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MEMORIAL DAY PRESENTATION 2023

                                   

5/28/2023                                                                                                 — Pat Gunther

680 words

This Memorial Day is to honor those who have served faithfully our great country and given their lives in many cases – yet they get one day of remembrance,  and we now will be subjected to an entire month of pride – why? – we have fallen so far from our Judeo-Christian foundations.

Prov 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace..”

Prov 13:10 “Where there is strife, there is pride…”

Prov. 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I think we often feel there is little we Christians can do except pray against the devil’s schemes and of course prayer is very powerful, but we also can take a stand by running for local offices, especially speaking out against the pornography and transgender books that are making their way into school and public libraries.  

But we can take a stand against evil through our buying power.  You may have heard how Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch products having a transgender spokesperson has backfired for them.  

In the same vein I would urge you to boycott Target and never set foot in their stores again.  They have been pushing the lgbtq agenda for years and have a pride collection featuring, among other items, women’s bathing suits with a section to tuck private parts.  Now they have a clothing line for babies and children with transgender friendly slogans. 

Most recently they have promoted clothes designed by a transgender satanist who looks like a he but is a she who is wearing goats horns on her head and happily wearing a t-shirt that says satan respects pronouns.  There are many other disgusting and evil images and sayings on the clothes such as the image of an occult being called baphomet; a human male/female torso, with a goat’s head and horns and wings.  

They sell pins that say trans witches for abortion – witches and wizards love transpeople, etc.  

There has been a strong backlash against all of this but they have just moved displays to different parts of the store and all of it is online.  

Target partners with an organization with the letters GLSEN which pushes for kids’ genders to be secretly changed in schools without parental consent.  As Christians we can NOT be  ignorant of these things though the fake news will never tell the truth.  You need to find other sources of information such as on the Truth Social app.

Christians can take their buying power elsewhere – be creative – buy local, support small businesses.  For school supplies go to any store with Dollar in it, Staples, Office Max, etc. BTW Walmart is worse than Target.  

This may be where we suffer a bit by having to pay more or giving up convenient one stop shopping but we need to make a choice about taking a stand. Target and Walmart among others have chosen evil and darkness.

Jesus overturned money changers tables, he called out the Pharisees and Sadducees as a den of vipers and hypocrites.  He stood against evil.

Prov. 8:13 “To fear the Lord is to hate evil,”

Amos 5:15 “Hate evil, love good;”

Psalm 45:7 “You love righteousness and hate wickedness;”

Psalm 97:10 “Let those who love the Lord hate evil;”

John 10:10 “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

We certainly are supposed to love and pray for our enemies but that does not mean we compromise what we know is good and right and true to God’s teachings.  Many have chosen darkness and evil has filled their souls – we can certainly pray for the sinner but still be against the sin.

Though things look bleak, it’s always darkest before the dawn and we serve a God Who is bigger than any evil plot or plan satan has up his sleeve.  We need to dress in our godly armor (Eph.6) and stand our ground, pushing back against the spiritual darkness.  We need to cling to our powerful God Who has overcome the world.  

— Presented by Patricia Gunther

Above article posted with permission of the author Pat Gunther

6/1/2023 Addendum from M. LaClair — JUST IN:

I was hoping the above link would take you directly to the article. Excerpts follow : Please visit The Western Journal to read the full article:

excerpt from Warner Todd Huston article May 31, 2023 at 5:02pm in The Western Journal

“National clothing brand Hollister has also jumped into the world of ultra-woke products, but even worse, they are openly donating to a group whose sole purpose is to target children.”National clothing brand Hollister has also jumped into the world of ultra-woke products, but even worse, they are openly donating to a group whose sole purpose is to target children.

“..it (Hollister) was always part of the national clothing chain, Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

“This year, Hollister was proud to announce on its pride collection website that its 2023 line was “co-created” by the radical, child grooming activist group GLSEN. The company also proudly posted tweet after tweet in support of GLSEN and its goals and has donated $250,000 to the group. In one recent tweet the clothing brand noted that it has been a GLSEN partner since 2017.

“As you can see, Hollister doesn’t simply sell a few stray LGBT-themed shirts to placate the gay movement. It is a full, donating partner with them.”

