Results 2161 - 2180 of 2765
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Mommapbs Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
2161 | True disagreement? | Eph 1:13 | Mommapbs | 28123 | ||
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Since I believe there is more agreement among us than disagreement, let's get this unanswered question off the list! We are unified in Christ . . . But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." Ephesians 4:7,8 whether we choose to recognize them, use them or not - they are ours! Thanks be to God for His matchless gift in Christ Jesus, our salvation! Blessisngs to you all - Momma |
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2162 | searching for the truth | Eph 1:13 | Mommapbs | 75870 | ||
Greetings FytRobert. Although there will be differing views on this subject, God's Word assures us that we receive the Holy Spirit when we believe. I believe that at the moment of conversion, we are not only sealed by the Holy Spirit, but we are given specific gifts as well. I do not believe that we are to judge the presence of the Holy Spirit in others by a manifestaion of His gifts. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.(Romans 8:16) WHO does He testifiy to? He tesitifes to us, giving us the assurance of our salvation and He also testifies to The Judge! (Our debt has been paid, there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ! Romans 8:1) In 1 Cor 12:31; 14:1, Paul tells us that we should "desire the greater gifts." For WHAT purpose are the gifts given, for the instrument or the Giver? I believe we must be careful not to get off course here. Be thankful for what you have been given and esteeem the giftedness of others as well. Do not presume that because one's gift is more obvious, that it is more important. All the gifts are necessary and are given to serve God's purposes. When we desire the greater gifts, I suspect that this means that we are to desire to see "the greater gifts" at work in the "body" (the fellowship of believers), not in self or a specific individual. Please bear in mind that not everyone on the Forum shares this view of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I urge you to get into the Word and let the Holy Spirit instruct and direct you. Blessings, mommapbs |
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2163 | Storing Up Treasure | Eph 2:1 | Mommapbs | 105749 | ||
Greetings Makarios! Just some thoughts to share . . . I suspect there are lots of folks who THINK they are storing up treasure in heaven by all their "good deeds" , but anything done apart from Christ is worthless. 1 Cor 3; Rev 22:12. As I have expressed in other posts on this topic, I believe that we should treasure what God treasures; I believe His treasure is people. (Dt 26:18, Mal 3:17) As we participate in the Gospel,(our sowing, watering, weeding etc)those who receive the Lord, become our treasure as well. Perhaps if we truly saw others as God does - worth the price of His Son - perhaps we might become more like Him in our love, compassion and zeal for their souls. I love how Henri Nouwen describes people . . . he saw each one "as an irreplaceable piece of the human mosaic." Blessings on your day! mommapbs |
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2164 | Storing Up Treasure | Eph 2:1 | Mommapbs | 105803 | ||
Thanks - I'd really appreciate some prayer support (Gal 6:2)as I will be giving a Christmas devotional to my friends, many who do not know the Lord. This has become such a "burden" in a good way, as I am overwhelmed by the love and sense of urgency the Lord has placed in my heart for these dear women. Blessings, mommapbs |
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2165 | Storing Up Treasure | Eph 2:1 | Mommapbs | 106066 | ||
Greetings! I thought you'd like to know what happened - thanks again for your prayers! Every year I have an ornament exchange and invite my friends. In conjunction with the fun I also give a "devotional." This summer, while waiting for boat fuel, I was walking along the shore and found some beach glass. I picked it up and knew that this was to be part of my message at Christmas. It was as if the Lord whispered, "You are like this glass." It was broken and marred, buffeted by the water and thrown against the rocks; scratched by tumbling over the sand until all the sharp edges were gone and a fine patina coated its once glossy surface. I realized that what I was holding was a representation of how the Lord has refined me through the circumstances He has brought into my life - to make me more like His Son. We are all like washed up beach glass, yet we are loved and desired by God to be part of His collection - what beauty we can become when held in His hand! Earlier this month as I was contemplating what the Lord would have me to say, He reminded me in many ways that He was "broken" too - broken for my