Sheep without a shepherd

[ddc101]

Nothing grieves me as much as lost sheep who are wandering in the dark without a spiritual shepherd.
Several ways you can be deceived
1.You can be deceived by someone else.
2.You can deceive yourself.
3.You can be deceived by Satan.
4.You can be deceived by the Lord.

Ps 119:173-176
173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
(KJV)

Jer 50:6
6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
(KJV)

Matt 10:6-9
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver,
(KJV)

Matt 15:24-25
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
(KJV)

Oh let us pray not to be deceived in any way.I have known many who have left truth and gone astray.I am praying that they would come home to Jesus.
I was inspired to post this as our new converts that moved out of town and did not continue in church have come back looking for us.Two different couples just this week.Today after church service there was a car parked in my driveway when I got home.One of the couples had stopped by to show us their new baby and visit.
They ask all about church.We have been praying for them every day in morning and evening prayer meetings.lv sis.c

[ThirdGeneration]

You can be decieved by the Lord?!? Please clarify!

[Adoniyah]

Good Post Sis.

Third,

I believe what Sister Cooper was referring to is this:

Paul said, "2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"

God wanted to deceive Ahab. He sent lying spirits into the mounths of false prophets concerning victory at Ramoth-Gilead.
It was a lying spirit that came up before the Lord and asked permission to go into the mouths of those lying prophets. God said, "go."

God had desired to destroy Ahab, he thus accomplished it through a lying spirit. The Southern tribe King, Jehosophat was not deceived. He didn't like to hear the mouths of those lying prophets. He asked, "Is there not another Prophet in Israel?" There was, but with some coaxing after he mocked Ahab, he finally prophesied the truth. Ahab preferred to believe the lying prophets and reject the Word of the Lord.

"Because they receive NOT the LOVE of the TRUTH, God, shall send them strong DELUSIONS that they would believe a LIE and be damed."

It is a terrible thing for God to send you strong delusion. There is no salvation from that. You are doomed just by the delusion alone.

How important it is to carefully examine our hearts to find what sort of SPIRIT reside there. It is the spirit of TRUTH or it is the spirit of ERROR.

[Truthseeker]

So that's what the elder looks like! God Bless you brother.

[Adoniyah]

Yeah!!!

Old

Fat

Greying

and sloooooow.

Thanks bro. Rob, for the benediction. I receive it...in Jesus' name.

Hope everyone don't faint, but it is one of the most recent snap shots.

[searching]

And to add to that, he takes the stance of a cat about to be hit by a car.....LOL!!

Me...

[Xerf]

Searching!!!!!!!!! You are stealing my material!!!!!!!!

:)

[tufluv]

Personally, I think he looks rather handsome! A man with gray hair! Why is it men look better in gray hair than do women! Rats!

[ddc101]

Bro.Strange,
That is exactly what I meant in the post above.I have also heard it preached that if you are deceived in any other way there is still hope for you but if its from the Lord there is no more hope for you.
I also think about this scripture concerning this kind of thing.

Rom 1:28
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
(KJV)

It is a scary thing to backslide knowing the truth and willfully walking the other way.Its deception.People always have it in the back of their minds that they are going to have time to make it right.I preached once in a church near Opelousas.(NO not Bro.Reeves but he used to be my pastor).I felt a tug from the Lord to preach that it may be the last call for someone.It was a very small home missions church and I felt like the prophetess with the unpopular message but one of the men walked out that night into eternity unrepentant and was killed in a car accident..lost.What a sad time for that small assembly.It really still grieve me until this day.
Also once I ministered in a small church in north La.I used the text about the woman who stayed with the bodies of her sons to keep the fowl off of them.I remember speaking about how she must have felt when the fowl were approaching...about the sound of the flapping of their wings.A few years later a lady approaced me and said....Sister Cooper my husband was the one you spoke about.In fact when you preached it he had even been saying he thought he was losing his mind as he heard the flapping of very loud birds wings.He went on into eternity as well in a very horrible state.We need to heed the voice of the Lord when he deals with us.lv sis.c

[tufluv]

I'm so glad I DID! AMEN, Sis Cooper! (what a dreadful thing-the flapping wings)! :eek:

[ThirdGeneration]

Adoiniyah- Is that really a recent picture? Elder, you are too young to be that wise; or too wise to be that young...

