What are you for ?
 

Yes, I am against sin. I am against sinful life styles and actions. This world's view and life-style does not need to be a part of the body of Christ. Yes, I strongly believe that we are in the world but not of the world. I know the Bible says we will be hated for the name of Jesus and for righteousness and I don't want to even consider walking away from Biblical righteousness.

Its easy to get on a soapbox and declare what your against.
Its easy to grit your teeth at the sinfulness of the darkness.

1 Samuel

3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.
4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.
6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple.
10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.
13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk
14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

There are 3 things that stand out quickly about Hannahs place in life here.
1. She is tormented and persecuted because she is not a mother
2. She was very blessed.
3. neither of the two mattered, because she wanted to be a mother.
Hannah so wanted children that she changed the actions of her life in a way she never had before. She stopped being the same old Hannah and crawled into the presence of God, presenting her request in a way she never had before. And when the day was finished she was told propetically told, God would answer her prayer. Her life change not only changed her and her family, but the Bible goes on to show how her decision changed the face of Israel.

We as Apostolics are more known for what we are against than what we are for. Our churches are more known in the community for what they are against than what they are for. It was never that way with Jesus nor any of the church in the NT.

We have to be known for more than just a old established church, we have to be known for the difference we are making in our communities. It is easier for us to stay in our routine and curse the darkness and how bad it is and how bad our city needs Jesus, but it's a whole different ball game to walk into that darkness and light a lamp that will make a difference. It's even easier for you to amen what i'm saying and shake your head that it needs change than it is to get up out of your seat and do something about it.

Jesus is the master of divine encounters. He understood that in order to reach them we must be bold enough to go to their turf, walk into their life.

It is easy to sit here and say what we should do. But Hannah changed the only person she could change, she changed Hannah. And in doing so changed the future of a people called Israel.

I challenge you to sit down and list 5 things you are for. If you walked out to reach your town and one asked, "What are your beliefs?" would you list what your church is against ? Or will you be able to say what your church is for. Do you want to win souls for Jesus bad enough to make a life change ?

Re: What are you for ?
 

Good thoughts, Scotty!!! :thumbsup

Especially loved this!

Re: What are you for ?
 

ok-1=i am for showing the fruit of the spirit love,joy... 2=i am for a victory in our lives in our words and actions in jesus. 3=i am for leading by example,,4=being a good witness talking to the lost with compassion andf understanding -not condeming them.5=music inn the church and i like it a bit loud lol.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I am for showing love and patience with that "half-baked" brother or sister that comes to church with their issues in plain view.

I am for showing that same love and patience with that established brother or sister that has fallen and lost the way.

I am for respecting the Preacher of God's Word. He/She works to deliver a message that may be the one message that keeps my soul from the snare of Hell.

I am for praise and worship that helps other believers to praise and worship the ONE true God.

I am for helping strangers and friends just the same.

I am for striving to help those who have hurt me, but admittedly I have issues here.

I am for allowing people to choose to serve the Lord.

I am for the Apostolic Friends Forum.

Re: What are you for ?
 

Good artical !Thanks for posting !

Re: What are you for ?
 

Great thread. When you try and think about it in literal acts (I believe in donating time and money to help those less fortunate than myself) instead of vague ideas (I believe in love) it is pretty tough. I will have to think on this.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I am against phoniness and hypocrisy and for one walking their talk in everything they proclaim. Many "self autheticated" Christians are nothing but empty shells. Amen. And thank you Jesus for Touching me.

Re: What are you for ?
 

Scotty, I was thinking along these lines myself recently. Of course there are things that we should be against, but I was trying to compare how much we tell people to do as opposed to how much we tell people not to do...then trying to compare it to the early Apostles' writings. I believe that this is why many people get saved but do not grow. I believe that growth is our responsibilty.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I am for giving back to the community. Out church is doing dinners for the homeless. We also are encouraged to help other families with food, bills, etc, and not just during the holidays.

I am for forgiving those that do you wrong and not just to forgive with lipservice but to truly forgive.

I am for random acts of kindness to others with no expectation of anything in return.

I am for worshipping God with anyone who is willing.

I am for helping those that have fallen by the way find their way back to Jesus.

I am for severe punishment of those that harm children in anyway. (sorry just could not refuse that one)

Re: What are you for ?
 

I believe what you are pointing to above is hard for most Christians because many just know about Christ through their upbringing, they really don't know Him on an intimate level, meaning by that they have never been touched by Him, and until that happens most are going to subconsciously pretend they are Christians while on practical level they are anything but.

Some that do Know (and I type the word "know" here with Capital K for a reason) use Christ for their own self promoting and aggrandizing, instead of humbly (Jesus was extremely Humble for the God that He Is) using themselves for His Purpose and Will, as they are called and required to do as Christians. They might be able to fool the crowds but they won't be able to fool Christ since He Himself said in Matthew 19:30 "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Quote:

I challenge you to sit down and list 5 things you are for. If you walked out to reach your town and one asked, "What are your beliefs?" would you list what your church is against ? Or will you be able to say what your church is for. Do you want to win souls for Jesus bad enough to make a life change ? [/I][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

I don't have 5 things to list but only one, and that is my goal is to learn to obey Him on minute, thought and practical basis. I am Blessed to have been Touched, Healed by Jesus several times, in such a way I have no choice now but to Trust Him as My Lord, Savior, Healer, Coach, Friend, Protector, Teacher, Discipliner, Provider and God, and Act on this Trust. And no, I don't want to win souls for Him before I first win mine. Or I guess I could do that by strving to demonstrate Him day in and day out.

