A good report today-I went out for a little over an hour to a local event and probably a couple hundred tracts were passed out; although a few got multiple ones. There is another local event where a lot of students were receptive that they were advertising that we may attend early next month. I won't get into specifics as I am glad for the success and wouldn't want anything getting out that could ruin things. I just thought I should mention that people still at least are willing to take tracts; although not much scriptural conversation came up other than a couple Jewish folks who weren't open at this point to our message.
Thanks for those who have been praying for me. Hope this encourages others while it is yet day to do the same. Always pray before going out.
It was largely triggered by the taking of Charlie Kirk's life yesterday causing great angst and frustration with my one friend in particular. It was certainly helpful if anything just thrusting us out like that.
I certainly appreciate your prayers; we are short staffed at work and it is annoying being nagged about catching up etc especially with multiple supervisors but I have gotten used to it I suppose.
This weekend my Aunt is planning to visit my dad probably around 10 or shortly thereafter (Eastern Standard time of course).
I haven't thought of any new things to say to him. BTW FINALLY there was approval for his insurance claim and backpay to MARCH of this year should be coming soon!
i am glad you are solid; whatever differences our eschatology are as it is a support in my behalf. I don't know what your views are on spiritual gifts and would suspect you are a cessationist. It is frustrating with things I know the Lord has shown me because with all these supposed revelations I feel I have to try to prove myself and of course can start doubting. I am certain about being able to discern good and evil in the spiritual realm as to whatever gifts He gives us are irrevocable ( Romans 11:29).
There is more I could say but again I am indebted to your prayer and steadfastness here as of late.
We are brethren in Christ, and that is what matters the most about how we relate to one another.
As to spiritual gifts, I believe that God can work in believers any way He wills, so I am not a cessationist. However, I do think that what many try to pass off as manifestations of the Holy Spirit are suspect. But I do know that there are times when God brings out in believers specific workings, whether a word of knowledge, discernment, God-given dreams or visions, deep moments of intercession with the Holy Spirit interceding in us, among other things. I have personally had such workings done within me at times.
In regards to eschatology, I believe that time will show us the truth but mostly, God, in His great love for us in Christ Jesus, will be faithful to us and will lead, equip, and bring us through any events that occur before Jesus' second coming unless God takes us home to Him in death prior to this glorious consummation of this age.
I am; briefly going to summarize what I can discern in regard to the Holy Spirit and its characteristic "behavior" as it were; realizing that such a description is at best only a general statement related to part of the invisible Triune God.
The clear teaching in scripture is indeed; that upon confession of faith that comes with repentance the Spirit dwells with mankind.
I don't have time to get into the verses but in your case that isn't necessary-for others reading this I ask if unfamiliar look it up yourself. The sealing of the Spirit ( Ephesians 3 I believe) demonstrates how things differ from when the Spirit used to work in the Prophets of old; and we can see this with David's pleading with God not to take away His Spirit from him.
The fruit of the Spirit is the key to how God chooses to operate within the Body of Christ because even though it doesn't describe individual parts of the Body (as we see described in Corinthians) the idea is clear from those passages that actions should demonstrate Christ rather than a confused plethora of manifestations. Indeed in that case this WAS a church of believers. We see this from the greeting to the church; and from expectations to grow from milk to meat as it were and God's discipline even with death of some taking communion unworthily and other "in your face" behavior problems but nonetheless by and large this WAS a gathering of true believers or Paul's scolding demeanor would have been a waste of time. God disciplines His own.
Today of course we can see the most obvious departure from the truth with churches who are in general charismatic in that filthy lucre (See Peter) is rampant; hence showing the whole root is currupt and the fruit as well with people teaching deception and being decieved. Now the Corinthians were warned that potential existed to follow boisterous orators who were "kings" as it were but they never appeared to move that way.
We can be assured that the Holy Spirit will always lead us into holy actions, thoughts, and motives. He will not promote divisions in the body of Christ, nor cacophony within worship situations, nor outbursts of those who think they have a "word from the Lord" that must interrupt a worship service or the preaching of a pastor or leader.
We are to be humble, reverent, holy, and focused on giving God glory when we gather together.
