The Happy Pilgrims. They should be dancing. The Turkey, not so much, he’s not sure why he was invited for dinner.
Thanks for visiting.
Know You are Loved.
Happy Thanksgiving.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
following God
The Short of it: theunfetteredpreacher
The Short of it:
The long of it is that all I seem to do is sleep
Tests on going to see if something is wrong, or I am just incredibly lazy.
The short of it is, I read the Word, and nothing speaks to me. So I have nothing to share. Please keep me in prayer.
Thanks for visiting
Know you are loved.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cotr
More Family Blessings: theunfetteredpreacher
Once again family has arrived to comfort, pray, and encourage us in the Lord.
Bette’s sister Corinne and Roger her husband.
It is wonderful that my sweethearts sisters are all saved, and a joy to have around.
We could not have made it through this time of trial, without them.
May God Bless and keep them, may He cause His face to shine apon them. And give them peace.
We all have the relationship we want with the Lord. Please. I long for more.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote
The Presence of Jesus : theunfetteredpreacher | theunfetteredpreacher
https://theunfetteredpreacher.com/2017/01/06/the-presence-of-jesus-theunfetteredpreacher/
Revisit this older post… Thanks
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.
On a certain day: theunfetteredpreacher
Luke 5:17 (KJV)
“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”
On a certain day. What day? Today is the day.
Jesus taught everywhere He went.
If you read the Gospels, multitudes sought Him out, those who believed and were seeking a healing touch. As well as those who were religious.
Those who were sure they understood how, where and when God would show Himself.
These doubted Jesus was THE ONE.
We seem to have forgotten why the Lord used signs, wonders, and miracles.
Do you wonder why we don’t see these things today?
The last line of Mark 6, reads, “As many as touched Him, were healed.”
We have asked Him into our hearts, accepted His Forgiveness and put Him on the shelf.
We take Him out Sunday mornings, and if we are really religious, Wednesday evenings.
We don’t seem to need Him other days. As a result, He has become Powerless in our lives.
“The power of the Lord was (is) present to heal them.”
Jesus said, many times: “ONLY BELIEVE”
As young children, most of us believed, we were safe while our parents provided our needs and wants.
As adults, we believe we are the providers.
We work long hours, extra jobs, just to have a little extra money, over what we need to pay the bills.
Arthritis hit, not able to work extra jobs, some days not able to do my regular job. (Tuning and playing pianos)
I am not earning what I was accustomed to. Yet, miraculously, the bills are paid, there is money for the little things.
“THE POWER OF THE LORD IS PRESENT”
Not just to heal, but to supply our needs, provide comfort, peace and joy.
On a certain day.
The day we trust, obey, and BELIEVE.
My God is able to do exceedingly above all I can ask think or imagine. For me and mine, as well as for you and yours.
ONLY BELIEVE
Is Jesus present? theunfetteredpreacher
Is Jesus present, in our Church Services?
Yes, certainly, and many will quote: Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Jesus said, “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Should there be more? This is as it should be.
Acts 13:44-52. (AMPC)
“The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning [a]the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].
But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy and jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him].”
The problem always lies with envy and jealousy.
The Spirit of God, is present in one Church,it is growing, vibrant, lives are being changed.
The members of the dead Church down the street get jealous, envious.
It’s Dead, not because God isn’t there, but because it is so filled with reverence, rituals and ceremony, that there is no room for the Lord, to act.
They love the Lord, but fill the service, with man’s busyness, because they long ago realized it was easier to do that, then Worship in Spirit and Truth.
They can’t be still and know He is God and allow Him, by way of Praise and Worship, to minister.
They will not, go to see this wonderful thing, find out why, the other church is growing.
After all our Pastor is wonderful and teaching the truth. They only go to that growing Church, for the music, drama or the Preacher doesn’t preach the word, he just tickles the ears.
It bothers me to hear folks say, of any man of God, he isn’t teaching the Word.
Have you sat down and searched the Scriptures to see if this is true?
No, his teaching disagrees with what you have been taught. The Bible is full of wisdom, revalation and knowledge.
We must Believe it over what we may have been taught.
“And so the Word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through Christ] scattered and spread throughout the whole region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout women of high rank and the outstanding men of the town, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their boundaries.
But [the apostles] shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit.“
Take a look at your services, is the peace that passes understanding there?
How about joy unspeakable and full of glory?
Signs and Wonders, people getting saved, set free?
If not, you should go check out that growing Church, study the Word, see if they are teaching Truth.
If they are, that’s where you should Worship, because that is where you will grow. Amen
A selfish rant: theunfetIteredpreacher
When I teach and preach, I hope to effect a change in people’s lives. I study and than teach what the Lord reveals to me.
