Results 481 - 500 of 905
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Mommapbs Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
481 | Why would we de-value story-telling? | Genesis | Mommapbs | 84895 | ||
Greetings JRM! Since God frequently uses object lessons to teach me His truth, I don't disregard the use of "story" as an effective tool. I do struggle with your choice of the word "myth" though. You asked, "Can a story convey truth more clearly than historical details?" I think it depends upon the Storyteller! Permit me to tell you a story: This isn't history, per se, but it is "HIS Story!" An excerpt from "The Last Act in Scene III." Because God is eternal, we cannot adequately grasp what has always been and will be. But suffice it to say that before the beginning, God. The Trinity was in perfect communion. The Bible is silent about the point in the continuum of eternity past that God created the angelic order, yet I believe that these beings preceded mankind and the physical universe. Indeed, the Creation is just part of a much larger story, one that has been written to put an end to evil for all eternity! Very simplistically, eternity past is Act I; the creation of the angelic order is Act II; the creation of man takes place in Act III; Act IV is the Earthly reign of Christ and Act V is eternity yet to be. Right now, we are moving very close to the "Last Scene in Act III- the Judgment of God!" John Eldredge, a counselor and author, presents the message of the gospel of the kingdom as a great adventure. This, the "greatest (love) story of all, is told by the Master Storyteller. And in every story, there is a beginning and an ending; there is also a cast of characters: a hero, a villain, and of course the damsel in distress. God, the Author, was already there at the beginning; creation was not. God is the good King. Yet what was created questioned His goodness and therefore His rule. Satan is the villain; he is the being who brought sin into God's perfect Universe by his rebellion. Evil cannot co-exist with God, so a plan for the restoration of God's Kingdom continues to unfold with the Creation and the anticipated Fall of man. Jesus is the hero, who leaves His home in Heaven to enter our world, on a Divine mission: to rescue the beautiful maiden. Mankind is that damsel in distress! And whether we recognize it or not, we are the ones who need to be saved. We do not need to be saved from the villain, for he has already been defeated, but rather, we need to be saved from the wrath of God against sin. “All have sinned . . . the penalty for sin is death,but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23 Today we are living our individual "little stories" within the pages of what John Eldredge calls "The Sacred Romance." This "romance" is the ongoing pursuit and wooing of the damsel's heart by the Hero. “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.For while we were still helpless,at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5,6,8 Act III, the one in which humanity is cast, is drawing to a conclusion. The Old Testament prophets as well as Jesus gave us "cues" (clues and signs!) to keep us following the story line of this great adventure He has written. The Last Act - the Judgment of God - will come and the story of those who have chosen to be written out of the script will end. But just as God was there in eternity before the beginning of time, God will usher in eternity for the future . . . God declares that He will make all things new, not all new things! (Rev. 21:5) In this great restoration, there will be a new stage and a perfect script for His Beloved; indeed they will “live happily ever after!” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 I know that there are those who will reject my interpretation of theology, but this presentation made sense to me! It enables me to understand how mankind "fits" into the BIG picture that God has prepared for those who love Him! "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 1 Cor 2:9 mommapbs |
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482 | Leaving the church mad! | Rev 3:1 | Mommapbs | 84878 | ||
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 It seems to me that your church is not characterized by love for one another, much less even respect! Perhaps a return to the elementary teachings about forgiveness should be considered by the Pastoral staff. Corporate confession should follow personal confession of sin in the church. The members must first recognize the plank in their own eyes before they go about demanding that others remove theirs. (Seems to me that a speck is not what anyone is seeing here!) Jealousy is bred by a desire for approval or belonging from others. And when we don't get what we want, we get mad. But have we forgotten that we already have this (approval and acceptance or belonging) in Christ - seeking it from any one but God is sin! And you are right to be grieved over what has happened to your church as a result. If God has gifted you or granted you a blessing, it is yours. If others are jealous of what you have, it is because they do not realize what THEY already have in Christ - salvation for starters! Love them as Jesus commands. Remember that you are not alone in your hurting. I will pray that God comforts you in your situation and brings about a healing for the ministry at your church. mommapbs |
