Video: The Ministry Years 24: theunfetteredpreacher
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ipll96fo3z1tbvf/2017-06-26%2019.55.16.mp4?dl=0
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serving God
The Ministry Years: – 24th Miracle- as many as touched him – theunfetteredpreacher
This one has been in the hopper for quite some time. It holds a timeless truth.
Will I ever learn it?
As many as touched Him were healed. It is recorded in two gospel accounts.
Mark 6:53-56. Matthew 14:34-36
Mark 6:53-56
“And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,
And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”
Matthew 14:34-36
“And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.”
“As many as touched Him, were made whole.”
Why were all healed in this town, and so many in other towns were not. He traveled in many towns, there were many at the pool of Bethesda, He only healed one. There were many crowded about Him, multitudes, according to Matthew, wherever He went. Few were touched and healed.
There are many that need healing in our town, will they, can they be healed?
The people in Gennesaret were different, their Faith was displayed. Like the folks that dropped their friend, through the roof, of the house where Jesus was. Jesus saw their faith. How can we show our Faith?
First step… the people of Gennesaret….
> They knew Him:
So many of us know of Him, we believe in Him, even love Him, yet we haven’t taken the time to know Him.
Do we pray, If it be Your will? We should know His will. We should recognize His ways.
He would have all men be Saved. He knows, a lot will not, accept Him.
He would that all be healed. He knows some will not believe.
He would comfort, love, give peace and joy to all.
Many do not know how to access this. Can it be taught?
We must know Him, we do this by reading His Word, in conjunction with fasting and prayer. By learning to Praise and Worship.
Step 2
> Faith is Action:
They went out and brought the sick and afflicted into His presence.
Our problem today? Thanks for not coming to church with that cold… you could have spread it to everyone.
Do not share the communion wine, (grape juice), it’s unsanitary. Did you wash your hands?
Could you imagine this taken place with Jesus?
Ahhh, Jesus, did you wash up before your broke the fish and bread? Don’t you care about germs?
Where is our faith? Or is it we don’t really believe, Jesus is in our midst? Is He, in our midst?
> The sick need to take action also:
We can bring them into His Presence, but they need to reach out for Him also.
The real question is, how do we get into His Presence? He is no longer wondering around in human form. Is it possible to experience His Presence in our current life?
The woman with the issue of blood, had to press through the crowd to touch Him. We must do the same today.
Whether in prayer and fasting or through Praise and Worship. He will be found, if our hearts are right. Our Prayers will be answered if our requests are right. Never for our own gain, always for others.
True Praise was the most dependable road to His Presence in my experience. It has always opened the door to His Throne Room. Unfortunately, I do not experience that in my current position.
As a matter of fact… The Church (as a whole), needs to relearn, how to enter into His Presence. How to wait on the Lord, in silent expectation.
How to recognize His voice, in our hearts, minds and ears. To see Him in the Natural World, as well as in the Spiritual Realm.
We can experience His Power and Promise… when we allow His Presence into our Churches. Unfortunately, this is a tall order.
Our Rituals and Ceremonies, Hymns and a Responsive Readings, leave little room for the Lord to enter. (Because of our limitted time).
We must all, learn it individually… alone, at home. Before it becomes a corporate practice. Can we do it?
Lord, help us to grow in You. Amen
The LGBTQ, Agenda: theunfetteredpreacher
Reading a post on FB, about a Lesbian Kindergarten Teacher, in Toronto Canada. I copied and put in Bold Print, their agenda for our children.
It is here for your information. I am sure you could find the whole article on FB, if you so desired.
Christians, this is a scary truth… The left has left any pretence of morality, decently, or of a sound mind, behind.
They have proudly proclaimed their plans. Personally, I do not care what they do, in their own lifes. Let it Be.
Indoctrination of young minds to an acceptance of and encouragement to this lifestyle, IS JUST WRONG.
Please read these excerpts from the article.
“Lesbian teacher:
How I convince kids to accept gay ‘marriage’, starting at 4 years old“
With [the principal’s] encouragement, we decided that I would go from class to class and talk about what ‘gay’ means, what does ‘LGBTQ’ mean, what do ‘I’ mean,” she told about 40 attendees, all educators, at her workshop.
Strong related how she began with the junior kindergarten class.”
“It’s normal in my classroom’
“All my class is very used to who I am. My family picture is very proudly in my room now.
On Mondays they quite often will say, ‘What did you do with your wife?’ It’s normal in my classroom.”
