Hi Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Today falls between Christmas and New Years. After all the activities of Christmas, it is nice to have this extra time to seek God. New Year’s Eve has always been a time of all night prayer, seeking God for what he must direct us in the new year. It is a time when we reflect with thankfulness for how he carried us through this past year. We reflect on the answered prayers, the trials he has brought us through and the blessings and discoveries made about him and his goodness. As we close out this year 2022, we must think ahead to what the Lord wants to do with his church, and with us as individuals. For me, I want to draw closer to God than I have ever been. I want to hear his voice more clearly, and more readily. I want to know him in all his ways. I believe that the new year may bring the long awaited revival for our nation and our people. I want to see people set free and living an abundant life with the Lord Jesus! I want to see signs and wonders and miracles that confirm the gospel. I want to see the United States as a sovereign nation, not beholden to other nations, but re-dedicated to God. Let us seek God on behalf of the lost, our families, our friends and our nation and its leaders. I am sharing an important message that is about shutting out the voices of the world, in order to hear the voice of God.

God had asked me with a vision, to give up watching TV and to drop the distractions that interfere with my time with him. I have not watched televisions since October 1. I do not know when God will break this fast. But I am content to continue as long as he would have me. If you want to hear from God, then all distractions have to go. Shut out the noise of the world and listen for him.

The Vision

The Ear Plugs

In the vision, I saw a pair of white ear plugs very similar to the airpods that many people wear.  They were resting on a white surface.  There was nothing notable about the airpods.  However, airpods have an ability to cancel out extraneous noises in order for the voices of people to be more easily heard. This is controlled by the person wearing the airpods.  As Christians, we need to be able to control what is coming in through our “ear gates,” because our opinions and beliefs are shaped by the messaging we choose to listen to or filter out.

Our very faith and ability to hear the voice of God is affected by what we hear both physically and spiritually.  We need to keep watch over what comes to our ears, what we choose to hear and what we choose to accept.  We can choose to allow doubt and fear to enter and take up space in our minds.  Or we can choose to listen to messages that build our faith and bring encouragement.  How do we distinguish between the good and the bad?  It is the word of God.  It is the perfect filter. 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is the standard by which we judge the messages that we hear. The ideas and thoughts conveyed will either line up with the Word of God, or present an alternate view that goes against the knowledge of God.  

All messages and thoughts that we hear need to be evaluated. Some messaging comes from the world’s view, some from the devil’s input, and some from our own imaginations.  The Holy Spirit, which indwells each true believer, will bring to mind the Word of God and specific scriptures that helps us to make a sound judgment. The Lord tells us that the Holy Spirit will take from what is his and make it known to us.

“However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-14 

The Word of God tells us that the messages that do not come from God, but are worldly in nature, or come from the devil, or appeal to our human weaknesses, we are to take captive.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:5

Ideologies and beliefs of the world are absolutely full of messages that are contrary to the Word of God.  They stand in defiance of him. Therefore not one of us should entertain or embrace these notions. They may carry importance and significance to others, but we are not to entertain these thoughts or embrace these ideologies. To do so would cause us to stand in opposition to God, which is not advisable!

“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10  

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  1 John 2:15-17

There is a worldview that some very wealthy and influential globalists have embraced.  They believe that the population of the world needs to be brought down to size.  Their idea of a perfect size is 500,000,000.  (YouTube link: What is the real secret of the Georgia Guidestone) With the current world population of 8 billion, this would reduce the population by 93.75%.  This is utterly amazing that anyone could think like this. However, we can see that this ideal of reducing the population has been underway for some time: 

Actions that reduce the world population:

• Contraception drugs and devices

• Abortion 

• Promote LGBT agenda - no conception - no birth

• Promote wars and conflicts - kill young men to decrease population and at the same time decrease the birth rate

• Promote single lifestyle and divorce to destabilize the family unit leading to financial and emotional stress, broken homes, mental issues and suicide.

• Promote Drug use - addictive behavior breaks up homes, increases stress, and irrational behavior, leading to suicide and death from overdose. 

• Promote disruption in food supply to cause stress, social unrest and famine leading to death.

• Decrease fertility with drugs and food additives.

