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Unless You Eat The Flesh Of The Son Of Man John 6:53-63"You Are Not Far From The Kingdom" (The Cost) September 14 Unity among what Gods word or mans? Well, its been so long that Ive blogged that no one comes by......well for what anyways? So hear I am. We can look at the world today and say it has gotten worse and so it will, continue, as well we can look at the so called church of God and see that it has strayed so far that there is no absolute truth on which too many stand on, its boiled down to our personal experience being more truth than Gods word, the feelings of what may come and labeling it God, the words post-modern, cultural, emergent, or emerging, to get people used to the new thing that they believe is to happen since we've come a long way from the old turn or burn message. (not that that is being preached but close)
I know, I know Ive blogged on this type of thing before. Let me carry on, New churches are rising up in the name of God yet have no power or authority anymore because they have tailored the church and the word of God to the consumers, it is a marketed church to potential religious consumers in a given neighborhood- this is not the same as preaching the Gospel!!!!
Let me share a quote from a papper I read not long ago (I cannot remember who wrote it)
Those who have replaced the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith with unity of the Pastors personal vision the truly devisive ones. They are guilty of the very charge they level against dissenters within the flock. Such leaders are causing dissentions and hinderances because they have willingly laid aside the teaching of Christ and His apostles in order to propmote the wisdom of man.
When we stand for Gods absolute truth, as well as the true gospel we are told this......"Well come on thats not coming together in unity, We need to be unified"
Let me explaine this....A factious person in the bible (titus3:10) was one who departed from sound doctrine or biblical practice, not one who failed to help religious leaders fulfi;; their vision for the future success abd glory of a religious corporation. For example, Luther was considered factious by the Roman Catholic church. Whether he was or not has to be determined by examining his doctrine and practice with the bible and doing the same for the Roman Catholic church. One is not automatically a heretic or divisive because he or she has a dissagrement with a man-made religious corporation. this is espescially true if what is causing the division is the gospel.
See there has been a falling away for sometime in the church, we must dial back to the Holy scriptures from which our authority comes from, from which we will recieve freedom, healing,rebuke, correction, instruction, training in righteousness....BEWARE, BEWARE!!!
2 Tim 4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the word, Be ready in season and out of season. convince, rebuke,exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things. Endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. August 14 Get Up and Go I seemed to have lost my get up and go! Has anybody seen it? Oh well i must confess, If I was to ask any earthly person they may not have told me the full truth of what my simple yet deathly problem was. Let me share with you, I was reading my bible the other day and I was in the book of Jeramiah ch4:18 Your ways and doings have procured these things for you, this is your wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reaches to your heart.........well the whole 2 chapters of 3 and 4 have to do with backsliden Isreal there was alot in it as I read I was thinking Lord this is so sad, but surely I could not be in this place........ahhh yeah whatever!
I finnished up ignoring the fact that any of this applied to me and then I began to think, (well would God be speking to me about backsliding?) like surely not Im not in that bad of a state then I thought about a scripture I was only a little familiar with something like "Repent and do the things you did at first.......Hmmmm I thought...... well ill look at that in Rev, so as I was at my friends we were sharing different things and she decides to share something from her daily bread devos, and what do you know, the scripture was close to where the one I thought of earlier was so i looked at the one I meant to and her it was Rev.2:2 I know your works,your labor,your patience, andthat you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not,and have found them liars; and you have perseveared and have patience, and have labored for my names sake and have not become weary, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. "Remember therefore from where you have fallen;repent and do the first works,or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstad from its place unless you repent." "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicholatians,which i also hate.
 Oh my!!!! I was feeling like a spear went right through me, although the origional application here is for the church I knew that I knew God was commanding my attention I had left my first love,Him and Him alone! with that flame under me I found my get up and go it was all about re-kindleing my love for Him. and that I am doing!August 08 Lost My Blog.... Just wanted to say that i blogged yesterday and when i thought I saved it, lo and behold it was gone
 So with that, as I am off to work, stay tuned for a blog in the next day or so.......untill then.... July 21 Where have all the preachers gone?Well, thats what I have posted on my messenger name, as it has been an experience of mine for quite sometime. My family and I have settled into a church I believe God brought us to, and no sooner than we said we'll stay I had some great conversations with the Pastor concerning, the gospel message and salvation of which we seemed to agree on and disagree, he wanted to give the soft, Jesus Loves you version yet believed in heaven and hell, judgement and said we didnt need to mention those things, of which I am fully convinced that it would be detrimental to a sinner if they are not faced with those things...............
