1 Kings 13:23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. KJV
COMPASSION, noun 1. A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it. Extreme distress of an enemy even changes enmity into at least temporary affection.
What has this verse got to do with compassion? God's compassion on His own is spread throughout the Word. The man of God (we do not know his name) - is sent by God for a specific task. He is to give a warning of things to come because of disobedience. He is not to waiver - and he is to stay focused. When we have received a direct command fresh from the lips of Christ, we must act on it, and not be turned aside by a different suggestion, made to us through the lips of professing Christians… Deal with God at first-hand. It is so important for us to stay focused on the Lord ourselves.
What was the task assigned by God on this man? He obviously was not anyone well known, his name is never mentioned. That's like us. Some of us are not well known by anyone. We are just people who love God and do all we can for Him. God told His man to warn Jeroboam that judgement was coming. Like today we don't know when Jesus will return, Jeroboam had no idea when judgment would be applied on his "house". He didn't know it wouldn't happen for 350 years - he just knew it was coming. God's people were not "worshipping" God as they were taught. The altar they burned on would be the altar that God would destroy them on. It would be destroyed, and those who used it, promoted it, and deceived many by it.
Sadly, there are men in 'pulpits' today doing the same thing. They will stand in front of some of God's people who have got off track, and he will whitewash sin, make worldly worship look good, all those things that will keep us from serving GOD with all of our hearts. They are worshipping with their eyes, not their hearts. These men are not preaching the entire counsel of God. They are tickling the ears of people and sadly many will fall because of it. We are each one responsible for our salvation, and the salvation of our families, friends, neighbors. You must read and know the WORD of God and its truths! Satan makes "men" look good, and it is just another way of deceiving God's people.
This unnamed prophet told Jeroboam a son would be born from the house of David named Josiah. He would be used by God to restore spiritual order to His people and judgment would be applied as God had commanded. That was his message. He was not to waiver, not to stop and eat or drink . . . just do the task and God would bless.
But the prophet from Bethel lied to him. . .and instead of trusting God, the unknown prophet failed ultimately. He went with him, sat at his table, ate, drank and God was now going to have to issue the punishment the "man of God" was warned of. He listened to someone else instead of REMEMBERING what God told him to do. He was duped into disobeying God and his punishment was that he would never join his family in death. His ashes would not lay with his loved ones. How can anyone believe that lies have to be told to promote their agendas? The old prophet of Bethel who tricked God's man; his sin was great; for he not only told a premeditated lie, but also made God a liar, and to contradict himself, and all this without any pretense of necessity, or benefit to himself. You must know, that is how the old serpent duped Eve. Just plain out lied to her. When we are studied up, read up, and follow-up with God and the Bible, our relationship with Christ will be strong, and no matter what the devil tries to do to you, he will fail.
We have been given orders as well Christian's. We are to spread the Gospel, see people saved from hell, and serve God with all of our hearts! We are not to waiver, give in, give up, disobey. What?! That is our order. Yes. First you must be saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Anything less than that will not get you to heaven. Then we are to share the love and mercy of God through Jesus and His salvation gift to us. How about you? Are you ready to follow the Lord? Are you saved? Are you a Christian already but not serving God. If you are reading this you can be saved, and you can turn back to Jesus. He loves us so much He died for us, how can we not love Him more and more every day?
HE CARES! Do You Know HIM? Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.
With love and prayers,
May we be your faithful Philippians 2:16 Missionaries?
Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Tom and Linda Milam
Missionaries to America and around the world!
ANSWERED PRAYER!
Pastor Weido is now cancer free! 02-02-23
Walter's surgery was a success! 02-02-23
Brian McBride's surgery went well, waiting for tests. 02-02-23
Stan Skriloff - Cancer FREE 2-2-23 just two more treatments, which are so hard, so keep praying for him!
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Frankie Sutherlands in-laws' health, and his health as he is their full time caregiver. (West End Baptist)
- Brady Rochester - diagnosed with Parkinsons and Neuropathy ~ they will be serving at New Testament Baptist in Okeechobee FL February 5th, and 8th if you can visit on those days, you won't be disappointed!
- Gene Papsidero ~ released from the hospital pray he continues to heal.
- Jim Bove ~ ER visit with dizziness, hospitalized for now. No diagnosis as yet.
- Dolly ~ God knows and has the answers.
- Kaycee Scalise and hi-risk pregnancy.
- Barbara - last stages of organ cancer.
- Lorraine - recovery from surgery
- Lorrie - salvation.
- Wayne Corfman - pacemaker check went well but, he has a few more months of monitoring and will get his pacemaker changed out soon. He will be seeing his cardiologist more often. It is hard to believe it is time to get a new one. (Ten years since he died in my car and was revived!) Please pray for wisdom for his caregivers!
- Sharon J. Her mom Kathryn's health.
- Larissa, Helene, Calvin, Dominic, Rocky, Cindy - Our group home folks.
- Pastor Mike Schneider, power and confidence to preach the whole counsel of God!
- Judy Lewis - praise the Lord, released from the hospital. Pray that her health continues to improve.
- David Harrison - cancer UPDATE - CAME THROUGH SURGERY WELL, WILL HAVE TEST RESULTS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
- Please pray for our daughter Lita in her health journey with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Pray that doors open on her healthcare needed. Click on the link to learn more about this awful disease. Guillain-Barre syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
- Mary Nutter, cancer treatments and hospitalization.
