I still go to church, do you?

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Condemnation ministers death to the hearer. God corrects but He doesn't condemn, so you know who is behind the voice of condemnation.

All I did was share a dream in the beginning of my walk, that I didn't understand. I was about 8 months "old". This woman who had walked with Him for years, got really riled up and attacked me at my own bible study. It was years before I understood the dream, then I knew why what was in her had attacked me so.

But about 3 days later I was in the bathroom, still feeling the same way I did after she attacked me and HE spoke to me the first sentence above, adding that "condemnation is not of My Spirit, cast in down." I did, and went back to feeling the joy of the Lord and peace.

Years later same woman was at an out of town ministry where she had come to hear the guest speakers, one of whom I knew and knew me, from the net. They invited me to sit with them on the pulpit. I didn't want to be rude and did; for about 15 minutes and then I just couldn't, my spirit combined with things He had taught me, were having a "fit", lol.

Anyway, the woman that had condemned me in my bible study decades before,  when passing by in the line of people to be seated, I overheard her saying to her companions, "Well.....the baby chick has outgrown the other hens." Pretty much shows what spirit it was, doesn't it? Blessings....

[sheila]

right..God's correction is for understanding..not condemnation.....

[jugghead]

right..God's correction is for understanding..not condemnation.....

Amen Sheila

[Dandelion]

As I have said, many times, I like to go to church.

I love the music, I greatly believe in sharing the Lord's Supper, I enjoy the sermons, I like to worship with other believers, I like to chat with the people, I like to see and know what they are doing....if it is something worthy, I try to take part......and so on. It grounds me, in many ways, for the week. I am accustomed to church, went my entire life, even as an infant; baptized before I was 2 weeks old.

I like to visit different churches, too. Have friends from all different Christian orientations; like to go to church with them, sometimes. I get to see a piece of them, which I believe is important.

I think we need to be discerning and let the Holy Spirit do what He does best....give us wisdom and insight and teach us the ways of God. He leads us down the road of God's will for us.

I do not get upset with things I don't agree with, but try to use it as a tool to better understand others, and to learn how God is reflected in different ways.

There is no church that I agree with 100%, and my perception of God has changed over the years, and I have every expectation that it will continue to do so. I would not be growing in my walk, if this were not the case. I believe I will grow best, by being open to what God reveals through various experiences, people, places and so on. I like to get 'out there' and experience these things. I know this is not everyone's style and that is okay with me.....but it is my style and I continue to enjoy and actually love my life, in this mode.

My role in church has changed dramatically over the years.....I am less involved in anyone one particular church now. That was definitely not always the case.

The concept of 'church' has also expanded greatly for me, over the years, and I see this as continuing to an even greater degree now.

So, in a nutshell, I enjoy church, but I realize there shortcomings, and I use it as a learning experience, and a spiritual centering for me. This fallen world will never give us even church, in a less than fallen mode, but I believe I should use it to grow in my walk, as best as I am able, with God's grace.

Sorry to repeat some of the things I had said before.....for those who did not read or remember my first thoughts on this matter.



D.                        :2c:

[Truth seeker]

Questions to ask yourself (from my own experiences):

went to church again today. Been going off and on for the last 6 months but I really struggle to enjoy it.

Did He tell you to go to church or was it your own decision because you thought it was the right thing to do?

Today was about grow groups/ bible study groups ect which is a good idea but I feel the church pushes us into it.

Does He force us to do anything?

For me I like to do things sometimes on my own. Ive discovered I like my own company lol.

Which is more important, the company of men or the company of Christ (being alone with Him)?

Today the pastor said regarding the grow group "if you cant dedicate 6 weeks then maybe you shouldnt be here"

Does the Father make you feel guitly or declare your innocence through the forgiveness of sins?

Im sure he may have not wanted it to sound that bad but  I didnt like how that sounded. 

Red flag for me

Its like if we are not doing it with the church we are not doing anything! the look I got when I said I wasn't signing up to one lol.

