no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

A good shepherd will rescue the lamb that got lost, but only if, in doing so, he does not put the other 99 at risk of being eaten by the pack of hungry wolves that are just waiting for the shepherd to leave so they can devour the 99. Now if he can't leave the 99 he will send his Border Collie to go get the lost lamb and bring him home. All of us are often God's Border Collies, directed by the Good Father Shepherd to rescue the lost and frightened one.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

"Stop doubting and believe."
John 20:27

"Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light."
---Victor Raymond Edman.....

We get onto Thomas for his doubting, but he, perhaps better than any other disciple, represents the modern mind well. We live in an "age of reason" in which many demand that if anything is true, it must be verifiable in a test tube. Unless we've seen it, touched it, tasted it, smelled it, or heard it---i.e., had some sort of sensory evidence---it's not worth our time. Need an example? The skeptics of our age, like Thomas, insist that the Resurrection is a religious fabrication. Why? Because they've never seen it happen.

Believers, too, can live under the tyranny of the tangible. We haven't seen the Resurrection, either, at least not in the visible sense that the first disciples did. While we aren't skeptical to the point of agnosticism, we have doubts when we pray. Why? We often have seen the power of the Resurrection only in our hearts. That should be enough, but for those who pray for God's direct intervention in their circumstances, the circumstances often seem much larger than the power of God. We are Thomases; unless we see, it's hard to believe.

Jesus, as we know, tells us we usually won't see until we believe. Faith is the priority in the kingdom. As it is a choice. Like Thomas, we have the same option of hearing the disciples' report and saying, "That sounds like my Savior; it must be true." But like Thomas, we often do not let ourselves believe the best about Him. Perhaps we don't want to set ourselves up for disappointment. Perhaps we just haven't seen enough miracles to convince us. Perhaps we let the concrete evidence of circumstances rule our minds.

The minds of those who follow Jesus cannot be limited by visual appearances. Jesus' command is both harsh and loving: "Stop doubting and believe." To what shall we apply this stern command ? The Resurrection? Yes, and everything else that requires resurrection power---our prayers, our works, and our attitudes. Do not let discouraging circumstances define you. Stop doubting and believe.

bahmer

Amen and Amen

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Amen Npp good illustration. In today's chaos and confusion, we who know the Good Shepherd need to step up and be His witnesses and servants. Satan is having a field day as he blinds the minds of so many. May we be ever prayerful for our country and our leaders. May we also pray for those who would seek to destroy our freedoms and the American way of life. May the Holy Spirit be able to convince and convict them to come to the knowledge of God's will with all spiritual wisdom and knowledge so they as well as we walk in a manner worthy to please Him in all respects.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

LASTING FRUIT

"I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.
John 15:16

"You have nothing to do in life except to live in union with Christ."
---Rufus Mosely......

It seems like an awesome responsibility and an impossible task. Jesus tells His disciples---and us---to go and bear lasting fruit. But how? The disciples fished, collected taxes, or pursued some other profession, but that was all monetary sustenance, not a permanent achievement. Even while following Jesus, they mostly observed His work, only occasionally participating in it. Nothing they did themselves was lasting. Likewise, the best of our works have proven futile over time. Nothing we've done endures, no matter how well-intentioned or diligently carried out. The best we've been able to muster is temporary and flawed.

How, then, can Jesus reasonably leave us with this mission---to bear fruit that last? Doesn't He know what we're made of? It's a ridiculously impossible assignment. We're created from dust and corrupted on sin. How can we contribute to an eternal kingdom?

Jesus knows the impossibility of His command. In fact, our obedience to it depends on our understanding that it's impossible. It's one of His many counterintuitive messages. Just as we must die to live and serve to be great, we must know our own futility to finally be productive. We must get to the end of ourselves. He spells it out for us in verses 4 and 5: "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.....if a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

We're often tempted to try to work for God. Nothing we do with that approach will last. The strength of the flesh cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit. Only Jesus can do that. There is no way we can follow His commandments without letting Him live through us. As branches, our only task is to remain attached to the vine. It's the vine that bears the fruit. Are you abiding in Him?
9

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Grace and Abundant life
Genesis 1:20-23 reads, “And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.”

