Watchman’s Resolution: be trained to be like the Master.

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,” (Luke 1:68-70 NKJV) This is good news! Today the watchman is reminded of the power of God’s word, which is seed, to be sown in the believers’ hearts in order to germinate and grow into a plant that bears fruits in every aspect of our lives. The fruit will be good, acceptable and perfect for it will align with the will of God. The seed, like any seed in the natural law, will take time. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn. This law has not changed. That’s how the earth has been sustained. I pray we all understand this truth and live this truth, burning with a passion to read God’s words and store the words in our hearts until the time of harvest.

Last night the watchman was woken to read a passage in the Old Testament from the Book of Ezekiel. Here are some of the verses about the spiritual state some of God’s people are in. Are they relevant in today’s churches? (Those of you who read these are watchmen. This message is for prayers as you watch over the souls of men in your respective stations.)
(Bible verses are quoted from New King James Version (NKJV)unless otherwise annotated)

1. There exists a Rebellious House: “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house…” Ezekiel 12:2

2. Now is the time frame: Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’” Ezekiel 12:28

3. The target is the religious hypocrites: O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord. Ezekiel 13:4-5

4. A warning against spiritual superficiality in God’s house: I will raise my fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, …
“This will happen because these evil prophets deceive my people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. Ezekiel 13:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

5. A warning about false belief perpetrated by the enemy using his agents to hunt and captive souls of men in churches: “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations…ensnaring the souls of my people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils…By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds…22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies,..And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life,.. (Ezekiel 13:17-23 New Living Translation (NLT))

6. The young remnants need prayers: Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand …” Ezekiel 14:22-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

Coming back to the word seed that Jesus has sown. We can see clearly that the above gloomy conditions need prayers. But prayers alone cannot sow word seeds. We need to speak the words of God. We need the laborers to sow the word seed and to harvest the field. The today’s questions that we must ask ourselves are:
Can I do something? What are my gifts? What training do I need to be equipped to be a laborer as sower or harvester? Let this be our new year resolution: be trained to be like the Master. (Luke 6:40, 7:22)

a horizontal outlook from a watchman

Today I woke with one thing in my mind: an outlook. An outlook can mean: a person’s point of view or general attitude to life: broaden your outlook on life.
a view: the pleasant outlook from the lodge window.
a place from which a view is possible; a vantage point.
the prospect for the future: the deteriorating economic outlook.

What is my outlook in the new horizon? I speak from my little horizon. The spot where I position in a time and a space in time.

Attitude: My general attitude to life will not change much. By adding one chronological year does add wisdom in the conventional sense, such as an increase in the knowledge in modern technology. Virtual reality put us increasingly into the world of the computer. The year has made an exponential difference in this aspect, which in turn impacts all other aspects of life. Overall I have benefitted from solid Biblical spiritual study.

Physical view: Well I have gained some views too by being a traveler. Looking out of different windows in the world has broadened my perspectives. I must admit that many parts of the world are truly beautiful to the eyes. The physical earth is still beautiful.

Vantage point: Spiritually yes. Two big international events took place in two important (as Biblical type) nations this year and confirmed spiritual promptings received beforehand. Changes ahead.

Prospect for the future: Do I see an economic outlook? Yes, I do. My only advice is for readers to read the story of Joseph again and ask the Lord which year you (as an individual) are in now. The fourteen years of prosperity and famine do not fall on the same chronological years for everyone. What about the globe? Or even one particular nation? You may ask. The same principle applies You have to ask the Lord which year now your nation or the globe is at.

Here are some photos I took over this year on the different horizons of life.  Take note that the horizons are not stagnant or fixed. There are at least two sides: my side of the perspective and the other side across the horizon. Someone stands at the other side and looks toward my side and it becomes his horizon. If I look far enough I may see myself there. Remember, the earth is round.
At different New Horizon I have stood. Have I?

FAMILY SERIES – ANDREW WOMMACK'S AUDIO TEACHING

FAMILY SERIES – AUDIO TEACHING – ANDREW WOMMACK MINISTRIES

Family Series – Audio Teaching – Andrew Wommack Ministries: free download this teaching series at the following link: http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/family

Read the following excerpts (full article by clicking on this following link):

