Results 701 - 720 of 773
|
||||||
Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: JCrichton Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
701 | Will wayward christians be forgiven? | Heb 6:4 | JCrichton | 128884 | ||
Hi, bwallop! You have answered your question in your statement! The Father forgives the lost son because the son recognizes that he has sinned against the Father and he seeks to reconcile himself to the Father! Jesus tells us that there will be great joy in Heaven for a single sinner to repent and return to God! Yahweh tells us that regardless of how sinful our state is, if we come to Him, repent from our unrighteousness and abide in Him He will provide us with both cleansing and sustenance! (Isaiah 1:18-20) In Ezekiel Yahweh makes it clear that He does not desire any to die (Ezekiel 18:30-32)... and Jesus tells us that He came so that we may have Life in Him and have it abundantly! We have been offered two things to choose from: life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19); but we must choose Life (Christ) if we and those about us are to gain eternal life! But truly, those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit (those who reject Jesus as God, those who reject Jesus' Word, those who reject the Holy Spirit as God, those who reject the Holy Scripture...) will have chosen death and the second death is their imminent domain! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
702 | understanding on Hebrew 6:4-6 | Heb 6:4 | JCrichton | 131230 | ||
Hi, Ann! As for those people who were once brought into the light, and tasted the gift from heaven, and received a share of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God's message and the power of the world to come and yet in spite of this have fallen away--it is impossible for them to be brought to the freshness of repentance a second time, for they are crucifying the Son of God again for themselves, and making a public exhibition of him. (Hebrews 6:4-6) Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks on the issue that the Church was facing then (and is constantly facing) where those who claim to be saved and call themselves "Christians" speak of the many graces of God in the Holy Spirit yet when tribulations hit or when egos clash they end up rejecting Christ, joining a cult, an anti-Christian religion or reject God completely becoming atheists... These people tasted the life in Christ, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, Hope, Salvation... yet they end up opposite Christ, rejecting all semblance of His Authority over them... they have become the quintessential anti-Christ! For these people there is no amount of preaching, guidance, pleading or reasoning that will bring them back to Christ. There's nothing new that can be taught to them since they already know that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and Life; they know that Jesus Christ died to rescue them from their death in the sinful state; they know that Christ established His Church for their humble participation in His Body; they know that only through Him can they gain Eternal Salvation... they simply choose to reject Him! They have chosen to serve the creature rather than the Creator and thusly they crucify Jesus every single time that they reject Him as they strive to demonstrate to their new found community their contempt for Christ! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
703 | Specific Prophetic Guarantees | Heb 6:18 | JCrichton | 149583 | ||
Hi, Loran James! There are God's prophecies and man's prophecies... Man's are just like the daily horoscope (just as an example--it is a sinful activity to engage in that religion) or the daily weather prognostication: anything could happen, might happen or nothing happens... some of the times, man's prophecies are educated guesses... most of the times not even that... God's prophecies are God's revelations of things that will happen at a scheduled time, according to God's Will... As an example: Jesus told the disciples, around AD 33, that the Temple (Israel's major place of worship) would be destroyed and that not one stone on top of a stone would be left... on AD 70 the Romans suppressed a Jewish rebellion and they saw it necessary to destroy their Temple (till then, they had tolerated Israel's religious practrices within the Roman empire)... it's been nearly two thousand years and Temple has remained as Jesus fortold! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
704 | Specific Prophetic Guarantees | Heb 6:18 | JCrichton | 149584 | ||
Hi, Loran James! I forgot my Scriptural quotes... Jesus was very adamant about His prophecies: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35) God's Word is fulfilled: so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) God's Word is His Bond! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
705 | Who is Melchizedek? | Heb 7:3 | JCrichton | 119736 | ||