Some of you may know the number five means grace, but it also has another meaning. In the Old and the New Testament, it means abundant life in addition to grace. Abundant life had its beginnings on the fifth day. I think most of you know that atonement was displayed through the five offerings, which is another appearance of the number five. Those five offerings were part of Abraham’s journey to the five altars and are: the burnt, the meal, the peace, the sin and the trespass offerings.

In Isaiah 9:6 we see the wonderful names of the one that would provide grace and abundant life in the New Testament; that one being Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. It is a wonderful promise. Verse 6 reads,

“For unto us a child is born, unto us, a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Let's look at each individual name that He was called and what each means.

1. Wonderful. In the Hebrew, pele’ and means miracles and possibilities. Things that are impossible to us are possible through Christ Jesus. No matter what we face, He will get us through because He is the God of the impossibilities.

2. Counsellor. In the Hebrew, ya'ats, the One who would bring the Word literally to direct us. Jesus Christ would leave the gospel as a record to direct us, to feed us, to nourish us even now so we can grow in the faith and trust in Him.

3. The mighty God. In the Hebrew it is just El, the one true God with strength and power. Without His strength and power, we would all be doomed. He had strength and power to overcome all of Satan's attacks and temptations and to take the punishment that He took, the mocking and scourging to die on that cross, and to trust in His Father that He would be resurrected once again and because of His resurrection we have eternal hope. Only the one true God has that kind of strength and power.

4. The everlasting Father. Everlasting literally means forever through all eternity in the Hebrew; Father literally means head of household in the Hebrew. If you really think about it; yes, He is the head of household; yes, there is now the possibility through Christ to live throughout eternity without ever experiencing eternal death. Yes, we might experience physical death, but we will never face eternal death if we keep our trust and faith in Him. He is everlasting and will go through eternity forever, but He is also the head of the household. A lot of you probably know Ephesians 5:23 by memory where Christ says He is the head of the church, head of the household and the saviour of the body. It is what that promise means. Christ would be the head of the church and the saviour of the body. Some get confused about the everlasting Father. He is the everlasting head of the household; not the one who is head of the Old Testament saints, but the head of the church in this age of dispensation and grace.

5. The Prince of Peace. In Hebrew, it is sar shalom. Prince obviously means the head or captain, or ruler and He is the captain of our salvation. This shows another demonstration of what Christ, who still had not yet come, would be when He did come. Thank God that He did. He is the Christ, the head of the household, and the captain of my salvation. If I keep trusting in Him, I will go throughout eternity with Him forever because He is the one true God who has that kind of strength and power to make this promise come to pass. Thank God, He is also the one who brought the Word to direct and guide us, to teach us, to make us grow from the milk level to the meat level.

Of course, He could not do any of this if He was not the God of the impossibilities. This verse is a sample of how the number five is so important in scripture. It not only provides grace, and shows its symbolism in grace, but also in abundant life. Christ has given us both. Thank you, Jesus, our “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

For those who still check in on this page, I need to tell you that one of the most powerful and informative Christian members of the Opp, Zemirah has taken a bad fall, she injured her head with a large cut and has broken her wrist in two places. She didn't get a concussion thankfully but will be having surgery on her wrist. I am sure she would appreciate our prayers during this painful time of recovery. Praise the Lord, the devil tried to k**l her but God intervened. Hallajeuh what a Savior.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Our prayers are with her for a swift and full recovery.
NPP and SWMBO

bahmer

Amen and Amen our prayers are with her for a full and speedy recovery thank you Lord for sparing her life heal her now and return her to us in Jesus name Amen.

Rose42

Appreciate the heads up and will be sure to say some prayers for her!