Who is the accuser? You know it isn't the Father

I have much to learn right now, anymore and my family will think I have disowned them!

Is going into a religious mindset worth a division in your family?

I dont mind them offering a service but dont force people and make them feel guilty.

Again, Does the Father make you feel guitly or declare your innocence??

I find myself coming up with excuses not to go at the minute. Yet I still try to force myself.

Ever think it might be Him trying to keep you from falling into the religious mindset?

I think I do it so my family dont think I have given up God more than anything in the hope that one day they will come closer to God also.

Would they think you have given up by your continuing to study on your own?

Who knows, split decisions at the minute with going to a church

A house divided will not stand, trusting in Him to reconcile all things is to walk in faith and you will not be divided

:iagree: :thumbsup :Really enjoyed how you analysed this and broke it down for me. Sometimes you cant see the woods for the trees so really appreciate this.

[Truth seeker]

went to church again today. Been going off and on for the last 6 months but I really struggle to enjoy it. Today was about grow groups/ bible study groups ect which is a good idea but I feel the church pushes us into it. For me I like to do things sometimes on my own. Ive discovered I like my own company lol. Today the pastor said regarding the grow group "if you cant dedicate 6 weeks then maybe you shouldnt be here"

Im sure he may have not wanted it to sound that bad but  I didnt like how that sounded. Its like if we are not doing it with the church we are not doing anything! the look I got when I said I wasn't signing up to one lol. I have much to learn right now, anymore and my family will think I have disowned them! I dont mind them offering a service but dont force people and make them feel guilty. I find myself coming up with excuses not to go at the minute. Yet I still try to force myself. I think I do it so my family dont think I have given up God more than anything in the hope that one day they will come closer to God also. Who knows, split decisions at the minute with going to a church

  Dear Truthseeker ,   

  I trust the Lord   God   by His own Spirit to lead you and guide you into all truth   By His Own Word and By His own Spirit .
  I was sitting at the  pew   one day when I hear a voice speak to me...     
  After the preacher was   judging a poor man  mowing his lawn ,   the   preacher saw on the way to   his church house .

He was upset this man was not in church , I see this as a twisted  view of what the CHURCH / BODY OF CHRIST   really is ..


The twist of the serpents mind / carnal mind  is to make everyone  believe his lies      or hold them in death     

   The voice asked me "Do you believe this ?"  I said no Lord , you are GOD you can save anyone anywhere   at any time  , YOU ARE GOD !"

Than  why are you here ?

   I took my little children and left and never looked back   ...

   My hope is everyone will hear His Voice and LIVE   ...

   We are told   there comes a time when     with the little ones are no longer "locked up under the law "'  and ministration of death sentence by the teachings of men ,,

  But to lead us to Christ whom is the Light and Life      and glory of the Father    ...

  Walking in the Spirit is a continual   thing , not just at a  service   offered by   those  whom  are holding men   to their  services , saying this is the only way you can enter  heaven    ...  Jesus said I AM  THE WAY AND TRUTH AND LIFE , none can  come to the Father except by Me ....   

  I sure hope this helps some how ..    God bless  :HeartThrob:

Rosered your comments always help! :dsunny:

[Truth seeker]

:cloud9: Condemnation ministers death to the hearer. God corrects but He doesn't condemn, so you know who is behind the voice of condemnation.

All I did was share a dream in the beginning of my walk, that I didn't understand. I was about 8 months "old". This woman who had walked with Him for years, got really riled up and attacked me at my own bible study. It was years before I understood the dream, then I knew why what was in her had attacked me so.

But about 3 days later I was in the bathroom, still feeling the same way I did after she attacked me and HE spoke to me the first sentence above, adding that "condemnation is not of My Spirit, cast in down." I did, and went back to feeling the joy of the Lord and peace.

Years later same woman was at an out of town ministry where she had come to hear the guest speakers, one of whom I knew and knew me, from the net. They invited me to sit with them on the pulpit. I didn't want to be rude and did; for about 15 minutes and then I just couldn't, my spirit combined with things He had taught me, were having a "fit", lol.

