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The glory of the Lord shall appear:   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , ,

Leviticus 9:6

“And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you.”

Are we doing the thing which the Lord commanded that we should do?  

We like to think we are.

Are we seeing the glory of the Lord?    Would we recognize it, if it was here?

1 Kings 8:10b, 11    

“The cloud filled the house of the Lord,  So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”

I am pretty sure we are not seeing this in our church services today.    Why not?

We really are not doing or living the full thing the Lord commanded.

The Lord is a Spirit, we have His Spirit, He resides within us, but haven’t spent time reading the instuction manual, learning how to Walk with Him.

John 4:23

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

John 4:24

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Philippians 3:3

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

To  many of us, these scriptures are just words.  We may know them, quote them, believe them,  and not understand how to impliment them.

Music is one of the easiest ways to enter His presence to experience His glory.  

“Now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.”

Many think it is foolish to sing 11 words 7 times as they call some forms of Worship.  

They don’t understand the point, will not submit themselves and let go.  

We need to reach out, let our spirits connect to the Holy Spirit.  This can happen in seconds or take 20 minutes, depending on the condition of our hearts. 

(Are we open, receptive, willing to allow God entrance, to gain control of our natural man)?

We allow Him into our hearts, we are saved, set free from the bondage of sin and shame.  Yet, we are afraid of the next step.

We fail to allow Him to transform our mind, to use our voice to pray His will.   

We love Romans 8:28, but fear the verses that lead us to it, ;26-27.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.


And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I am a broken record.   I cannot apologise.  We all need to be closer to Him.  The world needs to see signs and wonders.

We need to become WORKERS OF MIRACLES, WE MUST HAVE THE GIFT OF HEALINGS, THE GIFT OF FAITH.

Then will Jesus be lifted up, then He will draw all men unto Himself.

Learn to Praise, allow the Lord into your heart and mind, you will experience true Worship, the Glory of the Lord will surround you.

Allow the Lord to teach you to pray in tongues, to release yourself into His control,  to find His perfect will.

THEN ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

Quit you like men, let the Lord have control.

I hear often, we are not all workers of miracles.

Really, that is not what the Lord said in John 14, and what He sent us to do.  Have you asked Him?


Lord, release Your Spirit on Your Church today, I pray.  Amen



A minor revelation:   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , ,

I may have had a minor revelation this morning  while getting my second cup of coffee.

I am writing this during my third cup.   So take it with a grain of coffee grounds.

For 6 years now, I have tried to explain the difference between Praise and Worship, and the music involved in our UMC service.

No joy…

As I was pouring my 2nd cup, I realized, like salvation, it is foolishness to the natural man.

Please do not misunderstand, UMC people believe in Jesus, and are saved.  They just have not been taught they can be and have more in the Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 1:25

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

1 Corinthians 2:14

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

As I have pointed out in other posts, Preaching, Teaching, even Prophets, can learn their trade and practice them, in the power of the Natural Man.

They can believe in Jesus, and expound on the Word and even cause others to come to Christ. 

 It is wonderful,  the depth and hight and breadth of the love and power of God.

It is absolutely marvelous to build a body of believers.  True believers, who love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

They feed the hungry, clothe the poor, do everything physically possible, to lead them to the narrow gate.

They work hard and will receive their rewards in heaven.

The problem is they only know the Natural Man half of the Gospel.  They live it well, but the Gospel is also Spiritual.

They have never been taught how to live this life.   Most Denominational Christians today look at the Spiritual side of Christianity, as past its sell by date.  

Signs, wonders, miracles all died out with the Apostles, (those who looked Jesus in the eye).

Forgetting that Paul is our example, he never knew the man, Jesus, he met the same Jesus we know, the one sitting at the right hand of the Father.

Paul, healed the sick, raised the dead, spoke in tongues, saw signs and wonders following, and WE SHOULD TOO.

It really is about the Holy Spirit.  I long to understand how to lead these people to a deeper more fruitful walk with the Lord.

For me it begins with Praise and Worship.  I will attempt to put into words, my hearts desire.

I invite you along for the ride.   Thanks for reading this.

Who is this?   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , ,

When Jesus walked the earth many asked, “Who is this?”  He healed the sick, caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, forgave sins and threw the money changers from the Temple.

“Who is this?“

The Son of God, the Son of man, the King of Glory.

“Who is this?”    

“Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”

” Who is this Son of man?”

“Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”

“Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?”

