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Attention all pastors who have a few moments to spare..in need of your wisdom here.

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destinysweet

Thank you for your time and discernment.I need to know if you or anybody being an ambassador of God would be able to justify working in a bookstore that sells books containing all manner of lies... teachings that are blatantly at emnity with the truth of God,in Christ Jesus..doesn't this mean that you are participating in the leading of blind ,lost and unsuspecting souls into greater darkness? Or would it be ok if there was a small christian section..wouldn't you be recieving wages from sin..the proceeds off the selling of deception by receiving a paycheck for serving in this capacity?? Wouldn't you then be a slave to the sin that you were being paid for serving in the establishment that promotes and distributes these lies by selling them? Would you be given righteous authority over this darkness..these principalities while serving it? Or am I just being overly sensitive? Would a prophet not know better than to do this? Have you been in large bookstore lately..seen what even passes for christian?
Again thank you for responding..I need to get some godly witness on this.

J
jgraves11

I think you should read Romans 13 and 14, this is a stick subject just like what Paul deals with in these two chapters. He basically says that if it offends your conscience then you dont need to do it. on the other hand he said it is lawful to eat meet sacrificed to idols. Couldnt you use this as an oppurtunity to point those who are lost to Christ? I dont see how you could work anywhere that doesnt make a profit from some sort of sin. Much more can be said of this, the main thing I would be concerned with is your own spiritual walk,keep yourself in such a way as to not be tempted by the lies within this bookstore. anyway I hope this helps you some.

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destinysweet

jgraves..are you a pastor?..There are plenty of ways to make a living that are positive and serve to meet mankind's needs without sin..please..I'm asking for those who are elders and pastors here..and prefer prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit..not opinions..thanks

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destinysweet

p.s. I do not work at a bookstore.

M
Miccah

[u][b]1 Corinthians 2:12-13[/b][/u]

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

P
psalm1

Destiny, I am not a pastor but I am a christian businessman.
Paul said salute the brethren in caesar's household.
This what you describe is tough.How do we operate in business and Jobs and keep a clean conscience.
I used to go into pawn shops to get cheap tools because my employees went through so many tools.
I questioned my actions,is this ethical?
I prayed and opened my bible and asked God for a scripture.

Amazingly the first scripture was "when at the marketplace dont ask too many questions for conscience sake"

This could be a conscience issue,not a right or wrong issue.

this concept taken to extreme would prevent any of us from ever going into a wal-mart.
Most all their items are from slave labor.
Or drive certain cars,knowing the car co. might be pro homosexual,etc.

The other side of that coin is...God bless you for wanting to stay pure and properly represent the King!

This issue is going to get stickier as society deteriorates.
Peace of mind and a clear conscious are precious.

It feels good to make honest money and the Holy Ghost will show us how ,Amen?

David

H
holiness

Greetings Fellow Solider,
It seems not to many people like to answer these kind of questions. Often times, you get a round-a-bout answer, with no real answer. In this day that we live in people are giving heed to suducing spirits of all kind. Many of this sedution is coming from "Christian Books". It tears me up inside to see alot of good meaning brothers and sisters feeding their minds with trash. We have the old saying "eat the meat and spit out the bones". But how much poision is safe? We have the Word of the living God, there is no bones in it. We can bite and consume and never be fearful of being led astray with corrupt teachings. It sounds like to me that the Holy Ghost has already convicted you of your job. Do not allow men's good intentions to take away the work that God is doing. To answer your question, It sounds like to me that God is either leading you out or wanting you to expose the darkness within. God bless as you seek him :-D

C
Christinyou

Did God only send Jesus into the places where He would be comfortable? Did Christ send Paul into the same kind of places?

Jesus went exactly where His Father sent Him. Paul went where the Holy Spirit now in Him by the promise of Jesus Christ, where Jesus told the Holy Spirit to send Paul. Also kept them from going where God did not want them to go.

If The Holy Spirit sends a person to such a book store, it is most certainly for a purpose, he may be the only one in the store that is sent to bring the truth to the ones God intends to hear and see. With ears that hear and eyes that see, made possible by God, for this person who is in Christ to reveal by the word of God to those he being sent to.

When the bookstore comes to our suffering for Christ's sake for working there then we know we are in the right place that God has sent us.

2 Corinthians 11:22-27 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

This is what we should be concerned about in the book store. Are we doing God's intended works for the kingdom, which Christ said we would do greater works the He. We would have to leave this world to get away from these kind of book stores and all else that is in the world that is against God and His Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Let go to work in the leading of the Holy Spirit in the book store and save as many as God has given to Christ, then we are harvesting the ripe fields. Hear ye the Spirit and go if He sends.

In Christ: Phillip

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sermonindex


destinysweet wrote:
jgraves..are you a pastor?..There are plenty of ways to make a living that are positive and serve to meet mankind's needs without sin..please..I'm asking for those who are elders and pastors here..and prefer prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit..not opinions..thanks

That was mean!! There are many lay pastors and lay elders that LOVE God and spend many hours on their knees. A LOT more than some pastors and elders and you've just cut someone off because he might not have a piece of paper or initials behind his name?!

I have a question, if you do not work at the said book store, could you be trying to convict someone else about working there? Because you've already stated: There are plenty of ways to make a living that are positive and serve to meet mankind's needs without sin... So we know where you stand on the subject. I don't know and I'm probably wrong but it sounds like to me that you are trying to get ammunition for a confrontation that's not of God.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to pick on you, it's just that a lot of people come on here asking this types of questions before they ever pray or have sought answers for themselves. But if this is not you, I apologize.

S
sermonindex

if you or anybody being an ambassador of God would be able to justify working in a bookstore that sells books containing all manner of lies
Lets not stop at bookstores, how about the Grocery store? There are plenty of lies on the label of the food industry. On box of crackers it reads, "No Trans Fat", yet one of the ingredients is "Vegetable Shortening". Hello??? Shortening is hydrogenated and thus is a trans fatty acid. Can you work in that type of an environment where lies are hidden in neat little cans and packages?

How about a Call Centre, where the managers won't tell you to lie to the customer, BUT it's expected of you. I know many Christians who have fled those places and others who stick with it and God knows what their conscience is like now.

I wouldn't mind working in bookstore of that nature. We have a Christian book store in this city called the "Baptist Book Room" and the stuff they have in there would rot your socks. It's where the LORD puts you that is where you ought to be whether what your seeing is right or wrong, stay there and be a light in a darkened world.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

S
sermonindex


Hi destinysweet,

I hear you. I have an additional thought, though, which is that any answer has to be applicable to all other Christians. In the end, there will be a limit to the number of employees a Godly business can sustain, and there is pressure on them also, as David (psalm1) said, for from whom is a business to buy its raw material if it's the only 'Christian' business in town - and so on. At what point does a mother or father choose to starve their children to death, rather than buy from the only grocery outlet because the owner is a sinner? I've thought about these things. You may not agree with my conclusions.

So... sure, there are some places no Christian should [i]choose[/i] to work.

Then, there is matter of the personal responsibility of the individual before God - that is, the unsaved individuals who create the customer base for businesses which thrive on trading in sin or lies, or, the one who chooses to [i]create[/i] such a trading post. They will be answering to God also. At least if the Christian is there, there is a testimony to the risen life of Christ, a light in their darkness, showing that there [i]is[/i] an alternative.

Going further, if there is really [u]no[/u] choice at all, and it is a kind of torture by the society - that abominable 'work' is forced upon the believer - then what really matters is the circumcision of the heart, and to live in a praiseworthy way in God's sight, [u]in[/u] those circumstances. I think about this also, and pray for those already in such a hard place.

J
jgraves11

I gave you two chapters to read not an opinion Romans 13 and 14

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destinysweet

Whew..ok..let's see if we can bring some clarity here.
1.I was told to get pastoral advise because this was bothering me..I've been praying and communing with the Holy Spirit...I believe it is the Holy Spirit because the scriptures I am getting while praying and reading and listening as well as the discourse I an hearing as the Spirit explained to me the deeper connections to the priority folks place on producing financial gain..support..provision for their family..etc. is all out of wack..and causing believers to be sheared of authority due to ignorance concerning heavenly law and principle..blinded and weakened,compromised..too loose of interpretations..and so much more that perhaps when I clear up some of the misunderstandings here we can proceed with out so much emotional charge attached...another reason I was asking for pastoral..or mature prayerful discerning response. I was direct with jgraves..not mean-spirited..I ask Him to forgive me if I was too brusque..I am often too verbose..trying so hard to cover the subject so well that none would misunderstand and jump to conclusions..especially because people don't usually pray in the moment..they just like to respond,just to say something and often they mean well but are not in the spirit..there has to be respect for what is being asked in the wording it is asked..people don't pay attention and then they fly off the handle..this why I said prayerfully..fully prayed about..this particular question ..before you write..if this is too much..do not write a responce..please..it is my desire to interact with the holy patient folks on this forum..I am making an extreme effort to use this restraint myself. Does that help you understand my needs..How I love you!I love my son dearly...but if my teenage boy doesn't pay attention to my instructions..or honor me by listening to exactly what I am saying ..I do not pat him on the head and say good work son..I let him know as directly and ...and unemotionally as possible..further explaining the original information more fully since it is obvious he wasn't paying attention. I try to do sound bites but I am thorough and detail oriented..I've been trained by God to be this way. I was actually using restraint to be so brief. Forgive me..I have only just began writing to people on the net..I am not great at it..when you are in my presence you are not confused as to my meaning..or my tone.I also can be too sensitive here.

2.I have an analytical mind,naturally...got this from my biological dad ..I can view any given situation many ways..but I have been trained by God to ask Him for His Divine perspective ..that I might know the Truth (Reality)regarding each situation that is brought before me. This is a habit..ingrained for long years..an absolute need ..I could make myself nuts with my own intensity..so focused am I on the kingdom ..God had to bring that perfect balance for me..and asking for help from humans..who for the most part cannot be trusted..lean on their own understanding..use whatever angle and loophole they can find to benefit themselves..or excuse themselves from having to actually suffer for the kingdom sake..or to go one mile let alone two..I believe that I am being healed to be able to trust humans again and it is a huge leap for me to ask ..that I can check this for confirmation gives me great hope that I will actually be given some friends who are steadfast and true and devoted to truth..no compromises none that they have been made aware of..I am such a fool for Christ..I have learned that I can go overboard..I have extreme faith and I tend to quantum leap in faith..It is good that our faith pleases God ..because if He were like people He would have stopped tolerating my incessant question asking and searching for truth the way I do..He says I am exquistely inquisitive..asking for help becomes difficult for me in atmospheres where people are quick to judge my motives..not having a clue how long I labor over understanding truth more fully..more accurately.Always always..love is top most..mercy is mandatory...forgiveness essential.