Hi, mom81! There are several takes on Melchizedek… What I understand from the Scriptures is that He is Christ Jesus: When Abram returned from defeating Chedor-Laomer and the kings who had been on his side, the king of Sodom came to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the Valley of the King). Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. He pronounced this blessing: Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High for putting your enemies into your clutches. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:17-20) We have several revelations within these verses: * Melchizedek is king of Salem (Salem could be short for Jerusalem)--traditionally Salem is identified with Jerusalem * Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham--similar to our Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-29) * Not only was Melchizedek king of Salem, but he was also a priest of God Most High--he was officiating, two different titles, for which there was no nation/people to officiate over since not even Jacob, who’s name change would become synonymous with the people of God (Israel), was born. * It would take hundreds of years before tithing would come into effect in Israel, yet Abraham generously offers a tenth of all the plunder. Hebrews 7:1-10, 13-17 connects Melchizedek with Christ: both kings, both priests, both without beginning or ending… Further there is a kinship in question… that of Salem (Jerusalem), the city of the king of peace… then there‘s the breakdown of Melchizedek‘s priesthood: he is not a descendant of Aaron (house of Levi)--as Jesus is not--and he has the authority of the Most High--as Jesus is the authority of the Most High (I and the Father are One!). Here’s one final passage--somewhat like the icing on top: Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad. The Jews then said, ’You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am. (John 8:56-58) Could Jesus not have been speaking of the meeting that took place why back when? There is no other place in the Bible where Abraham and Jesus meet! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
706 | Difference between Offering and Tithing? | Heb 7:5 | JCrichton | 148250 | ||
Hi, Spiritual Nourishment! The difference between tithings and offerings are eviden by reading Hebrews 7:5 (which refers us to the Old Testament where the tribe of Levi was separated for Temple/Worship service and were not allowed to own property/land... through the Temple tithing God provided for them) and comparing Scripture from Romans 12:8-21, 2 Corinthians 8:1 thru 9:12, and others... The institution of the Tith was the mechanism by which God's people would provide for the Temple (provisions for the tribe of Levi, the construction and maintenance of the Temple, with the inclusion of labor and material, and the forging of the various objects of worship), and the needy in Israel. The offerings then and now were additional "free will" gifts made to God by Israel... ultimately, we find that, in the New Testament, since Christians are not obligated to prove for the Temple (destroyed by the Romans in about 70 AD) nor the tribe of Levi tithing is not mentioned as a means to provide for the Church and the needy... rather, free and cheerful offering is expected from all Christians--according to their means and their individual desire to give thanks to God (through the Church and the needy) for providing us all that we are! Peter makes a profound statement in Acts 5:1-10: there is no mandate in what we give to the Lord... but we must give with full knowledge and charity: if we can only afford little, we should not attempt to boast about giving much... if we can give much, we should not attempt to cheat God by claiming that we are unable to give generously... ultimately, Jesus, the One who can see our most intimate secret thoughts, will hold us accountable to our actions (1 Corinthians 3:12-13)... Hence, though we are released from the obligation of the Tithing as imputed to Israel, our obligation to Christ is in effect and applicable to our personal means: we must bring our offerings to Christ with a joyful and charitable heart! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
707 | difference between Dt. 31:6 and He. 13:5 | Heb 8:10 | JCrichton | 137965 | ||
Hi! I think that you are missing the point of God's proclamation of ownership! As in Isaiah 1:18-20 we are called to abide in God and as we abide in Him He becomes our God and we become His people... He chose Israel (Jacob) while not yet in his Mother's womb... and through him He chose Israel as His people... God offered to be their God as long as they lived in adherance to Him obeying His mandates as their One and Only God! In Deuteronomy 31:6 we find a newly released nation of slaves given the Command by their God to possess the land which He had promised to their forefather, Abraham... He seeks to encourage them and to remove any semblance of fear and doubt so He tells them to: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) This Command is not to establish Israel as a world despot that will conquer all kingdoms and subjugate them into serviture... it was a Command to take possession of a land that God Himself had previously allotted to the people of Israel, in Abraham. We know that Israel failed terribly on both accounts (taking possession of the land in the manner ordered by God, and being loyal to Yahweh, their forefathers' God who brought them out of the land of Egypt)... this is why the Lord chose a Remnant from within Israel to remain loyal and obedient to Him (Isaiah 10:20; Jeremiah 23:3)... this Remnant, together with Jesus' followers are the new people of Israel who though belonging to two different folds are made one in Jesus (John 10:16; Ephesians 2:11-22)... under this New Covenant Yahweh still claims Israel as His people and reminds Israel that He is our God and that we are His people (Hosea 1:10)... There is no new law but a continuation of God's original offer: abide in me and I will be your God and you will be my people: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) Other Scripture to consider: Romans 9:25-29; Hebrews 8:10-13; Exodus 6:6-7; Jeremiah 7:23; 11:4; 30:22; Ezekiel 36:26-28; 2 Corinthians 6:16; God Bless! Angel |
