Life, Death, that Virus and the New Normal Pt. 3

This is my final post in this “series”. I thought about my last two posts and I realized that they may have sounded as though I am exempt from all of the pain and suffering, which is not true. I was just sharing my recent experiences.

So last night, it became clear that no one is not going to be touched by what is going on in this world. Whether you have a covenant with God or not, life will hit us and sometimes every hard. I got a text message last night from my brother that said: “Steven is in heaven”. My stomach did five flip flops and I immediately felt sick. Steven was my brother’s childhood friend (like a brother) and we were all raised together. He contracted the virus (he lived in New York) and it seemed he was getting better, but suddenly he died. After receiving this text, things suddenly became very real. He was in his 50’s and leaves behind a wife and 4 children.

My baby brother and I were talking about it this morning and I asked how his sister-in-law was doing (she is a nurse in New York) and he was hesitant, but gently mentioned that she had tested positive for the virus as well. But she was three weeks out and was already home recovering. Also today, one of my cousins who lives in New Orleans was sharing on Facebook that God spared her life and though she never admitted to having the virus, I am pretty sure she did. She was deathly ill a couple of weeks ago. So, yes, this is real.

I am in the house and plan on staying here. I just ordered my groceries online and that is where I plan on staying until. I was in and out of the grocery store but felt strongly to stop doing that. I heard a prophet say that in this week of Passover we should anoint our doorposts and stay in the house like the children of Israel did, until the plague pasts. I do have to go to my office on Thursday for work, but I will be very careful.

In the past, sometimes I would be driving in my car and wondering how long we would enjoy life as we know it.  I guess I was sensing that life can change at any time. Is this the new normal? Really when you think about it, many places have suffered from the ravages of war, sickness, famines, and life is never the same. We are spoiled in America. We think it can’t happen, but we are learning. And even now, some of us are not suffering. We are going to get a check in the mail, let me speak for myself; I live in a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment, I have central air, cable, I can watch movies, I have food to eat, I have a car, and I can pay my bills and I don’t even have to go in the office to get paid! And I don’t even have to go to the store, because I am paying to have someone shop for me and drop the food at my door! Some of us are not really suffering.

Even in the midst of the pain and suffering, mourn with those who mourn,  be kind, help others when you can and most of all BE GRATEFUL! And if things get harder, praise God.

The Celebrity Everyone Likes but God Loves More!

This is part three of my series, but I changed the title to this last post. I don’t want to come across negative, but I have to say what God is telling me to say even if it’s not positive. But please bear with me, because I must obey God.

This morning I was looking at my YouTube timeline and was surprised to see a recommendation to watch a video about Joyce Meyer’s ministry and how she was a false teacher. The video featured a couple who were former employees of Joyce’s ministry. They really had no issues with Joyce other than not agreeing with her Word of Faith theology. Now I’m not even going to open that can of worms, but I do want to say that this doctrine (Word of Faith) has crippled the church to the point where we can no longer hear anything that is not positive. But the Bible and truth are not always positive, and here is how I know:

I was visiting a church back in September and the Pastor of the church prophesied and said: “You need to prepare this month for what is going to happen next month.” Well, my natural thought process was that I was preparing for something good, however, that was not the case. In the next month, my oldest brother died. That was what God was speaking to me about. Certainly, it was NOT positive.

So God wants to warn this Celebrity (because he loves him) that he must make some changes. In this season, it will not be good enough to just keep going as is. This is a season where he must make changes. And if he doesn’t the results will be on him.

Read Ezekiel 33:1-20 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

I know people don’t think that God will allow judgment, but I know he does because God has disciplined me. But my calling is to share what I see even if the person thinks I am being mean and doesn’t understand.

I remember years ago, the Lord admonished me to warn my Pastor at the time, to come off the road (traveling in ministry), take a salary and spend more time at his home church. He got fighting mad at me for telling him this, but the SAME DAY that I shared the Word of the Lord, he had several mini-strokes and was out of his pulpit for MONTHS. The next time I saw him, he was no longer mad at me. He was encouraging me about how powerful the Word of the Lord was in my mouth. You see it’s not me. It was GOD speaking through me.

So let me admonish the “celebrity who everyone likes, but God loves more”. This is the season of change. I see him cleaning up his life, living right, and changing his artistry. I see him going back to former movies and TV shows, REMOVING the vulgar content and doing a 180 where his artistry is concerned.  He needs to make clean content again. This next season will come either before a Damascus Road experience or after. The choice is HIS. Listen, this is not doom and gloom, but it is the truth. Read and meditate on the above scripture. PLEASE.

So before I end this blog post, I must say that I know this man is not a bad person. In fact, I read about a very kind act that he did for a couple just recently and it almost made me not share any of this. But God told me one has nothing to do with the other. I’ve read about many kind acts this man has done. I know he has blessed thousands of people, some things have been published, and I’m sure others have not. But this has to do with God’s requirement for being raised up to such a place of prominence. When God raises us up, we don’t get to do what we want to do.

Maybe one day, I will get to shake his hand or give him a hug and tell him how I have interceded and how I have ALWAYS wished nothing but the best for him. God bless you Mr. Celebrity!

Yes, God Does Spank

This may not be for everyone but this is for someone. I heard this scripture in my spirit:

Hebrews 12:4-6

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and he punishes everyone He accepts as a son.”

If you get a chance read further in that scripture. I didn’t write it. God is real clear through His Word. If you are a TRUE SON, you will be disciplined by God when you sin. Why? Because He loves you. Trust me, I know from experience. The KJV uses the word chasten and scourge.

Chasten: to discipline by punishment

Scourge: to whip

Discipline: training to act in accordance with rules

The scripture is also clear that this is the same as parent to child discipline. Here is what the Bible says about that:

Proverbs: 23:13-14

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 22:15

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Not much to interpret. If you find yourself being disciplined by God, don’t get discouraged or look at it negatively. Just realize it is the Fathers love. It means you are His legitimate child.

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