"PRAY" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Zamar2Zion - In Reply on Revelation 4 - 8 hours ago
    I'm just sharing the Word as I continue to learn. Prayers to you all on this website and God Bless You In Jesus' Name.
  • Bennymkje - 14 hours ago
    Mark 7:24-37 "The children's bread"

    The word became flesh is distinct from the Son "whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds".In the case of the former as he himself confessed, "For the things concerning me there is an end" which refers to his humanity When he came into his own,"and his own received him not." But John adds,"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."(He.1:2; John 1:11-12). Nevertheless he is the Son master of his own house and Israel would learn the truth in the end to their utter dismay.

    Here we have an illustration of what the house would mean. As a corollary to this we have a verse which could help us understand the select passage. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."God has cast his bread, which is intended for His children. The word of God says it shall be found after many days.

    In the light of the above let us examine the Syrophoenician woman, whom the nation of Israel considers as an outsider.

    v.27 "But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." He intended the house of Israel here. Whereas her answer showed the truth that was written by God in her inward parts. She was not merely speaking from her objective experience of what house dogs would do. She referred to the bread from heaven sent forth along the river of time. " And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs."

    " For this saying go thy way."Jesus rewarded her for her saying, and it was faith put the Preacher's precept in real time, and it is what truth does.(Ec.11:1) "Prayer of Jesus has this line "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
  • GiGi - In Reply - 17 hours ago
    Dear Bibleman72

    I have prayed for as requested. I will pray for you when I retire to bed tonight, too.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 day ago
    Ezekiel 18:25-28 states:

    25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

    26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

    27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

    28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

    These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.

    We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 day ago
    Hello Stephanie V. So good to hear from you. I am always happy to pray for you.
  • Bennymkje - 2 days ago
    Mark 7:1-9 Doctrinal war"

    God framed the worlds by the word of God. So the Word lays down the constitution of His kingdom where both unseen and what was made to appear are complete in his Son Jesus Christ. (He.11:3; Col.1:19). Of him we received grace for grace which empowers us to not only believe in him and enjoy the liberty of producing the fruits of the Spirit. Besides the blessings of his Father in him also has given us the peace which is not as the world can give so death signifies only dissolution of our vile bodies. Everlasting life that comes with faith shall continue.

    Mark narrates how the Pharisees and the scribes coming from Jerusalem were offended at the disciples of Jesus. "Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?"(v.5). How did the tradition of the elder become the Law without God permitting doctrine of men supersede his word? Recent news illustrates the same dilemma. Is Constitution of a nation and their Bill of Rights are to be given same sanctity and worshiped? Jesus did drive out those who made it a business, "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."(Matt.21:13). There is a place where state's business are transacted and when we pray it has to be done with all our heart our soul and might. This is how tradition of the elders where money is to be made becomes a doctrine. Where does it come from? Not from unwashed hands but from the heart of man. " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,/Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:/All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."(vv.21-23)

    What goes into the mouth shall find their own passage while what comes out of heart can be very deceptive. So love of God is either whole hearted for his glory or none at all.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 2 days ago
    Dear Kevin,

    I will pray for a job to be provided to you that will allow you to work in peace of mind and heart My son also suffers from anxiety and depression and has panic attacks from stressful situations also. Finding the right fit job has been an ongoing journey for him. He is 34. His first baby is due in May and he just began a new job this week. So, if you could pray for him I would appreciate that. His name is also Kevin.

    Kevin, I want to declare to you that your sins are all forgiven in Jesus Christ when He died in our place. This forgiveness is given to us as a gift and we can be assured that we are forgiven when we embrace Him and His work of salvation in faith. So, you say your faith is weak, yet you do believe the gospel. You do not need to have but simple faith in what He has done and declared in the Scriptures. He died and rose for you to provide forgiveness and salvation unto those who believe on Him.

