Results 2141 - 2160 of 2222
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: azurelaw Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
2141 | Biblical guildelines on serving communit | Luke 12:42 | azurelaw | 179536 | ||
Thank you Brother Doc for your comforting and encouraging answer. Thank you for your prayers as well and I do will keep you in my prayers as well. Pray that we could be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matt 10:16) Shalom Azure :) |
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2142 | Biblical guildelines on serving communit | Not Specified | azurelaw | 179520 | ||
Biblical guildelines on serving community? Our church has received a request for special offering from a sister branch (I don't know how it termed in English. We belong to the same denomination but just serve different regions of the city and our church is financially independent but they are not). They have deficit almost every year and they rely on other sister branches' special financial offering to help their operation. In order to understand more of their situation, each sister branch assigns a representative to sit in their meeting (4 times a year). The main reason for their inadequate offering received from their congregation is because of that the community they serve are the low income group people. Most of them are single-parent families and new immigrants of low education or unskilled people. It is a district with serious social problem. Today in our monthly deacon's meeting, we have to decide the allocation of the special offering whether it should be offered to this sister branch or another organisation. We all think that we should help this sister branch. However, when our representative further updated us on the situation, I found it questionable (it sounds so to me) on their usage of the money. She said that they have organized quite a lot of entertaining activities (e.g. picnics, outings, social gatherings) providing a big portion of subsidy for the participants (where most of them are out-sider, just a small portion of regular church members). By doing so, they hope to attract (I wanted to use "lure") people to church. I hardly agree to such practice. Although we should serve the poor and needy people, this is not the way it should be. I believe what really attracts people to church has been fully demonstrated in Acts (i.e. the gospel and love within true-believers in church). Nothing to do with materials and benefits. Therefore, I proposed that the amount should be offered for the purpose of education or training. However, I would like to know the biblical guidelines for us to serve the community. Thanks for your help. Love in Christ. Azure |
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2143 | Biblical guildelines on serving communit | Luke 12:42 | azurelaw | 179532 | ||
Biblical guildelines on serving community? Our church has received a request for special offering from a sister branch (I don't know how it termed in English. We belong to the same denomination but just serve different regions of the city and our church is financially independent but they are not). They have deficit almost every year and they rely on other sister branches' special financial offering to help their operation. In order to understand more of their situation, each sister branch assigns a representative to sit in their meeting (4 times a year). The main reason for their inadequate offering received from their congregation is because of that the community they serve are the low income group people. Most of them are single-parent families and new immigrants of low education or unskilled people. It is a district with serious social problem. Today in our monthly deacon's meeting, we have to decide the allocation of the special offering whether it should be offered to this sister branch or another organisation. We all think that we should help this sister branch. However, when our representative further updated us on the situation, I found it questionable (it sounds so to me) on their usage of the money. She said that they have organized quite a lot of entertaining activities (e.g. picnics, outings, social gatherings) providing a big portion of subsidy for the participants (where most of them are out-sider, just a small portion of regular church members). By doing so, they hope to attract (I wanted to use "lure") people to church. I hardly agree to such practice. Although we should serve the poor and needy people, this is not the way it should be. I believe what really attracts people to church has been fully demonstrated in Acts (i.e. the gospel and love within true-believers in church). Nothing to do with materials and benefits. Therefore, I proposed that the amount should be offered for the purpose of education or training. However, I would like to know the biblical guidelines for us to serve the community. Thanks for your help. Love in Christ. Azure |
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2144 | Choir prophesying | Not Specified | azurelaw | 179226 | ||
