Happy Church Day Everyone!

[Obadiah]

Good morning and wishing everyone who goes to worship services on Sunday mornings a blessed day.

A reminder for everyone how lucky you are if you have a place to worship where you can actually worship God. You are lucky indeed.

I've been without a church home for a year now. It's a small town and the only churches that have caught my interest are simply too far away to drive back and forth all the time since when I get involved in a church I can't settle for just going once a week. It's usually more like 4 or 5 days a week for me. The last church I was at I was employed as a sound engineer, but was asked to leave when they started fighting over the style of music and blamed me for it even though I had nothing to do with the music selection. They showed their true colors once again and I never returned. Probably never will. One of a few people there who I honestly looked up to and respected for his knowledge and dedication was the pastor, who seemed to just stick it out through everything they did wrong. Sadly he wasn't gifted as a pastor so probably shouldn't have been in that exact position, but he was a great educator, a great speaker, and seemed to set an example of dedication to God's service. Then a couple weeks back he declared himself an atheist and is now out on the internet teaching against God and promoting atheist web sites and writings.

All I can say is, I give up. I know there are lots of good churches that a lot of you are members of and are dedicated too. I just wish one or two of them were located where I live. So far the only ones I've found that looked promising are just too far away and I don't have the funds to drive an extra 200 miles per week going back and forth to church. Short of some real help from God in direction on this, I think it's going to be a long time before I can dedicate myself to serve in any capaciticy in another church, even if that capacity is just "pew sitter". This is painful, since some of you know I've always been a supporter of fellowship and a supporter of the organized church, at least of those who try to worship God more than be a social club or political organization. So please, if you are lucky enough to have a wonderful church congregation where you worship, take a little time this morning to say an extra thank you to God for that blessing!

 

[iLOVE]

Do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon is your master.

 

[Obadiah]

Do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon is your master.

This has nothing to do with not getting up on a Sunday morning. I'm already up anyway. And it has nothing to do with giving a secular job a higher priority either. I've never been one to do that.

 

[jasonc]

This has nothing to do with not getting up on a Sunday morning. I'm already up anyway.

I feel for ya.

 

[iLOVE]

This has nothing to do with not getting up on a Sunday morning. I'm already up anyway. And it has nothing to do with giving a secular job a higher priority either. I've never been one to do that.

Luke 16 NKJV says that money is the least in the Kingdom of God. And the least is used to test if we trust God. Jesus says if you don't trust me with any money matter concerns, you won't be able to trust me with any other concerns. Again, the least (which is money) is used to test and see if we trust God. This is the number one reason why things don't work in a Christian life.

 

[jasonc]

Luke 16 NKJV says that money is the least in the Kingdom of God to test our faith. Jesus says if you don't trust me with any money matter concerns, you won't be able to trust me with any other matter is concern. The least (money) is used to test if we trust God. This is the number one reason why things don't work in a Christian life.

So drive an hour or more to get to church then if he must work,or even has kids.I work on Sundays. If that happened here,online church would be

 

[Mike S]

Happy church day!

Yes, it is a happy day, it's always good when God gives me another day to worship and praise Him! Today I got to do one of my favorite church things, take communion to our ill and shut in brothers and sisters. It gives us private time to pray and chat, as well as to administer the sacrament of communion, which is so important to church members.

 

[iLOVE]

So drive an hour or more to get to church then if he must work,or even has kids.I work on Sundays. If that happened here,online church would be

Again Lord Jesus Christ says you can't serve two masters! Jesus says the only way to see if you trust Him is through your money that comes from above.

 

[jasonc]

Again Lord Jesus Christ says you can't serve to masters! Jesus says the only way to see if you trust Him is through your money that comes from above.

Gee perhaps he should walk.it's 200 miles.do able .I work.but for me if it's a bad church I can find another.I don't live in an area like Obadiah does.200 miles is about a two hour drive or more.Nevermind the time at church,plus food.how would he have fellowship?how close would he get to those members,are they going to visit him?

 

[iLOVE]

Gee perhaps he should walk.it's 200 miles.do able .I work.but for me if it's a bad church I can find another.I don't live in an area like Obadiah does.200 miles is about a two hour drive or more.Nevermind the time at church,plus food.how would he have fellowship?how close would he get to those members,are they going to visit him?

If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using?

• Abraham was old,
• Jacob was insecure,
• Leah was unattractive,
• Joseph was abused,
• Moses stuttered,
• Gideon was poor,
• Samson was codependent,
• Rahab was immoral,
• David had an affair and all kinds of family problems,
• Elijah was suicidal,
• Jeremiah was depressed,
• Jonah was reluctant,
• Naomi was a widow,
• John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least,
• Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered,
• Martha worried a lot,
• The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages,
• Zacchaeus was unpopular,
• Thomas had doubts,
• Paul had poor health, and
• Timothy was timid.

That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.

 

[Abigail123]

If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using?

• Abraham was old,
• Jacob was insecure,
• Leah was unattractive,
• Joseph was abused,
• Moses stuttered,
• Gideon was poor,
• Samson was codependent,
• Rahab was immoral,
• David had an affair and all kinds of family problems,
• Elijah was suicidal,
• Jeremiah was depressed,
• Jonah was reluctant,
• Naomi was a widow,
• John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least,
• Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered,
• Martha worried a lot,
• The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages,
• Zacchaeus was unpopular,
• Thomas had doubts,
• Paul had poor health, and
• Timothy was timid.

That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.

If a person lives too far away from a church to attend or do service with, it doesn't mean that person isn't doing a ministry and being used by God. 1,000's of people live too far away from a church to attend, they are not able to serve inside a church for this reason. Yet, they are still, or at least can be, in ministry and God blesses us through this and honors the work we do for His Glory. They are, after all, still the Body of Christ.

