Apostolic Friends Forum

Apostolic Friends Forum (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/index.php)
-   Fellowship Hall (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7)
-   -   A Grave Error (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=13511)

Raven 03-23-2008 09:40 AM

A Grave Error
 
What a wondrous and most miraculous day to remember. The dawning of a new day both physically and spiritually. The Resurrection and all that it means to mankind is something to remember and rejoice about. Thank God for the resurrection and the hope that now springs alive in our hearts of a new and better day that is coming. Yet with all of this there is a grave error at the grave of Christ and it begins with Mary. Early, that eventful morning, Mary finds herself looking into an empty tomb. Her first thoughts are that someone had stolen the body of her Lord and she began to weep. Hearing steps behind her she looks through tear blind eyes and sees who she thinks is the gardner. It was actually Jesus but she could not discern that because of her grief over his missing body. She tells the gardner that if he knows where the body has been taken she will go to it and take care of its burial. Jesus then says, Mary! When he spoke her name she turns once again and now recognizes him and cries out, "Rabboni!"

This grave error is still being repeated today by those who persist in looking to their past and dwelling there. Yearning for the days long gone when things were less complicated and God seemed to be closer. Revivals of long ago, campmeetings of times past, great preachers of yesteryear. You would think that in long gone days the church was filled with power, overflowing with miracles, brimming with revelation, and had fulness of understanding. I'm here to tell you that it was not so! Not any more than you were the fastest runner in your school. Someone said, "The older I get the faster I was!" Every generation has had its shortcomings. To think that the elders of bygone generations had more power and more revelation than we do today is to contradict the word of God. For "the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." [Proverbs 4:18]

Why does man insist on looking in the wrong direction? Observe John when being in the spirit on the Lord's day, he had to turn to a voice that was behind him. [Revelation 1:10] Being in the spirit is not enough! You must be discerning as to the direction you should be looking and it certainly is not behind you.
Remembering an empty tomb is a comforting vision but turning around and embracing my Lord today is a dynamic reality! I encourage all who may chance upon these faltering words of mine to look to the future and seek a revelation of a living Christ who is leading us, in ever increasing light!


Rev 1:12-18
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.


Raven

SDG 03-23-2008 09:53 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Thanks Elder for these timely words ....

I press on towards the mark ....
Lord, I turn to you on this day and follow in submission to Your will and way.
I know that you are are ever-moving ...
you have been since the beginning when your Spirit moved over the waters
... when all Moses could catch was a glimpse of your back
... keep me on your ever-shining path until that perfect day.

jaxfam6 03-23-2008 10:27 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Thank you for those words. To many times people look back at the past, not all bad to do, but they forget to turn back around and continue on towards the prize. They get stuck in the looking back mood. If the looking back is to be thankful for where you were brought from or to be thankful that God gave you something, that is all good but turn back around and continue towards the mark. When the looking back becomes like Lot's wife and it is in longing for what is behind you then you might best beware of turning to a 'spiritual' pilar of salt.

When looking back at the good things and great moves of God that you felt, if you feel like you are not still feeling them anymore, then maybe it is because you have forgotten to turn back around and continue on.

scotty 03-23-2008 10:34 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Romans 8
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Notice the past is not mentioned, that is one thing that can seperate us from Him, dragging your past around on your shoulders.

Great post Brother Raven...

crakjak 03-23-2008 11:24 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Thank you, Larry aka Raven, my friend, for your inspiring and strengthening words.

Lord, may my eyes be forever turned toward you, to embrace all that you came to accomplish. May I see today and tomorrow's circumstances through the "eyes" of your love and your purpose. Thank you, Father that I am your righteous, through the blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and from this reality I walk in your provision and strength.
Amen.

Sister Alvear 03-23-2008 11:59 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
good words...and so true...we are a blessed generation with more knowledge than ever before...with that knowledge comes great opportunities and many open doors...walk through those doors dear friends...

MissBrattified 03-23-2008 12:20 PM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Excellent post, Raven!!!! :)

Ron 03-23-2008 12:42 PM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Very good post!

Thank you!:thumbsup

Cindy 03-23-2008 01:22 PM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Excellent! Amen.
Jesus arose and brought the color back to the world of darkness.

Rhoni 03-23-2008 02:51 PM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear (Post 421317)
good words...and so true...we are a blessed generation with more knowledge than ever before...with that knowledge comes great opportunities and many open doors...walk through those doors dear friends...

I agree Sis. ALvear! With all the knowledge also comes much responsibility. We are equipped to reach this generation and I pray that the Lord of the harvest sends forth laborers into this harvest.

Blessigns, Rhoni

Pressing-On 03-23-2008 03:50 PM

Re: A Grave Error
 
Excellent post, Raven!

lad 03-24-2008 01:30 AM

Re: A Grave Error
 
...glad I checked the forum and caught your thought for today....it was right on -- as always!


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:01 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.