Greetings Narrow Gate,
I miss seeing you all more than you could ever realize. I pray for you to have the fellowship that you seek during this time of change and isolation. Always know that you are never alone nor are you forgotten. My spirit prays for you constantly. I pray that God's Spirit rests upon you.
We have people acting funny and wigging out every where. Do not, I repeat do not catch the hysteria. Hysteria and hyperbole go hand in hand. Discern what you hear, and process it through God's word. This will help to filter out the hyperbole and the hysteria. It's a strange and difficult time, but during times such as these, the harvest is ripe. Word up brothers and sisters. Put on your testimonies and wear them so others can see them. Don't be shy. Now is not the time to be shy. Now is the time to be bold. It's harvest time.
I would like to begin today with a word from Isaiah. This word is a testimony of Isaiah, in the Spirit, speaking for God. In other words, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 65:17-19,
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more."
The Lord is promising us new heavens and a new earth. But also that the former things will not be remembered, nor will they even come to mind. This is mind blowing. The old earth will be like Las Vegas, whatever happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas. Whatever happened on earth will not be remembered. Because what God has in store for us will be such a delight. No more weeping and no more crying. Lord bless us, this will be a great day! It's coming, it will happen. That's my testimony to you today. I believe the word of God spoken through Isaiah. I believe that you too, should believe the word of God spoken through the prophet Isaiah. Read it and believe. More from Isaiah, Isaiah 66:1-2,
"This is what the Lord says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the Lord. 'This is the one I esteem: he or she who is humble and contrite (repentant or penitent) in spirit, and trembles at my word.'
This sin cursed earth is not worthy to be God's dwelling for eternity. So he will create a new one, that includes us. He wants to delight in his people.
Then God, speaking through Isaiah, says something we all need to take note of. God says he respects and values those people who are humble and seek forgiveness and who tremble at his word. Meaning those who respect his word. Back to fear of the Lord, the good fear, where we are in awe of God's word. God respects those of us who are humble, seek forgiveness and tremble at his word.
Jesus is the word, so we should include him here as well. When we see Jesus in the sky upon His return, if we are so blessed, we will all "be trembling".
How do we act during this difficult, confusing, frustrating, demoralizing, time? I respectfully submit its not to run around in the street, climbing over fences and breaking windows and hurting people. We should be humble and contrite listening for and respecting God's word.
I really don't believe that any of these mobs are led by the Holy Spirit. If this is the case, believers should be no where near a mob, much less leading the mob. Hysteria and hyperbole are not spiritual gifts. They are from the bad form of fear, the spirit of fear, the tool of Satan and his minions. They use this to manipulate and control people. Through prayer and discernment these tools will have no impact on a Holy Spirit led believer. Because our fear is of God, not man.
While we are on this subject of how to behave, we're going to go to 1 Peter 2:13-17, some of you won't like hearing this. In fact, the reason we are here is because the Spirit opened my Bible up to this verse. We need to hear this. We need to start acting with respect for those that we disagree with. I can hear you saying "but its the other side...". Maybe so, but dignity and respect have to start somewhere, so let it be with us. It will aid in the harvest. Now, to Peter,
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among mankind: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to the governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men and women. Live as a free people but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Everything we do should be for the glory of the Lord, the Lord's sake. However, if we are leading a mob with sticks and bats and cans of mace, I don't believe that we are participating in an activity that glorifies the Lord. Do not lose your testimony by engaging in questionable behavior. Don't throw away your testimony.
I know, there are corrupt people in positions of power. What's new? There have always been corrupt people in position of power. There are corrupt Democrats and corrupt Republicans, and if you don't believe this then you are in denial. We silence the dividing talk of politicians and others by our doing good, in spite of their negative efforts. Don't let Satan draw you away from your mission or your testimony. That is what Satan wants to happen, it's his goal. The harvest is at hand. The harvest is the priority.
We can do this. Live as servants of God, respecting everyone. If everything that I do is to honor king Jesus, then by doing this, am I not honoring the earthly king, though I may not agree with him?
Do no harm, do good and stay in love with God.
Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor The King.
Blessings,
Thad Brown
Opportunity House
and Harmony UMC