TODAY’S PROPHETIC NUMBER – September 7, 2023
Isaiah 9:7 – Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Do you know you are created to participate in that increase of His government and peace? God takes advancement and multiplication seriously. He is the voice that cheers you on to do great things, take risks, and make this world look more like heaven than hell. God says, “Go for it and I will celebrate your progression.” Don’t fear the mess of mistakes or failure will bring His disapproval. He already knows and is confident in His plan. Religion trains you to think the worst that can happen is to do something wrong. Jesus teaches the worst thing that can happen is for you to do nothing at all!
Declaration: I will move forward and trust Jesus to bless my mess.
UNFINISHED WORKS OF ART
Did you know that Leonardo Da Vinci never finished the Mona Lisa? Did you know that he painted two of them? Do a Google search on the second Mona Lisa and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Unfortunately, I think our portrait of Jesus might look more like the Mona Lisa than anything else because we are not really sure if God actually smiles. It is absolutely evident to me, and anybody with a third grade education, that the church as a whole has not been totally convinced of God’s goodness. Because of that, the church has not been known for being life-giving.
Many people throughout my life and ministry have told me they consider the church to be a lot of folks wearing frowns of disapproval. We’ve all seen them. Has your kid ever thrown a fit during church? Frowns. Have you even worn less than your Sunday best? Frowns. Struggled with an addiction, sickness or had a financial hardship? More frowns.
The church has been known for judging people who are not just like them for far too long. Let’s change that!
We need to paint pictures of God’s goodness through our goodness. The Bible tells us in Ephesians that we’re supposed to be imitators of God. It also tells us that God is love, so we should look like love! When we don’t, people like Billy Joel write songs about us that reflect poorly on God.
“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints,
The sinners are much more fun.
You know that only the good die young.”
God doesn’t laugh? He spends His time crying and being a killjoy? Who told Billy Joel that? We did.
As the church, we have a lot of work to do. We need to finish the painting of God’s goodness. It’s OK to put a smile on the face of Jesus because He really is good!
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil