Texas experienced the worst mass shooting on Nov 5, 2017 in a small Christian church located in the small town of Sutherland Springs. There were twenty-six victims and many were children.
Prayer
Lord, we pray for all those who have lost friends and loved ones in the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church. May You wipe away their tears and bring comfort to their broken hearts. Lord, we ask for healing of all those injured in body and spirit. May Your name be glorified by the salt and light these beautiful children of God exemplify.
In Jesus All Mighty name, Amen
This is the video shared on you-tube the week before the shooting. It is heartbreaking, but it shows the Love in the little church. They started off singing “Happiness is the Lord”.
One Week Later The little church was turned into a beautiful memorial to honor the victims. It was repainted and restored, chairs with roses were placed where each victim was found.
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A beautiful service was held one week after the fatal shooting. Hundreds of people came, it was the largest they ever had. Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy led the sermon and said, “Rather than choose darkness … we choose life.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fY821RFCUc&feature=share
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Did Jesus ever say “I am God” in those exact words? The answer lays in what He did say and how the Jews responded to His words. In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and My Father are one.” “The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God” John 10:33. They clearly understood that Jesus claimed to be God.
Jesus knew he was God. In John 8:58 Jesus tells the Jews “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” After Jesus says he is “I AM” the Jews become angry and try to stone Him. Again the Jews understood Jesus proclaimed to be God.
1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
We are inHis Son Jesus Christ the true God and eternal life.
We are in Him who is true.
We are in His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the true God and eternal Life.
JOHN 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (JESUS) shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Eternal Life comes by believing In (JESUS the true God).
After Jesus was crucified,Thomas His Apostle wanted proof He had risen~
John 20: 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them,
“Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Jesus never denied being God when Thomas called Him “my Lord and my God”
Lets examine John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
Then go to John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. So we have the Word which is God, then the Word becomes flesh. The flesh is Jesus, the flesh is God, Jesus Is God in the flesh.
The Word teaches us that Jesus was born of a virgin and conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was both God and man!
Conception and Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Concerning the Trinity!
Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God. There is the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are each equally and eternally the ONE true God.
Here is an Analogy I like to use~
It is like H2O in three different forms: water is the liquid form of H2O, ice is the solid form of H2O, steam is the gas of H2O. They are All H2O.
Rick Atchley really puts some light on why there is so much division and a lack of unity in the Church of Christ. Let’s ask ourselves this question. When Scripture is silent, do we have freedom or prohibition? Is this Grace or Legalism? Please watch and see if this is not true. May Grace be with each and every one of you!
Paul said in Galatians 5:1” It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”The purpose of the Fruit of the Spirit has set us free from sin by telling us how to avoid sinning. We grow and mature as Children of God by bearing the Fruit of the Spirit.
As Children of God it is important we pray and ask the Lord for His spiritual wisdom to help us see the truth. Jesus Made Love Mandatory so when reading the written word it comes alive in the hearts of those filled with love. Jesus told us to walk in the Spirit of righteousness and that means having total trust and faith in him. Let the fruit of the spirit pour out and be a light for the Lord. If one is trapped in legalism it is very difficult to see any light in them. They are as D.U.C.K.S. under the Bed.
The acronym D.U.C.K.S. stands for “Devoted Unconditionally to Christ’s Kingdom and Service”. One may be “Devoted Unconditional the Christ’s Kingdom and Service” and know the written word like the back of their hand but something is missing and that is the Light! Legalism causes divisions among the Lord’s children. Legalism leads to unrighteous judgment, it causes a lack of compassion, humility, and mercy. Growing in the Lord is a journey, many of us will fall, having trials and tribulations. As long as we have Jesus as our ARK and are filled with His Fruit, we walk in the LIGHT.
Luke 8:16-17
“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or PUTS IT UNDER A BED; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
When we walk in the spirit, the “FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT” shines forth to other people,
like a lighthouse shines forth it’s light.
The acronym D.U.C.K.S. stands for
“Devoted Unconditionally to Christ’s Kingdom and Service”.
~Calling All D.U.C.K.S. To Come Out From Under The Bed~
On a Personal Note~ I first want to say I love those in the Church of Christ and they hold a special place in my heart. The Lord took me out of an abusive situation and planted me in the church as a teen through my foster parents which I am so thankful for. I was taught that only those in the conservative Church of Christ would be saved. I never understood legalism until later in life. After leaving my foster home I soon left the church, got married, and divorced, my ex’s use of porn was our downfall. Later I remarried and had 3 children. I returned to a more liberal Church of Christ and they welcomed our family with open arms. I learned the church was going to build a Fellowship Hall using church funds, being brought up in a conservative Church of Christ that was a no, no, and I felt I had to leave. I then went to a conservative Church of Christ much like the one I use to go to as a teen, I was so excited and felt I was home only to be short-lived. When they learned I was remarried, they said my second marriage was adultery. My first divorce over porn was not considered adultery which meant I was never to marry again. They said the only way to repent was to divorce my second husband, there was No mercy. I could NOT be a member of the church while I was still married to my second husband. Well, the Lord opened my eyes and showed me I did not need to be a member of the Church of Christ with walls, I was already a member of the body of Christ and there were NO walls. The Lord does NOT want His children living in Bondage! I pray eyes will be opened to the Truth!!!
