Restoration

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:19-21

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15:20-28

Hallelujah

eLinews.com

Will the church please stand up...

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

I've been told that I am someone that does harm to the "church" by the way I believe and live my life. Since I am not a card carrying member of a denomination or "church", and refuse to give heed to the "ordained" ones...I am obviously living outside the authority of the sanctioned organizations and have become one who doesn't teach sound doctrine because I don't have the degree or the blessing and ordination from men and women who believe they do.

There is only one Shepherd and One who has All Authority. Jesus. Should I ignore Him and refuse to submit to Him then I would be doing the Church harm. Do I fail and sometimes believe things that may not be of God? Absolutely! I'm still living in an age where I see in part and until He comes...I will continue to learn and grow as I seek and submit to Him.

The last words of Jesus to His disciples was "all authority was HIS and they were to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." He never said..."go start a church". Of course, believers were to get together and encourage one another and be the "church", but sadly over the years they chose to divide themselves into groups and follow leaders. The word "church" has been translated from the Greek word "ecclesia" which simply means "called out". It has nothing to do with a building or house or an organization.

Even when Paul started encouraging early home/community fellowship...he warned people to follow Christ and not the leaders of the community. He knew people were saying things like..."I belong to Paul or I belong to Apollos" and though there were people who obviously were in leadership roles, the focus and submission was to be Christ Jesus only. Elders, deacons, bishops, teachers, etc., were elected/selected to "serve" the community fellowships...but they were certainly not the "authority" that the believers were to completely submit to. They were men and women who as we all know...didn't have it all together either.

What I find that has truly become "harmful" to the church...are the organizations/churches that have developed the past 2,ooo years with their creeds and doctrines of men. The "I follow this denomination or that "church" to me is an abomination. It slaps Jesus on the face and tells Him that He is not the "Authority" of the "ecclesia". That what He accomplished was not enough. That the sanctioned leaders of the "church" know better on how to teach people to live lives of obedience and submission to Christ alone.

I believe when we take up our cross and follow Jesus and submit to His authority alone, the Holy Spirit who lives in us, leads and teaches us...and we are believers who are "called out" and live a life that absolutely looks different than the norm. We will be considered harmful to the "church" because of what looks like rebellion to those who follow their traditions. But I also believe that we also see those whom God has placed as elders, deacons, teachers, prophets, etc., and readily submit to them when they are speaking truth. I have those in my life who are envolved in these "churches/organiztions/home groups" that I trust. Yes, I still believe they are believers! If God is moving in them...hopefully, I'm willing to hear and learn.

What I find most offensive and harmful is when people call themselves Calvinist or Baptist or Catholic, or Methodist, or whatever... and proceeds to teach me their traditions and doctrines. It tells me who they really follow and it saddens me. There is only one church and all who follow Jesus are a part of it. The apostle Paul warned the Galatian believers; "But if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you another gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contray to that which you received, let him be accursed."

I know many of you will say that even though you belong to a certain denomination, you still follow Jesus. I don't doubt that at all..but, I will still remind you that the curtain was torn, and the Temple crumbled, and you are now a new creation and the temple where God resides.

Jesus loves me this I know

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8

The "prosperity doctrine" that has been preached by many is a doctrine that I believe is not of God. Scripture shows clearly that fame and fortune is not the Gospel message. But people follow those who promise a hope in something. But hope in wealth is not the answer. There is only hope in Christ Jesus.

We all sin and we all struggle with our understanding. But God will deliver us and by his kindness will expose us to bring us to repent. All of us have a chance to repent and be restored. In just the past few years, many "famous" evangelists, pastors, leaders, have fallen because of their struggles and with their preaching a gospel contrary to that which was preached.

Seek Jesus. Not man. God will restore those who have fallen but we must continue to be wise and listen to God and be involved in His work. Look up to see your deliverer!

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/suzanne-hinn-wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce/19365220?icid=main|htmlws-sb-w|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fsuzanne-hinn-wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce%2F19365220

In the beginning God created...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Meet you in the Garden...

When my time finally comes...I'll meet you in the garden.

Just a suggestion?

"Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:30-31

Do you think Jesus meant what he said?

Haiti Earthquake

Give to World Vision (click here)

We've all seen the disaster in Haiti. Many of you have already given and that is good. When things settle down, World Vision will remain and will need continued support. Bless them and give as God leads you. May we remember to continue to reach out and do all we can to help our neighbors.

2010

"As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." I Corinthians 12: 20-22

We begin a new year and I believe it will be a tremendous year for the Body of Christ! Yes, we will see war, earthquakes, famines, and nations falling due to the economic situation of our world. It may be the worst year ever as evil tries its hand to bring chaos into our lives.

But on the other side, I believe this year will start bringing God's people together. The church will rise to the occasion and start becoming what God has called us to be. A people full of love and selfless serving to those who are in need. At least this is my desire!

It's time for believers to join together. It's time for the church to become the church. As Paul points out in 1 Corinthians, we all need each other! That doesn't mean you need to go join a church...the church is not a place or a particular denomination, it's people. It's the Body of Christ. If you are out of fellowship with believers, you need to find others who believe and become a part of that discipline. There is no such thing as "Lone Rangers" in the church. Paul notes that even the "Head" cannot say to the "feet" "I don't need you!" Jesus is the Head and He knows each of us are part of the Body...and He needs and desires us to be a part of the Body.

It's time to become useful as a member of the Body of Christ. Look up and know that you have a purpose and are needed. We all are needed. None is left behind to go it alone.

It's a new year and it's a new day. Come Lord Jesus!