Christianity

they which were scattered abroad :The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian Walk, Now concerning spiritual gifts, Photography, religion, serving God, Spiritual living, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God , , , , , ,

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.”

Scriptures in this post are from Acts 11.

Now- scattered because of persecution of Stephen, they traveled as far as Antioch, preaching to the Jews.

“And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.   And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

Some even preached to the non-Jewish. ….they believed also.  “Then” Continue reading →

How low can I go? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Proverbs 29:23
King James Version (KJV)
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

I awoke this morning realizing I am an insufferable know it all.

Continue reading →

Ecstasy : The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christian Walk, Now concerning spiritual gifts, Photography, religion, serving God, Spiritual death, Spiritual health, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

(Gr. ekstasis, from which the word “ecstasy” is derived) denotes the state of one who is “out of himself.” Such were the trances of Peter and Paul, Acts 10:10; 11:5; 22:17, ecstasies, “a preternatural, absorbed state of mind preparing for the reception of the vision”   In Mark 5:42 and Luke 5:26 the Greek word is rendered “astonishment,” “amazement” (comp. Mark 16:8; Acts 3:10).

Ecstasy,  astonishment  both scary words for the Church…. Continue reading →

I was in the spirit:

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christian Walk, Now concerning spiritual gifts, Photography, religion, serving God, Spiritual death, Spiritual life, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

” I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

“And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”

“I was in the spirit”

“the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.”

“the man whose eyes are open hath said:  He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:”

“I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)”

Continue reading →

Oooommm: – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Christian Walk, Now concerning spiritual gifts, Photography, religion, serving God, Spiritual death, Spiritual living, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , , ,

I was born in the 50’s, just in time for the Beatles, hippies, sex, drugs and rock and roll;  and of course,  free love.

I wish I  could say I have fond memories of those years but what I remember is a spoiled, drunk, stoned, obnoxious, self centered punk.

If I could erase parts of my life it would be those years.  Continue reading →

Denominational Differences : – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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As I searched for Christ in the late 70’s, I prayed to find a God of Power and Might, I didn’t care for more hot air.  ..Growing up in the Catholic Church I knew the Bible stories, thought I was a Christian because I was Catholic.

I knew God was real, didn’t understand anything about a personal relationship.

Then I  met the Lord.   I was led to Him by a wonderful,  loving young woman and her mother, as I  was hitch hiking a ride to this place called Christian Retreat, in Bradenton Fla.

I fell in love with Jesus, Continue reading →

Neglected Caroline – 10 / 28 / 15 b

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Neglected Caroline – Ready for work, chained to a tree…Somehow that explains you and me.

Thanks for visiting, come back soon.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
know you are loved

To be like Barnabas : The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Who was Barnabas?

First off a man who gave up all, to follow Jesus:

“Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

A man who recognized the hand of God in Pauls life and took him to the brothers.

Continue reading →

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian Walk, Photography, religion, serving God, Spiritual living, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , , ,

Acts 9:6 in part :
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

Paul had just been struck down  on the road to Demacus.  Meeting the Lord he had thought he was serving. 

Finding out his error, his first words:  “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

How often have I found out I am doing the wrong thing, or going the wrong way, or believing in a wrong or false premise?

Is my responce: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” ?????  Continue reading →

Can you find Him? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, Christian living, Photography, religion, serving God, serving the Lord, Spiritual health, Spiritual life, The Fix-it Shop - Filling Station, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , ,

Proverbs 8:17
King James Version (KJV)
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early will find me.”

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Jeremiah 29:12-14a
King James Version (KJV)
“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: “

Will you seek Him early?   Will you seek Him with all your heart?

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He said He will be found.   I hope you seek Him.

Thanks for visiting, come back soon.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
know you are loved

Bible bits and bytes: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Bible, religion, serving God, Spiritual living, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , ,

We tend to think of multitudes wherever Jesus went. Why?

Matthew uses the word 16 times, Luke twice

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Much people :
Mark, (3 times),Luke (4, in acts 6) and John (3 times) all  use much people.

A freind once asked why Faith healers always had people falling down? (Slain in the Spirit ).
He said we don’t see that in the Bible.