Otherwise, false conversion would be more likely, and when the real trying of their faith comes, the trials, temptaions, and the heat gets turned up, we may never see them again. Of which is my experience over the years........Ive said the "sinners" prayer too many times with too many people to see them worse off than in the beginning.
Ps 19:7 says The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Gal 3:24 therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 7:7 therefore what shall we say then? Is the law sin? certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin, except through the law, for I would have not known covetousness unless the law had said "You shall not covet."
Well you must get what Im saying, The modern gospel message does not cut it, as God has given us His commands to use to help people realize their sinfulness, some know they are sinfull, they will need the message of grace, and the provision Chrsit has made, but for most they need to look into the mirror of the law and see what God sees, and just how they have fallen short of His standrds, that He is Just and Holy and That He will judge them according to that, and If God is a good judge He will see that people get what they deserve, yet what a wonderful thing to know and understand, is His love for us that He made a way for us to be aquitted in His courts, justified, free!
Any ways this started out as the title of "where have all the preachers gone?" and this is a major gripe of mine, Im tired of hearing the term "guest speaker",( but that is what we get) someone who speakes stories and quotes philosophers, and has jokes to make us laugh, it is quite contrary to the word of God, ya ya ya the 21st century, Ive heard that as an excuse, that we need to be relevant, Ive even heard that we can be relevant and not change Gods message.....................when those who have said that have done exactly that!
Don't get me wrong im not wanting doom and gloom, but as people have strayed from Gods word it has become their own words of comfort for people to feel alright in the sin that so easily besets them, The modern day "speaker" has watered down Gods words that once made a man tremble in awe of a Holy God. We have looked to prosperous buisness men, and people in the world of success to build our churches, we have gone to the sinful world asking what could make our churches better and taken their advice (Robert Shruller) And guess what? It so works, we build mega churches in the name of God, all these principals apply, our positive messages, our hollow passions, our huge video screens, our amazing dramas, our impecable music, our dynamic messages, our guest speakers that we fly in from around the world who are prospering, even churches that have guest musicians........must i go on? Let me say this...........anyone who devises this type of plan for a church, and has the manpower to do so will build a church bigger than life, bigger than they expected, and then they will go on to write books awe inspiring messages to build up people of unrepentant hearts.
Jesus had alot to say about this, "Not every one who says to me Lord, Lord will entrer the Kingdom of Heaven", but He who does the will of my Father in Heaven, many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord! have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?
And I will turn to them and declair "I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlesness!"
A worker of lawlesness is one of an unrepentant heart, they have not been truly saved, they have had an experience, or they are direct rebellion to Gods word, always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth, they will even be in ministry, they will see God moving in their ministry (as God is obligated to His word) yet they will ultimately be rejected, because behind the scenes their lives did not heed to the truth of God's word, as well this person may also been one who started off on the right foot but gets caught up in a teaching far from Christs ( Id say for the sake of being relevant)
I have a variety of teachers I like and look up too, as they teach the word of God in its fullness, not compromising a thing for the sake of popularity, of friendship, of gain, yet only God knows the heart of man.
Listen up, The words of Jesus are still for today.
Matt 10:22 And you will be hated for my names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matt10:24-25 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master, "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house beelzebub, how much more will they call those of His household!
Matt 10:27-40Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and whatever you hear in the ear, preach on the houstops. "and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the soul and the body in hell. (theres a consequence to speaking what Christ tells us to, but here He is saying when we speak it dont fear man who may kill you for it.) Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? and not one of them falls to the ground apart from your fathers will. but the very hairs of your head are numbered. "Do not fear therefore you are more value than many sparrows. 'therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny Before my father who is in heaven. ( is that denile simply saying i dont know Jesus? I think not that denile would be not speaking His words, not walking as He did and not obeying His words) "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. " For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law." "And a mans enemies will be those of his houshold.'
He who loves his father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "and he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it." Todays modern preacher is placed as someone who is soooo cool, awesome , so funny, the people love him more than God himself, They serve him do things for him saying it is for God and they all work in unison together for the so called cause of Christ. Jesus did not have a big following due to His hard sayings, as a matter of fact He would call people on their motive for being around Him. (John ch 6)
Where have all the preachers gone? The account of Elijah after he did much in being zelous for God.......1 kings19:14 and he said, "i have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn doen your alters, and kiled your prophets with the sword, i alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
God reponded by telling him to go anoint jehu to be king as well as Flisha as prophet in his place. and then we see God say in verse 18 "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
I understand that i am not the only one, I also understand that God has those that are His out there..............But where have all the preachers gone? God has them reserved for Himself. July 11 Consuming Fire (Third Day) Set this place on fire
send your spirit savior
rescue from the mire
show your servant favor
Yesterday was the day I was alone, now Im in the presence of almighty God.......
chorus:
and yes our God, He is a consuming fire
and the flame burns deep in my soul
yes our God He is a consuming fire
He reaches inside and He melts down this cold heart of stone.
