CHAPTER 20: CONVERGENCE 2022
Convergence happens. Whether you like it or not. To the world and to you specifically. It floats over the top of us all and descends on us like storm clouds. It is the combination of all major areas in your life converging on one central theme. It can happen in a single moment — in the world — or your life — or both at the same time or separately. There are four categories, religion, politics, business and family. The definition? To assemble, combine, merge, come together, mingle. For example, the world is doing it right now. Converging. Religion, politics, business and family all slammed together, like it or not. Your belief system, knowledge, experience are represented in this merging. In the world, this merge is reflecting corruption in all areas, lack of structure, people without direction, families broken, godless or false gods, incorrect or twisted information. Family, business, politics, and religion sandwiched together revealing that there is no common denominator or governing force in each of these areas, leaving the whole system whacky, a yield of anger and discourse. In the past, convergence caused better things, we will list a few in a minute. However in convergence there is always a fight. Good and evil. Today, things are not looking so good. Right is wrong and wrong is right. The list of incomprehensible laws regarding human rights has gone mad, war on a scale never seen before, all categories losing strength of purpose and goodness. It would seem the world is failing. Is revival a possibility? In you it is, the world is in God’s hands. You can’t do anything about the world, you can however do something about what you stand for, who you are, what you represent. When the world and these four categories merge upon you and all that is dear to you, YOU may be the only thing that effects a positive result in convergence. How you believe in God, how you handle and direct your family, what type of example you are in your business, and who you vote for in politics and why? I used to think that a major convergence happened every twenty years, it’s happening faster now. The world demands to know what you are and where you stand.
Religion is on the frontline: what you believe. Politics is on the frontline: Who you believe. Business is on the frontline: how you believe. Family is on the frontline: the inheritance of what I believe, what I pass on to my children.
We are all witnessing terrible things being changed in the law, hideous decisions ruling against all that is good. Tragic examples everywhere converging on what is right. Covid, Governors, Church attendance, mandatory government, riots, God, no God believers, non-believers, science. Bad is good, good is bad. Misinformation, scary information, corrupt, all of it everywhere. Convergence of all areas of life, the world — what do you stand for? Where does the rubber meet the road, how do we add God to these areas that have gone so wrong? How do we teach our children when the world is against all that is good. The world is as it is, scripture talks of end times, that right will be wrong and wrong will be right. People will choose to facilitate incorrect doctrine into their family, business, politics, beliefs. Don’t do that. Stay close to the Word, lest I be lost.
Isaiah 5:19-21
New King James Version
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
Before Covid I could choose God in all aspects of life. Family, church, business and my politics, it was okay with most people in America. Not anymore. Jesus Christ choices cause problems, harsh judgement from the world. Too bad, stay the course, dig in, take Him into Convergence with you. Listen to God talk about you in scripture.
Psalm 91:7-14
New King James Version
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall [a]bear you up,
Lest you [b]dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will [c]set him on high, because he has known My name.”
Believers are falling everyday. False teachers of the word, crazy twisted ideas of what God really is, blasphemy against the Lord. All of that could be a teaching on all by itself. The world is standing against God in all critical areas pushing for change, and this change is not lined up with God. It wasn’t always that way. Don’t get me wrong, the world has always come against these areas, trying to destroy the fabric of the Divine in the name of necessary change. Today, it looks like we are losing the battle in convergence, failing in our mission to prevail against evil. It hasn’t always been that way. In some cases, convergence came, people rose up and demanded to stand for what is good.
1 AD – 33 AD Jesus Christ was born, lived, died and raised up from the dead. The calendar changed, the world changed, …forever. Politics, belief systems, business and family, people choosing the Messiah. Convergence of the world, the interceding of the Holy Spirit and the savior of the world.
World War 1 1914-1918, World War 2 1939-1942 destroyed millions of lives. Convergence. Good vs Evil in all aspects or convergence. Good wins, barely. The World changed forever. Same thing, unifying against tyranny.
1929 The Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression. Affected the entire country and global economics. People’s lives were affected everywhere. Convergence came upon the world, many turned to God. Good idea, the world changed forever, a global reformatting of banking and commerce. Good vs evil, good prevails, barely.
INDEPENDENCE OF ISRAEL: On May 14, 1948, the independent state of Israel was proclaimed as British rule in Palestine came to an end. The armies of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria invaded almost immediately after the May 14 declaration. Israel prevailed against all odds. Religion, politics, family and business, collided all over the world. Things, foretold by the Bible, Convergence had arrived — politics, family, job, church were challenged and one more time good wins, barely.
2020, Trump is president and Covid attacks. China brings down the world. We are still in it. Convergence is slamming into the big four once again. Family, religion, job, religion. Evil is hard at work. I have to choose God, in all these areas every minute. It is good vs evil, and it remains to be seen what is left standing after this bout with Convergence.
