Results 361 - 380 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
361 | How do you deal with insults? | 2 Cor 12:10 | Aixen7z4 | 102774 | ||
I am so happy to hear this. It is a success story, and may the Lord continue to give you victory, my sister. But there are some of us who do not deal with the situation so successfully. Some people have stopped going to church because they have been insulted there. Some have left this forum because they have been insulted here. Saved people do not give up easily. There are some people reading this that you know not of. The sneak back in to see what's going on. But they are afraid to take part lest they be insulted again. You know that it hurts when they are told that their questions are stupid, etc. I hope that some suggestions here will show them how to deal with it. We should not be suggesting that those who have hurt them should repent. They probably won’t do it anyway. They will probably blame the victim for being so sensitive. But if you have suggestions for how people can deal with hurt from other Christians, please share. |
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362 | Are we always conscious of the conflict? | Gal 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 130111 | ||
Hi: We are discussing the conflict between the two natures in a child of God. See galatians 5:17. Perhaps you would like to read an article on it and comment again. See http://www.tftmin.org/TwoNatures.htm |
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363 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | Aixen7z4 | 99394 | ||
Dear New Creature: Your name means a lot to me. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. How marvelous! How wonderful! It was the most thrilling experience for me, to be come a new creature. It is also the most thrilling experience to see someone else become a new creature. Yep, they are both the most thrilling. It is the thing the Lord does for all who trust him. It is a miracle of love and grace. Before God changed me, I used to love competition, and winning. Now it is the idea of reconciliation that means so much to me. Thank God that we have been reconciled to God, even though it took the death of his son. Let us thank him again that he was willing to do it. And I believe he wants us to be reconciled to each other as well. It does seem to me that when we are in agreement with him we would also be in agreement with each other. So I would like to reach out to our friends who use the name “Reformed”. I hope they would consider the possibility that they are not saved and that God is locking them into that position by deceiving them into thinking that they had been chosen to be saved. Their position seems to allow for that. I hope that that fear would lead them to ask God for mercy, that it be not so, and to trust him. He will yet respond to their faith. I trust that this piece does not smell of condescension or re-ignite the debate. It is my only wish to see reconciliation, with God if necessary, and with our brethren if they are saved. I reread the entire thread today and was frankly surprised to find this admission: “Of course Reformed theology is not considered infallible by any of it's proponants (after all it is the work of fallible men) nevertheless, I have found it to be of immense value in my own pursuit of knowing God”. I was surprised but pleased to se that these men know that that “theology” is not like the word of God, infallible. It is not like the word of God the work of God. It is the work of men. We can perhaps encourage them to move from it to the word of God. And yet it is based, though imperfectly, on the word of God. I would have to agree that it is of value. I am not sure what “my own pursuit of knowing God” means. If it means that the person is still pursuing the knowledge of God and does not have it, should we not encourage him? I think so. May I say that those of us who are saved are not pursuing the knowledge of God. We have it. We know God, and we are known of him. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, should we not reach our to those who are still pursuing the knowledge of him? I think so, and I hope that they will not resent it. It is my hope that the proponents of the opposite and extreme views will seek reconciliation. I have sought to show above that the sovereignty of God and the free will of man are compatible and can be reconciled. It is amazing that the love and mercy of God can be resisted, but it can. How often he would gather us but we would not. In returning and rest shall we be saved, but we would not. It is amazing that the love and power of an omnipotent God can be held in abeyance by the strong will of a puny man. But it can. God help us to seek reconciliation to him and to each other. After all, we are not satisfied with a man-made theology. We have the satisfying answer from God himself. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. |
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364 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117889 | ||
Let us focus on the church of Ephesians 2:22. | ||||||
365 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117894 | ||
The word "church" is not there, but the church is there. Please look carefully. It might help if you also looked at Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 5:25-27, Eph5:32; Col 1:18; 1Peter 2:5. I do not want to make this a great mystery; I am speaking of "the" church, as mentioned in those passages. |
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366 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117899 | ||
Let's talk about the true church. | ||||||
