We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
Satan's machinations: PART TWO (further study on Satan's affect on us as individuals)
Part Two: The battle of the mind.
In my last post; I ran out of space again; but was getting into the verse where Jesus told Satan to get behind him when Peter was stating that basically going to the cross was not fit for Jesus to do. This shows how Christ expects us as His disciples to rely totally on the Spirit to allow the flesh to be dead. Luke 4:8 is the other verse where Jesus says this to Satan after the temptations in the wilderness. We see a difference between Peter then and after Pentecost as Jesus foretold after he denied knowing him. In all fairness since ALL the disciples ran off their fear for their lives superseded their love for Christ. This truly shows how only trust in the Spirit of God will enable us to face death with courage should it be in the time and place God has chosen. As I have said before it is the end of a life of obedience that Christ and in fact all the Disciples except for John met their fate; the spiritual man grows and matures through self denial and service to that point.
Our thought processes are determined merely by our old man at birth. Thus characteristic behaviors and routines develop which tend to linger with us even post salvation. There are; of course the affects of nurturing vs cruel parents; abundance or poverty in youth which the Lord is aware of but also weigh in on the enemy's game plan. Of course with the mind along with everything else the enemy attacks us with the easiest thing to do is be determined to TRUST God and reject any thought which isn't captive to His (God's) will ( 2 Corinthians 10:5); compare with 2 Timothy 2:26. We learn to recognize the enemy's patterns after hopefully only a few similar assaults at our weakest points. We learn to discern the Spirit of God which is outside of self from Satan's devices; which always appeals to the flesh and exalting self. RUN IF IT GOES AGAINST SCRIPTURE!
Absolutely, All glory definitely should go to God.! Your right, I should have asked Gigi & normally I would yet I had just finished reading your responses to another & felt led to ask you. I greatly appreciate your response. If speaking to others about His word I believe we are to pray & God will guide our words, otherwise we, as mere humans, could say the wrong thing at wrong time. Been there done that. Not a good idea.
What we do, especially before being saved, is all forgiven & He won't hold against us. All we go through strengthens us as we grow wiser in His word & for His purpose to lead others to Christ. Believers are guided by His spirit to speak His truth. That's His will for all.!
So if He's calling you to do so please, don't be ashamed/worried what others will think or do. He is the one we are to fear. I regret one time He led me to talk to a lady & I shrugged it off. She passed away 3-4 days later. Now, when He leads me (especially w/my dreams) I follow through. Then I'm amazed by His work when 'said person' starts to change. Praise God.!
Yet at work, I always speak in a way they know I'm a believer. i.e., saying Lord willing, God forbid, Jesus help me or even tell them "I will pray for you" or even wearing my TCU hat while driving the company truck (I live in midst of Mormons).! They are all seeds, God sows in His time.! Plus, I don't get involved in idol gossip & won't lie. I think you definitely have a God given talent & are blessed. Thnx again
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
In terms of my quote of Malachi; I am praying that children can come to faith and bring their parents to salvation as well as vice versa. Serious efforts at children's prayer groups could bring that about. Also children's ministry that uses music with scripture memory is good. I sense there has to be a balance between presenting a content suitable for children and yet not underestimating their ability to understand spiritual things. We should certainly not be what retards them from growth; but so many distractions from entertainment make that a challenge today. Parents of course need to make clear that they FEAR the Lord and are in AWE of His mighty power. In line with that message there needs to be a relationship between husband and wife that shows attitudes scripture mandates such as 1 Peter 3 and verses in Ephesians so that their roles are clear and discipline can be swift and firm; yet loving. Kids need to emulate what they see and if the parents are disingenuous then if the kids do find the Lord it often is after a long period of rebellion. Many who know what they are talking about will attest to the fact that a lack of discipline brings fear and insecurity; sometimes even more than those in less than idyllic home situations. Cross generational outreach for one and two generations each have a valuable benefit and a healty church helps to facilitate such interactions.
Outreach is commendable; however there always should be caution that other organizations aren't preaching false doctrine and of course are financially sound. I would say that benevolence is best when it can be among individuals when a need arises.
A friend of mine who has recently lost his job and whose tires were blown out Sunday has been faithful coming to church; and I have helped him out. Without the Pastor and others helping as well it wouldn't have been enough. Thankfully they were there for him this past Sunday.
I'll be busy studying a while. Love it. Nothing I'd rather do. God bless you Mr. Priday, as always your teachings help me to grow in His word. God bless, Texsis
I suppose today's scripture from Joshua 24:18 is as good a place as any to tackle that subject. As for the entire Bible as we have it today; there is no verse in scripture mentioning all the written texts as a whole; probably because they weren't complete yet.
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
I am not sure to whom you asked this question. If I may, I feel you have put on chest waders, I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts; may we all grow in the knowledge of our LORD. "What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made."
If we look at Genesis darkness was, and God said let there be light, and He divided them. Does that make darkness before light? God called the light day and the darkness night. What was this light since there was not a sun until day four?
Light has both physical and theological aspects. The "complete light" is that "true light that gives light to every man", the light of God which has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:9. Jesus said of himself "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world".
Or should we consider Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Does not all creation come from the only God, our Father?
Things didn't work out this time for my trip; won't bore anyone with the details.
I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.
There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.
Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Mark in his gospel presents the Son in control so the earth obeyed the Will of his Father, By presenting the doctrine in the form of parables where the earth admits no other shortcuts but must follow just as faith of man would require steps in obedience."As if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."(4:26-29). Between sowing and harvest nothing else would hinder the reapers. So the earth admits no other sovereign authority than of his Father. So when he stilled the storm and calmed the sea so "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Faith held both world's together. (4:39-41)
5:8 When Jesus cast out he did on the authority of the Spirit of his Father, " Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." In healing the man it was manifest that the unclean spirit did not belong to the kingdom but was an usurper.
Why? For the simple reason that the spirit took over the man so his soul of man did not reveal the truth.. It lay under the shadow of the devil. Recently a pig's kidney replaced the damaged kidney of a man. The soul of man is still under the grace of his Father so his faith shall serve his Will. His creation still declares His glory because the man is created in 'our image and in our likeness.'
"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth."(v.31). Mark is referring to the same as intended in the Gospel of Matthew.However emphases differ. 'The little one' in Matthew is compared to a grain. It is less than all the seeds in the earth. However it is not the same when Matthew says it was "which a man took, and sowed in his field.". He refers to their position as it is set in heaven. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(Matt.18:10). Matthew is serving the parable in terms of Jesus Christ on Alpha and Omega mode. The field is the world.(Matt.13:38)
Mark sets the parable in terms of heaven and the earth so the grain of mustard despite of its physical 'littleness" is empowered by the Spirit of God.
