A Special Message To The Cities:
Obedience is better than sacrifice...
It seems that I have been preaching this message for ever; but it is so very humbling, in ways that no one else can imagine, when Jesus himself confirms that message, verbatim. Those of us who call ourselves by His name, are required to do the will of the Father, just as Jesus did. Sometimes our call to deliver God's warning of judgment can cause us to appear, as though we're not operating in the fruit of the Spirit. There's nothing wrong with being nice, but nice is not a priority in any assignment, obedience is. It is because of our obedience to the will of the Father that we are oftentimes accused of having an attitude, being rude, or even unloving. People love to accuse us of "lacking love," they think that gives them the license to throw God's messenger and message away. It does not. Nevertheless, despite popular consensus, we must obey the call.
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. [Matthew 7:13-21]
It's a difficult assignment to which the messenger is often called; yet, it is not of the messenger’s discretion; but rather, a word, verified through the scriptures, sent forth by God Himself. For example: Jesus knew Peter very well. He knew Peter's heart toward Him. Though Peter meant well, Jesus had to sternly correct him, by directly addressing satan's force of influence at work within him that was trying to prevent Jesus from carrying out His assignment... "Get the behind me satan."
Hear me cities, do not torment the messenger for doing the work that God calls us to do. But instead, take heed that "good fruit" is not determined by how well one does religion, how nice they are, neither is it according good deeds. Ultimately "good fruit," even that of the church, city, and nation is determined by our level of obedience.
I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces. I have slaughtered you with my words, threatening you with death. [Lamentations 2:14a]
As crazy as I know I must seem; God still shows some people some things that He does not reveal to others. There's a reason why all these things are happening before the whole earth, recorded on the worldwide web. The world will bear witness. The Bible says "Your youth shall grow weary, and your young men shall utterly fall." And indeed, it has been the youth who, once again - like six years ago, have laid it heavy upon this elder. After all that this city and nation has been through, in recent years, somehow this city still thinks God is playing with her. Somebody get me out of this city before this nation falls prey because of her dishonor and disobedience.
Obedience is better than sacrifice...
It seems that I have been preaching this message for ever; but it is so very humbling, in ways that no one else can imagine, when Jesus himself confirms that message, verbatim. Those of us who call ourselves by His name, are required to do the will of the Father, just as Jesus did. Sometimes our call to deliver God's warning of judgment can cause us to appear, as though we're not operating in the fruit of the Spirit. There's nothing wrong with being nice, but nice is not a priority in any assignment, obedience is. It is because of our obedience to the will of the Father that we are oftentimes accused of having an attitude, being rude, or even unloving. People love to accuse us of "lacking love," they think that gives them the license to throw God's messenger and message away. It does not. Nevertheless, despite popular consensus, we must obey the call.
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. [Matthew 7:13-21]
It's a difficult assignment to which the messenger is often called; yet, it is not of the messenger’s discretion; but rather, a word, verified through the scriptures, sent forth by God Himself. For example: Jesus knew Peter very well. He knew Peter's heart toward Him. Though Peter meant well, Jesus had to sternly correct him, by directly addressing satan's force of influence at work within him that was trying to prevent Jesus from carrying out His assignment... "Get the behind me satan."
Hear me cities, do not torment the messenger for doing the work that God calls us to do. But instead, take heed that "good fruit" is not determined by how well one does religion, how nice they are, neither is it according good deeds. Ultimately "good fruit," even that of the church, city, and nation is determined by our level of obedience.
I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces. I have slaughtered you with my words, threatening you with death. [Lamentations 2:14a]
As crazy as I know I must seem; God still shows some people some things that He does not reveal to others. There's a reason why all these things are happening before the whole earth, recorded on the worldwide web. The world will bear witness. The Bible says "Your youth shall grow weary, and your young men shall utterly fall." And indeed, it has been the youth who, once again - like six years ago, have laid it heavy upon this elder. After all that this city and nation has been through, in recent years, somehow this city still thinks God is playing with her. Somebody get me out of this city before this nation falls prey because of her dishonor and disobedience.
How's your fruit?
Are you acting in accordance with the Word of God towards His messenger?
