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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How Do You Stay on Track? | Ps 23:3 | Hank | 116922 | ||
The NASB translators' marginal note on the phrase in Psalm 23:3 "He guides me in the PATHS of righteousness" is "lit. TRACKS." I like the imagery that these words evoke in my mind. God guides me in the tracks of righteousness..... I've always liked trains. When I was a small boy I used to take short (18-mile) train trips with my parents from our home in a rural area of north Georgia to the "big city" of Chattanooga, Tennessee. In recent years I've traveled by Amtrak on several occasions from my home in Arkansas to both the east and west coasts of our country. The trips have been pleasant and safe, because the trains I've ridden have stayed steadily on track. But not all of them do! When trains jump track, they make headlines and not good-news headlines either. In many cases injury and death ensue in the wake of a train wreck. But isn't it a comforting thought that God guides His children in the tracks of righteousness. He keeps them safe and on track in a spiritual sense. What are some other Bible passages that give YOU comfort and assurance in the providence of God in keeping your life "on track"? --Hank | ||||||
2 | How Do You Stay on Track? | Ps 23:3 | Emmy | 116936 | ||
Hi Hank: Your comparison of a train on track and God keeping us on track is interesting. I see one addition though. A train can jump the tracks God's tracks are sound and do not fail. All will be well if we stay on the train, and don't jump off. Jumping off would be turning our back on our faith, which we are encouraged to not do. Will respond to some other things you sent Sincerely Henry and Emmy. |
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3 | How Do You Stay on Track? | Ps 23:3 | Hank | 116948 | ||
Thank you, Henry and Emmy, for your responsive post. And, please, when you respond to some of the other things I've said on this Forum, be as kind as possible to an old man who just turned 69 a couple of weeks ago :-). Seriously, I think some of us, chief among whom has sometimes been I, tend occasionally to fall prey to being too critical of, and not generous and kind enough toward, our fellow Forum friends and siblings in Christ. This is not finger pointing at you folks, believe me. It's something that was on my mind and may as well be said on this post as any other. It's good to interact with you, Henry and Emmy. --Hank (Henry on my birth certificate!) | ||||||
4 | How Do You Stay on Track? | Ps 23:3 | Emmy | 116993 | ||
Dear Henry (Hank) By coincidence I am also Henry (Hank) I tried to have screen name Hank, but it was already taken. Now I know by whom. There is no fear in my not being both gentle and honest in things I post at any time to anyone. It is not always easy to get the tone of a comment in the written word. IF ever you think the tone from me is anything but kind, let me assure you that that would not be the case. As you know I believe once saved is not a guarantee. I know works must go with faith or I have nothing. It is not in my interest or anyone else for me to be impatient or offensive in my dealings with others. If a discussion leads to discord, best not to have the discussion in the first place. Here is a short history on where we come from regarding scriptures. We are simple folk, who noted that Jesus was more acceptable to people who in this system have little power. He was opposed by the very ones who from their studies should have known better, namely those who studied the scriptures. Also opposing him were the powerful who had their interests to protect. We also read that one cannot understand God if we do not have His Spirit. In addition the scriptures are spiritual and must be spiritually discerned. An unbeliever thinks of the truth about God as foolishness. The Spirit is our teacher and we have no need of another person to teach us. Everything we hear no matter who says it must be considered carefully to see if it is true or not. The ability for us to do this comes from havingthe Spirit. We depend on it to inform us and verify or reject what we hear. Credentials of learned people cannot be trusted at face value. There are two reasons for this. There is wide disagreement among the "experts" and weare to put our trust in only ONE. We believe the bible is simply written. There are parables and likenesses, but unless it is otherwise stated, or clearly the case, we ought to read with it in mind, that what it says is exacly what it means ie literally. It seems logical that if God wants the bible to enlighten us, He did not instruct it to be written so it would be hard to read or understand. If you for instance want someone to learn a skill of some kind, would it not make sense to write the instructions as simple to understand as possible. We feel the bible is written so simply that generally the world is overlooking the true meaning, thinking for some reason that it should be complicated. The bible is a true miracle. It can be studied and studied with little or no learing taking place. The Spirit is needed for us to interpret it correctly. If we do not have it, we are bound not to understand. We have nothing worldly to protect when we look to the bible to learn. No money is involved. We have no organization to defend in any way. There is no agenda to protect other than to learn the truth. A person with a string of doctorates in theology, or great respect from people in general hold no more sway over our hunt for the real truth than does a person who claims to know nothing about it. We depend solely on the Spirit to teach and guide us. We hold no premises and try to make the scriptures fit them. Our premise on each topic stems from what we read first. We are open to having others suggest we are wrong, because we find that considering view points of others can sharpen our own understanding. If someone else says something that differs with our view, we consider it carefully. What is right we accept, what is not we reject. We can do this if the Spirit guides us. Until the Spirit reveals a thing, we leave options open. We study scriptures regularly, and find as I said that the scripures are very simple to understand if one lets the Spirit guide, with no other motive in mind but to learn the truth. Even Revelation is simple and clear if one takes this approach. Just believe what is simply stated. The world at large think it is hard to understand, and so it is if the Spirit does not guide. This is why there is so great a variety about what people think the bible is saying. There are so many different interpretations because those reading it are not lead by Holy Spirit. If everyone reading it were lead by the Holy Spirit they would be of ONE accord. Sincerely Emmy and Henry (Hank) |
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5 | How Do You Stay on Track? | Ps 23:3 | Hank | 117002 | ||
Emmy and Henry: Thank you for your kind-hearted response. Your humble approach to God's word is indeed admirable. Even though we may find ourselves at variance in the matter of salvation's security, bitter debate and rancor among redeemed children of the King have no place on this Forum or indeed anywhere else. Accordingly I truly thank both of you for the gentle way you have made known your views. You have not attacked mine and I shall not attack yours. It is possible, after all -- and you have proved it -- to disagree agreeably. ...... As for me, I have an awfully tough time in light of, for example, Ephesians 2:8-9, attaching works to the salvation equation. Works, a part of sanctification, yes; but of salvation, no. ..... Welcome to both of you and perhaps we shall "meet" again on the Forum. --Hank | ||||||