.….Please visit The Western Journal for the complete article, information and updates, and seriously consider a subscription to The Western Journal… – M. LaClair

http://www.TheWesternJournal.com

———————————– END ————————

Women in Ministry

Too good not to share: Dr.Tony Evans’ teaching may be found on your Alexa at ONE PLACE by asking Alexa to play “Dr.Tony Evans,The Alternative, from One Place” If you’ve not yet discovered ONE PLACE on Alexa, this is the place you may listen to most any of your favorite preachers any time you choose. Tony Evans started the program THE URBAN ALTERNATIVE, which has since grown to wider audiences in THE ALTERNATIVE. He may also be found on YOU TUBE. This one is too good not to share, as most of them are, however this particular one is being shared here today::

This was a TV broadcast on May 14, 2023

Here a good place to explain and expound on 1 Tim 2:12

1 Tim 2:12

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. KJV

Notice here it does not use the plural, MEN, which would mean all men;

Notice here it does not say “A” man, meaning any man.;

Notice here it definitely says THE man. a specific man., meaning the husband.

Youngs Literal Translation confirms this by spelling it out:

12 and a woman I do not suffer to teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in quietness,
YLT

The GENEVA BIBLE which pre-dates the KJV uses the same identical wording as YOUNGS LITERAL TRANSLATION as above.

It should also be noticed that First Timothy deals primarily with proper order in church meetings.. As does a similar instruction in 1Cor 14:34.refer to previously disordered meetings. See additional column here titled :Should Women Speak in Church, which gives a pretty good picture of the situation which Paul was addressing at the time.

With this said, let us go up and listen to how Dr. Tony Evans explains this so very well…

Reason for last article being a duplicate: That article had disappeared and required a repost. No, I am not running out of material to cover…👍😇

Regarding the recent reposting of ‘ Peter The Rock upon which the RC church is, or is not, built.
And I’m not targeting anyone in particular. Actually I had gone in my own site to find that article to get the link to send to one person.
That is when I found that the article had disappeared from View!
To fix it, It required an entirely new reposting.
So if you unfollowed because of getting a duplicate, kindly refollow because I’m getting ready to do some new posts which I’m sure should be of interest to followers.
Thanks to the person who asked why It was being sent a second time to her. This is why. It had disappeared and needed reposting.
If it happens again I will introduce it as a recovery repost.
However, A plus in this newer post, is that there is now a video at the end, from Robbie Schuler standing in the Holy Land, on the rock of the gods. It is here where he is given, what I think is, a new revelation of insight into this scripture , ‘upon THIS rock will I build My church’
You will find it fourteen minutes in on the 30 minute video. Your eyes will be opened to a new revelation, when you are given the eyes to see.
Thanks for your understanding and patience. Have a blessed day.
And remember, having a little talk with Jesus can make everything right.
SHOW US YOUR GLORY. LORD!
See you at the next post…

Why is Peter Called the Rock Upon Which the R.C. Church is Built?

A FOUNDATION ROCK OF THE CHURCH: IS IT PETER OR PAUL?

Why is Peter called the rock upon which the R.C. church is built?

2,175 words.  + 250 of supporting Scriptures                                  By   – Mary A. LaClair

Peter denied Christ three times, after vowing he never would. He shifted like sand. You don’t build on sand; you build on bed-rock. It is, however the statement which Peter made, his God-given thoughts, it is the fact of those thoughts, to which Jesus referred when He said He will build His church. Notice this: He said that HE, Jesus, will build His church, not that Peter would build His church.

==============================

Glossary:

The word catholic with lower case “c”:  –  (adverb) means:, universal, all encompassing: i.e. catholic tastes in music

Catholic with a capital “C”:  – is commonly used as a proper noun for the Roman Catholic Church, or a member thereof

R.C. :  –  Roman Catholic

THIS:  – the word ‘this’ is never used as a personal pronoun,. It is an adjective usually modifying a noun

YOU:  – the word ‘you’ has no plural form in English. It is both singular and collective, as in members of a group. i.e.  as carpenters you know how to use tools…. ‘You’ refers to the group and to each individual in the group

 (humor): the word YOU has no plural – Except in the southernmost states of the US where they use the colloquialism of ‘ya’ll come’ meaning ‘you all come, everyone come, without limitation, to our BB-Q’  YOU is collective, meaning a group and everyone within that group

==============================

Matt 16:13-20

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  I also say to you that you are 1aPeter, and upon THIS (2)rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.   “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”   Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.” NASU  (bold underline mine for emphasis)

Here, the footnote 1a at Peter says that the Greek says Peter (Petros) means ‘stone’ small stone, a piece of rock. While footnote “2”  says something different.

