31 January 2010
"Sunday?"
02/03/2010 10:24 AM
February 3, 2010
“Sunday?”
Blessings Folk!
What happened Sunday?
I have been asked to elaborate upon Facebook postings of several folk as to an event that occurred Sunday.
“Our” Sunday morning gatherings are very participatory.
All believers are encouraged to contribute as the Spirit leads.
This encouragement goes beyond words.
There are no man-made agendas or structures.
We worship through music.
We worship through prayer.
We worship through proclamation.
We worship in all the ways revealed in Scripture.
We encourage.
We exhort.
We cry.
We laugh.
We fellowship...not just the shaking of hands while a logistical adjustment is made...true fellowship.
These are things that should be happening constantly every day..
All as we are going through each day...not just on one particular day of the week.
Corporate gatherings are wonderful and we are not to forsake them.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The Day is approaching...
But, if the only encounter you have with the Lord and His Body is when you are basically watching others who are cajoling you to “participate” (or the one most irritating to me “sing louder!!&rdquo
, then you are not functioning within the Body in the manner that the Lord designed.
Yes. The Word tells us that gatherings are to be “in order”, but much of what is done in many gatherings gives greater attention to the order than to the Lord.
So, what happened Sunday?
As we worshipped the Most High God, we were praying for varied things within the Body.
One particular individual had a “pressing” need - a struggle with a kidney stone. Three folk laid hands upon him and asked the Lord to heal. The stone passed within the time of the gathering.
There was much praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Many other details could be provided, but the basics suffice.
Some would say that it was simply “happenstance”, that the stone would have passed anyway.
We choose to believe it is the Lord.
The Lord is moving in many varied ways throughout the world through His Body.
No two places will “look” the same.
But keep this in mind.
If you speak more of “your church”, “your pastor”, “your programs”…
If you spend more time attempting to get people to “come to church”, “come hear” one particular individual, “come see the service”…
If you speak of the wonder of the Lord, but do so only within the context of what He is “doing at your church”...
If you do any of these rather than simply show and share the gospel to folk, then you are in error.
If you do these, even in the name of the Lord, yet remain distant from a true, intimate relationship with Him, then you are deceived.
Give heed to what Jesus said...
Matthew 7
15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Many have mistaken the fruit of the flesh for true fruit of the Spirit.
We rejoice in what the Lord did with our friend.
We give thanks for the many other things that the Lord is doing.
But, more than this, we worship the Lord for Who He is.
We do not seek “success” as defined by the world and the religionist.
We seek first the Kingdom of God.
Selah!
Blessings!!
“Sunday?”
Blessings Folk!
What happened Sunday?
I have been asked to elaborate upon Facebook postings of several folk as to an event that occurred Sunday.
“Our” Sunday morning gatherings are very participatory.
All believers are encouraged to contribute as the Spirit leads.
This encouragement goes beyond words.
There are no man-made agendas or structures.
We worship through music.
We worship through prayer.
We worship through proclamation.
We worship in all the ways revealed in Scripture.
We encourage.
We exhort.
We cry.
We laugh.
We fellowship...not just the shaking of hands while a logistical adjustment is made...true fellowship.
These are things that should be happening constantly every day..
- worship
- prayer
- speaking of the things of the Lord
Deuteronomy 6
4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
7 "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
- helping
- healing
All as we are going through each day...not just on one particular day of the week.
Corporate gatherings are wonderful and we are not to forsake them.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The Day is approaching...
But, if the only encounter you have with the Lord and His Body is when you are basically watching others who are cajoling you to “participate” (or the one most irritating to me “sing louder!!&rdquo
, then you are not functioning within the Body in the manner that the Lord designed.Yes. The Word tells us that gatherings are to be “in order”, but much of what is done in many gatherings gives greater attention to the order than to the Lord.
So, what happened Sunday?
As we worshipped the Most High God, we were praying for varied things within the Body.
One particular individual had a “pressing” need - a struggle with a kidney stone. Three folk laid hands upon him and asked the Lord to heal. The stone passed within the time of the gathering.
There was much praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Many other details could be provided, but the basics suffice.
Some would say that it was simply “happenstance”, that the stone would have passed anyway.
We choose to believe it is the Lord.
The Lord is moving in many varied ways throughout the world through His Body.
No two places will “look” the same.
But keep this in mind.
If you speak more of “your church”, “your pastor”, “your programs”…
If you spend more time attempting to get people to “come to church”, “come hear” one particular individual, “come see the service”…
If you speak of the wonder of the Lord, but do so only within the context of what He is “doing at your church”...
If you do any of these rather than simply show and share the gospel to folk, then you are in error.
If you do these, even in the name of the Lord, yet remain distant from a true, intimate relationship with Him, then you are deceived.
Give heed to what Jesus said...
Matthew 7
15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Many have mistaken the fruit of the flesh for true fruit of the Spirit.