||||||
708 | re-question of Dt.31:6 and He. 13:5 | Heb 8:10 | JCrichton | 138104 | ||
"Is one of gthemh Moses?" Hi, Hirotami! Yes! Moses is one of them... though it is better exemplified in Hebrews 11--the chapter about faith; specifically, verses 23-28! And, yes, if viewed individually and out of context (attempting to reason a command to take possession of the land with a command to be content with what one has), it does seems that God is contradicting Himself... but when we realize that Israel was not yet established as a people (free of the oppression of Egypt) and that God's Plan revealed to Abraham that he would take possession of the Promised Land--through his descendants--we can contrast the Old Covenant to the New Covenant which was established by Jesus, in the fullness of times... a Covenant that did away with much of the limitations and physical components of the Mosaic Law, we can see that God's people are being ushered into a higher spiritual existance, as more knowledge about God has been revealed to them then at any other time before Jesus' incarnation (1 Corinthians 2:7-10; Galatians 3:21-26; Ephesians 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:10-25). God Bless! Angel P.S.: Is your screen name in Arameic?, if yes, could you tell me what it means? |
||||||
709 | Even Satan believes - why don't you? | Heb 10:14 | JCrichton | 108789 | ||
Hi! (Is your screen name Gal5:16?) I have to totally disagree with you! Jesus capable of sinning? Please, do not tell me that you believe that when the woman was accused of adultery and Jesus scribbled on the ground as He ignored her accusers, that you understand that to mean that Jesus was writing down her accusers' sins? Do you also believe that the fruit was an apple? I do not mean to be so curt--but you sound like the Witnesses: they want to believe that they can set up a rank and file system for God! Was Lucifer greater than God? Could he have overthrown God? So why did he attempt the impossible? Is Jacob stronger than Yahweh? Is Yahweh a cheat? (Genesis 32:22-32) By applying human logic and wisdom to God's Works we simply defeat ourselves (as Lucifer did!): 1 Corinthians 19-31. Hebrews 4:15 does not suggest that Christ was capable of sinning--it suggests that His humanity, outside of sin, was full and complete! God Bless! |
||||||
710 | for by grace you have been saved through | Heb 10:26 | JCrichton | 136219 | ||
Hi, James! You've gotten quite excellent replies! ...I want to add this comparison... Agreeing that Christ has done all there is to gain salvation and that man can do nothing to sanctify himself: Eternal Salvation is guaranteed by God through Jesus (dying on the Cross while taking onto Himself our sins), but Jesus never claimed that He came to ransom all us (Matthew 20:28; John 1:10-13; 3:17-21;). Some who openly rejected Jesus were part of the religious elite of His times... though their Salvation was guaranteed in Jesus, they, by their own actions, rejected Eternal Life (Jesus). At one particular time the chief priests and scribes attempted to censure Jesus, and with ill-intent they feign interest in His Authority: They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'...." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (Mark 11:27-33) So you see, Salvation is accessible to all; Eternal Life is granted to all... but not all accept Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! God will never change His mind about saving us... just like He will never change His mind about the wages for sin! (Romans 6:23) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
711 | Mass before Jesus,how they get salvation | Heb 11:2 | JCrichton | 148831 | ||
Hi, William! You have come across one of the many mysteries of God: if we are saved by believing in Jesus what happens to those who died prior to His revelation (the incarnation of the Word)? Let me start by showing you a simple passage of the Holy Scripture: 1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) While the Hebrews were oblivious to His existence, Christ was among them, as the water of life! Salvation is of the Jews (Promised to them) by the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Word (John 1:1-18)... it is not that we deserved to be saved but that God's Mercy was revealed through His Love... it pleased God that in Jesus all sin would be eradicated... the book of Hebrews explains that we have one High Priest, Jesus, who officiates in front of the Father in our behalf... that He died once and only once to rescue us from the wages of sin (Hebrews 9:27 thru 10:14)... though Christ died once to save all of mankind from sin, this in no way guarantees that we can choose to do as we please and still be saved... (John 3:14-21) Being the Perfect Sacrifice, not only did Jesus die for the sin of His contemporaries and His future disciples, but also for the sin of those who existed prior to His Incarnation, death and Resurrection: 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, (1 Peter 3:18-20) (Read also 1 Peter 4:6; Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:8-10) Again, Jesus preached in the Spirit to those that died in disobedience when God waited patiently... still, this does not guarantees that those who died prior to Jesus' Incarnation would listen and believe--only God knows who did or did not accept Salvation! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