And I started in Kindergarten. What a great place to start. It was where I was teaching. So, I was the most comfortable there,” Pam Strong said at the conference, attended by LifeSiteNews.
‘It’s normal in my classroom’
In 2011 U.S. gay activist Daniel Villarreal penned a column for Queerty.com stating that the time had come for the homosexual lobby to admit to “indoctrinating” schoolchildren to accept homosexuality.
“Why would we push anti-bullying programs or social studies classes that teach kids about the historical contributions of famous queers unless we wanted to deliberately educate children to accept queer sexuality as normal?”
“We want educators to teach future generations of children to accept queer sexuality. In fact, our very future depends on it.
Recruiting children? You bet we are,” he added.
Homosexual activist Michael Swift wrote in 1987 in the Gay Community News that school children would become explicit targets for homosexual indoctrination.
“We shall seduce them in your schools…They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us,” he wrote at the time. Recruiting children? You bet we are’
Though homosexual activists claim their efforts in the schools are a way of combatting bullying, a number of homosexual activists have highlighted that the movement’s goal is in fact to “indoctrinate” children into accepting the normalcy of the homosexual lifestyle.“I am here to tell you:
All that time I said I wasn’t indoctrinating anyone with my beliefs about gay and lesbian and bi and trans and queer people?
That was a lie,” wrote Canadian gay activist Sason Bear Bergman, a woman who identifies as a transgender man, in a March 2015 piece titled “I Have Come to Indoctrinate Your Children Into My LGBTQ Agenda (And I’m Not a Bit Sorry).”
Bergman holds nothing back, stating she wants to make children “like us” even if that “goes against the way you have interpreted the teachings of your religion.”
And my class all of a sudden popped up. ‘LGBTQ’ was on the board, ‘lesbian,’ and all the different words coming out there. And I sat back and said, ‘Let’s review.’ So, the last year and a half of ‘inclusive’ education came alive in my classroom.”
Strong called it “key” to develop a “positive classroom culture” — and she mentioned it often takes months — before getting into what she called “difficult conversations” with students about convincing students of the normality of her sexual preference for women.
She mentioned how she spends time “building a common vocabulary” in her classroom of words like “stereotype, prejudice, discrimination” so her students will be able to more readily conform to her pro-LGBTQ message.
Strong called it a “fantastic lesson for kids of all ages.”
Let me be clear. I am a sinner, saved by the Grace of God. I hate sin, but love the sinner.
If the LGBTQ, community wishes to live in that world, I do not condemn them.
When they tell my child, or any child, it is Normal, or perfectly acceptable behavior. They have crossed a line.
Children are born male or female. They may go through phases where they play with the other genders, toys. This is NORMAL.
We should never allow them to be bullied, nor should we encourage them to become something other then what they were born as, a boy or girl.
It is child abuse, to encourage a young boy, to think, act and pretend, he is a girl, or for a young girl a boy.
Parents and Teachers who prey on children like this, should be locked up. A child is a precious gift from God.
Those who harm them, in any way….
Lord, please protect our children. Please keep them safe from these deceptive teachings.
Draw our children to You.
Please forgive us our sins, our stupidity, our malicious actions. Our not standing up and saying: NO MORE, STOP, TURN BACK TO GOD.
Only You, Oh Lord, can turn us back to Loving and Serving You. Please Lord, soon.
My heart’s desire and prayer: theunfetteredpreacher
My heart’s desire and prayer, that they might be saved.
Paul’s, words, speaking of the Israelites in Romans 10.
It was my prayer for my family.
They have all passed on now, I trust I will see them, in time.
I wonder, what is my hearts desire, my prayer, today? Does it compare to Pauls? Is it a prayer the Lord longs to answer?
Unfortunately NO.
I write, because I am a frustrated preacher. I teach the Word, but long for more. (Lord, forgive me). Lord, help me to be content, with where I am, (physically), and draw me closer, (spiritually).
After Bible School, licensed, then ordained, and sent forth. I was on fire. People who had no interest in Jesus, would flee at the mere mention of my arrival. (No Joke)
My desire, to see people healed, set free, for people to be saved.
I spent a time in Canada, with a new friend and Pastor, John Benschop. He was gracious, I was full of pride, (I, was destined for greatness)… lol…
Yet I was sure, that everyone who knew the Lord knew more than I. I burned myself out, by not continuing to dig in the Word. I thought what little I understood, was all there was. (A real contradiction).
It took time, and another failure, as a Pastor, for the fire to be snuffed out.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
I gave place to the devil. I did not fall into sin, … I continued to love the Lord and pray. … I just could not seem to draw close.