Btw, I haven't commented on this thread before but I always read it. Its one of my favorites.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

At one time it was one of the most active pages the #8 in the name means it has reached 800 pages. I pray that we can get it reactivated. Our country is in dire need of prayer. We try to keep politics out and keep the discussions civil and make a safe place to share our faith and good news. Thanks for keeping in touch.

Rose42

Are we ever in dire need! It can be disheartening to know that so many reject Christ. But on the other hand Praise Him for his steadfast love and mercy.

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3

Keep up the good work!

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Amen and Amen



"God is so powerful that He can direct any evil to a good end," ---St. Thomas Aquinas...

The situation is bleak. The situation is bleak. He stands before Pilate, all Jerusalem, it seems is arrayed against Jesus, the disappointing "deliverer." The Jewish leadership is screaming for His execution, and the Roman authorities are compliant and compromising enough to let it happen. Evil rules the day. One of the amazing ironies about the crucifixion of Jesus is while evil is winning the battle---rather handily, in fact---God is winning the war. When your situation is critical, remember the calm of Jesus in the midst of His greatest storm. Remember Joseph's insight: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Remember the principle Paul lays down for us later: "IN ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Are you in a difficult place? It has been allowed from above. It always is. God is accomplishing His purpose through it.
14

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

This is a sermon preached in 1992


ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN
2 PETER 1:1-11

How many of you bring your Bibles to church with you? Hold them up.. Man you should always bring your Bibles
so you can mark special verses and make notes so you won't forget something that touched your heart.

E******NS ARE ON THE HORIZONS SO THE TERM CANDIDATE IS BEFORE US almost ON A DAILY BASIS...

THE POLITICAL RACE IS starting to really get hot and heavy, AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED ARE MAKING SPEECHES, TELLING US WHAT THEY WILL DO TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY and make things better.

THE TERM CANDIDATE IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE RUNNING FOR A OFFICE OR POSITION OF SOME SORT, AND ONE CONJURES UP A
VISION OF A POLITICIAN, BUT THE TERM CANDIDATE IS ALSO USED IN A BIBLICAL SENSE.

IN FACT, ALL OF US ARE CANDIDATES IN GOD'S EYE... AND similar to THE POLITICIANS WE ARE IN A RACE.

BUT AS STRANGE AS IT MAY SEEM TO SOME FOLKS, GOD IS NOT A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN... GOD HAS HIS OWN PARTY... IT IS CALLED THE THEOCRATIC PARTY.

God IS THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THIS PARTY, AND HE HAS HELD THE POSITION OF SUPREME COMMANDER SINCE ETERNITY PAST,
AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THAT POSITION FOR ETERNITY FUTURE...

THE RACE THAT WE ARE INVOLVED IN, IS NOT FOR A 2, 4, 6 or even an 8 YEAR TERM, BUT RATHER FOR eternity. That's a long term.


and in God's party, you never have to worry about term limits. When you’re elected you’re elected for eternity.

IN HEB 12:1 WE ARE TOLD... SINCE WE HAVE SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES SURROUNDING US, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY ENCUMBRANCE,
AND THE SIN WHICH SO EASILY ENTANGLES US, AND LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US.

You see that's the difference between the Theocratic party vs the democrats or republicans. To GET ELECTED IN God’s PARTY YOU Can’t LIE TO GET ELECTED; YOU CAN'T MAKE DEALS WITH LOBBYISTS OR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

God HAS NO PORKBARREL PROJECTS IN his PARTRY. The candidates say what they mean and mean what they say.

If you don't get anything else out of this message this morning, don't ever forget this point. Are you listening?
WE ARE ALL CANDIDATES AND THE RACE WE ARE RUNNING IS THE RACE OF LIFE, THE BIBLE TEACHES US, that WHAT WE DO IN THE RACE OF THIS LIFE, DETERMINES THE OUTCOME OF OUR EXISTENCE IN THE LIFE TO COME...