sin. Broken so I could become His and in the process, become like Him too. He "showed me" a piece of crystal (contrast the purity and beauty of this with the "beach glass!) and I had the distinct impression that He wanted me to use this in my presentation as an object lesson. I sensed that He wanted me to break this crystal. Knowing that at times I really struggle with His voice, the Lord was so incredibly clear as the very next day at church we had communion (this was SO significant because in the 16 years we have attended, we have never had the Lord's Supper in a morning service!). These words, "This is My Body, broken for you." reverberated through my entire being. (And just so I would have even more "confirmation" about this "breaking", the Lord allowed my husband to break his ankle on Thanksgiving!) OK LORD! I hear you. This was a "baby step" though . . . I had in my mind a piece of crystal that I would use, reasoning it already had a crack in it. But the Lord's sacrifice was to be unblemished . . . and I sensed that the LORD wanted to choose the piece of crystal for me to break. Now, this was a challenge in a way for I have many lovely pieces of crystal. Most hold some sentimental significance to me in one way or another. Yet, I believe that the Lord was calling me to be obedient in this area too and I chose to trust Him. So, I placed all my crystal pieces on my table as the "decor" for the evening - it did look lovely! I planned to sprinkle beach glass around my "offering" on the day of the "exchange" but as I looked, I realized that one thing was missing, I needed a RED poinsettia - this would represent the shed blood of Christ that transforms the broken pieces of beach glass into a pure crystal Masterpiece. And that afternoon, the doorbell rang and when I answered it, there was a man holding a RED poinsettia for me! Now given a choice, I'm sure everyone would choose a piece of crystal over a piece of beach glass, but not the Lord - He chose us, just as we are, broken and marred by sin. He exchanged His pure Life for ours. I knew that this would be illustrated by the breaking of one of these pieces on my table, but which one? I couldn't trust myself to pick the right one and I really struggled with this. Thankfully, the Lord impressed upon me to ask my daughter (13) to choose the piece, so He must have a lesson in mind for her too. I told Lizzy that God had an assignment for her to do in my devotional and I asked her to just pray about it. On the morning of my party, a guest called to ask if she could bring her ornament over early because she had a late meeting and didn't want to miss the "exchange." Then she told me that if she wasn't there, to "Let Lizzy pick an ornament for me, I trust her." Well, I was just about speechless when I heard those words - to me it was further confirmation that God was at work! When Lizzy came home from school, she wondered if God wanted her to "check coats" and "make drinks!" I said, "No, but I'll tell you when the time comes." Just before we began, I asked her to walk around the table and pray. I was just as excited as she was to know what was going to happen! Part 2 to follow |
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2166 | Storing Up Treasure | Eph 2:1 | Mommapbs | 106067 | ||
Part 2 (this won't make sense unless you read Part 1 FIRST!) When the time came for me to give the devotional, I asked my daughter to go and get a piece of crystal from the table. I watched as she went all the way around and then doubling back, she chose a crystal rabbit. I was amazed, for if I could have directed her selections, this would have been one - as it was Baccarat, the "crystal of kings!" (but of course Lizzy had no idea what it was or what it was worth! - to my knowledge, it was irreplaceable too). Truly, this was fit for THE King! In preparation for the object lesson that God had prepared, I placed a piece of marble tile in the bottom of a plastic container and covered it with a gold cloth (this would insure that the crystal struck a solid, hard surface rather than the plastic container and the cloth would contain the crystal as the piece shattered.) When I got to the point in the devotional about Jesus exchanging His life for ours and Christ's body being broken for us, I dropped the crystal rabbit - a couple of women let out a small shriek; others responded with stunned silence. But what I saw was truly a divine intervention in the evening, for in the bottom of the container, I saw an unbroken rabbit - it was not even chipped! And to further add to my awe, when I removed the cloth, the marble was shattered! God indeed uses the weak things of the world (even the things that are "fragile") to demonstrate HIS power - when we are weak, HE is strong! I realize that I cannot re-capture the drama of this event, but it was a very clear demonstration to those women of the awesome power of God and His great desire for them to trust Him with "their" brokenness." Of course I may never know what eternal impact this evening had on my friends, but I KNOW that God will use it according to HIS purposes in their lives. As for me, God led me step by step. I'm so glad that I listened and OBEYED! How I long for the day when I will be able to respond at the first prompting of His voice! I am SO thankful that He's patient with me, He knows my frame, He remembers I am but dust! Blessings! mommapbs PS: The "icing on the cake" for me came after the party. During our clean up time together my daughter exclaimed, "Mommy, God used me tonight!" How wonderful for her to know the reality of God at work in her life! |
