Falsely Supported Sanctification: Are We Truly Motivated by Love for Jesus?

Sanctification: Is Your Motive Love?

Hey everyone, Conrad here from ConradRocks.Net, welcoming you back to the blog – kind of like our regular coffee chats, but in written form! You might know me from the Coffee with Conrad podcast, where we delve into what it truly means to walk after the Spirit as Christians. Today, I want to share some thoughts that have been brewing in my heart – a bit of brutal self-examination, if you will, looking at some familiar doctrines with fresh eyes.

You know, I often picture it like this: we have this incredible treasure box sitting in a field – a representation of the deep truths of God. We can fly around it with our Holy Spirit drone, getting different perspectives, seeing it from various angles. But how often do we dare to actually open that box, to really dig in and see what's inside? And let's be honest, there's always that little prayer that it's not Pandora's Box we're opening!

I think a lot of us get comfortable just observing from a distance. Isaac Newton, that brilliant mind, once said that if he had seen further, it was by standing on the shoulders of giants. He probably said that way back in the late 1600s. When I think of that quote, I also think of this treasure box. It’s that principle of precept upon precept, a little here, a little there. That's often how I connect with the spiritual, how I start pondering the precepts of God’s Word. Sometimes a worldly quote sparks a train of thought, but you know, even Newton himself spent his later years deeply studying the Bible, even writing a commentary on Daniel and being fascinated by biblical codes. He was truly digging deeper.

And it strikes me that this "treasure box" we're examining – these deeper understandings – often comes from those who have dug deep before us. Think about figures like Augustine, Calvin, Luther. They were touched by the Spirit of Truth and unearthed revelations that they then shared, leaving a torch for us to carry. We know that it's the Spirit of Truth that guides us into all truth (John 16:13 KJV), and I firmly believe that when the Lord illuminates something for us, we have a responsibility to write it down.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV) speaks so powerfully to this: "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." It's amazing to consider what might have been lost if past generations hadn't recorded their prophetic insights. Joseph's bones might never have left Egypt! People might not have recognized the Messiah if Daniel hadn't penned the prophecy of the 70 weeks. The Israelites in Babylonian captivity might have lost hope of their timely release if Daniel hadn't prayed in repentance based on Jeremiah's prophetic words.

So, I want to encourage you, if the Lord gives you a revelation, journal it! Hold onto those insights. They might be for your children, your grandchildren, or even people far off in time and place to pick up and run with. Amen.

Falsely Supported Sanctification: A Deeper Look

Today, the thought I've been wrestling with is something I've titled "falsely supported sanctification." It might sound a bit strange, but stick with me. If we build our house on the rock, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV), we'll be able to withstand any storm. Sometimes, that means challenging even our own deeply held beliefs.

Over the past few months, I've talked quite a bit about sanctification. Seeing people healed often reinforces this for me – it feels like a crucial kingdom key. But I also consistently emphasize that simply "getting saved" isn't the ultimate goal of Christianity. It's about knowing Jesus, drawing closer and closer to Him. As we do, something transformative happens; we naturally begin to desire the things that please Him.

Let’s revisit a passage in 2 Timothy 2. This is another look through our Holy Spirit drone at that treasure in the field. In 2 Timothy 2:19-21 (KJV), we read: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

Notice the distinction between vessels of honor and dishonor. Paul says if we name the name of Christ, we must depart from iniquity. If we cleanse ourselves from sin and wickedness, we become sanctified, fit for the Master's use, prepared for every good work. It logically follows that before sanctification, we're not truly ready for His purposes. So, the desire to be used by the Lord should drive us toward sanctification, right? Amen.

Challenging My Own Perspectives

Here's where I start to challenge my own thought processes. I've seen people who don't necessarily live what I would consider a very sanctified life still operating in the supernatural, seeing miracles. This brings to mind Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV): "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

These individuals were performing mighty works in Jesus' name, yet He says, "I never knew you," and cites their "working iniquity" as a reason to depart. This "iniquity" seems to hinder being "meet for the Master's use," as we saw in 2 Timothy. This leads me to the core of "falsely supported sanctification."

As I've pondered this, seeking guidance from the Spirit of Truth, I've realized that Jesus searches the motives of our hearts. It’s not just about what we do; it’s about why we do it. This isn't about works-based salvation, but about the underlying motivation behind our actions.

A Question of the Heart: What Drives Us?

