hard to hear ezekiel 16:49

Over decaf coffee with cream and sugar this morning...
still in Ezekiel, tough.
Ready?

Ezekiel 16:49 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
[The Message at Navpress] [NavPress]

49-50 "'The sin of your sister Sodom was this: She lived with her daughters in the lap of luxury—proud, gluttonous, and lazy. They ignored the oppressed and the poor. They put on airs and lived obscene lives. And you know what happened: I did away with them.

Footnote in my bible reads:
It is easy to judge and condemn Sodom, especially for its terrible sexual sins. Ezekiel reminded Judah, however, that Sodom was destroyed because its people were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned about the needy people within their reach. It is easy to be selective in what we consider gross sin. If we do not commit such horrible sins as adultery, homosexuality, stealing and murder, we may think we are living good enough lives. But what about sins like arrogance, gluttony, and indifference to the needy? These sins may not be as shocking to you as the others, but they are also forbidden by God.

ouch.
Do you want to know what else has been hard to hear?
This word, yes... but something a gentleman said last Thursday night...
Thank you for the food, these are good with peanut butter.
Gloria and I looked at each other...
We handed out thousands of pounds of food.
Potatoes, potato chips, carrots, onions, oranges, bread...
And dog biscuits.
Guess what he was referring too?
Dog biscuits.

Talk about indifference to the needy.
Homes are for sale in my city upwards of $1,000,000.
A modest home goes for $400,000 near Kenton Court
even during this "recession."
Churches are being built for millions of dollars.
And there are families with children who thank us for dog biscuits to eat.

WHAT IS GOING ON that we believers are so lazy, overfed and indifferent to not
get out there and feed the hungry in our community?
FEED THEM FOOD!

So many excuses...
I'm busy on Thursday (they are hungry everyday)
I don't speak Spanish (this gentleman doesn't either)
I don't feel called (read the bible then)
We have a ministry that does that (are you part of it? are your children? your spouse?)
We have class (24/7?)
I'm not an evangelist (I'm not either according to the spiritual gifts and talents class 101~ I'm a crafter!)
Is that a good thing or a God thing? (it's reasonable service to JESUS who died for us)
This ministry doesn't have the "market" on doing these things.
Start your own.
This isn't supposed to be only a RAVEN thing.
This isn't only the responsibility of pastors or evangelists or leaders or adults.
This is what all of us are supposed to do if we are followers of CHRIST.
Greater things will you do because of JESUS in you!
Claim the authority HE has left you with.
Stop thinking you can't, you might or someday and go.
Whom today will you serve?

Come on... I say these things to you not to make you feel guilty or mad
but if you feel convicted, good.
I don't want you to get to heaven one day and have no fruit to show JESUS.
I don't want you to ignore what the bible says and I don't want you to not warn me either. Accountability.
Those excuses aren't going to cut it.
Please.

Matthew 25:40 says:
Matthew 25:40-46 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
[The Message at Navpress] [NavPress]

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

44"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

45"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

46"Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."


A white, 20-30 year old gentleman in Sonoma County is eating dog biscuits.
He's that hungry.
Give food.

We prayed also Saturday for another 20 something year old man who has only $4 in his pocket and no clothes except for what he has on. He wears a size 36-30.
Give clothes.

His girlfriend is in jail.
Visit her.
Visit if not her, someone.

We prayed also for a family with five children who are homeless. They are trusting GOD for a miracle. Gloria bought them diapers.
Give shelter.

There are hundreds of elderly people who are sick and dying, lonely or broken.
Visit them.
Lay hands on them.
Love them.
Heal them in the name of JESUS.

So many opportunities to GO4GOD on this day.
Right here in Sonoma County.
Do not miss out.
If you are a believer, repent and follow Christ.
Feed the hungry.
Clothe the naked.
Bring shelter to the poor and needy.
Visit those imprisoned.
Visit those that are sick and dying.

It makes me so sad that for thousands of years we as believers STILL aren't following what the word says.

Will you pray with me?
Dear Father in heaven,
I come before YOU with praise of thanksgiving for who YOU are!
I ask for mercy, oh GOD and forgiveness of my sins and repent of my laziness, gluttony and neglect for those in need.
Help me get to that place oh GOD to see others as YOU do.
Take away what is within me that is displeasing to YOU and give me a double portion of your HOLY SPIRIT that I may not deny YOU on a daily basis.
Father GOD, I don't want to hear the excuses any more or be an excuse.
satan is a liar and only YOU do I want to serve.
Have mercy oh GOD upon the gentleman who is living without enough food and the married couple who is without a home and the single man who has found himself without clothes. I thank YOU for these divine appointments, for the provision to be a part of miracles but all the glory be to YOU oh GOD that through YOU all blessings flow.
Father GOD I lift up to YOU every hand and every foot of the teams around the world who call upon YOU on this day for strength to bring freedom to those who are needy and oppressed. I ask that YOU would give them favor on this day, oh GOD that they would not grow weary. For those that have scales upon their eyes dear GOD draw nearer to them, JESUS. I was blind and now I see and I thank YOU for the greater work YOU are doing in my life. More JESUS, more. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit I pray, AMEN.