367 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117900 | ||
Let's talk about the true church. | ||||||
368 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117934 | ||
It was not easy to get past the first sentence, but by the grace of God I did. I will trust the Lord for more grace should such a point as that be revisited. With that, I was able to read the rest of the post and to be blessed by the positive points in it. I will think of the amazing simplicity God built into the church, the humility and wisdom of the first leaders, and the love and compassion God was showing by having it so. Now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, and to all who come here, let there be positive points like these that we might know, through the way the he works with the church, the manifold wisdom of God. |
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369 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117935 | ||
I would like to add my "Amen to that". I like the fact that we come to church and bow down together. In such demonstrations of humility we are indeed showing vulnerability, but we are willing to do it. I am glad also that people look to church at the most important times in life. It is as if they know deep in their hearts that it is in the sanctuary that we understand (Psalm 73:17). The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). As such, it is like a city on a hill, a beacon of light in the darkness, needed salt for the earth, the arena for the voice of God. It is good also to be a part of it. |
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370 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118015 | ||
And thus, with a simple dismissive statement, we trivialize the question. I did not ask what we like “or dislike” about the church. I tried as hard as I could to frame the question so as to solicit only positive comments. Those comments, meanwhile, may come from statements in the word of God. We do not have to “dabble in the hypothetical, the philosophical, and perceived”. But you folks are so predictable now, it is almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy, or the power of suggestion. Or maybe there is such a ting as reverse psychology. Predict, state, suggest, express a fear that you will go off on a tangent, and that is exactly what you do. But I like this forum. I have talked about its potential. One aspect of it I like is the tree-like format of the thing. We can make this part a tangent end and stretch it out. Or we can get to the higher level and actually answer the question. I challenge us to make a choice here. Stay on this tangent and discuss these things. Say some more about how much you dislike what you perceive as “the hypothetical, philosophical, and the perceived … invading the church”, or rise to the higher level and answer the question. And please do not say what you dislike. Search the scriptures for the beauty of the church, and tell the world how you like it. |
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371 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118019 | ||
I will say “Amen” to that and turn this reserved statement into a full positive. God is in control, and God is doing a wonderful thing. Forgive me if I am repeating myself in quoting Psalm 118:23, but this is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. In the church, God who did the miracle of creation, is doing a million miracles today. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. It took a miracle, to put the stars in place It took a miracle, to hang the worlds in space But when he saved a soul, cleansed and made it whole It took a miracle of love and grace And God is still saving people, all the time, and in that way he is building his church. And he is building it on his Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the first Stone, the Corner Stone, and we also as lively stones are being added to it (1Pe 2:5). He gives us also the privilege of bringing others into it. We cannot save them, but we, and the Holy Spirit, working together, can bring them to him. Meanwhile, it is God who works in us both to will and to do this for his pleasure. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. |
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372 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118022 | ||
I do have a hang-up on negativity. I think that rude and nasty talking among Christians is not good. Or maybe it is "a hang up focusing of negativity". I'm not sure. Call me shallow if you will. That is what I called your thinking, though I think it is wrong to attack a brother's person. (The behavior, not the person. Get it?) Maybe a statement such as "God is in control" is enough, and too profound for me, and I need elaboration. I really wish we did not have to talk about this, but I guess the more I say that the more we will. Maybe I should say please do not go to the higher thread and answer the question. Maybe then you will. Maybe I should say I enjoy rude talk and put downs and that I hate to see us stick to a topic. I'll think about it. | ||||||
373 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118023 | ||
