Results 681 - 700 of 729
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Results from: Notes Author: charis Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
681 | Is not Jesus enough? | Heb 11:39 | charis | 43397 | ||
Dear TRU4GOD, Greetings from Japan in Jesus' name! First of all, charis has a wife, not a husband! :-) Friend, I admire that you seek God and His kingdom first, but I cannot get away from the idea that health and prosperity are a strong second to you. When we state that good health and financial prosperity are signs or proof of faith, then we are also stating that bad health and poverty are equally signs of lack of faith. While this may be a popular theology in America, a great deal of the rest of the world does not have the luxury of proclaiming this kind of faith. Is faith dependent on geographic location? So, if we do not claim (and prove by receipt) excellent health and financial prosperity, are we unfaithful, and rejecting our Lord? I don't think so. We do not NEED money and extra possessions, we want them! We can only claim good health until we get sick, and all are appointed to die, unless the Lord returns before our time. Even the most faithful get colds and have accidents. Or are you saying that faith makes us immune to all illness and mishap? My friend, I find this doctrine a dangerous one, and extremely bigoted and judgemental. I cannot, in good conscience, spread a gospel (not Gospel) of fortune and health. I have yet to see these things give peace and joy. Good luck! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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682 | All of the above? | Heb 11:39 | charis | 43465 | ||
Dear heisthe1, Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus! Thank you for getting back to me. I do agree that faith itself is only seen by God. But the faith of the righteous is evident in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The world and it's slaves cannot see these fruit and the faith of God's people except the Holy Spirit quicken it to their eyes. This is what we would call a 'testimony.' The world has false equivalents of all of the fruit of the Spirit, and sometimes even the church is misled by the counterfeit. I believe this is where the church sometimes gets the idea that physical blessing is equal to faith. Thank you for your blessing, and may the Lord also pour upon you His goodness. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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683 | Sumission to authority? | Heb 13:17 | charis | 28737 | ||
Dear Searcher, Greetings in the name of Jesus! If you are teaching in your church, you are required to teach as your pastor teaches. Otherwise you would be a root of division in the local church. You may have a different opinion in areas such as this, but you are required to make sure your pastor knows of this difference, and also knows that you will not go around teaching a 'different gospel.' Submission to authority is not submission to thought control. But honesty and integrity are attributes missing in the leadership of many churches, leading to confusion and division, neither of which pleases God. The shepherd is the door for the sheep. True, many shepherds don't act like shepherds! Just as true, many sheep don't act like sheep! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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684 | Why is marijuana use prohibited? | Heb 13:17 | charis | 68129 | ||
Dear jini, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Friend, did it ever occur to you that the body of Christ is on the 'war on drugs bandwagon' because of experience? People are in prison because they broke the law. Jesus did not tell you to obey only the just (in your sight) laws. Eternal harm from drug laws? Please! Most drugs are illegal for good reason. Marijuana included! You, as an expert, may be able to inhale judiciously, but most are not able to discern the adequate dose. Shall we also legalize cocaine? It's from a leaf. L.S.D.? It's from mold. Heroin? A flower. I think perhaps you have been enjoying a little too much 'moderation,' my friend, because your logic is pretty weak. :-) ...but be filled with the Spirit! (you shouldn't need more!) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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685 | Why is marijuana use prohibited? | Heb 13:17 | charis | 68176 | ||
Dear Steve, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I think that it would be appropriate to consider the ratio of "good people you would never suspect" to drug addicts, abusers, and escalatory users. I would have to say (from quite a lot of experience) that few fit the former description. Could you please elaborate where the Bible "clearly states that we are not to follow laws that are against God's teachings?" Are you saying that using marijuana is 'of' God's teachings? By your own admission this drug makes you lazy and less ambitious, indifferent and forgetful. (I must add, it OFTEN leads to other drugs!) I would think these would come under the category of 'drunk.' The only euphoria necessary for a saint is Jesus. In any case, this is not a 'sin-comparison.' We all sin. This doesn't make an excuse for the sin of supporting a debilitating habit and dependency. Finally, you make a good point about pleasing the Lord Jesus. He IS right next to you! And I cannot imagine Him pleased with ANY debilitating habit, legal or not. Peace to you in Christ Jesus, charis |
