I was never at a point where I didn’t have any idea about Jesus as the one who died for my sins. I was raised in a Christian family. My great grandfather was a preacher, and my dad was always involved in the church. My mother was a woman of faith. So, I grew up with a knowledge of Jesus. That in itself can be self- incriminating as I veered from the path so often in my life. I never quit believing but I did things no different than one who never knew Him. So, I look with a discriminating eye when I see evangelists or other ministers that see how many hands can be raised when they ask those present at a service to give their lives to Christ. I’ve seen them say it’s not necessary to get up if you feel uncomfortable, just look up and you’ll be recognized. Or just raise your hand. Then they take a count of how many converts they made. A good day’s work. Except Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the end of the age.” Now many do this properly but to some it is still a numbers game. Jesus gave all that we would be able to come to Him. He endured unbearable pain on the cross for us. He laid down His life for us.
Romans 10:9-10 states, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” There is action we must take. Not just a head nod or a raised hand. This is life and death. In early 1994 I was given a prophecy by Clare Huck from Jude 22-23 saying “On some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” That stayed with me.
Years ago, while visiting family in Connecticut, I spent some time with a friend I used to work with. He asked what I was doing and I explained things in prophetic ministry I was involved in. He said that was like what his wife was doing. But what she was doing was following a person who spoke to the dead. I tried to explain the difference and he asked me to come by for dinner that night to go over this. I first said no as my wife and I had plans that night, but then I felt that ‘not too gentle prodding’ telling me to change plans and go. My friend was a bit put off by some who kept telling him he had to be born again. My friend was an attorney and a marathon runner. He did things to the max. He was also a member of Mensa and fully dissected everything. But there is a simplicity to the gospel when accompanied by His presence. I left that evening hoping something really happened. One week later after returning home to Florida I received a call from another acquaintance that told me my friend had died in his sleep. I so prayed I had gotten through and that my friend was now with the Lord. We must listen intently always.
I visited Connecticut another time and had some prophetic ministry time with quite a few young people that were friends of my nephew. Of course, they came for a prophetic word but I was there to reveal who those words were from. One young man, the lead singer and guitar player in my nephew’s band seemed a bit reluctant at first but he did sit with me for ministry. I spoke to him prophetically and he confessed with his mouth that he believed. He came to understand being born from above. Quite a while after my return to Florida I received a call that he had died in a car accident. I was told that his mother was most upset that she didn’t know if he had accepted Christ as his savior. I called her and explained that her son had truly accepted Christ. I was told her countenance was so different after knowing that.
I ministered at a church one Sunday and in the middle of giving my message a young man just stood out to me. The Lord started giving me a word for him. After finishing my message, I asked where that young man had gone as I was ready to go after him. Turns out he had just gone to the restroom and someone went to get him. I explained what the Lord showed me. It was from my vacations in Cape Cod. I explained I had seen local artists take what looked like a useless piece of driftwood and fashion it into a beautiful work of art. I told him this was how the Lord saw Him. He may have seen himself as useless but in the eyes of the Lord he was most precious. There had been others talking to him about the Lord but that afternoon I had him verbally commit to accepting Christ. He stood up and voiced his acceptance of Jesus. About a month later I found out he had overdosed and died. These things stay with me.
We are in very serious times. Many proclaim to represent Christ but have a different gospel. It does not line up with what Christ taught. His testimony says God has given us eternal life and if we do not have the Son of God as our savior, we do not have life. As it says in 1 Timothy, we are not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord and we must be aware that He has called us with a holy calling in Christ Jesus before time began. Walk in what was preordained to be yours and look to those who do not have Him as their savior. He sets before us life and death. Choose life. Blessings.
Stand My Watch 