Results 161 - 180 of 269
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Results from: Notes Author: Country Girl Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | What do you make of this? | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127515 | ||
The debate about this subject has been going on since Martin Luther when he first put the Book of James to the very back of his Bible, because he couldn't handle its truth very well. In that book, James makes it very plain and simple that faith by itself is dead and useless without works resulting from that faith. If a person is not willing to submit himself/herself to the Lord in such a way so as to include at least some time, effort and sweat, then that kind of useless faith is no good to God. Yes, I agree with Paul, if we have all the faith in the world and don't have love, we're as useless as that musical instrument. And how can possibly have that kind of love IF we're not showing it and proving it every day of christian lives. We must do everything in our power to discover our hidden talents and adopt a ministry, pick up our cross and bear our rightful share of that burden of christian responsibility to the Lord's church. Then we can be found faithful when our Lord comes again. Blessings to you all. Country Girl |
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162 | John8:24 and John8:57-58 | Ex 3:14 | Country Girl | 127482 | ||
First of all, I would like to urge you to respond to Hank's questions. He's very devoted to the Forum and really has the best interests at heart of all of us Forum participants. Second item for me is your use of the highly unusual and specialized symbols in your post. I'm thinking you already knew you really should have used these symbols ONLY if you provided their definitions for each one. Naturally, these symbols and the general tenor of your post puts people like Hank, myself and others on the defensive. So please respond with a full explanation of your statement, including these symbols. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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163 | John8:24 and John8:57-58 | Ex 3:14 | Country Girl | 127480 | ||
I was anticipating that you wouldn't know too much about DBR's special symbols, so I guess I'll relay my question directly to him. I must admit, I'm a little intrigued by these symbols but for the sake of younger, inexperienced christians, I'm more concerned about the use of such language, especially since he didn't see fit to define up front when he should have known to have done so. Naturally, our suspicions are aroused and defensive mechanisms are flexed as you've done so well. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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164 | John8:24 and John8:57-58 | Ex 3:14 | Country Girl | 127436 | ||
Hank, I was just doing my usual, "cruising the Forum" and noticed DBR still hasn't answered your query, still on the list of questions. I'm hoping you might have an answer for me, just for my curiosity. I've never seen the strange symbols and don't have a clue as to their meaning. I'm referring to the strange, unusual symbols on DBR's original post at the very beginning of this thread. They almost look like Eygptian heirogliphics (sp?). Can you expound on them? If not, I'll hope DBR will do so. One more question: How did strange symbols pass through the famous Forum filter? Whenever I use a symbol as innocent as the percentage mark, it holds up my message and early in my Forum learning curve, I would lose my message althogether. Just wondering. Thanks for putting up with me. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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165 | How our Loving God commanded such things | Bible general Archive 2 | Country Girl | 127431 | ||
I just skimmed (and actually read a few paragraphs) of the whole article to which you refer and you are quite right. Mr. Edwards did a mastful, exquisite job of describing the situation. I especially like his emphasis on God's saving us all from falling into Hell at any minute simply "by His pleasure." Very vivid and powerful. What tremendous love and patience our God shows to us. We (the majority of this planet) reject His Son's blood as our only hope from the fall. The few of us that do accept God's saving Grace and Mercy and become His child, don't do nearly enough spreading of His Word, His Son's Gospel Message. Appreciate your adding this website to the Forum for we have certainly been blessed by it. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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166 | How our Loving God commanded such things | Bible general Archive 2 | Country Girl | 127424 | ||