Anyway, the woman that had condemned me in my bible study decades before,  when passing by in the line of people to be seated, I overheard her saying to her companions, "Well.....the baby chick has outgrown the other hens." Pretty much shows what spirit it was, doesn't it? Blessings....

so true Cardinal :iagree: thank you.

[Truth seeker]

As I have said, many times, I like to go to church.

I love the music, I greatly believe in sharing the Lord's Supper, I enjoy the sermons, I like to worship with other believers, I like to chat with the people, I like to see and know what they are doing....if it is something worthy, I try to take part......and so on. It grounds me, in many ways, for the week. I am accustomed to church, went my entire life, even as an infant; baptized before I was 2 weeks old.

I like to visit different churches, too. Have friends from all different Christian orientations; like to go to church with them, sometimes. I get to see a piece of them, which I believe is important.

I think we need to be discerning and let the Holy Spirit do what He does best....give us wisdom and insight and teach us the ways of God. He leads us down the road of God's will for us.

I do not get upset with things I don't agree with, but try to use it as a tool to better understand others, and to learn how God is reflected in different ways.

There is no church that I agree with 100%, and my perception of God has changed over the years, and I have every expectation that it will continue to do so. I would not be growing in my walk, if this were not the case. I believe I will grow best, by being open to what God reveals through various experiences, people, places and so on. I like to get 'out there' and experience these things. I know this is not everyone's style and that is okay with me.....but it is my style and I continue to enjoy and actually love my life, in this mode.

My role in church has changed dramatically over the years.....I am less involved in anyone one particular church now. That was definitely not always the case.

The concept of 'church' has also expanded greatly for me, over the years, and I see this as continuing to an even greater degree now.

So, in a nutshell, I enjoy church, but I realize there shortcomings, and I use it as a learning experience, and a spiritual centering for me. This fallen world will never give us even church, in a less than fallen mode, but I believe I should use it to grow in my walk, as best as I am able, with God's grace.

Sorry to repeat some of the things I had said before.....for those who did not read or remember my first thoughts on this matter.



D.                        :2c:

I think its great that you love church and you should continue! I dont want to come across that church is wrong or anything. For me I think for all of us the spirit will guide us in different ways that will bring us closer to God. I used to go to a catholic church with my gran before she passed away when I was young and despite it being quite mechanical (the service) I did enjoy it. These days I have moved to a christian church as I dont agree with Catholicism. I too like talking to people but it does take me time! Even when I was young I would get "oh he`s coming out of his shell now"  as I began to know people. Again I like the music so its not all bad and as you say no church is 100% right. I find at the minute the few church`s I have tried always push the tithe thing/offering or bible study/grow groups and so on. Our service consists of about half an hour of songs then the offering with a video played as to why we are doing this, then a little bit on the bible then today for example it was a study group thats happening costing £15 for a ticket, signing up to a grow group giving email and mobile details so they can call you, selling a book for £8 that someone has wrote on living daily with Jesus and evening and weekly meetings. None of this is bad and we should learn but for me I feel it has to be organic it has to grow and sometimes at our church they come across its their way or no way. The church is part of a group so I understand to a point they are a business so this will be factored in when creating the service. Right now my priority is to know Jesus personally, to understand the truth and to make him know I am trying to do my best. Studying the truth is much bigger than I first thought but if I dont have the foundations right how can I begin to please him and become a light for others to see?

[lastpost]

Us few regulars sang this hymn tonight...


We Love the Place, O God

We love the place, O God,
Wherein thine honour dwells;
The joy of thine abode
All earthly joy excels.

It is the house of prayer,
Wherein thy servants meet;
And thou, O Lord, art there
Thy chosen flock to greet.

We love thine altar, Lord;
O what on earth so dear?
For there in faith adored,
We find thy presence near.

We love the word of life,
The word that tells of peace,
Of comfort in the strife,
And joys that never cease.

