"They were ashamed of a people that could not profit them..." Isaiah 30:5a
PART I
Indictment.
There is an indictment against the body of Christ.
(Be sure it is not against the Christ ... it is against the members: the Body.)
America is especially warned.
Too much salt.
Too much 'gospel'.
Too much 'teaching'.
Too much 'preaching'.
Too many 'prophecies'.
The salt has lost it's savor.
Think about it: too much salt on food.
No good.
Good for nothing ... except to throw out.
So it is with My church, My Body.
My Body has too much salt; it is too salty ... it is saturated with brine.
It is essentially useless.
Am I being too 'hard'?
Am I wrong, My people?
Look at America: look at the luxury ... look at the churches.
Too much salt accumulated in one place.
What is salt for?
Is it not to 'season' the food, and to 'preserve' the food?
How is My Salt being used?
Is it being hoarded up?
Is it piled high in certain areas, while others are left desolate - with no salt ... no 'flavor' ?
This is not My plan.
So where is all the salt being deposited?
Where are the 'salt piles' ?
Look at your church(es), America.
Look at your lifestyles.
Look at your homes,
your food, your entertainment ... is it not 'lavish' ?
James 5:1-3
"Go (to) now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.
Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." (Scripture reference)
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PART II
Now, where is some salt needed?
Where is there no flavor, no savor, no preservation?
This (also) is *witnessed* in your churches, America.
It is just harder to see.
(Mainly because it is often ignored.)
There are empty tables among you.
There are crying, lonely people: both adults and children.
There are desperately poor among you ... and near you.
There are sick, weak, scared, tired people all around you.
Do you not care?
Do you not see?
Maybe the excessive 'saltiness' has hidden (covered up and covered over) the truly needy.
Are you ashamed of a person - of people - who cannot 'profit' you?
Do you see them ... and walk to the other side of the road?
Do you purposely avoid them in your gatherings?
Are they left out of your functions?
They need salt, too."
Definitions:
indictment = accusation or criminal charge
savor = flavor; season; special or particular taste or smell; special or peculiar characteristics; quality or distinction
lavish = using great abundance, extravagant, excessive
cankered = corroded
brine = water full of salt
"Many will stumble.
Many will fall.
You will stumble ... and you will fall.
Do you stay down .... or do you get back up?
Do you rest and recover ... or do you 'jump the gun' before you are ready?
All must be done in My timing.
I have seasons for everything.
Not all is as you expect or predict.
My ways, My times ... are not are not (as) your ways or your times. Let Me be God.
If you follow Me, you will be shown the way.
If you resist My leading(s), then you will go astray ... you will go off the path.
When you refuse to obey Me (and My laws) ... ( then) you are 'out on your own'.
Yes, I am watching you, but I wait for you to acknowledge Me and My place in your life.
Many 'sheep' have gotten lost, hurt, even killed; when they 'went their own way'.
-pause-
Sheep! I call my sheep!
Listen!
Listen for Me!
Become quiet, and in silence you will hear Me.
I will call you.
I am your Shepherd.
You know My voice.
I care for My sheep.
I will lead you to where I am ... to My pastures.
I love My sheep and (have) laid down My life for them (My sheep).
(The) sheep follow their shepherd.
He leads them in to a safe place.
He guides them by night and feeds them by day.
He is at watch in the night and on alert for any danger.
He 'runs off' the wolves: the enemies and predators.
The Good Shepherd can recognize His sheep--and a false sheep;
He will expose and eject from His fold.
(For many wolves wear sheep's clothing ... and try to 'get in' to the fold to destroy.)
-pause-
Yes, I lead My flocks to higher ground ... to walled fortresses .. ... to strong towers.
I defend them and I care for them.
They are Mine."
***Continued ...
"I nurse them back to health when they are sick.
I stay near the ones who are suffering ... and are weak.
I feed the starving sheep.
I direct the steps of My flock.
I show them the safe routes ... and the places of hiding.
If needed ... I hide them ... until the danger has passed.
They are under My protection.
Yes, the sheep (may) cost Me My life ... but I willingly lay down My body for the flock.
This is the life of a true shepherd.
A hireling will run in sight of danger.
He will leave the sheep defenseless ... without a leader.
Sheep with no shepherd.
This is not good.
Once left vulnerable, the sheep becomes easy prey for (the) ravening wolves and beasts.
The ones first attacked are the weak ones ... (and) the older ones ... the sickly ones ... the young, fragile ones.
With no strong shepherd to cover (protect) them, they are 'open targets'.
SO IT IS WITH MY HUMAN CHURCH!
The shepherds leave their flocks defenseless, open to attack, trembling with anxiety ... alone.
Neglected, abandoned flocks are all over.
Shepherds are (mere) 'figure heads'.
Many have the title (of shepherd) ... but lack the heart.
To be a true shepherd, a man needs My heart
... My love
... My mercy
... My strength
... My wisdom
... My discerning eye
... My power
... My compassion.
The false shepherds (pastors, prophets, teachers) will leave the flocks.
They are only there for a paycheck; for the money ... and the 'prestige'.
Most false shepherds are controlling, liars, sinful;
full of lusts - greedy lusts; empty words, flashy (and/or condemning) personas (appearances).
Their idea of 'church' is a show.
They put on a show every week and collect 'ticket' money.
The false shepherds fear the enemy.
They have no power over the enemy.
They cower in fear when real danger approaches.
These frauds will be exposed for what they are.
-pause-
The negligent, evil, false shepherds will receive (the) greater condemnation.
They are liars, frauds, angels of darkness disguised as ministers ... they are most evil.
They will receive according to their evil deeds.
Unless repentance is evidenced, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for the false shepherds among you.
Repent."
