us that the “Last Days” started at or around Pentecost, in the year AD 30, as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32. Now here is the scenario as told by Jesus from the Revelation:

The 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue, ongoing since AD 1

The 2nd Tribulation Seal – Global Wars and Rumors of War, ongoing since AD 1

The 3rd Tribulation Seal – Global Famine, ongoing since AD 1

The 4th Tribulation Seal – Global Death, pandemics, ongoing since AD 1

The 5th Tribulation Seal –Martyrs, persecution, revealing of the Anti-Christ, the great falling away (apostasy), now underway and growing worse

The 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic and Astronomical phenomenon, weather disturbances, cosmic cataclysms. This has not occurred yet, but is on the horizon. This happens after the rapture of the Church.

Global Warming?  Something is happening, folks. But, it is not what we are being told and not for the reasons we are being told by the news media. But, something is happening!

So, how can you know the truth, and what can you do about it? Well, since God is the One allowing it and since His Word (The Bible) has foretold this coming event, I would say “Go to God’s Word and find out for yourself”.  In the meantime, GET READY!

(Click here or on the image above for details about “WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY“. Please read the entire article, but, Page 31 tells the Christian, specifically, what it means to get ready.)

 

HEAR GOD’S VOICE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #24

  • Hear God’s Voice

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Whenever you read the phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”, know that you are being  instructed in an Oracle of God.  You are hearing and being taught The deepest and hidden Truths from God.

This phrase “He who has ears to hear” or “He who has an ear” is used 19 times in the New Testament and 8 times in the Book of Revelation.  

This is truly the “Hidden Manna” of God.

“To have an ear to hear” means to possess the faculty of perceiving with the mind, the faculty of understanding and knowing.

Listen carefully all you disciples of Jesus:

  • You may not even be a Disciple of Jesus unless you do not know and practice these Oracles of God, these Truths of God.
  • You may not be able to “Endure to the End” unless you do not know and practice these Oracles of God, these Truths of God.
  • You may not be able to “Overcome” unless you do not know and practice these Oracles of God, these Truths of God.

Only a truly born again believer, a Christian, a disciple of Jesus is able to hear, discern and understand what is spoken, written or taught by The Spirit of God.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14

 

The “branch of the fig tree” is now tender and is putting forth its leaves. Know that summer is here.”   

 

Now it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? _______________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? _______________________________________________

 

That day is now upon us.  Pray, prepare, study, stay ready! 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

whitestonefellowship@earthlink.net

GOOD NEWS or FAKE NEWS?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I want to go out on a limb, with this one. 

Have you ever bought something you expected to work a certain way only to find out it didn’t seem to work that way at all?

Perhaps, you have bought a certain electronic device and try as you will, it does not perform as promised.  So you might think, “I should just send this thing back or throw it away!”  Only to have your child or grandchild come to you, take the device, push a button here or there and PRESTO!  Just as promised.  You discover it wasn’t the “thing”, it was you!!

It can be the same way in our relationship with God and His Word.  When I hear and see some of the “things” people do and say in relation to God and His Word, it is no wonder that Christianity does not perform like it is Written.

Additionally, much of what is being preached today, and is passed off as The Gospel of Jesus Christ is, well, FAKE NEWS!”

For example:

#1.  We are being told to “Pray a little prayer and ask Jesus into our heart and we will be saved”.  FAKE NEWS!

The audacity to think that we, a puny, finite creation, made of dust, would assume we are worthy of or could even begin to tell The One and only True God, Creator of all things, what to do?! 

The Bible says that if you want a relationship with GOD, then you must

  • You come humbly to God
  • ask for mercy
  • repent of your ways,
  • die to your old self,
  • forsake who you are and all you know,
  • confess your sins,
  • cry out for mercy
  • confess Jesus as your only hope, and as your Lord and Savior,
  • commit to follow Him and His ways

Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

v10  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

v11  For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

#2.  We are being told we should “Claim the promises of God”.  FAKE NEWS!

God’s promises exist and permanent whether you claim them or not.  Claiming them does not validate God’s promise in your life.  The Bible uses the word promise, promises or promised 139 times.  And not once does it tell you to claim what is already yours.

In fact, claiming what is already yours sounds extremely childish and one who teaches ‘claiming God’s promises’ is immature in their thinking.

Imagine an adult friend standing in his or her driveway, loudly proclaiming, “In the name of God I claim this car!  Thank you God for the car which is coming.  I receive your car!” 

