Results 241 - 260 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# | |||
241 | Flesh or Spirit | Psalm | Wild Olive Shoot | 154982 | ||
Hank, I thank you for you comments and time. We haven’t interacted much and I hope that isn’t the case in the future. If anything, I try to be aware of what you post on the forum because I’ve seen that no matter what the subject is, your responses convey truth and honesty with a wealth of experience behind them from what seems to me, to be a faithful walk with our Lord. So please, feel free to share your thoughts with me anytime. I tend to pay more attention to those who been around a while longer than I have. I’ve learned there is much yet to learn from the elder generation if only the younger would spend some of their time and listen. We all need to spend more time listening to, as you put it, “grumpy and decrepit old codgers”. You have plenty to share I’m sure. Thank you for reinforcing that there is nothing greater than God. So great that when we do begin to fall away, He has the power to catch us and use the results of our sin to break us and make realize that we can’t do without Him and if we think we can, we are terribly mistaken. That’s what I get from the references to King David and Peter. We’ll never, no matter how hard we try, be able to accomplish salvation on our own because we will falter if choose to step away from the Lord and venture on our own. But by the grace of God, we’ll return and through His Son we’ll remain acceptable. I’ve come to the understanding that our happiness is proportionate to our holiness. The closer we walk with our Lord, the more blessed we will be and in ways not even imagined. I’ve seen that in my relatively short time as a Christian. Years I spent lost without calling on the Lord to save me, and there has since been a noticeable difference concerning my peace and comfort and happiness. My only regret… I refused early on to recognize that only through His grace can I be confident of my salvation. Thank God for His grace. Thank you Brother Hank. WOS |
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242 | Flesh or Spirit | Psalm | Wild Olive Shoot | 154983 | ||
Jlhetrick, Thank you for your comments. You really put the subject back into perspective for me. I do hold to the truth that once God seals us as His with His Holy Spirit, there is nothing we can do to shake off our salvation. The odd thing is, I think I separated the two and shouldn’t have. Funny how I seem to try and work out a subject and separate from everything else not realizing that one directly relates to the other. My point… In attempting to reconcile a backslidden state with what the Spirit will accomplish in us, I failed to take into consideration the fact that once we are saved, truly saved, we have that eternally. I was considering a backslidden state to be something of a period of time, a time in which we intentionally or unintentionally place a distance between God and ourselves, a span of time, not just an individual moment. But as Hank pointed out, every time we sin, it can be considered such a state because we sure don’t pull closer to Him in doing so. But the effect of that span, or moment, in which we do pull away, God can use to strengthen us. The Spirit accomplishes the same. The end result, we are sealed and assured of our salvation. Our obligation is to recognize our sin and repent of it. It is the Holy Spirit that will enable us to that. Thank you for the redirection, or pointing out my misdirection. It is very much appreciated. WOS |
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243 | Flesh or Spirit | Psalm | Wild Olive Shoot | 154984 | ||
Doc, I hope you have come to realize how much appreciate your words. If I was ever sorry for asking for your input it would only be because you have enlightened me on a subject in which I wasn’t really seeking to hear an honest answer. Thank you for the response. The inquiry I was curious of stemmed from 1. My own debate in trying to reconcile the work of Spirit with our “old” sinful nature. 2. Your response to HopeinHim which gave me the impression that a backslidden state was some sort of misconception. After reading, so far, the three responses, from you, Hank and Jlhetrick, I came to the realization that in essence, when we sin, we “back-slide” but we should not be setting up camp, so to speak, in that state or condition and that by the work of the Spirit we won’t be. Our call is to realize our sin and repent of it before that becomes a so-called permanent or lasting condition. The Holy Spirit enables us to accomplish that. I take that a backslidden condition is not one indicative of a Christian because we are to recognize it and take the appropriate actions to remove ourselves from it. But nonetheless, it seems to be an unavoidable and at times a very testing part of a Christian’s walk with Christ, or rather a departure or falling away from Christ, that can only be resolved through Him. So I think I now agree (although I couldn’t honestly disagree since I was still questioning it within myself) with the statement you gave to HopeinHim which was “I may be mistaken, but I do not see the the Bible accommodating such a definition of a disciple of Christ.” Unless of course, I am just way off base on this one, I feel the question I had has been thoroughly answered. Doc, I thank you for your input, I’ve come to value it, no matter “ my opinion or feeling”, on any given subject. And as always, feel free to proceed with anything you feel appropriate to convey. I’m listening and learning and deciphering the best I can and very much appreciate all that you and many others here on the forum have to share. Thank you brother. WOS |
