moving, advice, changing jobs, confusion, temptation, riches, seeking God's will
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May 15, 2014 - 05:52 PM
May 03, 2014 - 06:55 AM
Based on what you wrote, I found the following Bible verses, and as is my habit, I highlighted the main thought of each one. Hopefully, they'll help you make the right decision. If you want or need more verses, please let me know.
-- Psalm 62:10: "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
-- Proverbs 11:28: "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."
-- Proverbs 15:16: "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith."
-- Proverbs 23:4-5: "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."
-- Proverbs 30:8-9: "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
-- Ecclesiastes 5:10: "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
-- Matthew 6:19-21: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
-- Luke 12:19-21: "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
-- Romans 8:26-27: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
-- 1 Corinthians 14:33: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."
-- 1 Timothy 6:8-10: "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
-- 1 Timothy 6:17: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"
-- James 1:5-7: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."
-- James 4:1-3: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
May 03, 2014 - 12:32 PM
May 04, 2014 - 09:17 PM
May 05, 2014 - 03:21 AM
Amen Vesselof Mercy!!
We are free to do as we please! Adam was free to eat of any tree (except the one), he was free to do as he pleased. Do my children have to ask me if they want to take this job or that? Live here or there? Live in a house, cottage, or bungalow? Of course not. My kids have the freedom to do what brings them joy, a sense of puropse, and satisfaction. I'm concerned most, that they love the Lord God, and not sin against Him.
And yes, if you do not agree with this, please provide scripture. Thanks...
May 05, 2014 - 03:27 AM
May 05, 2014 - 09:04 AM
This is in response to the requests from vesselofmercy and newname for scriptures concerning seeking God’s will and asking advice of others. Please note that there are many more.
– Psalm 37:23: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
– Psalm 48:14: "For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."
– Psalm 106:12-15: "Then believed they his [God’s] words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul."
– Psalm 143:10: "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."
– Proverbs 11:14: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."
– Proverbs 12:15: "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
– Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."
– Proverbs 16:9: "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."
– Proverbs 19:20: "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."
– Proverbs 19:21: "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."
– Proverbs 20:18: "Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war."
– Philippians 4:6: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
– Colossians 1:9-10: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing."
May 05, 2014 - 12:14 PM
May 05, 2014 - 03:37 PM
May 06, 2014 - 02:04 AM
May 06, 2014 - 02:49 PM
May 06, 2014 - 09:15 PM
The Lord delights when we seek Him in our every step just as the Scripture's Linda and Heavy gave prove. Honestly if I decided money matters for my own delight, I'd be broke. Instead I say "Lord what would be the best way to handle this? How can what you have allowed me to have help You? "
If God just let us to our own devices when it came to money, He never would have given advice like;
Proverbs 20:21
"An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. "
I think it also unfair to say that Adam just named all the animals. There is no way we can be dogmatic on that issue. He may have asked the Lord if HE liked this name, or that. Just as a child spouts their wonderful ideas to their parents, Adam may have very well been doing the same. Gen 3:8
Jesus said "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). When we remember our little ones... and how they trust in us to hold them up, to teach them first, then we let go of the reins and let them take their own step...In light of this, they still look to us for approval. I delight in looking to my FATHER for His approval in my every move.
"The STEPS of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way." Psalms 37:23
May 06, 2014 - 10:29 PM
Texan,
I cannot give you an answer to your question, but I can tell you what the Lord has done for us & give a little advice .
I quit my successful job years ago because I was called to become the "keeper of the home". I wanted to please the Lord by becoming a helpmeet to my husband and also to raise my own children. It was the hardest move I EVER made, but I am so thankful I obeyed. It is hard at times because we give up so much that the world has. I haven't been to the theater for 10 years. We eat out about 4 times per year.We have no tv....and the list goes on and on. But we have fun and are never searching for things to do. All my children can climb a tree, row a boat, and swim like a frog in the water. I would rather have this than all the video games and pizza in the world.
For three years my husband did not get a raise, so we did without even more. We had unexpected hospital and dentist bills. I learned not to complain and work with what we had. It would have been easier for me to just get a job. I was even offered several at considerable pay (more than my husband makes). But God had called me years ago to do what I am doing. So we have stuck with our race and God Willing, we will finish by seeking His Will in our lives.
