Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake unto me.

Tonight I was going through some websites and reading posts from various people that were still being hounded by thoughts of doubts, confusion and frustration.

In my journey with the Lord I have seen the neccessity of various churches to help me grow. I have also taken note that some of them were truly speaking by the Spirit of God while others were well meaning and yet spoke from their own heart or desires.

When I think of this portion of scripture I can't help but think of how dear brother Paul's life went from one of a leader to what he would later refer to as the filth of the world and the offscouring of all things. In just a moment as he and his companions fell to the ground at the glory of that heavenly light he went from a respected pharisee persecuting the church in ignorance of the grace of our Lord to one that his own men would hate later.

Sometimes we too see the glorious light of our precious Saviour only to be hated by those who journeyed with us in times past. Maybe it's because we no longer believe alike. Maybe it's because they no longer understand us.

All that were with dear Paul saw the light. There are many that see the light and try to follow Jesus today.

Paul was the only one that heard the voice.

It's good to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ but that's not enough. We have to hear his voice as well. Even back in the law and the prophets the Lord said the children of Israel were to diligently obey his voice.

As we gather together in this evil and perilous time we need to be sure that our pastors do indeed hear the voice of God.

We can behold his glory but we need to hear his direction as he speaks to us.

Faith cometh by hearing so we need to make sure that the one that preaches to us is truly hearing from God so that what we hear will cause our faith in our Lord to grow.

I knew a girl a while back that was deaf. She had terriffic spiritual hearing, so to speak. Her inability to hear didn't hinder her from hearing what the Lord would tell her. She was a blessing and had better insight than many with working ears.

The reason that I post this is because we live in a world that tends to judge by sight and sound. While it is true that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, those words should bear witness to the goodness of God in Jesus our precious Lord.

We can hear a lot of sermons with the natural ear but it's that spiritual ear that is so important to be combined with sight. Does the voice of God line up with the word you see in the Bible?

Scripture can be twisted to say whatever the speaker wants it to mean but it's that still small voice of the Spirit of God that agrees or warns that something is amiss.

Many see the light and end up using clobber passages against others. But do they have the leading of the voice of God? Have they both seen and heard?

Also; like dear Paul, don't be surprised if you find yourself at odds with the multitude. Dear Paul was one out of a group. The Lord may not want to speak to everyone. You may be that one singled out for the Lord's glory.

As a transgender I have faced ridicule from churches like so many of my GLBT brothers and sisters. We all are different and as stars that differ in glory. So was Paul and his helpers. The shame is that they ended turning on him. Many of us have been cast out too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be too surprised with opposition as many see the light but few hear the voice of he that speaks from on high.

May God bless you.

Tiffany

I was going to leave this part out but I just can't. If this in any way goes against any rules it is my hope that the moderators will remove it and be assured I mean no harm.

When I spoke of seeing the light but not hearing the voice I was referring to spiritual discernment.

I saw a group picketing a funeral on the news the other night. It repulsed me so!

I have tried to visit their website but they make it clear they don't care what you write. They'l just ignore it.

The scriptures they use appear right but you can feel the devil in their twisted scriptures of hate and their justification of what they do.

The word of God tells us that he that repayeth evil for good; evil shall not depart from his house.

What they do not see is that they are bringing a curse from God on themselves as the word says the curse causeless shall not come.

Those soldiers gave their lives to defend an unthankful and hateful people. They died to defend a people that have lost their fear of God and love of mankind. When they repay that good those men and women did with their evil actions and words they can bring a curse on themselves that will follow them to the grave and the judgement seat of Christ.

As I saw signs saying "your son is in hell" and "God hates fags" and "God hates the United States" I couldn't help but wonder who they think they are to put words in God's mouth.

It is true that the word of God says that God is angry with the wicked every day but they need to remember that the wicked and evil are the ones that "leadeth in a way that is not good" according to Proverbs.

When they take people and twist the word of God to spur hatred they are leading their flock in a way that is not good, or of God since only God is good.

The Bible says mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. The fruit of the Spirit is love and joy and peace. Where is any of that in their protests?

Maybe they forget that the Lord said that those who give a cup of cold water only in a prophet's name shall receive a prophet's reward. Regardless of who they are if they give their life they have given the greater love, or fulfilling of the very law that is used against them as our Lord showed us. And if they loved their fellow man enough to make such a sacrifice they may receive that prophet's reward. That prophet being Christ and that reward being eternal life. Have any of these picketers made a sacrifice?

I don't mean to rant but it did rile me and I have little use for a group of people void of spiritual discernment that condemn people over a law they break themselves. After all, when did they drag a bull to the church so their holier-than-thou pastor could put on his priestly robes and sacrifice it for them?

As far as I'm concerned they wouldn't know Jesus if he sat down next to them on the pew with one of those blue "Hello, my name is" stickers on his robe.

They'd probably call him effeminate or a crossdresser.

I guess I better stop. I just wanted to give an example of seeing the light and not hearing the voice and the damage it can do.

May God bless you.

Tiffany

I don't think you'll offend anyone with that post, Tiffany. I rant & rave about that particular group of hatemongers all the time! Even the majority of us who are straight &/or conservative are sickened by the way they spew hate allegedly in the name of the Lord. Where in the Bible does it say "God is HATE?" Guess I missed that part! I can't help but feel that the Scripture about those who cast out demons & perform works in God's name but are told "I know you not" might be applicable here...not to be presumptuous; JMHO.