OLD POSTS from 2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008

THIS CHRIST
For most , going to church on Sunday is like putting on a "suit" - looking to please God with our effort and hoping God will help us and let us in His Kingdom and we make our weekly vows of trying to be a better person --

Of course , the "born-again" Christian knows the difference , knows that it has nothing to do with our "effort" that we are sinners even in our "best suit".

Counterfeit Christianity is one of "works" , "liturgy" all good except it dosen't save -- ( and many liberal christians don't believe in the devil , satan, lucifer - and they also don't believe in the bible as the Inspired Word of God -- many think that a "little" religion is good but not too much.) ---- the devil , is not "afraid" of this type of christianity -- for their is no preaching of sin and the need for The Shed Blood of Christ to be applied by "faith" to a penitent sinner seeking personal forgiveness and not relying on his or her goodness or works to influence God to save them.

Biblical, Salvation is taught in most evangelical churches and will always CENTER around these truths --
Man is lost without hope and no amount of good works on his part can save him --
Looking to God and trusting Christ's Atonement for our sins as the ONLY way of salvation
God the Father , God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as portrayed thru Holy Writ -
Christ is the Word -- The Word made Flesh - Incarnate Birth , born of a virgin --

Now evangelical churches have different styles of worship and some favor certain doctrines not essential to the above mentioned truths --

Also , there are "many" born-again believers in non-evangelical churches for "whosoever" believeth on ME shall be saved -------- many not even in churches , they may be in jungles, or prisons or anywhere --- God the Holy Spirit roams thru-out the earth "looking" for that lost sheep ---

Be sure of this -- If U will live godly and live for the Lord Jesus, looking to witness for HIM, to be a praying Christian, U will suffer (go thru) tribulation of some type , in some fashion , whether it will be in your own home or at work -- in your own personal struggles with the flesh -- or the "spirit" of lukewarmness --

Let us draw nigh to this Jesus -- let our prayer be " Jesus keep me near the cross - there a precious Fountain "

Let us "shake" heaven and hell -- for this God , our God has entrusted this message to us , He promised never to leave us , we are not alone -- angels surround us, The Blood covers us, The Spirit enables us -------- demons with bulging eyes fear us, the devil hates us --

Blessings on All U Christian pilgrims --

passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 5:51 PM 5 comments
Saturday, July 26, 2008
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HIS VOICE ---
His "soft" voice
Have U heard it ? ---- He whispers in ways U can't describe , U can tell when He speaks for His words always line up with Holiness, His Kingdom , and His Word.

His voice always comes with peace -- prayer precedes His speaking , seeking God's glory insures we are "hearing aright" ------ and confirmation thru His Word , The Living Word and the Holy Spirit bears witness ---------
His voice sometimes prompts U to be extra kind to a certain person
His voice sometimes says to be "quiet" when standing around the coffee machine
His voice sometimes says "get up" and walk down the street

Years ago when pastoring, I had a long hard day and got home from visiting a saintly mother of Israel that was dying -- I arrive home around 11 pm. on a dark rainy saturday nite .
My wife said that a friend that I had led to the Lord 2 years earlier was on his way up with his wife as he was having a difficult time in his marriage (she was not a saved woman at the time). Well, this friend never was up in these mountains in NH and didn't know how to get where we lived , he asked my wife for the best way to our home but she couldn't help him and he said he was leaving and would try and find us --
Exhausted from a long day, eyes were bloodshot from drivng from the hospital, I went to bed at 11:30, at 11:45 The Lord stirred within me to pray for John, my wife said whats wrong as I stood at the parsonage door and looked out on a pouring rain -- I said it's about John and I prayed, my wife said come back to bed -- he will get in ok --
At 12 midnite the Lord "impressed" upon me to get up and drive down the road - I got up and my wife said what are U doing , I said " The Lord wants me to drive down the road "
In my car driving down Rt. 10 for about 7 miles in the dark with bloodshot eyes in the pouring rain I approached the intersection of Rt. 25 out of Plymouth N.H. -- and at the exact point of the intersection a car came out of the darkened road and it was my friend and his wife --
Our cars met in that intersection "guided" by The ONE WHO cares for our every need.
John and I opened our windows , he nodded and I did and he followed me back to the parsonage.
The next day John told me that he was so lost in those dark mountains , that he prayed at 11:45 for God to help him --- frantic by midnite, he prayed for God to send someone to guide him.

Their marriage survived and his wife later was wonderfully saved ( I didn't have anything to do with that ) ---

Too many people say "God told them" I don't buy into that , but I do know that God will direct His children, if we go slow, line everything up with the Word , and is in accordance with glory for His Kingdom ---

"thoughts of yesteryear"
passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 6:49 PM 2 comments
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LOOKING TO HIM
The Peace that passes "understanding" shall KEEP your heart and mind -

Yes , I know that peace that "tells" me I am saved - I am God's child
But what about that other peace -------

When cupboards may be empty and U've prayed and trusted and U rise from your knees "KNOWING" God has heard U ------ that peace
When U have prayed and committed a loved one to the Lord for them to be saved - U rise "KNOWING" God has heard U ---- that peace
When finances are stretched and U "looked" to GOD and even though the funds are low - U rise "KNOWING" God has heard U ------ that peace

Think not that this "peace" is for the "other" person ---------- for has not the Lord promised this for us ---------

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things and more shall be done unto U"
So - now we have a "choice"
We either say , yes I have prayed but "things" seemed no different or
We say, I prayed , took God at His Word, I rose and "trusted" and looked for the answer -

I choose and chose the latter and can tell U that God has never failed to do what we needed in His time and in His Way ----------