"t groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."(v.32) Compare the tree in the king's dream, "the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof" (Dan.4:12). The shadow as the Spirit has indicated in several places signify the authority of God. For instance people brought their sick," Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15) Mark is consistent in setting the Power of God casting its shadow so that the fowls of the air may under the shadow of it. "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." (4:26-27)
Luke is closer to the parable in which it is cast into his garden.( Luke 13:19)
For significance of the fowls of the heaven, Re.19:17-18)
Perhaps Acts 20:27 about the whole will of God is closest to the concept in this title. I have found a growing issue of many who have aberrant doctrines (losing one's salvation; or "modalism" but who have a correct interpretation of certain specific issues. Specifically; I have been looking at those who preach what I consider correct doctrine on the permanence of a marriage covenant while a first spouse remains alive. I have mentioned previously churches where I have fellowshipped that are either "Post or Amillenial" which I disagree with but nonetheless felt that I would regard it as a "secondary" issue after seeing the conviction of faith in general. Therefore; the first thing we have to consider is if the errant doctrine is in our own church or in someplace we are either surfing online or perhaps occasionally attending such as a Bible Study. I have been to VERY liberal groups on occasion where I have had the opportunity to challenge leadership when I had some time alone as well as try to be a witness to those needing some further insights into the Bible. Clearly even in this setting; when someone else wants to teach and says that we only need Jesus not the Bible (such as happened with a friend of mine recently) it is time to pull the Kenny Rogers and know when to walk away or run if we can't convince leadership to stop someone like this (in this case it was the guy's best friend and hopefully he heeded the warning of my friend).
A big component related to this subject goes from the extreme of "hyper grace" individuals to overly legalistic. Again; some latitude needs to be considered as to a style of worship and more importantly the REASON certain procedures are followed along with the character of those in leadershiip. It is an honor to jealously guard the honor of a congregation from wolves and to use scripture to back all things up; but we shouldn't make the way more narrow than Jesus intends.
I am improving from covid. I got a secondary sinus infection that was worse than the covid. My face was aching all over really badly. Went into the dr. got antibiotics, prednisone and Visteral. Improvement in a day! no more face pain!.
My daughter in law had an IV iron infusion on Friday because her iron levels were so very low. Glad they gave her this therapy. May need to be repeated before the baby comes in May. Otherwise, she is feeling good and baby is growing well.
Our home repairs are coming along slowly right now. Waiting for some materials to finally be delivered. We need to order cabinetry this week. Electricians coming this week to install electrical panel. One bedroom downstairs should be completely done Monday or Tuesday so our son can move back in there so we can move our master bedroom stuff into the room he has been in. Then the contractor can complete the repair on our master bath, remove the popcorn ceilings in there and lay the flooring before they start on the other bath upstairs, complete that, remove the popcorn ceiling in the hall and stairs and lay the flooring to the doorways to the other two bedrooms upstairs. Then we move back into our master and they finish the ceiling and flooring in that room. Then Kevin and Viv move into that room, and the contractor finishes the other bedroom ceiling and flooring and then flooring down the stairs. When that is all done the upstairs will be finished. So a big process. We will be painting walls in between moves from room to room. But it goes pretty fast.
When the upstairs is done, then the popcorn ceiling downstairs will be removed, and begin demo of the kitchen and removal of walls and the drop down ceiling in there. Then the electrician will come and install can lighting, outlets, etc, before the walls get prepped for painting and installation of the cabinets, appliances, etc. There will just be two more rooms to finish after the kitchen. Whew!
Heart of a man who neglects his heart can be a treacherous place. He is a sluggard and void of understanding who quenches the Holy Spirit freely given from above. Instead of a well watered garden,"And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down."(Pr.24:31)
Jesus in his passion told his disciples to watch with him. "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy./ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me."(26:36-39). We see the same conflict of the flesh with the spirit. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The pain principle makes the flesh cry out,"Spare me from this pain" but the Spirit of Christ ever watchful to the Word and its fulfillment would want to submit. It was a crisis to which the disciples were not not well tuned to. In lab tests if an electrode is introduced an amoeba want to avoid pain. Flesh and spirit of man similarly seeks pleasure and takes the line of least resistance. It is thus the way to hell is paved.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:/Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."(7:13-14)
v.13 "For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Scribes and Pharisees cause others to stumble to which Jesus had commented on another occasion, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."(18:6)
v.14 " hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer." Hypocrisy of Pharisees is to sound holier -than- thou while they hear only the sound of money coming in.
v.15 "for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Church planting is well and good. After big fanfare and cheers who shall water them daily and attend to their growth do get lost. St Paul faulted churches in Corinth and ensewhere on their partisan spirit. Heresies find a fertile ground in this spirit of contention.
vv.16-18 :Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?" Wherever the vitality of the doctrine of God is glossed over from Christ to the tradition of man it becomes idolatry. In the age of televangelists it is what celebrities thrive upon. The disciple pointed at the temple in admiration "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(24:2). Glory of what is seen is temporal and shall fade off. Without taking two worlds of the Spirit and of the body as one and our everlasting life is assured on jour Redeemer Lord what we witness about us is hypocrisy. The Pharisees and scribes were content with praise of men and God swept them off as filth from the face of the earth.
That's fine, Giannis, I just wanted to give a different perspective as you seemed to make a blanket statement about those who were spanked as children growing up to be angry and resentful towards their parents. That is not always the case.
As Christian parents we choose how we discipline our children as we are led by the holy Spirit.
for me, spanking is quick, timely to the offense and when it is over, it is over. The punishments you mentioned can be effective for older children but for preschool children, the discipline should be close in time to the offense, short in duration, be uncomfortable enough to cause them to check their behavior, and to not allow for the parent or child to stew" about the incident.
We all make the choices we did according to our own emotional makeup and knowledge of child development.
