Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | DocTrinsograce | 129104 | ||
Not at all, 1949. Don't let that kind of thing bother you. People say all kinds of things, and our day is full of folks who want -- or claim to have -- mysterious and supernatural things in their lives. (Frankly, the most incredible supernatural event ever is the saving of my soul. I don't understand why people aren't just blown away by that. If He never did anything else, why would I ever complain?) I, personally, doubt that God is concerned with my putting on a blue shirt versus a green shirt in the morning. He gave me a mind and even a sense of style. (Although I'm certain He gifted a lot of other people with a better sense of style than He gave me!) Simply focus on doing the things that He has shown you that you should do. And, frankly, I do very seriously mean that the scripture is specifically for you. It is far more personal than any experience you will ever have, even if you were to hear a voice thundering from heaven or something! God prepared His Word with you in mind. Think about it. The scripture says that man lives by every word of God. Now, if He were off talking to people all over the world, we'd need those words! We'd be running around gathering them together, because we live by EVERY word of God. But He hasn't done that. He's given us His every word right there in the canon of scripture. Now, I'm not talking about people who say, "God showed me..." or "God told me..." and by that they mean that something from scripture became clear to them. I'm talking about the folks that want us to believe they have an intimacy that is superior to what other people have, such that God gives special orders to them. Christ was very clear on this point. We're all in the same boat. No one has a corner on the "Godliness Market." We don't have gurus, masters, guides, priests, holy men, etc. etc. Christ is all these things to us! We are all sinners saved by grace. If we look for supernatural stuff, there is one that will happily provide it for us, but it won't be godly in any way! Day by day pray to the Lord and spend time in His word. He'll become sweeter and sweeter. The sense of His presence will grow and grow. But it will be far greater than anything that these other folks talk about. It will be a deeper closeness than something as simple as hearing or feeling stuff. With regard to specific direction, remember that God is in control. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. God does not miss one single situation or one single circumstance but that He uses it to conform us to the image of His son. So relax, 1949, He is the author and finisher of our faith. He started a good work in you and He will bring it conclusion. He didn't spare His own son, so be assured He'll give you everything else you need! He's too smart to make a mistake. He's too powerful to be thwarted by anything. He's too good to intend anything but goodness for you. Just trust and obey. |
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2 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | lookN4luv | 129145 | ||
Thank you. I don't think I've ever heard a more beautiful explaination. I hope many read this thread and come to the same understanding. Brother, I have stood on both sides of that fence, as sad as that is to admit, yet our Lord (in His perfect time) used my shortcomings in an adversed way to benifit my growth in Christ, my Savior. Trust and obey ... For there's no other way, Amen. this is only intended to be a praise note. However, I would like to ask you just one question, and if you feel you can help me better understand, then please reply when you have the time. ... You had mentioned that if God were talking to many individuals we would need those words in order to live by EVERY Word of God. Well, OK I understand your analogy, but do you believe that there are modern-day Prophets and Visionaries? Here is the reason I ask; God's Word tells us "in the last days...old men will dream dreams and see visions and your son's and daughters will give prophesy..." One other thing that's not easy to understand ... Saul, Isreal's 1st king had to go to Sammual to inquire of the will of God, why did he not have access to hear and understand God for himself? I believe God's ways are unchanging ... the same yesterday , today , and tomorrow. So wouldn't that also include the Prophets? thank you again, JKW |
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3 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | jelkins | 129172 | ||
For JKW:About prophets today. It's true God is unchanging, but doesn't Heb 1:1,2 say his "ways" are different? Compare also Old Covenant and New Covenant. See also 1 Cor 13:8-10. Prophecies, knowledge, tongues, which will cease, are among the miraculous gifts given by the Holy Spirit (listed in 1 Cor 12.) Visualize "that which is perfect" as being God's written word as contained in scriptures. Concerning your quote of Joel: "in the last days...old men will dream dreams and see visions and your son's and daughters will give prophesy...," Peter said in Acts 2:16, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." In other words, Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled as Peter spoke. So, the "last times" started about that time. More: Because of the words in Jude 3, "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints," I get the idea there will be no new revelation or prophecy. Keep on reading; keep on studying; keep "the faith." J.Elkins |
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4 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | lookN4luv | 129224 | ||
WoW ! Thank you very much. You have shinned new Light on the subject for me. I truely thank you for taking the time to reply. I know that sometimes I tend to look too deeply (maybe) into scripture. And I try to weigh the adversities ... seeking the answer that stands alone. I would greatly appreciate it if I could just run one more thought by you about this, if I may. ..... I know the Bible is the living, breathing, un-ending Word of God. And it is intended to pertain to our lives today as much as it was the day the paper first met the pen. And it is in this realm of thought that I would like to ask you about Peters statement in Acts2:16 If the prophecy of Joel was being fulfilled in those days, then how does it pertain to me today? Please, Mr. Elkins, understand that I am NOT disputing sciptures. I am mearly trying to make sure that I have a clear understanding that does not contradict the truth. I know there is a vast number of people in the world today that believe they are chosen to be amongst the elite, or select few, who have a special connection to the Father, our God. And we are warned about the false prophets. Thanks, I hope to chat with you again soon, JKW |
