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  • Adam - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Good question. John 4:24 is pretty clear saying God is a Spirit. We are made in His image too, however that works. Not sure if that means physical or otherwise.

    My opinion of heart in this context is that it is a metaphor. According to Strongs Hebrew H3820 means both heart and feelings.

    I think its similar to John 15:5 which is symbolic and doesn't mean Jesus is a literal vine and we are a literal branch instead of human being. And when we eat Jesus's body and drink His blood, it doesn't mean we're cannibals and actually doing it (I guess Catholics do though) but an important metaphor.
  • Momsage - 3 months ago
    Hello everyone. I'd like to, first, say that I am really enjoying being a part of this discussion platform. Second, that I am a passionate believer in God's word, in His truth so I may come on kind of strong in my comments sometimes but it's because I have such a heartfelt concern for those who need the Lord or are confused by false doctrine that puts their soul in danger. I'm, of course, always needing more inspiration as to an understanding of the scriptures and through pray and fasting I continued to be blessed with more and more understanding as I'm sure we all are. Be blessed in all you do for the Lord. :)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Momsage, glad you are with us.

    How good it is that we all love the Lord and His truth! We can edify one another in our prayers and in our postings here. How great a gift it is to have the means to have such a community as this. It blesses me daily.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Thank you GiGi. I have especially enjoyed having discussions with you. God Bless :)
  • Jema - 3 months ago
    Hi , I asked a question about Ezekiel Ch 37 V 16 about 12 hours ago , can't find it on the site . Don't think it was controversial :) . Does anyone have an opinion on this verse please ?
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Hi Jema,

    If you ask a Morman they would tell you the two sticks of Ezekiel are the Bible and the book of Morman. Some say this was fulfilled after World War 2 when Israel became a state, my understanding it will be in the future. The two sticks are the Southern tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and many of the Levites, the Jews, are the kingdom of Judah. The northern tribes of Israel are Reuben, Simeon, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, and Gad the kingdom of Israel.

    After Solomon died the ten tribes separated from Judah and Benjamin, the northern kingdom was invaded and captured by the Assyrians, and the southern kingdom by Babylon. God is telling Ezekiel He will bring them back into one kingdom, the two sticks will be one, one kingdom, the kingdom of Israel, the one Jesus will set up when He returns. This will be all the tribes that were scattered around the world.

    I hope this is enough there is much in this chapter.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Jema - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Yes it's an awesome chapter ! V 39 makes me think of John 20 : 22 and of Acts 2 : 1-4 . In verse 16 , I wondered if there was any significance between the use of the two words children and house , children of Judah ( maybe us Christians through Christ ) and house , it says : all the house ( house maybe meaning biological Jews ) ? By the end of the chapter they are one nation under David . Great days are coming , it's going to be awesome ! Thy Kingdom Come .
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Hi Jema,

    It will be awesome but there will be horrible times before He returns. If we are still living, we must be strong in our faith to resist the hour of temptation that is coming. When He returns it will not be some silent secret event, Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 23:39. He will return to the same place from where He ascended, Acts 1:10-11. When He touches His feet back on earth on the Mount of Olives the earth will split with the power and glory that has been given Him by God, Zechariah 14:4.

    There will be the chosen and faithful, Revelation 17:14 who have been grafted into the vine in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:5-6 that will be a part of this kingdom and reign for one thousand years.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Adam - 3 months ago
    Of the churches I've attended they never had a court or an official structure to settle disputes within the church body, but after reading 1 Cor 6 I wonder if that's what it means. Paul emphasizes how we should be separate from the world's way of doing things, that believers will even judge angels so surely we can handle our own petty disputes.

    Disputes I've had in the past haven't been with members of my specific church, however, so I wonder if it implies some kind of inter-church cooperative dispute resolution service or if it just means within one church location. Does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?
  • Jesse - In Reply - 3 months ago
    (part 2):

    And so he says isn't there any wise men among you that can decide what's right and what's wrong, and make those kinds of decisions?



    So I think that it is interesting that Paul says to set somebody up, and it doesn't have to be somebody that's educated. He says to take the person that is least esteemed in the church because the right and the wrong is pretty simple!



    So he says you're at fault. You're a failure there in your dealings. First of all you are defrauding one another, and if your brother does defraud you, you think you got to take him to court because nobody's going to do anything about it.



