What I also mean by cliques is that we tend to take another's opinion personally, and, without realizing it, have excluded them.  Like the atheists that come to this site.  I know they either come here for answers or to argue, but has anyone really tried to befriend them?  Salvation is not an argument, its something you share with someone you love and want to spend the rest of eternity with their friendship.

Oklahoma Howdy to Peachykeen,

I understand what you are saying. Yes, many people here have spent considerable time and effort trying to help atheists and other people who could be considered anti-Christ.

Some are somewhat open to discussion, but it becomes apparent that some come here to destroy Christian fellowship. Some are hunters, and Christians are the prey. You would not believe some of the messages that are deleted, hopefully quick enough that not many users see them.

We've had several professed atheists with us for a lengthy period of time. They obey the forum rules and don't post obscene, profane, or disruptive messages. We've had all kinds of folks from Satan worshipers to nudists and everything in between come here with an agenda of destruction and persecution. Some Christians comment that they learn how to better witness here. That effort is reasonable with some and impossible with others. For some, they are simply the devil trying to destroy and capture or persecute Christians.

In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

In reading the Hoekstra Devotion today, I couldn't help but think about a beautiful hymn, "Blessed Assurance". This thought gave me joy because I have that assurance. "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine."

I know that the powers of darkness don't want any child of God to have assurance of salvation. Those dark powers want us to doubt, be confused, and be weak. God wants the opposite, and HE builds our faith and assurance as we study HIS WORD, pray for guidance, seek HIS will, and walk in the SPIRIT. Our joy and comfort in HIM grows with our faith and assurance. Peace and many other GIFTS increase as our faith increases.

Brothers and Sisters, I pray that you enjoy the fullness of joy, comfort and peace IN CHRIST. Smile and KEEP LOOKING UP!

Love in Christ,
Tom

Hoekstra Devotion - October 17

Assurance of Salvation through Faith:

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.  (1Jo_5:11-13)

If we are to grow in grace, we must live by faith. "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace" (Rom_4:16). If our faith is to develop and mature, we must know where faith comes from. Jesus (and His word) is the source of our faith. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Heb_12:2 and Rom_10:17). As we get to know our Lord better and better, as we get into His word more and more, our faith grows. As our faith grows, we experience the grace of God in increasing ways. One of the wonderful workings of God's grace is to bring us assurance of salvation through faith.

Some people wonder if they are saved. Others hope that they are saved. Still others think that they might be saved. God wants people to know that they are saved. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." Of course, salvation (the gift of eternal life) is given to those who "believe in the name of the Son of God." This means that they trust in the person and work of Christ. They believe He is God, the Son. They believe He died and rose victorious over sin and death. Many who have entered into salvation are, nonetheless, without assurance of this great gift.

Assurance is imparted through the consideration of the previous testimony of the faithful and true word of God. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." The gift of eternal life has truly been provided for by the Lord. However, the Father wants us to be reminded that this eternal life is "in His Son." Everlasting life is not some "packaged blessing" that comes to us separated from Jesus. The life God has for us is found through a dependent relationship with a person, Jesus. If we have Jesus in our lives, we have the life that is found in Him. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." If we have invited the Lord into our lives, He now dwells in us. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (Joh_1:12). Jesus gives us assurance of salvation through faith in Him.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for coming into my life when I received You by faith. Therefore, I know that I have eternal life, since that life is in You. Thank You for the grace that brings such assurance through simple faith in You, Amen.

Oklahoma Howdy to Allinall, Forrest, & Brother Love,

AMEN! - Thanks!

I enjoyed your thoughts and hope that many others will also enjoy them.

I give thanks that we can uplift each other with beautiful portions and thoughts about HIS HOLY WORD. I also give thanks that we can pray for and encourage each other to walk closer to HIM in fuller joy and fellowship.

Thanks! This was a nice way to start the day.

In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Peachykeen,

I will pray for you that God gives you comfort and strength during this difficult time of your life. I will also pray that God gives your doctors wisdom in finding the best treatment for you.

This is the time you should trust in Jesus first, before anyone else. People may desert you, but Jesus will never forsake you, even in the worst situations. It is time to pray.

You are very young, so I hope and pray that it is something easy to treat or repair. Whatever you do, don't blame God for your illness and pain. All human beings will suffer illness, pain, and death sooner or later. When you pray, ask if it be HIS will.

Many here will pray for you. Keep us informed of any news so we can better pray for you. In the meantime, put your faith in Jesus and KEEP LOOKING UP!

In Christ,
Tom

Exactly!! By their Fruits you shall know them!  And, I am not a christian.  Don't lump me into that category!!  I am a Follower Of Christ.  Christians rarely show the Fruits of the Spirit.  Followers of Christ do.

Tamara.

Oklahoma Howdy to Tamara,

Here's another interesting example of the tags and labels of mankind meaning different things to different people. Mankind has made a pretty big mess of tags, labels, denominations, and other issues that cause confusion.

