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 ?
__________________ You can't reach the world with your talents. People are sick and tired of religious talents. People need a Holy Ghost annointed church with real fruits to reach out and touch their lives. ~ Pastor Burrell Crabtree
In fact I think that the insinuation of "hateful" Pentecostals is coming mostly from the fertile imaginations of bitter, backslidden ex Apostolics who are constantly trying to find a way to justify their actions. ~ strait shooter
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.
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.
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.
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"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
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.
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.
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.
__________________
There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
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)
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.
Amen! Fessed up Christians, bent on repenting again for lack of a vision, please take note.
Hybrid Mode
