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| Oh Lord, Where Do We Go From Here? Current and former members (and anyone in between!)... tell us what is on your mind and in your heart. |
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06-06-2019, 09:43 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Hi saints. I would like your guidance. We moved out of Washington state after God opened the way for us, after our painful exit from the LC in 'anonymous city'.......the Lord is gracious and merciful to me and my family and we live in a beautiful little community in Idaho now. I have been searching church statement of faith and various 'what we believe' pages online trying to find a new congregation to meet with. This little community church near us seems to be special in many ways and ticks boxes for me. We visited there last weekend and I had really good feelings and I even wonder if this is the Lords' choice for us....but discovered they are reformed which I have questions about. I spoke to the pastors wife and she was open and sweet and let me know they believe that God did not die for everybody, only His elect. And one of their positions is holding to the faith that we have no free will in coming to Christ but rather only those elect will come to faith in Him.
I don't share these beliefs. For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 They come so close but no cigar. So many sweet things there. A reverence for the Lord, the pastor is awesome and diligent to know the word, they obviously cherish Gods' word, their position on all other points align with the word as much as I can see. I fear taking my kids into the same ol' same ol' direction where a deviation from scripture leads to wrong believing, wrong thinking, wrong actions. I mean, we all have seen it play out. There is a real and legitimate danger. And I believe when scripture said a little leaven leavens the whole lump He was warning us about leavened doctrine....and maybe other kinds of leaven that I do not see yet..... Please, brothers and sisters, what is your take? Where is the assembly without error?? I cannot seem to find them....I asked the Lord to choose the assembly, to take me to it. Please what would you do? byHismercy |
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06-07-2019, 03:10 AM
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#2 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Now I'll give you my own answer: seek first the kingdom of God, and everything else will be added. The kingdom is near, it is in your heart and in your mouth. In is waiting. It can be found in that person nearby, the proverbial 'neighbour' who's perhaps asking the same questions as you. Do not seek the kingdom ready-made in some 'proper church' but rather seek it not-yet-made-but-becoming in your fellows. At some point(s) it may assume fixed structure(s), but at others it may seem entirely fluid or even unknown. If your children see you and your spouse consistently in love, cherishing them and each other and attempting to provide a safe and interesting family space, they will be encouraged to seek and follow and obey. And they will find spiritually oriented peers and mentors as well. God will provide. On the LC we sang, "Home, home in the church/It is here that we've ended our search." That is a lie. Our home is with the Father in heaven. Jesus had no place to call home (Matt 8:20; Luke 9:58), neither should we. "My kingdom is not of this world". Yet Jesus consistently poured out the Father's love to all who drew near. How can we not but desire to follow, and imitate? And yes, it may be in some formal, structured setting. But it does not require one. Wherever you are, that is where you are.
__________________
"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-07-2019, 06:10 AM
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#3 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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My exegesis of the passage: ◼ John 3:16 NASB "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 — οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν (κόσμον) ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν ἵνα (πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων) εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ’ ἔχῃ ζωὴν κόσμον (kosmos) ~ world In John’s context the word kosmos (κόσμον) has the implication of *both* Jew and Gentile...The Jews would have believed that there was a limitation to them only, but John clarifies here that it is not *only* that Jesus died for the believing Jews but also for the believing Gentiles... πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων (pas ho pisteuon) - Whosoever/Whoever Believes πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων denotes particularity in that pas (everyone/whoever) of that particular group who believes will not perish. There is a specificity to faith, there are people who believe and those who do not believe and this is perfectly consistent with God's electing grace and perfectly consistent with the free offer of the Gospel. The verse means “all the ones engaging in the action of substantive adjectival participle believing” will be saved. In English this means “whoever” is definite and specific to believers.
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.” 
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06-07-2019, 06:25 AM
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#4 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 74
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-07-2019, 06:44 AM
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#5 | ||
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The spiritual slavery that is the result of the Fall did not render the human heart “incapable of willing anything absolutely.” Rather, the Fall rendered the human heart “incapable of willing THAT WHICH is right and pleasing in God's eyes” as the Scripture declares (see Romans 8:7-8, cf. Eze. 36:25-27). So, the fallen man still “freely makes choices” according to the inmost desires of his heart. This is volitional liberty that nobody denies. But we do affirm more. While we acknowledge the fact that we indeed make choices according to the inmost desires of our hearts (volitional liberty), we also affirm that the inmost desires of our hearts are predisposed only to Sin (moral & spiritual slavery) unless the heart is first regenerated by grace. Indeed, we freely chase after that which we love and treasure; but apart from grace our fallen hearts does not and will not love and treasure God above all. We have volitional “liberty” and yet, at the same time, with respect to our moral disposition, are “enslaved” to the Sin that we so love. Thus, if we are talking about volitional liberty, we heartily affirm “free-will.” But if we are talking about spiritual/moral liberty, the Bible is clear that man had lost this freedom by Sin. Watch this video from R. C. Srpoul on "Why We Can’t Choose God?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0C8AArEk3E
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.”
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06-07-2019, 07:39 AM
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#6 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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In retrospect I didn't engage the body of the initial post, with regard to understanding scripture correctly, and the impact that can have on one's spiritual life, both with the Lord and with others in assembly. Kevin has come along and attempted to address some of the points made. I love how this little forum allows for different points of view, interpretations, and understandings of scripture. Such a plurality of opinions, if respectfully made and engaging of others (rather than 'talking past' each other) can only be a good testimony of the common faith, once delivered to all. I would add this: I consider the idea of 'volition' and 'free will' (along with 'determinism' and such) to be fascinating, and as a former addict (others would say 'recovering addict') it is not mere speculative fluff. "Oh, wretched mortal man that I am! Who can save me?!?" &c. I would merely add to the points made already that what matters is not what Calvin thought, or Augustine, or Witness Lee. What matters is what the 1st-century Jews (and the Gentile converts) thought. Because that alone gives proper context to the NT. And remember, not all of them thought the same things - some of them, for example, didn't believe in the resurrection from the dead. Even some Christians didn't believe, if you read Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians (15:12-14)! So even though assuming some monolithic, 'orthodox position' that we must by our own logic and word studies re-create in toto in our assemblies today, whether Idaho USA or Zimbabwe Africa, seems a bit optimistic - sorry LSM - we should endevour to track this down, what was meant when the apostle wrote this or that. In fact I do nothing but this on my spare time, but read intelligent and informed people who write and talk about these kinds of things. But ultimately it's not what Pastor Bob preaches down the street. It is what Jesus said, and what Jesus meant when he said what he said. If I am zealously pursuing such things, then I can meet with most anybody. I have my views and I am not threatened or offended by the views others hold. (mostly, unless they try to enslave me) My own view is this. Jesus essentially had no free will. He kept saying, "I come to do the Father's will". He kept saying, "Not my will but the Father's will be done". He kept saying, "It must be fulfilled, Scripture has been written". My sense is that Jesus saw himself caught by the Father's will, expressed in scripture. It was written, so it must be done. Now, Jesus of course had free will, but that was to choose the Father's will. To believe. "He (Jesus) trusted in God (the Father); let Him (the Father) save Him (the Son) now". Psalm 22:8; Matt 27:43. Jesus chose to trust, to believe, to obey. He saw nothing but the Father. Now how can we see anything but Jesus? So, he 'chose' to have 'no free will'. Because he believed. That's why (I think) Paul called it the "faith of Christ". It is his faith, now dwelling in us.
__________________
"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-07-2019, 08:53 AM
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#7 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,067
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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"Reformed" usually refers to the teachings of John Calvin, who tended to be extreme regarding predestination. For modern day churches, it basically provides safe "boundaries" for them to remain in the orthodoxy of the scripture. Whether reformation, restoration, reformed, recovered, catholic, pentecostal, baptist, wesleyan, etc. its almost impossible to find a congregation which does not have some ties to past movements. Each of these also brings certain traditions of worship and practice. But it really comes down to the people and their heart for the Lord. As others have said, no church will be perfect. Regarding free will, do they preach the gospel? I left the LC, not so much because of "errant" teachings at LSM, as you said "leaven," but because they hurt and abuse people. Then they cover up their unrighteousness by smearing those who resist while trying to protect the saints. It was a downward spiral in the recovery -- bad practices produced bad teachings which produced worse practices and worse teachings. Their road had no guardrails. There were none to provide healthy checks or balance. I would encourage you to stay. Focus on the positive -- faith, hope, and love. Remember, there would be no epistles in the N.T. unless all the churches had "issues." The Lord is faithful to purge each assembly. The "Son of Man" walks in their midst. The real downfall in the recovery was rejecting the Lord's speaking, replacing it with Lee's. The Lord came to them often, but they shut Him out. Pray much and seek the Lord. If necessary, ask the elders about "troublesome" teachings. A healthy response will tell you much about them.
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-07-2019, 08:55 AM
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#8 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 74
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-07-2019, 09:10 AM
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#9 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 74
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-07-2019, 09:21 AM
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#10 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Aron and Kevin thank you both. You brothers are pursuing the truth in the word and your council is the kind I need. Amen to seeking the Kingdom of God first and it being near, in our hearts and in our mouths, Aron.
