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Worship Wednesday:  Video-  Psalm 115:9-13:  theunfetteredpreacher 

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/h8asgqxgrxgyqoy/2017-07-09%2013.13.20.mp4?dl=0

An old favorite, played and sung by me… I don’t have the voice or chops I once had.

“The piano ain’t got no wrong notes.”
― Thelonious Monk

I stand by his quote.    lol

Psalm: 115:9-13

“O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 

Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 

The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 

He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.“

If Trump were a Biblical figure?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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If Trump were a Biblical figure which one would he be?

David?  Not hardly, he doesn’t seem to be the type to rely on God.  I think he believes, but is likely to say:  “It’s OK Lord, I’ll take it from here.”

Solomon?   I  don’t think so.  A lot of his tweets, are not wise, though they usually hit the mark.

Jonah?  I somehow doubt it.  He is eagerly doing the work of God.  Draining that swamp.  No,  there’s no hesitation there.

Moses?  Nope, although the Legislative branch, refuses to enter the promised land, and will continue to wander the desert. 

Noah?  lol…   He is certainly  not, a preacher of righteousness.   How long could he tread water?

I guess I could eliminate 95% of our Biblical heros, but there is one who fits.

A man, certainly, a man used by God.  We know him for his hair.   He was set aside from birth, a man destined to deliver, his people from destruction.

A womanizer, first class.  Yet a man of increadable purpose. 

Who was that man?   

SAMSON,  the mighty man, used of God, to deliver Israel from their enimies.  

He was not a Godly man, but a MAN USED BY GOD.

That, dear friends is why I voted for and support Donald Trump.  As a Christian, I realize God doesn’t always use the Godly to fulfil His purpose. 

He uses the willing and available. 

Amen

Where is your Bethel?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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Genesis 35:15
“And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.”

Do you have a Bethel?   The place where you have heard the voice of God?  Jacob, called such a place, Bethel, (The House of God).

It was a special place, God sent him back there to build an (alter to God),  a house for God.

There are many churches called Bethel, and you might find God in some, but that is not the best place to look.

So where is my Bethel?   I have almost always heard from God, after I’ve truly sought Him, in Praise, Worship and Prayer.

After totally giving myself to Him.  Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, 4-6a;  tells us:
“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin;”

Be careful in prayer.  Do not make promises you can not keep.  

“Oh Lord, I will never do that again.  I will seek Your face every day.  I will do whatever You call me to do. Lord, I will give all my extra cash to the poor.”

Paul called the sin that so easy besets,  a sin that easily besets, because it is a sin that easily besets.

There are things, in our life, that we should not do, that we repeatedly do.  Why?  See Above.

Paul asked the Lord three times for relief.  The answer:  “My Grace is sufficient “.

Make promises you can keep.  You will never be sinless,  just Blameless, and Forgiven, in the Beloved.

The Lust of the flesh, Lust of the eyes and Pride of life, will always beset us.   The Lord promises: 

Ezekiel 39:7 (KJV)
“So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.”

Even now, today, the Lord demands a Holy People.  We must come to Him, covered in the blood of Jesus.

“Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. ”  We attain perfection,  only because we are covered by the blood of the Lamb.  

Seek Him.

Proverbs 8:17
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

Proverbs 8:35
“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 29:13
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Matthew 11:29
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Lord help us to find our Bethel.   Help us to hear Your voice.

Amen

Do you believe the Bible?   theunfetteredpreacher 

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Do you believe the Bible?  Or do you believe what you have been taught the Bible says?

Unfortunately,  most of us believe what we have been taught.  We will look at what the Bible says, and reject it.   Because it doesn’t match up with what we have been told.

This isn’t because our Pastors and Teachers are trying to lead us astray.   No, they are teaching us what they have learned, from people they respect.   They are just passing along erroneous information,  they believe is truth.   

Why?

(They are not leading us astray.  Just not encouraging the growth that comes from the truth.)

The truth, quite simply is, we all read our Bibles, with our Denominational glasses on.  What we have heard, seen, and believed of the Bible, is at best, second hand knowledge. 

We need to be interested enough to read and explore it ourselves.   We will be surprised. 

When I first discovered these things, I would label them “Billisms”, it was a mistake.   

People hearing them or reading them, would just say, “Oh, that’s just Bill.”  My Denomination doesn’t teach it that way.

So it took awhile to realize these truths need to be presented as Biblical Truths, not Bills truths.

So, I ask you to read, and maybe reread some of my posts.  I  promise you, if you find something you haven’t heard before,  if you look, I will have two or three other scriptures,  to confirm my teaching.

So it is a choice.  Don’t believe me, when I say something.   Check in the Bible, am I conveying Biblical Truth, or error?

Have you always believed truth, or is it possible that revelation knowledge has exceeded what Luther, Calvin or the Wesley brothers knew?

I believe revelation knowledge is available to all who seek to know Jesus better.  Who will walk with Him in obedience, trusting His Holy Spirit,  to guide, direct and protect us.

Who will comfort, fill us with peace, joy and love.  Who will show us the more excellent way.

Please, believe what the Word says, not what you have been told it says.  You will have eyes that see and ears that hear.

 I believe that it will lead to a church with power.   Lord, please, may it be.

Amen

The Ministry Years: – 24th Miracle-  as many as touched him –   theunfetteredpreacher 

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This one has been in the hopper for quite some time.  It holds a timeless truth.

Will I ever learn it?

As many as touched Him were healed.  It is recorded in two gospel accounts.

Mark 6:53-56. Matthew 14:34-36

Mark 6:53-56
“And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

And 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.”

Matthew 14:34-36
“And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.”

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

Why were all healed in this town, and so many in other towns were not.  He traveled in many towns, there were many at the pool of Bethesda, He only healed one.  There were many crowded about Him, multitudes,  according to Matthew,  wherever He went.    Few were touched and healed.

There are many that  need healing in our town, will they, can they be healed?

The people in Gennesaret were different, their Faith was displayed.  Like the folks that dropped their friend, through the roof, of the house where Jesus  was.   Jesus saw their faith.  How can we show our Faith?

First step…  the people of Gennesaret….

>  They knew Him:

So many of us know of Him, we believe in Him, even love Him,  yet we haven’t taken the time to know Him.

Do we pray,  If it be Your will?    We should know His will.   We should recognize His ways.

He would have all men be Saved.  He knows, a lot will not, accept Him.

He would that all be healed.  He knows some will not believe.

He would comfort, love, give peace and joy to all.

Many do not know how to access this.  Can it be taught?

We must know Him, we do this by reading His Word, in conjunction with fasting and prayer.  By learning to Praise and Worship.

Step 2

>  Faith is Action:

They went out and brought the sick and afflicted into His presence.

Our problem today?   Thanks for not coming  to church with that cold…  you could have spread it to everyone.

Do not share the communion wine, (grape juice),  it’s unsanitary.  Did you wash your hands?

Could you imagine this taken place with Jesus?

Ahhh, Jesus, did you wash up before your broke the fish and bread?  Don’t you care about germs?

Where is our faith?    Or is it we don’t really believe, Jesus is in our midst?   Is He, in our midst?

>  The sick need to take action also:

We can bring them into His Presence, but they need to reach out for Him also.

The real question is, how do we get into His Presence?   He is no longer wondering around in human form.  Is it possible to experience His Presence in our current life?

The woman with the issue of blood, had to press through the crowd to touch Him.   We must do the same today.

Whether in prayer and fasting or through Praise and Worship.  He will be found, if our hearts are right.  Our Prayers will be answered if our requests are right.   Never for our own gain, always for others.

True Praise was the most dependable road to His Presence in my experience.  It has always opened the door to His Throne Room. Unfortunately, I do not experience that in my current position.

As a matter of fact…   The Church (as a whole), needs to relearn, how to enter into His Presence.   How to wait on the Lord, in silent expectation.

How to recognize His voice, in our hearts, minds and ears.  To see Him in the Natural World, as well as in the Spiritual Realm.

We can experience His Power and Promise…  when we allow His Presence into our Churches.   Unfortunately,  this is a tall order.

Our Rituals and Ceremonies, Hymns and a Responsive Readings, leave little room for the Lord to enter.  (Because of our limitted time).

We must all, learn it individually… alone, at home.  Before it becomes a corporate practice.  Can we do it?

Lord, help us to grow in You.   Amen

The LGBTQ, Agenda:  theunfetteredpreacher 

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Reading a post on FB, about a Lesbian Kindergarten Teacher, in Toronto Canada.   I copied and put in Bold Print, their agenda for our children. 

It is here for your information.  I am sure you could find the whole article on FB, if you so desired. 

Christians, this is a scary truth…  The left has left any pretence of morality, decently, or of a sound mind, behind.

They have proudly proclaimed their plans.  Personally,  I  do not care what they do, in their own lifes.  Let it Be.

Indoctrination of young minds to an acceptance of and encouragement to this lifestyle, IS JUST WRONG.

Please read these excerpts from the article.  

“Lesbian teacher: 

How I convince kids to accept gay ‘marriage’, starting at 4 years old“

With [the principal’s] encouragement, we decided that I would go from class to class and talk about what ‘gay’ means, what does ‘LGBTQ’ mean, what do ‘I’ mean,” she told about 40 attendees, all educators, at her workshop.

Strong related how she began with the junior kindergarten class.”

“It’s normal in my classroom’


“All my class is very used to who I am. My family picture is very proudly in my room now. 

On Mondays they quite often will say, ‘What did you do with your wife?’ It’s normal in my classroom.”

And I started in Kindergarten. What a great place to start. It was where I was teaching. So, I was the most comfortable there,” Pam Strong said at the conference, attended by LifeSiteNews.

‘It’s normal in my classroom’

In 2011 U.S. gay activist Daniel Villarreal penned a column for Queerty.com stating that the time had come for the homosexual lobby to admit to “indoctrinating” schoolchildren to accept homosexuality.

“Why would we push anti-bullying programs or social studies classes that teach kids about the historical contributions of famous queers unless we wanted to deliberately educate children to accept queer sexuality as normal?”

“We want educators to teach future generations of children to accept queer sexuality. In fact, our very future depends on it. 

Recruiting children? You bet we are,” he added.

Homosexual activist Michael Swift wrote in 1987 in the Gay Community News that school children would become explicit targets for homosexual indoctrination. 

“We shall seduce them in your schools…They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us,” he wrote at the time. Recruiting children? You bet we are’

Though homosexual activists claim their efforts in the schools are a way of combatting bullying, a number of homosexual activists have highlighted that the movement’s goal is in fact to “indoctrinate” children into accepting the normalcy of the homosexual lifestyle.“I am here to tell you: 

All that time I said I wasn’t indoctrinating anyone with my beliefs about gay and lesbian and bi and trans and queer people? 

That was a lie,” wrote Canadian gay activist Sason Bear Bergman, a woman who identifies as a transgender man, in a March 2015 piece titled “I Have Come to Indoctrinate Your Children Into My LGBTQ Agenda (And I’m Not a Bit Sorry).” 

Bergman holds nothing back, stating she wants to make children “like us” even if that “goes against the way you have interpreted the teachings of your religion.”

And my class all of a sudden popped up. ‘LGBTQ’ was on the board, ‘lesbian,’ and all the different words coming out there. And I sat back and said, ‘Let’s review.’ So, the last year and a half of ‘inclusive’ education came alive in my classroom.”

Strong called it “key” to develop a “positive classroom culture” — and she mentioned it often takes months — before getting into what she called “difficult conversations” with students about convincing students of the normality of her sexual preference for women.

She mentioned how she spends time “building a common vocabulary” in her classroom of words like “stereotype, prejudice, discrimination” so her students will be able to more readily conform to her pro-LGBTQ message.

Strong called it a “fantastic lesson for kids of all ages.”

Let me be clear.  I  am a sinner, saved by the Grace of God.  I hate sin, but love the sinner.

If the LGBTQ,  community wishes to live in that world, I do not condemn them.

When they tell my child, or any child, it is Normal, or perfectly acceptable behavior.  They have crossed a line.

Children are born male or female.  They may go through phases where they play with the other genders, toys.  This is NORMAL.

We should never allow them to be bullied, nor should we encourage them to become something other then what they were born as, a boy or girl.

It is child abuse, to encourage a young boy, to think, act and pretend, he is a girl, or for a young girl a boy.

Parents and Teachers who prey on children like this, should be locked up.   A child is a precious gift from God. 

Those who harm them, in any way….

Lord, please protect our children.  Please keep them safe from these deceptive teachings.  

Draw our children  to You.

Please forgive us our sins, our stupidity, our malicious actions.  Our not standing up and saying:   NO MORE, STOP, TURN BACK TO GOD.

Only You, Oh Lord, can turn us back to Loving and Serving You.  Please Lord, soon.

Happy Fathers Day:  theunfetteredpreacher 

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Happy Fathers Day …. I miss you Dad


The only family picture I have… I think 1984?

Martha, Bill, Bob, David, Dorothy 


Last picture of David


Martha


Dave’s house, year he died


At Mom’s funeral.  

Martha, Bill, Eric, Emma, Amy, Ken


Celeste, Bill, Bette

Just wanted to Remember. 

An old message revisited:  theunfetteredpreacher 

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https://theunfetteredpreacher.com/2016/08/09/is-exceptionalism-for-christians-theunfetteredpreacher/

Exceptional Chr2

Can we learn, how to Pray?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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I long to learn to pray prayers, that result in answers, to pray effectual, fervent prayers that availeth much.  

It troubles me that our Churches seem Powerless.  If Christ is present, why is there a problem? 

To be honest, a lot of our prayers are for financial problems, or about physical sickness or distress.   

We pray for things we see, touch, taste, hear and feel.

Then we wonder at the lack of progress (in our growth), in our walk with Christ.  We wonder why our prayers are not answered, or at best, not often. 

If we study the prayers of Paul, for the church, and learn to follow his lead, we might find results, beyond our dreams.

The first thing, I notice is Paul is praying for others.  We do not hear a lot of personal needs or desires, except, for the sin that so easily besets him.

He asked the Lord three times to remove this messenger of Satan, to be told the Grace, (the unmarited mercy and favor), of God, is enough.

We need to know how to repent, to get back in right standing with God…  it was both David and Pauls secret, to have a heart after God.

No, for the most part, the prayers that he wrote, were for others.   I will attempt to break down his prayer, from Ephesians 1.

     *  He gives thanks for others, by name to the Lord.

I give thanks that they walk with You, and know and serve You, draw them closer, Please Lord.

     *   He prays for the Spirit of Wisdom, (Jesus), (1 Corinthians 1:30), and Revaluation in our Knowledge of Him. 

Lord, may You reveal Yourself to them, increasing their knowledge and love for You with their  every breath. 

     *   The eyes of our understanding be opened, that we would know, recognize the hope, He has for us.  That we would grab ahold of His promises and power, to do His will.

That we would accept the inheritance He left us.  The Ministry Gifts and the Gifts of the Spirit.  That we would grow into You.

     *   That we would know and use the Power we have, in the belief of His Name and His Promises. 

He said, so many times:  ONLY BELIEVE!!!  Only, …   we don’t. 

     *   That Power is the Power of the Resurrection.  

Paul, prayed for this Power, (Philippians  3:10), recognizing he also had to share the fellowship of His suffering, and be made into HIS IMAGE. 

     *   He wants us to have Power above that of the Prince of this world.  To have Dominion, to Rule over, not be a Servant of the limits of this World.

We are not limited by the Laws of Nature.  

Phillip was translated to another place, after, he had served Gods purpose where he was.   The dead have been raised, the lame healed, the sick have recovered. 

ONLY BECAUSE PETER, PAUL, JOHN, STEVEN AND OTHERS…..  ONLY BELIEVED!!!

Church, there is something wrong with our belief system.  I believe it can be corrected. 

I believe God would have us, living in a place of Power.  A place of Answered Prayer. 

We first need to read, study, listen to the miracles in the Word.  Faith, comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. 

The second thing we need to do is to learn how to pray, as Paul prayed.   In thanksgiving, for more of Jesus, that our eyes would be opened, to see the Spiritual Blessings available to those Who Believe. 

Then we need to seek and accept the Gifts He has given us…  They are freely given and awaiting our acceptance, we must ask and receive tham, as we did our Salvation. 

Lord, hear our Prayer.   Amen

Does God still build,  Hedges?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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The Lord, built a Hedge around Job.  He caused all the work of his hands to prosper.  The Devil was convinced, the reason Job served God, was because of this protection, because of these blessings.

The Lord has promised us several times, to prosper us, to meet our needs, to supply exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think or even imagine. 

He also promises, we can do all things, through Christ Jesus.   Jesus said, we would do all He did and more.

The Devil is just as convinced, that we love and serve the Lord, because we trust these promises to be being fulfilled. 

Saints, I pray that isn’t the reason we serve the Lord.   No, if we look at Job, the Lord told the Devil and us, why he was so prosperous. 

“The Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

The qualities of Job, we must learn to emulate. 

     ●   There is none like him, A perfect and upright man:

What? How could that be?  What does this mean, for me, today? 

Proverbs: 2. 10,11,20,21 

“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 

That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 

For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.”

When Wisdom,  (Jesus), enters our hearts, when His knowledge becomes, pleasent to our soul.  

That is when we begin to walk in the right way, and keep to the narrow path of righteousness. 

Then we will dwell in the land and remain.

To be perfect and upright, blameless…. we must accept Jesus, (Wisdom), into our lives, and learn to walk in His Righteousness. 

We must learn to:

     ●   Fear God, and escheweth evil.

One of my favorite scriptures is about why God chose Levi, to lead the Priests.

Malachi: 2. 4-6

“And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 

My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.  

The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.”

We must learn to stand in Awe of our God, to Worship Him in Spirit and In Truth.

We must know and speak His Truth… not our desires.  

We must take up His Yoke.  We will find peace and rest in our souls.

As we endeavor to walk with Him, many will turn from sin, because they will see, consider and understand that He Is the all in all.

Whether we be rich or poor, a master or slave, His Hedge of Protection will keep us blameless.  As we rely totally on Him.

Smiths Bible Dictionary:
Hedge
The Hebrew words thus rendered denote simply that which surrounds or encloses, whether it be a stone wall, geder, (Proverbs 24:31; Ezekiel 42:10) or a fence of other materials. The stone walls which surround the sheepfolds of modern Palestine are frequently crowned with sharp thorns.

He will build a Hedge around us.   Amen

Is there a Hedge of Protection?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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For all of my Christian life, I have heard people praying for a HEDGE OF PROTECTION.   The only Bible verse I remembered, (that spoke of hedges), was, from the New Testament: 

Luke 14:23
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Now that usage, did not convey any sense of protection, but honestly, at the time, I just wasn’t interested.

Until now.  

Today, Republican House members, were ambushed while at practice, for a charity baseball game.  

They were not where they usually would be.  

No, they where together, (on their own time), getting ready for a charity event.

A man walked up, asked a man, if these where Republicans?   He said thanks, for the affirmative answer.  Went in and started shooting.  (Several wounded, one critically).

If not for armed Police, (heroes, with guns), it would have been a massacre.

Out in California,  a man dressed as a UPS, worker, killed 3, and then himself.   (No heroes with guns).  A massacre. 

Do we know why this is happening?

Yes,  Will we as a society accept the reason?   NO!

It is sadly simple.  Evil, is the Ruler of this world. 

The Godless, believe it is we, who believe, (in the Lord), that are the fools.  We are not.  So, how do live in this world?

What can we, as believers, do?  How do we protect ourselves and our loved ones?  

This is what lead me to this study.

I found the verse I was looking for in Job 1.

The Devil had gone up to heaven, and joined with the Sons of God, (good angels), to talk to the Lord.

The Lord asked?
“Whence comest thou?”

The Devil answered:
“From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”

And the Lord said unto Satan:
“Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

The Devils response: Job 1:10

“Doth Job fear God for nought?

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

God had made a HEDGE OF PROTECTION ABOUT JOB.  He had caused the work of his hands to prosper.  He was the richest man in the kingdom. 

Okay,  Job was an exception,  because: 

“There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

We have heard what happened to Job, and we could preach many Sermons on him.  From, the thing he feared, to his comforters. 

It’s all there in the book of Job.   But my question was.   Has God protected any others?

As I thought,  I was reminded of Noah, God instructed him to build an Ark.  His obedience led to the saving of him and his family.

The Hebrews, in the midst of their captivity, were set free, and protected by the blood of the Lamb.

Both Daniel and Paul,  a slave and a prisoner, both prospered in their darkest times.

How, you ask?  We will explore more tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading,  Please let me know what you think.



Will the HATE, never end?  theunfetteredpreacher 

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Will the HATE, never end?

For 8 years, I was disappointed in my fellow Americans.  Why?  For twice, electing, a community organizer, to head our great Nation.

I complained, disagreed, grumbled about the direction of my Country, and the incredible increase in taxes, and loss of business.  But,  I never have hated, the Obama’s.  

My dislike, if you can even call it that,  had nothing to do with color, ONLY POLICY. 

Now, we have a new leader.  Jobs are coming back, almost like when Reagon was elected, true hope is in many hearts.

Sadly, there are those, who are not satisfied with disappointment, complaining, grumbling and disagreement. 

No,  it is all too sad.   

Mock up, severed heads, a orange haired, ruler, stabbed and killed while the audience cheers.

Open hatred, spewed from our so called comedians, our news media, and the opposing party, talking of impeachment, mental illness. 

Even before he took office.

IT MUST STOP!!!

We were the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.   We can disagree with Policy and Politics, and still respect, and be friends with one another. 

When Mr. OBAMA,  was elected, you did not see those on the right, turn away from family or friends.  

I do not remember any right wing nuts, shooting the folks on the left.

What happened when Mr. TRUMP was elected?

The left has become unhinged.   People, GROW UP, SIT DOWN, and SHUT UP.   Next election, get a decent candidate,

Win back, the House, the Senate and the White House.  Do everything decently and in order.

We are trying to correct the perceived mistakes of the previous 8 years.  You can work to correct the mistakes of this period of time.

A conservative talk host, (Michael Savage), coined a phrase: “LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER.”

I hate to agree, but watch the news, listen to the comedians, take off your Democrat glasses…  and face the facts.

Lord, I pray for this Country, a Cival War is brewing, and probably already begun.   Please save our Great Land.  Amen

The Sound of Gods Voice :  theunfetteredpreacher 

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

Do you think you know the Voice of God?  Have you heard Him speak?  Would you recognize His Voice, if He spoke to you?

Is it the sound of a Mighty Rushing Wind?  Or a still small voice?  Do you hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host?

“Let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself:” (What?)

Do you strain to hear Him?  Do you understand what He is saying?  Do you believe he speaks at all?

“They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:”

Adam and Eve recognized the voices of the Lord God, and because of their sin, hid.

Do we find ourselves, hiding from God, ashamed of ourselves?   He desires we come boldly to His throne of Grace.

We certainly can do that, IF we are covered with the blood of the Lamb.  

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

Freedom from the plagues of Egypt?  One of the many promises given to those who love Him.

John 5:25
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

Are you living,  do you hear His voice?

Psalm 29:3
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.”

Psalm 95:6-8 (KJV)

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

It may be a still small voice,  we think of it, as our conscience.   It might be a mighty rushing wind, we experience as we read His Word, and are blown away by His Revelation to us.

Or it could be in the midst of a storm.

The Lord wants to speak to us.  To make His will and ways for our life clear.  “Today, harden not your heart…”

He said:

“Take My Yoke, learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Find rest, walk with Jesus, hear His voice.

Amen

ASK 4:  Seek and Knock  theunfetteredpreacher 

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

This is part 4 on my series on answered prayer.

The reason we pray, is to receive answers.  To see others or ourselves, healed, our needs provided, our fears dispelled.

We pray when we need direction, wisdom, knowledge, comfort, or peace.  How often are we disappointed, not satisfied, left empty.  

 Wondering where is my God?  Do we really want to pray prayers that move God to action?

Do we delight ourselves in the Lord?   Do we receive the Desires of our hearts?

Once again we come back to these 3 simple letters.    ASK.

We must learn to focus on the Lord.   We must know Him, we must know His WORD.

We do not always need, to quote  Scripture and verse, but we certainly need to know it’s meaning, and Spirit.  To learn this we must Ask.

Ask Him to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts.  Ask Him to draw us close, to change us, mold us and make us, evermore into His image.   

We must, Ask Him, to give us compassion toward the lost, the sick, the disobedient. 

We must Ask Him to teach us how to Seek Him. 

The Amplified Bible, guides us in the right direction.  (Never give up).

Luke 11:9-13 (AMPC)

“So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.

For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”

 We must learn to Seek Him, (study His word, learn how to knock, pray), to know Him better. 

Not for what we might gain.   

There are warnings to those who do not Seek Him with a true heart.

Proverbs 1:28
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:”

Hosea 5:6
“They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.”

Amos 8:12
“And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.”

Why do you Seek Him?  Is it for personal profit, for acclaim, to be above, to rule, to Lord it over others.

Or have you taken James 4 to heart?  Do you know how to humble yourselves, become servants, care for the needs of others, above your own. 

The example of Daniel.   

At 15 years of age, brought into  captivity, made a slave, along with all of the Kingdom of Judah.

His Name changed, his diet changed, maybe even turned into a Eunuch, and forced to Worship, to learn of false Gods.

“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”  (Daniel 1)

Because Daniel’s heart was right towards the Lord, he was blessed in the midst of his capacity.  

He had enough and more than enough, he prospered even as a slave.  We can be prosperous in the midst of our darkest hours. 

“The Lord would have us prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers.”