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244 | How to save a non-bible believer? | Ps 3:8 | Wild Olive Shoot | 162323 | ||
To add to the already great advice you have been given, I would like to share a quote I've read that may assist you with your questions. John 13:10-11(KJV) 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. “How great is the example You showed of enduring evil! How great, too, is Your model of humility! How is it that the Lord gave us this example to show us that we shouldn’t give up counseling our neighbors even if they aren’t affected by our words? For incurable wounds are wounds that can’t be healed by harsh medications or by more pleasant ones. Similarly, the soul, when it has been taken captive, gives itself up to wickedness, refuses to consider what is profitable for it, and won’t accept goodness despite great counsel. As if it is deaf, it won’t benefit from any advice. Not that it can’t, but it won’t. This happened is Judas’s case. Nevertheless, Christ, although He knew this beforehand, didn’t ever stop doing everything to counsel him. Since we know that Jesus practiced this, we also should never stop striving to set the careless right even if it seems no good comes from our counsel.” -- Dionysius of Alexandria His Passion ©2004 by Integrity Publishers WOS |
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245 | How Great is our God? | Ps 8:9 | Wild Olive Shoot | 169048 | ||
“Silent I bow, and humbly I adore” – C. H. Spurgeon Dear Humbled, I hope you don’t mind me posting to this but it is a question that I think about much and love every chance I get to proclaim God’s greatness although I don’t think I can convey my emotions as well as others could on the Forum. And besides, you can always repost the question. How great is our God, The God, The Only God, The One True God... I would not hesitate to proclaim, that given an eternity of eternities, man would still fall despondently short in regards to describing God’s greatness and confess that His Greatness is exceedingly inexpressible as it pertains to our limited minds and hearts. However, I feel it is our honor and privilege to endeavor to find a description that would possibly be deemed praiseworthy as we seek to know our ever-loving God and the greatness that does not envelope Him, rather the greatness of which is enveloped by Him. He is the Creator, Keeper and Sustainer of the Universe. From our limited perspective, I would suppose it almost, if not impossible, for our imaginative minds to explore beyond that; but we shall try, will we not? He is beyond greatness, something my mind could never grasp, at least grasp this side of heaven. A couple of notes from Spurgeon in which I know I could never achieve the poetic endearment expressed in his partial description of a Great God. WOS “And his glory above the heavens: higher than the loftiest part of creation; the clouds are the dust of his feet, and sun, moon, and stars twinkle far below his throne. Even the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. His glory cannot be set forth by the whole visible universe, nor even by the solemn pomp of angelic armies; it is above all conception and imagination, for He is God -- infinite. Let us above all adore Him who is above all.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Psalm 113:4 “How excellent is thy name! no words can express that excellency; and therefore it is left as a note of exclamation. The very name of Jehovah is excellent, what must his person be. Note the fact that even the heavens cannot contain his glory, it is set above the heavens, since it is and ever must be too great for the creature to express. When wandering among the Alps, we felt that the Lord was infinitely greater than all his grandest works, and under that feeling we roughly wrote these few lines:— Yet in all these how great soe'er they be, We see not Him. The glass is all too dense And dark, or else our earthborn eyes too dim. Yon Alps, that lift their heads above the clouds And hold familiar converse with the stars, Are dust, at which the balance trembleth not, Compared with His divine immensity. The snow-crown'd summits fail to set Him forth, Who dwelleth in Eternity, and bears Alone, the name of High and Lofty One. Depths unfathomed are too shallow to express The wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord. The mirror of the creatures has no space To bear the image of the Infinite. 'Tis true the Lord hath fairly writ his name, And set his seal upon creation's brow. But as the skilful potter much excels The vessel which he fashions on the wheel, E'en so, but in proportion greater far, Jehovah's self transcends his noblest works. Earth's ponderous wheels would break, her axles snap, If freighted with the load of Deity. Space is too narrow for the Eternal's rest, And time too short a footstool for his throne. E'en avalanche and thunder lack a voice, To utter the full volume of his praise. How then can I declare him? Where are words With which my glowing tongue may speak his name? Silent I bow, and humbly I adore.” – C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Psalm 8 |
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246 | Who can know? | Ps 19:12 | Wild Olive Shoot | 208016 | ||
Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. “Who again can understand his errors, so as always to detect a fault when it has been committed? The shades of evil are perceptible to God, but not always perceptible to us. Our eye has been so blinded and its vision so ruined by the fall, the absolute black of sin we can detect, but the shades of its darkness we are unable to discern. And yet the slightest shadow of sin is perceptible to God, and that very shade divides us from the Perfect One, and causes us to be guilty of sin. Who amongst us has that keen method of judging himself, so that he shall be able to discover the first trace of evil? "Who can understand his errors?" Surely no man will claim a wisdom so profound as this.” - C.H. Spurgeon “We are guilty of many sins which, through our carelessness and partiality to ourselves, we are not aware of; many we have been guilty of which we have forgotten; so that, when we have been ever so particular in the confession of sin, we must conclude with an et cetera - and such like; for God knows a great deal more evil of us than we do of ourselves. In many things we all offend, and who can tell how often he offends? It is well that we are under grace, and not under the law, else we were undone.” – Matthew Henry Stand in His grace, WOS |
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247 | Psalm 23:1 - want or do? | Ps 23:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 201358 | ||
Dear Craig, I may be off on this one, so double check me, but I think it is the “shall” the notes refer to that could be “do". Not the “want”. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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248 | inherit the sin of Adam | Ps 51:5 | Wild Olive Shoot | 156225 | ||
Victor, What was that all about? As a brother in Christ, I believe you know better than that. If being referred to as “son†is that insulting to you, don’t you think it would have been better to simply ask Doc to refrain from using that when addressing you. Rather than taking off in what most would deem a tirade of juvenility, deserving of a title of immaturity, don’t you think it would have been more mature and appropriate to ask that title not be used to address you? Don’t you think it would have been more appropriately “Christ-like†to respond in a manner befitting a Christian? I’m sure in hindsight you realize that. So I won’t dwell on it much longer. Though still a youngster in “forum years†(since I’ve only been around 4 months) I’ve had the opportunity to discern, at least with the more avid users, those who indeed tend to help and those who attempt to be harmful. Doc has been one of those (one of many) I have had the opportunity to learn from. Have I always agreed with him? I don’t believe so. But that’s not to say he was wrong or right, simply take it for what it says. There are many on this forum that disagree in one aspect or another with a different forum member. There are some who take the low road and insult and try to make the other look a fool. But I see there are those who also take the high road and with love and kindness, display their differences with respect as to the other individual’s thoughts. I’ve also seen that there are cases in which harshness is used and at first I didn’t care for that. But I’ve come to find that sometimes, it is necessary. In any case, I hope you realize that there are some who would like for you to continue to participate in the forum. But you should want to for the purpose of self-edification as well as helping others. You can’t expect anyone to take what you say as being credible when you disrespect forum members as you have with Doc. And if you felt offended at first, you should have pointed that out and not attempted to offend in retaliation. That’s just not right and you know it. In case you overlooked it, please read Mark’s post to you # 156215. That is sound advice my friend. I hope you put it into practice. WOS |
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249 | inherit the sin of Adam | Ps 51:5 | Wild Olive Shoot | 156229 | ||
Doc, I know this thread seems to be going on and getting lengthy, but I would really appreciate some help on one thing. You stated in your post to Mark: “You see, brother Mark, this is why it was so crucial that Christ be born of a virgin. He was not of the seed of Adam. If He had been of the seed of Adam, even without committing any sin, He could only have died for Himself. Yet Christ was perfectly righteous, in deed, in heart, and in nature.†Does that imply then, that imputed sin is only a paternal characteristic and not maternal? How does Scripture account for the fact that sin is passed from mother to child? Wasn’t Mary a child of Adam? But yet we know Christ was not of sin. Would this indicate that Jesus was in fact the true “second Adam†a total creation of God therefore not genetically linked to Mary? But then in essence, doesn’t that deny His Humanity? Does Scripture reveal the answer to this? WOS |
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250 | inherit the sin of Adam | Ps 51:5 | Wild Olive Shoot | 156326 | ||
