Encouragement

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No More Casualties
By Jason Lewis

It seems that satan has the world and the church in an opposite of
what God has for man. He has made the church a set of rules, or laws,
that too man, seems right, but he can never quite master. The rules
will always change. Satan has made these rules as a guise of God and
people just blindly follow. We were even warned satan himself is
transformed as an angel of light. Jesus has made the way to come to
him very simple. We as we learn his truth know that his yoke is easy.
We just have to repent and Go and sin no more.
What exactly is sin? Sin is he who knows to good and does it not.
Satan has put a backward approach. He has placed an emphasis on
outward sin, but ignores the true sin. How do we really treat others?
Have we given from our heart, not just money, but all of us? A
Christian will just do what is good and right. He with prayer will get
it done. He just does this. He doesn't seek glory from man, but his
glory comes from the true living God. Satan has us convinced that if
we are serving God we make boasts of what we do or give just to be
pleasing and to please man. How backwards to what Jesus taught. So
satan has the church backwards. Seeking glory from man and not from
God.
God and Jesus is sung and worshipped and preached in churches all
over. But we shall know them by their fruits. Satan has many looking
for signs jumping from church to church always hearing but never
learning. They get slain in the spirit; speak tongues, cast out
demons. Isn't that proof? What are their fruits after church? They are
serving only themselves and not God. It's so sad that people want
miracles or their faith waivers. Once the revival stops what happens?
A lot of people who were on fire are now lukewarm or cold. Satan says
that’s ok. A feel good gospel song, a jumping sermon preached, people
shouting, miracles. Then go back to lukewarm after the effects of man
have worn off. God says He will spit you out and satan says it’s ok.
Cause the outward appearance of being a Christian is there but the
heart, the truth is not in them. Just because someone wears a Jesus
shirt doesn't mean they are Christian. They have the form of godliness
but deny the power thereof.
The power is us as human who are truly saved being ourselves, not
caring for what others think. They look at the outside, but a true
Christian looks cause they believe in the truth, at the heart. Satan
fills people’s heads that it’s hard to be a Christian. That you can't
follow all those rules imposed by the church. So you may as well quit.
When they do they become casualties. They fail to see the true joy of
the Lord. The peace that comes over us, because we believe. Satan
complicates and confuses people by convincing them to live by outward
rules. There are no rules cause he who knows to do good and does it
not to him it is sin. As a Christian you will know what is right and
what is wrong. The Holy Spirit will teach you. We know that Jesus told
us we have to just like the lady at the well go and sin no more. The
truth will set you free. Jesus is the truth. Go and sin no more. There
is no guilt as satan like to impose. Jesus says we are forgiven. We
are whole. We have peace cause a Christian lives his life how God made
him to be and he walks the best he can trying to be Christ like.

Jesus only forgives us if we let him, so let him. Don't carry around
all the guilt and shame. Go and sin no more.

Man will always look at the outward, but God looks at the heart. So
don't put rules of God. Jesus can't be put in a box. Jesus had to die
cause we couldn't follow rules remember? So be free and free indeed.
Don't worry about man and his rules. They will always have a form of
godliness. But those who believe will have the power. We are others
examples of Christ so how do we live? Do we live life, not worrying
about the pseudo life with all its frivolous things, or do we live
life by what truly matters. Seeking and saving the lost.

Jeremiah 23: 1-2 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the
sheep of my pasture!" says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God
of Israel against the shepherds who feed my people: "You have
scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold
I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the Lord."

There have been many who have fallen from the faith caused by us and
our friendly fire. Satan doesn't have to do anything but sit back and
watch us destroy one another. All of us are shepherds. There is always
someone watching our walk in Christ. Sadly we don't seem to notice it
going on cause maybe we are too blinded by earthly pleasures instead
of Godly treasures. If our walk is not bearing the fruit of the Spirit
then we as a people of Christ need to seek repentance. Who knows how
many we have hurt by us looking to man, and our own selfish nature,
instead of a merciful God.

Jeremiah 17: 5-6 "Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in
man and makes flesh his strength. Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when
good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in
a salt land which is not in habited."
We look to our fellow man to help us. Lots of fellow believers have
been turned away from the faith when other believers hurt us. Sadly
many people blame God, and go back into their old nature. When the
righteous perish and no one takes it too heart there is seriously
something wrong. Have we set up a temple to praise man? Is that why we
are not seeing true revival? Why we just go about our own business
having a form of godliness but denying the power? Are we praying
amiss? Do we even care? The pews are padded. Music sounds awesome.
Shouting Jesus but leaving just as empty as we came. Empty shouting
Jesus the name above all names. Are we blinded to satan and more apt
to please man instead of our righteous God?

