Results 61 - 80 of 465
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | Stumpped by my son | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 191796 | ||
These are important questions. I found the following books helpful. God of the Possible, by Dr. Gregory Boyd. God at War, by Dr. Gregory Boyd. Satan and the Problem of Evil, by Dr. Gregory Boyd The Genesis Question, by Dr. Hugh Ross Finding Darwin's God, by Dr. Kenneth Miller |
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62 | What if it's just a feeling I get? | Matt 18:17 | Parable | 191746 | ||
Your welcome, samnlucysmom. I agree that your feelings probably reflect as much about you as about your church. Given that, perhaps it would be helpful to consider your purpose for being there. Each of us is called to be discerning: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." -- Philippians 1:9-11 One path of action would be to make your concerns known, by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). You could talk with the senior pastor or pastor who is charged with congregational care, or you could talk privately with individuals to see how they feel. How others respond will likely tell you what you need to know in order to decide what you will do. In any case, prayer, counsel, fasting and waiting for the Spirit's lead would be good ways to prepare yourself for whatever the next step may be. Ultimately, you will have to decide what is the right thing to do, and then do it. |
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63 | How do I let go and still love??? | 1 Cor 7:17 | Parable | 191733 | ||
The most recent research shows that when possible, and when there are no immediate hazards to the child, the best possible arrangements, under these circumstances, are what they call "equal parenting". This means the child spends, on average, an equal amount of time with each parent. Of course this is not the ideal God had in mind, but it avoids the problems of having "weekend dad" who pretty much just gets to have fun with kids, while mom has to take care of them when they're sick, help them with homework, be the disciplinarian, etc, etc, etc. (Of course, it could be the other way around, with the dad having primary custody, but the point is the same.) This requires each parent to grant the other person the authority to parent as they see fit, so the child can have an authentic relationship with both parents. It also provides each parent "time with" and "time off", so they can equally share the work of raising their kids. The biblical standards for family are that the child should honor the parents (Exodus 20:12) and the parents should adhere to Ephesian 6:4 "...do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." As for the best thing you can do for your kids, avoid ever saying anything negative to them about the other parent, and work to become a healthy, vibrant person in your own right, so they may see a good example of how to live under adversity. This involves forgiving the other person, avoiding the mistakes people so often make, and doing the right things to build a new life. Above all, put your faith in the Lord to bring you through this. The only way out is through, and remember "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 |
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64 | Should we leave our church? | Matt 18:17 | Parable | 191730 | ||
Before you decide to leave, you might attempt the procedure for addressing problems outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. This passage is about discipline with an individual, but perhaps the process applies equally well to the congregation and the leadership. That is, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." |
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65 | How do I let go and still love??? | 1 Cor 7:17 | Parable | 191725 | ||
In the divorce recovery class I lead, this question often comes up as "how do I stop loving my former spouse?" My response is, the answer is not to stop loving them, or to love them less, but to love them more by loving them differently, as God loves them. By virtue of being limited, flawed and broken creatures, our love often contains elements of selfishness and being conditional. God's love does not. Our love is incomplete, His is not. If you can learn to see the other person as God does, as someone in need of His love, His compassion, His forgiveness, His correction, that is the starting point for learning to love that person differently. This love does not depend on anything about the other person, they cannot earn it or do anything to lose it. In this kind of love, you are completely free, no longer attached to the things you have lost. Of course, you also must learn to see yourself as God does, as his cherished, beloved child. I will return to this post shortly to provide specific references, but I just wanted to respond to your most important question so you may know that there is a way through this season that is not just surviving, but leads to living abundantly. If you are experiencing separation or divorce, I recommend that you visit www.divorcecare.org and search for a class in your area, sign up for the daily emails of encouragement and even perhaps order the audio CD's of their program, which are quite affordable. In all those, you will find many, many verses to instruct and encourage you. Peace, Parable |
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66 | Origin of feelings | Phil 4:8 | Parable | 191709 | ||