It was when Peter made the statement of “Thou Art The Christ” that Jesus said, “Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but My Father who Is in heaven”  “Upon this rock” ( foot-note 2 says the Greek word rock here is: foundation, bed-rock;)  “I will build my church”  Jesus did not say ‘upon you I will  build my church’.

Notice also that He calls the church HIS church, not Peter’s church.

Peter was Simon but here Jesus changes his name to Peter. Petros:

Using the Greek-Hebrew Dictionary:

In tracing the meaning of the word Petros, used for Peter, the meaning is ‘A PIECE OF ROCK.”

In tracing the meaning of Cephas, (Kephas) it lists the surname of Peter and compares it to (Keph) a hollow rock and (to Kaphaph ) to curve.

Petros:  a piece of a rock larger than a stumbling stone, as a name Petrus the apostle, and compares to NT reference where Jesus actually calls Peter a stumbling stone. This is Peter

PETRA:

In tracing the meaning of the word Petra, its meaning is A MASS OF ROCK,(LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY)  This is Jesus.

If PETRA is a mass of rock; and if PETROS is a piece of rock;   might one be able to say: Peter was/is “a chip off the old block” ??   (smile)

The further words of ‘hollow’ and ‘curved’ connected to keph or Cephas are thought provoking: Peter’s denial may be considered ‘hollow’. He threw a curve ball.

If built upon Peter, Peter denied Christ three times, after vowing he never would. He shifted like sand. His denial was hollow because he didn’t really mean what he said at the time.

Peter was weak – Jesus called him Satan, that is a weak foundation. Jesus knew all that ahead of time. You don’t build on sand, you build on bed-rock.  

It is, however, the statement Peter made, his God-given thoughts: it is the fact of those thoughts to which Jesus referred which are the foundation upon which the church is built and is still being built.  

Matt 16:15-18

 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon THIS (2) rock I will build My church; .. NASU   (underline emphasis mine)

The word THIS is used to point to objects, used alone it is never a synonym for a person. 

One is correct in knowing that the statement is the actual foundation, with Christ the Cornerstone, and that is true. Therefore, it may seem strange that Jesus commanded them to tell no one that He is the Christ.  Why?   Because personal revelation from the Father, like Peter had, is the foundation which God wants – a personal relationship with the Father and the Son.

If one still wishes to say that Jesus says Peter is the foundation for the Roman Catholic Church,  then we owe it to ourselves to continue reading a few verses down where Jesus turns right around and then calls Peter Satan.   Ouch !  Some foundation on which to build a church, huh?

Matt 16:22-23

 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”  But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” NASU

Paul, because of his writing, not Peter, has done more to build a church founded on these statements and the Gospel than Peter had done. God’s Church is built upon the Gospel. Since Jesus had not yet died and paid the price for us Peter did not have the Gospel at that time, Without the Gospel, there is no church.  

The keys are given to the church to which He referred, which He was establishing, which He is still building today.  ‘You’, in this instance, refers back to a church made up of people, plural.    In English, the word ‘you’ is both singular and collective, there is no plural. You and I are a part of that collective YOU to which Jesus refers. In this universal church, you and I are also keeper of those keys, if we are part of His church.

…I am going to give “YOU”, the collective body of the church which I am herewith establishing, keys to the kingdom. In other words, kingdom keys, to the collective body, the church, made up of the people who have received the personal revelation of God, like you have just received, Peter…

After the Resurrection, after the Gospel had been completed, Paul, to whom the Father also personally revealed Jesus as the Christ, wrote most of the New Testament. If a man, in conjunction with Jesus and Holy Spirit, were to start building the church on something, it stands to reason that that man would be Paul, not Peter.