    I am so glad you have shared your needs on this site. It is always a good thing to ask others to pray for oneself. So, be blessed by the Lord today and trust that He hears our prayers, knows our desires and every need and will bring answers that are the best for us.
  • Bennymkje - 3 days ago
    Mark 6:45-56

    v.10 "And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place." St Mark also designates the twelve as the associates so the principle of Association is stated indirectly. Those who rejected them was tantamount to reject him who sent them.(v.11a) Compare Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16. The cities stood in judgment and were not part of the house. This explains that Jesus was not aware of the fate of John the Baptist, who would remain within as Erasmus would not join with Luther when broke away from the Mother Church.In his case it did not work, either. Within a century of his death religious wars broke out widening the rift farther. Honor of Herod, the unclean spirit was working among princes of the church. Both Calvin and Luther were not behind in their maneuvering.

    v.31 "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Jesus had no interest in news of the day and it was no different than what we hear these days. Dog eats dog and ungodly men make a mountain of molehill of them. Their conspiracy theories are ropes they hang themselves with. So Jesus took them apart after they had completed their mission.

    vv.39-40 " And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass./ And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties".In the multiplying of loaves those who present were to form file and rank and the order within the house speak of worship with a sober mind and peace. Peace of God is the characteristic of the house where they lodged. Rumors of war, accidents famine plagues that assail us from news media tells the world where Satan has them in thrall and what does he flash before their eyes? Honor of a Herod and worth is it? By not giving glory an angel would strike him instantly. What price was his glory? (Ac.12:22-23)

    v.46 " And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    Why do men hate God?

    When attempting to bring attention to man's deplorable state of heart Wh( Jeremiah 17:9) I have found in my own self examination that it is best to evaluate all that we consider what Phillipians 4:8 states and then look at our own heart and soul carefully.

    When we seek all that men may say is kind; benevolent; compassionate; etc. and try to find pleasure in life apart from God of course we look to other religions and usually end up in a humanistic mentality. We ascribe to others as well who seem to portray such attributes as somehow "enlightened". I can only speak for myself as a man here; but how much of the flesh is appealed to in today's "Christian" music industry? If someone is young; thin and attractive does it move us as much as someone who is a bit overweight and unattractive who performs on stage? Do we favor those in our own social circles or families above others? What are our motives when we serve others?

    Such logic of course often results in men not appreciating what God does provide such as a wife mentioned in Proverbs 18:22.

    To find the "grass greener on the other side of the field" people think it worthwhile to get a new model and get rid of the spouse that they have been granted by covenant; something Malachi 2:15 says we should not do (also see Proverbs 15:18-20). Interestingly Proverbs 15:8 just before that talks about the sacrifice of the wicked being detestable as contrasted to prayers of the righteous.

    Of course many hate God outright; at least being honest about their intentions; accusing God often of being a "killjoy" and sometimes being an admitted Satanist "do as thou wilt" mentality. Of course we have to look at men's obvious evil acts; so we have laws God has set forth to keep order. With all the self professed benefits of "freedom" we see the end result in the fruits of violence and discord in society that many possess or develop as the cultish mentality comes out. Mark 7:21 is the end result.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    Job 13:15 states: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

    In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).

    My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    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.

    We're in this together
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 4 days ago
    Hi Jaz,

    I do not believe is bad to be interested in that, we can study other people's beliefs and understanding of a particular scripture, but we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I discuss anything with a brother or sister on this site a subject that we have different understandings of, I in prayer study to see both views and confirm the truth even if I am wrong the Holy Spirit will show us the truth maybe not that minute but if continue to pray about it the truth will come. All things are not revealed to us like Paul said about milk and meat it is not our time it is God's time.

    I cannot say anyone is bad because of their understanding of prophecy, I can only say my understanding is different if they are willing to sit down together and study for the truth do so. We must not be dogmatic we must do it in love of the truth.

    Salvation is by faith Jesus the Son of God shed His blood for our sins and was raised from the dead, a gift of grace from God His Father who gave Him to die for us in the plan of God that was conceived before the foundation of this world not understanding prophecy.

    I do not know how much you have studied Revelation; you may know this but the events in Revelation are in order but it's not chronological order from start to finish. It is more of a circular order of the same events; John adds more information of parts of the same event in other chapters of what is going on at the same time.

    As in Rev. 11, the two witnesses, parts of Rev. 12 and Rev. 13 show different things going on, but they are happening during the 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time, 3.5 years of Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit, and the false prophet not different times. There are parallels between the visions John wrote down all through Revelation that we must recognize.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Richard H Priday - 4 days ago
    I'm out for a few days.