So, let’s ask ourselves a tough question, and I'm right there with you in this self-examination. What evidence in my life truly shows that I'm motivated by loving Jesus? Seriously, take a moment to think about that. Is what I'm doing right now, recording this blog post, driven by a love for Him? Are my plans and dreams rooted in that love? It's something to really consider. Are my daily decisions submitted to the Lord?

My current working answer to this is that if I am truly motivated by my love for Jesus, then a couple of things should be evident. Firstly, I will strive to stop offending the Lord and abusing the Spirit of grace. Instead, I will actively pursue His will for my life – His will in heaven manifested on earth. As Jesus said in John 4:34 (KJV), "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." Secondly, I won't serve the Lord with a spiteful heart but with a heart that genuinely longs to please Him. My motivation won't be to be seen by others, like the Pharisees Jesus rebuked for their public displays of piety (Matthew 6:1-6 KJV). True love for Jesus should produce a legitimate joy in serving the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40 KJV), knowing that in doing so, we are loving on Him.

The "Dry Drunk" Analogy and David's Example

This brings me to the concept of a "dry drunk." It describes someone who has stopped drinking alcohol but still harbors the desire. They haven't been truly delivered from that craving, which is why support groups like AA exist. Keeping this in mind, let's look at something the Psalmist David said in Psalms 18:21-24 (KJV): "For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me: and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight."

Now, the immediate New Testament reaction might be, "Conrad, Jesus was bruised for our iniquities! We don't have iniquities anymore!" And while it's true that through Jesus we have forgiveness, we still need to appropriate that truth in our lives. Even after the cross, as we see in 2 Timothy, there are people who need to know the truth to be set free from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV), who uses the iniquity within us as a trap.

David, even with his deep love for the Lord and his powerful spiritual worship (John 4:23-24 KJV), recognized the need to keep himself from his iniquity. Like those in Matthew 7 working iniquity, it wasn't about having iniquity, but actively working in it.

Examining Our Character and Motivations

This leads us to a crucial aspect of examining this falsely supported sanctification: our personal character. Let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. If we knew we could commit a sin without any earthly consequences, would we do it? Our answer to that reveals a lot about who we truly are. I even think about my dream life – if I'm sinning in my dreams, it highlights areas I need to work on with the Lord.

So, the question is: do I avoid certain behaviors simply because of potential consequences, or because my love for Jesus makes the very thought abhorrent? Jesus touched on this in Matthew 5:27-28 (KJV): "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." He was addressing the iniquity at the heart level, not just the outward action.

Job understood this principle when he said in Job 31:1 (KJV), "I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?" He recognized that guarding his thoughts was crucial. Even in a post-cross context, 1 John 2:15-16 (KJV) gives us a stark warning: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." This serves as a kind of litmus test for our relationship with the Lord. If our hearts are clinging to worldly things, we need to examine our motivation.

The Crux of the Matter: Why Do We Strive for Holiness?

This brings us to the very core of falsely supported sanctification. Are we keeping ourselves as clean vessels for the right reasons? Are our efforts rooted in a genuine love for Jesus?

Let me give you some examples. Are we abstaining from drugs this week because we have a drug test coming up for our job? That's not sanctification motivated by love for Jesus, but rather by a love for mammon (Matthew 6:24 KJV). We might avoid drugs for our job but would readily indulge if there were no consequences. Or perhaps we're clean and sober because we love our spouse or children. While those are good motivations, what if we were single? Would we then go out and party?

Any effort towards holiness in our lives needs to be fundamentally rooted in our love for Christ. James 4:7-10 (KJV) sheds further light on this: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

Notice the order here. First, we submit to God – we come under His mission, His plan (the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 KJV). It's not just about stopping sinning; it's about aligning ourselves with His purposes. Chronologically after submitting to God, we are then able to resist the devil. Resisting the devil becomes a byproduct of drawing closer to God and getting on board with His mission. The primary motivation to draw near to God is our love for Him. Remember the prodigal son? He didn't clean himself up before going home; he made the decision to go towards his father, and then he took the steps.

When James talks about turning joy to heaviness and laughter to mourning, he's speaking about humility – taking a sober, serious look at ourselves and examining the motivations of our hearts. Is our motivation for serving the Lord falsely supported?