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686 | Why is marijuana use prohibited? | Heb 13:17 | charis | 68222 | ||
Dear Steve, Greetings in Jesus' name! Actually, I DID read it pretty carefully! :-) In the context of your post, I was under the impression you were equating the use of marijuana with God's teachings, therefore we were free to question the authority of the anti-drug laws. I guess this another line of thought? Friend, I, too, try to give the 'benefit of the doubt' to "jini" about motives for posting as he-she did. But in a previous post, he-she was implying that marijuana was (possibly) an ingredient of the 'anointing oil' in Exodus 30:23. Then he-she proceded to give us a rather long list of 'psychoactive plants and herbs.' To what purpose, I can't fathom, but the connection was not negative. It is my studied opinion that 'psychoactive plants and herbs' are usually used to become 'drunk,' not to promote and enhance Christian fellowship. Your comments are welcome, and your experience (I think) proves my point! :-) Blessings and joy in Christ Jesus, charis |
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687 | Why is marijuana use prohibited? | Heb 13:17 | charis | 68228 | ||
Dear Norrie, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I have yet to hear from Steve yet for clarification, so I will just answer your comment. Laws prohibiting drug use are quite different from laws allowing immoral action. We are not made to abort babies. (Please! I am NOT putting up for the abortion laws in America! The laws in Japan are even worse!) Unless a law specifically prohibits us from serving God, we are to obey. True, there are some laws that might be interpreted as so, but drug use isn't one of them. :-) Indeed, "Steve" was being very gracious to "jini" while discouraging the use of marijuana. Norrie, I love you, but I gotta say this: You THINK nobody would have known! True, SOME may not have known, but isn't sin like that? We usually are convinced that it is not evident, and that's why we continue! If marijuana has the effects that I know it has, then these were evident even if nobody knew the root cause. So... a person who smokes pot 'without letting on to anyone' is living in denial and-or a great liar! :-) Either way, those 'quiet tokers' are not 'OK' in God's sight. Again, I speak from some personal experience, and abundant experience by association. I am so happy to be SAVED! Now about that property... is it sandy beach? ;-) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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688 | The question stands | James 2:10 | charis | 19244 | ||
Dear Bill Mc, Greetings in the name of Jesus! With all due respect, my friend, Paul does not disagree with me, but YOU do! :-) (Paul has not been around to personally disagree with anyone for a LONG time) I don't really want to get involved in a 'tit for tat' type of argument. I think that if you were to look at the sum of the 'Law versus Grace' discussion raging on the forum these days, you would see that it has become kind of an 'Old Testament versus New Testament' battle. This is ridiculous! We have a Bible that includes the Old Testament for a purpose. If indeed the 'tutor' is truly 'abolished,' then we would be studying little pocket New Testaments with huge marginal notes. Bill, I am fully aware that my relationship with Jesus is entirely based on the New Covenant that God has graced us with. But we cannot 'do away with' the Old Testament, that is STILL a tutor to lead us to Christ. My note was in answer to a question asking the New Testament purpose of the Law. My contention (opinion) is that the common sense and wisdom of the Old Testament is still very much worthy of consideration, even though it has legally been superceded. Jesus fulfilled the Law, yes! But never did He say to 'chuck it.' Thank you for the many references, though! :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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689 | The question stands | James 2:10 | charis | 19252 | ||
Dear Bill, Peace to you in Jesus' name! Brother, I have no argument against being a new creation in Christ Jesus! But honoring and revering the Old Testament as a perfectly complimentary 'teacher of Christ' could hardly be considered insulting. So now that you have 'finished with' your third grade English teacher (or college professor, or whatever), do you 'dismiss' them and void them from your memory? This would be to imply that YOU have graduated from their influence, and that YOU are better than they are. Sorry, but I don't have the ability to 'purge' myself from giving due respect and glory to the venerable (though superceded) Word of God. Nor have I come to the point that I, personally, am free from the life contained in the Old Testament. I do not consider myself to be 'under contract' to the Old Testament. But I will continue to read from it's holy pages and still learn. I find that mixing the 'intent' of the Law, and the fulfillment of the Law is not oil and water at all! In fact, I find the two to be very compatible. Please do not lump this together with those that worship the 'legal' Law and try to make us adhere to the letter. I, too, am set free from this bondage. :-) Out of curiosity I ask, have you read some of my other posts? I think that my heart would be evident to you if you had... In Christ Jesus, charis |
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690 | The question stands | James 2:10 | charis | 19310 | ||
