Results 221 - 240 of 802
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Wild Olive Shoot Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | bronze serpent | Num 21:9 | Wild Olive Shoot | 173251 | ||
Medical symbol: A staff or rod with a snake curled around it is the staff (the rod) of Aesculapius (also called Asklepios), the ancient mythical god of medicine. His Greek name was Asklepios and his Roman name was Aesculapius. In reality, Asklepios may have once lived and been renowned for his gentle, humane remedies and his humane treatment of the mentally ill. His followers established temples called asclepions, temples of Asklepios, temples of healing. The greatest asklepion was in a grove of trees south of Corinth, Greece where the sick had to spend a night while the proper remedies were revealed during a dream to the priests of the temple and the cured had to make a suitable sacrifice (usually a rooster) to the god. According to mythology, Asculapius had a number of children including Hygieia, the goddess of health (from whose name comes the word "hygiene") and Panaceia, the goddess of healing (from whose name comes por word "panacea" for a universal remedy). Today, the staff of Aesculapius is a commonly used symbol of medicine. It is the symbol of the American Medical Association (AMA) and many other medical societies. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey(equals)7863 I fail to see how homage to false gods has anything to do with Christ. The serpent as intended in the logo of the medicinal fields is not a reference to Christ, just the opposite. Because it is similar to something spoke of in our Bible, does not impy that was the intended use. WOS |
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222 | Alternative to the term "Jesus is LORD"? | Deut 11:19 | Wild Olive Shoot | 175339 | ||
Ephesians 1:15-23: 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Philippians 2:9-11: 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Revelation 17:14: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Revelation 19:16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. “for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; he is so by nature, as God and Creator, to whom the kingdom of nature and providence belongs; and by office, as Mediator, being made higher than the kings of the earth; hence he is more than a match for them, they cannot stand before him; this is a reason why he overcomes them, and it cannot be thought it should be otherwise: this Lamb is the lion of the tribe of Judah, and when he rouses himself, and stirs up his wrath, and exerts his power, kings and great men flee from him; see Rev_6:15. This is a proof of Christ's proper deity, the same titles being given to him, the Word and Son of God, as to God himself, Rev_19:16.” – John Gill Considering the above, it seems to me that the names or titles that God puts forth in His Word are nothing less than appropriate. To even consider changing the titles or names He sets for Himself for the sake of those who seem to put awe, reverence and respect in the back seat, is borderline blasphemous in my opinion. Rather than changing God’s word to compliment a modern day mindset, we need to be changing our mindset to live according to God’s eternally perfect Word. WOS |
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223 | Will worshiping the Lord change in Rev? | Deut 11:19 | Wild Olive Shoot | 175451 | ||
Just a quick note I wish to add to this. This evening at the dinner table, I posed the question, "What does Lord mean to you?" to my nine year old and my seven year old. My nine year old's response: "King?" My seven year old's response: "Boss" Both stated "ruler or person in charge" when I asked what their responses meant. I thought it was pretty interesting. It took us to a good conversation throughout dinner. I think an assumption is being made that the youth of today cannot comprehend the words in which God uses to describe His own self or others. I think our young understand better than we think they do. Maybe we need to be giving them more credit and emphasizing that in recognition of understanding the meaning to the words, there has to be accountability. Personally, I think many just do not want the accountability and therefore disregard the true meaning. Just some thoughts. WOS |
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224 | I just started reading the Bible and.... | Deut 24:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 211232 | ||
Dear Pete, I’m glad you decided to stick around. Thanks for putting some of us to task and asking questions you seek answers to. If you haven’t noticed by now, you’ll get quite a few responses when posting on the forum. You have a big group of believers here that spend much time in God’s word and are willing to answer and much of what they have to say is valuable. For me, you’ve posted much that will take me some time to look at, I’m not as quick as some and not as knowledgeable as most, but I will try to answer because you have asked. I’ve responded to this post so the other one may stay at the top of the forum for the others to see. I hope you’ll allow some time and if I haven’t welcomed you, allow me to do so now. I'm sure I'll enjoy the study. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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225 | I just started reading the Bible and.... | Deut 24:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 211306 | ||
