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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
I want to minister Jesus. And when people are able to touch or perceive Jesus because I am 'close enough' to Him in understanding, and presence, that HE spills over, then they will reach out to Him. It needs no explaining. He will 'draw' them if I have drawn nigh to Him. He will 'bear witness' of Himself through me if I have obeyed the commandment of realizing Him in first place, according to His instruction. In other words, if I have done what is the right thing first, rather than fool myself, He will fill me. Then HE will be real, not contrived, or manufactured as though my good intentions are supposed to work for Him that which what only HE accomplishes, like to touch the spirit of someone with His realness, to widen someone's eyes with HIS genuineness. But unfortunately, in the world of supposed 'witness' for Him, zeal, pushes aside real. Real is needed where zeal has impeded.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
MICHAEL...Your on a roll today aren't ya ?

I would suggest some zeal thrown in with your wish for real.

If ya depend on having followed all the commandments before you minister Jesus it may just not happen. Well, I'm speaking for myself.

Ministering is a true challange and there are way too many unfamiliar words of wisdom thrown in the truck of an unbeliever. Hardest thang to do is Keep it Simple.
 

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Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :
 
Zech.11

[15] And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
[16] For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
[17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
 

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Posted by oneinchrist (Member # 6532) on :
 
Hi Michael,
I would like to adress your "Its not what we do for Him, its what He does through us." My objective will be to demonstate that we should not confuse "what we do for Him" with the "faith response" that God is looking for in each of us.

First of all, our faith is the measure of personal conviction that we have in the Word of God. A lack of committment to "obedience" could easily reflect a lack of conviction in Gods word.

So what is this "obedience" that God desires to see in us?..........yes, humbly submitting our lives under the loving authority of the Word and permitting the Holy Spirit to help transform us into Christ-likeness. Please note that I used the words "help transform". Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our "helper". A "helper" does not "do it all", for it purposely leaves room for us to reciprocate towards God in faith......for ex: "Here is the key My child, put on courage, believing in the reward."
I found it interesting that in the parable of the sower that the seed that fell on good ground was seed that fell upon a good and noble heart.........and noble means courage. In contrast, the stony ground would be a half-hearted cowardly heart that is not all that impressed by the love of God.

With love in Christ, Daniel
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
Yall so sweeet! Bluefrog: When I was a kid in school, I was afraid to get up and go to the back of the bus to use the bathroom because everyone would know what I was doing. I had an affliction of shyness (which is painful by the way, if you know of someone that way).

Some years ago I was sitting in a cafeteria when a woman started choking.

Now let me diverge momentarily. A few weeks ago I choked. It was the real thing. I had of course had on many occasions, a coughing fit because something tried to go down my windpipe. But this time something made it. I was eating something really tangy. Well, the first thing that happened was that I coughed. My throat was sensitive and I coughed unexpectedly. As I tried to recover my breath for another cough, something lodged deeper in. My throat shut down like being punched in the sternum. Now, I had just coughed the air out of my lungs and could not inhale. Do you know what panic is? In the moment of peril, when you have much to assess about what to do, and what course events are about to take, it threatens to set in.

Anyway, I forced a cough with what I had left, and was relieved to discover that I could again breath in. What a reprieve! And as I sat down, I coughed again, mildly, and I felt whatever was offending, lift from my lower throat, to the back of my tongue. So the short of it is that I know what it is to choke. And if something is lodged there, your throat will not allow you the wind to expel it, just to give you something to think about, for I have experienced it.

Now, back to the restaurant. The lady was choking. Humanly, one feels the same panic when they witness something which they can do nothing about. I had a deep concerned for this lady, but being stupidly shy, I wasn't one to jump up and go administer the Heimlich maneuver, but I did pray, perhaps as a precursor to arising and attending to the lady. As I did, the lady gasped in surprise. Then she started shouting, "It's gone! I can't believe it: it just disappeared! It just disappeared." She was exceedingly astonished. She wouldn't quit. She carried on, marking that it was no small matter.