Daily, my prayers would hit the ceiling and bounce back… My plea, wasn’t heard. I’d lift my Bible and cry out for relief.
THERE WAS NO RELIEF.
The real problem was… (silence please) …. I needed to open that Bible.
I wanted the Lord to do it all. Change me, empower me, annoint me. Not realizing, I needed to find the way to be transformed. I needed more of His Word within.
If we continue to read and study, His Word, we find we pray less for our needs or wants. As we draw closer to God, by seeking first His Kingdom and Righteousness, He supplies all our needs.
“He gives us the desires of our hearts.”
How do we seek His Kingdom, His Righteousness? By knowing and praying His will.
Praying that our eyes, ears, hearts and mind, would be open to the Lords prompting, to hearing, His voice.
We hear His voice, in reading His Word.
We must study, as well as fast and pray…. We need to desire to be made into His likeness.
To become like Him.
I still desire to live and walk in His will, under His guidance and direction, seeing the Work of His Might and Power displayed.
For too long, I was disappointed with God. When the real disappointment was me.
Lord, help. Amen
Happy Fathers Day: theunfetteredpreacher
Happy Fathers Day …. I miss you Dad
The only family picture I have… I think 1984?
Martha, Bill, Bob, David, Dorothy
Last picture of David
Martha
Dave’s house, year he died
At Mom’s funeral.
Martha, Bill, Eric, Emma, Amy, Ken
Celeste, Bill, Bette
Just wanted to Remember.
Can we learn, how to Pray? theunfetteredpreacher
I long to learn to pray prayers, that result in answers, to pray effectual, fervent prayers that availeth much.
It troubles me that our Churches seem Powerless. If Christ is present, why is there a problem?
To be honest, a lot of our prayers are for financial problems, or about physical sickness or distress.
We pray for things we see, touch, taste, hear and feel.
Then we wonder at the lack of progress (in our growth), in our walk with Christ. We wonder why our prayers are not answered, or at best, not often.
If we study the prayers of Paul, for the church, and learn to follow his lead, we might find results, beyond our dreams.
The first thing, I notice is Paul is praying for others. We do not hear a lot of personal needs or desires, except, for the sin that so easily besets him.
He asked the Lord three times to remove this messenger of Satan, to be told the Grace, (the unmarited mercy and favor), of God, is enough.
We need to know how to repent, to get back in right standing with God… it was both David and Pauls secret, to have a heart after God.
No, for the most part, the prayers that he wrote, were for others. I will attempt to break down his prayer, from Ephesians 1.
* He gives thanks for others, by name to the Lord.
I give thanks that they walk with You, and know and serve You, draw them closer, Please Lord.
* He prays for the Spirit of Wisdom, (Jesus), (1 Corinthians 1:30), and Revaluation in our Knowledge of Him.
Lord, may You reveal Yourself to them, increasing their knowledge and love for You with their every breath.
* The eyes of our understanding be opened, that we would know, recognize the hope, He has for us. That we would grab ahold of His promises and power, to do His will.
That we would accept the inheritance He left us. The Ministry Gifts and the Gifts of the Spirit. That we would grow into You.
* That we would know and use the Power we have, in the belief of His Name and His Promises.
He said, so many times: ONLY BELIEVE!!! Only, … we don’t.
* That Power is the Power of the Resurrection.
Paul, prayed for this Power, (Philippians 3:10), recognizing he also had to share the fellowship of His suffering, and be made into HIS IMAGE.
* He wants us to have Power above that of the Prince of this world. To have Dominion, to Rule over, not be a Servant of the limits of this World.
We are not limited by the Laws of Nature.
Phillip was translated to another place, after, he had served Gods purpose where he was. The dead have been raised, the lame healed, the sick have recovered.
ONLY BECAUSE PETER, PAUL, JOHN, STEVEN AND OTHERS….. ONLY BELIEVED!!!
Church, there is something wrong with our belief system. I believe it can be corrected.
I believe God would have us, living in a place of Power. A place of Answered Prayer.
We first need to read, study, listen to the miracles in the Word. Faith, comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD.
The second thing we need to do is to learn how to pray, as Paul prayed. In thanksgiving, for more of Jesus, that our eyes would be opened, to see the Spiritual Blessings available to those Who Believe.
Then we need to seek and accept the Gifts He has given us… They are freely given and awaiting our acceptance, we must ask and receive tham, as we did our Salvation.
