5/18/2025
Sundays are always a "mixed bag" of interesting "goings on" for me. I usually follow my every day pattern with quiet time, devotions, five minutes with Pastor Jack for the verse of the day, and the global prayer call, but there is nothing routine when it comes to His time. But then, I always begin my day with thanks to Abba for giving me another day to serve Him. Just thinking about my mornings tires me out sometimes. Recently, I've had to shut down my phone because of continual texts received from a group of ladies who love to chat, especially in early mornings, sometimes continuing throughout the day. I really don't respond, because I really don't participate much anymore. It's been almost six months since I painted a doll face or knitted a stitch. I guess my life took a different turn after Christmas. I miss the ladies in both groups, but I felt as if I was being pulled another way. Things happen, and perhaps, I'll return one day, unless I get another direction to go. Like I said, my life does not follow a pattern, except God's, that is. He calls the shots, and I like it that way.
I've been attending morning worship at my parents' church across the road, and I find it to be quite refreshing, as Pastor John practices expository style teaching, walking through the scriptures, line by line. I believe in studying in context, so line by line is definitely the way to walk through the word for clear understanding and application. Yesterday Pastor Dustin walked us through the next portion of Paul's epistle, Galatians, a book I have found myself immersed in recently. There are others, but it never ceases to amaze me how God puts the right portions of scripture in my face when I need them. So many times as a pastor is expounding upon a certain thought, I will no sooner say the words to myself, than they are repeated by the one teaching. This is a little scary at times, but I guess it's God's way of confirming things He wants to make sure I am clear on. I ask Abba a lot of questions, and He is always faithful to answer me.
Galatians is Paul's rebuke to the church, as he has discovered that the Gentiles who believed on the Name of Jesus and were saved are now being told by false prophets that they must obey the Laws of Moses. I know I've spoken on this subject before, but it is worth sharing again, because there may be someone who is confused. If someone tells you something contrary to what you have been taught by your pastor, the first thing is ask your pastor, whom you trust for clarification. Also, it is essential that you read the word for yourself, pray, and ask Father God to show you the truth in His word. He answers those prayers, as He longs for close relationship with those who love Him. In short, Paul had to deal with this very subject about requirements for Gentile believers in Acts 15. The Gentiles were being told that they must be circumcised and keep the law. Paul consulted with the Apostles in Jerusalem lead by Peter, who sent a report to the brethren Gentiles saying:
The Jerusalem Decree
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
In this time as we witness prophecies being played out, there will be more people trying to bring confusion and division into the church. It is very important that we attend a church that teaches the inerrant word of God, the whole counsel of the word, and it is really important that we get back to Judeo-Christian roots and understand the importance of Israel and stand in solidarity with her. Sadly, this is not taught in the scriptures, so it brings misunderstanding. It is the same in the Jewish church, but thankfully, there are many Messianic Jewish believers who have received Jesus Christ as Savior or Messiah. This is another discussion, so I won't linger.
There are some believers, including pastors who are taking the time to look for others who are not preaching and teaching the word accurately, by their interpretation. I've been praying about this a lot, because since moving back, it has been very difficult for me to find a church. I know that God is directing me, but I have observed many things. When I first moved back to Virginia and was looking for a church, I was led back to the church we left when we moved to New Mexico in 1987, except it had a different pastor, and a different name. I sensed the feeling of "being home" when I was visiting for the first time and walked into the sanctuary, where I met a lady who knew me from back then, and the "seeming coincidences started coming. But we know that there are no coincidences with God, just divine appointments. But I was not meant to stay. At least, not then. The massacre in Israel happened on March 7, 2023, and my life changed with the daily prayer calls that did not allow me to travel far else I'd miss important information. This is why I started going across the road, and I am glad that I did. It's quite a difference going from Pentecostal worship to Baptist, but God has shown me that I am to focus on Him and trust Him. Besides Pastor John is doing a wonderful job in offering so much training and support to all ages, particularly to the men, so that they are equipped to be leaders in their homes. My parents would be so proud of the man Pastor John has grown to be.
It's amusing to me when people fear what they do not understand. Take Baptists versus Pentecostals, there's a world of difference in the way they worship, and in the way the gifts of the Spirit flow. As I started to say, there are people who make great efforts to prove that other churches are doing wrong things, and they are the leading authority on how God wants things. Sometimes it gets to be like a witch hunt on YouTube as someone pointed out to me. It does remind me of The Wizard of Oz when the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and Dorothy are in the woods, and begin to worry about lions, tigers and bears in the forest. So they tiptoe through the woods, carefully looking for any creature lurking behind a tree. Hence, in one voice, they repeat, "Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!" as they cautiously walk along the path. Fearful of what they may find. This is the way it seems to me. A lot of time wasted trying to discredit others, fearful someone may be led astray, while children are left to grope alone in the darkness on their own. We have to do better. I'm always saying that too.
My afternoon included a walk with a friend, and a short rest before I listened in on Pastor Greg at Harvest for my Group study, and later, I listened to part 3 of Jack Hibb's message on government. In the evening I listened to Jesus Image's Sunday evening service, and I am so glad I did. There was a wonderful time of sharing testimonies, and one young man spoke of his life before and after Christ opened his eyes to the life he now knows. He literally fell in love with Jesus, which I understand, but it is so wonderful when I see a young person speaking so deeply, weeping before the Lord. I'm sure there is someone out there scrutinizing this church and pastor as well, but let me just say, this one is the real deal. I love worshiping with them, hearing the testimonies, and the teachings. Nothing lurking in their woods, unless it's the Spirit of the Living God. I hope many encounter the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
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