    Just let it go, because we are talking about a Christian with another Christian coming in front of non-believers and letting non-believers judge between God's people. They don't even have the Spirit of God!

    Hope this helps?

    God bless!!!
  • Adam - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Thank you for your analysis, Jesse, and Bible references.

    It sounds like the context of Paul's writing was people defrauding each other, which seems fairly serious to me.

    This only prompted from reading and noticing the suggestion to let the church settle a dispute and why I've never heard of churches announcing that they offer this.

    But the lack of church involvement seems to leave most people wronged with the only option to settle disputes with possible non-Christians if they seek legal justice. (or are we to turn the other cheek in all situations?)

    In a country like the USA most identify as Christian, but no one really knows how much they actually practice that- ranging from not at all your whole life to being a lead church pastor. It seems in a general courtroom setting of strangers I don't see it automatically being a negative to Christianity, because I don't think its even legal to ask someone's religion in court due to anti-discrimination laws, and the judge and people there (if in the USA) are more likely to be Christian than non-Christian, and its not talked about anyway. Wondering if the difference of context in Paul's time vs today in some places makes a difference in how we should follow what is written.

    People also don't kiss each other on the cheek like Paul says to do, so is that sin or cultural difference we need to apply to all of the Word?
  • Jema - In Reply - 3 months ago
    As for the cheek kissing , I personally think it's lovely , however I can imagine that it could cause problems . Imagine how long it would take you to kiss every member of your congregation on a Sunday ! I would have to get to church an hour early ! Also , we would have to be very conscientious about making sure that we kissed everyone , otherwise this could cause hurt feelings and jealousies as we are all only very much human . It would have to be an all or none situation I think and then , would it be genuine ? If you are only kissing one person out of duty , so they don't feel left out , that's not an honest kiss of affection or respect is it ? Then the whole thing could become a duty or even a chore ! What a can of worms to open ! How complex things become when human feelings get involved :) Best keep our lips to ourselves I think , unless you are a member of a very small congregation :) .
  • Jesse - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Adam,

    You are very welcome! I agree. They were defrauding each other, and Paul admonished them for it. Church today is run so much different than it was in Paul's day. Today, it seems as though church fellowships do not want "stir the pot" and are more concerned about losing members than following instruction set forth in scripture.

    The believers in Corinth were taking each other to court before a non-believing judge to judge matters that should have been handled between themselves. Paul corrected them for that.

    Should we "turn the other cheek" in all situations? I think that's something we would have to settle in our own hearts, consulting with the Lord of course!

    Personally, I would not sue another believer. I know it's easier said than done, but I don't believe that is something I would do. But I agree with you completely that there is a lack of church involvement in such matters.

    I wonder also about the precepts of sin against a brother that is given to us in Matthew 18:15-20. How many church fellowships today follow that model?

    As for the kissing on the cheek as Paul told them to do, that was their normal way of greeting each other at that time. In fact, they still greet each other that way in the Middle East. If you ever watch news clips of dignitaries greeting each other in the Middle East, they still kiss on each cheek. I don't think there would be anything wrong with us doing the same. We might get some funny looks (or slapped), but that's the way they greet each other in the Middle East and did so in Paul's day. It would be equivalent to our handshake or hug when we greet someone.

    God Bless!!!
  • Jesse - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Hello, Adam,

    I can share a little on this. Chapter 6 deals with the morality of the gospel. The first four verses are probably the ones in question.

    Verses 1-3 deal with the prosecution of believers. Paul also gives an admonition.

    1 Corinthians 6:4 is the instruction. He says, If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.



    This Greek word Exoutheneo has to do with the same word that we see in Romans 14:1 about let the older brother not despise the younger, or make light of.



    This is a person that people don't take too seriously. And I think it's interesting that Paul is saying this on purpose because it's not a matter of picking out people in your midst who have all the education and experience, and to judge these matters because obviously they can't do it impartially. Take the person that God can use!



    So he says to take the person that's least esteemed in the church. Of course that might not glorify you if someone comes up to you and says "that's you!"

    We see the condition in Verse 7. Now therefore there is utterly a fault, and this is literally the word failure, among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take the wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

    And then in Verse 8, it says no, but you do the wrong, and you defraud, and that to your brothers.



    He's talking about Christians doing this to each other, not from the outside, but to each other. Christians are doing wrong in justice. They are defrauding. They're cheating their brother.



