CONFIDENCE & FAITH

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of the Most High.

CONFIDENCE & FAITH,     “WORTH CONSIDERING”    4/22/19   (Across my desk this morning.)

Today’s Scripture
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”  (Hebrews 10:35, NIV)

It Has A Great Reward
Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer to see the answer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It always seems darkest just before the dawn arrives. You serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today, because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise. While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think!

A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to continue believing until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

My Comments:
In the Old Testament there is a scripture that states,  “Where there is no vision the people perish, Prov. 29:18” and in Isa.28 we are told that, 

Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol (the place of the dead) we have made an agreement,
When the overwhelming scourge passes by, it will not reach us,
For we have made lies our refuge and we have concealed ourselves in deception.”

16 Therefore the Lord God says this,

“Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone,
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not [b]be disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].
17 
“I will make justice the measuring line
And righteousness the mason’s level;
Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies
And waters will flood over the secret [hiding] place.
18 
“Your covenant with death will be annulled,
And your agreement with Sheol (the place of the dead) will not stand;
When the overwhelming scourge passes through,
Then you will become its trampling ground.

Isaiah 28:15-18.

Therefore it is very imperative that we find the TRUE VISION of God and what is HIS precious corner stone of security.  And that we place our Faith and Confidence in that which our Creator has directed us to.  Otherwise we can expect a very unhappy ending to our life story.  It is also imperative that we also share that wonderful vision of security during the short time we have been given to live on earth.

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><    www.Trinity-Aloha.org

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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN THE U.S.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/church-membership-in-america-hits-historic-low-new-gallup-report-finds.html

DEPENDABLE

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God

DEPENDABLE,   “WORTH CONSIDERING”      4/20/19     (Across my desk today and pray that you are having a wonderful morning in celebration the resurrection of Christ Jesus as LORD.)

Today’s Scripture
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

It Is Finished
At that moment when Jesus spoke the words on the cross, “It is finished,” it certainly looked like the end. It looked as though it was over. But maybe that wasn’t just a statement of fact; it was a statement of faith. He was saying to His Father, “I’ve done My part. I’ve fulfilled My destiny. Now, I have total trust and confidence that You are going to finish what You started through Me.” Even though it looked like the end, in reality, it was only the beginning.

When it looks dark in your life, when things aren’t going your way, dare to make that declaration of faith just like Jesus, “It is finished.” What you’re really saying is, “God, I know You are going to finish what You’ve begun in my life. You are going to turn things around. I know that You are giving me the breaks that I need. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” Always remember to speak victory over your circumstances because He is faithful, and He will complete what He’s started in you.

A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I thank You that You will complete what You’ve started in my life. Today I choose to put my trust and hope in You knowing that You are working behind the scenes to bring victory to every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

My Comments:

Through the Holy Scriptures it is easy to see that our Creator is constant and dependable and likes it that way.   Just look at the stars or check out an atomic element chart and the precise way things are put together, even you and me.   But the hard part for me is that HE wants to teach me to also be DEPENDABLE,  That my word is my bond.  That what I say that I do.   I have had dealings with so many Christians whose word was more like an ice cube on a hot side walk in the hot sun.     So if we will allow HIM to,  HE will make us in HIS Image,  He has not given up on that intent.   Jesus came to make that possible for us.  But the big issue is can we get the vision to have faith for HIM to help us become a FATHFUL DEPENDABLE people.    The World is very quickly headed in to darkness due to the Christians not being dependable in sharing God’s Holy Truth AS DIRECTED.  So are we learning to become dependable in all that we say and do or yealding to the call of the flesh at the times?  The witness of Christ Jesus is given when you keep your word.   And when it is finished, as Jesus did.  The Holy Spirit will be glad to help us with this if we ask Him to.    Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><     www.Trinity-Aloha.org

Undependable

.   unreliable, bum, capricious, careless, changeable, dubious, erratic, fickle, fly-by-night, inconsistent, inconstant, indefinite, indeterminate, loose, treacherous, trick, tricky, uncertain …

JOY

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

JOY     “WORTH CONSIDERING”    4/18/19     (Across my desk this morning from Joel.)