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483 | Searching for the truth | Phil 4:8 | Mommapbs | 84830 | ||
FytRobert - the converse of this verse would be to participate in the activities you have questioned, among many others that are also not edifying. Bottom line is this: when in doubt, if it does not bring glory to God - don't. Simple but effective! mommapbs |
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484 | how did Jacob reap what he had sown | Genesis | Mommapbs | 84822 | ||
Greetings ford! What did Jacob reap from his sons? How does the way a father loves set a pattern for the family? As I see it, these boys lived in a household of divided loyalties. Jealousy reigned. First and foremost it began with Jacob's unequal love for his wives - Rachel was loved more than Leah. (Gen 29:30-31) Secondly, Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his brothers. (Gen 37:3) It also appears that Benjamin, the only other son of his beloved Rachel was deeply loved as well. (Gen 42:38) It is also interesting to note how this preferential love as demonstrated by Jacob influenced Joseph - see Gen 37:2 - Joseph was the proverbial "tattle tale." Certainly he did not endear himself to his brothers in such a role. And yet, he was not corrected or chastized until his self rightoeuness became more apparant (Gen 37:10) Sadly, Jacob's preferential love for Jospeh over his brothers was expressed in a tangible manner which strengthened the jealousy and hatred btween them. (Gen 37:4) This is in stark contrast to the activity of God, His love is unconditional! (Romans 2:11 et al) Note also how Joseph flaunts his "superiority" or status by telling about his dreams. (Self exaltation)Gen 38:5-11 His brothers responded with more hatred and jealousy. Hatred, deceit, dishonesty, self righteousness, jealousy, arrogance and pride all reared their ugly heads as Jacob's sin of paritality was sown in the lives of his family. And yet don't we as well reap what we sow when we fail to love as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her?! How thankful I am for the pure and unconditioanl love of Jesus! These are just some thoughts on your question. I hope this helps! mommapbs |
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485 | Searching for the truth | John 14:6 | Mommapbs | 84814 | ||
Greetings FytRobert - indeed there is a spirit of eccumenicalism throughout the world, but this is NOT God's Spirit at work. For Jesus plainly tells us that there is ONE WAY. . .not many ways to ONE God! Do not be surprised at this, God's Word also tells us that in the last days men will not put up with "sound doctrine." (See 2 Tim 4:3; 2 Peter 2:3, 17, 18; Romans 1:25) Meaning that the Truth of God (His Way) will be exchanged for a lie (man's way)- it is so much "nicer" to be inclusive, etc. But again, this is NOT God's Way. Narrow is the Gate! Mt 7:13-14. Blessings on your day! mommapbs |
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486 | HEB 12 v1-2 | Heb 12:2 | Mommapbs | 84802 | ||
Greetings chumbu - there is no "formula" for joy - it can not be obtained by human effort. It belongs to God and He gives His joy to us. "The joy of the Lord is my strength" Neh 8:10 WE, believers are HIS JOY! Zeph 3:17, Luke 15:7 The "prize" or joy set before Him refers to our redemption from sin, our reconciliation with God that Jesus obtained for us on the cross. Again, WE are His joy His prized possession. 1 Peter 2:9 As we grasp this truth; as we allow it to permeate our hearts and minds, the joy of the Lord floods our soul. We experience this joy only through the presence of Christ in our lives. It can not be obtained any other way. As we allow the joy of the Lord to be the lens through which we see others, our attitudes will be conformed to His and we experience His joy . . . when there is nothing that you can rejoice in, remember that you can rejoice in the joy of your salvation. This simple truth enables us to "give thanks IN everything." I hope this helps. mommapbs |
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487 | Scriptural basis of bible codes. | John 16:13 | Mommapbs | 84652 | ||
Greetings and welcome Merle! What makes the Bible Code attractive to you? Do think about your answer. Are you looking for special revelation? Or are you looking for God? God is Truth. You will find Truth in His Word, it does not need a "code" to be understood! God has given us His revealed Word and the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Indeed God keeps secrets,(Dt 29:29) yet it is HIS decision to reveal them to us . . .and He does this NOT through some "code" but through the activity of the Holy Spirit. I'd be very careful to keep my distance from those who claim to have special knowledge! "Woe to those who call evil good . . ." Is 5:20 For a time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine . . . (1 Tim 6:3; 2 Tim 4:3; Titus 2:1)Please read these Scriptures and ask God to reveal HIS Truth to you. mommapbs |
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488 | BREAK DOWN THE SCRIPTURE ON MARK 10:37 | Mark 10:37 | Mommapbs | 84650 | ||
Greetings! I agree with what the NIV Study Bible has to say regarding the context of this request yet how often do we, as believers, ask for the same? We disguise our desire for attention and authority by false piety - publically cuddling up to Jesus so that others will give their approval of our "ministry." That that old nemesis pride is very clever! When one's motivation is for Jesus to be exalted and glorified, requests like this will not be made or sought. mommapbs |
