Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Arnold B - 2 years ago
    Good Evening Faithful Brothers and Sisters,

    I would love to start coming on here because I do believe as many should that we ought to be strengthened together in unity as Jesus Christ wants us to be. I have a few concerns in regards to things i've experienced and ever wonder if anyone still experiences this so here it goes. I have been a christian for going on three years but it wasn't until recently that I felt the power of the Holy Spirit more and understand my purpose in life. In my journey with the Lord he is giving me more boldness, strength, and braveness. I don't really know how to speak to people and I was very insecure since being a child but it truly is remarkable as to how God can use anyone. My question is that is it normal to see brothers and sisters that you have fellowship once a Sunday to not show so much enthusiasm (being on fire) for the Lord ? I find myself when I meet a Christian brother and sister I want to talk about Christ and keep on but no one really wants to with me. Just a few things here and there but I just feel like the things that are very important to me may not be important. Is it normal to feel like this ? Is it normal to open up to your pastor but not get any encouragement or calls to see how you are doing ? Shouldn't the pastor guide and feed the sheep ? I am not one to say just because this happens I will lose my faith. God has shown me through prayer and thanksgiving that he loves me and know that I have a purpose in life and that's to do his will. I may not have the most wisdom but right now I am trying to understand more of his grace and love so I can be made perfect in his love. John 4 says there will be a time where the true believers will worship God in spirit and in truth . So are we at that point now a days ? Has the salt really left ? I mean I know I am not the only one that feels like this or am I ? Would love to get some insight on this. God Bless you my friends.
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    I am sorry I keep on. But I wanted to tell you what happened to me today. At the tax office where I work I met a few people and before I know there was going to be opposition and the attacks I felt already but I kept showing light. A customer tells me whispering (*in a gentle voice*) keep doing what your doing and spreading the word many people don't want to hear it but it's important (if I remember correctly). Then I had another customer that is an assistant pastor at a baptist church and saw how I was speaking and how the Holy Spirit was and is working in me. He told me (in spanish) that he was going to Mexico and he wanted me to go like right there and then. I was humbled by that offer but 1. I needed to pray about that. It's an important and a big decision that has to be made with proper prayer and fasting that's what I believe. 2. My wife and I are unequally yoked but she knows no matter what I would leave everything for Jesus as I told her but even in this I still am madly in love with her. So at the end of the day I had another customer tell me in spanish how much of a good person I am. I am not being modest, nor boastful but I want to share my experience. This is not me. I can affirm that the Word of God is true when he says You will be made new. We are new in Christ. Not me but Christ in Me. I hope this doesn't seem like it's all about me because I just want to share with y'all what God is doing in my life. I don't want this fire to ever end but I also understand that there is going to be a point in time where there will be a bigger test and a bigger trial and I believe he is preparing me for it and for whats to come. I had an open vision today and I hadn't had one in a while. Is that normal ? It seemed very real. Being persecuted physically here in the USA. I still have four dreams that I remember with so much clarity and one of them is seeing Jesus Christ come through the clouds. I would like your input.

    Thank you.
  • Mishael - In Reply - 2 years ago
    This room is viewed all around the globe. You have a big audience.

    You'll find your ministry gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. We have to be exercised in that. I've done street ministry since I was saved in '85. We have to preach the Good News, but also listen to stories. Unlike when I started there was no internet. I had the Holy Spirit be my teacher; then and now. In the body of Christ we're feet, carrying the gospel of the good news. Be sensitive to HS to know which ones are ready to hear. He's the Lord of the Harvest. Pray and ask to be led.

    I never mixed work with ministry. I did invite people to meet at lunch and breaks; ihop on weekends.

    In absence of having fruitful church interaction, you may have today under one online/YouTube. Greg Laurie (Harvest Church) is an old street preacher like me. He was close to Billy Graham. Just story teller like me.

    I got to witness my Pastor (so anointed of God), fall from incredible heights, into unbelievable apostasy; total. I know that the higher we go, we're a target for the enemy; satan and his thugs.