Well, most anyone else would have not failed the second time, and would have at least gotten up to tell the lady that he had prayed upon recognizing her distress, and that Jesus met her miraculosly. In that way HE would have been glorified. But being shy, I just thanked and praised the Lord (it wasn't lost on me what had happened) because I knew what had taken place. And I figured that she would figure it out.

And while I am at it, even Paul prayed for 'boldness' that he should make known the gospel. Add to that FWIWorth, that Moses was stricken with the same infirmity, and trembled at the thought of approaching Pharaoh and refused, basically, to go. That is why he got a sidekick to speak for Him. Add to that Paul said, "I will glory in my infirmities."

The bigger point here that I am trying to make, is that preparedness doesn't happen in slumber. And people think they are prepared. And when somebody speaks to it, seeing that they are not, they still don't get it, and want to argue like Job's detractors. We will note that the Lord didn't condone the speech or the wisdom of Job's detractors. But the message you are being given is that there is no humility in the brashness of supposing that one is Godly and proper because he piously thinks he is 'willing' to labor on God's behalf, and therefore teach others to do so. Again I will remind you, Paul said, "I will glory in my infirmities." And the reason is that GOD has to do the doing. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." For do you suppose that I knew the heart of God towards that lady that day when I prayed? Or do you think I thought to myself that being such a fine Christian man, God would listen to me and perform because I would step out and 'do' something? And I did nothing: I prayed. But this painfully shy, liability of an individual, touched the heart of God that day. I had no bragging rights because I did nothing, but God used me. I can take no glory as though I 'did the right thing'. Heck, I messed up. But it is not Michael who matters. It is God.

So when I tell you that the life of Christ starts where you end, understand what Paul is saying that you are supposed to do what you are supposed to do, and not what you think you are supposed to do. Amen!
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
Now scripture is FULL of the heart of God, but ye are reading it backwards.
 

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Posted by Eden (Member # 5728) on :
 
Michael Harrison, the operative word in your Topic is IF.

love, Eden
 

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Posted by Eden (Member # 5728) on :
 
Michael Harrison also wrote

quote:

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Now scripture is FULL of the heart of God, but you are reading it backwards.

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Are you now psychic that you also know that some Christians are "reading it backwards" (and presumably YOU are reading it "forwards")?

love, Eden
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
The operative word is "IS," as in "I AM." That leaves no room for 'if' except for the will of man to believe, or not.

"Work out you 'your' salvation with fear and trembling," according as you will. Not to put myself on the level with Paul, but I will remind you, their opinion of Paul was that he thought he was right, and they were wrong. But he was right. He spoks 'by' the Holy Spirit and the authority that is God. That is why he wrote all the epistles, that they who were 'willing', and humble, would be instructed. But people now do not realize that they are like the people 'then'. They see themeselves as being different. And then Peter said that there was a 'lot' of troublesome, and rebellious people in the ranks who would refuse "sound council."

The unbelievers refuse to surrender their will (and I am not talking about the unsaved). That is what leads to our country being in the condition that it is in.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
MICHAEL.. Your final comment threw me again.
"the unbelievers refuse to surrender their will (and I'm not talking about the unsaved).

Does that mean you are saying there are saved unbelievers ?

Anyway, thanks for sharing your story about the breathing problems. That is a terrifying experience. I had it once when I came off the operating table. Almost died. BP 287/210.

Your not telling the lady that you prayed for is nothing to beat yourself up about. You wanted her fixed and most likely the Lord did the fixin.
The result of telling her could have backfired also. Perhaps the Spirit wanted to approach her about it and put the thought in you to sit tight.
In either case I see no harm in what you did, but I see good. You prayed.

As for ministering to Jesus, ministering before Jesus was a term used for a person who provided significant personal service to some one of high rank. Priests ministered to the Lord at the tabernacle or temple.

Since the new covenent with Jesus as savior, the ministering became religious in use, such as giving to cover material or spiritual needs of others. Ministry is also a calling of all Christians, not just the ordained. We are called to serve man, not to be served.

