FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
AUGUST 19, 2021
Hello Dear Saints,
Each month, we gather to share in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. We are to do this in remembrance of Jesus Christ. The broken body and the blood He shed for each of those willing to obey his commandments. There have been numerous books written over the years, by church and non-church authors about this ordinance instituted by Jesus himself and what impact it should have on each individual. We know we are to repent of all our sins which includes reconciliation with those we might have any ill will toward.
The prayers on the bread and wine are slightly different, but have the same intent. The prayer on the bread says,"...and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they (WE) are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them." Amen. How does that play out in our lives as individuals, families, branches and the Church at large, especially in the Center Place?
What "witness" does God see in our lives? Does He see the Church, the Body of Christ, making progress toward the Kingdom or does He see Branches, priesthood, and Saints that will not come together to worship Him and thus are not of one heart and one mind? It has been a long 37 years that we have been wondering around in the desert.
Have we not circled the mountain long enough? Please read the following and see if it has any application to the Restoration Branches.
LONG ENOUGH: from the Institute for Creation Research by Henry M. Morris
And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.” (Deuteronomy 2:2-3)
This was the second time God rebuked Israel for staying too long in one place. Here they were camped adjacent to the region controlled by the descendants of Esau and thus kinsmen of the Israelites, but God told them to go on north toward Canaan.
Long before, they had wanted to stay too long at Mount Sinai (same as Horeb) where God had given the law to Moses. Finally, “the LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:...Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers...” (Deuteronomy 1:6, 8).
It is possible for a Christian to become too satisfied with his level of attainment, when the Lord may well have something more for him to do. Possibly, like Israel at Sinai, we may be content to stay in a situation where we have seen God work in the past. Or, like Israel at Edom’s Mount Seir, we want to stay in what we think may be friendly surroundings, rather than venture into overtly enemy territory. Perhaps we have stayed long enough at a certain stage in our Christian growth or service, and God wants us to go further.
Paul wanted to continue preaching near his home in Asia, but God said for him to go on into Europe (Acts 16:6-10). Peter asked Jesus what John was going to do, but Jesus said, “What is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22).
God may, indeed, want us to continue all of our lives right where He has placed us now, as far as location and position are concerned, but He does want us to go on further with Him. The last words written by Peter are profoundly important. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
We, as a people, must soon shake off the coals from our garments and arise in the STRENGTH OF THE LORD or we may miss Zion. Let us respond while we can and before we have to. The Saints, especially in the Center Place must come together, physically and spiritually if we are to fulfill God's purposes in us. Each member of the church has the duty to help make this happen. Discuss it in your families, among the priesthood and Branches.
Brother Earl Curry in "Preface to a Study of Spirituality," 1964 made a very profound statement that seems to be as applicable today as then. "If I estimate the condition of our people. in general, at all correctly, we do not have as great spiritual power among us as we ought. Neither do I note much in the way of appeal to move toward greater power."
God bless each one.
Paul Gage
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