Christianity

Fleet Caroline – 1/1/15

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote ABANDONED CAROLINE, being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Fleet. Caroline, Neglected Caroline, Photography, Spiritual living, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , , ,

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Floating but forgotten ,  like the Holy Spirit in the Church. …We can set it free to work….do we dare?

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Faith

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I was reading  a post at  “earthlytraveler.wordpress.com”  ,  “Big Faith”.  He used this scripture to state: ” What a wonderful, wonderful promise! That you and I are welcome to partake in that heavenly feast!” 

Matthew 8:8-13
King James Version (KJV)
“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.   

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

It is a wonderful thing faith and available to whosoever will but check this out.

Jesus was prophesying the Gentiles being saved.  (11)

The underlined verse  (12), He is speaking of Gods Chosen,  the Israelites.   The Children of the Kingdom of God at the time.

They will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven because of unbelief.

Here comes a “Billism”  A teaching of the Word, you may not have heard before.  Ck the Scriptures to see if true.

Today many that profess to be Christian,  attend  church, do many things for the Church may well be Baptist,  Lutheran, Catholic, United Methodist, or a score of other Denominations and not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Their  love is for the building or the Pastor or to the position they hold in the body. 

When I hear I’m a whatever, I  cringe.  

Myself I am a Christian who follows Christ.  At the moment I attend and play piano at a nice UMC.

Growing up as a Catholic I was taught only Catholics would be in Heaven. ….How wrong a Church Doctrine.

I fear other Denominations feel the same way….they have the truth.  It’s nice you attend Church but if you come to mine you’d be more saved.

Folks your Faith and Belief must be in the Cross, Blood and Resurrection of the Christ.  Not the Church who claims Him as their own.

I understand like minded  people gathering to Worship,  we are all of different tribes.

We have churches that Praise God in Spirit and Truth.
Those that Major in Soup, Soap and Salvation.
Churches that believe in a quiet reverence.

This is all good, if their beliefs are Biblical.  Please take off your Denominational glasses, read and study to show yourselves approved, a workman rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Have Faith in God not your Church;   Your Church doesn’t make you a Christian.   Following Jesus the Christ is the only way.

Lord help us to love and follow you.

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Gods people: Stiffnecked, Rebellious or ?

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In the book of Exodus we find the Lord refers to the Hebrews as Stiffnecked,  this is translated several ways:

Stiffnecked :
impossible to deal with. very stubborn [a stiff-necked people]. oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! they are an obstinate people. they are a strong-willed people.  (stiffnecked, obstinate people); unbelievably stubborn.

Sounds like the Church today, the people are ready to split off and go their separate ways because of the color of the carpet, the removal of the back row of seats,  a word spoken in anger or rebuke. …they will not accept correction, chastisement. Refusing to submit themselves to the Word or Will of God.

in Deuteronomy the Lord refers to them as Rebellious and this is translated :

Rebellious :
you have refused to obey the Lord. refused to obey [rebelled against] ” And what did you do? You rebelled. Rebelled against the clear orders of God, your God. Refused to trust him. Wouldn’t obey him. You’ve been rebels against God from the first day I knew you.

I am not a Rebellious Christian but I  am Stiffnecked,   I don’t refuse but I do resist.  I believe and trust; but Lord if you would do it my way, it would be so much (better, eaisier, faster, simpler).   My natural man also fails in the matter of sin.

Romans 7:18-20, 24-25
King James Version (KJV)
” For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

” O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

My natural man, my sinful nature is that of an addict.
Booze, drugs, sex, solt drinks, coffee, tobacco even Jesus.

I don’t do much in moderation.   Before I was saved, it was awful,  since the new birth I am a new man. The battle is won, yet the battle goes on.

If I stay in the Word and Prayer I win the scrimmage, slack off and the old man slips in.  I am the man that hungers and thirsts for righteousness.

Who has a sin that so easily besets me.

Thank you, Jesus that I can confess my sins and You are faithful and just to forgive me.

Thank you Lord that I can boldly come to the Holy of Holies to find Grace and Mercy in my times of trouble.
Lord help me to draw closer to You  daily.

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Superman’s not here…call on Jesus.

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Sign of Life:

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    Those we leave behind are a sign of our passing.
                      Does your sign point to Jesus?
                                   Or is it empty?

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Useful Vessels

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Useful Vessels come in all shapes and sizes, they are built for specific duties and tasks. When working, they do wonderful things for their Masters.

Lord, help me to be a useful vessel.

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Storage Wars:

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Are you a useful vessel, or so filled with old junk there’s no room for the Holy Spirit to work?

