Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
Here are some quotes from Art Katz on True Fellowship
There is no relationship except in the light as He is in the light, which is truth. We cannot have things concealed, hidden, unexpressed or things ignored because they’re too painful, because they’re too demanding or because “who wants to exhort one another daily?” It’s not a pleasant activity and what if it’ll not be received? What if you’ll be misunderstood? What if you’re wrong in your assessment? Well it’s safer it’s easier not to bother. Step by step because we don’t bother, because we don’t see, because we don’t defend one another in light and in truth the deceitfulness of sin takes over.
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Amen!
The Lord brought a timely word to me last night, in my journey through 1 Kings. Really, He's been putting it in front of me all week. I heard a message on "being a hypocrite" last evening on my drive home... and it was weighing on my heart. So often the Lord has pressed me to speak, and always my excuse has been that I would only offend my brothers and sisters.
The Lord spoke through 1 Kings 13. Do you know the story? A man of God is sent out of Judah to come to Jeroboam, who burns sacrifices on the altars he has built on the high places. The man of God prophecies against Jeroboam: "Altar, Oh Altar, thus says Jehovah: Behold a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and he will sacrifice upon you the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and men's bones will they burn upon you." The Man of God gives signs, and then departs from the land by a different way, because God had commanded him "you shall not eat food nor drink water there, nor shall you return by going on the way that you came there."
However
There was a certain old prophet dwelling in Bethel, who heard that this man of God had come through. He wanted to welcome him into his house for food and fellowship, so he sought him out; and found him beneath a Terebinth tree. He asked him if he was indeed the man of God; and he confirmed it: "I am" he said.
The old prophet invites the man of God to his house, but the man of God explains that he cannot go, and tells the old prophet why.
The old prophet says 1K13:18 "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel has spoken to me by the word of Jehovah, saying 'Bring him back with you to your house that he may eat food and drink water.'
He lied to him."
The man of God accepted the lie, and went back with old prophet to his house, to eat and drink. And while they were at the table, the word of Jehovah did come to the old prophet:
"Because you have rebelled against the word of Jehovah and did not keep the command that Jehovah your God commanded you, but returned and at food and drank water in the place concerining which He said to you, Do not eat food and do not drink water; your corpse shall not come to the grave of your fathers."
The old prophet saddled the donkey for the man of God, and sent him on his way; but a lion (roaring and prowling about, no doubt), met him on his journey - and killed him. His body lay in the road with the lion, and the donkey remained unharmed. The old prophet wandered down to collect his corpse, and mourned him and buried him there in his own grave. He instructed his sons to bury him beside the man of God when his time came.
Why did the man of God disobey the clear speaking of the Lord and follow the old prophet, who was - even if a liar - still a real prophet of God as he would then demonstrate? Because he craved, I think, not food or water but fellowship... just like the old prophet did. He was willing to disobey God for fellowship.
Lord, forgive me. I have forsaken You too often for fellowship. Renew me, Lord. Cleanse me from such unrighteousness.
Saints, the Lord isn't calling me out - yet. But He is calling me to speak. I wish I had the gift to speak eloquently, but that gift is not mine. Perhaps His strength can be perfected in my weakness. Perhaps. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is Lord. He's my Lord - and to Him I give the glory - Him I must obey.
In Christ,
NFNL