3.I did not ask about eating..or shopping for food,I asked about earning money..and I did not say that I'd worked there..this matters not..do not presuppose you know my motive for asking. I know the truth about eating..about what goes in ..also about about what comes out..I make my own crackers thank you..and grind my own flour so that it is fresh..I am not much of a consumer and yes I am kind of adamant where I shop..and what I buy..though I have to spend more I will buy fair trade coffee over something that exploits people/children..Coffee is a luxury..not a need.I do not buy shoes made in sweatshops no..I would rather make them myself or do a little research..how much stuff do we really need? Can you pack up an go in an instant..say an hour..and leave everything else behind..how many times have you done this before..and not look longingly back. Just curious.

4.God began to teach me about clean work and unclean work yrs ago..Growing food was clean..cleaning houses..caring for housebound elders was clean..but if I could not get them to eat and they only wanted me to fix them drinks all day/eve until I rolled them into bed ..was not ok..I could not help someone to kill themselves faster...even if I got to share Jesus..even working at an establishment that had an employee policy that forbade the mangers to ever praise the workers..to keep them on their toes..when I learned of it..was told to disengage..I could not support such an ungodly concept knowingly..or come under that type of authority willingly..this is the discipline that I have been asked to come under.I don't argue I obey.

5.Alot of this ties in with something the Lord has been speaking to me for decades about..the mark of the beast and what we will do when we can no longer buy or sell..about how the mark of the beast was already on the hands and foreheads of some folks(seen with spiritual eyes as a precursor to the tangible one to follow) due to what they put their hands to ..the work they were involved with..and the thoughts in their minds..what they dwelt upon...and that long before the Lord allows it to become mandatory many ignorant believers had already been duped into believing what they were doing to create finances was not to be helped..But God said that they were actually just living beyond the means that they needed to..wanting a preferred lifestyle..not being led to it..their choice..not God's..and these had been compromised..and would reject sound reasoning and logic..espscially divine logic..heavenly..with many an adamant assertion that they were in the world etc.. and so on ..some of these arguments that God said folks would use have been used here..I wonder if any of these folks have ever left house and lands and spouse and children ..or gone without a solid paycheck to put there trust in or a roof over your head..how has the Lord taught you to trust Him for His provision...Have you ever been tested in this impotant type of training..if so then you know and God knows and all is well..but those who do not allow themselves to ever be without the security of the things.. things..and foods that you like..the amount that you want.. and clothes that you want.He showed me this..The Lord is My Shepherd..I shall not want..and If I need something He'll be sure to let me know..Unless you have walked amile in my steps ..you need to take a few steps back and away from me especially before you accuse me for being mean or whatever else you can imagine.All right?

6. As I had touched on spiritual ( as in the real thing..Christ Jesus' )authority and the types of principalities and powers..wickedness in high places ..which some of this includes and are also known as archetypes of thinking..raising themselves up against the knowledge of God..never met a potato or tomato or ear of corn that ever raised itself up except to be eaten or dried for later use ,so no I do not need a letter that was written concerning whether to eat meat or not..and if a person is a babe in christ I would not lay a trip on them if I was given an opportunity to speak into their life concerning their job..unless God said it was crucial and priority..I do not just toss the scriptures at people willy nilly..it is God's word and His to decide when and hjow it ought to be used..nbot mine to use as a weapon to bash others with..especially not to push my agenda..I am discussing here actual spiritual warfare..if you are advanced in this respect..do not understand it please..don't make guesses..I understand a great deal concerning these matters and am looking for longtime spirit filled ..as in action..not only words..those who have participated not just debated the subject.

7. To those who are willing to investigate the subject matter at hand ..welcome and I so very much would love to hear your hearts deepest call on this..I believe these are crucial issues..that need to be brought into the light and discussed honorably.What has God been saying to you directly? What is the word of your testimony on this?Have you ever gotten that deeply into looking at this ..if not why not? this is between you and God...please understand..has God taken you through an experiance where He said..this is a shadow of what is to come..and began to address how we would not be able to barter out openly..I believe we may have much encouragement for the worried families that have not had this focus..many were duped by the pretrib notion of escape..no suffering..There are folks that God has been revealing much to,for decades ..these have suffered greatly to bring us the reality of what God has done to provide..and to protect..as the time gets closer..but untill there is the right attitude and heart in the people He will hold it back.

9.I've made many errors in my life..stupid choices in every area of life..a sinner.. been judgemental after being saved and had to live out the very thoughtless judgements I made through religiosity and legalism...I have also known what it is to impact many souls for the highest good bringing great change..God answers my prayers..but I pray what He wills or I do not pray.

10.I love books..Books have been more faithful friends to me than people..I often carried a dictionary in my pocket just so when conversations went into the carnal places..yes around believers as well I could change the channel and disengage if i could'nt gracefully leave the space..It's true I really enjoy books.and read many educational books..even some novels..history ..I read what God brings me to read...as I love to learn whatever God gives me an interest to learn ..He is jealous for my time..I was writing a cookbook a while back..but had to leave the manuscript behind..I do not bear witness to most of what passes for Christian..so much garbage today..I can open a book and turn right to the lie..it's a very cool gift..saves alot of time..but it has been this way for a long time for me..I walk through bookstores occaisionally..in the islands I carpooled so as not to contribute so much to the oil problem..pollution etc when it was further than what work on my bike and this would be the place my ride would meet us.So I would pruse the shelves..I also love to haunt libraries..New York City has some fine libraries...and It is great that I always get to share Christ wherever I am..it is prearranged..I just stay in God's perfect will..asking /him what He would have me do today and it unfolds perfectly..I can be in a bookstore but I ,personally, wouldn't want to be held responsible for selling the occult and lust etc. filled lies that are sold there..nor the music..don't even get me started on the selling of the gospel,our thoughts on God or intimate experience with Jesus for money..or songs He gave you..no don't get me started on that.I especially wouldn't go there..then the tempers would fly. We will stick to the obvious lies..that everyone agrees upon..The saints of Ephesus who burned their books..a fortune in books.. unworthy books not worth the precious trees that were destroyed to make them..these saints of old..alive in Christ would stand up and shout me down if I were aligned with actually selling books of this same level.

last but not least thank you holiness..and those of you..(I will look your names again and respond if I haven't covered it here already)..please feel free to go on if inspired..who were not snotty sarcastic or just off/uninformed in judging my motive...you should see how differently your writings resonate with the presense of the Holy Spirit from those who didn't leap to conclusions...or become offended etc....makes me want to be so much more kind and compassionate..and to wait before responding maybe a whole day..before writing a response..I want to be pleasing to God and I do not need to write anything unless He releases me to do so..often I write a post here and then pray it over everyone who comes here and then I send it with my heart.yet choose not to post but delete it..as it might cause a problem and I may not trust that it is not just me ventinting..i am in need of healing so i may be touchy..if you can't handle this ..do not respond to me .please..my intensity ..my witness..my experience..your opinion your anger..on and on..Jesus is what Matters here folks and He and I share all day together..we are one..He said so..I believe it..that settles it..Let us be one mind..the mind of Christ in this as in all things..He wants me to begin to trust you again..to interact with you too ..will you help or hinder this? Thanks for your prayers.

S
sermonindex

Hi Des. Don't you have a Pastor or husband or a man over you that you could 'counsel' with?

A Pastor 'did' answer you on this thread. Sometimes you just need to know 'who' you are addressing - besides just HIS Body.

You have posted many long posts about all of your spiritual excursions, gifts or experiences, and it's seems to most, that you're not asking for yourself - but about or for someone else.
How is it that the Holy Spirit hasn't given you the answer on this one?

It is difficult for men and Pastors on a Board to answer a woman who is not in their congregation. It puts them in a place that is very uncomfortable and many Pastors don't have time to read such lengthy posts anyway.

I just assume with all the many experiences that you've told us all about here - that you could easily get your own God given 'personal conviction' about this and not even need such a simple question to cause this much striving.

Please understand that men have a hard enough time answering women on here. Nonetheless Pastors. I only know because I was married to one. And have many Pastors who are our friends.

Just pray about it.

Amen.

H
holiness

Praise God for the Blood of Jesus!
I thank God that he allowed me to escape the pollutions of this world! Escape the bondage of sin, self, and love of money. Filled me with the Holy Ghost to equip me with discernment in these last days. That we may see light and darkness. That we may flee the entrapment of this present evil world. That we may seek those things that are above, and not these carnel things below. He hath given me power to give as it has been given, the power to NOT lay up in this world, but to lay up in heaven. He has given me insight to not extend myself so much that I do not have time for THE BODY. I too have left houses, lands, jobs, business, family, friends, and loved ones for the gospel's sake. I too have lived a life of trusting in God. Wether it be for food, clothing, healing, etc. The just shall live by faith. A life that chooses to believe God, despite what I see, feel, and/or hear. This type of life should be our goal, EVEN IN AMERICA. We are spoiled rotten. We get what we want even if we have to load up credit cards. We are increased with much goods, and have need of nothing! May God have mercy on me, you, and America. Because of this we become quick to judge anything or anybody that chooses to go against the grain of American Christianty. May God give us all a boldness to do so! In all we do and all we say, let us stand for truth. Allow the word of God to penetrate our hard hearts, and change us not in word only, but in DEED. We are quick to judge another man when it offend us. Maybe we are doing something that is questionable? Maybe somebody's light is reveling our darkness? Praise God, LET IT BE SO!!! For the Scriptures say "IRON SHARPENETH IRON; SO A MAN SHARPENETH THE COUNTENANCE OF HIS FRIEND" Dear sister we need each other to sharpen one another. There is a famine in this country for men speaking God's voice. May we have ears to hear, hearts to obey, and feet to follow. May we all come out from among them and be seperate! O dear sister, I am lifting you up in prayer. Stand fast on truth. Gird your life with a meek and quiet spirit. Pray always. Be faithful to the household of faith. God speed.

A minister, preacher, and pastor of the gospel. :-D

S
sermonindex

It appears this thread has been your "Intro".
Have you checked out all the Sermons offered here "holiness"?

I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised and also to know that there are not a few Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets, Apostles - all True Men of GOD here that already agree with the latter section of your post - not to mention the Messages posted by the Owner of this massive site and the Moderators.

Yes, you will find that Iron certainly does sharpen iron here. Bless GOD!!!

Enjoy your stay also.

R
roadsign

it is my desire to interact with the holy patient folks on this forum.

I doubt that I would meet your requirements as one worthy of offering thoughts on this matter. You see, I can be anything but holy or patient! I’m not kidding!! God is constantly convicting me of vile attitudes. I am prone to grumbling about things that I can do nothing about – and Christian book stores is on my top-ten list. Just two days ago I told a Christian friend: “Don’t buy anything at the Christian book stores. It’s mostly all pop religion any more.” But let’s also admit, if you and I are not the managers of Christian book stores and we don’t work there, then maybe God hasn’t given us the calling to deal with that issue.

There is one easy solution to the problem: Buy books off the net!” There’s a gold mine of fabulous Christian literature out there!

But, I don’t think your main concern is about the availability of good Christian books. It seems to be addressed towards the book stores themselves.