Hebrews 10: 32-39 says for us to recall the former days when we were
illuminated. How we had to endure sufferings and help those who are in
tribulations. Verse 35 says " Therefore do not cast away your
confidence which has great reward."

We have remembrance of when God illuminated us. How we were on fire.
But what happened to us? Did the cares of the world mean more than
God? Have we lost the confidence of who we are in Christ Jesus?

When we see a brother or sister fall they are casualties. Did we have
any part in watching another believer fall? Maybe we just sat in the
boat too scared to walk on water with Jesus. Afraid of what other
people in the church would think about us. So what if we do fall isn't
that why Jesus gave His life for us because we are sinners? And why
are we worried about others? What can man do to us? We often blame
satan but if we really look we may see that it wasn't God and it
wasn't the devil. It was us with gossip, looking at peoples outward
instead of their heart, backbiting, not caring for others around us.
So by our friendly fire we shoot fellow believers by our not following
our hearts that should be filled with compassion for those lost and
hurting. Believe it or not there are many sitting in churches hurting.

This is nothing new. It has gone on within the church from the
beginning. When we look to man we will lose sight of Jesus and just go
about our own way. Always hearing the Word of God but never
understanding. We are blinded by our lust and our sin. Let us repent
and Go and sin no more. Don't stop and be complacent. Keep your
endurance. You are people’s examples of Christ. So if you are a true
follower of Jesus people will know you by your love.

Jeremiah 17: 7-9 says Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and
whose hope is in the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by the
waters. Strong and mighty in Christ. He will be able to endure the
trials which so easily besets many of us. If we want to see revival
remember what God has delivered you from? Don't look to man and his
ways but look and trust in our God who won't let you down. It's so
easy to look to man cause that is who and what we see on a daily
basis. But man will let you down. If you have been hurt in church
don't quit. Know that satan desires to destroy our unity. If he gets
people in the church to do it, then many see that as God doing it too
them. Don't be blinded. It'll never do any good to push people away
and then complain about them. Don't look at the outward look at the
heart. If someone does sin restore them in love and compassion. Heal
their hearts by helping them in their fault. Don't give up on each
other. We sometimes place too much emphasis on signs and miracles that
we sometimes miss seeing them take place amongst us.

But like Lazarus, Jesus wants to raise the dead. All those who have
been hurt by fellow man and sadly by other believers will rise as a
remnant.

Jeremiah 23: 3-4 "But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all
countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their folds;
and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over
them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be
lacking," says the Lord."