    Going to the shore and returning late Thursday. May still try to use cell phone but generally looking for some down time alone with the Lord and hopefully faithful to anyone open to receiving Gospel literature and or have any conversations about Christ.

    Praying my car won't be broken into; got a steering wheel lock but have to street park in not so great area. Free parking is nice but not in unsupervised regions.

    Agape. Rich P
  • Jaz - In Reply - 4 days ago
    Dear sister what you are praying for are indeed honourable requests . I hope that God grants all your loving desires . Is your husband a Christian ? In all honesty his behaviour doesn't sound like that of a Christian man . I'm sorry for your situation and I hope and pray that God gives you a good resolution of it .
  • Momsage - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Jaz:

    I am glad to welcome you to this site with the blessings of God. I do agree that studying God's word through the decrement of the Holy Spirit and prayer are the most important things we can ever do in our lives. I think on this sometimes, when I'm tempted to spend to much time on entertaining myself, although with goodly things. I compare how much time have I spent with my Savior and His word then I have spent on this entertainment. Psalms 1 was one of the first scriptures I read that woke me up to this. Verse 2 reads: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. We study it, we pray it and we meditate on it." God Bless :)
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi Jaz,

    I believe that game is also called telephone, it shows how easily misunderstandings can happen. There are two simple ones, how many of each of the animals went into the ark with Noah? Many may say two, one male and one female of each of the animals, this comes from many of the Sunday school books but is not what Scripture says.

    And the wise men at the manger with all the nativity scenes out of porcelain and other art mediums and such but Scripture tells us they went to a house and saw the boy Jesus maybe as old as two, not a baby.

    This may be trivial, but it shows us something this small we can be wrong about should humble us to pray for the truth of all of the word of God.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Momsage - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Jessica: It sounds like you have been a really good person all your life, although I'm not sure what kind of "social justice" you have been an advocate/activists for, but I'm sure you have done your best to help people. I understand you now want Justise from God for this terrible wrong that has been done to you. First, I'd like to ask: do you BELIEVE in God and Jesus only, or are you a forgiven, justified, regenerated, new birth child of God because you have repented to Jesus and Jesus only and accepted Christ as your Savior? If not please read the book of John and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Peter and pray and ask Jesus into your heart. If you have never done this, if you "believe" in God because of the denomination you in and believe a doctrine, which doesn't teach a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ then I can understand why this prayer has not been answered answered for you, however, if you are a true child of God, you must trust Him to handle this situation in His time and His way. By fretting over this situation you are not allowing God to have His way. It is a sign to Him that you don't trust Him to take care of this for you. I'd like to give you three scriptures that I hope will help you besides the books I mentioned above.

    Mathew 6: 25-26, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:3-4
  • Momsage - 1 week ago
    Psalms 66: 16-20:

    16) Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 17) I Cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19) But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20) Blessed be God, with hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

    I always kind of wondered exactly how, I as a human, could "bless" God so I looked up the meaning of the original word at Bible Hub, the word is "barak" (baw-rak) which means kneel.



    Psalms 68: 3-5:

    3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. 4) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 5) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

    JAH: abbreviation of Yhovah which is the sacred name of God.
  • Jaz - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Dear Christian Brother hello my name is Jaz and I'm new here . I've just read your message and it's so true . When I was a child I was told all kind of things about God by my family . As an adult I was shocked when I read the Bible for the first time to discover that so many things I had been told were not in the Bible . Sometimes the complete opposite ! It's so important for us to read the Bible for ourselves and not trust what people tell us to be true . God speaks for Himself in the Bible . We must pray for eyes and ears and open hearts and minds so we can come to know Him as He is and as He has revealed Himself to be in His Word . Our salvation is the most important thing and we must put our trust in God and in His Word not in how others interpret His Word . He has given us the Spirit of Truth we must be thankful for that and use it to read the Bible for ourselves .
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Richard,

    If I may say when we open our Bible to read and study, if we are not willing to leave the baggage of traditions at the door and what we think we know, and in prayer with the mindset that we do not know anything our eyes and ears will be closed to the Spirit of truth. Until we are willing to humble ourselves the truth will be hidden.

    Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Dear Ronald,

    You ask how can I say what I said about those who do not believe Jesus is God or in the Triune nature of God to a friend. i did not say that personally to you, but since you don't believe Jesus is God nor that God is Triune, then it does apply to you. I don't say anything like this lightly, especially when I know a friend will be offended. But, the reason I can say this to a friend is because of the love of Christ Jesus in me for you and others. It is difficult to take a stance like I have because I run the risk of losing friendships, like yours. I don't want that to happen. I am glad you will pray for me. And I have been and will continue to pray for you, my brother. May the Holy Spirit teach and guide us both in all truth. I hope to have more conversations with you in time. For now, perhaps it is good to take a break from one another and spend tie in prayer for one another instead. But my love for you and your friendship remains as it has been, strong and true. God bless you in all sincerity.
  • GiGi - 1 week ago
    "S" GOD IS SPIRIT

    Jesus says to the Samaritan woman "God is Spirit" Jn. 4:24.

    This means that God is not just "a" spirit being, like angels. But He is pure Spirit. He is ALL Spirit, without components or parts.

    Some say He is "simple" in this way, not made up of parts that He must derive outside of Himself. He is all of His attributes, they are not "things' that He possesses. He is Love, Power, Life, etc.

    It is difficult for us who are material creatures to imagine what God is like in this, His "aseity" (what He is in essence)

    How beautifully "OTHER" He is than any beings He created.

    Also, the Holy Spirit is God, a distinct person in the Godhead along with the Father and the Spirit. He is spoken of as having a will, thoughts, can speak, pray, be grieved, be lied to, can regenerate, sanctify, and convict; teach, resurrect, and cause conception. He indwells, believers and the Father and the Son. He unites believers to God. He is not the Father, nor the Son, but has all the attributes of God and of a distinct person who has all of the divine nature fully.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hey GiGi,

    I am sorry, we have just finished a discussion on the Trinity, and you say your post is not directed at me and you consider me as a friend, and we can have discussions on another subject. This is what you posted "If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity and those who worship Jesus are nothing but idolaters. But if He is God, then those who deny He is God are blasphemers in the worst sense of the word, because they believe in another Jesus".

    How else can I take this, but you are telling me I am an idolater and a blasphemer of the worst sense of the word? I cannot even fathom saying that to a friend. How can you say I am a friend and say what you said, you said I am an idolater and a blasphemer. Why would you want to discuss anything with me if that is what you think I am?

    Matthew 7:1 Luke 6:37 The truth will out, only if we are open to receiving it, my prayers are for you and your family this is my last reply to you.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - 1 week ago
    For "S"

    GOD IS SUPREME OVER ALL

    The supremacy of God is unrivaled. All that is belongs to Him. " Ps. 24:1 the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and all that dwell therein".

    1 Chr.29:11 "Thine O, Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, and thou art exalted as head above all."

    God reigns as the supreme sovereign of all creation. He is the maker of heaven and earth, all that is seen and unseen, even the powers, principalities, dominions, rulers in high places are ruled by Him.

    In the consummation when Jesus returns, ALL things will be given to Jesus and then Jesus will conquer the final enemy death, and then He will turn ALL things over to His Father for a reign that lasts forever. ( 1 Cor 15:24-28)

    I love this doxology often added at the end of the Lord's prayer.

    "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen."

    It is foolish for anyone to think they can or try to thwart God's will and purposes. Satan was foolish and continues in his folly forever because he did not wanted to be ruled by God. We should be careful not to fall into rebellion against God's rule in our lives. It is for our best that we submit to Him in everything in every way. We are really powerless in light of His greatness. And we know that He is the "only wise God" and the only one who is truly good.

    So we can trust Him and not lose heart when things are allowed to happen in our lives that are painful, difficult, perplexing, or cause us to despair or doubt. We remember that Jesus is familiar with our weakness and infirmities and is our great High Priest, perfect in every way to not only mediate for us but is perfect and can help us in the best way in all circumstances.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Chrisdube:

    You asked this about the Apocrypha: "So if it wasn't "God inspired," how did it manage to remain between the Testaments for 270+ years?" Why the Apocrypha was included in the KJV until 1885 is a kind of mystery but it shouldn't be a cause to believe in this book as Holy Ghost inspired. What matters is this book contains some very serious false doctrines which proves it is not Holy Ghost inspired.

