> General Discussions
Any true Churches
Phil3:10:
To All,
Richard D, Dennis and Kat you have captured my feelings about the institutional church perfectly. My wife and I attended the funeral of a good man whom I came to know in the church I last attended nearly 3 years ago. It is always the same when I run into the members, the ladies hug me and the men shake my hand and all are praying that I will come back. I just answer that I would not trade my relationship with CHRIST now for anything in the past. Their next question is "Where are you going to church?" When I reply that I am the church and I do not choose to attend any specific service they are stunned and I generally do not get anymore questions. Occasionally, some will ask further and I will always mention Bible-Truths and this forum as my trusted teacher.
The need to belong, to have a doctrine, to have leaders, to be like-minded, and to desire fellowship are normal and natural human desires. This is Satan's best device in deceiving most co-called Christians throughout known history.
It takes GOD'S direct calling to open our eyes to the deceit, lies and false lures of the institutional church system. I think nearly all of us can attest that it was the need to search out GOD'S real truths that led us out of the Babylonian System. Only GOD can call and only GOD can reveal HIS perfect truths. GOD chooses when, how, how much, and to whom HE reveals HIS truths.
Yes, the Babylonian Church System does have a purpose. I thank GOD that HE opened many doors for my growth from spiritual milk to spiritual solid food through this system. My constant prayer is that HE will open the minds of many more to HIS wonderful truths soon. However, I am fully convinced that all is of GOD and that HIS plan is perfect.
Phil3:10
Dennis Vogel:
--- Quote from: Beloved on September 28, 2008, 10:05:11 AM ---great visual metaphor Dennis.
The world thinks it is at a banquet, they are enjoying themselves for the most part but some folks are choking on their food. Some people have even been given very bads meals.
Those who have had their eyes and ears opened....are now waiters and busboys....they know the Chef and they are learning what is really good to eat..... but when they even try to make suggestions .......they are scorned and rediculed and belittled by their own family groups.
beloved
--- End quote ---
Thanks, but that's not quite what I had in mind Dr. Carol.
My point is we should be servants now as we will be servants in the next life.
This whole exercise is about becoming humble and meek (among other things).
We should not consider ourselves better in any way, because we are not.
Dennis
Beloved:
;D ;D ;D
I get it I just did not express it well...the waiter and the busboy are only passing information from the Chef that He has showed them, they no absolutely nothing of cooking or food or needs.
They go to the table in life and present from the Chef the things the chef thinks are needed and the waiter and the busboys pick up the broken dishes and uneaten food.
Like the feeding of the 5000 where they pick up the broken pieces of food the pieces into twelve baskets .... all of these servants will be broken ...
(Luk 22:27) For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Thanks for the clarification Dennis
beloved
Douglas Wayne Thomas:
Dennis I like your reply. Many people equate meek with being weak and being humble as being like a doormat. They are not like that at all.
Meekness is the ability given by the Holy Spirit to stop demanding my own way. It is being set free from the tyranny of always wanting what I want, and right now. It is knowing that God is taking care of me and being deeply contented and serene about what He is doing.
Look at the example Jesus set for us. He was humble and meek and He had all the authority He ever needed. Remember when He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane? In the confusion and passion of the moment, one of Jesus’ disciples took a sword and cut off the ear of one of the arresting soldiers.
In an act of mercy, and an incredible display of self-control and meekness, Jesus healed the soldier, then reprimanded His disciple. Jesus knew that it wasn't time to fight back or insist on His own way. He simply humbled Himself and submitted to the authorities…willingly giving Himself up as a sacrifice on the cross.
The amazing thing is that Jesus could have resisted. He had the power to call the angels down for a dramatic rescue. He didn’t submit because He was weak. On the contrary, He was intentionally meek. Meekness is really humble strength under control.
Humility is freedom from pride and arrogance. It’s having a modest estimation of your own worth. You don’t look down on yourself, but neither are you full of yourself. Humility is not thinking badly of yourself; it’s just not having yourself on your mind all the time. It’s having an awareness of your own defects. When we realize that we all have faults, we treat others much better. Humility means to be meek, not weak.
I agree that there a myriad amount of other reasons why we have to change if we strive to become the chosen and faithful, being meek and humble are a good start though. Just my random thoughts.
Seeking to do God's will always,
Douglas
Ninny:
Douglas, I love that picture of Jesus. Years ago I heard some pastor on the radio talking about meekness he said "don't mistake Jesus' meekness for weakness, remember that meekness is power under control." I have never forgotten that! How awesome it would be if we could see more meekness in the world. So many bullies-so little meekness!
Kathy
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version