September 2023
Warning: Strong Rip Currents Ahead!
On occasion, authorities along the coast of California will give a warning when a rip tide event is about to take place. The NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, describes what a rip tide is and when it is about to take place so that people can be informed, prepared, and knowledgeable of its dangers.
Below is the NOAA description of a rip tide:
“Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. They typically extend from near the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. One of
the ways this water returns to sea is to form a rip current; a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from shore, often perpendicular to the shoreline.
“Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore.
"This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills. In some areas, people have used the term undertow to describe the combination of being knocked down, pulled out, and submerged. This is where the myth formed that a rip current (or “undertow”) pulls you under water. A rip current pulls you out, not under.
“Rip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day. Rip currents are the greatest surf zone hazard to all beach-goers. Rip currents are particularly dangerous for weak and non-swimmers. But they can even sweep the strongest swimmer out to sea.”
September 2023: Stay Spiritually Alert
Rip currents ahead!
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…”
(1Timothy 4:1)
Who is departing from their Christian walk?
Is it really possible that a once strong Believer full of the Word would be enticed by deceiving spirits and depart from their faith in God?
Yes, and I would say it’s because they were drawn away from reading God’s Word. That means every one of us needs a check-up!
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
Many swimmers caught in a rip tide may not know it at first.
Deceiving spirits don’t often look evil, they just slowly separate you from God the Father by thoughts of being tired of reading scripture!
If God’s word has become boring and removed from your daily life, you are caught in a rip current.
Remember what the NOAA said: “a rip current pulls you out, not under.”
Often times people are unaware that they are being separated from the shore and being moved from their location.
I experienced this when I was younger. “How did I get this far down the beach?”
Be on guard against deception and worldly doctrines of demons being broadcast over the air waves. The pull and filth of the world is getting stronger the closer we get to Jesus coming to remove us. God forbid that any of us would miss hearing the sound of His trumpet and our meeting Him in the air.
See 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 3:17-18)
“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
‘Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, “They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.”
’So I swore in My wrath,
They shall not enter My rest.’
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end… (Hebrews 3:7-14)
Let us remember:
Only five of the ten Virgins had oil in their lamps…
See Matthew 25:1-13.
A strong rip current can pull people out so far that they can’t get back in:
“Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.”
Since we have His warning let us all take an inventory of our Christian walk and guard it.
Let’s be even more intentional to read/study God’s Word. That will help us to stay faithful to fulfill our calling. And praying often in tongues throughout the day will help keep us separated from the pull of wickedness!
The Call to Intercede
Never have our prayers been more necessary. Our nation has seen such debauchery. Wickedness and lawlessness is a sign that the return of Jesus is very close. It is similar to the time before Noah’s flood: Genesis Chapter Six.
Imagine…God said He grieved that He had ever made man…
The Power of Delegated Authority in Intercessory Prayer
Our assignment to intercede takes place in the heavenlies, casting down principalities and powers, fulfilling Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 16:18-19.
If satan can “pull us out” from God’s assignment to pray, lawlessness will become far worse in our society.
You and I are the “Sheriff” in our jurisdiction! Let’s enforce the law!
But remember, there will be “no force” without God’s Word in us....
Therefore...watch!
Warning: Strong Rip Currents Ahead!
On occasion, authorities along the coast of California will give a warning when a rip tide event is about to take place. The NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, describes what a rip tide is and when it is about to take place so that people can be informed, prepared, and knowledgeable of its dangers.
Below is the NOAA description of a rip tide:
“Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. They typically extend from near the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. One of
the ways this water returns to sea is to form a rip current; a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from shore, often perpendicular to the shoreline.
“Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore.
"This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills. In some areas, people have used the term undertow to describe the combination of being knocked down, pulled out, and submerged. This is where the myth formed that a rip current (or “undertow”) pulls you under water. A rip current pulls you out, not under.
“Rip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day. Rip currents are the greatest surf zone hazard to all beach-goers. Rip currents are particularly dangerous for weak and non-swimmers. But they can even sweep the strongest swimmer out to sea.”
September 2023: Stay Spiritually Alert
Rip currents ahead!
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…”
(1Timothy 4:1)
Who is departing from their Christian walk?
Is it really possible that a once strong Believer full of the Word would be enticed by deceiving spirits and depart from their faith in God?
Yes, and I would say it’s because they were drawn away from reading God’s Word. That means every one of us needs a check-up!
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
Many swimmers caught in a rip tide may not know it at first.
Deceiving spirits don’t often look evil, they just slowly separate you from God the Father by thoughts of being tired of reading scripture!
If God’s word has become boring and removed from your daily life, you are caught in a rip current.
Remember what the NOAA said: “a rip current pulls you out, not under.”
Often times people are unaware that they are being separated from the shore and being moved from their location.
I experienced this when I was younger. “How did I get this far down the beach?”
Be on guard against deception and worldly doctrines of demons being broadcast over the air waves. The pull and filth of the world is getting stronger the closer we get to Jesus coming to remove us. God forbid that any of us would miss hearing the sound of His trumpet and our meeting Him in the air.
See 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 3:17-18)
“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
‘Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, “They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.”
’So I swore in My wrath,
They shall not enter My rest.’
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end… (Hebrews 3:7-14)
Let us remember:
Only five of the ten Virgins had oil in their lamps…
See Matthew 25:1-13.
A strong rip current can pull people out so far that they can’t get back in:
“Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.”
Since we have His warning let us all take an inventory of our Christian walk and guard it.
Let’s be even more intentional to read/study God’s Word. That will help us to stay faithful to fulfill our calling. And praying often in tongues throughout the day will help keep us separated from the pull of wickedness!
The Call to Intercede
Never have our prayers been more necessary. Our nation has seen such debauchery. Wickedness and lawlessness is a sign that the return of Jesus is very close. It is similar to the time before Noah’s flood: Genesis Chapter Six.
Imagine…God said He grieved that He had ever made man…
The Power of Delegated Authority in Intercessory Prayer
Our assignment to intercede takes place in the heavenlies, casting down principalities and powers, fulfilling Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 16:18-19.
If satan can “pull us out” from God’s assignment to pray, lawlessness will become far worse in our society.
You and I are the “Sheriff” in our jurisdiction! Let’s enforce the law!
But remember, there will be “no force” without God’s Word in us....
Therefore...watch!