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I just had to drop in on you guys & girls while traveling, Somebody gotta keep you folks straight, now, when Long2Retire posted the pope’s words of great thought.... I might be wrong but I sure wish & pray that religious leaders would be more concerned with saving souls from hell and teaching the love of God than screwing around with politics.... I best hush up before I put my foot in my mouth
God Bless
let me try this....specific person.....sometimes the fingers, brain & computer just will not work together....My cell phone has a mind of its own, I Have to double read everything there....I mean it changes words completely
I cannot afford the ones made by a septic person, that being said Tecovas are hand made at a more reasonable price, a price I can afford .....anyway I am going to give them a try. I have worn boots for years but never boots of a higher quality. Now these may not be the best on the market, but should be way better than what I have owned in the past.....I HOPE.
Sometime late to night my Bride & I are hitting the road for a 3 or 4 week road trip, down south, around the Gulf, up to Ariz. to get. a pair of hand made western boots, over through Nevada and slowly head back home, weather permitting by the way of Color. Bride has terrible cabin fever and I am afraid if it gets worse I will be the one to pay the price. Asking for prayers for safe travels and a return to some form of human sanity. God Bless
Thank you Rick, I pray that your witness will touch the heart of one who may be reading here this morning. Yours was drug & alcohol abuse along with all that comes with it, Others may not have those issues but denial and worldly lust that carry so many away, well they just loose sight. Hey---God forgave you, he will also forgive others of any evil and will give their life purpose again. Once again thanks so much. God Bless
Just got back from taking my bride to the doc., she "had" that covid19 junk and needed a chest x-ray, today isn't her best day so I drove her over there. She doing good. Then I came home, opened the computer and read the post and the best thing for me is to say nothing. Never thought I would be at a loss for words....well I am not at a loss for words, but if I said what I think then I have to ask for forgiveness. Even St Peter flew off the handle every now & then
OH BOY !! Have I ever been wrong on the "Luke "Warm Church"....The Church of the Laodiceans, but then I never really looked into that much.
Laodicea became the wealthiest most important city in the region. It was known for 3 industries---"banking----wool---& medicine. The city had a terrible lack of water which led to the building of an underground water aqueduct. The term Luke warm came from this---Nearby Heirapoli was famous for its hot springs and Colosse for its cold refreshing mountain waters. From what I understand these two water supplies came together and flowed through the underground aqueduct to Laodicea making the water supply Luke warm and nasty tasting, it is said that strangers to the area when 1st taking a drink would spit it out because it really was nasty tasting stuff.
The Old Testament book of Zephaniah 1:12 speaks of Luke warm, men who are settled into complacency, who say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil." This thinking is much like the folks at Laodicea. I believe I have heard similar thinking in today's church circles. Then if we focus on verse 17 here in Rev. "Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy and have no need of nothing-----and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Maybe PRIDE took over, or at least something to think on. When I was reading about this Luke warm church I came across something went sort of like this, if our church fails to make Christianity real then we become like the Luke warm church at Laodicea, we loose our power to make moral and spiritual distinctions. The church says all the right things but those nice words loose their meaning. Folks of this kind of a church find themselves in a very tragic position, they have lost their enthusiasm for the truth and have become like those who have a flag but no country over which to wave it.
Also from Zephaniah 3: 2...."She has not obeyed His Voice, she has not received correction, she has not trusted in the Lord, she has not drawn near to her God".------
When I started this on the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation I made mention that I try to think on them as the church of today. I always believe that it is good to learn from the mistakes of others. Scripture is full of life lessons which we all can learn from and maybe make our lives easier....
God Bless
I had some time back posted that my older brother (82) has lung cancer, he is doing well but at 82 I think we all understand. But yesterday he put on fb the shoe story and he also put his out there, well a cut and paste thing----
"Sometimes I wish I could just roll back to the good ole days with my loved ones and press pause just for a little while."
This one here was just a nice thought, but what my daughter posted to him ---"If it was me with you, I would roll back to Julie and Andy's wedding and jitter-bug with you again"-------Now to you folks that means nothing, but it really touched me, touch me more than I will share this morning. I have no abilities when it comes to singing or dancing, but my brother was blessed in both of those. When my daughter posted that it brought back a flood of beautiful memories... I have tried to teach each of my kids that as they go through life everything they do creates a memory , some good and some bad, try your best to make those memories so that when you look back on life you will be blessed.
