I’ve written Words for the Day 5 days per week for 16 years now which amounts to nearly two million words. Occasionally I receive hate mail. Many times I would counter with a nasty letter and try my utmost to find out who wrote it. Now I just smile, say a prayer for them, and click the delete key and the problem is fixed without another thought.
How did I get to this point? By reading a verse from the Bible (Matthew 10:22 “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved”). That verse seemed to leap from the Bible one day after I had read a particularly vile letter. Whenever a verse does that, it reminds me that the Bible is indeed “living”: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Yes if you are a Christian and trying to do something good, people will occasionally take potshots at you. But not to worry they took potshots at Jesus too so you are in excellent company.
When we receive a word like that while in Bible study they are called “Rhema” words and I view them as the Holy Spirit conversing with me. If I’m reading along and all of a sudden something makes me pause and reread the verse or even stop altogether and meditate about it, I know that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and I need to listen carefully. Usually it pertains to something going on in my life, but not always. Sometimes it refers to something that I haven’t done, but need to do.
Yesterday I got 2 pieces of hate mail. For a second I was tempted to respond in kind, but held off, smiled, prayed for them, and clicked the Delete key. Yesterday I got hundreds of letters from folks that have been praying for me that were encouraging and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I got a Rhema word via an e-mail that a friend sent to me the other day: “Prepare your hearts for battle, for this is a spiritual battle that requires prayer and fasting. This battle is the Lord’s!”
Prayer and fasting is what is needed from us, especially when we are being persecuted as we are right now in these Last Days. Do not look to the natural for solutions, it will only frustrate and discourage, but seek the One who can deliver and save and the mighty hand of God will win the battle.
My wife Teresa is getting a biopsy this morning; please pray that it is non-cancerous.
1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
February 24, 2015 – Click here to listen