Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
I’m writing to you from my home on this cold January day of the new year in West Texas. As I listen to the bitter wind whistling and shaking the are trees with the dried pods barely hanging on to the branches, sounding like the rattling of bones, icy fingers that both underline the year of death and loss we have walked through, and pointing to the year ahead of us with an ominous whisper, “Fear on every side.”
But then I hear Another, who says, “The Lord is good, and a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)
We must choose trust over fear this year.
Everyone is making predictions for the new year. I have never been a person to offer “predictions.” And I only offer words I think are from God if I have vetted them, shared them with others, made sure they are in line with the Word of God, and had them confirmed. Too many people claiming to be prophets come off as if God talks to them 24/7 through a series of dreams, visions, and imaginary thoughts. And I NEVER want to limit the Holy One of Israel, but I cannot stand by the majority of such proclamations I have heard. But if anything, this is a time not unlike the time before Samuel when it said, “And the Word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”(1 Samuel 3:1)
If you are a preterist/cessationist that believes that all of the gifts of the Spirit stopped in Acts, this will not resonate with you.
Because I believe that all of these things are still at work in believers, despite the excesses and misuses of the last few decades. I DO believe in miracles. I pray for them; I pray expecting them. And I believe in genuine words from God – words of wisdom and knowledge – sometimes if not often prophetic in nature – but never, ever as extrabiblical knowledge or teaching. My parameters are always bracketed by four words – THE WORD OF GOD. The Scriptures. If a word or prophecy is not confirmed by it, if there’s no precedent in the Word for it, ABANDON IT.
There truly has been a glut of untested, undiscerned, and untrue “prophecies” and “words” these last three years. And I was expecting, but not surprised by, the absence of repentance for false prophecies and false predictions. Not. A. Sound.
But the abundance of falsity does not diminish our need for the true. The church historically had – and needed – genuine words, prophetic preparatory insights, and those who “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
In an age of increasingly untested, untried, and undiscerned leaders and words, may God raise up true shepherds who will not just challenge the false but speak the true.
I am merely a servant of the Lord who longs to hear Him and give some direction and encouragement to His people in a dark and uncertain time. The last year has shaken believers to the core – except for the ones who are just busying themselves putting duct tape on the Titanic and staying in a place of happy denial, choosing to believe, like Annie, “The sun will come out tomorrow!”
And the SON will – soon – but we must be ready to ride the waves of change that are upon us and stay steady in the storm.
I am quite sure the disciples were unnerved when Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem. But it became a focal point and a motivation for them, realizing there was a time frame on their mission, and they must “work while it is yet day.”
One of my untold stories is when I was 17, and I went with my second family and friends on a campout in the coastal mountains above Ventura, CA.
There truly has been a glut of untested, undiscerned, and untrue “prophecies” and “words” these last three years. And I was expecting, but not surprised by, the absence of repentance for false prophecies and false predictions. Not. A. Sound.
But the abundance of falsity does not diminish our need for the true. The church historically had – and needed – genuine words, prophetic preparatory insights, and those who “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
In an age of increasingly untested, untried, and undiscerned leaders and words, may God raise up true shepherds who will not just challenge the false but speak the true.
I am merely a servant of the Lord who longs to hear Him and give some direction and encouragement to His people in a dark and uncertain time. The last year has shaken believers to the core – except for the ones who are just busying themselves putting duct tape on the Titanic and staying in a place of happy denial, choosing to believe, like Annie, “The sun will come out tomorrow!”
And the SON will – soon – but we must be ready to ride the waves of change that are upon us and stay steady in the storm.
I am quite sure the disciples were unnerved when Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem. But it became a focal point and a motivation for them, realizing there was a time frame on their mission, and they must “work while it is yet day.”
One of my untold stories is when I was 17, and I went with my second family and friends on a campout in the coastal mountains above Ventura, CA.
One day I announced,
“I think God wants us to go to the river tomorrow and be baptized to prepare us for last days ministry.” No one showed, so I baptized myself.
It was a simple, wholehearted commitment to a time and a call not yet come. I have lately thought about how pivotal, if innocent and rather odd, that act was. Because it focused the coming years on the reality that I now see before me. I was not caught off guard by the events we now see, events we once spoke of as distant signs of His return – Israel, Russia, computers, one-world government, plagues, microchips – that are all here now.
So, the question remains, what do we do in these prophetic times?
1. We hold the line. We hold true to Jesus and His Word whatever comes. We may be in the great apostasy, as more and more people deny the faith they once professed to hold and embrace ungodly antichrist movements and philosophies.
2. Again – and many others have heard – “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (Hebrews 12:26) If this is not the LAST shaking, it certainly gives a sobering picture of what’s to come. The tree of His church is being shaken like never before in my lifetime. Hold on, hold steady, and nurture the life of God through the Vine in Jesus through prayer and the Word every day, that His life may strengthen you leaf and branch that you not dry up and blow away in the shaking of this blustery windy season. “Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord God of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) It is only through daily dependence on Him we will make it through.
