Many people think that being a Christian means going to church. Their favorite quote to "yank out" is: Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching
My husband often says, "Church begins with me from the time I get up until the time I go to bed!"
So what's the difference? If we are Christians, which literally means little Christ, we are to be walking in HIS power from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed. We should be walking in the fruit of the SPIRIT-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Notice it isn't fruits of the SPIRIT, but FRUIT of the SPIRIT, that will be for another day) We should be loving others as we love ourselves, etc.
Church isn't a building that we go to once, twice, three, four times a week (or more). It is US! We are the church. We do not have to go to church to be the church! Mind you, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with going to church, but I think often times people fill these buildings up and it is a social club more than a teaching session!
If we go to church thinking that this is the only place we can hear from GOD, or get delivered and set free, experience a miracle, etc., we are sadly mistaken! If we are going to church to abolish our sins, and make us "feel" better, we are sadly mistaken too!
There are a lot of people that are in church and don't know the first thing about being a Christian. They don't understand they are the church. These people are serving a religion, not the KING OF KINGS and the LORD of LORDS! They go to church to feel better, and usually end up angry and turning away from the church and GOD.
So how do we prevent this? We start walking in the SPIRIT and we become real to these people. They soon will see the difference in going to church vs being the church. They will see we are real people that make mistakes, but we ask for forgiveness, we walk in the SPIRIT, and practice the fruit of the SPIRIT day in and day out. When storms pass our way, we turn to GOD and we allow peace to surround us...and that's when they see the TRUTH! We stop to pray when we say, "Yes, I'll pray for you, let's pray now!"
As the old song goes..."They will know we are Christians by our love"! and that my friends is what it means to be the church and not just going to church!
I liked it! I think it shows that Christians have a sense of humor. I hope they win. Like our pastor says at home, Let GOD give inventive ways to make money. Hopefully they'll win and use the money to further the kingdom of GOD. :D
Today I am 45! Happy Birthday to me. AND I've decided, after listening to Pastor Hallam, from our home church, last night, to have cheerful endurance aka patience. :)
We were at a birthday party last week, for one of my dd's co-workers. I overheard a couple of women chatting about church. One of the women annoyingly said, "I can't wait to get out of church after an hour, after the singing and announments they are just getting started." I didn't hear the rest of the conversation...noisy party and my mind was reeling. All I could think of was "You're complaining about an hour?!" So here's some thoughts.... :) (hey I didn't get nominated for best opinionated blog for nothing-lol)
There's many ways of looking at this. 1. An hour of your time, once a week to come together as a body Isn't that the least you can do? I mean hey JESUS was on the cross for you for more than one!
2. I would be ready to get out of church after an hour too, if I'm going to a dead church! What's a dead church? Religion vs Relationship! There's no worshipping or ushering in the HOLY SPIRIT. There's no movement of GOD. There is however, tradition and legalism week after week.
I loved going to church at home. Often times we would be there 3 to 4 hours or even longer. We would worship and praise the LORD sometimes for a few minutes or sometimes a few hours in song. Many Christains do not understand the importance of praise and worship. It's not about how long you sing or pray, it's about a relationship, humbling yourself to GOD, seeking HIS presence, thanking HIM for what HE has done and knowing (having the revelation) of the great things HE has done. It's welcoming the HOLY SPIRIT. Why would you want to go to a church where the HOLY SPIRIT isn't there? sigh...I want to feel the presence of GOD! I want to see miracles and signs and wonders!!! Those things aren't going to take place, if the HOLY SPIRIT hasn't been ushered in. (AND NO, those things didn't die with the saints of old-GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever!)
I encourage you if you're one of those people that just want to get in and out of church, to re-evaluate your purpose in going. Why are you going? What's the purpose and point? Are you going to ease the guilt from the night before? Are you going because it makes you feel good? Are you going because you think this is what is required to enter into Heaven? Are you going because the WORD says to "Not forsaking the assembly of the brethren"? I assure you, none of these are the right reasons, and if you are going for any of these only, you will never be satisified in going to church!
Go to church to worship and praise GOD for the great things HE has done! Go to church to learn how to walk better as a Christian and to learn to grow in GOD's truth! Go because HE loves you so much, and you want to show HIM love back. BUT by all means do NOT feel like you are forced to go- That is condemnation and then you'll end up hating going! GO because you want and desire a more personal relationship with GOD-the creator of the universe, HIS SON, JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT, who comforts us until JESUS returns.
For the past 3 days I've woke up around 4-4:30 am. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't do mornings well. I've gotten better over the years, and can tolerate them, and even enjoy them most of the time.
