–Nahum 1:3 (NKJV)
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Psalm 99 should get our attention!  Someone said that “God is holy, frighteningly holy.  Such a vision of the holy, holy, holy Lord keeps us bowing low before his feet.”  Steven Lawson writes that God is, “Unwavering in carrying out his eternal purposes, unhindered by man’s decisions to the contrary, God reigns supremely in absolute authority, the unrivaled ruler over heaven and earth.”

          1 — The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!  He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved!
          2 — The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples.
          3 — Let them praise Your great and awesome name–He is holy.
          4 — The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
          5 — Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool–He is holy.  (NKJV)

       The NLT translates verse 1, “The LORD is king!”  No ifs or doubts about it.  He is the sovereign ruler not just of the earth, but of the universe and beyond.  The great writer and preacher Arthur W. Pink said, “Divine sovereignty means that God is God in fact, as well as in name, that he is on the Throne of the universe, directing all things, working all things after the counsel of his own will.”  No matter how much this evil world rocks in chaos and turmoil–God reigns.  No matter how “woke” culture may become, how it tries to dethrone the King of heaven–God will continue to reign.  But note:  because He reigns the people are called to tremble!  Tremble means to “be deeply moved and disturbed, even thrown into commotion.”
       Let me relate a story I read.  King Uzziah had a long and prosperous reign.  He did his best to bring Judah back to the Lord, but there came a time, a time when his throne led to him becoming arrogant and he usurped the duties of the priest.  He burned incense on the altar in the Temple.  As punishment he became a leper.  The great King Uzziah now had to live in isolation.  “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1, NKJV)
The next verse describes the seraphims, then what Isaiah heard, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (6:3, NKJV)
       Isaiah would have known of the sin of Uzziah and if the king was punished for burning incense, he must have wondered what would happen to him.  Isaiah cried aloud, “Woe is me, for I am undone…” (6:5) and confessed his sins.  Ah, but in the midst of Isaiah’s anguish we see the love and mercy and grace of the great King.  A seraphim picked up a coal from the altar and touched the mouth of Isaiah, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged.” (6:6)
       He is holy!  Why do we worry when He reigns?  Why do we fret when He rules this earth?  Why do we complain and get anxious about the lack of justice, about evil seemingly prevailing when He is the great equalizer who loves justice?  “Evil human dictators act tyrannically because they separate power from goodness.  God is not a despot.  His deeds are never unjust nor capricious.” (George O. Wood)  In this day when the cry is “relationship” we do not see that in this psalm.  There is no intimacy, there is only the invitation to worship for He is holy.  Yes, we have a personal relationship with the King, but never forget that He is the King and He must be worshiped as such.

               “Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
               All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
               Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty!
               God in three persons, blessed Trinity!”
                         –Gerald S. Henderson

                    –J.V. James  (Frye)

       “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.  This is a deceiver and an antichrist”.

                    –2 John 7 (NKJV)
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One of the most confusing of the gifts, and therefore, one of the most misused of the gifts has to do with prophecy.  It is mentioned in all three lists regarding spiritual gifts.

               “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:  if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.”  –Romans 12:6, NKJV
               “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:…  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”  –1 Corinthians 12:6, 9, NKJV.
               “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”  –Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV)

       First note that the prophet of the Old Testament was in most ways different from that mentioned above.  There was the role of the prophet and of the priest in the Old Testament.  There is the Law and the words of the Prophets.  The Old Testament prophet spoke in regard to the covenant, he spoke the message of God to the people of that day, however, in saying that the message may be for those in the future, and there is the Messianic message in many of the words of the Prophets.
       The term, prophecy, is the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God (Vine).  According to Vine, the term means not the predictive (though it can), nor necessarily fore-telling.  “It is the declaration of that which cannot be know by natural means; it is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.” (Vine)  Simply, it is speaking forth of the truth–Jesus Christ.
       Ideally, the minister, as he prepares and presents his sermon for the particular body of believers under his care, should be speaking forth the message of God, i.e., prophecy.  It doesn’t do into the mumbo-jumbo of the end-times and the beasts.  It doesn’t try to manipulate individuals or a congregation.  It is speaking forth the truth of the Word of God as the Holy Spirit has directed.  Vine continues to say that the message of the prophet was a direct revelation of the mind of God for the occasion.  When the pastor preaches his sermon, it should be directed to the needs of the people for that particular occasion.  The words confirm Christ in one way or another.  It may be doctrinal, it may be practical.  It may be nurturing the soul, or it may be instruction for discipleship, but all reflects the words, the Person, the life of Jesus Christ.
       Is there personal prophecy?  Oh my, what a maze!  Trying the spirits is a must when confronted with someone who claims to want to give you a message of personal prophecy.  Yes, I believe it does happen, but not usually in the manner depicted by many preachers.  I had an instance when I was a teenager.  During a service a person came to pray over me saying that he had a message–a prophecy–for me.  He said that I was to become a missionary to Japan.  Well, that was news to me.  The Holy Spirit had never directed me to become a missionary, and especially not to Japan.  There was something amiss.  Later, I found that the person who did the prophesying became a missionary to Japan.  Perhaps he was running from his call, perhaps he heard the voice of the Spirit but was projecting it onto me.  In regard to personal prophecy know that the Holy Spirit will already be speaking to you.  It may be a distant voice, or it may be something that you have been praying about–in other words it will be a confirmation, not something conjured up out of the blue.
       The office of a prophet in the New Testament church is of great debate.  Paul says that it was given to the church to help equip the saint and edify the body of Christ.  The Holy Spirit doesn’t give and take away.  There are legitimate prophets in the church.  Vine states that they preach the “Divine counsels of grace already accomplished and the fore-telling of the purposes of God in the future.”  Note!–the Prophet does not bring new information; he does not preach a different gospel.  He looks to the Cross and what Christ accomplished there; he expounds on what the Scripture says about the future.  He does not conjure up new information.  Beware of the person who uses the message to manipulate you.  Your guide is not the Prophet, but the Holy Spirit.  The Prophet will present the truth–the gospel, the Holy Spirit will apply.  
       I would say also that when a person says that he is a Prophet, then a red flag of warning should go up.  A true prophet is humble, he will not bring attention to himself, but only to Christ.  He will shun the term “prophet” and declare himself a humble servant.  Otherwise, beware.  John and Jude both warn of the false prophets that will come forth from the church preaching another form of gospel, especially in regard to Jesus Christ.  I was in a meeting once, where it was preached that Jesus was giving us a new wine, one for this day and hour.  I went to the minister and said, “I’m confused.  The ‘new wine’ was the New Testament, the new covenant.  It presented us Christ crucified and risen.  Do you mean that there is a ‘new, new wine?’  If so, then you are speaking heresy.”  It was a form of manipulation.  He was a false prophet.
       Go search the Scripture, do not be ignorant of the working of the “gifts” of prophecy.  Do not be afraid, however, be diligent in the truth of God’s Word.  Be a discerner of the content of the message, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide.  If the word is contrary to the Bible, toss it aside.

