Hi Israel, I’ve been following what’s been going on recently with great interest and the Lord has placed you on my heart to stand with you and support you in prayer…

I’ve read your article, Israel Folau – I’m a sinner too and hear your heart in your article and know in my heart that you belong to the Lord and are my brother in Christ…

In my article, Is Jesus a Bigot? and the articles referred to within that article I enunciate what I believe is important for us as believers in Jesus – to be both pro-grace and pro-truth at the same time – which I believe Jesus was, and from reading your article on Player’s Voice above, I believe that is what you’re endeavouring to do also…

I would like to encourage you that as the Apostles said,

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19b-20 NASB)

And as Peter the Apostle said,

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; (1 Peter 3:13-18 NASB)

I’ve been praying for you that the Lord would give you peace, would give you wisdom and that no matter what happens you will keep your peace and your wisdom and that the Lord will direct you in the path which He has for you…

I would encourage you to forgive everyone who is speaking evil against you – from your heart – as this will protect your heart…

Remember, any authority which is set against you only has power over you as is given to it from above, as Jesus said to Pilate,

Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11 NASB)

Also, remember what the Apostle Paul did when he was falsely put into prison,

But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. (Acts 16:37-39 NASB)

And finally, from the Apostle Paul, remember that,

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:26-39 NASB)

I believe that everyone has the God-given right to do whatever they want to under the sun (good or bad) – I don’t think any of us should try and ‘legislate morality’ or ‘bully anyone into change’ – but that doesn’t mean that we’re not all responsible for what we choose to do under the sun (good or bad) in light of eternity…

From reading your article above, I believe you believe this too…

I would encourage you to continue to speak as the Holy Spirit leads you, from the peace He gives you in your heart and remember that those speaking against you are not your enemies, they are the ones for whom Christ died, it is the entities which have been controlling them which are resisting the grace and the truth in you because they see that combination as a powerful threat to their continued presence in our region…

What is happening to you is more than just about you, it is about our region and what the Holy Spirit is doing in our region to turn our region to Jesus…

Be strong and keep surrendering yourself to the Lord, keep up your physical training also, don’t lose heart, be encouraged, don’t rush to speak but when the Holy Spirit gives you a peace to speak, then speak and know that as we acknowledge the Lord, He will make straight our paths…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB)…

I will keep praying for you until this season of fiery trial is over for you, I believe you will come out of this much stronger in the Lord and knowing/experiencing the Lord much closer to you and supportive of you than you do even now… 🙂

And the future is bright for you, wherever the Lord chooses to lead you, just follow Him, follow His Voice through His Holy Spirit and the peace He gives you and stay true to the scriptures… 🙂

I believe you are right where the Lord wants you to be (keep being humble and meek before Him) and He will honour and protect you and provide for your every need, in every area of your life, Jesus’ Blood is over you, He is your Passover and you are safe in His Hands… 🙂

Love you brother,

Andrew