Set this place on fire
Send your spirit savior
rescue from the mire
show your servany favor
Yesterday was the day I was alone now Im in the presence of almighty God
Did you realize that inside you theres a flame?
Did you ever try to let it burn?......let it burn July 08 Been a long While!!! Well its been a long time since ive had any sort of entry, I think its because if I dont have anything spiritual to write I just dont........if that makes sense! What i mean is I didnt want this to be some journal entry, but here is one right now........go figure.
In my devotions of late ive been seeing a certain scripture come up alot, its Matt 16:15 where Jesus says that "HE WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH" I have seen this scripture in a video, as well just last night I printed something off the internet to read and voila! there it was again. as a matter of fact I was speaking up in church and i felt it on my heart to bring it up as well.................................I see a theme happening here, its clear, as God is the only one with a blueprint to build His church, I believe we as His people need to be obedient to the great commision and trust God as He said "I Will Build My Churh"
I feel a message burning inside......................  May 25 The Lonliness Of The Christian by A.W. Tozer The lonliness of the christain results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from fellowship of good christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God given instincts cry out for companionship with others like himself, others who can understand his longings, his asperations, his absorbtion in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences, he is forced to walk alone.
The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.
The man (or woman) who has passed on into the divine presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk.
For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, se he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He serches for friends upon whose garments can he detect the smell of myrrh, and aloes and cassia out of the ivory places, and finding few or none he like Mary of old keeps things in his heart.
It is this very lonliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find no where else. April 30 Do You Really Love? Love is not expressed by hidding the more
offensive parts of scripture from the unrepentant
and unregenerate.
Agape love is telling a lost soul, bound for an eternity in hell, the whole truth about themselves and Jesus Christ, even when it hurts their feelings.
Lets not mistake the sensual love we know, the passive love, the love of here on earth for, the Pure Love of God! Every 24 hrs 150,000 people die and some go into an eternity of hell, will you be willing to love them by telling them that eternity is at stake here now?............. To share your faith more effectively and for some great resources, see www.livingwaters.com you wont regret, I have personally searched the scriptures to see if what this guy was saying is true and I am stunned!!!! How could I have missed it? It is not so much about this mans teaching it is simply this man pointing to who Jesus was, and what he had doen...........I am amazed!!!!
April 19 The True GospelIve prbably wrote about this a million times but it is and has been a passion of mine for sometime.
Last year when we left our church, I was directed to a web site called "LIVINGWATERS.COM" the message there was hells best kept secret! and for the first time in my life Gods word became the fire it was meant to be, this message tore through my being and I had..............I mean had to examine where I was at with Christ and my life, who was I really? I knew I loved God, I was serving with my whole being as I knew it, I served the poor and needy, clothed them fed them, and led many in that sinners prayer only to never see them come to church or bible study again!
I would think to myself why? why did they not stay and why were they worse off later after saying that prayer, than in the beginning, I told them of Gods great plans for their lives, I told them that the missing ingredient was Jesus, I said that God would do for them so much............ and sure they listened to me, as a matter of fact they wanted this God I offered so bad, they tried Jesus, they said that sinners prayer and put their name on that peice of paper, so I could call them later.........................
I remember this one girl, i witnessed to her at the pool one summer, she recieved so well my well versed God loves you and has a plan for your life message and was intrigued to say yes to Jesus and say sorry for her sins, she even came to a few bible studies but only to later be caught up in antidepressants and psychologist, who offered counsel, her drug use (prescrition became so evident) she was a walking zombie........................she tried Jesus!!!!
Those dreams and plans I told her about, how God would be her fulfillment and all did not happen as expected, and now Im not sure where she is, you see I gave the false Gospel message, the God will do for you message, the empty hole in your heart only God can fill message, and sure she tried it, only to say "hey I tried God its not for me!"
