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11/30/07
I finaly have finished my study of
election. I have spent the last almost 4 months researching
and studying this scripture in light of scripture and with the help
of many books. I had began this endeaver in August and about a
month into my health went south with a condition that had been
dormant for approx 5 years and coincidentaly was the cause and
effect of my salvation at that time. It was quite ironic that
this problem reoccured at this time and it only lasted for about 3
weeks with many doctors visits and tests. What was God's
reason for the timing of this? Of course I did not know but I
now unlike before was able to know that God had allowed me suffering
to bring me into a place of rest and to overcome. This time I
had joy in suffering and I immersed myself into the doctrine of
suffering in scripture. Everyone thinks of Job when this is
mentioned but I relied upon scripture to show me how Joseph and the
nation of Israel had to endure suffering that this suffering might
be the salvation for others. Ultimately this lead me to Paul
and of course Jesus.
I was able to apply this doctrine to a deeper
question of election. When you are in the middle of suffering
or a valley you cannot rely upon yourself for answers but must
completely rely upon God and His Holy and unchangeable word for the
answers. You cannot hold fast to the prosperity message that
is so prevalent within the evangelical church today it has no power
in that valley and there is no assurance in it. This is why
Paul stated after Jesus told him that his thorns would not be
removed but when he is weak in the flesh then he is strong in
spirit. Paul could not rely upon himself but had to rely upon
the spirit within him-Christ. Paul realized through his
weakness in the flesh and many sufferings only then could he be used
as the vessel to become a salvation to many.
This is not the forum to discuss the doctrine
of election because it will be very uncomfortable to many who read
it. The evangelical church today in large has refused to teach
it for fear of losing parishoners. This I believe to be a
travisty and the root of this is seeker-sensitive and spoke of in
many of Paul's epistles but Jesus speaks of this plainly in Mathew
24 -The itching ears, preach and teach only what makes the
people feel comfortable that they will not be offended. This
allows them to be justified in their own lifestyle of sin. I
leave you with several questions that is at the very root of this
doctrine. Do you believe in what Martin Luther stated. "
Justification by faith only through grace only" ? Luther
stated this was the foundational basis for the church. If you
as I state you adhere to this then how is salvation possible by
simply responding to Christ or the gospel for salvation? Do we
choose him first or does He choose us? More than 90% of
evangelical church's today believe in the Armenism view of
predestination. God chooses us based upon His foreknowledge of
us first chosing Him. Does scripture support this
answer? If you say it does as I did then you as I are
disagreeing with Paul not only in Romans but every epistle he wrote
on this subject. This is all I will write on this subject on
this forum. If you are as I working out your own salvation
with fear and trembling, I challenge you to ask the hard questions
and to seek out the answers in scripture. I have prepared a
small writing on my website on this topic. If anyone desires
more scripture references or if I can help in anyway please contact
me.
www.familysfirst.net
God bless
10/20/07
It has been quite some time
since I have written.
Some of you may remember that approx
4 years ago I had a life
changing medical condition that not only changed me physically but
spiritually. I have had
3 years of relatively good health up to about a month ago when
although much contained
it again returned to affect my health. Doctors have no Idea what causes it as
everything checks out.
I believed 4 years ago that this was God and that it was a means to my
salvation. But of
course if you would have asked me prior I would have told you I was
already a Christian. My
reasoning would have been that I Believed there was a creator and that His son died for
my sins upon the cross some 2000 Years ago.
My admission in my own mind was my basis for salvation. Yet my works And the fruit of my life in those works
revealed something different.
I do apologize brothers for not
writing to you about this sooner but I believe I was
being
Constrained for some reason not
to write. My last month
has not been a “why has this
Happened” as it was 4 years
ago, but now it has been “what are you attempting to
teach
Me”. Justification is
instantaneous in the individual but sanctification is a painful
process. I know
brothers some reading this may disagree with that last statement
because Christianity in this country has been relegated to the
prosperity message and a more Abundant life.
Come to Jesus and He will give you the desires of your heart,
is much Of what I
hear today from many.
This is heresy in the sense that God simply exists to please
us in our unbelief. We
can only serve one master, either ourselves and the God
of this world, or
Jesus. Paul in writing
to the Romans makes it clear that we are born sinful and an enemy of
God because of the sin of Adam-total depravation. The wrath of
God and His righteousness
is upon our heads because of the inherited sin-we belong to the
ruler of this world –Satan.
