Terrible Twos

Greetings in the Lord!

Today's word comes from Proverbs 13:1,7, 18 and Revelation 3:17-19~
"A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke."

"One man pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth."

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."
Revelation 3:17-19~
"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."

~Three and four summers ago when the Lord was teaching me about the condition of the American church as a whole, He put on my heart to study the church of Laodicea, of which the passage in part of today's word from Revelation was taken from. I understood that the Lord was saying we have many similarities to that church from long ago: affluence, complacency, pride, selfishness, "know-it-alls," and in stubborn pursuit of worldly achievements and honors. Over and over again the Lord has called me to build relationships with people that need desperately a word of rebuke in order to allow the Spirit to enlighten their hearts to see clearly and move upwards in their walk with the Lord. But of course, long before we get to the glorious breakthrough, there are many sharp words to endure, sorrows, and nasty behaviors, as when one tries to discipline an unruly 2-year old--it's a messy affair! However, it's important that we take courage and present the truth to them because the proverbs are true; and if left alone, the situation and outcome will be very unfortunate for those individuals. They'll not come close to doing all the Lord has planned for them, or bearing any fruit, or maybe even worse. At any rate, it is out of love that we reach out to the many rebellious and arrogant in the American church, being unafraid to get our hands dirty and spit at. For are we better than the Master? No, we will honor Him with our actions and words. Amen and amen.

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