We are a people who knows that our enemy the devil will always keep us
down as long as we let him. We are not ignorant of his tricks or
devices. People’s eyes will open and they will see the truth, and the
truth shall set them free. Jesus is the Truth. Those who are saved
will let their walk be as love for one another. And by their fruits
you shall know them. If a person doesn't bear witness and tries to
destroy what God has built let him see the errors of his ways. Love
one another. It doesn't matter if they sin, cause we all sin. But it's
our jobs as Christians to restore them lest we be judged also. Healing
from within the church is the only way we can get healing outside the
church. Let us not walk proud and think we know it all. Cause when
someone thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself.
Let God place the heart of a shepherd within us to restore and
resurrect our world. Do we want this? Are we willing to endure
suffering for our Lord and Savior? Can we forgive the shepherds who
have hurt us?
God has a plan for those who seek His Glory. If we want signs and
miracles, go and sin no more. I don't want to be someone who goes to
church and experiences nothing but letdowns. I want God to reveal to
me how I have played a part in creating casualties. So that I can
learn from my mistakes and as the Word, and the Holy Spirit comforts,
loves and corrects let God search my heart. Let God search your heart.
Look at the others around you see the potential God has for them.
Don't look at their outside. Look at their heart. All of us humans are
the same. Our life is but a vapor and we are all as filthy rags. But
through Gods love for us Jesus chose to die for us. Why? Cause He sees
our heart and how we through Him can change our communities. We can't
hide from God and our sins have found us out. Forgive us, heal us,
restore us, and deliver us, so we can do the same to others who are
hurting as well. We are Your body. Let us work as one. Let us not grow
weak in our well doing. When we do let us lift each other’s arms in
the air and worship our awesome God in spirit and in truth not just
from our lips. Don't be fearful from others but let them see by
example your walk in the Lord. Be who you say you are. You represent
the King of kings and the Lord of lords let your walk be accordingly.
No more Casualties just victory in Christ Jesus. So don't deplete the
ranks by friendly fire. Let it grow daily as God gives increase.
We who know the word and don't do it will never be who we are to be in
Christ Jesus. We maybe weary from the battles but don't quit the
revival is already here. Just open your eyes and look around. Repent
and see if God won't heal our communities. Look deep into your own
life and ask the Lord to give your heart compassion. Don't let
casualties be the legacy of a church that is powerful but doesn't know
it yet.
We don't know how much God loves us. All of us. Sinners and saints
alike. It takes many members to be a body. If you want to just sit in
the boat and not care but fearful and concerned about man, then let
God judge your heart. Are we so desensitized to sin that we just allow
sin to be the focal point of the church and not salvation from those
sins? What are we waiting for? A revival or some preacher to preach to
us so we can say look what the Lord has done, when spiritual anorexia
keeps us from getting fed the truth and we starve to death. Let us not
be afraid to examine one another in love so we can experience a true
revival amongst us. If we will humble our corrupt fleshly ideas and
ask God to fill us with the unction of the Holy Spirit. Let the
anointing fall as we as a body work in unity with one another to feel
the fire of the Lord cleanse us and prove us. When people held up
Moses arms when he got weak let us do the same to our fellow
believers. Once we see the love that’s amongst us is better than being
enemies then we will see what God has in store for us. We are not
enemies with sinners or with each other; we are shepherds who has been
guided so we can guide others. There is no time to waste. We are
strong together with God by our side and weak apart never achieving
the salvation God has for us. We are the one who are too blame for
being too comfortable and not caring. People are hurting in the house
of God and in the world. People want to see something real. So let us
go and sin no more.

Read 1 Peter 4: 3-19 5: 1-11

Do we already know so much that we forget how simple the gospel is?
When we begin to see what the Lord will do for us, let us always
remember we were once dogs who returned to its own vomit, but now we
are not who we once was. We are new creatures with power, love, and a
sound mind. We are not in fear of what others think about us, cause we
look to God and as He increases and we decrease we will see His Power
and Glory come upon us to do what He has called us to do. Feed My
lambs. Feed My sheep. Guide those who need it, love those who may not
deserve it, forgive one another, lift up one another, and show
compassion. Be Christ-Like. We are more than conquerors through Christ
Jesus so as God begins to heal us as a people, we will see His glory
from inside the church go into our communities and we will see the
truth. Cause the truth will set us free. We are all sinners saved by
G.R.A.C.E. Gods Redemption at Christ’s Expense. So remember that
people will know us by our love for one another and by our fruits.

No More Casualties just the resurrection of a church who has learned
its true power. LOVE. Share the L.O.A.D...Love One Another Daily and
see Jesus heal our land.

My Testimony
I used to be a casualty who has been resurrected. I let people
dictate who I was instead of looking to Jesus. I blamed everyone else
instead of who I needed too. Me. We all work out our own salvation
with reverence and trembling before a mighty God. Everyone is
responsible for one another but don't let the evil and corrupt world
dictate. Forgive one another as we have been forgiven. If not we will
always see the past glories instead of the present revival. So let our
walk be according to the Word and not our flesh. Some may never
recover or be saved, so bear one another’s burdens let love fill our
temples. We are made overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word
of our testimony.

I remember when I felt slighted by members of my old home church. I
was the youth pastor, an evangelist, and wrote articles of teaching
for our newsletter. God was using me mightily. The youth grew. I
preached and lead others to Christ. The newsletter was sent all over.
I thought I was on fire for God and a mighty warrior. Or at least I
thought.

The words of gossip are like choice morsels going down to a man’s
inner being. I was a victim of the oldest tricks satan uses. Gossip. I
got my feelings hurt by the very ones I looked up too. I was hurt, but
backsliding doesn't happen overnight. It's gradual as bitterness and
hate began to develop I was like a wounded animal. So I lashed out and
quit. Quit the ministry that God had given me over something so
simple. I knew the word hid it in my heart, but it is of no avail if
it's not used and practiced.