What I have been taught, was all Bible. If there was any Biblical History, included, there wasn’t much, and it was to a specific point.
The purpose of the knowledge we received, was to help us in our Walk with the Lord today.
I teach hoping to inspire folks to want more of God in their lives. I enjoy the back and forth with people who are seeking more.
The learned, that kibitz, drive me nuts. If they would interrupt with scripture that applies, that would be great, even helpful.
I want to know how to serve God today, efficiently, effectively, productively.
Rant over. Forgive me please.
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
Life After: Mother Earth News
An old tale, well told from Mother Earth News….. Don’t believe in the after life?
In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other:
“Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”
“Nonsense” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?”
The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”
The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”
The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”
The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, then why has no one has ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”
“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”
The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”
The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could not exist.”
Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”
To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and you really listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”
– Útmutató a Léleknek
#Mother Mother Earth News
Fond Memories: theunfetteredpreacher
It is sad, that I really have little memory of my High School and later years. I started drinking and abusing myself at that time.
(I don’t think I want to know or remember. I know I am ashamed of what I do remember).
Yet, I have many fond memories of my younger years, I had 4 close friends, I would like to thank.
As a young guy growing up in Ashburnham, I was blessed to know some wonderful people.
I kicked a kid in the face, on the slide, in first grade, (an accident), he became a close friend for many years.
Leo, you amaze me with your knowledge and the memories you share on the Ashburnham site.
Somehow you have grown into a valuable asset to our little home town. I have many fond memories.
Your folks were so kind to me. I still chuckle, for trying to eat the fruit that was always on the kitchen table.
I think I had a crush on your Mom, and hoped to grow up and be ruggedly handsome like your Dad.
I wish I had kept the service patches and medals I begged from him. You should have gotten them.
I spent time on your front porch, drinking beer and pouring out my troubles, after my failed marrige. I remember the kindness and wisdom, your folks shared.
The only reason I know how we met is you told me. I don’t seem to remember much, my eyes were always on myself.
Thank you for your friendship.
I have no idea how I met Joe, unless it was band, with Mrs Williams. (She was great).
Joe, I played more catch with you than should be legal. Football in grammar school, with Tom and Rick.
Walking home from football games in our Band Uniform’s.
I didn’t have a lot of contact with your Dad, but your Mom was so sweet.
We played at your house, all the time.
My dog caused me to crash my bike in front of your house. Your Mom came running out to help me.
I enjoyed my visits with her in later years, and I enjoy Matthew’s FB posts.
I was pleased to see your recent anniversary photos, congratulations.
I should have paid more attention to both you and Leo, you are both better men than I. Good examples, I ignored.
I wasted so many years in a bottle, the first half of my life. So glad I found the Lord.
Tom, was fun, popular, caring and a great friend, from football to swimming at his house.
Always a laugh, and a joy to be with. His Mom was always so kind.
Bruce, my rock and roll band mate. Thank you for the prayers. I am determined to have a better later years then the first.
Our bands, were the pits, but your friendship, priceless. You have been such a blessing since you found me on line.
You have given me hope and confidence even with my spelling. To know someone who was interested in my posts.
My heart goes out to you and Chris, I hope you are finding joy in your lives again.
I still remember the joke Chris’s Dad told me, the one time I visited her home. (I was scared to death of him).
Why do dogs have their tales between their legs, when they are running away?
Do you know?
I didn’t spend much time at your house, but was so impressed with the phone stuff, your Mom was a dispatcher or something?
Again, my eyes were on me…. sorry.
I had many others I was friendly with, but was closest to these four.
Thank you guys, you all made my youth a better place.
To all the girls I knew before. Please forgive me, my ignorance. When I was young and stupid, I was.
Do not be bamboozled: theunfetteredpreacher
You need to know the Lord.
Boat for sale: Confusion Reigns: theunfetteredpreacher
Confusion:
1 Corinthians 14:33
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,“
Confusion:
A state of mind. Most of our confusion can be found to be man made.
Unfortunately, this is the state, we seem to be living in.
Up is down, down is up, wrong is right, right is wrong, man is woman, and woman is man.
Confusion, we often cause it. In small inocent ways.
Sven notices his neighbor has a sign in his yard-
“Boat for Sale.”
“Ole,” he says, “you don’t own a boat. All you got is your old tractor and your combine.”
“Yup,” said Ole. “And they’re boat for sale.”
Sometimes, … well… a misunderstanding.
A young couple, bring their newborn into the home. The wife days, “This doesn’t look like our baby…”
The man answered, “Don’t you remember?The baby filled her diaper and you told me to go change the baby.”
Man made confusion. The confusion we are dealing with today, is definitely man made.