    I think you should seek Christian counseling, with your wife. She may actually feel like you love Jesus more than you love her. Listen carefully to what her replies are. How can two walk together unless you be agreed? I think Apostle Peter was married, had kids and a business; but he followed Jesus. No word that he divorced or abandoned his family. My Dad was a truck driver for some years, and we (5kids) only saw him on weekends.

    I would suggest you sit under Pastors leadership for a time, and consider being a teen Pastor. You have to let your Pastor know.

    I was involved in a church, during a remodel from spa to church; I was helping with benevolence to the community, answered phones, did street ministry on weekends.

    Don't get so busy you don't get alone with Jesus, pray, fast, gorge yourself on Bible & adorn your soul with praise & worship.

    I've been divorced 36 years. No dating. It gets lonesome.
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Y'all are amazing people. I wish I could hug each and everyone of you right now. LOL. I don't know if y'all do this but let me share with you my experiences with God, his son, and his spirit. At times of great temptation. At times when Satan is working everything, and everyone against me; putting things in my head. I find myself always singing. I rebuke and keep laying out some scripture but I sing and try to get through it by the strength of God that he gives me. It sometimes is hard but I have understood that when we are at our peak in the day and all we see is JESUS and give him praise and rejoice in him all the time there comes the enemy trying to fill us with doubt, and he uses others especially family to really get to us. What i've been doing as of late. If I am speaking to someone friend, coworker, brother etc. and they are going through a rough time or even stranger I pray right there for them. Like today. I was having a mediocre day at my first job and the second job at mcdonalds a young teen said he has a test tomorrow. I prayed for him right there and then. Didn't care who was in front of me. That's something that I know the Holy Spirit wants for me to do more. I pray that he guides me more and shows me more of my faults because according to Jeremiah 17 he does try the rains and hearts of men. I want to be tried and come out clean by the blood of Jesus. I always tell God. I can't wait to see you for you to wipe away my tears but also I can't wait for him to tell me Good and Faithful Servant. This is what you did. This is what you didn't do. This how you should've done this and this is how you should've done that but this is all the good you did for me. Lately, I've been thinking more and more of this. Thank you for giving me your attentiveness. I don't have to many friends nor brothers and sisters. Best friend is God and we'll in the end I am still going to have him.

    Goodnight God Bless
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi Arnold

    I'm sorry for such a long delay to respond, The job has me traveling out of town more often the usual. But I do get to read all the comments daily. It's great to see your enthusiasm to serve the Lord and minister, Pray often to the Lord to guild you and not let you veer outside his will while ministering. I pray to stay on the the foundation and build with precious stone and not suffer lost. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. It's great to have you amongst us here on the site,

    God bless you.
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Good evening my brothers and sisters,

    It is 9:51Pm here in Texas and I have something in my heart and mind that I have to get off. I love you ! I don't know y'all I don't know what your lives are all about but I love you ! I never knew what real love was until studying more of Gods grace but also really opening up to him. There's that song by Keith green oh lord your beautiful ! More than half the time I keep crying when I sing it because God is beautiful. I may not know alot on how to speak or even other topics but I do know that he loves me and I know that I really do have brothers and sisters that love me and for that I thank you.
  • English Sacha - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Arnold , you speak from your heart , there's no better place to speak from and we love to hear hearts on this site , so please don't stop !
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Amen Brother Arnold.

    First of all welcome to the site, And yes there seems to be a Lukewarm approach to the word of God a formalism that has replaced spiritual growth and you sited a great verse in John 4.

