Devotional Series
Cornerstone Magazine
Why Is God Allowing This In America?
Few Christians doubt that we are in the last days. Let me share two things before I get into this message that are critical for us to proceed. First, I see much interest given to finding direction from prophetic words. Please take your direction from what God's word says about these days, and let prophecy be an inspiration more than a fundamental direction.
The second thought related to prophetic words is what we are ultimately after here. Many people are seeking for the restoration of our nation. The Bible has a different foundation for prophecy. We have great freedom and prosperity, but it's largely a false prosperity based on credit and deficit spending that is now being exposed and destroyed. It's the greed identified in a prophetic word I read this morning. Our objective is the Kingdom of God. It is souls. The message of the prophet, especially in Revelation, is repentance for eternity, not recovery for America. If we seek Kingdom interests first, God will watch out for the nation.
As you read this, remember Who it is who inspired the word of God for these last days. Revelation 1:4-6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I lost my ministry when I lost my health. I’ve felt like I was in exile for a year and a half. During that time I’ve had to apply the following message to my own life. I’ve had to clean up a lot of things in my heart. My wife and I have also been in need of a lot of emotional healing. All of the needed healing has been more than about just ‘rising up in faith.’ That’s just a part of it. The other part is what this message is all about, not just for me, but for our entire nation. Prayers of faith without holiness will put no enemies to flight. But when we allow our faith to change us, no enemy can prevail!
Leviticus 26:3-4 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, 26:7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Leviticus 26:14-16 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 26:18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation. 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
Leviticus 26:3-4 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, 26:7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Leviticus 26:14-16 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 26:18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation. 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
We have Christians today who think that this virus and these riots are merely the hand of man. They think that all that they have to do is ban together and pray and God will bring us deliverance.
Then we have nominal Christians who think that we need activists, and we need to change the system, and we need to dialogue, and things will change. But here’s the heart of the problem with riots and racism.
Matthew 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
The hearts of men are sinful and need a Savior. Without the redemption that Christ offers, we will never be able to educate, dialogue, or legislate our way out of racism because the root is sin. It will seethe and boil up over and over again, as it has. Men don’t riot because some people have black skin and other people oppress them. Men hate because it’s in their hearts.
Then Christians think that all they have to do is use their faith to rebuke the darkness, defeat the devil’s attack, and declare their authority. But God has given us the faith to obey Him. It is not so much a tool in our hands to get Him to do what we want Him to do. It is a tool in His hands to bring us to obey Him. When He sees our faith, as He has shown us, then He will act. Faith is an act, and the first primary act of faith is repentance. He said, “Repent and believe the good news. The Kingdom of God (His rule and reign over our enemies) is here.
Then Christians think that all they have to do is use their faith to rebuke the darkness, defeat the devil’s attack, and declare their authority. But God has given us the faith to obey Him. It is not so much a tool in our hands to get Him to do what we want Him to do. It is a tool in His hands to bring us to obey Him. When He sees our faith, as He has shown us, then He will act. Faith is an act, and the first primary act of faith is repentance. He said, “Repent and believe the good news. The Kingdom of God (His rule and reign over our enemies) is here.
If the prophets we are hearing today do not call or lead the church to repentance first, then go find a real prophet! That doesn't mean every word will be to repent, but it does mean that prophet will be moved to bring people to repentance.
If the prophets we are hearing today do not call or lead the church to repentance first, then go find a real prophet! That doesn't mean every word will be to repent, but it does mean that prophet will be moved to bring people to repentance.
Peter said, 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Peter said, 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Jesus speaks to the CHURCH in the book of Revelation in chapters 2 & 3. This is the heart of the prophecies of the end times. This is why He speaks of what is coming. It is all a revelation for the Churches to repent! Don’t tell me that Lev. 26 is Old Testament and God won’t respond this way to sin when men break His covenant. It's in the New Testament as well.
Jesus speaks to the CHURCH in the book of Revelation in chapters 2 & 3. This is the heart of the prophecies of the end times. This is why He speaks of what is coming. It is all a revelation for the Churches to repent! Don’t tell me that Lev. 26 is Old Testament and God won’t respond this way to sin when men break His covenant. It's in the New Testament as well.