It true that in the past decades parents used to use spanking to discipline their kids. In my country even the teachers in the elementary schools would spank a kid, but that was until the 80's. The past generations favoured a very strict discilpine towards kids. But today that has changed. Why would you use spanking when you can get better results by using other methods? Personally if my father spanked me then I would definitely leave the house and I would cut off any communication with him. But he never did that although I did some terrible things. Similarly many kids would had done the same. I got a few from my mother when I was little but I never got it seriously really, it was like fun to me. And really I loved her very much,
When I got married to my wife and we had our first and only child sometimes I would lay my hand on him when my patience was expiring because he was extremely naughty. But my wife, thanks God, gave me a warning. She wouldn't tolerate it. Thanks God I stopped before it was too late. My wife wouldn't tolerate anything against our son. Now I know she was always right. And my boy is OK now. We have been teaching him the right behavior, sometimes successfully, other times not so. God uses His love to make us obey, nobody will ever go to heaven because they were compelled to do so. He lets us free. He even let the prodigal son free, He never tried to object him leaving the house.
I don't think Jesus or the apostles would ever favour spanking the kids. As I said there are always better methods to discipline them, ie cut off anything they like, God does that to us very often. You will get a better result and they will never ever think that we don't love them.
You know not all kids take spanking the same way. There are sensitive kids that will show a strange behavior when they grow up. In some cases they will show the same behavior to their kids.
Anyway, thanks for you answer but to be honest it didn't change my beliefs about spanking. GBU
Some people grow up very bothered and resentful that their parents spanked them growing up. But this is not true of all.
Personally, I knew that my parents loved me and wanted my to grow in obedience to them and God. The spankings I do remember I deserved, for I had sinned and punishment was appropriate. I never was angry or resentful or critical of my parents for spanking me.
Though some, like you, are very against spanking, I do not think that the Scriptures prohibit it as a means to discipline children. It is legitimate for believers to use it in training up their children in the way they should go. It is also legitimate for parents to choose to not spank and employ other means.
As I stated in my response to Confuzzled, spanking is not to be used as an outlet for adult emotions such as anger, frustrations, etc. It is a teaching tool, not a way of dominating a child. We do want to steer them from behaviors that are not good for them or others and those that can grow into behaviors that are very disturbing if left unchecked.
I appreciate that you have expressed how you view spanking. But it is not a fact that spanking children will automatically cause them to be angry and resentful of their parents.
In the Old Testament it also says that if a child swears to his parents then they must be stoned to death. So do we have to do that? Of course not, do we? The commandment in the New Testament is in Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged". If you spank your kids often then you will turn them into angry kids and at the end they will definitely loose their courage in life. But you can take that "rod" figuratively. Just think, what does God do with us when we are disobedient? Firstly He does nothing apart from teaching us. He is very patient with us and gives us a lot of time. Then when He sees that after a long time we still keep in our ways then He allows hard things to come into our lives to make us repent. But at the same time He keeps assuring us of His love to us, He doesn't want us to believe that He doesn't love us, we will be discouraged. So do the same. When you realize that although you have kept talking to your kids and gave them a lot of time to obey and still they don't seem to be in a mood to obey, move to the next step. Make their lives difficult. Take away something they love, say a toy. Keep them in their room for some (sensible) time and don't allow them to go out. Keep them away from their friends for a while (but keep talking to them). Anything really. It is you that will find out the right way. Every kid is different from any other and needs a diferent approach, like God doesn't do the same with all of us. Also a different approach is needed for different ages. But keep your hands away from them. They will never forget it if you spank them. And they will keep telling you that when they grow up and you will keep feeling guilty and an insuffient parent when you realize the mistake you have done. If your husband keeps spanking your kid then you must stand against that. You must not accept it for any reason. Find a way to talk and persuade your husband, ie show him the scriptures etc.GBU
In proverbs it talks a lot about how sparing the rod spoils the child. I understand and agree that children need rules and discipline. I'm new to Christianity. My husband grew up with god. We have a toddler. My husband believes the best and only way to discipline our toddler is by spanking. I grew up being spanked and have always been against it. I have a hard time emotionally not interfering when he does it and he gets upset that I don't spank as well. I know what the Bible says. I just don't know how to make myself ok with it or even do it myself. The Bible says to die to yourself and follow gods word. So how do I put my trauma and emotions aside to do what the Bible says? How do I not worry about my child's emotional and mental wellbeing or what being spanked could do to them? I want to submit to my husbands lead and have my child grow up to be a good human being. I just can't get over physically and possibly mentally harming my child to do it.
Dear Sue, I will pray for you today for all that you have requesting in the name of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, we come to You today and ask that you help Sue to grow spiritually and to be enabled to walk by the Spirit daily. Help the children mature in their fand let no one be a stumbling block before the to case any to doubt You or pursue ungodliness.
We ask that Sue's husband be brought to faith by Your Holy Spirit's work of regeneration and that he will see the need to help Sue out with the many things a full time mother does. Amen
Tina, I will pray for you to grow and mature in your faith in Jesus. We worship God in Christ Jesus together, so continue to fix your sights on Jesus in worship and He will direct your lie path Godward in all things.
Tina, I am glad you came to us here for prayer. We join you in your outcry to God and in the truth that He who began this good work in you will bring it to His desired completion. May you remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God this day and every day going forward.
"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Unity is achieved by the everlasting gospel and it is one aspect of the Advent of the Son. "Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase."(Ps.85:10-13)
Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ which according to the scriptures was like a dry plant, "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground." (Is.53:2). While we look at the cloud of witnesses their place in heaven is a constant reminder that God as the Husbandman ( John 15:1) is ever provident that 'our land' shall yield her increase. This land is not the dry ground Prophet Isaiah mentioned in the above mentioned quote. The ground was cursed because of sin and it required correction. The land that abides forever is special, soil is well prepared from which truth shall ever spring to heavenwards. This soil is what the heart signifies, and it is a spiritual space. The word of God has created it totally new so when the word of God speaks, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,"(Ph.2:15) it is to be understood as the Garden of Eden, our earthly tabernacle.
The voice of the Lord does a miracle with the heart that is right before him."The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory."(Ps.29:9).
As mentioned above there is a cloud of witnesses from heaven and also a building of God, "An house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." As associates of Christ our power comes from this unity.
Today in Sunday school someone mentioned that before prayer it is good to say "Lord I don't love you; or other people (fill in the blank). Alas some with a spiritual gift of compassion would find what I am saying repulsive. We all can apply this principle to scripture reading as well "help me with my unbelief" ( Mark 9:24); or "God be merciful to me a sinner" ( Luke 18:13).
Since we are reading the "living Word" ( John 1:1) it behooves us to focus on our Lord and Savior and how much He suffered for our benefit. It also is important that we trust the Lord and also His Word as being truth and something we can lean on. Trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding ( Proverbs 3:5-6) is something we need to discuss in more detail.
