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(Not) Too
Far Gone |
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Saturday
evening at the 'Biker Church', a wonderful musician, songwriter and
singer brought worship and praise with his guitar and songs. One of the
songs had the words, "You're not too far gone". Those words
brought to mind a friend who told me he wouldn't go back to church,
because he'd sinned too much and felt he was too far gone to come back. I
didn't quite know how to answer this. I tried to convince him he was
wrong. Most likely, I couldn't have said anything that would have
mattered at that time. Most or all of us have felt we've messed up so
badly that we're 'too far gone' at one time or another. Now, I'm
convinced nothing... I repeat, NOTHING could be further from the truth! Sadly, some church folks or churches subscribe to a doctrine that endorses the idea you can become 'too far gone'. I'm not about bashing these churches or people, but I want to give you reasons to decide for yourself that there is only one condition that can make you 'too far gone' for salvation, redemption, forgiveness... and that God hasn't turned His back on you. First, lets look at Adam. God gave him only one 'Thou Shalt Not' command, which came with the penalty of death. We all know Adam was disobedient. Not only was Adam disobedient, he was the first to try to lay the blame on someone else. When Adam finally admitted he'd eaten the forbidden fruit, he tried to defend himself with, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. (ESV)". In essence, Adam said, "It's not my fault, it's yours! You made the woman who enticed me to eat the fruit." If it had been up to you or me, I imagine the anger over this disobedience may have evoked rage so fierce the penalty of death would have been immediate. But God, in his wisdom and mercy gave time. Adam and Eve's disobedience brought with it the penalties of pain in childbirth, labor and toil and problems in raising food from the soil... but Adam was given nine-hundred-thirty years of life before the death sentence was carried out. Paul persecuted Christians. He would have been instrumental in the imprisonment, torture, and probable execution of those who followed the 'Way'. God blinded Paul, to get his attention and gave him a new vision. Paul turned three hundred sixty degrees from the man who chased Christians down... to become the man who would pursue them with the love of God and Gospel of salvation through faith in the very Jesus he had hated. …Too Far Gone? NOT so! If Paul wasn't too far gone, then it's the epitome of arrogance for me or you to decide I'm/you're too far gone, for His Son to bring salvation to me or you. If you think you've sinned too much, lied, cheated, stolen or killed and can't possibly be redeemed; think again. God is the one who has decided you're NOT TOO FAR GONE! Let Jesus bring salvation and redemption into your life. After all, He was willing to suffer and die for you. God gave Him for YOU, and in His resurrection is the promise of life eternal! You and I are NOT to far gone, in His eyes! Please pray for Kristen, who went to an Urgent Care facility yesterday with a suspected urinary tract infection. Pray also for her mom, Chryl, who is not feeling well at all, and dad Jim, who has been having much difficulty sleeping. Jim suffers from a condition that is causing the joints in his body to become like stone. His motion is limited, causing him to not be able to raise his arms or turn his head. Pray for Greg's 95-year-old grandfather 'Smokey', hospitalized with Pneumonia. I've been asking prayer for a friend who is waging a battle against what she believes is alcoholism. She has decided 'secrecy' is not going to help her as much as putting her name 'out there', because she acknowledges, "I need all the help I can get". Kathy reports a success! She says she made an entire day and night without a drink! This is a huge first step for any dependent. Please pray for the work God has begun to continue with more and more 'successes' for Kathy. Thank You Father, that we're not too far gone, to accept Your plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. You have created heaven and hell, and have created mankind, not for hell but with a desire we will chose heaven. I choose heaven, by accepting Jesus as my personal savior and friend. I ask His help in all my struggles. I ask that my eyes, ears, mind and heart be opened to the leading of Your Holy Spirit and in my trust, ask that my trust be increased. Each day is a battle against my cravings desires and wants. Fill me with desire to serve You rather than seek what I may feel I need. Honoring Your name above all, I pray Your kingdom to come, Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give me today what I need and forgive my sins, as I forgive other sinners. I lift these loved ones and concerns for Your touch: Kristen - Chryl - Jim, Smokey, Kathy, Carolyn's mom & family, Nancy, John, James - Rockie - Stacie & family, Groeber family, Eldon & Delores, Ed & family, Scott - Linda & children, Cheryl, Terry, Adam, Virginia, Ruby, Wilma, Maria - Lucas - Sierra, Keith, Donna, Cheryl, Alethea, Glenna, Glenn, YWAM missionaries, Lettie - Gayla & Barry, Terry, Chuck, Ben,Mary, Shawn & Heidi, June, Johnnie, Ken, Chris, Dale, James B, Misty, Dianna, Carley, Victoria, Ralph - wife & son, Susie & Miles P, Doug & Debbie D, Brandelyn & Brock, Meg, Lisa & sister, John, Katy, adoption of Grace, Don, Dean, Kera, Steve V, Tina, Seth, Larry C, Becky, Larry S, John & Carolyn, Jason, Jay & Rick, Linda, Delores, Gary, Melinda, Glen, Lisa, Nadia, David, Beulah, Aaron, John S, Ian, Lynda, Thelma, Mike, Rosetta, Carolyn, Kaitlyn, Judy, Dan F, Tim, Austin, Pam, Lou, Larry, Pastor Dave, Margaret, Ruth, Rick, Carla & children, Baby Kurt - his family, John, Rick, Stan, Lynn, Roger & family, Tom, Valerie, Judy, Paul, Allen Michael, Irene's family, Lacey, Bobby, Donald, Amy - her daughters & husband, Lucinda, Summer & family, Steve, Matt - his 2 year old son & family, Richard, Ma Glenda, Charlie, Amy, Karen, Tia, Ron, Patsy, Leola, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula & her family, Rob & family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy, Freddy, Arianne, Corey, Robin & husband, Mark, Georgiana, Martha, T. J., Jerry & Donna, Cubby, Bill, Ted, Silas, Julia, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe, Kristie, Mike, Pat, David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray, Heather - Scott & family, Warren, Thelma, Bergen, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff & Vicky, Myra, Frances, Jim, Ron, Phil, Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick, Larry & Vicki, Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary, Josh, Tim, Catherine, Lisa - Sam, Woody, Curt, Dustin, Larry, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie, John, Lynn, Norma, Olivia, Drew, Our loved ones in need of salvation and guidance, all who are dependent, depressed or grieving, Those fighting / working for freedom and safety from terror, neglected / abused / missing children, God's servants and churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs, our own families and everyone we hold dear in our hearts... Lead me from temptations I cannot resist, while delivering me from the outstretched hands of the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and glory forever.... Amen. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16,17 ESV |
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