On Sunday, July 2,2023, Matt Rehrer, the Executive Pastor of North Creek Church, shared a teaching from Psalm 46. His sermon title was SHAKEN BUT STILL. I concur with the title of his sermon because of what I believe the Lord has been speaking to my heart and the hearts of others in the Body of Christ.
Back in October, 2021 when we were engaged in battling the Covid epidemic, I wrote a post entitled Finding Refuge in the Lord. On June 14, 2023, I wrote and published a post, entitled The Coming Unrest. I re-posted that article on July 7, 2023. That post emphasizes the necessity of taking refuge in the Lord.
It is my goal to update that post Finding Refuge in the Lord and to incorporate Psalm 46 as the Lord directs. I believe that finding refuge in the Lord is essential for the Body of Christ to understand, embrace, and ready itself for the ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation and to the world scene in the near future.
Let me begin.
I want to share what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in preparation for what is on the horizon.
The foundation of what I am sharing is incorporated in the posts, The Coming Unrest and the The A.A.R.O.W. of God. I know that sounds like a lot to juggle; but I believe that the Holy Spirit will make a clear statement.
As Derek Kinder once said, “There is not refuge from Him, only refuge in Him.“
We, believers, find ourselves living in a world bombarded with harsh words, criticism, lies, deceit, innuendoes, and false accusations. What else should we expect from a world ruled by Satan who is the “prince of the power of the air”; whose spirit “is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2 ESV). In this atmosphere there is no place of refuge, rest or peace, except in the Lord. (emphasis mine)
In the Tree of Life Version (TLV), Psalms 62:6-9 says, “My soul, wait in stillness, only for God-for from Him comes my expectation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower-I will not be moved. On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart in His presence. God is our refuge. Selah (emphasis mine)
The continuous pounding of the daily caustic rhetoric is like a jack-hammer breaking up the concrete, creating a relentless noise perpetuating unrest, distrust, irrational conversations and disturbing thinking. The constant spewing forth of such words, as the Book of James tells us, “…is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:15-18 ESV)
The church of Jesus Christ has faced this type of verbal brutality throughout its history.
Jesus made no secret of this happening to His followers. In Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV), Jesus said, “Blessed are those who persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil (verbal assaults) against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (insert mine)
The inflammatory dialogue has become incendiary promoting acts of violence that are daily occurrences in our nation and the rest of the world. Added to this is the increase of Christian persecution which has contributed to the killing of many believers throughout the world. These tragedies are documented by Christian organizations such as the Voice of Martyrs, Open Doors USA, and other evangelistic organizations ministering within the nations (i.e. India, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Africa, etc.) and other continents where Christians have been persecuted and killed.
The truth is that most followers of Christ, living in the twenty-first century in North America, have never experienced the reality of the words spoken by Jesus. If you are like me, the closest I have come to being persecuted has been some level of ‘feeling’ uncomfortable or ‘personal’ intimidation, which is in reality not persecution at all.
Many followers of Christ in the rest of the world experience daily the full weight of Christ’s words.
Am I ready for such opposition? Are you? Is the Body of Christ?
In our nation, the Christian community has been experiencing a rise in opposition to religious freedoms. Opposition has taken the form of objections to stances taken in/at the workforce, disapproval of religious preferences, resistance to Biblical beliefs, and hostility when Christian’s express their personal opinions that are not in keeping with the perceived cultural norms.
Beginning in 2019, as you remember, the Covid pandemic spurred a number of confrontations when our government officials issued guidelines restricting movement, the assembling of ourselves together, and other protocols that were interpreted as infringements upon our personal rights as citizens of this nation, citizens of our states, and citizens in our local communities.
For instance, can government officials make guidelines to restrict a church from assembling together for worship? Some said yes; some said no; some successfully followed the guidelines; other dismissed them completely. Over time, the Covid pandemic subsided, its restrictions were relaxed, and the right to assemble was reinstated.
However, there was some collateral damage done to some congregations because the adherents of the local congregation were not of the same mind-set regarding the enforcement or non-enforcement of the guidelines. The Body of Christ had some schisms, hurts, and bad feelings to work through. I know of one congregation that did not survive. I wonder how many other churches suffered greatly.
There were many other rulings that the citizenry of our nation wrestled with, such as: masks, no masks; mandatory vaccine shots; no mandatory vaccine shots; eating inside and/or outside at restaurants; spatial distancing; and health guidelines if you contracted Covid, such as. travel restrictions; employment regulations; and many others that were residual because of the governmental guidelines.