In light of the new healthcare law, you could consider setting a budget and saving the amount you pay in insurance to a separate account as medical money every pay day (have automatic transfer & act like that money doesn't exist). You will save fast and God Willing you will stay healthy and not need it. Before you consider this other job, you sould set your budget and see if cutting cost is even feasible and saving for health care is possible. If it is not, I don't see how the Lord would will this to you. But I am not the Lord, and His Ways and Reasons are far above ours.
Years ago, my husband was making top dollar and we took the youth group to a rally. We spent ALL of our savings on the youth and trip. My husband told me after we got home that the Lord had told him to quit his job. I was furious. I just quit my job (obeying the Lord), was pregnant, we just bought our first car and had a payment due in one short month. We had $746.00 dollars and some odd cents due that next month and we had no way to pay it. I argued and argued with him to keep his job until he found another one. Finally he grabbed me by the shoulders and said something like "Stop arguing with me, I have to do this! I know it doesn't make sense, but God has told me to do this! You just have to give it to God! Not me. OK?" He did not let go of me until I agreed.
After I got over the shock of his words I began to talk to the Lord. I remember what I was doing. I was scrubbing the high-chair (I think I took some of the finish off of the wood) and telling God my fears. I was angry and venting to HIM. I had given HIM my job, I was trying to be a good wife and mother. Now He takes us down another road of uncertainty. I was struggling with giving it to Him. The very moment I gave it to Him, tears of relief came. I no longer worried about the next day, I depended upon God for it. In a few minutes my brother from the Coast Guard surprised us by walking in the door. He brought our mail and gave us a large sum of money. The mail was filled with checks from people too. The total was 746.00 and some odd cents. We have never received that kind of money before or since and my brother had no Idea of what had just taken place.
That next year was hard for us, my husband took a job making half of what he was previously making. We couldn't understand why the Lord had done what He had done, but our trust remained in Him. My husband was able to go to church on Sundays now. One day, years later, I realized that because we were poor we drew closer to each other and I fell in love with my husband. You see, when I married my husband, I did not love him, I wanted to run away from the church and never see him again, but I asked the Lord for that love...like the love spoken of in the Song of Solomon. HE graciously answered me, but in HIS way. Like a dummy, I was late in seeing what HE had done before my eyes. Because we allowed the Lord to do things His way in our lives, HE get's the Glory and we stand in awe. The more I look back, (Just as you do with your wonderful teeth) I see His Hand on our lives. It makes me lean on Him (God Willing) all the more today.
May 07, 2014 - 03:15 PM
May 07, 2014 - 04:13 PM
May 07, 2014 - 04:56 PM
May 07, 2014 - 05:00 PM
May 07, 2014 - 05:45 PM
The flesh will always war with the Spirit.
May 07, 2014 - 06:22 PM
I’m sorry, newname, but I guess I’m getting frustrated with trying to use only half of the Bible to convince you that there’s nothing wrong with worshipping God, seeking his advice, and trying to please him rather than ourselves. Please forgive me.
I found some more verses that may or may not apply to this discussion:
– Isaiah 14:13-15: "For thou [Lucifer, or Satan] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
– 1 John 2:15-16: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
– Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."
– Colossians 3:23: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
– Colossians 1:9-10: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his [God’s] will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"
– Ecclesiastes 12:13: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Source:
May 07, 2014 - 07:57 PM
May 07, 2014 - 08:18 PM
I found some New Testament verses showing how Jesus, both during childhood and as an adult, was obedient to God and came to do his (God’s) will:
– Luke 2:41, 42, 46, 49: "Now his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. … And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. … And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
– Matthew 3:16-17: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
– Luke 22:42 [Jesus speaking]: Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
– Hebrews 10:7: "Then said I [Jesus], Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
– Philippians 2:5-8: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
– Philippians 2:13: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
May 08, 2014 - 10:25 AM
If I may share something here, I would like to say that I agree that the entire bible is important, both Old and New Testament as Linda mentioned. It is all considered God’s word. But what I would like to share and this is something that I have learned, but my thoughts are that believers are under the New Covenant and everything that we need as far as doctrine and instruction is found in the New Testament.
The way the bible is laid out is pretty much fool proof. There really are no teaching sections in the Old Testament that can be applied to the church, the body of Christ. I read a verse that Linda posted and it is 2 Timothy 3:16 which reads “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
There are four things listed in that verse which are doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Now, if I try and find any of these four things in the Old Testament which can be applied to New Testament believers in Christ, they are not there!
