HOUSE CHURCH 101

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BIBLICAL CHURCH STRUCTURE HOUSE CHURCH 101, 3/31/18   by Ken Smith
First of all, Christ Jesus said that HE would build HIS Church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.  That HIS Church would see the victory over death, hell and the grave and go to heaven in Glory.  That HIS Church would make herself ready by the blood of the Lamb, the word of her testimony and love not her life unto death.  Rev.12:11, John 12:24-25.
There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who truly love and obey HIM are members.
There was no beginning and there is no end.  But God did create a time capsule of 7,000 years in which to create HIS family in HIS image.  It began with Adam and it ends with God making a new heavens and a new earth that is righteous.  We are now about 6,000 years into that time capsule.
2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The 7th, 1000 years is the Sabbath Rest of the week.
Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4.And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection
GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, FATHER…  Source of all power and matter in the universe.
GOD the Father Almighty above all, existing in three forms as Father, Word and Holy Spirit. The Almighty’s presence is a consuming fire into whose presence  no human can enter and live. No man except Christ Jesus as ever seen GOD, The Father, Almighty.
Heb.12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  29 For our God is a consuming fire. Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
The Word is the creative part of the GOD force that made the galaxies and the world in which we live.  Those who allow HIM to become LORD and learn to be obedient in love and humility will go on into eternal light and HIS presence where the dimension of time does not exist.  Those souls who reject this relationship will be expelled into a  body-less eternal darkness.
The Holy Spirit was sent to earth by Christ Jesus to share the good news of GOD’s love and to help share the way of redemption.  HE was also sent to establish the Church of Christ Jesus on earth and make ready for the Church to clean house.  Then to be united with Christ Jesus and set up again the Kingdom of David and rule for a thousand years with the Church as HIS rod of iron in maintaining peace during this time.  In this time all of the promises to Abraham will be completely fulfilled.  At the end of this capsule of time of 7,000 years God Almighty will dissolve time and make a new heaven and earth that is eternal in HIS eternal dimension for HIS new family.
OK, there you have it, the plan of the ages.  GOD, The Almighty, wants to create a family that will enjoy loving HIM and obeying HIM to the place that there will never again be fear or a prideful rebellion.  HE has extended HIS invitation to all to come and drink of HIS waters of life freely.
SO WHERE DO WE START ?
Why trust the Bible in preference to other sources?
    Frankly, the folks who sincerely explore the Bible tend to be very good people.     The teachings of Christ Jesus are the only teachings the deal thoroughly with pride.     As I look at the foundations of creation I see a totally balanced intelligent design.     The testimony of the folks who have found faith through the Bible is awesome.     The Old Testament prophesies concerning the life of Jesus are extremely accurate.     As I read or listen to the New Testament I find a life and faith beyond my own.     So many men and women of faith have died painfully rather than renounce their faith.     Personally, I have experienced the power of Biblical faith in healing and deliverance.     As a test, simply consider deeply the little books of John, Acts and Romans and see what you think.
Christ Jesus, in the Bible, teaches that in the end of the “Age of the Gentiles” will come a time when the darkness will get very dark and the light will get very bright, Matt.24, Mark 13, Luke 21. Seems to me that this is what is happening in our world today.  The Bible teaches that in that time that the church of man will become a powerless institution without the Spirit of God and to turn away from that emptiness, 2 Tim.3,  and find a gathering of folks simple seeking to become like Jesus.  So what does a Biblical Church look like,
First of all it looks like a family or a flock of sheep enjoying being in unity and guarded by a good shepherd that they follow due to their trust and good  protection and good food and water.
There is absolutely no manipulation in a Biblical Church as God always honors our free will and will not violate or manipulate our free will so all are there in unity by choice.  Love can not exist unless totally free.
The Biblical Church meets where ever there is freedom and any love offerings given should be used for missions and to help the poor. Usually a Biblical Church is rather small so that the Pastor can know and be known of the flock.  This is usually not much more than about 70 people before the Church needs consider dividing and to have another elder/pastor confirmed of the Holy Spirit for a new “House” Church as noted in the New Testament.
Each Elder/Pastor would find it helpful to also be training or mentoring another pastor.  And all of the elders in a local area should come together once each week to keep the “Unity of the Faith in the bond of Peace.” and resolve issues objectively in the Holy Spirit.  Eventually, a given area should have hundreds of “House Church” gatherings and saturate and area for the lifting up of Christ Jesus, Eph.4:11-16.
The basic approach to the House Church gathering is simple like the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.   The Early Church followed the Temple guide in Acts 2:41-47.   This is not in any way or must be done all the time kind of a guide line.  It is simply a very good way to bring folks into the Kingdom of God.  But the Holy Spirit will guide a gathering into the best way to meet all of the needs of the people who have taken the time and energy to come.
The Tabernacle was divided in to 3 areas, Outer Court (door, alter, laver) then the Inner Court (show bread,  prayer, body life ministry) and then the Holy Place.  In the Early Church the door was the Testimony of Christ Jesus, The Altar was the ministry of the WORD OF GOD) and the laver was the Agape Meal.  Then the LORD’s supper, Prayers, And the Saints ministered to one another in the Holy Spirit.  And finally the gathering came to the Elders for any final needed ministry.  These 7 steps brought a soul from the carnal world into the presence of GOD for the ministry to their needs. God’s power and love becomes obvious in HIS healing and deliverance.
Meetings can be conducted on any evening and go as long as anyone that is there needs ministry.  If the gathering is in three stages then folks can leave if not interested at any time without feeling uncomfortable about leaving.  But gatherings are more powerful when everyone present is in faith with what is going on.   The Church is not a Theater it is a yielding to the Holy Spirit and you never know what HE is going to do.  The gathering is an interactive Forum where the Holy Spirit presides and the elders assist to keep order and keep the wolves from taking over..   One week may be more evangelical, another may have more healings and yet another may be more a time of intense deliverance.  Some time a Prophet will be led to make corrections or a Teacher to give a teaching on Faith as per the Holy Spirit.  The gathering works best when the Elders in charge support the Holy Spirit in what HE would like to do at the time. And to also make sure that false doctrine and divisions are dealt with in love very quickly.
Usually, in building a new fire,   it has been my experience for the Holy Spirit to first bring in the leadership and get them trained in basket building.   Then comes the heart training in the Fruit of the Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit and the Ministries of the Spirit.  I had just completed a study on this for Friday but my computer deleted it????  Punched the wrong key I guess.  So I will do it again and perhaps make it better.   But this, I hope will help a bit for Friday.
Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

