Jerry

The Lion Of God’s Word I love how the Apostle Paul used many images and comparisons in his preaching and writing to get the truth across to his readers, like in the following verse: 2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Vine’s Expository Dictionary says this about the word “bound” as used in this passage: “…its ministry, course and efficacy were not hindered by the bonds and imprisonment suffered by the apostle.” Even though Paul was imprisoned and bound, the Word of God was not. “The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” - Charles Spurgeon “The Word of God can take care of itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries.” – Charles Spurgeon - (“The Lover of God’s Law Filled with Peace”, sermon #2004, January 1888) Don’t hold back the lion - just let it out! 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. The phrase “free course” means “to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively).” Paul’s desire was that the Word of God was running freely, achieving its intended affect in the lives of those who heard it, with nothing hindering it from doing so. Psalms 147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. Keep studying, keep applying what you have learned, and keep sowing the seed of the Word in the hearts of the lost around you. Let the lion of God’s Word out to roam. Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. I love how we can run in the path of God’s will when we understand His Word: Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Psalms 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. There’s A Lion In My Heart There’s a lion in my heart, Running freely through my veins; I can’t hold back this power - I give the Lord free reign. This old world hates the Bible, There’s no place left for God’s Word; But still it cuts so deeply, Through soul and spirit, like a sword. Reading and studying daily, Like Mary, at Jesus’ feet; Searching for hidden treasures, Gleaning wisdom and digging deep. Mind filled and overflowing, Mouth filled and opened wide; I am weary with forbearing - I cannot hold God’s Word inside. Though at times I cannot speak, And feel I am but a child, There’s a lion in my soul, Breaking free and running wild. November 1st, 2022 Jerry Bouey

Sorry, Rando, that's your opinion. When was the last time you gave 100% of what you earned or owned to a church? The tithe existed hundreds of years before the Law (Genesis gives account of Abraham and Jacob tithing). If someone made a wage in agricultural produce, it makes sense they would tithe in produce. However, I am not a farmer - my wage is earned in dollars; therefore I tithe in the currency I make. Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. If my firstfruits are monetary, then I tithe from those firstfruits. Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Here it is not specified what type of tithe only that we are to bring ALL of it into the storehouse - which for the NT believer is the local church. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. I don't think Paul was gathering all their eggs and fruit on the first day of the week, when the church met.

The tithe is literally 10% (that is what the word tithe means) - I don't see how anyone can pay more tithe. They can give more, pay their tithe or not pay their tithe, but they can't pay more tithe. I don't think it matters how much someone makes - it matters whether they are saved and whether they are walking closely with the Lord or not. Also, Jesus said it was impossible for those trusting in their riches to be saved, not those who had riches (but certainly the temptation would be greater for the lost; and worldly Christians - though saved - might rely on their money to a greater extent if they had more). Mark 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

All true children of God should hate it - though we know that is not the case. I abhor the day devoted to darkness and to directly or indirectly serving the prince of darkness.

Swathdiver, based on your statement, that is technically the definition of a hypocrite - and it is presumptuous sin to deliberately choose not to do what you know to be right. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Of course, this has no bearing on anything negative to do with the show (ha, ha, sarcasm for the win!!): The character of Jesus just quoted the book of Mormon in the trailer for season three of the show - "I am the law of Moses." Mormon influence, ecumenical work uniting false Christs (what is the plural of Jesus) together, something to be avoided if you care about truth? Naw, that would just be legalistic and judgemental and unloving and... Oh, no one is still reading this thread...

The congregation holds the pastor accountable. They do not tell him what to do - or lord over him - but the NT gives the way they are to approach him and deal with him if they believe he is in error.

Though this verse does not use the term calling, it is obvious that preaching is a calling: 1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

TheGloryLand, please act like a mature Christian brother and stop baiting and mocking BrotherTony. It bothers me to see your posts like this, and it is not pleasing to God to mock another brother in Christ. If you are disagreeing with him about something, state that disagreement, but please don't resort to worldly behaviour. It is a stumbling block to others and a bad testimony to the lost world around us.

Whether an NT church uses the term or not, a Bishop is the same as a Pastor, and the same as an elder. All three titles refer to the same office in the NT. Pastor is a reference to shepherding and guiding the flock, elder refers to spiritual maturity, and bishop means an overseer, referring to someone watching over their flock. Churches that actually have three different offices - or even two (referring to these titles - there is a Biblical second office of a deacon) - are not following the New Testament pattern.

Well, my CALL to preach is definitely a calling. God has given me the spiritual gifts of teaching and exhortation. Two primary ways I have used that is through writing and through preaching, of which God called me in 2003. Bible still says this, whether you agree with it or not: Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Welcome. There are many here who love solid, Bible-based fellowship. Feel free to start some good Bible studies and questions on these boards.

All these years later, I still have my leather-bound Defined King James Bible - but I think they are not making them anymore. I contacted The Bible For Today last year and they no longer had anymore copies in stock. They said they would contact me when they printed more up, but they never did. Mine is still in great condition. I have had to put some tape in the inside pages (ie. where two pages connect together) as it was slowly starting to wear out in several spots - but the masking tape stopped each spot from wearing out further.

