Those Who Have Ears To Hear:
For that past ten years of this now fourteen year assignment, I have preached the message of "Repentance for the remission of sin." In like manner, have freely given of my spiritual gift of prophecy. As led by the Holy Spirit I have prophesied of flood; plague; and more recently, whirlwind. But, as is often the case amid true prophecy, many, being misled by false prophets, have rejected both prophetess and prophecy. Yet, those who despise still believe they are somehow entitled to blessings and rewards regardless of their unbelief and behavior. But God is no respecter of man. Again, rewards do not come from the messenger. Only the delivery of the message, along with communal instructions on how to attain the reward, comes from the prophet. God cannot be deceived. The city's behavior is the determining factor. Only in submission to God's instructions is a legitimate reward garnered.
From the comfort of their homes, false prophets disgracefully accuse a homeless elder of coveting money and trying to exalt herself. More detrimental, they misinstruct others to judge someone else's servant. Nevertheless, for those who are willing to hear, the proper way to extend hospitality to "God's prophets and prophetesses" in need is illustrated in 2 Kings 4:8-16. The Bible doesn't mention how many meals Elisha (who was a stranger to the couple) was served, but it is clear that it was enough for them to create a more permanent space for him. In contrast, those who counsel my hometown, motivated by the spirit of vengeance and greed, without cause, had a woman cast out of a homeless shelter, held up her government subsidies, and instruct a city to arrogantly walk by with deliberate turned heads, thereby turning a blind eye to an elder in need. "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses." [/SIZE]Proverbs 28:27 (NIV) As Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45 He takes all of it personal.
By continuing to heed their chosen counsel's instructions, they've brought God's judgment upon their own. Yet, they become angry "with me" when God doesn't grant their desires. But, why are these things happening in my hometown in 2026? Well, because Jesus (The Word of God) cannot lie. And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home." Matthew 13:57 (NIV) Nevertheless, withholding a person's rightful government subsidies then attempting to submit begrudgedly served food and water as a claim for a prophet's reward is comparable to giving the Sovereign, omniscient God stolen goods as an offering: "For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering"
Isaiah 61:8a (KJV) Even worse is to withhold food altogether, especially from an elder. Again, He takes it personal. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave 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) In essence, the offering lies dormant until, as Jesus instructed in the sermon on the Mount, you be reconciled to your neighbor.
Those who operate with the inhospitable spirit of Diotrephes and Sodom dishonor God. "But now the LORD saith, 'Be it far from Me; for them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.'" 1 Samuel 2:30b (KJV) God's justice is clear: For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2 (KJV) Truth is, you don't necessarily have to be religious to understand the concept of this scripture. In layman's terms: "What goes around comes around." When you heed the counsel of Diotrephes to throw someone else's servant into the streets, God will throw you into the streets. "And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets..." That judgment was not exclusive to Jerusalem.
If you cheat or mistreat anyone, especially an elder or servant of the Lord, to attain anything, it's robbery. "I hate robbery for burnt offering"
[/JUSTIFY]
For that past ten years of this now fourteen year assignment, I have preached the message of "Repentance for the remission of sin." In like manner, have freely given of my spiritual gift of prophecy. As led by the Holy Spirit I have prophesied of flood; plague; and more recently, whirlwind. But, as is often the case amid true prophecy, many, being misled by false prophets, have rejected both prophetess and prophecy. Yet, those who despise still believe they are somehow entitled to blessings and rewards regardless of their unbelief and behavior. But God is no respecter of man. Again, rewards do not come from the messenger. Only the delivery of the message, along with communal instructions on how to attain the reward, comes from the prophet. God cannot be deceived. The city's behavior is the determining factor. Only in submission to God's instructions is a legitimate reward garnered.