Speaking as a parent, it's difficult like you say for a child to truly love, see and understand love like the parent would prefer UNTIL the child learns to respect the parent. In the same way, we as God's children must respect Him for Who He is and What He represents then we should find it easier to love Him AND see His love for us. It's a growth process. Some folks never learn very much Godliness from this process. Others learn a tremendous amount and become great leaders in their generation of christians about them. Me, I'll settle for being somewhere in between. This is sometimes a rather difficult subject to deal with especially for those of us going through a lot of suffering, pain and anguish. We don't really want to believe that God would allow all this bad stuff happen to us, even upon reading the story of Job. That's just another Book in our Bible but to Job, his friends and family, it was a very real story and it really did happen just exactly like God tells it. So, the bottom line is: We're NOT going to get a nice, easy "comfortable" answer to questions like this. We either have to accept God's supreme sovreignty or not. We can choose to accept His Love or reject it. This is all made plain in the Books of Genesis and Job. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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167 | Why is the thread associated with ID# .. | 2 Pet 2:4 | Country Girl | 127400 | ||
You might be interested in reading my post to Ancient, Post No 127394. I really do mean for it to be offered only as a suggestion for your consideration. Hope it helps and blessings to you. Country Girl | ||||||
168 | Why is the thread associated with ID# .. | 2 Pet 2:4 | Country Girl | 127394 | ||
I'm hoping to share some wisdom I've learned after being on the Forum for a few weeks and seeing for myself some of the grief and heartache that is meted out to some few participants. Please understand, most of us on the Forum are quite obsessed with the idea that the Bible is the One and Only Book in all the world that is considered to be authored by God Himself. He inspired It and He has protected It during these past several thousand years so when someone introduces a particular thought or idea that is especially repulsive like "God creating evil," naturally that person is going to run into the full and unmitigated guantlet of harsh criticism and extreme prejudice. If that person wants any kind of respect or an objective (maybe loving) response to his post with that kind of unusual and repulsive statement or topic, then he needs to do himself a favor and cite book, chapter and verse or better yet, quote the whole verse as you've done here. When a person does less and simply asks a particularly repugnent question like "Did God create evil?" there's not going to be a whole lot of sympathy toward that person. When one wants to tackle these kind of controversial and usually unpopular topics, that person needs to develop the art of tact and diplomacy. That skill is something woefully lacking in lot of folks in the modern world. You've paid a terribly high price to attend this school of hard knocks. I know some little something of that price as I got my PhD there. But hopefully, we're all learning, that is until the day we die. Then we'll be subjected to the ultimate final exam. I do sincerely hope this is helpful to you. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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169 | Why is the thread associated with ID# .. | 2 Pet 2:4 | Country Girl | 127393 | ||
Again, I'm not an expert on the subject; I'll let Tim Moran and the other scholars on languages speak to that. But I think the scripture you refer to in Isaiah is hinged on a word that can be interpreted a couple of different ways. Here, "create evil" really means to us that God allowed its introduction into the world because he allowed the Devil to choose that path of ungodliness. This can be compared to parent-child relationship here on earth. The parent tells the child over and over again not to do a certain thing like riding a bike without a helment or touch a hot oven but the child goes ahead and does it, insisting on having his way and finds a whole new definition for pain. From the child's young naive perspective, the parent created this situation in giving the bike or bringing the hot oven into his world. From our naive and physical, limited and finite minds, it appears the evil in the world came from God since He created the world and everything in it. But we forget the Devil was also created and God said EVERYTHING He created in the beginning was good. So again, obviously the Devil gets ALL the credit for actually bringing sin, pain, suffereing AND evil into the world. I'm afraid I can offer no specific verse to corrobarate my conclusion other than those to which I've alluded earlier. Keep studying and praying, dear friend. Blessings to you. Country Girl PS: I would invite our language scholars to chime in and contribute to the discussion. Thanks. |
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170 | For Our Benefit and His Glory | Luke 13:8 | Country Girl | 127357 | ||
