To Those
While Jesus's yoke is easy—simply love one another; the assignments He gives are anything but. If the assignment were easy there would be no need for servitude reassurances nor admonishment:
Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:62 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 10:38 (NIV)
The cowardly will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. But, time and time again, God commanded those who kept their hands to the plow to, "Get up and eat." Therefore, regarding food for the ox (field worker, traveling minister, etc.): it is profoundly unjust to manipulate and/or withhold food from an elder, one of the least of these, or a servant of the LORD. But, when the person identifying with all those traits is also a woman evicted from her home, and a woman of God on assignment — tread lightly....
"You have evicted women from their pleasant homes and forever stripped their children of all that God would give them."
Micah 2:9 (NLT)
For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when He said this?
1 Corinthians 9:9 (NLT)
God doesn't make mention of a thing unless it holds significance to Him. When certain doctrine is repeatedly emphasized, such as "Sharing God's provisions," it indicates that it carries great weight for Him. All of creation, both in heaven and on earth, are under God's jurisdiction even where our assignments are concerned. Satan did not evade the consequences of wrongdoing in his assignment. Adam and Eve faced severe repercussions. Pharaoh was held accountable. David and Bathsheba were not exempt. Meanwhile, Ananias and Sapphira suffered a far more permanent consequence. Therefore, what kind of God would He be if my hometown could undermine His authority?
When you reject God's ordinances, He rejects your offering. He will not accept your offering nor hear your prayers until you have resolved any issues with your neighbor. Consequently, before you can lay claim to a reward or even present an offering or lift up a petition to God, this is what He requires:
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28 (NIV)
²³"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
While Jesus's yoke is easy—simply love one another; the assignments He gives are anything but. If the assignment were easy there would be no need for servitude reassurances nor admonishment:
Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:62 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 10:38 (NIV)
The cowardly will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. But, time and time again, God commanded those who kept their hands to the plow to, "Get up and eat." Therefore, regarding food for the ox (field worker, traveling minister, etc.): it is profoundly unjust to manipulate and/or withhold food from an elder, one of the least of these, or a servant of the LORD. But, when the person identifying with all those traits is also a woman evicted from her home, and a woman of God on assignment — tread lightly....
"You have evicted women from their pleasant homes and forever stripped their children of all that God would give them."
Micah 2:9 (NLT)
For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when He said this?
1 Corinthians 9:9 (NLT)
God doesn't make mention of a thing unless it holds significance to Him. When certain doctrine is repeatedly emphasized, such as "Sharing God's provisions," it indicates that it carries great weight for Him. All of creation, both in heaven and on earth, are under God's jurisdiction even where our assignments are concerned. Satan did not evade the consequences of wrongdoing in his assignment. Adam and Eve faced severe repercussions. Pharaoh was held accountable. David and Bathsheba were not exempt. Meanwhile, Ananias and Sapphira suffered a far more permanent consequence. Therefore, what kind of God would He be if my hometown could undermine His authority?
When you reject God's ordinances, He rejects your offering. He will not accept your offering nor hear your prayers until you have resolved any issues with your neighbor. Consequently, before you can lay claim to a reward or even present an offering or lift up a petition to God, this is what He requires:
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28 (NIV)
²³"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
Old Testament foreshadowing the New Testament:
¹³"When I tell righteous people that they will live, but then they sin, expecting their past righteousness to save them, then none of their righteous acts will be remembered. I will destroy them for their sins. ¹⁴And suppose I tell some wicked people that they will surely die, but then they turn from their sins and do what is just and right. ¹⁵For instance, they might give back a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey my life-giving laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live and not die. ¹⁶None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live. ¹⁷“Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right. ¹⁸For again I say, when righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die. ¹⁹But if wicked people turn from their wickedness and do what is just and right, they will live. ²⁰O people of Israel, you are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right.’ But I judge each of you according to your deeds.”
Ezekiel 33:13-20 (NLT)
Again, scripture has been misunderstood. Man may be able to control what my eyes see; but, he cannot control how God chooses to see it through my eyes.
"But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."
Matthew 13:16 (AMP)
Ezekiel 33:13-20 (NLT)
Again, scripture has been misunderstood. Man may be able to control what my eyes see; but, he cannot control how God chooses to see it through my eyes.
"But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."
Matthew 13:16 (AMP)
Spiritual vision and Spiritual hearing
(Spiritual things are discerned spiritually)
(Spiritual things are discerned spiritually)
I cannot imagine any greater offense against the Holy Spirit than attempting to take over His authority. That surely fits the definition of blasphemy. Howbeit, I accuse no one. I simply say: "The LORD continue to rebuke those who engage such activity." The more I observe, the clearer I see God's justice in the prophecy concerning this city.
Vet your counsel.
Afterthought: God does nothing without cause. I am thoroughly convinced that He sent me back to my hometown because, as Christians, we must endeavor to get our own houses in order first. Howbeit, because of free will, neither God nor I can force man to comply.
