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Does anyone live in the Houston, Tx area?

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Kat:

As far as meeting together is not a bad thing... I really enjoyed meeting some of the believers at conferences, but of course there is a reason God does not give us that opportunity for the most part.
 
We that participated in a church know it is a very socializing type thing, with all of the worldly problems of that. Thought God is not a respecter of persons I feel that as we that are still in the flesh  might still tend to look on one another and make judgments, we can't help but to size one another up when we meet. I guess we would try to overcome this carnal behavior, but I think it would still come through at times and lead us to maybe miss judge. Or just judge a person weakness, fault or even appearance and then not have a proper respect for the person.

Anyway I would not resist meeting with somebody I knew maybe from the forum (and I have), but getting together with just other people that believe in universalism would not be something I would  do.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

lilitalienboi16:

--- Quote from: Rhys on September 13, 2013, 05:31:21 AM ---This is what Ray says about that verse

http://bible-truths.com/lake11.html

NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER

In Hebrews 10:25 were are admonished as follows:

 
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."

That this is speaking of believers congregating together to worship and study God’s Word, there can be no doubt. However, there is a much deeper meaning to this "assembling" that few have ever seen. I never saw it myself until I read a paper by J. Preston Eby, entitled: "FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING."

I will quote an excerpt or two from his paper:


"The Greek word for ‘assembling’ is EPISUNAGOGE. The word, literally, is a verb meaning to synagogue. It is a compound of the Greek prefix EPI with the word SUNAGOGE from which we get our transliterated English word Synagogue. EPI means super – imposition – that which is above, higher than, highest, upon. SUNAGOGE means a meeting, assembly, or gathering. Putting these two words together, EPI-SUNAGOGE means THE ABOVE SYNAGOGUE, THE HIGHER MEETING, THE HIGHEST ASSEMBLY, THE HIGHER-THAN-ALL-GATHERINGS!

It bespeaks of something far greater than merely collecting so many breathing bodies together in one place.


It is a meeting in a higher realm, on a higher plane, in the high places of the Spirit, and in the heights of Truth. It is a gathering together in a dimension above. It indicates an assembling IN THE SPIRIT…"

(All Caps belong to Mr. Eby).

This Greek word episunagoge is used only one other time in Scripture, and that is in II Thes. 2:1:


"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [Gk: episunagoge] unto Him."

In Hebrews 10 we are admonished to "assemble" in an high meeting, a meeting in the SPIRIT! In II Thes. 2 this meeting in the Spirit will become a literal meeting with our Lord.

And so, back to our question once more: Which denomination should we join? Where should we go to Church? Where should we "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together?" In a physical building of some physical denomination? No. WE are to episunagoge (assemble) on a higher plane, in a higher realm, in a spiritual assembly, IN THE SPIRIT!

This is not something new. This is exactly what Jesus Christ taught regarding where and how we are to (go to church) worship God.


"The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye [all the Jews] say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour comes, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the TRUE worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND TRUTH" (John 4:19:24).
 
We have got to get out of the depths of Satan if we are to worship God in Spirit and Truth. The Church is filled with the depths of Satan. That is not the place to go to worship God in spirit and truth. Did Jesus go to the synagogues to worship His God?


"And when He [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart [Gk: ‘by Himself’] to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone" (Matt. 14:23).

Amazing, isn’t it. Jesus "assembled [Gk: episunagoge]" with His Father BY HIMSELF, ALONE. We can do the same. Not just on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, with a crowd, in a building, but on every day of the week, and we can do it while we are ALONE.

How often church buildings and temples are referred to as "The House of God." This is nonsense. God does NOT dwell in houses, buildings, churches, or temples made with hands.


"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells NOT in temples made with hands."

And


"Howbeit the Most High dwells NOT in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24 & 7:48).

How often Jerusalem is called, "The Holy City." People want to visit Jerusalem because they think it is HOLY GROUND. There is nothing holy about it. Constantly Satan’s ministers refer to Jerusalem as the Holy City, and how we should pray for "the peace of Jerusalem." Let me assure you that all of those prayers are going to go unanswered because, "…for the son of the bondwoman [Jerusalem that now is--under bondage] shall not be heir with the son of the free woman [Jerusalem which is above and free]" (Gal. 4:30b).