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2167 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | Mommapbs | 98892 | ||
Greetings Figgy - you have been registered on this Forum for almost 8 months and have yet to share your personal profile (or statement of faith) with us. Please do so. I'm kind of lost here as I see no reference on this thread to a post by GeneZ. Also, may I say (speaking softly) that the "rehash" of what has been posted and following personal criticism is inappropriate and it grieves me to see this. Please remember that everyone reads this post, not just the one you are offended by. Please bear this in mind and strive toward unity and love that should characterize the brothers and sisters of Jesus. In Christ's love, mommapbs |
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2168 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | Mommapbs | 98903 | ||
Greetings Figgy, thank you for your apology. Like you, I am sensitve to sarcasm and wit yet knowing that I am able (and prone) to wield this injurious instrument myself, I have an understanding of those who do resort to such tactics at times. Frankly, in all my discourses here, there have been only a few members that I have really struggled with . . . one thing that I have learned over the years is that attitude determines "altitude". God gave me this wonderful thought a while back which I reflect on often: He asked: "When you look at the scars left by the past, what do you remember most, the wounding or the healing?" I hope this blesses you as much as it has blessed me. Thanks again for this post. mommapbs PS: the profile is not a requirement but just a pleasant way of communicating a little background for others to know who we are, or what we are about, across cyberspace! |
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2169 | Where is the edification of the pope? | Eph 2:8 | Mommapbs | 100636 | ||
Greetings Born2LoveHim - I echo Steve's gratitude to you and those you are serving with on behalf of our country! I also support Steve's advice: find common ground, namely Jesus Christ. Use God's Word as your authority as you consider spiritual truths, let IT speak to you as well as your Catholic friend. Don't major on the minors, and when you disagree, speak the truth in love - meaning look to this person's soul and its welfare, rather than your own desire to be "right!" Certainly there are many differences between the divisions (and yes, I mean to use that word) of Christianity - but eventually, those who are "in Him" today will be together for eternity, so let's learn to get along with each other in preparation for that Great Day! Blessings, mommapbs |
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2170 | To the cross | Eph 2:15 | Mommapbs | 76945 | ||
"and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." Eph 2:16 enter this number in the quick search field: 58609 Jesus, "Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Phil 2:8 What love for you and me! mommpabs |
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2171 | Who are the enemies? | Eph 2:15 | Mommapbs | 83099 | ||
Greetings Dan58. What causes enmity with God? Sin. The thrust of this passage refers to the reconciliation that Christ offers to sinful man. Upon our acceptance of HIS work, we are "reconciled" with God in and by Jesus, thus establishing peace with God! (which btw, should be reflected in our relationship with others!) Hope this helps, mommapbs |
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2172 | what is the world made of? | Eph 2:19 | Mommapbs | 84919 | ||
The first word that came to mind was "aliens" then allies. And is that not what makes up the world even today? We are either friends or enemies of God. (It's WHO you KNOW that makes the difference!) Blessings, mommapbs |
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2173 | what is the world made of? | Eph 2:19 | Mommapbs | 84957 | ||