Today’s Scripture
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  (Psalm 118:24, NKJV)

This is the Day
Every day that we are given is a precious gift from Almighty God. We should wake up every morning with a grateful attitude, full of faith and expectancy for what the Lord has in store. Sure, you may be facing some challenges in your life, or maybe things aren’t going the way you planned. But remember, each new day is a chance to stand strong in the midst of adversity and see the faithfulness of God. Every new day is an opportunity to praise and thank Him, to magnify your God instead of magnifying your problems. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Be glad that God has promised to never leave you or forsake you. Be glad that God has given you a sound, healthy mind. Rejoice that He is making a way where there seems to be no way! Focus on the gift of each and every day and rejoice in what God has done in your life!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for another opportunity to sing Your praises. I choose to set my mind and heart on You. I choose to rejoice and be glad in You in Jesus’ name! Amen.”

My Comments
Biblically JOY is enjoyed when we believe what GOD says about us and we believe it.   Faith and Joy are directly tied together.  One of the verses that comes to mind:  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Heb. 12:2.  In other words, Jesus believed what the Messianic Scriptures told him would happen to the Messiah to solve the sin problem of man.  And HE embraced that truth with faith and joy and obtained the promises for us and Himself.  We are also taught in the Holy Scriptures that those who follow the teachings of Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  2 Tim.3:12.  So if we are living a healthy life in Christ Jesus,  the folks who don’t like the light will try to put our light out.  If no one is trying to put your lights out you may want to check your road map.  Do a study on persecution through the New Testament and find the right road.  But with the persecution come also the JOY and PEACE of GOD, knowing that you are on the right road.  Of course a true walk in Jesus is also covered with a lot of love and aloha.  But if you lovingly share the truth about Jesus, Salvation, Heaven and Hell you can expect persecution but also with Faith and JOY! 

Yours, in HIS great LOVE and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org  (At that home page you will find a link to past “Worth Considering” teachings.) 

WORRY

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

WORRY      “WORTH CONSIDERING”    4/17/19    (On my desk this morning…  VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU.)

Today’s Scripture
“And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?”  (Matthew 6:27 )

Refuse To Worry!
God doesn’t want you to live worried and anxious about anything. He knows that worry is counterproductive. It steals your peace and joy and affects every area of your life, even your sleep! Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” Yes, worrying will actually make you physically ill. You won’t ever gain anything by worrying, in fact it causes you to lose precious moments that you can never live again. The good news is, God has promised to bring you victory over worry. When you make the choice to put an end to worry, God will give you His peace. Decide today to put an end to worry in your life. Don’t feed worry by focusing on bad news all the time. Sure, we should be informed, but we should be most informed of the truth of the Word of God. Choose today to feed your faith and fill your heart and mind with God’s promises. Declare every day, “My God shall supply all my needs. He makes a way out of no way. He is a Restorer and Redeemer.” As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy. You’ll be filled with hope and joy and move forward into the blessings God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
“God, I am weary from worrying. Please help me to stop the soundtrack of needless worry that plays over and over again in my head. I want to place my fears and concerns in Your hands and live in peace knowing that You will fulfill all of your precious promises to me.”

My Comments:
As I look back over my life time of many years it seems that over 90% of the times that I had worry or concern ended up having no basis in fact and did not happen.  And probably the other 10% ended up being good for me in the long run.   There is a supernatural law of GOD at work in the Universe to teach us about ourselves and others and HIM.  It is called sowing and reaping.  It simple means that what you plant, will grow and come back to you only more.  You plant hate, you get hate.  You plant love, you get love.  If you plant weeds, you get weeds and in abundance.  Some say that 5 minutes of anger will shut down our immune system for the whole day.

Also what we do in faith towards GOD makes it possible for HIM to bless us.   What we do in anger, lust, pride and rebellion always ends up being painful for us.   We can learn the same lessons on either side.  On one side is Joy but on the other it is painful.  But eventually most of us learn to try to stay away from pain. 

And of course living in the past is a waste of time,  nothing can be done about it except repentance and restitution if possible.   But to carry a grudge or vendetta is a total waste of today and destroys the potential of the first day of the rest of your life.  And to be concerned about tomorrow is also a waste of time as it is not here yet and so nothing can be changed as we do not know all of the circumstances that will be there for tomorrow.