I find as I move on in God's truth I am less concerned about meeting physically with others but can see it would be of value but I do see more value in being closer to God and connected to Him more. A while back I use to be down about it but now hardly at all as I know God has a good plan for me and can't fail in doing so. I am more at peace now for whatever He has and if being face to face fellowship then it will be so. I find now I can rejoice in Him whatever the situation is. God is good and will complete what he started.

Rhys

--- End quote ---

Thank you Rhys, that's exactly how I see it. Ray nailed it.

We are all in different areas of the walk.

God bless,

Alex

lilitalienboi16:

--- Quote from: Kat on September 13, 2013, 08:24:23 AM ---
As far as meeting together is not a bad thing... I really enjoyed meeting some of the believers at conferences, but of course there is a reason God does not give us that opportunity for the most part.
 
We that participated in a church know it is a very socializing type thing, with all of the worldly problems of that. Thought God is not a respecter of persons I feel that as we that are still in the flesh  might still tend to look on one another and make judgments, we can't help but to size one another up when we meet. I guess we would try to overcome this carnal behavior, but I think it would still come through at times and lead us to maybe miss judge. Or just judge a person weakness, fault or even appearance and then not have a proper respect for the person.

Anyway I would not resist meeting with somebody I knew maybe from the forum (and I have), but getting together with just other people that believe in universalism would not be something I would want to do.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

--- End quote ---

Well said Kat. I am of like mind on this matter.

Joel:
While reading this thread the question as to what Hebrews is saying, especially Hebrews 10:25 came to mind.
I have been beat over the head with that particular scripture many times from family and friends alike, after I left the grips of the Churches of Babylon.
Without going into a lot of details I have used the same Wisdom Ray, and others here on the forum have mentioned in regards to this scripture. Siting other scriptures that refer to the Spiritual aspects of gathering together, coming from none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
A closer look at what Hebrews 10:25, with whole chapter added is a far cry from what I get from just the 25Th verse alone.
The writer of Hebrews is warning believers about turning away from the Lord and separating themselves from doing good, to doing evil.(verse 25) The way I see it there is a big difference here that is better understood if we do as Ray has said and; "Pay attention to all the words."

Joel

thewatchman:
Well done Rhys. You have become very proficient with Ray's material. Keep it up.

You are right. True fellowship is much more than bums on seat or bodies in a room. It is about a higher calling. Or it should be if it isn't.

But most of us here have, through varying circumstances have been led away from our former places of fellowship. Sometimes due to conflict, other times because we could no longer reconcile what was taught there with what we then knew. Mine came with a little of both. Aside from the missing social aspect, I have not regretted it for a moment.

Most of us here know it is a higher calling to fellowship. Not everyone has experienced it. I have. And I didn't go alone. There were 3 of us and we studied Ray's teachings and others and we meet once a fortnight. And God does something wonderful when we meet, every time without fail. Either as we talk, or as we pray...He speaks to us, renews and refreshes us and we grow greatly.

I remember an old saying from my old pastor. Feed a dog on jellymeat and then give it a steak. It won't want to eat jellymeat again. Now you and I know a dog will hoover down anything, but the point is a good one. "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good."
Once you have touched the divine, you can never be satisfied with the mediocre.

I wouldn't be as far along as I am today without that physical fellowship and I always look forward to it. I think it is the 'ideal' of what we should hope for. Believers who share the same vision. Not compromising the truth for a fleshly social need, but a desire to build together. To grow together. That's what Truth is on about, I'm sure.

Most of us have been beaten over the head about not going to church or seeking fellowship. We didn't appreciate it. Neither should it go the other way because some of us want to meet.

I believe that though we don't all meet now, that things will change and that the will of God is to eventually lead us to. If that door opens for us, will we recognise it and not be intransigent in our desire to stand against the flow? I personally like the small home church idea like in the days of the book of Acts.

Anybody is my part of the world will always be welcome.

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