REAL FAITH

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Saved and Un-Saved,  Beloved of God.

REAL FAITH,      “WORTH CONSIDERING”    Across my desk this morning from Joel’s ministry….

Today’s Scripture
“And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”(Galatians 2:20, ESV)

The God Kind of Faith
Faith is all around us. People have faith in so many different things: faith that a friend will be true, faith that your job is taking you on a certain career path, faith that the chair you are sitting on is going to hold you up! Faith is simply believing in something. But there are different kinds, or levels, of faith. I’ve discovered two kinds of faith—a delivering faith and a sustaining faith. Delivering faith is when God instantly turns your situation around. When that happens, it’s great. But I believe it takes a greater faith and a deeper walk with God to have sustaining faith. Sustaining faith is when God takes you through the difficulty. You are filled with doubt, anxiety, fear, and bitterness. But when you know that God is in control, and even if you go through the difficulty, you know He will take care of you. You can say, “God, I don’t care what comes against me, I don’t care how long it takes, this thing is not going to defeat. I know that You loved me and gave Yourself for me. As long as You are for me, that’s all that matters.”

A Prayer for Today
“Heavenly Father, today I humbly open my heart to You. Use me for Your glory and have Your way in my life. I choose to believe in You and invite You to believe through me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
This was good this morning as we all go thought the refining process in Christ Jesus like silver of being heated up, junk skimmed off,  cooled down to only be heated up again for more junk to be skimmed off by the Holy Spirit.   We faithful are in a process which the Bible teaches is sanctification,  to be made holy.  And those of us who will embrace the process in faith will eventually look like Jesus.  Silver is pure when the reflection when the Creator can see a perfect reflection.  HIS original intent was to make us in HIS IMAGE and HE has not given up.   But you can remove yourself from the process at any time and remain as you are as our Creator has given each of us a free will.  So if you want to check out where you are,  deeply read Heb. 11.  You will find that faith is both substance and evidence,  and that is Real Faith, all by itself.   Also that “Real Faith” produces action.  It is by faith that the Creator converted the first energy into matter and into atoms and cells and into you and me.  And it is by HIS faith that all is held together as it is.  There is also a book called “The Real Faith” by Charles Price,  a wonderful little book on the difference between head faith and heart faith.  Try to get a copy for your library.  Really worth the effort.