    In 2nd Maccabees 12: 40-43 it gives credence in giving prayers and alms so that the dead can be forgiven and eventually go to heaven. After a major battle during the preparation for burial of soldiers who had died, it was discovered that each of them was wearing amulets of devotion to pagan gods under their clothes which was sin: "Then under the tunic of each one of the dead, they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was the reason these men had fallen. So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; and they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out,"

    In Baruch 3:4 it teaches that the dead can pray for themselves to eventually go to heaven. "O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.

    In Tobit 9:12 it claims that alms can purge away sin. "For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:"

    So whether we can give a precise reason why God allowed the Apocrypha to be included in the KJB for a time or not, it is a book to be avoided by true believers. God Bless :)
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    GiGi,

    Part 5 and last Trinity discussion,

    Do you believe that Jesus lived a sinless life?

    Scripture is clear Jesus had no sin, Hebrews 4:15 1 Peter 2:22 1 John 3:5 Romans 5:12-15.

    Do you believe that the Father and the Son are one as Jesus said in Jn. 17 or that He and the Father are "in" one another and if they see Jesus, they see the Father?

    Both, Jesus said I and my Father are one John 10:30 and in other places, one means unity. Jesus was one with the Father not because Jesus was God but because He was filled with the Spirit and God dwelt in him, John 14:10, as we see God was in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:19

    God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by His Spirit that gave Jesus the power and authority like Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered to Jesus of His Father, Jesus did not have it, all was given to Him. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49 John 14:10. This is why Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father, John 14:9.

    Jesus in His prayer asked the Father that we may be one, as He and His Father are one through the words of the disciples, John 17:20-23. God and Jesus will dwell in us and we in them, 1 John 4:13-16 1 John 3:23-24.

    How is it that Jesus AND the Father send the Holy Spirit if there is only one person as God?

    Jesus said He would pray to the Father to give another comforter, John 14:16, we see in John 14:26 the Father will send in Jesus's name. In John 15:26 Jesus said I will send but this is from the Father and the Spirit of truth that proceedeth from the Father. This is not a person it is the Spirit of God.

    Please don't take this wrong, in the Trinity there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each Person is fully God, coequal, coeternal, and consubstantial. I'm sorry my understanding, is Scripture does not support that, Scripture is clear the Father is above all.

    Thank you, GiGi, I hope this is what you wanted I am not the best at this.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Prayer (continued)

    It is hard not to feel an impetus to prod on this subject. I am well aware that I don't have a spiritual gift of service and helps.

    There are always needs and we can't live our lives in a vacuum; and that goes for church as well as in the rest of our lives. Perhaps it is doing what is needed rather than endless activities that also matters. I don't personally find it comfortable having a "Game night" at church nor have I been a social "butterfly" in general but these events when accompanied with prayer (and not with sinful activities that so often come about) these events can be edifying. As I stated previously discussions on world events often deviate toward speculation; there are times when scriptures can be discussed; and can be edifying when these discussions go into detail of Bible truths.

    Evangelism

    I probably said sometime in the last few years of posts that prayer is also good accompanying evangelism for anyone genuinely seeking it. I am not into the "sinner's prayer" in initial conversations; once we get to know people and see a genuine conviction that is the time to seek if they are ready to commit their lives to the Lord. We are partially responsible for someone's fate (blood on our hands) if we don't warn people of taking a vow to God flippantly. We should warn that the more we know the more we are responsible for. We should give many warnings as Christ did about it being the "narrow" path not the broad road leading to destruction ( Matthew 7:13-14). We should also give caution on the trials; thorns and temptations that God uses to test us to see if we are true believers ( Matt. 13:22). Such exhortations may filter out some; but I am convinced will in the end have a greater percentage of committed believers who endure to the end. The song by David Meese "You've gotta count the cost if you want to be a believer" isn't exactly the lingo in today's Christian music "industry" and that is to it's shame.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Whole counsel of God: Reading the Bible and prayer

    There is the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The same principle exists with the Word of God. Psalm 119 for instance is the longest chapter in all of scripture and incessantly talks about loving God's law. Hungering and thirsting for the Word is something said to characterize the last days ( Amos 8:11-12). This verse talks of a famine for God's word; but we also see Jesus talking about "hungering and thirsting for righteousness ( Matthew 5:6).