I believe that there is something we can do! In fact, just yesterday at church I shared what God has been teaching me about living in the light of God. I am still being convicted by my own words! We are called to be a light in the darkness! When people see God’s light lived out in his children, they will glorify God.

Maybe you and I just have to leave the book stores alone, because we can’t do anything about them anyway. We need to learn what it means to shine much brighter, not by grumbling about the darkness or pointing fingers at all the bad stuff, (though we can’t deny it), but by learning what it means to shine brighter in the life setting where God has put us – our family, neighbors, church, etc.
Set a good example by reading good stuff yourself. It’s powerful.

Here’s a good example. Some time ago one of the posters here on SI quoted from a book by Larry Crabb: “The Pressure’s Off” (It's about living in the New Covenant Hope) I ordered it, read it, and was so blessed that I ordered more and handed them out. Yesterday one of the recipients asked me: “Where can I get more of those books. I want to buy some and pass them on to some friends.” Now, that SIer will never know how much his little post has sparked a fire around here.

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going…”

Diane


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sermonindex


destinysweet wrote:
jgraves..are you a pastor?..There are plenty of ways to make a living that are positive and serve to meet mankind's needs without sin..please..I'm asking for those who are elders and pastors here..and prefer prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit..not opinions..thanks
Destiny, just check out jgraves' profile, under "Occupation".

In any case, why are you asking questions only of pastors and elders? Do you really believe that only those of a certain status are qualified to answer your question.

Do you really believe that all pastors and elders are holier or more knowledgeable than anyone else?


in Him


Jeannette

PS It seems you [i]have[/i] given me permission to post here as I'm an ex Presbyterian minister ;-) (or will an "Ex" not do?)

S
sermonindex


jgraves11 wrote:
I think you should read Romans 13 and 14, this is a stick subject just like what Paul deals with in these two chapters. He basically says that if it offends your conscience then you dont need to do it. on the other hand he said it is lawful to eat meet sacrificed to idols. Couldnt you use this as an oppurtunity to point those who are lost to Christ? I dont see how you could work anywhere that doesnt make a profit from some sort of sin. Much more can be said of this, the main thing I would be concerned with is your own spiritual walk,keep yourself in such a way as to not be tempted by the lies within this bookstore. anyway I hope this helps you some.
Amen, good advice.

Two other relevant scriptures are:

Joh 17:15[color=990000] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.[/color]

And 1Corinthians 5:9-11
[color=990000]9 ¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [/color]

These, together with Romans 13 and 14, give the general spiritual principles, and apply not only to bookshops.

Another example is, should one go to a doctor who isn't a Christian?

In my home town that would have been difficult! There was a locum who visited once, but I don't know of any regular Christian doctors in thee whole town. Most of them seemed to be Indian in latter years! My own doctor was a Sikh, but he was an OK doctor, and apart from wearing a turban, didn't push his religion, he was just a medical doctor. But there was another who was his partner for a while, but then set up on his own, who I would never go to when I realised what he was like. He was a Hindu, and his surgery (Office) had idolatrous pictures everywhere, and even a "god shelf", and a crucifix hanging up over the reception desk, and a huge painting of his Guru ("Baba..." something) dressed in glowing red robes and a beatific smile on the waiting-room wall!

I went a couple of times to take a friend, whose doctor he was, and had to go outside, it was so horrible - the spiritual atmosphere in that waiting room was sickening.

So I suppose every case has to be taken "on merit", there are no easy answers.

Blessings

Jeannette

S
sermonindex


LittleGift wrote:

destinysweet wrote:
jgraves..are you a pastor?..There are plenty of ways to make a living that are positive and serve to meet mankind's needs without sin..please..I'm asking for those who are elders and pastors here..and prefer prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit..not opinions..thanks
Destiny, just check out jgraves' profile, under "Occupation".

In any case, why are you asking questions only of pastors and elders? Do you really believe that only those of a certain status are qualified to answer your question.

Do you really believe that all pastors and elders are holier or more knowledgeable than anyone else?


in Him


Jeannette

PS It seems you [i]have[/i] given me permission to post here as I'm an ex Presbyterian minister ;-) (or will an "Ex" not do?)

I hope these comments didn't come over as too harsh.

When I was a minister, I used to say that people shouldn't call anyone "Reverand" except the Lord Himself, because one of the Psalms says, "Holy and reverend is his name"

I certainly never felt the slightest bit holy or reverend!

Jeannette

D
destinysweet

He Reigns..Perhaps you have only skimmed over my words and not taken them to heart again..you seem to always be standing in a place with me that is disapproving,suspicious...I obviously rub you the wrong way..I asked you recently to please extend yourself to me in a matter to get clear..you did not address the issue fully or help me learn how to send you a private message...until you do so ..please refrain from scolding me..thanks..When you go to pray and know that your brother has a problem with you..address it..paraphrased..again.. if you do not have the time to give what I am saying/asking the respect it deserves without assuming the worst..and cannot love me with genuine compassion..please..just pray for what is lacking..in myself and yourself.

I have been searching for a new congregation...it is winter and I do not have a vehicle at this time..I have a strong desire to be involved with an up close and personal group of believers in the area..I do not have a phone..and though I think to call different places to get someone to pick me up..thinking I should be making a greater effort..I get no witness..for a while he was sending many believers by where I sat outside in the daytime reading the bible and praying..they described their fellowships to me..very telling and I desired to go anyway to connect but the Lord showed me many reasons why I ought to wait..also the buses do not run in many places in the city on Sundays..or into the later evenings during the week.This city is somewhat sprawling and for the most part I am unfamiliar with it..I find it confusing at times..going to the dentist and the market right now is about the extent of my travels.I'm not in a hurry..spring is near. The places I have been sent to were so badly compromised by religious pride and soulish preaching or the false prophetic,unrighteous ambition and self exaltation,abusive authority etc...that God said not to place myself under the authority of these pastors..though I continue to pray for them all,with tears. He sends me the fellowship of brethren that I have met who are also seeking God diligently and we are a comfort to one another.
Oftimes when I begin attending a body of believers..demons manifest even in the elders and pastoral..it is very disheartening..they rise up and begin to manifest before I have even said a word..it is very difficult to have God use the light,Christ, that is in you to expose the darkness everywhere you go..but I have had to get used to it..Greeters who snarl Leave! as a demonic spirit manifests superimposed upon their faces,as I walk past..but I stay and stand and worship ..it is warfare..and I weep.I love the body of Christ more than words can express..I am stirred up on account of this love..I am not grumbling..only stating that which is factual..If He sends me back I stay as long as He allows.
God shakes people up and shakes the very foundations of their 'church' structure/focus..I am glad for you that you have a place where you are welcome and loved,with folks you trust..so in this you do not suffer as you may have before.
I raised my children in Taos ,N.M for much of their youth..Many of those pastors either died or lost their posts once whatever darkness was exposed..some are so bound by religiosity/legalism..there is no power or outreach and they are threatened and envious of anyone who can do the things Jesus said we would...so much can be said here..but this is a small bit of info for you concerning the masculine covering in my life..Christ Jesus is my head..oh..my husband divorced me a few times..once for not aborting our daughter..because he thought we couldn't afford another child just yet..and again because he did not like to be reminded of Jesus morning noon and night by my focus on the things of God..He did not have a heart for the lost sheep as I did and did not care about others..I have learned alot from loving him and gained much in being his wife.. we are writing letters by email..greater understanding for our differences in perspective is being arrived at..He could not bear what passed as Christianity in all the places we had tried to fellowship..he lost interest in today's version of church and he actually had good discernment..but he also had weaknesses,temptation that he was unable to resist and loyalty suffered because of unfaithfulness..but we have been divorced for quite some time now...God said to give hima ll that he'd worked for..not to sue for anything for myself..He enjoys his preferred lifestyle and the security of what he can see,touch and lean on in the tangible..the eros love remains strong in him for me..he lives with another woman who hates me with vicious judgement/jealousy..she bought his presence in her life with money and with not being a challenge.. he is a carnal man,admits to it readily and I have stumbled(pastense) in the flesh trying to save my marraige..allowing him to define the terms for our interaction..for a time I lost my sanity..lovesick and despairing.. by compromising the truth as it would pertain to me in loving unconditionally..being too generous..not knowing the perfect will of God regarding our situation..He does not understand the things of the spirit..a natural man and I am a spiritual being..being formed into the image of Christ..I have been given the mind of Christ..as promised..I had to lose my mind to find it..I know sorrow and I am ever rejoicing.This has beenone aspect of my cross to bear..I don't complain about the way things are.. I accept them and trust the Lord,content to be given undistracted time to focus on the things God would have me to focus on ...now the younger children have been given back to me as God promised..their older brother lived with me in the islands for the last few yrs before he set out on his own..so I was able to have imput in his life again up close..Praise the most high God..He is faithful.Hallelujah
forgive me if you do not enjoy my posts ..if they are not for you..this is the word of my testimony..It is what I have to share..to ask and I am learning to communicate by the printed word..I will speak of my infirmirties and how God has led me to triumph..and of my zeal..what can I hope for except that it be made to align more fully with God's version of zeal and not that which is of the flesh..My soul on occaision will make it's boast in the Lord..the humble shall hear it and rejoice! here's hoping we can progress to a higher place.to the place where the God of patience stands waiting to restore us to unity,peace and divine love one for the other..Forgive me for my imperfections. Jesus is Lord!

What I don't understand is why it seems you are always trying to shut me up..to control what I am allowed to talk about further..ok Des..that's enough because I am through having to deal with you...you accuse me of motives I do not own..i cannot find though I search my heart..is it because you have yet to deal with that which I asked you to help me resolve?

D
destinysweet

Little Gift..blessings abound..I know you do not like the long posts..so you may have missed where I answered this question concerning my desire for elders and pastors to speak..I will retract that statement and release control on this as defined..it has caused folks to feel left out..unesteemed..offended..I was trying to prevent a free for all..keeping it within certain boundaries.I was told to get pastoral counsel..this seemed the best place to ask at this time in my life..although their are some who have already formed thier opinions about me ..I was hoping for unbiased and carefully considered responses


Apologies to jgraves..a simple yes I am a pastor would have sufficed and thankyou I read the chapters..You hopefully do have the time to read a lengthy post as the one I left in explanation last nite..I hope this helped you to feel my heart better..be honest with me..I can be prickly..I am certain of it.Just as you did not discern that I was not the one working in a bookstore..I could not discern that you were a pastor..I did feel that you wanted to help..there was no satisfaction for me in what you shared though and I may have just been impatient with what I felt was just skimming over the top of not only what I'd written..but the subject itself.