Now, ministry is two-fold: to the Lord and to our fellow believers.

Anyway again...I suppose that there are Christians who feel they are required to work for God in all sorts of ways. God told us that he has plans for us to labor at when we become a member of the family. Maybe they are given that drive, I don't know, but they wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't in love for Him.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
MICHAEL...I know it is tacky of me, but the new icon you have....I have seen enough of that face to last me a life time. Thank You.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
MICHAEL...OK, I'm on a Tacky Roll now.

Your comment about your being filled with the Spirit ministering to the Lord is not very believeable. My friend, you can love the Lord til your blue in the face and shiver or tingle, or whatever but if you don't speak, nothin is gonna happen. Rememmber the code ? Believing comes by speaking. Oh well, I made that up but the scripture says to make things happen you have gotta use your mouth and speak. That don't mean you say "Nice Day" and expect that to work either. He says when you pray, pray out loud.
If you are shy, pray for boldness...and do it out loud. rivit
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
Begging your pardon mister boastful (in your own flesh). As I related above, His strength is perfected in weakness. Paul said, "When I am weak, then I am strong." And "He hath chosen the base things, to confound the wise," oh wise one (pardon my sarcasm )

I am glad for those who have the gift of speaking. I do speak, however, not like a lot of people, and not as often. But even at that, Jesus being present in you will speak without your saying a word. That is the point of the above, which you missed. For Jesus did 'do' something. I didn't have to. And I would rather behold His face, that in doing so, others could touch the hem of His garment by my being on the mountain top with Him. And believe me, they do.

So, though you boast in the flesh, you are missing the power by not being one with the one who is able. And like others, you trust in your ability. That is not good. You have a ways to go before you learn what it means to be broken.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
And lest ye be indignant, here is some scripture for you to consider:

2Co 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2Co 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not [have to] be bold when I am present, with that confidence, wherewith I think [need] to be bold against some, who [unfortunately] think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. [and are just other men]
2Co 10:3 For though we walk [live in this body] in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down [your] imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God [as He expects], and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2Co 10:7 ***Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
2Co 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for [your] edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2Co 10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
2Co 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his SPEECH contemptible. [he was wimpish]
2Co 10:11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. [for God is powerful in us]
2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

And neither shall I be so weak if I ever have the joy of the Lord to encounter yours.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
um, what does this scripture mean?


By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
So, my dearest brother bluefrog:

quote:

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Does that mean you are saying there are saved unbelievers ?

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In a sense! For what I am saying is that you have not 'fully' believed. You have believed in salvation, but not fully unto 'revelation'. In other words, and it is hard to keep this short, but brothers and sisters get saved, and spend their entire life wandering in the wilderness (where they do see some of the miracle working of God), and never fully realize the revelation of "Christ their Life." And they spend their time doing things 'for' Him, thinking they are accomplishing something, rather than doing something 'by' Him. There is a difference.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
Found, do you not know what 'tough' love is. Paul had it. If I humor someone, I do him (her) no favor. By so doing I encourage the one to continue in blindness. Paul did not. HE told it like it is. But even still, the brothers and sisters made all sorts of things out of what he was saying, except what he meant. And the hour is come not to play around. I will explain it to you all that you want, little one. Let HIS Spirit assure you that I speak in love.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
MICHAEL..thanks for sending obama on his way.

So, it is clear that I didn't make myself clear when I said Ministering just by being a believer was not believeable. One Boo for me.

Let me in my flesh body try again. You spoke of a situation where you didn't speak. You said you did not speak because you were shy. The subject of ministering was on the menu. I spoke of the meaning of Ministering, now being ministering to one another. I went on to say that if you want to minister to a human being, thinking of your choking lady, you prayed but didnt speak to her. You didn't tell her you had prayed, so you didn't minister to the Lord. You asked him to help and He did. Now, if you call that ministering to the Lord and if it is, then I am wrong.