The reformed position takes scripture and its' interpretation makes so much sense sometimes. One problem I have with it, though is it doesn't align God with His will for us all. He desires that NONE should perish. But then He somehow changed into a god who chooses some but not the rest....leaving them to perish for eternity? I cannot believe our righteous Lord would create us with the foreknowledge....yes, the intention....of letting most of them suffer hell, forever. To say He alone chooses is to say He doesn't love us all. It is to say that He didn't die for all. Which is verbatim what I was told in the reformed assembly the other day. ``We believe He didn't die for everybody! Only His elect!" This god breaks my heart. And does not seem to match His own word?? And I agree, Aron, this discussion is good and important to have, and could be a real testimony of Jesus. byHismercy |
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06-07-2019, 10:06 AM
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#11 | ||
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I think about the children a lot. Do they want to see the adults arguing about the finer points of doctrine, and dismissing others' abstractions for their own, or do they want to see the adults receiving one another (and them) in love? Humility is not a word, it's a consistent series of actions spurred by an attitude consistently held. The original "church split" in the 4th century, at the Chalcedon Conference, was over an abstraction, that centered around the Greek word meaning 'nature'. The Oriental Orthodox went one way, the Greek Orthodox went another way. Even today if you ask them what it was all about, they say, "It's complicated." I would rather be simple. Quote:
Somehow both points (detervminism v/v free will) seem so opposite, and I can't logically reconcile them, and don't even try. Yet somehow it somehow feels like that's the way it was.
__________________
"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-07-2019, 10:16 AM
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#12 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,067
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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This is how I have tried to reconcile this mysterious Biblical enigma. Stretching the understanding further seems to invite trouble.
__________________
Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-07-2019, 10:50 AM
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#13 |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I ain't gonna push the envelope to defend Calvinistic soteriology. Well, this forum is about the Lord's Recovery movement anyway. I'll just leave this photo anyway.
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.”
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06-07-2019, 11:00 AM
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#14 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Aron, in my position on total depravity I've indicated that man's will is bound by its nature. Which is why it cannot do the opposite of its own nature, such as submit to the law of God. ▶Jeremiah 13:23 NASB◀ "Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil. Compatibilism allows us to correctly connect man's will with God's sovereignty hence soft determinism in making these two seemingly opposite entities compatible. You can search that more on Google. Okay, enough this Calvinism stuff. Lol
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.”
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06-07-2019, 01:05 PM
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#15 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Of course having nothing on my mind at this point other then free ice cream, it was only a little later after I indulged in my good fortunes that the Lord used that day to teach me about predestination. There are many out there led to believe that election is a matter of being predestined before birth at the individual level like Christ was, as in, the Lord saying to himself " ok, so and so will be born on this day and I have already decided that this person specifically will be a Christian when they grow up" sort of thing. There are some exceptions, but the Lord taught me that predestination in general is a matter of a potential that he's created open-endedly to be filled by whomever makes the individual choice to partake in His free gift of eternal life. The Lord then affirmed this message to me through scripture with the verse in Romans 11:25 that speaks about Israel being hardened until the number of gentiles be fulfilled. This verse showed me that just as in the first 100 customers getting free ice cream so it is with Heaven and the gentiles. There is a specific number (not specific individuals) that the Lord has set aside to be fulfilled. Yet, he already has a name set aside for those that are chosen. And also the parable of the Great Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14 when Jesus speaks about sending out invitations to guests for his wedding banquet. Ultimately those invitations were not responded to only to be later extended to all others. This of course was fulfilled when the Jews rejected the gospel thus bringing it to the Gentiles but I am led to believe this principle is still at work even within the gentile communities. So you see, the flyer that I picked up from the ground was originally mailed to specific addresses in the area but apparently one of those addressees discarded their flyer and so I was the one that picked it up and redeemed it in their place. I assume many more than 100 flyers where mailed but only 100 were able to be redeemed. Salvation, in short, is just like this offer for free ice cream. I believe everyone does have the individual opportunity to respond to it but as it turned out many will discard it or walk right past it only to be picking up by someone else and in my case it was only by His mercy that person was me. And yes absolutely, the Lord died for everyone so that we all will be given the opportunity of receiving his free gift of salvation. 
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06-07-2019, 03:34 PM
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#16 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Wait, which one? I just cannot feel silly referencing any scripture as Gods' truth. Nor ashamed. I fully believe every word of scripture and I also have a bit of trust in the interpretation that belongs to me via the Holy Spirit. |
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06-07-2019, 03:54 PM
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#17 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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My take is this. The Lord said he would be sending us out into the world as sheep amongst wolves. We're also commanded to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I don't believe this is just limited to the general populace, I also believe it applies to all groups we are surrounded by and religious congregations we fellowship with. Therefore, we shouldn't look for a certain congregation to be the salt and light for us, rather we as individuals should be the salt and light for the souls in these various church groups. In other words, it's not what a church can fulfill for us rather it's what we can do for other people attitude we should be approaching with when looking for a group to fellowship with and the rest will fall into place. And of course as many already know here, this is assuming you already know it's the Lord Jesus Christ and his heavenly kingdom you're serving and not another man's fleeting movement on earth. As I've said before, I do not believe there is a perfect church group out there. It's something the Lord is still working out and will only be fulfilled when he gathers all of his elect together from amongst the various congregations at the last day. As adults, I do believe we should first be content within our own personal relationship with Christ before fully committing to fellowships so that no matter what happens we'll still have Christ. Sometimes I believe the Lord leads us out into the wilderness to establish just that. Just think of what kind of Church Life Jesus had on earth. I imagine he often times felt lonely even amongst his disciples in the sense that he didn't have others that were able to fully relate and understand as he did. Yet, he still had his Father and the hope of his brethren one day becoming one with him just as he is one with his Father. |
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06-07-2019, 04:00 PM
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#18 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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It is so easy to go too far. To state as scripture what may not actually be there. Or to discard any portion which doesn't match your personal interpretation or understanding. John 3:16, anyone? Kevin? |
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06-07-2019, 04:28 PM
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#19 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-07-2019, 04:44 PM
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#20 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-07-2019, 04:52 PM
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#21 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Actually, Ohio, I would stay if it were just me. I think. The pastors wife encouraged me to listen to the pastors teaching on John. She said he took 7 years to cover the book!! They are available on the churchs' website and I have been enjoying his expounding on Hebrews they are currently in.
The thing is my children are young and being formed. I don't think I can lead them into/promote teachings I myself feel are erroneous....I don't want them to be confused. We all pray together for their dads' salvation. What if they gave up hope? What if they started to think their dad might never come to the saving knowledge and trust in Christs' atoning work?? All they have seen in their young lives, for years, is their dads' stubborn denial of God, and his refusal to see, hear, or even acknowledge any truth which is in Jesus. What if his current state of unbelief leads them to believe he is one of the 'unchosen'. One of those not called....one of 'them'. There is so much at stake. I am responsible for their spiritual upbringing and in that sense, I am the only one. I mean, there are no other regenerated Christian's in our family, at least not whom they have any contact with or live a couple thousand miles away from. Please, anyone here feel moved to, pray for Steves' salvation. Thanks. |
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06-07-2019, 06:58 PM
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#22 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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 I don't mean to refer yourself in that analogy. It's just for fun that I myself am fond of reformed memes. But seriously, I don't wanna argue to push this further because of the maligned stereotype that Calvinists are just mean robust geek jerks. I suspect a lot of people get turned off from Calvinism because of Calvinists. If you’ve been burned by us, I’m sorry. If you’ve been put off by what Calvinism teaches because you’ve seen how some Calvinists speak and act, then I understand. Calvinists like me get a rush of adrenaline over winning an argument or justifying our beliefs, and we tend to forget about loving our brothers and sisters who have also been justified by Christ. And that’s wrong. But honestly, I don't wear badges. I find Calvin, Luther, Wesley, and Tozer helpful men. I aim to read the Scriptures faithfully. I find that people make assumptions about labels.
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.”
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06-07-2019, 07:10 PM
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#23 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 191
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I agree with Piper on limited atonement. He says,
Quote:
__________________
If there is anything that the people of our day need to realize, it is these very words of Jonah, simple yet neglected: “Salvation is of the LORD.”
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06-08-2019, 08:45 AM
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#24 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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But at the same time the apostles' word is to be at peace with all, best as you can. So it would behoove you to engage this assembly at some level beyond the nominal, wave-as-you-drive-by level. They are fellow believers and you can still love them and receive them as such. But I'd like to add a point, with an example. My point is that under the one-church-per-city model, you're in a fix if the pastor starts teaching that the Son is the Father or that you become God, and it doesn't make sense to you. Or suppose the pastors son is appointed office manager and starts molesting the church members, and the elders side with him and agree to bury the issue? And then it happens again? If you believe in the one church per city model you are stuck. And my example is from my own experience. Recently, I began to consider "God's economy which is in faith" in light of all the seemingly random accounts that start the book of Acts. Consider the gospels: "Lord, we have left everything and followed you". And, "When you give a feast, invite those who cannot repay you". This is the opposite of the human economy where you store your grain in barns, and your money in the bank, or stocks, or land. And in the human economy there is reciprocity- when you give, you expect equal or greater return. But the divine economy is a variant of the "pay it forward" idea. Give by faith, expecting that God will take care of you. Does He not array the lilies of the field in splendor? Now, look at Acts. The people sold what they had, and held things in common. There was the issue of the dispensing to the 'hellenist' widows who of course had no assets... there was likewise Dorcas making shirts for the widows. There was Peter, telling the crippled beggar, "silver and gold I have none..." There was the case of Barnabas, selling everything and becoming a disciple, and Ananias and Sapphira pretending to sell everything. Then you have Paul and Barnabas acting as channels to the poor of Jerusalem, who have given up everything to follow Christ. Luke's narrative has a thread that runs through it all, and it continues the gospels' theme: give without expecting return. This is Gods economy in faith. Now, what do I do if I get this 'vision'? Start a new church? Force my assembly to come on board? Start seeking a fellowship that teaches this? No - the gospel never changes and the faith never changes. It was delivered once, for all and to all. I will not leave it. But that doesn't mean that I have to forget my ideas, to conform to the Hive Mind. I just hold them lightly within the context of the assemblies of Jesus' faith.
