I was awakened early this morning by the LORD’s Spirit, as He begins to immediately minister to me with another heavy word from the LORD. So, I really need people to understand this and Lord knows I'm not trying to be insensitive. Because there is not one insensitive bone in my body. But when God places a calling on your life and you can see it and understand it clearly. Your obligation, your first priority is the things God has given you to say and or do. Nothing and no one takes precedence. You cannot be overly concerned about how people will respond or not respond to how God is moving in and through you. You must do as the LORD says, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Serving the LORD is not a popularity contest. Ask the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel, Moses, Paul, and even Jesus can attest to this. They all were mocked, picked on, persecuted, shunned, isolated, etc (Matthew 10:22-24; 5:10-16; 24:9). All for the purpose of doing and saying the things that God placed in their hearts to do and say. With that being said, listen. the whyI've been hearing time and time again, people, we the people, mourning. Sadden over the loss of our love ones. I'm hearing people quote this statement far too often nowadays. "People are dying from left and right." And - "too many people are dying out here." That may be true. But we the people, got to seriously consider some factors concerning the increase of deaths. Because with the dreams and visions many prophets and even ministers in my own ministry are reporting, this thing is about to get worse. And two things must be clearly understood that only a few have really talked about and that’s including members from my ministry who have pleaded and preached about this several times right here on this platform. We the people must acknowledge “the why”. Why and how we as the people, as a nation, have gotten here. Now, I don't know, just based on the things we (my ministry partner and I) have been seeing lately in dreams and visions, can we the people turn things around through prayer and repentance? Because with God, He is always fair and just. He will warn and warn, and send His prophets, giving us the people, plenty enough time to turn things around BEFORE He acts out His judgment on the people. (Compare to 1 Peter 3:9; Amos 3:7; and Jonah chapters 1-4). But far too often, we the people refuse to turn around and repent. To stop doing the evil works we practice. And when we the people failed to do so, God has to respond in judgment, i.e. the Garden of Eden, Noah's flood, the Israelites being placed in bondage and slavery over their disobedience time after time, the death of King David' son, King Saul's fall from his throne, etc. Our acts of wickedness and disobedience have led we the people to destruction over and over again. we, the people todaySo, here we are today. Again, standing before our Maker and we at the cuff of His grace and mercy because we the people and our leaders of not only this nation, but our leaders within God's House - refuses to set aside their difference, their will for power and control; in order to come together, to bring the people together, and repent with a true and contrite heart to a God who can repent, change His mind about acting out His judgment on this nation. (Compare to Psalm 51). During this season of grace. I have time and time again prayed and even said on this platform many times over. “LORD! HAVE MERCY ON US!” Crying out with much fervent because God has shown me and members in this ministry the destruction that is ahead if we the people don't change our ways. But like the prophets before, who pleaded with the people before them. We too preach and warn to a deaf crowd. And we are here. Where the sand in the hourglass has almost run out. And we are about to see what real divine justice looks like when we have failed and continue to ignore the warnings of God through His servants (Amos 3:7). And I say this with a heavy heart. More so because we all had plenty of time to repent, stop what we are doing, and change our outcome before a merciful God. But we didn't! We didn't. So, this will be my final words concerning this case against, we the people, in these United States that are being judged concerning the following. For I have, and this ministry has, giving a thorough witness and spoke the will of God before the people time and time again. And now the day has come where the verdict has been prepared. And this is the case My LORD has against you, the people. God's case against the peopleHear the word of the LORD. The LORD has brought charges against you, saying:
final wordsMy heart is broken because this does not have to be. It did not have to be.
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I think the allegory at Luke chapter 15 is a really good metaphor that we don't meditate on enough. Here’s the parable. There are 100 sheep in an open field along with their shepherd. With all the things that are occurring within the boundaries of this field, one sheep is separated from the group. Initially, unknowingly to the shepherd. Some time passes, and the shepherd noticed one of the sheep is missing. Now, what do you think is the shepherd’s reaction?