Doc, I think you do well enough articulating your thoughts. I agree that this is probably a topic that cannot be discussed, in depth, as it would warrant. The thread was already lengthy to begin with. I thank you for your insight concerning where to look. It’s a start and one that I’ll follow up on. The look into “seed†and the significance of it will be interesting to explore to compare the use of it in Scripture to the theories you mentioned and how each apply to imputation. My question in regard to this was how imputed sin did not pass to Christ through Mary. I’m sure it didn’t because God’s word informs me so. Or since Christ died in His Humanity and only lives eternally in His divinity, could the imputed sin from Adam have been passed to Christ’s human nature? Did I phrase that right? I confuse myself sometimes. But I’m afraid that attempt separates His humanity from His divinity, which I struggle with. God accounted for this somehow, I’m sure. I just can’t buy into the theory that Mary was preserved and not affected by original sin, as I’ve heard argued, but I know God can have no contact with sin. If that were the case with Mary, it would be easy to understand concerning Christ. But that’s were I have difficulty. Thanks for the insight Doc. I’ll begin my efforts to answering this where you have suggested. Along the way, and when you have time, any further insight offered will be valued. WOS |
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251 | What are we saved from? | Ps 86:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 171747 | ||
I have a question. Please bear with me, as I’m fairly certain it has probably been put forth to the forum at some time, in some fashion, in the past but I’m really interested in current opinions. After all, I am somewhat familiar, or as familiar as I can be, with the current participants and have some sort of sense of where it is they are coming from. Concerning all the discussion as of late and to whether or not “Hell” is an eternal place of torment or merely a made up Christian scare tactic: Are we not granted salvation being in Christ? Just what are we saved from if not the tremendous agony of an everlasting existence in a pit of flames and torture, forever separated from a loving God? Is it to be expected that if Hell is merely the grave and those not saved are simply “non-existent” upon their physical death that Christ saved us only from ceasing to exist? Is that what some would have us believe? That Christ suffered and died for us so that we would not stop existing. To cease to exist, would for some I imagine, be a more hopeful end to the trials and tribulations of this current world we reside in. Salvation from that doesn’t seem to be such a great reality to look forward to. However, eternity in the presence of God compared to the flames of Hell, that seems to be something to long for, more like being saved. What is the hope of our salvation if not to avoid the dreadful and unimaginable despair? Why would our Lord have to die for anything less? He loves us that much to keep from the depths of Hell. Would He care to place such a heavy burden upon Himself just to keep us from “non-existence”? His love for us seems somewhat diminished when we are made to believe that His sacrifice wasn’t that great. As great as His love is for us, and as great as His sacrifice was for us, I have to surmise that the end without all of that must be a great and horrific end. Otherwise, why bother? Eternal torment or non-existence; which of these would logically require the greater sacrifice, or rather, the greatest sacrifice? Thoughts? WOS Psalm 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. WOS |
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252 | Praise Him | Ps 117:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 156502 | ||
Psalm 117(KJV) 1O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. If the Lord gives us His love, what more could we possibly ask for? In that love is all we can ever need and desire. In His grace we find peace. If He never gives us anything else, He is still worthy of our highest praise. Praise Him. WOS |
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253 | Ive neva seen him this close to slipping | Ps 132:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 149871 | ||
Continue to be a true friend and repay the favor. That which was done to you in your despair the year prior. Repay the favor. WOS |
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254 | rich and poor in proverbs | Proverbs | Wild Olive Shoot | 205224 | ||
Money or riches or material wealth is really in and of itself indifferent. It all can be used to serve God or Satan. Financial status secures nothing concerning the kingdom of God. It is God’s abundant grace that secures our place in His kingdom. “Riches do not, in their own nature, hinder us from following God; but, in consequence of the depravity of the human mind, it is scarcely possible for those who have so great abundance to avoid being intoxicated by them.” – John Calvin That is not to say it is possible to not be intoxicated by them, but you see so often the rich relying on their wealth instead of God’s grace. Those who have nothing but God appear to be more readily acceptable to simply relying on Him. Luke 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 1Timothy 6:9,10: 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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255 | Bad things, Good People. Prov 4:10 | Prov 4:10 | Wild Olive Shoot | 190911 | ||
