O.K. the next level of nonsense: "We need to be yoked with another ministry"...Read below

[Stefos]

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

So, I find myself in yet another "interesting place" with God's people:
A series of events happens and people think that God is displeased or is allowing evil on them AFTER we discuss the biblical model for fellowship and we all come to a consensus that God's word is right:
Elders giving oversight in tandem w/the apostles
Every member functioning
No "Paid Professionals" other than contributing to itinerant Apostles & Prophets only
No "Worship Team" as every believer "worships"
ETC.

I had someone tell me:
You've experienced nothing but health issues and now X circumstance has happened to me and our fellowship isn't growing.
I'm concerned that "We need to be yoked with a larger ministry" and "that's the reason why these things are happening to us."

I said to this person:
Just because these things are happening.....Don't think that how we're following the Lord is wrong.
I also said to this person:
Have you gone to see how the fellowships (The ones' this person perceives as being Blessed by more people supposedly coming to Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit moving supposedly) believes or is following Christ really?

This person then retorted: "Well, no...I'm just wondering"

Did anyone catch the line of thinking there? The reasoning behind that statement?
What belied that statement was the idea that "God's gonna get me or he is getting us because we aren't doing what denominations &/OR what visible Christian churches are doing." THAT brothers & sisters is the sum total of what is actually being said without saying it.

It's a shame that when you point to the written word and what it says out to believers, they question what they believe and then start viewing you with ulterior motives.
In all fairness, it is VERY important to check what you believe and discuss with a person espousing a particular viewpoint on what they believe or how they view scripture, but in my opinion, when old ground is being retrodden, something is wrong.

How do you view the above?
Comments & concerns & questions welcomed!
God bless you as you follow the Lord with a clear conscience.
Stefos

 

[2die]

well lots said.
God is shaking everything, our theology, our faith, our associations, even His church. He is out to convince us that He is right and man is wrong, that He is infinite and man is finite, He is the creator and we are the created, and that He Is. Every thing that can be shaken will be shaken. He will chase out all of the little fox's that spoil His vineyard.
Let God be true and every man a liar. When we consider every man a liar we will be more interested in what God is saying and doing than what man is saying and doing. isn't that right?

 

[Stefos]

well lots said.
God is shaking everything, our theology, our faith, our associations, even His church. He is out to convince us that He is right and man is wrong, that He is infinite and man is finite, He is the creator and we are the created, and that He Is. Every thing that can be shaken will be shaken. He will chase out all of the little fox's that spoil His vineyard.
Let God be true and every man a liar. When we consider every man a liar we will be more interested in what God is saying and doing than what man is saying and doing. isn't that right?

Quite True! We will be more concerned about what the Lord says.

However we have a massive problem today.
People have been taught wrong and the only place I can find to bring new believers is
to the home fellowship I have with a husband & wife!
Living in New England.......it's very difficult to talk with people about Jesus because of this cold area.
It's an intellectual climate too.....Very galvanized mindsets of the worldly people here.

I don't trust these fellowships here not because I'm scrutinizing their motives but
what they are teaching & thus contributing to an already messy mess called "Christianity in America."

The Lord didn't come to bring in 5000+ denominations....people did that....period.

Know, this whole malarkey needs to be undone so that people would understand who Jesus really is
and how his body is supposed to look like.

The moment a person talks to "leadership" (even when Jesus said "No one is to be called Leader")
about issues, they say "That's how we do it here" and then if you object you get singled out and then booted.

Who's willing to speak up brother?
If Ex-Catholics never spoke up, there wouldn't be a Protestant Reformation!
Food for thought

Stefos

 

[2die]

Jesus once said that where ever 2 or 3 were gathered in His name (nature) that He would be in their midst. I think He specifically mentioned just 2 or 3 because He probably knew that it would often be just that many and not much more. But if He is there let us rejoice with that. He said that He would build His church, and we know that He builds it on truth and no lie has a part in it,
so keep declaring the truth.

 

[1watchman]

Stefos, I agree with much of what you are saying ---sounds a lot what I hold. I would be interested in whether you are with a Christian fellowship like that or just a stay-at-home believer. Feel free to write me privately if you wish to chat. Look up always!

 

[dayhiker]

Thought I'd react to your comments about living in NE, Stefos.
I just got asked this week by a lady to meet with her to talk about my Christian faith. I get asked about my faith several times a year.
So my experience has been different than your where I live just north of Boston.

 

[Stefos]

Thought I'd react to your comments about living in NE, Stefos.
I just got asked this week by a lady to meet with her to talk about my Christian faith. I get asked about my faith several times a year.
So my experience has been different than your where I live just north of Boston.

