What do you carry with you to service on Sunday

Here it is again......Sunday!
Heading out to church?
Are you bringing the right stuff with you?
Did you know that what you did all week having to do with your relationship with Christ will be what you "pack up" and bring to share?
So how was your week?
Did you find yourself daily in praise, worship, joyful thanksgiving, prayer, and supplication?
OR: Did you find yourself only aggravated, annoyed, condemning, not "drawing neigh to God" or finding place for Him in your daily routine?
Whichever question you answer yes to represents what you are bringing to your "church service."
Another thought:
How many others are bringing the same thing?
A "worship service" or "Sunday meeting" can only be the accumulation of everyone's weekly experiences with God.
If they are all "passionate" rife with "Emanuel, God with us" then the time corporately together will be blessed, and all who participate will leave there "lifted up."
If all who participate are "Godless" in their weekly relationship
then the "gathering" will be pointless and legalistic.
Because God is in His temple (people) He is either there because we all bring our share of Him or missing because the "temple" is Godless in practice.
We are bringing "Him" with us this Sunday! We have called upon His name throughout the week praying, seeking, reading His Word, rejoicing in His presence, and thanking Him in all things.
That's what we are bringing to share at our church service.
We are bringing the "wine", like the wine that was water changed by Jesus. We being common place (like water) but touched by the Master's Hand. Converted to a "higher calling", better quality than when we started.
When you pack your heart for service today include: Love, Joy, and Peace in the Holy Spirit.
Love
J&E in Tn

Steps to be a viable Christian

Did you ever think seriously about what Faith in Christ is really all about?

Is it just some comforting form of meditation that we rely on when things are tough or rejoice in when things are good?

Lets use a simple comparison to explain:

Faith in Christ is like a person standing on a sidewalk in front of a great stairway.

He's on the sidewalk (not a believer) looking up the stairway (to better things).

His first decision has to be "get on the stairway" or believe in Jesus Christ.

Most people will at some point come to that decision and either continue walking down the sidewalk content in their lives, or will decide by the calling of the Holy Spirit, that they will take the stairway, (put their faith in Christ), and take the first step.

Remember this is the first step, (the most important one), but after that there are many more. Like in Jacobs ladder. Starting at the earth and ascending all the way to heaven. So are the steps we are talking about.

What is the second step? Like a newborn babe it is feeding on the Word of God so that the new believer can be nourished.

Being that I believe that the Holy Spirit must illuminate the Scriptures and thereby guide in it's truth, then this is how we must be instructed in "the Way."

The third step, as the Spirit leads is baptism. As we read the Word we notice that there are two kinds of baptisms: Water and the "Holy Spirit". There is no points to argue here as to what comes first but both should be accomplished in a timely manner after "Faith in Christ" has taken place, otherwise questions in our struggles will plague us and weaken us as to the validity of our Faith. We want to go up the stairs not down.

The fourth step awaiting our rise is prayer: All prayers are heard of God but prayer takes on a new meaning and direction once step #3 has been taken. It becomes less selfish, broader, deeper, more passionate, and more effective. "Led of the Spirit." And like anything else "better with use." The more we pray the faster we become "entering into the spirit of prayer."

There are two types of prayer: (and that is Biblical whether you believe it or not, whether you experience it or not, in fact like it or not "you have nothing to say about it!), praying with your mind/heart and praying in the Spirit or tongues. Now there are two types of tongues: A prayer language "between you and God" (unknown by man) and a language that is not a prayer language for the "promotion of the Gospel" with two parts to that side. Some times a tongue is given to the one speaking (for the promotion of the Gospel), so that the hearers will understand and be enlightened to the Faith in Christ, and the other is the "anointing" that the hearers receives in his native tongue of the preaching of the Gospel from someone who doesn't know the language of the people he is preaching to.

So that step #4 covers all about and all the types of prayer. As we walk back and forth on step #4 we will begin to experience "spiritual awareness, praying without ceasing, and answer to prayers which will "increase our Faith" that will cause us to "grow in the faith and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" daily.

The fifth step is: Growing in the "Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What does that mean??????