This goes on on this board all the time. A subject is offered, a conversation is started, then off we go in tangents down other roads and don't even really read what is or has been said.
It gets confusing.

One other thing. Who has the right on here to decide if I am a Christian or not ?
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
FOUND IN HIM...Thanks for the input.

Welcome to the board. There are two other ladies here also....Betty Louise and Yahsway.

Yes Michael and I are bumpin heads right now. I think I have lost out in my effort to be friendly. I'm just a poor lost soul.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
That's fine-- Don't apologize to me. I was just getting ready to say "sorry, guess I'll just head back to my playpen and leave all this tough love to the big boys"
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
FOUND IN HIM...Unfortunately, the tough love thang is well used here. I don't like it but that doesn't make it go away.

If you don't like it you might be better off in your play pen. lol

This is about as close to a debate board as one can get without calling it that in the title.
Satan gets his hand in where doubt is possible then encouraged by name calling n' stuff.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
it's tough being a big boy eh?

well, knowledge and understanding is either something we have obtained from The Lord or-- the lack of it is like a resounding gong.

just breathe
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
Seems it would be nice to have you around here.

Well, I haven't read any notices "Don't try this at home". I have had to go cool off a couple of times from here. Not much fun is being had here either. It's mostly what seems like a bunch of bible lawyers with bad hangovers type likeness.

Ewwww, am I gonna get it for that one. BIT
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
Bible Lawyers-- that's funny!

Doubtful Disputations can try the patience. I'd rather try to convince a goat that it's not a sheep.
 

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Posted by Glory belongs to Him (Member # 7432) on :
 
Bible Lawyers! with bad hangovers type likeness. What a way to esteem your brothers.

Found in Him wrote;
Knowledge and understanding is something we have obtained from the Lord or the lack of it is like a resounding gong.

Found in Him also wrote;
Doubtful disputations can try the patience. I'd rather try to convince a goat that it's not a sheep.

I think you have been out of your playpen for a while. God's Word is always right "Stand on It".
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
I think you all are my kinda folks... I think I'm gonna like it here
 

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Posted by Eden (Member # 5728) on :
 
Michael Harrison wrote

quote:

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The unbelievers refuse to surrender their will (and I am not talking about the unsaved).

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quote:

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This goes on on this board all the time. A subject is offered, a conversation is started, then off we go in tangents down other roads and don't even really read what is or has been said.

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quote:

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That's an oxymoron. There is no such thing as unbelievers who are saved. Cute phraseology, but meaningless, and useless.

quote:

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eden famously said

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• Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

• Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

• Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

• 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

quote:

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You didn't tell her you had prayed, so you didn't minister to the Lord. You asked him to help and He did. Now, if you call that ministering to the Lord and if it is, then I am wrong.

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Now I ask you, did the Lord 'touch' the lady? If HE did, that was ministering! I didn't minister to the Lord, but the Lord TO THE LADY! And that is the meaning of ministering.

"I am the vine, ye are the branch, and ye can do nothing except ye 'abide' in me (for you eden, that means that in any given moment, if you are sanctified.... )"

We minister 'to' the Lord, by following HIS will. And it was HIS will that day, and that hour to spare that woman. Only I should've glorified the Lord by speaking to her.

Now if you have no afflictions, and are a strong person, then you are better than me, and a lot of other people, no? But my bible tells me, "Blessed are the meek," and "those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." So thank God I am not strong. Thank God!

And here is a message that I relate often on this board, that it is NOT what you DO 'FOR' God. That is an attempt to merit favor, or recognition. And it does not come out of 'knowing' Him, HIS thoughts, feelings, and desires. It comes out of piousness, which should be repented of. For man can gain no favor from what he does 'for' God, but only 'by' Him.

And here is another angle. One cannot do what it pleases him to do, even if it is seemingly noble and holy, and expect God to be satisfied. That was the sin of Cain. For he did what he wanted, and fully expected God to be satisfied. But when God was not, his true condition was revealed when he slew his brother, Able. It is something for everyone claiming to be a believer, to think about.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
And one cannot do anything by Him until he is found to be truly humbled; broken.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 

quote:

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Doubtful Disputations can try the patience. I'd rather try to convince a goat that it's not a sheep.

quote:

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Found In Him

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I am blessed by your comments.