I am asking us to tell some of the good things God says about the church in the Bible. Not the good and bad; just the good. A few people have already answered directly to the question, so there are examples. I am hoping we can get off this tangent and answer the question. Again, what is the question? Put it this way: What do you like, marvel at, appreciate, admire, about the wonderful work that the Lord is doing on this earth, building his church? God knows I don’t know how to state it more clearly. He also knows I anticipated all of this distraction and tried to avoid it when I first framed the question. Now what shall we do? Shall we discuss Aixen's question asking skills, or his other "hang up"s, or shall we try to answer the question and try to glorify the Lord by expressing our admiration and appreciation for what he is doing in and within the church? God is doing a wonderful thing in having and building his church. It says so in the Bible. Can we talk about that? If not, say it here. If we can, let us move to the higher level and do it. |
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374 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118024 | ||
And it is strange how Christians feel free to use holy words such as "Amen" to put down one another. So what if some of us are not able to define the key words in our question? Are we therefore unworthy of your company? Would you shame us into withdrawing from the church because we cannot define "church"? You do that all the time with your Greek and Hebrew lexicons. And yet, your talk is plastic, artificial, synthetic, and not applicable to real life. What is the use of being able to define "love" when you do not love? Let us get real on this tangent, if peradventure we can repent of our attitude and return to the topic, simply to say what we appreciate about the church. "StudyBibleForum exists as a place to ASK and ANSWER questions about the BIBLE". Would you then exclude, excommunicate, excoriate people who ask questions about practical subjects that have their answer in the Bible? Now, ask me what is "practical" about showing appreciation for the church. These people refuse to talk about the good things that the Bible says about the church. They prefer this type of conversation. |
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375 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118029 | ||
Yes, I am paranoid. But they say that a little paranoia is good when there is real danger around. And make no bones about it, my friend, words hurt. They drive people away from this forum and away from the church. So do not think that the behavior here is harmless. You can characterize me, or my words in any way you like. I have an idea what a vague question is but I do not know what a "primary" question is, though I suspect it is not a credit to the person who asks it. Yes, I may be paranoid, but I am sane enough to admit it. And I am secure in Christ, enough so I can stand here and answer your questions. But my heart bleeds for the people who have shed tears on this forum, here, before departing. I see it also in the church. Yet I stand here, and there, to ask them not to leave this place or the church in spite of your behavior. In spite of this the church is a wonderful thing, and I'd really rather talk about that. Should I go now to study the mechanics of opinion surveys? I'd really rather stay here and talk about the good things that the Bible says about the church. I have an idea it will encourage someone. |
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376 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118037 | ||
There you go. Tell them to go somewhere else. As if this is your forum. As if the church belongs to you. After you run out of words such as "devious" and "contemptible" you may try some other ploys. But I came on here to ask a simple question, and I am convinced all of this is simply a distraction. You are avoiding a discussion of a substantive subject. Now I must leave for church. That might give someone the opportunity to wonder why I go to church on Saturday or start to beat up on those who do. Would it help if I said I was not an Adventist? It won't matter. You will find something negative to say anyway. But my only regret is you will not rise to the higher level and answer the question. I think that after all of this you will feel right about saying something good. There you go. Tell them to go somewhere else. As if this is your forum. As if the church belongs to you. After you run out of words such as "devious" and "contemptible" you may try some other ploys. But I came on here to ask a simple question, and I am convinced all of this is simply a distraction. You are avoiding a discussion of a substantive subject. Now I must leave for church. That might give someone the opportunity to wonder why I go to church on Saturday or start to beat up on those who do. Would it help if I said I was not an Adventist? It won't matter. You will find something negative to say anyway. But my only regret is you will not rise to the higher level and answer the question. Yes, I am the one who caused it. Because I did not know how to define "the church". I had no idea that the Bible scholars on this forum would not know what the definite article “the” stands for, and I thought there was only one church. But the Bible scholars here thought I might be talking about the church up the street, that everyone on this worldwide forum might know about. Amazing. No. There is another spirit here, that is oppositional ,and focused on deflecting us from any practical application of the truth. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith. Well, God knows that I tried. All I was looking for was some Biblical statements about how wonderful a thing the church is, and we get this. Do we have anything positive to say? Can we get off Aixen’s case, move up higher, and talk positive about the church? It will take some effort. How can we say anything positive after this? There are some positive things from the Bible about the church. Maybe when I get back I will find some. |