3. Teach your children. Every parent – every grandparent – every pastor and youth pastor – needs to put an absolute premium on teaching the word of God to this next generation which could be the last generation. The antichrist educational system, the apostate church and the social engineers that appear to be in control, are tools of a demonic cabal that even now boasts in a certainty that its “game over,” that this generation will no longer be subject to evangelical efforts to deliver youth from its sinister grip.
“I think God wants us to go to the river tomorrow and be baptized to prepare us for last days ministry.” No one showed, so I baptized myself.
It was a simple, wholehearted commitment to a time and a call not yet come. I have lately thought about how pivotal, if innocent and rather odd, that act was. Because it focused the coming years on the reality that I now see before me. I was not caught off guard by the events we now see, events we once spoke of as distant signs of His return – Israel, Russia, computers, one-world government, plagues, microchips – that are all here now.
So, the question remains, what do we do in these prophetic times?
1. We hold the line. We hold true to Jesus and His Word whatever comes. We may be in the great apostasy, as more and more people deny the faith they once professed to hold and embrace ungodly antichrist movements and philosophies.
2. Again – and many others have heard – “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (Hebrews 12:26) If this is not the LAST shaking, it certainly gives a sobering picture of what’s to come. The tree of His church is being shaken like never before in my lifetime. Hold on, hold steady, and nurture the life of God through the Vine in Jesus through prayer and the Word every day, that His life may strengthen you leaf and branch that you not dry up and blow away in the shaking of this blustery windy season. “Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord God of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) It is only through daily dependence on Him we will make it through.
3. Teach your children. Every parent – every grandparent – every pastor and youth pastor – needs to put an absolute premium on teaching the word of God to this next generation which could be the last generation. The antichrist educational system, the apostate church and the social engineers that appear to be in control, are tools of a demonic cabal that even now boasts in a certainty that its “game over,” that this generation will no longer be subject to evangelical efforts to deliver youth from its sinister grip.
We must show them wrong!
We must not sit back, despair, hope for the best. No – we must prioritize raising up this generation in the power and authority of unshaken faith in Jesus and God’s Word. Let family time be established in prayer and Word time. We cannot - we must not – fail this generation. I urge every pastor to take on youth pastors and children’s workers who are solid, word-based people that are not just game masters and babysitters and entertainers, but blood-bought, fully committed [leaders and] believers whose first priority is to put spiritual spines in our most vulnerable and pliable youth.
4. Stand apart from the overwhelming push to be absorbed and obsessed by everything in the media. We must have less noise and less news. That doesn’t mean we don’t stay informed. But in the midst of battle, all soldiers are in danger of being lost in the “fog of war” and the shell shock and the thunderous sounds of explosions. As soldiers of the cross, we must have much more of HIS news and HIS instruction than the world’s, it is the only way we can see and hear the battle before us clearly.
Jeremiah proclaimed to a priest that the Lord called him “Magor Missabib.” It meant, “Fear on every side.” Does that not describe the times we are in? Covid. Weather disasters. Social unrest. Political uncertainty. Spiritual deception. Loved ones passing away. Teen suicides. Riots in the streets. No wonder Jesus said in the last days men’s hearts would fail them from fear
But – and this is absolutely crucial – what is the Word of the Lord to US? “FEAR NOT!” It is a command! We have entered a time of fear on every side. But we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above fearful things!
4. Stand apart from the overwhelming push to be absorbed and obsessed by everything in the media. We must have less noise and less news. That doesn’t mean we don’t stay informed. But in the midst of battle, all soldiers are in danger of being lost in the “fog of war” and the shell shock and the thunderous sounds of explosions. As soldiers of the cross, we must have much more of HIS news and HIS instruction than the world’s, it is the only way we can see and hear the battle before us clearly.
Jeremiah proclaimed to a priest that the Lord called him “Magor Missabib.” It meant, “Fear on every side.” Does that not describe the times we are in? Covid. Weather disasters. Social unrest. Political uncertainty. Spiritual deception. Loved ones passing away. Teen suicides. Riots in the streets. No wonder Jesus said in the last days men’s hearts would fail them from fear
But – and this is absolutely crucial – what is the Word of the Lord to US? “FEAR NOT!” It is a command! We have entered a time of fear on every side. But we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above fearful things!
He does not promise we will not be touched by these things, but He did promise to be with us in the fire! In an age when people will be overwhelmed by fear, may God give us the grace to be steady, fearless and ready – be ready to have an answer for every man for the hope that I within you. We HAVE the hope! We HAVE the answer! May God give us boldness and confidence to speak into the fears of those around us and bring them to Jesus.
This may be the greatest opportunity we have had in decades to show people why all this is happening. We have the prophecy of scripture to point to that explains the plagues, the political changes, violence, weather changes and spiritual changes. When people ask why, we can say, “It’s all in here. And so are the answers.” The times we are in are not easy but there is opportunity if we will but take it.