This is how the Holy Spirit works in us and within a congregation gathered.
This does not mean we cannot clap, sing with joy, lift up praise to God, or other ways that express gratitude to God and joy in Him.
Thanks for those who have been praying for me. Hope this encourages others while it is yet day to do the same. Always pray before going out.
Agape.
I certainly appreciate your prayers; we are short staffed at work and it is annoying being nagged about catching up etc especially with multiple supervisors but I have gotten used to it I suppose.
This weekend my Aunt is planning to visit my dad probably around 10 or shortly thereafter (Eastern Standard time of course).
I haven't thought of any new things to say to him. BTW FINALLY there was approval for his insurance claim and backpay to MARCH of this year should be coming soon!
i am glad you are solid; whatever differences our eschatology are as it is a support in my behalf. I don't know what your views are on spiritual gifts and would suspect you are a cessationist. It is frustrating with things I know the Lord has shown me because with all these supposed revelations I feel I have to try to prove myself and of course can start doubting. I am certain about being able to discern good and evil in the spiritual realm as to whatever gifts He gives us are irrevocable ( Romans 11:29).
There is more I could say but again I am indebted to your prayer and steadfastness here as of late.
I'll talk to you again soon; Lord willing.
Agape; Rich P
We are brethren in Christ, and that is what matters the most about how we relate to one another.
As to spiritual gifts, I believe that God can work in believers any way He wills, so I am not a cessationist. However, I do think that what many try to pass off as manifestations of the Holy Spirit are suspect. But I do know that there are times when God brings out in believers specific workings, whether a word of knowledge, discernment, God-given dreams or visions, deep moments of intercession with the Holy Spirit interceding in us, among other things. I have personally had such workings done within me at times.
In regards to eschatology, I believe that time will show us the truth but mostly, God, in His great love for us in Christ Jesus, will be faithful to us and will lead, equip, and bring us through any events that occur before Jesus' second coming unless God takes us home to Him in death prior to this glorious consummation of this age.
Be blessed, Richard, my friend.
I am; briefly going to summarize what I can discern in regard to the Holy Spirit and its characteristic "behavior" as it were; realizing that such a description is at best only a general statement related to part of the invisible Triune God.
The clear teaching in scripture is indeed; that upon confession of faith that comes with repentance the Spirit dwells with mankind.
I don't have time to get into the verses but in your case that isn't necessary-for others reading this I ask if unfamiliar look it up yourself. The sealing of the Spirit ( Ephesians 3 I believe) demonstrates how things differ from when the Spirit used to work in the Prophets of old; and we can see this with David's pleading with God not to take away His Spirit from him.
The fruit of the Spirit is the key to how God chooses to operate within the Body of Christ because even though it doesn't describe individual parts of the Body (as we see described in Corinthians) the idea is clear from those passages that actions should demonstrate Christ rather than a confused plethora of manifestations. Indeed in that case this WAS a church of believers. We see this from the greeting to the church; and from expectations to grow from milk to meat as it were and God's discipline even with death of some taking communion unworthily and other "in your face" behavior problems but nonetheless by and large this WAS a gathering of true believers or Paul's scolding demeanor would have been a waste of time. God disciplines His own.
Today of course we can see the most obvious departure from the truth with churches who are in general charismatic in that filthy lucre (See Peter) is rampant; hence showing the whole root is currupt and the fruit as well with people teaching deception and being decieved. Now the Corinthians were warned that potential existed to follow boisterous orators who were "kings" as it were but they never appeared to move that way.
We can be assured that the Holy Spirit will always lead us into holy actions, thoughts, and motives. He will not promote divisions in the body of Christ, nor cacophony within worship situations, nor outbursts of those who think they have a "word from the Lord" that must interrupt a worship service or the preaching of a pastor or leader.
We are to be humble, reverent, holy, and focused on giving God glory when we gather together.
This is how the Holy Spirit works in us and within a congregation gathered.
This does not mean we cannot clap, sing with joy, lift up praise to God, or other ways that express gratitude to God and joy in Him.
glad to here the good report! May the Lord make the event fruitful unto salvation of those whom interacted with you and your fellow workers.
I am keeping in prayer the things you request.
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