The Mustard Seed blog
In 1871 a young medical student was worried and upset over his future, like so many of us he was overthinking his path, “what area of medicine should I get into, what direction should I take.” Questions and thoughts like this are not uncommon but if they occupy all of our emotional real estates they leave no room for God.
Breakout actress Letitia Wright went from taking a break from acting, to become a Christian, to landing the biggest role she’s ever had. Wright plays the role of Shuri in Marvel’s new movie BLACK PANTHER, who is a technologically brilliant young woman and the younger sister of T’Challa/Black Panther, King of the fictional nation of Wakanda.
The book of Revelation is first about the glory of Jesus (Rev. 1:1). Secondly, it is about future events that He will use in His transition plan to shift history to the age to come. Jesus will only unfold this future plan in partnership with His people. This is our story. It is worth making the effort to understand it. Revelation was written to be understood by everyone.
Have you ever asked yourself this during a worship service, “Does this feel authentic?” Most likely you have. Whether as a participant in the congregation or on stage leading the worship service, I am guessing that, as a believer seeking to please the Lord, you have at some point asked the question: “Am I being sincere right now? How can I know this worship is authentic?”
How can you develop your mind? A professor came upon a discovery and with it found out how to develop his mind. One day while getting dressed he was buttoning up his vest, actually his vest wouldn’t button, the reason? His daughter had sewn up the button holes. His fingers were going along as usual in their buttoning the vest when something happened; a button wouldn’t button! He looked down and realized why, but then a new idea was born!
Prayer is so important. Prayer is touching God, and to reach the world we must do it through prayer first. In Luke 18:1 Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them not to give up on praying. Jesus also said “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” Mark 11:17. In James 4:3 is all about our motives for praying, what motivation and why are we praying. It is clear to me that God wants us to pray selflessness.
We all have many things in common, but there’s one big thing we all have in common and when this is understood we can change our future. So what is this big thing that can change our future?
All of us live our lives out of a narrative, a story. Regardless of our background, religion, or culture. This narrative has been formed from many sources, through family, friends, tragedies, experiences, culture and religion. These narratives have built pictures, images in our lives that control or influence the way we act, the decisions we make, the career path we choose, the type of person we marry and the opinions we form. Since a story can be seen it can be concluded that if we can change what we see by changing the story we can change our future.
The Bible is God’s story, His story of creation, His story of redemption and His story of salvation. As we see God’s story it begins to have a great influence upon our lives. So what is God’s story and how can it change our future?
God’s story is a story of creation. God created the world and He created it wonderful, filled with an expression of Himself. No doubt you have visited places where you can hardly take in the beauty of it. All creation is a reflection of its creator. Like us, whenever we build or design or construct something it’s a reflection of us.
God’s story is a story of how we left Him to go on our own. That’s when mankind fell and fell apart. How can we discover our true identity and worth apart from the one that created us? But the story continues.
God’s story is a story of redemption. God never gave up on us. He sent His son in our likeness and as our substitute to take upon Himself the full penalty of our sins so we can be reconciled back to Him
God’s story is a story of salvation. Salvation came through His son Jesus and through Him we can be reunited back to our creator placed in right standing because of what Jesus did.
So how does that story affect us and how can we change our future? When we allow God to introduce us to us, we gain a picture of us that is bigger, better, stronger ad greater than what we could have come up with. Through God’s picture of us we can change our future.
-Dr. Rob Carman, Is the founder of Victory World Missions, a prolific author, church planter and well-know conference speaker. www.robcarman.com
But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: Matthew 12:39
DO YOU WONDER ABOUT THE SIGNS?
I don’t think I can recall a period in my church life where there is so much deception being perpetrated upon Church-leaders by demons and upon church members by each other.
It is disgusting to those who are genuinely seeking to please God. Droves are being turned away from genuine relationship with Jesus by the godless, self-seeking, money-mongering, phony “prophets” …. While I have great spiritual disdain for these folks … I am equally disappointed by those in the body of Christ who perpetuate the problem by embracing and seeking after the phony message.
I have heard many solid messages about “not chasing the signs” about living a life that allows signs to follow...but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the church this far out of alignment from truth. The sign seekers are everywhere!
Jesus called a sign seeking generation an evil and adulterous generation. What strong words from the lips of Jesus! Does it seem to you that those who claim to have a gift of discernment cannot discern truth from error. Those who claim to be Holy Spirit baptized are the first to chase after that which is phony.
What’s happening here? The signs of healing and deliverance do follow believers who walk in genuine authority...but the sign Jesus spoke of has already been given and He said there would be no other.
ISN’T THE DEATH, BURIALAND RESURRECTION ENOUGH?
What an insult to God to ask for another sign or an additional sign. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
“And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.” Mark 8:11, 12
Why do you keep looking for signs? I tell you 75% of the people I see for deliverance are “sign seekers”. They dabble in “prophecy” in a quest to be recognized as super spiritual. They go after territorial spirits in their prayer and talk, in an effort to appear spiritually superior.
Their engagement in such opens their lives to greatdeception, and they chase after “they know not what”. They strain atgnats and swallow camels. They are in all of the “new movements” the “fresh fires” ““the river” … it goes on and on and not only are they duped, they become discouraged and eventually go nowhere.