Lord, hear our Prayer. Amen
Does God still build, Hedges? theunfetteredpreacher
The Lord, built a Hedge around Job. He caused all the work of his hands to prosper. The Devil was convinced, the reason Job served God, was because of this protection, because of these blessings.
The Lord has promised us several times, to prosper us, to meet our needs, to supply exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think or even imagine.
He also promises, we can do all things, through Christ Jesus. Jesus said, we would do all He did and more.
The Devil is just as convinced, that we love and serve the Lord, because we trust these promises to be being fulfilled.
Saints, I pray that isn’t the reason we serve the Lord. No, if we look at Job, the Lord told the Devil and us, why he was so prosperous.
“The Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
The qualities of Job, we must learn to emulate.
● There is none like him, A perfect and upright man:
What? How could that be? What does this mean, for me, today?
Proverbs: 2. 10,11,20,21
“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.”
When Wisdom, (Jesus), enters our hearts, when His knowledge becomes, pleasent to our soul.
That is when we begin to walk in the right way, and keep to the narrow path of righteousness.
Then we will dwell in the land and remain.
To be perfect and upright, blameless…. we must accept Jesus, (Wisdom), into our lives, and learn to walk in His Righteousness.
We must learn to:
● Fear God, and escheweth evil.
One of my favorite scriptures is about why God chose Levi, to lead the Priests.
Malachi: 2. 4-6
“And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.”
We must learn to stand in Awe of our God, to Worship Him in Spirit and In Truth.
We must know and speak His Truth… not our desires.
We must take up His Yoke. We will find peace and rest in our souls.
As we endeavor to walk with Him, many will turn from sin, because they will see, consider and understand that He Is the all in all.
Whether we be rich or poor, a master or slave, His Hedge of Protection will keep us blameless. As we rely totally on Him.
Smiths Bible Dictionary:
Hedge
The Hebrew words thus rendered denote simply that which surrounds or encloses, whether it be a stone wall, geder, (Proverbs 24:31; Ezekiel 42:10) or a fence of other materials. The stone walls which surround the sheepfolds of modern Palestine are frequently crowned with sharp thorns.
He will build a Hedge around us. Amen
Is there a Hedge of Protection? theunfetteredpreacher
For all of my Christian life, I have heard people praying for a HEDGE OF PROTECTION. The only Bible verse I remembered, (that spoke of hedges), was, from the New Testament:
Luke 14:23
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
Now that usage, did not convey any sense of protection, but honestly, at the time, I just wasn’t interested.
Until now.
Today, Republican House members, were ambushed while at practice, for a charity baseball game.
They were not where they usually would be.
No, they where together, (on their own time), getting ready for a charity event.
A man walked up, asked a man, if these where Republicans? He said thanks, for the affirmative answer. Went in and started shooting. (Several wounded, one critically).
If not for armed Police, (heroes, with guns), it would have been a massacre.
Out in California, a man dressed as a UPS, worker, killed 3, and then himself. (No heroes with guns). A massacre.
Do we know why this is happening?
Yes, Will we as a society accept the reason? NO!
It is sadly simple. Evil, is the Ruler of this world.
The Godless, believe it is we, who believe, (in the Lord), that are the fools. We are not. So, how do live in this world?
What can we, as believers, do? How do we protect ourselves and our loved ones?
This is what lead me to this study.
I found the verse I was looking for in Job 1.
The Devil had gone up to heaven, and joined with the Sons of God, (good angels), to talk to the Lord.
The Lord asked?
“Whence comest thou?”
The Devil answered:
“From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
And the Lord said unto Satan:
“Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
The Devils response: Job 1:10
“Doth Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”
God had made a HEDGE OF PROTECTION ABOUT JOB. He had caused the work of his hands to prosper. He was the richest man in the kingdom.
Okay, Job was an exception, because:
“There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
We have heard what happened to Job, and we could preach many Sermons on him. From, the thing he feared, to his comforters.
It’s all there in the book of Job. But my question was. Has God protected any others?
As I thought, I was reminded of Noah, God instructed him to build an Ark. His obedience led to the saving of him and his family.
The Hebrews, in the midst of their captivity, were set free, and protected by the blood of the Lamb.
Both Daniel and Paul, a slave and a prisoner, both prospered in their darkest times.
How, you ask? We will explore more tomorrow.
Thanks for reading, Please let me know what you think.
Held Tight. Shared from the momfred
Wisdom from themomfred
Will the HATE, never end? theunfetteredpreacher
Will the HATE, never end?
For 8 years, I was disappointed in my fellow Americans. Why? For twice, electing, a community organizer, to head our great Nation.
