https://lafayetteangel.com/2017/12/02/the-weekly-headlines-62/
Interesting posts, gathered in one place
faith miracles
For all this they sinned still: the unfetteredpreacher | theunfetteredpreacher
https://theunfetteredpreacher.com/2016/08/21/for-all-this-they-sinned-still-the-unfetteredpreacher/
Another old post, that is still my hearts cry.
Happy Thanksgiving: theunfetteredpreacher
Happy Thanksgiving, travel safely. Know you are loved.
At Thy Word: theunfetteredpreacher
“Let it be known this day that, I have done all these things at thy word.”
(1 Kings 18 )
The heathen, have prepared their sacrifice, the kindling is ready, they called on their god, pleaded, cut themselves, yet, nothing has happened.
Their god is not THE ALL POWERFUL GOD.
Elijah, drowns his sacrifice with water, water all around, wet wood, wet kindling, wet sacrifice, no way will fire start here. (It would take a miracle). Elijah, calls on God.
“Let it be known this day that, I have done all these things at thy word.”
The confidence in this man, he knew Jehovah, he knew God’s power, he knew God’s will, he walked in God’s mercy and grace.
God answered his call.
Saints, there are times, when we believe we need a miracle. We beg, plead, cut ourselves,… yet, we are left in want.
Why is that?
Obedience.
When we meet Elijah, the first thing we see, is him telling Ahab, it will not rain, UNTILL I SAY SO.
It was after this, that the Lord, said,
“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.” (1 Kings 17: 3)
After he does the will of the Lord, the Lord speaks.
GO HIDE!!!
He was fed by Ravens, drank from a brook. When the brook dried up, told to go live with a widow woman.
She was gathering a few sticks, had a little meal, a little oil, and was preparing, a little cake, what she believed was her and her sons last meal.
Elijah said, “Make me a little cake, first”.
She did. He stayed with her for three and a half years. She never ran out of oil or meal.
She did not proclaim he was a man of God until, he raised her son from the dead.
“Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” (1 Kings 17:24)
Is that not a picture of believers today?
We enjoy, God’s provision, His grace, (Salvation), mercy, (Forgiveness), peace and joy.
Yet, we do not walk in Miracles. In the place of Power. We do not have that relationship of trust, of belief, of knowing, His will, His desires, of walking in His Yoke.
Experiencing His Power and Grace.
Psalm 119:162
“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”
Have we found that “great spoil”, do we know the Lord, rely on the Lord, believe, Trust, Walk with Him.
We have a New Testament example.
“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
Here we are, we have done everything we can, worked as hard as we are able. To no results.
Then we try it God’s way. “At thy word I will.”
Jesus wanted them to go do what they had been doing, only on the other side of the boat.
Are you Nuts?… OK, we will do it.
This act of obedience, gave them the biggest catch they ever had. They left
all, on the shore and followed Him.
Saints, we need to believe and obey, so He is able to touch those in need.
1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
We must:
Know the Lord.
Trust His word.
Walk in His Grace.
Obey His commands.
Reap His Blessings… Realize His Power. Recognize His Love.
Amen
Bricks without straw: -3- theunfetteredpreacher
The Evangelist:
I am sharing this study, because I have a Zeal, a burden, a compulsion, to see the born again, lovers of Christ, fulfilling their calling.
Growing strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might.
As Pharoah, once supplied straw, to build bricks.
The Lord sent His Spirit and His Ministry Gifts to build His Kindom,
The Hebrews soon learned, that if Pharoah didn’t supply the straw, their work became almost impossible.
We as a people, are slow to learn, if God isn’t guiding, directing and protecting us, His Kingdom’s growth is negligible.
In the first 2 “Bricks without straw”, I attempted to show why we need Apostles and Prophets, in our Churches today, now we will look at the Evangelist:
Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
Remember, He gave us these Ministry Gifts to empower us for the Work of the Ministry, (of edifying, building up the body).