712 | QUestions on book of Genesis | Heb 11:4 | JCrichton | 118034 | ||
Hi, Chusarcik! Not a single Biblical verse names the fruit as anything other than "knowledge of good and evil" and since the Garden of Eden was planted by God, whereas we have not an iota of knowledge of where it is, it would be extremely impossible for any one to testify to having sampled the fruit and of having first-hands knowledge of what its composition is (jest: it could taste like chicken!). There are those who keep thinking of an apple... Think about this: since Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eve (lest they ate of the fruit of life), guards, spiritual beings, were placed about the Garden to keep intruders out, and since they were the only people on earth at that time... to whom could they have discribed the fruit? Speculation is just that: an assumption of knowledge! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
713 | Can a person truly be saved and have no | Heb 11:6 | JCrichton | 119803 | ||
Hi, ladonnab! Vocabulary is a strange language within itself... what to some is mediocre to others is excellent... since I do not have your perspective of your relationship with your friend... there's little to tell... I have a few Bible passages in mind that could assist you in gauging faith: Matthew 7:21-22 Luke 6:46 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 James 1:19-25 Matthew 6:24-34 ...And finally: 'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.' (Matthew 11:28-29) James 4:8 says that "The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you." Conversely, the opposite is also true, the farther we go from God, the farther God will be from us! One suggestion: PRAY! Keep your friend in all your prayers, asking the Holy Spirit to open your friend's mind and spirit to Him--only the Holy Spirit can convict us of our errors and guide us back to the Truth! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
714 | Just what is the purpose of baptism? | Heb 11:7 | JCrichton | 129896 | ||
"One last comparison and I'll conclude this post. It does seem that there is some similarity between circumcision and the act of baptism as they both are ritual type acts and seem to be the main focal point (threshhold) for people in their respective dispensations to get close to God. " HI, Rowdy! Excellent post! We, "Christians" keep wanting to reinvent the wheel (it is round and it makes things go!)... however we cannot reinvent Creation nor God's Divine Plan! While both the circumcision and baptism are public proclamation of our obedience to God, they are not, in themselves, the means to salvation... but this was never God's intention! His commandment is that we obey! A public symbol of obedience and adherence to God (circumcision and baptism) unites God's people (both then and now) to a commonality: servants of God! How some "Christians" want to eradicate Jesus' own command: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) ...it is beyon my understanding! This effort is almost as constructive as the farce perpetrated by those who hold a claim to being Christian while rejecting Christ's Divinity! For Christians to profess salvation according to our own personal doctrine is akin to nonbelievers professing salvation outside of Christ!: Unity in the Body of Christ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (Ephesians 4:1-5) How can any Christian fail to understand verse 5? Our baptism in Christ is nothing short of a public demonstrantion of our humble obedience to God! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
715 | Jesus is always the same | Heb 13:8 | JCrichton | 137088 | ||
Hi, Noveta! Recognizing that God does not change does not limit God to our finite understanding of "same attribute!" We find that Jesus and the Father are One (John 10:30)... that the Father lives in the Son and that the Son lives in the Father (John 10:38)... we also find that God is Spirit (John 4:24)... that He is transcendent (2 Peter 3:8)... that He is Omniscient (John 16:30)... that He is Eternal (Revelation 4:9)... But we find too... that He is everywhere (Omnipresent) (Ephisians 1:23) and that everything that exists was given form by Him (Colossenses 1:16)... Additionally, we know that He can appear to His servants in any form (walking in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8); as pillar of fire and smoke (Exodus 13:21); as a man (Genesis 18:1-33); as a Rock which gave water to Israel (1 Corinthians 10:4); as a dove (Mark 1:10); as a Lamb (Revelatin 5:6-11); again as a man (Philippians 2:6-7; John 1:14) and finally as a glorified man who can be everywhere at once and can overpower the senses and can materialize in the middle of a locked room (John 20:11 thru 21:14; Acts 1:1-3)... Regardless of Jesus' exterior it is clear that Satan and his minions (spiritual beings) recognized Him immediately as they came into His presence: God (His Spiritual Essence) does not change! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
716 | Rebuking using the pulpit. | Heb 13:17 | JCrichton | 150312 | ||