The New Testament is also stone on the foundation, with Jesus Christ revealed in it as the Chief Cornerstone. This is the solid foundation upon which Paul, and we as his disciples, build. Peter IS a stone in the building of the universal Church, which is the body, with Christ as the Head.  Peter was restored after his mistakes, as are we! Restoration is part of the church. Peter is not to be scorned: People received healing in Peter’s shadow.  Acts 5:15

Peter might be a colorful rock in the building. He certainly was a colorful guyl!

And I pay Peter a compliment in this way!

Build on this?  No.

      Build on this?  Yes.

Eph 2:22

“… in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  – NASU

Acts 5:12-16

We are stones and rocks to be put in the building on the Foundation.  Maybe some of you are colorful too?

    It is not ironic that as Peter wrote the book of 1st Peter, he used the word ‘stones’ to identify fellow followers. . . :

1 Peter 2:4-7                                AS LIVING STONES

“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,  you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For this is contained in Scripture:

         “Behold, I Lay In Zion A Choice Stone, A Precious Corner Stone,         And He Who Believes In Him Will Not Be Disappointed.”   (Is 28:16)

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,            “The Stone Which The Builders Rejected,This Became The Very Corner Stone  “   , (Ps 118:22)

 And,         A Stone Of Stumbling And A Rock Of Offense”;   (Is 8:14) for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”   – NASU

Acts 5:12-16

“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.  But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.  And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,   to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.  Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed”. NASU

This is a picture of what should be happening in the universal church today. And I believe we are in the advent of seeing it restored once again.

Is Peter the rock, or is Jesus the Rock?  – Upon which is the universal church built?

Jesus tells us He Himself is the Rock.    Many times throughout Scripture “rock” with  the capital “R” signifies that Jesus Himself is the Rock upon which the universal church is built.

Concerning the Roman Catholic Church, who has claimed the word ‘catholic’ for themselves, placing Peter as the head of that church, let some things be re-considered:

The statement that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God companioned with the fact ‘that flesh and blood did not reveal THIS to you but My Father who is in heaven…’

…this is the THIS upon which His universal church is built.  The word “THIS” is not a synonym for a man as He did not say ‘upon you’; He said ‘upon this’.  Believe it or not, isn’t it true that the church (spiritual building) IS made up of the people (stones) to whom God has personally revealed Himself?  How lucky and blessed we are! …And, we, ourselves, you and I, continue to build with that foundation !  Like Peter, as repentant sinners we are also stones put upon a Rock solid foundation; the Rock being Christ Jesus, the personal knowing of Christ Jesus making us a part of the building on that Rock.   Praise the Lord !

If you don’t yet have that kind of personal relationship with Lord Jesus, you can. He is risen from the dead and He is alive and His Spirit is in the world today. Just start talking to Him. Better yet, ask Him into your heart.  Say, “Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiving me, please reveal yourself to me and come into my heart I want to see things the way you see them, help me to be all that you want me to be. Bring the right people into my life who know you and who can help me to know you better. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.”

Had Christ intended to describe Peter, all He needed to say was: You are Peter and on you I will build My Church

But He didn’t say that.

–End –

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SUPPORTING  SCRIPTURES

  •  

1 Cor 10:1-5

 1 Cor 10:1-5

 I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  and all ate the same supernatural food  and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.  Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.   RSV

Deuteronomy 32:4

The  Rock! His work is perfect For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.  NASU

Deuteronomy 32:15

 “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked —You are grown fat, thick, and sleek —Then he forsook God who made him, And scorned the Rock of his salvation.  NASU

Deuteronomy 32:18

 “You neglected the Rock who begot you, And forgot the God who gave you birth.  NASU

Deuteronomy 32:30

 “How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had given them up? NASU

Deuteronomy 32:31

 “Indeed their Rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves judge this. NASU

==========================

Watch “Peter Stands Upon the Rock of the Gods – Bobby Schuller” on YouTube

Go 14 minutes in on this video to come to the Rock.

