I’m concerned for the American church.
Now I can almost see some roll their eyes and let out a ” what now ” sigh. Isn’t it fascinating to witness the disdain towards a non- compromising believer who displays their love for God in the things they hate or better still displaying that love by warning the brethren of the dangerous pitfalls we face as born-again beleivers?
Why is that?
Could it be as simple as a four letter word. L O V E ?
Not the sappy, lovey dovey hypocritical love but a love that is demonstrated by the concern for the spiritual well-being of another. A love that mirrors the heart of God. A love that is demonstrated by laying down our lives for one another.A love that bears the burdens of another in displaying the fruit’s of servanthood and compassion. A love that never seeks it’s own but binds up the wounds of another as so beautifully demonstrated by the good Samaritan.
Or could it be spiritual jealousy much like Miriam , Cain or Simon the Sorcerer that was filled with bitterness as he sought to ” buy” the power of the Holy Spirit ? Could it be that their acts of “worship” are born out of selfish motives? Or worse than that could it be that one has been “given over” to the “lie”?
Are we being fed a Christ{less} message by the ” motivational guru’s” that stand up in the pulpit’s ” seasoning” the message with a little bit a ” jesus” and a whole lot of self image? I humbly believe so yes!
Beloved there is a reason the church is in the midst of this great apostasy and we ought to ask ourselves, how did we get here.
I pray that you will take ten minutes out of your day to watch this powerful clip and may we all repent and refuse to be partakers in the sins of another. I know I did and it’s changed my life. This knee refuses to bend to any other ” Baal” neither will I allow any man to be my Pope.
The wolves among the flock don’t bare their teeth but come reciting scriptures promising liberty yet they themselves are the servants of corruption.
The Lord Jesus Christ said that a tree is known by it’s fruit. I saw that fruit being displayed again this morning by a sister in Christ. I love this clip. It shows me just how much I am loved.All praise and glory to the One we love more that life it’s self.
UNSEALED PROPHECY 
I apologize profusely to the reader but as usual I posted in haste. Time is not my friend again this morning 😉
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all i could think as i watched that video was,” it goes without saying”, yet, because of the pathetic watered down-ness of the real truth, it has to be said! sad state of affairs for sure and the word says it would be this way so we shouldn’t be altogether surprised. Straight is the way and there are few that find it. Lord Jesus, keep us where you are – guide our paths – conform us to your image and strengthen in us the things that remain. Forgive us Lord and have mercy on us – draw us to your word that we would be transformed by the renewing of our minds, in Christ Jesus, amen. Unify the body of believers Father,…unify us in the holy spirit of truth.
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Revelation 18:4!
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a-yep.
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“A crossless christianity is a Christless christianity!”
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Amen Watchman2!
Powerful truth. The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
This chapter in is one of my ultimate favourites.It’s Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth and I could stay in these verses for a full year and still not exhaust it.
Paul is calling them from pride to humility, to cast off all fleshy { without the spirit) wisdom and to preach the CROSS of Christ alone!
I love how Paul addresses the sins of ” envy, jealousy and contention” and find it fascinating that not much has changed today. The heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it?
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
1 Corinthians 1
1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
The Lord Jesus gave a small glimpse and three examples of people that wanted to “follow” Him but all had their OWN interests at heart.I love that He weights the INTENTIONS of our hearts in the balances of His hands and sees as no man does.
He touches three very real life’s issues.Please know that there is no ” boasting” { I boast in Christ alone } but I’ve counted the cost of all these and can’t express the intimacy it has brought to my relationship with Christ.
People ” envy” my relationship with Christ and want to know how they too can get to that place. I ask these three questions and the answer is almost always the same.- ” we’re all at different places in our walks” OR – ” Jesus would never want me to deny my mother or father as we’re told to honour them” 😉
1) Are you willing to let the dead bury the dead.
2) Would you be willing to give up all for His name , land, home, heritage ?
3) How about your family? Are you willing to love Christ enough to forsake them?
Luke 9:57–62
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him,……………………….>>>>>
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, ……………………..>>>>>>>
Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him,…………………..>>>>>
No man, thaving put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:24–25
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Following Christ demands sacrifice.
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I couldn’t watch the video, but I wholeheartedly second the sentiment of your post. What the world sees as the “Christian” church here in the United States is overwhelmed with harlot false faiths that though the use the name “Jesus” are not based in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I watched this week hopefully as Dr. John Macarthur and many Bible teachers I respect took the stage (and shared all their content at no cost) to preach the Gospel and to warn people about the false gospel being proclaimed by many at the Strange Fire conference. Instead of repentance I saw a tidal wave of criticism and derision even from circles that usually view many of the pastors teaching their as solid and biblical.
