Sower

"Lord save me!" (Help me Lord) Daily in my walk. "Submit to God" "Resist the devil and he will flee" "He that is in me is stronger than he that is in the world" "Nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. "He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” "Trust in the Lord" "The Lord is my rock my fortress and my deliverer, my God and my strength, whom I will trust" "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee" "A lamp unto my feet. A light unto my path" Thank You Lord....

Literacy Tests and “Asiatic Barred Zone” In 1917, the U.S. Congress enacted the first widely restrictive immigration law. The uncertainty generated over national security during World War I made it possible for Congress to pass this legislation, and it included several important provisions that paved the way for the 1924 Act. The 1917 Act implemented a literacy test that required immigrants over 16 years old to demonstrate basic reading comprehension in any language. It also increased the tax paid by new immigrants upon arrival and allowed immigration officials to exercise more discretion in making decisions over whom to exclude.

Would be interesting to watch how well the natives would welcome your speech at one of their safety meetings with the border guards, the South Texas farmers/ranchers and residents, moms/dads whose lost a husband/wife or son/daughter to an illegal, homes burned down or trashed, robbed/raped. Yes, laws are worthless unless enforced. There's the big problem. Meanwhile, have you considered coming to our south Texas neighborhoods in the beautiful country here with your camper for a while and chill out/camp out with all our other new 'tourists'... Welcome to Texas... Hows it at your home. Have you considered moving back here to Texas?... PS; I do not pray to God to put money in my bank account. I work for an income and thank God for my abilities and health.

Because they are given freely in America. A country blessed mightily by our almighty God. Go to a third world country and you will see just how much you don't appreciate your rights here in America. Most Americans take their rights for granted or have no idea of what it took to get and maintain them. If someone doesn't really know them, look up in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Yes. As believers, we do have rights. To serve, to be a slave for Christ. "You are not your own" Thanks Neighbor...

Thus; Take EVERY thought captive. Examine. Download and meditate, or toss it. Or, blow it off, chill out and just have a nice day that the Lord hath made... (What I was told here instead of introspecting) Thanks, VA...

"Good verse! So on one hand, being born again puts the life of Christ in us, and His life does overcome the world" Yes "On the other hand, the letters to the 7 churches exhort believers to do certain things to overcome" Yes. In Christ. Not I, but Christ. Like; "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" We can't do it. He can. To GOD be the Glory! (I can do all things) In Christ (who over came) we can. Resist the temptation to renounce our faith. Overcome.

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith"

Believers in Christ have been anointed once, and that's forever. Jesus.. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Us.. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead **dwells in you**, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and ** has **anointed us But the anointing that you received from him **abides** in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, It's a done deal, not needing to be 're anointed'. The spirit lives in us. Forever. We do not loose him. We may quench or grieve him, but he does not leave us. The more we obey the louder the voice. No magic. The word. I have no idea what is being discussed here. It's implied I have gone off the OP. We are anointed with the spirit upon belief in Christ, once and forever. We live in the period of grace, the new testament. The old testament people had the spirit upon them, temporarily, not within them, permanently. We are different. As is many scriptures referred to in OT. My understanding. Welcome corrections of any of my miss-understanding...... If a charismatic replies, I'll still listen...

So far in just my family, those seeds sown into my wife and I, our children, their children, some relatives, some strangers, and an unknown amount of sown seed, has yielded all these and what is yet to come, from that one seed, one voice at that funeral for Jimmy. There is no negative effect of the gospel. It's called the GOOD NEWS, brother. PS Edit; The parents (believers) of buried Jimmy were excited that my wife and I had received the good news at their son's funeral. The mother was instrumental in bringing my wife to the saving understanding of that good news preached. For that alone I give praise to God for that old faithful preacher whom I hope to meet some day in glory.