Even if you are not familiar with your Bible, most are aware of the answer to this story. But let’s take a closer look at this parable so that we don’t miss what is really being pointed out to us here. Sheep needs a good shepherdNow, watch this. At Luke chapter 15 in verses one and two, all the tax collectors gathered to hear Jesus, who is the true shepherd, speak. Alongside, the tax collectors, both the Pharisees and the scribes, the religious elite leaders, begin to gather as well. These two groups of men begin to complain among themselves about Jesus, the true shepherd. Overhearing their complaint, Jesus begins to tell a story, a parable that directly reflects the true heart condition of the scribes and the Pharisees. Now, it is important to note that these men are the religious leaders of that time. These are the men that the people should be able to look to for pure and accurate Godly counsel and direction, for encouragement and correction, for Scriptural education and moral direction and examples. (Compare to 2 Timothy 3:13-17; 1 Peter 5:2-3; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). These are the men that should always point the people to Christ and not to men. As Jesus listens to the Pharisees and scribes complain, Jesus begins with this parable.
What was Jesus' point here? Now, remember who is in the crowd listening. All the tax collectors came and gathered to hear Jesus speak. In the eyes of many, the tax collectors were the scum of the earth. For many in this profession were known for their unjust deeds – charging extremely high taxes, taking bribes, stealing from the people, and just downright greedy individuals. And yet, in this illustration, Jesus received these ones while teaching them Biblical truths. In response to this, the Pharisees and the scribes scoffed by saying, “This man (meaning Jesus) receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). In the eyes of the religious elite, they believe that these men, the tax collectors, were unworthy. Unworthy of what?
Hence, why Jesus introduces this parable before the crowd as he speaks about and directly to the Pharisees and the scribes. Let’s walk through that parable together. Jesus says in verse 4.
We have to understand the true value of sheep in Jesus’ day to fully benefit from what Jesus is saying here. During Jesus’ day, sheep, especially a herd of sheep were very valuable. Sheep provided his owner meat, milk, and fabrics as well as an increase in his herd through producing other offspring. Hence, why shepherds went through great extremes to protect their flock as well as to retrieve any one of them if they got lost. Sheep, especially a herd of sheep were priceless to their owner. In fact, if a man owns a large herd of sheep, it was a status symbol that he was a wealthy man. So, during Jesus’ day, sheep were extremely important to the Hebrew economy and a sign of wealth. a good shepherd must retrieve the one that is lost This is why a shepherd did not hesitate to leave behind a flock of sheep, in this case, based on Luke chapter 15, 99 sheep, to go after one that has left the fold. Why? Because that one sheep was priceless, extremely valuable to its owner. Now, picture for a moment, that in this illustration that Jesus is the good Shepherd and God is the owner of this large pasture. The sheep, of course, is us. Those who have CHOSEN to be under the guiding hands of Christ our Good Shepherd and chosen to follow Christ. As the Shepherd over this field, Christ is not only watching over and caring for all of us, it is his job to make sure none of us wander off from the pasture – from among the group of the other sheep. It does not matter how or why we wander off. Whether we are belligerent or not. IT IS THE SHEPHERD (pastor and elders) JOB TO GO AFTER AND RETURN THE ONE WHO HAS WANDER OFF. There is no exception to this rule as Jesus has clearly illustrated in this parable at Luke chapter 15. A sheep, even a sheep who has wandered off on his or her own accord is valuable to the owner and therefore, is of the concern of the shepherd. And therefore, the one lost sheep should be the shepherd's greatest concern than the 99 that remains within the boundaries of the owner’s pasture. Or is it? Well, let’s explore that. If a shepherd in Jesus’ day had to leave behind his remaining sheep to seek out the one who had gotten lost, how did the shepherd manage through this problem? Did he leave the 99 uncared for and unprotected? Not exactly. Before going off to search for the lost missing sheep, the shepherd put some provisions in place to ensure the remaining sheep will stay put until he returns with the one that was lost. Around his pasture’s boundaries, the shepherd builds a pile of sticks and rocks around the herd to make them feel as if there is a sense of borders around them. And then he goes off to find the one who has strayed. This is the point that Jesus is making to the Pharisees and scribes who are murmuring about Jesus receiving sinners and eating with them. That is, Jesus was doing exactly what a good shepherd is supposed to do. And he pointing this out clearly to the Pharisees and scribes who were not attending to the needs of the people. In verse 5, Jesus says to the crowd concerning the lost sheep that was found.