What was Jesus focusing on there? He seems to focus on the Moral law doesn’t he? And not only that but the perversions made to the law and the harshness of it. We’re funny creations aren’t we? God renders what is lawful and what is not and we take away and add to it as if we can make it better. We make it more difficult as if in doing so, we appear to be better for it because it is so hard. We want others to see us struggling so we outwardly appear to be more religious. What God has revealed in His Law Pete is perfection. If we could have lived up to it, we would have no need for a Savior. But concerning the Law, have you read what our Lord said: Matthew 22:36-40: “40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Jesus did not abolish the Law as you pointed out, that was neither His intentions nor God’s plan so far as I can tell. What Jesus did do in part was to point out that we couldn’t live up to them anyhow. Have you ever broken any one of God’s laws Pete? In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus really brings this to light. He gives warning that if you’re going to live to the letter of the law, you better understand them because they aren’t as easy as one reads them to be and you better uphold every one of them in order to be declared righteous. Every one of them Pete! But God is also a merciful God. Matthew 12:7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Roman 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. The problem seems to be at least twofold. If we live to the Law, we better not only comprehend it as God intended, but live it completely as such. And we better not forget that understanding the Law brings with it justice, mercy and faithfulness and all of it is to be taken into consideration. We have not gone against God’s Law in Christ Pete. As he said, he didn’t come to abolish but to fulfill. That’s what he did, something none of us ever could. He fulfilled it and in order for us to reap the benefits of Him fulfilling the Law, our faith must be in Him not in the Law. Roman 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. As far as making it to heaven, that’s really an easy answer. By the grace of God Pete. No other way. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Truth is sometime harsh Pete. But it will also set you free. John 8:31 – 36: “32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." What “Written” thinks, what any of us thinks really, isn’t the issue. Where does your heart stand before God? 1John 3:18-23: 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; Loving one another involves being honest with one another as well. Helping each other the best we can as we see we can. Bottom line for me, I don’t have all the answers you seek Pete, but you are looking in the place to find them, God’s Word. I urge you to keep reading, and don’t just read, study what Scripture is saying. Begin and end each time you read by asking God for guidance. We all transgress the Law. None of us can deny that. 1John 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. If we live by the Law, we will surely die by it for it already condemns us. However, living by faith, by God’s grace… Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. This got real long and I’m not sure I addressed everything but I’m sure the others have. Due to restrictions, I couldn’t post all of the Scripture but I think I referenced what I was trying to. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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226 | Assisted Suicide Versus Research | Deut 32:39 | Wild Olive Shoot | 157089 | ||
First, The Bible teaches that we are made in the image of God and therefore, every human life is sacred (Genesis 1:26). In Psalm 139:13-16 we learn that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. God himself has knit us together in our mother's womb. We must be very important to Him if He has taken such care to bring us into existence. Second, the Bible is very clear that God is sovereign over life, death and judgment. In Deuteronomy 32:39 The Lord says, "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me, I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." Psalm 139:16 says that it is God who has ordained all of our days before there is even one of them. Paul says essentially the same thing in Ephesians 1:11. Third, to assist someone in committing suicide is to commit murder and this breaks God's unequivocal commandment in Exodus 20:13. Fourth, God's purposes are beyond our understanding. We often appeal to God as to why some tragedy has happened to us or someone we know. Yet listen to Job's reply to the Lord in Job 42:1-3: I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] 'Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. We forget that our minds are finite and His is infinite. We cannot always expect to understand all of what God is about. To think that we can step in and declare that someone's life is no longer worth living is simply not our decision to make. Only God knows when it is time. In Isaiah 55:8-9 the Lord declares, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Fifth, our bodies belong to God anyway. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:15,19 that we are members of Christ's body and that we have been bought with a price. Therefore we should glorify God with our bodies. The only one to receive glory when someone requests doctor-assisted suicide is not God, not the doctor, not even the family but the patient for being willing to "nobly" face the realities of life and "unselfishly" end everyone else's misery. There is no glory for God in this decision. Lastly, suffering draws us closer to God. In light of the euthanasia controversy, listen to Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 1:8: We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. Not only does He raise the dead but there is nothing that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38). -- Dr. Raymond G. Bohlin Dr. Thomas Beam, chairman of the Medical Ethics Commission of the Christian Medical and Dental Society points out, "While the act of physician-assisted suicide seems compassionate on the surface, it is often the abandonment of the patient in their most needy time. Instead of support, the patient may only find confirmation of the hopelessness of their condition and physician-assisted suicide is legitimized as the only 'way.'"(1) It is not terribly difficult to see how this circumstance would undermine the delicate relationship between a doctor and his patient. The following site has a very informative position paper concerning assisted suicide: http://www.bfl.org/assisted_suicide.htm Physicians are nowhere in Scripture given authority by God to take someone’s life. Apart from the government in the case of capital punishment, all other human beings are given the commandment “Thou shalt not kill,” Exodus 20:13 and “Thou shalt do no murder,” Matthew 19:18. -- Pastor Art Kohl Often those in favor of euthanasia use the words “mercy” and “compassion” as their argument. The Scriptures authorize man to treat the pain but do not authorize taking the life of the dying. Proverbs 31:6, “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.” Today we have many drugs and painkillers that help relieve some pain as strong drink did in Solomon’s day. -- Pastor Art Kohl Excerpt from Hippocratic Oath: “I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. The above are only a few items to keep in mind when discussing assisted suicide. For whatever reason God has decided to equip man with the knowledge of medicine, it should in all cases be used for His glory. In the end it is not the physicians that heal, it is God. Physicians are simply instruments. Instruments that God will use for whatever He purposes in accordance with His sovereignty. My opinion. WOS |
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227 | Assisted Suicide Versus Research | Deut 32:39 | Wild Olive Shoot | 157135 | ||
Doc, I wish I could take the credit but I believe I may have posted that improperly. What is posted at the beginning is from Dr. Raymond G. Bohlin and his position on the subject, which I happen to agree with and support. I don’t want to mislead anyone. Dr. Bohlin’s entire article can be seen at http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/euthanas.html. My contribution was ever so small as I only inserted the excerpt from the Hippocratic Oath and below. Forgive me if a mislead anyone. I’ll make sure I post in a manner to properly credit the person responsible from this point on. WOS |
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228 | What book does God stop/turn back time? | Josh 10:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 188827 | ||
This could be what you are referring to: Joshua 10:12-14: 12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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229 | Is interracial marriage wrong? | Ruth 4:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 186979 | ||
Dear ilv4hm, 2Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Galatians 3:26-28: 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. "It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord." - Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 24, Of Marriage and Divorce. Stand in His Grace, WOS |
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230 | number 5 means in the bible. | 1 Sam 17:40 | Wild Olive Shoot | 218610 | ||
Dear shree30, I couldn't answer any better than what is pasted below: "Whether or not the numbers really do have a significance is still debated in many circles. The Bible definitely seems to use numbers in patterns or to teach a spiritual truth. However, many people put too much significance on “Biblical numerology,” trying to find a special meaning behind every number in the Bible. Often a number in the Bible is simply a number. God does not call us to search for secret meanings, hidden messages, and codes in the Bible. There is more than enough truth in the words and meanings of Scripture to meet all our needs and make us “complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16)." http://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-numerology.html Stand in His grace, WOS |
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231 | number 5 means in the bible. | 1 Sam 17:40 | Wild Olive Shoot | 218637 | ||
