religion

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

Matthew 18:20
King James Version (KJV)
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Do we really understand the power we have as Christians if we are truly together?  Spiritually together,  of one mind and heart in agreement.   Jesus,  God Himself is in our midst.

If God be for us, who can be against?

I bring this up because of a wonderful picture of this Scripture I found at: 
http://whiskedawaykenya.com

This young lady has a vidio of three Kenyon men, steeling a meal from between 6 and 15 Lions.
Without using their weapons.   We need to be watchful of lions.

1 Peter 5:8
King James Version (KJV)
 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“

The Lord warns us that the devil is likened to a roaring lion…..seeking those he can devour.
He comes to kill, steel and destroy.  It seems impossible that we could steel from him.  These men from Kenya show us how it is done.

Ecclesiastes 4:12
King James Version (KJV)
“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.“

One can prevail, ( to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest).

Two shall withstand,  ( : to not be harmed or affected by (something)
: to deal with (something, such as an attack or criticism) successfully).

Threefold cord not easily broken, ( violently separated into parts : shattered).

These three men walking in a line, scare off a pack of lions, walk up to the kill and cut off meat for their own use.  Walk away unmolested.   Wow. Well worth a visit and watch.

The point is as Christians,  alone we can prevail but it is a hard fight.  Two more easily withstands the attack, without much damage, three together is not easily defeated.  There is strength in the body of believers.

When the church was in one accord,  it was added to daily.  The Spirit of the Lord was present,  there was power, fear of the Lord. Miracles, signs and wonders.  The church needs this above all else.

I think we need to come together in one accord….heart, soul, mind and strength. ….bow down before the Lord and live out the Lords prayer,  not just repeat it.   Learn to Worship the King in Spirit and truth.

Lord help us to understand and welcome Your presence in our lives and church.

Posted from WordPress for Android

Merry Christmas

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote Bible, Christian living, Christianity,, religion, serving God, serving the Lord, Spiritual health, Spiritual life, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , ,

image

Posted from WordPress for Android

Is a Promise Delayed, a promise denied?

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christianity, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION

Are you waiting to receive a promise from God?  Something you saw in the Word and claimed as your own?  A desire of your heart, you’re sure you received from God?

A ministry,  financial need, work, salvation for loved ones?

There are many things we hope and pray for, believe the Lord will give us, that stay just out of our reach.

This can seem cruel,  thoughtless, mean.  Why isn’t this need, want or promise fulfilled?

Am I desiring something that will hurt me or others?  No.  Is it a selfish,  I deserve it, I’m  so much holier than thou, thing?  No.

What is the problem?

Let us take a quick look at Joseph:

Psalm 105:17-22
King James Version (KJV)
“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:  Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.   He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:  To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.”

The verse in the middle is the key:

“Until the time that his word came : the word of the Lord tried him. “

Joseph, in his youth, was given a prophetic dream, he told his brothers. …they showed him.  Bow down indeed.

Sold into slavery,  accused of rape, sentenced to prison. ……years pass…

Where was his faith?    Was he thinking,  am I crazy? Or my Lord promised.

What are you thinking, saying,  believing?

Until his dream came true….his brothers appeared before him and bowed.   That Word, (promise), tried his faith.  Every day of his life.

He believed God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

That is what we must do. 

1 Corinthians 1:9
King James Version (KJV)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Wait, Hope, Believe. ..God is faithful,  you will receive.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Posted from WordPress for Android

How big is your God? 3

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , ,

I’ve thought and prayed about the post How big is your God?, 1 & 2  and the post Your God is too small!!!

” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

To me this is a simple truth that I see played out in 5 different scriptures in the Old Testament and stated twice quite plainly in the New.

Now I am a born again believer who believes. “You must be born again. “

So what do we do with this biblical revelation?   Is the Word in this case unclear?  Is it possible that we missed the meaning.

Or is it possible that our Doctrinal beliefs are like the joke, we told as kids.  “If God can do anything,  can He make a rock so big He can’t lift it?”

Has God made it impossible for our loved ones who haven’t declared Christ, to be saved or if they choose to stay with us are they like Noahs family or the unbelieving spouse in Corinthians?   My God is as big as His Word….How big is your God?

I honestly don’t know about our families. …I do know what the Word plainly states.  In Revelation 21:4 it says:

” God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

If the Lord doesn’t save them…..He will wipe our tears and death, sorrow, crying and pain will be gone, they will have passed away.

Either we will see them in heaven or the Lord will be drying many tears.

Posted from WordPress for Android

What is truth?

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian life, Christianity,, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION

Baptist truth, Muslim truth, conservative or liberal truth, Born Again or baby baptized?   The Grand Jury or protesters?   Evolution or Bible?