The Holy Bible teaches that TODAY only, is the day of salvation.  It will always be a today if you get saved from a black eternity.  You can not count on being saved tomorrow as death sometimes comes very quickly and then there is no time left to sort it all out.  So please, for your souls sake, take time today to read John, Acts and Romans in the New Testament,  especially John 3 & Rom.10:9-10.  It is faith that saves us, not works.  The Bible does not teach Karma that good works can out weigh bad.  We are born in a lost world and are born spiritually dead and we have all sinned.  We need a spiritual birth in Christ Jesus as LORD to be forgiven and become spiritually alive.  This can only happen as a TODAY in time,  it may not happen tomorrow.    

 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)   2 Cor. 6:2   And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  Rev.12:10

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org
(This file also contains all of the past “Worth Considering Notes”  as a link on that Home Page.)

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations     Rev.12:10

PROMISE

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of GOD,   John 3:16,   12:24-26,  17:20-26.

PROMISE     “WORTH CONSIDERING”   4/16/19   (Across my desk this morning from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture
“…imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”  (Hebrews 6:12)

Press Towards The Promise
Are you facing a challenge today that seems overwhelming? Through faith and patience, you will see God’s promises come to pass in your life. Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there. Don’t be like the Israelites in the Old Testament who were right next to the Promised Land when they talked themselves out of it. They said, “There are giants in the land. It’s too difficult.” No, don’t look at the obstacles in your life today; lift up your eyes because you serve Almighty God. Follow the example of Caleb who kept his focus on God and said, “Moses, we are well able to defeat these people. Let us go up at once and take the land!” Stand in faith and keep believing because God will take you places that you never dreamed. As you press toward the promise, you will see God’s hand of blessing in your life and He will lead you into your promised land!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, I come to You today choosing to believe Your promises. I lift up my eyes to You, ready to receive Your strength. Fill me with Your faith and patience as I press toward Your promises in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Ken’s Comments:
A long time ago someone asked me,  “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  An interesting thought at the time for a new Christian.  So the thought that came to my mind was,  “If I really believe the promises in the Bible to be of GOD then it goes without saying,  I must share the Gospel (Good News) of the Kingdom of God and the open door of love in the time that is now available.  I have found a peal of great value and others can receive it, as I have, for free.

Jesus taught that the Gospel would be shared to the whole world before time would cease and the new earth and the transition into eternity.  That we should repent, believe and share the Gospel in every way possible.  In fact in Mark 10:29 Jesus tells us that in sharing the Gospel we also save our life for eternity by sharing our faith in the promise.  That the sharing of the Gospel was more important than even family.  In fact Paul considered the sharing of the Gospel more important than his life,  Acts 20:14.  And we find the same thought in Rev. 12:11 at the eviction of lucifer from the heavens:

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The “they” here is the Church of Christ Jesus.  Through Adam’ rebellion lucifer became the god of this world.  Through Christ Jesus and obedience, The CHURCH gets to boot him out in the middle of the Great Tribulation and time of GOD’s Wrath.

You have been invited to be a part of the Victory of Christ Jesus at the end of TIME.
This is the PROMISE.  There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love and obey HIM are members for eternity.   If you believe this Promise,  you will be joyfully sharing the Gospel with everyone.  Christ Jesus is the only key to the door for eternity in light.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><    www.Trinity-Aloha.org  (For past “Worth Considering”  look for the link on this home page.)

INTEGRITY

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

INTEGRITY       “WORTH CONSIDERING”     4/15/19   (On my desk this morning from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…”  (Proverbs 22:1, KJV)

Live In Integrity
What do people think when they hear your name? Do they think, “Oh, that person is always so trustworthy and faithful; they always do the right thing”? Or do they think, “Watch out for that person. You never know what they’re going to do”? You might say, “Oh, I’m a pretty good person. I do the right thing most of the time.” But understand that it’s the little foxes that spoil the vine. God wants us to be people of integrity, people of honor, people who are trustworthy. A person of integrity is open and honest and true to her word. He says what he means and means what he says. She doesn’t have any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. He doesn’t need a legal contract to force him to fulfill his commitments. People of integrity are the same in private as they are in public. They do what’s right whether anybody is watching or not. If you’ll be faithful and choose integrity in the little things, it will be a great treasure in your life. God will pour out His blessing on you as you honor Him all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father God, today I commit to live a life of integrity. I choose a life of excellence and ask for Your hand of favor. Show me any area that is not pleasing to You so that I can continue to grow and increase in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
You know, Joel is really under the microscope due to his life style of a privet jet and 10+ mil home and such but I wonder if  he should be?  Perhaps he has a ministry to the rich in Texas and the royalties of his books have provided this?  I understand that he takes no salary from the church.  I knew Joel’s dad,  John,  and ministered with him in Honolulu and he was an extraordinary man of GOD.  Some say that the apple does not fall far from the tree.  David was also very rich and blessed by GOD.  We should be careful of Jealousy, Greed and Gossip here.  Judgement belongs to GOD.