I see Searcher's point. He stated that Scripture was being forced to say something. If Scripture, in the verses referred to, does not say that five means God's grace or gift to man, and we make it say that, then we are forcing Scripture. Bottom line. And I don't think one needs Scriptural support to back that up. It is as factual as can be. When you make it say something that isn't there, you are forcing it. Sure, numbers have significance in some measure, but to emphatically state five means this, seven means this, one thousand means this without the Biblical support to back it up, is forcing Scripture. I think in the referenced verses, five simply means five. Maybe David picked up five because he wasn't so sure the Lord would give him the victory with just one. In reality, 1Samuel 17 doesn't really indicate why five stones were picked but is very clear it took just one and who was the power behind that one. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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232 | Was this really Samuel's spirit? | 1 Sam 28:11 | Wild Olive Shoot | 201925 | ||
How do you reconcile the fcat that God was not communicating with Saul at this point as pointed out in v6? 1Samuel 28:6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. The devil is not mentioned, but we know that Saul had turned from God and was not receiving an answer. So if God wasn't answering, who was? It's really unclear is it not? Stand in His grace, WOS |
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233 | Was this really Samuel's spirit? | 1 Sam 28:11 | Wild Olive Shoot | 201934 | ||
Not as clear as I would like it to be, but that is me I’m sure. :) I think I agree that it was Samuel and that there was a divine intervention, not that the witch could have done this, as highlighted by her reaction. And since the prediction of Saul’s fate the following day came true, would also lead me to think it had to have been Samuel sent from God. What’s troubling is that if Saul had departed from God, and never really cared for what Samuel had spoke to him while he was alive, why would God choose to finally answer with the presence of Samuel especially when we are told God was not answering Saul? There is a point I know, for why it is explained the way it is, I’m just having difficulty reconciling the facts. And to add to that, it seems people of old and our contemporaries, far more dedicated to the Word of God than I could ever imagine being, seem to be split as well as to who or what it was and both sides present pretty convincing arguments. After re-reading the passages though, what I seem to be focusing on is the fact that it does say it was Samuel, as you have pointed out. If it were anyone else I would think the Word would have been clear as to inform us of such. Just trying to get it straight in my mind with the help of others. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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234 | Was this really Samuel's spirit? | 1 Sam 28:11 | Wild Olive Shoot | 201958 | ||
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and understanding sister. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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235 | difference of wisdom and understanding | 1 Kin 3:28 | Wild Olive Shoot | 209905 | ||
Dear KaseyZeng, Wisdom seems to be the ability to discern truth, qualities and relationships and to express things clearly to others. Knowledge, or understanding, seems to be the ability to comprehend those things clearly. They are given by the same Spirit. 1Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; I like how the Amplified version has this verse: 1 Corinthians 12:8 To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit; Stand in His grace, WOS |
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236 | King Solomon | 1 Kin 4:29 | Wild Olive Shoot | 152048 | ||
Probably the most “well known” depiction of Solomon’s wisdom is shown in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Matthew Henry wrote: “An instance of Solomon's wisdom is given. Notice the difficulty of the case. To find out the true mother, he could not try which the child loved best, and therefore tried which loved the child best: the mother's sincerity will be tried, when the child is in danger. Let parents show their love to their children, especially by taking care of their souls, and snatching them as brands out of the burning. By this and other instances of the wisdom with which God endued him, Solomon had great reputation among his people. This was better to him than weapons of war; for this he was both feared and loved.” However, arguably, it may be that even greater wisdom was shown just prior to this when Solomon prayed and received his answer from God. 1 Kings 3(NIV) 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 6 Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 1 Kings 4(NIV) 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. “Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth. He had what is here called largeness of heart, for the heart is often put for the powers of the mind. He had the gift of utterance, as well as wisdom. It is very desirable, that those who have large gifts of any kind, should have large hearts to use them for the good of others. What treasures of wisdom and knowledge are lost! But every sort of knowledge that is needful for salvation is to be found in the holy Scriptures. There came persons from all parts, who were more eager after knowledge than their neighbours, to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Solomon was herein a type of Christ, in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and hid for us, for he is made of God to us, wisdom. Christ's fame shall spread through all the earth, and men of all nations shall come to him, learn of him, and take upon them his easy yoke, and find rest for their souls.” – Matthew Henry Keep in mind however: Luke 11:31(NIV) “…and now one greater than Solomon is here.” WOS |
