To: The Cities That Have Ears To Hear
It's unfortunate that when "people of God" see a family member experiencing difficulty in their assignment, like Job's friends, they automatically assume that the one assigned has erred in some way. If ministry were supposed to be a smooth process altogether, there would be no need for encouragement to keep our hand to the plow. Nor would Jesus have forewarned us of the following trials:
John 16:20 (MSG)
Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
I bear witness...
Drinks in the air. 
Drinks everywhere. 
Party in the hills.
John 15:19 (MSG)
If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.
1 Corinthians 10:14 (MSG)
So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.
It's far more enticing to embrace to the comforts of prosperity and popularity, than to stay on the narrow path. But, Jesus likened that to cowardice. Therefore, He cautioned His disciples to be wary of such traps. He warned that it would oftentimes be a rough and lonely journey, for His chosen. Nevertheless, having been born again (with Him from the start), we must keep our hand to the plow.
I am not an enigma. I'm just a human being through whom God elected to reveal His power. But, I do realize that I look and sound crazy out here. And though, due to lack of knowledge, many mock and scorn, it's those very same one's who come seeking, then get angry when their desires aren't attained. Do I get angry? Of course I do. Like Jesus, ungodliness infuriates me, especially where there's idolatry and injustice. Therefore, I apologize, particularly to out-of- town guests, who may have witnessed my anger, in response to this provocative and hostile environment. Please keep praying for me.
But, to the city that operates in foolishness. Do you realize how crazy you make your city look, and how sorry you're saying your teams are, when you believe you have to torment a homeless grandmother in order for them to win? I wouldn't want fans like that: because, whether in competition or reputation, that behavior ultimately brings defeat. But, for a city to get angry over something that she doesn't believe in, is beyond crazy. So, in that realm, I'm not the only one looking crazy out here. For had she believed, I would not have been cast out, in the first place.
Isaiah 66:5 (MSG)
But listen to what GOD has to say to you who reverently respond to his Word: "Your own families hate you and turn you out because of me.' They taunt you, 'Let us see GOD's glory! If God's so great, why aren't you happy?' But they're the ones who are going to end up shamed."
Nevertheless, in obedience to Christ, I must testify to the manifestation of the aforementioned situations of which He prophesied.
John 15:27 (MSG)
You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.
Acts 5:29 (MSG)
Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men."
It just breaks my heart that the devil's disciples are more influential and devoted to their master, than the "saints" are to God; even joining forces with them. Obviously, attacks do come; that's a given. But, how easy it was to gang up and hate. When do God's people gather together and love? Aside from that...
It has been an absolutely amazing assignment, thus far.
The only thing that truly matters is the overriding message:
It's unfortunate that when "people of God" see a family member experiencing difficulty in their assignment, like Job's friends, they automatically assume that the one assigned has erred in some way. If ministry were supposed to be a smooth process altogether, there would be no need for encouragement to keep our hand to the plow. Nor would Jesus have forewarned us of the following trials:
John 16:20 (MSG)
Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
I bear witness...
Drinks in the air. Drinks everywhere. Party in the hills.John 15:19 (MSG)
If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.
1 Corinthians 10:14 (MSG)
So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.
It's far more enticing to embrace to the comforts of prosperity and popularity, than to stay on the narrow path. But, Jesus likened that to cowardice. Therefore, He cautioned His disciples to be wary of such traps. He warned that it would oftentimes be a rough and lonely journey, for His chosen. Nevertheless, having been born again (with Him from the start), we must keep our hand to the plow.
I am not an enigma. I'm just a human being through whom God elected to reveal His power. But, I do realize that I look and sound crazy out here. And though, due to lack of knowledge, many mock and scorn, it's those very same one's who come seeking, then get angry when their desires aren't attained. Do I get angry? Of course I do. Like Jesus, ungodliness infuriates me, especially where there's idolatry and injustice. Therefore, I apologize, particularly to out-of- town guests, who may have witnessed my anger, in response to this provocative and hostile environment. Please keep praying for me.
But, to the city that operates in foolishness. Do you realize how crazy you make your city look, and how sorry you're saying your teams are, when you believe you have to torment a homeless grandmother in order for them to win? I wouldn't want fans like that: because, whether in competition or reputation, that behavior ultimately brings defeat. But, for a city to get angry over something that she doesn't believe in, is beyond crazy. So, in that realm, I'm not the only one looking crazy out here. For had she believed, I would not have been cast out, in the first place.
Isaiah 66:5 (MSG)
But listen to what GOD has to say to you who reverently respond to his Word: "Your own families hate you and turn you out because of me.' They taunt you, 'Let us see GOD's glory! If God's so great, why aren't you happy?' But they're the ones who are going to end up shamed."
Nevertheless, in obedience to Christ, I must testify to the manifestation of the aforementioned situations of which He prophesied.
John 15:27 (MSG)
You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.
Acts 5:29 (MSG)
Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men."
It just breaks my heart that the devil's disciples are more influential and devoted to their master, than the "saints" are to God; even joining forces with them. Obviously, attacks do come; that's a given. But, how easy it was to gang up and hate. When do God's people gather together and love? Aside from that...
It has been an absolutely amazing assignment, thus far.
The only thing that truly matters is the overriding message:
WHIRLWIND!
I bear witness
