Results 101 - 120 of 350
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
101 | People want answers! | Prov 3:5 | Aixen7z4 | 107566 | ||
The problem is old, and current, I think. One must believe that people want answers and that they come to places like this for answers. We should be grateful for the plurality of responders, but queries like this, and the disappearance of the questioner, should remind us of the importance of finding agreement. It is easy to disagree. It is hard work to speak the same thing. But that is what we are called to do. So, "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment". Even now someone is being tempted to explain away the problem. By all appearances, however, we get some satisfaction from knowing that we are right and someone else is wrong. But we should keep in mind what such a divergence of opinions does to one who is new in the faith or otherwise unlearned. For the sake of such people we should spare no effort in reconciling the Scriptures and giving clear answers. The present response is based on 1 Corinthians 1:10 and I trust that anyone responding will make an effort to incorporate that verse in their reply. There may be other passages that seem to contradict it, but we know they don’t. Let us try to put our answers together, for the sake of those who need to know. |
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102 | People want answers! | Prov 3:5 | Aixen7z4 | 107716 | ||
Please do not give up on this forum. It is, potentially, a very good thing. I have to agree with you, though, that this admixture of truth and error is not good. Tell you what, I will write to the Lockman Foundation. Peradventure they will be willing to make some slight changes. Here is the letter I am writing. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Thank you for providing the BibleStudyForum. It is clearly a very popular program and it has such tremendous potential. I say "potential" because I am afraid we may be missing a great opportunity here. The possibility is that folks could come to the forum and get clarification for Bible passages. The reality is what they get is confusion: a mixture of truth and error. Moreover, the issues are hardly ever resolved. I believe there is a simple solution to this problem. (And I hope you see it as a problem. You would not publish a Bible with a mixture of truth and error. Yet you provide such a forum.) The solution is to appoint a small group of persons to answer the questions. Other members would be limited to asking questions. You would note that the problem has been discussed on the forum. See this link , for example, or this one. Some of the members think that changes are desirable, but they would be technically difficult to implement and expensive to maintain. I submit that the changes to the program are simple and easy to do. Also, you would not need to pay the panel. I do believe there is such a group already trying to serve, that they would be easy to recognize, and they would be willing to serve gratis. It has been stated that a board of ten people would have eleven answers to each question. I think you know that Bible scholars with different backgrounds come together to give us one translation. I think that the people answering the questions could do the same. They could be charged with the task of finding agreement, and I suggest it would be a great blessing to see their effort and success on the forum itself. Charge them to listen to each other and to come to a conclusion after a reasonable number of posts. I do believe that these small changes would make a big difference. Your forum is already good. I believe you can make it great. Sincerely Nobel Kam Aixen Now, let us pray that someone will listen and do something. |
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103 | People want answers! | Prov 3:5 | Aixen7z4 | 107775 | ||
This person is correct. There is one God, one faith, one Bible. There is one Holy Spirit giving us the answers. Those who answer should be troubled when there are divergent answers. It is almost certain that those who come here often say the Bible does not contradict itself. Neither should those who believe in it and teach it. When the Bible seems to say two different things, we wait and pray and look a little closer. We depend on the wisdom which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. We cannot account for everything that anyone says. But whenever someone uses Scripture we should pay attention. We should be able to incorporate what he sees in the verse and develop one coherent answer. It may take ten tries, but we should arrive at it. No one should take these words "we" to assume that this writer would desire to be an appointed answerman. "We" means that he identifies with the church to which the people come for answers. The church, whether local or as here represented by Bible teachers, is the pillar and ground of truth. The people have a right to ask, and they deserve coherent answers. Don't you think so? |
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104 | A Fear of the Lord encompasses what? | Prov 22:4 | Aixen7z4 | 145555 | ||