I suppose deep down, I knew that would be the reaction. When nationally known men who call themselves “Pastors” engage in publicity stunt, “Look at me!” antics in the parking lot, I recoil at what has become of the church – and how hard it will be for those that don’t know Christ yet to ever hear the Gospel. They won’t hear it from any of the “Pastors” on broadcast television, cable or satellite. They won’t hear it when news organizations and secular media interview so-called “Christian”. They won’t hear it in much of the music that’s branded as Christian. They won’t hear it on many of the radio programs called “Christian”. God help them if they walk into “Christian bookstore” they will be overwhelmed by many Bestsellers that are anything but Christian. The time is short brothers and sisters – we know it, so what are we to do? Live in a manner worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called, Pray without ceasing, Spend time with the Lord in his word as often as you eat or sleep, and by all means share the good news of Jesus at every, every opportunity.
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The church today.
“The cultism of religiousity is driven by false perfection!”
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a-yep
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Mr Sheep was there a glitch in that clip so that you were not able to watch it? Is there anything I can do?
I wanted to add a quote from “Abiding in His Word ” from FP in a current conversation if I may 😉
“Believers have made many “stalwart teachers” into celebrities and elevated them to a prominence that’s unhealthy both for them and those hanging on their every word as gospel truth. Their status has caused many to become followers of an individual who has intentionally or unwittingly become the mediator between God and man in interpreting the gospel. When a pastor/teacher rises to this level, it has become popular to join with other “successful” pastors and create coalitions, networks and “systems.” They become wealthy by the sale of CD’s, books, and conferences and imo have created a very powerful monster that is proud and arrogant and beyond accountability to the sheep under their care. ”
That sums it up pretty nicely I must say.
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“They become wealthy by the sale of CD’s, books, and conferences and imo have created a very powerful monster that is proud and arrogant and beyond accountability to the sheep under their care. ”
“That sums it up pretty nicely I must say.”
yup
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http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25110?src=devo-email –Lord send Your church the Gift of Repentance–the Holy Spirit Gift of Repentance–that agrees with God-calling sin *S i n as You do. opened my Bible just now for this particular text that came to my mind and my Bible opened right to it! Thank You Lord Jesus! 2 corinthians 7: 9-11 tells us exactly what that looks like.
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Amen Shorttribber.
Mr Sheep have you ever attended a church{ EMPIRE } where every book, CD, and idolatrous trinket has the ” preacher’s ” / pastor’s face on it? I have and it’s nauseated me.Not once but quite a number of times.The saddest of all this was that these men were NOT “word of faith or prosperity gospel” preacher’s 😦 they actually spoke against it!
I know we can all justify wealth and homes and such { I was o n c e guilty of that } but if one were to ask these men to go down to the most down and out on the streets in Vancouver { or any city } and to love on them, to wash their feet , feed and even be willing to get down and dirty…would they? I doubt it.
Would these ” empire’s ” be willing to forsake all for Christ as discussed in the Luke 9:57–62 verses? I doubt it very much.
Is our love for Christ not determined by the things we hate?
I’ve had the opportunity to sit at the table of some and can tell you as the Lord is my witness it was difficult to shake off the verses that came to mind.I say that in uttermost humility and non judgment. It sure feeds the “ego” when one is summoned to sit to the right of such a minister.May the Lord forgive me for even consenting!!!
Luk 11:43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
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“The church is so blinded by their own decadence they can’t see the truth, nor do they want to!”
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i pray for eyes to be opened to the Truth. no longer blinded and deceived. and no doubt persecution will be what turns hearts around to face the Truth of God and will only be some. afraid most will go on in sin–remain blinded and further hardened…therefore beyond remedy. i don’t know who they are so that’s why i pray but God knows those that are His.
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Wow Andre I loved that message!
“Ahab claimed to love the truth, but deep inside he hated reproof.”
“Christians bound by the Jezebel doctrine are 100 percent sure they are right. They cannot see the deception”
Sin D E C E I V E S.
Sin hardens the heart.It’s poison to the soul. It defiles and defrauds all it come’s into contact with and DESTROYS families. We need to guard our hearts! It’s so subtle and seductive it’s not even funny !
Mmmm …..Deceives, Defiles, Defrauds and Destroys who does that sound like? Satan comes to ?