With that said I will be
writing in the future based upon my last months study of the Doctrine of election and the
doctrine of suffering.
Not from the standpoint that Rick is an authority on either
subject but the result of what I believe to be God’s grace in
Giving me a small
amount of wisdom and a helper in understanding scripture based upon
My battle with
this medical condition.
Our battles scripture tells us are not simply in the
Flesh but they are
spiritual. If you call
yourself a Christian as I do then scripture promises us suffering
and tribulation-today that has been relegated only to when we share
Our faith but the
bible tells the complete opposite. Christianity starts with
suffering and It
is the very foundation that ends with suffering. If you do not suffer
spiritually and
Carnally and your walk with
Christ is without suffering then you are not denying your
Flesh and therefore your master
is of this world. I
know that’s a hard pill to swallow and
Goes against what we want
to believe, no one
person chooses to suffer but if we are unified with Christ we must
and we will. If you are
a Christian then you will know suffering and rejoice in it.
It is the means of our
sanctification.
If you have lived with a
medical affliction. If
you have experienced death;
a loved one,
Or someone close to you then
you can relate. If you
can’t relate its only a matter of time. Eventually you will ask
“Why”, this in itself
is not a bad thing even Jesus on the
Cross asked “why”, but if you are a member of the
church, of the elect of God, you must
And will at some point by faith
begin to rest and trust in God that “why” will no longer
Be used as a reason to question
God’s will and sovereignty but to draw you closer in reliance to
Him. I leave you with
this: The history of
God’s elect through the old testament is of captivity, slavery,
oppression, and death.
The new covenant starts with Jesus dying for not the world
but for those the Father has given Him. The first century
Church starts with
ridicule, slavery, oppression, and death. Nero and much of revelation
And Pauls epistles
is writings to Christians to rejoice over this suffering and
persecution Because this is how they will know that they are truly
justified and that the Hope of Glory resides in them. They are not concerned with
a more abundant life or prosperity
In this life. They are looking forward to
a new life after a mortal death with and in Christ. Our last century there were
more martyrs than in all of time. Martyrdom is
not Means to the beginning of the
Christian church but it is a way of life for a
Christian.
It will be for the elect of God
until Christ returns on that Great day of Wrath to
vindicate
And rid this world of sin once and for all time. Thank you
brothers.
5Sep07
I apologize for not posting the
last several weeks. We had two testimonies in this time:
Tom Middleton and Mike Ruder. Both were wonderful examples of
how God used other Christians (ambassadors) of His sovereign word to
reach them. Although their situations were quite different the
commonality was that God sent forth obedient ambassadors to
evangelize to them.
I spoke briefly Monday
evening about a christian as an ambassador (as Paul not only calls
himself-but all christians). An ambassador as Paul stated in
evangelism is a herald, a slave, a steward, commissioned with
Christ's authority and Paul remained faithful to the commission and
said neither less nor more than he had been commissioned to
say. The commission to publish the gospel was not confined to
the apostles nor is it now confined to the church's ministers.
It is a commission that rests upon the whole church collectively,
and therefore on each Chrisitan individually. Every Christian who
declares the gospel message to any fellow man does so as Christ's
ambassador and representative, according to the terms of his God
given commission. Such is the authority, and such the
responsibility, of the church and the christian.
As you operate as an
ambassador never be discouraged by thinking that you are the only one
God can use to reach the lost. Elijah, fearing that all the
other prophets had been killed, said, "I, even I only, am left; and
they seek my life, to take it away"(1 Kings 19:10). Yet God
had reserved 7,000 faithful followers who hadn't bowed their knee to
worship Baal (5:18) Because God has His laborers, we need
never panic when it comes to our loved ones being reached with the
gospel. If we faithfully reach out and touch the lives of
other peoples loved ones, God (in His perfect timing) can use
others to touch the lives of the ones we love so dearly. Claim
your family in prayer, then thank God for His faithfulness in
answering those prayers.
It is by no mistake that
you as an ambassador of God are ridiculed and persecuted for
Christ's namesake when your obedient in heralding the gospel message
of truth. If in your walk with God you don't experience this
you must question your obedience as an ambassador of the sovereign
God. Remember it is not you the world despises but the
sovereign authority that is in you. This authority as Paul
states is nothing of himself. If you don't preach, teach, and
evangelize the truth of the gospel you are no different than the
nonchristian. I leave you with a quote from the late Adrian
Rodgers:
"It is better to be
divided by truth than united in error; it is better to speak truth
that hurts and then heals than to speak a lie; it is better to be
hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie; it is
better to stand alone with truth than to be wrong with the
multitude...the religion of today is get-along-ism. It is time
for men and women of God to stand, even if they have to stand
alone."