I complained, disagreed, grumbled about the direction of my Country, and the incredible increase in taxes, and loss of business. But, I never have hated, the Obama’s.
My dislike, if you can even call it that, had nothing to do with color, ONLY POLICY.
Now, we have a new leader. Jobs are coming back, almost like when Reagon was elected, true hope is in many hearts.
Sadly, there are those, who are not satisfied with disappointment, complaining, grumbling and disagreement.
No, it is all too sad.
Mock up, severed heads, a orange haired, ruler, stabbed and killed while the audience cheers.
Open hatred, spewed from our so called comedians, our news media, and the opposing party, talking of impeachment, mental illness.
Even before he took office.
IT MUST STOP!!!
We were the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We can disagree with Policy and Politics, and still respect, and be friends with one another.
When Mr. OBAMA, was elected, you did not see those on the right, turn away from family or friends.
I do not remember any right wing nuts, shooting the folks on the left.
What happened when Mr. TRUMP was elected?
The left has become unhinged. People, GROW UP, SIT DOWN, and SHUT UP. Next election, get a decent candidate,
Win back, the House, the Senate and the White House. Do everything decently and in order.
We are trying to correct the perceived mistakes of the previous 8 years. You can work to correct the mistakes of this period of time.
A conservative talk host, (Michael Savage), coined a phrase: “LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER.”
I hate to agree, but watch the news, listen to the comedians, take off your Democrat glasses… and face the facts.
Lord, I pray for this Country, a Cival War is brewing, and probably already begun. Please save our Great Land. Amen
The Sound of Gods Voice : theunfetteredpreacher
Do you think you know the Voice of God? Have you heard Him speak? Would you recognize His Voice, if He spoke to you?
Is it the sound of a Mighty Rushing Wind? Or a still small voice? Do you hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host?
“Let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself:” (What?)
Do you strain to hear Him? Do you understand what He is saying? Do you believe he speaks at all?
“They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:”
Adam and Eve recognized the voices of the Lord God, and because of their sin, hid.
Do we find ourselves, hiding from God, ashamed of ourselves? He desires we come boldly to His throne of Grace.
We certainly can do that, IF we are covered with the blood of the Lamb.
“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”
Freedom from the plagues of Egypt? One of the many promises given to those who love Him.
John 5:25
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
Are you living, do you hear His voice?
Psalm 29:3
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.”
Psalm 95:6-8 (KJV)
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”
It may be a still small voice, we think of it, as our conscience. It might be a mighty rushing wind, we experience as we read His Word, and are blown away by His Revelation to us.
Or it could be in the midst of a storm.
The Lord wants to speak to us. To make His will and ways for our life clear. “Today, harden not your heart…”
He said:
“Take My Yoke, learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Find rest, walk with Jesus, hear His voice.
Amen
ASK 4: Seek and Knock theunfetteredpreacher
This is part 4 on my series on answered prayer.
The reason we pray, is to receive answers. To see others or ourselves, healed, our needs provided, our fears dispelled.
We pray when we need direction, wisdom, knowledge, comfort, or peace. How often are we disappointed, not satisfied, left empty.
Wondering where is my God? Do we really want to pray prayers that move God to action?
Do we delight ourselves in the Lord? Do we receive the Desires of our hearts?
Once again we come back to these 3 simple letters. ASK.
We must learn to focus on the Lord. We must know Him, we must know His WORD.
We do not always need, to quote Scripture and verse, but we certainly need to know it’s meaning, and Spirit. To learn this we must Ask.
Ask Him to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts. Ask Him to draw us close, to change us, mold us and make us, evermore into His image.
We must, Ask Him, to give us compassion toward the lost, the sick, the disobedient.
We must Ask Him to teach us how to Seek Him.
The Amplified Bible, guides us in the right direction. (Never give up).
Luke 11:9-13 (AMPC)
“So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”
We must learn to Seek Him, (study His word, learn how to knock, pray), to know Him better.
Not for what we might gain.
There are warnings to those who do not Seek Him with a true heart.
Proverbs 1:28
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:”
Hosea 5:6
“They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.”
Amos 8:12
“And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.”
Why do you Seek Him? Is it for personal profit, for acclaim, to be above, to rule, to Lord it over others.
Or have you taken James 4 to heart? Do you know how to humble yourselves, become servants, care for the needs of others, above your own.
The example of Daniel.
At 15 years of age, brought into captivity, made a slave, along with all of the Kingdom of Judah.
His Name changed, his diet changed, maybe even turned into a Eunuch, and forced to Worship, to learn of false Gods.