• Promote 3rd world education of women to direct women to college and careers rather than marriage and raising a family.

• It has been proposed that vaccines could possibly increase miscarriages, and infertility. (unknown effects)

• Pandemics and viruses lead to death in large numbers.  

In 2008, Zbigniew Brzezinski, a senior advisor to President Barrack Obama stated:

“It is infinitely easier to kill a million people than to control a million people.”

This is a YouTube video of the speech: Brzezinski New World Order

This is an obviously evil world view, but it is what was discussed and promoted from the 60’s and 70’s when I was in highschool and college.  The four major topics debated in the classrooms of America at the time were:  

1. The population explosion 

2. The war in Vietnam 

3. Abortion 

4. Euthanasia.  

Notice how each topic easily fits into the above model.  The devil has been in the classrooms of our nation for a very long time.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”  John 10:10

We need to separate and close our ears to these ungodly messages.  These messages that comes from the world attempt to change our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs.  If we do not know the word of God, or we lack the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then we will not have this important filter.  We can be in agreement with the world and be against God.

The messages of the world can elicit feelings such as: envy, jealousy, covetousness, superiority or inferiority, empowerment or weakness.  The messages can have as their purpose to elicit fear: the fear of loss, the fear of failure, the fear of embarrassment, the fear of lack and the fear of rejection.  The world’s messages can persuade you to take action or give you direction.  Some messages are there to stir up trouble within a population: accusations of racism, or beliefs that cause division.  Some messages demean people, create helplessness, and entitlement.  Some messages are there only to cause people to buy a product or covet a lifestyle.  The world is constantly promoting their lies and agendas in order to get people to think, buy and act as those having power and influence desire.

We are told in the Bible to separate from the world and its views:

“Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord.  ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’”  2 Corinthians 6:17

Just as the airpods can cancel outside ambient noises, we need to turn off the convincing, and directive lies and messaging that comes from of the world.  We cannot afford to be led astray by listening to these voices and become like unbelievers in the world.  

Even in pagan literature, we can see the lessons to be learned:

In Homer’s Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, had himself tied to the mast of his ship and told his crew not to listen to the voices of the sirens that would call to them.  These sirens (half woman and half bird) would invade the men’s minds with their alluring voices, enticing them to crash their ships on the rocks.  Odysseus told them not to listen to anything he said, while under their influence.  His purpose was to protect himself and his crew and navigate his ship through the treacherous waters safely.

Homer’s Odyssey is not a Christian allegory, but it does show us the very thing that demons and wicked people do to tempt us to sin or to cause harm to others and ourselves.  The devil’s goal is to deceive people, entice them to follow his lead and bring them to his own destination–hell.

We are warned by the prophets and apostles in the Bible, to be wary of false teachers who bring messages that would cause our faith to be dashed upon the rocks.  To those untrained in sound Christian doctrine, they may prefer to hear messages that appeal to human nature rather than the spirit which aligns with the Word of God.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”  Acts 20:29-31

And the result of listening to false teachers is falling away from the faith:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,”  1 Timothy 4:1-2

Again, we must know the word of God so that we will discern truth from falsehood.

Many years ago, I went to one of the largest AG churches in the United States. Even though I was a Christian from childhood, I was not well versed in the Bible.  A visiting preacher spoke to the congregation while the pastor was out of town.  Suddenly, about 10 percent of the congregation stood up and walked out.  I knew that something that he had said did not sit well with those people.  I didn’t know what was said, I just knew that it did not line up with the word of God, and they knew it.  I realized that my education was lacking. The 90 percent that remained, was either not paying attention to what was said, or had no grounding in their faith to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood. If we have no discernment and lack foundational Biblical doctrine, we could fall away from a true faith in the Lord and not even realize it.

Now that we have spoken about the importance of shutting out the voices of the world, let us understand how can we hear the voice of God and not shut him out.

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."  Hebrews 4:7

A hard heart cannot receive Jesus as Christ, as the Messiah, as the Savior. A hard heart is full of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Holding onto an offense and being unwilling to submit to God, keeps one in bondage. It takes a humble heart and a willingness to surrender one’s will to God, to become born again and experience true freedom.