I am trying to get to a deeper understanding,a more accurate one..as there is a standard..there is always God's standard..that which is plumb..we get to know if we desire to know..but if we are only looking for loopholes or excuses ..that is what we will find..and say it is God..did He not show me this unrelated metaphor..that I can insert my notions with and come up with what I want to hear?..this is what I'd liek to avoid..I have done this many times to my own shame..It is under the Blood of Jesus..He has brought His truth to bear upon me. I must be more dilligent..refuse what does not ring true..clearly true...These questions I have raised have bearing as being valid and are not troublemaking due to the overall and insidious effects of compromise on the lives of those who are professing to be ambassadors of Christ and/or mature prophets of God..who teach many things that will not serve the body of Christ well and will ultimately cause then to become worthless for the kingdom...whose lives need to line up if their words are going to..who come under a stricter discipline..who can not be ignorant of principalities and powers ..whose compromise in the earthly profession would be more crucial..effecting much more than most would realize.

I can abstract and put earthly food and drink in the place of tangible food and drink ..but the chapter can be read with an emphasis on not corrupting others with what you tolerateas well..or find tasty..or handy..as in the support materially with the pay you recieve..there is no unrighteousness in food per say..naturally ..but there is great unrighteousness in the words of man..written and spoken..great deception and defilement..wages of unrighteousness..wages from unrighteousness..may God help us all to desire the humble lowly life that does not need status position or earthly power/acceptance..that we would become more creative and obediant in our attempt to ''having done all to stand"..to stand..when it comes to the financial arena..regardless the deprivation or lack it causes..how will God show forth His provision when His people will not go out on a limb to be like Jesus..to do as He did and to walk as He walked. People love their lives too much..all of us are self centered..easily provoked. God have mercy.

D
destinysweet

Little Gift ..there is a big difference between going to the doctor and selling deception and lies that affect a persons possibilties of coming into a saving knowledge of Christ..powerful deceptions in books Jeanette..Spiritual powers at work there..doctors are earthy healers..God bless them. I recommend them if you do not have the faith to pray believing for healing in your own lives as well as the lives of others.

My request for pastoral counsel has been explained/discussed but you may have found the lengthiness of my post too daunting..I was thinking of you though..tried to split it into paragraphs..told you I had undeveloped writing skills.

D
destinysweet

Roadsign! I enjoyed your remarks...I hear you.. I got an even better idea..instead of charging a mandatory price and selling what was freely given to you..put your book on the internet for free..there is no excuse now for not sharing freely what we are being given freely...no excuse for needing to make a buck off the gospel...hallelujah..what a breakthrough! You can just give it away! Even the poorest of the poor can scrape up a few coins to access a computer to learn what they need to know as God leads.

Novel concept that..eh?Everyone spread the word..around the camps..blow the trumpet! sound it out!..God has provided a way where there seemed to be no way..hallelujah..without a spot or wrinkle..His bride He prepares! Brighter and brighter this light will shine..if we will just obey the words Of Jesus.

D
destinysweet

Thank you Barry for the well spoken message..your e-mail tag does not work for me to send to you..and as of yet I still do not know how to leave a personal message on someone's profile..anyone care to fill me in ..I know it must be a simple matter.

David...your appreciation encourages me to share more of my testimony as to how God is working through His people today..I am being encouraged to do so..but get alot of disapproving references to my sharing as if I were out of line to offer up what has been given to me..it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. We bear all things..and hope all things..pursueing love..may we continue to be given the boldness to speak out and to edify and equip the body of Christ Jesus with the faith we have been given to walk in.

To all others who are taking the time to read my thoughts:

Although my personal experience in walking with Jesus..following Him to the best of my understanding..with Him picking up the slack,differs from those who have been more inbound..as in the buildings more than out in the highways and byways..it does not mean it is superior/better..however it does prove to be a needed contrast which is needed.I have been given this view for a purpose..to supply where there is lack. Conflict is not to be feared or avoided at all costs..conflict when dealt with righteously,maturely brings change where needed..teaches us tolerance and to respect free will..heavenly law insists upon free will..to mess with this is to trespass..we can inspire and offer the perspective given us, taking into account that we may be needing to incorporate someone else's conviction..or to agree to disagree..when conflict turns sour it is generally due to a need for emotional healing and wrongful attitudes of heart ..lack of deep compassion and respect for others..we are not to cast aspersions on others for lack of understanding what motivates them..nor attack thier character presumptuously..we are called to bear long with one another..listening intently to understand ..not so that we can one-up them and push our agenda..we can be wrong in the manner we are insisting we are right..you know this? Good..I desire that you also know what I believe concerning conflict...may we use self control..it is ours for the asking..a never ending supply of this ..and of patience,kindness,gentleness,peace,joy..and all the rest..an unending supply if we will just ask.Will you agree with me in this..as this is my prayer for us all.

which brings me to a fun thought..

If during Paul's dispensation he identified 9 fruits of the spirit as recorded and in Revelation we see there the Tree of life..duplicated ,one on each side of the River that flows from the throne..oh mighty throne of God...does each tree have identical fruit and what are the 3 more which make for 12 fruit..I have thought perhaps hospitality,generosity,humility..and are there 12 more on the other side..fun to ponder this.

S
sermonindex

DestinySweet wrote:

He Reigns..Perhaps you have only skimmed over my words and not taken them to heart again..you seem to always be standing in a place with me that is disapproving,suspicious...I obviously rub you the wrong way..I asked you recently to please extend yourself to me in a matter to get clear..you did not address the issue fully or help me learn how to send you a private message...until you do so ..please refrain from scolding me..thanks..When you go to pray and know that your brother has a problem with you..address it..paraphrased..again.. if you do not have the time to give what I am saying/asking the respect it deserves without assuming the worst..and cannot love me with genuine compassion..please..just pray for what is lacking..in myself and yourself.

Des, you've only posted 44 times. It is not difficult for yourself or anyone else to do a Search on all of your posts and to look for wherever I have addressed you.

At the end of the thread "We need to talk about Peace" you also tried to get me involved with you because you wanted your "vision" comfirmed.
The next to the end post on that thread proves that point.

I read your posts on this thread Twice during the early hours of this morning and spent much time with them to try to understand your point.

Other than these threads -- "A Strong Warning from Paul" - "We need to talk about Peace" - this present thread - there was only One other thread where I addressed an issue, which I did in one post - where you had intended to involve us in your problem with a lady with a website.
I believe the name of that thread was something like "Exposing a false prophet" - but I may have a word off on that one.

Those were the only 4 times I've ever posted to you. Only once on each of them, except for on "A Serious Warning from Paul" because I had to answer all of your questions.

So -

When I read the word "always" and what followed that word in this quoted post above - 'this time' I could not read any further because you are now lying and falsely accusing, again. I have Never "scolded you".

I don't believe in PMs in a situation like this. What is accused in public needs to be dealt with in public. Had you sent me a PM back when you first started to feel these things, rather than post that inuendo on pastorfrin's 'Peace' thread - I would have PMed back - but your accusation on the Peace thread and now here, is done in public.

On the thread named "Misunderstanding" within this week - you posted another lengthy post on all your "miraculous works". I did not post on that thread, but that is why I could not understand your First post on this thread and what the purpose of this thread was.

I cannot get into cat-fights. So again, I've listed here the four threads that I've had ever posted to you.

All I can pray now is that you seek counsel from a good Pastor in your area or Christian counselor and I say that in love and with much prayer.

I won't be responding to your posts anymore Des. I'm not in a position to deal with these type things.

I pray for you HIS peace.

Edit to add: Have read all posts on this page now and will continue to pray as I have since you first became a posting member, that GOD will supply all of your needs, by His Great Mercy.

R
roadsign

I got an even better idea..instead of charging a mandatory price and selling what was freely given to you..put your book on the internet for free..there is no excuse now for not sharing freely what we are being given freely...no excuse for needing to make a buck off the gospel..

A great idea! Still... a cool idea for somebody else. Too bad we can’t manage other people’s lives for them! Then again it may not be that unspiritual for someone to receive money from their book sales in order to put bread and butter on the table for their family. In fact, that could be quite spiritual, right? It’s not a sin to earn a living from the gospel.

Still, yes… "freely you have received, freely give." There is a ton of edifying material now made available on the internet – free for the taking.

I have a hunch that on the final day we aren’t going to be applauded for boycotting worldly Chrisiian book stores.

On the other hand, we might possibly be judged for our failure to avail ourselves of the enriching material, literature, audios, etc that is freely available to us these days - that can equip us for the Master's service - so, in turn, we can freely give.. .

Diane

C
ChrisJD

Hi everyone.


Destinysweet, how are you?

Destinysweet, I was wondering if it would be alright if I could share something here?


It seems to me that in order to recieve counsel we may need to be silent and to listen to whatever is said.

Maybe it is possible too, that if someone has another reason for asking questions, they only pretend to listen to the answers given.

Take care,

Chris

H
holiness

Greetings "he reigns",

yes i have checked many of the sermons here, for the past three years. I also am friends with several of the ministers that are preaching these messages. If you feel like you were being attacked you were mistaken. the statements i made were general and not directed toward SI. you are correct about it being my first thread.
Farewell :-)

S
sermonindex


holiness wrote:
Greetings "he reigns",

yes i have checked many of the sermons here, for the past three years. [b]I also am friends with several of the ministers that are preaching these messages.[/b] If you feel like you were being attacked you were mistaken. the statements i made were general and not directed toward SI. you are correct about it being my first thread.
Farewell :-)


Hey Neat! Me too.
Give them my regards. :-D

Love.
Anne-Marie

D
destinysweet

Thank you He reigns for explaining all that to me.. that you did not feel that you have been any of those things I was no doubt overeacting to..I'm sorry..I was expecting you to be more like me..which is ridiculous...you are uniquely you and besides my expectation is to be in my God..not to dump it on you because I have had so little internet social skills..maybe little social skills period..so little longed for fellowship. I felt you had accused me of somethings..insinuated much..I am tired of being touchy..of being intense..of reading into people's words..I honestly wanted to get through the problem it had become for me..I become determined to work things through and ..watch out..If I don't know you..you are at a disadvantage..you do not know how wonderful I can be..but it is clear that it is only Christ who is Wonderful in me and all the time..He is consistant..I am demanding..I was at a loss at how to do get you to see that I needed more from you..or was it only wanted more..I do not think I was able to hear your words in the way you meant them after I felt betrayed by you after you posted on my attempt to give the public what I'd been given on the lady in question..I knew you couldn't have read very deeply into the issue..and so here I am giving the reasons for losing patience with you..for not trusting you. I suppose I wanted you to understand that I had been through a great deal and desired you to acknowledge that you cared..that you would rejoice with me in the ways I had overcome....I was looking for you to trust me..and not to add doubt with a few careless words because I shared with you a great pearl..Jesus' words..perhaps I ought to know better..be more mature.I suppose I am not..I could not understand the motivation of much of your words about my sharing..why it should matter to me for you to take the time to say something that what stroked me? my weakness and oversensitivity was exposed after being rebuffed by you..this isn't so puzzling really..human fraility..when you just threw back my posts telling me to reread them with no other word..I felt like there was a puzzle there..so I did and did not get it..what? what was that supposed to mean?so I presssed in for satisfaction..but you would not respond..I didn't get it..I really did not get it.