We love to sing below
For mercies freely given;
But O we long to know
The triumph-song of heaven.

Lord Jesus, give us grace
On earth to love thee more,
In heaven to see thy face,
And with thy saints adore.


And indeed, I can say that regardless of what others have experienced in their churches, each person that comes to a service in our little church comments on how quiet and peaceful and uplifting and healing is its atmosphere. It is my favourite place on this earth personally, my spiritual home on earth. It is a simple little church. Some need to see God as a grand Ruler with a house stuffed full of earthly treasure, so be it, but we have our Guide and Leader the Master Christ, and His Way is simple and humble.

We also received a little about the Spiritual meaning of Fraternity, not just applying to brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, but indeed to all of God's creation, even those parts which might not seem so lovely to the mind of the body.

The vast inherent responsibility of the children of God to all of creation is generally not given as much consideration as should be, but we are told that the great Parent God is totally aware of even the tiniest sparrow that might fall, and that we, when this brief earth life is over, will be staggered at our own inescapable and inseparable affiliation with all of creation (which extends far, far beyond anything the earthly mind has conceived) because of the very fact we are of God, interconnected, One with Him through His gift to us of life out of Himself.

Yet while the child of the God still chooses to eat of the tree of earthly good and evil, his at-one-ment with the One True God remains beyond his ability to achieve or even recognise that the God within and without is the only one true Reality that is Divinely good.

Also tonight we had our Communion Service as it is the first Sunday of the month. I cannot put into words how close the Saviour is in my consciousness due to this little re-enactment tonight, but suffice it to say that to the open heart the earthly body in which the fullness of the Godhead dwelt was like and yet unlike any other human, for His spiritual might and majestic humility cast abroad the powerful emanations of the Being of Love whom resided in that body - and any free enough from the fear of the world of earthly good and evil, any free from the spiritual pride of the ruling elite who thought themselves the learned pinnacle of all things Divine - such as these were overcome with awe even before their eyes met His, and when their eyes met His they were overcome with love. It did not take His miracles to win over His little flock that should carry His Message through the millennia of the baby stages of the human race, into the millennia of the time of its youth which is yet to come, and on into the full maturity of the children of the earth as they learn their lessons in true love and peace as God intended from the beginning. 

[darryl]

I was  in a  little  country  hell fire and brimstone   church ,  the last one I attended    ,  but had been to many different denominations over the course  of life   , as a child it was Baptist  and  Catholic based  schools  that was offered in our area    as grade schoolers
 

The preacher   was on his way to church    and saw    a man on the lawnmower  and used  as an example of    , he should be in church ,  his   soul is in danger of hell fire  forever !!!   
  Well that   was  the   time a voice spoke to me   pretty plainly , asking , "Do you believe this ?"     My inner  response was NO !  YOU ARE GOD , you can save anyone any time   anywhere  , You are God !   

Than  all that was said was " Why are you here ?"    I got up the children and it was an exodus      ,, I never looked back ,,
  I could never understand the    hate  message  to the lost  , that only their   group was   truly saved and all the falling away  etc ,,,   I see these types as  very carnal / beastly   still ...

  It  does  reminds  me of the  Sons of thunder !   Jesus Come to save mens lives  , not destroy them and    not knowing  what manner of spirit they  are of ..

  It is heartbreaking  , all  one can do is pray for healing ,   the world needs to be healed of sin sickness   ,  pray to the Lord of harvest  to send out the  workers

into His Harvest ..

Where  2 or 3 are gathered in His name HE is in the midst  of them    . :HeartThrob:

Amen !...it feels good to get out from under the umbrella of fear !..it doesn't stop the rain, its full of holes anyway !