__________________
"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-08-2019, 10:56 AM
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#25 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,067
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Now if your children's father was singled out publicly or privately as "unchosen," or some such nonsense, then fireworks are in order. How about we all pray for your family?
__________________
Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-09-2019, 03:40 AM
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#26 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 74
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. |
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06-10-2019, 02:22 AM
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#27 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The good news is that once one realizes the state of abject ruin of things, one is free to fellowship with most anyone, without holding them to unrealistic expectations. If they confess Jesus as Lord, then we probably can meet, encourage, pray, testify & exhort, console & encourage, and be mutually edified & built up. I don't expect them to be at "the high peak of Zion" or "the central lane of the divine economy". And on the other hand, if I receive those who confess the Lord then I have every expectation to be received as well, and that includes what the Lord speaks to me in his word. If I'm willing to listen to those who use Calvin as their muse, or Luther or Darby or Wesley or whomever, then they can hear me as well. Each one has.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-10-2019, 03:06 AM
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#28 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Then we come to the question of "nature"... Jesus the Son of Man submitted to the law of God. "I come to do Thy will, o God, behold in the scroll of the book it is written concerning me". Jesus chose to believe that the scroll of the book was written concerning him, and he walked accordingly, and God raised him from the dead and gave him glory. To me, the salient issue here is not "nature" but "walk". Words are words, but it is my conduct that will prove the issue. It is not a debate that I can "win" in a Calvinist assembly, or any other. I confess Jesus Christ as Lord - now where is my walk? How I interact in the assemblies, some of whom may be stuck in various abstractions like "oneness" and "local ground" (for example) - that will prove of what sort I am. If we show mercy to others, God will show mercy to us. My point is that the "degradation of the church" is an opportunity for us to show mercy, and love. Outreach is not only to the unbelievers but also to those of the household of faith.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-10-2019, 03:55 AM
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#29 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-10-2019, 10:35 AM
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#30 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-10-2019, 04:40 PM
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#31 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-10-2019, 04:40 PM
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#32 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-10-2019, 04:53 PM
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#33 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-10-2019, 10:26 PM
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#34 | ||
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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~David Koresh and Branch Davidians. Koresh started with the Southern Baptists, then SDA, then took over the Branch Davidians. ~Black Israel. They believe that Jesus was black and they are the true Israelites. They love to remonstrate with others over Hebrew words and keeping the law. ~Mormon Polygamists. All Mormons, for that matter. I don't greet them in the streets, I just move on. ~Moses David Berg and the Children of God/Family. Started as "Teens for Christ" in 1968, believe it or not. ~Rastafarians. They think that Haile Selassie was God incarnate. ~Unification Church. They think that Sun Myung Moon was God incarnate. ~[LC spin-off]Eastern Lightning. They think that God is a Chinese woman who failed her university exams and had a nervous breakdown and identity crisis. Hey! Maybe she's God incarnate! Yeah! That's it! (Nah) ~Jim Jones and Peoples Temple. Jones started as a Methodist, then became a charismatic Pentecostal, then started his own spin-off group in San Francisco. ~Elizabeth Clare Prophet. She grew up with parents in Lutherans' and Catholics' faith traditions, then was exposed to Christian Science, then started her own New Age "Path to Christ-hood" called Summit Lighthouse. ~Heavens Gate cult: Jesus was supposedly coming on the Hale Bopp comet. ~JWs, etc, etc... one must draw the line somewhere.... God eventually makes clear (to me) who to avoid. Otherwise I'd try to give folks the benefit of the doubt, to start anyway. Peter at one point denied Jesus, but Jesus had mercy. So I need to follow Jesus and try to show mercy. If they are trying to acknowledge Christ, try to acknowledge them. Jude v. 3 says, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people." But vv. 22,23 say, "And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others, show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh." In other words, those who show mercy will be shown mercy. ~Matt 5:7 Just like Jesus taught, surprise, surprise... My current criteria are that there should be words (confess Jesus as Lord) and there should also be works (humility, eagerness to learn, showing love to those who are without). I try to be patient and kind, if possible, but there are some who are best to avoid (see list above). And if caring for young children, even moreso! Keep them safe! There are some borderline cases like Seventh Day Adventists and Christian Scientists that may be genuinely "Christian" but I don't spend time on them. I don't judge them but I'm not going to spend my time in fruitless argument and/or outreach over abstract formulations. But my point here is that if someone's nominally "Christian" I should try to find common ground, and fellowship, and opportunity mutual experience and expression. This is my job as one who confesses Jesus Christ. But there are clearly lines drawn - who to avoid. Be wise like a serpent, guile-less like a dove. Try to find the good and avoid the egregiously bad. Back in the first century you just hung out with Peter and John if you wanted to be safe. Or be with those whom John received/approved. Now we don't have that simplicity. (The above list was a bit tongue-in-cheek, as these groups are not where most wouldn't want to end up. But that's the point - start with obvious cases and move toward 'iffy' ones. And remember that they all either started out Christian or claimed to...)
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06-11-2019, 11:12 AM
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#35 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The Mormons have the prophet Joseph Smith and his extra biblical revelation of a latter day restored church. The LC's have their apostles Nee, Lee, Chu with the extra biblical revelation of a restored church in a one church per city model. Both claim Jesus as Lord. Where do you draw the line in the case of the Mormons and do you consider the Local Churches in that group that you posted? Why or why not? |
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06-11-2019, 12:42 PM
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#36 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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But there are a lot of similarities.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-11-2019, 02:32 PM
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#37 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Yes, Mormons do add revelation to scripture but so do the Local Churches. Perhaps it's not through an additional book but they do it through biblical interpretation in speech and literature. Adding revelation to scripture can come in more than one way. It doesn't matter whether it comes from an additional book or through verbal or written exposition, you're adding revelation to scripture that is not there in the text. Mormons and Local Church members are similar in this sense no matter what the "extra" is. So if you argue that the reason Mormons and the Local Churches differ is because they do not have an additional book along with the bible I'd say that may be true but both groups are still violating the same command in scripture. As it stands both groups have their self appointed apostles and prophets and their unique revelation, neither of which are found in orthodoxy, so if you deem one heretical based on adding to revelation then wouldn't it only be fair and do the same with the other? |
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06-11-2019, 04:32 PM
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#38 |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I agree with Aron as to the LC dancing near the edge of the precipice whilst the Mormon church has fallen off the cliff with their lineage of gods, god fathers, god grandfathers and on and on. But regarding adding to scripture they have both erred.
Which brings me back to the reformed assembly. Isn't saying that God has elected some, His chosen, and the rest of mankind, the vast majority in fact, are without chance of salvation....absolutely without hope of avoiding hell, isn't that an addition? I just don't see it in scripture. And if it is an addition, should I have anything to do with it? It may be that it doesn't divide or separate the believers, but it seems like an awfully slippery slope to play near, in my opinion. Especially coming out of the LC. |
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06-11-2019, 05:42 PM
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#39 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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At it's core, becoming "God-men" isn't much different from what Mormonism teaches aside from perhaps being a bit less colorful in it's presentation. So where exactly is the edge? Both groups can effectively defend their positions with scripture. Is the edge merely subjective or is extra biblical revelation itself the edge, no matter the form? The Mormons have a 100 year head start so they are definitely further down the cliff but I believe both fell off as soon as they embraced unique revelation. With that said, ByHisMercy, I can't really tell you what to do in regards to new fellowship. What I do know is, the thing that gets many people involved with groups such as the Local Churches is loneliness or fear of being alone. That's all too human, nothing wrong with wanting community (which the LC's do well enough) but when your main driving force is social desire, isn't the root of your search for fellowship a wanting to be served rather than to serve? I'd humbly suggest continue seeking God with all your strength and wanting to serve others first and foremost. Then I believe the Lord will lead you into the fellowship he intends for you to be a part of. |
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06-11-2019, 07:09 PM
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#40 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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However, Jesus ask of me that I not forsake the assembling together with His body. So I would rather obey Him than my own preferences. Because I want to remain in His will for me, and receive the blessing. I've become accustomed to it. :-) And I do have a desire to serve His body and others. I mean, there is not much love in my way, is there? Today I read that love is to keep His commandments. 2nd John vs. 6. So although it is plain to myself and probably others that I lack in love, maybe He will account me love if I obey....which is good news to me. I don't have much faith in my equipping unto that, but I will that I would. But that doesn't make me any less wary as to doctrinal error.....I feel very much on guard, you know? |
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06-11-2019, 07:38 PM
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#41 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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06-11-2019, 09:09 PM
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#42 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Let me ask you this. Was the apostle John forsaking the assembling together while exiled on the island of Patmos? Was God setting up a bad example for us by doing this? Of course not, it was God's will that he be kept in isolation for the purpose of His testimony. He can use any circumstance for His glory. You'll often find that Hebrews 10:25 is a popular verse twisted by oppressive and controlling religious groups in order to prevent members from leaving through guilt. Looking at the complete context of that verse, the command given by the Hebrews author was specifically directed toward Jewish believers in Jesus Christ at a time when Jews struggled fellowshipping with believing Gentiles because of certain stigma. Remember, Jesus often withdrew to be alone (Luke 5:16). God can use your time in the wilderness to further establish your individual relationship with him. Please don't think this is only possible in a corporate setting. It's simply not true. As matter of fact the order goes; love the Lord your God and then love your neighbor. Please don't misunderstand, you do not have to be at a certain stage of transformation to fellowship with others! In the first commandment, the Lord is suggesting He wants to personally fellowship with you first and foremost! The outflow from that then results in service toward others in love and fellowship. Don't be anxious or worry too much. If it's His will for you to fellowship with a new group of believers then He's capable of making that happen. Perhaps you need a bit more time to heal your wounds in Him or shift priorities before finding another fellowship? I know that tends to be the issue for me. Either way, seek first Him and His kingdom. All else will fall into place.
