I've always loved the minor prophets (Hosea and Micah are my favorite), and I recently finished a survey of the book of Joel. The prophet Joel prophesies (gives God's message) to Israel. Israel had been scorched by four different kinds of locust (whether these are literal insects or symbolic of invading enemies is disputed). The locusts came upon Israel because of Israel's rebellion against God. The locusts served as punishment, yet they served also as a wake-up call. God used the locusts to get the Israelites' attention.
The same happens today. There are two extremes we can reach, and these are the extremes I see in many TBN preachers and Pat Robertson. Many TBN preachers, from what I've understood, preach that if we follow God, we will be blessed immeasurably. Pat Robertson, from my experience of the man, preaches that every bad thing that happens is a curse from God. I believe the truth lies between these extremes: we are blessed by God, yet God disciplines us with problems and difficulties in order to get our attention upon Him. If we have strayed from Him, if we have followed worldly desires, we should expect Him to send difficulties our way, not out of brutal anger, but passionate love: He wants us to pursue Him.
The same happens today. There are two extremes we can reach, and these are the extremes I see in many TBN preachers and Pat Robertson. Many TBN preachers, from what I've understood, preach that if we follow God, we will be blessed immeasurably. Pat Robertson, from my experience of the man, preaches that every bad thing that happens is a curse from God. I believe the truth lies between these extremes: we are blessed by God, yet God disciplines us with problems and difficulties in order to get our attention upon Him. If we have strayed from Him, if we have followed worldly desires, we should expect Him to send difficulties our way, not out of brutal anger, but passionate love: He wants us to pursue Him.
1 comment:
Hi Anthony..I read your Blog Daily and Today is the day I will comment on Foreign Missions. If you read Acts 1:8 -no calling just a command for Jerusalem-Springboro,Judea-Ohio and Samaria-USA and the ends of the earth. This was the same with Moses, God commands us to do it all. Any church that does not do home or foreign missions should re-read these passages. In Rev.7:9 ...How do you think all those people , from every tribe,people, and nation were standing at the throne.We are the ones who must respond to home and missions across the land.
Tell Jason that he needs to travel to Africa to see children dying from Aids and poor medical support. People who have no water, electrity or food. After 2 trips to Africa, my heart breaks to hear people say we should stay in America. Kendall in Africa,just yesterday sat at the coffin of a tiny baby who died just because she was too early to be born. Christian Americans all need to open their eyes to Gods world, I bet he isn't even white.
So listen to your heart and Gods whisper and join the team to Equador and make a difference in the kingdom. Maybe even your small group could do local missions. Feed the poor, they are everywhere. Keep the Passion!!
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