“We are very disillusioned with the modern church. Are we going so we can get built up as disciples and learn solid teachings on the bible, or are we going to a semi-Hollywood entertainment clip? I am actually sad and mad because I do love to worship with fellow believers. But it just gets weird, and so many doctrines are getting twisted to suit man and not God.
“It is a sad time for churches and these new Christian movements popping up. I know I am sounding awful, but we have tried so many churches it is embarrassing.Read more...(194 words, 1 image, estimated 47 seconds reading time)
We can see at least 6 different terms relating to our growth in Jesus’ Kingdom. These stages can overlap but the general direction needs to be growth upward through the stages. As with each stage, many are content to just sit at the level of growth.
1. We all came into God’s kingdom as a Slave:
We all Slave to the world’s way of thinking, their values, norms and expectations, its drives and signs of success. Entering the kingdom, we are delivered from powers of darkness, Colossians 1:13. We are set free from power of sin which kept us as slaves before Jesus touched our life, Romans 6:7, 22, 8:2, Galatians 5:1. Read more...(849 words, 3 images, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)
Many believers think the entire body or church is the bride of Christ, contrary to what the Word says. Rebecca sheds light on the deception that is robbing believers of an intimate relationship with Yeshua.
Rebecca discusses a book to help you discover the characteristics a believer must attain to be part of the Bride of Christ.
The question is not: “Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” The question should be: “Does He know you?”
* The bride is a damsel and a virgin, without pollution from the world. Read more...(167 words, 2 images, estimated 40 seconds reading time)
Here is our second ‘Reader’s Comments’ about the church:
“The church in not What It Was Meant To Be”
“Back when it was the early church, folks gave up their lives to move out and reach the world with the gospel. Not to say that they were perfect, but I feel many churches miss the mark.
“I’ve seen so many caught up in boosting church attendance, maintaining legislature, keeping Read more...(219 words, 2 images, estimated 53 seconds reading time)
We are continuing with our theme that the Lord Jesus is coming for His bride! Everyone looks a good wedding, especially when the couple are a good match! So who is – and is not – the Bride?
A. A people who choose to follow the Creator
Even before Creation was spoken into existence, the Creator has wanted a people for Himself. Jehovah claimed a people for Himself in the Old Testament Jewish nation. This resulted in their rejection of Jehovah and they were sent into captivity until faith in Him was cemented.
1. Jesus Christ came for His people as well. Read more...(1514 words, 4 images, estimated 6:03 mins reading time)
Here is an interesting YouTube video, reminding us that many different groups of people will join us where Jesus comes to claim His Bride.
Stirring scenes of a passionate, worldwide Bride of Christ, uploaded by BNMTelevision on Nov 29, 2009. As we have said, Jesus is Coming for a Pure Bride!
From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sons by Jack Frost
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A Word from the Lord:
"I have followed the flight of an eagle with My eyes. I have seen the mighty fish in the sea and they all give Me great pleasure ..… but do you know the greatest of all My creation is the Adam and Eve I created?
"Time has not changed My joy in seeing mankind grow. However, My heart has been saddened when I know the pleasure I wish to give My people, give to you My child. My ways are meant to be light, My burden easy. Religions and rules make the heaviness I wish to lift from My people.
"I long to draw you closer, to teach you deeper things of My Spirit. I need you to let your Heart rest in My love, to rest in My peace. I know the paths ahead for you. I have planned and will provide many treasures you have yet to see. Look for My hand and let Me guide you.
"I do know of your beginnings, of the painful places you have walked in your life. I have provided healing and grace to get up and go on … but know this, My child - I have never left your side. I have always walked with you, even when you cannot see My hand in your life. It is in times like this that I wish to grow your faith and trust.
"I have treasured your growth in following Me … and I want you to continue to seek Me for who I am, not what others have said about Me - or what the groups around you think.
"Look for Me and you will see Me in many layers in your life. I know your future; I know the dark places ahead and the places filled with sunshine and light. You will find Me in both places as I am moulding you and teaching you to walk with Me.
"Trust Me as you see the world around you. I will never leave you or walk away from you as I love you with a deep everlasting love. Yes, even when you make mistakes or take your eyes off the track. I am here! Rest in My peace and continue to let me fill you with My ways, with My treasures."
From Your Lord Jesus, your loving Father God via the Holy Spirit.
If you would like your own personal Word from the Lord, come find me on
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365 Meditations for Men
Surender
When I don't desire God
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To begin this section, let me tell you a story. 'Jenny' grew up in a semi-Christian home where she went to Sunday School every Sunday. It was probably more so that her parents had Sunday morning to themselves, away from their 4 children that they were sent to church. For whatever reason, little seeds grew in Jenny until she was a 20 year old and working in the church office.
She enjoyed her work and 'served well'. She even had a t-shirt made that said 'Steward of the Most High God'. She often marked her folders as 'Jenny, Steward of God'. This sounded like a good saying and to her, even sound doctrine … but it wasn't the whole truth. Something was missing.
She thought about leaving this group and looking for another church. Working in the church office made her feel like she belonged somewhere. She was the 'Helper to the Pastor' and that was how others saw her too.
They were her 'authority', her source of comfort and didn't they have the final say on what the Bible said? She wasn't really 'close' with any of them anyhow; none had tried to help her grow spiritually. She kept the rules of the church but quietly thought about 'church hopping someday'.
When she had a good day at work, she felt God smiled at her, even though her peers frequently excluded her in their church activities. She had her job with the church and they didn't. "Maybe they are just envious", she thought. "I need to protect what God has given me, especially since they don't understand me."
More and more she felt guarded and distrustful of others in the church and sometimes - if she let her thoughts go there - even felt the church pasters and leaders weren't doing the very best as stewards that they could have. "God was sole owner of everything and He had given me a job to do!" … and that was that as far as Jenny told herself.
So that was Jenny until the day her Mother died and she faced some hard truths. She was independent and could take care of herself but what about her family? One or two of the pastor's wives stopped by to offer their sad words but few others came.
The funeral wasn't very impressive as their money had been used for doctors. Jenny felt alone and lost, wanting to be loved by those she served but somehow, all this need and pride was mixed with isolation and being alone.
Sad and lonely, she went for a walk. "There's got to be more to God than this!" She began to question if she even knew the real Jesus and His love for her. At first, she didn't really feel like she could talk to HIM, the One who walked beside her. She didn't feel worthy; maybe she hadn't done enough? She was only His Steward …. but He saw her as so much more!
As Jenny walked and allowed His love to penetrate her independent, self-sufficient Heart. Her view of her walk as a Jesus follower began to change. Her view of being that 'Steward' began to melt into another sense of being His child first.
She began to feel gratitude for what the Lord was doing for her … and for her family. Never having known her biological father, she began to sense she really had a Father who just might cared for her. As the tears rolled down her face, she could she had turned her back on the real Source of her comfort, turned to the pastors who could never fill that need inside.
She could see that believing she was 'only His steward' had robbed her of knowing she was His child. Taking care of His things had replaced knowing she owned these things as His heir and beloved daughter.
She returned to the home she knew with greater peace than ever. She removed the labels 'Steward of God' of her folders and books. She replaced the labels with 'Growing child of God'. What a difference she felt!" (Names and places have been changed to protect 'Jenny's identity.)
As we begin this Stage 4 in our series From Slave to Bride, join us to find answers for your own life.