So we would be unified in our faith, (In the Spiritual. The Temporal, earthly desires, the worldly things, are not important).
That we would become perfect in our knowledge of, and in the working of His Spirit.
So who or what are Evangelists?
Evangelist – Eastons Bible Dictionary
“a “publisher of glad tidings;” a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as the Evangelists.“
Billy Graham is obviously the most prominent Evangelist, in our lifetimes.
A preacher, who reaches the most people, he could not Pastor all the people he has lead to the Lord.
He has a Special Calling, an anointing that every Pastor, Preacher or Teacher longs for.
This anointing, draws to Christ. The Evangelist, must be Humble, Unassuming, Reliant on the Lord, speaking the Words of the Lord.
All of these Ministry Gifts, if they are effective in the Work, draw people to Jesus, if they could work together, we would see growth, in our Churches.
There are not many, who can draw a crowd like Billy. What made him so different, from other Preachers?
I was never a fly on the wall of his prayer closet, so I am just making an educated guess.
He never stopped searching the scriptures, to see if they were true.
He prayed the Scriptures.
He took apon himself, the Yoke of Jesus.
He walked with Him, obeyed His voice, never allowed the devil, to gain ground in his life. (When he missed the mark, he took responsibility, and repented).
He refused to believe He was Special, He gave the Glory to God.
He humbled himself and God lifted him up.
Pride is the biggest stumbling block in my life. I am sure, I could fill up a Church, people would be memorized by my words. lol…..
What a joke, I couldn’t fill a phone booth. If we still had them.
Without the Lord, my work is in vain.
I am too quick to say, “Ok Lord, I’ve got it from here.”
Only by His Power are any of the Ministry Gifts, effective.
Bricks without straw: -2- theunfetteredpreacher
In attempting to compare the Hebrews building bricks, without straw, to our building the body of Christ, without the Spirit, apparently I was confusing. I apologize.
Hopefully this will clarify.
Pharoah, supplied what was needed to make solid, usable bricks. When he denied the straw, the job proved almost impossible.
The new bricks lacked, substance, strength, and took forever to complete.
In building the body of Christ, if we do not employ the tools given us, by the Lord.
Our results lack substance, (words that engage), strength, (the power, to change lives). We will work and see little result, (few souls reached).
We must use the tools the Lord gave us, I believe we need to start with the Ministry Gifts from Ephesians 4.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
The end product, the goal, the purpose of these gifts, is for:
~ perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry,
~ to edify the body,
~ to bring all to Unity of the faith.
~ to bring all to the Knowledge of Christ,
~ to bring us to perfection in Christ,
~ we become or equal Christ’s stature.
To have a healthy growing body, all of these Gifts must be available to the body.
In my Bricks 1, I wrote of the Apostles. I believe God raises up Apostles to build his Church.
They have been given a Truth, from the Word, that was not recognized before them.
Wheather, it was, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, or more recently Derstine, Oral Roberts, or Joel Osteen.
These folks recieved a revelation from God, shared this truth and ended up starting a Denomination that follows their teaching, or interpretation of the Word.
Apostles are alive and well, doing the work of God today, We see this in the non-denominational churches that are growing all over our country.
This is New Wine, we need to be sure it lines up with the Word, then reject our non-biblical, beliefs and press toward the mark of the high calling of God.
The problem is we Worship, and follow the old revelation, that man, and not the Lord.
I am a Baptist, Methodist, Church of God.
When in reality, we put more stock in the Denominations understanding of the Word, then what the Bible, actually says.
The second gift, was Prophets. They are called to help the Apostle complete the work, he started.
There are many mentions of Prophets and Prophecy in the Bible. It’s purpose has both changed and stayed the same, over the years.
Franklin Graham is probably the best known Prophet today.
Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
As the prophets were rejected by the Religious, the Holy, the Learned, so are they today
Matthew 10:41
“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.”
