Our REAL Heavenly Father

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

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[Janet Easson Martin]

NO Condemnation From Him

The second thing "no condemnation" means is that God is not angry with you when this struggle comes into your life. You want to be good, or you want to stop doing bad, but, when the moment of temptation comes, you find yourself overpowered and weak, and you give way. Then you hate yourself. You go away frustrated, feeling, as Paul described, "Oh, what's the matter with me? Why can't I do this thing? Why can't I act like I want to?" And though you may condemn yourself, God does not. He is not angry with you about that. He knows, as the Scriptures show us, that you are a child in his family, learning to walk.

... We act from what we know we are. … deceives us into thinking that we are not what God says we are, then we are going to keep on acting that way. That is why the way to break the power of the most vicious and evil habit is to see yourself as God sees you. Then you begin to act that way. You can't help it.

- Ray Stedman




Above are two excerpts from a really good explanation of the struggle of sin and the guilt upon ourselves dealt with by the glory of the Spirit and the righteousness of Christ. Ray Stedman is a sound and respected pastor and biblical expositor beloved by his California church who set up this site since he went to be with the Lord in the early 90’s. They wanted others to benefit from his many wonderful teachings and preachings based on the Bible. The message below is both in audio and text. Pray you are nourished and blessed.

From Guilt to Glory - No Condemnation

https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/romans/no-condemnation

[Janet Easson Martin]

I just had to share this with those reading here. It is the REAL precious, comforting, tear-jerking heart of God toward you. From “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence” Devotional by Sarah Young:


September 29th

I am with you and all around you, encircling you in golden rays of Light. I always behold you Face to face. Not one of your thoughts escapes My notice. Because I am infinite, I am able to love you as if you and I were the only ones in the universe.
     Walk with Me in intimate Love-steps, but do not lose sight of My Majesty. I desire to be your closest Friend, yet I am also your sovereign Lord. I created your brain with capacity to know Me as Friend and Lord simultaneously. …


4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

-Psalm 34:4-7  ESV

…



Link:
https://www.jesuscallingdailydevotional.com/2018/08/jesus-calling-september-29th.html?m=1

[Janet Easson Martin]

Today when reading the beginning of John 14, I felt awestruck when reading verses eight and nine:

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

Although I’ve read that section in Scripture many times before, today the dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, especially with Philip dropped my jaw. Philip’s question seems ignorant, but it was honest and may have been silently shared by other disciples. When I think of God Almighty who made the billions of galaxies and their stars visiting the very small Earth in the person of Jesus I am speechless. How kind... How caring... How touchable!! How Fatherly to explain himself and his character in a man to men... Like a Father stooping down to his children on their level. How very compassionate. Answering our somewhat blind and unintelligent questions with undivided attention and patience.

It’s awe producing and seems too good to be true!! They were with God. They walked with Him. They talked with Him. They touched him. Their ears heard him. Their eyes beheld him. Anyone who saw Him, saw The Father. But only those who believed KNEW Him.

Jesus also heard them. He saw them, really saw them. He knew what they were thinking and how they would respond even in the future. He understood them infinitely. And he really loved them.

This Jesus who was with his disciples listening to their quandaries and seeing their doubts is the same Jesus who is with us today, listening to our uncertainties and seeing our dilemmas. But, it does seem his replies often come sooner when we are humble and brave enough to voice them to Him.

they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is,
God with us.

Talk to him. He hears you. He sees you. He is there to settle your fears and comfort your sorrows. He IS love and knows what you need before you ask. But, he still instructs us to “Ask” because he is all about relationship which involves communication. He primarily communicates through His Word and His Holy Spirit to you personally. Secondarily, through his people heeding the Holy Spirit and circumstance.

[Janet Easson Martin]

I cannot emphasize enough that God is the one to turn to when you have blown it. He shows mercy to those who trust in him (though we don’t at all deserve it.) He is forgiving and good; and abounding in love to ALL who call upon him.

One Christian artist’s music often makes me feel moved to worship and fear God. He has a song based on Psalm 86 from which the above truths are found. This song, “Psalm 86,” on his Come to the Quiet album I listened to tonight while opening up my Bible to that Psalm to see its divine words while he played his guitar and sang them. God’s Word is the supernatural voice that brings consolation to our soul in the midst of failure. It is so assuring to know that he will be abounding in love to those who lift up their soul to Him. He WILL answer them.


Psalm 86, Come to the Quiet, John Michael Talbot
https://youtu.be/9PZXxm2zKDY

[Janet Easson Martin]

The God of All Compassion

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

This verse appeared in my Jesus Calling devotional this morning. As I read it, I thought, “How compassionate of God to include things that concern us as he instructs us (through Peter) to humble ourselves in submission to Him.” First, that Our Father is all-powerful and knows that if we bow down, then we are properly prepared to be lifted up which only He can divinely do. Second, that He knows that we probably have concerns about the surrounding circumstances in humbling ourselves. Just like Moses and Gideon we can talk to him about those worries. As we do his will rather than stubbornly insist on ours, he gives us peace and takes better care of our concerns that we ever could. Some concerns may crumble, but they were never meant to be in the first place. He lovingly follows what we see as a difficult instruction with his assurance that he indeed cares very much about our life.

Peter, of all people, who struggled with humbling himself; knows well what God is saying here is so peacefully true.

[Janet Easson Martin]

The God Who Runs to Us

My husband encouraged me with this song he heard early yesterday morning on Sirius XM Radio “The Message” (Channel 63). It was just what I needed to hear last night. Pray you are reminded of Jesus’ picture of the father running to his prodigal son to embrace him with arms open wide. God never forsakes us no matter how far we’ve strayed. Here are some of the lyrics:

If I were You I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause …

Oh, but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way, no …



Here is a cool scenic music video with the full lyrics
(with one word misspelled).

“The God Who Stays” (Lyric Video) by Matthew West
https://youtu.be/KHMVSdIjBcg?si=Z7KcmXfVpQN6uKo3

“But while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him;
he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Luke 15:20

[Janet Easson Martin]

Oh my goodness! I needed to hear this very soulful song tonight. A song from the heart reaches a heart. I  pray it will minister to yours. Praise You, Our Compassionate Father, because of You we are NEVER ALONE.

Jason Upton - NEVER ALONE

https://youtu.be/N0-wXyQ34Cc?si=s7QQcCQief4Lzp3y

[Janet Easson Martin]

If you haven’t heard this song, you may not have been in a church in the last year because it seems part of a MOVE OF GOD to lift our eyes and hopes on Him through worship; and to elevate HOW WONDERFUL HE IS everywhere! At my age remembering praise songs doesn't come as smoothly as it use to, but the Holy Spirit in me seems to want to bellow this one out quite naturally. I like this version with CeCeWinans. May God sweep you away from worldly burdens in worship of Him…..

Here is the Spirit’s worship through Chris Tomlin, who co-wrote the song with Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham:


CeCe Winans - Holy Forever - (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/2xcFM9CBiOE?si=ENVH8xyUMUhtLhzN