Re: What are you for ?
 

Good!

Re: What are you for ?
 

Two quotes by T.F. Tenney from page 222 of "The Main Thing Is To Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing" copyright 1993 by Word Aflame

Watching the other man's patch won't keep the weeds out of yours.

The greatest critics of the church are from within.

5 things I am for?

1. God loves us --you, me, and all humanity-- deeply and has proven that love by giving His Son on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

2. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again and if we open up to Him and ask Him for mercy, He will forgive us of every wrong thing we have ever done or ever will do.

3. Or God has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He will stick with you and help you whatever you have to go through. You do not have to face anything alone because He has promised you His abiding presence.

4. God has a church made up of imperfect humans. It's a victorious army, a hospital for the wounded, and a training school and can help us whatever condition we may be in at any time. The church displays God's unconditional love to all of us who need help. And since none of us in the Church has reached perfection yet, none of us can judge or criticize one another in their imperfections.

5. Not only do we have the privilege of God's mercy, love, grace, and help in this life, we have a promise of a better place when this life is over.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I believe in repentance,Jesus name baptism,and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I believe that maturing in Christ is a great goal,but that there is no pinnacle where we may be at ease.

I do not believe once saved always saved.
I believe in tongues as a gift,but not as evidence.
I believe Jesus is coming back after a Church, who hath made herself ready.
I believe those who are ready, look for his appearing .

I believe in all the gifts as we are empowered by the Spirit of God,but we must first have charity or these gifts will avail us nothing.

I believe the Church in America should operate more in the realm of being the body of Christ,and less on individuals who take on themselves the duties of the whole body.
Ex.(the eye cannot perform all the duties of the rest of the body)sometimes we have to many big U's and little i's.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I have a list of behaviors that i use as a a daily guide . . . a set of goals that I endeavor to fulfill each day:

* early morning prayer/bible study
* eating healthy and fitness (weight training, running, ect)
* work towards good relationships with all people
* keep my home organized and clean

The first two, I tend to do very well with.
The last two are where I struggle the most.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I am for cleanliness, peace, joy, virtue and morality. I am opposed to destruction and negative vibes. :happydance

Re: What are you for ?
 

Amen, that is exactly how. We have been inviting the lost to a funeral,
http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-the...ristian-Models ,
and I suggest that when you begin preparing for the Wedding, you will naturally draw children to you, and you will not need to recruit in fear any longer, and the importance of the length of someone's hair will assume its proper place.

Re: What are you for ?
 

Amen! Fessed up Christians, bent on repenting again for lack of a vision, please take note.

Re: What are you for ?
 

I like this BB! Our focus has been on trying to keep people out of hell, instead of showing them life everlasting! Of course, there is a balance, and both need to be taught, but perhaps we focus a little too much on doom and gloom, instead of peace, joy, and love in the Holy Ghost and living a life forever after this world!

I loved what Scotty had to say about this - what are you for! What a great subject for us all to ponder!

I am for:
1. Reading the Bible as though I won't have it tomorrow. I want every part of it in my heart that I can possibly have. The more I read the Word, the more I want to read, and it seems there is never enough time in the day to read. Reading entire books of the Bible at one time, in one setting has given great understanding, and I would encourage every one I know to plan, aspire, and purpose to do this. Knock everything else off your to-do list, except spending time in the Word. It will bring life to your soul!

2. I am for worship. Reverant heartfelt worship that is not hyped-up emotionalism. Simple songs are the easiest to worship to, because you don't have to struggle to remember all the words. Hymns that speak of doctrine, and psalms sung from scripture are some of my favorites, but most importantly, being able to close your eyes, and just worship the King is where to start, and that can be in your own prayer closet, and home! Corporate worship is wonderful too. God dwells in the midst of sincere heartfelt praise.

3. I would promote home bible studies, and fellow believers getting together to share God's word with those who aren't believers. It doesn't get much better than that, to see someone's eyes begin to open and see truth as it is presented to them in a warm and loving way.

4. I am for helping the homeless, widows, orphans, those in need anyway or using any means. Giving when it hurts to those in need is a joy that can't be compared. Visiting a nursing home, calling those who are shut-in and can't get out, preparing meals for those who have no food, or who are ill, or just down on their luck. The list goes on and on. The joy of giving knows no bounds, and it is not to be compared with tithing simply of 10%. Giving as unto the Lord will cause you to give in ways far surpassing the 10%.

5. Loving those who are unlovable, and who can't return your love, and this would probably go along with number 4 above. Loving and giving and not expecting anything in return, is true agape love that Jesus spoke of.

Re: What are you for ?
 

This whole thread is awesome.

Re: What are you for ?
 

Great thread. Thanks for posting.