Tag: Honoring Jesus’ Name

Is the Josiah Revival Upon Us?

s and congressmen to call the nation to repentance. Alas, no response. Then I gave up praying for a Jonah Revival. Roughly ten years ago at a National Day of Prayer Observance, I mentioned this to a pastor friend, and he said, “Why did you stop praying?” Normally I would have an immediate retort, but the Lord gave me pause. And I deeply reflected on this question, leaving it unanswered.

I went home and entered into fervent prayer. It was a bit, but the Lord finally opened my ears to hear Him speak of a Josiah Revival that is coming. And it will start with the youth.

Why do I mention all this? Because in the mid-1970’s I received a prophecy: “There will be one more period of prosperity, then the Revival, and then the End.” Mind you, the inflation rate roughly 25% then. When Reagan’s “Prosperity” came, I thought this was it, or perhaps we have been in a rather long prosperity run since? But what ever the case, the Josiah Revival seems to be upon us. Not just on universities and college campuses, but on High School campus, and as I substitute teach throughout our school district, even in elementary schools. These young, excited followers of Jesus are talking more about Jesus and less about “god” and “religion,” and this is even in the face of some apparent insurmountable challenges; the Lord is faithfully strengthening them to make the right decisions in spite of the peer (and teacher) pressure!

Now, about the timing….

As I have been faithfully working out at home this last year and a half, I have been using timers a lot. Intriguingly, I keep checking on how close to the “end” my timer is getting. Well, it has taken me almost all this time to realize the parable hidden in this small exercise.

The LORD has been prompting me to relax and just wait for the timer to go off; all this long “hinting” that I need to relax because no matter how closely I watch the “timer,” it is going to go off when it is at its end!

Yes, this has a lot to do with the Josiah Revival which as been sweeping this nation and even our city for a little over a year now. Josiah’s revival lasted roughly 13 years give or take a year or two. (He foolishly didn’t obey the LORD and died needlessly and prematurely, at least from a human perspective.) But, my query is this: Have we just entered the roughly 12 years of the Josiah Revival?!?

I obviously do not know, and the LORD is not telling me. But I do know this: If we relax and possess a “conquest” mentality after this election, we are in for some deep kimchi! If, however, we continue the repentance, tearing down the strongholds and following roughly Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Josiah Manifest, we may get those 12 years…..

But whatever is on the horizon, the Church must stay vigilant, continuing to repent and live a life pleasing to the LORD Jesus:

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him

—2 Peter 3:11–14 (NIV84)

“What’s Wrong with Double Standards”

When something happens where a double standard is applied, many cry, “Hey, that’s a double standard.” And then pontificate on the  observation that the other person has a double standard. The sad irony is: the one with the double standard doesn’t care that they have a double standard. In fact, it is perfectly all right to have one.

 So instead of merely identifying those with a double standard, don’t you think it is also necessary to present what is wrong with a double standard? 

Let’s explore for a few moments what is wrong with a double standard. First of all, perhaps you would agree with me that a double standard will soon show itself to be an inadequate way of life. Trust evaporates and integrity goes the way of the dinosaurs. With a double standard, don’t you think even society itself will burn out? In my opinion, it will at some point be impossible to live as a society because once one double standard is replaced with another double standard, how do they know they will not turn on themselves? A house divided cannot stand, right? And isn’t a double standard really a house divided?

 What about those who say, “No justice, No peace?” Can we agree that if there is a double standard, there is no justice, and thus no peace? But can we also agree that if a double standard is the very charge of the cry, and the response is to replace the alleged double standard with another, how is this justice?  And how will it lead to peace?

It behooves us then to turn to Jesus, Who is the standard, and make sure we ourselves do not have a double standard. Have you observed that Jesus constantly called out the Pharisees for their duplicity—their hypocrisy? And when He did, He often noted it with severe warnings of the consequences of such a lifestyle or standard? Perhaps we should be doing the same thing, but first applying His standard—which is no double standard—to ourselves and then perhaps to others, wouldn’t you agree?

Main Text— Proverbs 11:3 (NIV84)— The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.—Matthew 7:5 (NIV84)

 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.—Matthew 23:15 (NIV84)

  The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.—Proverbs 10:9 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, remove any duplicity and hypocrisy far from me. Clean my heart and make me whole. Be my integrity as Your transforming of my soul on the inside becomes evident to all on the outside. In this You will be pleased and I will honor You with my Life. In Your Name, may it be so!

Pastor Mike

“Honoring His Holy Name”

Date: 07-16-15

My Thoughts:

As I was growing up, I distinctly remember being taught not to say the name of Jesus because I just might say it in vain. So I never said His Name except when prompted by the liturgy… Years later, after coming into a personal relationship with the Lord, I remember the first time I said His name. I waited for lightning to strike or at least some rumble of thunder to warn me not to do this. Alas, nothing so dramatic like this happened.

However, what did happen was a rather strange, yet awkward reverential peace flooding my person. It was very quiet, but very noticeable. Then being tagged as a Jesus Freak in the mid 70’s added to the preciousness of His Name. …

But then I began to notice others speak His Name as if it were some magic formula. For example, some felt unless they ended their prayers with “In Jesus’ Name,” it would not be heard, or maybe if they did, it would most definitely be answered—quickly. Then there were those who shouted at demons to “come out in the Name of Jesus!” I was deeply taken aback, not sure what to make of this.

Have You noticed this, too? Sometimes I even tag a prayer with “in the Jesus’ Name” as if this has some magical power, but I do know that if I keep the personal nature of my prayers directed toward the Father and the Son in the Spirit, He hears me regardless.

What are your thoughts on how we can honor His Holy Name without reducing it to a magical formula? Is it strictly a matter of the heart?

Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Main Text: — Acts 3:6-7 — 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  — John 16:23-24 (NIV84)

 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  — Acts 4:12 (NIV84)

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   — Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV84)

 Heavenly Father, forgive me for treating lightly or even magically Your Son’s precious Name. Guard my heart from dishonoring His Name through my words and actions. May I always honor the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Pastor Mike