Final Questions for Reflection

Let's ask ourselves a few more pointed questions:

• Do we serve the Lord to be seen by others? Like the Pharisees who prayed publicly for attention?
•  Do we serve the Lord to get crowns in heaven? While rewards are promised, could this motivation sometimes be rooted in selfishness rather than pure love for Jesus? It's worth pondering.
•  Do we serve the Lord simply because we've fallen into a religious routine? We have commitments to attend church every Sunday, and we assume that's the entirety of God's will, potentially missing what the Spirit might be calling us to do in a particular moment – like reaching out to someone in need outside the four walls of a church.

I recently saw a Snapchat post where someone mentioned "playing hooky" from church to help a neighbor in a real crisis. Amen to that! Sometimes following the Spirit's leading might look unconventional.

Conclusion: Dig Deeper and Go Higher

Well, this has been a longer coffee break than usual, but I pray it's been thought-provoking. My heart is that we all examine our motivations and ensure that our pursuit of sanctification is genuinely rooted in a deep and abiding love for Jesus. Let's not settle for falsely supported holiness but strive for a spiritual life that flows from a heart fully surrendered to Him.

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Until next time, keep digging deeper into God's Word and keep going higher in your walk with Him!

The Winds of Revival and the Walls of the Gulf Coast: A Prophetic Perspective

Prophetic Waves Hit Gulf

It feels like the very atmosphere around us is charged with anticipation. I’ve been feeling this incredible stirring, a sense that God is on the move in a powerful way, particularly concerning the Gulf Coast region. It's like I'm being lifted up in a whirlwind, not of chaos, but of divine orchestration. Imagine puzzle pieces, each representing a part of God's plan, swirling around me high above the ground. From this vantage point, I can almost see the edges of the grand design laid out on the earth below. My heart is filled with a mix of awe and excitement, a high perspective that allows me to glimpse, just a little, into what the Lord is doing. As Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV) reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." It's like getting a spiritual snapshot of His unfolding purposes.

 A God-Orchestrated Whirlwind: Confirmations and the Call to the Coast

This journey began a couple of months ago, and the speed at which things are unfolding is truly remarkable. My wife, Susan, had a dream about a location on a map she didn't even recognize. What followed was a torrent of confirmations, so many within the first hour of waking up and continuing into the next day, that to ignore them would have felt like a profound error. It would have made Gideon's discernment look commonplace! So, we heeded the call and came down to the Pascagoula/Gautier region. We felt like we were shaking a prophetic tree, believing that God had treasures, spiritual insights, ready to fall.

However, this journey has not been without its challenges. We've encountered significant spiritual warfare and opposition. It’s during these times of resistance that the Lord brought to my remembrance the story of Nehemiah. Just as Nehemiah was called to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2), I believe this move to the Gulf Coast is a piece of a larger puzzle, a part of God's plan for this region. Now, I'm not comparing myself to Nehemiah, but the parallels resonate deeply. Phrases from Isaiah, like being "repairers of the breach" (Isaiah 58:12 KJV), echoed in my spirit.

The Spiritual Significance of Highway 10: A Wall and a Pathway

Pondering these things from this "high vantage point," I began to see the spiritual significance of seemingly ordinary things. For instance, Interstate 10, running from California to Florida, has played a significant role in my own life's journey. But here on the Gulf Coast, it struck me as almost forming a kind of wall. The train tracks and Highway 90 running parallel further emphasized this linear feature. Having lived in Houston, I've long been aware of the personal significance of this train track and Highway 10.

Reflecting on a time when the Lord was calling me back to Florida from Houston, I remember being in a good place – leading worship, active in church. Yet, there was this persistent prompting, these nudges of the Spirit directing me eastward. While in Florida, I experienced a heightened level of anointing, a greater flow of revelation, words of knowledge, and words of wisdom coming frequently. It was after numerous confirmations – some subtle, some blatant (like a spiritual billboard!) – that I finally yielded. And I encourage you, dear reader, to do the same: when the Lord gives you confirmations, write them down. Honor those dreams and visions He places within you, for as Joel 2:28 (KJV) says, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

I would diligently record these confirmations, adding them to my prayer list. Not to declare and decree presumptuously, but to humbly ask, "Lord, what is the meaning behind these repeated signs?" Initially, I resisted going, but eventually, the prophetic weight became undeniable. I knew I had to obey, or risk being in serious disobedience.