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Don’t go without Jesus

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The end without Jesus. …is never-ending.     Accept His love today.   

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Merry Christmas

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May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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Life springs eternal :

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the LORD thy God hath chosen thee

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Deuteronomy: 7. 6. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Do you believe that?  Has the Lord chosen you?  Are you holy?  Special, above all people?

Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.   The promises of God are yes and amen.

You are the beloved,  a gift beyond great price.  

Are you living up to His expectations?   I  know I  am not.  He desires me to be Holy,  I am, only by His blood.  He chose me, only because of His love and mercy.

I am special only by His grace. 

In 2 Kings 13 we have Elisha on his death bed instructing Joash, the King of Israel. Shoot an arrow out the window. The arrow of the Lords deliverance. …to mark victory over enimies.

Then he had him hit the ground with the arrows. …he smote the ground thrice. Elisha was upset, “You should have smote the ground 5 or 6 times, then you would have consumed your enimies. ….now you will only have victory twice.

How was he to know? He wasn’t. The lesson for us is to do whatever we do with our whole heart and soul.

The way to please the Lord and gain victory over sin and death is to seek the Lord, determine in our hearts to love, honor an obey the Lord. Be set apart, dedicated to His service, open to His directions, protection and inspiration. To do all with all and above all for Him.

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Glory

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Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth to men of  goodwill.

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The Helper

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The other night I complimented my college aged daughter, on how well she helped me do a job that day and how I’d enjoyed her company.

She thanked me and commented: “I didn’t do much.”

I ended up explaining how important, a good helper is:

*   Paying attention 

*   understanding what part or tool is needed next 

*   having it handy

*   Fetching needed stuff

*   Being a third hand, when needed

*   a good attitude

It caused me to evaluate my status as a servant of the Lord.

☆   Do I pay attention to His work?

☆   Do I understand what He needs from me?

☆   Am I ready with the words or actions to fill the need?

☆   Am I  willing to go at His bidding?

☆   Will I get my hands dirty to serve His need?  (Dig a ditch, build a mud pie?)

☆   How’s my attitude?    (Am I too good to be second banana? )

To be honest,  I am probably one of the worst of His servants.   Most times I am sure His work would go faster, better and prettier, if He could just listen to my advice and let me do it my way.

I  sometimes have a hard time with the verse: 

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.”

I am sure I am worthy of all glory, honor and power.

Do you see why I  have a problem?  As I look around  I don’t believe  I’m alone. 

Many of us want it our way.  We are the star, the only one who knows how it should  be.  Whether it’s the colors of the carpet or where the money should be used, or what the Pastor preaches.

STOP IT!!!

Become a good and faithful servant.

The operative word is servant…..to be a good  servant we must do His will, His way, in His time.  Not mine.

Help me please, Lord, to walk and obey.

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Cast off!

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When we cast off our carnal man, the Lord can make us sail again.

Let Jesus  make you shipshape.

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4 types of believers :

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There are 4 types of believers in the body of Christ :

The Church attenders
The Levites
The Priest’s
Those who walk with God :

☆  The Church attenders:

These are the people who desperately want  a Savior,  some attend church Christmas and Easter, most  every Sunday, a chosen few  two or more times a week.  They may be involved with Sunday school, choir, Bible  study.

They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.

They have allowed Jesus to be Savior;  As Lord, not so much.

They love the idea of being saved as long as it doesn’t interrupt or change their lives too much.

Like the Hebrews in the desert, they will gladly partake of the Lords provisions while complaining about the same.

Man: “I haven’t had a new pair of shoes in years.” 
Other man: “Well, they still look brand new.” 
Man:  “Yeah, I want different ones.”

Dismissing  the miracles the Lord is doing, daily. 

☆  The Levites:

The Levites are the backbone of the Churches; they are the organizers,  the workers, builders, movers and shakers. 

In the desert they assembled and disassembled, carried and cared for the Lords house. 

Protected it from stangers (those who knew not the Lord).  They stood with the Priest’s  when the Church attenders sinned.

They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.

They have allowed Jesus to be Savior;  and Lord in many areas of their lives. 

Some things are just to dear to give up.

☆  The Priest’s :

These are the doers of the Word:  They study to show themselves approved, workmen rightly dividing the Word of truth.  They teach, preach, exhort, comfort, guide and direct. Wherever  they go. 

They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Jesus is their Lord and Savior : 

They live a life of holiness, sanctification and consecration. 

They deny themselves and take up  their cross daily.

They work out their Salvation with fear and trembling. 

They have set their face like flint towards the Lord.

They may have many followers or none.  They are concerned with being obedient to God.  They will be misunderstood,  maligned, persecuted and highly favored by God.