If we are "anxious" beyond reasonable limits , if turmoil or confusion -- then stop , read His promises anew -- trust and look to Who promised these things for U --- REST IN HIM

passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 2:34 PM 1 comments
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ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK
Let us NOT be as the "natural" man who relys on his ability -- on his cunning -- on his influence --- on his friends --
Let us not be as the "natural" man who complains -- who gets angry -- who "hints" -- who "winks" with his eyes behind people --- who smirks -- who is "clever" -- who is always superficial ---
Let us not be as the "natural" man whose time and investment is in this world ---

Let us BE as the "spiritual" man who relys on God's Ability -- on His Omniscience -- on His influence --- "let us be called the friends of God
Let us be as the "spiritual" man who blesses and not curses -- who is slow to speak -- slow to anger --- who is genuine to those around him --- who is not "wise" in his own eyes -- who is deep , quiet and humble -----------
Let us be as the "spiritual" man whose time and investment is in the Kingdom of God -

"We " are Christians , bought by the precious blood of GOD --
"We " march to a different DRUMMER -- We fight on our KNEES --- Our strength is not in our might or power but ABIDING IN HIS SPIRIT ----
"We " win by being Christlike -- by loving , forgiving , blessing and giving "Cups of cold water IN HIS NAME ---------------"

"WE are CHRISTIANS"
"ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK " WE STAND -------- all other ground - ALL other ground is sinking sand ------

remember to pray for our needs -- U know them loved one's --
Blessings to the pals this saturday

passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 5:14 AM 0 comments
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Thursday, July 24, 2008
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED
Heading to bed shortly -- tired
Just a line for the "pals"
I have been "blessed" since returning to this fellowship of believers - Vicki had a good post on the "church" and this group of friends that we call "pilgrim pals" is truly a church of 2 or 3 gathered in HIS NAME.
My heart is full -- full of love for the Terry's , the Donna's who so faithfully prayed for me, for the remembrance I had while "away" of Lil Pilgrim Pal as she was called "back then". I was and always have been "impressed" with their family , their missionary zeal for the lost , their memory verse cards -- I felt that the people that have been in pals since we first "met" on Terry's little porch with her little wooden well in the corner , well, ALL U people have been the "real deal" and I have been enriched by your lives.

I consider it a "privilege" to be able to pray for U all by name .
Believe God -- do not doubt ---

a "tired" passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 6:18 PM 1 comments
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THE SOLID ROCK
Acts 20 is such a great picture.
Paul the apostle, calls the "church" at Ephesus and says it's time for him to "move" on --
We will "all " be moving on one day , so let us do all and be all that we can for our Lord.
Acts 20:32 ---" And now, brethren, I comment you to God, and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

What truths - What assurances -- What "solid " ground for us to stand on --
Our Christ is Limitless, Always Able , Always Present so let us "abide " in the Vine and He will bring forth fruit --
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand ------ ALL other ground is sinking sand

passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 3:38 AM 0 comments
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
JOY
Our God has placed thru out Holy Writ all that we need for our pilgrimage.

Rom. 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom.15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.

HE , The Holy Spirit abides within us and thru HIS WORD we are infused with instruction resulting in LEARNING that THRU PATIENCE and COMFORT of the Scriptures we have HOPE for
The GOD of HOPE -- FILL U -- with ALL JOY -- and PEACE in believing and that U will ABOUND in HOPE thru the POWER of THE ABIDING HOLY SPIRIT -

God told Zechariah -- it is not by might or by power but by MY SPIRIT

So pilgrims , let us this day , turn to HIS WORD , and Trust HIM for all your needs , having joy knowing that HE is ABLE -- anything less such as complaining, doubt or relying on your ability will result in a "half filled " life and won't yield the "fruit" that God has planted U in the vineyard for.
Remember when U were "first" saved -- How U believed God and all the wonderful answers to prayer and the joy that was yours --- Let us go back to THAT first love .
passing-thru
Posted by passing-thru at 3:45 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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SHALL FLOW RIVERS of LIVING WATER
"Out of your belly shall flow rivers of LIVING WATER" --What a promise -- and we the "elect" have found this so and it should be a "continuous" river , for HE is EVER-PRESENT - EVER-ABIDING -- is HE not ?
To avail ourselves of this great promise , we need to abide , rest in the fact HE IS -- wanting to help, able to help .
RESTING in the VINE as a weak branch, confident of HIS GREAT STRENGTH, to BE - to DO, ALL that HE promised. It's in HIS WORD --
This was paul's great secret -- whether in jail being beaten or in a ship that was sinking . CHRIST , The Ever-Present in the Person of the Paraclete, THE GREAT HOLY SPIRIT --
Now is HE not also promised to us , yes , a thousand times yes --

In my home as I type, I have 5 of my grandchildren , ages 3 to 11 -- the 5 year old is singing a bible song as she is playing with a doll house -- the two older boys are watching animal planet on tv and they click off the commercials as soon as they come on , for in their upbringing their mother would not allow commercials to be seen . - They are a "happy" group of kids -- always smiling and giving huggs to grampa and grandma - they are homeschooled and are tender hearted towards the Lord.
They could be considered some of the results of that Living Water for we abound in joy for having seen how the Lord has blessed us ---------
Reminds me of another family --
LPP and LMG and family -- close knit, happy , thinking of others , raised by a mom and a dad that taught them the bible and showed them how to find JESUS -- waters of life flowed from such a mom and dad -------
So brethren, not only do we have Living Waters flowing always from within us because of the Holy Spirit's Presence but we have waters of joy coming from our lives because of what God has done in them.
LET US CONTINUE TO ABIDE in THE BRANCH --