Assuming we have a legitimate faith and basic understanding that the Bible is the truth and we live on that premise we could say that we trust the Lord. That of course is easier said than done; we can suddenly find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances and allow our emotions to dictate through either a "fight or flight" mentality. This is true if we face martyrdom or serious persecution; but as with anything else the Lord usually leads us through the valleys of everyday trials and stresses to teach us to trust Him more for those big things. We can look at scripture for these examples with the 12 Apostles and their growth through Christ's earthly ministry then after Pentacost; or look at the kings of Israel with all their sins exposed for us to see.
There are a few who don't have sins mentioned; it is noteworthy that only Moses seems to be a Prophet whose sins were mentioned and the consequence of not being able to enter the Promised Land. David technically prophesied as well about the Messiah in the Psalms in particular and his personal sins and immediate consequences out the for us to see. These; of course are examples for us all ( 1 Cor. 10:11).
Jeremiah 15:16 says: Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
I have in a previous post discussed various methods of daily devotionals. There is pure scripture reading (for instance with a read the Bible in a year app); or "Daily Bread" or deeper things such as Oswald Chambers which I personally recommended for its depth and conviction level. When confined by a busy daily routine of work and personal responsibilities this approach of an allotted 15 minutes or so doesn't give us enough time for an exhaustive concordance analysis; or study of cross references; or examining the original Greek; Aramaic; or Hebrew; etc.
My ADHD type of mind (at least that is what I was diagnosed as about 30 years ago) tends to wander; thus making set times and planned studies more laborious than others (not overlooking my own sin and distractions). It certainly is important that we don't confine our meditation on the Word just to that allotted devotional session. I have found for myself that reading big chunks of material then later digesting it sometimes can have some benefits. First of all; once we have familiarized ourselves with scripture in general; certain passages tend to trigger once again things we have taken in that are proven; tried and true and we can relate to as aiding in our personal struggles and growth. I tend to do things backwards; in other words read a bunch of details then later see the big picture; much as I tend to start a drawing from a small spot then later on come up with a much better artist sketch than if I deliberately premeditated that I would draw a specific subject.
In open air preaching; it does help to have verses in our minds even if we have tracts as usually a formal sermon isn't the best approach in that arena with people coming and going. Having an attitude of worship and praise (part 2
Hello again Richard. The Holy Spirit will lead you in this matter. I am trusting that this is true for me, too.
As far as the topics that have been discussed lately, many of the positions presented are ones I have never really heard of before and so I do want to learn more about the tenets of such positions so I can evaluate whether I can come into agreement with the poster or to voice another viewpoint. Before coming to this site, I had not known about KJV-onlyism, Sabbath keeping necessity, complete sinless perfectionism, premillennial dispensationalism, and others. So I have learned more about what people mean concerning these positions and then compare them to Scriptures, not in the way of picking out specific Scriptures in isolation as much as gaining a more comprehensive, contextual, knowledge of the teachings in Scripture. This does not mean I am in the right on all these matters, but am still learning and growing.
I have been on this site for just over two years and there used to be many more posters asking questions about specific Scriptures or Christian living or teachings they have heard. There used to be far more prayer requests. I do hope that people will feel more comfortable bringing such things forward for discussion.
About perfectness. I think the Bible uses this word with various meanings
1. Lets see as Richard says Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.". Now the verb "be" in grk (esesthai) is in the future tense and denotes an expectation. So what Jesus is actually saying here (as I understand it) is that He expects us to become perfect like God is. Well this is impossible, isn't it? So what He means is that He expects us to strive to be like God (in character). And how is that to be done? By following His commandments, which commandments reveal the character of God to us. And since one aspect (and probably the most important) of God's character is love Jesus asks us to love each other like God does. This is something gradual, isn't it? It is something that we keep aquiring through our whole life.
If we compare it with Hebrews 5:8,9, "8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Here Jesus iwas made perfect by obeying God's commandments.
So perfectness again here means a whole route/course that we follow in our lives during which, by following God's commandements/directions we keep growing spiritually and getting to be like God in character more and more.
2. But in Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified", the word perfect has a different meaning. It means the one who has no sins. So we were perfected by Jesus' Blood, that is we are righteous through His sacrifice.
3. In Hebrews 11:38-40 says, "39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
Here perfectness is something that we will aquire in Heaven when we will be dressed up with our new spiritual body, completely freed from sin, death etc
I'll defer to your judgment; as it is probably more mature than mine; and you have been on this site a lot longer than I have I would expect...
I will have to evaluate my own time on this site and if and when I should respond or not. It isn't just the subject matter that worries me it is a general mindset of having to debate a subject without much scripture; or things that don't really add any meaning to an argument-at least from my vantage point. Do we really want to know the Lord better when discussions like this come up in the first place? I don't sense lately much teachability; I'd like to learn some stuff too with these debates. Nothing wrong I guess with the sometimes detailed scriptural analysis; except for the fact thought patterns and the scriptures used confuse me quite often as to how exactly they corroborate any particular concept brought up. Maybe it's just me.
I'm hoping there is some use here for those who are young in the faith who want to grow; although I can't remember the last time anyone actually expressed being anew believer here. I sense that people who have had some faith for a time are more represented; and that coming with whatever baggage associated with their own viewpoints. I sense that many have been taught a certain way and haven't really taken the time quite often to search the scriptures as Bereans. Again; there usually is a certain truth in both "camps" whether predestination vs. free will; the "Trinity" or concept of one God. Properly dividing the scriptures in context and precise meanings (or at least as close as we can get to it) is also helpful.
I don't know maybe I am hypocritical; I thought I was trying to give an open minded presentation in regard to the aforementioned factors; but perhaps not. I hope to hear from you on your thoughts about emphasizing daily scripture reading and prayer as well as fulfillment of the commandment of the Great Commission as to how this site can prompt participants in that way.
Hello Richard, The Greek word for the English perfect used in Scripture is teleiois, I believe, and it refers to :
completeness, maturity, full measure, coming to a desired end, especially in regards to christian character and knowledge of faith.