That means having a personal Revelation of Christ that continues to develop over the years which is an experiencing of His presence, personality and character in your life that continually "conforms you to His image and likeness." Remember that "I must decrease, He must increase." That's what the Revelation of Jesus Christ will, and must, accomplish in your "growing in grace and understanding of Him" in your life. Some people only want Faith in Christ as a "ticket to those streets of gold" but Faith in Him comes with a responsibility back to Him. He didn't die for our salvation to become a "get out of jail card" only. He gave us faith so that we could do as He did, "glorify our Father in heaven as He did, by "seeing the works He (Jesus) did and doing them also plus greater things". Again just to "Glorify our Father in Heaven." If we haven't been led by the Holy Spirit and haven't claimed that the Word of God is true and timeless, then we will not experience the promises of God in our life, and at some point we will look around and realize that we are no different than anyone else and begin to doubt that Christ and the Holy Spirit are worth following after. We are to be a "peculiar people, a royal priesthood." That happens when God bears witness to the Truth (the Gospel of Christ) with signs and wonders following the preaching of the Gospel. Whether you can acquiesce to that or not, in terms of Scripture it doesn't matter as you are the only one who looses in that scenario.

God's work will go on, (and has, just look around you), with or without your co-operation in the matter. Yes He will always love you but He can only use you if you believe and obey Him following His ways! The Scripture says "let God be true and every man a liar." Like it or not you and I are men and like it or not "we are liars." Scripture overrides all men's fables, teachings, preaching's, or whatever is taught or practiced that does not come clearly from Scripture. So if your church says there is no "baptism in the Holy Spirit" or the gifts no longer exist, or that all the ministry positions have been eliminated, then flee that church and get into the Word of God to know the Truth that sets free, before you go and try to find another place of worship.

Step #6 and upward: All these are a continuing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, a deepening of the Love of Christ to others, a maturing (few do) into thought, words and deeds of Christ, and a deepening of the intimacy we have with our Father in Heaven, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.

Well there you have it in a small nutshell.

Hope it was of help to someone.

Remember that the Love of God is key in all this.

Grow in the Love of God and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

See you on that set of steps...........

Love

J&E

Men: Your "help meet!"

MEN!
What do you think "she" is thinking when you:
Greet her with a smile in the morning?
Ask her how she slept?
Made her a special breakfast?
Hold her hand while you shop together?
Come up along side her at the kitchen counter with a towel?
Embrace her tenderly at "unexpected" moments?
For now reason tell her you "love her" with no expectation?
Pat her on the butt as she passes by?
Hold her and sigh just because she is yours?
Roll down the bed just for her arrival?
Look into her eyes with love, passion, emotion, that she can see?
Tell her how beautiful she is........always and all ways?
Listen to her diligently as she talks?
Pray for her health, needs, cares, and concerns daily?

Let me tell you what she is thinking:
I am unconditionally loved!
I am valuable!
I am appreciated!
I am desired!

Priceless................

God gave all mankind Jesus Christ, He gave you your "help meet", your wife. The one who "makes you whole," complete!
He designed her just for you as a gift, precious, valuable.

He told you to "love your wife" as Christ loves the church."
He told her to "respect your husband."
Just like God loved us and bestowed "His Love" on us so should we love our wives. If we do that their "respect" will turn to "love" and we will be complete in Gods design.

Life is good!
Love is better!
But a life with love is best!

God bless and keep this new year.
May you grow in Love and Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ daily so that your life will bear witness to His gospel, first at home then to others.

Love
J&E in Tn

A note from me!

I have been on hold from writing on this blog for the past several months, as I promised when I started it that I would only write as inspired by the Holy Spirit. I have kept to that as said. These last few months has been a "remaking" of my relationship with God in the areas of sensitivity, passion, prayer, thanksgiving, and worship. 

I have never "settled in" to the comfort adadge that all things are all they can be and complete in their present form. I believe by Scripture that I, (as are you who believe), am being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ in all areas of His life. Thought, Word, and deeds (actions) that would bring forth the promise that I (we) will "do those things that He did and do them also", so as to "Glorify our (His) Father in Heaven." This way we will have a "witness" in preaching as He proves the Truth of His Word by "sign's and wonders following."

I believe that His return is imminent........even at the door.

My heart breaks for the unsaved and the believing ignorant of these matters. 

Do not be fooled......there are believers that have taken the weak doctrines of man, (instead of the Word of God), and ran without doubt in the "powerless ways", denying the promises of God and our Great Savior Jesus Christ. These are the "prime" harvest that will make up the "falling away." Sad but true. 

If the Truth's of Scripture has no place in your heart "because you have never seen them or experienced them", or because "they never happened in our church", then you will fulfill the Words of Christ to the father of a demoniac son: In red:

Mark 9:17-24 

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

And your next cry should be:

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

If this is what happening at your place of worship then approach them with this Truth or get out. Go somewhere where that does honor the Word of God and apply His promises. The time quickly approaches when these "promises" will not be optional.

Pray about this, fast for a heart to be worthy of making God's promises a reality, then live by faith and be a faithful witness to a lost and dying world.

God bless and empower for His glory sake.

