I am sensing the time has come when Christians will need to know the LORD for themselves as never before. Knowing about GOD and knowing Him in a personal way are very different. We have to be able to hear His voice for ourselves. It is imperative that we be hidden in Him. In order to be hidden we must be close to Him. When you are close to someone you can hear what they say.When the relationship is deep you know their character, how they will respond to things. Hearing GOD and understanding His character will be protection against deception. In the past deception has been easier to see because for the most part the Word of GOD was preached in our churches along with discipleship training. Today, as never before in my lifetime, the message, using Scripture, has turned from being about JESUS to being about “me” and discipleship is becoming rare. It sounds good to the soul and feeds the emotions. What a “me” message doesn’t do is lead us to know GOD. ( 2 Timothy 3)This is a problem in the church at large because even though there are still churches where the true gospel is preached and discipleship taught media is bombarded with messages and teachings to pet the soul. Many are drawn to these deceptive teachings. It sounds so good.
But, this life is not about us and our happiness. It is about GOD’s Kingdom coming and His will being done. Happiness is fleeting while joy and peace (Romans 14:17) remain in the hardest of times. GOD’s Word never called us to be happy, only holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). Holiness and the fear of the LORD (2 Corinthians 7:1, Proverbs 14:26-27,Proverbs 19:23) shield us from deception because they keep our focus and dependence on the LORD rather than us. When we focus on our happiness we usually wander from the truth (2 Timothy 4). Pursuing happiness may bring a temporary peace and feelings of contentment but it can’t last because the focus is wrong. Many times we exchange a temporary circumstance for the lasting joy and peace we could have by following GOD’s leading. Instead of going through hard times, trusting GOD that no matter how we feel we know His path is best, many times we flee hard times. (Matthew 24:10-12)
It is certain hard times will come– it’s a fact of life. The question is will we know where to turn when they come? Will we be able to hear what the Spirit of the LORD would say? Will we be able to know if what we hear is truth? Will we be willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit or will we follow where our emotions lead us? (Galatians 5, Romans 8)
Coffee With the King 