So if you are really on the road to being sanctified you will also have a deep concern for family and friends who are traveling on one or another of the many dead ends and detours erected by the enemy to keep us out of the house of GOD.  But if you have no deep concern for souls to find the Light of God, you may not be on the WAY that Jesus came to have us walk on.  Jesus gave the message of reconciliation to HIS Church to give to the world.  He trusted HIS Church to live HIS message and to also share HIS message,  John 17.   This is Faith in Action.  James records that faith without action is dead or phony.   If you truly believe the bridge is out you are going to want to hold up a sign to help keep folks safe and from going over the edge into a black eternity.  True Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Sunday messages can help but the primary source of faith is your Holy Bible.  Many Sunday messages are for the building of stuff or a denomination.  That will not get the job done.   There is but one CHURCH of CHRIST JESUS and all who really LOVE and OBEY HIM are members.  There is but one “Body of Christ” of which HE alone is the head.  We are called by our Creator to assist in the building of the future KINGDOM of CHRIST JESUS.

My personal faith and vision at this point in time is to be a part of a fellowship “House Church” that has faith to go by the BOOK.  And to see that fire and example saturate the Big Island of Hawaii.  I was called in 1969 by GOD to come to Hawaii Island for that purpose and I am still learning how to do it from the Holy Spirit.   And I fully realize that I can not complete the vision by myself.  But I have faith that GOD can make it happen even at my age.   Yours,  in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><    (This Blog may be found at www.Trinity-Aloha.org   linked to “WORTH CONSIDERING” for past issues.)

REVIVAL

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

REVIVAL     “WORTH CONSIDERING”   4/4/19    (Not much I could add to what Andrew has written here but deeply worth considering.

——– Forwarded Message ——–

Subject: [revival] “A CALL to ACTION” – Andrew Strom
Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2019 21:20:29 +1300
From: REVIVAL List <prophetic@revivalschool.com&gt;
Reply-To: prophetic@revivalschool.com
To: anzac@welovegod.org


“A CALL to ACTION”  by Andrew Strom
Let me start with a warning. This is to be a blunt and outspoken piece. It is deliberately designed to be a challenge to our complacency. The Scripture tells us that, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the VIOLENT take it by force.” So why is it that so many of us are passive and nullified by a kind of ‘fatalism’ that declares “Whatever will be will be”? That is not true Christianity. True Christianity has always been a WAR and battle for the souls of men.

I have been guilty of this “fatalism” myself. And there are some on this List who have been “waiting” for so long that to get out of their peace-time mode would takes a lightning bolt and a shaking far beyond what is healthy. I find it sad that it is not just the CHURCHES that need a good “shake” but some of us so-called ‘Revival’ types as well! There are some here who are about as “violent” as marshmallows. It is high time for that to change.  To those who say that we should still be in “waiting” mode, I pose this simple question: When does the ‘wait’ end? When entire generations have been lost? When millions upon millions sitting in our churches are eternally ruined? Is the devil to “take the youngest” forever?

I love the Scripture from the story of David and Goliath that says, “And David spoke to the men that stood near him, saying, What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God?” (1 Sam 17:26). And the record tells us that with no armour and with 5 smooth stones as his only weapon, David RAN FULL-TILT towards that Philistine, to see His God avenged and his people’s reproach removed.   We hear a lot about people with “a heart like David” in these last days. Let me tell you – David was a man of WAR. A man of action. He would not put up with His God being put to an open shame. I wonder where the Lord will find His “Davids” today?

We live in one of the darkest hours in the history of our planet. “As it was in the days of Noah and Lot” declares the Scripture, and so it rapidly becomes. So where is the light shining in this darkness? Is it you? Is it me?  Or do we slumber on?

Some of us have been “waiting” for 20 years for the right time. Are we never to act at all? Do we just float on, excusing our lack of urgency and burden with the trite reply that we are “waiting on the Lord”? Will such feeble reasonings ever find a hearing in the courts of God?

There is a battle raging. It has never ceased. It is the battle for the hearts and souls of men. Let the “spectators” and idle onlookers clear the field. Let those without courage or urgency or burden retire from the scene. It is time for God’s “mighty men of valor” to come
forth. The hour is late and the time will soon arrive when no man can work. “In season and out of season” said Paul, and it is time for us to heed his words. If ever there was an hour for the “Gideon’s 300” it is now.