“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” (Daniel 1)
Because Daniel’s heart was right towards the Lord, he was blessed in the midst of his capacity.
He had enough and more than enough, he prospered even as a slave. We can be prosperous in the midst of our darkest hours.
“The Lord would have us prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers.”
Prosperity, isn’t about money, jobs or any other temporal things, it is Spiritual.
The prosperity preachers, are not totally wrong. There is truth in all of God’s word.
If:
> Our motives are pure. Our desire is a closer, more personal walk.
> We purpose in our heart to give of our gain, not spoil ourselves with his bounty.
> We would learn to have and extend compassion.
Daniel loved His God, did not allow his circumstances turn him away. He, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”
If we study his life, and the life of the 3 Hebrew children, we can learn how to Ask, Seek and Knock on the Lords door.
First, because he would not defile himself, (today that could be, what we watch, read, listen to, eat, enjoy in our lives), he found favor with God.
He was promoted to a position of authority. As he was able, he found himself a prayer closet, and used it 3 times a day.
He did not cower in fear, in secret, but without a prideful spirit, was not worried about being heard, even after it was illegal, to pray to God.
(Daniel, prospered under 4 different leaders).
His prayers, elevated him, to a place of power, saved him from the lions.
The 3 Hebrew children, before being cast into the fire, for refusing to Worship the Kings false God said:
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
Daniel, after finding Gods promise in Jeremiah 29, prayed for the end of captivity for his people.
~ Daniel, had a heart towards God.
~ He read and studied the scriptures that were available to him. Found Words from God in Ezekiel and Jeremiah, that quickened His Spirit.
~ He then prayed God’s Word, back to God. Like Moses and Abraham, prayer that moves God, reminds Him of His promises.
This prayer moved God to action.
Psalm: 9. 10.
“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
John 7:34
“Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”
The Lord promised we will find Him, if we seek Him with our whole heart.
Deuteronomy 4:29
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
So, how do we knock?
When we pray the Word of God, we are knocking on the door of His heart. Do not stop, even if the answer we desire doesn’t seem to be there.
Daniel was told:
Daniel 10:2-5 (KJV)
2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
9. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
11. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.”
Daniel 10:12-14 (KJV)
12. “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.”
ASK:
DO NOT QUIT, STAND FAST, ACT YE LIKE MEN.
“GOD HONORS (WATCHES OVER), HIS WORD, TO PREFORM IT.”
Right heart, (seeking God), right words, (Gods will and Words). the door, will open, (the answer will come).
ASK 3: theunfetteredpreacher
Luke: 11. 9-13
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Ask, Seek and Knock. Our basic directions for answered prayer. The Amplified Bible says:
Ask and keep on asking, Seek and keep on Seeking, Knock and keep on knocking.
Do not stop, until you receive.
IMPORTANT:
We must be praying for God’s will and desires, if you are praying to win the Lottery…. Give It Up…
Know the desires, the will of God. The Words of Jesus:
Matthew 21:22
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
We must learn to believe. It is hard to believe my bills will be paid, but He said Seek Him first and our need will be met. It is not hard to believe He wants a better relationship.
Pray to be closer to Him.
John 16:24
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
He answers our prayer to give us joy.
John 3:22
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
We ask and receive because we keep His commandments, and do that which is pleasing to Him.
ONLY BELIEVE: How many times must He tell us before we grab ahold of this truth.
If we pray for Him to mold us, make us, change us. For our ears, eyes, mind and hearts to be opened to His will and ways. He will draw us close.
He will cause us to prosper and be in good health as our souls prosper.
Please, quit focusing on our needs, our desires, our wants. Begin to focus on pleasing Him… He will surely please us.
Next up, SEEK…
ASK. 2: How? theunfetteredpreacher
This is part two, on answered prayer. After all, we pray, hoping for answers that will better the lives of those we pray for.
I think it is important to note, the prayer Jesus taught us.
Luke: 11. 1-3
“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
There are several points to look as t here:
《 The disciples saw the example of Jesus, He was always making a way to be alone, finding a place to pray.
《 The disciples, did not ask to be taught a prayer, but how to pray.
《 The Lord gave them an example…. we have used it as a by rote prayer, we recite it, word for word and never use it as an battle plan.
Yes, the Lords prayer is a plan, a map, to show us how to pray. We need to grasp this concept, if we are to live as Victorious Christians.
The steps to enter the Holy of Holies, to find Mercy and Grace in our times of need, are simple and clear:
Acknowledge who the Lord is, who are we praying to?