Dear Steve, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Because they were taught that way, or because it makes them feel good, or both. Many people feel more obligated toward those that 'brought them to the Lord' or those that 'mentored' them than they do toward the Lord Himself. Legalism feels good to the self-righteous and the insecure both. To the self-righteous because it bolsters their 'understanding,' and to the insecure because a rigid system gives them emotional comfort. Well, you asked for my opinion of the 'psychology' of the matter...you got it! :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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691 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | charis | 36032 | ||
Dear Jesusman, Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus! Please allow me to begin by saying that I believe in the Tri-Une nature of God. Indeed, the Great Commission commands us to baptize in the name (not names) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The 'teach' part of Matthew 28:19 is more correctly 'make disciples,' and has nothing to do with the name of God. However, subsequent Scriptural history (i.e. the post ascension church) shows that the disciples baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or the name of the Lord Jesus. Either the disciples were baptizing incorrectly, or the Scriptural account is inaccurate, or the diciples WERE baptizing correctly and in accord with the will of God by baptizing in the name of Jesus. (NOT Jesus-*only*) "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17 NASB. Nonetheless, everything you said about John 1 and the deity of Christ Jesus is exactly right. Thought the word 'Trinity' is not in the Bible, you cannot deny the Three in One nature of God clearly portrayed in Scripture. Blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |
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692 | Ineffective prayer by believers? | James 5:16 | charis | 6053 | ||
Dear K. Samuel, Greetings, and welcome to the Forum! I very much enjoyed your answer here, and your other comments and postings. Though I addressed the above to Steve, the comments were for the benefit of all participants, so please do interact. (note: I always try to start with dear..., and end with ...charis, for the sake of clarity. Sometimes these 'trees' and 'threads' can be confusing to me :-) I look forward to hearing more from you. In Jesus' name, charis |
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693 | Are there stillborn Christians? | 1 Pet 2:2 | charis | 16700 | ||
Dear CDBJ, Friend, I am sorry if it sounded as though I was directing my comments to you, or even scolding you. This was not my intention, and I apologize to you. I have read your other postings, and know you to be a pious servant of God. I was addressing 'the Forum,' though answering your question. I tend to preach... :-) I, too, have witnessed the 'psychological hoop,' as well as the desire to 'satisfy the person who brought me here' situation. I, personally, prefer more intimate forms of evangelism. Family, children, friends and neighbors are first on my list of 'burdens.' I do participate in church evangelism (to the local area), and once in a while in 'para-church' activities, but it seems to me there is a corollary relationship between distance and efficacy of the Gospel. (especially TV! But don't get me started) I prefaced my comments 'from God's point of view,' but heartily agree with you that many 'Christians' DO appear stillborn from our lowly vantage :-) Yes! Same page, same Book! Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
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694 | Preordained free will? | 1 Pet 2:9 | charis | 1469 | ||
Good answer, Twally! I suspect that Calvin was less of a Calvinist than some suspect, and Arminus was less of an Arminist than many Arminists. Paul certainly did not seem too impressed by 'Pauline' doctrine :-) In Christ Jesus. |
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695 | Preordained free will? | 1 Pet 2:9 | charis | 1486 | ||
Friend, was Peter a Pope? This is a lot harder to answer, and a lot more controversial and emotional. In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
696 | False prophets glorify God? | 1 Pet 2:12 | charis | 30395 | ||
Dear Steve, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Thank you for the clarification. I see what you are saying. I just don't know if I would go as far as you are! :-) If we start saying that all 'false teachers' are unsaved and of satan, we can narrow the way to heaven more than would be comfortable, possibly even for ourselves. Some have a very broad definition of false that makes the 'saved' a very elite group. :-) Blessings and love in Christ Jesus, charis |
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697 | Help with misled teen with gender issues | 1 Pet 5:7 | charis | 992 | ||