It is good to see that question. It may cause us to reflect on a most important topic. We need to know what it means to fear God, and we need to fear God (Ecclesiastes 12). It is chilling to realize that there are some around us and more so some among us who do not fear God. David says (Psalm 36) it is the reason people sin, and why some do it with impunity. They do not know God well enough to respect him. They do not apprehend his power to afflict us, or knowing it, they take advantage of his love and patience. But we should respect God because he is Creator and Sovereign and the Judge of all the earth. God is love, but God is also a consuming fire. If we are wise, the first order of business is to be sure we have a healthy fear of God. Like modern Pharaohs (Exodus 5) some show a lack of the fear of God by disobeying or ignoring God with apparent disregard for the consequences. They may profess that they do not believe there is a place called hell, or they say that God would never send people there. That is an attitude they may live again to regret for a long time. Jesus taught us that we should fear God because he has the power to cast both body and soul into hell. And there are some who know God and yet fail to glorify him (Romans 1). In effect they make themselves out to be God, in that they are wise enough to make life decisions without him. And there are some among us who know God personally and yet fail to tremble at his word. We too, may try to take advantage of his mercy and dabble in sin while believing that his grace will abound to cover it. We may play fast and loose with his word and carelessly teach false doctrines. God has warned us about that (Jeremiah 2, 3, 10, 12, Matthew 5, etc.) but some of us do it anyway. We should fear the Lord, all of us, and be careful and humble before him. We should respect him to the nth degree, and in a real sense be afraid of him. God is love but also, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. So let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him (Psalm 33:8). |
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105 | Should a Christian take a man to court? | Prov 25:8 | Aixen7z4 | 102962 | ||
I suspect the answer is Yes, that is, it would be wrong to take that person to court. Take EdB's advice and take up the matter with the owner of the business. | ||||||
106 | in what ways does god punish people | Prov 28:13 | Aixen7z4 | 104416 | ||
A very good question. We need to be reminded that sin does not go unpunished. The punishments seem to cover a wide range, from a guilty troubled conscience, to rebuke and chastening, to restitution, to weakness and sickness, and death. See Romans 2:15; Hebrews 12:5; Exodus 22:1; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 John 5:16. We are thankful that Jesus paid for our sins, so that we do not need to pay the price ourselves. Nevertheless, there are natural consequences for our behaviors and the Lord does not suspend the law of cause and effect. We bear the consequences of wrong choices. There is always the possibility of repentance and restoration, however. Sin results in a disruption of fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 4:30), but this should probably be seen as a consequence of sin rather than a punishment. |
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107 | Confronting sin - Scripture suggestions? | Prov 28:13 | Aixen7z4 | 104434 | ||
Too late to give other suggestions, but you must have found some more yourself. After all this time, we wonder what the final letter looked like and how the young people responded. | ||||||
108 | is it ok to kill? | Eccl 3:3 | Aixen7z4 | 125151 | ||
There is a time to kill. Murder is something else, and that's what is forbidden. Exodus 20:13 (KJV) Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:13 (AMP) You shall not commit murder. v. mur·der v. tr. To kill (another human) unlawfully. Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. mur·der :unlawfully and unjustifiably killing another under circumstances defined by statute (as with premeditation); especially : such a crime committed purposely, knowingly, and recklessly with extreme indifference to human. Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. murder :to kill (a human being) unlawfully and under circumstances constituting murder intransitive verb : to commit murder Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. murder To kill with premediated malice; to kill (a human being) willfully, deliberately, and unlawfully. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. murder Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num. 35:16, 18, 21, 31; Lev. 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen. 9:5, 6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Ex. 21:12, 14; Deut. 19:11, 13; 2 Sam. 17:25; 20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Num. 35:19-30; Deut. 17:6-12). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (Deut. 21:1-9). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Ex. 21:15-17; Deut. 27:16). Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (matthew 5:21,22). |
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109 | man? Woman? | Eccl 7:28 | Aixen7z4 | 153738 | ||