    May God bless you in your spiritual growth.
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Thank you Spencer. I pray the Lord works in us as we reach the end of our age. I pray that he sparks a revival in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I know that persecution will be coming soon to this country. I can't say that i've never felt it because I have just not physical. Everywhere I go in the workplace, home, it's a way of life that Christ said we would have. But I think we can through prayer and perseverance and patience we will endure through it. I think one of the main things we need to be is encouraged in prayer and building up our brothers and sisters. Check up on them regularly and see if they need anything if possible. Go out in the world see people who are in need and offer a helping hand. We need to put ourselves out there. He's coming soon and we need to make sure that he is the center of our life. No one knows how Jesus Christ looks like but I have picture on my lock screen on my phone and every time I open it I just think and that image stays in my mind all day and has been for a while now. When many of you became born again did you ever get to points of giving up and feelings of depression and anger that you knew was wrong but yet by GOD's grace you were able to make it through ? I am learning more of his Grace and how it is pivotal in a Christian's understanding of who God is and how he perfects his goodness in us. I am blessed to have you all as brothers and sisters. God Be with Y'all
  • ArnoldB - In Reply - 2 years ago
    I have another question. Do y'all ever go through like periods of time where either family or even the world gets so overwhelming that you feel SIN all over the place in so much you get SAD ? I periodically feel like that but then his word comes in my mind and I always go back to the gospels where he says and the cares of this world and the riches choke up the word so then I start singing or remembering other verses I know in scripture but still pray. I was wondering what are your remedies when you have or if you ever go through feelings of despondency, despair or even a sense of your own family not wanting to ever understand the importance ? Thank you everyone
  • ENCOURAGING OURSELVES is a scripture - In Reply - 2 years ago
    After I was saved out of the occult, I cried for an entire year. It is the Holy Spirit within you, washing away the memories and residue of the past.

    Read this first stanza:

    What can WASH AWAY my sin

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    What can make me whole again

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    Oh, precious is the flow

    That makes me white as snow

    Oh, no other fount I know

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    For my cleansing, this I see

    For my pardon this my plea

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    Oh, precious is the flow

    That makes me white as snow

    Oh, no other fount I know

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    Nothing can my sin erase

    This is all my hope and peace

    This is all my righteousness

    Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    [The Holy Spirit leads me to sing songs at times. One time it was "I Walk The Line" by Johnny Cash. I protested because I thought it was secular!

    He says Johnny is one of my children.

    So I sang the song He was singing.

    It totally described what I had been feeling earlier. Then I cry boatloads.]

    How I love the Holy Spirit! So gentle and He knows exactly what I need to clear my troubled heart. Wherever He is, there is an altar to leave our tears at.

    And say like I do: Because You're Mine, I walk the Line. Encourage Yourself, like King David did.

    Praise and Worship is our source of strength and joy in the Lord.