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06-11-2019, 10:18 PM
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#43 |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I appreciate your encouragement Jo. Yes, I absorbed many false ideas from the LC, and the Lord needs to reset me, heal me in many ways. Some I am aware of and probably others I'm not. But He knows. And He will heal me, and us. For sure, He has shown me just how faithful He is through all this, and how capable He is to dissipate darkness by His light.
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06-12-2019, 02:19 AM
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#44 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The question of, Where does one draw the line, has a subjective element. In my case, I make every effort to fellowship with believers of every type and stripe, knowing full well that where they're short of the mark I may be doubly so. Every failure is an opportunity to show mercy. But on the other hand there's this little word called 'truth' and we should not indulge someone's illogic merely to be polite and get along. Paul said that everyone has a psalm, a revelation, a tongue or interpretation. But this is not 'adding to scripture' because it may be amended by others. My interpretation may balance your revelation. But the Book of Mormon doesn't allow that. What of, Science and Health by MBE? I've never read it but it seems to be in the Untouchable class by her followers. And the writings of WN & WL in the LC come perilously close as well.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-12-2019, 06:40 AM
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#45 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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If you want to know where the LC's are going, then study where the Exclusive Peebs are now.
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-12-2019, 07:00 AM
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#46 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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My point is, we can't really tell. If the reaping angels bring in the wrong ones, how much more will we! Just be merciful to everyone, and let God sort things out. But obviously keep yourselves from the wolves. Some people don't give the benefit of the doubt. But only God knows for sure. But there's another aspect here, and that is ruined human lives being restored. Jesus did it, Peter did it after Pentecost, and we have that aspiration to follow. The Assembly is not merely a P & W session, or a 'training' to indoctrinate ones into somebody's ideas... its focus is on glorifying the King by visiting the sick, the weak and the prisoners. By aiding the proverbial widows and orphans. If the children in our care see us exhibiting genuine love toward those in need, giving to those who can't repay us in this age, it will enhance their walk with God. It's all about helping the other guy - the supposed 'other' is in fact part of 'us', and 'us' is as close to God as it gets. Remember the gospels: love God and love your neighbour is as great as any command ever given. The Assembly is an opportunity to collectively experience and show this love. Not just to those who seem lovable, but especially that 'those who lack would be shown more abundant honour'. To me, after confessing Jesus as Lord, and keeping myself from sin, the most important thing is to be a vehicle for God's outpoured love. When Peter looked down at the beggar man and said, "Silver and gold I have none, but this I have - in the name of Jesus rise and walk!!" this is the 'sign' that Peter is following Jesus. God's love reached Peter, and now God's love is flowing through Peter into the streets. Really, there is nothing else. Without this love, teachings are empty. Only love will endure.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-12-2019, 03:48 PM
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#47 | ||
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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And there are those that feel the same way toward Local Church members. To make the point, a number of professing Christians have openly labeled the Local Churches a cult in the past and condemned many of their teachings, specifically on the topic of the nature of Christ . Still your line in the sand is based on feelings and opinion yet you say there's a "little word called truth". Is truth also subjective? If not, where can we find it and know for certain? If you say things like "only God knows" then does that by default leave us all in the dark absolutely, in this case, regarding fellowship? If God knows, is He not capable of speaking to His children? And are not His children capable of hearing their shepherd's voice? If you struggle with uncertainty would the solution then be to embrace a liberal approach to fellowship? What about 2 John 1:10? You say meet with all believers yet in another sentence claim all Mormons and JW's are not genuine Christians. They too believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. If only God knows who's faith is genuine or not, then by this logic shouldn't we meet with all Mormons and JW's just to be of the safe side? This thinking seems like another case of an oppressive religious group wrongly executing biblical principle thereby tainting them completely. Seeing now the LC's hostility toward Christians and realizing how wrong it was, is now going to the other extreme and embracing anyone and everyone (save those that fit a muddy and purely subjective criteria) solve the issue then? Quote:
Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find (Matt 7:7). If there's no reply, keep asking (Lk 18:1-8). Why settle on "only God knows" implying we cannot if that's not scripture? ByHisMercy is asking for an answer to a question regarding fellowship. She wouldn't be doing so if she didn't believe her concern couldn't be answered. It's true that perhaps neither you nor I can answer that question for her but God certainly can. Being content with "only God knows" is, to me, raising a white flag. |
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06-15-2019, 08:28 AM
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#48 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Regarding "God only knows", my favourite author is Ephrem the Syrian: “Whoever is capable of investigating becomes the container of what he investigates; a knowledge which is capable of containing the Omniscient is greater than Him, for it has proved capable of measuring the whole of Him. A person who investigates the Father and Son is thus greater than them! Far be it, then, and something anathema, that the Father and Son should be investigated, while dust and ashes exalts itself.” But perhaps I am avoiding the truth. Yet truth if pursued is asymptotic. One must be content with what one has, and not go beyond what one is given.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-15-2019, 10:00 AM
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#49 | ||
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Perhaps another more difficult issue for us ex-LCers is our affliction with judgmentalism. Having been trained for a few decades to judge all things Christian, apart from the MOTA himself, plagues us when leaving the system. I freely admit to being a recovering judgaholic. We have been indoctrinated to place insurmountable standards on our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we should be merciful and forgiving, we are criticizing. No assembly on earth can meet our standards! Instead of researching whether some internet apologist ever had issue with some past teacher related to a nearby church, perhaps it's better just to reduce our views of "church" to those around us, and love and serve them.
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-15-2019, 10:11 AM
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#50 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I used to fellowship with JWs and LDS on the street, and try to share "my Christ" with them, but at some point just stopped. Not that they were beyond some proverbial pale, but simply that the Lord said, "If you see the other coming at you with 10,000 troops and you only have 5,000, just sue for peace and keep distant." Others may have profitable discourse with them. I don't. Doesn't mean much beyond that. Just because Philip ran up to a certain chariot on the South Road out of Jerusalem, doesn't mean all other chariots were doomed to eternal perdition. He was limited by the HS. We all are. The command was, "Love God and love your neighbour." The person at your job site may be a Muslim or a flaming atheist homosexual. Okay. No problem. But if we are talking "Christian fellowship" then we have to assess the particularities of the HS' guidance within us.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-15-2019, 02:02 PM
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#51 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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In Aron's case and many other ex-LC'ers, the issue seemed to be that their "certitude" was dictated for them (along with many other things). But there is another way and it's not defaulting to relying on one's own understanding but to lean on the Lord completely and trust in His certitude. That certainty can be passed on to us through faith. Faith isn't some mystical living moment to moment in a constant unknowingness trusting things will eventually work themselves out. You can surely get answers and we should always be striving to involve God in our pursuit of that. Otherwise this type of faith is a faith of defeatism no matter how it appears. Even if you move mountains, without the active participation of God and His love in your life, your faith ultimately comes to nothing. In your case of judgementalism, Ohio. The answer isn't to stop judging, as the world would tell you, but to judge righteously. (Jn 7:24). In other cases, like complete devotion and zeal toward one ministry and one man. The solution isn't to disregard the idea of serving just one man and one ministry. We, as Christians, should be serving only one man and only one ministry with complete devotion and zeal. That is, it should all be pointed toward the man Christ Jesus and his heavenly kingdom alone. The LC may have failed you in these regards but take care not to let your past experiences taint these important principles for you as you continue on in your walk with Christ. To those that have left Jesus along with the Local Churches. I am sorry for what you've gone through and I pray for your healing. Your circumstances may have changed but Jesus still is and always will be the way, the truth, the life and the only way to eternity in heaven. Please trust in that. His love is the only love that can heal us and make us whole. And to the others that seem to be stuck in limbo after leaving the LC's. The most important fellowship is between you and your God. Examine your heart, take time to build on this individually and when He's ready I trust He'll guide you into a new fellowship. |
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06-17-2019, 09:45 AM
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#52 |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Read God's word, pray, fellowship, worship and serve.
Love God, love people. Without love, all the other stuff means nothing. What is love? It is caring for others enough to sacrifice for them. Ask God to teach you to love people the way he does. Be merciful. Receive the believers. Don't expect anyone or anything to be more perfect than you are (which is not close to perfect, BTW). If you do that you can enjoy meeting with just about anyone. Keep it simple. Trust and obey. It's not complicated. It's the devil that complicates things. |
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06-19-2019, 04:03 PM
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#53 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
The topic is, if you are new in town, where to bring your family to fellowship with other believers? My point was that "to believe" 2,000 years after Jesus Christ is not so simple. Or, if it is simple, one has to pare away a lot of added "complications".