Fell down meeting Jesus :

Matthew – 3 times
Mark – 2 and twice at his feet
Luke –  7 and 3
John  – 1

How many times – immediately healed, immediately left, immediately did:
Mt – 6
Mk – 16
Lu – 9
Jo – 4
Acts – 11
Gal – 1
Rev – 1

Straightaway or straightway :
Mt – 8
Mk – 19
Lu – 4
Jo – 1
Acts – 4

Will knowing this help in any way?  Probably not but I  thought it was interesting.

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Lord, help us to see and understand what we read.

Thanks for visiting, come back soon.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
know you are loved

what condition my condition is in: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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I just dropped in, to see what condition my condition is in.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12
King James Version (KJV)
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

There was a time,
    Then it was gone.

Continue reading →

Mom was disappointed : The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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I received at least 2 phone calls from my Mother, (may she RIP),  over the years, where you could hear hurt, disappointment and sadness in her voice.

I wish I had received neither.

One of them was in October, she called to ask if we had forgotten her birthday.  (In June).

Continue reading →

I say unto all, Watch: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 13:
“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.”

Is the church watching? Continue reading →

As for me, I shall be satisfied: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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What will cause you to be satisfied?  A raise?  A new job?  Admiration or respect of your peers?

A bigger house,  a new car, a different significant other?

Not one or all of these things will satisfy.  None of these things will change who or what we are inside.

Continue reading →

O Lord, How Long? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Psalm 13:1-2
“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”

Four times the Psalmist cried out;
HOW LONG?
    ~  Will You forget me? For ever?
    ~   Will You hide Your face from me?

Continue reading →

There is no fear of God : – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans: 3. 18.

Why is sin acceptable today?  What happened to moral judgment,  common sense,  manners,  right and wrong?  We have taken the wrong road, we are in a downward spiral.

Why? “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”   

Continue reading →

lay me down in peace: – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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” I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”   (Verses from Psalm 4)

David would encourage himself in the Lord in times of trouble. 

One way for us to do that is to have  scripture implanted in our hearts and minds.  This only comes from  memorization,  meditation and action.  To know the Lord we must know His Word and walk in it.

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Then you can lay down in peace and sleep, knowing the Lord is keeping you safe.

“But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.”

Are you set apart, godly?  Does the Lord hear your call?  Do your prayers reach the highest heavens?  Do you listen and wait for His answer?   Do you accept the judgements,  answers to your calls?

“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”

Is the joy of the Lord a growing fruit in your life?

Gladness isn’t about a smile on your face or a bounce in your step.  It is a place of   Faith,  (to do His will).  Wisdom,  (to understand His will).  Knowledge,  (to know how to do His will).

Gladness, (is ours in His service).

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Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Isaiah 26:3
King James Version (KJV)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Do you really trust the Lord?   Are you concerned, worried, wondering who, what, when, where, how?

Continue reading →

Measure of Faith vrs Full of the Spirit : – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Romans 12:3. Tells us God gives everyone a Measure of Faith.   We choose to activate it when we repent, confess and accept Jesus as both Lord and Savior.

Then it is up to us to increase, to build up the Faith we have received.   We do this by reading the Word, by stepping out in that Faith, sharing the Love and Grace, (Gods unmerited Forgiveness and Favor, Salvation).

James 2:26 
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

For Faith is not passive but demands action.

Jude 1:20
King James Version (KJV)
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Praying in the Holy Ghost or Spirit,  that my friend is Praying in Tongues. ..This is where being Filled with the Spirit comes in.

The Lord doesn’t  appear to give a measure of the Holy Spirit :   He certainly filled Jesus.

John 3:34
King James Version (KJV)
“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”

When  we receive the Lord we receive the Spirit in Full,  someone came up with what we have called  the Baptism of the Holy Spirit,  with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

I  have thought of it this way for over 30 years, the Baptism of the Spirit as a second blessing.  An immersion into and of Gods Spirit.

 Always hearing those who don’t speak in tongues arguing,  if I  didn’t have the Holy Spirit,  I couldn’t have been saved.

Peter and Paul both asked:  “Have you received the Holy Spirit  since you’ve believed? “

They then prayed :

Acts 2:4
King James Version (KJV)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Some point out speaking in tongues is not always mentioned,  true;  but it is not ruled out either.

Paul encouraged us to be filled with the Spirit :

Continue reading →