I do agree wholeheartedly that the bible is very important, both Old and New Testaments. However, I don’t think that any of the four things listed in 2 Timothy 3:16 are found in the Old Testament.
As I mentioned already, the way the bible is laid out is beautiful. It is fool proof! It is written in a way that we can know what truly applies to us as a church, and what does not apply to us as a church.
The contents of the Old Testament in its entirety are History and Prophecy. That is all that is in the Old Testament. There are no teaching sections that can be found in the Old Testament. The contents are strictly History and Prophecy.
The contents of the New Testament are History and Doctrine. The New Testament is the only place that has the teachings or the Didache for believers. The New Testament is the only place where the four things listed in 2 Timothy 3:16 can be found.
First of all “Doctrine” is found in the book of Romans. The book of Romans is the doctrinal teachings. The book of Romans is considered to be “The Constitution of the Christian Faith.” My thoughts are that if we only had the book of Romans, we would still have everything contained in that book that God wants us to know.
Then there is “Reproof” and that is found in 1 st and 2 nd Corinthians. That is the section on reproof.
For “Correction” we have the book of Galatians. This book is a shorter version of the book of Romans. Romans is considered to be the “Constitution of the Christian Faith,” and Galatians is considered to be “The Declaration of Independence of the Christian Faith.” It is called the Declaration of Independence because we as believers are not bound by the Old Covenant but the New. Galatians was written because false teachers attacked Paul’s ministry and message. These false teachers, the Judaizers were mixing the Old with the New, the Law with Grace, and they were trying to apply it to believers. Paul wrote this letter to show that the two don’t mix. Believers are under a new covenant.
For “Instruction in Righteousness” we have Ephesians all the way through Philemon. Those are Paul’s instructional letters to the church.
It is beautiful how the bible is laid out. The Old Testament contents being strictly History and Prophecy, and the New Testament being History and Doctrine (Teaching). The Old Testament, the Hebrew bible arrangement is Law, Prophets, and Writings. That is how it is laid out in the Hebrew bible.
The English bible arrangement of the Old Testament is laid out differently and according to the Septuagint. It is laid out as Law, History, Writings, and Prophets.
Then the layout of the New Testament is strictly History and Doctrine or Teaching. The history is given to us in Matthew all the way through Acts. That’s the History section. Then from Romans all the way through Revelation we have Doctrine/Teaching. Paul wrote 13 letters, Romans through Philemon, and from Ephesians all the way through Philemon, those were Paul’s instructional letters to the church as far as “instruction in righteousness goes.” Hebrews through Revelation is what is known as “Jewish Literature.”
Anyways, I just thought I would share this. I do agree that the entire bible is important, but we have to be careful when we pull out sections from the Old Testament and try and apply them to New Covenant believers.
God Bless!!!
May 08, 2014 - 11:29 PM
Hagios,
Are you saying that this verse in no way would apply to you?
"The STEPS of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way." Psalms 37:23
I would say that the OT reveals God's desires for us. I would say that this verse show us exactly the Mind thought of God concerning our actions. It applies to me because I want to know what delight's Him.
May 09, 2014 - 02:46 PM
Hello Shirley,
I guess if a person wanted to apply Psalm 37:23 to themselves, I could not argue that it does not apply. I think I could also agree that the Old Testament does in places reveal God’s desires for mankind. What I was trying to present was my understanding of how the bible is laid out and that sometimes, and I am not accusing anyone here, please know that, but sometimes people take sections out of the Old Testament and they apply it to the church when it does not apply. I have had this happen to me before where someone would come to me and say “look here, see what God is saying to you?” Well, I would look at what they were showing me and then I would say “yes, that’s what it says, but look who He’s talking to, He’s talking specifically to the Jews, the Hebrew people, not the church because over here in the New Testament, He is giving me instruction on what to do in this circumstance or situation and it differs from what you are showing me.” I have had this happen to me before where people have taken something out of the Old Testament and tried to pin it on me. So far, I haven’t had anyone tell me that I should be put to death yet!