What was it? It was surely not what i had said, was God not enough for her? No, God was enough but she was not seeing Him as a savior, she did not realize that at the end when she died, she would not have been aquited, because she did not repent, as well as she should have seen herself condemed before God as a child of wrath, in need of a savior, someone who would stand before God and be judged in His righteousness.
We do not do the convicting, that is Gods job, but what our jobs are is to bring the mirror of the law to the sinner, so their conscience may be awakened to the fact that they are lost and condemed already............................. as they see this, either one of two things will happen they will be angry with you, or they will be convinced they need a savior!!!
If they recieved Jesus on the basis of this alone, no matter what storm comes, no matter what trial enters their lives, they will stand in Christ because of Christ alone being their savior, just as someone in a sinking boat hangs on to a life preserver till help comes, and so will be the person who hangs onto the savior for the same purpose.
There will be no dissapointments, as their dreams do not become fulfilled, as their own selfish desires are not met because their name will be writen in the book of life!!!
we need to wake up to see God as He is!!! Yes He is loving but He is Holy and demands His own to be righteous, and perfect as He is, and we through Christ can do that!!!
I challenge you today to read through the Gospels and pay attention to Jesus words, as freightening as they are, they are filled and overflowing with His amazing Love.
If you want the scriptures to back up what I am saying just comment, Bless you this day!
Contending for the Faith, Joanne February 23 I forgot!!!Well, first of all I want to share with you that we (my family and I) have found a "Home" church and home it is, once again I have fallen in Love with this lovely part of Christs body, with all its shorcomings and flaws, as well as its beautiful strengths too. And you know what? Its all good because we are all in a process, and as His child I will be willing to do, to give, to be all He wants for His body!!!!
I titled this blog as "I forgot" because I feel that for some time now there has been such a sifting in my mind and heart by the ready thoughts that the enemy can put there.
I had moved here in July and the move was across the country, from a place where I had lived for the past 13 years, where I had been saved and planted into a church for the past 10. Well you can say that there has been more adjustments than I had anticipated and for the most part, i feel that i have been so outta sorts, #1 because the fact that i had not been plugged into a church where it was sound and real people (as far as im concrened) So im sorry, to those of you struggling to find a church please, I urge you, to keep searching and remember that there is no perfect church out there, and if you do find it, well now that your there you've ruined that!
Gee, now that I said all of that i need to actually get to why i titled my blog as "I forgot"
I forgot somewhere down the line how I once loved God, and as i was in that "I forgot" place I started to feel so dull towards everything else in my life, for one my husband, children, job ect.
I forgotten how the enemy is so suttle in helping us get to a place where he will try to destroy us, it all started as I became lazy about well........ not just reading my bible but actually spending time with my Father, which is spending time in His word.
Anyways, i do not like to be one to blame the enemy for everything but now that i have been spending time with my heavenly father I can see that the problem started from this very place, lack of God's influence, insight, instruction, discipline, washing, renewing.....I could go on, I simply forgot, as the cobwebs of lies began to wind in my thoughts emotions and well actions.
First of all we moved here because we wanted to be close to our immediate family, well I shouldnt be so surprised, that I have been a bit heart broken over that but what has seemed so heart breaking, has well turned around, because we have found this church, and even tho we have not been there too long we have such a great sense of being part of a family, and that my friends is such a great feeling. With that Im trying to get to the "I Forgot" stuff.
I simply forgot that when i get to a place of feeling the opposite the truth of God and His word that i must do that which is right, no mater what the feelings try to dictate, and as I do those things ....... for example, if i do not feel like I love my husband i should press in harder to show that i do, in any and every way!
When i was at my new found friends house the other night she played a song for me and If i remember correctly it was saying something to the effect that "If you need love go ahead and be Love, breathe it out , create love, see how things can turn...... when she played that for me it brought back the basics of what i had known for so long, but simply forgot....... all i could say with tears in my eyes was....."I Forgot"
I forgot that God is still God no mater what the circumstance no mater what my feelings and that He alone can restore and heal and bring light and such peace to our situations, I forgot how powerful His word was and is in my life as I daily begin to search Him out with all I am. I forgot that there is such invisible plans for our family in this time and place and i felt lost in the shuffle of ordinary life.
And I Foget and let Satan and his evil ways become invisible................. But now Its back to basics!
Revelation chapter2:4-5 never the less I have something against you, because you have left your first love.
Remember then from where you have fallen and repent,and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand, from its place unless you repent.