You want to shout at this person, “Hey, it’s already your car! It-is-already-yours.  Just drive it!  And, will you please, stop claiming God is going to give you something you already have? You look and sound ridiculous.”

We should, instead, appropriate what God has already given us for His Glory and for our own use.  (Appropriate defined:  “Take (something) for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission”.)

#3.  We are being told that God answers prayer by saying, “Yes, No or Wait”.  FAKE NEWS!

This is found NOWHERE in the Bible.  The Bible says that God either hears your prayers and answers your prayers or He does not hear you and cannot answer what He does not hear.

Matthew 7:7 ¶  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8  “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Psalms 66:18  If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;

#4.  We are told that God wants everyone to always prosper and to always be in good health.  FAKE NEWS!

This idea probably comes from the Apostle John’s greeting to Gaius in 3rd John 1:2, where he says, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

The Bible says you can prosper and God gives us instructions and ways to help us prosper, both in our soul and in our natural body.

For example, the Bible say you will be healthier if you eat right, happier think right and more prosperous if you do right.

But what God wants is for humankind to come to Him, to love Him and to love one another.  God wants us to obey Him, to follow Him and to spread The Good News about His Son, Jesus.

Listening to God and obeying Him may assist us in living a more prosperous and peaceful life.  But, oftentimes in our service to God, we will suffer and experience poor health.

Avoidance of trouble is not God’s goal for us.  Serving Him faithfully, obediently and Eternal life are.

#5.  We are taught that prayer changes things or “moves the Hand of God”.  FAKE NEWS!

The Bible gives us examples where prayer brings results.  But, too often we are taught to pray to get God to do things on our behalf or to give us things.

In other words, we use prayer as a way to get God to serve us.  HOW LUDICROUS!

We are told to be like Jesus and Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve”.  This is our calling, also.

Jesus also reminds us that even He could only do what He saw the Father doing ahead of time, and He only said what the Father had already said.  (John 5).  We should be mindful and pray “according to His Will” which is revealed in His Word.

Rather than “twisting God’s Arm” our prayers should be “How may I serve You this day”, shouldn’t they?

To echo an Oswald Chambers quote,

“We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.  To say that prayer changes things is not as close to the truth as saying, Prayer changes me and then I change things.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News.  But, it is His Gospel, not ours.

Listen to what Pastor John MacArthur, said, “No temporal, political, social enterprise is a component of the Saving Gospel. 

“You can go to the New Testament and you will never find anything except ‘Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing Him as Lord, believing in His death and resurrection,  confessing your sins, repenting – THAT’S THE GOSPEL.  Nothing can be added to that.”

And, hear what Pastor Alistair Begg said, “Our mandate in the world is not political, it’s not social, and it’s not economic.  The calling of the church is to proclaim the gospel. 

“Our responsibility is not to disrupt that environment, but it is instead to show the difference that the gospel makes.“

If you and I want see the Presence of God in our daily lives, if we want to see our prayers powerfully answered and if we must know and do God’s Word in order to experience God‘s Word, just as it is promised!

Let’s pray for one another and encourage one another to know God better each day so we may walk in the Works which He prepared for us, ahead of time.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Whitestonefellowship@earthlink.net

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DO NOT FEAR

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #23

  • Fear Not

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

First, this verse and the verses around it are for Jesus’ disciples only.  So, if you are not a follower of Jesus, if you do not claim to be saved by God’s grace through your faith in Jesus, you need not read any further.  Stop here.

But, if you are a Christian, a true follower of Jesus and one of His disciples, then this is for you.  Jesus is telling you to FEAR NOT!

The discourse of this verse actually begins in verse 17 of Matthew chapter 10 and goes through verse 31.  In these verses Jesus is warning you of some terrible and frightening things which will happen to you.  For example:

  1. Men will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues
  2. You will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
  3. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father will betray his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
  4. You will be hated by everyone because of My name
  5. If they have called Me Beelzebul, then they will malign you

However, Jesus tells you not to fear.  Their threat will be revealed for the lies they are.  Jesus say nothing will be concealed.  The truth will be revealed and made publicly  known.

Jesus says to tell what He has told us in the broad daylight, to proclaim it upon the housetops.

We need not fear those who can murder our bodies because they are unable to kill our soul;   But we should fear God, alone.

Fear is the enemy of faith.  Fear is a natural response to danger and terror.  Fear requires no effort.

But, Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.  We must listen, we must hear His Voice and we must obey it.