From the comfort of their homes, false prophets disgracefully accuse a homeless elder of coveting money and trying to exalt herself. More detrimental, they misinstruct others to judge someone else's servant. Nevertheless, for those who are willing to hear, the proper way to extend hospitality to "God's prophets and prophetesses" in need is illustrated in 2 Kings 4:8-16. The Bible doesn't mention how many meals Elisha (who was a stranger to the couple) was served, but it is clear that it was enough for them to create a more permanent space for him. In contrast, those who counsel my hometown, motivated by the spirit of vengeance and greed, without cause, had a woman cast out of a homeless shelter, held up her government subsidies, and instruct a city to arrogantly walk by with deliberate turned heads, thereby turning a blind eye to an elder in need. "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses." [/SIZE]Proverbs 28:27 (NIV) As Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45 He takes all of it personal.
By continuing to heed their chosen counsel's instructions, they've brought God's judgment upon their own. Yet, they become angry "with me" when God doesn't grant their desires. But, why are these things happening in my hometown in 2026? Well, because Jesus (The Word of God) cannot lie. And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home." Matthew 13:57 (NIV) Nevertheless, withholding a person's rightful government subsidies then attempting to submit begrudgedly served food and water as a claim for a prophet's reward is comparable to giving the Sovereign, omniscient God stolen goods as an offering: "For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering"
Isaiah 61:8a (KJV) Even worse is to withhold food altogether, especially from an elder. Again, He takes it personal. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave 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) In essence, the offering lies dormant until, as Jesus instructed in the sermon on the Mount, you be reconciled to your neighbor.
Those who operate with the inhospitable spirit of Diotrephes and Sodom dishonor God. "But now the LORD saith, 'Be it far from Me; for them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.'" 1 Samuel 2:30b (KJV) God's justice is clear: For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2 (KJV) Truth is, you don't necessarily have to be religious to understand the concept of this scripture. In layman's terms: "What goes around comes around." When you heed the counsel of Diotrephes to throw someone else's servant into the streets, God will throw you into the streets. "And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets..." That judgment was not exclusive to Jerusalem.
If you cheat or mistreat anyone, especially an elder or servant of the Lord, to attain anything, it's robbery. "I hate robbery for burnt offering"
[/JUSTIFY]
GOD IS NOT MOCKED
He sees what a city has given. He's a just God; He weighs is against what was stolen, what is being withheld, and the spirit behind all of it.
Reading Assignment: 2 Kings 4:8-16 (feel free to read the full chapter)
Reflection: I titled this entry "Up On The Roof" because God's consistency never ceases to amaze me. In the Old Testament, God''s messenger was provided a place on the rooftop to advance God's ministry. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus instructs His messengers to proclaim His message from the rooftop to advance His ministry. The Word of God can sometimes seem like a puzzle. In fact it is written that it's a great mystery. But when the Holy Spirit guides, we are led into all truth. Meaning THE TRUTH, which is "The Word of God," is unlocked (revealed) to us.
Notice also, how, though Elisha partook of many meals, there was no mention of reward of any kind until after a place had been prepared for him. By now it should be clear to my hometown that her counsel's counsel has only served to curse this city, therby blocking her rewards.
Why do you think God placed this servant in a city replete with resources?
Reading Assignment: 2 Kings 4:8-16 (feel free to read the full chapter)
Reflection: I titled this entry "Up On The Roof" because God's consistency never ceases to amaze me. In the Old Testament, God''s messenger was provided a place on the rooftop to advance God's ministry. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus instructs His messengers to proclaim His message from the rooftop to advance His ministry. The Word of God can sometimes seem like a puzzle. In fact it is written that it's a great mystery. But when the Holy Spirit guides, we are led into all truth. Meaning THE TRUTH, which is "The Word of God," is unlocked (revealed) to us.
Notice also, how, though Elisha partook of many meals, there was no mention of reward of any kind until after a place had been prepared for him. By now it should be clear to my hometown that her counsel's counsel has only served to curse this city, therby blocking her rewards.
Why do you think God placed this servant in a city replete with resources?