In context, it makes sense. The person who divided the book into chapters and verses did a good thing in helping us to locate passages. But we should not be focused on verses as if each one held a separate thought. Read the entire passage to get the context and the meaning. Read the following, for example, in the paragraph arrangement of the New Living Translation. Solomon says: “I have tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, ‘I am determined to be wise.’ But it didn't really work. Wisdom is always distant and very difficult to find. I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. “I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. "This is my conclusion," says the Teacher. "I came to this result after looking into the matter from every possible angle. Just one out of every thousand men I interviewed can be said to be upright, but not one woman! I discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path." Solomon was a king, a wise king, and had talked to many people. His conclusion was that very few men were honest, and even fewer women. The passage indicates that some women are seductive, and that serves to lessen the incidence of honesty among them. Does that not make it simple? It is profound, perhaps disturbing, but simple. Why a thousand? And why the reference to his harem? Think about it. Solomon had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart (1 Kings 11). |
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110 | What does the Lord say about excellence? | Eccl 9:10 | Aixen7z4 | 98695 | ||
Might you be thinking of Ecclesiastes 9:10? It says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest". |
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111 | if someone died is there spirit on earth | Eccl 12:7 | Aixen7z4 | 93807 | ||
When someone dies? Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). |
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112 | What is the Song of Solomon? | Song of Solomon | Aixen7z4 | 42105 | ||
Easton's Bible Dictionary Solomon, Song of called also, after the Vulgate, the "Canticles." It is the "song of songs" (1:1), as being the finest and most precious of its kind; the noblest song, "das Hohelied," as Luther calls it. The Solomonic authorship of this book has been called in question, but evidences, both internal and external, fairly establish the traditional view that it is the product of Solomon's pen. It is an allegorical poem setting forth the mutual love of Christ and the Church, under the emblem of the bridegroom and the bride. (Compare Matthew 9:15; John 3:29; Ephesians 5:23,27,29; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:2,9; 22:17. Compare also Psalms 45; Isaiah 54:4-6; 62:4,5; Jeremiah 2:2; 3:1,20; Ezek. 16; Hosea 2:16,19,20.) |
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113 | what good is it to Ahaz | Is 7:14 | Aixen7z4 | 102874 | ||
1Pe 1:12 Unto them 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; which things the angels desire to look into. | ||||||
114 | What is waiting on the Lord ? | Is 40:31 | Aixen7z4 | 125197 | ||
Waiting upon God is to be continuous. So many times the men of God say they will wait, but they do not say how long. It is something they would always do. It is as Job says (14:14) “All the days of my appointed time will I wait”. As you have sensed, waiting does not mean being idle. Abraham’s servant said, “I being in the way, the LORD led me” (Genesis 24:27). There is a sense in which we cannot help but wait on the Lord for the next step, the next breath, the next word, for we can do nothing without him. We remember then that “man’s goings are of the Lord” (Proverbs 20:24). There are times when we are impatient and want to move before the Lord has shown the way. A wise man has said it is OK to move if we are prepared to allow the Lord to steer us. If we want what we do to count, then we will wait continually on him for guidance. The children of Israel were told to stand still and wee the salvation of God. They were in a situation where they were unable to save themselves. The were literally unable to move. They had to wait on God to save them. We also have to wait on him for our salvation, because we cannot save ourselves. Apply that to the moment of salvation, from the penalty of sin. We had to call upon him and wait for him to save us (John 1:12;Jonah 2:9). Thank God that when he sees repentance and faith (Acts 20:21), he answers instantaneously (Acts 17:27). Apply that to present salvation, from the power of sin: We have to wait for that, even in the midst of suffering. We may have to wait a long time before he delivers us from the clutches of Satan (Job 2:6-42-10) or from sinful men (2 Thessalonians 3:2). Apply that to future salvation, from the presence of sin: We have to wait to be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:21). This can be seen as waiting for death (Job 14:14) and resurrection (Job 19:25,26) or as waiting for the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10). We have to wait for those. Please read Psalm 62. There we will find that waiting is not only for salvation, as mentioned above and there (in Psalm 62: 1,2) but also for vindication (v.2,6) for his promises, the things he has made us to expect (v.5) for strength (v.7, as also Isaiah 40:31). “Trust in him at all times” (v.8). That trusting can be seen as waiting and working at the same time. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. You ought to say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:14,15). "Work" and "wait" go well together. |
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115 | How to hear from God | Is 55:6 | Aixen7z4 | 98053 | ||