God's ministry happens wherever we are and wherever He has us, we minister at our jobs, with our friends, at the grocery store, it is our lifestyle. IMO, our ministry IS outside of the 4 walls in the first place, but it's also nice to have a "home" to go to for fellowship and worship.

 

[jasonc]

If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using?

• Abraham was old,
• Jacob was insecure,
• Leah was unattractive,
• Joseph was abused,
• Moses stuttered,
• Gideon was poor,
• Samson was codependent,
• Rahab was immoral,
• David had an affair and all kinds of family problems,
• Elijah was suicidal,
• Jeremiah was depressed,
• Jonah was reluctant,
• Naomi was a widow,
• John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least,
• Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered,
• Martha worried a lot,
• The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages,
• Zacchaeus was unpopular,
• Thomas had doubts,
• Paul had poor health, and
• Timothy was timid.

That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.

I'm not,Obadiah position is that he simply has no means.church is more then just sitting in pews on Sunday or Sunday school,or Wednesday or whatever midweek service.Obadiah said he isn't one to skip church.I know of what he has done to help a boy on this forum who was suicidal.I don't live in an area like him but if all my churches went thar way in my area.I said online would be option,traveling nearly to tampa,or Miami or jacksonville isn't an option.potlucks at 6pm ,I get off work at 330pm.see my point?it would four hours to get there for me

 

[iLOVE]

If a person lives too far away from a church to attend or do service with, it doesn't mean that person isn't doing a ministry and being used by God. 1,000's of people live too far away from a church to attend, they are not able to serve inside a church for this reason. Yet, they are still, or at least can be, in ministry and God blesses us through this and honors the work we do for His Glory. They are, after all, still the Body of Christ.

God's ministry happens wherever we are and wherever He has us, we minister at our jobs, with our friends, at the grocery store, it is our lifestyle. IMO, our ministry IS outside of the 4 walls in the first place, but it's also nice to have a "home" to go to for fellowship and worship.

Again do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon (money) is your master. The spirit of mammon will make a person get up on time, shower and groom, put on nice clothes, and arrive on time. When Sunday morning comes...excuses - excuses - excuses! Jesus says mammon is your master and you don't really trust me. Open your bible and read Luke 16.

 

[Abigail123]

Again do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon (money) is your master. The spirit of mammon will make a person get up on time, shower and groom, put on nice clothes, and arrive on time. When Sunday morning comes...excuses - excuses - excuses! Jesus says mammon is your master and you don't really trust me. Open your bible and read Luke 16.

That's a whole lot of assumptions (judgement) about Obadiah on your part.

Jumping from attending church, to money, to nice clothes......all over the map.

 

[King Dan of Great the 1st]

I know. Open the NT to any random page you choose and read it.

There you will find your pastor for the day.

 

[jasonc]

I don't dress up for church.it's not my thing.

 

[Obadiah]

Do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon is your master.

Luke 16 NKJV says that money is the least in the Kingdom of God to test our faith. Jesus says if you don't trust me with any money matter concerns, you won't be able to trust me with any other matter is concern. The least (money) is used to test if we trust God. This is the number one reason why things don't work in a Christian life.

Again Lord Jesus Christ says you can't serve two masters! Jesus says the only way to see if you trust Him is through your money that comes from above.

If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using?

• Abraham was old,
• Jacob was insecure,
• Leah was unattractive,
• Joseph was abused,
• Moses stuttered,
• Gideon was poor,
• Samson was codependent,
• Rahab was immoral,
• David had an affair and all kinds of family problems,
• Elijah was suicidal,
• Jeremiah was depressed,
• Jonah was reluctant,
• Naomi was a widow,
• John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least,
• Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered,
• Martha worried a lot,
• The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages,
• Zacchaeus was unpopular,
• Thomas had doubts,
• Paul had poor health, and
• Timothy was timid.

That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.

Again do not take this out of context because this applies to iLove also. If you set your alarm clock to get up and go to work, and don't set it to get up and go to church on Sunday, mammon (money) is your master. The spirit of mammon will make a person get up on time, shower and groom, put on nice clothes, and arrive on time. When Sunday morning comes...excuses - excuses - excuses! Jesus says mammon is your master and you don't really trust me. Open your bible and read Luke 16.

iLOVE , I've already told you once, and this is the 2nd time now... This may apply to you, but what you are talking about IS NOT the situation I am in and what you are saying DOES NOT apply to my situation. The first time I took it that you simply misunderstood what I was saying and were offering good Christian counsel. But when you continue so persistently after I corrected your assumption, this has now become false judgement. Please stop your false judgement of what I said here. Actually, you've made me sorry that I shared something personal on this forum. I should have known better.

 

[Obadiah]

That's a whole lot of assumptions (judgement) about Obadiah on your part.

Jumping from attending church, to money, to nice clothes......all over the map.

Thank you. But it's my fault for sharing anything personal here. Shouldn't have done that and should just stick to moderating.

 

[Obadiah]

...I know of what he has done to help a boy on this forum who was suicidal....

Thanks Jason for acknowledging that. By the way, he's still alive today, although he no longer participates on this forum.

The truth is he's not even the first suicidal person from this forum that I've worked with. There's been others but I just don't talk about it. And all are alive today thanks to God's grace and His somehow being willing to use me to help them.

And I'm not the only one by any means. I know for a fact Abigail123 above has done the same, and I'll bet there's others here too.

 

[Obadiah]

I know. Open the NT to any random page you choose and read it.

There you will find your pastor for the day.

This is true. Although I haven't done the random page part in a while, but when you sit down and read entire books or letters all at once (the same way you would read any other book or letter) it gives you a whole new and much more correct view of what scripture actually says to us. It's a good experience!