This beautiful illustration depicts what the actions of the Pharisees and scribes should have been toward the crowd, which included countless tax collectors – or “sinners” as the Pharisees and scribes alluded to them as. And this should be the same mentality and attitude of pastors, Bible teachers, and elders today. So, let’s break down why and how shepherds in Jesus’ day cared for their sheep. caring for what belongs to godIt’s important to recognize the nature of a sheep is closely similar to the characteristics of God’s people. We can’t cover all the different characteristics, but let’s look at two. 1. Sheep have the tendency to follow whoever is leading them. Often time, no questions are asked. It does not matter to a herd of sheep, whether the one leading them, leads them off a cliff. They will follow! Sounds familiar? Now, back in 2013, Tim Challies, a popular Christian blogger, and author shared this famous story. In Eastern Turkey, a shepherd left his herd of 1,500 sheep unattended. One of the sheep begins to stray away from the pasture where the shepherd had left them unattended and the 1,499 other sheep begins to follow the sheep that was leading the herd. The sheep that was leading the herd fell over a cliff to its death. Instead of the remaining sheep stopping, after observing what had happened to the lead sheep, they too fell over the cliff to their death. Of the 1,500 sheep, 400 immediately died from the injury of their fall. But the remaining 1,100 were saved ONLY because the 400 that fell over the cliff before them provided a fluffy cushion that broke their fall from the cliff. Sheep needs a good leader that attends to them at all times. Unfortunately, we the people, are no different. We are in need of good leaders, good shepherds to guard us because we all are hardwired to follow. Hence, why many of us will even continue to follow bad leaders or bad shepherds to our destruction. We are like the Eastern Turkey sheep that will follow any leader if left unattended. 2. Have you ever seen a sheep when it gets knocked over? Whenever a sheep falls over on its side and ends up on its back, it cannot get up without help. If they are left on their back too long, gas begins to build up in their stomachs, which causes it to harden. Resulting in cutting off their air supply, and then the sheep eventually suffocates. This is called a “cast down” position. When a shepherd comes along to rescue the sheep, he massages the sheep's legs to restore circulation. Then he gently turns over the sheep, lifts it, and then holds the sheep until it regains its equilibrium. This is one of many tasks a shepherd must do, time and time again to care for and protect his sheep. The word I want you to get out of that description is “restore”. When a sheep experiences a medical emergency, such as a “cast down,” the shepherd is right there to immediately pick them up or restore them to an upright position. This is the point Jesus is making to the Pharisees and scribes who are grumbling about Jesus’ willingness to care for the needs of the crown of tax collectors. In Jesus’ illustration, the shepherd in verse 5 finds his wandering sheep, places the sheep on his shoulders, and carries it safely back home. And the shepherd does not just stop there, according to Jesus. In verse 6, when the shepherd arrives home with the sheep that have been found, he calls everyone to gather to celebrate. For the one sheep that was lost, is now found. This is the job of pastors, Bible teachers, and elders who should all work together, to retrieve these wandering sheep. Upon retrieving anyone that was once lost, they all should come together to celebrate the one who has been found. In fact, Jesus closes out this particular parable this way.
Let’s not miss that. Did Jesus say 100? 1,000? A group of people who stands up and says a salvation prayer? No, he said “one.” Jesus is concerned about the “one” whom his shepherd goes through hell and back to retrieve and bring back home to the owner of the pasture. The one that the shepherd sweats for; cries out for; constantly prayers for; pursues with all he has in order to bring that one back home to his Master.