So to be perfect in most of the verses that instruct us to be perfect or perfecting of the saints is in this vein of meaning. It does not mean to be perfect in the sense that God is eternally perfect with no change whatsoever in His holiness, purity, righteousness, and justness.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John were desiring for us to reach the maximum degree of Christian maturity in this life. But not everyone will reach the same degree because of such things as:
The age at which they come to faith,
The teaching and counsel they receive from those God places over them as pastors and teachers,
Their own rate of growth,
Their own personal practices of prayer, bible study, and the iron sharpening iron of Christian fellowship,
The degree to which they remove themselves from situations that pose temptation in their areas of weakness,
Their commitment to keeping godly company as opposed to spending time with people who wish to live unbelieving and sinful daily lives.
The closeness they are to their time of death as determined by God. One who came to the Lord early in life and lives a normal lifespan will have a different level of maturity than one who came to the Lord in the last decades of their life whether their life be long or short.
The influences of their upbringing, parenting, family life and adverse events such as divorce, abuse, etc. that do so much harm along with positive events that promote healthy growth and maturity.
Who they marry.
Whether they we in a cultic situation where they eventually separated from and needed to be recover from its effects.
Whether they face a life of ease or a life of difficulty or persecution.
And so many other factors. Truly, we just can't judge each other.
Part 3.
How should Christian treat one another?
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8 Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
See part 4.
Part Two: The battle of the mind.
In my last post; I ran out of space again; but was getting into the verse where Jesus told Satan to get behind him when Peter was stating that basically going to the cross was not fit for Jesus to do. This shows how Christ expects us as His disciples to rely totally on the Spirit to allow the flesh to be dead. Luke 4:8 is the other verse where Jesus says this to Satan after the temptations in the wilderness. We see a difference between Peter then and after Pentecost as Jesus foretold after he denied knowing him. In all fairness since ALL the disciples ran off their fear for their lives superseded their love for Christ. This truly shows how only trust in the Spirit of God will enable us to face death with courage should it be in the time and place God has chosen. As I have said before it is the end of a life of obedience that Christ and in fact all the Disciples except for John met their fate; the spiritual man grows and matures through self denial and service to that point.
Our thought processes are determined merely by our old man at birth. Thus characteristic behaviors and routines develop which tend to linger with us even post salvation. There are; of course the affects of nurturing vs cruel parents; abundance or poverty in youth which the Lord is aware of but also weigh in on the enemy's game plan. Of course with the mind along with everything else the enemy attacks us with the easiest thing to do is be determined to TRUST God and reject any thought which isn't captive to His (God's) will ( 2 Corinthians 10:5); compare with 2 Timothy 2:26. We learn to recognize the enemy's patterns after hopefully only a few similar assaults at our weakest points. We learn to discern the Spirit of God which is outside of self from Satan's devices; which always appeals to the flesh and exalting self. RUN IF IT GOES AGAINST SCRIPTURE!
What we do, especially before being saved, is all forgiven & He won't hold against us. All we go through strengthens us as we grow wiser in His word & for His purpose to lead others to Christ. Believers are guided by His spirit to speak His truth. That's His will for all.!
So if He's calling you to do so please, don't be ashamed/worried what others will think or do. He is the one we are to fear. I regret one time He led me to talk to a lady & I shrugged it off. She passed away 3-4 days later. Now, when He leads me (especially w/my dreams) I follow through. Then I'm amazed by His work when 'said person' starts to change. Praise God.!
Yet at work, I always speak in a way they know I'm a believer. i.e., saying Lord willing, God forbid, Jesus help me or even tell them "I will pray for you" or even wearing my TCU hat while driving the company truck (I live in midst of Mormons).! They are all seeds, God sows in His time.! Plus, I don't get involved in idol gossip & won't lie. I think you definitely have a God given talent & are blessed. Thnx again
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
In terms of my quote of Malachi; I am praying that children can come to faith and bring their parents to salvation as well as vice versa. Serious efforts at children's prayer groups could bring that about. Also children's ministry that uses music with scripture memory is good. I sense there has to be a balance between presenting a content suitable for children and yet not underestimating their ability to understand spiritual things. We should certainly not be what retards them from growth; but so many distractions from entertainment make that a challenge today. Parents of course need to make clear that they FEAR the Lord and are in AWE of His mighty power. In line with that message there needs to be a relationship between husband and wife that shows attitudes scripture mandates such as 1 Peter 3 and verses in Ephesians so that their roles are clear and discipline can be swift and firm; yet loving. Kids need to emulate what they see and if the parents are disingenuous then if the kids do find the Lord it often is after a long period of rebellion. Many who know what they are talking about will attest to the fact that a lack of discipline brings fear and insecurity; sometimes even more than those in less than idyllic home situations. Cross generational outreach for one and two generations each have a valuable benefit and a healty church helps to facilitate such interactions.
Outreach is commendable; however there always should be caution that other organizations aren't preaching false doctrine and of course are financially sound. I would say that benevolence is best when it can be among individuals when a need arises.
A friend of mine who has recently lost his job and whose tires were blown out Sunday has been faithful coming to church; and I have helped him out. Without the Pastor and others helping as well it wouldn't have been enough. Thankfully they were there for him this past Sunday.
I'll be busy studying a while. Love it. Nothing I'd rather do. God bless you Mr. Priday, as always your teachings help me to grow in His word. God bless, Texsis
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
I am not sure to whom you asked this question. If I may, I feel you have put on chest waders, I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts; may we all grow in the knowledge of our LORD. "What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made."
If we look at Genesis darkness was, and God said let there be light, and He divided them. Does that make darkness before light? God called the light day and the darkness night. What was this light since there was not a sun until day four?
Light has both physical and theological aspects. The "complete light" is that "true light that gives light to every man", the light of God which has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:9. Jesus said of himself "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world".
Or should we consider Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Does not all creation come from the only God, our Father?
God bless,
RLW
I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.
There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.
Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.
We're in this together
God's eternal purpose
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18 Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
God bless,
RLW
Mark in his gospel presents the Son in control so the earth obeyed the Will of his Father, By presenting the doctrine in the form of parables where the earth admits no other shortcuts but must follow just as faith of man would require steps in obedience."As if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."(4:26-29). Between sowing and harvest nothing else would hinder the reapers. So the earth admits no other sovereign authority than of his Father. So when he stilled the storm and calmed the sea so "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Faith held both world's together. (4:39-41)
5:8 When Jesus cast out he did on the authority of the Spirit of his Father, " Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." In healing the man it was manifest that the unclean spirit did not belong to the kingdom but was an usurper.
Why? For the simple reason that the spirit took over the man so his soul of man did not reveal the truth.. It lay under the shadow of the devil. Recently a pig's kidney replaced the damaged kidney of a man. The soul of man is still under the grace of his Father so his faith shall serve his Will. His creation still declares His glory because the man is created in 'our image and in our likeness.'