Right....New Hampshire is a different beast my friend...Especially when you leave the big cities.

Come up here and see........

You'll find lots of dead churches and many backwoods fellowships that cannot communicate and
mutually submit to one another.

Serious problems.........I don't even want to think about Vermont & Maine, seriously strange places.

 

[frienden thalord]

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

So, I find myself in yet another "interesting place" with God's people:
A series of events happens and people think that God is displeased or is allowing evil on them AFTER we discuss the biblical model for fellowship and we all come to a consensus that God's word is right:
Elders giving oversight in tandem w/the apostles
Every member functioning
No "Paid Professionals" other than contributing to itinerant Apostles & Prophets only
No "Worship Team" as every believer "worships"
ETC.

I had someone tell me:
You've experienced nothing but health issues and now X circumstance has happened to me and our fellowship isn't growing.
I'm concerned that "We need to be yoked with a larger ministry" and "that's the reason why these things are happening to us."

I said to this person:
Just because these things are happening.....Don't think that how we're following the Lord is wrong.
I also said to this person:
Have you gone to see how the fellowships (The ones' this person perceives as being Blessed by more people supposedly coming to Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit moving supposedly) believes or is following Christ really?

This person then retorted: "Well, no...I'm just wondering"

Did anyone catch the line of thinking there? The reasoning behind that statement?
What belied that statement was the idea that "God's gonna get me or he is getting us because we aren't doing what denominations &/OR what visible Christian churches are doing." THAT brothers & sisters is the sum total of what is actually being said without saying it.

It's a shame that when you point to the written word and what it says out to believers, they question what they believe and then start viewing you with ulterior motives.
In all fairness, it is VERY important to check what you believe and discuss with a person espousing a particular viewpoint on what they believe or how they view scripture, but in my opinion, when old ground is being retrodden, something is wrong.

How do you view the above?
Comments & concerns & questions welcomed!
God bless you as you follow the Lord with a clear conscience.
Stefos

but in my opinion, when old ground is being retrodden, something is wrong.
IF the OLD GROUND is viewed in WORDLY concepts..........
That one is not CONTENT with TRUTH..................and is living by emotions
that serve what made or makes SELF feel good.......
for many come , and have come, and have tasted of the truth
But the TRUTH was not enough .
The parables o JESUS says quite well why so many fall away.......
I have FOUND the upmost JOY in CHRIST
as many say as well.
BUT my question always is........
What CHRIST....................HOW do we KNOW we LOVE HIM........
For that answer................I will ask us to read only ONE BOOK
as the grace of the LORD put me in THAT ONE BOOK only
and for hours daily..............has kept me with great love in that ONE BOOK.
the moment he placed me in THE BIBLE
I had such hunger for those words...............and as I ate of them
they left me only with the desire to remain ONLY in those sayings
what a love of those sayings....
and all mixture and all mens twisted truths ..............always left me empty
BUT HIS SAYINGS , and the HOLY sayings of the HOLY Scrips
always LIFT ME UP , EDIFY ME.
the taste of them is sweeter than honey.........
IF YE LOVE ME................KEEP my commandments
HE who loves me...............keeps my sayings.........
ITS ALL BASED ON what WE TRULY LOVE , and HOW we TRULY know
and test all spirits by................
THE HOLY SPIRIT place me in that ONE BOOK
and I have simply LOVED IT ALL THE DAYS SINCE...........
amen.

 

[frienden thalord]

ALL WHOM GOD LOVES HE chastens and scourges.............
in fact , if we be without chastisement...................we are bastards and not sons......
for all who live godly in Christ...........will have persecutions
but man has made so many doctrines......and how often
they twist HIS SAYINGS to justify their lusts...................

 

[frienden thalord]

