Spiritual Discernment
This month, I am excited to bring you a devotion, written by my wonderful, godly mother. This devotion has challenged me and I’m sure that it will do the same for you. – Richard Blythe
Who would have imagined 2020 would have brought such a rapid, universal change through the health care system? Undeniably, we are in an unprecedented time. And getting directly to the point, I believe Jesus’ challenge to the religious leaders of Jerusalem still applies to us today.
Signs of The Times
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Matthew 16:2-3
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowing. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
The fulfillment of prophecies regarding the signs of Jesus’ first coming should have made it very clear that He was indeed the Messiah. But the obvious reality was overlooked. Likewise, I believe there is a fulfilling of scripture during this global crisis and we should be keenly watchful so we aren’t deceived. We must be ready for our Lord’s soon return and fully aware of what is transpiring around us.
Jude’s Charge
If you have not recently read the book of Jude, please familiarize yourself with its content. Jude reads the spiritual handwriting upon the wall. He perceived an intense need for the church to earnestly contend for the faith because of cunning deceivers who had crept in unawares. These men were speaking great swelling words, having men and women in admiration because of advantage. Jude explained they were as Cain, Baalim, and Korah, leading the way of unbelief and killing the innocent. Displaying a strong assertion of “self”, these individuals gloried in riches and prestige, leading God’s people into idolatry.
May God give us discernment to see the “character” of each of these men in our existing crisis. Online studies reveal that certain vaccines include the DNA of aborted babies! I read an article that was posted several years ago which had a staggering, gut-wrenching truth. It stated that if each baby aborted since 1973 was honored with a moment of silence, the world would be silent for more than a hundred years! Since the number of abortions are “voluntarily reported” only God knows what the statistics are today!
17. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jude verse 17 -19
18. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19. These be they who separate themselves sensual, having not the Spirit.
These truths were written under the unction of the Holy Ghost. It is high time that we bind together in holy unity. We must resist the temptation to join an alliance with anything, or anyone, that will defy the only true God and His divine principles. United we stand, divided we fall. Yet, we must keep in mind Jesus’ warning (in Luke 12:51) how there would be divisions, sadly, even among those who go under the title of “Christian.”
Situational Awareness
We all agree that exercising proper hygiene is simply common sense, but we are dealing with a much greater issue than wearing, or not wearing masks and gloves. Greater challenges are upon us that outweigh our decisions to shake hands or to bump elbows instead. Since the announcement of this pandemic, we have witnessed unconstitutional discrimination under the guise of “protecting the health and safety of citizens”. Let us be found earnestly contending for the faith and seeking spiritual discernment during these troublesome times.
Recently, a young pilot friend of ours was instructed by air traffic control to perform a certain maneuver before landing. Because the pilot was situationally aware of an approaching Lear jet, the pilot stood firm in making the right decision. Thankfully, this display of confident humility against the spokesman in the tower saved many lives!
Dear reader, for you and I not to fall into end-time deception, we must earnestly contend for the faith of our forefathers. Let us unite in Godly wisdom and Biblical truths. If we simply accept popular opinion and cultural norms, we could quickly cross the line of our God-given conscience, and deception will ultimately overtake us.
These are sobering, yet exciting times for the church. By God’s grace, we will go forward in a renewed sense of spiritual discernment as we approach His soon return. In the book of Revelation, we read the last words of the Lord. “Surely I come quickly“. And we say with John the Revelator, Amen! Even so, come, Lord Jesus.