Ah..poor me..I am not so strong as I think..trust God to allow me to be triggered in a place I am not suspecting that I will fall short in....this attitude of mine has not been being crucified with Christ..I was suspecting there was something awry..this should be familiar to me..will I ever be tough enough on the inside so this won't suprise me..does everyhting have to line up with seems fair to me? life is not fair..it rarely is..it is God that is fair..and then to those who's trust is in His Son,His sacrifice, His redeeming Blood..we would have deserved death..we recieved mercy..mercy so rich there is plenty to go around..it is everlasting..it is neverending..and I am being strident and exacting..oh Grace of God..make manifest for us here..Holy Spirit give us your truth to be set free from wrongful judgements..we are so in need of your presence within lord..to provide us with this mercy and forgiveness towards one another..make it Real for us..we can do nothing of ourselves..we need You so!

Ana..If you are unwilling to deal with me..I don't blame you..I have alot of stamina to dive into the problems of others..where they have gotten stuck..I have spent yrs..being poured out in this manner..holding tough when I was helping them to wrestle through stongholds,paying close attention so I would not miss the clues..helping them to see what was hidden to them.. so many with terrible hurts..so many deeply wounded souls..all needing someone to take the time,to care deeply ..to be available..to have real answers..so worth it! there hasn't always been breakthroughs each and every time immediately but there was always the tools given and great comfort..tenderhearted compassion with great understanding because of the effort..This is mighty stuff..God does not waste our time..oftimes total freedom and depending on what God intended to do..enormous change..but how does this apply to you and me? Today the Lord explained to me this..speaking to me about me

You don't understand quickly that others have nowhere near the interest in helping you as you have had in helping others..Many are not like you in this..not made this way. You have put your needs on the shelf and waited for Me to release you to be able to trust others to be there for you..to be openhearted and fair..to be wise and true..and kindly..gentle..patient..but you may not recieve what you need from Me through them always even though I have told you to engage with them..to open to them..even so.. do not stop trying..You are one with them..you will only grow deeper in your love for them all as you allow me to move in the midst of you all as you pray for one another..they are wounded too..in different and similar ways..stay opena nd humbly go lower..let it go..whatever way they have not been perfectly like Me..it is unfair and demanding..I desire for your spiritual family to have a hand in helping you to heal... forgiveness is key

It is not the first time He has had to remind me.I'm alittle slow at times.


so.. Forgive me sister Ana,please I will leave you be..I forgive you without you having to live up to my expectations ..you get to be you..I will appreciate you from afar and rejoice with you for what you have to share..for what you offer.I will give up my need for justice on my terms..that which mirrors what I understand and my intense dogged manner that has begun to be revealed to me..that has caused me to become frustrated and is tainting the mannner in which I have treated you..I have been praying for greater insight to recognize this and to hone in on it and will continue to humble myself under His mighty hand..under His wise and merciful love..may the Lord bless and comfort your heart from the impact of my wounded edginess..I tried to explain to you some clues..I trusted you too soon..you were not offering help in healing me..you were doing your thing..being you..I have no right to be so demanding of you..just because you love Jesus..I want you to love me the same way as you do Him..Oh please!! Destiny! I say to me..how unlikely..you yourself have not done this perfectly..you often do not do this..none of us is very good at constancy in perfection..why pick on her..because I felt you were picking on me?..self pity and retaliation..ugly sins..I ask for a fuller repentance here to be made more complete in my deepest places God..Crucify this need for satisfaction..tit for tat..forgive me all who have felt that lash of this fleshly whip from me..how will we recieve each others best..if we will not believe we mean the best..Holy Lord..please change us here.

I need you all to help me see myself more clearly..hypocrisy is so wretched..God is so Fatihful..to heal to the uttermost...to cleanse us from all sin..let us not give up on one another..thank you for your prayers..I choose to believe you are genuine..I choose to believe you love as best as you are able. I will recieve the love of Christ from you..I will do your will here Lord..I am still angry for all I have suffered from false brethren..I need you to destroy the remnants of this work of darkness in my heart..I was hurt..I became angry to control the pain..Remove it..this thorn and I will walk free..may we all walk free Lord Jesus I do not desire to allow the enemy to get a foothold..help us to stay diligent...May the righteous Judge ..the Lord God burn the remnants of pride..and the taking of offense from our souls..Jesus has been given authority over all flesh..Hallelujah..Again I give you mine..purify us Lord ..so You can see your sweet face..Your righteous heart in us.Forevermore..Thank You for agreeing with me in this..I will save this prayer and post..not to be seen of men but so that I can be more accountable to you who are given a heart to believe along with me for our unity and love..may we not stray..keep it fresh.

I will learn how to express my self more perfectly through writing..I am glad He allows the hidden things of the heart to be exposed..no matter how minute..confounding,twisted, or subtly antagonistic..Again Forgive me my brethren..in Christ..G.M.Sweet aka Destiny

S
sermonindex

Act 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Act 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Act 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Act 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Act 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Act 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Act 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Act 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Act 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Act 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Act 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Act 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:
Act 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Act 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Act 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Act 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Act 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
Act 16:36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
Act 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Act 16:38 And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
Act 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
Act 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

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psalm1 wrote:
Destiny, I am not a pastor but I am a christian businessman.
Paul said salute the brethren in caesar's household.
This what you describe is tough.How do we operate in business and Jobs and keep a clean conscience.
I used to go into pawn shops to get cheap tools because my employees went through so many tools.
I questioned my actions,is this ethical?
I prayed and opened my bible and asked God for a scripture.

Amazingly the first scripture was "when at the marketplace dont ask too many questions for conscience sake"

This could be a conscience issue,not a right or wrong issue.

this concept taken to extreme would prevent any of us from ever going into a wal-mart.
Most all their items are from slave labor.
Or drive certain cars,knowing the car co. might be pro homosexual,etc.

The other side of that coin is...God bless you for wanting to stay pure and properly represent the King!

This issue is going to get stickier as society deteriorates.
Peace of mind and a clear conscious are precious.

It feels good to make honest money and the Holy Ghost will show us how ,Amen?

David

Good post, David

S
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destinysweet wrote:
Little Gift..blessings abound..I know you do not like the long posts..so you may have missed where I answered this question concerning my desire for elders and pastors to speak.
Dear Destiny

It wasn't anything to do with the length of the posts, although that may be one of the reasons I find it difficult to read what you write.

I will retract that statement and release control on this as defined..it has caused folks to feel left out..unesteemed..offended..I was trying to prevent a free for all..keeping it within certain boundaries.I was told to get pastoral counsel.
I doubt if your post has left people feeling left out or offended. My concern personally was that you seemed to think pastors or elders as being [i]necessarily[/i] qualified, any more than others, to help you.

Indeed, I doubt if a forum is the right place anyway, as you seem to need one-to-one help through someone close at hand who could counsel and pray with you. Someone who is spiritually qualified, (probably, but, as I said, not necessarily, formally qualified, as in a pastor).

But I can't see the connection with the help you need and the topic of this thread.

I was hoping for unbiased and carefully considered responses
I think those have been posted by several people. Sometimes after much prayer. It's more difficult because the question you posted isn't the real question or the real problem, only maybe a way in to it.

I hope you realise that?


...there is no unrighteousness in food per say..naturally ..but there is great unrighteousness in the words of man..written and spoken..great deception and defilement.
Yes, I know.

may God help us all to desire the humble lowly life that does not need status position or earthly power/acceptance.
That's why I spoke as I did re asking only pastors and elders for advice! While there should be respect for those who are mature in faith, its not helpful to put someone on a pedestal because of having certain paper qualifications. Neither is it good to [i]be[/i] put on such a pedestal!

Blessings

Jeannette

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destinysweet wrote:
... deception and lies that affect a persons possibilties of coming into a saving knowledge of Christ..powerful deceptions in books...Spiritual powers at work there..
Yes, I know.

And sometimes folk don't really want to be made whole, spiritually or otherwise.

And sometimes we don't even know we're sick.

That's the danger with cancer, there's often no pain until it's far advanced.


Love in Him

Jeannette

B
BVO

God is so good! God is so faithful! What an exercise in love, forgiveness, reconciliation, listening and hearing. This post was originally about jobs at bookstores, but has become understanding and bearing with each other, being merciful and filled with compassion toward each other, being long suffering and seeing the other person as a precious gift of God to us for this moment for our good and His glory. I am so thankful for each person here that has been above to rise above the natural conversation and bring it to a spiritual place where love conqueors all. Love NEVER fails. It is so like Jesus to shift the attention off of the question at hand and make it about you and me and Him! Hallelujah! Lord you are worthy of praise. Thank you Father for this SI family which is part of Your larger family. We adore You Father. Thanks for trials and tribulation that try our faith and love. We bless You! Love, Your servant Barry

G
ginnyrose

Destinysweet,

After reading most of these posts, there is a concept that comes to my mind. In our Wal-Mart employees wear vests and on the back are some words printed in bold letters: "How may I help you?" May I suggest you think about this concept and - ask people this question - in your relationships with people and see what happens? Then do it joyfully! See what happens. Now I am sure it will require Holy Spirit empowerment to accomplish this.

(EDIT: actually, what this means is that you have a servant mentality.)

I use this mentality in dealing with the public in our business. I tell you, it works wonders. And actually, I have fun! Really! which is one reason why at the end of a day I am drained - yes, you can get tired having fun! lol Seriously, when you bring delight and joy to your work - be it in the home or the workplace - all will benefit.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

D
destinysweet

Good day to you,ChrisJD. I am rejoicing in the patience and mercy of our God..thank you for asking.

I considered well your words before the Lord last night and I was grateful for your kind tone..though I am not so blind as to believe God would not allow the truth to be spoken in harshness..or even with rancor..the Truth stands regardless of the condition of the heart who speaks it..I know I prefer tenderhearted mecy and kindness to an impatient scold...I thought about listening and hearing..and also I remembered about recieving the words heard..was my heart hardened so that I could not recieve the words of my brethren..was my hearing being made dull? I knew I was taking all things into consideration..I ws listening..I thought I was hearing them ..in fact I could 'feel' them too..this seemed to be the problem..I could feel when they were in the spirit and when they were not..the difference was an unavoidable contrast,hard to ignore....then I backed away from even this..we live by faith and not by our feelings..perhaps my feelings were betraying me..simply because one person's offering was so powerfully lit with the Presence and another's seemed to sting and be unfair,fall flat..seemed as though some words were being used as a weapon against me...How was this to prosper me..again key word 'seemed'..but was every thing the way it seemed..I needed the Truth more than my 'sensitivity' to the way words resonated within me..my emotional body could be being exploited here..I thought I cannot trust myself here..I desire your truth here Jesus..open my mind to understand what might be hindering me..take me further. I gave Him my sensitivities...my red flags that wagged..my recoil..my resistance..purify this for me God ..I need you here.