You have the ability to exercise either fear or faith.  If you are a follower of Jesus, if your are His disciple, if you are a Christian, you really only have one choice. 

So remember, “When evildoers came upon you to devour your flesh, your adversaries and enemies will stumble and fall.

“And, though a host encamp against you, your heart will not fear.  Though war arise against you, you shall be confident.

“One thing you must ask from the LORD, and that you shall seek:  That you may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of your life, to behold the beauty of the LORD  and to meditate in His temple.

“For in the day of trouble He will conceal you in His tabernacle;  In the secret place of His tent He will hide you;  He will lift you up on a rock.”

Hide these words in your heart.  Memorize them.  Speak them.  For the day of battle is at hand and you shall not fear.

You are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary – Isaiah 12:12-14

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? __________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?  __________________________________________

 

The Victory is ours, Says the Lord!  FEAR NOT!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

whitestonefellowship@earthlink.net

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BE WISE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #22

 

Be Wise as Serpents

 

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus has finished teaching His disciples, and He calls them together for final instructions.  He gives them power against unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and disease.

Jesus is telling them to use discernment, to be intelligent, wise and  prudent, mindful of their interests because wolves are the cruel, greedy, rapacious, destructive men and women they will encounter as they go.

In the midst of His final instructions, Jesus warns them “I am sending you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.  He tells them to “be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves”.  The imagery is unmistakable.

JESUS IS SPEAKING TO HIS DISCIPLES THEN

AND

TO HIS DISCIPLES TODAY

They are warned to beware of men who will hand them over to the courts and scourge them in their synagogues; and they will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

They are warned that they will be hated because of Jesus, but if they endure to the end they will be saved.

Being shrewd as a serpent means they are to know the tactics and methods of the enemy so they will be able avoid or counter their attacks.

Being innocent as a dove is to remain unstained by the influences of the men and women of the world they will encounter.  They are to remember Jesus’ instructions to not return evil for evil but to overcome evil with good. 

Jesus is saying to His disciples – both then and now – stay on mission.  Do not be distracted or discourage by the politics, social upheaval or by the evils of men and women.

Just speak the Truth of the Gospel Message.  It will be given you what you are to say.  For it is not you who will be speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

“Whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”

THIS IS THE DAY

THESE ARE OUR MARCHING ORDERS

– PREPARE –

 

Now it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? _____________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? _____________________________________________

This is our calling – together we will prevail!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

IS THAT WRONG?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Last evening we had our second group gathering in Our study of Worldviews by the Truth Project, a Focus on the Family sponsored study lead by Dr. Del Tackett, Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family.  The topic / tour this week was “Philosophy & Ethics”.

 There were several ‘takeaways’, but the one thing we discussed the most was titled,

“What is Right? What is wrong? – Ethical implications of postmodernism”.

The conclusion presented by the Dr. Tackett and other theologians on the video was that there is no basis for ethical standards or ethical language in a naturalistic or Non-Christian, Non-Biblical worldview”. To emphasize that point, I told of this real life occurrence:

I was stopped by an acquaintance while on a walk and he asked me, “What do you think of these riots and the looting?”

I responded with, “I think it’s a shame that people are burning down cities and business after looting them and killing people in the process.  I think it is evil.”

This acquaintance quickly countered with, “Well, they had no choice.”  His response was so quick that I felt he knew what he was going to say even before I could answer him.  In other words, he was just wanting to start an argument and espouse his point of view, his worldview, if you will.

I answered him.  But, before I tell what I said, I would like to know what you would have said. 

Before you answer, please remember,

1.  Although I was unaware, at first, it became apparent that this guy was wanting to argue, not discuss to subject which he introduced.

2.  This guy was wanting to promote his worldview.  He did not really want a discussion and he did not to hear my view.

So, what would you have said to him?

 

My answer to his remark that ‘the looters and rioters had no other choice’ was, “You don’t solve evil with more evil.”

Again, this man responded with a flat, “They had no choice”.

I repeated myself, “You cannot solve the evils of racism by responding with the evils of hate, revenge, murder, and destruction.  It is WRONG!”

This man dismissed me with a wave of his hand, saying, “Well, that’s your opinions”, as he prepared to ride away on his bicycle.

I finished my remarks to him with, “Yes, it is my opinion, but it is more.  It is the truth.  Your view is that evil, revenge and hate are okay –  and that is wrong!” 