Checking up. Cool. That gentleman, a faithful believer, who planted that first seed in the soil of my wife and I was the pastor giving the funeral for a youth that died, our neighbor. At the funeral gathering he was consoling his flock, the grieving parents and relatives and friends, yet he wisely took it upon himself to present the message of the gospel. As most know a funeral can cause people to consider things like eternal destiny. Some have indicated to me that that is not the appropriate time to start preaching the gospel. In doing so it shows me how people have so little concern for the lost or they are not real Christians, and why Jesus said let the dead (spiritually) bury their dead.. For believers it is a celebration of a loved one finally going home. What it's really all about. Those " counter zingers" you/we get I believe are the enemies darts/lies, and should cause you to consider, "why would something (thoughts) tell me NOT to share the good news" Would that ever be the holy spirit? Or our enemy? As far as bibles used to save someone, it is a more modern tool used to learn and share truth, even digital 'bibles'. Bibles in the 1500s may cost a thousand dollars but became financially available in the 1800s for the common people. That's a lot of hundreds of years in this world without a bible available to 99% of the population. Yet the body of Christ endured. It is the word, however conveyed, like grandmas recipes being passed on for generations and generations, the word is passed on and endures. My wife and I brought our children to a saving knowledge of the gospel by WORD of mouth. Faith comes by hearing the word. You're into computer savy and know that when certain 0's and 1's align in a programmed order results occur according to the "written program." Jesus is the word. He created (wrote the program) the world. My testimony saves no one, but it can generate a trust in my appeal to them to listen and consider the words about the good news. If they have ears to hear. Concerning an anointing of the spirit, I have the spirit living within me as do all believers and need no new or special anointing to equip me. There are times when I sense that 'still small gentle voice' (the spirit within me already, 'teaching me' ) within enabling me or encouraging me moving me to act or not act and be silent. I receive extra confidence that what I have received is good, right. If I go against that spiritual prompting, I believe that I quench the spirit, and grieve him. We already posses the spirit, God, and do not need to seek a special anointing that God says we already possess.. "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you (stays), and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him" John 2:27 Verse 20 in 1 John 2 also says; "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge" Vine Abider said in the OP you quoted: "Many times we do not interact with the Lord in that movement, or anointing. Instead we go to our mind and reason. We make excuses, we push down the sense coming from God's life. We cope with it somehow. In other words, we handle it ourselves. Consequently, we may go for years in the same way, having little expression of Christ in our life." I agree. This is what I believe quenching the spirit is. We all do it, some more-some less. The spirit of God resides within us, if we are "born again." If we continue to quench the spirit (not allowing his voice direct our actions) we become less sensitive to his promptings, and we can, I would say 'tune out' (not have ears to hear) God's voice within us, and so not deal with our failings, sin, and allow our flesh then to rule. This in turn grieves our spirit. But it is us who have been anointed by God. Anointed in scripture means smeared, or rubbed on like with oil. symbolic. Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth" The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" Thanks, Starise

"Actions always speak louder than words" Not always. That is man's understanding. God's ways are not man's ways. I agree a big yes, Godly testimony is our goal, for others to see Christ in us. Not I but Christ. But. It is the WORD of God that saves, not my visible walk. Faith comes by hearing the word. And, Salvation is by grace through faith. This is God's method. I could be the nicest friendliest most helpful good Samaritan you ever met. But it would not enable you to hear what God has enabled through His word. I heard and saw the lifestyle and great witness of many a moral person growing up. Many of different faiths/beliefs who could put many a Christian to shame. But never heard the gospel. But in my early thirties it was a faithful old Christian gentleman that planted that seed; I must be born again. I (and my wife) heard the word, the gospel, for the 1st time. And we were not inquiring at all. Yet I heard through his faithfulness, persistence, to share the good news for us. The seed was watered again and again and blossomed into two more children being born into the kingdom. My best opportunities to share often come when I am least prepared. I never know. What is amazing is how God places us throughout our day/week that we encounter possible good soil. The small voice, the spirit, gives that recognition of a beggar needing bread. And I share the life's bread. I pray that God will bless me with the opportunity to engage, let the spirit talk, and leave the results to God. I do not believe it is our feeble ability, sinners like us, to lead someone to Christ that God desires, as much as our faithfulness to do so. We, as believers are called to share. And it is fun and rewarding. Every born again believer heard the word at some time from some other believer who was faithful. Let's pass it on. Nobody can save. I'm no preacher for sure. But just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. "He that winneth souls is wise" Thanks, Adrien...

What would you do? Are You Going Overboard? I honestly do not know, only what I would hope to have done, as unto the Lord. Nice one FJK, you hit the nail on the head, I believe. We can see the importance of being our 'part' in His plan. And what about the hammer? The shoe or the horse etc. We are all a part of the whole. If one part, within the local body is missing, that body will suffer. Forsake not. I do understand about stepping through that "threshold of fear" sometimes expected of us. And if I knew it was God calling my name, I would believe hope I would respond in faith. And I realize before I'm able to 'leap' at His call, I'll have to learn to crawl more faithfully.

It's a good thing you do, brother George. By the fruit you bear Jesus said you bring much glory to the Father. And He knows what you are going through. He is with you through all this and will always be there for you... Cool, huh...

.....to every creature.

Go...

This is a question I have never considered. Since the eighties at church I attend I was first taught how to present/share the gospel and usually within a home, and while with another brother. Since these last few years I share the gospel by myself mostly and sometimes with my wife. I never thought about any reason not to as far as concerning safety or fear. I don't purpose to head to the local ghetto but mostly around all the neighborhoods where I live, or anyplace the Lord gives me the opportunity in my travels, which could be anywhere. I will receive any help needed as God allows/supplies, and he is faithful. Could be some trust testing/lessons at any time. The lost (and trouble) is not limited to the slums and inner city, but they also wears a suit and tie, blue jeans or a robe and collar, or a dress. If safety and/or comfort is the calling requirement, then it is probably not to the missionary field. There are other areas of service that could be investigated. If someone decides to be full time (foreign) missionary that is totally different, and I would think they need to investigate more fully with other missionaries all the details/problems involved. Independent Baptists churches that put the mission field a priority could help.