I think God looks at our life like that
A little something I read that is thought provoking......
Shoes in Church ~
I showered and shaved......I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat.......In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer......As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me...... Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side......I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine......But it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: 'Our Father'......I thought,
'This man with the shoes, has no pride. They’re dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'
'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on......
The shoe man said......A quiet 'Amen.'
I tried to focus on the prayer......But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best......when walking through that door?
'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended......And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud......Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters......His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear......The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering......And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached......Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out......What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft 'clink' as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me......To tears, and that's no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man......For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service......As is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors......And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow......And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer......I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark......And his hair was truly a mess......
But I thanked him for coming......For being our guest......
He said, 'My name’s Charlie......I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'
There were tears in his eyes......But he had a large, wide grin......
'Let me explain,' he said......Wiping tears from his eyes.
'I've been coming here for months......And you're the first to say 'Hi.''
'I know that my appearance......Is not like all the rest.
'But I really do try......To always look my best.'
'I always clean and polish my shoes......Before my very long walk.'
'But by the time I get here......They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'
My heart filled with pain......And I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize......For daring to sit so near
He said, 'When I get here......I know I must look a sight.'
'But I thought if I could touch you......Then maybe our souls might unite.'
I was silent for a moment......Knowing whatever was said......
Would pale in comparison......I spoke from my heart, not my head.
'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part'
'That the best of any man......Is what is found in his heart.'
The rest, I thought,......This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am......That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.
Live each day as your last, for we never know our time here on earth. Love and peace, my Friends, and remember that it is not how we look on the outside but how we look within .
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The letter to Philadelphia----THE FAITHFUL CHURCH
This letter to the church is very much like the letter to the church at Smyrna, since it contains no word of blame or censure; instead, the message is one of praise and encouragement , so the message is be a good Christian, remain faithful and all will be well. As I studied I was taken in by the Christian's living conditions and what they faced.
Not exactly sure how to handle this one, but will go with what caught my eye. Back in Philadelphia in John's time of writing the chief deity was Dionysus, the Greek god of vegetation, later of wine and drama. As I read this thought OK, so what, back in that day there were gods of just about everything. Then I came upon Dionysia, a festival that honors the god Dionysius, a vegation-deity. It celebrated the return of the return of life in the spring, after the long sleep of winter, and by means of sympathetic magic attempted to secure fertility. Therefore it was accompanied by drunken excesses, sexual license, and the tearing to pieces of human or animal victim, symbolizing the god, and the burying of the flesh. This was held in the city and was accompanied by the comedies and tragedies of the great dramatist and long processions of people wearing ivy. Jews were compelled to join in these processions. I could not find the consequences to those who did not. In that day it was the popular thing to do and we all know how important it is to be in the in-crowd----that was sarcasm .
Back in Isaiah 22:22 we read the Eliakim, a king in the line of David who held the key to all the king's treasure. When opened the door it was opened and when he closed the door it was closed. In the same way Jesus possesses the key to the kingdom of God and the entrance to eternal life. In verse 8 we read about the church with little strength, much as the church of today, but what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9---Jesus said--"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness"
Once again, not exactly sure how to handle this one, but in our world today our temptations may be different than those of a couple thousand years ago, but the temptations are just as strong as those of yesterday-year and our weakness is just as weak as back then. Nothing here is saying we have to be perfect, we just have to keep the faith the best we can. The needed Strength and Courage to deal with our world today will come from the Holy Spirit----we just need to trust
I encourage you to read this faithful church Rev. 3:7-13, maybe think on it like a letter to the church of today....God Bless
I read this the 1st thing this morning and just had to copy and post it to my fb page. The anger and hate is terrible in our world today. thanks for posting
Steve, using what I think/remember Jesus said to the guy, I don't think it was the lawyer, anyway when he ask Jesus what he must do....Jesus said to believe, now I got to go look it up, I know if I go further I mess it all up....give me a minute., tic--toc--tic--toc, OK, after the feeding of the 5000 and when Jesus explains the bread of life---they ask Him--"what shall we do, that we may do the work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."
