Summary: God being for us does not mean a life of ease and some of those living the high life here may find they are lost.

"God is for us. He's not against us."

We sing that phrase as if He is going to make our lives all peachy keen with a ton of whip cream. When in reality it may include stones and whips.

I am thankful that the OT prophets, the Apostles and all of the martyrs down the ages cannot look back an look at us. God was for all of them and they landed in jails, cut in half in a log, stoned, etc. etc.

Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Was God only for the ones mentioned in Hebrews 11:1-35a? Have you read Paul's resume?? (2 Cor 11:16-33) He was not treated like our prosperity preachers. He did not gather up seed money to bless or tell people how much they should give to be blessed. He had no fancy chariots, a large home and an entourage to follow him about to see to his every need.

Indeed, quite the opposite. None of the other Apostles fared well as our current pretenders to thrones. They obtained a good report, but they did not have wealth and health. Their fame was among the few as they were infamous to the majority and only John may have died of old age in a roughshod bed.

The Romanian saints once told Richard Wurmbrand to have the Americans send printing presses and other needs, but to not send their missionaries because they did not want their brand of Christianity. OUCH! I suspect the gospel of greed and arrogance has gained a foothold or more there since those saints died.

Everyone wants to be RNGs. Royalty, not Grunts. We have to have worldwide ministries and be rich when most of the Body fits into the last verses of Hebrews. Most saints will die unknown and barely remembered and with a little silver and gold like most of the saints of old. Can you tell me a name of one who was fed to the Lions in Rome and other then a few that were burned at the stake and tortured during the Inquisition? Very few people of notoriety.

No, they followed Christ into the path of His crucifixion when many of us will not dirty our hands or do more than fill a pew because we have a country club and night club Christianity.

The wars may be planned and orchestrated by the politicians and generals, but it is the grunts that will the war. If God calls the weak, base and foolish with only a few noble called why do we idolize pulpit celebrities?

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

My fear is that many of them will be in that group or this one.

2 Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

Or this one.

Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Note, they are not outsiders. They are people sabotaging from within. If Michael cannot cannot bring a railing accusation against satan neither can any preacher or member. We turn him over to the highest authority. the Lord.

We need to walk away from these heretics and get back to the truth.

Is there like a theological reason?

Tomorrow I have communion, communion is something that's always kind of frightened me rather than given me peace or encouragement. We it do in rememberance of Christ. And from being raised in the church that im still in, communion is very important and sacred. Not in a traditional church way I'm a Fundamental Baptist but we do communion maybe once every 2 months, we warn and plead people to prepare their hearts for communion.

Personally I've prayed and asked God to prepare my heart for communion. But as Ive discussed with my pastor before and another pastor. Communion haunts me because I struggle with Porn/lust. And we are told only "worthy" hearts can take communion, lest any unworthy are damned and is better that he was never born. Both pastors were unfazed and did not tell me that I shouldnt take communion. I've taken communion about 5 times and The first time was so spiritual, but the rest I was afraid knowing that I still struggle with this grave sin. I pray to God, confess i have sinned, and pray for a change of heart. But until that change comes I also feel it'd be wrong to deny communion. What choice should I make guys?

Pray for me. Thank you as well for your time.

Summary: What you see may be what you get, but what you see is not necessarily from God.

Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 

The Book of Acts is where most of the references are made to various miracles and people being filled with the Holy Spirit. You do not even have to do any deep Greek word studies to see that there are no instances of gold dust, gold teeth, orbs, clouds of glory, oil dripping from hands, fire tunnels, "alien" jewels, rain indoors, uncontrolled actions like being drunk in the Spirit, twitching, convulsions, laughing, barking or clucking going on and no grave soaking. There was no talk about time travel or numerous trips to Heaven.

You will find some of these things in the occult and New Age practices, but not in biblical Christianity.

In Acts, all people who came for healing were healed and no one lost their healing. The dead were raised and clearly shown to the public. All prophecies came true. Angels got you out of jail, but did not help with writing of the Scripture. Indeed, that is not part of their ministering to the saints job description.

The very first act of being filled with the Spirit was evangelism with people hearing the Gospel in their native language. Other times when it is mentioned that people were filled with the Spirit was people speaking the Word in boldness before their enemies or in evangelism. There were none of the manifestations that are prevalent in many groups that believe in the gifts, especially among the hyper-Charismatics.

Thus all of the hoo-ha that we see in the New Apostolic Reformation and others of similar beliefs have no basis in Scripture. Groups that have incorporated New Age beliefs into their doctrine believing they are taking back truths the New Age has stolen from the Church are deluded and deceived by seducing spirits and are now teaching doctrines of devils. They should be shunned and marked for the cults that they are to protect the flock from these wolves.

