Wednesday, June 28, 2006

TO THE LEADERS OF MY PEOPLE


Beloved, say to the leaders of my people-

You control the people with my Word. You use my Word as a sword of guilt and shame. What flock will follow a shepherd who continually beats them? Will not the flock scatter when they sense danger that comes from the forest? So too, the flock will scatter when they sense danger from their shepherds.

It is pride and vanity to control the flock; for even God does not control his people. He has set them with their own will, and each will be judge according to the bending of their own will. Teach them my ways, but conviction comes from the Lord.

More so, teach them of my love and mercy. They will then choose the Good Shepherd.

Friday, June 16, 2006

TO THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH


Beloved, say to the people of Judah:

Judah, my beloved, you will become strong in righteousness and faith. Your peace shall be everlasting and your Lord shall become as immovable as a rock. "The way of the righteous is level; thou dost make smooth the path of righteousness." Isaiah 26:7 RSV

Philista shall see the zeal my people have for me and they will be brought to shame. I have heard your prayers, but if favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness. Walk in repentance and righteousness for my namesake, and I will redeem you from your enemies.

Philista is a divided nation between good and evil. Those who would live in peace will overtake those who would promote evil. The good man will see your bounty and the favor bestowed upon you, and yearn for the same. When the good man stands against the evil in their own house; it will flee, then peace and prosperity will reign not only in their house, but in their neighbor's home.

Judah, your dead shall live and sing for joy. For as once the blood saved you from destruction, now the light shall be spread across your land and all the nations shall see your righteousness through my Spirit.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

TO MY PEOPLE AND THE NATIONS


Beloved, say to my people:

"And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan?" Jeremiah 12:5 RSV Gird yourselves for the hour will come for standing. The hour will come for running. Exercise your spirit, soul and body, for in a day of turmoil you will need my Spirit, soundness of your mind and soul, and the bodily strength to do all I have set before you. Do not wait upon the shepherds to teach you my ways; for I will bring each person to account on the health of their spirit. When your soul aches, do not run to and fro seeking solace from the world, but turn to me. When your body has wearied, seek my face for restoration. It is your responsibility for: Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trampled down my portion, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness." Jeremiah 12:10 RSV

Beloved, say to the nations:

Do not close your spirit, soul and body from my people. I have placed my vision inside their spirit and when you hear from them; you hear from me. Open your hearts. You will not hide behind your leaders for I will bring each person to account for his own actions. I am a God of wills - which way have you bent your will? Do you seek destruction or restoration? Do you seek peace or strife? Choose, but choose wisely. For there will be a day of reckoning based on your choice. When you stand before me with your excuses, accusations against your brother or explanations, they will count for naught. My decision will be based on your decisions made within the secret place of your heart.

"Thus says the Lord concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage which I have given my people Israel to inherit; 'Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people to swear by my name, As the Lord lives, even as they taught my people, to swear by Ba'al, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, says the Lord." Jeremiah 12:14-17 RSV


Friday, June 09, 2006

TO THE WOMEN OF THE LAND


Beloved, say to the women:

You will avoid trans fats, carbohydrates and sweets for your appearance and health. You include exercise and training to avoid disease. Yet, you will not take the necessary steps to avoid unwanted motherhood prior to conception.

The fullness of your womb is not an illness, but a blessing. The child is not a cancer to be surgically removed, but an integral part of who you are. You women - you alone share creation with me. No other of your species can bear and nurture another - you are blessed; not cursed.

I have given the woman control over life; do not forfeit your control by allowing the enemy to minimize the importance of that gift. Be rulers over your body by denying access to those who would destroy you for their own pleasure. Say no to those who would steal from you the gift of creation.

"Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil upon their beds!" When the morning dawns they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand." Micah 2:1 RSV

Thursday, June 08, 2006

TO THE COASTLANDS


Beloved, say to the coastlands:

You rejoice over the fallen enemy, but I tell you now that the enemy is already inside the gates of your dwelling. They live and work alongside your people. They sleep in your cities, towns and villages. The day will come when your great cities are destroyed. In that day, the enemy will overrun those towns and villages still standing. Your people will be weakened by the clouds of smoke and their own fear, so your capture will be swift. Their rule will be cruel and merciless.

Turn back to me - repent. Will you cry to me in your distress after your capture, or will you turn the incense of your prayers and supplications to me before the day of your destruction? Do not hand the land to your enemy, repent now while the land is still in your hand and peace still reigns on your shores. For I tell you, not by my hand, but by the hand of the godless one, the enemy waits to swarm over you in your hour of despair like an infestation of roaches.

"Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are false." Jeremiah 10:2-3 RSV

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

THE NORTH WIND


On the sixth day of the sixth month at the sixth hour, I will stir up a north wind. The wind will blow against the destruction; cooling the earth. Then, I will send the rains to douse the fires.
The world will await the wailing, but all will be quiet for many days; for a heavy heart cannot raise a sound. A desolate man cannot rouse himself from his bed.

But the Lord will protect you in your hour of infirmity. If you return to me, I will cleanse the landscape and restore your fortunes. If you call on my name, I will be your vindication. For my namesake, I will be your pride and strength. My boldness will be your boldness. My victories will be your victories lest the enemy overtakes you.

There will be war on earth as there is in the heavens. My Spirit will prevail over the evil one and through that spirit, my children will prevail over the men of destruction.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

TO THE CHURCH


It wearies my heart to see my church leaders with titles and places of honor in high places. You have placed so many boundaries between my people and their God. There is only one way to their God, and he is my Son whom I sent to the earth for redemption.

Did not my Son instruct the church to refrain from calling any man Father? Did he not teach that you have only one Father who is in heaven? Did he not teach that you have one Master, the Christ?

Some of you have directed my people to pray to men and women. Are they gods? Do these icons possess the power to forgive sin, or to comfort the hurting soul? So too, the sound of your repetitive prayers are like cymbals to my ears.

Again I say, woe to you scribes and Pharisees because you have shut the way to the kingdom of heaven. You have made the gold of the temple worth more than the temple. You have laid aside justice, mercy and faith in return for your golden altars. And, in all this you carry my name! It is in vain.

Read my Word and encourage your flock to do the same. What is more worthy your customs or my Word. Repentance through the death and resurrection of my Son is the only way to the kingdom.