    It seems counterintuitive or a "no brainer" to consider reading scripture and prayer as something a believer should do; but it has been my experience the enemy will use all sorts of tactics to dissuade believers from focusing on the Word and probably even more so on prayer. It is easy for the enemy to allow us with minimum distractions to read the Word of God because we can easily go into our own error in making it merely an intellectual exercise or feed off it to divert to the latest conspiracy theory or politics or whatever is trending. Prayer of course has it's own ways that it can deviate from scriptural standards; but from my experience it is the lack of prayer that seems to be a common denominator in many congregations. Yes; someone can try to use prayer as a means of spreading gossip or trying to get attention. It seems that too often there is a planned schedule for prayer and it is almost unheard of for it to extend any length of time beyond that planned timeslot even when nothing is pressing. Just to find one or two people who have an urge to pray before a service or for others when needs are expressed and can do it "on the fly" in my mind can literally mean the life or death of a local congregation. If we can't be as a weapon of warfare prepared at all times then we simply will in one way or another be compromised and heading for defeat in having any real impact on individuals or a local community.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Whole counsel of God: Church membership or not

    To continue on the subject I would consider attending someplace for at least a year to understand fully doctrines ascribed to as well as to how genuine the love for Christ is in the church. If we are seeing little opportunities to contribute (which can happen in a place where one Pastor seems to hold all the cards); or where there is a great deal of pettiness; family pride (like where founders of the church and their children have had control for a long time in decision making) it may be a situation best avoided in such a commitment. This situation is occurring where a friend of mine is a new Pastor in a rural church in the Midwest.

    Communion rules

    In taking communion; there are what is known as closed or open communion. I am convinced that anyone who is Born Again and not living in unrepentant sin is eligible for communion. Nevertheless; there should be some discussion with a person beforehand to make sure they are indeed in the faith if someone comes in as a stranger and I can certainly get why some churches want to see if someone regularly attends for a period of time first. Waiting months on end without being given permission is something I have experienced in the past and I think that is going overboard. We shouldn't have a double standard either assuming just because someone has attended church as a member for years that they are "good to go" either; but without any real suspicion I can see how in that case an "open communion" (i.e for all members) can be given. We need to attend to warnings in Corinthians about those dying who take communion unworthily ( 1 Cor. 11:27-34). Unity in the Body of Christ in the church is represented with Communion and His presence is there along with any other actions such as two or more praying together. This is why we are to clear things up with our brother first ( Matthew 5:23-24) it should be settled-this discusses a gift at the altar but seems fitting nonetheless
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi GiGi,

    Part 1 Trinity discussion

    To start; I used to have a similar understanding of the Trinity doctrine but over time it has changed, and I am still studying it. I do not consider myself part of any group or denomination other than a believer and follower of Jesus. I feel we should inspire each other to study in prayer for the truth and to be open to the Holy Spirit to unveil the truth as we know nothing.

    With me, it started with two verses, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, I contemplated these verses for a long time, it was like they stuck in my mind unanswered. In my study of the Trinity, I found out how it developed and how many deaths it caused even after the Reformation, and the questions I asked in Churches, many could not explain it and said it is a mystery that man cannot comprehend.

    Is God and has He always been one solitary person?

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD, Mark 12:29 and as said in 1 Cor. 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. My understanding is God the Father is eternal He has always been and will always be Psalms 90:2. God is Spirit, if a person means He has a will, emotions, the ability to speak, rationalize, self-awareness, to have a relationship with His creation, love, hate, etc. yes one person.

    Before creation was, He always and only alone, without anyone to love?

    What was before creation in Scripture we have no writings or information, Scripture tells us the hosts of heaven were before the creation of the earth and the galaxies, Job 38:4-7. How long before the physical world and universe we see we do not know. God's plan He declared the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:9-10. I may be wrong, but God has never been alone inside Himself, time nor space cannot contain who He is, the beginning of His plan was Jesus.

    See part 2


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