Part I - BECOMING A PATRIOT: Navigating the Storms & Part II Disruption to the Family of God

In our present times, God's people are facing numerous difficulties and challenges, often finding themselves standing alone on solid ground while the storms rage on. However, there is a growing community emerging, which I refer to as "Patriots for the Kingdom" and my Father's House. We actively combat the vices of this world daily, rejecting any messaging or behavior that goes against Love, Hope, Kindness, and Gentleness – attributes that are reflective of the fruit of the Spirit and, most importantly, the characteristics of our Lord. Our ultimate aim is to counteract the pervasive influence of the demonic forces that affect so many.

As Patriots, we intentionally resist the prevailing current of our times, recognizing that it is crucial if we wish to participate in the ancient struggle between two kingdoms. If you desire to join this battle, I encourage you to continue reading.

When Yeshua referred to Peter as the rock in Matthew 10:2, He also declared that the gates of hell would not overcome the church. This means that they will not prevail against us! However, in 2 Timothy chapter three, Paul reveals that a significant transformation will take place within the House of our Father, as many of His children will change in the latter days. Nevertheless, there is a principle that endures and gives us hope: self-examination.

"Let a man prove himself, and in this way, let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). "Test yourselves whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). "Examine your ways" (Haggai 1:5, 7). "Who can discern his errors?" No one can fully know (Psalm 19:12).

The call to "examine your ways" is a sacred quest. When this journey begins, God's people tend to stand against the prevailing spirit of the age, both in their personal lives and within the House that our Father has established. They recognize what is wrong and make a firm decision to pursue what is right.

Discovering Paul's Words 

​Unveiling Paul's intended message to Timothy compels us to pause and reflect. Paul expressed concerns about the breakdown of families, and it is undoubtedly occurring in our present era. He highlighted the existence of individuals who display outward godliness but lack true power. This is a profoundly tragic situation, and we should be acutely aware of its impact on the divine household we belong to. It should strongly impress upon us.

This brought to mind the ancient proclamation in Judaism, known as the Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one." This age-old address compelled the entire nation of Israel to halt and attentively listen to what would follow. While the Shema remains unmatched in proclaiming God's oneness, Paul's message demands our attention within the present condition of God's family. Throughout the Gospels, he conveys similar messages of utmost significance for the end times.

In 1 Peter 1:13, it is written: "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." Furthermore, in verse three of the same chapter, believers are instructed to seek an abundance of peace, "may peace be multiplied to you." This specific directive for the multiplication of peace is unique to this passage. Paul frequently speaks within the context of the latter days. He informs the Corinthian Church that they lack no spiritual gift and encourages them to eagerly await the Lord's return while remaining steadfast, for they possess everything they need.

Paul articulates it perfectly, akin to a father advising his departing son who is venturing into the world, saying, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8-9). Together, let us explore the essence of "L'chaim" (to life) and rediscover what it means to live as God's people, guided by our Father's diminishing virtues and principles.

Part II 

DISRUPTION TO THE FAMILY OF GOD

The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find those fabulous things start to show up in your life."― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Salt. 

​Let's review Paul's words from the introduction again because he describes ­­nothing less than a deep wound that'll be inflicted upon the family of God—many of His children will morph into being more worldly and powerless. Again, "they will have a form of godliness but no power."Here is Paul's full message from 2nd Timothy 3:3-5, which provides the motif for our journey throughout this work:

• "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, four treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

ALL THAT CAN BE SAID ABOUT LIVING IN THESE DAYS: GOD'S PEOPLE ARE NOT APPOINTED TO WRATH.  I will say that many of the problems that are bearing down on the world' are the world's problems, not ours, even though end-time pressures abound. However, how we position our lives, the decisions that we make, and the paths we chose could either mitigate these effects or exacerbate them. Our problems, speaking of the people of God and the family of God, are wholly different. Our problems are the following.

• First, we must contend with problems like apathy, growing sin, increasing worldliness, finding more fellowship with our heavenly Father, not losing our power, and keeping the fire of God burning. Second, we must deal with an end-time disruption to the Body. Do you notice the difference between the world's problems and ours? Recently I felt a heavy impression from the Lord to separate the world's problems from ours. It was liberating. It prompted me to understand Psalm 91 through fresh eyes; "We are only to observe with our eyes the punishment of the wicked." Tucked Away! Do you feel tucked away under the shadow of His presence? 

•  Second, take a deliberate step in separating the world's problems from yours. You see, like the Israelites that were tucked away in their Goshen as Egypt endured the punishment of God, we also have our haven of safety. Find the shelter of the Most-High! It is the essence of Psalm 91. So many of the problems that God's people struggle with are borrowed from the world's issues.

•  Third, what is counterproductive to enhance peaceful living is that God's people are busier and more pressure-filled than ever. It seems people cannot pause even for a moment to reflect on what is taking place spiritually, politically, economically, and prophetically. People pray for a couple of days about something, and when they don't see any results, they stop. Spiritual immaturity always requires action and movement to maintain interest and resolve, which is dangerous in such times. 

One antidote for our times comes from a familiar rabbinic saying; "Every moment has its own responsibility; no two moments are alike." Solomon wrote similarly in Ecclesiastes 3: "Let our life be guided by every season under the sun." You see, I still believe that our lives are subject to a divine force of motion. Seasons come and go that are orchestrated by Him alone; each season is unique because it ebbs and flows with purpose and providence. I have found that God is far more involved in our lives than we think, and we are supposed to be more engaged with Him than we want! ​​​​​

Yet, the only place where we can find guidance for our souls is His Word times. To find it, we are always compelled to slow down and disengage from the world. How do we heat the gentle blowing of God's wind in the tumult and busyness of today? Elijah found God's voice in the stillness, and so he said: "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD. And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. "After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire, a sound of a gentle blowing wind." When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?" (I Kings 19)

 What Are the Words

  What Do You Need To Hear?​