Bishop Jonathan Grenon
Jonathan David to anyone who ever felt or fells that God has them doing the most unusual and mysterious things. Believe me, I know how you feel.
Who stands up against the most powerful empire in the world with only the Truth as their defense? How could one expect to win where there is no fair game? Then over time you see this evil empire destroying your lives in so many ways. Your family suffers, you suffer, all the people that support you either suffer with you or back out and give up. It is impossible they say, you’re going about it wrong, you’re crazy, your stupid, your mentally retarded, your selfish, your proud and arrogant and the list goes on and on. When nothing makes logical sense and there is no explanation for what is happening. Most people won’t blame the mighty powerful empire, “They can’t be wrong because they aren’t suffering or losing, the people say” Since they are “winning”, who do we blame for this suffering? Must be the crazy guys who did the weird and unusual because they are getting their butts kicked, in every way. Only makes sense, right?
When my dad, brothers and I decided to stand firm against evil, we were told: ” Don’t try to be the heroes, don’t risk it” and so on. Just because we are the weak, poor and the nobodies, doesn’t mean that God won’t use us to do His will. Actually, the opposite is true, God loves to do the unusual and mysterious.
There are people in this world portraying to be the ones who want to “save us” and are not interested in destroying the evil in this world, as my family and I are. They want to play the “good guys” part, but not be the “good guys”. They like a sinful world; they enjoy their sins. What was said by all the people in the world (many “so called Christians for that matter) during the Plandemic lockdowns? “We just want things to go back to normal.” You mean to a sinful life? We as believers in Christ must walk like Him. Doing the radical, unusual and mysterious as He did and does. You probably won’t even understand it yourself at times, but that is what living by faith looks like. This evil system in the world is of Satan and we must stand up against it, not just act like we are and let it continue. Stop looking for man to save you. Look only to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
I can see that people will bow down to the Antichrist when he comes, with no restraint nor looking back. They will fall down at his feet. Just look at how people, a lot of “Christians” bow down to presidential candidates. I know that some of them might have the best intentions, but that won’t matter if the system is corrupt and evil. This evil system must be wiped out and completely changed. Do you remember what Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew? Well, here it is to refresh your memory. Matthew 16:6 says-“Then Jesus said unto them, take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees”.
What is that leaven of the leaders that Jesus was speaking of? We can find the answer in Matthew 16:12-” Then understood they (the disciples) how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
Now what is the meaning of doctrine here? I won’t be going into an extensive study on doctrine, but I recommend that you do. Here is the Biblical definition: Instruction, Teaching (the function or the information; that which is taught). So how do we get rid of the leaven/doctrine and become a nation truly under God and His ways? I like what Paul says in I Corinthians 5:6-8-” Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
I hope that everyone reads all of chapter 5 to understand the context of the passage. But see what verse 7 says: “To purge out the old leaven!!!” We have to rid ourselves of this corrupt system, we cannot put the best man for the job in a rotten system and hope all becomes good. We need a change. When we stand in sincerity and in Truth, and don’t try to fight this system in the manner they want us to because it is set up for them to win every time anyways. Then we will shine light on their evil deeds and then people will see in due time how truly evil this world’s system is. We will suffer and become a spectacle to many. But then everyone will have a choice to make to either continue living in and supporting evil, or stand for what is righteous.
There are many examples in the Bible of how God worked through men in many unusual ways. Here are a few.
1. The Passover in Egypt- It had never been done before, but through it God saved the Hebrews firstborn sons.
2. The life of Joseph- He suffered for many years as a slave and prisoner. But through those unusual circumstances, he became 2nd in command in all of Egypt and ended up saving his family.
3. Gideon- How the LORD used the least in his household(him), to do an unusual but mighty work for his people.
Seeing that I should be preaching about Gideon this Saturday in the Spanish service we hold from 1-3 pm. I would like to show you a few unusual things that I have found in Gideon’s story. Before I go into that, you must know that by doing the mysterious and unusual the Hebrews probably had to endure being ridiculed and mocked for expecting the blood of lambs to save their first born sons. They probably had their own doubts also. Joseph had to suffer tremendously for years in his unusual circumstance, for not doing anything wrong. We will get to Gideon in a bit.