I will have to think alot about your post. It kind of makes my head hurt at this time!

No wonder David wrote, "Create in me a clean heart, O God and RENEW a right spirit within me (Psalms 51:10).

[Adoniyah]

Tufluv and Third:

***blushing*** thanks for the compliment. I have never learned to graciously accept a complement too well. ***demuring*** But...don't quit! :)

Yes Third, that is among the most recent usable snap shot. So many pirctures have been taken with poor lighting. It was taken last year when I was only a young vital dude of 61.

I thank God for my health. I scarcely remember being sick a day in my entire life. I acknowledge the great physician as not only the healer of all diseases, but more than that, I acknowledge him as the sustainer of all my health. He is also my strength.

Pro 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Pro 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Pro 4:22 For they [are] life unto those that find them, and HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH.

The power of the Word is truly amazing as to it effects not only in the spirit realm but in the phsycal realm as well. It is truly HEALTH to the spirit, soul and body.

Sister Cooper:

It is certain destruction of a soul when God chooses to send them a lying spirit that such a one would receive it to their own destruction.

That is the way that I see some of the horrible doctrines that have come up into modern Apostolic circles. Many have refused to move onward, walking in the light. Because they refuse, that refusal becomes rebellion for which cause God sends them a lying spirit that they might believe those heresies effecting their own death.

When I was a very young man, my dear Pastor, G.A. Mangun told me something that I have never forgotten: "The body of Christ know how to purify its ownself."

The winnowing process is on.

[Sandy]

Adoniyah, you do not look your age at all.

I knew a fellow I believe God turned over to a reprobate mind. And it is not something I really want to ever see again either. It is very very sad to watch, knowing there is nothing you can do. Not even praying for them will help. I did so at first, until the Lord told me not to anymore. I still cry sometimes when I think about it. He began to fall after he refused to receive the truth about Jesus name baptism after looking at it scripturally. And when he refused to obey, I believe the Lord told me he was going to fall away, but still did not know the full consequences of what God was really telling me at first anyway, until he told me it would do no good to pray for him. I have seen people fall back into sin. But never anything like this before. Not only that, but it happened very quickly too. The last time we conversed with him he made it plain he does not even believe Jesus actually even existed.

[Thelordisone]

Tuf,

Nonsense!! I think women look best with their beautiful gray hair!!(Although there are less & less!!) "For the beauty of the old is their gray hair and the force of the young is their strength!!"

God Bless!!

[tufluv]

WHAT A GUY! Luv ya too, Hno.Isaac!
(there are some nice young men left AFTERALL!)
Gottalovehim!
As for less & less, I have to agree, the haircoloring market is making many a new millionaire these days! Some are "hooked" on that stuff-:eek: I may not look as great to the world, but I care not! (my carnal family hates my hair) I have eyes only for my JESUS!

[tufluv]

SANDY:
In reference to your post about the man with a reprobate mind, that has happened as well, as I've mentioned before on previous posts, to my sister's husband, and it is indeed, a very grievious thing! I almost ca'T understand it, she can't hardly bear it, we've tried everything (she in her own way), including fasting/prayer, to no avail.
He refuses to quit using drugs, (won't even admit it, though tests have confirmed it), he denies even basic truth almost, and does visit trini churches! :eek: while continuing to "use"., he's even come back to us recently, for about 2 visits, and then stopped, this has been his cycle for over 2 yrs.
SO, its too sad! I even tried to encourage him, telling him how good it was to see him back, etc., but evidently, he is really really LOST again.
I know the Bible speaks of what happens when someone backslides, after having known the truth., and HE does not lie.
So, we must continue forward, irregardless, as we watch others slip/fall/break their testimonies, and thank GOD for strenghtening the remnant! I do beware, take heed, lest also I should fall, I pray always to GOD to never let that be me, and I do a lot of spiritual maintenance! HALLELUYAH! MY GOD IS GOOD!