Artist name and tune name? Thanks, Blade..

Who managed to quit smoking? or is trying to quit? I was addicted to nicotine for 51 yrs. (I) could never quit. But I haven't smoked for 10 yrs now. I was delivered. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This man prayed over me, to our deliverer. I was delivered. I Give all the glory to God.

Watching how the youth today have embraced never ending hurt feelings and safe rooms etc, I wonder the blame belongs to the parents that didn't love them enough, restrain them, to give them needed discipline. Where was their fathers?

Abide in the true vine, Jesus, that produces all fruit that we the branches only bear, as we can do nothing of ourselves, our heart is deceitfully wicked. The vine tender (the father) prunes us that we bear more fruit and much fruit glorifies the father. A branch not attached (abiding ) to it's vine can produce nothing! As you said above, "die to our flesh and live in the Spirit" abide and overcome! Considering my ongoing study of the Bema Seat Judgement (or judgement seat), this post brings out the heart of how we as believers will have our works judged, and NOT our already forgiven sin. It is the motive, what moves us (God's glory/self glory) to do a work, good or self serving(bad), wood hay stubble/silver gold precious stones. Motivation-method-results, of our works. God I believe looks at our motivation more than results that the world sees. Our faithfulness when no one is looking. I do not stop and say 'to God be the glory' in every thing I do (work) and wonder if most of any 'good' work I have done was just stubble. I do enjoy as much as anybody a pat on the back when I help someone. I assume that it was God 'in me' that was my motive, the spirit showing me to help (slave?) I know not to be conformed to this world so I have tried to be that living sacrifice, transformed by renewing my mind in the word. I feel like I'm in autopilot in Christ, feeling good about helping others. Yet I know my heart is deceitful and wonder. Some work is not possible to do in a closet...... I guess when our turn comes to step up to the Bema seat We'll find out. Thanks, Mr. M.....

But I still don't trust weathermen.. My wife hears the weatherman and tells me its going to rain. I pay no attention. We live in Texas. If I walk outside and my face gets warm, it's a sunny day. If I walk outside and I feel wet, it's going to rain. One of the first thing I did when I get a phone is disable ALL alerts. When I wake up I say, this is a day the Lord made and I'm gonna rejoice and forget about the weather(man)...

The only reason you do not remember scripture verses is because you do not use them, or re-read them, over and over till embedded. You could, with just an average intelligence, memorize one scripture a week, if you were faithful to your goal. Or, make it one a month. Thirty days to memorize just one sentence. After a year that is twelve verses you have hid in your heart that you didn't have before. In ten years that is 120 verses. A no brainer. Nothing is going to stop you but yourself from memorizing, or else listening to that inner voice telling you that you just can't do it. You actually can in Christ. Ask God which verses you need to memorize. Goal setting doesn't work for anyone unless you are serious. Forget doing it to show your peers. Do it as unto the Lord!...... PS; I use my memo pad on my phone to store special verses. When I'm just sitting around taking a break, I punch them up and read through them. Not actually memorizing them I have instilled the intent within, and can almost quote them. Not a goal to, but a side benefit to reading them often.

"Success is in the living not the parroting"........... You also say; "not in rote regurgitation of it" "the act of bringing swallowed food back into the mouth: Vomiting is the regurgitation of partly digested food from the stomach to the mouth. Somehow, Neighbor I just can't picture vomiting( regurgitating) God's word... (Would be different if we were cows) God describes in His word the importance of storing His word in our heart and mind. We taught our children (train up a child) how to understand the word through first memorizing it. (rote) Application came later as did understanding as they grew and matured, milk to meat. I still memorize the word, to "program" my mind as to what is right and have God's methods stored for future. It is putting Light within the darkness of my mind and heart, which is "deceitful above all things and beyond cure" "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" KJV "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" ESV "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes" Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Thanks, Neighbor. Your point, I believe, 'be doers and not just hearers'!

We checked into that years back and we can bury on private property of a certain minimum size . But we understand we cannot fence it and lock the right to public access, have to provide an access road, or something like that. Doesn't matter anymore. I forgot to amend my previous post. We are donating our bodies to science like my mom did. The bodies will be used for research/study by doctor students and science. It's free....and will have private memorials upon our deaths.

I personally care less what happens to my temporary corrupted body. My wife wants to be cremated to keep the kids from paying crazy burial costs. Some have a problem with cremation. We do not. God knows our hearts, and we believe would have said something in scripture if it is not proper. Don't believe it's the unpardonable sin....... It's the right vs wrong way to live I'm more concerned with right now.... Thanks... Amendment (1st) My wife decided () that the easiest least expensive way is to donate our bodies to science/research like my mom did. It's free, easy and then later will have a (cheap) private memorial service. (2nd) (That's as of a few months ago, subject to change )