a double minded man is unstable in all his ways
always seeking , but never finding TRUE PEACE, TRUE JOY
for they seek the things of this earth......
OH , but if a man seeks that which is above...................
HIS JOY , HIS PEACE , remains, whether he loses all earthen things , even threat of death
cannot move the ONE who truly has his peace IN CHRIST
oh, in this world we shall have persecutions...........tribulations, losses
hardships, etc.............BUT IN HIM....................THE PEACE of knowing him
has given those who follow him rest , no matter how dark things appear ,
no fear to lose , nor hope to gain.............wordly things
JUST GODLINESS with CONTENTMENT.
THIER IS NO JOY , like KNOWING HIM
THIER IS NO PEACE...............like having HIM
and HAPPY is the man who does HIS SAYINGS
they have the abundant life CHRIST promised........
don't THINK earthen riches as a means of abundant life
for beware covetousness.......................for a mans life consists NOT
in the ABUNDANCE of what he posses.................
POSSES YE THE TRUE RICHES ..............FOR THEY ARE OUR LORD.............................
HE IS THE RICHES.......which never fade......
HE is the TREASURE and HIS SAYINGS RICHESNESS and abundance of LIFE
to those who keep them...and live them and eat of them...........
FOOD for the soul they are..................and wisdom is in them
to keep a man from the error of his own ways
an the SPIRIT IS OUR GUIDE......and the SPIRIT
magnifies CHRISTS words........it don't omit or twist
and any who does so....................is of the WRONG SPIRIT and is
only in danger of death.............
and must be corrected and instructed , reminded by pure true exhortation.
FOR all scripture is INSPIRED OF GOD
and it does remind the hearer............it is profitable for doctrine, for correcting
for reproof, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS...........
may none QUENCH..............the SPIRIT
quench.................to put OUT...................

 

[frienden thalord]

David saw and told of the true prosperity..........THE LORD is our prosperity
HE is our riches...............the one who has made us RICH in FAITH toward and only IN HIM
and not in us.....HE, if we have HIS SPIRIT, IS the power by which we walk
HIS unctions reminds us and gives us the power and instruction
to be YE HOLY as HE IS HOLY
for we walk not by the power of the flesh...............that mind CANNOT receive
the things of GOD.............we walk by the SPIRIT, HIS LAW IS SPIRITUAL
on our hearts.................His law is on our hearts for HIS SPIRIT is on our hearts
wherein we know the law is not earned.............BUT IT IS LIVED...................
not earned....................BUT LIVED .................
evidence of the new man, created in RIGHTEOUSNESS
and lives and walks IN RIGHTEOUNESS by HIS HOLY SPIRIT
FOR the grace of GOD , which BRINGS salvation has appeared
TEACHING US...............OH YES TEACHING US
to DENY ungodliness , and wordly lusts and to be walking RIGHETOUSLY
godly and holy in this present world..
AND THAT by this LIGHT, by HIS SPIRIT , we walk in the LIGHT
as HE is in the LIGHT and HE IS THE LIGHT
any who teaches another gospel knows not the LORD , nor THE POWER
of OUR LORD
which does not leave a man in darkness and in bondage of sin
BUT that rather SETS US FREE from being a captive to sin............
and all who the son sets free and free......................
TIME TO PREACH THE TRUE GOSPLE.
for many gosples their are , that are NO GOSPLE, yet passed off
as the goslpe of our LORD
but any gospel or version of it , which leaves a man powerless
as a slave to sin....DOES NOT SET the CAPTIVES FREE...
and I KNOW WHO DONT SET THE CAPTIVES FREE
thus his gosples wont etiher....................
TIs impossible for satan to set the captives free
FOR ONLY THE TRUTH can set one free
and their is no truth in satan
thus their is none being set free by mans gosples
and only in bondage of the cativity of sin , one remains under mans gosples
BUT unto any and all who come unto OUR LORD
drawn first by the Grace of GOD unto the SON and kept in HIM
to those WHO FOLLOW and continue IN HIM
they have been made free.............in HIM and by HIS POWER
of the true grace of GOD the true grace of GOD
which teaches us not to go and sin less
BUT as our LORD did say..............TO GO and SIN NO MORE
for what is impossible for man
IS TRULY POSSIBLE BY GOD....................and thus
all things are POSSIBLE IN CHRIST for all who believe..
any gospel that teaches otherwise......................teaches UNBELEIF
in the ONE WHOM GOD DIDSEND
and the ONE who is able to SUCORR , to give aide,
to any and all who face any temptation
HE IS THE WAY OUT of any temptation.
AMEN>

 

[frienden thalord]

not heard or taught by many is this..........
BUT IS REAL and its LIFE........................
and thus if we see any believer in a sin
TIS why we do all to pull them out , to restore such a one
to convert the sinner from the error of his way...............BACK INTO
the HOLY FELLOWSHIP of a HOLY GOD, of HIS HOLY SPIRIT
any love which is not HOLY..is mans version of love
an any freedom which is not HOLY is mans version of freedom
Any liberty which is not HOLY is not from GOD...................
any GOOODNESS of GOD , which is not HOLY and linesup and with GOD, with
HIS HOLY SPIRIT ..................is not FROM GOD, its from man
for mans goodness leads and is leading all to a GOD whom is NOT GOD
for it leads to the acceptance of sins..................not the repentance FROM SINS
which the GOODNESS of GOD does lead us to REPENTANCE
Beware the prophets of man.......................they are leading all
to a false peace, a false unity , a false love
and all in the name of world peace and unity.....ita lie
the GOSPLE is the PEACE for only IN CHRIST can a man be reconciled unto GOD
man cannot lead the world to peace.......................
BUT HIS DARK ONE WILL TRY and shall destroy many THROUGH peace...............
our mission is not WORLD peace.......................ITS GODS PEACE
and this peace is only IN CHRIST
interfaith is false..........................don't buy the lie.........................

