A Shaking and an Awakening!

Navigating 2023 and Beyond (part 1)

The Truth Shall Make You Free!

1.1.2023

Hebrews 12:26-29 (NLT)

2When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

John 14:1-3 (NLT)

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. 2 There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.

I want to start with the reality of what Jesus said about the time just before His return and end with the most important thing we can do this year.

Here are some events that let us know how close Jesus’ return may be:

1948 Israel became a nation after being dissolved for close to 2000 years.

1967 – Israel regained control of Jerusalem.

2020 – Covid was used as a means of worldwide control.

WEF and WHO and other organizations began to team up along with other organizations pushing climate change to begin a slow process of the ultimate control of the nations of the world under the umbrella of a global government and financial system.

The current Ukraine/Russia war will be used to further destabilize the nations of the world until there is a call for peace under a global agreement headed by the leader the Bible calls antiChrist.

Here in America our government is moving away from the Constitution that has kept us free and is moving towards socialism/ communism. There is rampant deception in our government, in our media, in our and schools and universities. There is a move towards delegitimization of the rules based on the Bible and the Ten Commandments that made the Western world and the USA free and prosperous. Our borders are porous, our finances are on the brink of collapse with inflation of prices and deflation of currency values. This will bring the need to create a digital currency that will culminate with a digital mark of some kind that will be used to control travel, finances, health, and consumption of goods based on a personal scorecard of obedience to a global ideology.

Somewhere along the way and in the middle of all of this there is a promise of a worldwide revival coming to the world.

It seems like we are living in the time just before Jesus returns to earth.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him what conditions would be like when He came again to earth, and His response fits so well with what we are dealing with today.

When I have traveled doing missions work, my normal routine was to get a map of the area I was visiting and look at where we would be traveling and the cities we would pass through, and the terrain around where I would be ministering.

Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 all record the conversation Jesus had with the disciples about His second coming to earth.

Luke 21:5-27 (TPT) The Signs of the End of the Age

Some of the disciples remarked about the beauty of the temple. They pointed out all the lovely adornments and how it was built with excellence from the gifts given to God.

Jesus said, 6 “The day will come that everything you admire here will be utterly destroyed. It will all become a heap of rubble!”

7 “Master, tell us,” they asked, “when exactly will this happen? Can you tell us what warning sign to look for when it is about to take place?”

Jesus responded, “Deception will run rampant and many will appear on the scene, saying I have sent them, or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Messiah!’ And the doomsday deceivers will say, ‘The end of the age is now here!’ But listen to me. Don’t be fooled by these imposters.

9 There will also be many wars and revolutions on every side, with rumors of more wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for these things are bound to happen. This is still not the end yet.”

10 Jesus continued, “There will be upheavals of every kind. Nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom— 11 and there will be terrible earthquakes, seismic events of epic proportion, resulting in famines in one place after another. There will be horrible plagues and epidemics, cataclysmic storms on the earth, and astonishing signs and cosmic disturbances in the heavens. But before all of this happens, you will be hunted down and arrested, persecuted by both civil and religious authorities, and thrown into prison. 12–13 And because you follow me, you will be on trial before kings and governmental leaders as an opportunity to testify to them in my name. 14–15 Yet determine in your hearts not to prepare for your own defense. Simply speak with the words of wisdom that I will give you that moment, and none of your persecutors will be able to withstand the grace and wisdom that comes from your mouths. 16 You can expect betrayal even by your parents, your brothers, your relatives and friends—and yes, some of you will die as martyrs. 17 You will be hated by all because of my life in you. 18 But don’t worry. My grace will never desert you or depart from your life. 19 And by standing firm with patient endurance you will find your souls’ deliverance.”

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know for sure that its devastation is imminent. 21 At that time all who are living in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who live inside the city gates, go out and flee, and those who live outside the city must not enter it seeking refuge. 22 For these are the days of God’s vengeance to fulfill what has been written against Jerusalem. 23 It will be extremely difficult for pregnant women and for those nursing little ones in that day, for there will be great persecution and wrath against this nation. 24 Many will be cut down by the sword or scattered as prisoners in many countries. And Jerusalem shall be trampled down by nations until the days of world empires come to an end.”

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “Expect to witness amazing and perplexing signs throughout the universe with the sun, the moon, and the stars. The raging of the sea will bring desperation and turmoil to many nations. 26 Earthquakes will bring panic and disaster. What men see coming to the earth will cause the fear of doom to grip their hearts, for they will even see the powers of the heavenly realm shaken! 27–28 “And at last, when you see how the Son of Man comes—surrounded with a cloud, with great power and miracles, in the radiance of his splendor, and with great glory and praises —it will make you jump for joy! For the day of your full transformation has arrived.”

To navigate the strange time we live in, notice the first thing Jesus said:

Luke 21:8

He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.”

Luke 21:8 (ESV)

And he said, “See that you are not led astray… “

Luke 21:8 (CJB)

He answered, “Watch out! Don’t be fooled! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ Don’t go after them.”

Luke 21:8 (God’s Word)

Jesus said, “Be careful that you are not deceived. Many will come using my name. They will say, ‘I am he!’ and ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them!”

Luke 21:8 (TPT)

Jesus responded, “Deception will run rampant with many who will appear on the scene, saying I have sent them, or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Messiah!’ And the doomsday deceivers will say, ‘The end of the age is now here!’ But listen to me. Don’t be fooled by these imposters.”

The key to not being misled and deceived this year is knowing and living by God’s Word!

You have the SPIRIT OF TRUTH in you!

The Holy Spirit will remind you of the Word this year!

Notice what Jesus said about the Word:

John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31-32 (MEV)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples. 32 You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

John 14:15-18 (NKJV)

If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:26 (NKJV)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 16:13-15 (NKJV)

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The Word of God will provide us wisdom to navigate this year!

Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV)

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure.

The Word gives us stability in unstable times!

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Psalms 1 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Matthew 7:24-27 (TPT)

Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. 25 When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation. 26 But everyone who hears my teaching and does not apply it to his life can be compared to a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 When it rained and rained and the flood came, with wind and waves beating upon his house, it collapsed and was swept away.

Three things to do with your Bible this year:

1. Read, memorize, and meditate!

Start your day with the Word.

God spoke to me in 1983 – What’s first in your life? Make Me first in your day.

Have a goal to read through the whole Bible this year!

Every day, read Old Testament, a Psalm or Proverb, and New Testament.

Memorize one scripture for each day from your devotional time.

2. Pray the Word over your Life.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NKJV)

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

John 15:7 (NKJV)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Jeremiah 1:12 (NIV)

The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

Matthew 24:35 (NIV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

3. Ask yourself throughout the day, “What does God’s Word say about this?”

Colossians 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

James 1:22-24 (TPT)

Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life!

23 If you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning. 24 You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin.

When we do what God’s Word says, we are putting Jesus first place in life.

We are literally listening to our spirit nature above our bodies when we do what the Bible says.

So, when worry, fear, depression, lack, lust, gossip, anger, or all kinds of decisions come your way this year – make a choice to DO what God says!

Action Points:

1. Do you live everyday as if it were your last? That is, are you refusing to do what you would NOT do if it were your last day on earth?
2. Are you committed to reading, memorizing, and meditating on scripture each day?
3. Are you praying what God’s Word says about your life when you pray?
4. Are you choosing to ask yourself what God’s Word says about each area of life as choices come throughout your day?