After reading your post that came to mind. When we truly believe I reckon that would be the renewing & transforming of the mind, Jus a passing thought while checking things out before the VaTech/Pitt. football game. Our oldest son and our money went to VaTech, beautiful school, but their football this year is disappointing....but it is a fun Saturday afternoon thing. I like college ball or maybe the living room tailgate...lol
I like that, strikes a good note
Thank you , God uses us for doing something good.....BUT,BUT,BUT, He really got his hands full dealing with me. Some days it 1 step forward and 2 steps back....
Thanks to you & Greg for your input. I have been a little surprised that on fb I have received some messages on thought of others, mainly folks I would never have expected. A couple open to all and a couple private. I am so blessed that these have made folks think.....really surprised me.
Planting seeds, someone comes along and waters it and God makes it grow
Happy Saturday folks....God Bless.....If I may use the common greeting used in early times in the churches and which Paul used in the opening of his letters. (Epistles)
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
The Church at Sardis, known here as the "Dead Church". Rather short, just 6 verses making for an easy read, but understanding comes a little harder for me, I picked up a little from John MacArthur, a little from David Jeremiah, some from the Interpreter's Bible, so much of what I am posting is from those sources.
The difference between appearance and reality is of constant importance to the Christian. Superficial people evidently praised the church at Sardis. Most likely there were signs of prosperity, what met the eye could could be interpreted in such a fashion as to call words of praise. But one looking beyond the appearance to the heart found something different. It was as if he heard the rattle of dead man bones. The thought of being dead without knowing it is terrible enough. and this is what needed to be learned at the church of Sardis.
Verse 3 ---Come upon you as a thief---this reference does not apply to the second coming of Christ, but to his sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant , dead church, to inflict harm and destruction.
Verse 4 speaking of defiled garments....means to smear, pollute stain....not referring to clothing but to character.--
Most of the above was from J. MacArthur, then D. Jeremiah has a bit more focus on the Holy Spirt.
The 7 spirits represent the completeness of the Holy Spirit's ministry. The church at Sardis died because it did not let the Holy Spirit control its assembly. Christ does not call the church to wake up but to be on guard, like a sentry standing guard. `Every member receives and hears the word and calling from the Holy Spirit---It was important that they did not loose focus of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Then we have a closing that a few had not fallen by the way, and words of their rewards for faithfulness.
Dr. David Jeremiah closes it out like this---"John Walvoord writes--"The letter to Sardis is a searching message to the churches today that we are full of activity and housed in beautiful buildings but are often lacking in evidences of eternal life. Christ word today is to remember, repent, and obey, just as it was to the church at Sardis."
I have learned that when reading Scripture, say like Paul's letters to read them as if he were writing to me, personally, it just seems to offer me a different understanding. The when I was reading about the 7 churches I try to read it as if these letters are to the churches of 2020. It is natural to read and point a finger at others, even those of a few thousand years ago, but it can be difficult to point that same finger at ourselves. Our human nature is to rely upon ourselves, we are taught that from childhood , as a baby "take your 1st step, I know you can do it"...this teaching goes alway through adulthood. It then is very natural to rely upon ourselves to work our way into heaven, it is natural not to rely upon the Holy Spirit for guidance, but the truth is if we learn to lean on, rely upon the Holy Spirit our day to day lives will be made much easier. I say this from experience and today I still struggle with control issues. Sometimes, just step back and say "Lord I need some help here" and allow the Holy Spirit to do His thing----you will be blessed...God Bless and have a great week-end
You sound like my bride now.....and yes you are 100% right, I'll work on that thanks
I seriously have my doubts about this, my youngest son called and that was 20 min. conversation, but I always treasure my time with my kids, but still I've been trying to get this done now for over 3 hours.....God has a great sense of humor, or the devil trying to get me to loose it.
Let us think a bit on what was close to the end of yesterday's thoughts on the corrupt church---"The deep things of satan". Basically inside we feel all good, we have convinced ourselves that we are Christian because by God's grace we are saved and at the same time think because of God's grace we can do whatever we want and all is well. The main concern of the author is that Christians never worship a ruler in any form and such worship was purely satanic. Sort of makes me think on the idea that we put anything in 1st place between us and God we are closing in on satanic stuff.