We all know now, because we experienced it, some more acutely than others, that our entire country was in a national turmoil.
Daily we were bombarded with ‘do this’ or ‘that’ ; or ‘don’t do this’ or ‘that’.
People asked a lot of questions; and many did not receive adequate answers.
There was confusion, chaos, and calamity.
Some said that the governmental control was absolutely mandatory.
Others were concerned about the overarching control that our government officials exercised upon our individual lives and the lives of our citizenry.
The confusing part was that our government officials,over time, found themselves unsure of what to do and say, and as such became contradictory trying to explain themselves.
In many instances, they backed themselves into a corner and the prospects of getting themselves extricated from the problems they created did not seem promising.
Over time, things have quieted down regarding Covid; but the residual effects of governmental control have lingered.
This has raised new concerns.
Where have the government’s edicts taken us as a nation?
Now that they have had, what they believe has been a success issuing edicts, what will be the extent of their continual control?
I submit that is what many in this nation are struggling with?
In addition to Covid, there have been other major issues that have taken center stage in our on going struggle against the government’s insistence to regulate and reform our nation.
I am referring to abortion, free speech, racism, immigration, border control, energy, school curriculum, parent’s rights, national debt, climate control, gun control, and voting regulations to name some of the most dominant internal issues; and I haven’t even listed any external issues involving our relationships with other nations.
These areas of concerns have been rearing their ugly heads over the past several decades and gaining traction in our communities. The seeds of most of these problems have been sown over the course of our nation’s history. The frequency of objection regarding these issues have become numerous.
Why?
Because they are real issues that need to be addressed.
One thing that I have noticed is the increasing irrationality of those who support the administration’s handling of our problems; and the increase in the level of their verbal defiance against those who disagree with the administration’s positions.
We are losing our civility as a nation to dialogue.
Maybe our elected government leaders are not as interested in solving the issues facing our nation as they are about using the problems to remain in control and power so that they can change the fundamental construction of our Constitutional Republic.
Why do I bring this to our (your) attention?
I will say it again.
These are real problems that we as a nation, must address, and deal with if we are going to maintain a civilized nation as founded by our founding fathers.
In order to rationally address our issues, let us consider this importance assessment.
What is the ‘fruit’, ‘the influence’ that these issues are exerting over our nation?
First, let us identify the source.
What is the source of the ‘influences’ that I am referring too?
According to James 3:13-18, the source of these is issues is not from ‘above’ but from ‘below’. ‘Below’ means that the source is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”. Those are not my words; they are God’s Word.
Let me put those words into context.
James 3:13-18 (NKJV) says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Let us ask ourselves some questions.
Do we have confusion or clarity in our nation?
Do we have unrest or peace in our nation?
Do we have division or unity in our nation?
Do we have bondage or freedom in our nation?
These are just some of the comparisons we could make.
The truth is that we as a nation are being affected by ungodly ‘influences’ determined to undermine our nation.
Let’s reflect on the passage James 3:14 (ESV). What does the Word of God say are the effects of these ‘influences’? “But where bitter jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (emphasis mine)
Is this an appropriate description of what we are witnessing daily in our nation?
I do not believe that it is a stretch of my imagination to look at the cultural fabric of our nation, and say that these words accurately describe what we see, hear, and experience daily in our nation.
The remedy will come by a Sovereign work of God in the life of this nation.
A ‘spiritual’ awakening will need to happen; and this ‘awakening’ will take place God’s way, and not man’s way.
Ephesians 5:13-17 (NJJV) says: “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do no be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”
As a believer, how am I (are we) to respond? *We must fast and pray.* As I have been sharing in previous posts, I believe, that the Lord is going to intervene with His ARROW (Read Psalm 64) and expose the lies and deceits perpetrated against this nation.
I believe that God’s ARROW has already been ‘shot’ and that the effects, as stated in Psalm 64 are already being realized.
But the intensity of the effects of that ARROW will continue to grow.
The results of that growth will become ‘unprecedented unrest’.
The Lord has been and is still enlisting members of the Ekklesia to fight with prayer and fasting against the evil principalities influencing this nation.
We are His people. (1 Peter 2:9-12)
We are to be salt and light to the unsaved world. (Matthew 5:13-16)
We are also to be spiritual soldiers doing battle for the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Does this mean that everything will ‘magically’ disappear, and all the problems will be instantly solved?
No!
Why?