But you know,  the daily scriptures that he sends out to his congregation and to those who request them do have a lot of very positive faith as today.  They are short so do not cover the whole subject but I find them very helpful and thought provoking and “Worth Considering.”

This one on INTEGRITY is well worth considering.  My Great Grandfather was a man truly of integrity.  If Frank Andrew Peffer said that he would do something, you could take it to the bank.   GrandPa had a profound faith in GOD,. though not much of a church man.   God told him to keep his saving on the farm in a little safe in coins and he did.  And he owed no man anything.  Our family went through the great depression of 1929 like it never happened.  We never missed a meal and fed many that were hungry.  Our Creator has integrity and He loves it when we absorb that attitude in our character as well.  And out of it comes good prayer communications and good talks with the Holy Spirit of God.   I know some Christians who really love the LORD but  have no integrity at all and rarely,  if ever,  keep their word.   Integrity in Christ Jesus is well worth working on.  It is a big part of our witness to the world that Christ Jesus is LORD.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org    (Back issues of “Worth Considering” may be found by clicking the link on our web site.)

AUTHORITY

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AUTHORITY    4/`4/19     by Ken Smith    “WORTH CONSIDERING”     www.Trinity-Aloha.org:

From the creation of man with a free will,   AUTHORITY  has been a basic issue.  We tend to be a rebellious bunch and no one likes authority.  We find ourselves in an earth school to learn obedience but few of us will graduate into God’s eternity because we cheated and obstructed and did not learn.

The big question?  How to create in your image, (LOVE) that has free will that will not abuse the freedom and become destructive like lucifer, Adam, Nimrod,  Ahab,  Judas and many others?

So in the WISDOM of God HE placed this creation into a  capsule of time in a different dimension in order to set up a school to learn how to use free will in a positive way.   This would prevent man from being destructive to the Universe.  Which also means:  devastating, ruinous, disastrous, catastrophic, calamitous, cataclysmic; pernicious, noxious, environmentally unfriendly, harmful, damaging, injurious, hurtful, wounding, violent, detrimental, deleterious, disadvantageous, ravaging, crippling, savage, fierce, brutal, dangerous, fatal, deadly, lethal, death-dealing.  My daily WHT (West Hawaii Today) sells it’s papers recording such events every day.  

Of course in God’s Foreknowledge He already know what would happen and what it would take to fix the pride and rebellion issues.  And also that most of the creation would end up rejecting His solution due to pride and rebellion and would need to be boxed and restricted as He also made the human soul to be Eternal.

So He established boundaries and a time line for His creation to be completed.  And it would seem that our solar system is the boundary and 7,000. years is the time line.  The reason I think this way is that Peter treats a God day as a 1,000 years and the last 1,000 years is spelled out as a Sabbath Rest or like a Sunday.   And in the Revelation Jesus tells John that God in the Eternal Kingdom would destroy the heavens and earth with no more sun or sea and recreated it as His dwelling place.  And He has invited those who have submitted to being reformed into His Image to become His family as Kings, Priests and Ambassadors.  Of course those who embrace this calling will have become truly humble and obedient by Love, Faith and Choice (free will).  There will be no need for a heavenly police force or place of incarceration.  The former things we are told will have all passed away.

So the Bible tells us for lack of a vision the people perish.  So for me, the above vision is what I have gleaned from the words of the Prophets of God for over 1500 years and in 66 different writings.  And most of all, for me, it is totally logical and consistent in all 66 writings.

So if you like having the feeling that your are the master of your own destiny.  And are determined to be your own boss; you could stop at this point.   As the rest of what I will be writing about is how to embrace humility, and to find those who have light and become obedient To our Creator in humility.

So first, where do we start if we want to be formed into the Image of God and live with Him for Eternity.  We have to find out where we are before we can get the map to where we want to go.  The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God..  So that is the starting place.   Not what people say that the Prophets teach but what exactly did they teach when under the power of the Holy Spirit.  And you can prove anything by scripture if it is taken out of context and relationship with other scriptures on the same subject.  Isaiah 28.