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:19-20 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee… 2:22-23 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:19-20 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee… 2:22-23 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
There’s a segment of new Christians who don’t believe that God has allowed what’s happening in America. They say it’s merely man’s work or the devil’s work, and God has no purpose in it. But the heart of God’s word in Leviticus shows us something. When Israel’s ways were unholy and unbelieving, they couldn’t stand before their enemies. That is a fundamental of faith. God is not going to honor the faith of unholy Christians so that they can go on serving their own idols. God has not given us the new covenant for a license to sin. He has no intention of restoring America to a place where she can continue to peddle sin to the world.
There’s a segment of new Christians who don’t believe that God has allowed what’s happening in America. They say it’s merely man’s work or the devil’s work, and God has no purpose in it. But the heart of God’s word in Leviticus shows us something. When Israel’s ways were unholy and unbelieving, they couldn’t stand before their enemies. That is a fundamental of faith. God is not going to honor the faith of unholy Christians so that they can go on serving their own idols. God has not given us the new covenant for a license to sin. He has no intention of restoring America to a place where she can continue to peddle sin to the world.
Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 28:25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
If this indeed is God’s word, and though it was written by men, if God is able to watch over His own word, and if His word is true that He rules in the kingdoms of men, then He is going to govern by His unchangeable nature. He will love even when men are unlovely. He will judge even when men say His love dismisses His holiness.
If this indeed is God’s word, and though it was written by men, if God is able to watch over His own word, and if His word is true that He rules in the kingdoms of men, then He is going to govern by His unchangeable nature. He will love even when men are unlovely. He will judge even when men say His love dismisses His holiness.
To those who still insist that God will not allow the devil, or sickness, or violence to afflict the earth, speaking of the Lord’s Supper, Paul begins by saying,
To those who still insist that God will not allow the devil, or sickness, or violence to afflict the earth, speaking of the Lord’s Supper, Paul begins by saying,
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 11:31, 32 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:31, 32 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
God will allow our enemies to invade and defeat us if we are not right with Him and if we will not repent within our churches and our nation. How many times have we quoted II Chronicles 7:14, yet today it is forgotten by so many of us? “If MY people…will will seek My face…and turn from their wicked ways…I will heal their land.” Listen, if this is a demonic work, is God powerless to stop the devil? If He’s not, why has He allowed it? Scripture is clear. We have allowed it.
God will allow our enemies to invade and defeat us if we are not right with Him and if we will not repent within our churches and our nation. How many times have we quoted II Chronicles 7:14, yet today it is forgotten by so many of us? “If MY people…will will seek My face…and turn from their wicked ways…I will heal their land.” Listen, if this is a demonic work, is God powerless to stop the devil? If He’s not, why has He allowed it? Scripture is clear. We have allowed it.
Remember Job? He suffered greatly at the hand of the devil by God’s specific permission.
Remember Job? He suffered greatly at the hand of the devil by God’s specific permission.
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him WITHOUT CAUSE.
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him WITHOUT CAUSE.
It would be a long test where Job would lose what America is losing! He was smitten with sickness. Then He was smitten with economic ruin. Finally, he experienced the death of his children!
It would be a long test where Job would lose what America is losing! He was smitten with sickness. Then He was smitten with economic ruin. Finally, he experienced the death of his children!
Why God? Job’s religious friends judged him until he finally sinned by trying to justify himself. “God is moving to destroy me, yet I have done nothing wrong!” In this he sinned. He would learn that God had allowed Satan to destroy so much without any reasons in his walk. But Job was tried until it was revealed that Job was trusting in his own righteousness instead of living in faith alone. Clearly, God will allow Satan to go to great lengths to reveal self-righteousness wherever it rises up. We are not acquitted by our own works of righteousness. But neither are we given faith to forsake works of righteousness. Job was healed when he prayed for the friends that wrongly criticized him. Bitterness over unjust hurts is a sign of self-righteousness. (Not easy to learn. Defeat is a high price to pay for needing to be right!)
