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Greg Laurie: My letter to Kanye West and to every new believer
Christian Post ^ | 11/04/2019 | Greg Laurie

Posted on 11/04/2019 8:20:30 AM PST by SeekAndFind

Dear Kanye,

It looks like you have become a follower of Jesus Christ. So, let me say to you, welcome to the family of God!

I think it’s amazing how you are using your considerable platform to talk about your newfound faith and the change it has made in your life.

You recently said in an interview:

“Now that I’m in service to Christ, my job is to spread the Gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me. I’ve spread a lot of things. There was a time I was letting you know what high fashion had done for me. I was letting you know what the Hennessy had done for me. I was letting you know all these things, but now I’m letting you know what Jesus has done for me. And in that, I’m no longer a slave. I’m a son now. Son of God. I’m free through Christ.”

I wish more believers would have the boldness to use their platforms to say what you are saying about what Jesus has done for you.

I love the zeal of a new believer, and I remember well how I wanted to tell people about what Jesus had done for me after Christ came into my life. But looking back at that moment 45 years later, I realize I still had a lot to learn in my walk with Christ.

So Kanye, though we have never met, let me share some things that you need to know as a young believer:

1. You need to read the Bible every day

After reading the lyrics of your new album Jesus Is King, it sounds like you are already doing this!

Reading the Bible is like waking up to a personal text from God in the morning. The Bible is God’s very word to us. It’s alive and powerful and will help you to grow in your new spiritual life.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Tim. 3:16 NLT)

Even though the Bible, collectively, was written thousands of years ago, it still teaches us about how to live life today. More importantly, it teaches us about who God is and how we can know Him.

2. You need to Pray

Prayer is simply talking to God. The objective of prayer is not to move God my way, but to move me His way! So, when you have burdens, or concerns, or worries or needs, commit them to the Lord in prayer — and trust that He will listen to you.

The Bible tells us, Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

3. You need a home church

Kanye, I know you are doing your Sunday services all around the country right now, and they have created quite a stir. That is amazing!

I would encourage you to find a local church to attend because every believer needs a home church and they need a pastor. The Bible says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25 NLT)

The church is a place where you can grow spiritually, develop a consistent theology, find accountability and have a pastor to help you in life. It is also a place to discover and develop your spiritual gifts that God has given you.

4. You need to share your faith

You are already doing an amazing job on this one, Kanye! Jesus told all of us to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” (Matt. 16:15)

You have a very large platform to do that, and I thank you for using it for the glory of God. I cannot but agree wholeheartedly with my friend Roma Downey, who recently tweeted:

"Kanye West can help spread the word of Christ to those who need Him. Kanye has millions of people typing the words 'Jesus is King.' Think about that for a moment. MILLIONS of believers and unbelievers alike are typing 'Jesus is King,' that’s incredible and to God be the glory."

One last thing, Kanye.

You along with all believers will face opposition from both people and spiritual forces. So keep your spiritual guard up! Keep studying God’s Word and surround yourself with godly people who are stronger spiritually than you as you continue to grow in your faith.

Because you are a public figure, people will take shots at you. You already know this.

Some will be nonbelievers who will mock, dismiss or outright attack you. Sometimes it will be people who identify as Christians that will nit-pick and critique you instead of pray for you.

My advice is: ignore them. What matters is that, as Hebrews 12:1-2 says, you run with endurance the race God has set before you, keeping your eyes on Jesus, “the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

We are glad that you are part of the family of God!

Pastor Greg Laurie


Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in California and Hawaii. Greg is the featured teacher of A New Beginning radio, Harvest America, and Harvest Crusades. Over 500,000 people have made professions of faith through these outreaches. Greg has been married to Cathe Laurie for more than 40 years and they have two sons: Christopher and Jonathan. Greg and Cathe also have five grandchildren. To learn more about Greg, visit harvest.org


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: greglaurie; kanyewest; newbeliever

1 posted on 11/04/2019 8:20:30 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

KIM & KANYE
HIDDEN HILLS HOME GETS BIGGER ...
Make Room for a Farm!!!

https://www.tmz.com/2019/11/04/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-hidden-hills-home-expanding-new-property/


2 posted on 11/04/2019 8:21:39 AM PST by RummyChick ("Pills, money .. this city is wicked. Your best friend will kill you here." Smoove about Baltimore)
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To: SeekAndFind

Judge not, lest ye be judged, Greg! I found his letter to be smug and if it was meant to encourage Kanye, this should have happened in a conversation with Kanye and not in a public forum.


3 posted on 11/04/2019 8:39:29 AM PST by ARA
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To: All

Prayers and Blessings out for Kanye West.


4 posted on 11/04/2019 8:45:10 AM PST by rbmillerjr
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To: SeekAndFind

I’ll take a “Baby Christian” over a “Backsliden Christian” any time.


5 posted on 11/04/2019 8:49:12 AM PST by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR)
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To: ARA; SeekAndFind
I found this letter to be smug.

I understand what you mean. There is a difference between reaching out to someone IN faith. Rather than *policing* someone’s faith. And at this point, I believe these pastors have more to learn from Kanye if anything else... and should just marvel at the move of God before our eyes and PRAY.

