Our tree before Florence July 17.
After Florence 18.
Finally our replacement… We have high hopes. 5/19
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting.
Know you are loved.
We all have the relationship we desire with God. My desire is for a more intimate one.
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Philippians 3:10, has long been my prayer.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
I would pray to ‘Know Him and the Power of His Resurrection.’ Not realizing that to truly know Him, I would need to change.
I needed to be conformed to His image, by the Fellowship of His Sufferings.
I didn’t want to suffer. I wanted the results, without the work. (The story of my life. lol)
It took time, then I began to pray the whole verse. Life changed. Not that I’ve suffered, I haven’t, yet my decisions, desires and heart changed.
Verses 7-14, became alive. I realized how utterly silly and useless, my accomplishments and ambitions had been. I had been seeking the ‘Power, not the Presence of God.’
The light bulb finally shone brightly, the path revealed. What was the word trying to reveal to me?
Philippians 3:8c,9
‘that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:’
My own righteousness was not enough, It was as dirty rags. (Isaiah 64:6) My belief in Him, brought me true Righteousness, I was Justified. (Just as if I never sinned).
My Faith made me blameless in the beloved.
Romans 4:3
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Romans 5:1.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Philippians 3:10. Brings us to Sanctification.
‘That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;’
We must ‘Separate ourselves from the cares and struggles of this life and become Christ-centered.’ (Phillippians 1:20-23; 2 Corinthians 7-11)
Our desires, lusts, and ambitions must be crucified, and the Lord’s interests embraced. To learn to be one with Him. (John 17, His prayer for us).
Glorification will in time then follow.
“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Phillippians 3:11)
Philippians 1: 6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
We will be Glorified, transformed by the renewing of our minds. We begin renewing our minds, as we grow, Christ will Glorify us.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2). (To become mature Christians).
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30)
Our goal in this life is to become Christ-like, to embody His Love, Mercy, and Grace. That those we come in contact with will see Jesus in our Witness, Walk and Will.
Which brings us to the race. Phillippians 3:12-14.
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
I am seeking everything and anything God has for me, forgetting my past, my failures, successes, my wants and wins and reach out for all the Lord would have me be.
Seeking more of Christ within and to shine without, that He would be Glorified, Worshiped, Loved and Obeyed in my Witness.
Galatians 1: 15-16a,b
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;”
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting.
Know you are loved.
We all have the relationship we want with God. I desire an intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
For many years now, I have experienced, what I consider a problem, though I find myself accepting it, even as I disagree.
Whether in a Convenience Store, Hardware Store or Restaurant, there are folks who want to sweeten the deal we are getting.
Sometimes they give you a bigger portion, or they do not charge you for something, or give you a discount you do not deserve.
I think many of us accept these gifts gratefully. Not conscious of the fact that the clerk or server is helping us to steal from the owners of the establishment.
It’s a little thing, not grand theft, but it is taken away from the profits the owner is expecting and needs to keep the business in the black.
We should not accept these gifts. Yet, we do.
What do you think?
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Are there Giants in your life?
Before I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, I was constantly fighting the Giants that had me enslaved.
Loneliness, alcoholism, fear, depression, ineptitude, lust, pride, nicotine, rejection and probably many I can’t name.
“There were giants in the earth in those days;”
Everywhere I looked, walked or worked. Everything I heard, read or spoke. I was nothing, then the best. I was brilliant then a dunce. I was around people but always alone.
I lived in “the land of giants.”
There was no escape, no relief, no hope.
Then I was introduced to Jesus. Oh happy day, the Giants have gone away!!!
I wish….
I had accepted Jesus as my Lord…I experienced the Peace that passes understanding, the Joy unspeakable and full of Glory, the Comfort and Love of the Holy Spirit.
Life was great!!! Until it wasn’t.
The Giants were creeping back. Those Christians that I prayed for and loved, rejected me….. Nothing I did satisfied. I was unsettled, indecisive, confused.
How could this be?
Depression, Rejection, Loneliness…. Worse than ever.
Why Lord?
Does any of this seem familiar? Could it be your story? Are you enslaved by Giants?
Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
I know many Christians, who claim Jesus as Savior, even call Him Lord. When He is not.
Are they really saved? I think so, they believe and confess Jesus as Lord.
Will they be joyful, victorious conquerors, peaceful, effective witnesses? Not a chance.
How about you? Is He your Lord? Are you walking with Him or hiding because of sin?
David the man after Gods heart, long after defeating Goliath, (the Giant), after becoming the legitimate King of Israel. Found himself fighting and losing the battle to the Giants of pride, sexual sin and murder.
He had wondered from Gods side. He was the king, his word was law, he had everything he wanted, needed or desired.
He had a visit from Nathan the Prophet. He was shown the condition of his heart. He recognized his sin.
Now we see why he was a man after Gods heart. He immediately repented, turned around, asked forgiveness. A man who Loves his Lord. A man who knew forgiveness.
As a Christian for over 30 years I am sometimes convinced I’ve destroyed the Giants in my life.
Then when I’m fat, dumb, happy and satisfied: I am visited again. “The last giant, He had a bed made of iron; it was over thirteen feet long and six feet wide!”
This Giant is bigger than the others because I’ve been hiding and feeding him. Allowing this sin to be my real Lord. The part of me I wouldn’t and couldn’t submit to my loving, forgiving Savior.
I repent, I confess, I turn from my wicked ways. I pray Lord thank you for helping me to defeat yet again this Giant.
With Your help he becomes just a giant….With fastings and prayers, as I submit to Your will, I become strong in Your might. I defeat the giant.
I walk in victory with My Lord, Jesus Christ. I become the joyful, victorious conqueror, peaceful, effective witness that my Lord calls all of us to be.