Eph 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Hbr 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Jam 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
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Thank you Colleen and everyone who is joining in this conversation. Yes, 2 years ago the Lord lead us out of a church like that, where so much was built on the “brand” of a big name pastor. An excellent example of what happens when these hirelings build what they call a church – can be found here – http://www.wcnc.com/news/iteam/Elevation-Church-Pastor-responds-to-critics-of-his-17m-home-229413291.html
The church is being deceived by men like Steven Furtick. They are consumers of something being packaged and sold them as Jesus – but is contains little if any of the Gospel truth having been overshadowed by a “vision-casting” of a leader that looks good to the people. I left my last church after Steven Furtick was invited to preach – I couldn’t believe such a man would be given the pulpit to spout his own humor and self-aggrandizing message that was devoid of the Gospel. It prompted me to look more closely at the man who was teaching week in and week out at our church and the pile of broken relationships and heartache that he was leaving behind him in a quest to build an empire and enrich himself.
I don’t suggest every man who is widely known is this type of man – but we should be looking at the lives of any teacher whom we might receive bible teaching from, read his books or watch his videos. This is why I think the local church is so critical – where we can get to know a group of men who lead a flock and see from close-up if they are walking according to the calling to which they’ve been called and biblically qualified to be shepherding God’s flock. Any other teaching should be secondary and a supplement to or confirmation of what we are receiving from faithful pastors and elders in our own fellowship. I would include this little site and this virtual fellowship in that secondary category – I pray that all the readers here in a healthy local fellowship of believers lead by solid men with a competent teacher or teachers – this site could never hope to replace that nor should any radio ministry, para-church, pile of books and I would also say celebrity pastor or large well known network of churches. We have to remember that the heart of man is wicked and as these things grow and we don’t know the leaders we can’t know if they are men of integrity leading according the scriptures in a way that will bring Glory to God alone. I am so thankful to be blessed with a vibrant fellowship in our growing little church – where I can sit down and have a serious conversation whenever its needed with my elders and my pastor, and can see their walk and how they shepherd their own families. We have been there almost exactly two years now – and I can see the impact is has had on my wife and I and on our children as we know and are known by this earnest group of Christ followers who are still sinners, but are pursuing every day being transformed by the Gospel of Christ.
Keep us in your prayers this weekend – my two older boys age 12 and 9 are stepping forward to be baptized tomorrow. I pray that their obedience and their testimony will be an encouragement to our family who will be there and to our church family – and that they will continue to grow to be strong men in the Lord.
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Religious spirits are more interested in judgment than forgiveness
Somebody who has religious spirits will often be more interested in seeing somebody ‘pay’ or be punished for their wrongdoing, than they are in seeing the person repent and receive the forgiveness and grace of God.
Religious spirits are unforgiving, unmerciful and DEMONIC.
God confirmed to me at the grocery store just what type spirit was trying to oppress me… He sent me through aisle 6 and I thought “wouldn’t it be something if my total rings up to $66.00.” And it did!😊
God 666d me right there in aisle 6 to confirm to me it was not Him oppressing me but was in fact the devil. God speaks thru numbers. Pay attention to the numbers!
All Glory to God for His mercy and forgiveness. He mercy endures forever. Psalms 100:5
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http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25133?src=devo-email —a good word in hard times. Jesus saves and still does. indeed….His Mercy endures forever 😉
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I love that verse Andre!
There is a ” false repentance “…….>>>>>> one that works death yes!
2Cr 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
After you posted that link by David Wilkerson I spent a little time digging into why Ahab { FALSELY } accused Elijah of ” troubling Israel and found it fascinating of how this incident is still as relevant today as it was back then.
The Lord gave Ahab “space” to repent on quite a number of occasion’s as God showed His mercy to this man.
1) King Jehoshaphat comes into the story. Ahab tries to ” CONvince ” him to join in the battle but the King is wise enough to ask that they seek the Lord on that.
So what does Ahab do? he brings in FALSE PROPHETS…400 of them { funny how that’s still true today as well } but the King KNEW that these men were all false and asks that a true prophet of God be sent.
2) Micaiah comes into the story { an act of mercy and another warning } as the Lord speaks through him that they would be defeated in this battle and would be left with no King.
So how does Abab respond ? HE CONDEMNS Micaiah!
Why? because “he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad” (1 Kings 22:8).
Ahab rejected the warning from the Lord and chose to choose sin.We know that sin brings forth d e a t h .
God says his people love it so.
Jer 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jer 23:14
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Jam 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1Jo 5:16
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Praise God there is no condemnation for those that are IN Christ. I love that!