The Reward is a new understanding of the Lord, and a closer more intimate walk with Him.
We must be open to grow, to recognize and accept the truth of the Gospel.
Then we will have, Power, Love and Grace, in our lives to share with others.
The Prophets words today, as in the past are to encourage, exhort, and direct us, to God.
Select verses from 1 Corinthians 14:
1 Corinthians 14:
3. “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
12. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”
32. “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
37. “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.”
We must be ZEALOUS, in seeking the Spiritual Gifts. The Gifts of Apostles and Prophets, need to be allowed in our services.
Next stop Evangelists.
Bricks, without straw: -1- theunfetteredpreacher
Today we are Building the Church, without the straw, that would make it strong.
Pharoah, supplied the straw to the Hebrew slaves who made the bricks for building his Kingdom.
In this post, I am trying to compare the problem of building bricks without straw, to us trying to build GODS Kingdom, without using the tools He supplied for the job.
I have writen on this subject before, I do not wish to repeat myself, but I believe the Lord would have me share what I am continually learning.
In the time of Moses, the Lord sent him to Egypt, to demand from Pharoah.
“The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.” Exodus 3:18
The first request was for three days journey. Not total freedom. Three days, an important number in the Word.
Three days: (The mention of three days, is just to point out the number three, is important in scripture. You may want to search and find out why?)
Jacob went three days ride from Laban, in the life of Joseph, there were, three days till the cup bearer was back to Pharoahs court, serving him.
Three days till the baker lost his head. Three days in Pharoahs dream. Jesus spent three days in the Tomb.
The two witnesses in Revelation, lay dead in the street for three days.
The original message to Pharoah, only three days journey, and the Lord promised to harden Pharaohs heart.
His heart, was hardened, and Pharoah commanded:
“Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.” Exodus 5:7-8 (KJV)
The Pharoah had provided a vital product that caused the bricks to be strong. He had others, not the Hebrews supply the straw.
It was probably a full time job, for those collecting it, now that job is delegated to the Hebrews.
The tale of the bricks, the amount they produced, shall not diminish.
Because they wanted Time to go Worship the Lord, Pharoah decided, they were not working hard enough.
They had to much time on their hands, they were slothful, lazy.
They were not. They were obeying the Lord, and the Lord, had hardened Pharaohs heart.
Now, they had to work harder, it was impossible to keep up production, with the extra burden of finding straw, that was once supplied.
They rebelled. Why?
This was a major problem, making bricks was hard work and time consuming already.
I think I found this at Eastons Bible dictionary, long ago… If from somewhere else, I apologise, for the lack of mention.
Their efforts produced great results, and although time-consuming, their procedures can be followed to create mudbricks of your own:
1. Mix topsoil and water to create a thick mud.
2. Add straw. While the composition of the mud will affect the exact proportions, as a general rule, add a half pound of straw for every cubic foot of mud mixture. If you have access to grain chaff (a byproduct of threshing), you can use that as temper. If not, chop straw into very small pieces—called straw chaff—and use that.
3. Knead the mud mixture with your bare feet for four days
4. Once it has fermented (after four days of kneading), leave the mixture alone for a few days.
5. Knead the mixture again on the day you plan to form your mudbricks.
6. Pour the mud mixture into molds (the shape of your choosing) and let them solidify in the molds for at least 20 minutes.
7. Remove from molds and deposit on a drying floor layered with sand and straw to prevent the bricks from sticking to the floor itself.
8. Let the bricks dry for a week.
After the bricks have dried, they are ready to be used—whether to build something new or to reconstruct ancient walls!
They needed the straw, to build the bricks. Pharoah was unhappy, the people were unhappy. So Moses was unhappy.
“Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.”
We the people should be upset, and unhappy today.
We are trying to build His Church, without the straw, that would make it strong.
Pharoah supplied the straw for bricks, Jesus promised to supply the straw to build His Church.
We just have failed to acquire, to learn how to use these straws. He gave us GIFTS. We need to learn to accept and use them.
