2009: The Year Of The Open Show.

Some of you have noticed, and have commented to me privately, that my blogs often contain an undercurrent of prophetic warning that is specific to two things: total obedience to God, and careful respect of leadership that God has set into place. You are correct.

God has continued that warning into 2009, and my sense is that there is an even greater urgency behind it. Please hear me: I am not a fortune teller and I am not trying to scare anyone; I'm just repeating old news. And, this is not my agenda: I am just speaking what God has put on my heart, and I am asking you to receive and understand it as coming from Him.

So, here is an old word for a new year: Remember the word of Jesus in Matthew 6.

He is the one who calls us to give, to fast, and to pray. He is the one who sees what we do in secret. He is the one who publicizes what we have been doing in private. This is true for the good we do, and this is also true for the evil we do. God brings the hidden things into the light. It's His way.

He is also the one who calls us to relax and not worry. He is the one who provides our food, clothing, and shelter. He is the one who meets our needs- not just arbitrarily, but as we walk in obedience to His mandates.

He is also the one who calls us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. He is the one who calls us into a lifestyle of holy living, integrity, and truthfulness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He puts in us a desire to learn more about Him, to love Him, to obey Him, to be in relationship with Him. He moves our Christianity beyond the realm of intellectual insight and moves us into intimacy in Him.

2009 is the year of the open show. Those who have ignored God's warnings will endure a public suffering of the consequences. Those who have faithfully worked the works of the kingdom of God will receive public reward for their private efforts. And yes, those who have opposed God's prophets and ministers will suffer the fate of the king's servant detailed in Second Kings 7: they will see the miraculous provision of God, but they will have no share in it.

So, my friends, if you know in your heart that you are not right before God, get it together. Repent and live the life you know He has called you to. Be obedient and do what He says. Why should you die?

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses: then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" (Ezekiel 18:30-32)