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I pray this works Mr Sheep 🙂
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It worked and as I’ve heard said by many I respect lately, “If you are having your best life now, it’s sad that you won’t be joining us in God’s kingdom.” Thank you for posting – I am so thankful for our dear older men who have walked with the Lord many years that are not afraid to gently but firmly warn us about how Christ is being removed from the church and so few want to talk about sin.
I don’t usually share videos, and I probably won’t win any new friends with this one. I’m sad if any of the below grieves anyone here – but I hope it will grieve them into taking a hard hard look at what we are attributing to the action of the Holy Spirit, and search the scriptures with increasing diligence. I’m not one for “celebrity” pastors – though I think there are a very few men that have preached the gospel so clearly (I can count on one hand, maybe two) and so faithfully that they are worth listening to in addition to the pastor who is reponsible for shepherding our local body.
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i agree with you Shelly,…all the way. what you said makes soo much sense, yet no one responds – whats up with that??? i guess you must be considered…insignificant. Imagine that!, well not so to me. something is showing itself here, lets all face it. its probably a “religious spirit” – in desquise as something …?….elevated?!!! Comon’ people now, really.
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No religious spirit here 🙂
Proverbs 6 :16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
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did you read my response tony? indeed His mercy endures forever. the verse she quoted. also shelly i have had similar things happen with me as you described. the devotionals i sent stress the return to His Forgiveness-repenting hearts will do that. God is still in the restoration business 🙂 God is still saving the lost-yeah we see few numbers here in our country but i cannot discount what is happening in many other places on earth. He is still working…..He wants to restore the wayward of His people all over the globe-bring Repentance-the godly kind of 2 cor 7:9-11-bringing His people back to the whole heart of obeying loving Trust in the One and Only Savior-leaving their idols to return to Him. God knows those that are His-there is always something we do not know about any given person and/or situation but God may be working what we do not yet see–God knows all. not people. i am having to learn this myself. i agree with john macarthur about the abuses…but……truthfully..am a bit skeptical of him–is he painting with too broad a brush-lumping all of the folks of a more charismatic approach into the same catergory? that is not correct either if true. david wilkerson was one fine example of a pentecostal preacher-yet he endured many critics from the cessationist camp. i hope not but then again-i do not know mr macarthur’s heart. God does. i do not know but do hope and pray that his words also have actions that are a demonstration of Truth in Love-not Truth without it…..Truth and Grace go together-john 1:17-not just a “religious law” approach. that would be equally an abuse of the other extreme…the little verse speaks volumes that says: let all things be done + decently and in order-2 sides to the same coin. that is what apostle paul said ( we know he was given the Word of God after Pentecost–the prophecy of joel come down as apostle peter spoke directly of that day). the balance is right there. everything-the all things-the Spirit can do-wants to do. 🙂 the Gifts of 1 corinthians 12 *all of them freely given to the church-and the flip side-to be done decently-orderly in the Power of the Holy Spirit to the Glory of God. no flesh demonstrations-the abuses-we are so sickened by—but instead–His Power on display that edifies believers and those who will be saved. the Gifts and the Fruits together of that Grace from on high-manifesting–for God’s Glory Alone. deception and lovelessness are rampant today and both bad. idolatry is unacceptable and an unloving (unforgiving) message to brethren gives God no Glory either. i hope you all can hear my heart if my words are failing.
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Macarthur is a flawed and sinful man just like the rest of us so I’m sure he and his fellow teachers are not above error at times. My own wife takes a major issue with his teaching on 1 Corinthians 11, and I agree with her. That being said, I don’t think he’s painting with an overly broad brush here – I think he’s warning of the dangers that are common to a very broad movement with a broad set of theological variations and spiritual practices. Knowing what we do – that the heart of man is wicked and that there are many spirits out there that are not from God we should be able to come to certain conclusions. Certain emotional experiences that may seem Godly – may not be. I am not pointing a finger at anyone particularly here, so Andre even though my message is in response to you its not necessarily an accusation of anything you’ve done. I think where the conference was going was that believers need to be a whole lot more cautious about what they attribute to the spirit of God – and a lot more biblically rigorous about how they identify the gifts of the spirit. I don’t think I’m as hard-core of a cessationist as the speakers there – or that they are even as hard-core about cessation as they are accused. I do think though they have a very valid and important point – anything we point to as a gift from God should be able to stand up to the test of scripture, the full counsel of scripture not just a verse or two. Do I believe that in the last days we’ll see some amazing outpourings of God’s spirit on people that will cause amazing things – yes I do, scriptures says it will. Is this happening today within the church? I’d say mostly no, and I’d say it was always this way even as far back as the prophets, the apostles and the day of pentecost. I don’t think the exhibiting of the sign gifts of the holy spirit were ever as common as they are claimed to be today. Look at the great prophets of old – Elijah, really nothing written directly by him but his prophecies recorded in scripture, Isaiah 66 chapters, Daniel 12 chapters of the Holy Spirit speaking through him. So-called modern day prophets – books and book and reams and reams of words from the Lord, a new one every week in time for their television show. I know I’m engaging in a little hyperbole- but it’s with a good intent. I am not telling any of my friends to give up looking for signs of the Holy Spirit working in their lives – I’m just saying check everything with scripture before you believe anything, even your how heart, or may I should say especially your own heart.
