this whole sordid tale makes me sick, literally and in my spirit.
the whole backdrop of these ministries, is just so craven and polluted, full of lust for money, for fame, its all flys counter to the Ministry of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, Jesus, Who in His earthly ministry, the Lamb of God, who didnt have a dwelling to lay his head, and these cavort as such, putting on vast "shows", like so much "entertainment".
when i read this, i thought of our dear brother Greg Gordon, who posted photos of his new humble garret in Ottawa, a simple room, his bed, his desk, his books, a chair to sit in, and i blessed God for you brother, the humility and meekness to follow God and to be content as Paul says in 1st Timothy with food and clothes...and much like a good rabbi, pastor, worm of Messiah, you have your books and Bibles neatly stacked, ready for study.
that really made me happy, it blessed me, and when i look at these two totally different examples of ministry, the contrast becomes so stark. My brother Greg, always laboring in the strength he has, content with what he has, and then i consider the other end of the spectrum, the article that has been posted, with its emphasis on lust for gain, the jets, the mansions, the cars, just stuff that will BURN....and what model to follow becomes so CLEAR, you dont even need discernment, just a healthy fear of God.
i was thinking and pondering this all last night, brothers, sisters, i'm a very good actor. i dont say that to boast, because that is a gift God gave me, along with a facile pen. i'm done with it all now, and ready to move on for what Jesus has for me to do next.
...and believe me, i could get up in that pulpit, or on a stage, and put on, a mighty good show, but you know what?
as i dumb as i might be i'm not stupid, because i fear God, a reverential awe of God i have, Praise His Name, because i would never play games with the Deep Things of God, i love my Father too much to engage in such without a Calling from Him, i love Jesus with such a passion, that i would never denigrate His Shed Blood, by putting on "religious shows" and antics, to get fame and money.
IT POLLUTES THE GOSPEL!
i might be a terrible sinner, only justified by the Blood of Messiah, at times disobiedient, but i can safely say that God the Holy Ghost told me, "that you are a man after My Own Heart", but that sure doesnt mean He's given me release to stand up in front of tzadiqim, the saints to teach and rightly divide His Word. it would be a sham if did, because my wife divorced me, and that disqualifies me.
(believe me, i'm praying that someday we will remarry, because i love that dear woman, wife of my youth, mother of my son, my dear friend, and thank God even to this day, we are very close, but in my foolishness I RUINED THAT MARRIAGE, and the tears i shed over that, would fill buckets...so young men, treasure your wife...Today)
i'm sorry to go on as such, i'm just testifying. Does my disqualification mean i cant have fruitful Labor in Jesus?
by no means, there are other Labors, other Ministries i can do, which i will not bore you with.
far as Paula, or Benny, or TD...God have mercy on them, they know not what they do, and if they DO, i shudder, eternity is like ...forever. And as you all know well, there are two places to spend it, Heaven or hell, with the Lord, or without the Lord.
you don't play games with "strange fire", you dont play games with God, you will get smoked, thats a given.
in Jesus' love, neil
(later addition)----and Greg, i always pray to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, that you stay low, humble and meek, that He gives you the steadfastness and Faith to armor up and not be seduced by the ear tickling (but well meaninged) praise of man, and i have every faith and confidence, that these prayers ascend to the Throne of Grace. i love you brother...n