Hi, ROD! I do not know the intent of your pastor so I cannot judge him... this said... unless a member of any congregation (be he/she a tyro or a leader) is behaving in a disruptive manner or is fomenting dissension or other anti-Christian doctrines the pulpit is the last recouse to address any matter! When resolving problems in the Body of Christ we are called to speak directly to the individual/s in a one-to-one session; if this does not work, we are to bring another couple of ministers (brethren) to further discuss the situation and seek an amicable solution... if this still does not work, then we are commanded to bring it to the Church... finally, if nothing works, the person who refuses to maintain peace in the Body must be removed (ousted) from the congregation: 15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17) Of course, Jesus is not talking about a person with the intent to damage the Church... a minister of the Word (a Chrisitian) is obliged to behave accordingly... but those who minister to the ministers (deacons, priests, elders/bishops) are held at a higher level of responsibility and are commanded to be exemplary members of the Body: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1) 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. (1 Timothy 5:19-20) So, as Doc suggested, look inward, test your spirit... humble yourself to God if you are found wanting... and pray for both your spiritual and your brother/s spiritual well-being... if the error is not found in you, seek correction, in love and humility... offering your prayers to God so that the Holy Spirit may enlighten your congregation and that the problem may evaporate from within your midst! If you've not done so yet, begin an intense life of prayer and Bible Study... seeking the assistant of your brothers in Christ... remember that the battle is not against man, made of flesh and blood, but against spiritual beings bent on bringing chaos and schisms into the Body of Christ!: 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11-13) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
717 | where is it | James 1:5 | JCrichton | 118033 | ||
Hi, Marlene777! Emmaus gave you a reading which most probably is what you are searching for... But it occurred to me that there was something that Paul said to the effect of knowing God: For what can be known about God is perfectly plain to them, since God has made it plain to them: ever since the creration of the world, the invisible existence of God and his everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind's understanding of created things. And so these people have no excuse: (Romans 1:19-20) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
718 | Is His humanity a reasonable explanation | James 1:13 | JCrichton | 131803 | ||
Hi, RWC! I think that the problem lies in that we do not listen to the complete passage; rather we run with that which may have been pointed out by others as proof of contradiction. The very first verse of this passage explains to us that Jesus was allowed to be tempted by Satan: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. (Matthew 4:1) Satan had no power in himself to challange Jesus; only out of Divine accord is he granted audience with Jesus and allowed to throw things at Him. Another important fact that many seem to dismiss is that once Jesus Commanded Satan, he had no other recourse but to flee from Jesus' sight!: Then Jesus replied, 'Away with you, Satan!... Then the devil left him... (Matthew 4:10-11) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
719 | Do you control your thoughts? | James 1:14 | JCrichton | 140702 | ||
Hi! As powerful as Satan is, we are under God's protection (Job 2:1-6; Luke 22:31-32), and only through deception can he get our confidence and enable us to sin... Ultimately it is our own desire, our submission to the flesh, that causes us to fall (James 1:13-15) by rejecting God and accepting Satan's enticements (Romans 1:19-25)... Remember too that only God can dwell in us (John 14:16-17, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16); Satan is but an interloper that will lie, cheat, and murder his way into our confidence... but he has no power at all when it comes to God and those under His protection! (John 10:29-30; Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 4:4) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
720 | how do you strengthen your faith | James 1:22 | JCrichton | 121713 | ||
Hi, ministermay! Heard the expression "practice makes perfect"? As we get involved with the Word of God (both learning and living) we submerge ourselves into the Grace and Wisdom of the Holy Spirit (James 1:25). Jude says it this way: But you, my dear friends, must build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21) Paul breaks it down in Romans: So then, now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; it is through him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God's favour in which we are living, and look forward exultantly to God's glory. Not only that; let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance, and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope, and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5) So we are to live the Word; we are to minister to ourselves and to those around us, and with the measure that we share the Gospel and ourselves with others we shall receive blessings upon blessings (including strengthening of our Faith): But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well--and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well. Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in all kinds of good work. As scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9) May the Holy Spirit impart His Blessings upon your thirst for Salvation! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 ] Next > Last [39] >> |