|City on a Hill - Writings for Refuge

It is important to not over-develop prophecies. No one knows for sure what is going to happen. That is the point of the prophecy, to get our wonder to stir us up to reach for God. A couple of essential points: 1. Watch for how Biblical prophecy IS happening, not how it isn't (that is called doubt). 2. Want to see it happen. Wanting to see something happen is the very basic foundation of faith. Many watch prophecy hoping it won't happen. That is faithless watching. 1 Thessalonians 5:20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Noah wanted to see that flood. He knew God's goodness way better than anyone that didn't want the flood to come. Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things ...

The point of salvation is a conversation with God that will last forever. That is what was broken in the garden in Genesis 3. Salvation happens by "calling on the name of the Lord" Romans 10:11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” 14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Paul, in Romans 10, was referring to Joel 2:32. "Calling on the name of the Lord" is a response to the "pouring out of the Spirit." It is a response to encountering God supernaturally. Salvation is a supernatural response to hearing God speak to the inner man by the Holy Spirit primarily through those that know Him and have consecrated themselves to ...

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. Judgment is simply God giving people over to what they want. Judgment exposes our hidden counsels. Look at all of the sexual manipulation being exposed right now in and out of the church. This is a good example of judgment. It's just beginning. Every secret thing will be uncovered. You can only reject His leadership for so long, then he gives a person over to the leadership they want. Everyone will get what they want in the end. Right now, many are frustrated because they feel that God won't do what they want Him to do. What is hard to realize is many of the things we want aren't His will. Some of the things we want are His will, but we want them for the wrong reasons. The earth is becoming more demonized because the Church is yielding to God's leadership less and less. He is giving those who should be shepherding others into humility, but refuse to humble themselves, ...

I have come to believe that the Bible is describing three distinct time realities in the end times. The Bible describes three and a half years in the end times three different ways for three different reasons: Time, times, and half a time; 1,260 days; and 42 months are describing three different facets of the end times timeline. I think it relates to one being for the Church, one for Israel, and one for the world. This is one thing I see that I didn't up until the last few months: The prayers of the martyrs and the persecuted church in the 5th seal of Revelation win a war in the heavens that is fought by angels. The prayers of the Church cause Michael to stand up and win a war in heaven. When this happens, Satan is cast to the earth. This war begins at the fifth seal and is won in the sixth seal. The picture we should have is Daniel interceding in Daniel 10, and 21 days later the glorious man shows up to speak with Daniel, aided by Michael. Michael stands up when people pray, is th...

There is no shortcut to a life of faith, which is required to please God. Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Faith takes patience, and patience takes faith. We can ask God for both, and we must. This is the victory of the saints in the last days: patience in the face of great tribulation and faith in the face of great fear. Revelation 13:7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Right now the world is embracing...

It is humility to keep Jesus' heart. To see people as Jesus sees them. Some are in process (Immature). Some are rejecting the process (rebellion). Only He knows the difference, as they often look the same outwardly. To see situations as Jesus sees them. Some require a response, as they are in opposition to what God is growing. Some require a wait, as they are what the Lord is using to grow me. To see the future as Jesus sees it. Jesus isn't picturing me growing more comfortable in a dying value system. He sees me learning to love an entirely new value system that cherishes truth, peace, patience, kindness, and self control...learning to love heaven's values. It takes a yielding of fear at the feet of Jesus in order to learn His heart. I was Jesus' idea. Before I was made, a portion of forever was appointed to me. Each day I experience this portion for the day. If I'm honest, there has never been a day this didn't work (otherwise, I wouldn't be here). Even wh...

It is humility to keep Jesus' heart. To see people as Jesus sees them. Some are in process (Immature). Some are rejecting the process (rebellion). Only He knows the difference, as they often look the same outwardly. To see situations as Jesus sees them. Some require a response, as they are in opposition to what God is growing. Some require a wait, as they are what the Lord is using to grow me. To see the future as Jesus sees it. Jesus isn't picturing me growing more comfortable in a dying value system. He sees me learning to love an entirely new value system that cherishes truth, peace, patience, kindness, and self control...learning to love heaven's values. It takes a yielding of fear at the feet of Jesus in order to learn His heart. I was Jesus' idea. Before I was made, a portion of forever was appointed to me. Each day I experience this portion for the day. If I'm honest, there has never been a day this didn't work (otherwise, I wouldn't be here). ...

The seals on the scroll represent a delay. As the seals are loosed, we see delays all around them: Revelation 7:3saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 8:1When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. The Bridegroom is the only one worthy to open these seals. He is not slack, but he is desiring no one perish. The delay is intended to sift people into the safe place before the trouble starts to increase exponentially. The Bridegroom is guaranteed to be delayed before the Bride starts shining: 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...

Speaking to the rock is different than hitting the rock. One is acceptable, the other will cost you something you could have had: Numbers 20:7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8“Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” 9So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. 10And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have...

Overwhelming need is beginning to engulf the earth. Our awareness of the issues of our day is at an all time high because communication is increasing. If we have an infinite source and solution, the need is not too big. But, it takes patience to wait on the Lord: Psalm 37:1A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself also in the LORD, AndHe shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, AndHe shall bring it to pass. 6He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes h...

Overwhelming need is beginning to engulf the earth. Our awareness of the issues of our day is at an all time high because communication is increasing. If we have an infinite source and solution, the need is not too big. But, it takes patience to wait on the Lord: Psalm 37:1A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself also in the LORD, AndHe shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, AndHe shall bring it to pass. 6He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8Cease from anger, and forsake wrat...

We have to know a tree by its fruit. Matthew 7:15-27 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (16) You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? (17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (21) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' (23) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (24) "Therefore ...