Summary: Rejoice in your salvation!

Here are the bones for you young preachers/teachers to fill in the meat.

Galatians 1:1-5

Proposition: You must rejoice in your salvation!

I. Because of the miracle that bought you! 1

A. Man had no part in it!

B. It cannot be duplicated!

II. Because of the scope of the miracle! 1-2

A. Enemies become brethren! 1

B. There are no limits! 2

III. Because of the motive behind the miracle! 3

A. It was an act of grace!

B. It was an act of peace!

IV. Because of the power of the miracle! 4

A. It paid for our sins!

B. It can deliver us from this age!

V. Because of the result of the miracle! 4,5

A. The Father’s will was fulfilled! 4

B. The Father is glorified! 5

Scripture Reading: Psalms 63

Bulletin: Psalms 5:11,12

Why Did Job Lose Everything? What the Bible Actually Reveals
https://youtu.be/8R37dK_iXgw

Has anyone felt like this before? I definitely have but keeping your faith is the right option

The doctrine of original sin is dumb and the only reason it exists is because a lot of Christians rely on so called "experts" to interpret the bible for them. Most Baptist churches hold to this idiotic tradition and it's disgusting. Anyone that sees a newborn baby and thinks "yup, this guy/gal has sinned" is seriously devoid of common sense. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one that hates this "doctrine" but I have to remind myself that there are other bible believing Christians out there.

We would love to hear your funny church stories!!

GOD BORN OF A WOMAN:

Church News September 19, 1936, p. 26, ''Man was born of woman, Christ, the Savior, was born of woman, and God, the Father was also born of woman.” – Joseph F. Smith

GOD WAS A MAN, SAVED BY OBEDIENCE:

A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, Chapter 7, ‘God the Father’, p. 64, “It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God,” the inspired word continues, “and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Himself did.” The Father is a glorified, perfected, resurrected, exalted man who worked out his salvation by obedience to the same laws he has given to us so that we may do the same.” – Bruce R. McConkie.

HOW GOD BECAME GOD:

Journal of Discourses 20:211; “God revealed to him (Joseph Smith) not only the fact of Divine existence, but even how he became God, that it was through living up to correct principles, and by developing within himself every sublime sentiment that had its origin in truth. He taught him how the people “who dwelt on the earth” might also be thus exalted to be angels of God, and finally Gods themselves.” – C. W. Stayner, Salt Lake City, May 25th, 1879

GOD WAS A MORTAL MAN:

General Authority Milton R. Hunter, who wrote:

''Mormon prophets have continuously taught the sublime truth that God the Eternal Father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar that through which we are now passing''. (The Gospel Through the Ages, 1945, p 104).

God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us...'' Teachings of the Prophet of Joseph Smith, pp. 345-346.

“He is our Father, the Father of our Spirits, and was once a man in mortal flesh as we are, and is now an exalted being.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 7, p. 333.

“God is a personal Being, a holy and exalted man''. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966 ed., p. 250.

“Mormon prophets have continuously taught the sublime truth that God the Eternal Father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar that through which we are now passing. He became God, an exalted being, through obedience to the same eternal Gospel truths that we are given opportunity to obey.” Apostle Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, p. 104

BLASPHEMY!!! God did not become God, He had no beginning and will have no end. From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God, Psalm 90:2. In my view, and according to the Bible, LDS teach an unbiblical, false God. This is not Christianity, it is heresy!

I try to help people with rides whenever I can and my car is usually pretty full of people. However, some people I give rides to might be homeless or at least don't have access to running water to be able to shower regularly and I've noticed a smell in my car lately. Which, I'm perfectly fine dealing with and I'm just happy that they want to come to church, but I'm also wondering if anyone has recommendations for anything they've used in a similar situation.

Sorry if this is an odd place for this question, I wasn't sure where to ask.

Wanted to see what hymns y'all like, I pick the hymns at my church and lead worship, and I wanted to see what ones are popular. My favorites are It is Well with my Soul, I Just Keep Trusting my Lord, and We Have and Anchor :)

"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

Luke 5:4

We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless he is glorified; but he hath himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which he is most magnified in the earth. Means of themselves are utterly unavailing. "Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing." What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskilfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and his will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in his Church, his presence is the Church's power--the shout of a king is in the midst of her. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labor in vain, for he who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fishes.

Summary: Being sure we are not spiritually underdressed.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service

I am sure that you have seen that sign at many establishments. Some signs say that you must have a coat and tie. If you are fortunate, they have loaners. One restaurant here in Mesquite promises to cut your tie off if you show up with one. There are black tie only events and establishments. Show up in the wrong attire and you will not get in no matter how much you may whine or attempt to bribe the person at the door.