My previous question refer to 1 Chr chapter 25 verse 2 to 3. Sorry. I have put the bible reference on the selection bar above, but it just did not come out. I don't know why. Maybe I have made some mistakes. Regards. Azure |
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2145 | Choir prophesying | 1 Chr 25:2 | azurelaw | 179230 | ||
My previous question refer to 1 Chr chapter 25 verse 2 to 3. Sorry. I have put the bible reference on the selection bar above, but it just did not come out. I don't know why. Maybe I have made some mistakes. Regards. Azure |
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2146 | Choir prophesying | Not Specified | azurelaw | 179223 | ||
Are these part of the system applying in today's Sunday worship at church that: verse 2: for the section of teaching and bible reading? verse 3: for the choir? Both have the function of prophesying, are they serving different aspects as to the kind of prophet we know in OT? If choir prophesy, it is a very interesting attribute to let the choir member know of it. It is because I always want to spare some time with them to share the spiritual message of the hymn during our rehearsal. It would be very convincing for me to talk to them on such arrangement. Thanks for your biblical guidance. Azure |
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2147 | Choir prophesying | Col 3:16 | azurelaw | 179228 | ||
Are these part of the system applying in today's Sunday worship at church that: verse 2: for the section of teaching and bible reading? verse 3: for the choir? Both have the function of prophesying, are they serving different aspects as to the kind of prophet we know in OT? If choir prophesy, it is a very interesting attribute to let the choir member know of it. It is because I always want to spare some time with them to share the spiritual message of the hymn during our rehearsal. It would be very convincing for me to talk to them on such arrangement. Thanks for your biblical guidance. Azure |
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2148 | why are there so many wars | Ex 20:13 | azurelaw | 179128 | ||
Greetings to you. Maybe you would like to spare some time to take a look at the below website which could give you some ideas in answer to your question. http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/notkill.html In Christ Azure |
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2149 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | 1 Kin 13:1 | azurelaw | 179020 | ||
Dear Hank, I am glad to receive your post. Truly, you have been on my list when I join the forum. I am not only benefited with spiritual growth but also my improvement in English from most of you here. Everytime when I log on the forum, I won't forget to put my dictionary in front of me. The first book of C.S. Lewis I read was "Mere Christianity" (a Chinese version) 20 years ago which I found convincing and interesting. But at that time I did not know who he was, only after 10 years I had chance to read more of his books. I thank God for bringing me to this forum to know you guys. The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (Psalm 37:30-31) Grace to you Hank. N.B. I was imagining what a scene it would be when we all meet in heaven one day that do we recognize each other. I believe we do. You are labelled with Hank, Doc, Steve, John, Kalos, Tim, Joanna, Jeff....a long long que before His Throne. :-) Azure |
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2150 | Multi-Faith Rooms? | Bible general Archive 3 | azurelaw | 179008 | ||
Dear JJ, May I just add a bit of my comment in response to your situation. You may also consider how God had warned again and again the Israelite not to have any relation with the gentiles when they were fighting their way to the Promise Land in OT. God even commanded them to destroy everything (both living things and non-living things) in certain cities in order to keep the purity of the Israelite. How ironically is that now we are giving up what God has restored through us to the world as in your situation. In Christ. Azure |
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2151 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | 1 Kin 13:1 | azurelaw | 178955 | ||
Dear Joanna, Thanks for your input. Your last statement reminds me of an amazing experience 2 weeks ago. I had a rare chance to go shopping at a mall where I seldom go. There, a shop attracted me to get in with its window dressing. When I was enjoying my time to look around, the sales lady approached and showed me their new product - a lamp made of crystal salt from Hamalya, which I turned down for the reason that I interpreted it as the kind of crystal people claim to obtain good health, wealth, power etc by owning it. (I skip some of the details here which are not so much relevant to the theme) After knowing that I am a Christian, our conversation about religion started. She told me that she had converted to Christ a month ago. She found it amazing that she was convinced to make such decision by a teenager (mantelly retarded) whom she met only 3 times nearby her home and they had never talked before. She met the teenager the day before she was invited to a church gathering. The boy walked up to her and said (like a normal person) "Believe in Jesus. It is good to believe in Him. You should believe in Jesus." The sales lady was struck. The next day, she converted to Christ. After hearing her story, I cited the example of Balaam to encourage her that even a donkey was used by God to deliver His message. We both praised the Lord and glorified God. Love in Christ Azure |