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377 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118038 | ||
There's that work again. I am losing a taste for it. Maybe it really means "Sick 'em". | ||||||
378 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118039 | ||
Please, my brother. You are admitting you do not know me. (Please note that I did not say "your admitting"). You only know yourself. How could you possible know these things if they were not in your own heart? But to this extent I will answer your question: "What do you like about the church?" is not bout "perception, emotions and feelings". It is a matter of appreciating what the Bible says about it. We could try to look into that! Now, since you are into looking into hearts. Why don't you read Jeremiah 17:9, give up on the heart probing, and try to answer the simple question. Or maybe you'd just like to sit out this one. But I forgot. Why do I like to praise God in public? "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God" (Psalm 69). My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad (Psalm 34). Amen. That's the truth. |
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379 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Aixen7z4 | 149445 | ||
In all of this maze, this post stands out, and this question: “Is it worth being burned at the stake …?” The question as to whether denominations should exist is a troublesome thing, especially considering the very low probability that anyone can persuade the church that denominations should cease to exist. And then, there is this verse in 1 Corinthians 11: “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (v. 19). “Factions have to exist in order to make it clear who the genuine believers among you are”. (???) (GW). The question for me is whether Paul is being straightforward here, or sarcastic. After all, this is the letter in which he had said there should be no divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10) and he would say there should be no schism in the body (1 Corinthians 12:25). But it is also the one in which he had said to the saints in that poor, weak, immature church: “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you (1 Corinthians 4:8). Now is he saying that divisions in the church are an opportunity to show who is right and who is wrong? Some may even wrest a verse from 1 John to say that anyone who leaves their sect is wrong. “They went out from us, but they were not of us”. It is almost like not belonging to them is the same as not belonging to Christ. But now come this question, and this statement: “Is it worth being burned at the stake?” and “the much more Christian behavior is … to part company…”. What a choice! Is it not truly sad that the church has come to this, to a choice between parting company and being burned at the stake? We are repeating all the mistakes of the church in the Old Testament when the name of the Lord was being profaned among the heathen because of the behavior of his people. It is the same again today. Brethren persecute each other and part from each other, and new religions arise because the heathen cannot believe that our behavior was learned from the true God. Yet the Lord says, “And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD”, saith the Lord God, “when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23). And Jesus says, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). It is amazing to me how God can do those things. The church, with all its denominations, is seemingly in a poor condition. Someone was heard to say in church he did not know how we could have the nerve to go preach to the world. And yet, I saw that same man respond to an invitation to be saved. We still bring the Gospel. And God is still bringing people to himself. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Our God is awesome. |
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380 | Eph 4:8("given") vs Ps 68:18("received)? | Eph 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 131468 | ||
Hello: You seem to be concerned that Paul did not quote what David had said exactly. David had said that Jesus received gifts, and Paul is saying that he gave gifts. I would say we should thank God for the way he inspired both of those writers to reveal God’s will. But Paul was doing more than just quoting. The Holly Spirit was revealing to him something that was hidden in the psalm. Look at the passages again: Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men. Ephesians 4:8 When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. We should say that God wanted to know a little more through Paul. Jesus received gifts for men and he actually passed them on. Of course, Paul tells us even more: Eph 4:9-16 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” Etc. We should not be surprised that the New Testament writers reveal more than the Old Testament writers did. Moses told us about a rock (Exodus 17:6). Paul tells us that it was really a Rock and that the Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). David spoke about Christ in Psalm 16:9, but we would hardly realize that until Peter explains it in Acts 2:25ff. The whole idea of a church with gentile members was hidden in the Old testament but revealed in the new. But it is perhaps the greatest revelation we have in the New Testament is the truth about salvation, a truth tat was not as clear in the Old. “Of which salvation the prophets enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto us: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (1 Peter 1:10-12). |
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