I am consciously aware of inner changes, especially in how I "see" things. It's almost like it is necessary for us to come into a "place of agreement" with God....regarding all that HE does....regardless of how it computes in our understanding.

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.

Actually, that is definitely a big part of it. Coming into agreement with God, I mean. There is a "spiritual man" if you will, within each one of us. It is our re-born spirit, that part of us that connects with God, that communes, that fellowships, that learns and so on. Mentally we cannot grasp the separate parts that we are composed of. Body..soul..and spirit. We start out with our body being in full control of our faculties, aided primarily as needed by our soul power. The spirit of man is the most pressed down, subjected, ignored part of us, until we come to the knowledge of Christ. When the Father draws us, it is our spirit that we suddenly become conscious of. And from the re-birth of our spirit on, we are ever struggling and fighting to put down (de-throne) our own flesh and mind.

We look at the things taking place in the world today, and are justly aghast. We feel (are confronted with) our own incompetence to effect change, faced with the enormous scope of evil. Humanitarian aid and good intentions, cannot keep up with the flood of disasters occurring worldwide. What are we, as the children of the MOST HIGH, supposed to do? How do we respond?

Well, there is the natural response of man; we see it every day, on the news and in the streets. It is natural to empathize, to commiserate, to give donations....but are we conscious of how the Spirit of God within our hearts is responding?

Do we not all hold visions of great revival sweeping the world? Of "Christians" doing great exploits for the Kingdom of God, doing the works that Christ did and the greater works He spoke of? Many religious leaders today are proclaiming that we are on the threshold of a mighty move of God; that we are on the brink of revival. Do any of you hear anyone proclaiming that what we are seeing taking place is the judgment and wrath of God? Is anyone consciously acknowledging that these "natural" storms wiping out whole areas and taking many lives are sent by God? Do we believe in God or Mother Nature? Do we truly comprehend GOD?

"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun (the east), and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things" Isaiah 45:5-7.

This does not sound like the warm, fuzzy, loving God we learned about in Sunday School, when singing "Jesus Loves me, this I know". How can we possibly find a balance between God and man? Between what we have been taught...and the events unfolding worldwide before our very eyes? Between the dismal lack in the Church...and the desperate needs all around us?

A few days ago, the Lord quickened a verse to me. "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" Revelation 9:15.

How can we comprehend this verse? How do we comprehend that there is an appointed time, known only to God, when "time" as man has known it runs out? When God will no longer tolerate "self" ruling in mens hearts? That millions will die? Slay in the above verse means: (to slay); to kill outright; figuratively to destroy: - put to death, kill, slay.

But "God is Love," we cry out. All these bad things are the works of the devil! Are they?

We shudder at the events unfolding; the destruction, death, and rampant sin flaunted before our faces. We want to escape somehow; our flesh is weak and fearful.