So what are the ground rules?

1.    God never changes His mind or changes direction.  With total Foreknowledge He does not need to.

2.    Truth with GOD is the same from beginning to end.  Genesis starts with a lamb and the Rev. ends with the LAMB.   Our understanding can change but the eternal principle never changes.

3.    God will never want you to submit to someone who who can influence your life away from HIM and HIS Truth.  So you are personally responsible for checking thing out from the Holy Scriptures yourself which are able to make you wise unto salvation.

4.    When you are on track, the fruit will be of the Holy Spirit and the final product will look, smell and taste like Christ Jesus.  Christ Jesus is God’s perfect example of what God would like to do with you and me through repentance, forgiveness,  love, humility and obedience.   The Creator wants to fill us with Love, Holiness and Power but first we must become faithfully obedient.

5.    The process of Sanctification is to destroy the works of darkness, pride and rebellion that we were born into through Adam’s disobedience.  It is the process of setting us free from the Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life..  The Word of God states that in Adam, all died, but in Christ Jesus shall all be made alive.  So a faith relationship with God’s dimension of eternity starts with a relationship with Christ Jesus here in time.

6.    It is like the story that Jesus tells of the pearl of great price, to sell all you have to buy.   It is like the hidden treasure in the field, to sell all you have an buy the field.  It is like the 5 foolish virgins that missed out as they had money left in the pocket but not enough oil for their lamps and and were rejected.   It is like the guy invited to the wedding and not coming in the garment offered but in his own clothes and was tossed into outer darkness.   I you don’t fully see the vision for what the Heavenly Father want to do with you in eternity, it will be difficult to trade this temporary life of toys in for the eternal life that has the real stuff.  

7.    Being a Biblical New Testament Christian means to have a total change of life style.  The Bible teaches that if you love the world you are an enemy of GOD.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is of the world but he that does the will of GOD lives forever.  The so called church today is very indulgent in their teachings.  Some call it sloppy agape and greasy grace.  It is a product of the voice of the people but it is not from the Word of God.  When Christ Jesus comes to take HIS CHURCH home she will be a powerful match for HIM in Love, Holiness and Power.  She will bring HIS GLORY to the UNION in being joined to HIM for eternity in a new heaven and a new earth that stands tall in righteousness.

This is a beginning effort concerning a study on Authority and I am open to suggestions and/or questions.  There are so very many who think of themselves as being OK due to a selective,  do good,  self judgment but have neglected to verify every thing that they believe by the Word of God. 

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy,   Ken<><    www.Trinity-Aloha.org

HOUSE CHURCH

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

HOUSE CHURCH,      “WORTH CONSIDERING”   4/13/19

As we check out the Holy Bible for details of the Early Church that started after the resurrection of Christ Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.   As there were no Christians until Jesus Christ came into the Upper Room and in John 20:22 the Disciples were born from above as per John 3:7-8.    And after 50 days at Pentecost the Disciples then received the Holy Spirit  for wisdom and power for their ministry.

Actually the Gospels were written as a transition from the Old Testament (will) under the LAW to the New Testament (will) under GRACE.  So in the Gospels you will find things that pertain to the Law of Moses and also things that pertain to the Church that was yet to be built in Christ Jesus.  The use of the LAW was set aside as being unprofitable and replaced by LOVE as the motivation.

So for the first Early Christians what did the “Church” look like?

First off, there is not one word in the New Testament concerning building a building.   Not that we should take any buildings down.  But only that there is a far better way of having church that we need to consider.  With big building we also assume the maintenance and upkeep which are extensive.  Some how along the line the Christian House Churches came under the pagan influence of having a big beautiful building.  And then the building took on the name Church.   Actually the Greek word for church means “called out ones” or the people.
So actually the people are the church and not the building. 

Second, The Elder/Pastors of the Early Church was self supporting.   So that gifts and offerings that were given to the LORD went for evangelism and helping the poor who were in need.   And along with that there is no scripture concerning tithing in the New Testament Church.

So in searching the Holy Scriptures these verses come into view:

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  Acts 2:46

and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,  Acts 20:20

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epænetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.  Romans 16:5

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)  1 Cor. 16:15.