I would suggest that you say those very words to God. That is what God's people do. See, for example, Psalm 42. The psalmist sings: "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God". Try that, and tell us the results. God has promised that those who seek him will find him, when they seek him with their whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13). He says we should call upon him, and he will answer (Jeremiah 33:3). I suggest that you start by realizing that it is God who is drawing you to himself (Matthew 11:28). Thank him for that, and continue to seek him (Psalm 27:8). You should realize also, that you may have to be patient (Psalm 27:14). You may have already experienced that if you have had to wait a long time for this response. That's the way it goes (Psalm 40:1). But now, believe. Have faith in God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. If you have the patience and persistence, then please copy and paste this link: ( http://hishows.bizland.com/meditation.html ) and let the Lord speak to you through his word. Now, are you sure you want to hear from God? What if he asks you to do something? When he speaks, you may have to worship him, confess your sins, give him thanks, things like that. He may ask you to do some other thing. But you should not give up your quest. If you draw nigh to God, he will draw nigh to you. And in his presence, there is fullness of joy. |
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116 | 1 Thess. 5:17 | Jer 29:12 | Aixen7z4 | 149821 | ||
It is sometimes so difficult to know what a person has in mind when a question is asked. And yet, these are good questions. They seem to have come from a sincere and caring saint. “Does prayer really help?“ suggests that the questioner realizes that some types of prayer do not help. In other words, it may not really make a difference whether one prays or not, if one prays that way. A common situation is where one prays for a sick person to get better. Sometimes he does. Sometimes he does not. One then wonders if it makes any difference whether one prays or not. And yet, it is God who asks us to pray and he promises that he will answer (Matthew 7, etc.). Moreover, he says that the reason we do not have some things is because we do not pray for them (James 4). Clearly then, God is saying that prayer does help, that it makes a big difference. In the words of the apostle James: it “avails much” (James 5). Yet we fail to get what we ask for when we ask amiss (James 4). “What kind of prayers does God answer?” suggests that God answers one type of prayer and not others. We know that we need to ask for things that are within God’s will (1 John 5). It seems logical that God will give us want he wants to give us. It is important then, that we know what God’s will is (Ephesians 5). The prayer that God answers, then, is one that matches his will. God answers the prayer of Elijah (1 Kings 18) because he was doing as God had directed him (v.38). Paul stopped praying for a thorn to be removed (2 Corinthians 12) and prayed for grace instead (every epistle he wrote) because God revealed that it was his will to give grace. If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, and we get what we ask for (1 John 5). “How can one develop an attitude of prayer?” seems to be a completely different question, posed in in anticipation of satisfactory answers to the previous questions. If prayer is worthwhile, then we may want to develop an attitude of prayer. I am assuming that “an attitude of prayer” is a readiness to pray at all times. Jesus said men ought always to pray (Luke 18) and Paul says that we should be “praying always” (Ephesians 6), and praying “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5). “It seems that the prayer I have been hearing are no more than begging God for things?” suggests an awareness that prayer should be more than that. One can agree that prayer is more than that. Prayer might well include worship, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, etc. (See Matthew 6, Ephesians 3, James 5, etc.). Even in thanksgiving and supplication, one might suggest we should be thanking God for spiritual things (as in Colossians 1) and asking for spiritual things (as in Ephesians 3). “Is that the object of prayer?” (to beg for things) suggests the questioner knows it is not. One might suggest that the purpose of prayer is to know God’s will, and to do God’s will. Men of God have prayed that God would open their eyes to behold his will in his word (Psalm 119) and Jesus taught (Luke 11) and exemplified a prayer that God’s will be done (Luke 22). One may say that prayer is the expression of a desire to play an active part in God’s program. Prayer, whether constant or sporadic, whether the right kind or not, is a habit. We do what we have learned to do. But the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. And we might well pray to the Lord for that. But we have to be willing to change, to learn, and habits are often hard to break. The questions seem to have come from one who knows the nature and worth of prayer and is somewhat frustrated with the way it is practiced in the church today. It may be difficult to change what the church does, but we can change what we do in our private communication with God. We are happy to note that God listens to the individual and to the two who agree (on what his word reveals about his will). One person can pray, even silently, and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. |