One of the complications of the past 2,000 years is the tendency of people, even Jesus-followers, to fool themselves into thinking they are something they are not. This can be seen in the gospels. The disciples wanted to know who was 'greatest', which is nothing more than the old "Alpha Dog" debate that surfaces on every playground, regardless of culture, among 10-year-olds. My take home lesson is this: because of sin, one cannot simply do a Lebron James vs Michael Jordan comparison. It doesn't matter how many books you have written or churches you have founded. Because of sin, any tendency to think in terms of 'greatest' and 'least' is going to get hopelessly corrupted. The only safe position is to be the 'least', and let the Lord of the feast call you higher in due season. This is not to say we should not do 'works', on the contrary. Faith without works is vanity. You are not going to sit in a chair, doing nothing, and "absorb God" and "become God in life and nature", because that's the deluded "hearers of the word" position - it's only "doers of the Word" that receive the reward at the end of the race. But again, your works are nothing, of themselves... only God, at the Bema, will say what is what. Just take the least place, and labor in love on one another. Many in the LC do just that, but there is a great, big, stinking carcass in the assembly and that is the Deputy God principle. Jesus alone is Deputy God. Only Jesus has passed the veil. The rest should take Jesus' advice and be nothing. Of course there are prophets, and evangelists and shepherds and teachers. Some are able to give a revelation or a tongue or a psalm, others give an encouragement or an interpretation. Some are (apparently) one-talented, others two- or five-talented. But the fire will test everything. Let it go. The Minister (or ministry) of the age is the "greatest" pile of doo-doo. Run away from such notions. Flee. Quote:
If you learn such basic lessons, you'll be able to have mutually profitable fellowship with believers near you. You'll be built up with others, and will see them built up with you. What a blessing!
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-19-2019, 11:33 PM
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#54 | ||
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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A Great Spiritual Person on the Earth - GSPOTE
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The main issue the Bible deals with is sin. Because of sin, humanity was separated from God, with all that separation entails: pain, fear, loneliness, purposelessness, alienation, shame, anger, frustration, failure (mistakes), sickness and death. This issue is introduced in the first few chapters of Genesis and isn’t really resolved until the last few chapters of Revelation. In between, it's a constant theme. Now, everything in the NT narrative hinges on the claim of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. If Jesus wasn't raised, then his death was merely the death of a good and holy man, a martyr of sorts. Like David, his grave remains among us. Jesus taught, “Love your neighbor”, then he died... he did good works, healing and feeding and caring, then he died. Game over. If there's no resurrection of Jesus, the story ends there. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then his blood does not cleanse us from sin. If he didn’t rise from the dead, then he's not Lord and Christ, but merely another good person who died for a cause. (There have been many, unfortunately.) If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then he was not made sin on our behalf, and our sin remains. Now, looking at the NT in this light, I want to examine the idea of a “Great Spiritual Person on the Earth” (GSPOTE) as put forth in the LSM, as seen by the quote in the previous post (#53). To me, Jesus’ answer was, Don’t claim to be GSPOTE, rather be the least of all. Because of sin, nobody can claim greatness while on earth. Because of sin, it's prudent instead to take the least place. And don’t get misled by people who claim to be GSPOTE, because they misunderstand the gospel and will lead you astray. People like that will distort the fellowship of the assembly (a good current example may be the New Apostolic Reformation). Quote:
Now if you go to a local assembly and they hold some derived “truth” that they insist on as a precondition and precursor of fellowship, your ability to fellowship will be circumscribed. They have been distorted by a self-proclaimed GSPOTE, and the opinions of that person are now “truth”. It doesn’t matter if it is Ellen White or Mary Baker Eddy or John Nelson Darby or Watchman Nee, if some person’s teachings have determined the understanding of “reality” or “truth” in that assembly then you will have to deal with that. Because of sin, nobody should make presumptions of themselves or their place. Clearly WN and WL did, and it effectively ruined their ministries, and stumbled many. May we learn the lessons and go on: confess the faith delivered once to all, fight the good fight, serve the Master by helping others, and trust God's mercy and love. At the end, it is all His. It is God's love that sent Jesus, and it His mercy that we can look homeward, with hope. God is Love, and Jesus is the Way. Now, I can still have fellowship with other believers. But if they insist on "truths" and my holding them as a basis of fellowship, then my ability to fellowship there will be circumscribed. Think, e.g., LC "local ground" and "one minister per age" culminating with Witness Lee saying, "If you aren't 100% for this ministry get out. If you're only 99% for this ministry get out". What kind of fellowship can one have in that assembly? Pretty much none. They have a "truth" that's subsumed the gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-20-2019, 02:33 AM
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#55 |
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Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: GSPOTE
I'd like to re-frame my argument from post #54.
There actually are "great spiritual persons". There is to be a "kingdom reward". There will indeed be rulers over ten cities, and rulers over five. There are prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. But because of sin, nobody should presume anything. Jesus was a "good teacher", but because of sin he would not touch it (Mark 10:17,18). He was the Messiah, but rather than with words he showed it with good works (John 10:38; 14:11) - he was Master but did the works of a servant(John 13:13,14). And then the Father raised him to glory. We can all follow this path, this Way. There is no need of presumption, and because of sin we should avoid hasty claims (1 Tim 5:22). Watchman Nee cribbing JPL and publishing it under his name at age 24 - that was a hasty claim to spiritual greatness, and many bought it. But we learn from our mistakes, and not institutionalize them.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-20-2019, 04:59 AM
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#56 | |
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Posts: 7,125
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Re: GSPOTE
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He was telling them to repent from the attitude which is the basis for the question "who is the greatest in the kingdom", a discussion prompted by seeing Elijah and Moses talking with the Lord on the mount of transfiguration. This "becoming as a small child" is the "path" you are talking about. So can you explain what this path is? I feel the difference between their discussion and a small child is that they wanted to classify, categorize, and qualify the various historical figures whereas a small child simply wants to experience. That was the point of my example with the piano. When the child sees the piano they want to play it, they have no thought as to who the great piano players in history were, nor does that matter to them. The piano is cool because they get to experience it.
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They shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God |
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06-20-2019, 06:34 AM
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#57 | ||||
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Location: Natal Transvaal
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Re: GSPOTE
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Now contrast that to the disciples who as corrupted human vessels wanted to be something. "And they were arguing which one of them was greatest" - multiple citations. So, what is a "child" in this context? Without sin? No. With curiosity/cooperation to God's will? Yes, see, e.g., "here is a little boy with 5 small loaves and 2 small fish". The child didn't despise his "little" portion but the disciples did - "what are these (small) among so many (large)?" This is the fallen, sinful mind at work. Looking at the outward thing. The Jews were expecting a "big man" to show up, but Jesus showed up riding on a donkey's colt. The main thing the child is in this context is "least of all". Small, despised, rejected as of little value. "Tell these children to shut up!!" ~Luke 19:37-40 Jesus was Master (Kurios, Lord) but washed their feet, was great but became small on our behalf. Should not we? And yes, that includes being curious when God gives you a piano. Don't despise the day of small things. But don't think you are "great" just because you can play piano. Everyone has a gift. That includes your neighbor. But don't presume your gift is bigger than someone else's. Nee did just that. He was the Big Man in the Room. And Lee saw what a successful move that was, and followed suit. But it is not in the "ministry", unless it is the Ministry of the Kingdom of Self. From an LSM document on Titus Chu: Quote:
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Ambition? Who is ambitious, here? The ministry here seems to be of a veritable ravening wolf. The moral of the story -- don't try to be a "great spiritual person on the earth." Let God be great. https://afaithfulword.org/articles/BriefAccount/
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-27-2019, 05:14 PM
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#58 |
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Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I find everyone's contribution to be truly helpful and edifying, here. Even when I find myself disagreeing it still makes me think, process, and figure out what I believe regarding some doctrines which are new to me. This whole question has been educating me on Lordship salvation ( I reject) and caused me to seek the Lord in His word which is giving me some clarity. Honestly, even when we stray from the topic I find every conversation here to be helpful, and enlightening. Remember, please, you all are kindly contributing to a person whose only Christian counsel is here on this forum. I appreciate and value this more than you might think. Not just on this topic, but everything discussed here, really. God bless all of you who care enough to donate your time and insight here. I think my own portion might be small but if it comes from Jesus then I don't despise it. It just didn't have any value to the saints in the LR because it could not be crammed into their rock solid, ridgid box. But the Lord gave divers gifts to divers ones and this conversation has encouraged me to look for this portion in others. Especially if it does not look like I expect it to. Thank you, brothers.
One last question on this Lordship salvation....do I go too far to suspect this is adding to scripture? Or preaching another Jesus? Or is it maybe just a misinterpretation of scripture?? Either way, for better or worse, I am now the cautious Christian. And I praise Jesus for my new found discernment, and I completely trust Him to make my path straight. He is sovereign over that job, and cannot fail. May I and my kids be blessed to acknowledge Him in all my ways forever. byHismercy |
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06-27-2019, 05:31 PM
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#59 | |
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Posts: 7,125
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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1. Do you believe that some people created by God will be cast into the Lake of Fire? After all that is what the Bible says. 2. Do you believe that God is omniscient? If so He had to have foreseen this. 3. Do you believe that all things came into being through Him and apart from Him nothing has come into being that exists? If so He created this person knowing the outcome. Even so God can still desire that all men be saved. That very fact suggests how difficult that is and even that it is very likely not going to happen. 4. However, if you believe all the previous Bible verses, then you can also believe that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to purpose". 5. Of course the most difficult question is how to reconcile a God in whom is no darkness, for whom it is impossible to lie, how can this God create creatures who are evil, filled with darkness and lie. That question has been deemed unsuitable for this forum, but you can find a very lengthy discussion on it on the "alternative views" under the thread "the problem of evil".
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They shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God |
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06-27-2019, 06:15 PM
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#60 | |
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Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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And back to the Lordship salvation doctrine, how can our Lord, who in Him is no lie, say he desires that none should perish......but in His election reconcile some, while leaving most to perish hell forever. That doctrine makes Him a liar. Which He cannot be. |
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06-27-2019, 07:20 PM
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#61 | |
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Grateful Servant
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,860
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
ZNP and everyone.