The point is, we, as Christians, are to say what is true without arguing or trying to convince anyone.  The Truth will stand on its own.  But, we must speak it simply and directly and with conviction, remembering, “they have been taken captive in their imaginations” and we must “gently instruct them” yet let our “speech be seasoned with salt” .  (Colossians 4:5-6)


My wife, Betty Young, who usually doesn’t say much in these gatherings, highlighted our closing, “You can’t change people by external influences or fancy arguments.  It is a matter of the heart.  God has to change their heart before they will change their mind.  We just need to tell them the Truth.”

Wow!  Yes!  We must speak up!  And, with the Truth from God’s point of view, which is found exclusively in the Bible.  Then leave the results to God. 

Of course we stand ready with the answer for our Hope, but, ultimately, it is up to God.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Ephesians2:10

I recommend this study.  Contact me if you need assistance.  We need to “Be prepared with an answer”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

AND I ASK AGAIN

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

  • “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
  • “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”  Romans 8:26
  • “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed their of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”  Hebrews 1:1-3

WHAT IF?

Like I previously said, I am beginning to see these verses in a different light.  What if what these verses say, are exactly what they mean?

1.  Are God’s thoughts beyond our capacity to understand?  Is it that we, as finite humans, simply cannot grasp the Mind and Intentions of God?

2.  Is it true that when God, The Holy Spirit, prays for us, that His Words (Groanings) are too deep for us to understand in words?

3.  Did God send Jesus so we could comprehend God?  So, we could know Who God is, What God is and about God and His Purposes, His Plans and Intentions?  So we can see the exact representation of His nature understand our relationship to Him?

WHAT IF?

Did not Jesus say we are to know Him, follow Him, represent Him and to do His Works.  Is that even possible?  Or is it rhetoric and hyperbole?

Perhaps we have continued to see the things of God strictly through humans eyes, that is through our limited human understanding, and fallen woefully short of what He intends for us.

What if He what He has said is perfectly true and our failure as humans to perform as He described, is “on us “and our self-centered views?

WHAT IF?

Wasn’t Jesus clearly explaining to us that 

“…The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” ?  John5:19

Isn’t Jesus clearly explain to us,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.  15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” ?   John14:12

Doesn’t the Bible clearly tell us that

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

Isn’t Jesus is saying it is HE who PREPARES THE WORKS and it is HE who DOES THE WORKS, and that HE Works through us?  (Even though, to the human eye and understanding, it appears that we are doing His Works.)

If this is so, can we do what Jesus has not only told us but requires and has commanded of us?

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Friends, over the next few days or weeks (or months?) I will be in discovery.  Will you join me?  There is Kingdom Work to be done until He Returns.  Could we be on the VERGE!

Your Friend and Brother,



Mike Young

And I ask…

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

My wife likes to quote a favorite preacher (Alistair Begg), who likes to say, “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.”

I try to remember and practice this when reading, talking about or studying the Bible.  The problem is that sometimes the MAIN THING isn’t so PLAIN to me.

  1. For example, when the Bible says (i.e., GOD SAYS),

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

*Is He saying that I CANNOT fully understand Him?

  1. Another Example is when the Bible says (GOD SAYS),

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”  Romans 8:26

*Is He saying that I CANNOT fully understand Him?

  1. And, one last example is when the Bible says (GOD SAYS),

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed their of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”  Hebrews 1:1-3

*Is He saying that I CAN fully understand Him?

So which is it?  CAN I or CAN I NOT?

C.S. Lewis, from the early to mid 1900s, a well known and influential British writer and author of widely read books such as The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Space Trilogy, and for his non-fiction Christian apologetics, such as Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain, says, in part, that we should accept those things about God which we can understand and put aside those things that trouble us or which we cannot understand, for now, until God reveals them to us.

WHAT IF?

However, as I am beginning to see these verses in a different light, I have to ask,   “What if these verses are saying exactly what they mean?”  And, what are the implications to us and to our world?  (Really – THIS IS BIG!)

If you want to come with me, please come to “AND I ASK, AGAIN – P2” and let’s explore & talk…

“AND I ASK AGAIN – P2”

WHY BOTHER?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I am writing a short “devotional for disciples” every day or two.  Why?  I mean, I can’t tell if anyone reads them or even cares.  And, like most things, routine becomes tedious – for a reader, anyway.

So, why do I bother?  If anyone cares, I’ll tell you why.

1.  Because it is my daily devotional study. 

  • It is from the Bible. 
  • I need to be taught by God,
  • I need to be reminded of His Word,
  • I need to be trained in His Righteousness, and
  • I need to be encouraged, and this is how I do that.