                    –Matthew 7:11 (NKJV)
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I want to look again this morning at “gifts”.  Paul writes, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6, NKJV).  While this is primarily speaking of what I refer to as “Gifts of Ministry” it can be used in regard to all gifts that are given to us by the Lord.  When I was growing up as a kid in church the only gifts I ever heard spoken of were those found in 1 Corinthians 12, and then primarily it was the verbal gifts.  Then later in life there came a fad regarding the gifts in Romans 12.  Tests were given to help you determine the gift, to which I am not opposed, but in using the test also have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit by your side.  There were even those who made up “gifts” not mentioned in the New Testament saying that they were given this special gift.
       To my way of thinking there are basically two types of gifts:  supernatural (spiritual) and natural.  The gifts of the Spirit, the supernatural, are used to edify, exhort, and comfort those in the body of Christ.  Don’t turn away from them for James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (1:17, NKJV).   Over the years I have had many people, youth and adults, ask “what is my gift?”  This is often an excuse.  People look around at what others are doing and either want that particular gift–or shun it.  “Sometimes, we use the search for God’s will as a way to avoid what is right before our eyes.” (Bill Wilson).  A good example is that of the man who was struck down on the Jericho Road.  He was in dire need.  Religious people, leaders, walked by him, shunning him, avoiding his need.  The Samaritan saw him lying there, saw his need, and did something about it.  Bill Wilson has said that “your gift is your calling.”  
       Now that is true of both spiritual gifts and natural gifts.  The Lord gives gifts to each individual, that gift is to be used in His service for His glory.  Regarding natural gifts, to some He may only give one, to others as many as ten (the numbers are arbitrary).  If you have been given the talent in the field of music, you are expected to use it for His glory.  If you have been given the ability to lead others the same is true.  When you find your gift you are on the way to finding your calling for the kingdom.
       Paul gives us two very important ideas regarding supernatural gifts.  “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1, NKJV).  We are to understand, seek, and use these gifts and also those mentioned in Romans 12.  The second idea is found in verse 31, “But earnestly desire the best gifts…”  These verses are in regard to the supernatural gifts.  We are not to be ignorant of them and we are to seek them.  Also, let me give you a side-note regarding the gifts in 1 Corinthians.  Some gifts may be used over and over, while others might only be used only once.  If a person gives me the gift of a car, I will use it over and over.  However, if they give the delectable treat of a sweet, chocolate bar, I assure you it will only be used once.
       Use common sense in using both spiritual and natural gifts.  Again, don’t be ignorant!  Your natural gifts (talents) are also given to you by God.  They are not to be ignored for a reckoning of their use will come back at the dawn of eternity.  Don’t bury it, but put it to use.  Again, gifts are given that fit you and your personality.  If you have not been given the talent of singing don’t go off and try to get into the Metropolitan Opera.  (That does not negate the singing of praises to the Lord).  I had a situation occur once when coaching baseball (and yes, sports can be a gift).  One of my players came to me wanting me to watch a new kid warmup playing catch.  The person threw the ball to him and it hit him in the face before he moved his hands to catch it.  Very poor hand-eye coordination.  At that point, he did not have the ability to play baseball; it was not his gift.   A word of warning here:  all gifts are to be used for the glory of God, do not boast of them, do not use them for the world.
       One more idea regarding gifts.  “Every gift comes with a label:  You are responsible to take care and nourish yourself and your gift” (Wilson)  You must “feed your gift.”  “You practice it.  You develop it.  You work it.  You read.  You watch others…  You feed your gift by using your gift.  You use your gift in service to others, not in promotion of yourself.  The gift in you must not be disregarded–it must be demonstrated (Wilson).  “Not only do you need to feed the gift, you need to feed the keeper of the gift.  You need to feed yourself.  If your body fails, then there will be no way you can exercise your gift…  Keep in balance in all that you do” (Wilson)
       Do not be afraid of gifts, whether supernatural or natural, as they are a gift from God.  Do not be ignorant of them, or their use.  Find your gift(s), work on them, use them (and that includes supernatural gifts).