It's been interesting, because I've woke up singing praises to the LORD or praying. This morning I woke up singing, and then I started praying, and then I was reminded of one of my favorite sayings. "If you come to see my house, please make an appointment, If you've come to see me come on in." I started thinking what on earth am I thinking this at this time of the morning???
The LORD spoke gently to my heart. (I love when HE does that) HE said, "Many people try to make appointments with me to get saved. They plan on inviting me in when their heart is clean and pure. Other people let me in with their hearts just as they are." Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder why I've always liked that saying? I never looked at it as a spiritual cleaning. How true that is! So many times people think they don't need GOD to come in until they get everything in order (as if that will ever happen!!!) They try to be a better person first. They try to do all the right things, and change in their own power. I have news for you, that doesn't work!!!
The LORD said, in Matthew 11:28-30: 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
Praise GOD for HIS salvation! Praise GOD that we don't have to carry the burden ourselves or try to change in our own power! I'm so thankful for HIS salvation! I'm so thankful that HIS mercies are new everyday! I'm so thankful that we can go to HIM and ask for forgiveness and HE is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank YOU, LORD!!!
If you are struggling with your walk with the LORD, I urge you to go to HIM today, and ask HIM to help you. Ask HIM in. We don't have to have everything in order and perfect before HE comes over. HE can make it perfect, without our help (other than just our asking).
A url friend posted this on a board: Background - Reader's Digest much condensed version. We left a church in January 2007 because of major doctrinal issues. We came to this church because we knew people here and my daughter had friends here already. For various reasons, she only goes with us on Sunday mornings, and goes to a different church for youth group. She would just as soon leave our church for the other one totally.
Last year, the new church went through a pretty bad split. It has not recovered from that split yet, and has slowly been bleeding off more and more families. Last week, our home group leaders announced that they were ending the group. He had been one of the elders until he resigned earlier this year. Tonight they told us, not unexpectedly, that they are leaving the church after next week.
We've been fairly unhappy there for some time ourselves. Since the split, the pastor just hasn't gotten back to where he was as far as the quality of his sermons. We leave in two weeks for our vacation, and I strongly suspect that when we return, we will be leaving the church also. I really don't want to go through this again, but it looks like we are. We just don't know where to go. We would love to go to the same church that dd goes to youth group at, but that church holds it's own set of problems.
I know several of you are dealing with church issues also. It's such a tough position to be in! I never went through this before I moved out here. I grew up in one church, only left it when I moved, same as all the other churches I've attended over the years. And now to be in a position where it looks like I'm leaving another one....I don't like it, not one bit.
My response:
I'm sure, as usual, not everyone is going to agree with me. We have been living on the road for a number of years now. We had a church at home that we regularly attended. When we moved about 8 years ago, the church went through a split because of various reasons. (I don't know all of them, and I don't care) The church hasn't been the same since. It's close, but still not the same. (We go back often to visit)
Since we have lived in so many places, we've tried to find a church similar to our old church. We have found one in the past 8 years. Unfortunately, we moved away from that area.
Maybe none of this is making sense, but in my mind I'm building up to my point...
A couple things I've had to remember and keep in mind... 1. No church is perfect. It is filled with people just like me-sinners, saved by grace. 2.Every church has it's problems. How the pastor and the staff handle the problems is the key. 3. We are the church. Church begins with us, from the time we get up until the time we go to bed. 4. Since we are the church, I'll go back to a discussion I think I brought up on here a long time ago...IF we look at the book of Acts, the church's purpose was to disciple and train and send out. We as a modern church DO NOT do that. Most churches nowadays have become social clubs. 5. We are suppose to be lead by the SPIRIT, not by a doctrine or denomination. Some things might look odd to the world, even our line of thinking, but they may be the SPIRIT moving us. Look at the many examples in the Bible...here's one of so many examples:
Acts 8:26-39
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian [c] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means "queen of the Ethiopians"). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36-37 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing
This post is getting too long and I have some things to get done around here. So I'll leave it for now-might be back later.I'll be praying that you have direction, (name here). ******************************************************** Your thoughts?
Haven't felt much like being on the computer or typing, so that's why no new posts...have plenty to tell...lol...it's kinda overwhelming...
Where to begin? Umm...we finally got here on Memorial Day. My sister helped us drive up, since we were needing to get 4 vehicles up here. We put on on the low boy trailer, and pulled the dog up on the smaller low boy in a crate dh made for him. DH pulled the RV...we still have to go back and get the boat. We plan on doing that during 4th of July weekend. It will be a quick and tiring trip, but necessary.
We got a call on Memorial Day, as we were finishing the drive up, from a realtor. His client was interested in buying our house, but could only get financed for X amount and wondered if we would take that price. We decided we would, called our realtor and then didn't hear anything else. It was quite frustrating. Today, dh got an email from our realtor, and apparently those same people are still interested in the house, something with financing is holding them up. So I guess we wait...