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117 | Tithing question | Mal 3:10 | Aixen7z4 | 97740 | ||
One of these days I hope to write a long article on the subject of Tithing. It will be full of scripture references and it will be hopefully convincing. The aim will be to encourage us to take hold of the freedom for which Christ has made us free and to shake off the present bondage that has been imposed on us. It will say that Tithing is a relic of the Old Testament economy and is not for today. It will say that the Christian should consider all that he has as belonging to the Lord, and not just one tenth of it. It will say that Christians should give to the church gladly and freely as the Lord prospers them, after taking care of their personal and family needs. It will try to differentiate between needs and wants. It will say that the church should use what is given to meet the needs of those who minister and those who who are not able to work to meet their own needs. It will say that the church needs to reexamine its priorities and to spend the people's money the way the Lord intended. It might even say that there are too many church buildings and that those buildings are too large and too fancy. It might suggest that Christians return to a simpler form of life and spend less on fancy cars and clothes. It might suggest that our focus and our spending be more on spiritual things and less on material things. But the basic point will be that tithing should be eliminated from our vocabulary. It will suggest that the directions for our giving be taken from New testament passages such as Matthew 6:19; Luke 12:15; Acts 4:32; 1 Corinthians 9;2 Corinthians 9; Colossians 3:2; 1Timothy 6:10; James 2:8; etc. My article will suggest that Malachi 3:8 be replaced with Romans 12:1 in our thinking. Or perhaps I should say that each of these passages should be looked at again, and in their proper context. We realize that something is wrong when we are being asked to give and we find it hard, when we have needs, spiritual and material, and they are not being met. It will become clear that the governmental system of taxing those who have to meet the needs of those who serve and those who have not is working better than our own system of requiring tithing and seeing old ladies go hungry. Then we may realize that the tithe was the tax in Old Testament economy, when the civil government was a theocracy. But that article will have to wait for a while. I am not sure the church is ready for it. Besides, I have no desire to be controversial. |
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118 | explain tithes acording to malachai 3:10 | Mal 3:10 | Aixen7z4 | 97741 | ||
One of these days I hope to write a long article on the subject of Tithing. It will be full of scripture references and it will be hopefully convincing. The aim will be to encourage us to take hold of the freedom for which Christ has made us free and to shake off the present bondage that has been imposed on us. It will say that Tithing is a relic of the Old Testament economy and is not for today. It will say that the Christian should consider all that he has as belonging to the Lord, and not just one tenth of it. It will say that Christians should give to the church gladly and freely as the Lord prospers them, after taking care of their personal and family needs. It will try to differentiate between needs and wants. It will say that the church should use what is given to meet the needs of those who minister and those who who are not able to work to meet their own needs. It will say that the church needs to reexamine its priorities and to spend the people's money the way the Lord intended. It might even say that there are too many church buildings and that those buildings are too large and too fancy. It might suggest that Christians return to a simpler form of life and spend less on fancy cars and clothes. It might suggest that our focus and our spending be more on spiritual things and less on material things. But the basic point will be that tithing should be eliminated from our vocabulary. It will suggest that the directions for our giving be taken from New testament passages such as Matthew 6:19; Luke 12:15; Acts 4:32; 1 Corinthians 9;2 Corinthians 9; Colossians 3:2; 1Timothy 6:10; James 2:8; etc. My article will suggest that Malachi 3:8 be replaced with Romans 12:1 in our thinking. Or perhaps I should say that each of these passages should be looked at again, and in their proper context. We realize that something is wrong when we are being asked to give and we find it hard, when we have needs, spiritual and material, and they are not being met. It will become clear that the governmental system of taxing those who have to meet the needs of those who serve and those who have not is working better than our own system of requiring tithing and seeing old ladies go hungry. Then we may realize that the tithe was the tax in Old Testament economy, when the civil government was a theocracy. But that article will have to wait for a while. I am not sure the church is ready for it. Besides, I have no desire to be controversial. |
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119 | Mental Illness | Matt 5:31 | Aixen7z4 | 98593 | ||