Navigating Spiritual Warfare and the Prayer for Unity

My time in Florida was marked by intense spiritual warfare and numerous physical challenges, including hurricanes, one of which was the devastating Hurricane Katrina. It felt like the saying, "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it," was being tested. Even though I was relatively isolated, without a strong network of Christian friends or prayer warriors, I felt equipped with spiritual tools to navigate these turbulent times. I now see the profound importance of Jesus's prayer for unity in John chapter 17 (KJV), where He prays "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." The "wall" we need to rebuild isn't a physical barrier, but a unity of believers, linking arms in the spirit. We cannot accomplish God's purposes in isolation. It’s not just me and Jesus; it’s us, together with Jesus – "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11 KJV) is a communal prayer.

Being alone and feeling overwhelmed by the spiritual and physical pressures, I eventually returned to Houston, seeking the support of family, friends, and church. Interestingly, upon returning, the intense warfare did subside, but so did the heightened level of my spiritual giftings. While I felt a sense of disobedience, I also know that "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29 KJV).

The Decimation and a Glimmer of Prophetic Hope

It's a sobering reality that the Gulf Coast region suffered immense setbacks in the spiritual, physical, and economic realms following Hurricane Katrina in the very same year I retreated to Houston. This truly felt like a wall had been broken down (Ezekiel 13:5). Even today, you can see the lingering effects – vacant buildings, businesses that never recovered.

However, a recent prophetic word spoken by Casey Sones in a small trailer house church has resonated deeply with what I sense is happening. To the natural mind, it might seem insane, but it aligns with the often-inscrutable ways of God. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) states, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." We can only truly understand God's plans in hindsight.

Echoes of Revival: Pensacola and the Split Pulpit

When I consider the spiritual devastation of this area, I can't help but think of the Pensacola Revival, which began in the 1990s. While I wasn't directly involved, it had a profound trickle-down effect on my life. Many of you have heard me speak about the pulpit splitting in two at Christian Tabernacle in Houston in October 1996. I believe this was, in part, a result of the spiritual momentum generated by the Pensacola Revival. This event became a pivotal point in my life, a powerful confirmation of the supernatural reality of God, even though I wasn't physically present when it happened.

Pensacola, Florida, located near Highway 10, became a focal point, and the revival's influence spread along the Gulf Coast all the way to Texas. People would travel along Highway 10, in a sense creating a spiritual wall of praise as they journeyed to and from the revival. It was during this time, in October 1996, that Pastor Heard at Christian Tabernacle read 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV): "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Immediately after reading this powerful scripture, the pulpit split, and a powerful outpouring of the Spirit followed. Miracles continued to occur there for months. Later, I became friends with one of the pastors who was present, and in his presence, the anointing was palpable – the glory cloud of God would manifest. My faith was ignited, moving from one level to the next. It was a powerful realization: the things we read about Jesus in the Bible are real, and we are called to step out and experience them.

This sparked my interest in what God was doing in America, and I followed news of the Pensacola Revival. I even considered going, but never managed to make the trip before the revival ended. Then, Hurricane Katrina became the dominant narrative, overshadowing everything. While the focus was often on New Orleans, the entire Gulf Coast was deeply affected. The spiritual decimation, coupled with the physical and economic devastation, has left a lasting impact.

A Future and a Purpose: Rebuilding the Tabernacle of Praise

Yet, even amidst this backdrop, I can't help but feel an overwhelming joy and excitement. From this prophetic "high vantage point," I know that God has a future and a purpose for the Gulf Coast area. I get genuinely giddy with the anticipation of God breathing new life into this region. I pray that the apostles, prophets, and pastors will catch this prophetic wave that is coming.

I often talk about spiritual waves – dispensations of God's acts flowing from His throne. My prayer is that we, as believers, will position our "surfboards" in the spirit – through prayer and seeking Him – so that we can discern the movement of God and then physically position ourselves to be where He wants us to be. We must follow the glory cloud, being ready for the divine appointments He has for us. I pray that the Lord will use diligent, passionate men and women who seek Him wholeheartedly to rebuild the tabernacle of praise, the tabernacle of David.

This rebuilding is prophesied in Acts 15:14-17 (KJV), where James quotes Amos: "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things."