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2152 | Did God create evil? | Is 45:7 | azurelaw | 178923 | ||
Dear Doc, Got it! Thanks. Doi m juu should be Dui mn ju. I reply: mo mun tai (no problem) - I guess you knew it already. :-) Azure |
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2153 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | 1 Kin 13:1 | azurelaw | 178916 | ||
Thanks Steve, 1/ Which part do you think he lied: "I also am a prophet like you"? "and an angel ...."? or every word? 2/ Noted with thanks. Totally agree with your last statement. God bless. :-) Azure |
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2154 | Did God create evil? | Is 45:7 | azurelaw | 178915 | ||
Dear brother Doc, You are indeed very kind and helpful. I thank God that you are following his command to love one another and His love is made complete in us (1 John 4:12). Thanks for your prayers. How blessed are they that feareth the Lord and walk in His way. May you be blessed abundantly. I have clicked on the website you provided, however, it didn't work. Is any letter missing? Thanks again for checking for more Chinese resource. In fact, we have many good books in our Church library for them to read. However, you know, people here tend to be lazy in reading books of serious topics (they are too tied up by their busy lives). When it comes to the form of an essay or article, they won't have the pressure of finishing the whole book. This could make their lives much easier. :-) I am glad that I have found this forum. Unfornately, we don't have (to my knowledge) such kind of forum in Chinese website. If we do, it will be beneficial to many Chinese Christians. In Christ. Azure |
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2155 | Degrees of Punishment | Luke 12:48 | azurelaw | 178909 | ||
Dear Mark, I am so glad that you have cited this verse to explain the issue. Your explanation has driven away all my uneasy feelings towards this scripture, which my past understanding has been limited to the view of give and take (this portrayed a mean Jesus, though I know this is totally wrong). When you add to it the view of punishment vs knowledge of n responsibility to God, I am totally persuaded. God bless. Azure |
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2156 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | 1 Kin 13:1 | azurelaw | 178908 | ||
Thank you, brother Doc, 1/ Yes, I am quite sure the man of God is also a prophet. However, I am a rather confused with the 'old prophet'. Is he a spokesman of God (i.e. a true prophet), an 'anyone' prophet, or a false prophet (similar to the prophets of Baal)? 2/ Did the 'old prophet' do it out of his own curiosity? 3/ I am sorry that I did not make my question clear on this part. I was asking what the teaching was concerning the story between the man of God and the old prophet. However, your answer did give me some insight that the killing of the prophet had demonstrated God's firm and stern decision on punishing Jeroboam for his disobedience and sin. 4/ My question here also refered to the punishment on the man of God. My doubt has been resolved with your answer together with Mark's input. Thank God for sending you and Mark to answer my question. I have read your post #157733 and other posts following your thread. They are great. I will try not to make those kinds of mistakes, but it takes time to develop such skill. In Christ. :-) Azure |
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2157 | Did God create evil? | Is 45:7 | azurelaw | 178827 | ||
Dear Kalos, This is a very good essay which I read few days ago. I had saved it in my file and distributed it to my fellowship members as well. I am particularly impressed by its provision of Chinese version (but they do not have Chinese version for every article) which would be easier for my friends to read. In Him Azure |
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2158 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | Not Specified | azurelaw | 178825 | ||
1/ Verse 1 : ...a man of God..., Verse 11: ... a certain old prophet. Is this "certain old prophet" not from God? What is the difference between 'a man of God' and 'prophet' since I see the two are used interchangably in the OT? Is the term 'prophet' used generally as a spokesman of God or gods in the OT, but 'a man of God' refers specifically to the true prophet from God? 2/ Why did that old prophet lied to the man of God? 3/ What is the teaching here? Was it teaching us that God does not contradict himself? 4/ Why was the punishment so severe? Thanks for helping. Shalom Azure |