Dear Val, I’d answer your question with a few. Starting with: Did Christ deserve to be crucified? John the Baptist surely wasn’t a bad man when his head was given to the daughter of Herodias? Was Stephen a bad man when he was stoned to death? When James was beheaded, was this because he was a bad man? When Paul was suffering and pleaded with God to remove “the thorn in his side”, was he to be considered a bad man? These are simply a few examples, but throughout God’s word we see good men, heroes, kings, prophets, apostles and disciples suffering. The fact of the matter is, as angelinwaiting pointed out, all of this was according to God’s will. With a sovereign God, nothing happens outside of His knowledge. He is in total control at all times. We aren’t meant to understand it all, and don’t imagine we ever could this side of glory. I’d ask you to keep in mind the following when attempting to ponder why in fact some good people do suffer. Was not our Savior good and perfect? In the garden when He was about to suffer, not for anything He brought upon Himself, but for you and me, the ones who truly deserve the punishment, He is quoted as stating: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Be thankful that a gracious and glorious God is sovereign and that He gave His only begotten Son. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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256 | How do people get marriage out of this | Prov 5:15 | Wild Olive Shoot | 165367 | ||
fwiaskycap, This may help: http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC20005.HTM WOS |
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257 | Where did evil come from? | Prov 16:4 | Wild Olive Shoot | 168576 | ||
DAW, This may help you to answer in part some of your questions. Proverbs 16:4-5 (KJV) 4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Excerpts from John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: …”It is not the sense of this text, nor of any other passage of Scripture, that God made man to damn him; nor is this to be inferred from the doctrine of predestination: God made man, neither to damn him, nor to save him, but for his own glory; and that is secured, whether in his salvation or damnation; nor did or does God make men wicked; he made man upright, and he has made himself wicked; and, being so, God may justly appoint him to damnation for his wickedness, in doing which he glorifies his justice. "The day of evil", or "evil day", is the day of wrath and ruin, unto which wicked men are reserved by the appointment of God, agreeably to the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions. This is true of wicked angels, wicked men, and particularly of that wicked one, the man of sin and son of perdition, antichrist; the word here used is in the singular number.”… …”Though he may dissemble his pride, and not discover it in his looks, by his words and gestures; yet the Lord sees and knows the heart, the naughtiness of it, and the pride that is in it: and only a proud look, but a proud heart, is abominable to him: everyone that is so arrogant as to arraign the decrees of God, and quarrel with him about them, to whom the apostle says, "Nay, but, O man", O proud vain man, "who art thou, that repliest against God?" Rom_9:19; every proud Pharisee, that trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others, that justifies himself before men, is an abomination in the sight of God, Luk_18:9; particularly antichrist, who has not only a proud look, a look more stout than his fellows, but a proud heart; exalts himself above all that is called God; and not only speaks big words against the most High, but has it in his heart to change times and laws; and proudly imagines he shall always continue in his grandeur and prosperity, Dan_7:25;”… http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/proverbs/gill/proverbs16.htm WOS |
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258 | Where did evil come from? | Prov 16:4 | Wild Olive Shoot | 168578 | ||
I know that God gave us free will to choose good or evil but where does evil come from? Evil originates in the heart. The heart is naturally wicked until God changes it. Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Mark 7:21-23: 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Did God create it, if so why? God did not create evil, but allowed it. In his sovereignty he allows for the possibility of evil. Depending on your views, evil is not necessarily a “thing” that is called into creation by God but rather, an existing lack of something, that being God or godliness. It is a volitional act totally accredited to the one who chooses to do it. What made Satan sin in the first place, where did he get the idea from? His heart, from his heart. Isaiah 14:13-14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Knowing many would end up in hell why did he allow evil to exist in the first place? Since evil is in the heart, it exists because we chose it over good. 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1John 3:20-21: 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. WOS |
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259 | What are some scriptures on Free WIll | Prov 16:9 | Wild Olive Shoot | 188549 | ||
Dear pokerboyd, Here are a few, hope they help. Genesis 45:5 Genesis 45:8 Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16 Exodus 10:1,2 Exodus 34:24 Ezra 1:1-3: Isaiah 10:5-15 Acts 4:27,28 Acts 3:18 Act 13:17-29 Proverbs 16:9 Jeremiah 10:23 Ezra 6:22 1Samuel 2:25 John 6:44 John 6:65 Philippians 2:13 Stand in His grace, WOS |
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260 | so are we really christians | Prov 25:24 | Wild Olive Shoot | 163212 | ||
Just some food for thought: Iron may sharpen iron, but unrefined iron… how useful is it? Before it is utilized it must be refined, changed from its natural state into a condition that allows it to be useful. You could surmise that the contentious person is unrefined in the process, therefore not beneficial or receptive in their contentious state. Just a thought. WOS |
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