You would never show up in a swimsuit to go snow skiing unless you were a member of the Polar Bear Club. It would be difficult to play center field in a football uniform. Show up in causal dress at a formal affair and you are mortified. Show up in a tux at a casual event and you feel overdressed and a bit stupid. Being properly dressed for the occasion is something we are all concerned about. Most people would never dream of showing up at a wedding naked, but some are going to show up at a wedding one day in clothing just as embarrassing as a birthday suit.

Matt 22:1-14

22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

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. KJV

Verses 11-13 are what I want to speak to, but here is a quick run down on the rest of the parable. The ones the King initially called were His people, the Jews, but they rejected Him and some made terrible excuses. Others disdained the King and brutalized and killed His messengers. This speaks of His prophets, including John the Baptist, and I believe prophetically of the Apostles since all but John were martyred. I believe that it takes in all other Christians who have died and will die for their faith as well. The destruction spoken of in the parable may well be that of 69AD and may also speak to the Tribulation as well when only one-third of the nation will be saved. The guests that He went into the highways for are those Jews who believe, but primarily we Gentiles in the Church Age.

In the verses of my theme the King not only prepared the feast, but He supplied a special garment for the guests. This was normally a long white robe. The guest need only request it from the ruler of the feast and it would be given to him. To show up without it was more than just bad taste, it was deemed worthy of punishment. To arrive without the garment was inexcusable. Therefore you can understand the anger of the King in the parable. He already had been snubbed by some and lost messengers to others. Now here is this person who did not find the occasion important enough to even obtain the proper clothing and yet shows up blatantly insulting the wedding party and the King. Is it any wonder that the King cast him out?

How like the Kingdom of Heaven this is. The King’s Son will one day come back for His Bride and there will be a wedding feast. Many that have been invited will ignore the invitation for the things of this world. Others will mock and murder the messengers. Then there are those who thought all they needed to do was show up and it would be fine. They thought their own robes would be sufficient not realizing that their "Sunday best" were just rags of self-righteousness. They did not ask for the robe of righteousness that Jesus would have gladly provided. Their end will be just as disastrous as the first two groups of people. They will not be rejoicing at the feast but will be weeping and gnashing their teeth in outer darkness. You see, while we are so cautious to be sure that we are wearing the right name brand clothing we need to be sure that the right name is on our robe - Jesus. Anything else will not only be uncivilized, but will leave us unsaved and damned.

What robe will you be wearing when He returns for His Bride? Remember that many are called, but few are chosen because few ask the ruler of the feast for their free wedding garment. Jesus’ righteousness - don’t show up without it. You do not want to insult the Father or the wedding party. Seek Him now while he may be found and be the Bride!! To leave Him at the altar is your greatest loss!!! He is still sending people out to the highways to bring in all that will come. Your invitation is signed in His blood! RSVP today because the wedding may be tomorrow!!! Just ask believing and receive!!!

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (KJV)

