THREATEN
by
Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (December 13, 2015)
“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus...And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4:17-18, 9:1-2, King James Version [The persecution of the disciples]).
Greetings In The Holy Name Of Christ Jesus,
My sisters and brothers, giving honor to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, I shudder to think how in an attempt to threaten Christ Jesus how threatened the children of God are, the sons and daughters of God, the brothers and sisters of Christ, yet they are called to follow Christ Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.
In prayer we should decide less our emotions hold us captive in afterthought, for the daughters of Eve, the same daughters of Sarai, faced decisions seemingly an afterthought only to find out their decisions ruled the world because it was what was in their hearts that was chosen to decide the course of mankind, for Eve chose to eat of the fruit of good and evil and Eve chose to feed the fruit of good and evil to Adam. Understandably, Sarai decided to give her handmaid, Hagar, an Egyptian woman to Abram to bear him a child in spite of God's promise to give her a child in her old age, in an afterthought, she felt it was best for Abram to go ahead with Hagar in spite of God's promise to give him a child in his old age and so Hagar bore Abram a child named Ishmael who held the blessing of: “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” (Genesis 16:1-5,12, KJV [Hagar given to Abram]). Do the daughters of God hold the blame for letting Satan in through our faults, our faults, our most grievous faults for the wrong of Sarai was upon Abram (16:5) as the wrong of Eve was upon Adam for him to eat of it 'good and evil' all the days of his life, in sorrow (3:17). Oftentimes, we hardly realize or recognize we are making life changing or life altering decisions, we only feel we are speaking out our emotions not moving mountains in the power of God who walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, accessible to them. God continued to walk with Adam and Eve even after they were cast out for did not their sons, Cain and Abel speak directly to God and prepare an offering to God.
Most importantly, how close are you to God in the power of Christ Jesus to know that the words you speak have the power of God to move mountains? Is this not why it is said out of the mouth is life and death? However, we are called to open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19, KJV [Paul's thankfulness to God]). How else will you stand without prayer and supplication in the Spirit (6:18, KJV) for you are threatened? For man threatens true believers to falsely practice the faith of Christ Jesus “with eyeservice as menpleasers, not doing the will of God from the heart”(6:6, KJV). Apostle Paul, the one and the same Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the Jews, now a new creature in Christ---an apostle in prison said, “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (6:9-10, KJV).
Moreover, how many times have you known the consequences of your wrong decisions would weigh you down for a long time placing you on the mercy seat praying to God for relief from the sufferings while in the struggle to overcome as a conqueror in the power and authority of Christ Jesus from God Almighty? There was a woman who planted a seed in her man for she was not married and her man spoke it out, “What is this, 'Have Faith'? All you want is when you ask me for something, for
2
me to give it to you?” Firstly, a believer needs to humble himself or herself down to ask God for what
he wants for God already knows what is needed. Secondly, a believer needs substance, not always what
you think it could be but what you hold dear in your heart to offer it to God.
Perhaps, it was an afterthought for her to question the “Faith of a true believer” and not understand that if faith failed where then are the children of God adopted in through Christ Jesus into the family of God? This is what we mean by not understanding that the words we speak hold far-reaching long-suffering in persecution for the sins of man and not understanding the consequences of the words we say can weigh us down for a long time in a struggle of persecution simply because we just wanted to win an argument with our man but we truly did not understand the power of God when we threaten faith. How could she speak like one who does not bear substance for their faith when her man was raised in a prayer-filled home and visited his grandparents prayer-filled home and a man who understands the power of offering, a man who understands the power of asking God especially when two or three come together to gain the presence of God for their requests---did not God teach Cain and Abel, two sons of Adam and Eve about a good offering? What is her substance for her hopes, if not prayer and supplications, fasting, offerings, coming together (two or three) in the Name of Christ Jesus,---also, what about bearing witness of the goodness of the Lord and what about offering all the prayers in all the masses or church services to God to save sinners opens the door to ask for other requests---keeping the horse before the cart, for first you need to save your soul then maybe some acres of land with a big house on the hill with at least a two-car garage, a fancy car or maybe two, farm equipment, with at least two children and a big bank account, is worth the asking plus more for God gives you the power to get wealth?
In closing, a good past time is to reflect on some of the prayers and supplications, offerings made by the family of God in the law and by Christ Jesus in the gospel. May God Almighty be with you, always. In the Merciful Name of Jesus. Amen (Holy Bible, n.d.).