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thank you justasheep. especially my own heart. that is exactly what i pray is going on inside of me and with those who attended the strange fire conference–all of us who are watching for Jesus. you spoke to what i am understanding and believe i am seeing as well. i want to be-am trying to be-careful about either end of any spectrum and simply watch for God to do the correcting and edifying and empowering just like He will always do—according to His Word….and……in His utmost Gracious Spirit. i am praying to stay open to the Lord and not merely swayed by men-any men-even those whom i greatly agree and love and respect. these are difficult days and the times are calling for great discernment. i am asking for that very thing for me and for the church in the broad sense. there is a way to go on that one……….God will provide.
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Gal 6:4
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Mr Sheep , I like what you said .
“My own wife takes a major issue with his teaching on 1 Corinthians 11, and I agree with her.”
Mrs Sheep has a fine gift of discernment it seems and for that I praise God!
I agree 100% that there is a massive outpouring of a diabolical kundalini spirit that is masquerading as the Spirit of God in the HOUSE OF GOD {that many have become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit} , yet the Lord is allowing this for a reason. It’s preparing the world for the demonic rule of the AC and his 42 month rule.
Jdg 2:13
And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
The LAW is fulfilled in one small little action- L O V E – true agape love. That’s what missing.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. True agape love is one of the fruits of the spirits that quite frankly Satan is not able to counterfeit.
Gal 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Lord reminded me of the fascinating account of heeding MAN”S words over the WORD of God in 1 Kings 13:11-34 to be read in conjunction with 2 Cor 11:13- 15 .
What a powerful warning for us to heed today.
It’s fascinating how this man REJECTED the Kings offer { to be wined and dined } but is deceived by one claiming to get a ” word from the Lord ” right ?
God’s judgment was clearly evident in him being eaten by a lion.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed …………….>>>>>>>into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;……………>>>>>>>>>>>> whose end shall be according to their works.
Herein is the deception—->>>>>>>>>verse 18 in 1 Kings 13 🙂
18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art;………..>>>>>>>> and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
1 Kings 13:1-32
13 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee.
3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
5 The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.
6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
7 And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.
8 And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
9 For so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
10 So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.
11 Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father.
12 And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.
13 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,
14 And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.
15 Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread.
16 And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:
17 For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.
18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
19 So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.
20 And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came unto the prophet that brought him back:
21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee,
22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.
23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.
25 And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
26 And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord: therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him.
27 And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him.
28 And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass.
29 And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.
30 And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother!
31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
Gal 1:8
But though we,………>>>>>>>>> or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
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**** “I think where the conference was going was that believers need to be a whole lot more cautious about what they attribute to the spirit of God – and a lot more biblically rigorous about how they identify the gifts of the spirit. I don’t think I’m as hard-core of a cessationist as the speakers there – or that they are even as hard-core about cessation as they are accused. I do think though they have a very valid and important point – anything we point to as a gift from God should be able to stand up to the test of scripture, the full counsel of scripture not just a verse or two. Do I believe that in the last days we’ll see some amazing outpourings of God’s spirit on people that will cause amazing things – yes I do, scriptures says it will ” **** i sure agree with what you have said here rob and i do pray that what you describe is the aim of that conference and that result because it has that brotherly heart-the Truth upheld and upheld in the very Spirit of Christ. i work for a christian radio station as a volunteer. i used to personally download programs for macarthur’s grace to you for airing. a decision was made to discontinue airing him as several of us came together thinking at the first of this year-is the tone–not the content–becoming an issue? so for right now it is under review till this rides out a little more. rob, the former church you attended with it’s very popular preacher used to be aired on our station too and is no longer. too self-important & self promoting. it made us sad as we had been blessed by it in an earlier time. and that “elephant room” idea-that hatched from there-the program became an elephant in the room itself. we refused to air it. it was confusion and we know who thinks up that stuff. that pastor’s messages were removed from our little station for those reasons. but i want to be careful here——–i pray for restoration——-and—i pray there is not over-correction just like i pray that the wrongs be righted. both are harmful to the Gospel. shelly is right to point out that Forgiveness is not to be lost in the translation as we look closely at these issues. but it will be what it will be———because these are the last days. God is Sovereign over His Message in the long and short of it all. the Truth is never truly harmed ultimately because lies fail and only the Truth endures. indeed Mercy does endure forever–Merciful God will steer us all through these hard times. the true church is proven by the True Love of the Lord like hisown has said. Agape Love cannot be faked-cannot produce rotten fruit. time will tell what fruit all the varied ministries really are producing—and are accountable to God-as each of us are in the talk we walk. some are already obvious-others not so much—just yet. so i pray to be a watchful careful berean. God will give us that discernment when we humbly ask that of Him. 🙂 this is a good discussion.
