|
The CROSS - The CROSS - The CROSS --here
Congregation Conversation is a commentary from one who sits in the Congregation of the Redeemed. We claim no great inspiration or Word from the Lord but reflect on what those who claim to be inspired and anointed by the Holy Spirit. There are many voices that say they speak for and under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Congregation Conversation sits in no condemnation or judgment of those who make such claims. We are just reflecting on what we perceive those voices are saying.
We would like to say with the Apostle Paul:
"Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God!" 1 Corinthians 1:22-24
THINGS THAT WERE TRUE OF ME BEFORE I WAS SAVED... THINGS THAT ARE TRUE OF ME NOW THAT I AM SAVED: The Believers Standing and State: |
It is settled - we believe:
The verbal inspired Word of God both Old and New Testament.
The Deity and Incarnation of Jesus Christ and his Virgin Birth.
The atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of Jesus blood on the Cross.
Justification by the Cross.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ’s body from the grave.
The imminent return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the saints.
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues.
Sanctification by the Cross and progressive by the Word of God.
|
|---|
September 1, 2013
In the Bible, we are not told to fight against sin. If we are struggling with sin, this means that our Faith is not properly placed in Christ and His Finished Work. While the Christian experience definitely entails a struggle, the struggle is to be in the arena of Faith. Paul told us to fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).
At the Fall, mans nature became that of sin. In other words, everything that the unredeemed person does is toward sin, and of every description.
The Gospel declares that man is absolutely ruined by sin and wholly unable to restore himself to Gods favor by his own ability and strength. A false gospel teaches that man is not wholly ruined, that by self-culture he can merit Gods favor and secure his own happiness.
There is only one way that the human being can properly address sin. Pure and simple, he must die. That is why Paul said, -For he who is dead is freed from sin- (from domination by the sin nature [Rom. 6:7]). This -death- occurs at the Cross of Calvary, hence the Apostle saying, -our old man is crucified with Him.- The death of which we speak can occur no place else. This is the reason the Cross is so very, very important, actually the only means by which this horrible problem can be properly addressed.
This -death- is obtained by the Believer simply evidencing Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross. The -old man- then dies, which refers to what we were before Salvation, with a -new man- then rising with Christ in -newness of life.- Unfortunately, unredeemed man tries to address the sin problem in many and varied ways other than the Cross. He tries to address it with education, money, government, etc., all to no avail!
Worse yet, many Believers attempt to do the same thing. They try to address the sin nature, i.e., the problem of sin, by ways other than the Cross. It simply cannot be done. Some try to address the sin nature by denying its existence. Others try to address it by struggling with it on a day-by-day basis, all to no avail.
The sin nature was conquered at the Cross, and it remains conquered, but only as we maintain Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross. We were crucified with Christ, and, in that, the sin nature was made ineffective. We were raised with Christ in newness of life. That position is maintained by continued Faith in Christ and the Cross, and by no other means.
The human nature Gen 1:26-27
The sin nature 1 John 1:8
The Divine Nature II Peter 1:4
The Believer actually has three natures. They are:
1. The Human Nature.
2. The Sin Nature.
3. The Divine Nature (II Pet. 1:4).
The human nature of the Believer is either controlled by the sin nature or by the Divine nature. Within itself, the human body is neutral. It is neither holy nor evil. If the Believer is totally trusting Christ and what Christ did at the Cross, doing so on an unending basis, this means the sin nature is dormant, and the Believer can then yield the members of his physical body as -instruments of Righteousness unto God.- It’s just that simple!
However, if the faith of the Believer is in something other than Christ and the Cross, then the sin nature is in control, and the Believer will be forced, despite all of his efforts otherwise, to yield his -members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. It comes as a shock to most Believers when they are told that Satan can override their will, that is, if their Faith is in anything except Christ and the Cross.
As long as you will to trust Christ, and by that I mean to
trust in what He did at the Cross, all the powers of Hell cannot stop you, in fact, cannot
even touch you. But if you drift outside the parameters of the Finished Work of
Christ, depending on something else, and irrespective as to how good that something
else might be, you will find Satan overriding your will. In fact, He’s doing it right now millions of Christians. They are doing things they do not want to do, and are trying with all their strength and might not to do these things, but despite all their efforts, they are failing anyway.
For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not (Rom. 7:18).
Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5: 16-19
My VideoAmerica wake up especially the Remnant. Don’t’ be like the five foolish virgins of Mathew 25 vs 5 “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept”.
Join in on this day and every day for this Nation to turn from its wicked ways and back to God. It’s midnight and the cry is being made by the Spirit of God!!
Washington – A Man of Prayer
The Capitol - Washington, DC
Statuary Hall
May 8th
March 15, 2012 I received confirmation from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to use Statuary Hall as the venue for our prayer event, Washington – A Man of Prayer, as part of the National Day of Prayer activities. This event is exclusively for our Senators and Congressmen to honor the 223rd anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as President of the United States of America. Statuary Hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is located in
The Capitol south of the Rotunda and is the main exhibition space of the National Statuary Hall Collection. The Hall was also used for church services from 1800 – 1857. What a most appropriate setting with all the statues of our Founding Fathers and many great Americans for our elected officials to gather and honor The Father our Country, George Washington, and offer prayers for the nation he led.