That is exactly what it was like for Paul. That was exactly..... Jesus is not looking at our 'performance' to pick it to pieces, or for the opportunity to say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," and elevate one above another. He is looking for us to lay hold of a particular comprehension of HIM. And the epistles are written for our admonition so that we might be able to do that. But people see only what they think they are supplsed to 'do', and do not that which HE seeks of them.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
What has Jesus done in your life Michael? Minister to me what He has done for you please.


Thank you.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
It would be so if it were not so so don't be and don't be but in the Lord, just be
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
Found In Him:

He ministers to me His presence, and knowledge of His will, concern for others, and that's the real deal. If HE did nothing more, oh so blessed I'd be, to know HIM in the Spirit, and be able to see!

What would you like to know. I would remind you that if one were to look at Paul, he or she would not see any outward signs that he was blessed. But he contained more of God through his sufferings, than anyone could perceive.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
Praise The Lord!

What does the blood of Jesus mean to you? It means life, justification, hope, His sacrifice and so much more to me.

What does it mean to you?
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light...

as he is in the light...

we have fellowship one with another

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us

from all sin.


And by this manner, we have 'fellowship' with each other. That is justification, sanctification, and it is LIFE, more abundantly.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
I know what the word of God says in regards to the blood of Jesus...but what does it mean to you personally?

In your words.
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
If I had a personal adaptation, then would I be short of a goal. I would in fact be abiding in the flesh, and seeing with rosy eyes, which are only tinted glasses. And I would be lying to myself. If my understanding doesn't match the word, identically, then my understanding is darkened. And that is what people ‘settle’ for.

It can only be expressed well as it is already expressed as it should be:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light...

as he is in the light...

we have fellowship one with another

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us

from all sin.


And by this manner, we have 'fellowship' with each other. That is justification, sanctification, and it is LIFE, more abundantly. It is Christ our Life. It is Christ ‘as’ our life, as opposed to our trying to live for Him.
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
Please tell me about your personal encounter with Jesus?

Jesus told those who encountered Him time and time again to go and tell others what He had done for them.

Jesus is glorified in our personal testimony.

Please tell me about your personal encounter with Jesus?
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
I am giving my personal testimony, here and now. You have been reading it. How is it that you ask me for it? Moreover I tell others of Jesus. What makes you challenge me, to assume I don't. Moreover, HE who is within me bears witness of HIMSELF. Does HE in you. Or is your chatter a substitute?

Have you not been reading what I have posted? Or are you reading 'past' it?

Do you boast in your strengths? Does that glorify God? Here is a word for your misplaced inquisitiveness:

• 2Co 11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
  2Co 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are [so]wise.

quote:

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Originally posted by Michael Harrison:
I want to minister Jesus. And when people are able to touch or perceive Jesus because I am 'close enough' to Him in understanding, and presence, that HE spills over, then they will reach out to Him. It needs no explaining. He will 'draw' them if I have drawn nigh to Him. He will 'bear witness' of Himself through me if I have obeyed the commandment of realizing Him in first place, according to His instruction. In other words, if I have done what is the right thing first, rather than fool myself, He will fill me. Then HE will be real, not contrived, or manufactured as though my good intentions are supposed to work for Him that which what only HE accomplishes, like to touch the spirit of someone with His realness, to widen someone's eyes with HIS genuineness. But unfortunately, in the world of supposed 'witness' for Him, zeal, pushes aside real. Real is needed where zeal has impeded.

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Michael,

You started this post right? The title is:
I want to minister Jesus!

I have asked you all day long to minister Jesus to me but you will not. Instead you have accused me. Is that ministering Jesus?

I have asked you to give your personal testimony, but you have not. How do you think you are ministering? Anyone can quote scripture.

Where is Jesus in your life Michael?
I am not accusing you but asking you.