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i apologize andrea,…i failed to see what you had said in response to shelly. i am very sorry,…i need to be more careful – i will take that as a personal / LESSON. I feel ashamed of myself. please forgive me
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why tony? there is absolutely nothing to apologize to me for. people can take or leave what i write…makes no difference…really 🙂 . but i did see shelly’s point about Forgiveness so i was noting that. the devotionals i had posted are referring to the problems highlighted by hisown and rob and there is great reason for concern-absolutely-but i did go on to further my response about restoration. she is right about the religious spirit. i am not sure that that applies for the macarthur video clip we saw here though i do wonder if there is some of that attitude present among those who were gathered for it. may be-may be not. God knows that part for certain. i know what i see and hear from all kinds of church circles and not one of them is perfect. lack of love among believers is very much a cause for concern too. i pray to see healing come to the church. Truth is paramount for that-the Whole Counsel of God as rob pointed out is non-negotiable but we know the Bible says–though i speak with the tongues of men and angels and have not Love, i am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal…sharp sounds–makes you cover your ears at the sharpness. that does not help heal………
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Andre I praise God for you and not only that but the way you’ve dealt with this very sensitive issue. I’ve had to spend time in some pretty serious prayer last night asking the Lord for wisdom on how to share the concerns you have expressed here.Thank-you for the grace, love and maturity you have displayed.
You said.
“i work for a christian radio station as a volunteer. i used to personally download programs for macarthur’s grace to you for airing. a decision was made to discontinue airing him as several of us came together thinking at the first of this year-is the tone–not the content–becoming an issue?”
The Lord had to gonk me over the head in 2007 with the same conviction and I fought Him, battled Him, questioned Him on the ” why”. He had to take me by the hand to show me and it was only then that I understood. I refuse to get into the details and open another can of worms here but I’m seriously concerned for the way things are going, especially with us being in the end of end times .The love of many have grown cold and there seems to be a defiant refusal to…..you fill in the blanks 🙂
You also said –
“time will tell what fruit all the varied ministries really are producing—and are accountable to God-as each of us are in the talk we walk. some are already obvious-others not so much—just yet.”
Amen!!!
God has given us a command to test the spirits with His Word being our guide, yet sadly this gift is not well received as in days gone by.One of the accuser of the brethren’s mission it seems is to silence this gift that God has given to the body for one purpose only and that is to protect us for the latter days described for in 1 Tim chapter 4. These doctrines of demons and deceptive spirits are increasing at an alarming rate! Why is that!
The gift of discernment is NEVER self- edifying or self – serving but somehow it is misunderstood , rejected and even maligned to the point of “s i l e n c e.”
A perfect example of the “religious reaction” to one exposing idolatry, paganism is my favourite prophet, Jeremiah 🙂 and who was it that hated him most?
The r e l i g i o u s!
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.Jer 26
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Ha! My pastor made a point at length about Jeremiah this past Sunday in his Sermon. This past Sunday happened to be the 2nd anniversary since our little local fellowship was founded, so the message was a biblical review of why the church exists and the biblical mandate for our local body. His point was that by modern american church standards Jeremiah would be viewed a huge failure – since no one listened to him and no one repented. We should not be measuring the “fruitfulness”our local bodies by how many fill the seats on sundays, how much comes in the offering, or how many baptisms are done on a particular Sunday. Certainly people responding the Gospel is a good thing – but the numbers of them are of far less importance than the authenticity of the response and the real transformation that takes place over time – that is the work of the church to tend to and encourage.
