Pass this on or else…..something will happen, good or bad! This blog message is not intended to offend but to hopefully point out what the ‘enemy’ is doing on a massive scale, deceiving good well-intentioned people.
How many emails do you get that say, “If you love Jesus….or if you are not ashamed of Jesus…pass this on to all your address book.” Then of course they add, “If you do pass it on, today, something good, fun or even miraculous will happen to you. So how many do you get? I get lots!!! If I sent all of them to friends I might not have many friends, end of the day–just because most of us have so many emails.
We don’t have to send out ‘nice messages’ to honor Jesus. If the Holy Spirit puts it on our heart we may want to do so. And I don’t send every joke I receive either….so I don’t like the ‘intimidation’ of “I’ll bet you send jokes out, so send this.”
The email I received this morning quoted Gal 6:7 and listed 20 famous people who mocked God and died terrible deaths. I was so grieved I had to write this blog. Those who put their name on it and sent it on, probably love God and this seemed ‘good’ and honoring to Jesus (I assume). How many Christians who do not mock God have died terrible deaths?
Most people know I write a lot—I send out emails. I pray over them, like this message, that it will touch some one’s heart and set them free, especially if they are caught up in the above ‘Mafia-protection’ type of superstitious chain letters.’ My opinion– manipulation is not of the Lord. When we trust the Holy Spirit He will direct our path, and bless our efforts.
Are we sending out of ‘judgment’ as the last one I received, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal 6:7) WOW! That is true– ‘spirit and life’; however, it works both ways. If you sow love you will receive love; if you sow judgement that also will come forth.
Let’s look at one thing that Jesus said: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt 12;34 And Paul: “Or despised thouthe riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Are we eating out of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and using it to judge? Or, do we want to eat out of the the tree of LIFE…..the teachings of Jesus, to love, to forgive, to pray, to intercede, to stand in the gap?
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked tun from his way and live: tun ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek 33:11
Had the email I received, ask us to stand in the gap and pray for anyone who mocks God, to forgive and pray for those who don’t know Jesus, I would have loved it. The intention of sharing that history was good, but the result is fear, not faith! We must be so careful (and I am talking to myself) not to join the devil in being the accussor but to join Jesus in being His saving people on earth! God summed it up in John 3:16–He so loved the world……
Another note: Many people pick up the names and email addresses when we use the cc: copy key; and they use them to send out junk mail. Protect your friends when you forward emails, by clicking on the cc: copy key and then you will see bcc: key. If you use it, the names will be protected, and not be seen by everyone! And, a friend just reminded me that you can delete all the names of those who went before you on the message, another way to protect their privacy.
This is a serious and challenging time in our world. Our hope is in Jesus; in forgiving, praying and loving others into the Kingdom for our King Jesus. You know, ‘hate the sin and love the sinner.’ It is tough to stand for what we believe and still forgive and love…..but we can do it with the Holy Spirit, who is sooooo good at what He does!
Pressing in and pressing on…….