(Disclaimer: This entry, as many of my entries do, contain reference to myself, with respect to my experiences with God. Please excuse any typos)
O’ what a blessing it is to know that the Holy Spirit leads us. I just love sharing these kinds of stories.
For a while now, I have been in turmoil, with myself, regarding how to do what God has been prompting me to do, when it comes to those priest and prominent ones to whom I sent “the letter,” approximately five years ago, in solicitation of advice and assistance in bringing forth my testimony.
As I have stated many times, part of the instruction of my assignment was to show the people of Israel (The Nation), their sins; however, God had also instructed the same with regard to The House of Jacob (The Church). While it is relatively easy to confront a nation, it is always a bit more challenging to do so where the church is concerned; being that the church, particularly it’s leaders, is endowed with God given authority, both spiritually and politically. A power, which is sometimes, whether knowing or not, misused and even abused. I think of how the Pharisees dealt with Jesus, for instance: That situation could have gone in a whole other direction, BUT GOD, used it as an opportunity to expose man’s pride, even at the highest levels of the church. Being paranoid, some Pharisee and Assyrian leaders were convinced that the Roman Empire (The Government) would be so impressed with Jesus’ miracles, that they themselves, being of lesser marvel, would be fired (they were absolutely focused on the wrong thing). Therefore, when they should have believed, supported and protected Jesus, Church Leaders instead, cast Him out of the Temple, into the hands of Roman soldiers (The Police). I, admittedly, have feared the same repercussion; then I realized, I have already suffered through theses things, so that there is truly, nothing that man, particularly the church, can do unto me, to which God has not already planned my vindication by way of His vengeance. For I too, was led to the church, before being handed over to governmental authorities (The Police).
Among some of the things that I was able to retrieve, about a year ago, was a cherished Transformation Study Bible. It had been about two years since I had last used it. But, in recent months, of the third year of my “exile,” it has, once again, proven, truly beneficial, in providing clarity. As stated I had been hesitant to confront those whom I had contacted, by letter, five years ago for various reasons: One being, their retaliation for calling them out; Another being, I wasn’t sure what to say; Still another being, public perception as to why I had contacted them, in the first place. But, in the words of Dr. King, “I’m not concerned about that now.” “I’m not fearing any man.” God gave me a job to do! And that means more to me than any person(s) opinion. Therefore, think what you will; I’ve got work to do.
I was thumbing through my Transformation Study Bible earlier today, and I happened to stop in the book of Hosea, which, just happens to be where this part of my journey began. In revisiting the text, I noticed that I had, as I often do, highlighted some of the passages therein. Unlike some of the books, through which God has led me, there wasn’t excessive highlighting. As I zoned in on the highlighted text, from three years ago, it became clear that God was providing me with the words that He wanted me to speak to these prominent religious and industry leaders:
T. D. Jakes
Joyce Meyer
Oprah Winfrey
Joel Osteen
Tyler Perry
Joyce Meyer
Oprah Winfrey
Joel Osteen
Tyler Perry
(The following is sequential, as was highlighted, three years ago, beginning with the book overview)
Book Overview: Prophets sometimes act strangely. Why did these men act in these peculiar ways?
“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you. My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me. I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols.”Book Overview: Prophets sometimes act strangely. Why did these men act in these peculiar ways?
“The leaders of Judah have become like thieves. So I will pour my anger on them like a waterfall.”
“On royal holidays, the princes get drunk with wine, carousing with those who mock them. The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake! Worshipping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it. Their hair is gray, but they don’t realize they’re old and weak. Their arrogance testifies against them, yet they don’t return to the LORD, their God or even try to find him. The people of Israel have become like silly, witless doves. first calling to Egypt, then flying to Assyria for help.”
“Now Israel pleads with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’ But it is too late. The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them. The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my knowledge.”
Because of your great sin and hostility, you say, “The prophet is crazy and the inspired men are fools!” The prophet is a watchman over Israel for my God, yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God.
Israel boasts, “I am rich! I’ve made a fortune all by myself! No one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless! “I sent my prophets to warn you with many visions and parables.” “I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry place and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me. Ephraim’s guilt has been collected and his sin has been stored up for punishment.”
Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises. O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.
End of text
There are so many more things that I could tell, and I will, as God wills it. But, for now, this is the piece which God has set before me. Some may focus on the repossessed car as simply another consequence of irresponsibility, and on the surface, I would probably think the same thing, but I have never been one given over to irresponsibility. I have worked since I was 15 yrs old, 13, if you want to count babysitting. When God called me away, I was enjoying a comfortable position at a fortune 500 corporation in Atlanta. More convincing still is the fact that God has provided a multitude of witnesses to every event, including this one. Those who are of the letter still bear witness of God’s Word made manifest, because of their inclusion by way of the letter.
It seemed quite obvious why the first three names were given to me, but, until recently, I had had trouble connecting the last two. Scripture says: Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted fire.
Joel Osteen: It is neither because of him, nor for him (but rather like Mephibosheth unto Johnathan), it is because of Joel’s father, a Holy Ghost, gospel preaching man, in whose congregation I had the great pleasure of sitting, that I pray mercy. Moreover, it was foretold in scripture that, “It is they who will be put to shame.” And, for short time, because of locked doors (Lord have mercy), shame was upon his face. Yet, for a time to come, it is for His purpose, that you shall again be tested in like manner.
Tyler Perry: What could he possibly have to do with my story? Needless to say, I was still in somewhat a quandary regarding this. BUT GOD, reminded me that Tyler was that one whom, having been homeless for a time, slept in his car. The Transformation Study Bible, that I retrieved, had been in a suitcase in my car, where I had slept for a while, before entering the homeless shelter, prior to it being repossessed.
OK see, I gotta shout right there. GOD IS SO AMAZING!!!
Commentary: The Word of God is not a buffet: So then, if one part is true, the follow-up thereof has to be true as well. Scripture says that I should not accuse conspiracy, therefore, I will refrain. Howbeit, I will ask the question: In assessing my situation, did any of you take testimony or counsel from anyone, whom you have subsequently learned, plotted against me? It is in shaking the dust of my feet; that my work regarding these, is done.
THANK YOU LORD