It is running rampant in our world today. We have gone over the edge.
Our youth do not know, whether they are boys or girls, men or women?
Feelings today, … are more important than common sense, or ancient wisdom.
What has given us this confusion? It is not from God.
It is happening because, as a society, we have rejected God.
At a college graduation. (A true story), in the mid-west.
The schools tradition, for graduation, was the men wore a blue gown, the women white.
One young girl thought she was a man, and refused to wear the white gown.
What should they do, for this confused young (Woman?)
Common sense would tell her. Our Forefathers would have told her. An adult should have told her.
“You are a woman. Wear the white.”
There would be, no discussion, no counseling, no arguing… Case closed.
Is that what happened? Of course not.
Not in this P.C. world. Afraid that we might scar her tender feelings for life, Confusion now reigns supreme.
Everyone wore blue gowns with a white sash.
Problem solved? Not at all.
No, her confusion has infected the whole school.
There was not a man in sight.
How did we get here?
Leviticus 18:22-24 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:”
Leviticus 20:11-13 (KJV)
“And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Sexual sin, so prevalent today. Has brought us CONFUSION. In NC, we have the bathroom bill.
Many seem to believe that adult males belong in the showers with young girls.
These people are not just confused, the confusion has caused them to become evil.
From gay rights, (same sex marriage), to multiple partners to man/child sex…. all are ok, to the confused.
Ten Commandments, do not mention same sex relationships. Why?
It was beyond the evil they could imagine. Why would we need to be warned about the unnatural?
In the Bible, confusion is first found in Genisis 11. The building of the tower of Babel.
“The whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. They had brick for stone, and slime had for morter, so they said, let us make brick.
Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
The Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
So the Lord scattered them abroad, from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.”
He reversed that confusion on the day of Pentecost.
Not that we now, understand each other, but that our Spirit, speaks directly to God.
Our prayers, (in the Spirit), reflect Gods, will and will cause us to do, exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask, think or even image.
Instead of embracing His Holy Spirit to guide, direct and protect us, who will keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us.
The Holy Spirit ‘s is feared, His Gifts for building the Church, rejected, misunderstood.
The Holy Spirit is not allowed to rule and reign in our mortal bodies. Sad, confusion.
Psalm 71:1
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
We sinned sexual sin, it has brought us confusion, soon to follow, destruction.
Lord, please change our hearts, minds and direction, help us to turn towards You. Amen
To Touch Him: Our Desire? theunfetteredpreacher
The last verse of Mark 6:
as many as touched him were made whole.
We must learn how to touch Him….. “My God shall supply all my needs.”
Whether it’s Healing, Comforting, Providing financial, physical, or spiritual needs, OUR GOD IS ABLE.
The Old Testament is full of testimonies of individuals, who learned how to touch the Lord.
They had a special relationship. One we should covet as our own.
Starting with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, Solomon….
All individuals, all for a time, walked with and touched the Lord, and the will of God went forth in Power.
In the time of Moses, the people feared to deal with the Lord, personally. They wanted to hear what God wanted, through a Mediator.
When Jesus came, He changed the rules.
Now, all of us are “to come boldly to the throne room of Grace, to receive Mercy and find Grace in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4)
We should learn from the Old Testament, the Word tells us:
2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
We find God stepping in to keep Abimelech, from sinning with Sarah, when Abraham, claimed she was his sister.
“God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.” (Genesis 20)
The integrity of his heart, touched God, and God, kept him from sin.
The Lord is watching us today, Wanting to show Himself strong, for those whose hearts are perfect towards Him.
Any chance your heart is perfect towards Him? What does that mean?
It is interesting, we can fail to do the right thing, yet have a perfect heart. We can also do the right thing, and miss the mark.
1 Kings 15:14
“But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”
“But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”
2 Chronicles 25
“Amaziah,did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.”
An interesting read, without a perfect heart, he fell away, and it did not end well for Amaziah.
“Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.“
To have a perfect heart towards God, does not mean we follow Him perfectly. We can miss the mark and still please Him.
We need to seek His face, want Him, desire to obey Him, to love, Worship and praise Him.
In the New Testament, we are told to:
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
We find that all of us, whosoever will, can learn to touch the Lord.
“All who touched Him, were made whole.”
We all can touch Him. We are all called to the Holy Place, the throne room of Grace.
Do not be disappointed when we fall short, not able to stay in His presence .
There are only two, who seemed to Master pleasing God. Enoch and Elijah. Both now in heaven, in bodily form, ready and waiting to return in the fulness of time.
Look to God the Auther and Finisher of our Faith. Be true to Him, He is true to us.
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.
theunfetteredpreacher 