When we first become christians, most of us are on fire and enthusiastic about our newfound relationship with our Lord and our new family. So most christians would ask "Why do we need to be chastised by the Lord? The few times I goof up and make a mistake, my fellow christians will show me the way and we'll get along fine." Then finally we start maturing after going through a phase of "let down" upon enduring some disappointments with our fellow christians or the world. So like you're saying, it takes some spiritual maturing (and some physical maturing as well) for us to truly appreciate the refining process as Paul refers to, in Hebrews. I've always been taught it's more applicable to think of ourselves as the rock of raw gold ore and the purified potential christianity has to be refined out of us. Like James says in Chapter 1, we "must consider it joy to endure various trials and tribulations," but that's a sign of true Christ-like maturity. I must admit, I like to think I might be mature enough to appreciate whatever the Lord might throw at me but then again, I read the Book of Job and think again, "Would I be truly worthy enough?" How about you? What would be your thoughts on this issue? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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171 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127354 | ||
But Ancient, my dear friend, can't you see how dangerous this line of thinking would lead to? Our Lord says we're "either for Him or we're against Him." Most of the guidance from His Word lands on either side of that fence. Either we're going to comply with His Wishes, His Commands, His Examples as delegated to His Representatives, the Apostles OR we choose our own way as you're advocating. I'm just saying it's a dangerous and slippery slope you're playing with and worse of all, there are other people in the world, both on and off the Forum that are going to follow your lead and your example. Do continue to study and pray on this issue. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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172 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127345 | ||
True love, Agape type love, that which is described in 1 Cor 13 is the type of love we're commanded to strive for, to grow toward and mature in. Part of this true love is the DEMAND (not option) to assemble together as a family and encourage one another AND rejuvinate ourselves so that we don't think too highly of ourselves but instead get what we need from God and His family on earth set here for that purpose. Some of us need humbling whereas some others need to be built up and encouraged. Some of us have weaknesses with which we should share and deal with them, opening our hearts and repent for the sins in our life. Others of us must assemble with family members, sharing the strengths we've gained with God's help so that others may benefit. In some cases, some might share weaknesses (from one area of his life) one day and then a week later, share a strength (from another area of his life). So you see we MUST see ourselves as being compelled to be there or this function breaks down and the whole system is rendered powerless at least for those that are a "no show." If everyone were to take such a non-chalant attitude about the assembly, then eventually the church would disentagrate, at least for that particular congregation. Naturally, this means the stronger, more mature christian with a little more heritage in the Lord should be expected to be a leader in this devotion to the cohesiveness of the congregation. They should realize the debt they owe to God and be all the more anxious and willing to return the favor by spreading the enthusiasm and encourage growth among the younger and less mature christians. No, my dear friend I'm afraid I can't allow your post with this kind of disregard for God's ultimate authority go unchallenged. We as God's children MUST NOT consider the regular assembling of ourselves in worship as an option. I do hope you'll continue praying and studying on this subject. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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173 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127332 | ||
Yes, I see your point. IF I was literally forced to choose between the two, yours and Ancient's position, I would have to go with yours, as I think you're slightly closer to the truth as I see it. I'm just hoping both of you can keep this discussion friendly and Christ-like. I've seen all the points of your post and Ancient's counter points. I'm just convinced it all boils down to the fact that God wants very, very much our devoted and regular attendance at our local worship assemblies so that we can share fellowship, our strengths and our weaknesses at that formation. God knows us better than we can ever possibly know ourselves and He knows we need to be there. BUT God's wishes apparently are NOT going to come in any clearer language than that already cited in His Word. He's going to leave it up to us to figure out. But I would also tack on a word of caution. If one actually chooses not to go to these worship assemblies I don't really think he/she will feel comfortable in Heaven so God will oblige that person and keep them out. Again, we do reap what we sow. Blessings to you all. Country Girl |
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174 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127312 | ||
