I got this email recently and it has been on my mind.( this email was not to me personally but rather is someones thoughts being shared with many). At first I thought it seemed a little harsh but the more I prayed about it, the more it seemed to apply to me. Personally I was thinking about this because I have allowed myself to be afraid and worrisome over things that looking back at now if I had my focus on Jesus, if I had known His voice my reaction would have been different, should have been different. I am thinking that maybe the tone of the email is a bit tough, but then again maybe I need some tough love! Anyway I was kind of wondering what others here on sermon index might think about what is being shared here?
rdg ______________
God is Alive and CALLS us to Himself, if we'll Hear..... It IS a war for each person's heart and mind and strength....
________ and I were talking a couple of days ago and he was telling me about reading in Matthew and noticing how much Jesus expected of people.
Anyway, just in the first few chapters, look at how much God expected of people, in terms of what He held them accountable for:
1. He expected Joseph to believe that Mary was pregnant by the "Holy Spirit" (who, if I'm not mistaken, would have been totally unknown to Jews, having never really been properly introduced in the OT).
2. He expected the wise men from the East find Jesus and worship Him, based on nothing more than a star to go on.
3. He expected people to go out and be baptized by John with nothing to go on there either (and if they didn't, they missed God's will for their life).
4. Jesus expected Peter and Andrew & James and John to just stop what they're doing and follow him, without question, though they have no idea who He is.
And later on in Matthew he expects them to not be afraid of a storm while he's asleep in the boat (Matthew 8), he expects Peter to walk on water without doubting (Matthew 14) and he expects the disciples to be able to cast a demon out of a boy without Him there(Matthew 17), etc., etc. etc. MANY MANY more examples throughout the book.
The point being that God EXPECTS us to know His voice, to know what's true, to turn to Him with our fears and questions. There is NO EXCUSE.
Jesus expects MUCH MORE from us than that. And if anyone CAN be deceived, they should be. It is proof of who they are and want to be, at heart. God said they are "without excuse."
The sheep Know the Shepherd's voice.
Christianity as it REALLY is -- is amazing.
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