To me, "Christian" means follower of Christ and in Christ. The root and derivation of "Christian" is "Christ", but I can see how some people might have other definitions. I'm not sure the confusion could be solved with longer definitions. As an example, "What are you?":

I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.
I belong to Jesus.
I serve a Risen Saviour.
I am a child of God.
I am saved.
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour.
I am a member of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
I walk and live in and through the Holy Spirit.

Some of these descriptions are fairly specific, but I guarantee that some would have various definitions and thoughts. Regardless, all of man's tags, labels, and denominations will be gone when we spend eternity together with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

In Christ,
Tom

Hoekstra Devotion - October 16

Once More on the Source of Faith:

Then He who sat on the throne said . . . "Write, for these words are true and faithful" . . . Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true" . . . So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Rev_21:5; Rev_22:6 and Rom_10:17)

Jesus is the faithful and true witness, who gives us the reliable truth that we must have in order to find life and live life as God intended. "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness . . . the Faithful and True Witness . . . And He . . . was called Faithful and True" (Rev_1:5; Rev_3:14; and Rev_19:11). As we see His faithful and true character, faith toward Him develops in our lives. His word is a vital part of this process, since it has the same character that He has (faithful and true). "Write, for these words are true and faithful . . . These words are faithful and true."

When people humbly receive the word of God, the scriptures change their lives. This is how we started out with God: "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you" (1Pe_1:23-25). We were born again into the family of God when the incorruptible, living, eternal word of God was planted like a seed in our hearts. This occurred by our hearing of the gospel. We believed the good news of Jesus Christ, and this gospel seed germinated within us unto life eternal.

After being born again by grace through faith in Christ, God's plan was that we continue to respond to His word (like those in Thessalonica did). "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1Th_2:13). These saints welcomed the scriptures into their lives. They knew that it was not a mere human message. They knew it was from the Lord. They were eager to hear it and to rely upon its life-nurturing message. Therefore, it effectively worked in their hearts, as they believed in the truths they were hearing. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Initially and continually, faith comes by hearing the faithful and true words of God, and that faith accesses grace.

Dear Lord, even as You are faithful and true, so Your word is faithful and true. I began by a faith that was stirred through the gospel message of Your word. I know that I can only grow in faith as I humbly receive Your word into my life day by day. Lord, I long to live by faith that I might grow in Your grace, in Your holy name, Amen.

A wonderful reassurance that with God all things are possible and not to be doubted. No matter how impossible they might appear to our limited physical minds

Oklahoma Howdy to Brother Ollie,

AMEN! Thanks Brother. God's Grace, Love, Majesty, and Power are beyond description.

In Christ,
Tom

[I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your work. I consider your work here to be a ministry to many.]

Oklahoma Howdy to ADMIN,

Brother Ray, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you another BIG THANKS!! for providing Christians Unite Forum for Christian fellowship. It means more than you know to many people. Many Christians come here for prayer requests. Others come to discuss His Word, family relationships, growing in Christ, and many other important issues.

I don't think that many of the users on Christians Unite realize how much work and effort you go to in keeping the forum running. Only those with a working knowledge of database, communications software, forum software, and other related utilities would have a clue how much effort it takes to keep Christians Unite Forum up and running. I do have a good idea about how much work it takes, and I sincerely THANK YOU for this place of Christian Fellowship.

We've had our share of trolls and bad users who come here to disrupt our fellowship. Again, most people have no clue how many changes you have to make in configurations and the database to take care of a single problem. I remember times where you had to deal with as many as 5 bad users in a day, maybe more that I don't remember. I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your work. I consider your work here to be a ministry to many.

Here's a BIG! Oklahoma THANKS!! for you!

I don't have hardly any money, or I would buy you a gift. However, I will teach you how to YODEL FREE OF CHARGE.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Brother Forrest,

"Amazing Grace" - AMEN! - Thank you Brother. There is no love that can be compared to God's Grace and the GIFT of HIS SON as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable GIFT!

In Christ,
Tom

What a difference thirty years makes!

     Brother Forrest - ROFL    

Looks like I'm gonna make a climbing wall! Maybe some resin holds, or some people say they make them out of Bondo and they're reasonably durable. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait...WooHoo!

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

Several of my friends have a portable one they set up in the mall and charge to use. They use a safety tether from the top, and a person on the ground is responsible for holding the other end of the rope and stopping a fall. With the right gear, I doubt you would need the person on the ground. The climber would continually adjust the safety tether with one end on their belt. I think that minimal safety equipment would just about eliminate serious injuries and death.

I do the same type of climbing that Brother Love does, in and out of bed.   So far, I don't need a safety tether for that.  

In Christ,
Tom

hi, I'm not staying, just stopping by! how are u all?

Oklahoma Howdy to Fern,

Why don't you stay for awhile and get to know some of the folks here? Who knows, you just might enjoy the Christian fellowship here.

In Christ,
Tom

A man stood before God and asked, "Look at all the suffering, the anguish and distress in your world. Why don't you send help?" God responded, "I did send help. I sent you."

David J. Wolpe

We come closest to God at our lowest moments. It's easiest to hear God when you are stripped of pride and arrogance, when you have nothing to rely on except God. It's pretty painful to get to that point, but when you do, God is there.

Terry Anderson