☆  Those who walk with God :

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.”

This is who we all should aspire to be.  The Lord has stood at the door of our hearts, we have accepted Him in.  Now we need to let Him Cause us to approach,  learn to enter into the Holy of Holies,  to find the mercy and grace He so wants to share.

Psalm 22 tells us He inhabits the Praise of His people.  If we desire  to walk with Jesus, we must learn to praise and worship.  Learn to live the Lords prayer, not just recite it. 

If we want to experience joy unspeakable, the peace that passes understanding, the comforter, teacher, lover of our souls, we must Worship and adore Him.  Believe Him…Take His Yoke…..it is the only way to Walk with Him.

If you just attend Church,  and  don’t allow Jesus to be Lord, when its time to enter the promise, you may find you have an evil heart of unbelief.  Like the Hebrews you may just wonder and die in the desert.

Please Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew our Spirits, that we might Walk with You.

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Neglected Caroline – lawn art

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As a boat, must be on water to serve its maker.  A Christian, must be in the world  to serve his Master.  So if a boat stuck on land is lawn art, what is a Christian that’s stuck in the church?

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Love Jesus?

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I love the Lord. So why am I uncomfortable when I see home made signs of love. Why are these folks strange and I’m not?

Lord forgive me, make me bold but loving in my witness.

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Sin is like Gorilla Glue

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Have you ever used Gorilla Glue?   It is wonderful stuff, I have used it for many projects and been extremely satisfied with the results.

My smart phone holster was falling apart so Gorilla Glue to the rescue.    While at a job I knew I would be on for 3 or more hours.  I decided to glue up my holster.   Took my phone out applied glue. Set it aside to dry.

It was finished:  The job was done.  Collected my tools, put them in tool case.  Checked out holster…..looking good, seemed dry.  Put on hip, placed phone inside, went out to my car.

Phone vibrated; once.

I’ve had this phone almost 2 years…it is a good phone, I know how to use this phone.  This phone has my life on it.

The only problem with this phone is the screen cracks really easily.  (When dropped).

I had replaced screen twice. (Ouch).  The third time  decided to live with the cracks.

Vibrate once, a text message I am sure.

Well maybe I shut it off by accident?

Not a chance, a little bit of Gorilla Glue snuck inside the cracks and fried my phone.

Why do I mention this?  Just to let you know I’m  not too bright?

No, to warn you that sin is just like Gorilla Glue.  It expands and will fill any cracks in your armor.  A little sin in your life, can and will completely take over.  It can fry your walk with the Lord.

We must be quick to recognize and quick to repent, just like King David when Nathan woke him up to his sin.   Our Spirit may belong to the Lord, we still have our minds and bodies that need to be brought under submission to the Holy Ghost.

Let the chastisement of the Lord teach you the way you should walk.  We are Holy because He is Holy….We must let His Spirit rule in our lives.

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Shall not God search this out?

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Psalm 44:21
King James Version (KJV)
“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.“

As I’ve studied the Word, I believe one of the reasons we see so few mighty miracles, signs and wonders, even positive answers to prayers, is because of the condition of our hearts.  Why do I desire to see the power of God, is it so He will be glorified or so I’ll be in the spotlight?

Jeremiah 17:9
King James Version (KJV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

What are my motives?  I cry out: “Create in me a clean heart O Lord,  renew in me a right Spirit.

Am I a vessel the Lord can trust and use, or will I be filled with pride?

1 Chronicles 28:9
King James Version (KJV)
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”

Have I a perfect heart and willing mind towards God?

I know I am saved, sanctified, holy ghost filled and water baptized,  Jesus on my mind, I found a new life.   But I am still a man at war with my fleshly desires.

I love the Lord but I am still a prideful man, a stiffnecked and rebellious person.   More often than not I want God to do things my way, rather than doing  the Lords will.   This is why I miss the mark, I fail in doing the will of God.  I fail to see the power of God in my life or ministry.

Psalm 77:5-7
King James Version (KJV)
” I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.   Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?”

Romans 8:27
King James Version (KJV)
“And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

I do search my heart, ask the Lord for a clean heart.  Believe He has given me a new heart.  One that hungers and thirsts for Him.  I long to see His will done.  Thank You Holy Spirit for Your intercession, love, comfort and teaching.

Lord make me a vessel that you can use, that souls will be saved.  Bodies healed and made whole.  That You be lifted up, Glorified,  Magnified, Praised, Worshipped and Obeyed.

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Fleet Caroline at rest. 12/10/14

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All these vessels,  waiting to fulfill their purpose.   Reminds me of the church.   Waiting to be used, when all we need to do is cast off.

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