Today, like the Pharaoh of old, mankind cries out:  “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”

The world desires someone to deliver them, save them, to heal, comfort and lead them.

“Who is it, that will come to our rescue?

The Lord told us and tells us today, if we would listen.  There is a person, a whosoever will, who will answer, the call of God.

I would love it to be me, but it could be you, It will be whosoever has a heart for God. 

Whosoever will: “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”

The Lord promised:

Jeremiah 30

“I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.

And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.“

Will you allow Him to draw you near?   Will you walk in His yoke, doing His will, changing the world by His Grace?  Will you engage your heart to seek His face?

Draw me close O’ Lord, may I be a vehicle of Your Will.  Amen

My heart was bitter:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

Psalm 73:21-23
New Living Translation (NLT)
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.  

I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.   

Yet I still belong to you;  you hold my right hand.“

The psalmists prayer, then my own.

While struggling with my pride, conceit and imaginations. 

I look up, and realize that the problem is me.  

While I misunderstood, bitterness and envy  were tearing me up inside.

I was a wounded animal, lashing out in pain and frustration.

Yet, You were there, holding my hand.  

I was embraced and inclosed, by Your love.  

Forgiven.   Thank You.  Amen



You art and offence:   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

“Thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.​”

This was Jesus speaking to Peter, after Peter contradicted what Jesus had just explained.

Peter was reacting, thinking, speaking from the Natural, Human perspective.

Jesus had expounded on the Spiritual.  We still do it today.

Galatians 3:3
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

So many of us get saved, a Spiritual experience.  Then learn, recite and preach by our Natural abilities.

Some do this well, others, not so much.   Most do not realize they are trying to do a Spiritual task, by fleshly means.

They speak the right words, believe the truth, but do not have a clue, how to live it, never mind how to share it in Power.

I understand why…  I do it myself.   I’ll take it from here, Lord, is much easier then, Lord, draw me close to You, never let me stray.  Show me Your way, Oh Lord.

If you want a larger congregation, dump your plan, draw close to Him, let Him have His way.

His way is higher and better, the results and praise are His, you are just the vehicle used for His Glory.

Lord, make me a vehicle, I pray.   Amen

That we might:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , ,

That we might,  a powerful promise, that  expresses  permission, liberty, probability, possibility….  

We have permission, the freedom, the ability to become, or attain the following:

“that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

We might be the vehicle the Lord uses to bring someone to the knowledge of salvation.

“that we might live through him.”

We might find our peace, joy, comfort, guidence and direction throught Him.

“that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

We might be holy, sanctified, justified, forgiven, even blameless as we live through Him.

“that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

We might, and we have been adopted.

“that we might be justified by faith.”

It is just as if I never sinned,  I am justified.

“that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Jesus is our wisdom and righteousness.

“that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Too many never receive this promise, they do not understand the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and never receive the fullness of the Gospel.   So Sad…

“that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

Again, another missed opportunity for many, we bury the gifts instead of increasing the church through them.

“that we might work the works of God?”

What is the work of God?  To know God is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

When we refuse much that the Lord would have us to have, we end up with, powerless preaching, terrible teaching, problematic prophecies, pointless prayer.   Your choice.

We might, OR MIGHT NOT.

IT IS UP TO US.

  

Today, I am Jonah:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

Jonah 4:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.


Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Today,  I am Jonah.  I am exceedingly displeased, and very angry.  

Why?

Because, I have yet to learn, how to submit to, and obey the Lord.   I am full of pride, selfishness, and ego.  I am not humble, teachable, pliable…  

I am not a useable vessel for the Lord.

“Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.”

If I am not yet a useable vessel, will I ever become one?

Jonah was sent to preach repentance, to a people who had fallen away.  He claimed to know better, that they would repent and therefore, there was no reason for him to go.

Truth is, he didn’t like those people, and really, who cares if they get  destroyed?

I believe I was sent to this UMC, to bring them into an understanding, that God is bigger, more personal, more powerful, more relevant in our lives.

I have fallen in love with this people, I want them to know the blessings of walking with the Lord.   The peace that passes understanding, the joy unspeakable and full of glory.

I am a failure.   Take me home Lord.  It is better for me to die than live.

Do I mean it?   Sometimes, but I get over it.  I repent, ask forgiveness, turn to the Lord, and cry help.

Someday, soon I pray, the Lord will see fit to allow me the pulpit, to share what He has taught me.

