Worship

“You’ve Already Won” by Shane and Shane

Scripture

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” -2 Thessalonians 2:3, ESV

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” -1 Timothy 4:1, ESV

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” -2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV

A Parent’s Heart for the Next Generation

I have begun to pray for my daughters that they would not fall away from the Lord in the coming days. These four women follow and love Jesus, but there is a war over their lives that is coming like a tidal wave. We need discernment like never before, especially as AI technology is being released very quickly.

Understanding Paul’s Warning

Paul was warning the baby church in Thessalonica of what the end of the Church age would face. They were aware of the times (prophetic timeline) and seasons (present culture) because Paul was emphatic that they keep their eyes wide-open for the day of the Lord. But what must come first that I want to draw your attention to in sober warning and intentional intercession is the great falling away of believers.

From the Enduring Word commentary, David Guzik outlines the following insights:

“The ancient Greek wording for falling away indicates a rebellion or a departure. Bible scholars debate if it refers to an apostasy among those who once followed God, or a general worldwide rebellion. In fact, Paul may have both in mind, because there is evidence of each in the end times (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and 4:3-4). Nevertheless, Paul’s point is clear: ‘You are worried that we are in the Great Tribulation and that you missed the rapture. But you can know that we are not in the Great Tribulation, because we have not yet seen the falling away that comes first.’ …

“Some have suggested that the idea behind falling away is really a departure, in the sense of the rapture of the church. But a departure implies that the one leaving does so of his own accord and initiative, and this is not the case with the catching away of the church. In addition, the ancient Greek word in the New Testament (Acts 21:21, forsake) or in the Septuagint, always implies something sinful and negative.”

We can see a more detailed account of what is also characteristic of this falling away or forsaking of their following of Jesus in the two passages from 1 and 2 Timothy. Let that not be us!

The Call to Humility and Holiness

In all transparency, the Lord has impressed the words “humility” and “holiness” on my heart for 2023. I began to read Andrew Murray’s book “Humility” in order to hear from the Lord and pray for a reset of my heart for this year at deeper depths. I want to look and sound like Jesus. I don’t want to be consumed with wealth and comfort and self-preservation. I don’t want to look and smell like the world. But as our culture is wooing even Christ followers to forsake their convictions for safety and pleasure, the only way we will make it is through humility—utter and total emptying of self and walking in the fullness of Christ.

“Is there such humility still to be found that men count themselves ‘less than the least of all saints,’ the servants of all? ‘Love … does not boast, it is not proud. … It is not self-seeking’ (1 Corinthians 13:4—5). Where the spirit of love is shed abroad in the heart, where the divine nature comes to full birth, and where Christ the meek and lowly Lamb of God is truly formed within, there comes the power of a perfect love that forgets itself and finds its blessedness in blessing others. Where this love enters, God enters. And where God has come in His power and revealed himself, the vessel becomes nothing. This is the condition in which true humility can be displayed towards others. The presence of God is not dependent upon times and seasons, but upon a soul ready to do His will and forget itself. … Flee to Jesus and hide yourselves in Him until you are clothed with His humility. That alone is holiness.” -Andrew Murray, “Humility”

A Prayer for Steadfast Faith

Will you pray with me this prayer of a renewed dedication to Jesus to withstand and to continue to stand in these last of days, that we may not become deceived or hardened of heart toward the Lord? If the enemy can get us to agree with him against the very character of God, he has won the victory. Even if we make mistakes and stumble and fall, may we not fall away by the grace of God! Let these two Scriptures mark us the rest of our days.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'” -Matthew 16:24, ESV

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” -Acts 20:24, ESV

Lord, I ask You to consecrate (set apart) each one reading this for Your purposes. May we walk the road of humility and holiness, full of the manifest presence of Jesus. Show us how to deny our flesh, crucify all ungodliness, and allow Your Spirit to rule, reign, and overflow in and through us.

I pray a wall of fire about these ones, that we will not be tempted to forsake the faith that has been given and entrusted to us. Lord, may we endure until the very end because we have crucified self-preservation, safety, and fear and taken up our crosses, forsaking all else. We declare today, “I belong to Jesus all of my days; my life is given fully to Him.” Whatever is in the way of me proclaiming the good news of Christ, would You remove it so that I may run with freedom to my finish line, with my mouth always declaring Your goodness, Your gospel, and Your power? May it be said of us, throughout the cloud of witness, “There is one who does not count their life of any value except knowing Christ and Him crucified.” Find us and find me faithful to the very end! May the grace to die for the gospel be gifted to us, Lord Jesus. In the marvelous name of Jesus!

• This Thursday is the Zoom Arise 411 Call! Register to learn more about who we are and how you can change the spiritual environment of your city.
• Tickets are available for our next Dallas luncheon on February 22! You can also register to attend virtually.
• My book, “Arise My Darling” has been published in Spanish! Grab a copy for your friends, neighbors, or to pass kindness on to a stranger.