[In His Service]

What is funny is when you see really older women, those with more wrinkles than a 100 cotton shirt wadded in a ball, LOL, and they have one of two thinks. Say the darkest black hair thta you have ever seen to top those wrinkles or they have, hair tenged blue, purple, pink depending on the rinse!!!

And they think that looks better than the grey!!!!!!! Must be thier eye sight failing, LOL LOL!!!!

God made us that way, so lets just let go and let God!!!
Bro. Timothy

[Thelordisone]

Bro Tim & Tuf,

Amen!!

My Pastor once visited another apostolic Church and the local Pastor said, "pls pray for the souls." My pastor then said, "who are they? They all look alike. So much for being a peculiar and holy people!!

God Help us. Sometimes we believe the Devil more than God!!

God Bless!!

[tufluv]

AMEN, Hno. Isaac:

Could be he was referring to the visitors? Hopefully. But yes, I know what you mean, some just don't take GOD seriously, and then wonder why no answers to prayers, or blessings that seem to have been misplaced? Hmmm...well, we must pray harder for those, and praise GOD anyway, for never giving up on me/us!
HE's STILL working on ME, I've come a long ways, yet there's much more to go.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! :bow:

[BroDane]

What I notice about those who say, " You dont need a pastor, Leader..Just Jesus"....They..Usually are RIGHT there to be all that they say you DONT need...Pastor Teacher..Leader..they just word it differently,Like Jim Jones did...

It is a spirit that will not humble itself....and man...does that spirit HATE the word SUBMIT!

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

[survivor4christ]

Elder, I pray when I am 61 I have the same testimony as you...God has indeed preserved you; don't look a day over 50:).

Love, Sis. Wenona

[Adoniyah]

Well, Sister Wenona, how sweet.

Maybe if there was more light on my face you could see the crow's feet a little better and some of the other weather worn wrinkles.

Besides, I am about 35 pounds overweight. But, I still have most all of my hair even though it is mostly silver now.

If the Lord ever calls me to Pastor a church, I would love to have at least a hundred there just like you...and your little boyfriend.
It makes the job of serving others so precious when there are those like you that I could serve.

[survivor4christ]

If there were more like you to pastor, the kingdom of God would be tremendously blessed!

[ddc101]

Hi friends,
I pray all the time not to be deceived.If the enemy could he would swallow us up and spit us out in the desert without any spiritual water.
something as of late really bugs me.When I see people living like they have forever to get right and manifesting an attitude that they are okay while being very unfaithful to church service.The thing is many of them pay their tithes but still don't come regular.They don't want the finances to be cursed but neglect the most important thing....their own souls.This is truly deception.lv sis.c

[BroDane]

You are right sis D,

The problem is Love (carnal)

People Love themselves more than God and obeying God
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Rev 22:15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Because, when we Love God, (Agape) We Obey Him
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Love hurts sometimes
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 1Pe 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

I dont know about you but I want God to Recieveth me.. :)

[ddc101]

Oh yes Brother.I want to live a life that is pleasing in His sight.Even if it means I have to deny myself some of lifes pleasures.I want to be acceptable in Gods sight.lv sis.c

Rom 12:1
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(KJV)

lv sis.c

[Sandy]

This subject reminds me that I need to get busy and read that book Bro. Adoniyah referred on here some time ago called "You Have Not Many Fathers".

Tuf, that is very sad indeed. Can you share with me his first name, and we will pray for him too. I sure cannot hurt, that is for certain. If he is on drugs, he is in bondage to them. Which is usually the reason someone refuses to quit to begin with. They tell you that because they believe they cannot anyway, and so they make everyone think they don't want to I believe.