[darryl]

In England I go to a nice friendly Methodist Church. The church focuses on the Bible but doesn't teach hellfire.  I enjoy going to my church and being part of the church family.

sounds like a good church..no 'eternal hell fire' preaching !.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Bottom line is: we're all in different places in our walk, and we have to hear the Spirit's instructions for US, individually, which is why we're not to judge another man's "meat". I didn't go for 26 years. I do go OCCASIONALLY, now to where He's placed me, a Messianic fellowship. Blessings..... :HeartThrob:

[Truth seeker]

I have seen a Methodist church I would like to try. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also (dont take this wrong way please) its ran by a female reverend. I have no issue with this but I know it might be biblically??? im still learning so if anyone can help please do or feel free to drop me a pm. :HeartThrob:

[Patinak]

Dandelion and Lastpost,

I especially enjoyed your recent posts in this discussion.
I too attend church Sundays and usually Wed. P.M., along with a 'home' fellowship/bible study/dinner on Thurs. P.M..  I attend Tentmaker every morning when I get up and every night before bed.
When I came to the truth of U.R., a lot of what I read was an effort to convince believers to quit the church scene, and I nearly bought in to it.  What I have discovered though, is that there really is no difference in 'them' and 'us' save some gracious insights from our lord: all of us are God's children, all of us are sinners, all are in need of the same thing.  In the church I attend there are those that think they are the ones with the truth, at Tentmaker there are those that think they are the ones with the truth, no difference; maybe each has a little piece?.  IMO the higher command is to love everyone - from our neighbor all the way to our enemy.  Tough sometimes, but to me this is the command we have been given.
I am fortunate that at my church, the pastor does not preach hell, so this makes it easier for me, even though most are of the 'traditional' hell camp.  To me, this just means that don't have IT, yet!
We are all being refined in our (His) own way.
I can't wait until we are all together in the light with no shadows.  But for now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

Thank you God for this tent and all that dwell here!
Pat

[rosered]

 
  I could not agree with you more  Patinak ,
and humbled by your words     , Thank you  for this post .

We all have experiences  and share and reason with one another ,,,    We are all   so  blessed  of God and do also thank Truthseeker ,  Dandelion  and Lastpost and you for the

positive  influences     of  services  and gathering together    in the LOVE OF GOD ...


Babylon is something within a  human heart  " a  knowledge "    that ceases  and pride is its source  of strength  NOT LOVE ..

  Love is patient love is kind   and anyone   anywhere at any given time  is blessed to be touched by the Love of God  , It is an unforgettable and unmovable

thing when the Lord takes ahold of your life and  gives it meaning and purpose .

I  am thankful also   for those whom continue to be blessed    in the  serving the LORD .

It is the most beautiful thing .

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NASB)

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,


5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;


7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away;


if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;

10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.


11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child;


when I became a man, I did away with childish things


. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.



13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Love conquers all ....... :HeartThrob:   

[rosered]

I was  in a  little  country  hell fire and brimstone   church ,  the last one I attended    ,  but had been to many different denominations over the course  of life   , as a child it was Baptist  and  Catholic based  schools  that was offered in our area    as grade schoolers
 

The preacher   was on his way to church    and saw    a man on the lawnmower  and used  as an example of    , he should be in church ,  his   soul is in danger of hell fire  forever !!!   
  Well that   was  the   time a voice spoke to me   pretty plainly , asking , "Do you believe this ?"     My inner  response was NO !  YOU ARE GOD , you can save anyone any time   anywhere  , You are God !   

Than  all that was said was " Why are you here ?"    I got up the children and it was an exodus      ,, I never looked back ,,
  I could never understand the    hate  message  to the lost  , that only their   group was   truly saved and all the falling away  etc ,,,   I see these types as  very carnal / beastly   still ...

  It  does  reminds  me of the  Sons of thunder !   Jesus Come to save mens lives  , not destroy them and    not knowing  what manner of spirit they  are of ..

  It is heartbreaking  , all  one can do is pray for healing ,   the world needs to be healed of sin sickness   ,  pray to the Lord of harvest  to send out the  workers

into His Harvest ..

Where  2 or 3 are gathered in His name HE is in the midst  of them    . :HeartThrob:

Amen !...it feels good to get out from under the umbrella of fear !..it doesn't stop the rain, its full of holes anyway !

