Results 101 - 115 of 115
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Parable Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
101 | Todays fashions | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82319 | ||
1. discontent, from comparisons with others. 2. selfishness, from having too much. 3. arrogance, from having power over others. |
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102 | Searching for the truth | Eph 5:21 | Parable | 76497 | ||
Problems come when any church is not based in scripture, not centered on Jesus and not filled by the Spirit. This is not to say that people never disagree, but the kinds of problems that tear a church apart are characterized by pettiness, selfishness, pride, hidden agendas, gossip, greed and lust, among other things. The solution is to bow before the Lord, remain humble in spirit and set aside that which detracts from Kingdom work. The church leaders must create an environment in which everyone is able to "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15) and "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Eph 5:21) Parable |
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103 | Searching for the truth | Eph 5:21 | Parable | 76562 | ||
Further thoughts on potential problems in small churches. The best solution is prevention. The main issues are misconduct, in the following areas: money, sex and political power. MONEY: Because they often lack resources, finances can be a source of strife. Proper accounting practices and sound budgets are vital. The books should be open to anyone who wants to see them and the church should be audited each year by an independent CPA. Also, the accountant should be the only one who knows how much each person gives. The pastor should not seek to know who gives what. Such knowledge can lead to favoritism, even in the best of us. SEX: The pastor should observe strict rules regarding where, when and how time is spent with members alone. Such rules preclude opportunities for accusations and temptations for either party. When people know these rules are in place, they are more likely to address accusations rationally rather than emotionally. Even so, any appearance of impropriety should call for immediate action, although it need not always be public. POWER: Mechanisms for accountability and an atmosphere conducive to open dialogue are fundamental to smooth operations. The pastor must encourage people to share their concerns and address them in a meaningful way. The pastor must delegate authority and tasks to others, then let them serve in their own way, intervening only if there is a real need. |
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104 | Origin of feelings | Phil 4:8 | Parable | 191704 | ||
Great question! It seems you are asking about troubling emotions, rather than pleasant healthy ones, so I'll try to address that side of things. For context, I submit that emotions are always preceded by thoughts, yet they are not easily controlled by thought, indeed, emotions often intensify the more you think about the problem. Obviously, that kind of thinking doesn't help. The bible teaches us to think differently. In Romans 12:2, we are instructed to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind". To be transformed is to be made into something new and different. To renew your mind is to change what you think about and how you think about it. For example, in Philippians 4:8-9, we are told "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Paul is telling us to think about the good things God has done and thereby receive peace. Finally, because we are shaped by how we think, and we are called to grow into the likeness of Jesus, in Hebrews 12:2-3 Paul says to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." In other words, if you are discouraged, think about Jesus, not the problem, and you will not falter. |
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105 | Origin of feelings | Phil 4:8 | Parable | 191709 | ||
As for the origin of emotions, I note Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." This verse is saying that knowing about the state of the world inspires sorrow. (as I said in my other response, emotion is preceded by thought) Emotion is a response in us to how well circumstances are in-line with God's plan. Yet, a deeper question is about joy. Joy is generally regarded as a state of being in your heart, not dependent on circumstances. In Psalm 19:8, we are told "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Joy comes from God to those who embrace His ways. Obedience brings light. |
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106 | What does the Bible say about masterbati | 1 Thess 4:3 | Parable | 41781 | ||
I know of no place in the bible that discusses masterbation. The bible does indeed prohibit sexual immorality and identifies several specific acts as such: fornication (a single person having sex with another single person), homosexuality, incest, bestiality and adultery (a married person having sex but not with their spouse or a single person having sex with a married person). By the way, sexual immorality is sin because it is a form of idolatry, i.e. putting something before God. Where the Bible gives specific instruction, we stand firm. Where the Bible is silent, we have freedom to live according to the principles in God's Word. I suggest you consider Jesus' teaching on the contents of our hearts. Jesus taught that murder begins as anger, stealing begins as greed and adultery begins with lust. Most Bible scholars agree that the terms "anger", "greed" and "lust", as understood in biblical cultures and times, are not the kinds of passing thoughts all of us have, but rather they are the obsessive patterns of thinking that are indulged without regard to consequences and reduce others (or their possessions) to objects for base gratification of some fleshly desire, e.g. revenge, coveting or sex. In lust, sexual desire is fed, nurtured and exploited until it becomes grotesque and compelling, leading to sexual immorality. If masturbation involves this kind of thinking, then it is a serious problem, a perversion of God's intent for our sexuality. Also, masturbation can become an addiction like gluttony or drunkenness. Again, a perversion of God's gifts to us. So, masturbation, like many other things, is definitely one way we can fall short of following God's laws. Yet, I believe it is not clear from the Bible that masturbation, in itself, is necessarily sexual immorality. After all, eating is not necessarily gluttony and having a glass of wine is not necessarly drunkenness. I believe the Bible teaches that right actions are important, but the content of your heart is the point. (of course, having a righteous heart does not permit us to commit sexual immorality as defined in the Bible) If masturbation is an addiction, pray that God may release you from this form of slavery. Self control is a gift of the Spirit. If you experience terrible feelings of guilt over masturbation that make you want to turn away from God, pray that He grace you with a more real understanding of His love and forgiveness and guide you in your sexuality. Guilt is a gift that guides us to righteousness. But, guilt, when unchecked and excessive, can be used by the enemy to steal our attention away from God's grace. All of us stumble, and that keeps us humble. Christ gives us the ability to get back on our feet. As we must be compassionate to others, forgiving them, so also must we offer ourselves to God, including all our shortcomings, knowing that He loves us anyway as we strive to become like Jesus. |
