October 9, 2011

  Do Not Look Back   

Luke 9: 62

Luke

Jesus said, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God".

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Thoughts.....

Good morning.

I am astounded at some of the things being preached in the name of the Lord.  Do we who preach make errors at times in our understanding?  Yes.  Are we or is anyone perfect?  No.  I have often said it is important to let me know if you, the reader, think I have made an error.  I want to be sure I am preaching the true Gospel and not 'my' version of it. 

Many are led astray......

Recently I received a mailing from a prominent and traditionally excellent evangelist.  He was focused on the importance of THE Day of Atonement as mentioned in the OLD Testament.  That it is a special day set aside for us and that by honoring it, we would obtain blessings.  Folks.....I am going to expect that those of you reading this are Christians or are seeking to understand why to be a Christian, why to give your life to Jesus Christ and make him your Lord and Savior.  I will be clear.  Jesus Christ atoned for our sins when he died on the cross.  Let me say that again, Jesus Christ atoned for our sins when he died on the cross.  We do not need to honor a Jewish holiday to receive blessings.

I am continually amazed, and, it upsets me greatly that there is a whole movement, if you will, of evangelists who are attempting to make you look back.  STOP!  Do NOT look back!  To look back negates and invalidates Christ's death on the cross!!!  WHY would you want to do that?!   WHY?!!!?  Why would you want his death to be in vain?!  Why would you want to go back to sack cloth and ashes?!  Why would you want to rip your clothes in anguish?!  Isn't it easier to thank Jesus and ask him to forgive you.....and go and sin no more......than to suffer and be facing hell?  Wouldn't you rather receive eternal life?  Wouldn't you rather do it without condemnation? 

Folks, in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free.  There is CHRISTIAN.  One who belongs to Jesus Christ.  Who believes in and follows the NEW Testament.  Does that mean that you do not believe in the Old Testament?  No.  It means that you understand that the Old Testament is prophecy of the New Testament, and the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.  The old has gone away, the new has come.  It means we look FORWARD to what Christ has in store for us.  Old Testament = old law.  New Testament = new law.  Both books are historical documents. 

You do not need prayer shawls to pray with special embroidery on them to follow your prayers, such as the Jews wore.  Or little prayer scrolls at the entry to your home.  You do not NEED traditions and rituals as established by 'old time religion' of the Jews and Greeks.  Many of the worlds churches are very traditional and ritualistic.  It does not make them necessarily bad, but the New Testament just makes the practices not necessary.  You do not have to face the east, wear a head covering, or any other and many practices utilized today.  Can you?  Sure.  But WHY?  It won't get you to heaven, forgiven of your sins, or beloved by the Lord any more or less.  It doesn't show devotion to him, it shows devotion to the things you are using.  Hmmmm.  You NEED to just simply accept him as your Lord and Savior and ask forgiveness for your sins, love him and communicate with him....as in prayer....where you talk to him and listen to him.  You NEED to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  You NEED to "prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God". Matthew 3:8.             

"Your duty is to go and preach the coming [!!!] of the Kingdom of God."  Luke 9:60b.  Your....as in you, and I, and every evangelist.  Coming.....as in future.....not past.  We are not to 'put a hand to the plow and then look back'. 

"He cancels the first covenant [Old Testament] in order to establish the second [New Testament].  And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Christ once for all time."  Hebrew 10:9b and 10.

"There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on."  Acts 4:12  The ONLY way to be forgiven of your sins, to have the opportunity to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ.  Going back won't.  Practicing age old tradition won't. 

Please be careful as you listen to folks preaching.  If what is being preached is not consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, don't listen, don't act, don't follow.  We do not have to do as our forefathers did ritualistically to show God and Jesus and Holy Spirit that we honor them.  We honor them by accepting them, loving them, sharing who they are and how wonderful they are.....all they've done for us already.  We honor them by proving by the way we live that we have turned from our sins.  We pray by simply talking to them and listening to what they have to tell us...confirmed through scripture.  You may think you hear that you are supposed to do something, for instance, but you need to align it with scripture.  If it is not in accordance with how God would have you to act, then don't act. 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit know that we live in 2011.  They were/are forward thinking.  Why would God have had Jesus birthed to die on a cross for the sins of the world, if he were not forward thinking?  Why then would he want us to go back to bondage?  

Be very careful.  Very.    

THIS is the day the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!   

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Let Us Pray

Lord, help them....help me.  I am continually amazed at all the gimics that arise out of a confused belief system.  But we know where confusion lays....with Satan.  So, Lord, right here, right now, I pray for all those in the world confessing you as their Savior, that they may be cleansed of all that is not of you, Lord.  Remove Satan, and his assigns from all those under attack by him.  Lord, please forgive all those who are your children from their sins and remove those sins as far as the east is from the west.  And I ask you, Holy Spirit, to enter into all those areas now left void by Satan leaving.  Fill the Lord's children to over flowing with you and your love and that of Jesus' and God's love and forgiveness, understanding, wisdom and more....all the gifts and fruits necessary for them to live a pure life honoring all of you in the Trinity:  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Thank you.  For those of us in leadership, Lord, which is every person who has accepted you as Savior and Lord, be with us always.  Lead us on the path of righteousness.  Help us to read your Word, understand your Word, and know your Word, that we may be a path to you always.  Did I ask you to forgive us of our sins?  Yes, I did, of course.  But did I ask you to specifically ask you to forgive me of my sins, Lord?  I don't think so, so let me do that now.  Father God Almighty, Lord Jesus Christ, please forgive me of my sins.  I know that if what I ask aligns with your Word, the Bible, that you will indeed answer my prayer.  Thank you for forgiving me of my sins.  Help me to always preach the truth, in season and out, and move forward only as your will directs.  I hear you wanting me to get off the path of helping everyone.  Although you may call me to help many, or no one, I understand I cannot be their Savior, only you can be that.  I will only move forward now, to those whom you direct me.  Charity does start at home, Lord.  Thank you.  Many in the world get caught up with the world trying to help and forget themselves.  I am guilty as one.  From this day forward I will take better care of myself.  I will make the time, not take the time left over, to spend with you.  I have lost track of this.  Forgive me.  And thank you for letting me be an example to others, so that others can learn, the good and the not so good, like not putting you first lately.  Life can get so topsy turvy.  Thanks for showing me the importance of not looking back, but always looking forward and being able to share it with others.  It's bothered me a long time to see this in practice with others in leadership.  Thanks for giving me the avenue to speak out for you and your ideals.  Help me, and others, always follow the new way, the new truth, the new light.....the NEW Testament....the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Amen.        

 Lord,Lord

JesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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