Dear Friend: You ask what the Bible says about mental illness. It says a lot about that, and it would take a long answer to cover what it says. But, which is what I think you are interested in, the Bible acknowledges that mental illness exists. Moreover, it is not something you should feel guilty about or ashamed; it is a part of the human condition. We are made up of body and soul (mind) and spirit, and any one of these can be ill. That is why we say (1Th 5:23) “the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. And now you are looking for hope, which is exactly what you need. And may I say, you are closer to it that you may realize. Your heart is sick for lack of hope. But you will find it, maybe here on this forum. Solomon says (Proverbs 13:12) “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life”. You say you feel like giving up at times, and that is normal. But if you will accept the struggle, fight the good fight of faith, and win, then the victory will be for you and your children. If you are looking for scriptures to give you hope, know that you have them, and that is what they are there for. (Rom 15:4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. We have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:18,19). Do you understand? Do you accept that? When the saints of old felt low, like you are feeling now, they talked to themselves as follows: (Psa 42:5) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psa 42:11) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Moreover, they talked to God like this: (Psa 38:15) “In thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.” (Psa 71:5) “Thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth”. The point here is this: There are biological factors (within the brain) and environmental factors (things happening around you) which may affect your mind for ill. It will help if you can accept that and not blame yourself for it. You will need to confess and forsake any known sin, and thus free your mind. You may need to consult a physician who can check out your chemical balance and prescribe medication if so indicated. And then you must look to the Lord, not for a temporary relief, but in a permanent attitude of trust. Isaiah testifies (26:3) that He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on him. Asaph says (Psa 78:7) that it is God’s design for people to “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”. You would do well to trust in the Lord. It will benefit your mental health because, according to (Psa 146:5) “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God”. Here is some free advice, that your focus should not be on your feelings, but on the Lord. Many a person has served the Lord while feeling badly in body, soul, and/or spirit. Give thanks to God for the measure of health that you do have, and serve him with it. Remember how Jesus said, “My soul is troubled … but ... Thy will be done”. Serve the Lord with gladness, my friend. Now, I have given you some scriptures here. Is that you were looking for? As we noted above, it is the Scripture that will give you hope. So I hope you got it. If you are saved, then say with Peter: (1Pe 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope”. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Peter again, it is through him that we are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. If God raised Jesus from the dead, and he did, I trust he will also raise you from the depths of depression and hopelessness. If he lifted him into the heavens, and he did, I trust he will also lift you to heights of joy, as you trust in him and serve him. But say, What does Matthew 5:31 have to do with this? |
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120 | who was Jesus | Matt 16:15 | Aixen7z4 | 117317 | ||
Who is Jesus? It depends on whom you listen to. But what do you say? The multitude said he was the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 21:11). A voice from heaven, said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 ). His disciples reported that some had said he was John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets (Matthew 16:13) . Simon Peter said he is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16) . When they crucified him, they set up over his head “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matthew 27:35). The centurion, and they that were with him, said that truly this was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). Nathanael said he is the Son of God; the King of Israel (John 1:49). John the Baptist bare record that he is the Son of God (John 1:34). Jesus said John bare witness unto the truth (John 5:33). Jesus said the works which the Father had given him to finish, which he had done, were saying that the Father had sent him (John 5:36). Jesus said the Father himself, who had sent him, had borne witness of him (John 5:37). Jesus said the scriptures testify of him (John 5:39). Jesus said he was the I AM (John 8:58). Two disciples said he was a prophet, mighty in deed and word (Luke 24:20). Paul says he is the one mediator that there is, between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). The Father says the Son is God, with a throne that is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8). John the apostle says they have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14). Peter says that we can know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Others said other things. But we ask, as he did, “Whom do you say he is?”. |
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