TODAY’S PROPHETIC NUMBER

Genesis 12:1 – Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.” 

Throughout the centuries, God called people of faith to move toward things not yet defined. It’s not easy to let go of the known, but it’s necessary for upgrade. All of Heaven is ready to applaud your courage and obedience. So, let God lead you into new places. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Take that step!

Declaration: I’m ready for upgrade. I will not hold onto the past. I’m ready to take new territories for King Jesus. 

Chief Architect of the Season

Like I said yesterday, as the Pastor of OpenDoor Church, I think the most important job I have is to be the architect of the culture of the house. That means I make sure the way we do things and relate to each other looks more like heaven than hell. I decide what we celebrate and what we don’t.

This, my friends is the reverential fear of the Lord. When I say that the fear of the Lord is to love what God loves and hate what He hates, I’m not making that up. That’s from the word of the Lord. 

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. – Proverbs 8:13  

If you’re going to have victory in your life, that fear and reverence needs to be present in your words and actions – especially this time of year. My friends, it’s December 1 and the Christmas season is in full swing. 

Now, I’m not talking about the shopping, presents and parties, although maybe I am. You see when you love what God loves and you hate what He hates, you don’t get caught up in things that are not Him. You don’t miss the “reason for the season.”

Don’t get me wrong. We do Christmas parties, give presents and have a tree. I will not get into the Santa debate because, frankly, each of us has to be accountable for what we celebrate and why – even outside of holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween. This is not what I’m talking about today. 

Today, I’m saying that it’s the Christmas season and the world’s eyes are on us – those who profess to follow and love Jesus. How are we going to act? What words and attitudes are coming from you? Are you joyful or annoyed? Are you generous or focused on self?

Ask yourself today what you are going to make a big deal out of in the next 25 days (and beyond) because it matters! It matters greatly to a world that is losing hope. It is life and death to those whose hearts are hardening due to the lawlessness we read every day in the headlines. 

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. – Matthew 24:12

My friends, the mystery of lawlessness that 2 Thessalonians 2:7 speaks of is ramping up. This is a right now word going into 2023. 

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. – Matthew 23:28

The word says “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” In this day and this hour of great chaos, you need to fear the Lord. If your words and attitudes are toxic, it doesn’t matter how much you know about the Bible, what church sticker you have on your car, or if you have a nativity in your yard instead of a Santa. 

Love what Jesus loves and hate what He hates. Jesus loves people. He hates lawlessness. Do you?