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

So, I find myself in yet another "interesting place" with God's people:
A series of events happens and people think that God is displeased or is allowing evil on them AFTER we discuss the biblical model for fellowship and we all come to a consensus that God's word is right:
Elders giving oversight in tandem w/the apostles
Every member functioning
No "Paid Professionals" other than contributing to itinerant Apostles & Prophets only
No "Worship Team" as every believer "worships"
ETC.

I had someone tell me:
You've experienced nothing but health issues and now X circumstance has happened to me and our fellowship isn't growing.
I'm concerned that "We need to be yoked with a larger ministry" and "that's the reason why these things are happening to us."

I said to this person:
Just because these things are happening.....Don't think that how we're following the Lord is wrong.
I also said to this person:
Have you gone to see how the fellowships (The ones' this person perceives as being Blessed by more people supposedly coming to Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit moving supposedly) believes or is following Christ really?

This person then retorted: "Well, no...I'm just wondering"

Did anyone catch the line of thinking there? The reasoning behind that statement?
What belied that statement was the idea that "God's gonna get me or he is getting us because we aren't doing what denominations &/OR what visible Christian churches are doing." THAT brothers & sisters is the sum total of what is actually being said without saying it.

It's a shame that when you point to the written word and what it says out to believers, they question what they believe and then start viewing you with ulterior motives.
In all fairness, it is VERY important to check what you believe and discuss with a person espousing a particular viewpoint on what they believe or how they view scripture, but in my opinion, when old ground is being retrodden, something is wrong.

How do you view the above?
Comments & concerns & questions welcomed!
God bless you as you follow the Lord with a clear conscience.
Stefos

That is what happens when we fail to know what scripture says and compare our reality to the world instead of spiritual with spiritual. The LORD tests, tries and chastises true sons/daughters to burn the dross out that HE can fill it with more of HIM. Without that, then one is not a child of God...not growing up In HIM.

As you seem to know Stefos, scripture tells us 'few there be that find the narrow way', and the massive millions in mega churches lack in the very things scripture tells us will be...like suffering and trials to bring us to the place where we truly know how weak and powerless we are and how in control our ALMIGHTY God is in all things.

"Old ground is being retrodden, something is wrong." Amen! Can't help but think about Lot's wife who turned and looked back at what she was leaving behind...Trials and tribulations bring about more of HIS righteousness, IF we learn by them...and cry out to HIM in our weakness, knowing HE has the power to do what HE said HE would for those who truly love HIM.

He has a remnant who has not bowed to Baal...few in number...should be a big red flag to true a true believer. When someone speaks as the person you mention, pointing to scriptural truths to show the error in his thinking is of the utmost importance.

 

[frienden thalord]

That is precisely it.
We have to ask, what spirit is this, that entertains the persons mind
to give the notion that we need to be yoked to bigger ministries...........
would GOD lead us to be unequally yoked .............
NO.
you need to examine this person..........
find out what other people they follow.....
their has been a huge move of spirits to bring those who have come out
of false churches, to come back under them again........
because in truth..........the mainline churches
are also being gathered into one spirit.
and the mindset of this spirit.............is world peace , unity
a false love, a false freedom.
its the ways of darkness to get all under the spell
of a common goal.........
and this common goal
though it speaks of world peace, unity, love, good works etc
HEED it not.
its versions are how mans sees peace, unity , love , freedom
its goal.................to gather all
and make ready the people for man as the savoir of the world
that men, religions, all tribes, nations
need to come together in mutual love in the name o peace.
Beware , for its coming men and man.................kings and king
are the ones told of in revelations......
and this spirit is doing all to make ready the people
for the dark king........
as the one true spirit that was in JOHN
came to make ready a people for the LORD
so this spirit too comes to make ready a people........for ANTI CHRIST........
and it too tells of doing good , having good works
ITS mimicking .........its a counterfeit holy spirit...........which is NOT HOLY
you made a good point
by asking that person.................HAVE you SEEN how these churches are worshipping
and they said well no.........I was just THINKING
You do need to find out what other people this person listens to......
Tis why I have LONG said..................READ them bibles and test all men.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

When we consider every man a liar we will be more interested in what God is saying and doing than what man is saying and doing. isn't that right?

