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Spot on J.D. I wonder how the audience reacted to her after her answer.
There are many spiritual counterfeits. Discernment is vital. Anyone who changes the biblical definition of who Jesus Christ is, isn’t speaking for God.
John begins his Gospel with the statement: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” A few sentences later John writes, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us,” clearly referring to Jesus Christ as God in human flesh.
Later in the letter that we know as 1 John, he wrote: “This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God.” (1 John 4:2-3)
The way you can tell whether a person is speaking by the Spirit of God is by whether or not what they say and how they live aligns with who Jesus is. That’s the key. Jesus, Himself, said: “By their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
Consider the virgin birth. My mother focused in on the definition of ‘virgin’ as being a woman who has not given childbirth. A friend whose daughter is a pastor in the UMC is adamant that this is just a myth.
The Spirit has reminded me repeatedly; “If this is not true then Jesus is not worthy of worship. Jesus and God are not one.”
Based on my life experience and my personal testimony: Jesus is Lord and I believe. These leaders have failed the test on this question. It took me decades to get here. Do yourself a favor, save time and trust the scriptures and creeds.
Have I lost my mind? I thought yesterday, we covered 1 John3:21-22. So the book shows our next lesson is1 John 3:23-24. But we skipped to 1 John 4:1-3. Maybe I’ve lost a day somewhere.
Thank you! I was questioning my sanity, too!
I was puzzled, too, and sent an email but got no answer. Does anyone know if it was on purpose & if that is the case, why?
Thank you JD and the Farm Team! This passage re-centers and unites us as the Body of Christ, the Church He is building. I have the privilege of serving as a staff Chaplain in a local Catholic hospital. Each morning, we have the opportunity to share a short reflection overhead throughout the whole hospital. I’ve been doing this for many years, and The Wake Up Call has become my starting point each morning, because I cannot do this ministry without He who calls me.
This morning, I used the passage and theme of the Wake Up Call for my morning reflection, which was heard throughout the hospital. I pray it is used to route out the evil spirits and false teachings and brings encouragement to believers, while also drawing the curiosity of seekers. Here’s the content of my reflection:
As our mission indicates: “We serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a Compassionate and Transforming healing presence within our communities.”
1 John 4:1-2
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.
Consider This:
Have you ever wondered what makes a person a “real” Christian? All Christians (no matter what denomination; Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational… all true Christians) have this in common: that Jesus was born of a virgin, physically walked the earth and taught about the Kingdom of God, He was tortured and hung on a cross until he died. He was buried. And 3 days later He raised back to life and appeared to many people. He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father, and He will return again.
This common belief brings unity to the Church, the people of God. In this unity and love for Jesus is the beginning of building a community of healing.
Prayer
Jesus, my God! Thank you for teaching us through your Word of how to discern between spirits of good and evil. As you build this hospital to be a place for healing, give us compassion for those who are hurting, and bring healing to their hearts, as well as their bodies. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
I was confused too, Elaine. 🤔🙏
JD, you and your Father sing beautiful duets together. Not saying you don’t do well without him at all, but love listening to you together. I’m not a singer myself. I do make that “joyful noise”! Morning times out on my patio listening and leading more with you is a best time of day to spend with our.Lorc. I’ve been a Christian most of my 72 years beginning in a small church in a small town where my family and maternal grandparents also attended every Sunday morning then back for MYF and services in the evening. Many revivals in churches and tents. Yes, that ” dates” me, yet as becoming more “seasoned” (that’s what I call it” – not old until 100) were some of the best times of my life. I sometimes miss our simpler life when growing up and wish my children and grandchildren could have.those days. That Sunday dinner after we went home to change clothes then to Nana and Papaw’s as we called them to eat together was much looked.forward to. Favorite meal of fresh “neck rung” haha chicken and dumplings was the best anyone could even eat. My Mother could not duplicate nor can I. I can still taste even in my being to this day.
I’m not a person who’s big on devices or constantly attached to my phone. No email alerts, phone is turned low as possible, set to silent from 9PM to 7AM, and don’t watch news (get enough in other ways). So much better as I believe God is in control of this would.
I live in Richmond, Texas and am a member of Faith MC and am Blessed to have my Faith family.
Thank you for taking your time and giving of yourself for Wakeup Call! You are a Blessing to be Blessed. May God Bless you daily and keep you safe in all the traveling you do for His work.
I’ve been a widow for now 20 years and was the wife of a career USAF Veteran who served our County 22 years after taking a delayed enlistment during his Senior year of High School during Viet Nam as did so many. He was the love of my life that I met at age 17 right after graduating High School then married him 8 months later. He passed 5 days after our 34th Wedding Anniversary due to 10 years of cancer related to his military service. We have 3 grown children. None who even attend church with one being our Daughter who cut me out of her life 14 years ago. Still waiting for answered pray and cost included also the loss now of a 26 and going on 21 year old military service grandchildren who were a huge part of my life as well. We have 4 others with 3 being in my life and older of the 4 graduates HS this year that none of us have seen since he was 4 due to one of those extremely bad situations. Ages 4 to 26 with soon to be 5 and 7 1/2 year olds parents getting divorced. Near 14 year old’s parents divorced when he was younger as well. Daughter was unmarried and 18 when oldest granddaughter was born, married then had 2nd oldest a grandson now going on 21.
Guess I’ve poured out my broken heart to you and unanswered prayers for my unbelievably broken dysfunctional family I could not have ever imagined. My biggest worry is for their Salvation if they don’t have that.
Peace and Grace
Evaun
God bless you Evaun children can break your heart All we can do is continue to pray for them and lift them up to God
I was also confused
Elaine & Sheri, I’m confused, too! We skipped 1 John 3:23-24…The Difference Between Certainty and Clarity, if you are following the book. There are only 2 more sections for this week, which would be Thursday and Friday. What about Saturday? Will we come back to the one we missed? I’m sure JD has a purpose, so I’ll trust his judgement.
I can’t help but wonder how the congregation responded to the “expert’s” response of “No”.
I know the professor of whom you’re speaking. Our church use videos of her for Lynn and reflection. Well, I found some of her suggestions helpful too do not feel that she ought to be teaching in the church, but that’s the world. There are others like her they’re political entities like her. We are to know them by their fruits.
I remember sitting in a small UMC in 2016 on a Sunday morning after they had held the ground at general conference. We said a creed that was not Apostle Creed or Nicene Creed. After we finished I turned to a friend next to me and said, “They left out the resurrection of the body.” I was appalled. My friend said, “Chill”. That was when I left the UMC.
I know people that will claim that Jesus Christ is the son of God that died for their sins. They will then turn around and say that the holy Spirit told them that specific persons are evil or not evil. In fact in some cases the same group of people were called evil one moment and then good the next moment.
This was my wife and her father. They both felt anointed by the holy spirit. They both justified all manner of garbage. They also had an idea of purity that meant that if a person got an earring they would be impure. But somehow they themselves were pure.
Just because somebody says that they believe that Jesus was the son of God and died for their sins and rose again does not mean they know what God wants. They can come and do, use it to justify whatever they want.
The term I stumbled upon for it is called spiritual narcissism.
How about the woman, I’ve heard of many of these situations, that says that God told her that she needed to go and marry a different man. Then comes up with all kinds of justifications for it. Plenty of men that do it too.
I would like to receive the wake up call email each day.
Loved this! I am a member of a Global Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana,Living Water.