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.  1 Cor 16:19

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.  Col.4:15

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.   Titus 1:11

So we see by these verses that the Early Church (which were the people) were meeting together each week in homes to study the scriptures together and to lift up Christ Jesus as LORD,  Eph.4:11-16.  They were getting to know each other and to minister to each other which some call “Body Life Ministry.”  They were coming together to help each other to be sanctified and to lean how to fulfill their ministry in the Holy Spirit with maturity and power.  The Early Church was an interactive family kind of a forum.   It was not the normal theater church.

Also the Elders that were called of the LORD to oversee HIS CHURCH would come together each week and lean better how to serve the LORDS flock and to learn to hear and obey the Holy Spirit.  The Early Church was supervised by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God.

So a few of us have began coming together to learn how to develop a Holy Spirit “House” church at Ken’s Home in Kealia.   It is off to a shaky start but the potential is there.  The Pot Blessing Fellowship begins at 6 PM and we are seeking to work our way towards being a healthy New Testament House Church in UNITY by the Holy Spirit each Friday.   The address being 85-5445 Mamalahoa Hwy.  As of this time we are yet very unorganized.  Some high places need to come down and some low places need to come up.  But the ultimate goal is to see Christ Jesus lifted up in all of HIS GLORY.
 

If you have any questions, please get back to me.   ken@Trinity-Aloha.org

Yours, in HIS great love,  Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org     (At this web page you will find a link:  “WORTH CONSIDERING” with teachings on other subjects.)


HONOR

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

HONOR       “WORTH CONSIDERING”   4/12/19     (Received from Joel today.)

Today’s Scripture
“Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there…He was amazed at their lack of faith.””(Mark 6:4–6, NIV)

Faith and Honor
Did you know that honor and faith work together? When Jesus walked the earth, the people in His own hometown couldn’t believe that He was the Son of God because they were too familiar with Him. They didn’t honor Him, which affected their ability to have faith in Him. When you honor the Lord, when you respect and make room for Him in your life by following the Word of God, it impacts your faith in Him. Part of honoring the Lord is honoring the people He’s placed in your life. God works through people, and the Bible says that the way you treat others is the way you treat Him. Choose to honor people and make room for the Lord to work in your life today. Look for the greatness in the people around you: your spouse, your children, your friends and family. Treat others with respect, knowing that God is building His character in you. As you choose honor, you open the door for faith to grow. You’ll see God’s hand working in your life, and you will see His hand of blessing on everything you do!

 A Prayer for Today
“Heavenly Father, today I choose to honor You by honoring the people You have placed in my life. Show me how to love others the way You love me so that faith will grow stronger in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
Many things come to my mind and heart on this subject today.   Honor and Faith go together.  5 times in the new testament is the verse concerning a prophet of God without Honor  (Honour,  old spelling) mentioned.  This means the folks missed out.  Jesus could not do many mighty works in HIS home town due to the dis-honor.   “They that receive a prophet in the name of a prophet receive a prophets reward.”

In Matt.  15:8,  Jesus mentions the difference between mouth and heart honor as in hypocrisy.  In Matt.19:19 HE reminds us to honor our parents.  And in John 5:41-44 that true honor is from God alone.  And that if we truly serve Christ Jesus as LORD we will be honored by our Heavenly Father.  And if we dishonor Christ Jesus we will suffer the consequences. 

Actually it is faith/honor that makes it possible for us to help one another.   When some one has faith/honor for me it tends to draw out the best in me and make me grow into God’s original design for me.  In 1 Pet.2:17 we are instructed to have honor for all including our political leaders.  In The Revelation, Honour, is mentioned over and over again concerning Christ Jesus. So in reality it means we should have the love and humility to seek out what HE teaches and do what HE instructs us to do.  This would be to HONOR HIM as LORD.

And if I am treated like a child,  I will tend to be drawn into being childish.  That is why many men have not reached out to grow up and take responsibility. 

In our dictionary, honor is defined:
 

  1. 1.    high respect; great esteem.

    “his portrait hangs in the place of honor”

    synonyms: distinction, privilege, glory, tribute, kudos, cachet, prestige, fame, renown, merit, credit, importance, illustriousness, notability; More

  2. 2.
    adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct.

