Feeling Like Jeremiah

Feeling Like Jeremiah In the very near future, I will be writing about some things that God has put on my heart. In fact, I've already mentioned some of it on the ministry's Facebook status. The things I'll be writing about will be viewed as negative by many people and will be a breath of fresh air to others. Some of the things I'll be writing about are problems I see in the modern organized church. Things such as 'prosperity preachers', extravagant living by ministers, and too much attention on tithes and not enough attention on the congregation's well being. I've already seen that there'll be detractors, but that is to be expected. They're already quoting scripture about judging and the one without sin casting the first stone. Tell me something though; do you honestly know anyone other than our Lord Jesus Christ who is without sin? I have confronted my sin and pray for forgiveness on a regular basis. If I were living an ungodly life I wouldn't be ministering at all. I know exactly where I stand with God and I know that I must speak what He has put on my heart to be spoken no matter what ridicule, judgement, and persecution I must face. This all reminds me of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 20:8-10 (New Century Version) 8 Every time I speak, I shout. I am always shouting about violence and destruction. I tell the people about the message I received from the Lord, but this only brings me insults. The people make fun of me all day long. 9 Sometimes I say to myself, "I will forget about the Lord. I will not speak anymore in his name." But then his message becomes like a burning fire inside me, deep within my bones. I get tired of trying to hold it inside of me, and finally, I cannot hold it in. 10 I hear many people whispering about me: "Terror on every side! Tell on him! Let's tell the rulers about him." My friends are all just waiting for me to make some mistake. They are saying, "Maybe we can trick him so we can defeat him and pay him back." You see, when you stand up for what you believe and for what you are called to do, you must prepare yourself for the negative reactions as well as the positive. Some people will disagree with you simply because they have a different view on the subject. Others may have underlying grudges that they would love satisfy by tearing down on you and what you do. I'm not claiming to be a prophet by any means. I'm just saying that this scripture from Jeremiah has been on my heart for a while and I know why now. I also realize that the storms I have been through in my life lately were all in preparation for the work that the Lord has put before me. I know in my heart that the messege on my heart was put there by God and I will not ignore it as unpopular as it may be. This also reminds me of a favorite quote of mine by protestant reformer John Calvin: "A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent". I will always stand up for my Lord when I feel someone is doing Him injustice. It does not mean that I am judging or condemning anyone. It means that I believe in The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit with all my heart. So, I will continue to minister what I feel in my heart is God's will and I will take whatever persecution may come by it. Humbly, your brother in Christ, Pete. Pete 2-15-10