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I wanted to share this email I
had written to a christian brother:
We all have
those times when we question our faith or our walk with God. I
sure do, but this I hope to strengthen you in those
times.
Isaiah
6:12-13 "The Lord has removed men far away, and the forsaken places
are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it,
and will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an
oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the Holy seed
shall be its stump."
You were on
my mind last night when I went thru the veil in prayer –it was what
you stated that you had been Feeling
afar off from God lately. This came to my heart and I wanted
to share it with you. The first purpose of a Christian brother to another is to pick him up
and exhort when he is in a low point.
Isaiah
6:13 The life of a tree is not determined by the shape of the
branches, nor by the way it grows,
But it is
the substance. The shape of a church is not its life. In
one place I see a church formed in an Episcopalian Shape; in
another place I see one formed in a Presbyterian shape; in another
Baptist, another on an independent Principle.
Here I see one with 16 ounces to the pound of doctrine; there I see
one with eight, and some with very little Clear
doctrine at all. And yet I find life in all the churches, in
some degree-some good men in all of them. How do I Account for
this? Why, just in this way- that the oak may be alive,
whatever its shape, if it has got the substance.
If there be
but a holy seed in the church, the church will live; and it is
astonishing how the church will live under a Thousand
errors, if there be but the vital principle in it. You will find
good men among the denominations that you can Not receive as being sound in faith. You
say, “What! Can any good thing come out of
Nazareth
?” and you go
through, And find
that there are even in them some true Nazarites of the right
order. The very best of men found in the worst of
churches!
A church
lives not because of its rubrics, and its canons, and its articles;
it lives because of the holy seed that is in it as the Substance.
No church can die while it has a holy seed in it, and no church can
live that has not the holy seed, for “the holy Seed is the
substance thereof.”
Observe,
again, that the substance of the oak is a hidden thing; you
can not see it. When the oak or the terebinth is standing
Destitute
of leaves –as in winter, you know that life is there
somewhere. But you cannot see it. And very likely you
can not and do not
know the men that are the holy seed, the substance of the
church. If you are a church member, let me ask- are you
one of the
Holy seed? Has God made you Holy by the sanctifying influence
of His spirit?, and by the justifying righteousness
of
Christ, and
by the application to the conscience of the blood of Jesus? If
so, then you are the substance of the church. They may
Pass by and
not notice you, because you are little; but the substance is little;
the life-germ within the grain of barley is too small for us,
perhaps, to detect; the life within the egg is almost
unrecognizable. Rejoice, if you are much in prayer; you are
the life of the church.
How is it
that good men are the means of preserving the visible church?
The Holy seed does this, because it derives its life from Chirst.
If the Holy
seed had to preserve the church by its own purity and its own
strength, the church would go to ruin tomorrow; but It is
because these holy ones draw fresh life from Christ continually that
they are able to be, as it were, the salvation of the body, and by
Their
influence, direct and indirect, shed life over the whole visible
church. The prayers of those living ones in
Zion
bring down
many a blessing Upon us;
the groans and cries of these earnest intercessors prevail with
heaven, and bring down very argosies of mercy from the gates of
paradise.
And
besides, their Holy example tends to check us and preserve us in
purity; they walk among us like God’s own favored ones, wrapped in
White,
reflecting His image wherever they go, and tending, under God, to
the sanctifying of believers, not through their vaunting any
sefl-Righteousness,
but by stirring up believers to do more for Christ, and to be more
like Him. “The Holy seed shall be the
substance
Thereof.”
This is
true of every individual believer: His substance is in him when he
has lost his leaves. Some say the Christian when losing his
leaves That he is
dead. “No, says the Word of God, he is not; he may look as if
he were dead, and not have so much as here and there a leaf
upon
the
topmost bough; but he is not dead. Their substance is in them
even when they lose their leaves. Christian men lose their
leaves when they lose
their comforts, when they lose the sensible enjoyment of their
Master’s presence, and when their full assurance is turned into
doubting.