2.  Because it is the One Thing that excites me enough to tell others.  And I pray and hope that it encourages and helps someone else, too.

3.  Because in this “Day and Age” it is the only and best hope we have

4.  Because one cannot overstate the importance of knowing the Power of the Word of God

5.  Because one cannot overstate the importance of knowing the Effectiveness of the Word of God

6.  Because one cannot overstate the importance of being able to “Accurately Handle the Word of Truth” in these days for He says,

If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; 

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

Please, dear friends, don’t be deceived by the urgency of the cares of this world.  We are at the Last Hour, and we must Be Ready for what is upon us. 

Please.  The party is over.  These are dangerous days.  Equip yourself.  Stand firm.  Resist the devil and draw near to God.  We will overcome!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

1The LORD is my light and my salvation;
            Whom shall I fear?
            The LORD is the defense of my life;
            Whom shall I dread?

      2When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
            My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

      3Though a host encamp against me,
            My heart will not fear;
            Though war arise against me,
            In spite of this I shall be confident.

      4One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
            That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
            To behold the beauty of the LORD
            And to meditate in His temple.

      5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
            In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
            He will lift me up on a rock.

      6And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
            And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
            I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

      7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice,
            And be gracious to me and answer me.

      8When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
            “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”

      9Do not hide Your face from me,
            Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
            You have been my help;
            Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
            O God of my salvation!

      10For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
            But the LORD will take me up.

      11Teach me Your way, O LORD,
            And lead me in a level path
            Because of my foes.

      12Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
            For false witnesses have risen against me,
            And such as breathe out violence.

      13I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
            In the land of the living.

      14Wait for the LORD;
            Be strong and let your heart take courage;
            Yes, wait for the LORD.

PRAY FOR THE LABORERS OF THE HARVEST

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #21

  • ​Pray for the Laborers of the Harvest

 

“Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

37  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

38  “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”” (Matthew 9:36–38).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus knows you, intimately

Jesus saw the people.  The word used here, “Seeing” means not only to look at, to gaze at or to see as a function of the eyes.  This word “seeing”, as used here, means to see with the mind, to perceive, know and to become acquainted with by experience.  This is also our calling. 

Jesus cares about you, deeply

Jesus felt compassion for them, as the result of “Seeing” them.  This compassion is an inward affection, a tender mercy.  The kind of compassion which is felt in the deepest regions of the mind, heart and soul.  This is also our calling.

Jesus is calling you, urgently

Beseech the Lord of the harvest. to send out workers into His Harvest.  These words carry a sense of urgency and immediacy as an ongoing action.  Pray and Go and keep praying and keep going!  This is our calling.

This is THE DIRECTIVE.  These are the marching orders for any and all disciples of Jesus.  You and I cannot consider ourselves as followers of Jesus if we do not do what He says.

 Let us long to hear the words,  

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful, enter into the joy of your Lord.’

 

Now it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? ______________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?  ______________________________________________

 

Your Brother & Friend,

Mike Young

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #20

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” (Matthew 7:15–16).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

This is not a casual matter.  Jesus is giving a stern warning, an alert.  Jesus is saying beware, be alert, be careful, pay attention to, be attentive to, take heed, devote thought and effort to the discerning of false prophets.

A prophet, in the context and as defined in these verses, is anyone who is acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet. 

A false prophet is one who utters imaginations, falsehoods or deceit under the name of divine prophecies.  A false prophet can be a preacher, a pastor or anyone confessing to be a Christian.  Those who would ‘give a word of knowledge’ or ‘speak in tongues’ to an assembly of Christians, saying they are giving a “word” or an “utterance” from the Holy Spirit can easily be a false prophet.

Jesus compares false prophets to “wolves”.  Wolves come in ‘sheep’s clothing’, i.e., they will act like a Christian, in order to conceal their real intentions, and they are ravenous.

Jesus is showing no tolerance for this type of person.  The word Jesus uses to describe this person, ‘ravenous’ means rapacious, ravenous they are extortioners,  robbers and thieves.  Of course these ‘wolves’ don’t necessarily see themselves as such, which makes them all the more convincing and dangerous.

“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18)

Jesus gives His disciples a key to recognizing a false prophet, a wolf.   The Disciple of Jesus is therefore tasked with using discernment on this matter and responding accordingly.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me“

 

Now it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? ________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? ________________________________________

 

Stay vigilant. Stay on the alert. The day draws near.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young