Years ago God spoke these words to me: “WHO DARES WINS”. It is not enough to simply pray. For many have prayed and yet not taken the kingdom. And neither is it enough to prophesy. For many have brought endless “words” and yet the kingdom remains undisturbed. The
phrase “Who DARES Wins” is the motto of the British SAS – men of action who operate behind enemy lines and who revel in courage and fighting spirit. So it will be with the end-times servants of God.  If you don’t have the stomach for it, hang back and do nothing. Nobody will notice.

But let those who have been prepared of God in the caves and the deserts come forth. You have awaited a trumpet blast. Do you not hear it?
Gird up your loins, you mighty men. Prepare for war.  Arm of the Living God, put on strength! The Lord is about to arise and scatter His enemies. Can you not sense it?  Let the modern John-the-Baptists come forth.

Special blessings to all.  Andrew Strom.

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APPLES

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 ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS, Beloved of God.

APPLES,     WORTH CONSIDERING,    4/3/19   (Across my desk this morning.)
    
Today’s Scripture
“Keep me [in Your affectionate care, protect me] as the apple of Your eye”  (Psalm 17:8, AMP)

The Apple of His Eye
God loves and values you so much today. You are the apple of His eye; you are His most prized possession! In this day and age, people are considered to be important for so many different reasons—titles, position, possessions, where you go, what you drive. But God’s value system is very different from the value system of the world. If you’ve ever thought that God has too many other important things on His plate to be concerned with you and your life, know this today—you are God’s biggest deal. And there’s nothing you can do to be more important or less important. God values you today simply because He made you, and your value will never change. You are significant. Your life is significant. The things that concern you, concern God. He carefully watches over every detail of your life, and there is nothing too big or too small for His attention. You’re not inconveniencing God by asking for help in your everyday life. God wants to be good to you. He wants to show you His favor in new ways. He’s saying today, “I dare you to ask.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, thank You for loving me today. Thank You for making me the apple of Your eye. I open my heart to You today and cast every care on You.”

My Comments:
This one really takes me back.  When a little boy on the farm in Kentucky, my favorite place was the apple tree out in the back yard.  Come fall it was loaded.  Don’t really care to remember how many green apples I ate waiting for them to get ripe.  But when ripe they were all picked and put into the fruit cellar for pies and apple butter later in the cold winter.  However, I would go raid the bin for an apple now and then.  And I can remember my Aunt Sue, would stomp, yelling through the floor,  “Don’t eat the good ones.”   She wanted the bad apples gone as they would rot out the good apple next door along with them in turning them also into a brown stinking mush. 

So also on planet earth there are apples who have submitted to Christ Jesus as LORD for a new start and are becoming sanctified but most have not.   Most are bruised and wormy,  can be salvaged to some degree but need to be cared for or will totally rot out.    The verse above Psalm 17:8, goes on to say:  “hide me under the shadow of thy wings,  from the wicked that oppress me,  from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.  They are enclosed in their own fat:  with their mouth they speak proudly…..  an on…  Context is very important in Holy Scripture,  Read the whole Psalm.  So David is submitting to and calling on GOD to protect him from the other rotting apples.  This is a choice as we tend to become like the apples that we choose to associate with.  At the end of this Psalm, David’s faith is to be found after death in the KINGDOM of GOD with the likeness of Christ Jesus.  Hope that is where you are headed as well.  Yours, in HIS great love,  Ken<><   (Other “Worth Considerings”  may be found:  www.Trinity-Aloha.org

WORLD NEWS —————————————————————————————————————————————–
Born Again Christians Continue Declining, Only Minority Believe They Must Share the Gospel: Survey
https://www.christianpost.com/news/born-again-christians-continue-declining-only-minority-believe-they-must-share-the-gospel-survey.html

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ASK

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

ASK     “WORTH CONSIDERING”   4/2/19   (Across my desk this morning.)