What I was trying to share was that there are no teaching sections in the Old Testament that are applied to the church. In fact there are no teaching sections at all in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is strictly History and Prophecy, history of the Hebrew people and prophecy of the coming Messiah, while the New Testament is History of the church and Doctrine/Instruction/Teaching for us, the church. That is what I was trying to present. If we choose to take the Old Testament and apply it to ourselves as the church, we are free to do that, but we have to be very careful and understand who God was speaking to at that time. Does it apply to us or does it not apply to us? That’s what we have to understand. I think that if we did not have the Old Testament, we would not be lacking for information as to what God wants us to know or what God wants us to do. God gave us a new covenant or promise, a New Testament. He gave it to us, the church.
I am not in no way saying that the Old Testament is not at all important. I believe it is very important, but not for teaching me what I need to know as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I believe that everything I need to know and understand about what Jesus expects from me and what pertains to the church, everything that is listed in 2 Timothy 3:16, can be found in the New Testament.
Shirley, please know that I am in no way tearing down the Old Testament because I know it is part of God’s written word, and I am not going to tell you that if you are applying Psalm 37:23 to yourself, that it does not apply.
Does the Old Testament reveal God’s desire for mankind? Sure it does! Does the New Testament also do the same? I would say yes!
May 09, 2014 - 06:32 PM
Hi Shirley,
I got to thinking about something here and now my brain hurts, but anyways it looks as though I just “Tap Danced” around your question and did not really answer what you just asked me. My apologies to you for that. Am I saying that Psalm 37:23 does not apply to me? No, I am not saying that at all, but as I ponder on that verse, please allow me to share with you my thoughts.
I can apply that to myself, but I have to keep one thing in perspective, and I have to ask myself these things. First of all, am I a “good man” in the eyes of the Lord? I have to ask myself that because in my flesh, there is no good thing. So I have to ask myself, am I really a “good man” and if so, what makes me good? Secondly, I have to ask myself what “steps” are being talked about? Are they my steps? If they are, why would the Lord delight in that?
Are they the steps of a "good man" or are they the steps of a man who's greatest strength as a believer is to realize his spiritual stupidity which brings him to surrendering and submitting to the persuasion of the One who is dragging him along because apart from Him, I would not come? If I consider myself a “good man” and I am doing everything I can to walk the walk and talk the talk but in doing so, they are my steps, is the Lord going to be pleased with me? I have to ask myself these things.
As far as these “steps” go, I have to always know, and never forget what my proper position is in relationship to Jesus Christ. My proper position is always going to be behind Him. I never walk with Him, beside Him, or ahead of Him. My proper position will always be behind Him. He told me that I am to follow Him, not walk beside Him, not walk ahead of Him, but behind Him. Those are the steps I must take and those are the only steps He delights in.
If that is what you are telling me that this verse is saying, then my answer to you is yes.
May 09, 2014 - 09:57 PM
Hagios,
Concerning the OT laws, I am not too sure I agree with you 100%.
I used to believe that, but
For me I find so much beauty in them.
I am not sure if you read this before...
My youngest daughter found One dollar on the floor of the grocery store.
What would be the thing to do? She ask, "Can I keep it?"
Almost like a natural reaction I said "Sure."
Then I thought about the OT law where if you find someone's ox, you are supposed to find the owner.
So I told her to wait and explained to her the OT law and what Jesus said in Matthew. Then I asked her what would she want someone to do if it were her dollar?
So we searched the store and found the owner of that one dollar. It was all he had for his break and he was in the back of the store having his break with nothing, scratching his head on where he could have lost it. It horrified me to think that someone would have to go without sustenance because of me. In my heart, that would be like me stealing.
Just a few years ago, I would not have had a second thought to keep it myself, thinking "What's one dollar?" That law is what made me change my mind. The result made me understand that God cares about one boy looking for his money at break.
This taught me so much and my daughter learned that the second commandment (love thy neighbor as thyself) is truly worth it's weight in gold.
A few weeks after that she found two dollars in Wal-Mart. While she did say "Can I keep it?" She had a second thought and started to ask others if they had lost anything. She did not find the owner, but gave it to the store manger who said that unclaimed money goes to charity. So here I am, her mother, watching God work with her (and me too) before my very eyes. What a blessing.
So my point is that the Moral OT laws are in the NT, namely Jesus's Words. So the OT Moral Laws spell out what Jesus summed up in two.
There may be some that I am not familiar with and I might change my mind in the future, but I do believe the Moral ones are for us to learn better of what Jesus taught (the mind thought of God).
On your answer for Psalms 37, I wholeheartedly agree!