I moved to Phoenix, Az with my ex-wife. I was like a kid in a candy
store. Drugs were everywhere and cheap. I felt justified cause it was
Gods people and by default God who had hurt me. So I got high instead
of looking to the Most High. I left after a year and came back to
Missouri. I always said I would never stick a needle in my arm. But I
did. I never felt this way before and I became numb to all that was
around me. There was always the still small voice, but it became
easier to ignore. Jesus said when a man is swept clean and falls back
7 times worse is upon him. This is true. God is not mocked whatever a
man sows that he shall also reap. I was reaping misery. Satan had me
convinced I was a casualty. God doesn't want me anymore. Look how I
was a minister who now is shooting drugs. I was in despair.

My dad died in 2001. So I dealt with his loss by getting higher.
Drugs don't conjure demons they unleash the ones already inside. My
life was going nowhere. Kids who were once in my youth group began to
see me as an addict. Not the man of God I thought I was. So As I was a
casualty I was leading others that way as well.

In 2004 I got the worst news of my life. My mom who I loved very much
had stage 4 lung cancer so nothing could be done. I watched her wither
away into nothing. Someone I couldn't recognize anymore. I stole her
pain pills shot them into my veins. I felt like I wanted to die too. I
had no shame in what I was doing. I couldn't go back to church because
I was ashamed in my heart and I was still hurt. I threw stones at my
Creator and got into meth heavily.

I got arrested in 2006 for meth sales and was sentenced to 10 years
in D.O.C.. I did 3 years and got out in 2009. I worked on who I was as
a person while incarcerated, but I was still God shy. I went through
more drugs and frivolous relationships. I heard a voice tell me to
kill myself and I took I don't know how many pills and died.
Thankfully I was brought back and was in a coma for 3 days and
developed a blood clot. When I woke up I was alone. Satan still had me
convinced I wasn't worthy to come back to church and to Jesus. So I
just existed and was depressed. Restless, running from the very God
who saved me before time and time again. But I was blinded in myself
and still hurting from a little thing called gossip.

I met my fiancé Jamie and we had a connection. I felt love for the
first time in a while. Her family are fruit bearing believers who
showed me by example who Jesus was. They never judged but showed
compassion. I was still apprehensive to fully commit to God. So I went
the motions. But through Jamie and her fiancé God began to open my
eyes to see the truth. I picked up the Bible again. But still I felt
ashamed for all I had done. How I let God down by my actions. I had a
couple of good friends die of a heroin od. This opened my eyes more.
Jesus died for our sins and His grace is sufficient. What was I doing?
Did I take this route and experience all of this misery cause I let
gossip pull me away from God? I looked to man and not God. So I
started to pray God let me be who you called me to be. I began to look
at the basics again. I felt like a new baby in Christ who was still
fragile. Satan let me know I was an evangelist, writer, youth pastor
and that I failed. But God let me know that my past was not in vain.
But He revealed to me that my pride had to be put into check. I
thought I was something when I was nothing. I wasn't on the rock with
a solid foundation. I was in a house of straw.

When I asked God to forgive me, He was faithful and just to do so. I
felt peace inside again. I couldn't do this alone. God put believers
in my life again to shepherd me so that I could also shepherd others.
He showed me his LOVE. I had allowed a person who is a sinner like me
to pull me into a hell I should have never had to go through. But
hindsight is 20/20 and I saw that I can't look to man but look to God.
He will place people in our lives to help us. Satan will always try to
kill steal and destroy but we are not ignorant of his tricks. We know
who our deliverer is. I was a casualty from friendly fire. But now I
am a child of the King. Who is not perfect but a believer in Jesus? If
I do fall he will pick me up, and being around fruit bearing
Christians they will help restore me instead of pushing me away.

Thank you Jesus for having mercy on a sinner like me. Let me be a
vessel for You, that while they may see me let them see You also.
There will only be No More Casualties if we all realize people are
watching us. Judging us. Gossiping on us. But we are resurrected and
we see the tricks of our enemy. He is like a roaring lion seeking whom
he may devour, but our Jesus IS the LION of the Tribe of Judah ready
to save and deliver us. We are a body of believers with many members
working together to restore those who have faults, save the lost, and
be shepherds letting the love Jesus has given us so freely be our
rally call.

NO MORE CAUSALTIES ONLY VICTORY THROUGH JESUS!!
It was a simple thing that set me up to fail and it is a simple thing
that brought me back. Love.

Share the L.O.A.D. Love One Another Daily and let us have No More
Casualties, but Victory in Jesus.

For further reading:
1 John whole book
1 Peter 1: 13- 2 : 1-25
Jude 10-25
1 Timothy whole book
James whole book
Matthew 18: 1-35
Galatians 5: 1-26 6: 1-18

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