I am sure that verse 22 & 23 raised an eyebrow or 2---to best explain I have to use notes from John MacArthur and David Jeremiah study Bibles. !st John M.--"Sickbed"--"Having given this woman time to repent, God was to judge her upon a bed. Since she used a luxurious bed to commit her immorality, and the reclining couch at the idol feast to eat things offered to false gods, He was to give her a bed in hell, where she would lie forever.----then the children--The church was about 40 years old when John wrote, and her teaching had produced a second generation, advocating the same debauchery. Then-- "He who searches the hearts and minds"---God has perfect knowledge of every human heart, no evil can be hidden from Him.----"will give to each According to your works"----Always the basis for future judgment. Works do not save (Eph.2:8-9), but they are evidence of salvation (James 2: 14-26).....Now from David J.--The Lord promises to transform Jezebel's bed, where she committed her sin, into a place of pain. In His omniscience, the Lord alone knew those who shared in her sin and they also share in her suffering.
I wish I could have better presented this on the corrupt church. My dad would use the term "Jezebel" often and always used in a negative way. Although Jezebel was thousands of years ago her policies still exist today and sadly I think exists in many churches today. It is easy to read about the corrupt church and discuss this subject of thousands of years ago, but dare we think of it concerning our church of today. Do we put out christian values and beliefs aside for our political wants & desires? Does our organized religion re-invent the Scriptures to fit their personal wants & desires? I suppose those are question only God & you have the answers to, then maybe only God has the true answer.
God Bless, enjoy your weekend
OK !! 2nd try, but 1st, coffee & breakfast was really good, I fried me a big ole Pork Chop to go with my 2 eggs & Pot of coffee. The really neat thing was when I went to the kitchen to start my breakfast this song came to mind or this part of a song came to mind----"Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you, He is willing aide you----He will carry you through"----Now I don't know if this will help with my understanding of the corrupt church, but sure helped my attitude...Now I'll get busy
I can't believe it.....I mean seriously !!! I was nearing the end of today's thing on the corrupt church and just like that the entire screen went white, everything gone....I really thought I was on target this morning, no way I can get it back. Often I think when this happens it is God telling me to go fly a kite, I am way off base, this morning I think the devil did not like the message---the computer gods shut me down. I had spent 45 minutes on this, so don't expect anything to quick----I am 77 so I am allowed to be slow
Think I will go do breakfast 1st---this thing really screwed me up
I think you are right, I did't think of it then
Here we go, I finally got my running done so hopefully I am caught up enough to catch up. Just so you know its not me being lazy.
Revelation 2:18-29----The Corrupt Church.
Of the 7 letters this is the longest of the 7 and sort of tossed me a curve ball, and I think I will do this in 2 mornings rather than one long chain of thoughts...Probably some here who have studied Revelation and a long writing could be boring, then maybe a couple here who are knew to the idea of Revelation and a long writing could lead to disinterest.....Anyway , I am going to give this a shot and if anyone has anything to add or take away please feel free. I have read this like 6 or 7 times and really stumbling on how to handle it....By the way, this is a Christian board and we do not kill the messenger .
My 1st thoughts is a corrupt church...wonder what this really is? Corrupt--"Having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain."
"The Son of God, has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass". I suggest not to look at a lot of the wording in a scary fashion, but in view of symbols. You know Jesus taught much in parables, likewise here in Revelation much is in symbols, trying to understand the meaning of symbols can help in our understanding here. Today we do the same, but think nothing of it, example, "Man it is hotter than 10 kinds of hell out there," not the best reference but you get the idea. Looking back to 1:14---"White like wool, white does not refer to a flat white color, but a blazing, glowing white light.....it is a picture of His holiness. Eyes...flame of fire, like 2 lasers, the eyes of the exhausted Lord look with penetrating gaze into the depths of His church.
Notice that the church folks are commended for their patient endurance, for their faith and their works, then praise is followed with blame. Enter Jezebel, now in reading, it appears that she is a present member, not so, she was around back years ago. If we understand Jezebel we get a better understanding of this church. But then to understand Jezebel we need to know a bit about Ahab. Back years ago Jezebel married Ahab, a king of Israel.....now you might think we sin, HA !! we are angels compared to this fellow. Ahab entered into a political marriage with Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidonians and priest os Astarte. This marriage resulted in increased trade, with the acquisition of great wealth to both. There is much more on the benefits of the finical growth for both countries...Jezebel was a very strong minded woman and a fanatical worshiper of the Tyrian deities Baal-Melcarth and Asherah.. Prophetic tradition remembered Jezebel as pushing her religion in Israel with ruthless vigor until finally a head on crash with the God of Israel. Probably through her influence over Ahab he built a house for Baal in Samaria and erected an altar.
The deep things of satan contended that the inner life might be so fully satisfying to God and man that outer conduct did not matter.. This teaching is associated with with a woman who had set up to be a prophetess and was given the name Jezebel. The suggestion of an inner life which makes conduct irrelevant provides a perfect escape from moral responsibility. Sort of gives us a clear conscience to do what want.
I will work on this some more tomorrow morning, but think on this a bit....do we as Christians or are our churches teaching us that we are under God's grace and this exempts us from the moral law.? Now before you think I am nuts, take a good look at what our church doctrines use to teach and what our new church doctrines are allowing. Things which Scripture teaches as evil now is being taught as good ?
God Bless and try to find time to read and give thought to this, like I said, I appreciate any help on this one......
thank you
The church in Pergamos
The 3rd church----Pergamos is is built on a 1,000 foot hill about 20 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. It served as the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor. It was a religious center for the pagan cults of several gods. It was the first city in Asia to build a temple to Caesar
Where Satan's throne is----here there is a huge, two throne-shaped altar to Zeus. Also Asklepios, the god of healing. There were also several other pagan cults located here. I suppose we could easily say temptation was readily available.
Get into the doctrine of Balaam ---Numbers 22 through 25.....He wanted to use his prophetic gift and curse Israel for money from the King of Moab
The sharp two-edged sword....A weapon of war. Also in Hebrews 4 we read "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"......there are folks who claim to be Christians, they are only partly committed to Christ , there are many outside forces which they choose over the Christian way, they have shallow beliefs and false intentions.....The word of God will separate them at judgment.
The white stone----I read different things on this, the one I like best was from John MacArthur study Bible...."When an athlete won in games, he was often given, as part of his prize, a white stone which was his admission pass to the winner's celebration afterwards.. This may picture the moment when the overcomer will receive his ticket to the eternal victory celebration in Heaven."
Just a thought, when thinking on the compromising church, do we find ourselves in compromising situations where we fall into satan's trap....we change a little something here and a little something there and all of a sudden we are really far away from the truth, might not even know the truth anymore. The priest and the pastors have a huge responsibility to lead the folks in the church on the road to eternal life in Heaven. Sometimes numbers and income seem to be more important than teaching God's saving grace. Notice these letters are sent to the angel of the church, the angel being the leader, the priest or pastor. A thought of caution, just because a person fills the pulpit does not mean that person is a man or woman of God. Here again I encourage you to read Revelation 2:12-17, just 6 verses see if there is any connection to your place of worship----God Bless
G'Morn'g folks, the second church at Smyrna, the persecuted church. This writing only gets 3 verses, sometime short is much better than long winded messages. I can understand the church of yester-year, but trying to connect it to our churches of today can be scary.
Tribulation, or persecution and poverty were chief trials of the Christians of Smyrna. We have the Jews and their synagogues, the Christians church and the Roman authorities. Quite a mixture there. We know that the Jews did not like the Christian church so they would spread hate and discontent against the Christians by telling the Roman authorities bad stuff about the Christians, so it wasn't surprising that the Christians, although regrettable, would return the hostility and developed anti-semitism , so the the Jews of Smyrna were called a synagogue of satan. Remember that the Jews said to Jesus--"You are of your father the devil" (John 8).
(from John MAcAtthur Study Bible notes). Smyrna called the crown jewel of Asia, this ancient
city was the most beautiful in Asia Minor and the center of science and medicine. Smyrna's intense loyalty to Rome led to a strong emperor -worship cult. 50 years after the death of John, Polycarp, the pastor of the church at Smyrna was burned alive at the age of 86 for refusing to worship Caesar.....This made me think of how our Christian churches of today are under assault . Just something to think on.
I did not connect as well with this church as well as the 1st church from yesterday, however it did make me think on how our church of today is under attack, made me think of how instrumental the devil is in many of our church today, leading us to be more concerned with political correctness that the true gospel, then made me think on the fact that if I/we remain faithful to the gospel we have nothing to fear, all will be OK, in the view of eternity these few years here on earth is but a dot in the realm of time
Like I said at the beginning, this little church is but 3 verses, Revelation 2:8-11, only takes a couple of minutes to read, before reading ask God to kick your mind in gear and grant you understanding & wisdom.......God Bless
You know Steve once people come to believe this the Bible starts to take on new meanings. I remember when I twisted things to support "ME", then one day I came around to what is written is what it is, really works way better for me.
I would like to share a thought or 2 concerning my reading and thinking on Revelation. Not to long ago in a post here I made mention that when reading Paul's letters I like to make them personal, like the letter is to me or my church, which brings me to the 7 churches in Revelation---Although John is writing to the 7 churches I connect them to all churches including the churches of today.I do not want to be judgmental here, believe me I have my hands full just trying to keep me straight, but as I have said many times I have been a Methodist for 77 years, I was baptized in a back creek in the mountains of W.Va. and back in the day when it was ok to say amen when the preacher hit a good thought......but the Methodist church of today is not the church I grew up in, when I was going through the 7 churches it brought the church of today to mind....Would you share with me as I chat a bit on the 7 churches, " is this my church of today.???"--It is just an honest question, but which calls for serious thought.
The 1st church---the church of Ephesus......"To the angel"---go back to 1:16, the 7 stars, these are the 7 messengers representing the 7 churches, 1:20--the angels---the word angel means messenger, like the 7 elders representing the 7 churches.....here I thought of the pastors/priest in today's church. As you read through the 1st church remember our 1st love after becoming a Christian is Jesus Christ, then when John writes about leaving the 1st love----remember the parable of the seeds how some fell here and there, some grew and some died off-----things come up in life and I, maybe we, make allowances to accept evil thinking, we think there is really good in it, so it is now OK. There was a guy in the church at Ephesus, Nicolaus, who was much like this, and those who followed him were called Nicolaitans, sort of like the seeds in the parable that fell by the wayside, among the thorns , they did pretty good for a while then troubles came along, deceitfulness of riches, you can fill the rest of what draws us away, of what we choose over being faithful----things I reckon all of us are guilty of at one time or another. This guy, Nicolaus, back in the book of Act Chap.6 this guy was honest, full of the Holy Spirit, of good reputation , then somewhere along the line he went backwards, trading his faith for things of the world and due to his position, due to his good reputation people followed his way and believed that immorality's ok and assaulted the church with sensual temptations----Clement of Alexander says...."They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence,.".......Here I get to my opinion, they were like Bob in the movie "What about Bob"----I want--I want--I need--I need--Give me--give me...... I suppose that more than once I have allowed my wants and desires to draw me away, When I look at the things the Methodist are accepting as OK, I wonder if maybe they are like Bob. I spoke with the minister once and I was told, "well David, we have to remember the world has changed", then I agreed but made the statement "that while this is true Scripture clearly states that God was and is and will always be the same, He does not change." My statement was not well taken and we will leave it there.......ALL RIGHT, enough of me and the 1st of the 7 church, if I may encourage you to peek into Revelation Chapter 2: 1-7, maybe read it a couple of times to get the flavor of it, see if it speaks to you and ask yourself does this sound familiar to our churches of today.....God Bless......OH, I welcome thoughts of others, makes no difference if you agree or disagree----
Long2retire,,,,I appreciate your input.....maybe others will join in ......However if another is looking for a quick fix to Revelation----I ain't the go to guy------Might say though, if anyone wants to join in either in reading, discussion or questions, or opinions, please feel free .....who knows where I will land......The only requirement is "respectfulness" of others.......&. I think we will be ok there......God Bless
Somewhere in there or in the notes I was reading, my words here, read it, even if you don't understand you will be blessed----that's not exactly it was written, but that's what I gathered....