The Ministry Gifts, in Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
What is an Apostle? Eastons Bible Dictionary, has this to say in part:
Apostle
a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy.We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists, however, perfectly coincide.
Our Lord gave them the “keys of the kingdom,” and by the gift of his Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his church (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-15).
It was characteristic of the apostles and necessary (1) that they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27; Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 22:14, 15). (2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Luke 6:13; Gal. 1:1). (3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:13).
(4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; 1 Cor. 12:8-11). The apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only authoritative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle ceased with its first holders.In 2 Cor. 8:23 and Phil. 2:25 the word “messenger” is the rendering of the same Greek word, elsewhere rendered “apostle.”
I believe a good part of this description is wrong. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
The Gifts were given to to build His Church, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I disagree that this Ministry, (Apostles), ended when the Apostles, passed away.
Infallible? No, we can misunderstand and misuse the Truth, we believe we received, by not searching for the rest of the story.
Today’s Apostles are starting non-denominational churches. They are growing, and becoming new Denominations.
What is the Church missing?
“Our Lord gave them the “keys of the kingdom,” and by the gifts of his Spirit and the power of working miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; 1 Cor. 12:8-11).”
Guys like me can teach, preach, and pray.
It takes the Spirit of God to do it with Power, to enjoy the results the original Apostles saw and enjoyed.
I hear people say God preforms miracles all the time, and this is true.
My point is, it should be happening so often, that the heathens, see, consider, understand, and believe God is alive and well.
The signs, wonders and miracles have always been the tools God uses to get our attention,
Recognizing, and accepting that, that growing Church down the street might be the work of God, and it’s leader may be an Apostle, bringing people to the knowledge of the Kingdom.
Would be a great start to building His Kingdom.
Next we will look at Prophets and Prophecy.
What do we believe? theunfetteredpreacher
So many of us, have beliefs, that are Unshakable, immovable… steadfast.
We know what we know, and we will not be moved.
How have we come to these beliefs?
What we have heard, seen, and experienced in our lives, influences what we believe.
As children, we were either dragged to Church, and told, “This is what we believe. ”
Some parents, (usually nonbelievers), decide not to influence their children either way, they don’t bring them to, or encourage them to go to Church.
They say, when they get older, they can decide for themselves.
This has given us a generation, with no moral compass, no standards of right, wrong, or healthy or destructive, actions.
They are left, adrift, anchor less, pulled, pushed, by a current to nowhere, with little hope of finding the truth.
Why? The Church has little power to draw them in, and there is little reason for them to stay and learn, to be introduced to the God of Creation and Salvation.
Thank God, I was forced to attend Church and Sunday School Weekly, until I left my parents house.
I heard, all the children’s stories, of the Ark, the parting of the Red Sea, Jesus healing the sick and dying on the cross.
They were all “childrens stories.” The same as, Little Red Riding Hood, the turtle and the hare, all of Mother Goose and the other childrens tales.
It wasn’t till I had searched for, and was introduced to the living God, that the Bible stories, were finally recognized as truth.
The trouble is, the Bible is Truth, yet it seems to be taught, as it were Tales from beyond.
We were promised a Gospel of Power but, have received only Hot, Empty Air.
Taught by unbelieving believers. Folks who want to believe, yet haven’t seen, experienced, the Power of God, so do not believe the Impossible, is possible.
They try, but lack conviction, and rely on ceremonies, rituals, programs and projects.
It is much easier to be busy doing, than waiting for God’s direction, and desires.
No one seems to know how to wait on the Lord, to allow Him to grow in us, and then in the Church around us.
We know the Bible stories, so we don’t read them again. Sadly, we miss the message the Lord may have for us in those verses.
We cannot receive Godly Revelation, with hearts of stone, eyes that are blind, ears that will not hear, and minds that refuse to understand.