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”
John 8:36
“In essentials UNITY; in opinion LIBERTY; in all things LOVE”
God of all nations, We humbly ask you to guide us in all that we do. Strengthen us to love one another,
to help each other along in our faith journey.
Forgive us of our harsh thoughts, words,
and actions against people of other denominations in Christ. Help us to forgive one another, and join together, so that we may do YOUR work and glorify YOU, LORD, in the best way possible.
In Jesus name, we pray,
Amen
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A SPECIAL DREAM THAT STOOD OUT AND YOU KNEW THE LORD WAS SPEAKING TO YOU?
The first time this happened to me was when I was 10 years old.
Acts 2:17 ’AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ’THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS.
I have one dream I remember as a child and it was very special to me. When I was 10 years old my grandma died of a heart attack June 4, 1966 and I loved her so much. If you notice the postcard it is dated April 15, 1966. It was less than 2 months later she had a heart attack and died. My grandmother had gone to Mississippi to visit some of her family. Before she left on her trip I had traced her hand on a piece of paper and I have saved it along with her wedding ring all these years. After her death I was so very sad but one night I had a beautiful dream and I remember that dream like it was yesterday. In my dream I received a gift. It was a long box wrapped with a big bow. The anticipation of what was in the box was great. As I opened the box I was so excited when I realized it was my grandmother alive and well. I was so happy to see her again and I remember exactly what I said to her. I asked her, “Grandma, what is it like in heaven?”And this is what she said “Francine, I can’t tell you, you are going to have to find out for yourself.” What a wonderful dream and I was only 10 years old. That dream was a gift from God and HIM calling me to him. What was the chance that I would ask such a question and that dream would never be forgotten? Could it well be that the Lord knew I would use it one day to glorify HIM. My neighbor started inviting me to go to church with their family. A little over a year later I accepted to Lord and was baptized. The Lord is so amazing and I am thankful for those special dreams!
We must remember the one true Church has no walls. The written word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, yet we have many interpretations of the written word which causes many divisions among the Lord’s children. What happens is, many of us believe a certain way and we desire to show others the truth because we believe we know the truth and others are misinterpreting the word. So what do we do? As children of God, we try to show others how their interpretation is false and what is correct, while they are trying to show us how we are wrong. Have you ever seen Children of God get ugly with one another over interpretations and not see the sin in how they are treating one another? I believe one of God’s hidden mysteries is here and we will only see this as we come closer to being transformed into the perfect. Many see these different interpretations as false doctrines. But if we could rise above and see things from the Lord’s eyes using his spiritual wisdom not the wisdom of man, many of these interpretations that divide Children of God have nothing to do with our salvation.
The Lord is concerned with our hearts and motives. How are we are treating one another? Are we fighting over what we believe is truth and hurting each other? The Lord warns us not to devour one another. Is our love genuine for HIM and others? I believe the Lord was well aware of the fact we would not agree on every interpretation of the written word, but in order to find perfect unity he knew we must rise above that. If our heart is truly filled with the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit and we are seeing through HIS eyes we will begin to come together through Love which brings about UNITY which is found only in HIM! That is why he said the whole Law can be summed up in one-word LOVE! He says in loving him and others we fulfill the Law.
The Lord teaches, what defiles man comes from the heart and when Jesus spoke on the sermon on the mount everything he spoke of had to do with man’s heart. So if our heart is filled with Love there is no room for the things that defile us, like immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. The one true church is found in the hearts of the “called out”! Those walking in righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Galatians 5
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Colossians 3:12-17
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
"Before I Go"
When my life has reached its very end,
And I take that final breath;
I want to know I've left behind,
Some "good" before my death.
I hope that in my final hour,
In all honesty I can say:
That somewhere in my lifetime,
I have brightened someone's day.
That maybe I have brought a smile
To someone else's face,
And made one moment a little sweeter
While they dwelled here in this place.
Lord, please be my reminder
And whisper softly in my ear ...
To be a "giver," not a "taker,"
In the years I have left here.
Give to me the strength I need,
Open up my mind and my soul
That I might show sincere compassion,
And love to others before I go.
For if not a heart be touched by me,
And not a smile was left behind ...
Then the life that I am blessed with,
Will have been a waste of time.
With all my heart, I truly hope
To leave something here on earth ...
That touched another, made them smile
And gave to my life ... worth.
Author Unknown
(These words express My Desires, Hugs)
Lord Jesus Saves︵‿ †
I am sharing my own personal story in HOPE of helping others.
Learning forgiveness of others to be forgiven!
Caution: May not be suitable for All!
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“Happiness is not found in our material belongings, but found in our personal relationship with the Lord.”
“Thankfulness is not having what you want, but being content with what you have.”
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~Legalism vs. Grace~ Rick Atchley really puts some light on why there is so much division and a lack of unity in the Church of Christ. Let’s ask ourselves this question. When Scripture is silent, do we have freedom or prohibition? Is this Grace or Legalism? Please watch and see if this is not true. May […]
Texas experienced the worst mass shooting on Nov 5, 2017 in a small Christian church located in the small town of Sutherland Springs. There were twenty-six victims and many were children.
Lord Jesus Saves︵‿ † 