July 2022
THE CROSS JULY 2022
Concerned Christians
Newsletter
FREEDOM – THE QUEST TO BE UNCONTROLLED
The year 2022 is halfway over. July 4th has just passed. We have turned our attentions to the Nation’s birthday, cool mountains, fishing, camping, sight-seeing, and vacations. We are wondering where our country is headed. What lies ahead for our families and neighbors? Is FREEDOM our destiny?
Rehearsing our United States history can be boring or exciting. Remembering the circumstances of our ancestors in the 1700s is something we do on July 4. They were religiously oppressed by the politics of England. The Monarchy directed the country’s faith through The Church of England. Government control was strong. Taxation was heavy. Personal freedom was restricted.
Europe had become alive with new free Christian thought. Through the efforts of John Wycliffe, Jon Hus, Martin Luther, and others, God’s Word gained FREEDOM from the monastic scholars in the Roman Catholic Church.
Unfettered FREEDOM was becoming the driving force leading to the Mayflower compact. This was an agreement developed by separatist Puritans, adventurers, and tradesmen who left Europe to form the Plymouth Colony.
This effort culminated in the Declaration of Independence. The document declares the FREEDOM of the 13 colonies in new America and the severance with British ties. The United States of America was in the beginning – FREEDOM in political form.
Our Christian faith also had a beginning that is a new FREEDOM. We seldom consider this, but the change from the Mosaic Law to the advent of the Messiah, Jesus, was a declaration of independence from Old Testament religious rules.
The beginning of Genesis tells us about God’s Creation including the heavens, as well as the Earth. Everything was created by Him!
Mankind was the epitome of His work. God allowed man FREEDOM to choose his own direction. This freedom failed terribly, illustrating man’s nature for making poor choices. God cleansed the Earth from man’s total corruption using Noah and his family as vessels preserving mankind.
Through Abraham, God establishes a new direction leading to Moses and the life-giving laws of human interaction. God covenants with Abraham to populate the world and provide Godly direction for Abraham’s offspring. Through Abraham’s son Isaac God establishes His chosen nation. Moses becomes the national leader, who receives the operating Laws from God. As centuries roll by, the Children of Israel fail their job of ‘making God known to the nations’. God sends the remnants of the nation into captivity. Now the Nation of Israel is confined, as are all God’s Creation.
GOD’S PERFECT FREEDOM
God still wants the whole world to know Him. He provides the new and ultimate FREEDOM – His son Jesus. God came to Earth through His Son Jesus to bring total FREEDOM! This FREEDOM is available to everyone.
God has given us FREEDOM through Jesus.
Share your FREEDOM with your friends.
Do you daily read your Bible? Do you journal when you study your Bible? Is your Bible all marked up with notes and colored markers? Do you attend a Christ centered Bible Study? Remember ‘iron sharpens’ Prov. 27:17
I recently attended a Bible study via Zoom. As we studied Hebrews, we somehow got into a discussion of excuses people have for not doing a daily reading. If you are not reading each day, maybe one of these is yours. *I read some yesterday. *I got caught up with my Facebook then I had to leave for work. *I just didn’t feel it today. *I had too many errands today. *I left it at church. *I left it in the car and it’s raining. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea.
Make every effort each day to allow God to commune with you using his word.
Paulette
HANDY LITTLE CHART TO SET YOU FREE
(edited by Kristine Nelson, provided by a Journeys 12 Step Program many years ago)
God has an answer: YOU SAY GOD SAYS BIBLE VERSES
You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: “I can’t do it”
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: “I’m not able”
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: “It’s not worth it”
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: “I can’t manage”
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: “I’m afraid”
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)
| You just can’t go wrong making a purchase of any or all of our founders books. Judy Robertson is an accomplished author, very knowledgeable. Contact our office for a “pay it forward” copy. |  |
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TOUR 2022
Our 2022 summer touring season is underway! We are greatly looking forward to being back out on the road and sharing our ministry in person throughout the eastern and southern United States, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. We hope to see many of you this summer! See our full calendar and keep up-to-date at: http://[email protected]/
| We at Concerned Christians meet every TUESDAY evening for an hour of prayer at 6:30 p.m. If you are not local, please set that time aside to voice your concerns from your prayer space. If you are local and would like to attend, we ask you to call 480-833-2537 for directions. We truly look forward to meeting and praying with you in the War Room. We ask that you add Concerned Christians to your prayer list along with any other Mormon witnessing group you are familiar. The importance of intercessory prayer cannot be stressed enough. We have seen God grant many blessings to us over the years. If you have a ministry related request please send us a short email. [email protected] “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.” I Thessalonians 1:2 |
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Please continue to save people. Thank you and God Bless. E & D, Gilbert, AZ
Thank you for your openness to help, for getting people in the Word and the passion you bring to the ministry. I love who you are! RVP, Mesa, AZ
I was happy to learn I did not have to pray about something God has already instructed us about in his Word. Thank you, Thank you!! JRN, SLC, UT
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