Another Exhausted Ox... Friends, I have a few thoughts on this beautiful Springtime day, while we await our Beloved... Secondly, recently, the Lord has had us provoke thoughts and action on certain subjects that most Christians do not like to address, namely supporting those that minister and labour in the Word. Just today, I saw another ministry (essentially run single-highhandedly like ours) announce that they are having to take a break and step-back from interaction because the workload has taken a physical toll on them. They have four times as many subscribers as ours; yet the individual has to work a full-time job - on top of his family time, and time for ministry. He's tired and exhausted; it's taken a toll on him. He's exhausted. Obviously, this is what the Lord has had me put on the table, about two weeks ago. If you haven't yet, read over our post again, about muzzling the ox. So many Christians want ministers to only give them full course meals, full course attention, full course encouragement - while leaving the ministers begging for scraps, rest, refreshment, and tangible encouragement. Prayers are great - all ministers need prayer; yet Christ ordained that those that minister in the Word should live (have their daily needs met) by their ministry. Christ, Himself, stated that if the listeners did not receive the ministers (take care of their food and life needs), then the ministers were to shake off the dust of their feet and go elsewhere. We are at a time where many godly ministers are running themselves ragged, and into the ground, because the listeners are quick to the muzzle, and begrudge giving so much as a widow's mite or cup of cold water. Shaking off the dust is a legal notice, and a witness against; that the subject will be revisited one day. As I mentioned before, I can speak to this, because our ministry has laboured for almost two years with less than 1/4 of 1% of our regular viewership donating anything. We weren't in it for the money, because there was none. Ever. Yet, like my Brother in Christ's ministry, it has taken a cumulative physical toll on me, too. Working full-time, long days and hours producing professional-quality videos and entirely free books has gradually made my carpal tunnel worse and worse. The stress and disappointment from having so few fellowservants come uplift the weary arms only compounds certain physical effects and tolls, too. Friends, Christ has laid it on my heart to bring up this painful subject because the treatment of fellowservants is what Christ repeatedly talked about when He addressed His coming!!! I am harping on this because I want YOU to have a good report!! Now is the short time - right when we are expecting our King and Master - to assess how we have treated and encouraged the very ones who have encouraged and fed us! Seriously, have you so much as given $5 to the ministers that you go to the most??? "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." - Mark 9:41 "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." - James 2:15-17 How is your faith? Is it dead, or is it as strong as the widow's mite? Amounts given do not matter - it's the participation rate. The faithfulness of the least. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." - Rev 22:12 Friend, seriously assess the top three ministers/ministries that you have fed from, that you always watch their videos/podcasts/tv broadcasts/radio, and that you actually respect and ask their thoughts on things - and send them an encouraging, uplifting, and strengthening cup of cold water. Do not be like the religious folk in the parable of the Good Samaritan - who know a need, but walk on by. Christ upheld the example of the Samaritan - and his actions and two pence - "Go, and do thou likewise." - Luke 10:37 Thirdly, and last thought, this week is very important in geopolitical events that relate to prophecy. Namely, Israel will be having its legislative elections. The 'Deal of the Century' ('Deal of this Last Generation') has been in discussion leading up to this time, and is supposed to be made public sometime after the elections. But, it is already constantly in the news, with the various candidates and news outlets discussing rumors relating to the plan, who is for it, what it may mean, etc. In short, we can see we are at a week where the discussion of peace and safety of Israel - and its interactions and agreements with many around it - is strongly on the table and in focus right now. We could say that the atmosphere is thick with anticipation and loaded with prophetic warnings. Many elements of prophecy are just this close ---><--- to becoming reality; people are ready. People are thinking, discussing, and watching so much unfold right now - right here in this Springtime. There is much to tell us that we should be on high alert, high soberness, high vigilance, high readiness, high occupying - high going and doing - for our Redeemer is coming quickly. Maranatha (Our Lord Cometh) Brother Daniel |
