THIS PRESENT TIME #16

When the Flood Comes – Part One 6.4.23

I. There will be floods.

Isaiah 59:19

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. (KJV)

for he will come like a rushing stream (a narrow river) which the wind of the Lord drives. (ESV/NASB)

and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, (RSV)

When come in as a flood doth an adversary, The Spirit of Jehovah hath raised an ensign against him. (YLT)

Free translation: When enemies come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will put them to flight.

II. Floods can be devastating or beneficial.

A. Joshua 3:15 - The Jordan always floods at the time of the harvest.

B. Matthew 13:28-30 - Wait until the time of harvest for a settling of accounts.

III. Preparation is essential — The foolish man built his house upon the sand.

IV. The enemy may come in at times with the force of a flood.

THE TSUNAMI FLOODS A dream in 2010

1. I saw homes in a beach area belonging to many people I knew.

2. In the background was the church.

3. One set of people prepared quickly and well.

4. Others believed fervently but did little to prepare.

5. The incoming waves came in with horrible devastation.

6. The church was battered but stood firm.

7. As in the vision from Rick Joyner, some descended the mountain by crawling carefully on hands and knees. Others had prepared by securing parachutes that allowed them to glide safely onto the decks of hospital/rescue ships.

8. Unexpectedly, a wave from the other direction came back, carrying with it debris that destroyed much of what survived the first wave.

9. Some houses survived.

10.The church was saved, but the building shifted from its original position (as though turning from North West to North East). The foundation itself shifted along with the building itself so that the foundation stood firm.

11.It was clear the church would stand but was shaken to its core by the floods. The flood served to place the church into perfect alignment with the purposes of God.

The Word for Today

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Be self-controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always about, prowling like a lion roaring for its prey. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and remember that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other parts of the world. And after you have borne these sufferings a very little while, God himself (from whom we receive all grace and who has called you to share his eternal splendor through Christ) will make you whole and secure and strong. All power is his for ever and ever, amen! 1 Peter 5:7-9 Phillips Translation

ALERT!!!

“We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin from the offices of ABC News”

I. Doubt

A. Generating fear

B. “And we know”

C. “I am persuaded.”

II. Deception

A. Matthew 24:22 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

B. Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

III. Division

A. Naval Convoys of World War II

B. Loners and stragglers are easily picked off.

IV. Distraction

A. Overwhelmed and afraid

B. False signs

C. False security

D. False signals

Christian Life Lessons

1. A time of Introspection - “Examine yourself.”

2. A time of intensification - “Be sober and vigilant.”

3. A time of intentionality - “Make every effort.”

Loved Ones,

I want to thank you so much for the prayers that you offer regularly on my behalf. It can never be said too often: "Some things happen when we pray that do not happen if we do not pray."

Because you are praying, things are happening!

I want to ask you to pray with me in particular about a message I hope to deliver on June 4th. It is weighing very heavily upon my heart. I feel that we need to learn together how to deal with "floods."

By floods, I mean particularly dramatic and difficult events that are designed to do four things:

Number one: They are designed to cause fear and doubt. Even the most seasoned of God's Saints may soon face an onslaught designed to make us doubt. I believe we may find ourselves questioning truths we have never doubted before in our lives.

Number two: We will be targets for demonic deception as a result of the fear that wants to drive us away from the presence and peace of Jesus. Some will be fooled into misunderstanding what is truly good and what is truly evil.

Number three: The floods are designed to divide us. Ships in World War II learned that crossing the Atlantic was best done in convoys. Loners and stragglers were easy targets for enemy submarines.

Finally, the floods are designed to distract us from God's Kingdom purposes.

I will probably address these floods on June 4th and 25th. I anticipate June to be a month of real spiritual warfare for our nation, for our Christian Life family, and for each of us as individuals. Pastor Cory is scheduled to preach June 11th, and R.T. Kendall will follow on June 18th.

I ask you to cover the congregation, our leadership, and me in particular with special intercession.

You are loved, and you are prayed for!

Pastor Stephen