I used to put out a word every new year but stopped in recent years because they would get lost in the sea of words supposedly from the Lord for the coming year. Yet I would still ask Him for one. Why? Because it’s what I do. I need to hear from Him. I need to see Him. I need to walk with Him. I need His wisdom and guidance. I’m not infallible. I can be deceived when my eyes and ears are not focused on Him. And usually when they are not, that is when I turn to everyone else’s word that is supposed to be from Him. Some are, some are not so much, and some are, but just not for me.
So, how do we know? How do we know which word is really from the Lord? And which are for us? There are so many.
I went to Matthew 24 and 25 today. In 24:3 Jesus’ disciples asked what is the sign of your coming and the end of the age? The FIRST thing Jesus says is “Take heed no one deceive you.”
Matthew 24: 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
That is the FIRST thing you need to guard your heart against. Verse 11 also says that false prophets will arise. (vs 11)
So, how can we be sure we know the truth?
I believe the answer is in Matthew 25. The wise and foolish virgins.
Matthew 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25: 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
So this will be short. You will need to start getting your own words, hearing from the Lord yourself, looking at prophets and teachers for CONFIRMATION and only for encouragement. SOMETIMES.
If you don’t keep your eye on the Bridegroom and prepare to get your own oil, you will not have any.
Amos 8:11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it.
You do NOT want to hear ever “Get your own oil” although that is what you need to do. By the time you hear it, the door will be closed.