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237 | Trying to where this story is from | 1 Kin 18:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150340 | ||
Is this what you were searching for? 1 Kings 18:16-46 Elijah on Mount Carmel 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." 25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs [a] of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" 40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 43 "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." 44 The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' " 45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. WOS |
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238 | Temple building | 1 Chr 28:6 | Wild Olive Shoot | 156307 | ||
Natoochton, God did condone the building of the temple. 1 Chronicles 28 (NIV) 1 David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors. 2 King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. 3 But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.' 4 "Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 He said to me: 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.' 2 Samuel 7:12-14(NIV) 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. WOS |
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239 | Complete Corruption of Human Nature | Job 15:16 | Wild Olive Shoot | 209589 | ||
Amen Doc, And so we should pray and plead with our Lord: Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ““Create.” What! has sin so destroyed us, that the Creator must be called in again? What ruin then doth evil work among mankind! “Create in me.” I, in outward fabric, still exist; but I am empty, desert, void. Come, then, and let thy power be seen in a new creation within my old fallen self. Thou didst make a man in the world at first; Lord, make a new man in me! “A clean heart.” In the seventh verse he asked to be clean; now he seeks a heart suitable to that cleanliness; but he does not say, “Make my old heart clean;” he is too experienced in the hopelessness of the old nature. He would have the old man buried as a dead thing, and a new creation brought in to fill its place. None but God can create either a new heart or a new earth. Salvation is a marvellous display of supreme power; the work in us as much as that for us is wholly of Omnipotence. The affections must be rectified first, or all our nature will go amiss. The heart is the rudder of the soul, and till the Lord take it in hand we steer in a false and foul way. O Lord, thou who didst once make me, be pleased to new make me, and in my most secret parts renew me. “Renew a right spirit within me.” It was there once, Lord, put it there again. The law on my heart has become like an inscription hard to read: new write it, gracious Maker. Remove the evil as I have entreated thee; but, O replace it with good, lest into my swept, empty, and garnished heart, from which the devil has gone out for awhile, seven other spirits more wicked than the first should enter and dwell. The two sentences make a complete prayer. “Create” what is not there at all; “renew” that which is there, but in a sadly feeble state.” – C.H. Spurgeon Stand in His grace, WOS |
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240 | Flesh or Spirit | Psalm | Wild Olive Shoot | 154964 | ||
Hi Doc, Would like your thoughts on, what I take as, the noticeable declension of the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4,5) compared to the so-called “backslidden” state. I’m really glad this subject came up. I’m currently studying 1 John and am having difficulties reconciling the fact that we do indeed sin, even with what the Holy Spirit does accomplish within us. From 1 John specifically, I come to an understanding that the Spirit of God works to the same result in all circumstances and that He can in no case produce un-holiness. Outside of this epistle you find reference to “quenching the Spirit” as in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. But even within the epistle I come to the conclusion that we receive a new nature at regeneration but keep remnants of the old. Could that, along with the rebuke given to the Church in Ephesus in Revelation, be indicative to the possibility of a backslidden condition within a Christian’s life? We are warned numerous times to beware of those who would lead us astray and arguably, it seems we can “forsake our first love” to a “degree” of falling away. Or is this a complete falling away from Christ? I get the sense, and I’m posting for the purpose of some sort of guidance here because I’m just really not sure, that there may be simply a temporary backslidden state to which we can repent of? Would really like to get everyone’s take on this. WOS |
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