    Mishael
  • English Sacha - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi ArnoldB , I know how you feel . I live in a very deprived area , right in the middle of the town centre . It has its benefits and I love my little flat , I have very good views ,north , west and south out of my windows . There isn't much I haven't seen out of them over the last 30 years . Addiction problems are very visible here . I have watched some of my beautifull young neighbours loose their children , their self respect and even their lives to drink , drugs and suicide . It's heartbreaking . A local resteraunt was involved in trafficking young women . I can't tell you how many beggars you would see on a daily basis around here , it's even worse when you have seen them and spoken to them regularly for many years and then one day they are just gone . We never know for sure what happens to them , I try to be optimistic about them but im pretty sure that they mostly die . We have to remember that God also sees , only He sees absolutely everything . We must continue to trust Him implicitly and keep in our hearts : Thy will be done . Of course we are allowed to be sad but we mustn't wallow in it . Help everyone who asks for your help as if God Himself has sent that person to you . Pray for the Kingdom and the best days when all flesh will know the truth and rejoice to know it . If we Christians look miserable to others , that's not a very good advert for the Truth is it ? So smile and be kind even if your heart is breaking , Christ is coming and everything is going to change , there will be no more tears or pain or fear or loneliness or injustice and all flesh will feel the love of God and of Christ without limit . It will be AWESOME !
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear English Sacha, My daughter drives a city bus. I see her secret smile as she carries the sadden souls as she drives by! How thankful I am! that I know these things ,that I too was a passenger on that bus one time, long ago.. This is how God works ,as his angels watch and know He "is" as He says. He waits for us, just wait and watch as your love wanders across the roofs into the hearts of those who wander, even lighting on the forgotten soul. God bless and love you!
  • Arnold B - In Reply - 2 years ago
    You brothers and sisters are truly amazing. I told the Lord I wanted to get to visit a couple of church's around the area to see what they are teaching and if indeed the salt has lost it's flavor. I love the Bible but I agree with Sacha that now it's like my Bible comes literally alive in a sense that I think about him everyday as to what I need to do for him or just sing in my head or keep praying in my head. Sometimes I'll be driving and when not listening to music I usually have the Bible on and if I don't I have long conversations with him and sometimes lose sight of the road and don't pay attention to my surroundings lol. Praise be to God I don't cause an accident. I tell my family and keep telling people but no one wants to believe me and that's fine. I've taken a different approach in praying in the morning. I do prayer walks with the Lord. I heard about a man that has been mission for a long while now Raymond Koh from Indonesia and his wife said on the Voice of Martyrs that he would do prayer walks and it got me thinking.....Sometimes the house I live in gets so noisy I have to go outside and talk to him you know ? I don't know about y'all but I cry everyday. The word sometimes gets so strong it makes me cry like a baby and I believe that's the Holy Spirit convicting me more and strengthening me for what's to come and that's the big persecution in our country. The urgency is there. People are suffering right now. They need to know that there's someone that loves them and cares for their soul but also doesn't want them to perish. Some people even us Christians can be a little hard headed I know but it's not until (I believe) the Holy Spirit really shows us what we are doing wrong and wants us to be better at it. I love you all. I hope and wish to meet y'all one day. I think it's Psalms 91 or Psalms 18 where it says and the snares of Hell compass me about I believe its Psalms 18. I don't want brimstone and heat. I need more fire. God be with y'all
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Pray without ceasing in all your ways acknowledge Him. I am always talking to Him . Don't worry u are not going crazy! Imperative, stay on the path, wait and watch as the seed will grow!
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Thank you so much. You know I never thought I'd be going through a lot especially like this in losing a lot. What I mean by this is that finances are getting so rough I had to take on another job but God put me here. I work at McDonald's a 36 year old but I love it. For the few hours I'm here after my first job I get to speak to the public, Co workers, and many more leaving little seeds out there. That's why he sent me here. I know there's going to be a lot of difficulty in my Christian life. I wish I had more funds to give to the poor and feed them, I wish I could do so much more but I think the most important thing is just let him guide me as to what I need to do for him. He's the leader I'm just the follower. Andrew Murray said it best if you want to be his you have to make him your master and know he is ! God bless y'all. I'll check in at a later time.
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply - 2 years ago
    J R. u are an apostle. Leading teaching is what we are suppose to do. I will tell a simple story, my favorite one being Jonah. The struggle he had holding on too the inside of that whale, wondering why He didn't listen to God in the first place. Thinking and rehearsing, while asking God for forgiveness and possibly another chance to do His will. God speaks to the whale , as we see him spit Jonah out on the shores of Nineveh! God will prepare you, in the most inconvenient circumstances. U will be the roll model even as Jonah, who came into the midst and showed himself like non other! The Holy spirit will do it all, wait on Him, He will give you the words. Like the hot coal that comes from the alter, he will touch your lips and you will speak His will. Go ye teaching all nations, in the name of the Father ,the Son, the Holy Spirit.
  • Arnold Benavides Jr - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Thank you so much for that. Sometimes I'll be honest my surroundings either in work or at home can be very frustrating at times but I am reminded of Psalms 25:4 .. I have to wait for him more and just go like the wind goes. Sometimes we don't understand the will of God but we have to trust in his plan so we can share with others the gospel. Sometimes I feel like maybe I'm not doing enough or even sometimes I feel like he's not there you know ? But I realize right after he's always there. When I feel down he's there. When I make my bed he's there. I just want more of his fullness. I love him and I just don't want to fail or not be brave
  • Fred - In Reply - 2 years ago
    JR. At 36 I worked in the steel mill. The bible I have now is the same one as then, 30 yrs later the one I carried in my lunch box every day. The gospel will change a mans heart, it will change his footsteps in this world! There was a time I laid it down , the failure u speak of, was during that time. The time you think you are alone, He is as close as He as ever been . He cannot deny Himself, He is that He is.