To grow His body, the church.  Aparently, my compassion is lacking.   lol

Pray for me, please.

Because thine heart was tender; theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord.”

Is your heart tender?  Are you listening?  Have you humbled yourself before the Lord?

Do you understand where we are headed?  A country, that once revered Godly principles, morality, standards…  now, turning its back on the Lord.

Embracing sin, rejecting truth, denying  the Holy One and His love.  

Listen and live:

Kings 22:19
“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.”

The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of the righteous, the humble, those who plead for the lives of others.

Jude 1
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.   

And of some have compassion, making a difference:   And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

We must pray for our country, that we would be led by Godly leaders, that they would walk in wisdom towards those without.

That they would lead us toward the Lord, instead of away.   

We may just delay the date of destruction,  we may be too far gone…  We must try, for our children and grand children.

“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord,”

We must hear, the Lords cry, and pray.

She hath done what she could:   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

Mark: 14. 8. 

“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”

She had brought an alabaster box of precious ointment, anointed Jesus with it.  There were some who were indignant at the waste of money.   (It could have gone to the poor).

She did what she could.   Have we?   She gave what she had, a treasure, precious, expensive, probably not easily replaced.   

What have we given?  He doesn’t want much, just our all.  He expects our tithe, a tenth of our earnings as His due.   Not because He needs our money, but so we receive the blessings of giving.

What He really desires is our life, given for  His pleasure, in Praise, Worship and obedience.   Building His body, walking in Faith, believing His Promises.   Speaking that which is not, into existence.

Abram, had his name changed to Abrahem, (Father of many Nations), before he received the promised child.  He would tell people his name, and speak it into existence.

He was willing to sacrifice, (kill the child), to be obedient to the Lords command.  Believing that the Lord could and would, raise him from the dead if need be.

He had this testimony:  “He believed God and it was counted for him as righteousness.”   Also when Sodom and Gomorrah were destinded for destruction the Lord said:  Genesis: 18. 

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;   Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?   For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

“For I know him“….  Abraham gave his all also.

How about us?   Have we given our best?    Our all?   Has it cost us to serve the King?

My words;  they are life:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , ,

The words of the Lord, are life, unto those who find them.

Proverbs 4:20-22

King James Version (KJV)
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Life, and health to their flesh,  Gods words…  

I have been at this little UMC for about 6 years.  I believe the Lord brought me there, for me to learn people skills.

(I am of the Dr Laura, school of counselling).  Why did you do that, could you not see where  that would lead?

I also believe, I was brought there to lead the Pastor to a deeper knowledge of the Lord.

I have failed in both areas.

I am in my 60’s and am one of the youth in the church.  lol..  

It has been a struggle for me,  I desire, they be healthy, strong and joyful, and quite frankly, I am not sure what or how to pray for the ravages of time.
3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

I cannot stop time, but I trust their souls can prosper.  There are 5 or more folks who are in poor health.

I had the brainstorm, to give them, Charles Capps book, “God’s Creative Power For Healing.”

He gathers scriptures about healing, all in one little booklet.  I have gotten and studied several of his pamphlets, (In Him, Finances, ect).

They are wonderful ways to learn Gods word. 

 You read them out loud, over and over.  You build up your faith, by hearing the word spoken.  

Suddenly His words are in your eyes, ears and heart.   They are life and health unto those who find them.

I gave them out today.  I really have little hope  that they will even read them once.   They have not been taught the Word has Power.

They are comfortable, in their salvation and with the small God they allow to move in their lives.

I am heart broken….   I will be praying these scripures for them though.  In Faith that God can touch and enlighten them.

Lord, send Your Spirit of Truth, to  this place You have planted me.   Amen

A Rambling Man:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

Do you wonder why the adverage church in the US has less then 100 active members? 

Do you wonder why there is a little church on every corner?

Do you wonder about church splits, over the color of the rug, or some other non spiritual, or scriptual reason?

Do you wonder why your needs do not get fulfilled,  whether spiritual, physical, emotional or financial, …  even when you are faithful in attendance at church?

The  Lord asked Peter, 3 times, if he loved Him?

Peter answered 3 times yes…  

If we asked your Pastor, Do you love Jesus?   His answer would be yes…

The Lord told Peter 3 times:   Feed My Sheep.  

 Herein lies the rub.   

We do not understand how to feed, SPIRITUAL FOOD.

Churches are small, needs are not met, there are splits and divisions, no peace, joy or love… and especially NO POWER.