Supplement to my previous post, same subject: I should have made this clear in that previous post but there's a very vital factor to understand to prevent abuse of the third category of commands, Implied/Properly Inferred Commands. These are commands in direct support of one of the other two types of commands. For example: Although it is not specifically commanded in God's Word, it is certainly easily concluded and properly inferred that all congregations of the Lord's church should each have some kind of simple accounting of the Lord's funds within that congregation. This prevents abuse of those funds and also gives the elders and deacons the tools they need to faithfully execute their duties. The factor that was missing before and needs to be clearly understood here is: Implied/Inferred Commands are most often executed in a variety of methods but should be considered vital and necessary to the overall operation of the congregation in question. So in our example above, the accounting can be elaborate with thousands of dollars invested in computer hardware and software, as well as accountant's skills from accountants giving their time to the Lord learned in their professional careers. Or the congregation might be too small to afford such a luxury and go with simple bookkeeping, ledgers, etc. So we see that the accounting is very necessary but can be accomplished in a wide variety of methods and procedures. I hope this eliminates some confusion on this point and blessings to you all. Country Girl |
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175 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127306 | ||
If I may interject at this point, I'd like to think there's room for both sides of this argument to see the other and agree on some common ground. Like I've mentioned before, everyone readily agrees there is no specific verse or set of verses, in the NT, that give the impression of "Thou shalt do this" or "Thous shalt not do this." Don't you see the end result or conclusion from my previous post is that God wants us to grow up and get away from a need for this kind of specific commands...that's why there's so few of those kind of imperative statements in the NT. God wants us to figure out that most of His Word is really issued for our good so that we will find peace and salvation in His Family. We need to see ourselves as obedient children and obey ALL of His commands, regardless of their category as I cited previously. The bottom line is: it doesn't really matter what terminology we use or the system we come up with to organize the commands of God. I'm convinced we all know that we must comply with the examples and commands as best we possibly can in order to please Him and find ourselves in a favorable position when it comes to Judgment Day. I do hope this post will motivate both you and EdB to reconcile your differences and go back to being good and faithful servants of God, setting good examples for the rest of us on the Forum. It's sad and depressing to see such good friends bicker over such an elementary subject (imo). I'll be praying for blessings of peace for both of you. Country Girl. |
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176 | This is a genuine Miracle!!! | Psalm | Country Girl | 127302 | ||
I'm thankful to God that He performed this miracle of healing on you. Praise God that he takes care of His own. Blessings to you and ALL of His children. Country Girl | ||||||
177 | Can we learn anything from Naaman? | 1 Sam 15:22 | Country Girl | 127301 | ||
Good response. I hope to see other folks respond. Blessings to you. Country Girl | ||||||
178 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127267 | ||
My ultimate goal in posting my statement about these 3 kinds of commands is to motivate ALL of us on the Forum toward true and genuine respect for God's Word. We must grow up and mature spiritually so as to see our priorities line up with those of our God. When we do that, then we will realize a more fruitful prayer life with God. We'll also realize our constant life-long need to get closer and closer to our God. We can never retire from studying His Word and receiving new instructions to maintain and perfect our Godly armor. We can also never retire from our constant need for prayer to Him as our Father. I pray that you keep on studying and praying on this subject. In my mind, it all boils down to who is actually sitting on the throne of your (our) heart. Who's truly in charge of your (our)life and soul? Like I heard just a few days ago, "If God is one's co-pilot, then that person should move over and let God become the Pilot." Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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179 | Can we learn anything from Naaman? | 1 Sam 15:22 | Country Girl | 127266 | ||
Please see my post to Doc T about verse 12. Is there anything else we can glean or learn from this chapter? I'll monitor the responses closely and try to finalize my opinion in the very near future. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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180 | Can we learn anything from Naaman? | 1 Sam 15:22 | Country Girl | 127264 | ||
I noticed you didn't elaborate on verse 14, specifically the number of dips into the river. What would be your response? How about verse 12? Why DID God emphasize Naaman's dipping into the Jordan? Why not have him dip into the cleaner rivers in his home country as he suggested? Maybe Emmanus will notice this post and respond with his thoughts. (He's asking a question with another post.) I don't want to prejudice everyone's response before I give my opinion on this topic. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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