Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:That passage came to mind as I tried to log onto two different Christian forums....and was unable to. They're probably having a simply problem that will be repaired soon. One site, that has been down for several days, said they are working on software. But, nevertheless what if the current administration does, as it is presently attempting to do, control the internet? Will the famine then begin? Will sites such as this be banned? Will we recognize it when it begins? I am seeing a great deal of praise of Obama and what he is doing even though he is undoubtledly affiliated with those that approve of Marx, Mao, Chavez, Castro. Something very unsettling is happening in our country and I don't know if it can be stopped. We near the end of days....and it is happening as written!
Has the Famine Begun?
- Thread starter whirlwind
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As Amos 8:11 says, I believe the famine began a while ago. Anybody who has been a Christian for a while has seen the "famine" happening. I'm not sure we can stop it. Moses
I agree. It's hard to find a church (REALLY HARD) that will preach the Bible. Many out there will preach God's word, but they water it down so much your can hardly recognize it. I've learned most of what I know by sites like this and yes, watching Christian TV. I've also spent many hours in prayer and being alone with God to seek His ways and obtain knowledge.Moses
forgivenWretch
New Member
This must be an issue in certain areas, for here where I live, it is not and the majority of the churches in my area preach God's Word every week.I keep hearing this over and over but I just do not see it. Are these statements being backed by those who are going into the churches and finding out first hand?
i have attended many different churches and one thing they all taught was JESUS . they all didn't believe the same things but they could all agree about JESUS crucified and risen and the forgiveness of sin. like me that ways the first step i needed to take. after that thier teachings in my life had to be validated by the HOLY GHOST who leads and guides, us into all truths, or i did not except it. if a person is seeking the truth they will find it.but we all had to have a starting point. so if their not against us what did JESUS say?
[quote name='forgivenWretch;73728]This must be an issue in certain areas' date=' for here where I live, it is not and the majority of the churches in my area preach God's Word every week. I keep hearing this over and over but I just do not see it. Are these statements being backed by those who are going into the churches and finding out first hand?[/QUOTE'] If you are in a church where His Word is taught chapter by chapter and verse by serse then you are truly blessed. Usually it is one or two lines of scripture...lots of music....a little asking for money....lots of talk but the talk is the word of man, not God. But the study to me is more intense and the learning at a different level on forums. To me the time preparing to go to the building, sit in the building, come home from the building is not worth the twenty minute sermon. Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
forgivenWretch
New Member
There are many things that we benefit from when we go to church. Fellowship with other believers, those who we can look up too and learn from, those who have similar situations.Psalm122 A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”When you become a Christian, you are called into a relationship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9). But I John 1:3 makes it clear that we enter a fellowship that goes two ways: with God and with other Christians.Wherever Christians are within range of each other in the New Testament, they meet. Every time the apostle Paul comes to a town in the book of Acts where there are no Christians, he wins a few converts and immediately organizes them into a small group - a little church. Acts 20:7 reveals the practice of the early church: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them." For Christians in every location, regular gathering was a part of life.It is important to attend church for the following reasons: (1) It is an Expression of our Love for God Going to church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God, something that is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- and it is where we can bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. The psalmist wrote, “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You” (Psa. 22:22). People are often motivated toward church attendance for how it will bless themselves, however we should remember that the primary purpose of the corporate gathering is to bring “service” to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psa. 134:2). Indeed, the Lord is deserving of our time and energy to honor Him with our service of devotion. “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11). (2) It builds up our Spiritual Strength Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. Every believer knows what it is to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Paul states that Christians face a wrestling match with the Devil and his evil spiritual forces, and warns that the church must put on spiritual armor for protection, as it will take everything at our disposal to stand (Eph. 6:10-18). How important that we take every opportunity available to receive ministry and strength from God’s Word. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). (3) It brings a special visitation of the Lord’s Presence There is the promise of a special visitation of the Lord’s presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. By implication, this means whenever “Jesus” is the object of gathered prayer, worship, praise, preaching, etc. Even though Jesus resides within the heart of every believer, he honors a gathering in his name by coming in the “midst,” with his power, awareness, and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at any other time. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psa. 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). (4) It provides fellowship with other Christians Gathering together also has compounded importance to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible makes it clear that a right relationship with God requires a “vertical” and “horizontal” alignment — that is, we must have a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It is not possible to love God and refuse to love the brethren. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Scripture warns us that unforgiveness toward others will void God’s forgiveness of our own sins (Matt. 6:15). John wrote, “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:9-10). One of the most important reasons that we go to church is to practice love toward the brethren in the form of fellowship. The Bible clearly shows that if we have a right relationship with God, we have fellowship with others believers. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Keeping ourselves in love and harmony with other believers keeps us humble before God so that Christ’s blood can continue to cleanse us from our sins. (5) It is an act of obedience to God Not to be forgotten, going to church is also a matter of obeying God’s Word. The writer of the Hebrew epistle tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” (Heb. 10:24-26). Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). [SIZE=+1](6) It provides accountability to spiritual leadership[/SIZE] More strong evidence that proves that we’re to be a part of a church fellowship, is that we’re told to submit to the authority of spiritual leaders (within the boundaries of God’s Word). “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). God designed this system of accountability for the progress and protection of His flock. Obviously, this really isn’t possible unless we are a part of an organized fellowship which has identified elders, pastors, or leaders. It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders. [SIZE=+1](7) It combines our spiritual strength in prayer[/SIZE] The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). There is multiplied strength in the combined faith of God’s people, and it is clear that greater spiritual gains can be realized through corporate prayer and worship. This agrees with how God has historically blessed the union of His people in battle against their enemies. “Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you” (Lev. 26:8). [SIZE=+1](8) It honors the Lord’s Day[/SIZE] The fourth commandment of the law that God gave Moses was to set aside the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to the Lord. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, the early Christians began meeting together on this day as well as with the Jewish community in the synagogues on the Sabbath. History indicates that due to the enmity of the orthodox Jews toward the Christian Jews in their midst, the Jewish Christians were eventually ostracized. And although they were no longer bound to a rigid code of laws (Gal. 3:10-11, Col. 2:16), it is believed that they came to view Sunday as a combined observance of the Sabbath and the resurrection day of Jesus (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). This day of Christian worship came to be called the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10), a day to fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, to worship, pray and study the Word together.