Let's not get into a calvinism versus arminianism debate here on this thread. If I'm not mistaken, I think byHisMercy's main point was at the end of the opening post: Quote:
So....let's not get in the Lord's way...maybe some of the forum members have had some good experiences with different churches, fellowships, ministries etc. I know for a fact that many have, because they have shared as much right here on this forum. I have my two cents worth which I will dole out here shortly -
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Now Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20) |
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06-27-2019, 08:15 PM
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#62 |
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Member
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Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
I am starting to see I poked my stick into the red ant hill. Something I try to never do. In the interest of keeping peace I will retract my question and stand my ground on that point until the Lord shows me differently. I don't even know what Arminianism is. But I did get an earful of both terms at the local Calvin church that day. Peace, ZNP! I promise I don't belong in Alt Views. No offense Harold ;-)
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06-28-2019, 09:41 AM
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#63 | |
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Member
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Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The Baptist assembly I was excited about until reading their website, found that they will not receive ''alien baptism''. Nor fellowship with other Baptist assemblies which receive ''alien baptism''. It is very serious for them. I just can't get around the fact they literally had to make this term up to express it. I know they didn't get it from scripture. When I considered having to 'prove' my baptism by 'performing' it again for their sake, it had me in tears. Even though I was baptized by the LC I consider it genuine because it was between me and Jesus. He knew my heart. I believe He honors it even though I now reject their teachings, their lies. This area, and maybe the world is this quagmire of denominations, keeping to false teachings, that must be dug through, avoided. So much added, so much taken away from, scripture. So much misinterpretation of it. It makes me sad and I think, they don't know, they don't know how careful they must be with the word of God. Where a little error can take them..... But how merciful is He, even to reveal this to me. Such a short time ago I had my own blinders on....preventing me from recognizing this danger! What mercy! I love Jesus. I know that every heart seeking His face, He lifts the veil away...and He is good and faithful towards us....to do this. |
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06-28-2019, 10:02 AM
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#64 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,067
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Peter said that Baptism was the "answer of a good conscience toward God." Perhaps they will accept your testimony of baptism if you write it out, citing the Lord's work in your heart. If they don't accept that, then they are exposed for believing in their "holy water." Does a public bath qualify you for the kingdom of God, or your faith? Most of these ordinances held by various churches were supposedly written as safeguards, but if your own testimony is not adequate, then we must ask whether these folks are in the old covenant or the new.
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-28-2019, 10:18 AM
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#65 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I was impressed that the couple was willing to humble themselves and listen to the Lord through their children. If they had tried to impose "faith" they would have lost them. But they followed the Lord together. How very non-Lord's Recovery. Instead of listening to HQ, they listened to their children.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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06-28-2019, 03:44 PM
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#66 | |
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Member
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Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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It had not even occurred to me to ask them, Aron. But that story is such a precious testimony. Really seems like God used the children's desire to lead the family, especially considering the match that ensued. My kids are 13, 11, and 6. Old enough to contribute to this decision. |
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06-28-2019, 03:56 PM
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#67 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Ohio, that is a great idea. Maybe I can speak to them, or write. It had me so discouraged I just gave up the hope for meeting with them as soon as I read their alien baptism deal. The only ministry I have been in is on YouTube, BBC International from San Jose, California. Pastor Gene Kim. I love this ministry but.....outta state. |
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06-28-2019, 04:30 PM
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#68 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Greater Ohio
Posts: 12,067
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Quote:
Baptists clearly are right to teach water baptism, and this following a confession of faith, but demanding that the water be their own exceeds anything written in scripture.
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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06-28-2019, 04:35 PM
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#69 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
Posts: 5,085
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Quote:
__________________
"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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07-05-2019, 09:34 AM
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#70 |
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,219
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
BHM - I have not read through all the replies to your post, so this might be a repeat of something someone else has already said.
What you put forth regarding your aversion to Calvinism is certainly reasonable . . . and that eventually it could plant seeds of corruption that will cause issues in your family. This may be the case, but it may also not be the case. To me, the bottom-line is that there is no perfect ekklesia out there. But on the other hand, there are perfect gatherings! Here's what I mean: These days I am often struck by how the Lord has worked in various ones and various groups – even in the church in Rome! The Lord always has some – in whatever system - who are close to Him and seeking Him alone, even though we don’t see it. We always want someplace “perfect” in our eyes . . . that is, to have ultimate control over our circumstances and surroundings. It is a near constant struggle to let go of control and trust Him. So my sagely advise is it comes down to hearing Him in such matters. The Anointing will guide you (“they shall all know Me”). Ask and wait. I know several who are meeting regularly with different groups. Are these groups perfect? No. Is our group perfect? No. (But on the other hand, we and them are just fine in His eyes – He will do it!) We look to Him for the ability to love and accept each other, and to keep us from a judgmental spirit (gentle as doves; wise as serpents); and then there can be real fellowship no matter where we are. Does that resonate?
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-05-2019, 11:40 AM
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#71 | |
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Member
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Location: USA
Posts: 4,322
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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07-05-2019, 12:01 PM
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#72 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,243
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I also have several books by Clarence Larkin who wrote a lot about the various dispensations, the spirit world etc. He was ahead of his time imho because he passed away inh 1925 before Israel became a nation again in 1948. Robert Breaker, Gene Kim and Charles Lawson have enlightened me a bit more...still they are all on the same page for the most part. Gene Kim and Charles Lawson are my favorite teachers. I like Breaker but he has a bit of a harsh way of teaching. Still they have been a big help to me. The best teacher by far however is THE HOLY SPIRIT Who opens my eyes to understand the Word of God both Living and Written. I meet with about 12-15 people for bible study on a very regular basis. Most are babes in Christ. Most go to different church denominations for Sunday worship. A few of us do not go to 'church'.. but I for one do not forsake the assembling together as instructed in Hebrews 10:25. Still. I feel alone (but not lonely or discouraged) because I am not able to fellowship and discuss what I have learned. Hardly anyone I know reads much less studies the Word of God. They are satisfied just going to church on Sundays. I don't criticize or judge them, or look down on them. I like them and love them all. They are my friends in Christ and in the natural man. Good topics here on the forum!!
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-05-2019, 01:28 PM
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#73 | |
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,219
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I know some who are in a very similar situation as you CMW. They have moved somewhere and find themselves meeting with whoever. Often these ones seem to have little realization of Christ IN them as their only hope of glory. Many of these ones (who have moved away) do minister Christ as they can. And maybe that's the Lord's purpose in having them there - love and minister Christ as they can. Often these ones are asked to teach little classes on some topic, or perhaps to take over some established teaching position. I think it often takes quite a while for others to start getting that Christ wants to be our life and live the Christian life in and through us (listen to me talk -- I'm still learning this after 45 years!!). But there is encouragement. For instance, one brother was asked to do the ongoing teaching in a small group on Tuesday mornings. (The previous teaching brother got all caught up in paranoid, conspiracy, preper thought that someone was coming to persecute him and his family, and then abruptly moved away.) So there was an opportunity, and the Lord very specifically told him to accept their offer to come teach regularly. So little by little he's just ministered the riches of the indwelling Christ to this small group. Some of the ones from this Tuesday group come to our Thursday breakfast gathering, and I have to tell you that over time (3-4 years or so), I can see a little growth and more of a focus on Christ alone in some of them! One used to be so full of all the dark conspiracy theories and always spoke passionately about these ideas. (this is really just fear and giving the enemy too much credence) It used to be that in the Thursday group after really good and open sharing about the indwelling Christ between the bros, he used to blurt out something about how we had to keep an eye on such and such dark thing that was - for sure - going to happen soon! (you just have to love someone like that and gently steer them to looking away unto Jesus once more). But now I almost never hear him prognosticate all those sorts of things, and has encouraged all of us with his focus on Christ! (BTW - even if all of these dark conspiracy theories were true, what are we to do about them? Should we not trust Him and therefore live in fear mode of what might happen? I don't think so - it's a big distraction.)
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-05-2019, 08:02 PM
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#74 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
To anyone leaving the Local Churches and looking for new Christian fellowship I encourage you to listen through this podcast as there is a large growing movement that's taking over post denominational Christianity called NAR (New Apostolic Reformation). It's basically the westernized version of the Lord's Recovery and just as deceptively unassuming.
As you listen, you'll see how similar this Christian women's testimony is to many LC members' experiences. Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYL6ir-GKNk |
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07-06-2019, 06:29 AM
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#75 | |
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,219
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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The idea that we only have to look at what Jesus did in the gospels as the foundation for the "Jesus always healed, so this is God's perfect will ALL the time" has been promoted by these ones. And I have to say that I was leaning that way too. In fact, I have often said, "Jesus is the clearest image we have of the invisible God." On one hand I do think that is true, but on the other, what do I do with Paul's thorn in the flesh and verses like Rev 2:22-23, "Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds"? So while I still believe Jesus is the fullness of God manifested in the flesh, in Job He does say he brought those things upon Job at the end of the book! The reason why is still the same - He loves us and wants the best (according to the true reality) for us. So the entire Bible is the Word of God does the best job of showing us the real situation. It appears we may be seeing much more of this so-called NAR movement, as I think it looks quite seductive. (even desiring worldwide revival - if apart from Him - is still apart from Him!) Praise God for His full revelation and thanks again for sharing that link!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-06-2019, 07:42 AM
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#76 | |
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Moderator of Alternative Views
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,514
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Jo S is doing a real service to leavers of the LC, warning them about NAR ; warning them about going from the one and only apostle on the earth to the "Second Apostolic Age" ; from one mind control group to another ; from the ministry of the age, preparing the bride for the return of the bridegroom, to establishing the kingdom on the earth, preparing for the return of Jesus ; from theocracy in a small group, to theocracy on the earth ; from dominionism in a small group, to dominionism world wide. In short, run from the LC and NAR. Run from both as fast as you can.