HOW HAS JESUS SAVED YOU?
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
I was a hippie. I had a girlfriend. She was a lucky catch for a shy guy like me. But I covered my shyness by lookin, and acting cool. She must have been pretty shallow, because she bought into it.

She had a neighbor. Her neighbor had been a missionary. The neighbors parents were missionaries. They lived in Texas, and were affiliated with the school of Linguistics in Duncanvill Texas. (That is basically Dallas.)

Anyway, my girlfriend, though we were living as hippies, in sin, was compelled to tell me about Jesus a few times. She wanted me to meet her neighbor. One day she took me to the door, and I looked into the eyes of Grace. That was the missionary's name. It was as though I was beholding an angel. I couldn't describe it. Neither could I understand it. But one day, soon after meeting her, I went to her, her being an adult, to possibly find help with my relationship with my girlfriend. I suppose she was surprised to see me. She allowed me in, and asked me if I wanted to sit. She motioned towards the sofa.

I sat, as she went back to the front door to close it. From her being at the front door to when she joined me is a blank. All I know is that the first words out of her mouth, and the only words out of her mouth were, "Have you ever accepted Jesus Christ as your savior." My jaw dropped. But curiously, even as I was aware of this (it was almost as if I was beside myself), I heard myself say, no! She said, "Would you like to?" I said yes!

When Jesus came into my heart, HE was real. Life changed for me that day. But someone said, "There is more." I cannot say who, or when. Perhaps it was her, on that day.

My girlfriend asked me if I wanted to go to a worship and praise singing at a local church. I went. It was an old church. It seemed dark. I sat through the event. At the end these guys asked if anybody needed prayer, and some responded, to which they were led to the back.

I wandered back. I didn't go intentionally, as though seeking anything.

They prayed for me to receive 'Pentecost', basically. What happened thereafter cannot find an avenue through words. Heaven came down upon me. The Blood of Jesus covered me from head to toe. The Spirit of God filled my spirit, and at their prompting I uttered in an unknown language. It was very real. And I stood up drunkenly, as it is written, "Be not 'drunk' with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit." And I had to literally lean on someone to each side of me to be escorted to the pews.

I didn't come down from joy for weeks. It was three days before I realized that I hadn't touched a cigarette!

It would not be so easy to break the habit when I once again decided, against good sense, to pick one up again. I backslid. I spent a few years in Ecclastical venturing, wherein I am sure I could have lost my soul if I had died. I took a job at a Cryrogenics compund, pumping gasses into cylinders. It was the kind of place where one does not work unless he is saved. (They were also a Police Supply.)

Waymon Waters was a Church of God Christian, and part Indian. He must have prayed. But one day I went in and told him I had repented, and rededicated my life to the Lord. He related to me that he was prepared for the very next day, that we would get on our knees, right there in that dirty floor and pray. But he didn't get the chance.

Things progressed. I was reading the word, and prayerfully seeking God. Things would happen. One day the Spirit was on me and I would cry and cry, and when I thought I would stop, I would cry. And I was experiencing His embrace. It was a reunion.

But I had a dream one night. They were in the boat. It was tossed in a storm, and the disciple said, "Lord, save me!" It was like something drawn in a comic strip. In the baloon over the top of the top what would be the comic strip frame, where the words that the characters would be speaking would be placed, the word "Lord" raised up in relief.

When I woke up in the morning I had a new realzation. It was somehow related to the dream.

For no particular reason I went to my church, a Charismatic Lutheran church, and in the lobby where the tracts are, I picked up a few things. One was, "The Key to Everything," by Norman Grubb. The other was, "Perils of the victorious life," by Charles Trumbull. And what was in them validated something I had just learned, and that something was Sanctification, the life that IS Christ. Of such have you been reading, if you have read my posts.

So, I was saved by 'Grace'. Get it? My spiritual mom's name was Grace. God has no accidents, dear one. I experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit as a separate, and enlightening event. But something was still lacking in my faith, and that came in the form of understanding; understanding that is the revelation of being under the Cross. That is why I say that when you identify with the word the way it is written, then you understand. Until then, you may be saved, but you wander in the wilderness.