this is the internet, and we must always be aware of who might hear our fingers. we all might share some of your views or all or none,but our opionions are our judgement and views.grandma said if you don't have something good to say about someone keep it to yourself. i didn't talk much around gramma but i did learn a valuble lesson.
forgivenWretch
New Member
Yes, we should meet. We should gather. Does it specify that it should be in a building? 
As I said....if you feel you are learning and not being taught false doctrine then...you are blessed. Remember ForgivenWretch....we ARE the house of God. We are the temple.
As I said....if you feel you are learning and not being taught false doctrine then...you are blessed. Remember ForgivenWretch....we ARE the house of God. We are the temple. Most churches are great at teaching the milk ..The good news that Christ died for our sins ect .ect. thats wonderful however God says we can not live on milk alone as we grow We need meat ... that is deeper knowledge.Most churches today never teach meat never teach how to study never teach the deeper truths ... Never teach people how to search the scriptures ... We are told it is to be taught precept upon precept concept upon concept line upon line ..here a little there a little ...If you are only being taught ..The good news ..the feel good stuff of Salvation and repentance. Then you are not learning the meat as God told us. The surface text the milk is only the beginning... Our Father gave us a living book that grows with us as we learn .. He has fore told us all things ..but we must learn how to understand it and how to find it ....This is where our churches today fail us this is where the famine is seen today.The seven churches in Rev. are types of Christan church's/believers that exist in this last generation and God is not happy with 5 out of 7 teach ... He is not condemning the milk the Good News being taught ..He is unhappy that's all they teach ..about him the rest that is taught is about traditions of men, Easter, Christmas, ect. ect. These things are not about your Father they are church traditions of men ... So is there a famine for the true Word of God ? absolutely will it get worse absolutly... I agree with Whirlwind if you are not learning chapter and verse precept upon precept learning the meat ... Milk will not sustain you Gods Words not mine ...
gregg;73736]this is the internet said:The more that "hear" the better.
Isa 28:9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Amo 8:12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it]. No I mean most thats what God says I repeat God is unhappy with 5 out 7 thats what 80 % ? That doesnt mean what they teach about Salvation and repentance is wrong as I said thats great ..But thats only the start ... the Milk ... Most churchs do not wean their paritioners off the milk into the meat ... They stop/fall short this is Gods complaint ....Whom shall he teach knowledge? Only those weaned from the milk most churches do not do this
forgivenWretch
New Member
forgivenWretch;73743]This is something that bothers me also. How can we use the word MOST? How many of the churches have we been in? How can we say what most churches do or do not do? According to who?[/QUOTE]???????According to scripture read for yourselfThe seven churches in Rev. are types of Christan church said:
Perhaps, but I can quantitatively say that "most" churches I go into time Sunday sermons in the 15-30 minute range and most of the time tell stories about Grandma Jones or Old Aunt Becky and little Johnny. There's nothing wrong with humor and using experience to teach, but when those stories are the entire lesson there is a problem. I've heard this firsthand, and not just here and there. Don't just tell me to love my neighbor, talk about where it's done in the Bible and work through the hard parts so to speak.In finding a local church, I found over half spend more time on stories than they actually do reading the Word of God. I believe very much in the active work of the Holy Spirit among us, but the Holy Spirit also lines up with Scripture. The Holy Spirit is not just stories.Statistically (and rather broadly) speaking, church attendance is down, there are articles on that. That's not to say there aren't individual successes amongst church, as there are. However, putting aside the state of things, a large part of the state of things is the failure of the church (and I don't mean the clergy, I mean the people).
According to our Savior; Revelation 2-3.
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