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I love how the Lord works Mr Sheep.Jesus said that the path would be narrow and FEW are on it.
I love how Christ put’s it…..in Luke 13.
23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Powerful words…..many will seek to E N T E R.
Reminds me of the man that tried to slip into the feast having no wedding garment’s on. It’s not that we “KNOW” Jesus but are we KNOWN by Him. Big difference! Many will say ” Lord, Lord…did we not………..
Mat 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
We have two very real and diabolical movement’s within the mega church crowd.Hedonism & pragmatism! Part of this secular humanism is wrapped up with a little sprinkle of “jesus” on the side and why evil is called good and good is called evil.The lines are blurred and the Word of God is nullified by a Sunday circus act geared towards entertaining and tickling the ears with a feel good ” gospel”.Oh Lord God please forgive us!
………………..>>>>>>13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Where has the holiness gone? better still where has the love gone?
My heart is heavy and my spirit is grieved.
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“The church and government are in bed together, so it stands to reason John 16:2 speaks of both,since the government is the church’s golden calf!”
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i have much to learn-much. Dear God keep my heart tender to hear and see YOU in all circumstances. thanks hisown for your reply above. you are very kind to me sister. you post so many things that my heart is glad for. “Reminds me of the man that tried to slip into the feast having no wedding garment’s on. It’s not that we “KNOW” Jesus but are we KNOWN by Him. Big difference! Many will say ” Lord, Lord…did we not…………” >>> is that not the Truth? and i know it is true that jeremiah the prophet is such a lesson to us for these days. his eyes were a river at how God’s own people treated the Lord God. such a parallel to our times, amen. he was watching the death of his nation right before his face. aren’t we glad the story did not end there!?! 😉 What an Awesome God and Savior. also how appropriate justasheep for that message you heard from your pastor! my husband and i left a church a few years ago because it became less and less about God’s Word and more and more about the denomination instead. when the church is not taught to die unto themselves-take up their cross and follow it becomes a shell–and other things are resorted to to fill the empty space 😦 so we knew what we must do…yes—knowing about Jesus does not equal being known by Him. and so…..all will “come out in the wash”. it has been a long wash cycle amen? but just wait until it goes into the “spin cycle”……everything will be wrung out then…and the True church will come out white 😉 White because clean-cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb. Praise and Glory are Yours O Lord. might seem a bit simplistic for an illustration but helps my heart get a grip to understand so i take heart in that……………..and just because i love to say it and type it–it is Precious to know–we are Precious to Him—-Jesus loves you! ❤
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powerful verses his own,..and all of you above going back n forth. i give thanks as it speaks to my heart…Peace of Christ to you all / blessings….
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hi tony!
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Thank you for your kind words. I count it as such a great blessing and generous provision by the Lord that he has placed us in the church he has in this season of our lives. Over the last two years I have seen a little gathering of a few families in a school gym flourish into a vibrant church community where people are being transformed, they are coming to know Christ, marriages are being saved, families are being reconciled, people are growing in their knowledge of who Christ is, Widows (and women who have been deserted by ungodly husbands) are being cared for, wayward children are coming back to their fathers houses – not because of any scheme or program, but because the Gospel is being preached and people are making themselves available to live out what it means to follow the Lord. I’ve come to count my pastor, our elders and several men in the church as among my dearest friends – and for the first time really really understand what it means to all be brothers in Christ. This past Sunday we had the most joyous celebration to coincide with the church’s second anniversary – my two oldest sons age 12 and 9 came forward to give their testimony and be baptized. My friend said as I stood off to one side with towels that it was like my face was glowing (not really but figuratively, I couldn’t hold back my joy), and there were many tear-filled eyes as my boys and another young man shared how the Lord was impacting their lives.
I’m sharing about the church not to pat anyone on the back or make anyone jealous – but because I see far too much in the world today of people choosing a church for the wrong reasons or choosing no church at all because they have been burned by churches in the past. I really believe that Lord instituted what he did with the church and how it should function very much for our good, and to protect us from the many schemes of the enemy. That the enemy would go after churches is no surprise – since he tries to create counterfeits of everything God does and seeks to destroy anyone who might show an inkling of running to Jesus and fleeing from their sins. I would hope that anyone here who is not in a local church fellowship of some kind today or is in a poor fellowship would stop today to consider their responsibility here. Choosing a church, don’t just ask if they have the affinity group that identifies you, or that you’ll fit in ethnically racially, or that they have a great children’s ministry for whatever age you kids are, or that the Sunday service includes (insert your favorite type of worship music here) done in a very professional way, or that they have the liturgical structure you are most comfortable with. The only things that should matter are – 1) do they preach the Gospel, the whole counsel of scripture faithfully and do the teachers that are asked to teach handle the scriptures well 2)Are they lead by men of integrity that satisfy the requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. I really believe that if you have those two things in a body, all the other things that the church should be about will be given through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Pastor, the Elders and the People of that church. i don’t know about the rest of the world, but we’ve become such picky consumers of all sorts of things in my country that we add on all kinds of stuff not found in the scriptures about what we think the church should be, or we use it as an excuse to neglect meeting regularly with fellow believers who we can know personally, and be known by.