~ Our Father, our Healer, our Provider, our Fortress, our Guide to all Truth, our Friend, a very present help in times of trouble.
We are given many Names for the Lord, they describe His attributes, His desires to be our ALL IN ALL.
It is our choice, as to what we allow Him to be in our lives. To be our Shepherd, our Lord, our Saviour.
At the same time, we acknowledge where He is and what He deserves and desires.
~ Praise, which leads to Worship. Believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths.
I love you Lord, You alone are Worthy, Worthy, Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain at the foundation of the world.
I Exalt You, Praise You, Worship You… You are Worthy of all Glory, Honor and Praise… ect…
True Praise is one of the most important aspect of Prayer. Repeating the Word of the Lord, back to the Lord.
Reminding Him of His promises, His Power, His glory.
Acknowledge that it is His will, we are praying for.
~ It is all about Him, His desires, His will, His plan for our life. He will give us the Desires of our hearts, this means, if we ask, He will implant His will, ways, desires into our hearts, so we can, Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness. Then our physical, natural, daily needs and wants will be met.
~ Only then do we mention our needs. Keep in mind, He knows we hat we need before we do, He has promised to answer before we ask.
Daily Bread…
Forgiveness as we have forgiven…
Leading us, on the Right Path, always drawing us closer to Christ, as we Seek Him, He delivers us from evil.
We should always end with Thanksgiving, acknowledging all He has done and what He is about to do.
James explains our most common errors.
James: 4. 1-10
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Study the truths in James, compare our prayers to both, James admonitions and the Lords teaching.
How do we line up?
Church, (Houston), We have a problem: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
An old post, revisited….
Ask: 1: WHAT? theunfetteredpreacher
This is part one, on a series on receiving answers to our prayers.
ASK:
Three little letters. If we understood the message within, it could set us free as Christians, and the lost, would be amazed, by our Faith, and our answered prayers.
It surprises me that I have not heard this Scripture taught, in the last 7 years.
It is probably taught, in Childrens Church, with Noah, Jonah, and Moses, and his miracles. Childrens stories, nice if true, but really… (we have grown beyond, these silly superstitions).
Right?
We haven’t heard these tales, since we were children, our Preachers don’t Preach them, (that is Sunday school stuff).
I believe that is one reason the Power and might of God, isn’t more apparent in our Churches. (They consider it the milk not the meat of the Word).
If God can’t do the things written in His book. Or doesn’t, do them anymore, why believe any of the Book.
I drink milk all the time, it helps to make my body strong, it would do the same for the Churches.
To me it is all truth, and all available to whosoever will.
Jesus said: ONLY BELIEVE. Do we?
Luke: 11. 5-13
“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (tenacity, his never giving up), he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Companion verses in Matthew).
In the time of Joseph, (who was led by the Spirit of God), it was his knowledge and wisdom from God, that caused Pharaoh to ask:
“Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”
Where the Spirit of God is there is Liberty, people are looking for a demonstration of His Power, for a sign of His Presence.
There should be signs and wonders following.
That is a promise the Lord left with and for, THOSE WHO BELIEVE.
After the Exodus, the People were told to tell their children, the truth of the miracles of God.
Explain, how they had seen, and considered, and understood, and believed, in an Awesome God, who did miracles.
We have lost that belief, or forgotten how to walk in Faith.
There are certain conditions, truths to learn, that the Lord has put forth, as guidelines to answered prayer.
There is no formula to follow, no special incantation, or a spell that makes the Lord answer our prayers, but there are pointers to finding out His will and learning to pray that.
The first clue is this:
Psalm 37:4
“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
First, we must learn to DELIGHT OURSELVES IN, and TO ABIDE IN, THE LORD. We will begin to desire the Spiritual.
We must love the Lord, know His Word and Will and Walk in it.
“That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
“This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
We must once again, learn how to believe. We must learn to Seek the Spiritual, to find the Natural.
Learn to Ask, until we receive, Seek until we find, Knock until the Door is opened.
Please, I always look forward to feedback. Pro or Con. How will we grow, if not through communication as well as study and prayer.
Thanks for visiting. Blessings
Praise Service: theunfetteredpreacher
This week during my Bible Study I mentioned once again, how I was amazed that the members of our choir and church, did not want to learn and sing Scripture Songs.
Our Pastor said: We would do a service of Scripture Songs, instead of a sermon this summer.
He said to get them together and he would put the words in the bulletin……
Here is the first quick draft. In the old days, when I led Worship, the Praise and Worship would last 20 minutes to an hour, then and hour long Sermon.