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489 | Why confuse the language? | Gen 11:6 | Mommapbs | 84608 | ||
Greetings! Makarios gave a response that I have copied here: "..If the whole human race remained united in the proud attempt to take its destiny into its own hands and, by its man-centered efforts, to seize the reins of history, there would be no limit to its unrestrained rebellion against God. The kingdom of man would displace and exclude the kingdom of God." (1) (1) The Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999, the Zondervan Corporation, Kenneth Barker, General Editor Mommapbs writes now, Reaching heaven is not the problem, rebellion is. When man seeks to have his needs met in anyone or anything other than God, it is rebellion. "Let us build for ourselves. . . let us make a name for ourselves" (Gen 11:4), is a BIG indication that God was not in the building plans or that name! I hope this prompts some introspection for you! mommapbs |
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490 | why did Moses write Genesis? | OT general | Mommapbs | 84562 | ||
Greetings jbw! I am so thankful that we have God's written Word! I could never remember all the Truths contained therein! In my opinion, the record of God's relationship with man was and still is oral - meaning that we confess with our mouth that the Lord He is God, we tell of His excellent greatness, His all sufficient Grace and everlasting love. If you study the early genealogies, you will find that there are only a couple of generations between Adam and Noah - so not much would be omitted in an oral account of the Creation and man's Fall. Yet, how effective was this oral record? The wickedness of man increased upon the earth . . . hence THE FLOOD! Do remember that the purpose of God's Word is to reveal Himself, His love for us and our need for Him! After the Flood and the confusion of the languages at Babel, it seems prudent to assume that more attention would be given to a written record as this would surpass the oral method and ensure a more accurate transmission of history. However, man's perceptions of historical fact are always skewed by the recorder; they can not be compared to God's Authorship! Yet, who God chooses to record His Truth is up to Him! Moses was His chosen instrument as were many others from all walks of life. Don't forget that we, who are in Christ, have also been chosen to be vessels of His Truth. We are HIS witnesses. I hope that this helps. mommapbs |
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491 | Do you know who you are in Christ? | 1 Cor 13:12 | Mommapbs | 84559 | ||
Greetings bingobongo - knowing who we are in Christ is not the same as believing who we are in Christ. We can know that we are loved, accepted, forgiven, justified, righteous, reconciled, and regenerated, but until we act (respond according to what we believe) we are only hearers of the Word . . . this goes right along with faith without works is dead! See Jer 9:23-24. I will boast that I know the Lord - I believe what He says and I am in the process of submitting to His authority in my life to "renew my mind." For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he!(Pr 23:7) As I choose to believe HIS Truth, He changes the way I think and my actions will reflect that inner adjustment. Robert McGee's "The Search for Significance" addresses who we really are "IN CHRIST" in detail. I suggest that we will not fully know the cost of our redemption or our true identity in Christ until we know as we are fully known. Blessings on your day, mommapbs PS: please fill out your personal profile! |
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492 | Repentance and Hearing God | Bible general Archive 1 | Mommapbs | 84552 | ||
Greetings and welcome to the Forum. You have asked good questions! Read John 16:13 The Holy Spirit is the instrument that reveals God's Truth as you read and study His Word. His presence in your life is a sure thing. Eph 1:13, Gal 4:6 et al. Do you believe it? Then take God at His Word and accept this as fact. Don't depend upon your feelings. See also 1 John 5:10-15 God, your (Abba)Father hears the cry of your heart before you even call! Again, do you believe that God hears you? His Word says that He does. Ps 4:3 The Holy Spirit is our connection with God. But the way that God responds to us as believers is up to Him. Henry Blackaby states in "Experiencing God" (which I recommend to you!) that we hear God through His Word, through prayer, through circumstances and through the church, meaning fellow believers. These will be in agreement - God's Word is the absolute source of Truth - base what you believe on facts not feelings. Confession of sin is agreeing with God about an area of your life that is not pleasing to Him. God will reveal this to you as you seek to know and live for Him. When sin in your life is exposed, agree with God about it (Confession) then choose to turn from it (repentence). Ask God to be at work in you to accomplish this - repentence is not lip service; it is active not passive. Believe the facts (1 John 1:9) and then depend upon God to bring the feelings of relief that repentence brings - I KNOW that I am forgiven and I KNOW that God is at work in me to accomplish HIS purposes in my life! Lord, I want to be YOUR instrument - make me fit for Your use!