AS A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN, HOW CAN WE TELL IF WE ARE RUNNING OUR CAMPAIGN RIGHT?
HOW CAN WE TELL IF WE ARE REALLY ON THE RIGHT Ticket?
How can we tell if we are SUPPORTING THE RIGHT PLATFORM?
HOW CAN WE TELL IF WE ARE REALLY A MEMBER OF THE THEOCRATIC PARTY? We will talk about this a little later.

I BELIEVE THE BIBLE GIVES US AT LEAST 7 VERY IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO HELP US MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RUNNING A PROPER RACE.


FIRST OF ALL, A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS A REGENERATED PERSON. JOHN 3:3.

SECOND A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS A PERSEVERING PERSON. LUKE 9:62; Heb. 10:32-39

THIRD... A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS An ENDURING PERSON... MATT 24:3-14.

One might ask what is the difference between persevering and enduring?
Glad you asked: a persevering person is one who continues in spite of difficulties, opposition.

An enduring person is one who can patiently tolerate or put up with any circumstance or situation that may come their way;
They are long-suffering. Steadfast, not swayed by winds of adversity. You might even call them bullheaded for Jesus.

FOURTH. A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS A HUMBLE PERSON… MATT 5:3; 1 PETER 5:5 JAMES 4:10

FIFTH... A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS A RIGHTEOUS PERSON... ROM 3:20-26 1 COR 1:30 MATT 5:8

SIXTH... A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS A FAITHFUL PERSON... JOHN 6:27-29 1 COR 15:1-2 the Bible says without faith it's impossible to please God.

SEVENTH... A CANDIDATE FOR HEAVEN IS AN EXPECTANT PERSON… PHIL 3:20-21; 1 THES 1:8-10; TITUS 2:11-15..

YES, IT'S E******N TIME...SOME OF US ARE INCUMBENTS THIS MORNING WE ALREADY HOLD A POSITION IN HEAVEN... HOW ARE YOU CARRYING OUT YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

YOU'VE BEEN REGENERATED, BORN AGAIN... BUT CAN GOD COUNT ON YOU TO STILL BE: PERSEVERING, ENDURING, HUMBLE, RIGHTEOUS, FAITHFUL, AND EXPECTING?

IF THESE THINGS HAVE SLIPPED Why NOT RECOMMIT YOURSELVES TO THE WONDERFUL POSITION YOU HOLD?

YES, SOME OF YOU THIS MORNING ARE NEW CANDIDATES. Every day, you are IN THE RACE OF LIFE, BUT, perhaps YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ELECTED TO HEAVEN YET...

LET ME TELL YOU, IT'S NOT BECAUSE you are NOT QUALIFIED FOR OFFICE… JESUS SAID IN JOHN 6:37: ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVES ME SHALL COME TO ME, AND THE ONE WHO COMES TO ME I WILL CERTAINLY NOT CAST OUT...

YOU MAY ASK HOW CAN I KNOW THAT GOD HAS GIVEN me to Jesus?

THE FACT THAT YOU ARE HERE, HEARING THE INVITATION TO COME TO JESUS FOR ETERNAL LIFE, FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOU SIN...

THAT IS PROOF THAT GOD WANTS TO ELECT YOU TO THE HIGH OFFICE OF HEAVEN...

You see faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Believe me, if you are here this morning it's because God called you here to give you a chance to make a choice.

Either to accept Jesus as your Savior and receive forgiveness for all your sins and to have an eternal home in heaven when it comes time for you to depart this life. Or when He returns to call His children Home.

Or you can reject Him, Listen, your soul is eternal, it's going to live somewhere forever. Either in heaven forever,

or sad to say in hell forever. Separated from God and His glory. You say it's too late for me.

I heard one of the best preachers I EVER HEARD SAY THIS, " it’s ALWAYS TO SOON TO QUIT, BUT IT'S NEVER TO late TO START"

WON'T YOU COME THIS MORNING AND MAKE SURE OF YOUR CALLING AND E******N. FOR YOU SEE WHOSOEVER RUNS ON God's theocratic ticket is always a winner because they are always elected to heaven.

bahmer

Amen and Amen