Jeremiah
32:27 -
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there any thing
too hard for Me?
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Jesus wasn't a flashy dresser either, and the priests in the huge temples didn't like him coming in, and according to the Churches standards of that time, he was not good enough or holy enough either. Luke 6:6 - On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.Luke 6:7 - The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.The amazing thing is, if Jesus entered into many of the modern day Churches without people knowing it was him, he would not be made to feel very welcome. He most likely would not be dressed like one of the more "well to do" members of the congregation, he wouldn't give the impression that he would be a large financial tither or contributor, and he would probably "not" take part in all the religious rituals the Church likes to do. A great deal of Jesus' entire ministry here on earth was to do away with the law and religion as we knew it, and replace it with a more personal relationship with God. So personal in fact, that he told us to refer to God as "Father". Someone very personal that we could all relate to, not some mysterious, untouchable celestial being that only the most holy leaders of the Church could connect with. The priests, religious leaders and "respected" members of the Church did not like this at all, because it immediately took away their power and prestige over everyone else. Suddenly because of Jesus and his teachings, the high priest was no more favored by God, than the Shepard or farmer. (and actually never was) John 18:20 - "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.John 18:21 - Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." John 18:22 - When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. As I have said numerous times on this website, the Church has changed very little since 33 AD. Priests, preachers and pastors still love the power and prestige, and become "very" defensive when someone or something threatens that power. Most pastors today tell you to follow them, as if through them is the only way to heaven. (Spiritual Leader etc . . ) By telling you that, it is clear that they do not know the way. Their job is simply to point you to the one who "does" know the way, Christ! Have you ever wondered where most of our Church rituals and structure came from? It is from the very same Church structure that Jesus condemned all too often. We've even invented a few rituals since Jesus reformed the Church. Communion being one of the most popular. Communion was intended by Jesus to be something "very" personal between you and him, but has been hijacked into being a religious ritual and sometimes even a ceremony that has to be done within the Church, with a large crowd, and under the leadership of some religious Guru. Read about the true meaning of Communion here: http://www.powerofaith.com/communion.htm ~ CHURCH PRAYER ~
Amen is a Hebrew word meaning "I Agree" or the literal Hebrew translation means "So Be It!" However, the person behind the pulpit "IS NOT YOUR LEADER!" Christ is your leader! After Christ, we are all equal and that includes the pastor, his wife and all the wealthy, well to do folks who sit in the front row every Sunday. No one has a higher standing than you do, and no matter how long you attend, or how many good deeds you do, or how much you tithe, you will not have a higher standing than anyone else in the congregation. (sorry) Matthew 23:10 - "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.Some of my most memorable moments in the Church were not of the times playing music on stage to a large crowd of people, or anything I heard the pastor say behind the pulpit. My most memorable times were after the service was over, or coming in during the week when the lights were turned off and no one was there. That is when I could feel God's presence, and enjoy time talking with God. Like Jesus (and I'm not comparing myself to him), I absolutely loved God's house, but hated the Church politics and religion that went on inside of it. John 2:14 - And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.John 2:15 - And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; John 2:16 - and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." John 2:17 - His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." Jesus was right! However, today, the Church is not only a place of business, "IT'S BIG BUSINESS". Financially, it is second only to the pornography industry. The sad difference is, the folks in the pornography industry do not claim to be doing what they do, for the Lord! ~ IT'S ALL ABOUT FEELING GOOD ~ Most of the ceremony and rituals within the Church are for "your" benefit, not God's. Sure we love the majestic feeling we get when we enter God's house, and the feeling we get worshiping and singing together, which is nice to do, but has been perverted into and alternate form, or a replacement for a one on one relationship with God. Human nature is to always make it about accomplishing something, not receiving something. Many folks simply do the "check list". They show up at Church, they sit and listen for an hour, they sing along, they repeat after the preacher and they do the ritual! (Eating the bread and drinking the wine) With the list fully checked, they are good for another week. Conveniently, everything was condensed into 1 ½ hours so it would not interfere with their life the rest of the week. For about 30 minutes after the service, we get to strut around the Church foyer like a peacock and confirm to all the other members how holy and good we are. "Well! Hi Brother Bob!", or hello sister Betty! For 30 minutes a week we talk in a different manor than we do the rest of the week. If we see brother Bob outside the Church during the week, it's half and half that we will call him brother Bob! I always say: "Don't call be brother (to make yourself look good), just treat me like one!" If you want to test this theory, the next time someone walks up to you and says: "Hi Brother or sister (your name here), just say "Boy am I glad to see you! Can I borrow 100 bucks?" You'll soon find that you are treated more like a distant relative than a brother. At no time during this schedule was there a personal one on one relationship with God. However, they do get the admiration and recognition of the other members of the Church and the pastor. ~ HEAVEN ~ Check lists will not get you into Heaven. Following some "so called" spiritual leader with a check list of do's and don'ts will not get you into heaven. If you want to be led to heaven, follow the leader. Your only leader, Christ!
Dan Douglass ~ HELP SPREAD THE WORD ~ Make checks or money orders payable to:
Last Updated 01/24/2012 My writings, as with all the resources
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