I have never been on drugs, but I was an alcoholic until the Lord miraculously delivered me. In fact, God actually delivered my husband when he repented instantly, as well as healed him of Rheumetoid Spinal Arthiritis at the same time. And even though I was not there at the time this happened, God also delivered me as well. And neither of us have taken a drink since that day, except to take communion with wine. I had repented previously, but was still in bondage to the stuff until Al did, and was delivered. Don't ask me why either, as I sure prayed and sought Him for this after repenting. But PTL, He did it for both of us when the pastor prayed for and with Al, however strange it sounds. But anyway, I used to tell others I didn't want to quit too. And there was a time when I thought I didn't too.

Bondages to things like drugs, alchohol or tobacco are a terrible thing. Only God can truly deliver someone from them fully. It is a miracle that Al or I either one can take communion with wine today. To be honest, the first time I did, I was somewhat frightened. But that is what they served, so I did so, trusting God had delivered both of us, and that this was ok. But I will not drink it at all otherwise, even though I don't object to someone else taking a little wine at a meal on occasion. I just don't feel I am supposed to and therefore do not.

There are a lot of people that do not attend Church today. A lot of them are people though, that have repented, and maybe even are filled with the Holy Ghost, mostly Trinitarian, but have come out because they want the real thing I believe. And it was not there where they were at before. Many have been hurt too, not knowing how to handle this, and actually not being able to even if they did know, because they didn't begin on the proper foundation. But for some it will also take time for them to see this too, depending on how deep the roots of doctrine go they already received.

I know we that are on that complete foundation have all that we need to overcome hurts. But even these need to be taught the basic principles scripturally regarding prayer and depending on God for deliverance of any bitterness that might try begin in us as a result of being hurt too, so that one can walk the overcoming life in this area. Because this is one of the biggest sins, and the most difficult to deal with, that can take place in a believer. Not that it is the only one, but it sure ranks up there as No. 1, none the less, I believe. It is often this that causes one to gossip and etc about others. Think about it. If you have love for all, you do not talk badly about others, nor sin against them in any way. It is when someone is hurt by what another says, and do not pray, casting that imagination down, asking the Lord to replace what they are beginning to feel with His love for that one that will then be tempted to gossip about them. Doing this to appease the bitterness they have begun to feel toward them, wanting to get someone else to condone it. How do I know? Been there and done this, the Lord revealing this to me. :D And I bet there isn't anyone that can honestly say they never have as well though. :D I believe the most dangerous sins are the ones you cannot see one commit outwardly. They are often more difficult to get rid of than the alcohol, drugs and the like. Maybe because they are not seen by most, unless one begins to discern it. And often we will neglect to take care of it immediately too, because of wanting to wallow in our own self pity. Especially when we feel we have been hurt or wronged by another. But we need to learn to do so, not allowing it to take root and grow. A seed of bitterness is a lot easier to put to death than one that has taken root and begun to grow into a tree.

But anyway, that is where a lot of people are at today that are out of church. But they still need a lot of love too, as well as instruction. They need real Godly fathers and mothers too that are full of the love of God.

[tufluv]

Thanks Sandy, and his name is Mario G.
The worst part as I intimated, is that he is in FULL DENIAL.
Whats that saying: The 1st step to deliverance is ADMITTING you have a problem?
Well, he won't and thats so so wrong, and not conducive to healing.

Anway I like your statement:
They need real Godly fathers and mothers too that are full of the love of God

That is so so true, it makes a huge difference, I know that my bestfriend/sisRosie I mention a lot, is that for me, has been since she first prayed for my deliverance (plus we knew each other since kids), and so, she is a lot more mature than I in SOME areas, and I in others. She & I are a good team, for she is strong in one area, where I am not, and me as vice versa.
So, IT WORKS.
I thank GOD for her., and the 'virtual' brethren on this GNC, although some dislike me, thats okay, no one is ALWAYS popular...and it don't matter in the long run.

I get help from many here, whether they realize it or not!
Most of all I PRAISE JESUS!
Bye! Thanks for the offer to pray for this lost soul. I'm glad you pick up on such things that shows your'e spiritual compassion!

[BroDane]

I agree withy what you wrote Sandy, what I referering to is Jesus-name baptised people....who are in Church But not really there

[ddc101]

bump...this was a good thread.:banana: