Written by my husband, Ronnie Henson.

I want to share something that the Lord laid on my heart a few days ago. Nichole and I were talking about how some Christians and church leaders will tear people apart for following what God put on their heart to do. They will say that isn’t right or you’re wrong if it goes against their beliefs, traditions, and feelings. I just want to remind you that even the prophets of old were torn down and some were even killed. Jesus was also hated by the church leaders of the day because He went against their corrupt teaching, greediness, and power hungry ways.

• 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

• Hebrew 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resresurrection; andhers experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

• Luke 13:31-35 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ “Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! “Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’

There are so many other scriptures that show how followers will be scorned if we go against the grain of lukewarm and false teaching. I just want to encourage you to press forward and continue to do what God has laid on your heart to do and let the naysayers talk. You will be blessed for being obedient. It may be hard. Jesus never said it would be easy, but the reward at the end is worth more than anything you or I will ever get here in this lifetime.

Blessings,

Ronnie and Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry