serving God

“My grace is sufficient for thee: “-The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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All my Christian life I have heard of Pauls thorn in the flesh, “it is his eyes, or religious Jews “.

I see in the scriptures that he had problems with his sight, no denying that and with the religious, still a problem for those seeking God today.

Do I think he would seek the Lord for either of these things,?  No, he rebuked the religious and Satan alike.  No this thorn went much deeper.

1 Corinthians 12
“lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.   And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

“My grace is sufficient for thee: ”

Continue reading →

of his fulness have all we received – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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A local Pastor,  Gary The-Sermonator Carrol, invited people to read the 21 chapters of John, one a day till Thanksgiving.

Great idea,  here is what jumped out at me today.

John 1:14,16
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

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For Faith is not passive. – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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

For Faith is not passive but demands action.

What measure of faith have you received?  Can we increase our faith?   What does it mean to be a faithful servant?

What is the work of a living faith?

Continue reading →

Am I the only one? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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

I am ashamed to admit, I live and die daily, looking at my stats.

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I love that folks visit,  likes are wonderful,  comments recharge me, reblogs are super. Thanks to all.

I do have concerns though,  the followers that I don’t hear from . The ones whose blogs are down or inactive.  I  miss reading and learning from them as I will miss you also if you lose your incentive.

I do not have to agree with your theology to learn from you, I can spit out the seeds, enjoy the fruit.  Please keep writing and reading shineing your light abroad.

Only the Lord knows what hearts may be touched by His Words through our flawed vessels.

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Blessings

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What shall we say then? – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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In Romans today I noticed Paul asking,  (incredulously, in frustration, sadness).  Repeatedly.

“What shall we say then?”

It seems, some felt since they had found grace and forgiveness in life with Christ,  it was OK  to continue in sin.  Paul, disabused them of that idea,

Romans 6:1
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Romans 7:7
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

We have those that believe that since God created us, as we are….(He is the potter and we are the clay),  who we are, is because of Him. 

He has no business judging us.  Taking vengeance upon the sinner. (not letting them into heaven, allowing them to go to Hell).

Romans 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
“But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)”

Romans 9:14
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.”

He continues to remind them of Gods love and grace.  That He would have all come into the knowledge of Salvation.

Romans 8:31
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 9:30
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.”

“What shall we say then?”

I feel like Paul was a little exasperated with those he was speaking to.  They hadn’t understood Gods Grace and Peace,  His Love, Forgiveness, Faithfulness.

We have the same trials today,  so many will not listen to and accept the impossible idea of sin from Adam condemned ud all and Forgiveness comes through Jesus alone.

The Spirit needs to convict them, they need the seed of the Gospel sown, (our work), to be watered, (our work ), and the increase, (belongs to God).

“What shall we say then?”

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Are you sowing, watering, loving the non-believers?  

Or is our example leading them to Hell?

“What shall we say?”

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The Lord knoweth them that are his. – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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2 Timothy: 2. 19.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Growing up in the Catholic Church I felt sorry for the people in the little Community Church in town .  After all Massachusetts was 85% Catholic and we had the only way to heaven.

We were taught the Basic Christian beliefs.   Virgin Birth, life, death, resurrection.  It was history,  taught as fact, encouraged to believe but no hint of a personal relationship.

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Home Group – teaching of Andy Stanley

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The Sunday evening home group we attend has beed watching Andy Stanley videos.   He is an interesting and enlightening teacher. 

He has been explaining that Jesus called His followers Disciples,  and He reminded us, that Jesus gave us:  (search Andy Stanley on U tube)
John 13:34
King James Version (KJV)
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

He said people would know we are His Disciples if we learn to love, as He loved.

I am going to give you my take of his message. …. (my apologies are in order).

   》To learn to love as Jesus loved, we must look at His actions of love.

Jesus gave truth, you are a sinner followed by grace, I will forgive you.

He brought up as examples the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery.

The love of Jesus :
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Jesus was full of grace, (grace is salvation,  forgiveness, mercy, acceptance ) and full of truth. (He not only sees your sin but helps you to recognize it).

He always gives you a way to escape. ..a path to forgiveness, acceptance, salvation.

Please look for the Teaching by Andy Stanley,  it is his revelation,  and explains it so well.  I  think the title was:  Gracie meets Truthy

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know you are loved

The Holy Spirit in Acts 16 – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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My morning reading today started in Acts 16,  I could not help but notice how active the Spirit was in Pauls life at this time.

Paul knew the Lord and how to hear and obey the Spirit.   We  could learn this also.

》The first step to hearing the Spirit is to be doing  what You already know the Lords bidding.  (Sharing the Gospel where you are).

Paul desired to go to Asia,  good idea, worthy work, not Gods plan:

“forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,”

“the Spirit suffered them not.”

His desire denied, do we see him sulking,  upset, indignant that God had the nerve to disagree with his plans?

Not hardly. ..what followed was prayer,  an attitude of yes Lord.  We find:

“a vision appeared to Paul in the night;”

“after he had seen the vision, immediately “

If you were to look up how many times  the Disciples moved immediately or straightway,  we might learn how to see results in our work for God.

Of course,  Paul and Silas  ended up in jail for their testimony.   They cowered in fear, knowing all was lost.  (not quite, lol)

“At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

Knowing God, obedient to the Spirit,  they counted it joy to be imprisoned for the Gospel.   The Word of God spread because they obeyed.

They went about preaching, teaching and a:

“certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination”

Followed,  proclaiming them to be men of God.

“Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”

We see an example of “Discerning of Spirits” and the “healing of same”.

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Lord, I pray that all that love and serve you would learn to listen to and walk in obedience with Your Holy Spirit,  that we would see You working in our lives and in those we meet.

Amen

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Healing in Luke – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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It is interesting how  Luke the Physician mentioned healing more than in any other Gospel.

Here are some parts of verses from Luke. 

I believe The Lord is still healing when He finds worthy vessels.  (People who will give Him the Glory, Honor and credit ).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Continue reading →

the unbelieving Jews: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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“the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” Acts 14:2

Do we see this scripture played out daily in our churches?   I think so. 

It reminds me of the Man of God in 1st Kings 13.

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Whose Truth, Revelation Knowledge: – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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It always amazes me when talking with old and established Christian,  how quick they are to reject a Bible truth they haven’t seen or recognized.

They have lived a number of years not knowing this truth, so it cannot be. 

This is  sad.

They are denying themselves  the possibility of becoming  todays Martin Luther, or one of the Wesley brothers. 

They had found new truth,  in the old word.

Continue reading →

Go and sin no more: – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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One of the most remarkable sayings of Jesus.  He told the woman caught in adultery to: “Go and sin no more.”

He also told the lame man from the pool of Bethesda the same when He saw him at the Temple.

So,oooo…..it apparently  is possible to “Go and sin no more.” 

Please don’t misunderstand,  I have read it, it is printed in red, Jesus told them, I have to believe they did it.

Continue reading →

Flying by the seat… – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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A local radio commercial asks, whether we have planed for retirement or are we flying by the seat of our pants?

The older I get the more I regret, that I have never been one to plan.  Continue reading →

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

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

Scriptures in this post are from Acts 11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continue reading →

Ecstasy : The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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

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

I was in the spirit:

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

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

“I was in the spirit”

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

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

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

Continue reading →

Oooommm: – The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I fell in love with Jesus, Continue reading →

Neglected Caroline – 10 / 28 / 15 b

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

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