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5 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | jelkins | 129340 | ||
To JKW. Maybe you could rethink your position evidenced by your statement that the Bible is intended to pertain to our lives today AS MUCH as it was the day it was written. Look again, carefully, at Heb 1:1,2. It tells us God speaks to us by his Son, not the O.T. prophets. In which case, the prophecy in Joel wouldn't pertain to you today. It's a good idea, whenever possible, to let the scriptures interpret themselves, and when Peter said "this is that" it pretty well closes the prophecy for me. I don't speculate that it means something further. The Old Testament has great value in helping us understand the New. In fact, Jesus said in John 5:47 "If you don't believe [Moses] writings, how will you believe my words?" There is a N.T. verse that says the Old is "written for our learning" (I can't find it). Heb 8:13 says the old law is obsolete. Gal 5:4 says we can't go back and be justified by the old law, else we're fallen from grace. Gal 3:23-27 speaks of it as being a schoolmaster/tutor to bring us (Jews?) to Christ. Our hope lies in the New Testament, where you find the doctrine of Christ. Tune in to the clear teachings, like the characteristics of the church and how to become a Christian (Acts), and how Christians are supposed to think and behave. (The epistles were written to folks in the church.) Keep watching out for the false teachers. I call to your mind Acts 19:11 where the Bereans "searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so." And look at II Pet 3:16, where it suggests we can wrest (pervert) the scriptures to our own destruction. May God bless your search for the truth. As you "grow in grace and knowledge" the things hard to understand will become more clear. | ||||||
6 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | lookN4luv | 129789 | ||
to jelkins, Well, it's been almost a week since you replied to me and I'm just now getting back to you. Thank you for your gentle answers, to which I say ... hummmm... I'm not trying to dispute you on this issue (as you seem well educated) but, it seems I find relation with many scriptures in the book of Joel. I have seen the darkness covering me and I know why the moon turns to blood. And I understand why he calls it "the great and dreadful day of the Lord". So, as I try to evaluate the answers you gave and the use of scriptures, I do not understand why I still find so much relationship with many books of the O.T. as well as the N.T. In Hebrews 10:5-7 it says; "when Christ came into the world, he said: ..... Here I am it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, O God." now read Psalms 40:6-8 Please don't think I'm trying to confuse scripture. It's just that I have had many situations in my life that I know the Lord, Jesus led me through. And after I was given understanding, I would also find the same circumstance, outcome, and understanding in the scriptures. And I have seen wonderful things happen that I dare not even talk about. In the 7th chapter of Hebrews the Word of God speaks about the priest Melchizedek. Now, obviously, Jesus is the one and only High Priest foever, but read verse 15. " and what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek (not Jesus) appears...." Please understand why I mention this. It is because I have no earthly father, mother,I've never had an aunt, uncle, cousin, or grandparents. I was born the least of 8 children. And now at 40 years old I find myself to be a very passive person who has carried my cross almost all my life. There is very little that still remains of the me I once knew, yet God has written His laws on my heart, and I rejoice in the shadow of His right arm. Maybe you can help my understanding on a few N.T. verses. Luke 11:52 Luke 12:51 Luke 14:26-27 Please tell me your opinion in Mark 10:17- does the rich young ruler inherit eternal life? If you can provide some clarity for me I would greatly appreciate it. I really don't like the feeling of being different in my veiws. I thank you for your time and patience with me. in Christ, JKW |
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7 | Discovering the will of God | Eph 2:10 | jelkins | 130157 | ||
Hi JKW. Answering the questions you put to me directly. The context of Heb 7 requires me to interpret verse 15 as meaning Jesus. Luke 11:52 is figurative language. In my opinion (IMO), the lawyers (experts in the law) had the resources and education to get the knowledge of the deep spiritual meanings of the Law of Moses, but they didn’t search for it, nor did they encourage or assist those who looked to them for guidance to find the truth. Luke 12:51. Some will accept the teachings of Jesus, some will not. Explained in verses 52 and 53. Same thing in Matthew Chapter 10. Luke 14-16. Exaggeration for effect. To me it means don’t let anything get in the way of your loving/serving the Lord. I John 2:15-17 says it another way. The verse about hating mothers, etc., must be reconciled with I John 2:11; 3:15, Matt 5:43-44, and all the other places where we are told to love everyone. Mark 10:17. The Bible doesn’t say for sure that he was lost, but there is a strong indication that the rich ruler chose love of his riches over the kingdom of God. We are not told if he later repented of that. You say you have seen the darkness covering you and know why the moon turns to blood, and you understand why he calls it the great and dreadful day of the Lord. It seems you have taken some of Joel’s descriptions and applied them to things that happened in your personal life. Of course, you are free to do that, but I question whether God meant the prophecy to be applied to you personally, especially since Peter on the day of Pentecost said “this is” the fulfillment of it. Having read many of the questions and answers on the Forum during Aug 04, I feel comfortable in saying that whatever view you take, it will be different from someone else’s. Be like the people of Berea in Acts 17, who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ” |
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