"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth."(v.31). Mark is referring to the same as intended in the Gospel of Matthew.However emphases differ. 'The little one' in Matthew is compared to a grain. It is less than all the seeds in the earth. However it is not the same when Matthew says it was "which a man took, and sowed in his field.". He refers to their position as it is set in heaven. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(Matt.18:10). Matthew is serving the parable in terms of Jesus Christ on Alpha and Omega mode. The field is the world.(Matt.13:38)
Mark sets the parable in terms of heaven and the earth so the grain of mustard despite of its physical 'littleness" is empowered by the Spirit of God.
"t groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."(v.32) Compare the tree in the king's dream, "the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof" (Dan.4:12). The shadow as the Spirit has indicated in several places signify the authority of God. For instance people brought their sick," Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15) Mark is consistent in setting the Power of God casting its shadow so that the fowls of the air may under the shadow of it. "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." (4:26-27)
Luke is closer to the parable in which it is cast into his garden.( Luke 13:19)
For significance of the fowls of the heaven, Re.19:17-18)
Perhaps Acts 20:27 about the whole will of God is closest to the concept in this title. I have found a growing issue of many who have aberrant doctrines (losing one's salvation; or "modalism" but who have a correct interpretation of certain specific issues. Specifically; I have been looking at those who preach what I consider correct doctrine on the permanence of a marriage covenant while a first spouse remains alive. I have mentioned previously churches where I have fellowshipped that are either "Post or Amillenial" which I disagree with but nonetheless felt that I would regard it as a "secondary" issue after seeing the conviction of faith in general. Therefore; the first thing we have to consider is if the errant doctrine is in our own church or in someplace we are either surfing online or perhaps occasionally attending such as a Bible Study. I have been to VERY liberal groups on occasion where I have had the opportunity to challenge leadership when I had some time alone as well as try to be a witness to those needing some further insights into the Bible. Clearly even in this setting; when someone else wants to teach and says that we only need Jesus not the Bible (such as happened with a friend of mine recently) it is time to pull the Kenny Rogers and know when to walk away or run if we can't convince leadership to stop someone like this (in this case it was the guy's best friend and hopefully he heeded the warning of my friend).
A big component related to this subject goes from the extreme of "hyper grace" individuals to overly legalistic. Again; some latitude needs to be considered as to a style of worship and more importantly the REASON certain procedures are followed along with the character of those in leadershiip. It is an honor to jealously guard the honor of a congregation from wolves and to use scripture to back all things up; but we shouldn't make the way more narrow than Jesus intends.
thank you for asking.
I am improving from covid. I got a secondary sinus infection that was worse than the covid. My face was aching all over really badly. Went into the dr. got antibiotics, prednisone and Visteral. Improvement in a day! no more face pain!.
My daughter in law had an IV iron infusion on Friday because her iron levels were so very low. Glad they gave her this therapy. May need to be repeated before the baby comes in May. Otherwise, she is feeling good and baby is growing well.
Our home repairs are coming along slowly right now. Waiting for some materials to finally be delivered. We need to order cabinetry this week. Electricians coming this week to install electrical panel. One bedroom downstairs should be completely done Monday or Tuesday so our son can move back in there so we can move our master bedroom stuff into the room he has been in. Then the contractor can complete the repair on our master bath, remove the popcorn ceilings in there and lay the flooring before they start on the other bath upstairs, complete that, remove the popcorn ceiling in the hall and stairs and lay the flooring to the doorways to the other two bedrooms upstairs. Then we move back into our master and they finish the ceiling and flooring in that room. Then Kevin and Viv move into that room, and the contractor finishes the other bedroom ceiling and flooring and then flooring down the stairs. When that is all done the upstairs will be finished. So a big process. We will be painting walls in between moves from room to room. But it goes pretty fast.
When the upstairs is done, then the popcorn ceiling downstairs will be removed, and begin demo of the kitchen and removal of walls and the drop down ceiling in there. Then the electrician will come and install can lighting, outlets, etc, before the walls get prepped for painting and installation of the cabinets, appliances, etc. There will just be two more rooms to finish after the kitchen. Whew!
Heart of a man who neglects his heart can be a treacherous place. He is a sluggard and void of understanding who quenches the Holy Spirit freely given from above. Instead of a well watered garden,"And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down."(Pr.24:31)
Jesus in his passion told his disciples to watch with him. "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy./ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me."(26:36-39). We see the same conflict of the flesh with the spirit. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The pain principle makes the flesh cry out,"Spare me from this pain" but the Spirit of Christ ever watchful to the Word and its fulfillment would want to submit. It was a crisis to which the disciples were not not well tuned to. In lab tests if an electrode is introduced an amoeba want to avoid pain. Flesh and spirit of man similarly seeks pleasure and takes the line of least resistance. It is thus the way to hell is paved.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:/Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."(7:13-14)
v.13 "For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Scribes and Pharisees cause others to stumble to which Jesus had commented on another occasion, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."(18:6)
v.14 " hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer." Hypocrisy of Pharisees is to sound holier -than- thou while they hear only the sound of money coming in.
v.15 "for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Church planting is well and good. After big fanfare and cheers who shall water them daily and attend to their growth do get lost. St Paul faulted churches in Corinth and ensewhere on their partisan spirit. Heresies find a fertile ground in this spirit of contention.
vv.16-18 :Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?" Wherever the vitality of the doctrine of God is glossed over from Christ to the tradition of man it becomes idolatry. In the age of televangelists it is what celebrities thrive upon. The disciple pointed at the temple in admiration "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(24:2). Glory of what is seen is temporal and shall fade off. Without taking two worlds of the Spirit and of the body as one and our everlasting life is assured on jour Redeemer Lord what we witness about us is hypocrisy. The Pharisees and scribes were content with praise of men and God swept them off as filth from the face of the earth.
As Christian parents we choose how we discipline our children as we are led by the holy Spirit.
for me, spanking is quick, timely to the offense and when it is over, it is over. The punishments you mentioned can be effective for older children but for preschool children, the discipline should be close in time to the offense, short in duration, be uncomfortable enough to cause them to check their behavior, and to not allow for the parent or child to stew" about the incident.
We all make the choices we did according to our own emotional makeup and knowledge of child development.
Have a good weekend, Giannis.