Have you destroyed the Giants in your life? Jesus will show and strengthen you.
“Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.”
Let Him Lord and Savior today.
Thanks for visiting. Know you are loved.
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is closer relationship.
bill theunfetteredpreacher.com cote
We live in the Land of Giants.
Not Goliath, (1 Samual 17), who David slew with a sling. Or Og, whose bed was over 13.5 feet long and 6 feet wide. (Deuteronomy 3)
Or even Andre the Giant, 7 foot 4 inches tall.
The Giants we fight today, are more dangerous and deadly.
When Joshua led the Hebrews into the Promised land, they were commanded to slay the Giants and inhabit the land.
When we are saved, we need to slay the Giants in our lives and inherit the promised land.
What are our Giants?
Loneliness, alcoholism, fear, depression, lust, pride, nicotine, rejection, drugs.
On a National scale, the belief that there are more than 2 genders.
The promotion, legalization, and normalization of Gay Marriage. We have LGBTQ people portrayed on every TV show, (They must be a Huge Minority to get that much coverage), They aren’t, and of course man-caused Climate Change.
Then there is the specter of Socialism.
I do not hate any of the folks, that believe these things or fight these addictions or delusions. It just grieves my spirit.
The problem stems from both what our public schools and colleges teach, and the lack of sound Biblical Teaching, in our Churches.
It seems that most Christians are happy to be taught the Gospel, and not search the Word themselves. Like in the time of Moses, tell us what God wants, and we’ll do it.
It was a problem then and still is today.
Walking with God is a very personal experience. There are many Scriptures, that point out it is our responsibility to study and live the Word. (2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12)
The Word, like manna, needs to be gathered daily, to receive our nutritional needs, to grow in our faith.
We need to long for a closer relationship with Him, to seek Him, to know Him and serve Him.
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Homecoming, Franklin Memorial Church Choir: 5/19/19
Shot by Payton Ashton
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebl2edznb25obxd/20190519_112635.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/faxjyvh076ioa0m/AADwfwM4CWbmIdaENDEhqRlwa?dl=0
Homecoming Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church
5/19/19
He Touched Me, sung by the Lewis family. Lenster, Rebecca and Delphia.
Shot by Payton Ashton
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
The Lord Jesus loves us too much to let us go our own way without disciplining us. Proverbs tells us to not despise God’s correction. As the song says, we often go astray, even if only a little. We get so busy or preoccupied we forget to stay in fellowship with Him or read the Bible or pray. It often takes an unpleasant event or experience to make us realize where we are.
God’s ways to correct us are not to punish us, but to cause us to change our behavior. When we’re experiencing trouble, we need to consider it may be due to something we’re doing, or not doing.
Years ago, I remember not being able to make sales as a salesman. I HAD been doing well, previously, but it had been quite awhile, and things were getting tough.
I HAD been considering a move, and FINALLY realized that the Lord was letting me know that it was His will As soon as I got the message, we made the move, got a new job, and things worked out!
That was a very important move, leading to the start of a new church. New Wine Fellowship came into being due to my being obedient to the Lord.Attendance grew to around 200 in a few months. What a reward for a couple of months of discomfort. PTL!!!
DR. ARNIE SMITH
One of my teachers while in Bible School. I learned how to study the Word, because of his teachings.
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
Attuned:
Paul was Attuned, or in tune with the Holy Spirit. He was Zealous in his Faith, and Desire to serve the God he knew.
A religious Jew, defending the Law, and Will of God. Then he met the Lord and became attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
He wasn’t and isn’t alone. We all can be in tune with and led by, the Spirit of God. (There is more to the Holy Spirit than Speaking in Tongues).
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tried by Satan. (Mathew 4:1). Phillip was led to the Ethiopian man, to explain the gospel, and was then translated to another country. (Acts 8:29, 8:39)
The Spirit spoke to Peter and gave him both a Word of Knowledge and a Word of Wisdom. that the unclean can be cleansed (Acts 10-11)
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Teacher, the Spirit of Truth, that Jesus sent to us to give us the Power to build His Church.
in acts 16, we find Paul following the directions of the Holy Spirit.
He with Timothy traveled through the cities and established the Churches in the Faith, and they increased in number daily. (Acts 16:5)
As they traveled they ‘were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,’ (:6)
They attempted to go elsewhere, ‘but the Spirit suffered them not.‘ (:7)
When they entered Troas, ‘a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.‘ (:9)
After receiving the vision, they were sure of the Lord’s direction and traveled to Philippi. (:12)
While there, the Lord opened the heart of a woman, who had them stay at her home and provided for them.
As they went to prayer a woman possed with the spirit of divination, (a fortune teller, an evil spirit).
The spirit was cast out by Paul in the Power of the Holy Spirit. Paul and Timothy were beaten and thrust into the inner prison their feet in stocks. (:14-24)
At midnight they prayed and praised God. resulting in an earthquake, their shackles being broken and the cells opening. (:25,26)
The jailer was saved, and his household. (:30-34)
We find following the lead of the Holy Spirit, brings us into a realm of Power, to save, deliver, and cause earthquakes.
I am convinced that whosoever is willing can become attuned to the Spirit and the Church can be empowered and enlarged daily
2 Corinthians 13: 14.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.”
To be in tune with, or in communion with the Holy Spirit is one of the benefits of accepting not just Salvation, but the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Please study the Word. See what it says. Receive what to believe from the source, the Holy Spirit will guide you to all Truth.
If there is a conflict between what you were taught and the Word, THE WORD IS YOUR GUIDE.
Not man’s interpretation.
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
The cross shows brightly in those who believe. Our Witness shines forth, as a light to the world.
“I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:12)
Our light shines less bright, as the world resides within us.
We must remember we live in the world but not of the world.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mathew 5:16)
Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved
We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
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