A wintry
state came, and your joy all departed, and you stood like a bare
tree, after the wind had swept it in the time of winter, with just
perhaps one Leaf
hanging by a thread on the topmost bough. But you were not
dead then; no, your substance was in you, when you had lost your
leaves.
You could
not see that substance, and good reason why, because your life was
hid with Christ in God; you saw not your signs, but you had
Your
substance still, though you could not discover it. There were
no heavings of faith, but faith was there; there were no lookings of
hope, but
Though
hopes eyelids were shut, the eyes were there, to be opened
afterwards; there were no liftings of the hand of prayer, but the
hands and arms Were there,
though they hung powerless at your side. God said,
afterwards,”strengthen the feeble knees, and lift up the hands that
hung down.”
Your
sunstance was in you when you had lost your leaves. So if
faith be in exercise you will perceive your evidence, but if faith
be slumbering And still,
you will be led to doubt its existence; and yet it is there all the
while. It is a common error of young converts that they
attempt to live
By
experience, instead of tracing their life up to its precious
source. The Lord will sometimes strip you of your leaves of
evidence to teach you to live By
faith.
13 Aug TS Kingdom
Fellowship:
-I gave my
testimony (condensed version). I hoped to point out that my
life is an example of a quest for seeking God in all the wrong
places. In doing so I wasted so much of my life attempting to
fit into religion and not finding a true relationship with God
Himself. I called myself a false teacher for much of my life
because I pointed people to mans doctrine and not to Jesus. I
thank God that my quest for God brought me to a point of despair and
brokenness. This is the point where I decided I would truly
submit and seek Him with a whole heart. Instead of submitting
to mans doctrines I submitted to the creator-what I found was
freedom, peace, and rest in my savior. I hope you now can understand
and relate to me better as a christian brother. Not as a
leader, pastor, or evangelist. But a christian brother who is
trying to make up for lost and wasted time-a heart that is
empathetic for all of those who really want to submit to God but are
handcuffed by mans misleading doctrine. I am sympathetic
because much of my life I walked with shackles and handcuffs in
captivity to mans tradition which resembled christianity but served
man ultimately. I want to share a quote from John
Macarthur:
Evangelicalism seems to have been
hijacked by legions of carnal spin-doctors, who are trying their
best to convince the world that the church can be just as inclusive,
pluralistic, and broad-minded as the most politically-correct
worldling.
The quest for the world’s approval is
nothing less than spiritual harlotry. In fact, that is precisely the
imagery the apostle James used to describe it. He wrote: “Adulterers
and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is
enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
There is and always has been a
fundamental, irreconcilable incompatibility between the church and
the world. Christian thought is out of harmony with all the world’s
philosophies. Genuine faith in Christ entails a denial of every
worldly value. Biblical truth contradicts all the world’s religions.
Christianity itself is therefore antithetical to virtually
everything this world admires.
Jesus told His disciples, “If the world
hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you
were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are
not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the
world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
Notice that our Lord considered it a
given that the world would despise the church. Far from teaching His
disciples to try to win the world’s favor by reinventing the gospel
to suit worldly preferences, Jesus expressly warned that the quest
for worldly accolades is a characteristic of false prophets: “Woe to
you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the
false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
He further explained: “The world . . .
hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John
7:7). In other words, the world’s contempt for Christianity stems
from moral, not intellectual, motives: “And this is the
condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For
everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the
light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20). That is why
no matter how dramatically worldly opinion might vary, Christian
truth will never be popular with the world.
Yet in virtually every era of church
history there have been people in the church who are convinced that
the best way to win the world is by catering to worldly tastes. Such
an approach has always been to the detriment of the gospel message.
The only times the church has made any significant impact on the
world are when the people of God have stood firm, refused to
compromise, and boldly proclaimed the truth despite the world’s
hostility. When Christians have shrunk away from the task of
confronting popular worldly delusions with unpopular biblical
truths, the church has invariably lost influence and impotently
blended into the world. Both Scripture and history attest to that
fact.
And the Christian message simply
cannot be twisted to conform to the vicissitudes of worldly
opinion. Biblical truth is fixed and constant, not subject to change
or adaptation. Worldly opinion, on the other hand, is in constant
flux. The various fads and philosophies that dominate the world
change radically and regularly from generation to generation. The
only thing that remains constant is the world’s hatred of Christ and
His gospel.