For the ninety-nine who are healthy do not need a physician. They are safe in the pasture of the Master. It is the one who wanders off that needs a doctor. The Pharisees and the scribes that Jesus was addressing in the crowd of the tax collectors needed to go and learn what the parable of Luke chapter 15 meant. For what Jesus did desire was compassion from the religious leaders toward the tax collectors and other sinners like them. For it was the sinners, the sick that Jesus was after. Let me say that one again. For it was the sinners, the sick that Jesus was after. The one that wandered away from the safety of the Master’s pasture and not the ninety-nine who remained. (Compare to Matthew 9:11-13).
Go and learn what this means and do. (Also compare to Matthew 28:18-20). What, we the people, have failed to accept is that God is a just God. He blesses His people as well as disciplines those He loves. (Compare to Hebrews 12:6). Hebrews 12:6 reads this way,
Let me say that part again. He disciplines, punishes, and scourges those He loves. Let’s go back to verse 5 in Hebrews chapter 12. Verse 5 reads.
We do not want to make this mistake. In most cases, when God corrects us, He uses other servants, that is people, often time His prophets to discipline, punish, warn, counsel, or scourge us. (Compare to 2 Samuel chapter 12). And when He acts out His judgment to punish us, He often time will use tyrant leaders and dictators and ruthless nations and warfare, to administrate His justice. (Compare to Exodus chapters 1 and 2; First and Second Chronicles). As we read verses 7 and 8 of Hebrews chapter 12, God explains why discipline, punishment, or correction is important. It reads.
For if the LORD is not disciplining, correcting, chastising our bad choices, behaviors, and attitudes; when we stray from His counsel and warnings; or whenever we completely abandon His requirements, then the Scriptures make it clear here. WE ARE NOT HIS TRUE SONS AND DAUGHTERS – WE ARE ILLEGITIMATE HEIRS CLAIMING TO BE HIS WHEN WE ARE NOT. The word of caution here is to do not reject correction, the counsel, and warnings of the LORD when given. But God does not stop there when it is necessary. He goes as far as eliminating the wicked - those who violate His statutes, laws, precepts, commandments, standards. (Compare to 2 Chronicles 34:22-25). There is NOTHING unjust or unfair about how God chooses to deal with mankind as a whole and individually. (Compare to Job 36:6; Luke 18:7; Acts 17:31; 1 John 1:9). We get what we deserve, each and every time (Proverbs 1:31). god is a just god God is so fair that He lays out His actions clearly to us today by having the entire Bible written for Himself? No, for us, as a warning, an example, so we are clear how God responds to every single thing we do and speak.
Take God's people, for example, the nation of Israel, during the era of the kings. From one generation to the next, His people kept flip-flopping, limping between two opinions concerning who is God and who God is not. (Compare to 1 Kings chapter 18). As a result, they consistently got involved with false worship, celebrations, idolatry, and all forms of abominations that God hated. (Compare to Proverbs 6:16-19). Time and time again, God sent His prophets, His servants to warn His people. But the people choose to believe the many false teachers and prophets that exist because these ones tickle their ears with words and actions that yield to the pleasures of man instead of the desire and standards of God. (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Men do not want to be restricted by the rules and regulations of God that places boundaries on their activities – that is, how they act, talk, and live. They preferred to use their free will to engage in practices that stroke their ego and satisfy every sexual sensation that is known to man; then to honor God by means of acting and living holy. Unholy acts are what they prefer and therefore they sided with unholy leaders. Despite this, God still is a God of justice. (Compare to Isaiah 61:8; Psalm 33:5; Deuteronomy 32:4). And therefore, He will always act justifiably. Here is one example of a Holy God acting justifiably concerning His people.
the word of the lorD With that being said, here is the word of the LORD.
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The word of the lordWhen the LORD God imparts a word, it is meant to teach, reprove, correct, or train His servants—the Body of Christ—so that every member may be equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The LORD has appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for service, mutual encouragement, and building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Archives
December 2023
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