Further Scriptures on Jesus as the Rock:

 Is. 44:8; 17:10; 30:29; 26:4; 46:4;

Hab 1:12; 2 

2 Sam 23:3;

Deut 32:31; 32:30; 32:18;32:15; 32:4

Now, Who is the Rock

Is it Peter   or

Is it Jesus  !

On which rock, Rock, would YOU build ?   On a fragment, or bed-rock?

Just have some little talks with Jesus, He’d love to hear from YOU !

END

DID JESUS LIE?

DID JESUS LIE? “This generation shall not pass away until…”

 780 words                                                                                       ——     Mary A. LaClair

The Parable of the Fig Tree                  

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that]it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”  NKJV

This Scripture “This generation shall not pass away….” originated in the first century A.D. since they are the words of Our Lord spoken  while here on earth.

The King James Version of the Bible was taken from the Geneva Bible which was first printed in 1560 with the King James Version printed in 1611.

The only term known for generation at that time was to define family lineage.

The electric generator was first invented in 1831 by Michael Faraday

In 1949, General Electric installed the first gas turbine built in the U.S. for the purpose of generating power.

The word ‘generation’ can be an action, a process of coming or bringing into being (generation of income), or a noun referring to people or things of a certain time period.  (a class of objects developed from an earlier type or age i.e.  the stone age or, if you will, the age of Aquarius)

Therefore, when the Bible was compiled, the word generation could only be translated as lineage; and would necessarily be the prevalent interpretation of earlier versions.

Matt 24:32-34 speaks of the renewal of life the fig tree – – though it dies will come back to life. Then he says this generation will not pass away. He’s speaking about the generation of New Life coming from what appears to be dead. It is a parable for our own regeneration, and of His resurrection, with new life following the old.

Like bookends, this is confirmed in the Old Testament if you have eyes to see.

Isa 53:8-9
 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
 And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

And they made His grave with the wicked —
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
 NKJV

Many verses following the passage containing generation in Isaiah 53:8 also refer to renewal of life – as being cut off from the land of the living and who will declare his generation, who will declare his renewal of life and his life-giving renewing power to regenerate His own Life through Resurrection from the dead; and life-giving renewing power to usward in being born again now spiritually through the renewing power of the Holy Spirit; and, still again of our eventual new life after death.  The energy of generation, is what shall not pass.

This may not be understood by the unregenerate. If you are ‘born-again,’ or know someone who is, then you are better able to understand this process of new life coming forth from an old life.

Is 53:10  …He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand….11: After His anguish, He will see light and be satisfied. By His knowledge, my righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will carry their iniquities.”
CSB

Jesus did not lie when He said:  ‘this generation shall not pass away until’, His eyes saw the process of new life coming forth from death, both in the tree, in Himself – and in us!  

The Holy Scriptures are meant to last an eternity both here and in heaven. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

The word ‘generation’ as used in Matthew 34:24 and Isaiah 53:8-9 is not limited to one lifespan, but may be applied to an era, His Resurrection, by a process of renewal of life.

Jesus cannot lie. The Holy Scriptures remain trustworthy to this day.

# END

NOTE

=======================================================================================================

NOUN   all of the people born and living at about the same time, collectively

  1. VERB    the production of something:   renewal of energy,  renewal of an initial set
  2.  “methods of electricity generation” · “the generation of wealth”
  3. MATHEMATICS
  4. LINGUISTICS
  5. produce (a set or sequence of items) by performing specified mathematical or logical operations on an initial set. SIMILAR:   creation   causing

To GENERATE means to renew power; a generator causes generation, starts a renewal process.  Just as birth creates the renewal of life, be it tree, be it birth, be it sowing and reaping, be it renewing power of anything. Jesus makes all things new.  And this renewing power, this ongoing process of generation and giving new life shall not cease until….

##

CHURCHES TO STRENGTHEN EACH OTHER

Towards Unified Christianity in America

(Sharing the Tithe To Form Strong Churches – TITHE IN — TITHE OUT

1,500 words                                                                       – Mary A. LaClair

1/18/2023

To strengthen and unify the Christian church in America and then the world, we need not to fight amongst ourselves. We should serve and love one another in the church in unity.

Divided we are weak. United we are strong. Many of us, and many churches, are on the same team but have different play positions to the same end. We need to join hands in unity in this spiritual battle. The wagons are circling.   

A certain thought has brewed in my mind for several years. One may initially disagree with this unusual idea, but upon reflection and deep thought, it may seem inspired and maybe even practical.

People tithe to a church.

“Shouldn’t one church tithe to another church? If they share one tenth of their received tithe to another church doing the Lord’s work, then receive one tenth of different church’s tithe, that would keep things keep flowing.” 

A church keeping its own entire tithe becomes no more than a pond, however large, with no continuing outlet refreshing others and not being spiritually refreshed or encouraged by other churches.

There are many denominations within the Universal Church for a reason. People come in at different stages in their life, and as such each may require different levels of teaching. People also have different intellectual levels and are at different spiritual levels.  We need churches which will accept people at their entry level and help them along the trails to the main path.  Some denominations  or local churches may do well with introductory level and not grow beyond that, continuing to welcome new people who will later move on when they find there is more. And this is fine. Some churches feed spiritual milk for babes (think kindergarten), some feed solid food (think of middle school)  some feed the meat of the Word (think high school), or think first base, second base, third base , all on the way to Home!  We can’t neglect first base. They may struggle by themselves through feast or famine. It is up to other churches to help others through the thin times.

If large churches supported smaller churches, and if small churches supported larger churches, things would balance out. There is a reason the smaller churches would balance out because they would be being supported by larger ones.

1 Cor 12:20-27

 “ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.   And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”   No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary……..  that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.   And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” NKJV

  “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”   NKJV

Small churches who tithe to a bigger Church would share in the spiritual blessings of the big church: “One who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophets reward.”  They would share in the spiritual blessings of the larger churches, being a part of them through their support to them, even tho it be meager. Big churches who give to little churches, sustain and enable others to be feeding the lambs while they themselves still feed the sheep. 

This would work as long as each church within the circle honors Jesus Christ both as Savior and Lord as the only way to Heaven. There should be no elimination from tithing to them because of smaller issues of  ‘local codes’,(doctrine) if you will. Not to be included in this circle would be the non-Christian Christian churches who wink an eye at abuse, abortions and acceptance of same sex issues; to do so would be to take part in their sin and its punishment.

However, other matters of codes, doctrine, should fall into the category of being different parts of one body, i.e. the eye cannot say to the foot, etc.

I have always chuckled to myself each time I see a pastor reach into his own pocket and put the money in his own basket. Seems like isolationism to me. If you tithe to yourself you’re really going solo. It is sink or swim alone which does nothing for church unity in a time when we need a strong united front. 

Find a fruit producing church, in whose fruit you would like to share, give to that one and share in their blessings. This should be different from supporting missions which is considered alms and offerings and is different from tithing to a formal church body,

Picture this:    Christian churches holding hands in a large unbroken circle – strength in unity.  Consider this: Tithe to each other locally, prior to missions work –   and see if  Churches holding hands with each other doesn’t enlarge the circle of Christianity in the nation to everyone’s benefit.

To answer a question before it’s asked, yes let the evangelicals tithe to the Baptist and let the Baptist tithe to the Evangelicals, and let the local Community Church tithe to a larger evangelical Church and share in its rewards; each helping each other and each growing and sharing blessings thereby. 

When we support a ministry we share in the blessings and gifts of the ministries we support and get some credit for the work they do because we support it. We become part of it. Pick a ministry in whose blessings you would like to share. Both we and they will benefit.

“He who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophet’s reward.” Matt 10:41

I have always chuckled to myself each time I see a pastor reach into his own pocket and put the money in his own basket. Seems like isolationism to me. If you tithe to yourself you’re really going solo. It is sink or swim alone which does nothing for church unity in a time when we need a strong united front. 

To answer a question before it’s asked, yes let the evangelicals tithe to the Baptist and let the Baptist tithe to the Evangelicals, and let the local Community Church tithe to a larger evangelical Church and share in its rewards; each helping each other and each growing and sharing blessings thereby. 

Hebrews 7:7 :“For without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.” 

Let there be no division amongst the brethren.

Now if the First Baptist Church of Upper Oswegatchie gives to the Second Baptist Church of Lower Oswegatchie and the Second Baptist Church of Lower Oswegatchie gives to the First Baptist Church of Upper Oswegatchie,  that would be forming their own separate circle and not be part of a larger national circle.

I am amused when I see a Pastor give to his own church, it comes from his right pocket to his left pocket and doesn’t go anywhere. 

“Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” . Martin Luther King Jr.

Recognize others talents and works and be blessed thereby. It may be like having stock in a company –  you support it, it does well,  you do well, and without having to make business decisions for that company. You trust in the president of that company to direct it. In this case the president of the main company is Jesus Christ

God says:  “Test me in this (issue of tithing to God’s work) and see if I don’t open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing so large you cannot contain it”   Malachi 3:10

John 17:20-23

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. NKJV

# END

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that th

P.S. 1/21/2023

A comment came in from Ruth in another state:

“I was told of a Christian School that was struggling financially until the school determined to tithe to another Christian school. It ended up blessing them both.”

P.P.S. 2/02/2023A

A popular large TV Ministry after interviewing a growing pro life ministry did present that group with a sizeable check, A point was made when the presenter confirmed the fact that the recipient of the gift does tithe from their income.

So this is being done – but this writer would encourage more of God’s churches to support each other from the tithe by not keeping it within their own walls but to strengthen the whole body, not just the foot or the arm…

    • – END –

    IS ROME RUNNING A NEW AMERICA ?

    ROME COLLUDING WITH WASHINGTON

    • 285 words – Mary A. LaClair
    • 12/31/2022

    There is a book titled “Washington in the Lap of Rome”. I have not read it yet nor do I need to. All I need do is look at what is happening between Washington and Rome today coupled with our current events. (2021/2022)

    It is no secret that liberal political leaders have visited Pope Francis and succumbed to his leadership. 

    I give you Al Gore, John Kerry, most recently while holding office,  the Pelosi’s, the Bidens,  and who knows who else.

    Liberal Gore said he could almost become a Catholic because of Francis’ stand on liberal politics.  

    However the Pope, and Gore, are in agreement that their brand of social justice is not actually politics,  but rather issues of morality.  

    Whose morality?  

    Is our government actually agreeing that it is the church’s job to be the moral authority in the earth; and if so,  whose church? And does the government have a right to choose which ‘church’ for the Nation?  No! 

    Therefore the government is forcing an errant version of Catholicism on this nation by forcing the Pope’s dictates of socialism on a majority of unwilling participants in the US.

    The pope is not the only intermediary between God and Men, that title belongs to Jesus Christ alone.

    The common-sense rule that states “Charity begins at home” and this applies to all Christians.

    The Holy Scripture states,

    But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

    PUT AMERICA FIRST ! ….and those who defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America !

    END

    A CAT IN GLOVES CATCHES NO MICE

    “A CAT IN GLOVES CATCHES NO MICE”

    692 words                                                                            – Mary A. LaClair

    1/06/2002

     “A cat in gloves catches no mice.” Lilian Jackson Braun

    “He who is made of sugar shall be eaten to death by flies.” Carl Sandburg

    “For they vex you with their wiles”. Num. 25:18  

    It is OK to b intolerant in the face of wrongs, in the face of immorality.

    I believe the word ‘tolerance’ is a buzzword in an effort to negotiate, ‘to put down our guns’ concerning ways which are contrary to morality.  “The only thing evil needs to survive is for good people to remain silent” (Bonhoeffer?)

    It is time for us to get tough!  It is time for us to get tough with our enemies both foreign and domestic, physically; and, both foreign and domestic, spiritually!  

    Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ” Joel 3:10 NKJV

    Recently I heard a story that went something like this:  A man went hunting bear in the woods.  A bear came upon him and said, “…we both want something from the other, I’m sure we can settle this peacefully by negotiation.  All you want is a fur coat and all I want is a meal.  Let’s go out to the roadside, sit down and negotiate.”  The man put down his gun and went to the roadside to talk with the bear.  The bear got his meal and the man got his fur coat!  