February 06 Speak up!!!Acts 13:15 b If you have any word of exhortation for the people say on. Acta13:16 Then Paul stood up and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
So after the law and the prophets were read out loud in the synagogue, they asked for it, I mean really, The rulers of the synagogue said to them, "Men and brethren if you have a word SPEAK!!!" wow ahahahha! Paul did not hesitate, after all he said to be instant in season and out, anyways here Paul and Barnabas were sent out and they knew where it was at, they were ready, and when opportunity knocked this is what happened.
These men had experienced Christ first hand, they walked and talked with Him, they ate with Him and had listened and learned much from Him, they needed no persuasion to who Christ was and what they were here to do, So with that Paul rose up and began to preach!
He spoke very sharp words, for example. Acts13:41 Behold, you despisers, marvel and parish! for I work a work in your days, a work in which you will by no means believe, though one were to declair it to you.
as Paul spoke he took them through what had happened in the past in the days of the prophets, he talked of David the King and Saul, it lead right to Jesus finally, it is really a great chapter you must read, but what I want to get at today is this, as Paul spoke there was many who wanted to hear more, there were those who a genuine hunger began to stir, and then there were those who became jelous and despised them and blasphemed, them.
We as God's people need to realize this Gospel that is to be spoken, to be preached is in no way an easy task,
#1 We must be people who know and carry God's word deep within.
#2 a willingness to step out of our comfort zone.
#3 We must have a willingness to be rejected and not take it personally knowing that it is about Christ.
The Gospel message is not an easy one #1 for the hearer, and #2 for the one telling the messenger.
It can be good news or bad depending on the one who is acceping or who is not.
Would you be willing to make that descision today to be bold to step out and tell someone of this good news?
Regardless of rejection, or maybe another persons anger, lets carry his word as an ambassador wherever we are!
Not only did he speak, but what he had to say was....... well........ not pretty at all! January 30 Not Just Any Old Service!Well friends, Its been a while since my last entry and well quite frankly if no one has been coming by I don"t blame you!!! But im here now and I wanted to add in my journal entry for today.
and the title is as above.
Acts 6:3 Therefore bretheren, see out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (distributing food and care to the widows)
Acts 6:8 and Stephan full of faith and power did great wonders and signs among the people.
First of all just to give a little explanation here, in the begining of this chapter 6 of acts, there is an explanation of what was happening, and that was the fact that they were growing by the numbers as the word of God was being taught, there came a complaint from a certain group called the Hellenists that their widows were being neglected in the daily distributions.
So they called all disciples together and decided to choose who would do this job while they gave themselves to the teaching of Gods word, you know the thought occured to me that it could have been any old person, yet they set a standard to who and what type of person should do the distribution to the needy.
These men that were choosen were not just any old men they were ones who met the qualifications #1 of good reputation, #2 full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
so among these were Stephan and Philip. This was such a simple job, there was nothing glorious about it, it was not a lime light job it was probably very repititious, and they may not have gotten a whole lot of notice for it (well Stephan was noticed but.....) Stephan treated this job as such opportunity that he was working miracles and signs among the people, his Faith was such that even in this service he served God and God did much through him!!!!
In application of this scripture I want to have this same attitude when i serve no mater where I am serving wether it be in my home at work or in church, I want God to be able to use me in such a way that he is glorified, I don't care for the lime light I just want to see Jesus lifted high. So no mater where I am serving, I know God has placed His spirit inside me so that he is glorified. How will you apply God's word to your life today? December 29 aLL Or NoThInG!!!For sometime Ive been really whacked outta commision in my spiritual life it has been a desert land a wilderness, possibly for the lesson learned, well Im not too sure but, I must say this, I see a glimmer of Hope, Oh God, Is the sky clearing? I believe so, well it is no surprise but i must say this is most of my own doing, falling outta faith and then Love. The once soft heart now all calloused, and i know it was me my own doings. I want to share this with you, i ve been smoking for sometime, you see there was a time when i did not smoke because i wanted to follow after a Holy God, i never believed God approved of smoking and i still dont today, Life or death those are the only 2 choices i can see He gives, There are no greay areas, so don't say to me well its not that bad Joanne God will help you deal with it!!!! No No No!!! don't waste your breath on that ...................why? you might ask, well let me share a lil sumthin, sumthin with you, God is not a man that he should lie is He? Nope, and His word says that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within us doesnt He? Yep! So whats the issue then? I have had no good excuse to do this filthy habbit from the start, not one stupid excuse to justify that fact that i was closet smoking, why would I hide it? is it wrong for man to see..............well percisly I didn't want anyone to see because I wanted them to think I was good, and If I was a christian smoker well would I be a Christian at all? At least i thought I could appear to be one in that sense.