Ah ha! I discovered that I was having difficulty recieving some of the words that were being offered(in good faith) because I did not fully trust the folks motivation for writing them..I was having difficulty recieving from folks I had yet not developed trust in..I was not trusting..why? This, as I had mentioned earlier in this thread,my lack of trust, because of my desire to be transparent..to give others the best information about myself to assist them in dealing with me. So that they would pay attention to what I was actually saying or asking..I know that I can become discouraged when I deduce that folks are not taking what I am saying in context..or in the fullness of where I am coming from..I wonder why they do not seem to keep all the facts straight and put the pieces of the puzzel together..their focus seemd divided somehow..all things considered..I am selfish in this ..it is self protective..a buffer if you will..in other words I am saying please try to love this person who are relating to ..if I give you enough information will that help you to be more patient...please try to know me with your heart..I do not trust your mind..Do I tell you that I have had difficulty trusting man..please help to heal this..I am asking for you to draw from a deeper well, one of wisdom and compassion..Will you hold this suffering in your heart and feel it too..This is my weakness and I ask you to take this into consideration to help me move beyond what for me is recognized as a stumbling block..I am confessing to you where I am weak..I know that in my weakness He is strong..will you admininster His wisdom and strength to me by His spirit.Will you press in further and cry out for Wisdom to help me before posting me a slew of scriptures that do not address the cry of my heart..or all of the questions I am asking..I am well versed in the scriptures and love the book..it is personal connection I am asking for ..say it in your own words as well..how does it live in you? Again it is perhaps selfish..it is again me,me,me..help me to trust you..the focus is still me..as I examine it..comes back to, will you be there for me..this is where I am hurting ..or I would not be pressing you for it..as well as... this is my conviction..this I see as crucial, will you validate me in this..I again am revealing my woundedness.When I am looking to be validated by man I know I am hurting..but to be fair it is also a signal that i am not getting what I need in this this respect..or I would be so full..I would not stop and cry out for it..Perhaps it is a valid need..I do not know..I am wondering here..Are my needs valid,ought my brethren be concerned for them ..I honestly don't know..in theory I believe this is how the Lord would have it..Or my communion ,so satisfying in His presence would surely serve to stisfy..and it does..how it does..but He is not satisfied..He says I must go to you..that He insists upon it.I can only assume that this is why I press..like a neglected child who desires attention from those to whom he has been given to nurture..do I seem to be throwing a tantrum..causing a fuss?Do I need a hug and a holy kiss,a bit of long needed ,quality time. Or will you simply wack me across the check and slam me into the corner..denouncing my behavior..troublemaker!

Bear with me as I offer this which has occured to me quite suddenly to share with you here:

I am reminded of a beautiful animal I once saved from being put down..a samoyan husky,sparkling white fur and a heart warming grin..I'd been hitchhiking down hwy 101 one sunny afternoon..on my way back to the beachtown where I spent most of my time as a street urchin. The family driving told me that the dog had spun out, had been neglected too long due to all the family's extra curricular activities, demanding human needs had overshadowed her place in the family and they had tried to give her a chance taking her from their busy relatives to make a last ditch effort..but sadly their efforts had been to no avail.They had not been able to break through and still she would only go in circles round and round..she had snapped,they said sadly..there was nothing they could do.I felt this to be a tragedy...one that needed rectifying ,I felt hope and a sense of purpose. I was sorry ,I told them ,I disagreed..No! I will take her..she just needs love..attention..some undidvided focus.how could I just walk away from such a beautiful creature knowing the fate that awaited her..Logically it seeemd foolish.I had no home..I had no money to feed her..I was a bit spun myself..I knew this..I rarely ever had anything to eat..no one took me seroiusly enought o give me a job unless they wanted to molest me..so I ahd nothing to offer her but myself... I would care for her as best I could.
Getting out of the vehicle..they lifted her out and set her down on the sidewalk ..good luck they offered..and I could see they were relieved of their sad, unpleasant mission. I gave her a new name and told her this is what I would call her..and then asked her to come..here follow me..she began to spin around as if she were chasing her tail..hmm..so ..they had not exaggerated..no worries..I would simply carry her..and fortunately she was only a medium sized animal or I would have stuck..what a sight we must have made..this teenage kid..bouncing on down the street with two armsfull of white fluff. I stayed focused on this task for only one day before my intention to heal her bore fruit..speaking gently coaxing her to come .....carrying her when I saw she was not ready..introducing her to all the shop owners and employees,locals and hanger outers of my little surf town..getting scraps and food for her..including her in what I was doing,she was such a polite lady..no trouble at all..I marveled how well mannered she was ..stroking her lovely fur..she had charmed everyone..they also spoke to her and stroked her..I kissed her often on her nose,her soft face and told her how beautiful she was..that I loved her and would carry her as long as it took..I had faith that she could be made whole..soon the fear disappeared from her eyes,replaced with a hopeful,trusting eagerness..my efforts were rewarded and by the next afternoon I had her following at my heels. What a good friend I now had to accompany me...I also felt a greater sense of safety when I stuck out my thumb to get from point A to B. She would obey my command to get in and curl up at my feet..looking at the driver with her large teeth showing as she grinned contentedly.

This is the same way I have felt for the cast offs of society...the least of these..I am a cast off..I know the left foot of fellowship and I have done all I could in my own strength to forgive and then in utter surrender to the Living God in desiring to have all these hurts be tended to ..the forgiveness always going deeper..always being given understanding..the holding all believers in my heart for our being conformed to His image..regardless of our frailties and misconceptions..Looking unto Jesus for that higher perspective..unto God ,my Father to open the way before me as He has promised..I will restore you to my people..they will love you..They will recieve you.. they need you..without you they will be be incomplete.

And so I also I am learning not to push the river..to allow God to do the work in our hearts,simultaneously..was I too far to the right..and they to the left..he would draw me into a more perfect alignment with Him..not with where they were as I yielded..if I paid attention I could see them drawing closer to me as they were being drawn closer to Him as well.

He shows this to me as follows...I have seen a builder using a plumbline..the plumbbob is very weighty...made of heavy lead..upon pulling it out of his toolbox..the bob does not swing back and forth like a pendulum..as we often do from extreme to extreme until God brings balance..no..the bob drops to the earth and has to grasped firmly with a strong hand, lifted to the foundation stone where it can be used as a measuring line from which to build the bearing wall..anything off to the left or to the right in even the smallest degree in the beginning measurements..just the tiniest of measurements..as the wall goes up,it will cease from being plumb..the discrepancy being easily noted as it angles off more as it reaches the top..those who can visualize this will perhaps agree.. as God is building this house..only He can keep us plumb..it is His Glory that is weighty..His righteousness that we swing back and forth trying to attain in our flesh,with our oftimes limited capacity using our religious intellect..it is our inheritance to attain to this righteousnes in Christ..to attain it fully..we must relax our hold on it..I know I must..in the striving for it..it is mine for the asking..It is a gift..I cannot earn it..I can only recieve it.

And so I return to the original dilemma,Chris..my quandry of trust..Is there righteousness in the words of my brethren Lord..or has knowledge only served to puff up..Love will edify..will succeed where all the others efforts may fail ..Help me,O God, to recieve the righteous words of my brethren ..Lord God..and cause me to reject that which does not apply..(graciously)..that which is in opposition to the simplicity of Christ..the highest law..the precepts and principles of our heavenly kingdom..that which is not what you would have me believe. I would know your perfect will ..that I might do it..I would do Your perfect will not simply spout it.

I give thanks for all of these ..my beloved brethren..the elders and the youth ..the longtime ministers and the floundering seekers who will ..bless the Lord ..find their way into His perfect Truth..for He is determined to complete them ..to complete us all..Hallelujah
Destiny
P.S I am somewhat dyslexic..& no trained typist.. so I spend alot of time proofreading ..however should you find switched spelling as this happens contantly..understand..I have made the effort to correct mistakes..sometimes finding a better way to say what I mean..and then forget to go back and check again..thanks for overlooking this.

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sermonindex

Dear Destiny

Your last post was for Chris of course, but I read it too, with deep concern, because of the distress and confusion that came through.

One phrase stuck out, what you said about the dog you rescued:

"still she would only go in circles round and round".

The Lord wants to rescue you and take you in His arms and heal you, as you did with that dog.

That's all I know.

Are you willing?


...The Lord spoke to me through a dog once, too. It was a book, a shepherd's true experience with a sheepdog that he rescued.

The dog was restless and wild because of living in a town and having no work to do. If she had the chance she would run away, so her owners just kept her tied up all day.

The shepherd came to the town, saw her, had compassion on her and bought her (she was so wild that the owners were going to have her put down). He took her to his farm, set her free (she ran away at first, but gradually came nearer and nearer as he put food out for her every day. Eventually she began to trust him. He trained her to round up the sheep, which she loved to do, because that was what she was made for.

But she still had her moments. One of her "things" was chasing crows. She would rush off after the birds, and eventually return panting and very pleased with herself, thinking she was doing her master's will!

I was very like that dog, and still have that tendency to rush off and do what I think He wants!!!

Love in the Good Shepherd who loves you and longs to take you in His arms and make you whole.

Jeannette

D
destinysweet

I regret that you became confused while reading my post,Little Gift..it appears you missed the point I was making... I am familiar with the process here. there is no confusion for me..the way I chose to express what was on my heart may not be familiar to you...try rereading it..slower this time.I am already sharing where my difficulty lies..what do you have to offer me in this respect..surely everyone sees the purposeful picture I painted using the dog story..that was my intention, I thought that was obvious..I saw you as the family..you just confirmed it..that you looked at me this way...and so your 'insight' did not address the issue I have with trusting people to be paying attention to all that I am saying ..staying with the entire train of thought..and staying on board with an attempt to bring new insight..I do not believe I am alone in dealing with trust issues w/the body of Christ...or man(un)kind..I am was very clear as to being able to see what my needs were in this respect..no confusion there.I was relating to what Chris had written to me..maybe Chris understood what I was saying to him.

I did try your shoe on there to see if it fit..but it was not a perfect fit..it wouldn't support me..and served to hide how beautiful my feet were..these feet that have walked long, long miles to bring the Good News to those who were perishing.
Umm..could you tell me why you are still looping around on the pastor thing..I thought I explained this..I may have forgoten to mention that I was given those exact words in prayer..the title and the direction to post it here on this site..ok?..the level of fault finding on this site goes up and down in waves it seems..everyone gets convicted and swears off being impatient and jumping all over people who are seeking the truth ..and then they fall back into the same thing again..did you think I was trying to show-off when adding what encouraged many on your recent post on healing..Am I allowed to show-forth the works of God as He is moving in the church today?..do I need to worry that it might cause my brethren to stumble over whatever..isn't on my dial..I can't always hold back what I am being asked to share..I have a great cloud of witnesses to attest to the divinely orchestrated nature of the journey that I took the risk of sharing with you in the hopes of giving you some insight into how it can work..also the dream and what encouraged me to step out in faith to pray with confidence..why does it feel like you are hell bent on pulling me down a peg or two...will you recieve my words..litsten to me as well..I'm reaching for humility as hard as I can stretch..why do you refuse to acknowledge this?
BTW..your silence on that other post by contrast is deafening. I regret the Misunderstanding between us and pray for God to intervene..me just dummying up I'm afaid will not be accurate enough..nor as complete.