Because we are not feeding the sheep.

We preach many anointed messages,  teach many interesting things, but our people hunger for Spiritual food, as we give them milk.

1 Corinthians 3
King James Version (KJV)
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

We have church people who do not know how to pray the word of God, and  apparently many pastors with the same problem.

Our Pastors are Rambling Men,  they do not study systematically so they do not preach and teach systematically.

We need to go through the books of the Bible showing our folks where the scriptures are we pray, explain the content, the history, the meaning then, how it applies now.

That way, they are getting small bites, that they can digest easily, and it builds on what they ate last week..

The churches I see that are successful, are teaching, building the body.  One book, one verse at a time.

Trusting in the Holy Spirit to teach, not church doctrine….  the word.   

Ask the Holy Spirits guidance on those verses you’ve never heard taught, or have been told do not apply to us today.

There is no sell by date on the word of God.  Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Once again I leave you with Deuteronomy 29:29

Why?   Because there is so much revealed, that we ignore.

“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.”

Lord, help us to recognize that which is revealed, so that we may do Your work.  Amen

That ye might 2:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

​THAT WE MIGHT:   

➢be filled

➢might know 

➢might believe

➢might have life

➢might be saved

➢might fear the Lord 

➢might walk worthy


Jesus came to earth to live and die for us,  “That ye might.”   I keep putting we, because it is available to all, but the Word is speaking to us as individuals.


He desires that we be filled:

-with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge”

-“with all the fulness of God.”

Knowledge of His will, here, now on earth. In worldly wisdom as well as Spiritual understanding. 

This means, we must understand the Spiritual side of Salvation, and also understand, why He gave us Spiritual Gifts. (To increase the Church, to do His will).

He wants us to be filled with the FULNESS OF GOD.  What could that mean?

➢Full of love

➢Full of grace 

➢Full of mercy

➢Fuul of;  Godly wisdom, knowledge, boldness, Faith, Power, Peace and Joy…

That we might in know:

“That we would know and be able to share the love of Christ.” (foolishness to the unbelievers).

That we would know how to increase His Church,  that is one of  our only charges.  “Go, ye therefore and teach all nations.”

We need to know how to use the tools He has given us…

Isaiah 42:6-7

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”
Saints, we cannot do this without His tools.

That ye might:   That is our problem, ye might, that means many of us will not.   Too many of us “will not.”    

Many will not even ask the Lord, about the Spiritual Gifts,   I have the Gift to teach or preach,  I don’t need the others.

If  JESUS NEEDED, SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES TO DRAW PEOPLE TO HIMSELF, Why do we believe we don’t.

THE CHURCH NEEDS MORE:

WORKERS OF MIRACLES, MEN WITH THE GIFT OF FAITH, MEN WITH THE GIFTS OF HEALING.

If you being evil, give good gifts, how much more our heavenly Father, will give us good gifts.

Church, we need to repent, for burying the Talents, (Gifts of the Spirit), the Master left us.  Instead of learning their increase, for the building of His Church.

Become a Spiritual Dispenser…  The world needs the Power and Love of God.   Amen


That ye might:   theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

That ye might:  Might what?   A  Powerful promice, we might what?  

Jesus lived and died, so That we might:

The Bible was written, so That we might:

Paul, prayed: That we might:

“God so loved the world:   THAT WE MIGHT:

MIGHT WHAT:

“That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;   And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge”
Sounds good.

“That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Wonderful.

“That ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.”
A Precious Promise.

“That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
“That ye might believe.”
“That ye might have life.”
“That ye might be saved.”
“That ye might believe him.”
He has given us, His all, THAT WE MIGHT:

“That ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.”
“That ye might know that I am the Lord your God.”
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
THAT WE MIGHT:   

➢be filled

➢might know 

➢might believe

➢might have life

➢might be saved

➢might fear the Lord 

➢might walk worthy

So do we?

Outside the Main Stream:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , ,

Jesus, is the only way to Salvation, the only path way to the Father.   It is by His blood I am saved.

He died for “ME.”  If I was the only man on earth, He would have given His life, so I could have a personal relationship with Him and the Father, by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

I am a child of God, because “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

That being said,  I know, I am not, in the  Mainstream, Evangelical Christian school of thought, as it concerns the Gifts of the Spirit.

Even in the Charismatic or Pentecostal Church, we may hear  a message and interpretation in Tongues, but not nearly as often as we did in the 80’s.

