Results 41 - 48 of 48
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Results from: Notes Author: Zsuzsi Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121935 | ||
Thank you so much for this, Justme. I DO love the Lord, very-very much, but I think my parents would be more proud of me if I became a scientist instead of a theologian (both of them are physicists). They actually stated that I am only allowed to study theology afterwards if I also earn a degree in a natural science. But if that's the price, I will pay it... They got divorced when I was 4, since then I have lived with my mother. Right now I see my dad twice a year... We don't go to church and don't pray together; my own family is a mission field for me! But I cannot be proud of my wisdom or knowledge; God freely gave to me everything that I have. "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Prov 2:6) "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matt 10:8) For me, learning from Him is actually the sweetest thing in the world. :-) "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely." (Song 5:16) I usually start praying and reading the Bible when I go to bed (as a high school student I have very little time for that during the day), and I can be so absorbed in it that sometimes I find myself still awake at half past 3 in the night... Often the Lord Himself needs to remind me that even He slept! But the more I learn about Him, the more I see how little I know. "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:7-8) Thank you again for your encouragement and blessings; may God bless you richly too. Your little sister in Christ, Zsuzsi |
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42 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121860 | ||
Thank you Tim Moran, I certainly agree! One thing I'd like to add: I believe everyone is called by God - ministry service is just one form of being called. When God chooses a person for His service (that is, 'calls' him), it is Him who first 'ordains'; that happens when the individual accepts God's calling, which can be before the church formally ordains the person. I would liken this to the baptism by the Holy Spirit, which can happen before batism by water (see Acts 10:47). The church cannot substitute God in this ordination, but can only confirm it later on. I.e.: ministry service does not start when the person has the papers but when he has the gifts of the Spirit for it. The significance of ordination by the church is not to 'help' the Holy Spirit give His gifts but as you said, it is 'the Church's recognition and authentication of one's call.' God bless you, Zsuzsi |
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43 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121859 | ||
Thank you, Emmaus. To me it seems these passages are expressing the importance of accepting the need for all parts of the body to do their own job. Eg. all parts must recognize that the body does not function without all of them being co-ordinated with the other parts. But the eye has to do its job by itself; the ear cannot substitute for the eye, and cannot tell from another place, 'you are not needed here'. Speaking in 'church-terms', an evangelist, for example, has to do his job by himself, a prophet has to allow him, support him and cannot substitute him, because he himself lacks the necessary gift of the Spirit. And of course it works vice versa... We are individually members of Christ's body. As long as there is good co-operation between the different parts, the body will function. If the eye is weak, it is the task of the other parts to support him. But the system definitely breaks down when an ear tries to teach an eye how to see: the eye has to learn it by himself from the Spirit that holds the Body together. The ear might give advice on how to listen, where to look or study, but it cannot teach the eye his task. Although the eye must acknowledge that he is also a member of the Body, in this learning process (spiritual discernment) he is necessarily a 'lone ranger'. That's my thoughts for this now.. Blessings, Zsuzsi |
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44 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121855 | ||
Hi Justme, Thank you for your response, it was respectful and kind indeed. Thank you for your blessing as well! I also think there are differences between your theology and mine... But as a 16-year-old I am really no-one to argue with someone as knowledgeable as you about such issues. I was so concerned with this issue since it is something very close to me. I have updated my personal profile, have a look if you are interested in knowing where I come from etc. For many years I myself felt invited by the Lord to get closer to Him, to live for/in/by/with Him. It's been a great struggle for me to discern if indeed it was His calling... I actually believe the question is not whether we are called but what we are called to do: "to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." (Eph 4:7) In other words, God does not call the equipped, but equips the called. (Hebrews 13:20-21) According to my theology, being called and ordained by God does not require anything; being a 'minister' and legally ordained does require study and the approval of the church. I am young but my belief that I am called comes from many hundreds of hours of prayer, service and study, by now I know it is definitely not a temporary feeling or mere interest! Many Christians I have met from different denominations confirmed this... Thanks to a few supportive friends of mine, now I am learning Hebrew and Greek, systematic theology, counselling, missions theory, practical theology and church history. I am not yet qualified for earning a degree in theology,however, because as I said, I am only 16 and I have one more year of high school before I graduate. Although it is against the will of most people who have 'authority' over me, I will go through all that is needed to be properly 'ordained', for it is neither God's will nor mine to try to do it in any 'easy way'. I will pray, wait and study: right now I am too young and know little. But I am convinced of the calling and I know that I am already 'ordained' by God, who -I believe- possesses all authority to so 'ordain' anyone of His choice at any age. I have hope, faith and trust that the Holy Spirit is leading me; for the rest, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." 