It was a slow painful spiritual death, so to speak, I no longer felt I could raise my hands to the Holy God I was serving, it ..... well just didn't feel right and then if it didn't feel right why would I even bother because i simply wanted to do it!
Oh and then reading His word, well all I could feel was the conviction of knowing it all pointed to the fact that somehow i was hiding this filthy thing I was doing, I just knew, that i knew, that I knew, this is not what God wants me to be doing, so......................in the meantime i would ignore God and then farther and farther away I slipped, I wasn't doing anything that bad was I? well it was killing me spiritually so um yeah, you bet I was!!!
Sin is sin, is sin, no matter what the case may be, and this tho seeming so little became something big,
Where am I today you might ask well.............. the other night in the shower I just hit the ground and cried out to God "I need freedom in my life!" " i need you Lord!"
And as the old song goes " la la la He touched me!"
Its all or nothing when it comes to being who we are in Christ, simply His!
all or nothing, this is where I am, either I serve Him with all I am or I dont serve Him at all!!!!! And today and for all my days ahead I choose to serve my God and King!
Oh Lord, I commit my life anew into your hands, thank you for your mercy, your forgiveness, your word by which I can stand on and know that it is the only truth i need, thank you for the very same power that rose Christ from the dead living in me, so I mat accomplish all for your glory, I praise you, you are worthy thank you Father for saving me once again!, In Jesus name, Love your daughter Joanne December 16 Where did I go Wrong?It is sensless........... no rhyme or reason, If I could close my eyes and disapear,
If I could snap my fingers, and make faith appear..........words are not enough,
at this point how did I get here? will you say its sin? Did I let it in?
Or is it at my door, I wanted to make an impact, I thought I was strong............but I was simply wrong!
There are many cracks they surround me, will the floods come pouring in and wash me away to be no more?
My mind is failing, my heart just wandering..................the grass will always look greener on the other side, the water will always look clearer on the other side, but ahhhhh! It is a lie, a sweet lie that will turn to such bitterness.
Where is Joanne? That girl who Loved God, Where has she gone? I seem to remember what she said God told her, was it true?
Look at her now what a poor wretch, once saved, once seeing, that grace.............................
Well if anyone is here, anyone............. listen well I FEEL THE GRIPS OF HELL!!! December 06 Stinking smellAfter a long time of what seems like Ive been out of commision I am finaly bloging again as I was once before. Some of you may be aware of this situation as I have left comments on this but I must put this out for those of you who will come by to read at this space.
does anyone know of a teaching that is out there that say we are not sinners and that the repentace was for the Jews?
Someone was trying to tell me this who is a major spiritual leader in my church and now, I can see that as I have left my gaurd down thinking I was too judgmental and critical and all those words we are called when we divide with God's word...................... that I am again hearing the call to pick up my feet, dust myself off and get it together because this amy get ugly.
Just the other night I was disgussing this type of stuff with a friend and as she has settled into her church she is noticing some offish weird stuff and sensing that something is wrong or missing from their message as well, I was saying to her man we'll probably be meeting underground soon if the church keeps going in this direction. Im beginning to think that when jesus was speaking of people dragging us believers into the courts and not to be afarid that these people will be just the ones....................... definatly not any unbeliever! The message of the Gospel of Christ is being changed and rearranged people, it is a subtle doctrine that has been creeping and casting its shadow among those who were once true to Gods word. If anyone hears something familiar about what this person has said to me please let me know where this has come from ( I mean i know who the authur is but if it seems like a familiar teching, God Bless you, Joanne November 25 Just to say thanks in Blog LandI want to say thank you again to all of you. my brothers and sisters who have been so supportive of me and my family yet all you know is this picture of mine and my blogs. I was hired on at a deli recently, part time and all the hours work out so i see the kids off and then Im home in time with them God is amazing!!1 my husband is working for a company that does all the Manitoba housing and they said the work would slow but theres clearly no sign of that Praise God, one thing is this we must prioritize now finances and all we have been robbing Peter to pay Paul and Im tired of this rat race so a prayer in that area would help. Also we are going to attend a ministry membership meeting in our church to be a part of the worship team, although I do not agree with all or most of what is so called taught I know I can be a thermostat amidst it all, God has called us to be light and salt.