    “I must as a matter of honor avoid any taint of dishonesty”

    synonyms: integrity, honorableness, honesty, uprightness, ethics, morals, morality, principle, (high) principles, righteousness, rectitude, nobility, high-mindedness, right-mindedness, noble-mindedness;

    		 

Might want to try honoring one another more and see if it does not change things a bit.  Yours in His Great LOVE and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org for back issues of these teachings.    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    GREAT QUOTES from LEONARD RAVENHILL    "If a Christian is not having tribulation in the world, there´s   something wrong!"     "Our seminaries today are turning out dead men."     "Finney never made an altar call within the first twenty eight nights   of preaching. Most of our evangelists don´t have twenty eight   sermons. Twenty eight nights in a row and he never made an altar   call. He didn´t preach the love of God. He didn´t say "you´re a   sinner, God loves you." He said "God is angry with the wicked   every day" (Ps 7:11) which the Word of God says... He didn´t   preach love, he preached judgment... He didn´t say "you´re a   wonderful person" he said  "you´re a rebel". But he got results.   64% of D. L. Moody's converts backslid, 72% of the converts   Finney got stood because he knew how to attack the human   will, not just the emotions." -- Leonard Ravenhill.     "A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet   reaches your conscience."      "What good does it do to speak in tongues on Sunday if you have   been using your tongue during the week to curse and gossip?"     "How can you pull down strongholds of Satan if you don´t even   have the strength to turn off your TV?"     "Everyone recognizes that Stephen was Spirit-filled when he was   performing wonders. Yet, he was just as Spirit-filled when he was   being stoned to death."

VICTORY

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

VICTORY,     “WORTH CONSIDERING”    4/10/19    (In my mailbox today from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”  (Isaiah 40:29, NIV)

He Gives Strength
Have you ever felt backed into a corner about a particular situation, and you couldn’t see a way out? We’ve all felt trapped and overwhelmed by the circumstances of life at one time or another. Be encouraged today because the Bible says in Isaiah that when you cry to God for help, as soon as He hears, He will answer you! He will give you strength when you are weary and increase your power when you feel weak. No matter what is going on in your life today, God is greater than any obstacle or difficulty you may be facing. Do you need strength today to overcome a challenge in your life? Do you need power to stand strong in the midst of a storm? Call on Him and He will hear you. The answer is on the way while the words are still on your lips! Open your heart and by faith receive His strength and might, and let Him empower you to live in victory all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, thank You for hearing and answering my prayers. Fill me with Your strength and power today. I give You my whole heart and ask that You remove anything from my life that isn’t pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Thoughts:
The complete thought of Isaiah 40:28-31 looks like this:  (28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.)

At 86 now, I often really feel drained mentally and physically.  Things that use to be easy have now become difficult.  Things that I was able to do very fast have become slow and even sometimes impossible.  But I find that as I have faith and am in the right place doing the right thing with a “sound mind” ( 2 Tim.1:7)  that I am getting things done that I have never done before.  That as I walk with a Rom.8 overview and see things as GOD sees them,  I don’t get trapped in the minutia like I use to.  You know, the quick-sands of life where even if you win you have lost ground.  That the time is gone, the money is gone or ???? and the former good relationship with some one has been damaged and perhaps destroyed over nothing important at all.  In Romans 8,  Paul teaches us this concept in verse 11-14:  11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God. and in verses 35-37:  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

So from GOD’S point of view our understanding of time is totally immature and bogus.  Time is only a school room experience from God’s point of view.  In HIS Eternity, that HE has invited us into,  there is nothing but time.  In fact HIS dimension is totally without time.  So if by faith we see ourselves as in Heb.11:13 as only “Pilgrims” who are passing though.  Passing through a short temporary time of training in the temporary dimension of time it puts a totally different value on “stuff” and the yours and mine concept.  Personally I need to be reminded of this very often or I start counting beans and get into trouble as Peter teaches us:  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  1 Peter 2:11.

So want to get rid of the feelings of weakness and quit being weary?   Then by faith enter into the Eternal point of view through love, humility and obedience to the LORDSHIP of Christ Jesus.  HE came for the foolish, weak, base, despised and nothings of this world, 1 Cor.1:26-31,  He came so HE could re-create us to be restored to HIS IMAGE as was HIS original vision and design,   Gen.1:27,  Rev. 21:1-8.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,  Ken <><   (Former Blogs may be found at www.Trinity-Aloha.org    the link is under “WORTH CONSIDERING” at the bottom of the page, left side.)