We must be willing to hear and except the truth. Be willing to admit, some of our beliefs are not Biblical. Just bad Doctrine.
Be willing to accept the truth of the Word, your Church leader, may be sharing, what he has learned from others, and not found the truth for himself, in study.
We are all responsible to know for ourselves, the truth.
Please, seek Him… Learn from Him… Don’t accept all you hear, until you search it out on your own. Amen
Our Anchor: theunfetteredpreacher
Where are you Anchored?
Before meeting Christ, I was Anchored in the rough seas of sin.
This Anchor, pulled me down, as the waters of sin rose, filling my heart and mind.
My thoughts and actions, were no longer my own. I was controlled by the carnel nature of man.
Prideful, Pitiful, and Powerless, my addictions, (the true loves of my life), were in control.
BOOZE, BROADS AND TOBACCO. (An unholy trinity).
I was lost in the Swift currents of destruction. Soon to drown and die.
Then a true Miracle ocured, I recognized the knocking at my heart, to be Jesus.
It wasn’t the first time I felt His gentle nudge.
No, as the Lord had said to Abram, come out from among them. I finally obeyed and walked with the Lord to a new land.
I asked Jesus, into my life. I begged for and received forgiveness, I became blameless and accepted in the beloved.
My Anchor no longer held me down, it now lifted me to the heavens.
The weight of sin and death, was gone. I could see, hear, think and love, both in Spirit and Truth.
I hungered and thirst for more. For the Righteousness, Peace and Joy, of the Holy Ghost.
I found it.
Life wasn’t perfect, troubles still surrounded me, dogged me, at times tempted me. But…
I WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME, by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of my Testimony.
I submitted myself to God, and resisted the devil, and he fled.
There are two Truths to live by and trust.
1: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE.
Jerimemiah 29:11
“
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
2: FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“
Hebrews 6:18-20 (KJV)
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
”
We can now, and should enter into that Holy Place, we will find Mercy and Grace in our times of need.
The Disconnection: theunfetteredpreacher
We do not seem to be connected to the truth of the Gospel.
Oh, all the different factions, groups, the Denominations, all claim that they have the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
But does anyone?
No, we all miss the mark, some more then others. Even the Full Gospel Churches, do not seem to teach the Full Counsel of God, if they ever did.
The Bible gives us many promises, that we seem to believe, once were, or will be, true, someday.
We do not see, what was once lived, and experienced. We do not expect to see it in our lifetimes.
The Signs, Wonders and Miracles of the Bible, passed with the Apostles, and we are living in another, silent time.
Just as it was between the Old and New Testament, or during the 430 years of captivity the Hebrew people suffered.
God is quiet, He has given us the Bible, it is God’s final word.
Healings, Deliverance, evil spirits, angels, even the hand of God, no longer reaches out to touch His Saints. We are on our own.
I do not accept, that God was silent now or at anytime.
It just took 400 years for someone to notice and Examine the burning bush.
As soon as the Lord saw, that Moses was paying attention, God spoke.
Are we paying attention?
It saws in Genisis 12 that the Lordhad said to Abram get thee out of Thy country. Had said, is the key.
Abram, did not just leave, the Lord spoke to Him several times, till he understood and obeyed.
How often must He speak before we hear and obey?
We no longer follow the fire or the cloud, we follow Luther, Calvin, Wesley or some other person, who at one time, maybe even yesterday, followed the Lord.
(Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Joel Osteen, Ravi Zacharias, our Pastors…)
They received a piece of biblical revelation and built a belief system on it. Not realizing that was the start of revelation and knowledge and not the end.
We must all, study to shew ourselves approved, be workmen, rightly deviding the Word of Truth.
We must work out our Salvation, in fear and trembling. Knowing ourselves the truth of the Word.
All of God’s promises are for us, today. The Signs, Wonders and Miracles.
We just need to believe and obey, to walk and work in them. As the leaders of our Churches once did.
