How to reach landscapes like these at Lake Saimaa in Finland ->

An Invitation for All Christians to Return

to Following Jesus?

from the book

Turn back Finland! Nations, Look and Hark! I

Repentance by individuals, and through them, by nations, should not even feel like a burdensome option when considering the age that God has revealed as having begun—a time related to the restoration of the joy of serving God and the return of the Lord's festivals to all Christians as well! In the global message, which is compiled in the book YHWH Is Calling, I was tasked with writing more specifically about God's call to restore the original freedom and joy of the apostolic era to Christian congregations.

It is worth exploring the biblical alternatives to spending holy days and celebrating the Lord’s festivals, which follow the example of Jesus, especially for those who may find current worship practices to be unappealing ways to spend time with the Lord. As described in the message YHWH Is Calling, the overly formal worship practices that many modern Christians find distant are influenced by the punishment God ordained for ancient Ephraim. The current worship practices have their time and place, and attending them is by no means wrong. However, it is equally valid to worship God in the early Christian apostolic traditions, following the example of Jesus, which involve more joy, community, freedom, and genuine diaconal family fellowship among all congregants. It is important to remember that no Christian congregation can offer saving faith to anyone through its chosen practices or rituals. What matters is establishing a personal relationship with Jesus, and the different ways congregations gather can support individuals and the church in building that relationship. It is crucial to hear sound teaching of the Holy Word, read the Word personally, discuss thoughts stirred by the Scriptures, engage in personal intercession, praise and thank God, and partake in communion—either through current church practices or by following Jesus’ example in family fellowship at home. There should be no disputes over the forms of these practices; instead, the focus should be on finding a way that allows one to experience the presence and work of the Holy Spirit.

We are in a time when congregations have the opportunity to draw closer to God and receive the outpouring of the Spirit that will come in the near future.

“Take words with you,

And return to the Lord. Say to Him,

Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously,

For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”

Hosea 14:2 (NKJV)

It is also important to remember that each individual's personal repentance matters, even if the nation as a whole does not achieve sufficient repentance in the eyes of God through its leadership or democratic elections. Even if the nation's collective repentance does not come to pass, individual repentance will be for the salvation and benefit of those individuals in the midst of the coming upheavals.

“He who walks righteously

and speaks uprightly,

He who despises the gain of oppressions,

Who gestures with his hands,

refusing bribes,

Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,

And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:

He will dwell on high;

His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;

Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.”

Isaiah 33:15-16 (NKJV)

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