I love Jesus Christ,  have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.   The Bible is my truth.  Yes, my concern is the last 7000 years.  Don’t know or care what was before Adam.  If anything.

The big fish, the Red Sea parting, the plagues,  the sun standing still, healings, miracles, signs and wonders.  All possible,  all history in my life.  I guess I am just ignorant.

Redemption in one Name above all others.  Salvation,  eternal life, peace, joy, comfort and yes Truth.

There is truth….it is in the Word,  it is the Word,  it is alive, available and looking for you, today.

Even unbelievers should be able to tell that wrong is now right, up is down and we the people are in a world of hurt.

We are no longer teaching our children respect for one another, the law,  morals, responsibility or giving them a work ethic.

We need to come back to the Lord,  Seek Him while He may be found.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Today if you will hear His voice,  harden not your hearts.

Ask Jesus to forgive you,  ask Him into your heart. …you will understand the peace that passes understanding,  joy unspeakable. ….

Jesus is alive, Jesus is the way, the truth. the life.

Posted from WordPress for Android

The Filling Station / Sanctification

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christianity,, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

Genesis 2:3
King James Version (KJV)
 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

To be Sanctified is to be set apart,  to be special, holy.  God made the seventh day, the Sabbath a holy day of rest.  A day to reflect on what was done before and enjoy the fruit of His labour.  (Walking with Adam and Eve in the garden).

This Walk, a relationship with man is the reason we were created.

Revelation 4:11
King James Version (KJV)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We were created to give God pleasure.   To be Holy, Acceptable and Perfect,  all things we have failed to be.  God saw our need, without His presence within us, we could never please Him, truly know and Worship Him.

He chose us, sets us apart,  made it possible for us to walk with Him.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are Justified by His Grace.  Made sinless in Gods eyes.  “Just as if I’d never sinned”, Justified.  Then He gave us His Holy Spirit to do the work of Sanctification,  to set us apart,  to make us Holy.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
King James Version (KJV)
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Romans 6:16
King James Version (KJV)
 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Leviticus 20:7
King James Version (KJV)
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. 

1 Peter 1:15-16
King James Version (KJV)
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;   Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

God wants a Holy people,  when we don’t have time to pray, meditate,  let the Word of God work its way into our hearts,  minds and Spirit. We rob ourselves and God of His true pleasure.

Psalm 65:4
King James Version ( KJV )
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

God chose us, Justified and Sanctifies us as we allow.  He will cause us to approach Him, allow us to dwell in His courts, (the secret place of the Most High).

He promises those who dwelt there, (who walk with Him), that they will be satisfied with His goodness.  He gives us the desires of our hearts.

Posted from WordPress for Android

Your God is too small!!!

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote Christian living, Christianity, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

So many of us claim to believe that God is everywhere,  knows everything and can do anything.

Except, He doesn’t do signs and wonders anymore, no miracles or healings, (unless it might be His will this one time).

Heaven forbid He might talk to you personally or have a relationship with you. It’s ok to talk to Him but if He talks back, (your nuts). 

You talk in tongues?   See above.

We have His Word,  the Bible, He need not bother us with His presence any longer.  We can find out what He thinks and wants by reading His Word.

Except we don’t, or if we do, we choose what to believe.

We decide how we will worship, pray, praise….
We decide what is holy, sanctified, undefiled. ..
We decide who is saved, what sin is and who does it.

I have a few scriptures for your consideration:

Psalm 14:2
King James Version (KJV)
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psalm 115:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalm 2:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 11:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Psalm 121:2
King James Version (KJV)
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 135:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Please realize,  the Lord is God.  He does what He wants, when He wants and how He wants.

Our job is to love, worship and obey.  To tell of His wonders.  To let God be God. 

Posted from WordPress for Android

Blogging 101 – Digging for Roots

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Blogging 101, Christian living, Christianity, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

In this week’s Weekly Writing Challenge, tell us about what makes you, you.

I was the spoiled rotten baby of three.  The youngest by 9 years.  I was loved, brought up as a Catholic, attended Church and Catechism weekly.

I was sure I’d be rich and famous.  Why?  I was me, isn’t that reason enough.   So here I am, wondering,  What Happened?

The things that make these 60 years worthwhile are:
1.  Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior 34 plus years
       Ago.
2.  Married to a stong, beautiful Christian woman, 30
       Years ago.
3.  Having a wonderful,  intelligent, lovely daughter,
       23 years ago.
4.   Finding my true vocation 20 years ago.  (Piano   
         Technition).
5.    Teaching and preaching the Word of God again
          After  25 years in the desert.

That is  what makes me, me.