Today’s Scripture
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”(Matthew 7:7, NIV)

Just Ask
Is there an area of your life that you need God’s help in? A lot of times, it’s easy to think that we’re not supposed to ask for too much, but the Scripture encourages us to go to God with all our needs. He longs to give you the desires of your heart and pour out His favor and blessing on you. In fact, the apostle James said, “You have not because you do not ask” (James 4:2). When you step out and ask for God’s favor, His blessings and His increase, you are activating your faith. And when you pray, ask Him to search your heart and mind. See if there is any unforgiveness that is blocking your prayers and affecting your relationship with Him. The other person may have been wrong, they may have hurt you deeply, but there is nothing on this earth that is worth losing your peace with Almighty God. Today, when you pray, choose forgiveness and don’t let anything stand in the way of the good things God has in store for your future!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, I humbly come to You and surrender all that I am. I ask that You pour out Your favor and blessing on me. Show me Your goodness and love and position me to be a greater blessing to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

My Comments:
This is a great message today to reconsider.   As kids we all knew that being bad dried up the spring and being good helped it to flow.  So one of the primary factors in receiving from our Heavenly Father is us being on “Holy Ground”  Even in coming into being a member of the family we had to repent from what we knew to be wrong.  And then later on we found a bunch more that we did not know that was wrong.  That is when the Romans 7 & 8 battle started in our sanctification to become like Jesus.  James 4:2 is quoted above and should continue with verse 3 in context.  And it fact the whole chapter of James 4 is on target so here it is:  James 4 from the Amplified Bible,  Classic Edition: (Some time considering this will help you much in getting your prayers answered.  James grew up with Jesus and was a later son of Mary and Joseph.  At one time he was the presiding elder of the Church at Jerusalem.  Jude was also his brother and son of Mary and Joseph.)

“What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?  2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask.  3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.  4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.  5 Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?  6 But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).  7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.  8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].  9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].  10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].11 [My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it].  12 One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?  13 Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money.  14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].  15 You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing].  16 But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong.  17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.”  

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,  Ken<><   (Past files of “WORTH CONSIDERING” may be found:   www.Trinity-Aloha.org   look for the link:  Worth Considering. )

FRIDAY GATHERING

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FRIDAY GATHERING  4/5/19

BE BLESSED IN YOUR DAY,  FOR GATHERING,  Friday,  April 5, 2019 6:pm FOR FOOD,  7:pm FOR The Gathering for what the New Testament calls a “House Church”  which is the people not the place.  But the place is: 85-4554 Mamalahoa Hwy.  Kealia, HI 96704

Some of the names we are considering:   AhiHale (house fire), JesusChurch,  HISChurch,      House Church at Kealia,   TrueVine, Rock of Ages.   So any ideas that we can pray about would be helpful.

Basic focus could be,  Why we trust the Holy Bible as the Word of God for faith and practice.”  And how to use the Library of 66 writings accumulated from about 1600 BC to 100 AD or about 1600 years.  Job is the oldest manuscript.  Job lived after Joseph but before Moses (after 1650 BC and before 1500 BC    But we are free to go in any direction and can fly with the wind of GOD   So why do about a billion people on planet earth consider the Holy Bible as a source of spiritual truth?

1.    Unity of the truth found to be the same in all 66 writings. In Gen. 4:4 we see Able offering a lamb.  In the Gospels we see that the Lamb of God is really Christ Jesus as HE was sacrificed for sin as per the prophesied in Isaiah 53 & Psalms 22.    And it Rev. 21:23 we again see Christ Jesus as the Lamb of God and the light of heaven.  The unity on this one subject in the 66 different writings is astounding.

2.    Wisdom found in the Bible that works even today.  The Bible warns against DEBT.  And debt is one of the biggest national curses today, Proverbs 22:7.   And that the only safe sex is in a conventional marriage,  Exodus 20:14 ( And that is so true,  2.3 million STD cases 2017 in the U.S. and up about 70% from 2013.)  And concerning abortions, there are about 125,000 babies murdered each day now on planet earth.

3.    Evidence of physical Truth from the beginning and unchanged. In Isaiah 40:22,  Isaiah notes that GOD is enthroned above the circle of the earth and in Heb.11:3 what we see in made of things that can not be seen, like atoms.  And the warning from 2 Pet.3:12 that in the end time the   elements will melt with fervent heat.  As a young man, prior to WW2 that was held up as a joke, but no more. Job even writes that GOD has hung the earth on nothing,  Job 26:7. Now that is a winner for a guy writing about 3500 years ago….  I believe there must have has some help here.

4.    Witness of Christ Jesus in the Gospels.  It is most interesting for me that 4 different men could write the story of Christ Jesus so very different from each other and yet all agree in every      point.  And in every doctrine they are united and actually each of the 4 complete a greater picture for us.  Also they gave their lives as a testimony that what they wrote about and experienced was the truth.