Obedience of the 'heart' is what is needed.

Christ IN my life, but Christ AS my life.

Amen! Thy glory is forevermore. Amen!

So,
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
THANK YOU!

That is what I wanted to hear.

Can you tell me more of how Jesus communes with you daily?

He is the best friend anyone could ever have isn't He?
 

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Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :
 
I have to take a break Found In Him. I have to do some work around here. But my hiney is getting sore, so I need to stand up. And I have to cook for my dad. He is on oxygen and doesn't have much energy to expend. So I'll catch ya, God Bless, perhaps tonight, or maybe later tomorrow.
 

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Posted by bluefrog (Member # 7448) on :
 
Gotta reload his weapons carrier.

Spoze we outa notify Homeland Security?
 

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Posted by Found in Him (Member # 7596) on :
 
I can assure you Brother that we are ON OUR OWN.

My gosh, it's like tryin to pin down a greased piglet.

me Dear Jesus!
 

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Posted by Eden (Member # 5728) on :
 
Michael Harrison wrote

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So the unyielded is an unbeliever, but not as one who is unregenerated, i.e. lost.

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Gosh, it's like trying to pin down a greased piglet.

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Originally posted by Michael Harrison:
God bless ya! I am going to create a post just for you right now! Oh, and you opened by saying that you could not put it out of your mind. Then you told me your perception of what I am saying. But I have to assert, even if it bothers you, that your understanding is distorted. And the way this happens is that the natural man in the believer intercepts what enters the ear, and distorts it before it can be assimilated. I can speak to that, if I remember to. But I fully believe that you will continue to 'think' about this.

So, skipping over just a little bit, all I have told you is what Paul is saying. If you take offense, I am sorry. For that I have another post. But mind you, though I am beaten and ridiculed, by His Spirit, I am in it for you, even if you think I am only arrogant. And thanks for the post. I love you dearly in Christ. There are no defensive, or hard feelings here. But I have to dig in. The hour is late, and harsh times are coming.

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Originally posted by Michael Harrison:
Every once and a while someone like you comes around. There is a strong similarity. And you try to sound so righteous and correct, but what you do is to make me question whether you are truly His. And add to it this, you are hidden from view. No one can know who you really are. And you did not offer your testimony after you badgered me for mine. Then add to that that you listed that you are from USA. All these vagaries add up, together with your strange dissention. For I harm no one. And if anyone will listen, he or she will be edified, not hurt. So spare me lest the judgment of God find you unawares. You are not speaking by the Spirit of the Living God.

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Originally posted by Found in Him:

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Originally posted by Michael Harrison:
Every once and a while someone like you comes around. There is a strong similarity. And you try to sound so righteous and correct, but what you do is to make me question whether you are truly His. And add to it this, you are hidden from view. No one can know who you really are. And you did not offer your testimony after you badgered me for mine. Then add to that that you listed that you are from USA. All these vagaries add up, together with your strange dissention. For I harm no one. And if anyone will listen, he or she will be edified, not hurt. So spare me lest the judgment of God find you unawares. You are not speaking by the Spirit of the Living God.

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Well, according to your words, I am lost soul, a liar, full of strange dissension and in danger of the judgment of God. Is that correct?

Now that's edification.

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PLEASE STOP Michael!
Your words are confusing, offensive and rude. These are children of God that you are striking at every single day. I can hardly find a post where you have not attempted to slam a child of God.
You set yourself up for dissension.
That is not God's doing.
It is NOT edifying.
It is NOT instructional
It is NOT beneficial.
It is CONFUSION and is NOT of God.

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We can fling scriptures all day long but that is just a matter of coping and pasting.

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found in him

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HE MUST SEEK PEACE and pursue it.

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Originally posted by Michael Harrison:
[QUOTE] HE MUST SEEK PEACE and pursue it.

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