Until the Christ returns, there will always be opposition to the Lord and the Gospel message.
Christian truth is an obstacle to the world.
We need to remember that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a ‘voice’ and an ‘influence’ for the health of the nation in which it resides.
A Christian is not obliged to ‘check’ his/her Christianity at the door of public office; nor is a Christian supposed to ‘flaunt’ one’s Christianity on the job or in public.
A Christian is to be a positive witness of the life of Christ that is living in him/her. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Today (July 11,2023) I read a quote spoken by President John Adams, who stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
We are living in a time when we are witnessing the the truth of his insight.
This nation has lost its morality and its relationship to God; and we are watching our nation being governed by many elected officials who are not interested in the governing principles of our Constitution.
They are morally corrupt and irreligious. The results are devastating.
Therefore, let this truth permeate our (your) thinking: a person, who loves the Lord, and seeks to walk uprightly before Him, honoring Him in all that he/she does or says, will come into contact with those who oppose Christianity. That’s the way it is. This is not negative; it is reality.
Jesus was being absolutely truthful when He told His followers that they would be treated harshly because of their association with Him.
Spiritual ‘awakenings’ are a two-sided coin.
There is God’s side; and there is Satan’s side.
Satan opposes God’s intervention.
He always has and he always will; but he is not in control, and he is a defeated enemy.
That is the assurance of the Victory of the Cross.
Yes, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are in spiritual battle.
The victory is ours now in Christ. (emphasis mine)
Living out the Victory of Christ is our mandate until Christ returns. (emphasis mine)
The Apostle Peter reminds us of the spiritual battle in I Peter 4:12-14 (ESV).
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trail (get ready for the heat, and it’s not global warming) when it comes to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s suffering, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and God rests upon you.” (insert mine)
Believer be encouraged, the Trinity is present with you. (emphasis mine)
You are not alone.
Did you see it?
In the last sentence of the previous paragraph, the name of Christ, the Spirit of glory, and God are all mentioned.
It is easy to understand why Peter said, “you are blessed”.
How can one not be blessed when you are surrounded by the Eternal Godhead?
Remember, you are a citizen of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV), says God, “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his blessed Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
O VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOR FOREVER…(sing it!) (emphasis mine)
If we truly understand this, and live our lives accordingly, we will be a MARKED people in the eyes of the world. We will be the candidates for their opposition. (enphasis mine)
We will be reviled, persecuted, spoken evil of, having many words uttered against us falsely for following Christ.
That is what Jesus taught and told His followers would happen.
We must turn off and tune out the confusion of the world.
I am not suggesting that we stick our head in the sand and ignore the ‘signs of the times’ around us; neither am I suggesting that we do not interact with unbelievers.
What I am saying is that we must ‘wake up’ to the reality that we have always lived in an evil world and the Christian ethic that once graced our nation has been systematically removed ‘stealthily’ from our society; and we are now living in a nation and a world that has become more hostile and vocal against the followers of Christ.
We must not allow ourselves to get caught up in the destructive rhetoric promulgated throughout our nation and the world.
We must keep ourselves free from being governed by the words and thoughts of the world.
We must not allow our hearts to be controlled by the destructive verbal rhetoric of this world.
We must not shrink back from following and focusing on the Lord.
Please read Matthew 24:1-24. Let us not be deceived. Let us continue to grow in God’s ‘agape’ love and not grow cold as lawlessness increases. Let us endure (holds one ground in conflict) to the end and be saved. (insert mine)
To accomplish this, we need to center on Christ and His Word. In Him, we will find refuge and rest (r and r) in the midst of the storm of ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation (and the world). He is our peace. (insert, emphasis mine).
Our God is an Awesome God, and He, Himself, is coming with His Presence and Power to deal with this nation (and the world).
As Matt Rehrer said Sunday, June 2,2023, there will be a shaking; but in the midst of the shaking, there is a stillness in God. That stillness is found and experienced in Him as our refuge. (my summary, and emphasis)
Be blessed, a brother in Christ, deo
*Regarding fasting and prayer* : fasting and prayer aligns our heart and mind with the heart and mind of God. Fasting and prayer sets our life (our desires) aside to focus on what the Lord wants to say and to accomplish through His people. Please read Isaiah 58. Fasting and prayer is also for spiritual battle. You N.E.E.D. to read Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther, Daniel. They all fasted and prayed in their time of spiritual need and battle with the enemy for their nation.
Please continue to pray for our nation, and fast as directed by the Lord.
Living Words of Encouragement 