Results 421 - 440 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
421 | Church discipline? | 1 Tim 5:22 | Aixen7z4 | 152540 | ||
You have understood correctly, I think, that those directions are given to ones who have the authority in the church. The evangelist had that role as one who had been sent to the church, to set things right, and to establish it in that community. In himself Timothy was young and timid and Paul had to encourage him to do those things. You might consider that the applicable word in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is the word “Apostle”. An apostle is one who has been sent. We usually reserve that title to the twelve chosen and sent by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10, etc.). But the term applies to the Lord himself (Hebrews 3) as he had been sent by the Father (John 8, etc). It is also applied to one such as Barnabas (Acts 14). It would apply to ones such as Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5) or Titus (Titus 1:5), who has been sent by Paul. In fact, it may apply to anyone who has been sent out by an established church to preach the Gospel in new territory, as in Romans 10:15. Once the church has been established, the ones responsible for church disciple are the elders. Please note that once they are in place, the evangelist is not to rebuke them but to entreat them (1 Timothy 5). Their position is to be respected. The saints under their authority are to look to them to direct the affairs of the church, and if anything is thought to be amiss, it is to be brought to their attention. As before, the responsibility of the other believers ends there. The elders give account to the Lord (Hebrews 13:7, etc.) who also the one to whom the individual believer may appeal. It bears repeating that things are not always right with the church. Sometimes they are not even structured in such a way as to get things right. Some churches do not even have elders. I pointed out the need to a preacher recently and his response was, “Show me some men who are qualified and I will appoint them“. Sometimes even the evangelist, in seeking to set things right in a church has a difficult time. As Paul warned, the time has come when people do not endure sound doctrine. They do not listen. Do not be surprised if they do not listen to you as their sister. Nevertheless, you must discharge your responsibility. That, we have talked about before. May God give us grace to live right, to live exemplary lives, and to lovingly help those who fall into sin in these days. |
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422 | Popular TV preachers | 1 Tim 6:5 | Aixen7z4 | 104199 | ||
How do they do it, Radioman? The people followed Jesus for the bread and the fishes, but these characters take from the people what they have, and give then only vacuous declarations in return. How do they get away with it? Is it because we are failing to preach the true Gospel? Is it because we are afraid to talk against what the false prophets teach? And we are afraid because if we do, even in place like this, we will be attacked and opposed. We are afraid to even quote the Scriptures that pertain. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among us, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of us This is a new thread and we should perhaps prepare to entertain those who support those charlatans, or suffer the bards of those who deny us the right to call then that. The Scriptures must be fulfilled, but I wonder if our fearfulness, and our silence, and the infighting among preachers of the true Gospel has also been predicted. I do not know any of those popular preachers that you listed, and far be it from me to judge them, but it is their message that is in focus here I think. Truly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. But this seems to be the worst kind of evil. The focus on prosperity has created a perversion of the Gospel. With this teaching being so widespread, and with our relative failure to preach the true Gospel, the masses of people hardly know just what the Gospel is. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who hath believed our report?” But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But the mystery of iniquity doth already work. There are these signs and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God has sent them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, and for a forum like this that is based on the word of God, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and the word of God is truth. God has called you by the true gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word of the apostles (as in Acts 20:30,35, etc.), or by their epistles. |
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423 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104445 | ||