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2159 | 1 Kings Chapter 13 | 1 Kin 13:1 | azurelaw | 178836 | ||
1/ Verse 1 : ...a man of God..., Verse 11: ... a certain old prophet. Is this "certain old prophet" not from God? What is the difference between 'a man of God' and 'prophet' since I see the two are used interchangably in the OT? Is the term 'prophet' used generally as a spokesman of God or gods in the OT, but 'a man of God' refers specifically to the true prophet from God? 2/ Why did that old prophet lied to the man of God? 3/ What is the teaching here? Was it teaching us that God does not contradict himself? 4/ Why was the punishment so severe? Thanks for helping. Shalom Azure |
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2160 | Where did our conscience come from? | Rom 2:15 | azurelaw | 178653 | ||
Dear brothers (Rebar, Jeff and Doc), Pardon me for consolidating my response to you all in one post as I think it will be more efficient, and excuse my slowness as well. Hope you understand (from my background) that I need time to digest all the materials with my limitation. And I hope that I am able to express my thoughts clear enough though my words would sound a bit clumsy. My first 2 questions were made under the general (or my) understanding of conscience as the knowledge of good AND evil or right and wrong (brother Nolan has posted some definitions on 30 Jun 2001, you can check for details) which I hardly agree with it as an attribute created in mankind in the creation from the scriptures I cited earlier. However, after further study on the scriptures, I tend to consider that conscience (knowledge of good ONLY) was created in us at the time of creation. For everything created was good. (AMP Gen 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely.) Adam and Eve knew the good only since the world was good in their eyes. They knew not the evil (befall their fall) because there was no evil at all (unless there is proof in the Bible that evil existed in Eden before Adam and Eve were created). Since there was no evil, was it necessary for them to distinguish between good and evil? Note that Eve was not able to make comments on the serpent before she ate the forbidden fruit, but what did she say after the temptation when God asked her? “…the woman said, ‘The serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) me, and I ate’ (AMP Gen 3:13)”. Now she was able to comment. If they possessed the knowledge of good and evil already, Eve should have had given her alertness against the serpent or what the serpent said. But she did not. She was just repeating God’s command (just like a small kid repeating what her mom said). The change of their conscience was also verified in Gen 3:22 “….. BEHOLD, the man HAS BECOME like one of Us … to know [how to distinguish between] good and evil and blessing and calamity…” My view on God’s command that they eat not the knowledge fruit pertains to the issue of free will (our freedom to choose) and our obedience to God. However, does it mean that we only have the choices between good and evil? We do can choose between different things that have nothing to do with good or evil. God first convicted Adam’s disobedience then his eating of the fruit (Gen 3:17). What God asked of them was their obedience. Eve was so easily lusted by the desire to get the good things : wisdom and the beautiful fruit – pleasing to the eye (Now I understand why women care so much on things that are pleasing to the eyes such as fashion, jewels, beauty, etc… We inherited such nature from Eve! Ha! Ha!). She decided to choose her own way and so did Adam. Of course, we know one of the consequences was our conscience perverted. By Jesus’ blood, we are able to stand before God just like Adam prior to his fall. Through the guide of the Holy Spirit, we can restore our original conscience which we should focus and know only the law (Mark 12:19) – the greatest commandment. These are the dos not the don’ts. Therefore, we – the believers – have no excuse for we know the law (as directed by the Holy Spirit). For the unbelieve, they can only rely on their perverted conscience which is not reliable and is subject to God’s final judgement. See how Jesus said about the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:15) when he saw the little children and babies. Do the little children and babies know about evil? Or are they able to distinguish between the two? Jesus also chose the figurative use of sheep in his parable to explain his relationship with us. We (the sheep – a dumb animal, easily be led astray) just need to know His voice and follow. All in all, we just need to be faithful and obedient. Might there be anything I have misinterpreted, I would be glad to receive your biblical guidance. Hope I have made my points clear. Shalom :-) Azure |
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