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107 | Should I Look For Another Church? | 1 Thess 5:12 | Parable | 76492 | ||
We are called to respect the judgment of church leaders. "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you." - 1Thess5:12. There may be good reasons your pastor is not yet willing to marry the two of you. If so, those reasons won't change if you go to another church and it would be unwise to get married anyway. The decision to look for another church should be based on severe problems that cannot be resolved, rather than one decision that you don't like, especially if that decision relates to something as important as marriage. Parable |
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108 | C harles Stanley abusing the Bible? | 1 Tim 3:2 | Parable | 75800 | ||
I believe it is wrong to use scripture in the way you describe, i.e. to judge others. See Matthew 7:2. In my opinion, the highest test should be this: Does waging war with Iraq demonstrate love for God and love for others? See Matthew 22:37-40. A case can be made that it does and a case can be made that it doesn't. It depends entirely on the motives behind the actions, the contents of our hearts. If the President is lead by the Spirit to wage war in an effort to end tyranny and bring justice, peace and love to an oppressed people, then he should wage war. But he should do so in the most just and righteous way, including the occupation/rebuilding afterward. In this case, protestors would do well to examine what drives their actions. If protest is for selfish reasons or out of fear, then the peace they seek is not possible. On the other hand, if the President is driven by impure motives, such as arrogance, economic self-interest or revenge, then any actions taken would be made in vain, including efforts to wage peace. In this case, protesting his motives would be proper. Parable |
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109 | Who believes the Bible? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Parable | 48890 | ||
Amen! Parable |
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110 | Scripture alone? | James 1:5 | Parable | 191888 | ||
sorry for the repetitions, there was a server error and I send more than once thinking it had not gone through. | ||||||
111 | Scripture alone? | James 1:5 | Parable | 192029 | ||
What IS evil? | ||||||
112 | Are all sins equal in the eyes of God? | James 2:10 | Parable | 86768 | ||
I suggest the answer to your question lies in the nature of God's perfect holiness, a state in which sin of any kind cannot be present. James 2:10 says "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." This point is also emphasized in Romans 3:23 "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." However, we can rejoice in the fact that "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." -- Romans 8:1 While the practical worldly consequences of sins may vary according to circumstances, in God's eyes all sin is incompatible with His presence. Thus, we need Jesus to cleanse us of all our sin, so we can enter His Presence, so we may participate in the love He has planned for us. However, in Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says "... every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Many theologians understand this in the following way: if you cannot see or refuse to recognize the One who forgives, i.e. the Holy Spirit, then it is logically impossible for you to ask for and receive forgiveness from whom you have offended. That is, if you deny the authority of the Spirit, you cut yourself off from the realm of forgiveness itself. In this sense, I submit the worst sin is to convince yourself that the Holy Spirit is the devil, because this is the ultimate hardness of heart and at some point, God, according to his wisdom, will give you over to your decision. Parable |
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113 | How to forget my hurts and pains | 1 Peter | Parable | 46057 | ||
Forgiving them and praying for them are a good way to start the healing process. You may never be able to forget, but it is possible that God can make it so those memories no longer have any power over you. I suggest that you pray for yourself, (In the garden, Jesus prayed for himself),that you can be delivered from the pain of these memories, that those experiences can be used through you to further the Kingdom of God, that your recovery and reconcilation will be a witness to others of God's glory! There is nothing wrong with working out your recovery by talking, unless it becomes self-serving. Don't make your experiences a topic for gossip, and don't talk about them with just anyone or in just any way. It is possible that you may nurture and revitalize these hurts by revisiting them without putting them to rest. For this, perhaps speaking with your pastor or a trusted friend who is mature in Christ would be helpful. If you choose not to discuss these things with anyone, I fear you may become isolated, cutoff from the Body, vulnerable to spiritual attack. The book of 1Peter is all about HOPE. Check it out. |
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114 | Humility in OUR BiIble Interpetations | 1 John 2:16 | Parable | 51532 | ||
Amen. We should be humble in everything! Pride, the opposite of humility, destroys our relationship with God. James 3:13 "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." 1 Peter 3:15b "...to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." 1 John 2:16b "...the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." Parable |
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115 | How to love others as commanded | 1 John 3:11 | Parable | 108855 | ||
Love is a command, so think of it as something to be obeyed, which sometimes is not what you would choose to do on your own. Love is an action toward others that is guided by what you would want someone to do for you. Start out small, serve others without drawing attention to yourself. Give generously even when you aren't sure if you can afford it, yet remain a good steward of the wealth God has entrusted to you. Sometimes loving others unconditionally means accepting their indifference, rejection or hatred, allowing them to remain as they choose to be, however unjust, mistaken or tragic. Be grateful if you suffer for the love you give, as you are being blessed to suffer for the cause of Christ. | ||||||
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