I hope you will all hear my heart- and those that are not in a healthy fellowship of believers will be convicted by it to find a place where they can receive God’s provision for them in an increasingly dangerous world and can grow as servants of our great King as we serve one another in the church.
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how blessed i am to read every single word you just wrote justasheep. makes me praise and thank the Lord /
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John 15:13 “greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends”
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hi andrea! Our father is keeping us all together. that icon of yours[blue n white] is like the sky n the clouds,…and when i’m outside/which i often am,…and when i look up/which i often do,….i think of you – and i pray for you and your family[all] andrea, and for all of us on this blogsite. Its a joy,……and my dog “maggie” is so much fun and sooo entirely cute it is truly unbelievable. this little girl is beautiful — she’s like a daughter to me, like that little lamb was to Jesus in the book of samuel. She’s a blessen’!, like you! thanks andrea, you brighten my day and my life in Christ
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hi rob, colleen and watchman 2,….what can i say, you folks are wonderful, and your comments bless us all,…really/truly…thanks!
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…or rather the poor man’s lamb became like a daughter to him in 2nd Samuel.[ correction ]
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wow! that was 7min and 14 sec’s well spent and yes i was able to receive that into my heart – Thank God. very nice andrea,…and yes! we shall be changed and then able to look upon His Glorious face. Can you imagine how it must feel to emerge from a cucoon as a new creation with a new, glorified body! i believe.!!!!!!!! in the riches of His Glory – blessed! God luv ya,…onward n upward.” This is the day you’ve made so i will lift my voice and give you Praise Lord”-…the song by Paul Balouche
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“the church commits the most heinious of wickedness by taking advantage of the broken,destroyed and ostrasized for profitbale gain and control!”
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Beautiful Andre.What a way to start our day! I love it!
Watchman2 that is a very real and sad reality of what has transpired over the centuries and still does today but don’t be discouraged , God has promised that He will recompense to those that trouble you.
I for one am so blessed by your joining us here and pray that this little place of fellowship will bind up your heart.Thank-you for joining us 🙂
2Th 1:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Rom 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Nah 1:2
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Jer 23:1
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
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Watchman2 your quote reminded me of these verses.
2Pe 2:18
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
——————->>>>>>>For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
———————–>>>>>>>But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
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…..this is the day you’ve made Lord, so i will lift my voice and give you Praise….you are worthy Lord and when you are glorified – my heart is satisfied, to know, that ALL PRAISE AND HONOR ARE YOURS! a beauty of a day it is…..and for every fallen angel there are 2 who are not fallen – as satans rebellion falls short and our GOD reigns supreme in His ultimate authority as The Most High! things[evil] will run its course and then the Most High will throw in the sickle when EVIL becomes ripe for the harvest. amen….watching and waiting on you Lord,..depending upon you to guide me as i daily seek to walk in the spirit. all praise and honor are yours,…i give thanks…………..blessings to you all.
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Great verses Hisown1, it is a sad reality to see it happen but the other side of the coin is we know the truth and that is something to rejoice in! I’m humbled to be a part of this!
John 8:12
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…me 2 watchman 2,…me too! we have HOPE in the face of despair. nuthin; like it!
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whoops!,…thats nuthin’ like it! ,..or ,..nothing like it in laymans terms!
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1 JOHN 4:4 “Ye are of God little children,and have overcome them,because greater is he that is in you,than he that is in the world!”
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http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25147?src=devo-email –once again…right on target. let us examine ourselves and see if we are in the faith as we are admonished in 2 cor 13:5
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watchman2, thank you for posting that verse. it has been with me for days now and the Lord just keeps affirming it to me.
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thanks for wilkersons words above andrea,…i’m not there yet but desire to be. like mr. sheep said, pray without ceasing…….with our minds alwaysonChrist.
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…..here comes the son………\o/
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