If I would just listen and obey the Lord, no telling what I might have or might yet, become.          

Posted from WordPress for Android

Recognizing the Trinity in the Old Testament

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christianity, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

This post is a “Billism”, please remove your Denominational glasses,  open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit and give me your respectful feedback.

As I study the Word I find that the Father, Son and Holy  Spirit are always in agreement but do not always react or speak in the same fashion.

For example,  their speach patterns are different:

The Lord telling Noah of the comming flood:

Genesis 6:3
King James Version (KJV)
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Genesis 6:6-9
King James Version (KJV)
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.  And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

God telling Noah of the comming flood:

Genesis 6:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Differences highlighted:

Lord:
“Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast,”

God:
“God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make thee an ark of gopher wood; “

The Lord is ready to destroy all flesh but Noah found grace (Salvation) in the eyes of the Lord. Why? Because Noah walked with God (Jesus), so God (Jesus) told Noah to build the ark the way to Salvation.

The Lord offered Salvation,  God (Jesus) provided the way.

This is one of the  times we see the Lord and God have different Natures:   

The word Lord in the Old Testament  is “Yahweh or Jehovah” which means Eternal One.   I believe Jehovah to be the Father.

The word for God in the Old Testament is “Elohim”,  which mean Creator,  Supreme ruler,  the word Lord in the New Testament is “Kuiros” and means  Supreme in Authority, Controller.   I firmly believe God in the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New.  John 1, Genesis 1.

If we look at Genesis 1, we find:

Genesis 1:3.4a
King James Version (KJV)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.. And God saw the light, that it was good:

God said it:

It was so:

It was good:

We find these three thoughts or statements repeatedly in Genesis 1.  

God (Jesus), created all that was created.

     How?

John 1:1-5
King James Version (KJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:14
King James Version (KJV)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I firmly believe that God is Jesus in the Old Testament and Jehovah is the Father.  

Why creation?

Revelation 4:11
King James Version (KJV)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The only reason we were created was for the Lords pleasure

Ezra 10:11
King James Version (KJV)
Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

We must confess our sins and separate ourselves from non believing,  believers.

Psalm 35:27
King James Version (KJV)
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

We must learn to shout (and sing) for joy….so people will know the Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of the righeous.

Psalm 147:11
King James Version (KJV)
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

We must have a reverential fear of, as well as the hope (belief) in His mercy.

Psalm 149:4
King James Version (KJV)
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

He promises Salvation will beautify the meek.

Ezekiel 33:11
King James Version (KJV)
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

The Lord  God has no pleasure in condemning the wicked…He asks all to believe and be saved.

There are quite a few places we find the Lord and God speaking in one voice.    They are always in agreement so one voice makes sense also.

Haggai 1:8
King James Version (KJV)
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.

Quite simply, the Lord takes pleasure when we build up His Tabernacle (house).  When we lead people to the knowledge and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior in their lives.

Lord help us to be willing and able vessels of your love and grace.

Please leave a note if you would like to explore the “Billism”  that the Father is Jehovah and Jesus is God in the Old Testament.

Posted from WordPress for Android

The Bible: Believe it or Not

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian life, Christianity, religion, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

Do you believe the Bible?   All of it or are there parts that, well just cannot be true?  The  Red Sea parting,  3 days in the  belly of a giant fish?  A talking donkey?  The Flood, burning bush, 3 surviving a fiery furnace,  a man in a lions den?

Fire from heaven, a flying chariot,  the blind seeing, the lame healed, a man walking on water?  Resurrection, Redemption, Sin, Forgiveness?   Signs and wonders,  miracles, prophecy,  speaking in tongues?

Let’s be real, these are all nice childrens stories. As adults, we know that uneducated people and children need this kind of thing to hold on to.  We know better, we understand  how a story can grow to biblical proportions.

So the Bible just gives us a moral code;  a direction we should walk, love thy neighbour, do unto others, cleanliness is next to Godliness.

If you don’t think some of these things happened but you believe in Gods saving Grace, you are a cafeteria Christian.  You just believe the things you understand or hope to be true.

Let God be true and man a lier. 

We must believe that God is:
Creator
Savior
Redeemer
Friend
Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask think or even imagine.
God so loved the world,  He gave…..us everything.  All He had and was, all He would ever be.  To demonstrate His love and Grace,  to show us the way to the Peace that passes
understanding.

The story of the cross is foolishness to the unbelieving but the Power of God to believers.  We must learn to live the Good News so that others will desire to know Him.  We must be content in whatever situation we find ourselves.  

Show the world an victorious conqueror, peaceful, effective counselor of our God.  Lift Jesus up, as we are knocked down.

Love God, love one another. …seek His face.

Posted from WordPress for Android