5.     Messianic Prophesies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled.  There are more these 68 Old Testament Prophesies concerning the coming  of Jesus as the Lamb of God and more as the King of Kings.  Here is the list: http://www.about-jesus.org/complete-chart-prophecies-jesus.htm
Seems this would be impossible if not true and guided by the Holy Spirit.

6.    Care in the preservation’s of the translations into English. The care in preserving the Old Testament was unusually careful even to the numbering of the letters and adding up the numbers for the lines across to see that nothing was missed in the copy.   The Early letters of the New Testament were more difficult to collect.  We find complete  notes and letters in about AD 200with the first complete New Testament found in the 4th Century, The Codex Sinaiticus.    The original writings began in about 41 AD and mostly completed by 98 AD.  Original manuscripts have yet to be found but the 4,000 parts and pieces that have been found dating from that time all matched up to the New Testament  manuscript found in 400 AD.    For individual dating history goto: https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/q1_bible_who_wrote/    So personally because of the unity of thought I feel the 27 documents are accurate as to what was said and done at the time.  These scriptures have come to be alive to me in my life as very accurate.    More on this: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS722US722&q=new+testament+timeline+poster&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTtdO2663hAhUmjlQKHahgBywQ1QIoBnoECAoQBw&biw=764&bih=738

When encouraging some one to read the Bible always point them to the Gospel of John as that is a wonderful overview of the Gospels and leads into the history of the Church in Acts and a good treatment of Truth in Doctrine in the Book of Romans by St. Paul.

7.    Supernatural experiences of healing and deliverance should be expected when correctly applied.  There are many denominations or divisions and each one may have a slightly different interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.  Care must be take here as Christ Jesus prayed for our Unity, John 17:20-26.    So actually there is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love and obey HIM are members. So the very first thing to do if on a Spiritual Quest is to get the over view of what the LORD’S CHURCH really looks like before joining up and getting trapped in a small box of a denomination or division.  And even when called non-denominational, it can be a box.    The Creator only uses Faith and Love to bind us to HIM with no strings attached.  He never uses pride, top down authority, fear, greed, lust for power, and such to bind us to HIM or to each other. “GOD has not given us the spirit of fear but of Love, Power and a sound mind.”  It is my experience that if a gathering of people will come to honor God and love each other as in  John 17:20-26,   1 Cor.12, 13 & 14,  Eph.4:11-16   that the Holy Spirit will fix all of the problem that come to the gathering.  The Holy Spirit can only bless us as we are in love,  humility and obedience to GOD’s TRUTH.

Hope to see you Friday at our little house church for fellowship, food, ministry and blessings,   Ken<><

LIGHT

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  ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS, Beloved of God.

‘WORTH CONSIDERING”    LIGHT     4/1/19     (Across my desk today from Joel’s ministry.)
   
Today’s Scripture
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”   (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

Even Brighter
Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness means to be in “right standing” with God. Being in right standing with God is about submitting your life to Him. It’s about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. God wants to be involved in every detail of your life. It pleases Him when you come to Him. It pleases Him when you study your Bible and talk to Him in prayer. And just as the increasing light of the sun helps you see better in the natural, the increasing light of God’s Word will guide you in every decision you have to make. No matter what you may be facing today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on your thoughts. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you today. Ask Him to shine the light of His Word in your heart so that you can clearly see the next step to take. As you continue to pursue His truth and righteousness, you will experience more of His blessings and live the life of abundance that He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
“God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I want to be in “”right standing”” with You today. Show me your ways and teach me to walk righteously before you. Shine your light in my heart and give me strength and wisdom to pursue the path You have in-store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Thoughts:
Way back in 1970 the Holy Spirit had me go through the Bible on “LIGHT” like instructed in Isaiah 28:10.   “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”  A lot more in this chapter that is important,  hope you read from 9-15 for sure.  So here is what I came up with:
Let There Be Light
And God said, let there be light and there was light: (1).   Arise, shine: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee (2).    Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light (3). This is the message which we have heard and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (4).   He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God  (5).   If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (6). This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (7).   For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (8). But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (9).  Thy Light shall break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward (10).  Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (11).  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (12).  The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof (13).  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (14).