L
Lowly

Dear Destiny,
I have come to abide under His wing. That is where I now remain. He healed me, and He has shown me that is where I am safe. I have found rest and a refuge. I used to struggle over so many things, one of which is the original question that you have asked. As the Lord gathered me unto Himself He comforted me, by sharing with me His heart. I did not have to fight against those things, but I could rest in the task that Jesus appointed for me to do. He had given me assignments to serve Him and I began to let go of those things that burdened me, that He had not asked me to carry. I have learned to trust Him and I have stepped out of the boat, it is a lonely place to live in the realm of His Kingdom.

In His amazing love,
Lowly
----------------------------------
Learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart.............

S
sermonindex

Dear Destiny

There was no missing of the point at all, and I didn't become confused.

Neither is there any misunderstanding on my part.

It's only natural that you should feel you are being opposed, misunderstood, or whatever, by some of us. That's to be expected, because of the nature of the problem. But if you will press on and seek Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, in spite of how you feel about us, about yourself, or about anything else, He [i]will[/i] make you whole.

He did me. And although my "sickness" was different, it was still terrifying to face up to what was really wrong with me. Neither will you find it easy to come to Him for help, probably it will be harder than it was for me. But if you will, He will give you the strength.

As I said, with some sicknesses there is no pain until the later stages, and the victim has no idea there's anything wrong.

All I know is that you need [i]His[/i] help, not our advice on the point you asked about. Just like that dog you rescued.

And only the Lord can do it - if you are willing.

There's no more to be said.

Praying for you.

in His love

Jeannette

D
destinysweet

Thank you Lowly... Your words are as the Balm Of Gilead..before going to sleep after seeking Him for the right attitude,releasing my frustration..laying down my need to get others to understand me perfectly...it is only My Creator who understands me always,as He made me the way I am..My struggle with trusting the motives of others,I cannot create this trust for myself by insisting upon it..again only He can give it to me and He will in His timing and in His way..I went on into the wee hours focusing on forgiving those who I was upset with..pressing in to release them more fully..I could see that I was becoming impatient...frustration is an offspring of impatience...Mostly I recieved forgiveness for where I had become retalitory..lost patience..been too strident..too insistent..this is an ongoing review..I cannot see myself very well until I am trying to relate to others who disagree..or do not seem open to hearing what I am saying,recieving me..how to deal with these differences of conviction in the Way of Christ..How do we walk in love continuously..what is the blockage,let us find it together...I reveal in this post a willingness and an earnest desire to know the truth and to humble myself..I know that God is pleased with my faith and is actively moving me along the course He has set for me..it can not matter to me when others are unfamiliar w/the way I process out loud..openly..without fear..I am going deep and they can assist me in it ..proving themselves to be on the same page..and in the same spirit of The Healer and Restorer of my soul or they can contribute to my pain..and I am not to judge that either..the contrast is there to see if I have emotional charge..have I died to the need to be loved by others,understood?..I thought that I had made better progress..obviously not! I am to love them either way..I am to be more consciously active in administering mercy,compassion and forgiveness irregardless of whether they recieve my apologies,take a positive interest in my progress,use empathy vs judgemental condescension..forgiveing me and lifting me or w taking sly vengence upon me for doubting them, bringing them to task.

Some folks are skilled at binding up broken hearts..and at setting the captives free..opening blind eyes..it is evidence that The Spirit of the Lord God is upon them Isaiah61 ..and has anointed them to Preach the Good News to the poor..the poor of spirit..the contrite of heart..Preach..Jesus once compelled me showing me this anagram:
PREACH
Prayerfully
Reach
Each
Anquished
Child's
Heart
PREACH

Some people are only adept with certain types of problems and people.Understandable.
I became anguished at my inability to communicate with more ease but rejoiced at how God was revealing the subtle edginess..subtle to me only ,no doubt..laughter..but I saw it too and sought release.Always we need one another to compassionately pray for what the true needs are ,does not the Lord teach us this as we labor in the fields..gathering souls for the kingdom..such broken people..such a viciously cruel world..unrelenting in it's wickedness. Far be it from me to deny the Lord the right to expose what He will in the way that He chooses..I am paying attention..but when I look to others to love me ..I will be dissappointed.If I love unconditionally I will be too busy loving to stop and split hairs with those who I can see are not perfect here either..what a tangle this becomes..I hadn't realized how easily one could become entangled.This is when we lose our joy.

It is in seasons like this when I am resting for a time from our labors..For I can do nothing of myself..it is this reumnion time with the greater body,learning anew to interact with the brethren that my soul asserts itself..and I see where my weakness lies..I confess to it and yet others do not rejoice and support..instead they say ..you are so sick..and I wonder who they are trying to convince..the plumbline again..it's all relative to who is doing the looking..people only see what they want to see..and will interpret as they are predisposed to if not yielded and unbiased.I begin to cry for justice and see once again that I am not being willing to suffer the patronizing attitude of these..I must be willing to suffer all insults and any form of persecution..just because life is more comfortable at this juncture..I am warm and fed,clothed..surrounded by family who cherish me..do not let me become rigid unyielding and demanding...I know that He has decided to move on my behalf to root out any unkind,unrighteous thing..any place where I am vulnerable..He would strenghten me. His Truth would prevail!

I have been working on a very tough case that Jesus Led me to on the internet..asked me to investigate the trouble I saw there..it has caused me to have to sift through another person's stories their attitude of contempt and malicious gossip towards fallen soldiers of our family, to discern many things that are not on my dial as a rule..and I feared that by touching this defiled garment of the flesh I would also be at risk,that I would stumble..I was told not to fear..It has been a serious time..a study of the opposite of Christ's law of love and liberty masquerading oh so subtly as the real thing..insidious and horrifying..then as I prayed and interceded the person's truer nature began to be further exposed,written for all to see..but people were skimming over the obvious..drawn to agree due to the hardness of their own hearts...eventually even the causes ,the rootas well as the fruit became apparent.. those that could see would see it..but what about the others,the babes who followed and listened..they would not know what they were drinking was laced with poison and could be warped by it..if not shipwrecked entirely! Was I supposed to go public,post the notebooks worth of evidence I'd been gathering..Truly the strangest type of gathering I have ever done.You can see how this lesson took me to the depths of despair in plumbing the reality of what was entailed in this..what should I do? I asked here,at SI..I sought counsel and the best word was to be patient..some became angry and I tried help them to understand..there was no interest ..no empathy..dismissal..but the few who counseled patience..yes..I locked in..I could do this..I relaxed and continued to watch and pray..the notebook filled and another began..What was I was being called to say or not to say?

I believe it tainted me even so..A great cloud of witnesses have been beside me in this to understand more fully this appointed task,that I could be given the treasure of having been willing to impact this darkness..the wisdom that was highest..heavenly..I had to be willing to risk my self..trusting God to pull me out when I'd gotten the full lesson..it hurt me deeply..in my mind and daily in my heart aching,weeping sometimes with sorrow and other times with frustration ,it hurt me having to look at this stuff as through a microscope and to identify the disease by each symptom..this current post was the last remnant of strength I had to spend myself upon the burden.. months later now I posed this question after attempting to begin disclosure elsewhere and being asked to seek pastoral advise..thus my original question..I needed to see what a large group of pastors would have to say concerning the likelihood of God choosing someone as a prophet to the nations who could not discern their own occupation through what I believed was heavens plumbline.. clear spiritual eyes.this being only a minor tangible type of evidence.The question would help me to release it or go forward.. that was the way it had been proposed to me..you have read the post..will I go forward with the project or would love cover a multitude of sins and would God simply continue to expose her Himself..wrestling with this..what was my responsibility..that it had robbed me of my peace should have been my best clue..I thought that this was just new territory that came with it's own struggle..duty..duty..duty! I needed release and to know one way or the other.

Glory to God in the highest! Peace to His people on earth! Peace poured in this morning as I realized that I was free from the burden of this other persons life..her blood would not be on my hands and her error I would not be responsible if it contaminated others..it was crushing my heart..hurting my mind.

Release and relief..With the prayers of the saints to uphold me as well I have been given freedom from the need to act..I can go out w/joy and go forth w/peace..Our faith in God rewarded.. and a sweet trust building for all of these who tried..who prayed and showed that they were doing the best they knew how..to go deep .. to address the problem..oh God..thank you for your forgiveness and for reconciliation..this is what I recognize..Blessed relief..the comfort that comes during brokeness,confession and God's merciful grace and a fuller surrender became more actual..more real and with tears I was able to make a stand for not being drawn into the disagreements, To speak the truth as I know it with love and to be quick to forgive any percieved insult.I would not hold grudges against those who had been blindly unsupportive and clueless to my suffering.I had God to support that which could be supported..that which was perishing..would not remain..freedom remains..faith and love remain..I could let prophecy fail as it would and I would let God be the judge of their motives..refusing to abide in that unpleasant place again ..God Willing.

During the time following the especially stormy tumult of these last few days,early before dawn today The Lord so faithful brought to my attention this song that He inspired me to write a few yrs ago...perhaps you will appreciate it.

I will lay it at your feet..O God,
As I tarry here with you long before the day begins.
And as daybreak lights the sky
I will sing I will sing
Of Your mercy and Your neverending love for me.
With Your Spirit inside..I will Obey,I will abide
Through the toil and suffering
Let me rejoice in all you bring
Let me hide under your wing until the storm cloud passes by
Until the darkness lifts and I am free to fly
Until the Son appears bright shining in the sky

I will lay it at your feet O God,
As I tarry here with you ..Long before the day begins.
When I had sung it through..He suggested I post it today...now I know why...thank you for hearing clearly and making the effort, and most especially for your love clearly felt..and your prayers of faith. God Bless you sister.

D
destinysweet

He Reigns,Anne Marie..May we be granted the true spirit of reconciliation as is the perfct will of the God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee
And be gracious unto thee,be gracious unto thee
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
Shalom

Your post was too cryptic for me to respond to..I forgive you ..and hope you will do the same.

D
destinysweet

BVO..Blessings to you both..may God strengthen your fine marraige..thanks be to Jesus for how you were able to see the work that God was doing here and standing with me in it..your encouragement helped to move a mountainous burden off my weary soul..big huge sigh of relief! May the unity of the brethren continue..forever and always in His forebearing love! Praise God for the body of Christ!

S
sermonindex

Dear Destiny

I was given the following, specifically for you. They are in the order they were given, so read the whole if you are able, and pray for understanding of what the Lord is saying to you at this time. It is beautiful.