Hello again, Brother Ray. Once again I apologize for my lack of capitalization. I had promised to do it for you sake. Rest assured that I do not consider the Holy Spirit a thing. In making reference to his presence I did not think I was using neuter gender. But if it pleases you better, I do recognize His presence. I certainly appreciate the fact that He is a Person. It is only a person, I think, who can indicate their presence and give assurance by speaking and explaining things and by being grieved. I could be wrong about that. Maybe things can do them. But I do believe the Scriptures hold that we recognize the Holy Spirit in our lives as He does these things. I also believe that it is because of His work in me that I understand these things. However, I am afraid I do not detect the difficulty with the different renderings of 1 Corinthians 2:10. To my mind there is no difference between "revealed them through His Spirit" as you indicated is in the NKJV, and “revealed these things through His spirit." It seems clear that “them” refers to “these things”, and that both refer to the things that God has prepared for those who love him. It is interesting for me to note that “the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Co 2:9) are actually “the deep things of God” (verse 10). According to Psalm 92:5 , God’s thoughts are very deep. As the man with the metal detector finds the treasures buried deep while others pass on by, so the child of God finds the hidden treasures in the word while the natural man cannot. It is because the believer possesses the Holy Spirit. I think that those of us who have Him understand these things. |
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424 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104505 | ||
Brother Ray, I am seeing two things here. First there is the focus of the conversation itself. Second is the idea of a spirit in us other than the Holy Spirit. I think I have been focused on answering the question posed by the person who started the thread. The questioner asked for evidences that the spirit dwells in a Christian. I assumed they could have used caps because they were talking about the third Person of the Godhead. I also thought they might have referred to a person rather than a Christian because the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. We may say that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is automatic when a person becomes a Christian. If those things are true, then asking for evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is tantamount to asking for evidences of salvation. But it is evidences of His presence that I was focused on. I think I gave three or four items as evidences of His presence. Now, with the varying uses of capitalization (Holy Spirit versus Holy spirit and holy spirit) comes a different idea that I will need to look into. I have thought of that idea before, that there are other spirits in us (spirit of envy, spirit of jealousy, spirit of wisdom) but I have not visited that subject recently. For purposes of this conversation then, I will have to say I do not know. I think you are making a valid point that there is a spirit (maybe spirits) in us beside the Holy Spirit. Whether or not it is He Himself who fills us or whether He fills us with another spirit, I cannot say at this point. I expressed what I thought, that it is He Himself who fills us, but I will need time to look into the matter further. Now I see that Makarios is saying there are certain behaviors which can be taken as evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. I am not sure about that either. Maybe we can look into that together. I suspect we may not want to tell a person that the fact he has stopped stealing is an evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s talk with Nolan. What do you say? |
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425 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104506 | ||
O, Makarios, my dear brother, I’m just not sure. I’m just not sure. It might be the issue of practical vs. positional sanctification again. When a person is saved, does his behavior change, automatically? He is changed. He is a new creature. But those new behaviors have to be learned, I think. The issues in Ephesians in Ephesians 4 are commands, exhortations, encouragements. “Let him that stole steal no more”. Paul is not saying, “Look at yourselves and notice that you are not stealing anymore”. He is saying, “You are saved now, so make sure there is no more stealing”. My point is that I think these new behaviors do not appear automatically. They have to be taught. The teaching requires awareness, explanation, modeling, practice, and reinforcement. I do not think we can say that these behaviors appear automatically. It is only if they did appear without the volition of the believer that we could point to them as evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. When a person is saved, he finds himself with joy of salvation, the peace of God may flood his heart. But it seems to me that other attributes such as patience and longsuffering have to be developed. “Tribulation worketh patience”, etc. It seems to me that a desire for patience is an evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, not the patience itself. Again, the things Paul is mentioning are things the believer has to do, not just things to look for. He might have said, as Peter said, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith …”. If the question is what evidences exist, I think they would have to be things we simply look and see, like joy and peace, not things we have to give diligence to put on or put off. What do you think? |
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426 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104545 | ||
