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Post by Tabitha3319 on Jun 12, 2019 16:38:55 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away.
Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible.
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Post by joseph on Jun 12, 2019 16:50:23 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. Best answer (one perspective) but usually not possible - go to China or Russia to one of the faithful groups there. For better or for worse, that is not possible for most people reading the forum, nor for most in the USA, etc etc etc ....
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Post by joseph on Jun 12, 2019 16:54:38 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. Best answer that IS POSSIBLE, Yahuweh Willing ---- read the library studies available at worthychristianlibrary.com, over a few months, "lightly" (do not study too hard - that is not needed I think, nor very helpful - rather read like reading family letters from an Apostle to his family describing things by God's Revelation, as if it is God's descriptions to you personally, to take to heart like a little child reading their father's letters from far away (or near?) ... Also, MORE than those resources, read and meditate upon all Scripture, for years - from Genesis thru Malachi, Matthew thru the Apocalypse, and ask the heavenly Father to REVEAL EVERYTHING concerning SALVATION to you, as JESUS SAYS the FATHER DOES for little children, as written in the BIBLE. THIS is the most important - from God's Word, always, and with no contradictions.
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Post by joseph on Jun 12, 2019 16:56:19 GMT -5
Ohhhhhh, and every day, every night, all the time, concerning all things, in everything, SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM (and His Righteousness), and KEEP SEEKING (Never stop seeking) His Kingdom, every day of life, always.
It is God's Promise that everyone who does this, will find HIS KINGDOM (yes, today, on earth, before we pass on) ....
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Post by joseph on Jun 12, 2019 16:59:41 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. I was devastated at first, wondering WHERE to find a true church, decades ago when it seemed they had ALL fallen away (if they had ever been with Jesus to start with even) , and I did not know HOW to find a true church - who to ask, where to go ........ no one seemed to know nor even to recognize the great sinfulness all around, like as in JOB in the BIBLE, in sodom, almost driven crazy ("vexed") by all the wickedness all through the city, not one true church at all, per se..... REJOICE ! GREATLY ! SALVATION ! SURPRISE ! When God Granted the Answer !
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Post by Tabitha3319 on Jun 12, 2019 19:27:14 GMT -5
Ohhhhhh, and every day, every night, all the time, concerning all things, in everything, SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM (and His Righteousness), and KEEP SEEKING (Never stop seeking) His Kingdom, every day of life, always. It is God's Promise that everyone who does this, will find HIS KINGDOM (yes, today, on earth, before we pass on) .... Now wait, hold on. You've found the Kingdom of God? How would you describe it? I sincerely want to know because of experiences I've had.
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Post by Tabitha3319 on Jun 12, 2019 19:27:43 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. I was devastated at first, wondering WHERE to find a true church, decades ago when it seemed they had ALL fallen away (if they had ever been with Jesus to start with even) , and I did not know HOW to find a true church - who to ask, where to go ........ no one seemed to know nor even to recognize the great sinfulness all around, like as in JOB in the BIBLE, in sodom, almost driven crazy ("vexed") by all the wickedness all through the city, not one true church at all, per se..... REJOICE ! GREATLY ! SALVATION ! SURPRISE ! When God Granted the Answer ! What was the answer?
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Post by John on Jun 12, 2019 19:35:41 GMT -5
Ohhhhhh, and every day, every night, all the time, concerning all things, in everything, SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM (and His Righteousness), and KEEP SEEKING (Never stop seeking) His Kingdom, every day of life, always. It is God's Promise that everyone who does this, will find HIS KINGDOM (yes, today, on earth, before we pass on) .... Now wait, hold on. You've found the Kingdom of God? How would you describe it? I sincerely want to know because of experiences I've had. I have no idea what Joseph would say to you, but I will try to answer your question. Jesus said that unless you are born again, you cannot see or enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. If you are born again, you can see and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How? Through spiritual sight. You know it is real. When you were born again, you entered it. You didn't cross into it's borders. You are still on earth, but you became a citizen of God's Kingdom. Though you can't find it on a map or using Google Earth, you see it's reality, so in that way, if you are born again, you are part of God's Kingdom and can see God's Kingdom.
As to finding a good church in this world today, that is a big challenge.
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Post by John on Jun 12, 2019 19:39:38 GMT -5
I have not found a good church in my area. I have found churches I could settle for, in that there are good people in them, but they are not what I am looking for. It could be there is a good congregation that I didn't find because I gave up the search, but there are none I can recommend. Something happened to the church back sometime in the 90s that I can't explain, except to say that it changed. It has not been the same since. I still believe there are good churches, but they are rare.
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Post by John on Jun 12, 2019 19:40:22 GMT -5
Ohhhhhh, and every day, every night, all the time, concerning all things, in everything, SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM (and His Righteousness), and KEEP SEEKING (Never stop seeking) His Kingdom, every day of life, always. It is God's Promise that everyone who does this, will find HIS KINGDOM (yes, today, on earth, before we pass on) .... Now wait, hold on. You've found the Kingdom of God? How would you describe it? I sincerely want to know because of experiences I've had. I would be interested in knowing about what kind of experiences you have had?
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Post by Tabitha3319 on Jun 12, 2019 19:40:56 GMT -5
I have not found a good church in my area. I have found churches I could settle for, in that there are good people in them, but they are not what I am looking for. It could be there is a good congregation that I didn't find because I gave up the search, but there are none I can recommend. Something happened to the church back sometime in the 90s that I can't explain, except to say that it changed. It has not been the same since. I still believe there are good churches, but they are rare. Oh no
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Post by John on Jun 12, 2019 19:43:04 GMT -5
I have not found a good church in my area. I have found churches I could settle for, in that there are good people in them, but they are not what I am looking for. It could be there is a good congregation that I didn't find because I gave up the search, but there are none I can recommend. Something happened to the church back sometime in the 90s that I can't explain, except to say that it changed. It has not been the same since. I still believe there are good churches, but they are rare. Oh no I am not sure what you are saying?
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jun 12, 2019 20:37:54 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. Obviously, there are exceptions.
I go to a church near my home and they are preaching truth as far as I could see. The only way to know is by spiritual discernment.
If you really are interested in finding a church, ask the Lord to show you one.
Blessings!
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Post by Sister on Jun 12, 2019 21:04:34 GMT -5
A lot of you are saying the local churches are falling away. Are there exceptions. What are some ways I can be on the lookout for a church faithful to the Bible. Hi naomiash
Only you can answer this for yourself. All we can do is give advice from our own experiences and from what's written in the Word.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
That's your true church right there. In you.
1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Make sure your temple is swept clean and kept holy. Serve the Lord in spirit and in truth, and seek out his Word so you can follow Christ's lead. Let his word be grafted onto your spirit and live it amongst every thing you say and do in everyday situations. This is the narrow road we must take, learning to fight off all the thorns and temptations sent to distract us. This world and every situation is where we can prepare to be soldiers, ...where we get our exercise, as evil was created for us to learn resistance in perfecting the spirit, and not only the evil found in other men, but in ourselves. We are our own worst enemy.
It's your path and between you and your Lord, not anyone else's. Lean on the truth and don't depend on people in the Lord to hold you up for Christ is our rock, the Word of God. All men are imperfect, it doesn't matter how loud they praise the Lord, or appear to be holy, but the Word of God is true.
Yes we are experiencing the great falling away at present. Truth is crushed to the ground and the flock don't realise because of lack of knowledge. If you read in the OT, God is not happy with the Pastors. In fact he is very angry. I would stay away from the bigger churches as they tend to be more about making money and profits, not prophets. You may find a little church with a good pastor who knows? He must be warning the flock about the mark of Beast and the Son of Perdition that is coming. He must be preparing the saints for the battle of their lives, and not only this, but feeding them the hard meat. If he is a shepherd of the Lord, he must be apt in understanding all prophecies with full knowledge and understanding if he is to lead. He must be teaching true doctrine, which only you can decipher in the end.
The biggest danger of churches today in my eyes is that they can indoctrinate you with their doctrine according to what Church you go to (as the doctrine's vary) The wrong doctrine can make you feel too safe, giving false security and lull you to sleep.
If you are a babe in Christ seeking the comfort of other Christians, you may get caught into a trap and build your truth upon the wrong foundation because they will feed you. If you must go to a church, read the Word as much as you can and be ahead of them for if you hear anything contradictory to that Word you received your spirit will pick up that they are there to block you from growing deeper in knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes this can take a life-time to find out, but we don't have that much time. Knowledge is your armour, so seek it early and seek it fast. What you put in and hear of the Word is what will be measured to you. If you put in a little, you only gain a little. If you put in much effort your reward will be great. Do all for the love of the truth and keep this first most in your heart.
So if you want to belong to the true church, it's inside you where you received and sought out the Word of God for yourself. Work out your own salvation. Stay away from especially from pride and boasting, and you will do well. (we all need to be reminded of this, even me) Be of a humble heart and the Lord will lead you in everything you do. He knows what you need and all will be for your benefit and according to his will. Sorry this is so long, I feel very passionate about all this.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
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Cletus
Senior Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on Jun 12, 2019 22:01:11 GMT -5
i went a long time with no church. recently i found one. i had prayed and prayed and prayed for god to lead me to a church that believes and preaches the whole truth and that desires Spirit and truth. I met the man thru someone i was working for, and I originally was working for this man... who turned out to be the pastor. i worked for him near a month before i knew he was a pastor. which should say a whole lot about how he carries himself. this church operates the way the bible lines out to do. i had given up on finding a church. do not do this. keep asking for God to lead you to where you need to go.
the sermons speak to my life again. you can feel the praises in the air when spoken. the worship is not dry, and i weep every worship session. there is love and unity. there is truth. The LORDS goodness and fruit abides in these people.
even if its a small group its worth it to keep asking and seeking. God wants us to assemble, and if we ask according to His will he will make it happen. it may not be as soon as we want... but just think, God always leaves a remnant. somewhere Gods true sheep are around.
Just because we cant see it right now dont mean it aint so.
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