God’s Kind Of Love In Marriage By Andrew Wommack
There are very few things in our world today that were ever a part of God’s perfect plan for mankind. The elaborate government systems, with all their checks and balances and laws, would not be necessary if it were not for the corruption that sin produced. The monetary system, with all the buying and selling, would not be necessary in a sinless world that did unto others as they would have others do unto them. And many other things that we consider institutions in our society were never intended by God, but simply are ways of trying to cope with and control the perversion that entered the world through sin.
But one thing that God established while man was still in a sinless condition and said that it was not good for man to do without was marriage. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet [or sufficient] for him.” A perfect man who had none of the pressures or problems that we know of today still was not complete without a mate. And it was not Adam who approached God about the situation and asked for a companion. Adam didn’t know what he was missing! It was God who initiated the whole thing because that was His perfect plan. This all emphasizes the high priority that marriage should have in our lives. However, it has not usually held that position.
Even we Christians today have put very little effort into our marriages, and therefore, we have gotten very little out of them. We have had our vision of what a blessing God intended marriage to be, dulled by the sorry examples of marriage we see around us today. Second Corinthians 10:12 says, “But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” This is what has happened over the years. Most couples have no idea of what God intended marriage to be, so they settle for the same substandard relations that they see others experiencing. They think conflict is just a part of marriage; and a couple that simply coexists without outward battles is considered to be an ideal couple, although that couple may have a cold war raging. After all, everybody is having trouble with their marriages today.
Well, I am pleased to announce that not everybody is having trouble with their marriages today! The Lord is moving mightily in this area, and regardless of what the rest of the world experiences, Christians can have God’s best in their homes. God instituted marriage, so He certainly knows how to make it work properly. The only reason two out of three marriages in America end up in divorce is because the people involved don’t follow the instructions God gave concerning marriage. It is that simple. The solution is not easy, but it is that simple.
What does God say about marriage? From Ephesians 5:22-33, we get quite a bit of instruction…..

Andrew Wommack's Video teachings on many topics

Christian divorce

The Lord said twice this morning, “JOEL 2:12”. There is a promise is for the people of God. When you read this today surely you must know this truth. But the Lord has offered you an option too at the end of this message. 

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Joel 2  A Call to Repentance

12 That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.
14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,
…
16 Gather all the people—
the elders, the children, and even the babies.…
Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord!
Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery.
Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say,
‘Has the God of Israel left them?’”

The Lord’s Promise of Restoration
25 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit
28 [e]“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.
32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,

(Bible verses quoted from New Living Translation (NLT))

Here is the list of things Jesus has spoken on how not to treat one's wife unjustly: Anger/murder in your heart, adultery, divorce, false witness, breaking covenant. (Jesus’ warning from Matthew 5)
Murder Begins in the Heart
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause[b] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. …
Adultery in the Heart 27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old,[c] ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[d] 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. …
Marriage Is Sacred and Binding 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality[e] causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Jesus Forbids Oaths 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all:…But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Don’t you know God hates divorce? Why do you now divorce the wife of your youth? God considers this an act of cruelty!
Malachi 2:13-16 NLT Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. 14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.

15 Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.[a] And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!”[b] says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,[c]” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

Here is the good news for you: Your option.

http://kzlam36.blogspot.my/2016/12/family-series-andrew-wommacks-audio.html

come in from the cold: real fasting

God is for family. Even your in-laws (relatives).  Here is the reality God sees. “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins!
2     Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
    and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
    that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
    pretending they want to be near me.
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
    ‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
    and you don’t even notice it!’

“I will tell you why!” I respond.
    “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
    you keep oppressing your workers.
4 What good is fasting
    when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
    will never get you anywhere with me.
5 You humble yourselves
    by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
    like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
    and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
    Do you really think this will please the Lord?

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
    Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
    and a restorer of homes.

13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy.
    Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
    and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
    and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14 Then the Lord will be your delight.
    I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Footnotes:

1. 58:1 Hebrew Jacob. See note on 14:1.

(Quoted from the Holy Bible Book of Isaiah Chapter 58 New Living Translation (NLT) on True and False Worship)

But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God.

The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. 3 “Fill your stomach with this,” he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4 Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel and give them my messages. 5 I am not sending you to a foreign people whose language you cannot understand. 6 No, I am not sending you to people with strange and difficult speech. If I did, they would listen! 7 But the people of Israel won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. 8 But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. 9 I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”

10 Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”

12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. (May the glory of the Lord be praised in his place!)[a] 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.

14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong. 15 Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days.

A Watchman for Israel
16 After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.

Footnotes:
3:12 A possible reading for this verse is Then the Spirit lifted me up, and as the glory of the Lord rose from its place, I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me.
(Above passage is quoted from: Ezekiel 3:1-17 New Living Translation (NLT))

A WARNING RECEIVED IN THIS WATCH
[ The Day of the Lord ] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
(2 Peter 3:10-11 NKJV)
Luke 12:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Warning against Hypocrisy
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
FEAR GOD
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, He’s the one to fear.

Footnotes:
12:5 Greek Gehenna.