Dear Eli, Welcome. My advice to you would be to take it easy and tread softly. A statement such as "in the Bible this is not true" is a bold statement. It is also accusatory and condescending, as are other statements such as “what you need to understand …”. It suggests that the people who have gone before you are wrong and you are right. Moreover, it suggests that you know the Bible and they don't. I am not sure why people make statement s like that, but it happens. Personally, I find these statements offensive and unnecessary. Mostly unnecessary. This is a place where everyone reads the Bible and some have learned more than others. It is not because of ignorance that I say the Holy Spirit enters a person's life at the moment of salvation. I may even think that you need to understand that. But I have to be careful no to say that. Believe me, I am aware of the passages you quote. I might even undertake to teach you to put those passages into context. But I do not know you well and I am not sure at this point that you will listen. I would only suggest that you say what you think and think about what others say. To say that, because you read in Acts the apostles were laying their hands on Christians caused the Holy Spirit to come upon them, then that is the way it is today, does not make it so. Let me just say this, and perhaps you will think about it. Some of the things in the book of Acts are transitory. They were done as signs in order to assist the Jewish Christians in understanding what the church would be like. Now, we walk by faith, not by sight. The Holy Spirit comes like a wind and no one knows whither it comes or where it goes. The person who repents of sin and trusts in Christ is saved and his life comes under the control of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the body of Christ, seals us, gives us assurance of salvation and helps us to understand the word of God. I advise you not to go ahead and say you disagree. Think about these things. Search the Scriptures. And may the Lord give you understanding in all things. In this thread we were considering evidences by which we know that we have received the Holy Spirit. Interesting that we are seem to be finding inward evidences and not outward signs. You might want to read about those in this thread and tell us what you think or look for them in the Bible and tell us what you find. |
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427 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104568 | ||
OK, Makarios. These things can be. We should not be surprised to see the things you listed in the life of a believer. They are desirable and possible. However, they are not inevitable. In many cases they are not present. If we make them out to be evidences we are saying that their absence indicates the Holy Spirit is not in the life. That cannot be true. As I indicated before, Paul is asking the Ephesians to put on these things. If they were already there he would not have to ask them to put them on. They can be there. They should be there, in a believer‘s life. But they are not always there. Therefore they are not evidence. As you noted before, some of these things are found in unbelievers. Again, their presence in an unbeliever would not be evidence that the unbeliever possesses the holy Spirit. That cannot be. You can take any of the items you have mentioned and recognize that a believer sometimes does not have it. Does that mean then that he does not have the Holy Spirit? I think I have read you enough to know that you believe every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I hope I have not read you wrong. I wish I did not have to write this, but I guess truth is sometimes sad. I was speaking to a pastor today about a lady who made a profession of faith earlier this year. She showed the joy of the Lord and other evidences of salvation. She was baptized and spent three months in joyful fellowship. She declared that she had given up all other goals for the goal of living for the Lord. I found out today that she has gone back to her former life as a common-law wife. For those who are not familiar with that term, she is living with a man to whom she is not married. Evidence of salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, would not now be joy and peace. It would be a sense of guilt and shame. I hope you understand me. If a person is saved and living for the Lord he will have some or all of the things you mentioned. If he is practicing sin, he will not. He will have the opposite. Yet I am assuming in all cases where we say a person is saved, that we also know the person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not leave a believer. So, evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit varies. And yet, I feel embarrassed to have had to say these things. I think it should have been clear if a believer is being asked to replace irresponsibility and stealing with industry and benevolence it would not be logical to think that the change had already taken place. I think it is not the change which is evidence but the willingness to change. Learning, perhaps starting with a reading of the epistle, produces the change. The Holy Spirit uses the word of God to convict and to encourage. But even a believer can resist and grieve the Holy Spirit. This in itself is proof that the Holy Spirit is resident. OK. Enough said. Let us think on these things. |
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428 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104580 | ||