We don’t explain which gifts are on display in the Old Testiment, Prophecy, Faith, Words of Knowledge or Wisdom, Miracles, Discerning of Spirits, ect…

They are not explained for what they are.   The Power of God at work in our midst.  We are not told to seek them, we don’t really believe they are available to regular people, sinners like us.

We have placed the great men of Faith, on a pedestal.

We think they had a special anointing from God, and they did.  It is an anointing available to whosoever will seek it.

Psalm 27:8
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

Is that you or me?  Or does this discribe us better?

Ezekiel 34:6
“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.”

Are we wandering, scattered all over the face of the earth?   Jesus did search us out, He knocked at the door of our hearts, we answered by inviting Him in.

Since then, instead of drawing close, we have wandered afield.  Far away from the place of Power.

We don’t seek His face, we seek stuff.  We don’t enjoy His presence, we want His presents.

We seek healing, financial blessings, we cry out: “touch me O’ Lord.”   

When the Word tells us in Mark 6: That when Jesus came to town:  

“They ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”

“As many as touched HIM, were made whole.”

We need to learn to touch Him, SEEK HIS FACE, to become one with Him, in obedience, in love, in grace to others.

Jeremiah 29:13
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Lord, create in me a clean heart, a heart that SEEKS ONLY YOU.  Amen

My Obsession:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

My Obsession:

If you read my posts, you know what it is.  

I desire to serve a God of Power and  Might, who Heals the Sick, causes the blind to see, the lame to walk.

In short, the God, Jesus of the New Testiment.  He promised in John 14:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.   If ye love me, keep my commandments.“

What works did He do?  He would Preach, Teach, heal the sick, raised the dead…  He met the needs of all who came to Him.

What works do we do?  We Preach, Teach, give food, clothes, finances, prayer and earthly comfort.  What is missing?  POWER!!!

Why, is God asleep?   Maybe He is taking a walk?   He could be watching a movie, or an exciting TV show, and He’ll hear us later?

It is up to us, whosoever will, to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

We like to think, when we pray, that is what is happening.  It is a start, but far from the finish.

This is my prayer:

“Lord, help me to loose my life so others might know You,  that I might be a vessel of Your Love and Grace, that souls could be saved.  That the sick and needy could be healed.

That You would be lifted up, and all men would be drawn to You.  You would be Glorified, Magnified, Exalted and Worshiped.

Lord, that Your will would be done, now, as it is in heaven, and that I might be a vessel of Your truth.

Amen


Saints, My Obsession?  To see the Lords work done in Power, Might and Love.  How about you?

The Mount of Transfiguration:  theunfetteredpreacher

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Luke 9:28-36

“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:”  (the story continues).

Peter, James and John were there, witnessing the impossible.  Christ, in His Glorified body, speaking face to face with Moses and Elijah.

Moses who, by the way, had been dead, lo, these many years, and no one knows where he was buried.

Then we have Elijah, last seen alive assending into heaven in a whirlwind, while a chariot of fire was flying around to confuse things.

Both these men, representing the Law and the Prophets, standing before them, in a conversation with Jesus, about His soon to come Passion.

They hear a voice from heaven saying:  “This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

Peter speaks, “not knowing what he said.”

Can you blame him?   Nope…  incredible, unbelievable, not physically possible, but happening.    

 Yes, as a beliver, I believe it happened, just as the Word states.  It is, “A God thing.”

As we study the Word there are a lot of “God things.”   

What interests me most, are the great men of God.

Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, the list is seemingly endless.

Until the Apostles, then, it seems, no more great men of God.

Oh, we have great Preachers and Teachers, Leaders and Prophets…  

Why so many of these and so few workers of miracles, men with the Gifts of Healing, men with  the Gift of Faith to move mountains.

We can learn to Teach and Preach, Lead and Prophecy, by study of the Word and the Anointing of God which comes from Prayer.

Some have a great Anointing, multitudes follow, and others not so much.  

We see vary few working in the Gifts of the Spirit.   Does God no longer care to heal the sick, raise the dead, or cause the blind to see?

Hebrews 13:8, says:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Our error today is thinking these great men of God were more than mere men.  They were not.

The only difference between Noah, Moses, Abraham, the Apostles, and Anybody 2016, is the fact that they believed God and acted on His Word.

I’ve heard it said, “The Apostles could do those miracles because they had known Jesus, looked at Him, eye to eye.” 