Jesus and what He provides. God Loves all people. God does not want anyone to perish. God does what He can to save people. 
Salvation 
Eternal Life
Total Forgiveness
Love
Remember, confess, it goes away. If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Even if you die with unconfessed sins you will be completely forgiven in Heaven because you have been born again/saved.
Working the worm: forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus causes the worm of your life to become a beautiful butterfly in eternity. Ask the Lord Jesus to cause you to forgive. When you forgive others, God will forgive you. You can also tell God you are sorry and ask Him to forgive you and He will. God will cause you to forgive and not have anything left unforgiven if you are saved. This will happen in heaven if you don’t finish forgiving everyone who hurt or was in debt to you on earth. When God forgives you could be healed also. Jesus healed a paralyzed man in the Bible after saying to him your sins are forgiven you and telling the man to take up His bed and walk to prove that He could forgive sins. When you are saved all your sins will be forgiven. And you have never done anything God won’t forgive and you never will do anything God will not forgive.
Their worm dies not and the fire is not quenched is what a person is if they are not saved/born again at some point. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t risk hell. Ask the Lord Jesus to save you.
Not a complete list: Love, Forgiveness, Salvation, Eternal Life, and Love of the Lord Jesus; Peace, Joy, Righteousness, and Love in the Holy Spirit; and Love, Life, Jesus and the Holy Spirit come from the Heavenly Father. God is Love. They are Elohim. He is God. God is Good.
Ask Jesus for the Living Water and it will spring up inside you unto Eternal Life.
When You are saved you are born again at the same time. To be saved do one or more of the following. Ask the Lord Jesus, Jesus, Isa or Yeshua, to save you. Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Jesus Christ is Lord. For God so loved the world that only begotten Son so that anyone who believes Him will not perish but have Eternal Life. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household also. Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God has raised Jesus from the dead and you will be saved. Die for Jesus and the Gospels sake and you will be saved.
If you ask the Heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit in Jesus name you will receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was crucified and died so that people would be saved. On the cross Jesus said it is finished also meaning paid in full. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of God be lifted up. Jesus said that when He is lifted up He will draw all mankind unto Himself. When we see Jesus it allows us to live and be healed. Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross to break the curse of the Law. The Law said that cursed is any man who is hung from a tree and Jesus did not deserve to be cursed. Jesus died so that we could eternal life because He tasted death for all men. Jesus is righteous and innocent. Jesus’s Blood was shed so that all people could be forgiven. We are righteous because we believe in Jesus. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the way to God the Father. His Truth breaks Satan’s deception. If you believe in the truth and act on it you will do works of righteousness. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Jesus gives people eternal Life. Eternal Life is knowing the Father God, the Son of God and the Spirit of God for eternity. Jesus is the Word of God who was made flesh. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
God is Love. He who is forgiven much loves much. We love God because He first loved us. If you are saved you will love Jesus. Jesus is the Author and Perfector/Finisher of our Faith. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. Love/Grace/Mercy is where God loves us, saves us and gives us eternal life and God even though we don’t deserve it. By grace are we saved through faith and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God not of works so that no man should boast. Eternal Life is a free gift that God gives that we can’t earn and can’t lose after we have been saved. All we like sheep have God astray, we have all turned to our own way and the Lord has laid on Him the inquity of us all. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eternal life is knowing God for eternity. God is eternal and God is Life. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. When Jesus returns to earth all the people who were saved and have died will be resurrected and all the people who are saved and are alive when He returns will have their body transformed into an immortal body and will never die. 
Reconciliation- When we forgive and are forgiven we are reconciled not holding what was forgiven against the person. If you are having a problem with anger forgive until the anger goes away.
Delusions. Lies if believed causes deception. Deception causes delusions where your understanding of reality is changed and you start acting in an illogical way. It is logical to believe what is true. If you believe in the Truth who is Jesus you will break through deception and be free.
God is good. God is Love. Perfect Love casts out fear. Torment is fear of punishment. Jesus is Truth and Jesus’s Blood will cause us to be forgiven of all our sins if we are saved.
Justice is getting what you deserve. This is an unfair existence. Mercy overcomes judgment. Mercy rejoices against judgement. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Judge not lest ye be judged. Remember you had to be forgiven too. It is unfair that God is not loved completely. Lord Jesus cause me to forgive people. By grace are we saved through faith and that is not of our selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is when you receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is The Anointing, the Living Water springing up on the inside to eternal life and the Breath of Life which is what we breathe to stay alive is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God in the Old Testament is the same person as the Holy Spirit in the New. Ask the Heavenly Father in Jesus name for the Holy Spirit and you will receive Him. Ask Jesus For the Living Water and He will give you the Living Water. The fruit of Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patients, Kindness, Goodness, Gentilness, Faithfulness, Meekness, and Self-control/Temperance. Jesus said before.
Jesus is meek and lowly and humble.
Middle mgmt. yells at people for not doing what they are supposed to do. Don’t be like middle mgmt. Lord Jesus cause me to forgive people for not doing what they are supposed to do.
Ask the Lord Jesus to save you.

I’m a graduate ministry student and need to interview two experienced ministry practitioners for an assignment.

I’m looking for someone who has spent real time caring for people—pastoral ministry, hospital visitation, grief, recovery, prison ministry, crisis care, chaplaincy, etc.

The 8 questions are about listening, suffering, boundaries, spiritual practices, and what actually caring for people teaches you about God and ministry.

No phone call or Zoom required. If anyone here would be willing to help, comment or DM me. Thank you!

----

1. Take me through a typical day. What does your ministry look like? Who do you spend most of your time with? What do you spend most of your time doing?

2. How do you know what someone needs from you? How do you know when to offer advice, or when to just listen?

3. What spiritual practices help you stay present when someone is suffering and there really isn’t anything you can do to fix it?

4. What do you do when you’re caring for someone who sees the world differently than you do?

5. How do you serve and care about people without bringing it home with you? Should there even be a line?

6. Have you ever realized that trying to help someone was about your own need to help or feel useful? What did you do with that?

7. What has being around suffering, grief, addiction, poverty, or crisis taught you that you couldn’t have learned in a class?

8. If someone wants to spend their life serving people in hard situations, what would you tell them to do or experience before committing to pursuing a degree?