Epaphras revisited: theunfetteredpreacher
In “Epaphras an unsung giant,” I spoke of his love and prayers of the people of Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Epaphras’s love for these people caused Paul to pray for them.
Paul gave thanks to God and the Father, (see Jesus in the Old Testament), praying always for them.
He prayed for them because he had heard of their faith and love for all the saints, from Epaphras.
He prayed that they would stay strong in the faith, that they would bear fruit, as they allow the word to grow in themselves.
He told them he did not cease to pray for them.
“That they might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
(Saints once again this should be our prayer for one another, please pray it for me).
Paul gives thanks to the Father, which made all saints partakers of Eternal Life with Him.
Jesus, delivered us from the Power of darkness, and translated us into His Kingdom, the image of the invisible God, the Creator, and by His blood, we are forgiven of our sins.
He reminds them, and us, that we were once alienated, seperated from God, because of our evil hearts of unbelief.
Jesus presents us unblameable, and unreproveable in His sight, if we continue in the Faith. (Even after Salvation, we have the Freewill to reject God’s Grace).
We can reject, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Paul preached Christ, who works in us continually, and mightily, warning and teaching every man, that they might be presented perfect to Christ.
He asks that they, pray also for Paul, that God would open unto him a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.
That the Word would be manifested, God’s power and grace recognized, and proclaimed.
He mentions Epaphras once more, as being a Servant of Christ, who sends his greeting, and labors faithfully and fervently for them in prayers.
That they might be perfect and complete in the will of God.
Paul again mentions Epaphras’s great Zeal for them.
He reminds them to Walk in Wisdom towards those without. (Do not loose your Witness, by your speech or actions).
“Let your speach be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
In short, Walk your Talk. Show the love and grace of Christ, in all you say and do.
Philemon, Onesimus and Epaphras: theunfetteredpreacher
All people Paul praised, made mention of and obviously loved. He tells us quite a bit about them in a few words.
First off Philemon. He wrote to him specifically, to beseech him, to plead for a favor.
He first reminds Philemon, that they labored together in the Lord’s work.
He told him he prayed daily for him, not for health or wealth, or safety, but that his sharing of the Gospel would be effective.
(If you care for me, I covet this prayer).
He had heard of his love of and faith in Christ, and was pleased at his sharing, that he was causing the Saints, to grow and be excited in their faith.
He had a teaching, not evangelistic ministry. He was reminded to give the glory to God for any good thing that was within him.
Then he brings down the hammer.
“Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”
He needed to plead to Philemon, because Onesimus, was once known to him.
Paul led Onesimus to the Lord, (in prison), as he apparently did Philemon. It is probable that Onesimus, was sent to prison, for doing wrong to Philemon.
Paul told him he was a changed man, that if possible he, Paul, would keep Onesimus as his own minister. (Helper in the Gospel).
Apparently, Onesimuses, prison time was over, so Paul begged Philemon, to receive Onesimus, as a fellow laberer, as a beloved brother in the Lord.
Paul, used his relationship to persuade Philemon. If he wronged thee, I will repay, place it on my account.
I won’t remind you how much you owe me. (Salvation?)
Bring joy to me, by doing this, I hope to be with you soon. I write to you knowing you will do more than I ask.
We find Paul, calling on behalf of a brother, to a brother.
He completes his letter, by asking Philemon to say Hay, to Epaphras his fellow prisoner and other, fellow labourers.
We can conclude that Philemon was at least in contact with the churches at Colosse, Laodicea, and in Hierapolis.
More to come on Epaphras.
I have learned by Experience: theunfetteredpreacher
I have learned by Experience, that the Lord hath blessed me for Thy sake.
Laban admitted this to Jacob, I admit it to my wife. I have been blessed of late. It is because I married a Godly, Psalms 31, Woman.
I am blessed beyond all I could ask, think or imagine.
Thank you Jesus. For being such a Lord and Savior.
Genesis 30:27
And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.