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-06-2019, 12:03 PM
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#77 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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It's hard to know exactly where to go after leaving groups like the Lord's Recovery. It's easy to say, "just seek God's leading" but it's true. We need to press into the Lord and seek His will for us. Maybe He wants us to fellowship with another group of believers or perhaps He jealously wants to fellowship with us individually or as an immediate family for a time to heal our wounds and prepare us for what's ahead. I can't speak for someone else but He can. "My sheep hear my voice". If we do our best to humble ourselves, turn away from the things we know that are hindering our walk, turn to the things we wrongly neglect, and seek Him with all our strength He's faithful to do the rest. BTW, the testimony at the 2:42 mark of the podcast is a good one. |
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07-06-2019, 02:35 PM
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#78 | |||
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
Posts: 1,243
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Another thing is I desperately wanted to get connected to a group of believers and have fellowship similar to what we had in the LC. "Breaking bread from house to house", fellowshipping, encouraging one another.. Aww.. the utopia church life.  The utopia life will happen when we get to the other side, be it the Holy City New Jerusalem or an area in heaven..Thanks for your insights JO S
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-06-2019, 02:44 PM
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#79 | |
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Member
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Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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07-06-2019, 03:13 PM
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#80 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,219
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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However, I do get with saints in at least two, small and informal brothers' gatherings every week, for very good fellowship. We fellowship openly and eat together. Sometimes there will be one or two other times of fellowship and food with saints during the week. So while the quantity is maybe not like I remember in some bygone LC times, the quality is pretty good . . .
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-06-2019, 05:01 PM
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#81 | |
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Location: in Spirit & in Truth
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I am pretty close to my bible study friends but if I don't initiate prayer or fellowship outside out bible study day, we don't fellowship. They don't read the Word much less study it. We do get together for game night, dinner, chat on the phone, help each other out as needed. As to our bible study, people are very vocal, agreeing or disagreeing. I do like that at bible study people are free to ask questions, to disagree if they want..and no one comes down on them. One problem in our bible study is we are reading strictly through the OT. We are about to start 2 Samuel next week. Most of the group are baby Christians. They do not know anything about their spirit. They don't understand, know or experience the Power of Christ's Blood. They know mentally that He shed His Blood for our sins. But that's it. I also don't think they are interested YET. I share and explain as the Holy Spirit leads. Gotta feed the milk before feeding them meat.. Good to see you on the forum SOG!
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-06-2019, 06:14 PM
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#82 | |
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Location: Pacific Northwest
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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SonstoGlory, it does resonate. Jo S, it is a minefield out there. And I am petitioning Jesus in regards to this. Thanks for your counsel. And it is the case that the Lord needs to heal me for to even make me ready..... byHismercy |
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07-06-2019, 06:24 PM
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#83 |
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 412
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
And one other brothers YouTube channel I really appreciate is a fellow named Kevin, Beyondthefundamentals. All the content I've seen from him is refutation of calvinism stuff. The Lord finds a way to minister His truth into us, faithful Father He is! I would totally read the bible and fellowship with you, Carol. That would be awesome.
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07-06-2019, 07:58 PM
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#84 | |
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Location: Ohio
Posts: 379
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Going back to your first post; He did lead you here didn't He? UntoHim's little forum may not be the perfect assembly with perfected people but it still sounds to me like an answer to prayer, at least for the time being. |
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07-06-2019, 08:09 PM
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#85 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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For example... When I signed on to this forum I signed on as countmeworthy. Luke 21:36 'spoke' to me. I did not want to be left behind if the rapture happened. I am not sure I even understood the difference between the rapture and the second coming. I could be wrong but Lee never clarified the difference. I understand and have for a long time now, the rapture is Jesus calling us to meet Him in the air ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) The 7 yr trib then begins and then JESUS returns WITH His armies so that every eye will see Him at the battle of Armageddon. That is His second coming. So His return is divided into 2 events, the rapture for His Blood washed church and at the battle of Armageddon He returns with His saints. It took me a long time to understand that in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus is preaching/addressing the Jews only not to the gentiles. The church does not exist yet. Yet we certainly have gained a LOT from the gospels as the Jews do not read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. AND some of the passages in the gospel are written to me/us. Some people believe the Jews will read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Hebrews and James after the rapture. When He is speaking about His return in Matthew 24 and in other passages, He is not addressing the rapture. I never understood what Jesus was saying in John 10:16 when He said: I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For as long as I had read the bible, I believed the Word was written to 'me' and to the gentile church. That is not the case though. Some of it is written to us, but a lot of it is written to the JEWS especially the OT. That said the bible is written for all of us to read, study and LEARN to rightly divide the WORD of Truth. (2 timothy 2:15) These teachers (pastors) I mentioned, Charles Lawson, Gene Kim, Robert Breaker are overall very good teachers but they are dogmatic KJ ONLY people giving compelling explanation why it is the ONLY TRUE bible. I am not a KJ only person. i get more clarity from reading the NASB. But I do use the KJ as well. See.. when I first came to the LC in 1975 we were using the KJ and NASB. It's not a big deal to me because what is most important is knowing intimately the Father, knowing intimately the Son, God's Word Who became flesh and knowing intimately God the Holy Spirit. Also it is of utmost importance we apply the Blood of Jesus daily. I have also studied the scriptures on the Blood of the Lamb and have experienced the protection, the cleansing and the sanctifying power it has. Btw, Only in the last 10 yrs have I come to intimately speak and address and know the HOLY SPIRIT. From the time I got saved through the LC gang, I addressed all my prayers to the LORD JESUS. Today I can sense in my spirit when to address the Father, when to address the LORD JESUS and when to address the Holy Spirit. It's a balancing act for sure on my part.  But I learned from studying the function of the Holy Spirit.When I was in the LC we sang and talked about the LIFE GIVING SPIRIT IN US. We were taught to 'exercise our spirit' and turn to our spirit by calling 'O Lord Jesus' a gazillion times. I never asked questions. I just did what I was told to do. We also went over Galatians 2:20 till we were blue in the face in my locality. But around 2006-7 Something Watchman Nee wrote clicked with me. In a nutshell the more we commune with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY through His Son and the Holy Spirit, the more we die to self.. that is how we are crucified with Christ. So simple!!! So very simple!!! I am learning to do what the HOLY SPIRIT is telling me to do. I ask HIM a lot of questions now and He answers me.. most of the time He even answers me speedily and quickly!  i do address my SAVIOR Jesus more than I do Father God because Jesus said No man comes to the Father but by Him. So while I do address Father God and sometimes end my prayers 'in the Name of Jesus', I go through Jesus to get to Father God. Which leads me to ask.. how do most of you address your prayers? Most Christians I know including pastors pray ' Oh GOD  Father etc in the name of Jesus'. I think that kind of prayer has it place but truth be told AND HELP ME OUT HERE friends, I get the sense they don't really know Jesus Christ.If Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man can go to the Father but by Him, why do so many people skip Him in their prayers and pray directly to 'God'?  This has been bothering me for years and years. So I am seeking your insights. Thanks in advance.
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-06-2019, 08:14 PM
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#86 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Will give you a call tomorrow..
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-06-2019, 08:30 PM
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#87 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ohio
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I've heard some say that those that only pray to Jesus do not know God our Father. It goes both ways... Personally, I address our Father in prayer. Often times I do speak to the Lord Jesus but it's usually in a more casual sense of prayer if that makes sense. However, I have never addressed the Holy Spirit in prayer. I believe when scripture speaks about praying "through Jesus", it doesn't mean there is a hierarchal order that must be followed in prayer. It just means that our prayers should be directed to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ by the leading of the Holy Spirit. All are involved. John 16:23 "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." |
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07-06-2019, 08:48 PM
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#88 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in Spirit & in Truth
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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WOF taught me to deepen my Faith. But that is ALL! The 7 letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 reveal the condition of today's church. Most are luke warm and there is a lot of deception. One of my personal prayers is 'LORD JESUS. Do not let me deceived by every wind of doctrine that is out there. Thank You. Amen' I don't know that Jesus ALWAYS healed every sick person. There is a reason those He did are documented in the gospels. It seems the Jews were always looking for signs and wonders. And even when Jesus did heal and raise the dead, few truly believed and followed Him. (Isn't it interesting that Revelation foretells the AC will be performing signs and wonders convincing people especially the Jews to believe he is the messiah? Incidentally, my body has been riddled with Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2001. At the same time for 7 long years I bled like a broken bloody water main break. Why I did not die, was only because God did not allow me to die. I was told early on I needed a hysterectomy. No way was I going to get one when I could barely walk and was in excruciating pain from the RA. 7 yrs later when I was experiencing severe vertigo, a wise doctor told me I simply needed a fibroid embolization procedure which zapped them damned fibroids. That cured me from no longer hemmoraging. Twice after that I almost died from a blood infection. The last one was this past March. I was taken to the ER and had emergency surgery. I was in the hospital 2 weeks. All along I have been faithful and full of Love for the LORD. Never a debbie downer. I had people lay hands on me, pray over me to be healed many, many times over. I spoke healing scriptures over me.. but I am still struggling with my health. However I am a happy pappy.. full of optimism. When I am really, really ill, I don't pretend I am well. I thank God for the 'good' days I have. Now.. that said, this crappy disease has helped me get to know the LORD deeply. Had I not come down with it, I don't know how committed I would be. In a way, I am thankful that this horrific disease has brought me closer to Jesus, to His Spirit, to Father God but I am not happy I have it! No sirreee be bob! UH UH! NOPEY DOPEY!! GOD BLESS YOU STG and everyone on this forum that is shedding LIGHT in the darkness of religion.
