Revelation is illuminating, and usually flies in the face of conformity to the accepted ways to believe and behave. When the Apostle John wrote Revelation, I can hear his peers saying "huh?!?!?" We still say that to this day for the most part! Churches have split over what John meant when he wrote this, or he wrote that. Denominations have been torn and have people have died over the arguments that have ensued. What was the TRUE revelation God was giving?
John knew. When God revealed the things to John that He revealed, He also gave John Wisdom to understand. If we will humbly allow the Word written to speak for itself, we too will find wisdom.
God still works this way. He still reveals things. I recently experienced such a revealing. I was praying about the "list", the things Jesus instructed His disciples to do. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison.
And then it hit me. Like a ton of bricks, as they say. The "list" isn't PHYSICAL things we are to do or provide! Sure, it's a great thing to feed hungry people, and the hungry people of the world are mostly grateful for it. But what Jesus was instructing was SPIRITUAL!
He is the Bread of Life, and those that HUNGER and THIRST after RIGHTEOUSNESS will be filled! Not with potatoes and bread - but with THE BREAD OF LIFE! That is what we are to feed people! The saving knowledge of Jesus Himself! We are to clothe the naked, not with Calvin Klein, but with the Garment of Praise! We are to visit the sick and and those in prison - not to simply drop in and say hello - but to BRING THEM THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION! Salvations message is what will HEAL them and SET THEM FREE!
Food banks are nice, and prison fellowship is wonderful, but through the foolishness of PREACHING the BREAD OF LIFE to those that are hungering and thirsting for truth - THIS IS THE "LIST" WE ARE TO FOLLOW! We are to get beyond the physical, and feed the spiritual food that transforms lives, heals the broken hearted and delivers those in bondage.
The simple truth, simply spoken has the power to break the chains of darkness and despair and bring glory and honor to the Lord we serve. May we ever speak, simply, plainly and powerfully, as His Ambassadors.
LIVE DELIBERATELY AND INSPIRE OTHERS~ Pastor Marie Krebs, Turn the Tide Ministries
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