After being here a few days, we met up with the realtor that dh had contacted when still in TX. He showed us the property was telling dh about. There's a guy that has about 400 acres and has a house, feed silo, and work shed...but he doesn't want them, so he wants to sell about 30 acres with them on it. We are still in negotiations with him...something on his end...but it looks promising. The house is old and needs to be torn down, but it has a basement that we can utilize.
Since we been here, we've gone to Detroit Lakes, MN and had a bbq. It was lovely and dh and I could see us having a summer home there. LOL! We also went to Jamestown, ND and went to a kite festival and had a cookout in the Walmart parking lot...lol...and imagine people looking at us, trying to figure out what we were doing...we were making memories of course!!!! This past weekend we went to Minneapolis and went to an a ball game. The Astros were up for an inter league series with the Twins. We had great fun and the Twin fans are pleasant! We also went to the Mall of America...a true dream place! It was awesome!!! The girls and I are already planning a shopping trip in October for Christmas shopping. Being from Houston, it was like Astroworld and the Galleria all thrown into one place, only better!!! (and they had a Starbuck's like on every floor-can't get much better than that!)
We haven't met any friends yet. I've contacted the homeschool groups in the area, but no one meets for summer. I've also tried to connect with a online yahoo group, but no one has responded...life is kinda lonely around the RV...lol...but it will get better. We are going to start checking out churches...not many nondenominational churches up here...that might be a challenge. LOL...
The first few weeks we had crazy weather. The day after we got here, the moving truck pulled into the storage and it was in the 40's...I had to go get some warm clothes from Walmart, because mine were all in the RV or packed (the RV was 40 miles away...we've since moved it to town at the fairgrounds). Then it warmed up for a few days and then it was cold again. We went to a "Ribfest" at NDSU and froze, because another cold front moved in the day we decided to go. It was so cold and windy. Apparently, not only ND is known for it's cold, but it's wind! The Ribfest was fun, but the ribs weren't all that great...at least nothing like we were use to in TX, even if one of the competitors was from Ft. Worth! Dh (dd and ds) enjoyed a Three Dog Night concert and I got to talk to some of the locals...of course it helped that I was joking with several of them...there was this HUGE container of wipes on our table, and people were coming around to get them. I told them I was charging a dime a wipe...some of the people here didn't get it! Many don't have a sense of humor. The first guy I said something was like, "but aren't they just here to use?" I'm like joking sir...he never got it. Most people were humored by it though!
I think that's about it for now...I would appreciate if you all continue to keep us in your prayers for the selling of the house and for us to find the right house/property (if this one doesn't work).
Sometimes when I write a post, like the previous one, I'm afraid of offending somebody. Then I remember I can not be ashamed of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. I need to be bold in my faith and what I believe in. Some people won't understand, some people won't agree, but I have to remember it's not me they don't agree with, it's not me they don't understand. It's GOD in me.
Romans 1:16 (King James Version) 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I think too often, we as Christians, are worried about offending someone so we try to be polite, or even politically correct, instead of being bold in our faith. This doesn't mean we go around and purposely are rude or inconsiderate. This means that if the LORD lays something on our heart, HE gives us the words, we are to say it boldly and unashamed. We might offend the person because of their beliefs or lack of them. ;)
Do you remember when you first became a Christian? Do you remember before becoming a Christian how things of Christians would offend you? I do! I remember going out with this guy and he would always play Christian music...it was so annoying to me. It was like...slap...right in the face. Anyone that disagreed with my religion, I had a problem with.
Now I see what the problem was, that's what I had...religion! I didn't have a relationship with the one,true, living GOD. I believed in GOD-don't get me wrong...but I didn't have a relationship with HIM. I went to church, I did the Holy days of obligation, I took communion, I went to confession. I did it all, and yet something was still missing...it was a relationship!
After my mom died, I started searching...I knew there had to be more to church than just the things I mentioned above. I didn't understand why when I went to confession and did the repentence, why I still felt unforgiven. Again, it was not having a relationship with GOD, through HIS SON, JESUS, that I was missing. Thank GOD, HE sent people along my path that knew HIM and had a relationship with HIM, so I wasn't lead astray.
My life has never been the same. I'm living the greatest adventure here on earth-Serving the one, true living GOD! Everyday is a day of growth, adventure, of amazement and wonderment. I no longer fear the unknown...
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121
When I have a problem now, I just turn it over to GOD, knowing according to HIS WORD, HE hears me, HE's going to answer me, HE's going to give me peace that passes all understanding, that I can go boldly to HIS throne, that I can ask anything-forgiveness, help, etc.