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-06-2019, 08:53 PM
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#89 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Thanks you for all the experiences and warnings. If Revelation 2 and 3 signify the conditions that churches can be in throughout the NT age, we need all the help and shepa ding we can get from the Lord and His children. |
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07-06-2019, 09:04 PM
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#90 | |||
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Moderator of Alternative Views
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Quote:
Quote:
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-06-2019, 09:48 PM
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#91 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Think about how weird and what a turn off it would be if Jesus told them 'Pray to ME to get to the Father." Keep in mind too.. Jesus had not yet been crucified, died, buried, resurrected and Glorifed when He taught them how to pray. Remember also.. the Jewish people were still under the Mosaic law.. Do this.. Do that.. Do not do this.. Do not do that. Do not eat this..be circumcised..Keep the Sabbath. Did those poor people really know how to pray? They often went to the the priests with their sacrifices so they would be reconciled to God. When He revealed to His disciples He IS the WAY to get to the Father, He did not tell the whole world! When He sent them another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Jews especially had to learn to walk in the Spirit..learn how to pray. On the other hand, the gentiles did not know 'the law'. They did not have to worry about circumcision as the Jews did. Imagine the poor Jewish men who before the death and resurrection of Christ had to be circumcised under the law.. Then by the power of the Blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the outward circumcision meant nothing to God. It was the circumcision of the heart that mattered to God. In Hebrews, God through Paul is cautioning who?? THE CONVERTED JEWS.. not to go back to the Mosaic law.. Jesus entered the holy place once for all, and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He tells them the Blood of Christ, through the ETERNAL SPIRIT will cleanse their conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Something the blood of goats and calves, bulls and animal sacrifices, burnt offerings etc could NOT do. Btw.. although I love Hebrews..and it does speak to me, it is addressed to the HEBREWS, THE JEWS..THE CONVERTED JEWS. But did Lee teach that? The MOTA of motas?? Also the book of James begins by addressing the 12 tribes who are scattered abroad.. So is it written to the gentiles?? Unless we know with certainty what Jewish tribe we are from, James is not addressing the converted gentiles. He is addressing the converted Jews. Just saying...food for thought.. while I am still learning to rightly divide the Word of Truth. And btw.. we sure need all the help we can get from the Holy Spirit and God's beloved children walking in Love, Truth and Wisdom though Jesus Christ.
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Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36) |
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07-07-2019, 05:43 AM
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#92 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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In recent years I have come to address our Father more. But when praying with the bros it is more regarding the Lord Jesus. God is addressed too, but somewhat rarely as the Father. It's still very mysterious to me, and I figure if I'm meant to know then He will show me. I have conversations with Him about this, and I always come away thinking that nailing it all down is not important, and that seeking God - Father, Son & Spirit is the key thing. And Christ lives in us, so however we address God, I think He gets the communication job done in us "irregardless" (as my grandpappy would say)!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-07-2019, 01:41 PM
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#93 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Often in these other gatherings, while there are some saints up on stage singing and the words are flashed on a screen, not that many non-stage ones are singing. Or if they are singing, they are just kind of mouthing the words. This happened this morning as I was in a Methodist gathering that family members are part of. I sang songs with gusto, because I've experienced over time that my mouth is mysteriously connected to my spirit. Most others usually keep fairly quite it seems, although there was some good clapping along at one point. Then the leading one instructed us to turn and greet those around us. I enthusiastically asked one woman near me, "Are you in Christ?" expecting her to give me a resounding, "Yes, I am!" Instead she looked puzzled and said, "What?!" I repeated, "Are you in Christ?" She then replied, "I hope I am." There were also a lot of theatrics in the leader's "presentation." But I'm learning that my role, when I visit other gatherings, is to keep turning to Him and do my best to not be judgmental. Otherwise, the flow of the Spirit quickly subsides and I sense little love for these ones He died for!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-08-2019, 02:33 AM
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#94 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Natal Transvaal
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Jesus is the way to the Father, and when you come to Jesus, you come to the Father. So either approach works. On a side note, I read the Didache recently, and it said to pray the "Our Father" 3X daily. I thought, "Pretty good advice". And then I began to wonder (as I typically do), "Why don't we read the Didache more in church?" The easy answer is, "It's not the Bible" but Witness Lee is not the Bible either! Or Joel Osteen, or whomever. This epistle was written in the first or second century, was circulated among the saints, and it has some pretty good advice if I do say so. We Christians have largely lost touch with our history and our heritage, and fall prey to charlatans.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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07-08-2019, 09:00 AM
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#95 | |
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Moderator of Alternative Views
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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But coming out of a Cargo Cult type group, we should never forget that deep down inside our Old Man is the primitive Cargo Cult drives, instincts, and thinking, that God doesn't deliver His "Cargo" unless we set up and do everything just right. But God hasn't set up such a combination lock type system. God's system is a matter of the heart and mind.
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-08-2019, 12:51 PM
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#96 | ||
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Member
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Location: Natal Transvaal
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Doesn't mean we HAVE to pray in this manner. But Jesus gave us a pretty good template, if we want one. And nowhere in the subjequent text do I see anyone say, "That formula is now null & void". So I daresay it had currency beyond the gospels. Like the writer of the Didache. Quote:
Now, if God didn't raise Jesus from the dead, if it's all a hoax, then there's that. But I believe. So there it is. It's his faith, not mine. His faith in me. His spirit come to me, not mine to his.
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"Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers' |
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07-08-2019, 06:40 PM
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#97 | |
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Moderator of Alternative Views
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-08-2019, 07:01 PM
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#98 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-08-2019, 07:43 PM
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#99 |
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Grateful Servant
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,860
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Sons to Glory!, If you simply google "Cargo Cult" (just like Harold did) you will see the "definition" of this artificial, off-the-wall description of some obscure religious cults. It has nothing to do with the Local Church of Witness Lee, but that has not kept my dear friend awareness from bringing it up from time to time.
"Cargo Cult" is OFF TOPIC FOR THIS THREAD. NICE TRY HAROLD. LOVE YOU BROTHER!  -
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Now Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20) |
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07-08-2019, 07:52 PM
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#100 | |
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-08-2019, 07:57 PM
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#101 | |
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Moderator of Alternative Views
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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And, I can easily compare Lee's local church to the Cargo Cultists, but I won't cuz I don't want to get in trouble with brother Untohim ... Whom I love dearly.
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-08-2019, 08:07 PM
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#102 |
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Grateful Servant
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Touche, Harold, touche! Still off topic!
 Let's get back to "I need a church life that isn't led astry!!!". -
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Now Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20) |
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07-09-2019, 07:06 AM
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#103 | |
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Look, I am most blessed (and sometimes even made to realize it) - to be involved with a group these past 20 years that far exceeds my expectations. He has, without doubt, placed me here - the bulls-eye was drawn for me on Scottsdale before I was born. I am convinced of that. So until He specifically tells me to go somewhere else, "This is my rest forever, here will I dwell . . ." Can I be so bold as to wish that the rest of the body of Christ could experience what we have here? Yes, I do wish that. The best of the so-called Recovery without most of the warts. Thanks be to God!! "It's nothing I do, His mercy's just upon me. And God's free gift of grace, becomes an endless joy to me."
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-09-2019, 11:11 AM
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#104 | |
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Location: USA
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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07-09-2019, 12:24 PM
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#105 | |
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Moderator of Alternative Views
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Quote:
But why compare the local church to the Cargo Cults when a better comparison might be with the church in Corinth. Way back in the early days of the development of gentile churches Paul was doing his darnedest to keep the churches from going astray. I think with Nee, and his private sexual life, the local church went way beyond the failings of the church in Corinth. And also, because of Lee's sons, the local church under Lee, in America and before, went way beyond the failings of Corinth. But I'm with Sons to Glory : "trying to find something with humans involved and without warts --> well good luck with that!" I would go even further. The term "The Lord's Recovery," strikes a chord with Christians seeking the New Testament expression of the church. It sounds good. Both Nee and Lee thought they accomplished that with one church one city ; like that recovered the whole spirit of the primitive early church ; "job well done" and finished. But what they recovered was the church in Corinth, and its failings, more than anything else. And if Paul was having such problems in the early church, what do you think about churches today? Most are just social clubs, with no interest in the early church. But now we know. byHismercy has his answer. He should move to Scottsdale.
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Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. |
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07-09-2019, 06:36 PM
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#106 | |
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-09-2019, 06:50 PM
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#107 | |
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Posts: 819
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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I don't know much, is Scotsdale not an LSM LC? Are the elders independent from the being-blinded-brothers?
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Look to Jesus not The Ministry! Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; |
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07-09-2019, 06:58 PM
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#108 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-09-2019, 09:34 PM
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#109 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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OK, thanks. Did u know Gene Howell or Al Rick?
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Look to Jesus not The Ministry! Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; |
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07-10-2019, 05:16 AM
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#110 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now |
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07-10-2019, 06:22 AM
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#111 | |
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Posts: 819
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Look to Jesus not The Ministry! Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; |
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07-10-2019, 08:09 AM
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#112 | |
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Location: Greater Ohio
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point! |
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07-10-2019, 08:42 AM
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#113 | |
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Look to Jesus not The Ministry! Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; |
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07-10-2019, 01:07 PM
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#114 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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07-10-2019, 02:20 PM
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#115 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 819
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
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Nope, passed about 5-6 years ago. Lived into his 90s.
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Look to Jesus not The Ministry! Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; |
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07-11-2019, 09:12 AM
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#116 |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 4,322
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Re: I need a church life that isn't led astray!!!
Back to the subject of needing a church life that isn’t led astray. I’ve given this idea a lot of thought and prayer, and it seems to me there are only three approaches to this.
#1 is not a realistic option because no church is close to perfect, and even good churches can go bad.It turns out the “way of Christianity” is the correct and healthy way. |
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