    And so the brother who is wronged, he files a legal action against his brother. With all the educated and all the well to do people in the congregation, everybody has their sides you see. You can't find too many people that are impartial.

    I need a part 2.
  • GiGi on Deuteronomy 7 - 3 months ago
    This chapter speaks warning to the Israelites before they enter the land.

    They are not to be afraid of the strong nations they will encounter when they go forth to take the lands. God promised to destroy the peoples. So it was not up to the might of the Israelites for the victory to occur, but upon the almighty power and will of God.

    The part the Israelites will play in the conquest is to destroy ALL the people, ALL their idols and places of worship. The Israelites responsibility was obedience. God named the 7 nations they were yet to conquer.

    He commanded them to not intermarry with members of the nations of this land. They are to be a people separate from the idolaters. They were not to intermix with them in marriage, business, and in everyday life. God knows the power of sin and temptation. He was warning them for their good, not just to put restrictions on their lives. It is wise to follow God in this way, to not be involved with idolaters, those who hate God, those who, in ignorance or rebellion fail to worship and serve Him. These idolaters do not have much to offer us in way of relationships. Their company will usually lead us into sin rather than bring reformation to them. But we still are to be witnesses in and out of season.

    God promised to make the Israelites fruitful in every way. Being fruitful is a blessing, being barren is not. We should have this same attitude in our lives. We should greatly desire to be spiritually fruitful, fruitful in our work habits, fruitful in our marriage, fruitful in our relations with other believers as we pray and study the Word together.

    I am thankful that I married a believer. This was God's doing. It has led us to have a harmonious marriage. We are coming up on our 44th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. God has blessed us so much. May we show gratitude to each other even more so in the years ahead!
  • Bennymkje - In Reply on Deuteronomy 7 - 3 months ago
    God is not looking for quantity but quality, the quality of his Son which is obedience. Many are called but few are chosen. So the point is the Son as the way. "and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." He came to manifest the quality, the doctrine of his Father in his logos aspect. Israel neither had stomach for his deity not for his humanity. In the Gospel of St Matthew this is what we see. In the first part the Sermon on the Mount was his Mission Statement and he demonstrated it in his ministry. In the second half 'the woe to ye' of Matt.23 stand as his indictment of the nation.

    I pray that God bless you both with long life evermore. 44years is not something to be sneezed at. He that has begun a good work in your lives shall accomplish it. Trust Him.
  • GiGi - In Reply on Deuteronomy 7 - 3 months ago
    Thank you Bennymkje,

    He has blessed us in so many different ways.
  • GiGi - 3 months ago
    God is:

    NEAR

    He is everywhere present, but the Word says He is specifically near to those who call upon Him.

    God came near humanity specifically in the Incarnation of the Son in Jesus

    The Holy Spirit is as near as possible within us.

    Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us.

    God is intimate with us. We do not deserve His Presence near to us because of our sinful nature, but He chose to bring us forgiveness in Christ so that He can.

    How amazing that the holy God who cannot have sin abide in his Presence has drawn near to us in and through Christ!

    Although God is transcendent and in many ways beyond us, He is also near.

    He was near His people in the wilderness( Deut. 4:7)

    Jesus brought God's kingdom near to us ( Mk. 1:15)
  • Adam - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Amen, great reminder, GiGi.
  • Chris - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts GiGi as you progress on the Attributes of God using the alphabet - very interesting & edifying as also the great submissions from Richard. As I read yours, and you quoted Deuteronomy 4:7, my thoughts went to the very Name of God in respect to this.

    The Israelites were indeed reminded that the LORD God was always near to them - with them; and yet they should have known (or, maybe it wasn't revealed to them at that stage), that this God is also known by His compound Name, YHWH-Shammah: "The LORD Who is Present". And this we see in Ezekiel 48:35, the very last statement in the very last verse of Ezekiel's prophecy (which is generally understood to refer to Israel's existence in the Millennial Kingdom; Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48).