It true that in the past decades parents used to use spanking to discipline their kids. In my country even the teachers in the elementary schools would spank a kid, but that was until the 80's. The past generations favoured a very strict discilpine towards kids. But today that has changed. Why would you use spanking when you can get better results by using other methods? Personally if my father spanked me then I would definitely leave the house and I would cut off any communication with him. But he never did that although I did some terrible things. Similarly many kids would had done the same. I got a few from my mother when I was little but I never got it seriously really, it was like fun to me. And really I loved her very much,
When I got married to my wife and we had our first and only child sometimes I would lay my hand on him when my patience was expiring because he was extremely naughty. But my wife, thanks God, gave me a warning. She wouldn't tolerate it. Thanks God I stopped before it was too late. My wife wouldn't tolerate anything against our son. Now I know she was always right. And my boy is OK now. We have been teaching him the right behavior, sometimes successfully, other times not so. God uses His love to make us obey, nobody will ever go to heaven because they were compelled to do so. He lets us free. He even let the prodigal son free, He never tried to object him leaving the house.
I don't think Jesus or the apostles would ever favour spanking the kids. As I said there are always better methods to discipline them, ie cut off anything they like, God does that to us very often. You will get a better result and they will never ever think that we don't love them.
You know not all kids take spanking the same way. There are sensitive kids that will show a strange behavior when they grow up. In some cases they will show the same behavior to their kids.
Anyway, thanks for you answer but to be honest it didn't change my beliefs about spanking. GBU
Some people grow up very bothered and resentful that their parents spanked them growing up. But this is not true of all.
Personally, I knew that my parents loved me and wanted my to grow in obedience to them and God. The spankings I do remember I deserved, for I had sinned and punishment was appropriate. I never was angry or resentful or critical of my parents for spanking me.
Though some, like you, are very against spanking, I do not think that the Scriptures prohibit it as a means to discipline children. It is legitimate for believers to use it in training up their children in the way they should go. It is also legitimate for parents to choose to not spank and employ other means.
As I stated in my response to Confuzzled, spanking is not to be used as an outlet for adult emotions such as anger, frustrations, etc. It is a teaching tool, not a way of dominating a child. We do want to steer them from behaviors that are not good for them or others and those that can grow into behaviors that are very disturbing if left unchecked.
I appreciate that you have expressed how you view spanking. But it is not a fact that spanking children will automatically cause them to be angry and resentful of their parents.
In the Old Testament it also says that if a child swears to his parents then they must be stoned to death. So do we have to do that? Of course not, do we? The commandment in the New Testament is in Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged". If you spank your kids often then you will turn them into angry kids and at the end they will definitely loose their courage in life. But you can take that "rod" figuratively. Just think, what does God do with us when we are disobedient? Firstly He does nothing apart from teaching us. He is very patient with us and gives us a lot of time. Then when He sees that after a long time we still keep in our ways then He allows hard things to come into our lives to make us repent. But at the same time He keeps assuring us of His love to us, He doesn't want us to believe that He doesn't love us, we will be discouraged. So do the same. When you realize that although you have kept talking to your kids and gave them a lot of time to obey and still they don't seem to be in a mood to obey, move to the next step. Make their lives difficult. Take away something they love, say a toy. Keep them in their room for some (sensible) time and don't allow them to go out. Keep them away from their friends for a while (but keep talking to them). Anything really. It is you that will find out the right way. Every kid is different from any other and needs a diferent approach, like God doesn't do the same with all of us. Also a different approach is needed for different ages. But keep your hands away from them. They will never forget it if you spank them. And they will keep telling you that when they grow up and you will keep feeling guilty and an insuffient parent when you realize the mistake you have done. If your husband keeps spanking your kid then you must stand against that. You must not accept it for any reason. Find a way to talk and persuade your husband, ie show him the scriptures etc.GBU
Heavenly Father, we come to You today and ask that you help Sue to grow spiritually and to be enabled to walk by the Spirit daily. Help the children mature in their fand let no one be a stumbling block before the to case any to doubt You or pursue ungodliness.
We ask that Sue's husband be brought to faith by Your Holy Spirit's work of regeneration and that he will see the need to help Sue out with the many things a full time mother does. Amen
Tina, I am glad you came to us here for prayer. We join you in your outcry to God and in the truth that He who began this good work in you will bring it to His desired completion. May you remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God this day and every day going forward.
"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Unity is achieved by the everlasting gospel and it is one aspect of the Advent of the Son. "Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase."(Ps.85:10-13)
Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ which according to the scriptures was like a dry plant, "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground." (Is.53:2). While we look at the cloud of witnesses their place in heaven is a constant reminder that God as the Husbandman ( John 15:1) is ever provident that 'our land' shall yield her increase. This land is not the dry ground Prophet Isaiah mentioned in the above mentioned quote. The ground was cursed because of sin and it required correction. The land that abides forever is special, soil is well prepared from which truth shall ever spring to heavenwards. This soil is what the heart signifies, and it is a spiritual space. The word of God has created it totally new so when the word of God speaks, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,"(Ph.2:15) it is to be understood as the Garden of Eden, our earthly tabernacle.
The voice of the Lord does a miracle with the heart that is right before him."The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory."(Ps.29:9).
As mentioned above there is a cloud of witnesses from heaven and also a building of God, "An house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." As associates of Christ our power comes from this unity.
Today in Sunday school someone mentioned that before prayer it is good to say "Lord I don't love you; or other people (fill in the blank). Alas some with a spiritual gift of compassion would find what I am saying repulsive. We all can apply this principle to scripture reading as well "help me with my unbelief" ( Mark 9:24); or "God be merciful to me a sinner" ( Luke 18:13).
Since we are reading the "living Word" ( John 1:1) it behooves us to focus on our Lord and Savior and how much He suffered for our benefit. It also is important that we trust the Lord and also His Word as being truth and something we can lean on. Trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding ( Proverbs 3:5-6) is something we need to discuss in more detail.
Assuming we have a legitimate faith and basic understanding that the Bible is the truth and we live on that premise we could say that we trust the Lord. That of course is easier said than done; we can suddenly find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances and allow our emotions to dictate through either a "fight or flight" mentality. This is true if we face martyrdom or serious persecution; but as with anything else the Lord usually leads us through the valleys of everyday trials and stresses to teach us to trust Him more for those big things. We can look at scripture for these examples with the 12 Apostles and their growth through Christ's earthly ministry then after Pentacost; or look at the kings of Israel with all their sins exposed for us to see.