Now we are in and out in an hour. Sad
Psalm: 5. 1. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. – Bible Offline
Psalm: 63. 3. Thy lovingkindness is better than life, (2x) my lips shall praise thee. 4. Thus will I bless thee : I will lift up my hands in thy name. – Bible Offline
Psalm: 103. 1. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (2x) (Luke 1:49) For he hath done great things. (3x) Bless his holy name.
Psalm: 84. 11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. – Bible Offline
Psalm: 91. 1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. – Bible Offline
Psalm: 42. 1. (As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.)
As the dear panteth for the water so my soul
longeth after Thee. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to Worship Thee.
You alone are my strenghth and shield, to You alone my Spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to Worship Thee….
Revelation: 4. 11. 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. – Bible Offline
The Sin of Church and Religion: Bill Hitchcock
Another truth filled word from Bill Hitchcock
http://billhitchcock.blogspot.com/
The Sin of Church and Religion
This begins a two part series discussing the sin of religion, church and its leaders. This article focuses on religion and the church. Tomorrow’s article focuses on ministers, preachers and pastors.
Pride is not only about self, it can be about religion too. Every religion has pride in itself and in its word to the exclusion of God and His word. A religion has formulated some doctrine, some code, some belief or standard that it follows. Or as Merriam Webster dictionary puts it religion is an, “organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods”.
The fallacy is that these organized systems of beliefs and ceremonies invariably come from man, are of his creation, and not from God. People are taught church and religion and are not taught God, the Bible, Christ and Him crucified.
Why is this? This is a sin, a heinous sin. And an adherent to that faith will consider his faith as “the” faith to the exclusion of all other religions and to the exclusion of the Bible itself! That’s pride, and it also has nothing to do with God and his word.
Think about it. Who was the greatest detractor of Jesus Christ? It was the church and religion. The prideful Jewish leaders, the Pharisee, Sadducees, church elders and scribes were the ones who sought to kill and destroy Jesus and His word.
“And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.” Luke 6:7
It was the religious elite that accused Jesus of being demon possessed.
“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.” Mark 3:22
The church and religion were blind to Jesus and the power of God.
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he (Jesus) taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?” Luke 20:1-2
The church sent religious leaders to dispute the Son of God speaking the word of God.
“And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.” Mark 12:13
We find that the church and religion were people pleasers and depended upon the government to exercise church will.
“And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.” Luke 20:19-20
“And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” Mark 11:18
It is very important to stress that it was the church and religion that wanted to “destroy” Jesus Christ. Jesus and His word had reached the people and the church was afraid of losing its adherents, of losing its power and control and of losing its revenue stream.
The epitome of man’s religion and the church clashing with the will and way of God happened in the land of Gennesaret.
“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” Matthew 15:1-3
The, “tradition of the elders” was nothing more than church and religion. The religious leaders were asking Jesus why he didn’t follow their church doctrine.
Even the head of the government and the military understood the situation. He knew that the pride of the church and religion was the motivating cause in their attempt to eliminate Christ and the word of God.
“But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.” Mark 15:9-10
Nothing has changed.
There is a simple test for all of this; the Bible! Compare church doctrine to the Bible. Compare a religion to the Bible. Eliminate inconsistencies.
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
The conflict between religion and the church with Jesus Christ is a conflict between the devil and God.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
The church and religion attempted to destroy and kill Christ. They succeeded in crucifying Him, but that was all part of the game plan from the start.
But here is the point; what has changed? How does church and religion compare to Jesus Christ and God’s word as in the Bible? Not church doctrine. Not some religious precept. What does the word of God say?
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Judgment is nothing more than overlaying God’s attributes and characteristics upon us. Anything inconsistent with that overlay is a sin and must be eliminated.
Don’t worship a church or a religion or its leaders. Worship God! Believe only in His words and not some manmade version of it.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
Tomorrow we pick back up on the subject but shift the focus towards church leaders.
Is there no one? theunfetteredpreacher
I long for an adult to stand up and say:
Climate change is real…BUT IT IS NOT MAN MADE.
Kathy Giffin, The Trumps are not attacking or ruining you… YOU DID IT TO YOURSELF.
To the snow flakes… YOU LOST, GROW UP, GET A LIFE.
To the so called news people… IF YOU CANNOT TELL THE TRUTH, OR RECOGNIZE B.S. JUST BE QUIET, YOU NEED NOT SHOW YOUR INTELLECTUAL INEFFICIENCIES.
theunfetteredpreacher 