Interestingly, I have a personal connection to the concept of the Davidic Tabernacle. I understand a little about spirit songs and the power of spending extended time in praise and worship. I remember times with friends like Kyle, where we would worship the Lord for hours with guitars and harps, caught up in that Ezekiel River (Ezekiel 47), that spiritual water flowing from the New Jerusalem. Time would simply melt away. I can’t help but think that Mike Bickle's vision for the 24/7 prayer and worship at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) might have been inspired, in part, by these very scriptures in Acts and Amos.

Consider the numbers: Acts 15, and Amos 9:11. The number 911 immediately brings to mind a day of national emergency and remembrance for Americans. Amos 9:11 (KJV) states, "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." The prophetic implications are clear. Just as Nehemiah, Ezra, and Daniel were involved in rebuilding in their time, I believe the Lord is stirring a similar work in the Gulf Coast region. We may be on the cusp of rebuilding the spiritual, physical, and economic walls of this area.

The Call to Unity and Action

But we cannot do this alone. We need to link up, just as Jesus prayed in John chapter 17. It's time to get off the couch, step outside our church buildings, and shake that prophetic tree. We need to position ourselves by following the glory cloud, constantly asking, "Lord, what is your will today?"

Friends, I believe God is doing something significant in the Gulf Coast. It’s a time of spiritual awakening and rebuilding. If this message has resonated with you in any way, please consider sharing it with your friends and family on social media or through email. Your support helps spread this message of hope and prophetic anticipation.  Remember the call: dig deeper and go higher in your walk with the Lord!

Remembering Revelation: How God Speaks and Why We Must Pay Attention

Remembering Revelation

I want to share with you today about remembering the spiritual insights and prophetic words the Lord speaks into our lives.

Lately, I’ve been deeply shaken by Revelation, and not in a scary, end-times kind of way. More like a jolt of cold water to the face. You know how it is? You go through life thinking you're on the right track, doing your best with the theology you understand, the information you have. You assume you're doing all you can. But then, sometimes, a wave of Revelation hits you, and you look back – maybe years, like 14 years in my own reflection – and you think, "How did I miss that?"

One thing that really strikes me is the contrast between God's timeline and ours. He has all the time in the world, an infinite existence. We, on the other hand, have this unexpected alarm clock that can go off at any moment, reminding us that our time is finite. We feel this pressure to get everything done before that alarm sounds. God doesn't get penalized for taking His time or for revealing things gradually. He's the Lord, the Judge, and we are so incredibly blessed to have the option to plead the blood of Jesus Christ.

But as I walk further on this Christian journey, I'm increasingly aware that there are crowns laid out before me, opportunities to step into a deeper level of God's purpose. And on the flip side, a sobering spiritual reality hits me: people can go to hell on my watch. What I once might have perceived as a casual game now feels like a high-stakes endeavor, far beyond mere chess pieces on a board.

The Thorn and the Revelation: A Personal Connection

This brings me to a passage that’s been resonating deeply with me recently, especially as I’ve been dealing with this persistent something-or-other. It’s from 2 Corinthians chapter 12, where the Apostle Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh.” Let me read verses 2 through 10:

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knows)—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man (whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows), how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I would not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   

This passage has been hitting home, especially this feeling of battling something physical while wrestling with deeper spiritual truths. It feels like this current situation, though certainly not comparable to Paul’s trials, has been a lens through which I'm re-examining this very passage. It’s like I’m learning it through present-day experience.

Unpacking the Prophetic: Timing and Trust

Notice that Paul speaks of an incredible spiritual encounter that happened “above fourteen years ago.” Now, around that same time in my own life, I had some profound, supernatural experiences, Heavenly visions and revelations that I knew were undeniably from the Lord. And it's only now, as I’m going through this present challenge, that a new layer of understanding is unfolding.

Paul doesn’t go into great detail about the specifics of his spiritual encounter. And this is a crucial point about the prophetic. In this New Testament, post-cross dispensation of the prophetic gifting, we don’t just blurt out everything God tells us. We share what He specifically wants us to share. There’s a trust involved, a relationship. If we misuse or mishandle the information, He might just stop entrusting us with it. Think of it like a father and his oldest son – the father shares what he needs the son to know to carry out a task. The son doesn’t necessarily broadcast every detail; he just gets the work done.

Paul received this Revelation 14 years prior, and it seems like the fullness of its meaning was unfolding over time. He probably looked back and wished he had sought the Lord more diligently about it then, that he had grasped its significance sooner. But God’s timing is perfect, even if it doesn’t always align with our own. And the fact that Paul wrote it down means we, too, are meant to keep unpacking its wisdom throughout our lives.