1Cor 4:3-4 You wrote I was 'standing behind' and 'defending' ourfathersheart - but please have a look at my first response to him: I did not approve of him ordaining or giving degrees to others either; I actually said he had no authority to do so. I also suggested learning as a solution to his problem. (See the supporting passage I chose, and 2Tim 3:16-18) Could you please specify what 'serious errors' I approved of? Nevertheless I believe any Christian can intercede for others and to bless them, it cannot be against God's will. This person claimed to love the Lord, and I do not believe it is anyone else's job to decide if he was honest or not. What is our job is rather to help him into seeing what is good in God's sight and what is not... We are allowed to tell him that it is not biblical to ordain or give degrees to anyone without being authorized; we are allowed to warn against sin, pride or bigotry, and to make him understand the meaning of being called; but I do not think we can question the existence of a calling for a person who says 'I live only for Him'. Yes, maybe he is lying; but even so, it is not our job to execute judgment. Maybe I am wrong, but I believe certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are necessary for ministry; those who do not have them fail and get weary of it very quickly. My sincere belief is that only fulfilling our calling will please God and satisfy our soul; trying to do things which we are not called to do, or refusing to do things which we are called to do, may give a feeling of temporary pleasure, but in the long run, will make us dissatisfied with ourselves and with the world. Only when we are following our calling can we say: "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8 Jesus said we would know the false prophets by their fruit (Mt 7:15-20); but false doctrines "promote controversies rather than God's work" (1Tim 1:4). Jesus clearly stated, though: "whoever is not against us is for us." (Mk 9:40) I also believe that whatever position we take up in church, we should remain servants of Christ, and not try to become lords of men. "For he who is least among [us] all – he is the greatest" Luke 9:48. Of course you do not have to agree with me. If you are interested, I can tell you more about my theology, and we can discuss our beliefs on different issues. I will post my views about 'lone rangers' in another thread. God bless you, and thanks again for your reply, Zsuzsi |
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45 | Ordaining Others... | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121497 | ||
You are very welcome. I am glad to know that God spoke the same thing to your heart and mine. :) "And He was saying to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" Luke 10:2 I will pray for them tonight.. And for you too. God bless, Zsuzsi |
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46 | Enemies? | Luke 19:27 | Zsuzsi | 120834 | ||
:) That's actually what we are commanded to do: "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Prov 1:5-7 I am convinced that it hurts the Lord deeply when people bigotedly hold on to their own ideas, especially about His Word, without consulting Him; they wouldn't turn to Him even when they find themselves in those fierce, never-ending debates... No wonder God's blessing is not there! But if it hurts me so much, how much can it hurt Him?? Aren't we are supposed to seek the TRUTH, rather than ways to prove ourselves right? Prov 22:4: "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life." So I am just doing what I was commanded to do. I am an unprofitable servant: I have done that which was my duty to do. (Luke 17:10) But thanks anyway for the blessing, may God bless your day too. Zsuzsi |
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47 | Enemies? | Luke 19:27 | Zsuzsi | 120806 | ||
Hi Mommapbs, Thanks for your answer and for this excellent study topic. I am sorry about the delayed response but I have actually been researching and praying about what you said... And as a matter of fact, your interpretation does make sense in a way, it can stand language-wise and it is supported by a few other Bible passages. Here is what I found: 'enemy' - 'echthros' (Gr), means hated, used in many cases for 'bitter enemy of divine government'. 'slave' - 'doulos' (Gr), means slave or bondman, one who gives himself up to another's will. In a metaphorical sense, Jesus uses this word in a few places for the people who devote themselves to His service. Also see, for example: Mt 13:44: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Together with: Lk 17:21: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Jn:15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. etc... Nevertheless if we take your interpretation, we still have the question about the difference between 'enemy' and 'unworthy slave'; neither have I found any Biblical reference that Jesus was referring to Himself, and your interpretation, to me, seems somewhat out of context (Luke 19 - Zacchaeus, the colt and triumphant entry to Jerusalem, and Jesus clearing the temple). Zacchaeus: Jesus came to save those who are lost; The colt and enrty in Jerusalem: "..if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Lk 19:40 Clearing the temple in Jerusalem: God's house should not be made a den of thieves. Also, Luke 19:11 says, "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear." To me that suggests that Jesus was trying to tell the people that He would not save the world in the way they imagined... Besides, I do not believe in 'Grace-Only' salvation, I am reminded of Jn:14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments. (Lk:6:46: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Mt:7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. etc) Personally I believe maintaining an intimate relationship with Jesus is the most important, which necessarily involves a strong determination to keep His commandments. The rest is His Grace. I think He definitely did not die to 'entitle' anyone to sin... He died so that we would be 'in' but not 'of' the world. (John 17). Additionally, as I said above, He does use 'servant' for the people who serve Him, which makes me think my interpretation can also stand. So to me the idea that Jesus was urging us to at least attempt to use the talents He has given, however little, seems more straightforward. But of course that is just my personal opinion. I know the feeling when the Holy Spirit touches you through God's Word, and if this is what you believe happened to you now, I am really no-one to convince you of my own opinion. A single word of the Holy Spirit outclasses all our tries in grammatico-historical and whatever approaches. Your interpretation is well within the borders of what I call 'sensible Christian faith' and I have not found anything that would belie its truth. Jesus is indeed a treasure in our heart, to me He is actually much more than that. After some hours of prayer I believe it is not His will that I should try to change your opinion about this, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Romans 14:6 This is all I can say to you: if you are unsure, pray about it once more, and see what the Lord answers. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Prov 2:6. In case you would like to discuss it a bit more, I am willing to pray and explore this more in depth with you. Thank you again and God bless you, Zsuzsi |
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48 | Matt 11:11/Luke 7:28 | Matt 11:11 | Zsuzsi | 119831 | ||
Personally I believe Jesus is referring to Himself in the second part of His statement. I have looked at the original Greek and the context and also other supporting Bible verses. It seems to work - here are a few things of what I found: Firstly, the Greek translation does NOT contain "prophet", as for example KJV or the Catholic Douay version. "mikroterov', i.e. "least" is used in a positive sense -while Jesus prefers to use 'elaxistov' for 'least [in the kingdom]' in a negative sense (eg. Matt 5:19). It fits well into the context of both Luke 7 and Matthew 11, into Jesus comparing Himself to John, and it is also supported by other Bible passages (e.g. Phil 2:6-11). Yet, as I see, many have interpreted it in a different way... |
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