To have the discipline it takes to do the unusual, faith must silence the critics. To endure the second guessing, the mocking’s, the ridiculing, the suffering and more that will come against you. It takes being faithful with discipline. The kind that say’s “Lord God, You are the One who set me on this course, and until You say otherwise, this is the direction I’m going to walk in.” Elton Trueblood said it best: ” Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation”. So if the world is against me, so be it. Because greater is He that lives in me than he that lives in the world!!! Good will overcome evil and the Truth will prevail!!!
Now lets check out a bit of Gideon’s unusual story. You should read Judges Chapter 6&7 so that you can follow along with me. I will only be touching on certain verses today. There is so much more that can be said and unless you want to come to prison here in Yazoo city and hear me preach it, you better follow along and do your due diligence. I’m only joking, but really, take some time and dive in the Word, I know it will bless you. Let’s try to relate his story to our lives, even only a little bit.
In chapter 6 verse 12 we can see that the LORD sees us as we will be, not as we are in our moments of weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9&10 says-“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Ch.6:14- Here we can apply the story dad wrote last week. The General and the Private. When the LORD sends us we will have the victory, because He is with us.
Ch.6:28-32- You will have resistance from your own family, supporters,and many people. They wont understand your unusual stand. But they weren’t chosen for this trial, so don’t be upset with them. Understand that God has chosen you for this trial.
He is preparing you for a greater battle ahead.
Ch.6:34-35- When you are moved by the Spirit of the LORD, people will flock to you and join you. But the question is:”Will they remain when things get difficult and when push comes to shove?”
Ch.6:36-40- Doubt will have you asking the LORD for more signs and confirmations. Don’t worry. God will confirm His will for you. Have faith, God’s will can be unusual and mysterious at times, hence you must remain trusting in Him. Remember what Elton Trueblood said?
Believe me when I say Gideon must have thought, what is going on? Although God had prepared him for this test ahead of time. During our(my dad, brothers and my)stand for the Truth in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; against this evil system. I have yet to completely understand what He is doing. In Judges chapter 7 verses 1&2, I find an answer that helps me learn to accept what I am going through. Believe me, I still struggle almost daily.
I Corinthians 1:25-29 explains it well-” Because the foolishness of God is wiser then men;and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence.”
To Jesus Christ our Lord be the glory and honor and to Him alone.
Ch. 7:3-8- Now for one of the most unusual parts of Gideon’s story, at least to me that is. We see the Lord remove the majority of the so called warriors. This will happen in your situation and it might be scary and hard to bare. Remain firm in your stand. First, those that are afraid will return to their comfortable zone and leave you in the battle field, their fear will only affect the mission. They must go and God knows this, remember this is for His glory, not for any man’s. Second, I love what God does here, make sure to read the passage so that you will understand. God will bring tests to show what warriors are alert, aware, sober and watching for the enemy. Most people think that they are, but they drop their guard often. Cares of this world, like family, plans and a lot of other good things for that matter, will affect your awareness. That is why when men went to war, they didn’t take their families with them. It will only weaken us. And who is to say when the battle is over? Only God.
So what remains after is 300 men ready to stand firm in the heat of the battle. In your situation it might only be you. But never forget that the Almighty is with you. Romans 8:31 says-” What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ”
Look what happens in Ch. 7:21- In the heat of the battle, these 300 men “stood in his place”. And an unusual victory came to pass. There is so much more that I could go into on this subject and sermon. But just let the LORD guide you in His unusual and mysterious ways. He knows best, try to enjoy His adventures. I sure try to. You don’t need a back up plan. Trust Him alone…
(Update) I would like to thank everyone who is helping support us and our families in more ways than you can imagine. In prayer and also financial support,and other means. May God bless you all. Your support has helped mom and my wife to be able to visit my brother Jordan in the next few weeks. He hasn’t seen mom up close for years now and my wife will be going to see him and help mom in the trip. Thank you so much for this blessing, it encourages us all. Just recently my visitors list was approved, so in the next few months we are praying and trying to plan for my family to visit me, after years of no up and close contact. Seeing I have 5 sons and my wife, mother and mother-in-law would be coming, we have to plan a bit better because of mom and my wife’s work, the boys school and also the financial situation. But I am patient and know God will allow it in His timing. Thank you all for your love and support towards us. May God bless us all.
Jonathan David
A Warrior of the LORD
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