A convergence in the world is easy to see. You can just look at the news, the neighborhood, our leaders, it’s clear that all our lives are converging on these 4 topics. In yourself, it’s a little different perspective. In me, I gotta look at myself and what things need to change to stay the course of Jesus Christ in all areas of my life. He is the key to my survival, lest the world will eat me up and all that is dear to me. I think what it must’ve been like to Peter or Paul, James, John, Matthew. The explosion of Jesus inside the very mind of the apostles, into these four areas of their life and what they must’ve felt when the world fought against them. That had to be a personal experience not to be equaled! Walking with the Messiah, asking questions, getting the answers, preparing to bring the gospel to the world. The world would never be the same. These men, the apostles and their adventures immortalized in the Word of God, standing in and creating a positive force inside of convergence, giving people a shot at goodness, faith, God. These events changed those men, the world, the calendar and the future of mankind irrevocably forever. Events that affected you and everybody else from that moment on.., Convergence is a powerful event. In and of itself it is not good or bad, it is how we effect it. It can be an opportunity! What do you do when it comes? What will I do when it presses in on me? Can you cause it? Nobody causes it, it happens. Events you have nothing to do that push to stand firm for what you believe. You don’t cause it, you rise into it, attack in the full armor of God.
Matthew 12:30-32
New International Version
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
You can disagree with Christ, most of us do, before we are born again. You can be forgiven for such matters with Christ. Many people reject, or even lie about christianity and Jesus. You can change your mind and be forgiven. Forgiveness, the unbelief in Christ, comes when a person puts their Faith in Christ. (Long story short of course) The Holy Spirit’s work is different. He’s the powerful third member of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. His job leads people to faith in Jesus, makes it possible for sinful humans to see who Christ is and trust in Him, be saved. Speaking against or rejecting the work of the Spirit cannot be forgiven, why? The Spirit is what saves us all, the Holy Spirit is the ticket that causes your mind to understand the Lord and His presence. Without the Spirit you cannot be saved, you cannot find Christ, therefore those unfortunate people who speak against the very gateway to God are lost, in this world and the next. Pray for the Holy Spirit in all things, discernment from God.
You know what happens when a person gets that?
What happens when you tell your friends you live by the Word?
What happens when you tell your kids you believe in Christ the Messiah?
What happens when people ask you why you believe — and you know the answer?
What happens when you look in the mirror and see a change?
What happens when you pray for people you don’t like?
What happens when you act loving when you would rather not?
What happens when you are given responsibility and you don’t deserve it?
What happens when you start living life with God?
What happens when you go to church?
What happens when you ask questions of your bible and the Word of God answers you?
What happens when you ask God – for a better you – and He gives you your wish?
You know what happens? You change convergence for the better in God, one you at a time.
Romans 12:2
English Standard Version
2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
It’s not enough to believe in God. Demons believe in God. They talk to Jesus in scripture, the acknowledge Him as God. Too bad, they’re lost, believing is not enough. I need a relationship with Him. You need a relationship. Convergence, all areas of your life, converge, I can’t have God in family and not business, in church and not politics, it won’t work. Convergence will suffocate me, I’ll be a fraud, inconsistent, standing for nothing. Then we give up, right? Give in to the world. “I mean all this stuff is rather inconvenient, and what’s the point?” Really, what’s the point. I’ll tell you the point of Chapter 20.
Isaiah 66
66 They burn incense,
but they also love their worthless idols.
They choose their own ways,
and they love their terrible idols.
4 So I decided to use their own tricks.
I will punish them using what they are most afraid of.
I will do this because I called to them,
but they did not answer.
I spoke to them,
but they did not listen.
They did what I said is evil.
They chose to do what I did not like.”
5 You who obey the Lord’s commands,
listen to what he says:
“Your brothers hated you.
They turned against you because you followed me.
Your brothers said, ‘When the Lord shows his glory,
then we will rejoice with you.’
But they will be punished.”
The world has gone against all that is holy and good it would seem. We fear even the next day sometimes. Our government struggling to survive, our America in the balance of good and evil. War everywhere, hideous behavior in our leadership circles. It’s all written in the book.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
A convergence filled with terrible things, not of God. What does all this have to do with your business? Good begets good, bad begets bad. When you strive to do better, be better, function in grace and mercy, your life yields just that.
Galatians 6:7
New King James Version
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Convergence happens, both in the world and in your world, in my world. The world I can witness to by the way I live. Even a sinner, all of us, God still shines through in you, in me. Put on the full armor of God and attack Convergence as it approaches. My politics, family, job and religion becomes God and God becomes my strength.
Matthew 24:36-44 NIV
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Can you cause a convergence? No you do not cause convergence, you effect convergence. Without God standing guard for you in all these areas of your life, you and all that is dear to you is at risk.
1 Timothy 4:1 NIV
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Rather than go along with the world, a definite loser program, go along with a winning team. Ask eleven men who did just that. Their names? Peter, James, John, Bartholomew, James, Jude, Matthew, Philip, Simon, Thomas. There are more, Paul, Moses, David, Stephen, Elijah, Noah, just to name a few. And oh yes.. Martha, Esther, Deborah, Mary and the good ‘ole boys, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, just to name a few more. Sinners all of them, redeemed by the blood of Christ, finding the grace of God in repentance and prevailing over unspeakable challenges caused by convergence in their time. This is your time.
Chapter 20, Convergence 2022. It’s here, grab the Lord and engage. All four areas will become strong, secure by the power of God and the perimeter of your life saved by His Holy Word.
Matthew 16:19
New King James Version
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [a]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Amen
Psalm 2 New King James Version
The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom
Why do the [a]nations [b]rage,
And the people plot a [c]vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed,[d] saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have [e]set My King
[f]On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the [g]decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall [h]break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
[i]Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry,
And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