Love 

J&E in TN

Thoughts on the "times that are upon us." Lord what shall we do?

Colossian's 3:1-3

1. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.…

I Timothy 6:6

6. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

1 Timothy 6:17

17. Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19. storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed

.

Sometimes the ease of life or the possession of wealth leads us astray from the Truth of who is the provider of these blessings. Time will prove our motives of how we treat these "distractions" and how much we really rely on them vs God.

I can promise everyone reading this that the time is coming when decisions will be made concerning material possessions that will divide the "sheep from the goats". Faith in Christ will be the overcoming factor of the sheep and despair will identify the goats.

Some prepare for difficult times with material things and forget to add "walking by faith" to their preparedness. Don't make the same mistake. Remember: "walking by faith" is achieved by continued application "NOW" and affirmed "in that time of testing." If you don't have that now then you will "fall away" later.

The reason we "have all these precious promises" giving us by Christ to every believer, because He knew that we would need them not only now but in these difficult times we are facing ahead.

Right now I recommend:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Learn how to pray and have faith for answers.

Start to fast to empower your prayers.

Learn how to "worship". Not just lip service but a broken heart before God.

Give thanks for all you have and all you will be given.

Teach your children these applications.

Allow the Holy Spirit to "conform you to the image and likeness of Christ.

Learn how to "see our Father in heaven doing His work and do it also."

Learn how to "hear the voice of our Father in heaven and speak the same.

Be open to "dreams and visions."

Ask and seek for the promised gifts that will bless you and your plus others.

By accomplishing these above things (plus others that God will lay on your heart) you will secure for yourself and others hope "till He calls all His to meet with Him in the sky."

God bless and keep till that day.

Love in Christ

J&E inTn

A nation turned evil. Why?

It's obvious enough to say that all that is happening in our society today is caused by just one factor: compromise!

It started with ALL churches, compromising sound doctrine, fear of God, elimination of the commands and gifts given those "who believe", and a silent resistance to evil when it is entered in subtly.
Compromised churches led to weakened family's through minimizing the practice of faith and the reliance on God to prove Truth and glorify His name.
Weakened families allowed an ever increasing moral compromise in our children to accept and practice evil as good.
These children are now (with weak and immoral training) filling our leadership rolls in all three areas of govt. judicial (instead of enforcing laws they are now writing immoral and Godless laws), legislative (now rebelling against our God inspired Constitution and undermining the intentions of our Forefathers, furthermore giving place to our enemy's by calling opposition to them "hate crimes", and then of course our executive branch (calling our enemy friends, forsaking our citizens in foreign prisons, and using his executive powers to override anyone who stands against his evil plans.)
So here we are now. All this because (just as Israel did in the past) we thought not to be thankful for the blessings that God has anointed this country with, and to believe the lie that ourselves through science has done all this. Not realizing that science has no moral borders as the commands of God do. Science has no authority in righteousness as do the commands of God. And what started out (science) to prove that God is "the Creator" it is now used on every side to prove otherwise.
Through out the lineage of man (since the creation) there has been an uncompromising effort to eliminate the "knowledge of God", and give Him His due for all His blessings. Still He loves us all and would to continue in blessing but because of His righteousness/justice He must bring discipline once again upon the earth. He has not forsaken us nor turned from us but we have turned from Him. Even this upcoming discipline will be in love as the full measure of our sin would surely cause Sodom and Gomorrah's punishment to look lacking to the cause.
Even though we as Christians,because of a lack of powerful faith, testimony, and doctrinal compromise, has unleashed this evil authority over us, there is hope. Jesus Christ. We are never hopeless or without a future because of Him.
As for our leaders in all three branches:
Your sin will find you out.
Your punishment will be just.
Our God shall prevail.
As for all those who bite on the flesh of hate and would devour the righteous with lies and hate mongering know this:
The pit of deceit and lies that you perpetrate will become your grave, your children will turn against you, and God will rise up and cause you to fail though your victory would seem to be at hand.
Church:
Return to your first love.
Humble yourself before the Living God.
Pray confessing our sin of slackness, compromise, and backsliding.
The Lord will come soon.
Long for His coming.
Watch and pray.
The hour is at hand.
Stand and having done all to stand just stand.
Putting on the whole armor of God.
Grace and peace be unto you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Love
J&E in Tn

