(This article reflects the viewpoints of another and does not necessarily reflect the understanding of Qumran Bet Community or AmYHWH. Perhaps truth would be better served if you also added your contribution to this piece.)
IF
IM DOING THIS RIGHT-
WHY
DOES EVERYTHING GO WRONG?
Ken
Graydon
We have been blessed to hear from people in different parts of the world, who have been called out of deceptive religions, to follow the truth of the ETERNAL. There is one common theme to each of these stories when you start this walk everything seems to go wrong!
People
coming out of xianity have to deal with the fear factor. What you are told
will happen if you turn away from paganism blood curdling stories of dire
consequences. So every incident in your life tends to be magnified maybe
this is it?
The
ETERNAL does not call us to just take small steps toward Him. He wants all of
you right now. You have to go from a standing start to full speed in an
instant. The Israelites, when they were rescued from Egypt, were not given
some gentle settling-in phase. They were expected to be obedient at once and
they were punished for disobedience. They were whinging and whining about how
hard their freedom was within days of being rescued from slavery! They were
already saying This walk is too hard for us.
You
will be tested and then you will be tested some more. Will you persist? Are
you here for the long haul? Will you give a teaspoon of obedience when the
ETERNAL is looking for a truck load? Will you study the Tanakh instead of
television? Will you keep the Sabbath and the feast days even if you are the
only one you know who does?
None
of this is to hurt you but it is to strengthen you. It is to eliminate
your wishbone and develop your backbone! What does the ETERNAL seek? He seeks
your love, obedience and faithfulness. How will He know He has each of them?
By
testing you. Exodus
8:2 Remember the long way the ETERNAL has made you travel in the wilderness
these past forty years, that He might test you by hardships to learn what was
in your hearts; whether you would keep His commandments or not. Exodus 8:16
who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers had never known,
in order to test you by hardships only to benefit you in the end.
None
of us come through each test with flying colours every time. Some we pass
some we fail. This is a walk we take one step at a time. Often it seems one
step forward and two steps back. The ETERNAL is looking for something.
He
is looking for each of us to reach a point where we go before Him and say with
gut wrenching sincerity I cannot do this on my own, I need you ETERNAL.
Perhaps not those exact words but that is the sentiment He seeks.
From
that time on you may keep the ETERNAL in remembrance of His words and His
promises. Isaiah
43:25,26. It is I, I who for My own sake wipe your transgressions away
and remember your sins no more. Help Me remember! Let us join in argument,
tell your version, that you may be vindicated.
Be
bold, yet respectful, if your life does not bring glory to His name, ask Him
why. Claim the covenant promises that were given to Abraham and his
descendants they are for you.
If
you are obedient in everything you understand, your life should demonstrate
the blessings of the ETERNAL. If you are disobedient, expect swift and
unmistakable correction you will have no doubt if you are out of the will
of the ETERNAL.
Your
life, not your words, is what demonstrates the blessings of the ETERNAL lead
life. The ETERNAL does not ask you to convert people. He will draw to
Himself the people He seeks.
Welcome
the times when it all seems to go wrong. The ETERNAL cares enough about you to
be testing you because He wants you to succeed. Press on! Inspire us all with
your perseverance.
kennygee@bigpond.com