I want to thank US Congressman Louie Gohmert for officially sponsoring the event and his wonderful staff in Washington, DC, for helping us work out the details. Also our gratitude goes to Speaker John Boehner.
I want to thank all of you who have been praying toward this outcome. This is truly a miraculous opportunity.
Now that the date and venue are set I am asking you to pray as we finalize the details of the program. Also that you and your church will set aside Tuesday, May 8, 2012, as a day of prayer and fasting for our nation’s elected officials as they gather in The People’s House to pray.
You never know...My Video
I thank God that I am Pentecostal ….and I am not afraid to say that I speak in tongues every day since June 25, 1966 -- And I say with (that good-old Southern boy) the Apostle Paul: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
Seems that many Pentecostals are not speaking in tongues and a survey by the Pew Forum records: “Speaking in tongues is not universal among Pentecostal Christians. In 2006, a 10-country survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 49 percent of Pentecostals in the United States, 50 percent in Brazil, 41 percent in South Africa, and 54 percent in India said they "never" speak or pray in tongues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism
And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(This is the only record in the Bible, and was what John the Baptist said concerning Jesus - Mat. 3:11)
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(This is the initial physical evidence that one has been Baptized with the Spirit. It was predicted by the Prophet Isaiah Isa. 28:9–12, and by Jesus Mk. 16:17; Jn. 15:26; 16:13. The one filled does not start this themselves but is started by the Holy Spirit. The langue is known somewhere in the world but not by the one filled.) Romans 2:1-4
“For with stammmering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” Isaiah 28:11-12
I was filled with the Holy Spirit on June 25, 1966 and have spoken in tongues ever since. It is a free gift for all that are born again as the Grace of God is available to all that have Faith in Jesus and Him Crucified. All blessings come through the Cross and what Jesus did there.
Here is one of many good articles of why Speak in Tongues:
http://www.cortright.org/whysit.htm
Sunday, 11 March 2012
The Center of the Bible
What will you find in the center of the Bible?
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Vote your conscience
Many Christians, conservatives, Republicans, libertarians, constitutionalists, patriotic independents and other traditionalists are grappling mightily with how to vote in the upcoming election.
Vote your conscience in the upcoming election in November in fact all elections.
Born-again Christians those that don’t have their conscience seared by sin should definitely follow the leading of their conscience. The Holy Spirit will guide one if He is asked to do so and will convict if one follows the wrong path.
Questions:
– How can a Christian vote for a person of any party that does not support the Nation of Israel? God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel. Genesis 12:3
– How can a blood washed believer support anyone who condones the murder of the un-born? Those that put ideology before God’s Word will answer at one of the Judgments of God. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
– How can a Christian dishonor their own bodies between themselves following vile affections?
Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Christianity is not a Religion!
Christianity is a Relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The word religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Some say Christianity is both a Relationship and a Religion and using the definition of the word then it could be defined as a Religion. Many that call themselves Christians may they fit the definition with their observance of rituals and observances.
Religion is an ‘ism’ such as Islamism, Judaism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Pentecostalism, Confucianism, Atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and the list can go on and on. The Apostle Paul says in: Colossians 2: “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Chapter 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
The Latin word from which the English word "religion" is derived means "to bind up." Jesus did not come to bind us up in rules and regulations or rituals of devotion, but to set us free to be man as God intended.
One theologian said, "The revelation of God is the abolition of religion; In opposition to all 'religionism' the proclamation of the grace of God is introduced as the truth; Religion is unbelief. It is a concern of...godless man; and Religion is clearly seen to be a human attempt to anticipate what God in His revelation wills to do and does do. It is the attempted replacement of the divine work by a human manufacture."
Christianity is not religion! Christianity is Christ!
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Christianity is a Relationship with Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Leave the Cross?
A young Preacher announced on one of the well-known Religious Networks that, “One must leave the Cross and go to the Resurrection if one is to mature in Christ.” He was proud of his newfound revelation and the Networks Pew shouted Amen!
The Congregation Conversation almost lost its Sanctification as it rose to its feet and shouted, “You are wrong!”
Where in the Holy Word does it say that one is Justified by the Resurrection? But Romans 5 does say:
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11
Romans 3:
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forthc to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
The Congregation Conversation understands very well where this young Preacher was coming from since being Justified through Faith in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ forty-six years ago on June 18, 1966. It doesn’t take very long before the enemy who is a liar from the beginning will try to lead one away from the Cross and the blood of Christ Jesus. Disguised as an Angel of Light the deceiver will try to take one into works and use their desire and zeal to know the Truth to lead one away from their first Love.
After many years of almost losing their way the Congregation Conversation came back to their first love - “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. - 1 Corinthians 2:2.
One must anchor their faith in Jesus shed Blood on the Cross of Calvary. Keep it there forever.
It’s the Cross and what Jesus did there!
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Faith
Hebrews Chapter 11 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is what things are made out of, without faith there is no substance from which God can construct anything. The faith in you will create that which you hope for. If you have nothing, you build nothing. Faith is your substance of things hoped for.
Friday, 24 February 2012
In trouble try this.