- Carl Odell - Knee surgery 1/27. SURGERY WENT WELL, PLEASE PRAY FOR FULL HEALING
- Levi - teen burned 1st & 2nd degree burns on his hands, when his derby mower caught fire.
- Dickie and Debbie Reynolds - Dickie's pacemaker replacement and full recovery.
- Reggie Parker - very sick, emergency surgery, kidneys failing, needs a special touch from heaven through the prayers of saints like you! His father is the pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Elizabeth City, NC. Please pray for this young man!
- Robbie Colt ~ needs double lung replacement after total damage of lungs by covid, also pray in the loss of his father to covid, and his stepmother.
- Walter - serious health
- Dr. Melvin Aiken - heart pacemaker surgery is complete, and he is home soon.
- Pam Shumate - health (our niece)
- Brenda Milam - wisdom and health (Tom's sister)
- The Henshaw's health - praise the Lord their home sold, but at the end of February they will be moving out of state. Pray for them through these great changes.
- Edie Smith - health (my sister)
- PJ - heart surgery, PRAY he can come off of the breathing machine, complications of blood clots in the brain and in his legs.
- John Odom - aneurisms.
- Louise Odom - cancer treatments.
- Imogene Walston - back injury and major mouth surgery on the 25th, went really well. Pray for a speedy recovery.
- Connie - injured back, continued healing.
- Pastor Greg - blood pressure issues.
- Miss Shirley-health - doing some better and able to help in the print shop some in the last couple of weeks.
- David Wiles - Cancer
- Pastor Bernard Antonis ~ HEALTH, PRAISE THE LORD for answered prayers - Pray for Mrs. Carolyn as his caregiver and a healing touch on her body.
- These families have lost loved ones to death in the last few months: John Isler, Larry Goodman, Frank Sparks, Lucinda Lane, Randy Rolle, Ruth Kemp, Bill Alley, Keith Cook, Cathy Harrison, Rachel Vance, Gail Tipton, Bob DeSalvio, Gail Tipton, Davis and Tichnell Family, Tudino family, Fuentes Family, DeSalvio Family, Thompson Family, The Toler Family in the homegoing of Donnie, Lucinda Lane Family (my beautiful sister-in-love), Keith Cook Family (our nephew and Tom's sister Florences' son), The Leo Family, The Echeverria Vallejos family in the homegoing of Patricia's father, The Baker Family, Richard Rosenmeier family, Jerry Kruckow family, the Clingaman family
- Shannon - health problems, grieving in loss of father.
- DJ needs a special touch from heaven. (Shannon's son and she has asked us to pray for DJ - God Knows!)
- Carolyn-health
- Pray for our need for a home here in Florida - We know You have the supply Lord already, help us to be patient. We moved Saturday the 14th, once again, to a precious saint's home for a couple of Months... at least till May when we will "move again." We are glad to be a help to Sister Cora and feel by May she will have her strength and healing by then.
- Pray for Stan Skriloff - cancer and treatments and pray for his caregiver wife Caren!
- Pray for Connie, complete healing of her back.
- Pray for Sister Cora and her hip healing from a fall and surgery. Miss Cora HAS PASSED her occupational therapy and is now working on physical therapy. She is excited that God will give her the opportunity to walk outside soon. Praise the Lord! Keep her in your prayers please. We are thankful for this wonderful home for a few months stay till the Lord moves us on.
- Pray for the Printing Ministry and all that goes on with it. BIG issue with our puncher . . . please pray we can resolve that Monday - Pray our paper supply will continue - we are still not able to purchase COVER STOCK, but we praise the Lord for our previous pastor's wisdom in buying several truckloads of this precious product. Only God knew what we would be facing today with shortages, and we have the "widows' mite" we are working from. Pray that Tom and I can work the bugs out of some of our equipment!
- Pray for the Mission Team coming in June that we will be able to finish all the work they will do for the few days they are with us.
- Pray for me and Tom; our health, out strength, and our service.
- Robyn-Health
- Carol and Richard-Health
- Cathy-Health
- Dicky and Debbie Reynolds - health
- 2-month-old great-nephew Evan. Evan is home from the hospital and doing well.
- Marsha-Health and ankle pain
- Pastor Johnny J-health and recovery from surgery - recovering well from surgery thank you for your prayers.
- Carol and Richard-Health
- Cathy-Health
- Arlene-Health
- Ruth-Health
- Brian-Health
- Lucinda Lane Family - pray for my brother Joe. This is a hard transition for anyone, but his health is poor as well.
- Paul Tipton - pray for Bro. Paul serving God in Nicaragua without his helper and bride.
- Penny - special unspoken - pray for her husband Mike - health.
- Billy Ward - health and continued healing, Sonja his bride and caregiver.
- Benjamin - surgery went well, pray for his recovery which may be long.
- Elaine - continued good health and strength.
- Linwood - health
- Pray diligently for all those that carry the title "Caregiver"!
- Sandra Parsons - her call to encourage the servants at FBC Publications & Printing WAS a blessing. 90-year-old pastors' wife, now living alone at her church after her husband's homegoing. Saved 72 years loves the LORD God more today than ever. A real blessing and encouragement.
- Kimberly LaSage - health and John Peters and family.
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