Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“(I) trust in the LORD with all (my) heart; (I) do not depend on (my) own understanding. (I) seek (God’s) will in all (I) do, and He directs (my) paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (personalized)

Those reconciled unto the Family of God by the blood of Jesus are enabled by the Holy Spirit who resides within each of us to recognize every way contrary to the way of GOD; not to excuse it with such phrases as: “I didn’t elect a Pastor”. The ability to recognize the evidence of the always good fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23) isn’t judging. The Lord Jesus recognized those in leadership who gave evidence that theirs was the father of lies (John 8:44); so too ambassadors of Christ. That leadership is ordained neither means that behavior will be in the way of God nor that ungodly behavior in any form is acceptable. GOD is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Numbers 23:19; 1Sa 15:29; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17b). Therefore, the same free-will GOD gave those created and re-created in His image is also the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yes, GOD ordained government and leadership; yet a leader’s free-will isn’t impounded. Hence, ordained leaders don’t necessarily comply in the way of God. The Lord Jesus walked in perfect obedience to the will of God the Father by only speaking and doing as He heard of the Father (John 5:19 & 8:26b,28,38 & 12:49-50 & 14:10). The only begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 3:17 & 16:16; Luke 1:32; Hebrews 5:8) was sent to take away the sins of all mankind by His death and resurrection (1Ti 2:5; 1Jn 4:10; Ro 3:25). The fact that the Blood will always work doesn’t license ungodly behavior. Oh! that the people of this nation that chose God would be as concerned about ungodly behavior as about the freedom to bear arms.

Scripture relays that a once-united kingdom chosen of GOD was split due to disobedience. King Solomon prayed/asked GOD for wisdom, and he received both wisdom and riches from GOD (1 Kings 3:5-14). Yet neither wisdom nor riches help those who turn away from YHWH/YAHWEH/JEHOVAH. To be clear, it is never GOD who puts His foot out to trip; for GOD is LOVE and always sets our feet on a lighted path (Psalm 119:105). Yet steadfastness on God’s path involves listening to His advice/counsel far more than when we feel like it, regardless of whether it appears to be productive to the natural eye. One consequence of King Solomon’s turn away from GOD was that part of the once-united kingdom was given to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11). Though hindsight is 20/20 (no pun intended) it would seem that gratitude alone might’ve kept Jeroboam’s loyalty in-check so to speak but he tolerated the spirit of fear that comes to contaminate faith, and used free-will that caused a people under his ordained leadership to sin greatly (1 Kings 12:26-30). Throughout history, man has displayed uncanny thinking in terms of believing that he can do good all by himself which is when the thief who only comes to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10b) gains a way into wherever. Those who comprise the Body of Christ are instructed to make Prayers of Supplication and Intercession for those in leadership that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Speak the promise . . . Harriet