Why

[Catsmeow]

Um, it drives me crazy when I write a post and nobody even reads part of it...

No one even commented on it.

People are still all hung up on "hypocrites"...I am absolutely amazed that nobody can relate to what I said. Amazed!

Maybe all you see are Christians as hypocrites but I don't. I don't usually hang out with those people.

If they are hypocrites, then I figure they're immature and need my prayers.

The ones "I KNOW" aren't hypocrites. The Christians I know are awesome, loving, giving, kind, generous and would do just about anything for you.

Satan is the 'accuser' of the brethren.

I see the glass HALF FULL and my eyes are opened to the beauty in so many lives.

I see people growing. I see new babes in Christ learning. I see people maturing.

If a person looks for faults in others, you'll surely find them.

Why not focus on the progress each person is making?

I know I've grown in leaps and bounds. Legalists tend to harp on all the woes and troubles of the world and surely these things exist.

But lets give a balanced presentation here...we're our own worst enemy.

You don't hear other religions damning and condeming themselves the way we, as Christians do.

We seem to enjoy knocking ourselves, forgetting that we are the BLOOD BOUGHT saints of God being slowly conformed into the image of our Savior. That doesn't happen overnight...it takes time.

And while other religions are proud of themselves, their hearts remain fleshly, while ours are being changed from glory to glory.

[irishcowboy]

Um, it drives me crazy when I write a post and nobody even reads part of it...

No one even commented on it.

I read the post,

and,

well,

me human computer is still processing, still processing , processing, processing, processing, processing.... .BLEEEEEEEEP......

fooooie, it crashed.....

[tsth]

I didn't get the chance to read every post here, but I was inclined to post this that I received yesterday.

To: Friends

From: Bill Johnson

Re: HOW WISE IS IT FOR US NOT TO WARN THOSE WE LOVE ...

Date: March 5, 2004

REPRINTED FROM July 17, 2002

HOW WISE IS IT FOR US NOT TO WARN THOSE WE LOVE

WHEN WE KNOW THERE IS DANGER ALL ABOUT US?

Do I appreciate being warned? Exhorted?

When I became a Christian I quickly came to see that the Bible is alive.

I remember very well sitting under Pastor Maynard Schoen's preaching at Berrien Center Bible Church (Berrien Center, MI). I would leave the church services sometimes with tears rolling down my cheeks. I was challenged to know God's will for my life. I realized early on that my faith was strengthened by good, solid, Bible teaching and preaching.

I began to seek out sound Bible teaching and preaching wherever I lived, sometimes more successfully than others. As the years have passed, I have increasingly recognized there is a dearth of sound, solid, Bible teaching throughout our land.

If it was just me saying this, it might be "just Bill being negative." But, it isn't just me saying it. It sorrows me. It must grieve the heart of God because it is God's will that His people be nurtured and fed by His Word. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

As a Christian husband and father, I know more than ever the vital importance of the Word of God.

As a believer, I know it is imperative for me to hide the Word of God in my heart that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).

I have read many Christian books over these years. I am a graduate of the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (Masters of Religious Education). I have attended numerous Christian conferences over these last fifteen years - recently the Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida entitled "The War on the Word."

I love the Word of God. During some of the most difficult years of my Christian life, I committed to memory over 100 Bible passages that God has used in my life to enliven, strengthen, motivate, warn, exhort me to service and greater commitment, to greater yieldedness.

I believe the answer to growing the church isn't soft preaching and "seeker friendly" devices but rather faithful preaching and teaching of the word of God. The full counsel of God. And then obedience to God.

When I read in Christian pollster George Barna's book Boiling Point that the majority of Americans either believe or yield to the belief that all moral truth is relative to the individual and his/her circumstances, I became very concerned.

Quoting Barna: "Our studies show that few churches use their teaching time - sermons, Sunday school, VBS, small groups, membership classes - to intentionally and relentlessly communicate a coherent and cohesive worldview in a systematic fashion. ..."

And as we see this falling away all around us why should we be surprised?

If you have a pastor who faithfully preaches with conviction the word of God, I urge you to support your pastor with words of encouragement and support. You are, indeed, most blessed.

There is no guarantee that just sitting under sound preaching and

teaching will calibrate out to holy men and women of God. I know that. Not everyone has ears that hear and eyes that can see with faith and increasing levels of obedience. For it is "by grace ye are saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9).

In the months ahead, we will be trying to encourage and urge

pastors to preach the word of God, so that America's pulpits will once again be on fire for Him! Oh, that it would be true once again.

What are my chances of making even a little difference? Very little without God's touch and help upon my life.

With God's help, may I be used to encourage!

To the question "Do I appreciate being warned? Exhorted?" Not always that's for sure. There are matters that I need to be exhorted on that I haven't been. It will be for my good if I am fortunate enough to be under preaching that will deal with me regularly.

Do I appreciate being warned? Yes! I pray that God would raise up truth bearers that would preach strongly and with conviction. Preach His word and His will regarding some of the concerns that are ripping people apart.

Here's a short list of issues that pastors seem to avoid like a plague: gambling, education, the Lord's day, pre-marital sex, cohabitation, homosexuality, same-sex marriages, financial stewardship, materialism, immodesty (inappropriate dress), convictionless living, convictionless giving, entertainment selections (what does God have to say with watching programs that are laden with sexual innuendo).

God give us pastors filled with fire who fear You - not man!

Amen!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Adstar]

Um, it drives me crazy when I write a post and nobody even reads part of it...

Catzmeow :il: Why do you think no one is reading your post? Hey Sister often the best posts are not commented on because people cannot find a fault in it.

I don't know but i would find it boring to see 20 posts in a row saying "amen Sister"

I will comment on one of your points in your post.

Didn't Jesus tell us not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

Yes He did.

Matthew 6

1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men , to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

All praise The Ancient Of Days

[Adstar]

Um, it drives me crazy when I write a post and nobody even reads part of it...

Catzmeow :il: Why do you think no one is reading your post? Hey Sister often the best posts are not commented on because people cannot find a fault in it.

I don't know but i would find it boring to see 20 posts in a row saying "amen Sister"

I will comment on one of your points in your post.

Didn't Jesus tell us not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

Yes He did.

Matthew 6

1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men , to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

All praise The Ancient Of Days