1. Gen. 1:3,  2. Isa. 60:1,  3. Eph. 5:14,  4. 1 Jn. 1:5,  5. Jn. 3:21    6. 1 Jn. 1:17,  7. Jn. 3:19,  8. Jn. 3:20
9. 1 Pet. 2:9.  10. Isa. 85:8    11. Matt. 5:14,  12. Rom. 13:12,  13. Rev. 21:33,  14. Rev. 22:5,  
( John 1&:20-26 & Eph.4:1-16,  Starting points for what the New Testament Church looks like.”  )

You are created an eternal soul, according to the Holy Bible.  And in this life only,  you have an opportunity to choose God’s Light for eternity.  May  you  choose  wisely.  John 3,    Romans 10:9-10

And this is a very simple example of how GOD’s TRUTH is to be found and confirmed,  if interested.  
Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,  Ken<><   (For other teachings like this you can go to:  www.Trinity-Aloha.org    and click the link:  “Worth Considering”)

FORGET PAST

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God.

FORGET PAST,    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   3/29/19   (Across my desk this morning.)

Today’s Scripture
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  Phil. 3:13.”

Forget What Lies Behind
Many people don’t fully understand what it means to forget the past. One definition of the word “forget” is “to disregard intentionally, or to overlook.” You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. If we’re not careful, even our past victories can keep us from rising higher if we get too comfortable where we are. God wants to take us from glory to glory, but if we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new. It’s time to forget what lies behind. Put it away once and for all. When you release it, it’s an act of your faith. Focus all your energy on moving forward. Trust that God has new levels of victory, peace and favor. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
“Father in Heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don’t want anything to hold me back from the future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me, by Your Spirit, to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
This one is difficult to do as we think with our mind and act out of our heart.  So how to get that concept of truth way down in our heart of hearts.  And like written above,  forget both the good and the bad and trust GOD with the ultimate judgment along with HIS help,  you will need it.  It may even be totally different than what you thought it was when you were going through it.   So we need to think something through many times before our heart will really accept it.  That is one of the reasons for listening to the New Testament on CD over and over.  Each time that I listen the message goes a little deeper.  I have a N.T. + a  CD in my truck,  great to go down the road watching the road but considering the Truth of God so as to make the needed changes in my life almost easy.

If we walk in unforgiveness towards someone then any one that we come in contact with that looks, feels, acts or even smells like them will cause us to become  defensive and tend to write them off.  And yet they did nothing.  And on the other side, someone reminding you of someone who made us happy will cause us to lower our normal guard and trust them.  And that too can be very dangerous.  So getting rid of the past is a most necessary thing to do.  If you would like to have a future guided by the Holy Spirit without fear or anger creeping in from the past and messing things up for your future the past must go.  So it is not worth it to carry on with a feud, vendetta, attitude or even a stink eye.  The Word of God states clearly that all Judgment belongs to GOD.  Just got accused on Face Book of getting charred by my foil hat.  I wrote back that when it torches my Hawaiian lauhala straw hat I will take notice.  

It often helps me shed the past by remembering what Christ Jesus said when the guys were driving nails through his feet into the Cross.  “Father forgive them, they really don’t know what they are doing.”   So our LORD was more concerned about their souls than he was  concerning the pain in HIS feet,  WOW!  Hope I can learn this one by faith and not by experience.  You might want to consider that there are 2 ways to learn.   You can learn by experience about Mac Trucks or you can learn by faith and just stay out of the way.  But if you live to tell about it, it is the same lesson.  Only one way is much more painful than the other. 

So read the Word of God,  forget the past and step out in faith and enjoy the manny opportunities to make lemon aid.

Yours in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy.  Ken<><   ( There is a link on  www. Trinity-Aloha.org to many of our past Blogs with easy to find subject headings.  Hope you enjoy.  )

FRIENDS

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God

FRIENDS,     “WORTH CONSIDERING”    3/29/19   (Across my desk yesterday.)

Today’s Scripture
“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.”  (James 2:23, NIV)

Friend of God
The all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe wants to be your friend today. That’s why He created you—first and foremost—to have a loving relationship with you. It’s as simple as opening your heart to Him. If you have faith in God today, then just like Abraham, you are God’s friend. The Bible says that God is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That means He is faithful. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is with you always. He is mindful of you—that means He is always thinking of you. What an honor and privilege it is to be called God’s friend! Let that sink down into your heart today. The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone in this world, or that no one else understands what you are going through, just say out loud, “I am a friend of God.”