Why God? Job’s religious friends judged him until he finally sinned by trying to justify himself. “God is moving to destroy me, yet I have done nothing wrong!” In this he sinned. He would learn that God had allowed Satan to destroy so much without any reasons in his walk. But Job was tried until it was revealed that Job was trusting in his own righteousness instead of living in faith alone. Clearly, God will allow Satan to go to great lengths to reveal self-righteousness wherever it rises up. We are not acquitted by our own works of righteousness. But neither are we given faith to forsake works of righteousness. Job was healed when he prayed for the friends that wrongly criticized him. Bitterness over unjust hurts is a sign of self-righteousness. (Not easy to learn. Defeat is a high price to pay for needing to be right!)
We are mourning the death of George Floyd. We are mourning the loss of our economy to the reactions to the Covid -19 virus. We are mourning the hatred seen in riots across America. I told people after the virus began, that this is just the beginning. It’s going to get worse. People – it’s going to get worse yet! We have mourned all these things. How is it that we have not mourned our own sins? We have allowed 1 million children slain by abortion in America. Ladies, Paul said in Corinthians that “Your body is not your own. It is the Lord’s.” Yet we have also allowed rampant fornication among those who claim to be Christians.
We are mourning the death of George Floyd. We are mourning the loss of our economy to the reactions to the Covid -19 virus. We are mourning the hatred seen in riots across America. I told people after the virus began, that this is just the beginning. It’s going to get worse. People – it’s going to get worse yet! We have mourned all these things. How is it that we have not mourned our own sins? We have allowed 1 million children slain by abortion in America. Ladies, Paul said in Corinthians that “Your body is not your own. It is the Lord’s.” Yet we have also allowed rampant fornication among those who claim to be Christians.
Most importantly, we have violated what Jesus called the greatest commandments of all. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.” But we have demonstrated our hatred for our fellowman in our political arena. Christians have been vicious against government officials that they don’t agree with. They have carelessly spread false information without taking the time to check the facts. They have forgotten that it is demonic to even accuse men of sins and judge them in ways that they would never tolerate others judging them. Jesus did not come to condemn.
Most importantly, we have violated what Jesus called the greatest commandments of all. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.” But we have demonstrated our hatred for our fellowman in our political arena. Christians have been vicious against government officials that they don’t agree with. They have carelessly spread false information without taking the time to check the facts. They have forgotten that it is demonic to even accuse men of sins and judge them in ways that they would never tolerate others judging them. Jesus did not come to condemn.
Yes, it is important to expose things that are not right, but with what attitude? Christians are not here to represent their favorite candidate. They are here to represent the Lord. The Church itself is so divided, and it has been for decades, because of this same attitude of intolerance and anger, and it has torn apart its own pastors and neighbors. Now they are trying to evict the demons without, and they have yet to evict the demons within! Faith is not going to effectively rise up against the darkness around us if it has not first been engaged to defeat the darkness within us. Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Yes, it is important to expose things that are not right, but with what attitude? Christians are not here to represent their favorite candidate. They are here to represent the Lord. The Church itself is so divided, and it has been for decades, because of this same attitude of intolerance and anger, and it has torn apart its own pastors and neighbors. Now they are trying to evict the demons without, and they have yet to evict the demons within! Faith is not going to effectively rise up against the darkness around us if it has not first been engaged to defeat the darkness within us. Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Revelation 2 & 3 share a very straight word from Jesus prior to revealing what's coming. We can feel it, taste it, and touch it in these days. For the Christian, this is ultimate victory. It is not a time to fear. God is in control. That's what the first, fourth, and fifth chapters reveal. When John was exiled to the island of Patmos, he wrote this book. History says he stayed in the home of the governor's brother-in-law. While there, the whole island came to Christ! It was in this atmosphere of victory amidst assault that Jesus told us through him - overcome! Your reward will be great. So, be strong saints! Press on. This is intended to be the Church's greatest triumph. Big battles mean big victories. You were created for a time such as this!