    In that verse, the Hebrew reads, "wasem ha-ir mi-yowm Yahweh sammah" ('and the name of the city from (that) day (shall be) YAHWEH (is) THERE'). Israel of old knew that God was with them by all His marvelous Works yet they still resorted to the flesh & idolatry. But the day will come when they will truly know Him as Yahweh Shammah, the LORD Who is present, with them, very near to them, for Christ Jesus their Messiah will be the Lord Whom they will know & Who will rule over them (also speaks of Christ's indivisible Deity). And what we, as those who have now received Christ's Spirit in our hearts, know Him in a personal way & a powerful Presence in our lives, still remain to them as a distant hope & a vain search, all the while clouded in disbelief, darkness, & rejection of their Messiah's first coming. Thank you for reminding us that the LORD has never left us - He has constantly been involved in all our affairs, even though at times in our personal & global existence, He might appear absent. But unto 'us who believe, He is precious' & we ought to live in such a manner befitting His Name, 'the LORD Who is Present with(in) us'.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 months ago
    The Perfection of Christ

    Christ being a member of the Godhead never sinned. We see that He was tempted in all ways as we are as Hebrews 4:15 states.

    In His own strength Christ certainly always had the right to do anything as well as the capability; but as we know God cannot lie ( Heb. 6:18 and other related scriptures). Thus; Satan truly was the only being that had the authority to give the right of rulership over the earth as a temptation; and Christ was the only recipient other than Antichrist who will receive this offer. The man of sin will accept it; and the world will accept THE LIE ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12). It was for our sake that Christ humbled Himself; even to death on a cross emptying Himself of all self promotion of His own glory for the sake of the Father's exaltation later. This encompasses a number of scriptures (see Philippians 2:7; Isaiah 53).

    Thus; we see that the relationship among the Godhead brings humility followed by exaltation. We also should follow that guideline; knowing that no servant is greater than His master; we are also to suffer while in this brief earthly existence. ( John 13:16). How much of our own troubles are caused by our own sins varies; it is something we should overcome if we are truly to embrace His sufferings.

    When we consider sinless perfection on a surface level we think of avoiding commission of acctions against God as well as avoiding omission of things we ought to do which is often neglected at the expense of the first issue. We can think of someone who never makes mistakes; never says a word that is unfitting; and other like characteristics. When examining in depth this subject we see how eternal spiritual laws and principles were always first and foremost; undergirding Christ's miracles. Salvation was shown to be more crucial than just healing (see Matthew 9:6); as the paralytic received healing along with forgiveness. Salvation is complete at the Resurrection of the just; inheriting new bodies
  • Cheryl1655 on Revelation 21 - 3 months ago
    Verse 2 & 3 new heaven & earth come dowsn from heaven, then what is the meeting in the sky ?
  • Chris - In Reply on Revelation 21 - 3 months ago
    Hi Cheryl1655. The passage you read in Revelation 21:1-3 about the new heaven (sky) & new Earth and then the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven, are events (including those in Revelation 22) that will take place right at the very end of earthly time as we know it. This account shows us the end of Satan & his influence on mankind, the end of sin & corruption, & the arrival of a complete renewal of God's original creation, with God in the midst. These are glorious visions which the Apostle John received from Jesus for those end times, and sadly the vision of all those who have rejected Jesus & loved to live in sin, hating the God of Heaven, these will go into punishment of everlasting fire ( Revelation 21:8).

    "The meeting in the sky" is what I believe you're referring to as the Rapture, or 'the snatching away' (Latin, 'rapio'; Greek, 'harpazo'), and this is referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:51,52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, which the Apostle Paul's was teaching to those Churches. Now this event (the Rapture) is a subject that has a whole range of views & beliefs amongst Christians, as we piece together what information we're given in the Bible, figuring the how, when, where, this occurs (or, likely to occur). However, to answer your question, my understanding of the Scriptures is that the Rapture ('the lifting up of the living & dead in Christ & meeting Jesus in the sky') is the next great event in God's 'calendar', where His saved, holy ones are removed from the Earth before His Wrath is poured upon the Earth of unbelievers (otherwise called, the Great Tribulation of God's Wrath (see Matthew chapter 24)). See also 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10.

    However one views this 'snatching away' & the Day of God's Wrath upon the Earth, the message to those IN CHRIST is clear: BE READY, Live lives pleasing to the Lord, that we may "not be ashamed before Him at His Coming" ( 1 John 2:28,29). GBU.
  • Oseas - 3 months ago
    Our GOD and Father who art in heaven,

    we thank you for this another day of life and

    for the daily bread that you give us to feed our bodies,

    but above all, it feeds our souls with the living bread that comes from heaven, the bread of life, the heavenly manna;

    Follow us and bless us throughout this day, O Lord

    Keep us and deliver us from all evil, from all danger,

    Encamp your angels around us, around your people on all the face of the Earth,

    Your kingdom come to us according to Your Word,

    the kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever,

    In our works and activities, bless us and prosper us, O Lord GOD

    We thank you in the name of your beloved Son JESUS Christ, from now on and forever

    Amen
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Amen,Oseas, lovely prayer applying Jesus' instructions on how we ought to pray to the Father.

