Benchmark!

Companies such as Mercedes Benz, Land Rover, Rolex, Tiffany's, Gucci, and the like all have a certain standard related to the quality of their products, goods, and services.

In reality, even though these companies manufacture and produce different goods and services. It will always be the quality of their goods and services that will reflect their name and, more importantly, set the standard in their particular industry.

Standards in any company or organization are set by its leaders. These leaders, whomever they may be, establish a point of reference to test the quality of whatever they offer to their consumers. This is known in business and manufacturing as "benchmarks."

A benchmark is any standard or reference by which others can be measured or judged and a criterion by which to measure something. It can also be considered a point of reference to test (something) to develop or establish a standard. Folks, I want you to allow the definition of this word benchmark to soak into your mind. Reason being where we are about to venture into with this article most religious folks turn a blind eye to.

We are clearly in the swing of things for this year. Most of you would agree that the previous years seem to be a walk in the park compared to this year. Let us review some things prophesied by the many Pastors, Bishops, Prophets, etc., at the beginning of this year because the decrees and declarations they made have now become the benchmark to the reality of what is actually taking place. Meaning the prophetic words, slogans, rhymes, clichés, and the like that have been rehearsed into our hearing. Prophetic words such as, "This is the year the saints' rule," "Kingdom rule," "There is a shift," "The year of restoration," "The year of release," "Ending strong," "Millionaire and billionaire anointing" and finally the illustrious "This is your year of Restoration."

Here comes reality, where most of you would probably be challenged. How much, if any, has been declared over you actually materialized? Did any of it become tangible for you? For example, did your finances turn around? Was your marriage restored? Was the foreclosure canceled on your home? I am sure if Gucci sold you a watch claiming it was waterproof. However, the minute some water splashed on it, the watch stopped working. You would be front and center at the Gucci store to not only complain about what is clearly a false claim, but you would probably consider not purchasing from them again.

Well, this is where the confusion sets in for me. How is it that year after year, conference after conference, prophetic word after prophetic word, and you are still at the same place and position as you were the year before, and more than likely, you're in a worse state? Even more perplexing is that after every prophetic word, it is conveniently accompanied by the Lord saying to the "Prophet" to His people. "Whatever situation you're faced with right now, the Lord said if you step out in faith and sow a seed of $2022, $222, or $22, of course, the latter being rarely asked for, the lord is going to turn it around for you". Can I be real here for a moment? Why does it seem like I have to pay God to turn my situation around? Whatever happened to the biblical principles that say whatever I sow, I will reap? Suggesting that if it were monies I was seeking God for, then I agree I should sow money to reap money, but why should I have to sow $2022, $222, or $22 as a symbol of the year 2022 if I have Cancer, AIDS, or Diabetes, etc. if I desire to be healed of these diseases?

Why not INSTRUCT US TO SOW GOD'S WORD? Such as "because of his stripes I am healed" Isaiah 53:5 or "he has sent his WORD to heal us" Psalm 107:20. Why, for the love of God, do we always have to financially satisfy the Prophet, for God to turn our situations around? What if we don't have what they claim God is asking for? Does this mean God won't provide for his people because we don't have the money to pay them? Did God go broke? Is he running short on funds? Okay! So you've been pressured to the point of guilt and handed over your money. Did you get the healing, money, deliverance, etc., that they claim would happen?

Where are the benchmarks? Did you go back to the "Prophet" with a record of what they said and demand answers like you did with the Gucci folks? Or did you again pretend that he did not say what he said, and you're back in line for another round of false misguiding promises and prophecies? The bottom line, folks, is gone are the days when we volunteered to be fooled and succumbed to the pomp, pageantry, theatrics, and the annoying begging for money after every so-called "prophetic word" that yields zero results. These people need to be held accountable for the many disasters they have caused to so many lives.

Let this be the year you finally awake out of your deep comatose sleep and realize how these folks have held you back, hindered you, delayed you, and misled you. The origin of these false non-God-inspired words amounted to nothing more than curses placed on you the minute they spoke them over your life. The evidence of these curses you agreed to (by receiving it) displayed itself throughout the year via disappointments, delays, denials, setbacks, failures, etc. In reality, THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WAS SPOKEN TO YOU CAME TO PASS. Let this year be where you set benchmarks, meaning record everything declared, especially when it was declared to pass, and make the comparison and demand an explanation from the one that made the declaration if it did not manifest. Do not let this be a year where you become so desperate that you allow anyone to prophesy anything to you and not give an account for it.

These folks will continue to do what they do as long as "we," their manipulated audience, accept it and set no benchmark for them. Due to their false prophecies, we have been delayed, hindered, and misrouted regarding our seasons, times, and blessings. They have single-handedly hijacked our destiny and left us in a tailspin, directionless and lost as it relates to the genuine things of God. So many marriages and homes are destroyed because of these people's false words and un-anointed hands. They are controllers, telling you who you should marry, where you should live, and how much money you should give. You must consult them if you desire to travel, give them your itinerary, tell them when you'll be back, etc. You can only visit another church if they say so. You are not allowed to minister to another church on a Sunday or a bible study night because it's either their tradition or a display of their illegal control. Did not Jesus command us to go out into the WORLD and preach the gospel? So why is the "servant" of Jesus hindering the sheep from performing Jesus' command? Who do these people think they are?

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we have caused this by not setting benchmarks again. The first benchmark is that our leaders, such as Prophets, Pastors, evangelists, etc., are our "SERVANTS." Jesus Christ established this benchmark by saying, "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" Matthew 23:11. The question is, are we holding them to this benchmark? The second benchmark is why these people dominate you as if you don't have a mind of your own or you're some kind of animal. It was never God's intent for human beings to dominate one another. In fact, this was a result of the fall of man. Here is the proof, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" Genesis 1:26. Correct me if I am wrong here, but did you read anywhere in there where we were commanded to dominate one another?

Servants of God, I am begging you to discontinue being a puppet to these puppet masters and use the word of God as your benchmark and as your standard concerning these Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, and the like. Stop pretending, sugar coating, or ignoring the empirical evidence that they said did not come to pass. The Lord himself said the following concerning these folks, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the (false) prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord" Jeremiah 23:16.

Scripture goes on to say, "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follows not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him" Deuteronomy 18:22. Again, these are all benchmarks for you, the Believer of Jesus Christ, to hold these folks too.

Anyone who anoints you with oil prays for you, prophecy over you, and you're not sure if they're authentic or not. Say out loud or to yourself, "LORD IF THIS IS OF YOU, I COME IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR WORD, HOWEVER, LORD IF THIS IS NOT OF YOU, I COMMAND IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THAT THESE WORDS AND ALL CURSES ATTACHED TO IT BE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!

Friends, I don't want to sound harsh here, but the reality is we're talking about your life, which has produced little to no fruit up to this point. Another benchmark Jesus stated in his word when he said that any branch that does not bear fruit, his Father cut's it off, John 15:2. If that leader is not producing fruit related to the declarations made by them, you need to cut them off! The reality is they are holding you back; take a good look around you and be honest with yourself. How many have died listening to these folks waiting on the promises and prophecies, and absolutely nothing materialized?

So, whatever church, conference, revival, or prayer meeting you attend this year. Say to the Lord, Lord, if this is of you, let the change take place in my life, and if it is not of you, let it have no effect on me nor that which concerns me and lose me from this spiritual cage and place me where you desire for me to be at this point in my life........

Let this be the year the Lord opens our spiritual eyes so you can truly SEE! 2 Kings 6:17.

Written by: Kevin LA Ewing

ewinglakevin@icloud.com

kevinlaewing.blogspot.com