So let’s not look to the year ahead with fear and dread, but with hope and joy. When we see sin taking over, we will know that where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. When the world seems to spin out of control, we will know that God wrote it all in His book and He is always in control. Let Psalm 91 be our banner, Matthew 24 be our compass for the times, and 1 Corinthians 13 be our heart and our ministry to a world broken and lost.
May God grace you with overwhelming peace, and may Jesus come soon. Maranatha!
This may be the greatest opportunity we have had in decades to show people why all this is happening. We have the prophecy of scripture to point to that explains the plagues, the political changes, violence, weather changes and spiritual changes. When people ask why, we can say, “It’s all in here. And so are the answers.” The times we are in are not easy but there is opportunity if we will but take it.
So let’s not look to the year ahead with fear and dread, but with hope and joy. When we see sin taking over, we will know that where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. When the world seems to spin out of control, we will know that God wrote it all in His book and He is always in control. Let Psalm 91 be our banner, Matthew 24 be our compass for the times, and 1 Corinthians 13 be our heart and our ministry to a world broken and lost.
May God grace you with overwhelming peace, and may Jesus come soon. Maranatha!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am so thankful that God has gotten us through another year, even though it has been an extraordinarily trying one for so many. Opening up Facebook this year has been very difficult, as time after time there was a posting about someone extremely ill with Covid, and many more with loved ones who had passed away. I have lost several friends and acquaintances myself, and so much prayer goes up for healing, consolation, and hope. Truly, if in this life alone we have hope, we are of all men most miserable!
As we look to the year ahead, the only certain thing is the sustaining love and power of God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. The older I am, the dearer His promises become to me, knowing that they cannot fail!
Already half of the month is gone before this gets out to you. The first half of this year will be a bit of a challenge, as some medical issues will need attention, but thankfully, necessary but not extremely serious. I am hoping and praying to use the next three months when I will be staying in city to finish Devil Hunter. I am in the middle of both the final editing, and the finishing of the most difficult and challenging chapter, which deals with the attack brought against our work in the late 1980’s-mid 1990’s which completely eviscerated our efforts from coast to coast. As you can imagine it is a delicate issue and one I need to make sure is lawsuit-proof as I attempt to expose the truth behind the “Satanic panic” narrative. Your prayers are greatly needed!
The podcast, Extreme Times: Truth in the Shadowlands is going well and gaining an audience. I recently came to grips with the reality that fewer and fewer people – especially youth – were reading books anymore. I realized that if I wanted the truth God has given me in my writings to reach another generation, the best way to do that was to read chapter excerpts from my books on my podcast. And it seems to be very effective. Please continue to pray that I will stay diligent in producing these podcasts in the days ahead.
Our Monday night Bible study has now opened up into a young men and women’s Bible study. It’s such a blessing to be to have them here every Monday night. Please pray for these awesome young people!
God bless you for all your support and prayers.
In His Grace,
Gregory Reid
Box 370006 El Paso TX 79937
www.gregoryreid.com
legendaryseeker@gmail.com
YouthFire is an affiliate of American Evangelistic Association
I am so thankful that God has gotten us through another year, even though it has been an extraordinarily trying one for so many. Opening up Facebook this year has been very difficult, as time after time there was a posting about someone extremely ill with Covid, and many more with loved ones who had passed away. I have lost several friends and acquaintances myself, and so much prayer goes up for healing, consolation, and hope. Truly, if in this life alone we have hope, we are of all men most miserable!
As we look to the year ahead, the only certain thing is the sustaining love and power of God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. The older I am, the dearer His promises become to me, knowing that they cannot fail!
Already half of the month is gone before this gets out to you. The first half of this year will be a bit of a challenge, as some medical issues will need attention, but thankfully, necessary but not extremely serious. I am hoping and praying to use the next three months when I will be staying in city to finish Devil Hunter. I am in the middle of both the final editing, and the finishing of the most difficult and challenging chapter, which deals with the attack brought against our work in the late 1980’s-mid 1990’s which completely eviscerated our efforts from coast to coast. As you can imagine it is a delicate issue and one I need to make sure is lawsuit-proof as I attempt to expose the truth behind the “Satanic panic” narrative. Your prayers are greatly needed!
The podcast, Extreme Times: Truth in the Shadowlands is going well and gaining an audience. I recently came to grips with the reality that fewer and fewer people – especially youth – were reading books anymore. I realized that if I wanted the truth God has given me in my writings to reach another generation, the best way to do that was to read chapter excerpts from my books on my podcast. And it seems to be very effective. Please continue to pray that I will stay diligent in producing these podcasts in the days ahead.
Our Monday night Bible study has now opened up into a young men and women’s Bible study. It’s such a blessing to be to have them here every Monday night. Please pray for these awesome young people!
God bless you for all your support and prayers.
In His Grace,
Gregory Reid
Box 370006 El Paso TX 79937
www.gregoryreid.com
legendaryseeker@gmail.com
YouthFire is an affiliate of American Evangelistic Association
Another timely message from pastor Sonny Islas:
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