30 July TS Kingdom
Fellowship:
-Thank you Brian Barkley!
Brian was a breath of fresh air...His testimony reminded us that
Prov 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is
old he will not depart from it." Deut 11:19 "You shall teach
them (His words) to your children, speaking of them when you sit in
your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when
you rise up. And you shall right them on your doorposts of
your house and on your gates."
God tells us that as the
spiritual head of the household we are responsible for training and
teaching our children the commandments and words of God. We
are to be a living testimony to our children. What is wrong
with our children when they grow up and depart from God? They
departed from God because they were never taught the commandments
and word of God in their youth. Psalm 71:17 comes to mind for
my brother Brian "O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to
this day I declare Your wondrous works."
I want to share that Brian was a
little intimidated to share his testimony because the others before
Him had such life changing testimonies where God had pulled them
from the mirey clay. Brian's testimony may not seem miraculous
but he is a living testimony of God's promise to all you parents out
there that if you raise up your children in the ways of the Lord,
when they get old they will not depart from Him. I'm not
talking about dragging those little heathens to the 4 walls of the
church. Be a living testimony of God's word and His
commandments. Teach them the power of prayer-The need for
repentance, the grace we have been given to go into the presence of
God by the rent vale of our sin separation. Do not be
legalistic or hypocratic. Make sure they understand that
religion and those that profess to be religious can possibly deceive
them with mans interpretation (docrine of deceptions) of God's
word. Point them to the cross at all times -even when
discipline is required.
Brian may have strayed at times
in his life but God's words have never departed Him. Brian was
never far from the shepherd, with all of lifes distractions and
temptations I call that miraculous and living proof that God has
kept His promise. Thank you Brian...God bless bro!
24 July TS Kindgdom
Fellowship:
-Neil Turner
gave his testimony. What a marvelous biblical scriptural
example of the plowing up of the soil of Neils soul. Neil's
testimony parallelled that of the former
testimonies by God drawing one to Himself. So far
after 4 testimonies of conversion and justification there are
biblical truths becoming ever so evident. First and foremost
is the need for the (tilling of the soil) law of God to become
evident in the heart of an impenitent sinner. Prov 6:23
"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs
of instruction are the way of life. As we in our sinful nature
walk in this world we fill ourselves with all the wrong things
seeking prosperity. Yet God's Truth that becomes evident by
enlightening the dark mind and wicked heart makes plain the plain
and right way.
As we
discover through life experience that those things of the world
which have been promised to prosper us only lead us into more misery
and then the law provides us that light to shine forth and the
darkness scatters. It is very evident that many of God's
chosen have been in that valley of the shadow of death much of their
lives. When the light comes-darkness scatters, their soil
is plowed up-good seed is planted into good soil. Only the
sick is in need of a physician. These are the elect of God
that understand Grace; Why? Because they first understood law.
Grace has no meaning unless we first understand law. The
biggest misunderstanding in Christianity is the relaitionship
between law and grace. Man's tradition (hypocrisy-in
Jesus words) or doctrine often misuses law and also grace. But
the bible states clearly if you have been brought out of the bondage
of the law by faith and justified by Christ in Grace you are now
free from that which kept you in bondage. This Paul makes very
evident in the book of Romans. Remember when you were sick and
in need of a physician. The world is sick in their sins and
you dear friends are the means to which the world might see their
need for such a physician-Point them to the cross and He who only
can justify-Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
16 July TS Kingdom
Fellowship:
-Jim Flannigan
(Barefootjim) gave his testimony. I have known Jim for about 3
years now and spoken with him on many occasions but I did not know
he was ordained. Out of the heart of the chosen of God does
the mouth speak of the miraculous. Those that still live in
darkness according to John 1 cannot comprehend the light. We
not only can comprehend it but that light-the love of Christ lives
in us and is working in and through us. So what is it that
separates a child of God from the child of disobedience? It is
the love of God. 1John 4:8 He that loves not does not know
God: for God is love. 1john 4:9 In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten son
into the world, that we might live through Him.