He loves you. Believe and receive the Truth of His Word in your heart.

He will do the rest.


in His Love


Jeannette


[i][color=000000]Luke 6:17…and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ephesians 5:25 Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

2 Kings 5 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman was angry, and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Mt 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
Mt 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Deuteronomy 5:7-9
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
10\tAnd shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

2Corinthians 11:2-4
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Psalm 91:3-4
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Jeremiah 18:4-6
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
…cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD
Matthew 11:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
[/color][/i]

D
destinysweet

Christ be praised..stay current sister..I love you..got the release and am joyful and filled ..read the post to Lowly,if you get a chance so you can follow the progression..slowly and you'll be rejoicing with me..thanks for all your efforts..get current with where we are now ...thanks ..God has moved..He has triumphed..We have overcome..Forgive me for my sins..thanks I am forgiven and justified by the blood of the Lamb..because He has shown mercy on me ..a sinner saved by grace..thank you Jesus! His yoke is easy..His burden ..no longer mine..He has released me..great Big Sigh of Relief!woohoo!

S
sermonindex

Dear Destiny

Read the verses again, all of them, slowly, several times. Let them penetrate properly. Don't just bat them around the surface and think you have heard what He's saying. Let Him do what He has to do - it may take time.

I've been there, and I know how hard it can be to come to that place of being willing to receive true healing...

A medical illlustration:

Sometimes a person, especially if they are bedridden or have poor circulation, gets a deep, infected sore. Often the opening to the skin is narrow, and the skin closes over it, giving the appearance of healing. But the infection is still there, deep inside, working its destroying poison.

If it isn't dealt with, it will eventually get into the bloodstream itself and kill the person.

One healing agent for such infections is honey

Psalm 81:

[color=990000]8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would have none of me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 O that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies,
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last for ever.
16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”[/color]

Another healing agent is light, because it kills the germs causing infection.

John 3:
[*****EDIT***** Full quote of the verses from John 3, only posted part originally]

[color=990000]16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God..[/color]

1John 1:
[color=990000]5 ¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.[/color]

in His Love

Jeannette

S
sermonindex


destinysweet wrote:
He Reigns,Anne Marie..May we be granted the true spirit of reconciliation as is the perfct will of the God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee
And be gracious unto thee,be gracious unto thee
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
Shalom

Your post was too cryptic for me to respond to..I forgive you ..and hope you will do the same.


Des, the thing that you don't know, is how much I've prayed for you since your first post [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=20920&forum=36&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0]here.[/url]

Now you have many of us praying. That's good !

Just as another hand extended, may I suggest anything by Willis Harman, or the book "The Beautiful Side of Evil".

No one here has meant you any harm at all. Quite the opposite and I believe that is the part that the Enemy would want to blind you of. The Fact that All of us have been praying since your first post or sometime since.

I meant you no harm in my last reply, where I stated that I was in no "position" to help you.
If you were in my Church, then I could help you out. I've studied Psychiatry, New Age, before & after Saved and just a mess of Junk like diaprax, mesmerizing techniques, mind control and now only the True Jesus from His Word.
You saw on that first thread link above, what conclusions I've come to since meeting Him. Sola-Scriptura.

We all will continue to pray - so be confident of that and know we also covet the true Love of GOD in His Church.

His Love.

Annie/Anne/Anne-Marie/crack-pot/whatever called, I love you. :-)

D
destinysweet

Psalm1..thank you for your support..I too was a christian businessperson..Fortunately for me the biggest thing weighing on my mind was whether to use the cheaper seeds or the twice as costly organic ones.Since I was selling to mostly organic markets..I thought it better to go organic to honor the environmental diseased..people who have serious reactions to pesticides.As this home business thrived and grew..my little ones could be included when they needed my attention..and since plants..even small sprouts growing in soil in trays in our greenhouse don't need very much maintenance..I was able to grow a huge garden as well and tend to everyones needs..But when my 6mo old youngest began to show signs of teething and was not content to play serenely at my feet,orders had increased 3fold and I'd just landed my largest account..huge..at Smiths..I began to get a nudge from the Lord..This is too much..you need to reassess this.
So I argued..I could do it all Lord..I'd just have to..and my mind whilrded around how i could juggle everything ..supermom!helpful wife! An earning member of society..a business owner even!

But He spoke to me and said..you certainly could do it all and the business wouldn't suffer..but the human's will. Give this whole thing..lock,stock and barrel to your friends who are struggling..they have a greenhouse too..lots of older children to help and teach them the ropes. I obeyed..and let it go.

Years of God rearranging my sense of worth/healing for my childhood followed..but an interesting story I'd like to share..where God revealed something to me about the endtimes tribulation,bartering and provision from God regardless the 'law of the land'..bears hearing.it surely is an encouragement to me.

I will wait to see if there is interest.. I would not want to rush it or leave out the details due to the long night spent in repentance..I feel like a bowl of jello. A very joyful bowl of jello..with wings.

I didn't mean to give the impression that I did not hear or recieve your words ..shared with such kindness..so appreciated..I was battling for my freedom..openly..I agreed with you..wholeheartedly..your appreciation is deeply felt.Amen! I have a family!Thank you for your prayers!

D
destinysweet

HeReigns..My momma's name is Anne Maryjke..Dutch..She suffered greatly in a prisoner of war camp as a child..it nearly destroyed her combined with the brutality of parental abuse..I became interested in healing when I realized the damage done to me in my childhood..it helped me to care more for her suffering than what came from it..my suffering..she has given me permission to share our story when I am led.Understanding others pain and suffering really expediates compassion which supports forgiveness...and healing..only Christ centered healing concepts work..spirit soul and body..powerful..and thorough.

Thank you for your perserverance..I love you too.What a relief!the works of darkness put down once again..closure..forgiveness...love restored..who could ask for more! triumph! woohoo!
onward ho! Until next we meet.Stay well

S
sermonindex

He_Reigns wrote:
Des, the thing that you don't know, is how much I've prayed for you since your first post here.

Now you have many of us are praying. That's good !...

...No one here has meant you any harm at all. Quite the opposite and I believe that is the part that the Enemy would want to blind you of. The Fact that All of us have been praying since your first post or sometime since.

Amen! I just want to come behind this!

Dear Destiny, hang in there, refuse to listen to Enemy lies, and the Lord will make you whole.

He loves you, and so do we

Jeannette

S
sermonindex

Thank you LittleGift - I corrected my boo-boo and took that "are" out of that sentence - but we "are".

A bit of expressive aphasia - but Glory to JESUS only - NO receptive aphasia - just slowed response time sometimes.

Bless The LORD. Help us all.


edit to add: two words.

S
sermonindex


destinysweet wrote:
...Forgive me for my sins..
Dear Des, (as Annie calls you - you two make me laugh re names :lol:)

[b][i]"Forgive me my sins..."[/i][/b] This phrase from a previous post struck me. I believe that you need to ask the Lord to show you [i]specifically[/i] what sins, and to grant true repentance from those sins, which may be hindering.

I've had to do that several times over the years, and the Lord has always put His finger on the root things that needed to be repented of when asked. The battle was in being willing to ask!

If the Enemy has a foothold in our lives then the Lord can't help us in those areas, so its very important if you want to be made whole.

It seems He has already highlighted certain things in the Scriptures given so far, including the recent ones, from Psalm 81, John 3, and 1John 1. That's why I asked you to go over them again and again.

No need to come back and "confess" to us, rather keep it between you and Him.

We who are praying will back you in prayer, and recognise the effect of the answer when it comes. You won't need to tell us!

OK?

Love

Jeannette

D
destinysweet

Thank you Christinyou..now that once again this burden rests on the shoulders of our Living Lord I can return to my previous convictions concerning other people's whereabouts and service. I thought to share this vision I recieved 4 times this last week..thank you for your prayers and your efforts in responding.

A beautiful ship is sailing over a vast expansive sea..it is night..everything is in shades of blue..royal,cobalt,midnight blue and the moonlight serves to illuminate the sails and the deck where two figures are standing at the helm..it is Jesus and myself..He has His right hand on the wheel..the left is around my shoulder..I am leaning against Him and all is peaceful..He nudges me..indicting to the left, out into the distance and I see a huge storm raging..dark clouds churning ominously..I react,alarmed, startled,stepping forward suddenly and to the left slightly grabbing the wheel unconciously..my focus on the storm...but now steering right into it..thinking we were coming to the rescue..leaning into the storm and my tense stance is in direct contrast to the calm relaxed atmosphere that had preceded. His arm is still around me but now He is holding me firmly in place,as though I might bolt run to the railing and begin waving my arms at what looks like ships floundering...with one gentle movement..He exerts pressure on my shoulder and pulls me back and over so He is again directly behind me..without moving Himself..the best part about this vision which gave me faith that He had everything in hand was this detail:When He began to pull me back..I saw my hand on the wheel and released my hold..suprised to see it there.. turning to look at His face as though to say I do not want to steer the ship..I don't know how..You must do it!smiling He encouraged me to rest my hand upon His..to place it on top of His own so I could feel the way He was steering..resting only..no pressure. I am looking at our figures from the back and we seem transparent..I can see both of our hearts..mine is overlapping His only partially but as He pulls me back into position as we were before..I see the two hearts become one again..His bigger and stronger..as He finishes the movement pulling me completely into Himself..lockin me in firmer..I relax completely and together we look out over the sea....the storms pass by us and still we see more to the left and to the right but now I am not alarmed only taking in what I see resting in His protectivecovering..His perfect strength.Serene and content to be with His love completely surrounding me. We are praying ..I am not reacting..He has taught me to respond to what He shows me as He does. Blessed peace returns.

There is no focus on romantic overtones in this ..just pure love..strength and tenderness is what is sensed.Glory to God..I am relaxed and at peace..I am not alarmed..I can see but do not need to involve myself.I am released!Praise be to God!

S
sermonindex


destinysweet wrote:
HeReigns..My momma's name is Anne Maryjke..Dutch..She suffered greatly in a prisoner of war camp as a child..it nearly destroyed her combined with the brutality of parental abuse..I became interested in healing when I realized the damage done to me in my childhood..it helped me to care more for her suffering than what came from it..my suffering..she has given me permission to share our story when I am led.Understanding others pain and suffering really expediates compassion which supports forgiveness...and healing..only Christ centered healing concepts work..spirit soul and body..powerful..and thorough.

Thank you for your perserverance..I love you too.What a relief!the works of darkness put down once again..closure..forgiveness...love restored..who could ask for more! triumph! woohoo!
onward ho! Until next we meet.Stay well


Des, your story of your Mom and yourself touched the heart.

When or if you feel you want to share this - make sure you title it My Testimony - only so that I won't miss it. I have some health issues and do my best to keep up but sometimes I fail.
Maybe posting it on the "Miracles that follow the plow" section, where most have their testimony stories, would be a good place to post that thread.

I will look for it that way.


Thanks!
Annie

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