Prosperity, isn’t about money, jobs or any other temporal things, it is Spiritual. 

The prosperity preachers, are not totally wrong.   There is truth in all of God’s word.  

If:

   >  Our motives are pure.   Our desire is a closer, more personal walk.  

   >  We purpose in our heart to give of our gain, not spoil ourselves with his bounty.

   >  We would learn to have and extend compassion. 

Daniel loved His God, did not allow his circumstances turn him away. He, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”

If we study his life, and the life of the 3 Hebrew children, we can learn how to Ask, Seek and Knock on the Lords door.

First, because he would not defile himself, (today that could be,  what we watch, read, listen to, eat, enjoy in our lives),  he found favor with God.

He was promoted to a position of authority.   As he was able, he found himself a prayer closet,  and used it 3 times a day.

He did not cower in fear, in secret, but without a prideful spirit, was not worried about being heard, even after it was illegal,  to pray to God.

(Daniel, prospered under 4 different leaders).

His prayers, elevated him, to a place of power, saved him from the lions. 

The 3 Hebrew children, before being cast into the fire, for refusing to Worship the Kings false God said:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

Daniel, after finding Gods promise in Jeremiah 29,  prayed for the end of captivity for his people.
   ~ Daniel, had a heart towards God.

   ~ He read and studied the scriptures that were available to him.  Found Words from God in Ezekiel and Jeremiah, that quickened His Spirit.

   ~ He then prayed God’s Word, back to God.  Like Moses and Abraham,  prayer that moves God, reminds Him of His promises.

This prayer moved God to action.

Psalm: 9. 10. 

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

John 7:34

“Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

The Lord promised we will find Him, if we seek Him with our whole heart.

Deuteronomy 4:29
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

So, how do we knock?

When we pray the Word of God, we are knocking on the door of His heart.  Do not stop, even if the answer we desire doesn’t seem to be there.

Daniel was told:

Daniel 10:2-5 (KJV)

2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3.   I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4.   And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

5.   Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

7.   And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

9.   Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

11.  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.”

Daniel 10:12-14 (KJV)

12.   “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13.   But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14.  Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.”

ASK:

DO NOT QUIT, STAND FAST, ACT YE LIKE MEN.

“GOD HONORS (WATCHES OVER), HIS WORD, TO PREFORM IT.”

Right heart, (seeking God),  right words, (Gods will and Words).  the door, will open,  (the answer will come).

ASK 3:  theunfetteredpreacher 

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

Luke: 11. 9-13

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Ask, Seek and Knock.  Our basic directions for answered prayer.  The Amplified Bible says:

Ask and keep on asking, Seek and keep on Seeking,  Knock and keep on knocking. 

Do not stop, until you receive. 

IMPORTANT: 

We must be praying for God’s will and desires, if you are praying to win the Lottery…. Give It Up…

 Know the desires, the will of God.  The Words of Jesus:

Matthew 21:22
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

We must learn to believe.   It is hard to  believe my bills will be paid, but He said Seek Him first and our need will be met.  It is not hard to believe He wants a better relationship. 

Pray to be closer to Him.

John 16:24
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

 He answers our prayer to give us joy.

John 3:22
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

We ask and receive because we keep His commandments, and do that which is pleasing to Him.

ONLY BELIEVE:   How many times must He tell us before we grab ahold of this truth.  

If we pray for Him to mold us, make us, change us.  For our ears, eyes, mind and hearts to be opened to His will and ways.  He will draw us close.

He will cause us to prosper and be in good health as our souls prosper.

Please, quit focusing on our needs, our desires, our wants.  Begin to focus on pleasing Him… He will surely please us.

Next up, SEEK…

ASK. 2:  How? theunfetteredpreacher 

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

This is part two, on answered prayer.   After all, we pray, hoping for answers that will better the lives of those we pray for.  

I think it is important to note, the prayer Jesus taught us.

Luke: 11. 1-3 

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 

Give us day by day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

There are several points to look as t here:

   《  The disciples saw the example of Jesus,  He was always making a way to be alone, finding a place to pray.

     《  The disciples, did not ask to be taught a prayer, but how to pray.

     《   The Lord gave them an example….  we have used it as a by rote prayer,  we recite it, word for word and never use it as an battle plan.

Yes, the Lords prayer is a plan, a map, to show us how to pray.   We need to grasp this concept, if we are to live as Victorious Christians. 

