ISV - Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint, but those who obey the Law are happy.
JUB - Without prophetic vision, the people shall perish, but he that keeps the law is blessed.
KJV - Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
LEB - When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but as for he who guards instruction, happiness is his.
TLB - Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws.
Some people would question the wisdom of God, but He allowed me to be a free spirit for many years, until my mid 20s. I am so glad He did it that way. I would have been pro-abortion, not to the degree I see going on tonight, but I was after MY own freedom. Little kids want their freedom too, and they have to learn to govern themselves, or they will be potentially harmed. But good parents, and not everyone has them, teach their children to be careful, smart and wise.
Proverbs 29:18 from some different versions...
God calls weak and tender people to do His work. Many will try to play that down, challenge them, and even expect them to be like God in all His power, even invincible. They will even provoke them. But He says that His Strength is made perfect in weakness. And the faith that is required to believe will be exalted. It's part of the maturing process. Attacks will happen. And they will be exposed for what they are because Light in its strength will shine on the darkness and expose it for what it is!
I am sure you have heard the quip: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time! Of course, most of us aren't into eating elephant, but we get the point on how to tackle big problems. First you have to figure out what the problem is, and then you have to figure out how to deal with it for the purpose desired. You can even find schools to deal with some of those issues you face. But you know, when you are lost and/or out of sorts, there is a lot you have to figure out, and sometimes "the manual" is not there. We look to people and the world around us but find they don't have all the answers to our questions. And many want or need their answer "right now!"
I had a vision that seemed like a dream, and in it I saw troubled turbulent times, and people had gone into their secret places to pray. (I say it seemed like a dream because I was so still, it was like I was asleep, even though I was awake. Sometimes we have to be really still to receive.) People felt overwhelmed with current events and had gone to their quiet places to pray. The warfare "outside" was tough. It was hard and seemed to be too much for many of them, but they went to the Lord.
WORSHIP ME! says the Lord. The Lord spoke to me yesterday and said, "There is a big difference between church worship and God worship. Church worship is when you lift up a certain group or person and God worship is when you lift up Me, the Lord." (And then I thought, Lord, are you wanting me to give this word??? Because I know how that will go over! But then He asked if I wanted His Presence, and I said "Yes, I do! I certainly do!") He continued, "In church worship, people worship the pastor. With God worship, they worship Me. In church worship, they focus on all the things related to the church. In God worship, they are seeking on how to please Me."
Many teachers teach "down" to others. They mean well, they come across as being informed and studied, but they teach or preach down to people. They "know," they have the "experience," they have "a position", they have "expertise" - and they might! But if they don't impart something, did you really hear it? Did your soul embrace it? Were you allowed to ask questions? Was it quickly heard and then quickly forgotten, or not employed? Was dinner afterward more memorable?
Have you ever seen people mess up the Gospel for other people? It is heartbreaking! I was blessed to find the real Jesus in my childhood, but over the years I saw a lot of abuse. For so many it becomes a sign up to a money-making MACHINE. For others, it is wanting people to give to them in ways that Jesus does NOT require! I've heard of people tithing to churches all their lives and then can't get help when they desperately need it or go through a tragedy. The church feels entitled.
There are two anointings, and only one is God's. Some people wonder just what the anointing is. A secular way to describe it would be like the "chemistry" two people have together. They could just be friends, or they could be boyfriend and girlfriend, or an "electric" feeling that has an energy like you find among good chums or working together on a project. God's anointing and the devil's anointing also has an "energy," and you could be attracted to it or repelled by it. Depends on what is going on inside of you! Energy and gifting is multiplied.
Many of you probably remember the popular logo WWJD that stood for those words. We don't see that emphasis as much today as we once did, but we should still be asking the question. A question the Lord has been asking me and I know this will provoke others, is: Did Jesus go around building churches or synagogues? Here is what the Bible says that Jesus did from Acts 10:38-43 - "38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Follow Up