    Eph 6:17
    Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
    NIV

    Eph 6:17-18
    Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. NIV

    Misplaced compassion has no place with people of the Lord; the same Lord who says, “Stand fast”. Standing fast means not backing down or being  ‘tolerance’ enabling.  What we tolerate, we approve.

    This is a free country, we still have the freedom to say “NO!”   NO!  Not here you don’t!  The ACLU knows freedom of choice,  that’s what they use for abortion.  Freedom of choice.  Well use your ‘freedom of choice’ to say NO to the ACLU!

    GET OUT OF THE CAGE OF SILENCE AND TOLERANCE AND…SING !!

    ‘The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force” Matt 11:12

    ….notice here it says ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’, not the kingdoms of earth. Violence had not taken America, this part of the earthly world, by force earlier,  because then America had been in submission to God, making Him our Helper and Protector. Right now we are doing well in resisting the attack of evil from foreign powers, but how are we doing in resisting the attack of evil from those ‘enemies domestic’?  (both physical and spiritual?) Note the date of original writing is January 2002. Could this have been prophetic do you think?

    “Submit yourself to God resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

    America, submit to God yet again!, America Bless God !,  as we enlist His help. 

    “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14 KJV

    Notice it refers to Christian individuals to turn from THEIR wicked ways. Judgment actually begins in the house of God. How can He correct the world, if His own house is not in order?

    The second stanza of AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL instructs ‘confirm thy soul with self control’. I think they knew what they implored through song; for Scripture tells us that in the last days men will be without self control.  You can find that in the first five verses in Second Timothy chapter three. I suggest you look that up to see if you think we are indeed in the last days.  America,  “Confirm thy soul with self control”

     Even if we are not on the military front, we can each humble ourselves and take on the spiritual battle within us, against domestic enemies even within ourselves personally, whether they be enemies of food and drink, enemies of materialism which say ‘wants’ are ‘needs’ when they are not;  enemies of anger, selfishness or procrastination; or private enemies which may be known only to you.

      “  … a time to keep, and a time to cast away;… time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;…”  Eccl 3:,5,6  KJV

    Remember we are never advocating violence against our family for

    “he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. Prov 16:32ASV;

     And…patience is active concentrated strength; strength under control is stronger than strength.unleashed

    Yet, we need to be firm with ourselves when it comes to overcoming temptation (otherwise known as self-discipline), for the cat who wears gloves catches no mice!   

    “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 KJV       

    ……  in the sight of the LORD does not always mean in the sight of mankind     

    “Never confuse the will of the majority with the will of God”

    CHURCH: Break out of the cage of tolerance and silence..AND SING!

    Sing the difference between right and wrong…

    Sing of the difference between good and bad…

    Sing loud enough for our countrymen to hear !

       -END-

    HOW TO JUDGE CORRECTLY

    God loves justice and mercy – for without justice there is no mercy, mercy from WHAT? 

    Let us not be influenced by non-Christians or liberals when they say we are NOT to judge. We ARE to judge.  For God loves JUSTICE.  Yet, how many Christians are seeking true justice?

    A friend ,who is familiar with my stand against those who say we are not to judge, contacted me  about a sermon just done  by her son who is a Pastor.  I am thankful.

    He and his church have granted permission to have that link posted here. If you would like to re-post, please seek permission directly from them to re-post .

    This sermon teaches :   How To Judge Correctly: .   May we all take God’s word to heart if we listen and learn from the whole of the Holy Scriptures; and, not just from one misapplied verse given to the world by those who would dilute God’s word for their own purposes.  This is only one of the sermons from Pastor Brian Wilbur’s series CRUCIAL TEACHINGS  FOR CHAOTIC  TIMES. You may wish to visit more.

    Thank you, Pastor Brian for your well-studied and well delivered messages to today’s church.

    May we each  LISTEN    THINK   PRAY   SPEAK UP

    It is 45 minutes long ,your mind will not wander and time will fly by:  You will be Blessed….

    And now, here is Pastor Brian Wilbur with LEARN TO BE A GOOD JUDGE.   Please select the audio link especially if you are driving;  the second link is for the video

    https://www.southparisbaptist.org/mediaPlayer/#/sermonaudio/255

    https://www.southparisbaptist.org/mediaPlayer/#/sermonvideo/255

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