From Scribe (via mommapbs - I think this is probably what you are looking for!) Job 28:5-6 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. Job is an awesome book. Job is considered by many to be the oldest of the OT. I am not so sure about that, but it is at least one of the oldest. Job seems to be full of these interesting hints of scientific knowledge, that proove that the bible has had hints of science insight thousands of years before men found out through careful observation the same things. Long before men figured it out Job tells us that there is fire in the center of the earth. |
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2174 | Eph 3: 14-21. What is the lesson? | Eph 3:1 | Mommapbs | 104522 | ||
Greetings! Recently I have been considering these portions of Scripture and I suspect that the passage from Paul's letter to the Ephesian church (remember that later they would be chastized for leaving their first love) is a reminder to us to utterly depend upon God for ALL things! Jesus tells us : "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt 5:3 Paul prays: "that He would grant you, according to the RICHES (emp mine)of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man," Eph 3:16 I am reminded of the Laodicean church who thought they were so wealthy . . . in essence they were self-sufficient; they didn't realize their symptoms of independence from God. BUT "Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." Rev 3:17-19 This is an echo of what Jesus has already said once before( oh we are so slow to receive His instruction!): "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Mt 6:24 I pray that this will encourage and cause you to ponder God's great love for us in spite of our tendency to serve another master! Blessings, mommapbs |
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2175 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138115 | ||
Most of us have been taught that our hearts are "deceitfully wicked," (Jer 17:9) yet Eph 3:17 declares that Christ dwells in our heart. Psalm 5:4 tells us that "no evil dwells with You" so how can this be?! So which is it: are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? Please support your answers. | ||||||
2176 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138126 | ||
Greetings Searcher! Great reference but, you didn't answer my question! Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? Happy Thanksgiving! mommpbs ref Rom 7:18 |
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2177 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138153 | ||
Greetings Ray - All these references are aimed at telling us an important truth. What is the condition of the BELIEVER'S heart? Is it still wicked or is it holy? Blessings, mommapbs |
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2178 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138168 | ||
Greetings again Ray - Here is a re-post of my original question: Most of us have been taught that our hearts are "deceitfully wicked," (Jer 17:9) yet Eph 3:17 declares that Christ dwells in our heart. Psalm 5:4 tells us that "no evil dwells with You" so how can this be?! So which is it: are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? Ray, please answer my question: As BELIEVERS, are our hearts holy or wicked? Blessings, mommapbs PS: You asked, are we "trying to have a heart of a god or of God. How much are we capable of doing on our own? How much are we capable of doing even if we have help from God?" This question addresses in part what I am asking us to consider. As unbelievers, we strive to be like God, Satan's original sin - rebellion against the Lordship of Jehovah. As fallen men, this same desire is resident within our heart - the heart is indeed decitful and wicked. Our hearts are turned away from God. But as you have noted, what happens when we turn to God with faith in Christ? What happens to our hearts? Jesus said, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." Jesus also reminds us that "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mt 19:26)Eph 3:17 declares that Christ dwells in our heart. Thus Paul rightly observes "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." We do nothing on own own, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Phil 2:13 |
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2179 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138172 | ||
Angel - please note Paul's discourse in Romans 7:14-25. He declares that he knows that no good thing dwells in him, where is this? (v 18)It is not his heart- it is in his flesh. By Christ's death and resurrection and indwelling Spirit upon our confession of faith, we have been freed from the penalty for sin and we have been freed from the power of sin. In heaven we will be free from the presence of sin. My sense is that we are ignorant of or complacent about the power that is in us, by the indwelling Spirit of God. Our hearts have been regenerated, they have been circumsized by God. "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live." Dt 30:6 Apart from God's enabling we cannot keep His commands. In no way am I claiming that we do not still sin! Our old nature is still resident as Paul declares in Romans 7. Evil dwells in our flesh; yet, God can not exist with evil( No evil dwells with You. Ps 5:4). . . God's dwelling place is holy (Ps 46:4) Although we have sin dwelling in our flesh, the Spirit of God dwells in us: For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; 1 Cor 6:16; Christ dwells in our hearts thorugh faith (Eph 3:17) This is the realization of Lev 19:2 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.Lev 19:2 Our hearts of stone have been changed, transformed by God."Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezek 36:26 As believers, our hearts have been changed, though once wicked and dead to God, He has made them to be His dwelling place: clean,good and holy, Through the power of Christ, we can resist sin. Daily we have a choice, to live from the heart or live from the flesh. (Rom 8:1-14) Think of it, this is the effect of the Incarnation - God with IN us! We have been crucified with Christ, we are dead to sin and it's penalty and we CAN be freed from its power if we allow Christ to live through us.(Rom 12:1-2) What potential we have - we can be all that God desires us to be. Blessings, mommapbs |
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2180 | Are our hearts HOLY or Wicked? | Eph 3:17 | Mommapbs | 138247 | ||
Part 1 of 2 Angel, you asked: "The cleansing is there, the renovation is there... yet if we return to the vomit, like the dogs do, how can we shine in purity?" We can't. "Apart from ME you can DO nothing. Angel, you stated: "It is not enough to claim Jesus (John 15:5-6)" You're right, Jesus claims us as His own- "Apart from Me you can do nothing. He saves us by His Grace and keeps us saved. His grace is sufficient for us! Angel, you asked:"... if we do not remain in Him and He in us, when we transgress against God which part of our proclaimed rightousness keeps us from the wages of sin? First of all the wages or penalty for sin HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL. My sin is no longer counted against me for God's wrath was satisfied (propitiated) by the death of Christ! God has promised never to leave or forsake us. We can "ignore His presence in our lives" but He does not depart from us. Secondly, I do not proclaim my righteousnss, for I know that no good thing lives in me, that is in my flesh (Romans 7:18) I am declared righteous by God. Those He justifies, He also glorifies. The just shall live by faith . . .("Apart from Me, you can do nothing.") Angel, you asked: "does our transgression only count if we do not claim to have a righteous heart?" God tells me I have a new heart. He has created a new heart within me. Does God create anything that is evil or unrighteous? Yet, because my sin nature is still resident in my flesh, there is indeed a war for control taking place. I still sin and I reap the consequences of my sinful choices but I am no longer condemned, for my life is hidden in Christ. Angel, you asked: "When we obey the flesh (heart, mind, body--pick your choice word) and sin (trangress) against God, which rightous part of us is doing this? A house divided cannot stand. My heart is holy, on the basis of what Christ has done for me and in me I declared righteous by God, yet in my flesh I continue to sin. As Paul said in Romans - the reason I still sin is because sin still lives in me. I am freed from the penalty of sin but not from the presence of sin. But the most encouraging aspect of having a clean heart is that by the presence of God, I CAN be free from the power of sin. "Apart from Me, you can DO nothing." On my own, I cannot resist sin. If I think I can, this thought is sinful for it is contrary to God's Word. Angel, you asked: "If God cannot hold us accountable because we claim to be have a righteous heart, how does God hold others accountable to their transgressions?" God allows us to suffer the consequences of our sinful choices, but He no longer holds us accountable for the penalty of our sin - that was charged to Christ. Christ died ONCE FOR ALL. Christ's death was sufficient to pay for ALL my sin and ALL the sins of others. The "good news" is that the sins of believers are no longer counted against them! Angel, you stated: As long as we stay in Jesus we can do anything, including humbly obeying God's Will, but when we sidestep the Lord and surrender our will to the flesh our "choice," tainted by the desires of the flesh, cannot please God (Romans 8:4-13). Apart from Me you can do nothing. It God who is at work in you for His good pleasure.Phil 2:13 When we choose to cooperate and work with Him, we live out Ps 37:4. The spirit is willing because it is united with Christ's but the flesh is weak . . . yet how often do we rely upon the Spirit? We choose to live from the flesh, from self effort. Part 2 to follow |
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