This sums it up I think.
As long as men take for granted and believe that they were taught the truth , without verifying and testing by God's Word,
first reading God's Word ! btw, to know what it says ,
when that is possible,
but always , always ,
always testing everything before believing it as true,
just as God's Word says to test everything ....

then therefore men are continually tricked and marketed like cattle,
for
they did not test what they were told and remain 'chattle' of
those who are marketing their souls.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I had someone tell me:
You've experienced nothing but health issues

Where are these not at ?
Large and small assemblies,
individual people , home cell groups...
all subject to the same plagues* if they
don't know.... ....

*in the top three causes of death, and (probably ) main cause of diseases,
in the usa, and elsewhere? ,
"medicine" legally and properly prescribed....

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

Where are these not at ?
Large and small assemblies,
individual people , home cell groups...
all subject to the same plagues* if they
don't know.... ....

*in the top three causes of death, and (probably ) main cause of diseases,
in the usa, and elsewhere? ,
"medicine" legally and properly prescribed....

For close to ten years, I was prescribed hormone replacement therapy after surgery for early stage ovarian cancer to "prevent heart disease". I stopped using it about three months before having a heart attack at the age of 45. I was then prescribed more meds. Every morning, I took a handful of eight pills...for nine years. 16 months ago, I stopped taking all medications without batting an eye. My faith had grown to the point that I KNEW beyond a shadow of a doubt the sovereignty of my God and I Trusted HIM to the uttermost.

I AM NOT TELLING ANYONE THEY MUST STOP TAKING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION...

I am saying that IF we follow HIM in Spirit and in Truth, HE increases our faith and by HIS grace HE causes us to KNOW that HE is God and in HIM we trust with no doubt or shadow of turning from HIM. HE is in control of the heavens and the earth. Our steps are measured by HIM. Our trials and tribulations come to teach us how weak and powerless we are to do anything. Things that are impossible for us ARE possible with God.

And what a wonderful place I stand in, by the grace of God. His Word is Truth. We must BELIEVE all that HE has declared. HIS promises are to those who love Him with ALL their heart, mind, strength and soul. When I ceased the medications, it had become completely clear that I was not trusting God, but my doctors. HE had lit my path and my mustard seed of faith had grown immensely by the power of the Lord. That is faith...

My blood pressure is perfect. I have peace and joy beyond measure to the human mind. I have no fear of death. If I die tomorrow, so be it. For today, I trust my God in all things. And because I trust HIM with my ALL, He blesses me by fulfilling the promises in HIS Word. He is all I NEED. All glory and honour to the LORD.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I have peace and joy beyond measure

This is what drew me to Salvation / Healing/ by Faith in Jesus,
after being "under a tutor" ,

namely, meeting brethren with joy and peace (and righteousness) that no one else had had before (in my life).

Perfect peace and
unexplainable joy,
both, and Righteousness,
(like Corrie ten Boom had in isolation , sick, in prison, in nazi war camp where everyone with her was executed, and her family too) ...

too precious for words.... words fail.... yet this is God's Promise...

fulfilling the promises in HIS Word.

All glory and honour to the LORD.

....
just the beginning...
....
... this year looks like it may be beyond all highest expectations
...
for many people, ... ... ... ... if we can together learn and do what they knew and learned from Jesus in ACTS.... His Word. Revealed.

 

[1watchman]

Wow! This post surely went astray fast. The original point, I think, is that men have been restless over the years and started innovations in Christendom, and that troubles some of us.

The pure Word of God ---Bible-only, is the only safe and approved ground of gathering and collective testimony. I find that in that revival of church truth in circa 1800 AD; so I encourage serious seekers to see the sound ministry on this at the site: biblecounsel.homestead.com. It is worth prayerful consideration.

 

[Francis Drake]

Wow! This post surely went astray fast. The original point, I think, is that men have been restless over the years and started innovations in Christendom, and that troubles some of us.

The pure Word of God ---Bible-only, is the only safe and approved ground of gathering and collective testimony. I find that in that revival of church truth in circa 1800 AD; so I encourage serious seekers to see the sound ministry on this at the site: biblecounsel.homestead.com. It is worth prayerful consideration.

But your "Bible only" call is itself a direct contradiction of your Bible!

1Cor14v26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

In Paul's directive for the gathering of the saints, it is the gifts of the Holy Spirit that direct the meeting, not just bible.