   Dear   Darryl,


The pride of the human  heart controlled by the      carnal mind  id what makes Babylon  so dangerous.

  We are all humbled by    it

   There is much good in  learning of the Lord   and  gathering in the  LOVE OF GOD     , it should be the ONLY motive

  to even endure      "all things "     the Lord released me of a prison  house  , but not all    gatherings are of  Babylon / pride of the human heart ...

GOD KNOWS   it is the truth ...

  I do believe the "gift of discerning spirits "   is also an important   part  of learning     what the  righteousness  of Jesus Christ is in the earth .

    Being humbled is  a   a major   part  of  God working in you ,  to be considerate  of others,  before your own   temptation  of pride to rise up and cause a fall from  Gods good graces  ...



  Philippians 2New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Be Like Christ
2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.


Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;


  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.


5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [The Glory of God, was[ is ]  a servant to all ]


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.


9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing;  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,


holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.  You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Without Love being the motive and of the purest   intent  of the heart   , it will amount to nothing in Gods sight   :sigh:

  That is something to  consider  wholeheartedly       as  a useless branch  to be cut off and burned    in the fire ,  as the pride of life amounts to  nothing .

[lastpost]

Tonight we sang this hymn...

"One There is Above all Others"

One there is, above all others,
Well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother's,
Costly, free, and knows no end.

Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could or would have shed his blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in him to God.

When he lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was his name;
Now above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same.

Oh, for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length, to love;
We, alas! forget too often
What a friend we have above.

We also heard a little more about fraternity which took us closer to the great Heart and Mind of God, and it left me in a state of adoration. To be able to take such wonder and hand it on to someone else is the urging of received love.

Ah yes, as the hymn says: "We, alas! forget too often". Man often holds this and that back for himself when giving, or perhaps he holds back one thing. Not so with God the Giver of all good things. He gives and gives and His greatest joy is to pass on what He has to those willing and able to take.

[darryl]

i dont mind going to church so long as they dont start with the 'eternally lost' stuff..that bugs me.. :doh: :sigh:

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: The important thing to me is that we remain open to the Spirit to lead us as HE wills.

I've been the only white person in a black church for a season, the only white person in an all Native American church for a season, the only "Pentecostal" in a Baptist church for a season, had a weekly bible study with a JW for months that we both enjoyed very much yet we crossed swords over coffee without hurt feelings, ect., ect. If we ourselves seek to be one with Him, then we can find agreement in His SPIRIT alone, and that will edify and lift up everyone. My  :2c:

[Ross]

Christ went through all the tax collectors and other "bad guys. Did not affect Him. He knew fully the plan and intentions of mankind.
We also know that now that he has revealed that plan.
Romans 14 and 15 goes through the church life with reference to the weak and the strong.
Either way, seems to be up to the individual as God develops us.
Paul went away and referred to know one.
Christ had no one pray with Him in Gethsemane.
All will live, but each in his own turn.
We currently live in this age, but a follower of Christ is no longer part of this age. John 17 explains this quite well.
For me to live is Christ. To die is gain. Seems to highlight that concept.
I personally do not attend a church because the leaders threw me out since I did not agree with their doctrines. The people in the church were not even told that information. They think I left and have drifted away from Christ.
I now know more about Him than when in the church.
The truth sets us free. Like Christ knew the Pharisees and scribes were the one causing problems for the people, I.M.O the leaders of the church can be a problem. So depends on their methods. If they are encouraging- sweet. If derogatory, not so sweet. So each church should be checked out if uplifting for us as individuals. All personal beliefs really.
Either way, as Paul says, Christ gets talked about.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Know that feeling. It's taking on the image of sinful flesh and the shame of the cross. They think we're backslid but I was WAY closer to Him after I left when HE told me to. And, of course, to all of them, I'm backslid, lol.....the servant is not greater than the Master and we ought to expect it to come. Same way with believing in UR. Anytime truth is revealed, the tares raise up exponentially.  :Peace2:

[Ross]

:cloud9: Know that feeling. It's taking on the image of sinful flesh and the shame of the cross. They think we're backslid but I was WAY closer to Him after I left when HE told me to. And, of course, to all of them, I'm backslid, lol.....the servant is not greater than the Master and we ought to expect it to come. Same way with believing in UR.