My dear brother, take some time to think about it. You have been describing an ideal Christian. But all saved people are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit he produces what he will. When we are discipled we grow and become more like the Master. But being indwelt by the Spirit is another matter. Once we are saved, and forever thereafter, we are indwelt by the Spirit. That is a fact, and we might have been left to accept it on the authority of the word of God (John 14:17; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Ephesians 2:22; 2 Timothy 1:14, etc.). But God in his grace has given us indications and evidences of His Presence. Recognizing His presence, we can surrender to him to be filled at his will, and empowered, and to learn and grow. But we can also resist him. Even with that, He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is ever present, and the one whom he indwells can know it. |
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429 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104611 | ||
I agree. The maturing process takes longer and is more difficult when we do not practice mentoring. I have always yearned for the influence of older brothers. It happened sometimes, but not as often as I would have liked. Sometimes I had to stretch to get it. I spent part of my pilgrimage in your part of the world and would drive regularly from Muncie to Indianapolis to experience the influence of giants such as Leonard Sheldrake and Ray Morgan. One of the reasons I moved to Florida is to have more older brethren in my life. My counseling ministry includes mentoring and linking with mentors. It helps. The passage we are discussing comes from a letter from Paul to Timothy. I am sure you are aware of the relationship they had. Then he gave him 2 Timothy 2:2. If you are thinking of mentoring a younger person, I would encourage you. I think one of the best examples you can set for that person would be to let him see you relating to an older person yourself. Older men know a lot, from the word and from their experience, walking with the Lord. It is such a waste when they cannot pass that on to others. Each of us is aware of the Holy Spirit in our own life. When we can sense it in another person it is good. He is the same spirit in all of us. Therefore we should be able to relate, and agree, and learn from one another. It is a shame when we don’t do it. It is such a privilege when we can lead a soul to Christ. I know. I have the experience often, the last one just a few hours ago. It is such a privilege to help a person to walk with him. That is the vitality of the Christian life, I think. The Spirit gives us life, and we share our life with others. |
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430 | Is it by nature inexorable? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122225 | ||
Yes. Jesus seems to be saying that his word is indestructible. The time will come in which the heavens, which now seem permanent, will catch fire and pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3). But the word of God will not be destroyed. It will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). And it is by this incorruptible word that we are saved (1 Peter 1:23-25). It is a communication from God, with promises that will stand forever. |
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431 | 5 ways Joseph was like Jesus | 2 Tim 2:15 | Aixen7z4 | 150051 | ||
Still, I can't help thinking we do need some kind of protection from people like that. It may be that monitors are still not a good idea but ... | ||||||
432 | foolish and unlearned questions avoid | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 95799 | ||
I take a chance to ask this question, hoping it is neither foolish nor unlearned. To whom was Paul speaking when he said, "... folish and unlearned questions avoid ..."? Paul was speaking to Timothy, was he not? And Timothy was his fellow-evangelist, a leader and a teacher to the church. May I suggest, respectfully, that that admonition is for the leaders of today; the leaders of the church and the leaders of this forum. It is not for the foolish people who ask the foolish questions. It is for their leaders. They need to deal with these things. So often I hear preachers passing on to the congregation responsibility for the things they need to do themselves. As it is, the Lord has not given us a democracy, where every opinion counts and the majority rules. He has given us a theocracy with a Chief Shepherd and under-shepherds who are to lead and to ensure that the Lord's commands are followed and the sheep are fed. May I suggest that the leaders here get together among themselves, in private e-mails, perhaps, and agree on a way to deal with the advent of foolish and unlearned questions. If you deal with them correctly, then it does not become an issue. The offending people can be dealt with in private and the forum can be left with only content that is profitable. Anyone can ask a question. Anyone can offer an answer, perhaps. But then the "prophets" should "prophesy" one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted (1 Cor 14:31). If I am wrong, I would hope I could be corrected privately, and by the leaders. But I suspect I am not wrong (Acts 20:28;1Pe 5:2). Unless there is leadership that really leads, and in a scritural way, the situation will continue. |
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433 | Will you change your mind? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96266 | ||