As for the origin of emotions, I note Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." This verse is saying that knowing about the state of the world inspires sorrow. (as I said in my other response, emotion is preceded by thought) Emotion is a response in us to how well circumstances are in-line with God's plan. Yet, a deeper question is about joy. Joy is generally regarded as a state of being in your heart, not dependent on circumstances. In Psalm 19:8, we are told "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Joy comes from God to those who embrace His ways. Obedience brings light. |
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67 | Origin of feelings | Phil 4:8 | Parable | 191704 | ||
Great question! It seems you are asking about troubling emotions, rather than pleasant healthy ones, so I'll try to address that side of things. For context, I submit that emotions are always preceded by thoughts, yet they are not easily controlled by thought, indeed, emotions often intensify the more you think about the problem. Obviously, that kind of thinking doesn't help. The bible teaches us to think differently. In Romans 12:2, we are instructed to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind". To be transformed is to be made into something new and different. To renew your mind is to change what you think about and how you think about it. For example, in Philippians 4:8-9, we are told "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Paul is telling us to think about the good things God has done and thereby receive peace. Finally, because we are shaped by how we think, and we are called to grow into the likeness of Jesus, in Hebrews 12:2-3 Paul says to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." In other words, if you are discouraged, think about Jesus, not the problem, and you will not falter. |
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68 | is masterbation a sin | Rom 12:1 | Parable | 191656 | ||
To address this question, one must examine what the Bible teaches about sexual immorality. It is generally accepted that where the Bible gives specific instruction, we stand firm, and where the Bible is silent, we should live according to godly principles. The Bible is clear, sexual immorality is prohibited by God. A survey of scripture reveals numerous instances in which sexually impure people are described. See Gen19:5, Gen19:30-38, Gen34:1-2, Gen35:22, Gen38:9, Gen38:14-18, Num25:6-14, Judg16:1, 1Sam2:22, 2Sam11:4, 2Sam13:14, 2Sam16:22, Hos1-2, John4, John8:1-11, Luke7:36-39, 1Cor5:1 and Rev2:20. The specific issues are homosexuality, incest, rape, adultery, refusal to father a child by the wife of a dead brother, fornication, sex in the tabernacle and in public, and leading others to sexual immorality. Lev18-20 prohibit incest, adultery, fornication, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality and sexual relations during menstruation. In all these, sexual relations with a partner are involved. Nowhere does the Bible expressly discuss solitary sexual activity, i.e. masturbation. While in some cases a failure to prohibit may imply tolerance or even permission, such reasoning can lead to serious error. Yet, in light of the Bible’s apparent silence on this topic, what conclusions may be drawn? The most obvious place to start is Jesus’ teachings about the content of our hearts. In the gospels, he taught that murder begins as anger, stealing begins as greed and adultery begins as lust. Hence, the life we give to our thoughts is morally equivalent to the sinful acts they inspire. However, most Bible scholars agree that the terms "anger", "greed" and "lust", as understood in biblical cultures and times, are not the kinds of passing thoughts all of us have at one time or another. Rather they are obsessive patterns of thinking that are indulged without regard to consequences and reduce others (or their possessions) to objects for base gratification of some fleshly desire, e.g. revenge, coveting or sex. In lust, sexual desire is indulged until it becomes grotesque and compelling, leading to sexual acts that are clearly immoral. If masturbation involves this kind of thinking, it is sinful and a perversion of God's intent for our sexuality. Hence, masturbation can cause us to fall short of God's standards and bring upon ourselves the natural consequences of disregarding His wisdom. For example, because sexual climax involves the release of very powerful chemicals in the brain, it is possible to become addicted to these chemicals. The dynamics of such addiction are the same as other forms of addiction, i.e. escalation in dependence, leading to increasing demands for more intense experiences, which can lead to the use of pornography and even promiscuity, both of which are clearly sinful. Furthermore, because addiction soon becomes the most important thing in life, it may be considered a form of idolatry, another sin. Another example is that for some people masturbation can carry with it profound shame or guilt. While shame or guilt can serve to correct error, excessive shame or guilt can prevent us from accepting God’s love, mercy and grace, hindering our relationship with him. While the Bible does not expressly address masturbation, it honors sexual purity and speaks to the content of our hearts and the life we give to our thoughts. Accordingly, masturbation should not be dismissed as trivial or irrelevant, but rather understood as a powerful experience that each person must consider in light of scripture, prayer, counsel and conscience. |
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69 | What about this teaching? | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191620 | ||