Many religious people get emotional when they hear emotional music - that in itself is neither a sign of salvation or an indication of being called by God. That being said, He calls all of us through the Gospel. I never cried when I heard the Gospel - though certainly through the years, many times tears have come to my eyes through soul-stirring preaching, yes sometimes through "Christian" music, and other times when conviction came about certain sins or even about the fact I am saved and am awed about His salvation.

True, God did use a donkey once - and He may even override the decisions and actions of evil men to get His sovereign will done; however, His Word shows that He uses and works through His children that are holy, set apart from evil, dedicated to Him. That being said, what historical proof does anyone here have that King James was "evil"?

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. My desire to preach was definitely a calling that I submitted to. In fact, it was NOT a desire at first. God had to do a work in me and bring me to that point. My response to it at first was rebellion, then a little bit later submission.

Stating that the Holy Spirit guided me to find the most accurate version in English in no way indicates He cannot guide in the same way in regard to other languages. Also, being King James Only refers to my convictions regarding English translations. There are MANY KJV-only believers who also accept sound Textus Receptus and Massoretic Text translations into other languages. The positions are not mutually exclusive.

Some of the ministries of the Holy Spirit are to teach us the truth, give us wisdom, teach us discernment - so I very much disagree that He would not lead or guide in regard to Bible versions. He certainly taught me the difference between the corrupt versions and the King James Bible, and through all the years since then has reinforced that guidance to show me over and over again that I can trust my KJV completely. That settled assurance, I believe, comes from Him - assurance that I can rely 100% on the Word of God and that I hold that very Word in my hands in the KJV.

Please clarify what you are asking. The only thing that comes to mind based on the wording of your question is about the calling to be a pastor. I believe both are true of the person the Lord has truly called to that office in the local church - they also have a desire to be a pastor. The terms bishop, pastor, and elder are interchangeable in the NT when they are referring to the leadership of the local church. 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; If you had something else in mind, please clarify it.

No, the context shows that Jesus cursed it because it was not bearing fruit - not that it already bore fruit but it was no longer there. Works are a prominent part of our Christian lives. They are not how we get saved, but are evidence of our salvation. If there are no good works/good fruit, is a person truly saved? No. (For the record I am not specifying how much or how soon someone bears fruit - but if a professing Christian never has any good fruit to show, their profession is "fruitless.")

His messages to me did seem a little off. First he asked what Bible I would recommend, then seem dismayed that it took me a few days to get back to him as I was not on these boards then. I just saw another question by him asking who is the Most High over all the earth according to Psalm 83:18? Though looking up the verse itself and reading it would certainly answer it - unless he has some problem with the name Jehovah. Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

I'm grateful to the Lord God for providing my salvation, not for the wood (the cross/tree) or the nails or the soldiers that crucified Him or the religious crowd that betrayed Him.

The Bible nowhere teaches us to "take care of the planet." No one here is promoting destroying or rampaging our earth in any way beyond actually using its resources that God created and gave us dominion over - however, the Bible never teaches us to be tree huggers or be more concerned about saving the trees, the whales, and any other kind of wildlife (or created thing, or even the environment) than we are about serving the Lord. If you think God's be all end all is the preservation of the environment, then I truly think you need to read the book of Revelation - God Himself is the one who will be destroying this present world in judgment during the seven years of the tribulation period.

As long as mankind - ie. the nations - are rebellion against the Lord God, there will be famines and droughts, and other "natural" or perhaps unnatural disasters as judgments on the world. The OT states these (in general) can be judgments against sin, the NT states that these things will happen the closer we get to the Lord's return, including during the Tribulation period (and in those years, they are specifically stated to be judgements upon the whole world and the Antichrist/his people). Truly, there is no Biblical call to say they are due to climate change. Does climate change turn the seas into blood, cause worldwide earthquakes, burn up all the trees and vegetation, bring plagues? Despite man's advances in technology and medicine, etc. he can't stop these things from happening, nor were they caused by him (though caused by God as judgement on our world during those years).

I found an old poem that I never posted anywhere. Looks like I edited it slightly after I became KJV-only, and I just tweaked a few words right now to make it flow a little better (and not just say "Him"). Chosen In Christ Jesus We deserved wrath, but God showed mercy; We deserved judgement, but He gave grace; Our sins excluded us from His presence - Now reconciled, we can see God’s face. We dwelt in the kingdom of darkness, Enslaved by the chains of our sins; We were dead in our vile trespasses, Until the Lord Jesus Christ entered in. Controlled by the prince of this world, Marred by the depravity of our minds, But God being rich in His infinite mercy, Showed that He was so loving and kind. Now He has made us a royal priesthood, A holy nation to shew forth His praise, A people for God’s own possession - Chosen in Christ because of His grace. Proclaim aloud His excellent greatness; For He has called you from darkness to light; We are seated with Jesus in heavenly places, For our God has quickened us together with Christ. December 12th, 1996 Jerry Bouey Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10 Changed one word in the first stanza to make the meaning clearer.