This morning I had the Prodigal Son parable on the ole brain so I had to go visit it, in Luke 15 then after going through that I went to what I said the other day I was going to tackle...."Revelation". The old saying when putting more food on your plate than you can eat----"Your eyes are bigger than your stomach"----Well I think on Revelation my eyes were bigger than my brain.....I am still on chap. 1 and the beginning of chap 2, I venture to say that this could be an EZ year's project, thick I am, --but learning I am. I think in this Book, God reveals what He wants, when He wants, I am also at the point that I think God and only God reveals what is what. As I research I learn that most, so far, is just what mankind thinks, then somewhere along the line by being persistent in digging one can see the simple truth that an hour ago was hidden. The real point here is I am just thicker than most, or maybe I am just more honest. I do love Bible Study, Now days I could never do it at church, I use to, but today I spend way too much time say on one little word. Years ago my dad gave me his "Strong Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible", in this every word in the Bible and meaning one can find---Hebrew & Greek. SO !! I look up say a simple word like "star" and read the meaning and think, how does that apply here or there, 2 hours later and going through 7 different books I learn, also learn that I am thick...lol....Years ago I learned not to assume that I know something because often I can be way off base. Speaking of the meaning of a word, I often ask the question of others when they reference a septic verse to make a point---"What were the verses before and after?"---often those verses totally change the meaning.---I always tell why & how I learned that------because of my thickness---lol
God Bless
Interesting.....I have on occasion put out this same post. I suppose great minds run together
Thank you.....I often use the term "I think our world is just upside down".
The girls are girls and the boys are to,,,,,OOPPPS!!! Did I type that? NAW!! Say it ain’t so Joe
I remember back years ago there was an "OLD" black lady on TV and she said that when listening to music a person could not help but move their feet
it beats crying & whining
Isaiah well wrote ----folks call evil--good and good-- evil.....who put darkness for light and light for darkness.....sweet for bitter--and bitter for sweet......
I have read my Bible through several times, some parts I have really studied and some I just scan over, those which I scanned over was because I never felt drawn to them,,,The biggie was Revelation, I have always ran away from this, I've read it but it was always really too deep for me, it just never spoke to me. A few days ago with all that is going on politically and my feelings concerning organized religion I got drawn to a couple of passages in Revelation, mainly the 7 churches. This morning I went to my daily reading, for several days I have really been digging into the Gospel of John, when I say digging into, I mean really looking at words and their Greek meaning....but this morning I shut down John and moved to Revelation, the Book I always run away from. It is Important for me to realize that I am a bit thick upstairs, what one will grasp right off the bat, I take 2 or 3 readings to catch up. This morning after leaving John I read the first 3 chaps., then again and then once more. I wish I knew exactly what I was to gain from this but I have really been drawn in to the 7 churches, I read it and I sort of get the picture, but the BIG Picture is what I really want to learn. This was written a couple thousand years ago, I wonder if I am going to learn that these 7 churches carry the same issues as our churches of today....
OK!!!! Now you may be trying to figure what this has to do with you or why is he posting this....If in your morning prayers or thought out the day if any of this comes to mind, take a moment offer a prayer for a "thick brother" who is hoping to learn something......entering Revelation is for me sort of a scary thing.
God Bless & thanks
Excel, I was attending a meeting and while waiting for things to start the fellow & his friend was chatting along the lines of some of these post---anyway I made the statement that there was only 1 guy who was perfect and mankind nailed him to a tree, then the one gentleman informed me that there were 2 perfect men who walked the earth, we had a few friendly words on this matter, then he told me, yes they were 2 perfect men, one being Jesus Christ and the other was his wife's 1st husband.....A little humor can always lite'n up the day----God Bless
we have some really angry folks in our world today. One thing for certain, we do not have to worry about Russia, China or any other country taking us down, we are doing a very good job of it ourselves.---Would be a good time for divine intervention, but then, just maybe we have really angered God so much that He sort of thinks---"Sometimes you get what you ask for"
AMEN !!!! The job of a professing Christian. Sometimes the best witness we can do is just listen