Radioman: Seems you will have to determine for yourself which question is foolish and which one is legit. I hear Darcy saying you have to help them out. Foolish questions are to be avoided, and those who ignore answers only to repeat their question can be dealt with in wisdom. But we can assist those who simply do not express themselves clearly. What do you say? Q."Who do we know the bible is realy God's?" A. How do we know the Bible is really God's word? Well, there are several ways ... Q."? ? ?" A. Is there something in the last post that amazed you? Is it when radioman said ...? Q. "Russellville?" A. Did someone say "Russellville"? I think he said, "A going in the tops of the mulberry trees". That was when ... Q. "If we are to love our enemies than why are we taught to hate Satan?" A. It is true that Satan is the enemy of our souls, but the command you mention has to do only with human enemies. We are to wrestle against spiritual enemies. See Ephesians 6. Q. "Does God have free will?" A. Yes and no. God is sovereign and can do whatever he wants. However he is also immutable and cannot act contrary to his nature. He is just and true and love and things like that, and he will never change. Q."Was Abraham a Muslim?" A. Muslims claim that Abraham belongs in their ancestry because he was the father of Ishmael. They even claim that it was Ishmael that Abraham offered as a sacrifice. The Bible says that Isaac was the one. The Jews are the descendants of Abraham after the flesh. More importantly, those who have faith in God are called the sons of Abraham. Abraham was not a Muslim, but Muslims can be converted and become the true children of Abraham. Just like you and me. Q."Why does everything happen in thirds?" A. It may seem that way, but God does not say that it has to be that way. Just take the Bible one passage at a time. Q."If 'computer' stands for 666 than isn't wrong for us to use the computer?" A. The Bible does talk about 666, but it has nothing to do with computers. please don't worry about using your PC to take part in this forum. Q. "In the bible, where are Japanese?" A. Are you Japanese? Rest assured the Bible talks about people from all nations. Read Rev 5:9 and 7:9. Only a few nationalities are talked about by name, mainly those in the Middle East aroung the state of Israel. There are no Grenadians, Mexicans, or Australians mentioned in the Bible. Maybe there are too many nations to mention by name. But Japanese will be in heaven because some of them also believe in Jesus. I hope you do. Q. "Blue marbles roll faster than red ones(?)" A. What do you say we ask questions about spiritual things. Q."Are death and Hades destroyed or are they tormented forever?" A. When you read of death and hell being cast into the lake of fire, it really refers to the people who had been held there. Q."What if?" A. Please tell us more. Q."Where does the Bible say that the earth revolves?" A. I do not think the Bible says that. It does say that God hangs the earth on nothing. When the Bible talks of scientific things it is accurate. But it is not a scientific textbook. There are some things it does not say. Q."How do you know the earth spins on its axis?" A. Are you the same person who asked about the earth revolving? It is good that you look to the Bible for answers, but the Bible really focuses on spiritual things such as how to get saved. Q. "Why do we grow old?" A. Some think it is because of sin, but it must be because we are in the realm of time. As time passes we accumulate years. Our bodies wear out with age and this may be because the earth has been cursed. In heaven, however, we will never grow old. Q. "The Bible says that what is put to death is dead both in heaven and earth, so how did Jesus raise himself from the dead?" A. Are you sure the Bible says that? Please provide chapter and verse so we can know what you are asking. The fact that Jesus died for our sins and rose again is very important. If you have questions about it please read 1 Corinthians 15. |
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434 | Will you change your mind? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96283 | ||
You then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please yourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. And the servant of the Lord must ... be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. |
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435 | Is this a discussion group? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96419 | ||
I read the statement concerning BibleStudyForum.com and I thought it was wonderful. I especially liked the goal of building a repository of scriptural information that visitors can always come to, and help to build. Not that my opinion matters; and that seemed to be the idea; not to have controversy but to have questions answered. To tell the truth, though, it was like reading a description of The Believers Bible Forum at hishows.org. The URL for that site is http://hishows.aimoo.com and you are invited to visit. You will not find foolish and unlearned questions there, and there are no controversies. Someone has said that people will flock to a forum where they are allowed to express their opinions, whatever they may be. Some who flock believe they learn by arguing. But the Lockman Foundation is hoping only for thoughts, questions or answers, that are based on scripture, and surely that is a good thing. |
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436 | Is this a discussion group? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96520 | ||
