I have been a "Christian" since i was a kid, it was not until i got married that i realized that i was not loving the Lord the way i should. I changed that and started to study the word of God more and more. Now i am just nuts to do His good pleasure. I am so jacked up on Jesus i cannot explain how great it is. Some people think it's just a phase, the fire has been growing in me for over two years. People around me have mentioned to me about the change they have seen in me. I got sick of church because they were not preaching the word of the Living God, and i stopped going for a while. But as i was reading scripture i learned that i was not to forsake the assembling with other believers.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
and in 2 Timothy 3:16
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
So this was something i had to struggle with. I was torn i did not want to go back to the place i was. It did no good but to get me upset that the minister wasted all those peoples time and mine on a message that was more him speaking then the word of God being used to instruct people in their life. To me the church is the aid station. I come to it to be comforted and encouraged by those that follow Jesus Christ and to comfort and encurage those that attend as well.
1 Peter 4:2 Feed the flock of God which is amon you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Instead i come away feeling like i was still out on the battle field helplessly watching as the children of God were being lead to hell. Not many people carry their Bibles to church with them anymore. They have gotten so lazy and let the minister just put the words up on a screen for them to read. My question is how do you know what is said from the pulpit is true if you don't have the Living Word of God with you to check it by. But that's another story.
Now i know your probably thinking this is way to crazy, and that i am exaggerating. All i can say is this is what i see from my perspective. When i was born again i was born into war. Satan has done his best to try and kill me and he's rightfully ticked off because he hasn't been (and wont be) successful in that endevour. Yet i like it that way, he hates my guts and i hate his, so the feeling stays mutual. I want to cause him so many headaches and tick him off so much that he will send the whole horde of hell after me. The idiot doesn't get it that he's outnumbered. As i press for the things of God, Satan will loose all thought about who i serve and focus just on me. So when they come out for a fight the Host of Heaven will be there to show Satan who's really is in charge. The Word of God says to fear not. The only one we are to fear is God himself.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
II Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1Peter 2:17
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 19:5
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
I submit to other fellow belivers in Jesus Christ according to Ephesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
I desire in my heart to run this race and to fight this good fight of faith.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I know many battles lay ahead for me. Many trials, temptations, and snares. I ask you to pray for me as Jesus Christ prayed for Simon Peter.
Luke 22:31,32
31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I know from scripture that Satan still needs to ask for permission to do things.
Job 1:7-
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Satan knows he must get permission to do things, i just am the freak that gets him all up in a roar that he will forget that one thing, which will get his teeth knocked in. If he has any left from previous fights. I intend to hold God to His word.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Now let me nip this in the bud. Some people calling themselves a "Christian" would want to give me advice on not talking in the way i do. That i should tone it down and just get in line. I say "nuts". Tone what down, become a dead person like you. As Leonard Ravenhill put it, you go from being Gods chosen people, to Gods frozen people. I want to make it very clear who my enemy is, it's not the person that knows not Christ and will hurl insults at me, threaten my life, and hope the worst on me. I would say pray for the worst, but who would they pray to? No not at all. Again scripture is very clear on this.
Matthew 5:11,12 11Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
That's right, you read it go get yourself a KJV Bible and read it for yourself. Rejoice when people persecute you! So many people running around claiming to be a Christ follower, just don't get this. However i am more inclined to think it's more likely the minister they are listening to has not and may not tell them this. More like keep watch what you say and don't offend anyone because you may turn them away from Christ. Again "nuts"!!!! Get out there and do it the way God wants you to. Reading on in the Holy Scripture:
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
I just enjoy this so much, isn't the word of God awesome? God is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. If not we would never on our own accept Him. He has been kind in sending Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, which is the comforter, to us wicked people. And now we have you and i here, saying we are Christ Followers, yet not going out and telling the whole world about Him and His awesome love. Yes some of us have went on missions trips to other countries to tell people about Christ, however i feel it's more important to do it at home. You are being watched at home. And for to many people the only Christ they will see, and the only Bible they will read is you. And when they hurl insults at you and seek to destroy you, and you retaliate in the same way, your faith is a fake. It's worthless and you are a liar.
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
I John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Now all this talk about love and being nice to those that are mean to you, you might think i am against fighting. Well that's not so and quite far from it. If some whack job of a person, goes on and kills a bunch of people, then it's time for him/her to go. Some terrorist attack your country, God will judge them, it's up to the military to arrange the meeting. There are some people that you have to put down like a bad dog. Well that's all i am going to say on this right now.
Seek the Lord and purpose in your heart to do His good pleasure. Run the race, seek to finish it. God rewards those that trust in Him. So trust He does amazing things all the time. He will do something amazing with you if you allow Him to.