And........ I will be just that, through it all, all the hard stuff and the dissapointments, I will, to will Gods will. well thats all for now i will be hopefully be bloging more often. thanks again to you all i love you!, Joanne November 03 LostI was writing to my best friend today, I felt a flood of emotions flow through me as I was thining of how much I miss all those I spent the last 10 years with and now I have moved away to do it all over again. Where do I start, I am simply existing at leat thats how I feel. I need a good church, and you would think I am in one if you peered into the church doors, and saw all the glitz of it, all the excitement, the hype, but I am torn, is there something wrong with me I think, where am I and what am i doing?
I believe this is all about the transition of this whole move for our family, wow those poor kids, and all of what they have gone through, i understand but I feel i cannot help them................. especially now that I am feeling the same pains that they felt, God help me.
Lord help me and Jason find some friends, help us to fit in where you want us.
If anyone has cared to read this, thanks but don't just pass me by please leave a prayer.
Thanks so much, Joanne October 26 Lament ***** ******
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How long Oh Lord, Will you forget me?
How long Oh Lord, will you look the other way?
How Lond oh Lord, must I wrestle with my thoughts,
and everyday, have such sorrow in my heart?
Look on me and answer, Oh God my Father, bring light into my darkness, before they see me fall............
But I trust in your unfailing love, yes my heart will rejoice
Stll I trust, in your unfailing love, you have been good, you will be good to me.....................................
October 21 Here I am againWell, here I am again, I want to start over, start over with what? you might ask well I've fumbled ,fallen gotten myself into a state of nothingness where I hardly think of God anymore.
Idols crowd my life, are erected without being seen in my heart
as they rise they tear me apart,
How many times do I say i am sorry only to trample your Glory?
I wanted to be a light, for you Lord shining bright,
even amongst your people, who dont even seem real,
using your name for their own,
Building a wonderful life here saying this is truly home.
Today I want to confess how Ive wondered and come into distress, Ive left my first love, the things in which I first did,
are far off.................................
God If you can hear me today, man I can hardly pray, please come and lift me up forgive me Lord Ive screwd up, cover me in your Blood release me, free me to be what you meant me to be.
Im sorry..........................God I have sinned against you, Please forgive me and restore unto me the joy of your salvation, create in me a pure heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me, cast me not away from your presence oh Lord and take not your Holy spirit from me.................................... Oh God I need you, just a touch from you, to feel you..................... I am yours so have your way I surrender to you!!! In Jesus Name Amen
(Im not much of a poet at all but I have been inspired by another brother and yes this prayer is serious, so Bless you all who read, Oh and thanks to you flyingbum!!!!) Joanne
October 15 Answer to prayer!!!I wanted to let all you kinow who have sent prayers up fpr us that both my husband and myself were hired this week!! Praise God for His wonderful and precious people. Thank you to all of you who prayed wow I stand in awe of you Lord!!! October 06 Please Pray For UsMy husband is in need of a job, one that pays good enough to meet our families needs, Please pray specifically that he would be able to work here where we live. Thank you all so much!!! September 30 Preaching styles, does it Matter?I was listening to a radio broadcast yeaterday, It was explaining the different styles of preaching, and I have often wondered about this, I was talking to someone in my church not too long ago about this subject, and I did not have enough knowledge about it, as they were saying "well ya its all about what people like." He went on to say "alot pf people like different styes." I was so stuck for words. Why? Well first of all I have not once felt fed on any given Sunday as I have been attending this church, sure there was alot of funny jokes, and alot of stories but why? Why was I feeling like I haven't recieved a thing?
He had some good points, sure. I remember the last Pastor I had, we were in a very cultish church, we were manipulated, and spritually abused, But this one Pastor I came under as my mentor had really made a point of expository preaching, not too many people liked him, as a matter of fact they spoke (alot of people) badly about him, Why was this pastor who knew the word like he did not realise we were in a cult you might be asking, I know we as in Myself and him lived in a false hope of this senior pasor changing, as well when your decieved you just don't want to face it!!! anyways that is not what this is about. (another time)
This Pastor who basically raised me , raised me on the pure milk of the word, and then without me knowing moved me into the meat, and this was my diet for at leat 10 years as a christian. He had a fire and passion for the word of God and knew what it was to be a teacher and preacher, a true Harrold!!! He said what God was saying and placed the demands on me as a hearer to take action in light of what God was saying, and all this was done through expository preaching!
I want to give you some examples of the so called preaching styles:
Topical: A topic in mind before it comes to a text and then minds the text, or minds the bible for different texts that will support their contention.