A Prayer for Today
“Heavenly Father, thank You for being my friend today. Thank You for loving me and for being faithful to me. Help me to understand Your friendship today so that I can be a better friend to those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
For me, finding a friend, has been very illusive.   I grew up as an only child with both parents not knowing the difference between work and play.  Had some kids that I played with as a kid,  but no one that really knew what was going on inside of me.  Arnold beat me in Monopoly,  Walker’s dad owned the bus company for free rides,  Chick’s dad owned a bakery so free food.  Ended up going to about 10 grade schools, 4 high schools and 4 different colleges and 2 seminaries.  So we moved around a bunch and seems like I kept the habit,  but few friends.  Army was not that much friendly either.

But then in 1955 I began to learn about Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit and over the years we are becoming the best of friends.  He is always honest with me and loves me inspite of my self conteredness and anti social skills,  but doing better as time moves along.  But in a way, it has been rather good for me as I do not compromise at all because of a friendships.  Often I have seen folks manipulated from being Christ Centered to being friend centered and falling into a mud puddle.  The Blind leading the Blind and they both fall into the ditch.  So often as we take a stand for Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit and the enemy will send some one we love in our family to try to drag us off in another direction.  Christ Jesus was very clear about this in Luke 14:26:

MSG
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

(Usually this verse uses the word hate which has had a meaning change from early translations but the above is a more accurate translation in today’s English…  To prefer, would also be acceptable.)

John 12:24-26 also confirms this thought as does Rev.12:11.  So we are not really a true disciple unless Christ Jesus takes the precedent over all of our family and friends.   If we are concerned about sharing Christ Jesus due to fear of breaching a relationship then there is a default in our priorities with our Creator that needs to be fixed.  Christ Jesus as LORD must come before all else in order to become HIS Disciple.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   (There is a link to be found on   www.Trinity-Aloha.org where you may find all of the other previous Blogs.)

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

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Be Blessed in your day,  2/29/19   Ken <><
From  HISChurch at Kealia,  Friday Gathering

Looking forward to getting together this Friday Evening and talking story in the Holy Spirit.
“There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love and obey HIM are members.”

The Biblical Approach to coming together for “church”  (The work of the people)  or Ecclesia (or Ekklesia) in Christian theology means both: a particular body of faithful people, and the whole body of the faithful. Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia had an original meaning of “assembly, congregation, council”, literally “convocation”.

It is the concept of the round table where most can see each other and all have access to talking or sharing with each other.  (A Forum)  On the other hand the theater seating is for the one way experience of listening.  And of course there should be Elders present to make sure that all that is being taught is GOD’s TRUTH and not fiction.  But a “Round Table” can be both Powerful and Dangerous.  So most established churches avoid the danger but may miss out on the power.

In 1 Cor.14:23-33   Apostle Paul gives a general overview of how “church” is supposed to work.23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.  26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.  27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.  28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

So the Early Church had 7 levels of experience as in the Tabernacle of Moses,  but was not under the law but guided by the Holy Spirit.  The approach was not a liturgy but a basic guide.  First there was the testimony of the Saints as to their salvation like the sun coming through the Eastern gate of the Tabernacle of Moses in the morning.  Remember Jesus said HE was the door to the sheep fold.  Then there was the teachings of the Elders as the Altar,  Rom.12.   And then the Agape Meal.  The laver in the Tabernacle was for cleaning and fellowship (  A time to share a meal, gain unity and restore fellowship if it had been broken.)  Then the Lords Supper, 1 Cor.10.  Then perhaps a break and then a time of prayer and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Body Life Ministry of praying for each other.  And finally what ever needs or questions that were left would be addressed by the Elders.   In the Early Church the Holy Spirit gave powerful signs as to the use of faith in the ministry of Christ Jesus as LORD.
 
And we can see this form in Acts 2: 41-47  41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  43 And fear (awe) came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles  44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  46 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,  47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should (were being in the Greek.) be saved.

And again in Acts 5:14-16

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.


My understanding is that becoming a Christian by making Christ Jesus LORD is the beginning of “being saved” and ultimately “sanctification” or by the finishing our course we are finally saved by enduring to the end of our life in Faith as did Paul in 2 Tim.4:5-8.  I have known many who have been ship wrecked along the way.  Perhaps this is a study for another time.    Yours in HIS great love,   Ken<><
  ( You may access all of the “Worth Considering Blogs” at www.Trinity-Aloha.org )