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:3

When we surrender to the Lord, and give him ownership of ourselves, then we are able to hear his voice.  

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  John 10:27

We come to him with a repentant heart, to confess our sin and to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.  We believe that he suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins.  We believe that he is God’s only begotten Son, and that he is part of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, three persons yet one God. When we believe these things to be true, and when we surrender ourselves to his lordship, then we can receive salvation in his name.   Then we can call to him, and he will answer.

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”  Romans 10:13

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3

The Lord invites us to call on him, to draw close to him, to have an intimate relationship with him.  But we must respond with obedience, and love.  We are blessed as we enter into a lifetime friendship with the Lord. As we commit ourselves to him, we receive his precious promises, and the ability to hear his voice!  Just knowing that he is willing to speak with us, brings us into a loving relationship with him. He guides us and cares for us as a shepherd does with his sheep. All is well, when we are living in harmony with God.  It is a bit of heaven on earth!

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

The Lord speaks in many ways. We “hear” his voice in the written word, and sometimes in a still small voice by way of the Holy Spirit. And occasionally, we can hear God in a perceived “audible voice.”  For me the audible voice usually comes as a rebuke or as a directive. These are statements I have heard from him:

• “Do not slander my bride!”  (speaking of the Church)

• “This time don’t leave me.”  (speaking of a vision that would have taken me closer to him)

• “I want you to be, not to do.”  (changing how I valued myself - I had value in the Lord’s eyes by being what he called me to be, not doing what I thought I should do)

• “As long as you are fearful of man, I cannot use you, for you are already being used.”  (I wanted to gain the approval of the local church, which interfered with the Lord’s plan to use me)    

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”  Matthew 6:24

I have learned that God must come first and I must ignore what others may think or say about me.

In order to hear the voice of God, we must quiet ourselves and simply give the Lord our time. Years ago, it may have been only after 2-3 hours of prayer that I would receive a vision or message from him.  But now that I have spent much time with him, I am able to hear him more readily.  Nonetheless, we must be able to sit at his feet and be patient, to wait upon him.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

It is not always in prayer that he speaks. It can be during worship or when we are “in the spirit,” that he may give a vision and an accompanying scripture.  He wants us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, because that is the source of the still small voice.  The Holy Spirit is given to each believer at the moment we are born again.  But an even greater measure of the Holy Spirit is given when we are Baptized in the Holy Spirit and with fire.  In my last post, I wrote about the baptism with fire:  The Fire of God - Revival

The initial evidence that we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and with fire, is the gift of speaking in tongues.  This is our prayer language that allows us to circumvent the mind, and pray in the Spirit.  Although we can also praying with our minds, at the same time we pray in the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit praying through us that prays the perfect will of the Father. When we speak in tongues, our spirit communes with God and our spirit is built-up. Jesus said:

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”   John 4:23-24

This passage speaks of worship, but prayer is very much the same.  When we pray in the Spirit we are in unity with God.  I prefer singing in tongues than to sing in my own language. It is a very special way to worship and commune with him.  Through worship and praying in the Spirit, we are more sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that spiritual insight, words of knowledge, understanding and direction come more easily.

For me, I could not imagine my life without praying in tongues, for that is how I worship and that is how I pray both in fellowship with other believers and when all alone with God. If you are interested in being baptized in the Holy Spirit, you must first be born again. Then simply ask the Lord for this greater infilling, anointing and empowerment.  Another believer that has been Baptized in the Holy Spirit can lay hands on you to receive this same empowerment. But desiring more of him (not the gift) is key to receiving from the Lord.

By far, the most important thing for us is having a true relationship with the Lord. Our walk with him begins at the moment we are born again, and filled with the Spirit. “

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:5

“For in him we live and move and have our being.”  Acts 17:28  

My prayer for the new year is that all believers will choose to wait upon the Lord, and to hear his voice.  Let us use our spiritual airpods to cancel out all distractions and voices that compete for our attention. Let us focus on the Lord and be willing to do his bidding. Let’s make a solid resolution to seek the Lord and read his word more than before. Let us live so as to hear the Lord say to us:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!” Matthew 25:23 

God bless you all.  And please share this message with those who will appreciate it.  May God bless you and keep you!