Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Health, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political, Uncategorized

Thou Shalt Not and other Mandates

I worry about this social media, non socializing society. It’s much easier and justifiable to stay in your own little bubble and comply to the commands. Ugh… that makes me nauseous. God knows that I’m not a very good rule follower when I should be. I’m really kind of a rebel at heart. But when rules have been made that shouldn’t have been made I have major issues following them. 

Perhaps you’re now asking “what are you talking about Shari?” Well, let me tell you. Religion and Government Mandates have some stark things in common.

It’s for Control not for Protection

When God separated the Israelites from the Gentile nations, many of whom were wicked; He did so to protect them both physically, and spiritually. The gentiles worshipped other gods and did all sorts of wicked things that would have defiled the people of God for which He had a purpose. And God is all about timing and purpose. 

Deuteronomy 32:8 KJVS

[8] When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

We no longer live in the days of separation. There are no bounds between Jew and gentile. While God tells us, that we are children of the light and should not have fellowship with children of the darkness, that separation is from a spiritual and  behavioral circumspect. Even though Jesus remained sinless, He still had physical fellowship with the sinners of the world. A fellowship for the purpose of their salvation. The religious leaders of that day were still living under the law and separation;  they were blinded to what was about to happen with regard to the Savior. 

So what does that have to do with the governmental control of today? I think I can bring that thought together, it’s just taking me a minute of back tracking. I wanted to bring to light the fact that God has a purpose in separation that is for our good. But man’s purpose of separation is contrary to God’s. 

Thou Shalt Not Gather

Unless your protesting, and then it’s fine. Unless you’re an important person, and then it’s fine. It seems the Corona virus is a highly educated 🦠 disease! It knows if you have a liberal purpose or agenda, if you’re apart of the the Marxist or Antifa tribe or if you are a liberal elected official and it doesn’t expose itself to you. That’s amazing! And it’s a load of crap. The virus, a very real virus, is clueless, but the people manipulating the virus for their agenda are not. They’re making edicts, calling them laws, and controlling people without any congressional or legislative body allowing it. And the citizens of the USA are bowing in submission without a second thought because it’s for our own good, right? Business are going belly up, churches are being fined, government entities are closed down without accountability, schools are not teaching our children and we have  allowed an election to be stolen and are keeping our mouths shut like the good little citizens we are. Well some people are. I myself have never really mastered keeping my mouth shut. 

Want proof that religion doesn’t have the best interest of our church in mind?

https://www.dailywire.com/news/pope-francis-defends-blm-protests-denounces-anti-covid-lockdown-protests?%3Futm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dwtwitter

Thou Shalt Wear a 😷 Mask

Another edict pretending to be a law. I have no problem with a mask recommendation. However, I do have a serious issue with a mask mandate. Especially for being told to wear them outside, (totally idiotic) in my own house, ummmm no. And being told how many people can gather in my house or my church for that matter. That’s opening up the church to government control and persecution the likes of which has never been seen in America, but has been seen in many other countries. 

I see multiple reasons why the crazy leftists would want us wearing masks. Because for those who are actually out and about it takes the human connection out of the equation. You don’t see people smile, you don’t share emotions. We walk through the stores like unfeeling robots. Fearing of getting in someone else’s air space and the interaction is limited to say the least. And we’re complying. And it’s evident who’s complying and who’s not and if you’re not you’re shamed into wishing you did or angry because they’re wanting you to be ashamed. It’s nuts! Especially since the mask theory is just that… a theory. If you want or need to wear a mask, do it! But if someone else has a reason not to, leave them alone.

Below is a link to a Danish study regarding masks.

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6817

Yes, I know I can find anything I want to preach my side of the argument. But the fact of that matter is, so can they. So who do we believe?

Thou Shalt Have no Other Opinion

Acts 11:1-18 KJVS

[1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. [2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 

Peter had had the audacity to commune with gentiles. Good grief, he should have been crucified! He was, they did that later. But at this time they did at least allow Peter to explain himself.

[4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, [5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: [6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. [8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. [9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. [11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. [12] And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: [13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; [14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. [15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. [16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. [17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? [18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

The religious crowd wants no part of anyone who goes against the “rules” of their religion. It was hard for Peter to come out of that mindset. But at the Spirit’s leading he did. Glory! Because of those who did, this Gentile gal could hear the gospel. And that is truthfully what this world seeks to control. Through people in power being used by the demonic forces of this world, they are controlling who can get the gospel. They’d prefer nobody get it. But at least for now they can control the number. Bit by bit they take away our liberties. 

That’s certainly not a cheerful message is it. The cheerful message is this, we will over come! But until we do, don’t be dumb. Know what this world is up to. 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Church Unity, Evangelism, Life Inspiration

The Rules Haven’t Changed Since the Cross

1 Corinthians 12:20 – Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular

Members in Particular

For 21 years I’ve been a card carrying member of the body of Christ. And although the rules haven’t changed since Jesus was on the cross, there are days that I feel that there have been some man made addendums to the rule book. Rules such as “Thou must look like this, talk like this, participate like this.” And yet, I’m not so sure that all those “this’s” are particularly addressed in the bible as they are written in man’s book of church ideology.

When I say I’m a card carrying member, I really don’t have a card, because (at least at our church) there are no cards. But what I mean by that is I am proud to be a member of the body of Christ at Victory Baptist Church in Grantsville, WV. I am there because I agree with the doctrines and bylaws of the church. There’s not one that I disagree with. So that is not the rule book to which I refer to. I refer to the rule books on the inside of man’s head. Or women’s heads, as the case may be. Maybe members of my own church or of another. But all members of those whom I consider fellow Christians and fellow laborers in Christ. I gave two fellows, because not all fellows labor for Christ… some just sit. So in my own mind I put them in another category, because they scare me. They tell me they’re saved, but they give me no evidence. So I’ll not say they’re lying… but if not serving Christ got you kicked out of the club… they’d be gone. However, it does not.

I’m usually referring to a “fellow laborer” as those who stipulate what a servant of God should look and act like outside the parameters of the bible and outside their particular church. Because pew sitters usually don’t say anything for fear someone will call them out. But those who are active in churches often wear me out with regards to the rules of worship. Worship is very personal.  Which is why I believe that you should worship with people of a like mind, else there is contention and confusion and we all know who loves to stir that. But, can we not come together outside of the sanctuary of our own church and worship and agree that we serve Jesus without having to agree on what color our hair is, if the music is too bouncy, or whether or not pants are an appropriate attire for women of God.

I once spoke at a church (in a larger city) for which their biggest claim to fame in the community was, they were known as the “church on the hill, where women don’t wear pants.” Hellllloooooo. That’s not what a church should be known for. How about the “church that loves people.” So when I read “members in particular this morning, I thought perhaps we’ve taken Paul’s word too far.

“Members in particular” means that you have a particular job in the church not that you are someone in particular in the church. Now… back to those people sitting on the pew and those who serve and feel that they’ve got a right to complain because they do.

I’m relatively sure that there is no “member in particular” that Christ assigned the position of fashionista judge or worship police or even, pew warmer.

If Christ’s people spent more time doing their particular job, that Christ has called them to do, rather than policing the jobs of others, perhaps more people would feel the “freedom” to attend our churches.

The Rules really haven’t changed since the cross… Jesus said go. An invitation to our church would be an awesome place to start! Forget what anyone looks like or acts like, just go…