Anytime truth is revealed, the tares raise up exponentially.
:Peace2:

:dsunny: Christ in me, the hope/expectation of all glory. No if's, buts, or maybe's.

[Rhodes]

I personally do not attend a church because the leaders threw me out since I did not agree with their doctrines. The people in the church were not even told that information. They think I left and have drifted away from Christ.

BLESS YOU BROTHER ROSS!!!

Dennis

[Truth seeker]

:cloud9: Know that feeling. It's taking on the image of sinful flesh and the shame of the cross. They think we're backslid but I was WAY closer to Him after I left when HE told me to. And, of course, to all of them, I'm backslid, lol.....the servant is not greater than the Master and we ought to expect it to come. Same way with believing in UR.

Anytime truth is revealed, the tares raise up exponentially.
:Peace2:

:dsunny: Christ in me, the hope/expectation of all glory. No if's, buts, or maybe's.

I dont want to add to what seems a lot of negatives to going to church as I know some get great love from them. I got a call from my friend because I didnt go asking if we are going soon and if im bringing the kids. "dont want you all backsliding do we" was the jist of it. As well as the last time the pastor trying to get us to sign up to a 6 week bible study and "if we couldnt commit then maybe we shouldnt be here" that really hurt me maybe im being sensitive but im fed up of this "we are the church" "the people" then on another note its if your not doing it our way you are not giving anything to God! how is that loving! I find it really enoying that we are to preach the good news  and belief in Jesus will save you and change your heart ect but then its oh but you have to attend our church building, give to our church only, abide by our rules, attend mens breakfast, bible study or pay for certain extra courses.

I would much rarther bring 10 people to know Jesus than try to push 10 people in church.

However I do feel in its right enviroment then church meetings can be great. I went to a tradditional methodist church on Sunday and that was nice no pushy ness. It was my wifes birthday so I didnt hang around but might give it a go again this weekend.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: My clash was almost immediate. After only 3 months, my friend who changed from being Baptist to Spirit filled Pentecostal, decided to join AOG. I was going to COG in another town, where HE literally supernaturally led me to be for my first 3 months. She invited me to see her "ceremony of induction" and I was shocked.

It was not about Him in any way, it was about swearing to uphold the doctrines of AOG and present them in a positive light, ect. I was appalled and later told her I was not pledging allegiance to what amounted to a pile of bricks, and since we had both already passed up most of their teachings anyway, to me she was essentially lying to fit in. I immediately cancelled my own soon coming joining to COG.

I told her beforehand I could not find anywhere in there that it said to join A CHURCH, only that we, ARE THE CHURCH. She had been saved 17 years before, so I figured maybe she knows something I don't and went along for the ride. It was a short trip. For two years, I watched changes in her and told her that it was idolatry, respect of persons, ect., that was crushing the Christ in her.

She must have told her pastor what I said, because it was not long before he publicly from the pulpit, blackballed me from coming there (I had only visited a handful of times at her request mostly), and told his elders they were not to be in my presence, nor let me pray for them at the home bible studies she and I were having together. The problem was the Holy Ghost was doing things and healing people at the bible study, but not in his church, and so many members were coming to the bible study.

Finally, she went to a AOG assembly of 5000 ministers and she was given a vision of Christ in each one, looking at her pleadingly, saying, "Set me free!" She came back and resigned.

You can talk till you're blue in the face, but more often than not, it takes a sovereign act of God to bring someone out of the manmade system that more often than not, sadly, quenches His Spirit. We are to be IN the world (and that includes churches) but we are not to be OF the world. My  :2c: Blessings....