I get “prophetic words” in my e-mail box almost daily, the only problem is they are not prophetic at all...not only are they seldom correct, they are never correct. I wonder, why are people so attracted to this? Why do we seek after more signs from God when we don’t even honor the sign that has already been given and will be the only sign given!
These people have to have special titles to enhance their deception. They call themselves “Prophet” “Apostle” or maybe some other lofty title and claim to hear directly from God. The Church has got to do better!
Where are the genuine preachers who will proclaim the Blood of Jesus and the power of His resurrection?
Some of you reading this fall into this category. Generally, when this happens it is because the message has gone from focus on Jesus to focus on the Holy Spirit. I believe this so grieves the Holy Spiritthat permission is gained by demons to deceive and to give false gifts and to deceive even as a “false” Holy Spirit. Jesus must be the focus. Genuine Holy Spirit filling will cause you to lift up Jesus.
The Holy Spiritdesires no attention, He is honored when Jesus is magnified. While every gift of God’s Holy Spirit is legitimate and valid, virtually all of them have been mimicked, mocked and “adulterated”! Do you see why Jesus called sign seekers an “adulterous” people. They have polluted the simple, powerful message of the resurrection. Don’t chase signs!
I know folks who go to every seminar and meeting held, all of the conferences and have all of the tapes and materials and can’t seem to find peace, they constantly seek, I guess, thinking some day some how, thru some speaker they will hear the “magic” words. There are no such words. God’s Word has already been spoken and the sign has already been given. The resurrection of Jesus was and is the sign.
I know of churches that have been virtually destroyed by venturing out of the realm of God’s Word, particularly by engaging in spiritual warfare beyond our realm of authority. If you want to damage your church, maybe destroy it, try going beyond what God’s Word teaches.
We have not been given authority in the heavenlies...you cannot take back what never was yours, principalities and powers have authority because it has been given to them by the sin and disobedience of people. Get the people saved, leave the principalities alone. They have rights by the people and until the people submit we have no rights to banish these spiritual kingdoms or “take back cities or communities” … we tread on very dangerous ground when we do this.
Listen, that’s not a casual observation, it is the voice of many years of experience with this! Don’t chase signs. Don’t engage in territorial warfare. It’s not wise and it’s not scriptural. It’s not wise because it’s not scriptural.
A man and woman run into an acquaintance with a new boyfriend. She introduces her boyfriend as Prophet John Doe (not real name). The man says, “You are a prophet of God? What exactly do you do? Do you really hear from God about the future…” “Yes,” The ‘prophet’ replied, “mostly, it is scriptural encouragement for the individual, but sometimes God will show me warnings etc. for the person to avoid.”
“So, are you like an old testament prophet?”” “Of course, it is a valid gift and I have it.” “Amazing.” responds the man, that’s just amazing. So, what does God show you for our nation?” “What is thus sayeth the Lord for America?”
After a few hem-haws and throat clearing the man says, “There are dark days ahead for America unless she repents and turns to God…” It is always the same generalizing ‘prophecy’’ filled with “ifs” and “unless”.
I don’t despise prophecy, but I hate the mockery of it! If you are a prophet, you don’t have to announce it or make it part of your title. Just speak accurate, proven, trustworthy words and people will know. Don’t pollute Holy, Godly gifts with your desire to be recognized as something special from God. Actually, genuineness in a call from God works the opposite … no desire to be “puffed up”.
Why not seek Jesus. If you want to be pure in your seeking and chasing. Chase Him, seek Him. The signs will follow you. Those who seek “signs and wonders” … I wonder about the wonders you seek. What sign has importance other than the death, burial and resurrection of God’s Son? May I just say in Love, don’t be seduced, don’t compromise the simple truth of God’s Word. Evil and adulterous people seek after signs...these are the Words of Jesus and they are for our admonition and spiritual safety.
Thanks for your help in this ministry.
Just for Jesus,
-Don Dickerman, Is the founder of Don Dickerman Ministries, a prolific author, has a powerful anointing for healing and deliverance, and well-know conference speaker. www.dondickerman.com
Have you ever gone down a road where you can’t see what’s around the bend? You will never know what is around the bend until you keep going. You have enough faith to go down a road believing that good things are ahead. No one truly knows what is around the bend. Many situations can come up in our lives that are not planned for. With no PLAN, you have only planned to fail. Let me ask you a serious question about your eternity. When you die are you ready to meet God? YES OR NO? You may ask how can I be ready to stand before God and be HOLY, PURE, and FULL OF LOVE in His sight. Let’s see what the Bible says:
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it”? Jeremiah 17:9. “All of us like sheep has gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:6
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire: this is the second death.” Rev 20:14
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD and He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:” John 1:12
YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST BY FAITH AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
“That if you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 “For WHO EVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13
GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO EXPERIENCE PEACE AND ETERNITY WITH HIM. SO THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE, LIFE OR DEATH? CHOOSE LIFE!!!
You are being asked into a relationship with the true and living God through Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You can speak to God right now on your own. If you choose to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, best friend, and love of your life; then say this prayer to God: “Jesus, I believe in you, I ask you to forgive me and I repent for my sins, wash me, and come into my heart. Be my Savior, my Lord and my very best friend. Come live your life through me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” For more information please contact us. Thank you for taking your time and we hope and pray you will take God’s Word very seriously and commit your life to Jesus Christ and Him alone.