My concern is about diversity of opinion within the boundaries of propriety and the exercise of discretionary authority, both of which are highly relevent bible topics. If I have exceeded those boundaries, fine, I will recant. If not, perhaps there is a need for more humility in how my posts are interpreted. |
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70 | What about this teaching? | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191618 | ||
sorry for the duplicate post, a data error. | ||||||
71 | What about this teaching? | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191617 | ||
Doc, One would hope that the moderation process was as you say. However, it has yet to be shown that this is the case. I eagerly await a response from both the Study Bible Forum Team, and now their corporate sponsors at Lockman, for an explanation of how I have deviated from their guidelines. I do this not to be adversarial, but rather so I may understand their complaint. This is because I believe my posts were interpreted in a way that is not justified, but rather reactionary. If I am in need of correction, I am open to that, yet to date, no one has extended me the grace necessary to describe how my posts are not consistent with forum guidelines, especially when compared to my other posts or those of others who determine to explore those questions that call for application of biblical principles in addition to merely citing relevant verses. |
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72 | What about this teaching? | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191616 | ||
Doc, One would hope that the moderation process was as you say. However, it has yet to be shown that this is the case. I eagerly await a response from both the Study Bible Forum Team, and now their corporate sponsors at Lockman, for an explanation of how I have deviated from their guidelines. I do this not to be adversarial, but rather so I may understand their complaint. This is because I believe my posts were interpreted in a way that is not justified, but rather reactionary. If I am in need of correction, I am open to that, yet to date, no one has extended me the grace necessary to describe how my posts are not consistent with forum guidelines, especially when compared to my other posts or those of others who determine to explore those questions that call for application of biblical principles in addition to merely citing relevant verses. |
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73 | What about this teaching? | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191613 | ||
My question related specifically to the question you raised, Hank. That is, in response to rabban's post, you asked if we are to discard previous teachings. The teaching I presented demonstrates that in some cases, we already have. Given this clarification, do you still feel my post was "out of line"? If yes, why? For those interested in my concern, I note that my post has been erased. |
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74 | ... | Eccl 3:21 | Parable | 191607 | ||
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75 | What is hatred? When is it ok to hate? | Matt 5:44 | Parable | 191441 | ||
Thank you for your thoughtful exposition on the variations in meaning for the word hate. With regard to hate as abhorrence, what are the attributes or characteristics of that biblical, godly hatred? |
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76 | What is hatred? When is it ok to hate? | Not Specified | Parable | 191432 | ||
According to the bible, what does it mean to hate? What is hatred? When is hatred righteous, and when is it sinful? Please be specific with verses that support your answers. |
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77 | What is hatred? When is it ok to hate? | Matt 5:44 | Parable | 191433 | ||
According to the bible, what does it mean to hate? What is hatred? When is hatred righteous, and when is it sinful? Please be specific with verses that support your answers. |
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78 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191426 | ||
So you are saying that scripture teaches that to forgive is to "not remember"? I don't disagree, yet also note that this "not remembering" means much the same as what I proposed, does it not? |
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79 | for what reason can a man divoce his wif | Matt 19:9 | Parable | 191375 | ||
My point with "lust equals adultery" reference was to show that strict interpretation in a legalistic manner quickly leads to an appreciation of just how high God's standard for marriage really is. that you have interpreted my post as diminishing that standard is remarkable to me. i regret that I must sign off for now as I am headed out of town, but I will consider your post and followup later. |
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80 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191374 | ||
I don't disagree with the differences you describe, but those are not related to the quality of the forgiveness, but rather are consequences of the decision by the transgressor not to seek that forgiveness. Forgiveness is unilateral and not dependent upon anything done or not done by the transgressor. As I said in another post, forgiving does not necessarily imply not seeking justice, but rather releasing one's claim of entitlement to it. I agree completely that vengeance is contrary to forgiveness, for vengeance is driven by the idea that vengeance belongs to onself, and clearly it belongs only to God. |
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