There are many voices sounding in today's world and to many, I'm just another such voice. Many would consider me foolish, some would think I'm irreverent, but to God, I am His son. When Paul initially preached salvation for the Gentiles, many refused to accept what he said as truth. Paul knew what he was called to do and he knew Who it was Who called him. Paul didn't change his method or his message, but continued doing what God called him to do.
I might be called bold, foolish or plain crazy, but I am what I am. I believe that God will make His will and His wisdom known to all who will seek Him out. He never intended that we go through this world without a road map and the hope that we will end up in the right location. The will of God and the wisdom of God are both available to all those who want it.
Don't leave it to the politicians to tell you how to walk with Him. Don't leave it up to your pastor or anyone else. Listen to your pastor, but also listen to the Holy Spirit, study the Word at home and make the Father part of your everyday life. If you "seek, then you will find. If you knock, then the door will be opened and if you ask, then it will be given you." He didn't say that, "If I ask, then it would be given to you." God said that "If you ask, then it would be given to you." God didn't say that, "If your pastor seeks, then you will find," but "If you seek, then you will find." I am a pastor and I do seek, but if the people aren't seeking and asking, then many times what God has shone me, falls on deaf ears.
We need to take the Isaiah 58 fast as part of our everyday communing with the Father. Don't stop going to church, like you already know it all. Don't stop giving to charitable organizations and start your own. God to church, listen and rightly divide the Word, give to what your church is giving to, but make the Isaiah 58 Fast, your own personal walk with the Father. Don't do it as a duty to God, but as your own relationship with the Father.
Listen to and for the Voice of God's Spirit and let Him direct your steps. He will lead you into "paths of righteousness for His Namesake." You are called by His Name. Don't get foolish and begin looking for some "far out" revelation, but allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the fullness of the revelation He has already given you. Don't go off on your own, like you've already "arrived," but don't just be who everybody expects you to be. You are unique in who God made you to be...be that.
Don't try being like everyone else, but be who God called you to be. Every part of the Body is important, so be what He made you to be with everything you have. Every part of the Body of Christ is all important. Everyone believes that the heart is the most important, but it cannot function if one small blood vessel shuts down. Without each of us doing our uniquely established function in the Body, the whole Body is dysfunctional.
You must listen and still judge if it is truly God's Word. Many well-meaning people are preaching their opinion about what they believe the Word says. Our opinions do not count, if they are not God's opinions. The main differences in our denominations arise over the opinions of men. We call all agree that Jesus died for us, took our sin and made it possible for us to go to heaven. We can all agree in this one aspect, but beyond that, we begin preaching opinion instead of the Word.
Each of us must learn to hear the Voice of the Shepherd for himself. God doesn't only speak to the pastor, but "His sheep know His Voice." God doesn't have anyone in His family who is not of equal importance to Him. Each child of God has a role in His family. Don't allow the world, religion, politics or any other outside pressures be what determines your relationship with your Father.
We believe that there is Only One God, One Savior Who is Christ the Lord and only One Way to get to heaven. The world and opinions will tell you that we're wrong. They are trying to get along with everybody without making waves. "Why not, they will ask, Can't other people have their own way of reaching god?" They will say, "There are many ways, not just your way." First of all, this isn't just my way. This is The Way. Jesus said that, "The Only Way to the Father is through Me."
The carnally minded will view us as being intolerant, but for God, it shows truth and faith in His love by sending Jesus for us. Neither Mohammad or Buddha or any other "god" has ever died for me or took my penalty and shed their own blood for my new birth. Even if they had tried, it wouldn't have succeeded, because Jesus was the Only One Who was without sin and could be the Lamb of God without sin. It had to be a sinless sacrifice, but until Jesus, "All had sinned and come short of the glory of God."
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