Faith and Relationship with God

I stand always amazed at how much God wants to communicate with us continually. Seems like no matter what time of day or position of body, or participation of motion (work, play, ect), He is always and all ways there to manifest His presence and meet with us on a personal and active level. Sometimes this meeting is just a conscious presence of His being there and thereby  heart felt. Sometimes it is verbal with His instruction for us and our listening with both our ears and our hearts. Sometimes it's His gently nudging us to do something of His will that we don't understand or that we can't figure out where this will lead us.
No matter what the way, or reason, He "meets" with us, the main thing is that He does and should, at least on a basis that says He is alive in our lives and guiding our hearts.
Do you believe this? Is it a part of your daily "revelation of Jesus Christ?" If not daily: when you seek Him do you find Him regularly? Be honest, most of us are claiming some sort of "religious" practices or faith, but the question is: "does your faith manifest itself" in real Biblical experiences?"
Hebrews 1:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."
Understand that faith is "true reality". Not like the carnal, physical, visible world that we live in, transient and ever changing. True Faith takes it's roots from the unchangeable real spiritual world of "without end." The Biblical promise world of an "unending eternity."
Look at it's very definition: Now faith "IS" the substance of things hoped for. Reading this we can only surmise that faith is the substance, ie. true reality, truly touchable, truly apprehend able, and the only thing worth hoping for. Real faith validates the achieving of hope, in fact it guarantees it as much as we view this world to be real, faith is more.
"The evidence of things unseen" proves that faith is it's own evidence because "by faith" the unseen is acted on as seen and therefor received by that self same faith. Evidence is what we use to validate truth (not so much any more but it was this way in the beginning). The participation in faith that we apply ourselves in will then manifest itself in reality. So if you have little or no faith, or just a carnal, mental faith then the "things of God" will be hidden from you and your "growing in faith and grace" will be thwarted. Our faith must put us into a class of believers that believe "that God is and He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently."
Here is where we fail, we stumble at the stumbling block, that word "DILIGENTLY".
Here is an example that someone once told me: "God is God but this is reality." If God is not your foremost "reality" then where are you living and what is most important to you? Is God in "all" your thoughts? Is your thoughts in subjection to the "Mind of Christ?"
Could this be why our daily/weekly/monthly/yearly walk with God is so "Divinely Uneventful?"
Scripture says "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
We are to ask, seek, and knock "in accordance with His will" in order to "receive" the substance and the evidence" of hope and the unseen.
We have to become like the man with the devil possessed son who said in desperation to Jesus "Help thou my unbelief."
Do we have to be sinking to these depths of despair before we cry out for help with our faith? Are some of us there now? Have we forgot who is the "author and finisher of our faith?" Are we so strong that we don't need "Divine" help and so we rely on the "arm of man." Is our God's arm shortened that it cannot help, heal, deliver?
God cannot change. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He knows your life as a story already told. He has put all things needed in your path/life to draw you unto Him and His Gospel for the sole reason of having "fellowship" with you. Fellowship means to walk, talk, and be an active, real, living part of your life.
The first place this is manifested is in prayer, (communication), which is a conversation (two or more participants) not a monologue, (only you talking). If your prayer time is just a monologue ending with Amen, and not a time of "waiting on the Lord" to hear what He has to say, then things need to change. When you kneel before God in that most solemn and intimate time of prayer, be still and know that He is God. You are bowing before the God of creation and glorious in your sight. If He is anything else then a good look at your heart needs to be taken.
The second (and most lied about in Christianity) points at the proof of His "manifesting" Himself and His will through His promises and commands.
For You does He? If we walk with Him we will be conformed to His image and likeness and manifest His will on earth, seeing Him do His will and doing it also. Hearing Him speak and speaking the same. Doing those things that Jesus did and greater.
If you don't believe that this is His intentions for you then just what do you believe? Did He bring His Son to the cross and out of the grave to just save you. Was that price offered for your sins just so you can "walk streets of gold?" Or did it come with a contract of "obedience" to His Word, and Will wrapped in His Love. We owe Him! Everything! Our Hearts, Souls, Minds, Bodies, Wills, efforts, passions, focus, everything! It may take a while for us to get there but with the right companion (the Holy Spirit) for the journey, and the right food and drink, (His Word) to strengthen us, we are more then fit for the journey which is our "calling and election" for "in Him we live and move and have our being."
Gird up your loins with strength.......fit yourself for battle,,,,,,,draw neigh to God and He will dray neigh to you..........remembering that "faith comes by hearing and that by the word of God."
Read the Word, pray, so growing in faith and thereby producing fruit "keeping with repentance."
Though I am always reminded of the "sin that ever wants to posses me" I am also ever assured of the Savior who bought me with a price eternally and my passion and desire to serve Him, keeping Him ever in my heart, thoughts, words and deeds, receiving of His will in prayers, dreams and visions to do and speak.
"This is the way, walk ye therein."
Love
J&E