I agree. And it seems each one works a little differently. The important thing, I suppose, is whether it is meeting its goals. I suppose it is fair to think of The Believers Bible Forum at hishows.org as "more of a post" that anyone can respond to. That is what I meant when I said it was a repository of useful spiritual information. The fact that anyone can interact with it and add to it seems good. Don't you think that 40 people are a good number to be engaged in interactive posting? It strkes me that that is about the number that contributed to the writing of the Bible. That must be a coincidence, though. I do not believe any such goal was set. But is it not good to be able to go to, or send someone to a place where they can find information and personal answers on topics such as The Lord, The Bible, The Gospel, The Christian Life, etc.? There are daily devotions and one can post their testimony, their spiritual thoughts and inspirations, original songs and poems and prayer requests. It's really a place to share. By the way, I found your post and the response to it in the Christian Life section. For those who do not know what we are talking about, it is at hishows.aimoo.com and open to believers and unbelievers alike. Remember though, that it does have moderators. |
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437 | Is this a discussion group? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96523 | ||
I wonder if you ever considered having a plurality of moderators. | ||||||
438 | Is this a discussion group? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96526 | ||
I like very much the way the site describes it. Would it help to cut and paste and include that description in my sentences here? It's supposed to be a free resource in an open access environment for all users to ask questions, give answers, and experience spiritual growth as a result. For the learner, it's to be a 24-hour source of evolving Bible study notes with which to contrast and compare. For the teacher and scholar, it's an opportunity to freely share your knowledge. How to differentiate between the student and the learner, it is not clear. But this is potentially a place of great spiritual blessing. |
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439 | How does God speak to us? | Heb 1:1 | Aixen7z4 | 154239 | ||
God speaks to us through his word, and personally. He either uses both, or he says nothing at all. It is such a good opportunity for two points of view to come together! And God would meet us there. Without the word of God, we cannot judge a revelation. Without the Holy Spirit working in us, we cannot understand the word of God, and it is useless to us. One group knows the Bible very well, or so it seems, but they get such a high from knowing that they do nothing to put the word into practice. They know in a general way what he might want done, but they are never sure what God wants done in the here and now. Another group gets such a high from feeling the presence of God that they go on impulse to do a thousand things, then think it not important to know if they were right things, for whatever God says is right. One group would say we should not be discussing personal experiences here. We should fill this space with Scripture. The other group says we are wasting our time with study. We should listen for the voice of God, and move. I know these people. One group met yesterday and talked, and they have not decided what to do, except to study more. Another group had decided that God wanted then to go to a specific spot to witness. But the last time they went, it rained, and they had to leave before it had started. Now they have decided to wait until God tells them to try again. One group would say we should not be discussing personal experiences here. We should document every statement with Scripture. The other group says we are wasting time with study. We should not be satisfied with obeying Scripture. We should listen for the voice of God, personally communicated, and we should be ready to move when we‘ve heard it. I know these people. And I wish that they would get together. I say that God uses both Scripture and the promptings of the Holy Spirit to lead us. The first without the second leaves us sitting in a secure spot, doing nothing. The second without the first has us wandering aimlessly, doing this and that that possibly adds up to nothing. The two need to be together, and the two sides need to get together, synergistically, to do God‘s will. Testimony and Scripture come together in Genesis 24:27. “I being in the way, the Lord led me”. The way is the word. The leading is by the Spirit. The two are inseparable. “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried” (2 Samuel 22:31). The way and the word come together in perfect harmony (Psalm 18:30). With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments (Psalm 119:10). The heart and the word, in harmony. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). The Holy Spirit speaks the word of God, the written word of God, to guide us. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you (Philippians 4:9). He, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you (John 16:13) and give you peace (Galatians 5:22). He will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. He will guide you with his eye (Psalm 32:8). |
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440 | How does God speak to us? | Heb 1:1 | Aixen7z4 | 154242 | ||
Hello, Doc: Hope you are doing well. I would like to agree with anyone who says anything on this topic, while encouraging them to consider what others are saying. God wants each of us to do his will. To do it, we need to discern it. I assume that all who seek God are sincere, and I do believe we need to get together, and help one another with this. and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24). |
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