    Amen!
  • Carleton - 3 months ago
    Good evening all. From my own observations. One reason I love a believer's Baptism is a believer's testimony. Even more wonderfully so when this believer is still a young person. In close congregations and in simple Christian homes we witness many young person testimonies and we also were blessed to have watched the child grow up and mature. Many times part of a testimony is a simple burden, a lack of faith, a lie with friends, teacher or family that was forgiven. This testimony in our churches is a public testimony for any person in the building to witness. The testimony in words is simple, yesterday (so to speak) they were burdened and they prayed for forgiveness and Jesus answered their prayer. Now they felt their burden lifted and many claim His peace is now ruling. A few questions from those in attendance may be asked like "do you love everyone?" or "do you believe that Jesus has forgiven your sins?" A sister or brother, uncle or aunt or teacher,etc.. may give testimony that they thenselves witness a change in this new believer's life. It is the spirit that the congregation is looking for, does it witness to their spirit. A show of hands for support from the congregation may occur. A question might be asked then "do you desire to be Baptized" with an affirmative, Baptism is soon arranged. This event is always a blessing and the proving together by God's Spirit in the body makes a very close congregation and congregations are very close with each other within the Church. I think most young people and older would rarely have their born again experience in Church more likely alone with God. I do know exceptions though.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Hello Adam, I am continuing to pray for your healing. Just this morning I was remembering the song

    "Thou Lord God has made the heavens and the earth by thy great power, Thou Lord God has made the heavens and the earth with thine outstretched arm.

    Nothing is too difficult for thee, nothing is too difficult for thee."

    So, I affirmed this before the Lord and asked him to bring healing to all I have prayed for on this site and in my life, because nothing is impossible for God.

    Secondly, Adam. I agree that we should not through the baby out with the bathwater. Any day is good to celebrate the truth about Jesus, and His miraculous birth is no exception. If one chooses to celebrate it at Christmastime, that is a good testimony to give at a time when many hearts are more receptive. This is why I celebrate His coming during Christmas even though I know he was not born in December, but it is a season that opens many opportunities to give account of His incarnation.
  • Carleton - 3 months ago
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  • RichFairhurst on Genesis 11 - 3 months ago
    Although Genesis 11:26-27 lists the order of Terah's sons as Abram, Nahor and Haran, this appears to be according to the regard God has for them in terms of their importance to establishing His chosen godly line of promise and not their natural birth order. Haran almost certainly is the natural first born son of Terah for several reasons:

    1. Haran dies in Ur of the Chaldeas before any of His relatives begin to sojourn.

    2. If Haran was Terah's first born son and died before Terah did, Lot would have to remain with Terah from that time until Terah's death, since Lot would then be the heir of Terah's possessions, not Abram or Nahor.

    3. Haran is old enough to father the wife of Abram's brother Nahor before he dies. If Haran was older than Abram by 60 years this makes sense.

    4. In Gen 12 Abram seems to be genuinely interested in being treated well by Pharoah for Sarai's sake, which would be less likely to be important to Abram if he had inherited all of Terah's possessions as the first born son.

    5. Lot's possessions seem to rival Abram's possessions in Gen 13, which would be significantly more likely if he was nearly equal in age with Abram and Lot had become wealthy through inheriting Terah's possessions.

    6. In Gen 13 Lot is given first pick of the land of their sojournings by Abram. Lot makes no effort to show any special appreciation to Abram for granting him this honor. Lot's acceptance of the honor without showing any deference would be unthinkably arrogant if Abram was actually the first born heir of Terah. However, this all makes sense if Abram was showing recognition that Lot was the heir of Terah as the son of Terah's first born deceased son.

    7. In Gen 19:31 Lot's daughters consider him old when they conspire to get pregnant by him. This is much more likely if he was in his 80s or 90s like Sarah and Abraham, rather than in his 60s or 70s, which is the oldest he would likely be if Haran was Abraham's younger brother.


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