Textual sermon: which refers to a biblical text, but doesn't take the main point of the text as it's own, another words they will use the passage of scripture as a kind of springboard if you will- to talk about some subject.
Anctidotal: This is really the main one I see done as it is in my church. The preacher tells engaging stories- with a moral lesson.
Biographical: the preacher follows the life of a biblical character and draws moral implications for your life and his own.
I want to say that of all these different styles its ok but I don't believe how God intended it to be, as we read how and who God was to His people and how He spoke throught the prophets, and the way Jesus was and what He said andhow he said itm these so called styles do not measure up!
When we revert to these "styles" the word in itself loses the power that God has placed in it, to be sharp and divide and judge the thoughts and attudes of our hearts. Heb 4:12.
Expository Preaching is not simply sharing exegetical notes on what a passage means, it is not dry lecturing on a biblical text, It is preaching that explains what the scripture says in a particular passage, the meaning, and application for our lives 2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Tim 4:2 preach the word: be instant in season and out: reprove, rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. Expository preaching is so powerful, yet we do not see that any longer in the so called church of God today, expository preaching brings its hearers face to face with God Who He is and what He demands of us as we live our lives for Him, It is saying what God says and placing that demand on the hearers to take action in light of what has been said. We are truly in the last days, and the proof is in the word that is being spoken today in the church. Let us return to the message that was once and for all delivered to the saints, let us contend for this as we are exhorted to. (Jude 3) September 22 Thank - You!!!I wanted to write and say to those of you who come by, Thank - you!!!! For all your kind comments as well as the rude for they all are worked for good in my life!. Over the past while I have met people who I now see in such a different light, as their circumstances, and situations concerning their lives, have been revealed to me, and most I must say have touched me deeply. I am not preaching at this time I am simply desiring to say in the simplest way, what a great experience this has been with my fellow bloging friends as well as my enemies. As my husband and I are getting to know one another all over again, I have not seriously made time to blog on any sort of thing, like the usual!!! When things get into a routine again I will be posting blogs so look out!!! Once again thanks so much to you all, and God Bless You Richley, Sincerely, Joanne September 14 Preperations!I have long awaited for the arrival of my husband, here in Manitoba and finaly tomorrow I will see him as I haven't for 2 whole months!!! thats long, well we made this long distance move back to the place where I was born and raised, here in Manitoba, and it has always been in my dreams for the past 10 years to come home, where all my family is , where all the people I went to school with are, most of them anyways, I tore up this place in so many ways dealing drugs at the age of 13, drinking parties, boyfriends, you name it, and all the years after I finaly got my life sorted out, after I made it right with God, and discovered His plan, I desired to, I longed, to be home and tear this place up once again, only in a righteous way, I dreamt of delivering God's word to not only unbelievers but the believers as well, as you have read if you have, in any of my blogs how I desire to see the truth lifted up. Well here it is, The title of this blog was for the reason being, I have been making a little nest for my family here in the last 2 months and the final touch is the arrival of my husband whom I am totaly in Love with!!! I bought a bed, a beautiful bed spread, found material to make curtains and pillow cases, all in anticipation of the man that gives his all for his family, I'd just like to say that J you truly obey the scripture " husbands love you wifes just as Christ also Loved the church and gave Himself for her. Eph. 5:25
The thought occured to me as I sat to write, actually in a question for this Blog. Am I as prepared for Christ? Am I in the process of being prepared? or have I allowed myself to stagnate? Dead still water with no where to go gathers alot of things that rot and stink you know! It becomes useless for drinking or bathing. I want to be that useful wife, that helpmeet, one who respects him. Am I in the process like I am doing now for my husband, for Christ? Its amazing that at the end of that chapter as Paul wrote instructing husbands and wives, he said that Eph. 5:32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Just as we do all we can to those we love so much, our passion should be so much more For Christ, and as we develope that In Christ we in turn truly show who he is to those, we love. now as my husband obeys that scripture for husbands I truly see Jesus' love for me. One day I will meet Him face to face. Will I allow my Love to grow cold, before that time? That can happen in a marriage you know somehow somewhere we might find ourselves saying......... " I just don't feel like I love my husband anymore!" or I just don't feel I love my wife anymore!" We let things become too routine, it becomes a religious marriage. We must always look for ways to show that husband or wife that we love them, we must make the choice to, It all boils down to preperation, We must be always be in the Process of preperation. It's really all about preparing for that great day when we as the beautiful Bride of Christ will meet.
Am I prepared? Are you prepared? Are we preparing?
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