I can look up and say GOD, I am excited about today...I am excited to see how YOU are going to turn this situation over for my good and not evil, I'm excited to see how YOU are going to change it from glory to glory.
If your life isn't like this, if you don't have a personal relationship with the one true, living GOD, if you are seeking answers or forgiveness and feel like nothing ever changes, will you let me pray with you, or will you pray this prayer?
FATHER GOD, I have come to the realization that I am a sinner, and that I need to be saved, through YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, who died on the cross to take away those sins. LORD, I accept HIM now, and with my mouth, I boldly confess YOU are the way, the truth, and the life, and with my heart, I believe. I will follow YOU and have a relationship that is ever growing with YOU starting today. In YOUR precious SON, JESUS' name. Amen.
I encourage you to go get a good Bible and read the book of John first. Ask GOD to open HIS truth to you. It says in the book of James 1:5, If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD. I prefer a Bible with several different translations in it. My Bible has the King James, New American Standard, Amplified, and another version (just can't think of it now) I also encourage you to find a great HOLY GHOST filled church...yes, it might seem weird at first, you might be taken out of your comfort zone, and out of your religious box, but you will be blessed. If you have a problem understanding what a HOLY GHOST filled church is, please feel free to email me or leave a msg here. I will be happy to explain and/or point you in the right direction.
Wow! This post did not go the way I intented. LOL...but I was changed to another course by GOD. :)
In light of the recent announcements from Ray Boltz, and now from Clay Aiken, here's an awesome article on how the 'church' should respond in Charisma Magazine: Fire in My Bones
Dh was off Friday. On the way home from running some errands the other day, I noticed on a church billboard Pastor Larry Huchwas going to be speaking and doing his Breaking Free seminar that evening and Saturday morning. We've been familiar with Pastor Huch's ministry for several years now. He and his wife would often speak at our home church, ALCC.
We decided to go. Funny, we've never heard Breaking Free in person...just on CD's...and we didn't hear it the other night either! LOL! The HOLY SPIRIT ended up guiding Pastor Huch in a whole different way. It was, needless to say, still awesome!
A couple of things that really stood out in my mind...
We miss what GOD is saying when we listen with Roman ears instead of Hebrew ears. For example, today if someone were to say, "go put this cloth in my boot" the word boot in the US means a shoe. A boot in Africa (and also in England, I think) means a car trunk. Pastor Huch also gave this example..."2000 years from now, there's a sentence written about me...'Pastor Larry was seen on 1000 pound hog.' Well people that are from South St. Louis would know a HOG would be a Harley Davidson motorcycle. People in Arkansas might think of a 1000 oinker Pig." LOL!
When Israel came out of Eygpt, it is a shadow of the New Testament.
Jesus became poor compared to HIS home in Heaven.
Pastor Huch also taught a little on theShabbot...and how to celebrate it. We bought a DVD/CD that his ministries sells to learn more and how to celebrate it.
Another thing...Pastor Huch mentioned celebrated Shabbot with Pres hopeful Mike Huckabee...and said that he and Mr. Huckabee have become quite good friends and that Mike Huckabee said when he becomes President, he wants Pastor Larry Huch to come to the Whitehouse and do the first Shabbot with him!!!
Now anyone that knows me...knows I didn't care much for Huckabee. I thought he was "too religious". By that I mean too legalistic. BUT now after hearing this, it makes me reconsider my opinion of him.
I was asking my youngest dd, Belle, that at 11:30pm last night...Belle went to spend the night at a friend from our home church. At 11:30, just when we finally walked in the door of the rv, I'm in the bathroom taking off makeup, brushing my teeth...the phone rings...It was Belle. She was crying all upset...wanted to come home...are you sure???? (I'm thinking to myself, all I want to do is go to sleep...this will be my first early night to bed....) So dh and I get in the car, I drive the hour back and get Belle...and dh drive the hour back to the rv....so we got to bed at 1:30 am...we planned on going to church this morning, but I think we all need to rest for awhile...
This week has been a tremendous blessing with Perry Stoneat our home church. He has a tremendous understanding of the Holy Land, OT & NT prophesy, and explains things like I've never heard before. I know lots of people would disagree with his teaching or not understand...but I feel in my heart this man is sent from GOD to get the word out that JESUS' return is soon. After hearing Perry Stone, I've come to the conclusion, mind you this is MY opinion, that if Obama gets elected, he will play a key role in the second coming of JESUS. So as much as I don't like Obama...blech...I know if he gets elected...it's all part of GOD's plan for HIS SON'S return! Mind you I'm still going to do all I can to get people to vote against him...does that mean I'm going against GOD's plan? :P BTW...I got one of those bumper stickers that reads..."VOTE THE BIBLE" I think I'll put it on the RIGHT side of my van. ;p