The world and those that
live without the light in them have the wrong concept
of "love". Love does not ask for anything in
return. If you really want to express love simply give it away
expecting nothing in return but the welfare of the receiver (a free
gift). 1john 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God,
but that He loved us, and sent His son to be the propitiation for
our sins. You see Jesus defined agape Love on the
cross. He became a curse for you, He was nailed to that cross
for you, His blood flows for you, The sword pierced His flesh
for you. Why? Because He loves you and was obedient to
overcome the suffering and agony of the cross simply that you might
freely receive atonement for your disobedience once and for
all. He was your sacrifice and you know as well as I do
that none of us deserve this because of our sinful thoughts and
actions.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God who is
rich in mercy,because of His great Love with
which He loved us,even when we were dead in sin, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace you have been
saved). We often speak of grace but without the Love
God has for us we would not have grace. This thanks to Jim and
His wonderful testimony and edification of the body of Christ
is where we all need to grow. The agape Love that
lives in us is the only true love the world will see. Without
them seeing this and experiencing and recieving it they will
never know grace. Go give that love away brothers and point
all to the cross.
9July TS Kingdom
Fellowship:
-We had 14 members present...I arrived
home late from work and my mic was not working (broken wire).
Thank you so much Mike for leading the fellowship...You picked up
the baton and ran with it. I sat there and
marvelled at a wonderful testimony by Dennis Salvage...I had heard
His testimony before but if you haven't heard it beleive me you
could hear it over and over again and it would continue to praise
God for His unlimited goodness and beyond our understanding
grace. Since I was unable to speak I wanted to write what was
on my heart after Dennis gave testimony.
Deut 29:12 and 2Sam 23:5
are speaking about How God is making an oath with you and your
family. He has a covenant with you and it cannot be broken and
He will honor it.
There are many
scriptures in the new testament that refers to believers that trust
in Christ as sealed by the blood, and saints, even the elect (chosen
ones-referring to the first descendants of Israel which means prince
of or with God)
What is extremely
important here is what was on my mind as Dennis spoke...No one can
separate us from the love of God once we have been sealed by the
blood of Christ. Eph 2:13 states since we have been sealed we
have this covenant, and this oath and He will honor it. Dennis
you mentioned your inner battles and how the attacks still are
felt. That is so true brother as Paul speaks of this in Romans
6 and 7 as the daily battle and denying the flesh. Let me
remind you bros that you have recieved the baptism of the spirit
when you were justified you have all the spirit of God in you that
you need but does God have (have you submitted) all of you? Of
course not at least not while we are in the flesh but Rom 12:2 tells
us that the spirit in us will transform us to be more like Him as He
changes us from the inside out as we walk obediently after and
seeking Him. Heb 9:14 is a breath of fresh air and hope that
if you still are weary because of your flesh to simply think how
much more the blood of Christ will purify your heart. As you
desire to be more like Christ and submit to His will obediently He
will remove the sin rememberance and transform that carnality into
Holiness and purity and you my friends will resemble Christ more and
more each and every day. So what can you do to be more like
Christ-nothing but submit and desire to do His will, He will
do all that is required and He has promised you that by His Covenant
with you and an Oath. He sealed that oath with His own body
and blood. God bless you brother Dennis!
Submitted by Mike
Ruder: That was a powerful testimony Steve B!
Praise You Jesus! Wow, no one can take away that from us. We
have Christ and that is all we really need, even though it took
a long journey before you(Steve) finally understood who this one and
only true Eternal God is! :)But every believer has a testimony, and
it is o.k. if it may not be dramatic. It is yours, along with
the blood of the Lamb. We should not hide it from the
people we rub shoulders with from day to
day!
The first TS Kingdom Fellowship was a success last
night
-We had 8 members show up and had the
privilege of receiving the testimony of Steve Boyer. Thank you
so much Steve for sharing.
Next Monday we will be meeting again
to hear more testimonies from members. All are invited...I
promise if you can make it you will be blessed. If you are new
to CR this is an excellent way to meet the members and get to know
each other intimately. Remember discipleship is sharing what
God has done or doing in your life with someone else. Giving Freely
that you too might recieve.
*************Teamspeak Kingdom
Fellowship***************
Everyone welcome Monday
Night at 8:30est on TS
- If
you would like to give a salvation testimony or simply hear others
share theirs please join us in fellowship.
******************************************************
Submitted by Greg
Jimenez: I am
very happy you led me this page, Rick. I feel blessed by it as
I did not know it was here. I guess I did not pay enough
attention on the front page. I love being part of the CR
family.