May 11, 2014 - 08:21 PM
May 12, 2014 - 03:37 AM
May 12, 2014 - 08:58 AM
Here are some Bible verses relating to the judgment seat of Christ:
– Romans 14:10-13: "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
– 2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive [an appropriate reward for] the things done in his body [during this life], according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
May 12, 2014 - 09:02 AM
May 12, 2014 - 10:23 AM
May 12, 2014 - 04:45 PM
May 12, 2014 - 04:57 PM
May 12, 2014 - 08:07 PM
May 13, 2014 - 12:12 PM
God spoke to me when He saved me. I cannot deny this. He spoke to me again when I surrendered my body to Him. I know whom I have believed. If you want to judge me on this, then go ahead, but I cannot keep silence. If God spoke to my husband, then it wasn't my place to say if He had or not, it was my place to obey my husband and give my fears to the Lord. I don't see where I or any other's have taken Our Lord's name in vain.
I cannot for the life of me understand why you newname and V-O-M are so condemning of people who God speaks with. I am not claiming a new revelation and I believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to everyone, mostly through His Word. If our Lord has chosen to speak to one person more than another, then I think that is just wonderful. I am humbled with the time He has taken to show me truths and correct me. Please understand that I am not mad or blaming you trying to defend myself, but I feel that you both are trying to place my faith inside your box. Don't get me wrong, faith in a way is in a box, that is, within the confines of the Bible. I have a relationship with Christ, and that involves communication, not a one-sided walk, and this is where my box will be be different than yours.
If God chooses to speak with Texan concerning his move, then who am I to say He will or will not. I understand perfectly that you both believe that God does not do this, and that's fine. But you are judging those who claim that the Lord has helped them by giving them direction.
V-O-M,
We can agree to disagree, but to say that someone has taken the Lord's name in vain is absurd. That means to use His Name without reason. I don't see where anyone has done this here. And then to say that God does not speak to people, when you yourself admit that we cannot know the mind of God, is claiming something contrary to Scripture. While I do not know the mind of God, He does reveal what His will is for me when I seek Him out (again this is mostly through His Word).
Concerning the Mind thought of God. I do not think that I can comprehend God's Mind. He is so far above and beyond me. God knows my heart, so let Him judge me when I say that the Scriptures help us by revealing Him and His thoughts to us. After all, is not Revelation the revealing of Jesus Christ? So my point was not to say we can know all by reading the Bible. My point was that we can understand better why God choose this commandment or that. Perhaps I chose my wording badly when I said the "mind-thought of God". I understand we don't have to know this and because He is God, we need to agree and obey, but I also see in the Scriptures that God does not require us to have blind faith either. He provides for us answers in His Word and that is exactly what I was trying to communicate with the OT law.
Did Paul keep quiet to what the Lord had done for him? No, he didn't, he even told kings. If my name appears in the future, you may want to skip my post because I cannot ignore what the Lord has done for me.
From the beginning of the Creation, God has always communicated to mankind, and His Word teaches that as long as we have His Spirit here with us, God will be speaking to us. You don't have to believe this, and we can agree to disagree. But for me the Holy Spirit is God. The Father, The Word and The Spirit are inseparable. One does not act without the other. I can provide Scripture if you like.
I enjoy hearing other peoples testimonies on what the Lord has done for them. It helps me to grow and look beyond myself and stay focused (God Willing) upon Him.
Thanks for reading and God Bless
May 13, 2014 - 12:54 PM
May 14, 2014 - 12:35 PM
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May 15, 2014 - 03:59 AM
May 16, 2014 - 12:15 AM
So I do think a new thread could be started, but of a different nature: the nature we disagree on.
Namely: How Does God Speak to His Children?
And set the rule of Scripture Only, with commentary as VOM said.
I think we all could learn from it and when we disagree, we could say "I respectfully disagree" with such and such statement", To be fair, let us not refute in generalities, but to the point of what and who we disagree with. (I kindly request this.)
I will let one of you post this as a new question if you like and we can always agree on the terms.
We do this for our Sunday school at church and we all learn soooo much...and I sometimes stand alone in our class too. I disagree with my preacher on many points, but because we stay in the rules, we get along very well.
May 16, 2014 - 10:11 AM
May 18, 2014 - 11:06 AM
"Mansion in Heaven" Christian Forum
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