6 posted on 11/04/2019 8:53:08 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: SeekAndFind
I would encourage you to find a local church to attend because every believer needs a home church and they need a pastor.

Looks like Kanye West is doing just fine on his own - he doesn't need unsolicited public advice or public scolding from some celebrity pastor.
7 posted on 11/04/2019 9:04:05 AM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: SeekAndFind

I don’t generally listen to anything that begins with “you need to”

I prefer “I would suggest that”


8 posted on 11/04/2019 9:06:41 AM PST by Truthoverpower (The guvmint you get is the Trump winning express !)
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To: RummyChick
Make Room for a Farm

A farm? And maybe a church? Regardless, Kanye's made it a point to stress the value of using one's wealth to buy and invest in land...American land -- and how so little of these economic ideals are promoted among black Americans in particular. West has also purchased a major plot of land in Wyoming.

9 posted on 11/04/2019 9:34:35 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: SeekAndFind

One additional comment.

You WILL be attacked.

Evil does not give up easily and will try to dislodge you from your new faith. It will come at you through your “friends”, family, co-workers etc. The good news is that if you remain strong in your faith, the attacks will stop being constant, and will slow down to occasional clusters of attacks. Also, not everything is an attack. Some of what feels like an attack is just consequences of someone’s pain and/or poor choices - not always yours.


10 posted on 11/04/2019 9:38:30 AM PST by taxcontrol (Stupid should hurt - dad's wisdom)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
... just marvel at the move of God before our eyes and PRAY.

Yep. I totally agree.

Marveling about God’s moves is one of the best things about living.

It’s a life giving habit to acquire and it’s fun, too!

And telling Him about it is also fun.

Win!

11 posted on 11/04/2019 9:41:35 AM PST by GBA (Here in the matrix, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

I have a totally different take. People are forgetting who he is married to.

I don’t speak to what Kanye, who is bipolar and doesn’t take his meds, thinks or feels or believes...I speak to the Kardashian clan who has more than proven they manipulate every man dumb enough to get involved with their Cash Cows.

They will milk this every way they can.

The next Hillsong is on it’s way.


12 posted on 11/04/2019 9:46:08 AM PST by RummyChick ("Pills, money .. this city is wicked. Your best friend will kill you here." Smoove about Baltimore)
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To: RummyChick
I have a totally different take. People are forgetting who he is married to.

Well it took cash cows to build the Sistine Chapel and give Michelangelo his commission. So if money is involved, may as be well be involved for making good, uplifting art. And Kanye's done just that with his album and Kim is promoting it alongside him. I've also enjoyed the livestreams of the Sunday Services. It's about time innovative artists at the top of their game incorporate Christian themes! Regardless of his motives, as Saint Paul reminds us, Christ is being preached and that's all that matters.

And that we pray for the best, and not worst in people to triumph. All people are in need of redemption, from rich celebrities to poor prisoners.

13 posted on 11/04/2019 9:51:59 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Not the same. They aren’t looking to inject money for the sake of art. They are looking to EXPLOIT to gain dollars and tax exemptions.

When the scandal broke out over the $55 breakfast I had to wonder if one of the girls didnt have a financial stake. The catering company was quick to point out that it was all their fault and not Kanye’s fault.

Still, Kanye may very well believe in what he is doing.


14 posted on 11/04/2019 10:00:58 AM PST by RummyChick ("Pills, money .. this city is wicked. Your best friend will kill you here." Smoove about Baltimore)
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To: ARA

I found it to be excellent encouragement.


15 posted on 11/04/2019 10:16:40 AM PST by spacejunkie2001
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To: RummyChick
Yeah. I don’t get the sense that we the listening public are necessarily being exploited just because a Gospel CD ends up being lucrative and exempt from taxes or something. If anything, this sends a message to other artists that market success and incorporating faith are not mutually exclusive.

i know that Chick- Fil-A has appreciated the free marketing Kanye has given them via the song “Closed on Sundays.” LoL 🐣 The lyrics begin with “Closed on Sundays. You’re my Chick-Fil-A.”

And re: Kanye’s mental health. Yes it is a lifelong battle that numerous people of note especially artists have to grapple with. Even people of faith. And I think that’s why his music means so much right now to people suffering, especially young people. Despite his fame and fortune, they can relate to Kanye’s frailties.

16 posted on 11/04/2019 10:34:03 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: SeekAndFind

That is exactly what is has been about for 3500 years or so. Freeing good people from the bondage of evil.


17 posted on 11/04/2019 3:50:26 PM PST by justa-hairyape (The user name is sarcastic. Although at times it may not appear that way.)
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To: RummyChick
Not the same. They aren’t looking to inject money for the sake of art. They are looking to EXPLOIT to gain dollars and tax exemptions.

So, you're a mind reader now? What's wrong with you? They're not becoming Christians the RummyChick proper way? Too outspoken for you? Tell us, oh wise one, just how should he be doing things the Pharisee way?

I'm pronouncing him innocent until proven guilty rather than guilty until he can prove his innocence. Maybe you should learn the meaning of giving a new Christian Grace & Mercy! After all, I'm sure you want those in your life from God.

18 posted on 11/05/2019 4:18:23 PM PST by 2nd amendment mama (Self Defense is a Basic Human Right!)
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