PART 2
By
William Owens, Jr.
December 28, 2014
NewsWithViews.com
Propelled Towards Relevance
How often are good things performed, yet offer no semblance of relevance within the context of real results and a marked shift within the heart. How often do we discuss issues that are fundamentally flawed from the first word that proceeds from our mouths because we have allowed the foundation of the conversation to be removed from a prophetic perspective to a narrative that is convoluted with relativism and void of absolutes? Further, when was the last time you deliberately forced the conversation to the prophetic realm and left people looking pleasantly dumb founded - while screaming (with the look alone), "I never thought of that".
If there was ever a time to be propelled towards relevance it is now! If America was ever in a historically critical shift that could either lead towards further destruction and increased judgment or reconciliation and revival, it is now. I'm confident that those of reasonable mind would all agree with the aforementioned assessment. What is perplexing to me however, is that of those who would say, "YES", only a small percentage would be propelled towards relevant action. I refuse to take a blind guess of what that percentage would be because I have not done an actual survey that targets this specific question. As well, based on how God works, numbers with Him are of a "prophetic" nature. He never uses the masses to accomplish His sovereign will. Nor should we foolishly presume or assume that God is looking for a lot of people to "get it". He's not. He is preparing the right people by which HE will propel towards relevance - relevance of a prophetic perspective that is also accompanied with prophetic results. So - let's not get distracted by numbers.
Results. This is a slippery slope - so let's be very careful. Very Careful. The type of results that men are looking for and expect to bring change to our state of affairs, (whether nationally, personally or spiritually), are borne of pride, arrogance and of groping in the dark because they refuse to yield their hearts to God that their (spiritual) eyes might see. Even as nations are ruled by the god of this world through hearts unyielded to God and therefore truth, we should expect nations themselves to be set on a course that is hostel towards God and His "prophetic perspective". What unregenerate men consider to be important are not the results that matter. They are not relevant to God's Kingdom. Sure, they play a role, but when I say relevant, I mean a direct and intentional role that is in keeping with His Kingdom Will as a participant who is a conduit through which God expresses Himself...not an object that God uses indirectly to accomplish His will, as was Pharaoh or even the jackass who spoke to the made prophet. (Yet I am certain that God is still using both today).
What I've described above is expected and should be of no alarming reality when we consider the world from the context of God's prophetic purpose. However, this cannot be said of those who are citizens of the Kingdom of God through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I fear many Christians are simply passively playing it safe and have withdrawn from the battle, have sought out acceptable levels of engagement in the basement and not on the battlefield.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV [5] Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Psalm 108:12-13 KJV[12] Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. [13] Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. These two primary scriptures speak volumes to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Seeing and hearing are not abilities that are learned, these are qualities that are discerned once a person has been regenerated through being "born again" by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is only through this positional relationship with God that we have the following:
1.
Our understanding has no perspective that is worth leaning on.
2. Vain is man's help, no matter how appealing it might
look.
3. Through God we will do exploits and our enemies will
be overcome by God Himself.
Isaiah 8:13 KJV Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
I believe those who are capable of being prophetically relevant are those who have set God apart as their God. Not the God of their denomination, of their tradition, of their religion or of their mama and papa. The Lord of hosts Himself - means they have a personal, willing and obedient relationship with Him. They DO HIS WILL. He alone is their fear. They have a reverence for Him. He is their dread. Fear is healthy and in a culture where God is constantly blasphemed, assumed and treated as a high profile pass time, dread puts the right perspective in both the heart and mind. It is simply a reverence that no one on earth is equal to.
As we witness event after event come upon our nation, our communities and our relationships, the only response that will be relevant will be one that is rooted in a relationship with God and thrives on a prophetic perspective that is alive and founded upon the authority of the Word of God. It is and has always been God's way in which HE orchestrates the happenings within the world and causes His people to Will and to Do of His good pleasure within the scope of where you live and what assignment He has ordained for your life (Phil 2:13).
Groupthink will have little if any power or purpose when it comes to your role within the sphere of the now and the trajectory towards eternity. Even as we are only able to withdraw money from an account in which we make deposits, likewise, we will only be able to withdraw prophetic relevance based on the deposits you have made with God. Our deposits consist of spending time - lots of time - with Him and searching the scriptures for His way to be revealed and His leading to be confirmed. He will do nothing outside the integrity of scripture and scripture will only speak when we are listening with humble hearts and receptive minds.
As I reflect on the ever-increasing events unfolding, I can only imagine what I do not know of what is about to happen in America. Who would have imagined those cops being gunned down in broad daylight? Who could have seen two world powers attacking each other over a movie? Who expectedthe most powerful government in the world (America), capable, but not willing to work together on fundamental legislation based on our constitution? Who knows of horrific crimes that are in the planning even as I write this article? Nonetheless, I am also enthused that I do not have to know. God knows and God knows me (2 Tim 2:19). He's knows I'm His and that my heart is yielded to His will. This provides me confidence to even stare death in its face and be completely fearless. I have been assured that nothing can separate me from His love (Rom 8:38-39) and I’ve been told, point blank by Jesus Himself, that He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5)!
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This propels me to engage in my culture and not hide under my covers. It enables me to confront the evil according to His leading not to cowardly withdraw from conflict. It grants me wisdom (James 1:5) to answer the reason for my hope, not to whine about what Obama and politicians are not doing. I walk and talk as one that is more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37) and with weapons that are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). In fact, I walk in a divine realm where I am granted revelation that not even angels are aware of and actually have the responsibility to school principalities in heavenly places (Eph. 3:10-11). I'm getting enthused about this! Enthusiasm comes from within, whereas excitement comes from without. We need not wait for something to happen on the outside of us when we walk with God - we are enthused because God lives in us and it is because of this we are constantly propelled towards relevance and experience the moment by moment life and a prophetic perspective!
I encourage you to make the shift if you haven't done so. Shift to a prophetic perspective that propels you towards relevance and your steps will be divinely guided and your words inspired. Be fearless because you can afford it. God has gone before you and mightily angels follow behind you. That's the prophetic truth!
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� 2014 William Owens, Jr. - All Rights Reserved
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This ArticleWilliam Owens is a prolific author, having written seven books in the Christian literature genre, including Divine Protocol, Obama: Why Black America Should Have Doubts, and Warriors Arise. He most recent work; Naked Before God - Words that Express My Heart is a compilation of his poetry that debuts Christmas 2014. Owens has spent two decades in the publishing industry and is also a noted activist within the Christian and Conservative communities. His current project is Race to Reconcile, a coast-to-coast bike trek in the Spring of 2015. The journey, which will include stops at orphanages, veterans’ homes, soup kitchens and prisons, is designed to inspire acts of forgiveness that will lead to reconciliation to God and one another regardless of color, religion, political affiliation and other differences. Owens’ new book, entitled Race to Reconcile: A Christian Approach to Strengthening Race Relations in America, will debut at the same time and will feature stories and experiences continuing the message of forgiveness and reconciliation. He is also launching a series of panel discussions throughout the nation called, “Celebration Forgiveness”.
E-Mail: william@racetoreconcile.com
Website: www.racetoreconcile.com