The Double Edge: Revelation and Resistance

Paul then reveals a key insight: because of the abundance of revelations he received, a “messenger of Satan” was sent to buffet him, to keep him from becoming prideful. This spiritual opposition manifested as a weakness, a persistent challenge. It took Paul 14 years to even begin to fully understand the initial wave of that Heavenly encounter. The event happened then, but the understanding, the interpretation, was a gradual process, and in a way, it's still unfolding as we read his words today.

This makes me think about my own experiences. Those powerful spiritual encounters I had around 14 years ago? I’ve recently realized that I might have mishandled them. I’m going to share what I’ve learned, so hopefully, you won’t make the same mistakes.

Honoring Heavenly Encounters: Frontlets Before Our Eyes

It’s so important to understand that our Heavenly encounters are not fleeting moments to be forgotten. They are precious gifts, meant to be honored, treasured, and kept “as frontlets before our eyes.”

Right now, I want you to take a moment. Remember a time, if you’re a Christian, when the Lord shared a revelation, a dream, or a vision with you that you knew, without a doubt, was a Heavenly encounter. What did you do with that Revelation? Did you write it down? Did you journal it and then let it gather dust? How often do you consciously bring it back to the forefront of your mind?

In my own case, with those super profound encounters, I essentially shelved the idea. I wrote them down, but then I kind of filed them away. My thinking was, “Well, the Lord is sovereign. He’s God of all creation. He’ll bring it to pass in His own time.” And while that’s true, I didn’t actively keep those prophetic promises as frontlets before my eyes, like Joseph did.

Learning from Joseph and Abraham: The Power of Remembrance

Think about Joseph. Remember his dreams of the sheaves bowing down and the sun, moon, and stars paying him homage? Imagine if he had just shrugged them off. Instead, even when he immaturely blurted them out to his brothers and parents (which might have actually been part of God's plan to refine his character over time), those prophetic images stayed with him. When he was in the pit, in prison, falsely accused – those dreams were a lifeline, a reminder of God's promised future. He kept those spiritual seeds alive in his heart.

Similarly, consider Abraham. God promised him that he would be the father of many nations. Every time Abraham looked at the stars, he remembered God’s prophetic word: “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars.” Every time he saw the sand of the sea, the same reminder echoed. He actively rehearsed and held onto those spiritual promises.

Scriptural Keys to Remembering

The Bible is full of instruction on the importance of remembering what God has spoken and done.

Exodus 20:8-11 commands us to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The word “remember” here carries the idea of bringing something back to the body, making it a present reality. When we, the body of Christ, come together, we are in a sense reassembling, remembering who we are in Him. We are to remember the Sabbath, to keep it set apart, just as God rested after creation. This is a weekly reminder of God's work and our dependence on Him. We are called to remember the times God has delivered us.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk received a prophetic vision and was instructed to write it down clearly so that others could understand and run with it. Paul received his vision 14 years before writing about it in this way. The Lord wants us to document these spiritual encounters; to keep them before us so we can act on them and so that even after our time, the vision can continue to impact others.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 instructs, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” This passage emphasizes the constant, intentional immersion in God's Word and His promises. The idea of “frontlets between your eyes” speaks to keeping these truths constantly in our thoughts. Writing them on our doorposts and gates serves as a constant visual reminder, much like Abraham looking at the stars. Our homes should be sanctified spaces where God's Word is central.

A Call to Remember and Act

So, before I wrap up today, I want to urge you to go back to those times when the Lord shared something significant with you. If you haven't already, start a habit now of journaling your spiritual encounters. You can use a physical journal, an electronic one, even use hashtags to categorize them.

Rehearse these moments. Like Joseph, like Abraham, ask yourself: what plan is God unfolding in my life through these prophetic insights? The pieces of the puzzle will start to come together as you grow in Jesus. You’ll begin to understand what the Lord meant in those past revelations, especially when you face challenges. Just as Joseph could trust in God’s plan amidst false accusations, and David could encourage himself in the Lord during times of intense pressure, remembering God’s past spiritual communication will sustain you through difficult seasons and lead you toward your promised reward.

Thank you for spending this time with me. If this message has resonated with you, please consider sharing it with your friends and family on social media or via email. Let’s encourage each other to dig deeper and go higher in our walk with the Lord.