Submitted by
Timbercats: Rick, Thank-You for blog on John 14:6. I
myself did not know the relationship it had to the Isralites in
terms of the outer court , inner court and Holy of Holies. I
have always stood on that scripture as a base with my walk with
Christ. For me it is very simple, the way to Heaven is thru my
relationship with Jesus Christ, thru what He did to pave the way for
me. I realize that it has everything to do with HIM, and very little
to do with me. To be in possession of "Absolute Truth" that no one
can take away from me is a gift from my Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. I know the way, I have the truth and he has prepared a place
for me in Heaven, if were not so, he would have told me.
Thank-You Jesus
Teamspeak Kingdom
Fellowship:
If anyone is interested
in some live fellowship During the week of July 1st-8 Please blog or
email me. I have this week off therefore I would love to spend a
couple of nights in fellowship with CR bros. You name the
night/day and time.
John
14:6 I am the way, The Truth, and The life, no one
comes to the Father except thru me.
Thank You Mike for your
input. I was hoping that we could cover this verse from many
angles and many opinions. This scripture means so very much to
me as it changed my theology after many months of in depth study and
I wanted to share that with you possibly from a different
perspective. I will be brief but if you want more go to www.familysfirst.net then rick's
weekly word and archives at bottom.
In the book of exodus when the first tent temple of moses was built there
was an outer court, an inner court (Holy Place), and the Holy of
Holies (where the arc was kept and the presence of God
resided).
What I am about to say is not known by many
and is so very relative to the the statement Jesus made in John
14:6. The Israelites in aramaic called this outer court
(The Way), inner court (The
Truth), and the Holy of Holies (The Life).
Therefore if you study the purposes of each you will find each is
specific: Justification, Sanctification,
Glorification.
If you study Hebrews you will find the Author
speaking directly to Jewish Christians who are still confused about
the traditional jewish customs and furthermore the old covenant
versus the new. Hebrews 8 specifically addresses that the old
covenant is no longer and but a type and shadow. Hebrews 9
will define that the pysical tabernacle of Moses is also only a type
and shadow. By Jesus making this statement He has fulfilled not only
the types and shadows of past but created a new covenant,
Priesthood, and living tabernacle where we can at any time go into
the presence of the most High. Jesus stated in John 10:9 "I am the
gate (referring to the entrance to the physical temple); whoever
enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out,
and find pasture". As Mike stated this is not "pluralistic"
there is no other way you can enter the spiritual temple and the
presence of God but through Jesus. I can't promise you
that this truth will change your walk with Christ. I can
brethren speak of what it did for my walk and it has been
tremendous. Please spend some time meditating on the book of
Hebrews in relation with the original temple,covenant, and
priesthood with what I have stated here.
I consider this statement by
Jesus to be the most profound statement in the new testament. I
have done studies on this verse and it seems to envelop so
much of scripture and theology that I'm wondering what does
this statement that Jesus made mean to you? Please
blog your responses to me and I will post them
here:
Submitted By Mike Ruder: We as
true believers must never "cave in" to Pluralism in this
world! We must stand firm when asked if we actually think that
this "profound statement" is true. :) An empty
tomb from Christ Jesus where He rose from the dead; is unique and
unmatched by any "religion" in world history. When the risen
Jesus Christ, in His actual body, was seen for 40
days to thousands of people and His disciples, all knew that
all He said and taught them was in fact truth! And they
themselves would suffer and die too. No one
would have died for a lie, knowing it was a
lie.
We are the church
of Jesus Christ. The body of the living God. We
have been called into existence out of all denominations.to be a
kingdom of priests to serve him. We derive our authority from the
person of Lord Jesus individually and personally. To as many
as received Him, He gave the power to become the sons of God even to
them who believed on His name. We do not need to apologize for
the priesthood of all believers. We do not need to turn aside
because people accuse us of being unloving. It is the zenith
of christian love to tell people the truth when they are on their
way to hell. And if you won't do it, if you won't tell them
the truth, get out of the way of the people that want to. Because
that's the name of the game salvation.
And if Jesus Christ is not Lord of all, if He
is not God the Son (2nd Person of the Trinity), if His blood is not
complete atonement for sin, and His resurrection the seal for
justification.
If He did not tell the truth away with him. If He could not save Himself He
could not save us. But if He is who He says He was and if He
rose from the dead immortal. Then He is to be believed, and He
is to be obeyed. And those that pervert what He says are to be
held up publicly so that the world may know this is not of God.
This is christian theology. If
the church is to survive she must put on the whole armour of God and
stand against false doctrine.