The steps to enter the Holy of Holies, to find Mercy and Grace in our times of need, are simple and clear:

 Acknowledge who the Lord is, who are we praying to?

~  Our Father,  our Healer,  our Provider,  our Fortress, our Guide to all Truth,  our Friend,  a very present help in times of trouble. 

We are given many Names for the Lord, they describe His attributes, His desires to be our ALL IN ALL.

It is our choice, as to what we allow Him to be in our lives.    To be our Shepherd,  our Lord, our Saviour. 

At the same time, we acknowledge where He is and what He deserves and desires.

~  Praise, which leads to Worship.   Believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths.

I love you Lord, You alone are Worthy, Worthy,  Worthy,  Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain at the foundation of the world.   

I Exalt You, Praise You, Worship You…   You are Worthy of all Glory,  Honor and Praise…  ect…

True Praise is one of the most important aspect of Prayer.  Repeating the Word of the Lord, back to the Lord.  

Reminding Him of His promises,  His Power, His glory.

Acknowledge that it is His will, we are praying for.

~  It is all about Him, His desires, His will, His plan for our life.   He will give us the Desires of our hearts, this means, if we ask, He will implant His will, ways, desires into our hearts, so we can, Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness.  Then our physical, natural, daily needs and wants will be met.

~  Only then do we mention our needs.   Keep in mind, He knows we hat we need before we do, He has promised to answer before we ask.

Daily Bread… 

Forgiveness as we have forgiven…

Leading us, on the Right Path, always drawing us closer to Christ, as we Seek Him, He delivers us from evil.

 We should always end with Thanksgiving, acknowledging all He has done and what He is about to do.

James explains our most common errors. 

James: 4. 1-10 

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Study the truths in James, compare our prayers to both, James admonitions and the Lords teaching. 

How do we line up?

Ask:  1: WHAT? theunfetteredpreacher 

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

This is part one, on a series on receiving answers to our prayers.

ASK:  

Three little letters.  If we understood the message within, it could set us free as Christians,  and the lost, would be amazed, by our Faith, and our answered prayers.

It surprises me that  I have not heard this Scripture taught, in the last 7 years. 

It is probably taught, in Childrens Church, with Noah, Jonah, and Moses, and his miracles.  Childrens stories, nice if true, but really…  (we have grown beyond, these silly superstitions). 

Right?

We haven’t heard these tales, since we were children, our Preachers don’t Preach them, (that is Sunday school stuff).

I believe that is one reason  the Power and might of God, isn’t more apparent in our Churches.   (They consider it the milk not the meat of the Word).

If God can’t do the things written in His book.  Or doesn’t, do them anymore, why believe any of the Book.  

I drink milk all the time, it helps to make my body strong,  it would do the same for the Churches. 

To me it is all truth, and all available to whosoever will. 

Jesus said:  ONLY BELIEVE.    Do we?

Luke: 11. 5-13

“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 

For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 

And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 

I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (tenacity, his never giving up),  he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  (Companion verses in Matthew).

In the time of Joseph, (who was led by the Spirit of God),  it was his knowledge and wisdom from God, that caused Pharaoh to ask:

“Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”

Where the Spirit of God is there is Liberty,  people are looking for a demonstration of His Power, for a sign of His Presence. 

 There should be signs and wonders following.

That is a promise the Lord left with and for,  THOSE WHO BELIEVE. 

After the Exodus,  the People were told to tell their children, the truth of the miracles of God.   

Explain, how they had seen, and considered, and  understood, and believed, in an Awesome God, who did miracles.  

We have lost that belief, or forgotten how to walk in Faith. 

There are certain conditions,  truths to learn, that the Lord has put forth, as guidelines to answered prayer.

There is no formula to follow, no special incantation, or a spell that makes the Lord answer our prayers, but there are pointers to finding out His will and learning to pray that.

The first clue is this:

Psalm 37:4
“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

First, we must learn to DELIGHT OURSELVES IN, and TO ABIDE IN, THE LORD.      We will begin to desire the Spiritual. 

We must love the Lord, know His Word and Will and Walk in it.

“That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

“This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We must once again, learn how to believe.  We must learn to Seek the Spiritual, to find the Natural. 

 Learn to Ask, until we receive,  Seek until we find, Knock until the Door is opened.

Please, I always look forward to feedback.  Pro or Con.  How will we grow, if not through communication as well as study and prayer.

Thanks for visiting.   Blessings