In Whose Name? Theunfetteredpreacher
In Whose Name?
In The Name: If a rose by any other Name…
We believe in some Names.
For me if Clint Eastwood’s Name is in the credits, I am sure I will enjoy the movie.
For others it may be Spielberg, or Pixar, Disney ot Tom Hanks, that gets the blood flowing.
Just the Name conveys confidence that we can trust and rely on the experience we will have.
It’s the same with Churches, Baptist, Methodist, Full Gospel… the Names all have an implied meaning.
We would feel betrayed, if we walked into a Full Gospel Church and found a Methodist order of service. The reverse would also be true.
We depend, trust, and rely on the Name, to guide and direct us, we can’t Worship there, they don’t believe like we do.
We make many choices because of a Name, a brand of gas, a can of beans, a bag of chips. We make choices based on a Name.
In the book of Acts, the lame man from the gate beautiful was healed, the people gathered and Peter explained.
It wasn’t John or I that healed this man, only Jesus.
Acts 3: 16.
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Acts 3:16 (AMPC)
“And His name, through and by faith in His name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong. [Yes] the faith which is through and by Him [Jesus] has given the man this perfect soundness [of body] before all of you.”
Faith in His Name. JESUS
Faith through His Name. JESUS
Faith by this Name. JESUS
That is a Name we can trust, rely and depend on.
Do we? Really?
For Healing? Comfort and Joy? Salvation?
Turn around, are there signs and Wonders following? If not, the Lord said we do not believe.
Have we lost, our Faith in His Name?
Epaphras: An unsung giant: theufetteredpreacher
Epaphras, who was he? We find him mentioned only in the books of Colossians, and Philemon.
In Philemon 23, we learn Epaphras was a fellow prisoner, with Paul.
He was a prisoner with Paul, because he was not ashamed to proclaim the Gospel.
We know, from Paul’s writing in Colossians 1 and 4:
~ Epaphras was our dear fellowservant.
He was not just a fellow prisoner, but a fellow servant. A Willing follower and Worker for Christ.
A man who is not afraid, to proclaim his Faith, his Belief, even if it leads to mockery, scorn, stripes, and even prison.
~ A faithful minister of Christ;
Saints, he didn’t just proclaim the Gospel, he lived it. The first century Christians, proclaimed the Gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Eastons Bible Dictionary defines a Minister as:
□ a subordinate officer or assistant employed in relation to the ministry of the gospel.
□ one who serves, as distinguished from the Master.
(See the Ministry Gifts Roman 12:4-9; Ephesians 4:11-12)
Moses, and Elijah’s Ministers, stayed by their sides, made sure their needs were supplied, their orders followed.
They are invisible, supporting the Master. Everything they do points to, Magnifies, Glorifies, Lifts up their Master. (Some people are naturally Ministers to those they respect)
Acts 4:29-31(KJV)
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.“
A powerful prayer, note please, they prayed; Lord, do what you have promised.
A faithful Minister did not just speak the Word. He was and should be, the Lord’s delivery man.
They delivered by the Power of the Holy Spirit, healing, comfort, peace, joy and the Love of Christ.
The Lord longs to touch and meet the needs of His people. He longs to use us to be the vehicle of His Grace.
We need to forget about ourselves, our wants desires, plans, and concentrate on pleasing Him.
We need to Know Him, and the Power of His Resurrection, the Fellowship of His sufferings, we must, be conformed to His image. (Philippians 3),
We should be invisible, pointing all to Christ.
~ Epaphras, also declared your love in the Spirit.
We heard:
☆ of your faith in Christ Jesus,
☆ of the love which ye have to all the saints,
☆ of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.
This truth of the gospel; came to you because of the Faith and Zeal of Epaphras.
☆ that Gospel, brought forth fruit, since the day ye heard of it, and you knew the grace of God in truth:
Colossians 4:
Tells us of the Zeal of Epaphras, how he labors for the people in fervent, effective prayers that availeth much. (James 5)
We all, (every Church, fellowship, Christian), need an Epaphras, someone who loves us enough to battle in the Spiritual, for our mortal souls.
