After reading recent threads and having to leave the forums boards in despair and sometimes anger I have offered my feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams to our Lord and I now feel compelled to respond. One of the first things that I was shown was something from many years ago, something that aided my first acceptance of Christ into my life, and I offer it here and now for all, in the hope that it may help you as it has helped me.
O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.
Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
(Gilbert Keith Chesterton)
So, why have I had to leave the boards, why have I turned and run away? The question I would ask in return is why should I come here and read threads of love and devotion, threads that make my heart glow and then find posts of anger, division and resentment? Why do I find people judging other people, Christians judging Christians, for just trying to be Christians, for just trying to live a life of love, Spirit lead seeking only the Lord and His will; lead only by Christ and the living Word within the Bible?
Why I have to ask do we seek to cause each other pain? Why do we seek to cause division? Moreover, why must we hurt each other, when surely we as the few should stand firm together, stand firm in truth and fellowship, with love as our guide and with Christ as our centre.
Are we not the body of Christ? Are we not here on this earth today to bring Christ to all, to offer love to all, to comfort the sick, visit the prisoners, clothe the naked, give food and drink to the hungry and thirsty. Are we not even told to do these to those we classify as enemies, let alone those with whom we share fellowship?
Romans 12:20-21 ‘if your enemy is hungry give him something to eat, if thirsty something to drink’
We are the body, I cannot say this often enough, we are the body, the body of Christ; we are called to be together in true fellowship, in truth and in love. Yes we are different and yes we are each unique, each with individual responsibilities to each other and to the world., all with differing talents and gifts, all with varying experiences and life styles, all with one thing in common, Christ. Christ should be our first, our last and our everything. Christ is the very reason I am alive, for He is the forgiver of our transgressions and the giver of life. He is all.
Christ called us to be together, called us to be His body on earth, with Himself as the head.
Romans 12:4-13 ‘just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not have the same function; in the same way, all of us, though there are many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another. Then since the gifts we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us; if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us; if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching; if it is encouraging to encourage. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them. Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; share with any of God’s holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.’
Is this the life we truly lead? Is this the life we want to lead? Surely, this is the life we are called to live and should be living.
At no point within are we told that one person is better than another is because the gifts he/she has are of more significance. At no point are we told that one servant of Christ is better than another, that this one is right because of this and that, that this one is less worthy than another because he/she is merely a …….. No, we are told that we are all different, all with differing skills and attributes, and we are all called to offer these gifts and talents in our service of the Lord.
This then brings me to the epicentre of what I has caused me distress. I come here in love; I come here, as I was guided here by the Spirit. I come here to share, to share to gifts I have been graced with, to share the love I have been given, to share my time and prayers. I come here with an open heart, hoping to give and receive, to teach and be taught, to love. Therefore, I ask why I am so judged for being me. Why am I so judged for living the life the best that I can? Why am I so judged for following the Lords will for me? Why do some people here insist on judging my every step, condemning my every movement, and feel that they have the right to issue proclamations that I am lost, sure to rot for eternity in hell; and these include people I have publicly prayed for and with within chat.
Does my denomination matter? Does the building within which I worship the Lord on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays matter by what title it is given? Does the place where I seek sanctuary from the world and long to spend time away in refuge matter? I believe it does not. I hope in my heart that all that matters is that I know the Lord Jesus Christ is my one and only. That He alone has washed me clean, that He alone has bought life for me. That the Spirit will guide my every step and point me on the way to our Lord. I pray that I may slowly and surely live a better life, culminating in my acceptance at my last into the Fathers Kingdom. I believe that the nature of a Christian, no matter what their chosen denomination is to love, to pray and to work for the Lord. When I say chosen I do truly believe that the Lord Himself has chosen the denomination within which we shall find the best use of our individual gifts and talents that the Lord has graced us with. If the Lord can personally select for me a church to belong to, to pray within, to praise Him from, to lift His name higher from then I ask what right has any man to question this, and to condemn me or others for following the will of our Lord.
I dream that all people will find the Lord and want to spend their lives in dedication to Him. I hope that love will become the guide for all of our lives. I pray that we may become accepting of all Christians and help and assist all, those searching for deeper water and those who haven’t yet found the spring of eternal life.
I ask dear Lord that you look down upon this Your poor servant today. I ask that You may refresh my soul and comfort my spirit for You and You alone know the truth that is within me. You and You alone know the nature of my heart. You and You alone have become my life and as such, I dedicate tonight, as before the whole of my life to You. Be my all, be my rock and salvation, You guide me beside the still waters, You set my feet upon the solid ground, You love me for me, and have forgiven me in the times when I have walked outside of Your wondrous light of love. I thank You Lord for these things and more, I thank You Lord for the fact that You are You, and that without You I would have no life worth living. I ask this day that You love not only myself but all who come to this place, and all who are Your servants, and all who have yet to offer their lives to You. Love us and guide us Lord, makes us true reflections of Your love. Mould us and shape us dear Lord, let us become instruments within Your hands to do the work that You have decreed for us. Make us into the fellowship that You have decreed for us to be, make us into the true body that Your desire and deserve. You are our Lord; help us to be truly Your people
I ask this dear Lord as I offer all through Your Son, our Lord and saviour Jesus
Amen
O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.
Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
(Gilbert Keith Chesterton)
So, why have I had to leave the boards, why have I turned and run away? The question I would ask in return is why should I come here and read threads of love and devotion, threads that make my heart glow and then find posts of anger, division and resentment? Why do I find people judging other people, Christians judging Christians, for just trying to be Christians, for just trying to live a life of love, Spirit lead seeking only the Lord and His will; lead only by Christ and the living Word within the Bible?
Why I have to ask do we seek to cause each other pain? Why do we seek to cause division? Moreover, why must we hurt each other, when surely we as the few should stand firm together, stand firm in truth and fellowship, with love as our guide and with Christ as our centre.
Are we not the body of Christ? Are we not here on this earth today to bring Christ to all, to offer love to all, to comfort the sick, visit the prisoners, clothe the naked, give food and drink to the hungry and thirsty. Are we not even told to do these to those we classify as enemies, let alone those with whom we share fellowship?
Romans 12:20-21 ‘if your enemy is hungry give him something to eat, if thirsty something to drink’
We are the body, I cannot say this often enough, we are the body, the body of Christ; we are called to be together in true fellowship, in truth and in love. Yes we are different and yes we are each unique, each with individual responsibilities to each other and to the world., all with differing talents and gifts, all with varying experiences and life styles, all with one thing in common, Christ. Christ should be our first, our last and our everything. Christ is the very reason I am alive, for He is the forgiver of our transgressions and the giver of life. He is all.
Christ called us to be together, called us to be His body on earth, with Himself as the head.
Romans 12:4-13 ‘just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not have the same function; in the same way, all of us, though there are many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another. Then since the gifts we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us; if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us; if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching; if it is encouraging to encourage. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them. Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; share with any of God’s holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.’
Is this the life we truly lead? Is this the life we want to lead? Surely, this is the life we are called to live and should be living.
At no point within are we told that one person is better than another is because the gifts he/she has are of more significance. At no point are we told that one servant of Christ is better than another, that this one is right because of this and that, that this one is less worthy than another because he/she is merely a …….. No, we are told that we are all different, all with differing skills and attributes, and we are all called to offer these gifts and talents in our service of the Lord.
This then brings me to the epicentre of what I has caused me distress. I come here in love; I come here, as I was guided here by the Spirit. I come here to share, to share to gifts I have been graced with, to share the love I have been given, to share my time and prayers. I come here with an open heart, hoping to give and receive, to teach and be taught, to love. Therefore, I ask why I am so judged for being me. Why am I so judged for living the life the best that I can? Why am I so judged for following the Lords will for me? Why do some people here insist on judging my every step, condemning my every movement, and feel that they have the right to issue proclamations that I am lost, sure to rot for eternity in hell; and these include people I have publicly prayed for and with within chat.
Does my denomination matter? Does the building within which I worship the Lord on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays matter by what title it is given? Does the place where I seek sanctuary from the world and long to spend time away in refuge matter? I believe it does not. I hope in my heart that all that matters is that I know the Lord Jesus Christ is my one and only. That He alone has washed me clean, that He alone has bought life for me. That the Spirit will guide my every step and point me on the way to our Lord. I pray that I may slowly and surely live a better life, culminating in my acceptance at my last into the Fathers Kingdom. I believe that the nature of a Christian, no matter what their chosen denomination is to love, to pray and to work for the Lord. When I say chosen I do truly believe that the Lord Himself has chosen the denomination within which we shall find the best use of our individual gifts and talents that the Lord has graced us with. If the Lord can personally select for me a church to belong to, to pray within, to praise Him from, to lift His name higher from then I ask what right has any man to question this, and to condemn me or others for following the will of our Lord.
I dream that all people will find the Lord and want to spend their lives in dedication to Him. I hope that love will become the guide for all of our lives. I pray that we may become accepting of all Christians and help and assist all, those searching for deeper water and those who haven’t yet found the spring of eternal life.
I ask dear Lord that you look down upon this Your poor servant today. I ask that You may refresh my soul and comfort my spirit for You and You alone know the truth that is within me. You and You alone know the nature of my heart. You and You alone have become my life and as such, I dedicate tonight, as before the whole of my life to You. Be my all, be my rock and salvation, You guide me beside the still waters, You set my feet upon the solid ground, You love me for me, and have forgiven me in the times when I have walked outside of Your wondrous light of love. I thank You Lord for these things and more, I thank You Lord for the fact that You are You, and that without You I would have no life worth living. I ask this day that You love not only myself but all who come to this place, and all who are Your servants, and all who have yet to offer their lives to You. Love us and guide us Lord, makes us true reflections of Your love. Mould us and shape us dear Lord, let us become instruments within Your hands to do the work that You have decreed for us. Make us into the fellowship that You have decreed for us to be, make us into the true body that Your desire and deserve. You are our Lord; help us to be truly Your people
I ask this dear Lord as I offer all through Your Son, our Lord and saviour Jesus
Amen