(The purification process takes time and "temperature" - things do get a bit hot in the "Refiner's Fire! But this is always for our benefit,or discipline; it is never punishment!) From MacArthur NKJV Study Bible: "Far more than a mere change of mind or remorse, repentance involves a turning from sin to God (cf. 1 Thess. 1:9), which results in righteous living. Genuine repentance is a work of God in the human heart (Acts 11:18)." Bottom line is this: Get into the Word and get into fellowship with a mature believer who will agree to hold you accountable as you grow in your walk with God. Don't allow the experience of others to suggest that what you experience in your relationship with the Lord is insufficient or lacking. In Christ, you have the riches of His grace - He has lavished His love upon you - thank Him, praise Him and pursue Him . . . He will be found by you! I hope this helps! God bless you as you grow in Him! mommapbs |
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493 | Ishmaelites in Judges 7:24? | Judg 7:24 | Mommapbs | 84548 | ||
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494 | How did Enoch walk with God? | Gen 5:22 | Mommapbs | 84546 | ||
Welcome to the Forum! See Amos 3:3 - What do you think? All day long God extends His heart to us, yet we have a choice to respond to that invitation of love. . . moment by moment. Enoch chose to draw near to God, to allow his heart to beat in time with the Lord God. His desire was to be with God, and God gave him the desire of His heart! See Psalm 37:4 and Gen 5:24 mommapbs |
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495 | Why are you attacking Christians? | 2 Tim 4:3 | Mommapbs | 84512 | ||
Greetings Radioman2! Consider James 4:5 (see the notes) and also 2 Cor 11:2. These may be answers to the questions that have been asked of you too. mommapbs |
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496 | Search and see that...? | John 7:52 | Mommapbs | 84453 | ||
Seeking healing . . . from the water, not the Healer. Seeking to worship . . . for blessings not the Blessor. Finally, they truly seek the Lord when they realize that they have sought in vain. (God's promise for the future of Israel) see Dt 4:30-31 See also Jer 2:13. What did God say to you through this study? mommapbs |
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497 | How has ART fed your faith? | Heb 11:1 | Mommapbs | 84211 | ||
Check out this site http://www.canaangallery.com/OldTest/gal5.htm CANAAN GALLERY 6911 University Blvd. Southglenn Mall Upper Level #B-0780 Littleton, CO 80122 303-794-6945 PS: If you contact this gallery - tell them "TJ's" mom sent you! |
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498 | who wrote the bible and when was it firs | 2 Pet 1:21 | Mommapbs | 84185 | ||
Greetings: You can read more about the origin of the Bible at these two sites - as well as others by doing a web search. http://198.92.124.175/bfotf/originofbible.html http://www.citw.org.uk/origin.htm As a side note, when God wrote the Law on the tablets of stone for Moses, this was the first time His Word was "written!" mommapbs |
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499 | name of GOD ( TRINITY) | Gen 1:1 | Mommapbs | 84183 | ||
Greetings jaythomas! Yeshua is the original Hebrew proper name for Jesus of Nazareth . . . Yeshua was the name His mother called Him when shall called Him for supper. (see Messianic.com) In a post submitted by Kalos: "V. THE TRINITY . . . "A. Definition. There is only one God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence. . . . "Proof. 1. O.T. intimations. The O.T. does not reveal the Trinity but it allows for the later revelation of it." See Gen. 1:1, 26; Isa. 6:8; Gen 22:11, 15-16. . . . "2. N.T. confirmation. In the N.T. there is clear revelation that Father, Son, and Spirit are God; thus a Triunity or Trinity (neither is a biblical word)." See John 6:27; Eph 4:6; Heb 1:8; Acts 5:3-4. These Scriptures indicate that the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God, and the Spirit is God. One God -- three persons. "The three Persons are associated equally and as one (Matt 28:19; "name"; 2 Cor 13:14)." (All quotes are from The Ryrie Study Bible, p. 1936, Moody Press) mommapbs |
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500 | How has ART fed your faith? | Heb 11:1 | Mommapbs | 84147 | ||
Greetings, the art of Bill Hyer is especially meaningful to me. A couple of years ago I attended a gallery that had several of his paintings. One in particular moved me in a way I have never experienced before - through this work, the Lord showed me that His forgiveness was all that I needed. Nothing that I do for Him matters - it's all about Jesus. A year later I saw the painting again in another gallery and was just as moved. I whispered a prayer to the Lord that if it was possible, I would like to have this painting. To make a long story short, I received this as a complete surprise for my birthday and it JUST FITS in my livingroom where I enjoy it every day. (Interestingly, this replaced a watercolor of a girl with very sad eyes offering a bouquet of flowers . . . again, it's all about what Jesus has done for us, not what we do for Him!) And no, it's not a shrine; it is a reminder of the sufficiency of God's Grace - I guess the Lord knows I need this! Remember that you are the instrument in the Hand of the Master! May the Lord speak to many through "your" art! mommapbs |
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