Good Happy Friday Aron and saints,
I have not finished reading your thread but before going further I want to add to your comment:
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In the year 1975, brother Dong received the burden from the Spirit to help the churches in Brazil and South America to call upon the name of the Lord. This is a biblical practice in order for one to live in spirit and walk in fellowship with God, and also to pray-read the Word of God to obtain life.
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I want to echo your comment because while the LC went overboard in 'calling on the Lord', it is a great blessing and revelation to do so with a pure heart. I am thankful we went over scriptures concerning the importance of addressing the Lord Jesus. (Of course over time, I have heard the LC people drop the Name of Jesus in their prayers. It is 'LORD..this and LORD that."
In most cases, I hear the Name of Jesus only when they "Call on the Lord".
On the flip side of the coin, I hear so many brethren pray to "GOD". Some end their prayers 'in the Name of Jesus' many do not. A huge problem addressing our prayers only to 'God' is there are a whole lot of unsaved people who pray to 'God'...yet they do not know their Savior--Jesus Christ.
Many pray 'Oh GOD in the Name of Jesus or "IN Jesus Name". Nothing wrong with that except few people do not know how to lead people to Christ because they never address the Lord Jesus in their prayers. They do not know that there is no other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we are saved. They do not realize that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.
They are not going to confess God is Lord in the Name of Jesus !!
"In the Name of Jesus or Jesus' Name" is common place is as common place as "O Lord Jeeesus" was for us in the LC.
I do pray "In the Name of Jesus" now & then because I do not want to be so dogmatic and set in 'my ways'. Perhaps the Holy Spirit on occasion does nudge me to pray "In the Name of Jesus'.
That said... whether it is the residue of the LC doctrine in me or the Spirit has truly revealed me the Living Word,
we are told by Jesus Himself, no less no person can come to the Father but through Him. And thus when I am leading people to Christ or discipling the young babes in Christ, I do my utmost best to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through the Scriptures. I do not know if I would have learned the importance of addressing our Lord Jesus had I not been in the LC. Maybe--maybe not.
When Jesus instructed the people to pray "Our Father Who art in Heaven...." He could not tell them to address Him as "Lord Jesus." 1) How would that have looked to the unsaved people? As it was the religious folks were trying to find fault with Him every which way..surely they would have crucified Him right then and there !! Secondly...the Lord Jesus had not yet died, resurrected and been Glorified by the Father.
So it was not feesable for people to pray to Him directly although many believed He truly was the Savior and Son of God.
Next.. it is with a pure heart and through His Spirit in us we address the Lord Jesus. If it becomes repetitious without concentration and Love for Him, then it said in vain and for naught.
So there is my .02 and 1/2 cents worth for the day.
Carry on..
and May the Spirit of Christ draw us all nearer and dearer to our Creator.
Carol g