    Having gone through trials, sins that beset us all, forfeiting the grace that is always ours.

    I am reminded of the story of the paralytic who came too be healed , carried by his friends and let down before Him through the roof. Jesus, looking into eyes, says, thy sins be forgiven thee! There can be no healing without the forgiveness of sin. Our forgiveness of sin comes to us through His eyes, the eyes that behold His words, as He says " thy sins be forgiven thee"!

    Prayer, fasting, giving of thanks, will always, always keep you looking always too Him, for this forgiveness even now! Christ spirit fills the heavens, fills all things, forgiving those who ask Him, even now!
  • Free - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear Brother's and sister's i Love u all in Christ. And my pray for the society these days is actually Wake Up! I know am not alone in this. The society have slept too long already!

    Zechariah 10

    1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

    2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

    3Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

    So sad as the reality is.

    But to day is a new day, a day for salvation, Freedom, endurance and boldness and mm. It's coming back too all the society! Who Praises the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Jeremiah 27 5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

    The bondage spirit is bound in the darkness of darknes in His Glorious Nave above all other name's! And will not come back in the holy Name of Jesus Christ, we have the authority. The society will be free, Amen Thank You Lord Jesus Christ i will forever thank You with all my heart.
  • English Sacha - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Arnold B , many are called but few are chosen . I feel the same as you . I wonder if this is happening to a lot of Christians all over the world . It's even harder for Sisters , in my congregation we have to keep silence , maybe thats why I come on here . I never really felt the Truth burning in me except for the last few years . I don't know if it's because of the signs of the times , I feel that Christ is very near in a way I didn't used to . I always loved the Bible but for the last few years it feels alive , alive is the only word I can think of to describe it . Many of my Brother's and Sisters here in England seem to me to be a bit sleepy . That's the nicest way I can put it , a bit too caught up in this life . You are definately not alone Arnold , I'm sure you already know that . I'm quite a wall flower in person so even though I'm bursting to shout the Truth every where I go I don't , I'm ashamed to say that . Come on here and post your hearts fire , we will love it . He is coming Arnold , I'm sooooooo excited !
  • Chris - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Oh brother Arnold. You've hit the nail on the head with your very insightful provocative comments. You've just shared, in a nutshell, the condition of the Church at large. What ought to be a gathering of highly motivated, joyous, Christ-expecting believers, we sadly find a lethargic, even life-less, socially-inclined pew warmers. And it's not always the fault of Church leaders; we need to be fed the Word & be led in our walk, but it's the Holy Spirit within us Who gives us the drive, zeal for God's Word & sharing with others our experiences, that has to exude from us.

    You have tried to 'test the waters' by engaging with some for discussion, but found blank faces & apathy. To many, being a Christian is to be born again, love God & people, go to Church & occasionally read the Bible. There is merit there, but the vitality of engaging in deep Christian relationships, discussions, urging each other to a deeper life in Christ & being there when personal needs are pressing, are heart-breakingly absent.

    Normally, I would suggest moving around the evangelical Churches in your area & see whether there is any 'life' out there. However, if there aren't many to choose from, you may need to bear along at the Fellowship you're at, personally grow in God's Word, in spiritual exercises, in God's direction for your life, and then be the catalyst of change within that body of believers. If your passion is bubbling over for Bible studies, join one or suggest to the Eldership of having one commence. If for evangelism, get a group together for tract distribution on a street corner or mail box drop, or door-to-door sharing. You may find a few burdened for prayer, join in or start one. You may be the one the Lord is looking for to instigate a change there. But keep the Pastor & Elders informed & willing to support you.

    But you're always welcome here - we are a great bunch of excitable folk, eager to feed on God's Word & discuss it to the last syllable. Psalm 71:14-17 for you brother.



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