We rejoice in what the Lord did with our friend.
We give thanks for the many other things that the Lord is doing.
But, more than this, we worship the Lord for Who He is.
We do not seek “success” as defined by the world and the religionist.
We seek first the Kingdom of God.
Selah!
Blessings!!
"Shakings in the Middle East"
02/01/2010 11:37 AM
February 1, 2010
“Shakings in the Middle East”
Blessings Folk!
Last evening just before I retired “upon the night bed” I posted a status update on my Facebook profile...something along the line of keep an eye on the middle east.
Several have asked for details and elaboration.
It has been several weeks since we last spent time together on the subject.
A couple of things first.
We do well to remember that if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have nothing to fear.
We also must remember that nothing “takes God by surprise.”
The Lord has given us extensive, detailed warnings in His Word about things that will happen toward the end of time...
Many other things have been revealed to us.
What stirred my attention last evening and this morning were the following news reports.
“Ahmadinejad: ‘Iran will deliver telling blow to global powers on Feb 11…” (This is the anniversary of the 1979 uprising)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/117545.htm?sectionid=351020101
Then, “our” apparent response….
“US raises stakes on Iran by sending in ships and missiles”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/31/iran-nuclear-us-missiles-gulf
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60U18R20100131?type=politicsNews
This is really nothing new. This type of thing has been occurring for years.
What is the difference now?
There is a general understanding that “something” will be done very soon in relationship to Iran/Israel/the west. Likely an attempt to neuter Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. Iran may announce their ability to produce a nuclear weapon.
Here are some thoughts…
http://www.debka.com/article/8573/
Make no mistake.
The total goal of Islam, especially the type in leadership in Iran, is the total eradication of Israel and all Jews.
This is not a conclusion drawn by conjecture. They proclaim it openly.
There have been plans, years in the making and implementation, to invade, conquer and destroy Israel and the Jewish people.
Here is one possible contingency…
http://www.debka.com/article/8575/
So, we would do well to keep our complete focus upon the Lord, while watching what is occurring, especially in the middle-east.
Jesus warned us of these things. Remember these verses?
Therefore,
We fear not. See to it that you be not troubled.
We trust in the Lord.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (which will ultimately come with the return of the Lord).
We speak the Truth.
We discern the unfolding of the prophetic Word of the Lord.
We wait patiently crying “Maranatha, Lord come.”
Blessings!!
“Shakings in the Middle East”
Blessings Folk!
Last evening just before I retired “upon the night bed” I posted a status update on my Facebook profile...something along the line of keep an eye on the middle east.
Several have asked for details and elaboration.
It has been several weeks since we last spent time together on the subject.
A couple of things first.
We do well to remember that if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have nothing to fear.
We also must remember that nothing “takes God by surprise.”
The Lord has given us extensive, detailed warnings in His Word about things that will happen toward the end of time...
- evil will increase
- people’s love will wax colder and colder
- deception will increase
- many who profess faith will be deceived, will fall away, will look to the ways of the world
- knowledge will increase
- people will run to and fro
Many other things have been revealed to us.
What stirred my attention last evening and this morning were the following news reports.
“Ahmadinejad: ‘Iran will deliver telling blow to global powers on Feb 11…” (This is the anniversary of the 1979 uprising)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/117545.htm?sectionid=351020101
Then, “our” apparent response….
“US raises stakes on Iran by sending in ships and missiles”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/31/iran-nuclear-us-missiles-gulf
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60U18R20100131?type=politicsNews
This is really nothing new. This type of thing has been occurring for years.
What is the difference now?
There is a general understanding that “something” will be done very soon in relationship to Iran/Israel/the west. Likely an attempt to neuter Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. Iran may announce their ability to produce a nuclear weapon.
Here are some thoughts…
http://www.debka.com/article/8573/
Make no mistake.
The total goal of Islam, especially the type in leadership in Iran, is the total eradication of Israel and all Jews.
This is not a conclusion drawn by conjecture. They proclaim it openly.
There have been plans, years in the making and implementation, to invade, conquer and destroy Israel and the Jewish people.
Here is one possible contingency…
http://www.debka.com/article/8575/
So, we would do well to keep our complete focus upon the Lord, while watching what is occurring, especially in the middle-east.
Jesus warned us of these things. Remember these verses?
Matthew 24
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Are we in the “beginning of sorrows.”
In some way, yes.
Is it the “beginning of sorrows” mentioned here. I suspect so.
No doubt, there are…
- wars
- rumors of wars
- earthquakes
- pestilences
- racial disruptions (nations against nations)
- nations in strife (kingdoms against kingdoms)
Therefore,
We fear not. See to it that you be not troubled.
We trust in the Lord.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (which will ultimately come with the return of the Lord).
We speak the Truth.
We discern the unfolding of the prophetic Word of the Lord.
We wait patiently crying “Maranatha, Lord come.”
Blessings!!