What is Full
Throttle?
A new ministry web page designed specifically for
evangelism and discipleship for CR members and all who visit the web
page. The goal specifically is to further
the Kingdom of God one heart at
a time.
Who I am
My name is
Rick Disler. I live in Knoxville, TN. My occupation is
an engineer for cancer treatment machines. I learned most of
what I know from 12 years in the military: 2 years in army, 10 in
the Navy. I'm 40 years old and have experienced more in my
life than most. I say this because I spent most of my life
calling myself a Christian and yet lived my life without the
authority of Christ. I grew up with the understanding that as
long as I believe in Jesus as my savior he would forgive me of all
of my transgressions, my rebellion and disobedience. The sad
part is that most self professing Christians I came across believed
the same as I or at least never challenged my faith.
I had a life changing
experience which I speak of in the DOW page. You see I had
been living a lie and I knew it deep down. I had been praying
very hard that the Lord would remove the veil that was over my heart
that I might have a deeper relationship with Him. My life was
simply wonderful-I had it all but I knew there was something
terribly wrong and I had a vacuum inside my heart.
I now have an associates
in ministry studies which is nothing to boast about but simply
allows me the ability to minster and teach the gospel in many places
that require it. I have actively been working as an evangelist
the last year. I'm also actively involved in lighthouse
missions currently a Director on the board of a nonprofit
organization (newly formed) to minister to the masai tribe in
Africa.
What is my motivation?
To Love God
first in my life. To serve Him as my Lord and master. To
Love the brethren and all those who have not made Jesus Lord of
their lives.
CR has given me so much
over the past 4 years. I love so many here and I believe the
Lord has placed it upon my heart to serve CR with what little the
Lord has entrusted me with.
What I am not?
I'm not a
preacher. I'm a brother in Christ to all who have made Jesus
Lord and Master of their lives.
I am not the authority of
scriptures or theology but what little I know it is by much pains I
have come to the knowledge which is only by the grace of
Jesus.
What is on this web page?
You will need
real player to listen to audio lessons. Click on real
player lcon to download.
Email Icon-This will
go directly to me. I'm asking all to use this for
suggestions, comments, exhortation...etc... Please utilize this as it will
be greatly beneficial to me as this stuff is very new to
me.
Daily devotional at
bottom of page
Coming Soon...Kingdom Fellowship on
TeamSpeak
Kingdom
Fellowship is nothing more than small group fellowship but with a
twist.
Using TS on a night of
your choosing show up and get to know other members better.
Discipleship is sharing your heart, your relationship with Jesus
with others. If we don't reveal our hearts to others there can
be no trust developed. If there is no trust there will be a
lack of giving and receiving.
Once
the trust is developed
the equipping and empowerment begins. As members feel
led they prepare a 5-10 min. theological lesson or teaching.
Then it is round table discussion. He who has
excess gives to the one in need. Growth to all is
tremendous. You can learn to apply scripture to your
daily walk simply by someone else's experiences. If you think
you have nothing to offer you will be amazed. From the
theologically astute to the novice; belonging, trust, growth with
brethren and the Lord will lead you to a daily taking up of your
cross and following Jesus.
If you've never
experienced the growth from Kingdom fellowship you must check it
out. I started it a year and a half ago and now my best
friends are those that also attend. 1 hour 1 night a week you
will be amazed at what the Lord will do with that. Please
email me for all those interested in setting up the first ever CR
kingdom fellowship.
Submitted by Grady Vines
6/14/07 I'm excited about what God is doing at CR and I feel
blessed to be a part of it. I am also thankful that God has placed
and equipped someone as scripturally knowledgeable as Rick to lead
this new ministry endeavor here at CR. I look forward to seeing what
Good does in the lives of those who partake in this journey.
May God bless you and
keep you Rick. By the way, I thoroughly
enjoyed our conversation on the phone last night. It was a pleasure
to get to talk to you.
God Bless,
Grady Vines
Isaiah 40:27-31
Submitted by Mike Ruder
6/14/07
God
bless Rick! I hope everyone may grow because of the Bible and time
spent in communion with Jesus; to better serve Him. I appreciate
your hard work for The LORD. :) Mikey
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Rick Disler and his wife Christin live in Knoxville Tennessee with their five children. They both work full time outside their home and attend their local Church of God. Rick's ministry is to arm men and women with Biblical truths in order to build a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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