Dear SFriend, As I said before, my prayers are with you. With all due respect, your situation seems to be like "And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36. You say that you are 'between pastors,' does this mean that a church of 3,000 has no other shepherds capable of meeting the Lord on your behalf? Also, I could not help but notice that you have described this problem as almost insurmountable, being so specialized that only a specialist could handle it. In that case, I am out of my territory for sure. However, I very firmly believe that Jesus Christ is able to overcome this problem in the exact same manner that He overcomes every problem. The church is His body, and He has appointed shepherds to lead His flock, to care for them. This has nothing to do with medical diagnoses. Another point I am compelled to make, with all love and compassion toward you and your son. Man's problem is sin. Though there are many manifestations of it, and some would like to think of it as very complicated, it is still sin against which we battle. In no way do I judge you, your son, or your church, I simply note that you are speaking of a nigh-impossible problem with no spiritual help on the horizon. The situation you describe in your 'local body of Christ' breaks my heart, too. How you procede is up to you, but acceptance of the simplicity of your plight is in order. Maybe (my opinion) your church has to repent from it's ways. Or maybe (again, my opinion) you must simplify the situation in your own heart. Maybe both. As things stand, I do not see the problem going away by itself, nor do I think that cash will solve the problem. I would say that faith, fellowship, shepherding, patience, and love are the elements necessary to resolve the situation. All these must be present, or it is not a church. Be of good courage, and He will guide you. In Christ Jesus. |
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698 | Help with misled teen with gender issues | 1 Pet 5:7 | charis | 1007 | ||
Dear SFriend, I have been praying that my words were taken in love, and that the Lord would use them as encouragement to one in distress. If in any way this is the result, I am blessed. I pray that the Lord would lift you up, give you trust in His servants, and strength to say what is necessary. I also pray that those in oversight would be sensitive, wise, and filled with the Spirit. And I pray for your son, that he could forsake this deception, repent and return to His God and Savior. May the authority of the Lord Jesus reign in your church and in your home, and bring victory and peace. (I am not the 'hellfire and brimstone' type. It IS frightening, with little fruit. Rather, plain Bible truth, with much compassion, will change your situation.) You are correct, we shall prevail in Christ Jesus! Amen! | ||||||
699 | Eternal Security and 2 Peter 2:20 ??? | 2 Peter | charis | 1053 | ||
Guffaw! LOL! RoFL! I just looked up Luke 14:2. Howl! Cacchination! (regaining composure) chuckle, chuckle. This discussion reminds me of me. Bless both of you saints. I am not Calvin's disciple, nor am I his 'pendulum swing' opposite number, Arminus' follower. I think both these guys let brains and brawn get out of hand, and denied the Spirit. I read with great interest these comments, and quite a few others in this line. I despise compromise for the sake of 'making everybody happy,' because obviously you cannot. However, I do believe the truth in this matter probably incorporates both arguments, in a much simpler manner than we are accustomed to. If Jesus were asked, He might answer, "Who?" Much in the same way, Paul asked, "Apollos who? Paul who?" (I Corinthians 3:4-9) Perhaps the word 'Election' with a capital "E" is the problem, or at least a great contributor. In a general sense, I must believe that God, without favor, offers the hope of salvation to all, regardless (irregardless? There IS such a word) of gender, race, location or situation. Knowing all things, God knows who will 'be there' at the final trumpet. There are there by His Grace, and by His grace alone. But those there DID respond, hopefully (a disjunct) with alacrity and continued response. We do seem to have an 'unforgivable sin' in Matthew 12 (unless of course believers are not believers without the Holy Spirit, assuming that everyone receives 'automatically'), but this can't be too easy to do, or none of us will qualify for 'election.' This is why, from a layman's point of view, I cannot accept 'once-saved-always-saved.' Surely, from God's divine viewpoint this may be true, but to us here, now, it is ludicrous. It is only to easy to say, "Right. Like Jim Jones." Our 'righteousness' of looking at things from God's eyes (impossible, anyway) alienates us from the down-to earth reality that most people perceive. Of course, I do not promote becoming an 'air-head' or 'loose-minded, loose-moraled(sorry)' emotional nitwit. (i.e. "Of course, a truly nice god would save EVERYBODY!") I do believe there is a balance. In my Bible, and in my heart (through the Spirit), I believe I am 'called.' Not only called to a specific ministry within His church, but generally called to be His. Thank You, Jesus. I know that I am stating both cases, indeed, this is my intent. I see, very clearly, pertinent arguments from both camps. Is it possible that both are valid, with a bit of moderation and the revelation of the Holy Spirit? I believe so! I would not want to 'wake up' in the Holy Presence, and find that one group or another was 'missing.' Please understand that I do not mean the same for all fringe aberrations of faith. Some will be shown to be just plain wrong. But, in this case, and perhaps several others, adjustment is necessary, not a total revamp. "...Let God is true, and all men liars..." Romans 3:4 May the peace AND truth be upon us all, in Christ Jesus. |
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700 | Eternal Security and 2 Peter 2:20 ??? | 2 Peter | charis | 1055 | ||
Sorry, I misspelled your 'name,' jg8ball. | ||||||
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