Who sees beyond this physical world into the next.
Are you an Epaphras?
Or do you fail, like I do, to make the cut.
There was another unsung giant, Onesimus.
In Philemon, Paul tells us, Onesimus, was at one time unprofitable to Philemon.
Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, he became so useful, Paul would have kept him as his own Minister, but felt that Philemon should receive Onesimus as a beloved brother.
To receive Onesimus, as he would Paul. If he had done Philemon any wrong, he was to forgive him, and charge it to Paul’s account.
In Colossians 4, we find Onesimus, to be a faithful and beloved brother.
If we have missed the mark, there is still time to change, to become a useful, truthful, trustworthy servant of God.
To learn to enter into the throne room of Grace, to receive the Grace and Mercy we need this day, hour or minute.
The Lord desires to walk with us, to empower those who are willing to accept the responsibility, the mantle of Leadership, in His Kingdom.
The Birthday Blues: Theunfetteredpreacher
For her birthday in August, my wife wanted to replace our green shutters for ‘new blue shutters’.
Someone had told her, for a house to look good, it should have 3 colors.
Ours, when we bought it, was:
Gray House with White Trim..
She decided, at that time, for green shutters and front door.
It did look nice….
This year she decided to go with blue, instead of green.
Fine, I special ordered the shutters. (In August). Do to health and laziness, I put them up yesterday. (October 20th)
I decided to do them one at a time. I started with the most western window.
The original green set, came with both plastic and regular screws. I mistakenly used a couple of the plastic.
They would not unscrew, I had to break the heads off and drill them out.
I did this, put the new shutter on.
Something did not look right.
I stepped back, looked and realized I had put the green shutter back on….
Nothing like doing the same job twice, that warms the heart. lol
The first set, took forever to install, a nap, and the second set, was a breeze. (Who am I kidding, it was a pain in the neck.
Blue shutters up, Wife happy…. Worth it.
I long to preach this: theunfetteredpreacher
Psalm 32 (AMPC)
Psalm 32
[A Psalm of David.] A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem.
“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered.
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]—then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray—pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him.
You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
AMEN
The Ministry Years: Miracle 39- – The Tomb is empty – wondering in himself – theunfetteredpreacher
The Tomb is empty.
The last Miracle before the ascension.
Luke 24:1-12 (KJV) Mark 16:1-8 (KJV) Matthew 28:1-8 (KJV)
John 20:1-12 (KJV)
The Tomb is empty.
Peter, “wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.“
They had seen Him dead, and buried. They came to ready Him for a proper burial.
The Tomb is empty.
Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary , “they were much perplexed.”
The Tomb was empty.
The Apostles. “they believed them not.“
The Tomb was empty.
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome. “they trembled and were amazed:”
“they were afraid.”
The Tomb was empty.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. “departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;
The Tomb was empty.
Mary Magdalene. “stood without at the sepulchre weeping:”
Wondering in himself, perplexed, believed not, trembled, amazed, afraid, fear and great joy, (having heard the promise of a Resurrected Christ), Stood weeping.
How would we have reacted? The Word tells us they had not yet, “remembered his words,” “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”
This should open our eyes. We have Scripture, that, As yet we know not the meaning. Do not reject out of hand a revelation a saint may have.
Study to see if these things be true. If it is a revelation from God, there will be two or three other scriptures to confirm.
If you find confirmation, embrace this new revelation, it is given to carry out the Lords work.
Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
The Lord has given us the bricks to build His Church. (the gifts of the Spirit), We must learn to use them.
Luke 24:1-12 (KJV)
“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”
Mark 16:1-8 (KJV)
“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.”
Matthew 28:1-8 (KJV)
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”
John 20:1-12 (KJV)
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”
theunfetteredpreacher 