Paul, it comes to mind, knew Him as we do.  Yet, still did the miraculous.  How come?

Paul, tells us how, we just don’t follow through.

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Where is the “Throne of Grace?”  At the feet of Jesus.

Saints, we need to sit at His feet, learn of Him, beyond how to share the Gospel, learn how to increase in His Talents, The Gifts of the Spirit, the tools He left us to build His Church.

“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ:”  (Revelation 12),  

The voice of God on how to overcome the accuser.  (The devil, unbelief, fear of failure).  

The Lord has given us Salvation, Strength, His Kingdom is at hand, we are in it,  the Power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

He even told us how to use it:  “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

The BLOOD OF THE LAMB, THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY, WILLING TO GIVE UP OUR LIVES FOR HIM.

Like Moses, when the people sinned, forgive them Lord, or blot me out of Your book.

Jesus died for us.  Are you willing to give all that others might be made free?

That is the secret to working in Gods Power.  Not so easy, not for everyone,  maybe it’s you?

Lord, raise up whosoever will.  Amen

Searched Daily, whether things were so:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

​Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

I have been at this little UMC  for about six years.  I am planted where the Lord placed me. I have a lot to learn and I am learning.

I believe I have a lot to give…  They are not receiving.   

There is no readiness of mind.

➢ We have never heard that, it can not be true…

They refuse to search the scriptures to see whether Thoses things are true,  

➢ They do search trying to disprove the truth.

I believe my time here is done… Lord, help me to be an obedient, trustworthy vessel of Your will.    Amen

Beaten, Strangled, Stabbed and Dismembered:  theunfetteredpreacher

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Beaten, Strangled, Stabbed and Dismembered: 

 That is how a local  woman, was reportedly murdered, recently.  (So sad).

We do not have many murders in small town, NC.  This really rocked our town.

I understand they arrested the murderer in Oregon, USA… about 3,000 miles from here, a few days later.

I guess, it is true, you cannot, out run, a radio.

(Wisdom, from the 1930’s gangster movies).   

I have been upset with, and at times, mad enough to plan murder, but… never seriously considered following through.

So how upset must you be to: Beat, Strangle, Stab and Dismember someone.   (I cannot imagine).

This is demonic behavior.

We see more and more insane, demonic acts, sniper fire killing 5 policemen, 7 more wounded. 

Police blamed for black deaths, when if the black folks had done as requested, they would be fine.  (In jail, but alive).

We blame the guns, the Police, or racism, when the problem is the lack of God in our lives.

We have rejected the Lord in our public and then private lives.   No God in our courts, schools or government.

Then we wonder why there is no justice,  sin is embraced and morality is rebuked.

We need to repent as a country, a nation, a people.

    2 Chronicles 7:14
    “If my people, which are called by myname, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Sanity isn’t that far away.  As far as our knees from the floor.  Is it possible for us to return to a sane, God fearing, God  serving  Nation?

YES, WHEN WE LEARN TO PRAY… WHEN WE LEARN TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, WHEN WE SEEK GOD, TURN FROM OUR SIN, WHEN WE REPENT.

Lord, help us to obey and love You.   Amen

Tales from my Father 6:  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , ,

By the time I was a self-centered teenager, my Mom was being tormented by arthritus, both osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritus.

I wasn’t paying attention, but she could hardly walk, (Dad carried her up the stairs), and her hands got all deformed.

She was also on massive amounts of pain pills, which just happened to coincide with my new love, getting wasted.  (Pot or booze).

So we were ships passing, polite, uncaring, leave us alone, stoned.  Dad, cared for Mom, worked as usual and as long as things were calm, everything was fine.

Then it wasn’t.  I went off the rails.

I caused so much pain, in my uncaring rebellion, to my family and others.  

I wish I could relive my young and stupid years, with a whole lot less stupid.   (Afraid not)

It is what it is, I have repented, turned my life around, moved on, but I cannot undo the hurt I have caused.   I am so sorry.  

A few years after that, my Dad had a massive heart attack, while fixing a customers tire, 6am one morning, at work.

Thank God, that Jimmy DeCarolis,who was Police Chief in town,happened to stop by to say hi, found my Dad and rushed him to the hospital.

He never worked again, (he was able to use his  printing press, eventually).  My folks moved to Florida.

I followed a few years later, in my search for a God of Power and love.  They continued to love and accept me…  

I never realized, till I had Celeste, what the love of the Father was.