There are a few who don't have sins mentioned; it is noteworthy that only Moses seems to be a Prophet whose sins were mentioned and the consequence of not being able to enter the Promised Land. David technically prophesied as well about the Messiah in the Psalms in particular and his personal sins and immediate consequences out the for us to see. These; of course are examples for us all ( 1 Cor. 10:11).
Having a healthy fear of God (to come part 3
Jeremiah 15:16 says: Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
I have in a previous post discussed various methods of daily devotionals. There is pure scripture reading (for instance with a read the Bible in a year app); or "Daily Bread" or deeper things such as Oswald Chambers which I personally recommended for its depth and conviction level. When confined by a busy daily routine of work and personal responsibilities this approach of an allotted 15 minutes or so doesn't give us enough time for an exhaustive concordance analysis; or study of cross references; or examining the original Greek; Aramaic; or Hebrew; etc.
My ADHD type of mind (at least that is what I was diagnosed as about 30 years ago) tends to wander; thus making set times and planned studies more laborious than others (not overlooking my own sin and distractions). It certainly is important that we don't confine our meditation on the Word just to that allotted devotional session. I have found for myself that reading big chunks of material then later digesting it sometimes can have some benefits. First of all; once we have familiarized ourselves with scripture in general; certain passages tend to trigger once again things we have taken in that are proven; tried and true and we can relate to as aiding in our personal struggles and growth. I tend to do things backwards; in other words read a bunch of details then later see the big picture; much as I tend to start a drawing from a small spot then later on come up with a much better artist sketch than if I deliberately premeditated that I would draw a specific subject.
In open air preaching; it does help to have verses in our minds even if we have tracts as usually a formal sermon isn't the best approach in that arena with people coming and going. Having an attitude of worship and praise (part 2
As far as the topics that have been discussed lately, many of the positions presented are ones I have never really heard of before and so I do want to learn more about the tenets of such positions so I can evaluate whether I can come into agreement with the poster or to voice another viewpoint. Before coming to this site, I had not known about KJV-onlyism, Sabbath keeping necessity, complete sinless perfectionism, premillennial dispensationalism, and others. So I have learned more about what people mean concerning these positions and then compare them to Scriptures, not in the way of picking out specific Scriptures in isolation as much as gaining a more comprehensive, contextual, knowledge of the teachings in Scripture. This does not mean I am in the right on all these matters, but am still learning and growing.
I have been on this site for just over two years and there used to be many more posters asking questions about specific Scriptures or Christian living or teachings they have heard. There used to be far more prayer requests. I do hope that people will feel more comfortable bringing such things forward for discussion.
About perfectness. I think the Bible uses this word with various meanings
1. Lets see as Richard says Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.". Now the verb "be" in grk (esesthai) is in the future tense and denotes an expectation. So what Jesus is actually saying here (as I understand it) is that He expects us to become perfect like God is. Well this is impossible, isn't it? So what He means is that He expects us to strive to be like God (in character). And how is that to be done? By following His commandments, which commandments reveal the character of God to us. And since one aspect (and probably the most important) of God's character is love Jesus asks us to love each other like God does. This is something gradual, isn't it? It is something that we keep aquiring through our whole life.
If we compare it with Hebrews 5:8,9, "8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Here Jesus iwas made perfect by obeying God's commandments.
So perfectness again here means a whole route/course that we follow in our lives during which, by following God's commandements/directions we keep growing spiritually and getting to be like God in character more and more.
2. But in Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified", the word perfect has a different meaning. It means the one who has no sins. So we were perfected by Jesus' Blood, that is we are righteous through His sacrifice.
3. In Hebrews 11:38-40 says, "39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
Here perfectness is something that we will aquire in Heaven when we will be dressed up with our new spiritual body, completely freed from sin, death etc
I will have to evaluate my own time on this site and if and when I should respond or not. It isn't just the subject matter that worries me it is a general mindset of having to debate a subject without much scripture; or things that don't really add any meaning to an argument-at least from my vantage point. Do we really want to know the Lord better when discussions like this come up in the first place? I don't sense lately much teachability; I'd like to learn some stuff too with these debates. Nothing wrong I guess with the sometimes detailed scriptural analysis; except for the fact thought patterns and the scriptures used confuse me quite often as to how exactly they corroborate any particular concept brought up. Maybe it's just me.
I'm hoping there is some use here for those who are young in the faith who want to grow; although I can't remember the last time anyone actually expressed being anew believer here. I sense that people who have had some faith for a time are more represented; and that coming with whatever baggage associated with their own viewpoints. I sense that many have been taught a certain way and haven't really taken the time quite often to search the scriptures as Bereans. Again; there usually is a certain truth in both "camps" whether predestination vs. free will; the "Trinity" or concept of one God. Properly dividing the scriptures in context and precise meanings (or at least as close as we can get to it) is also helpful.
I don't know maybe I am hypocritical; I thought I was trying to give an open minded presentation in regard to the aforementioned factors; but perhaps not. I hope to hear from you on your thoughts about emphasizing daily scripture reading and prayer as well as fulfillment of the commandment of the Great Commission as to how this site can prompt participants in that way.
completeness, maturity, full measure, coming to a desired end, especially in regards to christian character and knowledge of faith.
So to be perfect in most of the verses that instruct us to be perfect or perfecting of the saints is in this vein of meaning. It does not mean to be perfect in the sense that God is eternally perfect with no change whatsoever in His holiness, purity, righteousness, and justness.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John were desiring for us to reach the maximum degree of Christian maturity in this life. But not everyone will reach the same degree because of such things as:
The age at which they come to faith,
The teaching and counsel they receive from those God places over them as pastors and teachers,
Their own rate of growth,
Their own personal practices of prayer, bible study, and the iron sharpening iron of Christian fellowship,
The degree to which they remove themselves from situations that pose temptation in their areas of weakness,
Their commitment to keeping godly company as opposed to spending time with people who wish to live unbelieving and sinful daily lives.
The closeness they are to their time of death as determined by God. One who came to the Lord early in life and lives a normal lifespan will have a different level of maturity than one who came to the Lord in the last decades of their life whether their life be long or short.
The influences of their upbringing, parenting, family life and adverse events such as divorce, abuse, etc. that do so much harm along with positive events that promote healthy growth and maturity.
Who they marry.
Whether they we in a cultic situation where they eventually separated from and needed to be recover from its effects.
Whether they face a life of ease or a life of difficulty or persecution.
And so many other factors. Truly, we just can't judge each other.
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