Thank you, to those who have responded... and, well, ahhhh, Israel... peace to you all!
I need to ask: has JaH and Christ truly done nothing for you, for your life, in your life, so as to make you thankful, to want to give them praise, to want to tell others about them... and do so openly and publicly?
If not... why seek them? Why seek the face and/or "approval" of a God or gods who do absolutely nothing for you? Isn't that seeking a FALSE god, one that does not live, does, not speak, doesn't even exist?
If they have... what do you fear? Being "wrong"? How can you be wrong in praising them if you TRULY believe they live, speak... exist? Are you afraid of what people "might think", of "how" you might "look"? If you TRULY believe they live, speak... exist... what do you CARE what others think (of you or how you look to them)? Are you afraid of appearing "foolish"? If you believe they live, speak... exist... whom better are you to look like... BE... (a) fool(lish) FOR?
Or... do you believe they exist... live... even speak... but that every good thing that has come your way is of your own doing, due to your own efforts? That while they ARE indeed "there," they don't do anything (in particular) for you?
How can that be, though? If you believe they exist and live... then surely you believe the Adversary exists and lives. You know, the one who is TRULY responsible for your maladies, your pain, your suffering, your trials, your tribulations... big and small... all put upon you for this VERY reason: to give YOU individual and personal opportunity to prove HIM right as to YOUR faithfulness and loyalty? For he has accused each and every one of us, ALL of mankind, has he not (Job 1:9-11; 2:4; Revelation 12:10, 17)?
Are we truly SO puny, so pitiable, so self-concerned... so fickle in our love... AND FAITH... that we WILL prove him right, WILL show ourselves disloyal, will turn our BACKS (through silence)... EVEN when we have opportunity to declare our faith by openly and safely among our own?? Isn't it with the mouth that one makes "public" declaration for salvation... and the abundance of the heart thar compels the mouth?? And while we aren't always able to speak audibly with one another, isn't our posting here a place given to us to "speak" and so make declarations among one another?
We are not asked to stand on street corners and declare our love for and faith in "Jesus," a false god, as some do. We are not asked to knock on the doors of strangers and declare our love for and faith in "Jehovah," a false god, as some do. We are not asked to kiss the feet of and declare our love for and faith in wooden and stone statues representing dead people, such statues being images and false gods, as some do. We are not asked kneel before and venerate images of false gods, as some do. We are not asked to kiss the hand/ring of a pope, a false god, as some do. WE... have been SET FREE... have we not, from such false "worship"? SURELY, that alone is call for such praise and thanks, is it not?
SURELY, our hearts are not SO closed, SO wanting... SO... lacking "abundance"... that even among ourselves and in this safe and secure "city" so lovingly provided for us... we cannot declare the excellencies of the MOST Holy whom we call Father, JaH of Armies, and His Son, the One we call our dear Lord, King, Teacher... savior... JaH'eShua, His Chosen One (MischaJaH)? Can we truly be silent ... and yet claim we are OF him, BELONG to him, have our hope and faith IN him... wish to CALL upon him??
I am confused by and I am ashamed. As to mankind in general, yes, but much more so as those who profess to be... or profess to want to be... "of his Body." His "anointed." Chosen by him. Yet, cannot publicly praise, thank, or even acknowledge him. I do not understand how, after ALL these years... ALL he has told/given us... as GIFTS (for none of us deserved it... all he has done FOR us, from giving his own life to setting us completely free from religion and its bonds of fear and guilt (which alone should be "enough"!)... and asking nothing in return except our love, faith, and loyalty - to the Father and by connection him, to one another... and even to strangers - that ANY can remain silent. And then, I do understand because he has just said to me:
"You have been told that faith is NOT possessed by ALL of man, child, and this is true. And so, it is very difficult to manifest when everything is about oneself, when one is more concerned with what is or is not happening to or for oneself. For most, it is as the Adversary has accused. But do not despair, for a remnant was promised, indeed, even a vast crowd, and I do not lose but one among those given me. Lift YOUR head, then, and keep YOUR eyes on ME and I will continue to lead YOU. Do not look to the left or to the right, even though men fall at your side. Look at me."
Having now shared that, I exhort even further that I myself cannot deny the love they've shown to me (and my household!) nor the many, many blessings I (and my household) have received. I know, though, that it is NOT because of me in any way or on any level, but because of THEM - THEIR love... for me... shown FIRST. And so I, SA, cannot remain silent as to MY love, thankfulness, and gratefulness for... and faith in...THEM. I cannot.
If, however, this "city" and those in it, after ALL THESE YEARS, continue(s) to remain quiet, meaning not necessarily as to prophesying or sharing what is received, but not even being able to give THANKS and PRAISE to the Holy and MOST Holy... for even the smallest of blessings... then I will lift my voice higher. Perhaps not here, but somewhere.
But, yes, I am ashamed of the silence. And I am ashamed of myself and the apparently lacking "work" I have tried to do among you. Because It has apparently all resulted in very little, perhaps even nought.
In that light, may JaH and Christ... and you... forgive me - I did my best. May also their kindness, mercy, and love be and continue upon you and your households. May you be granted to drink from their "water" if you... and they... so wish it. And that should be easy enough as it is free to all who are truly "thirsty" and "wishing." One only need to come to the One whi dispenses it.
Peace to you, all.
Your servant, sister, and a slave of Christ,
Shel
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