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 Bible StudyJim tennesseehiker |
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solascriptura 08-Oct-17, 16:20 |
I prefer New Testament |
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Re: New Testament |
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winslowhightower 08-Oct-17, 20:31 |
I feel like doing another reading. I'd love to study themes or verses. |
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Why don't we do an expose' on God's love. A good place to start is Romans 8:31-39. |
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Romans 8:31-38 31What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 36 Psalm 44:22 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, Or nor heavenly rulers neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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The mighty power which creates and sustains faith ‘The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.’ Ephesians 1:19–21 Suggested Further Reading: 1 Chronicles 29:10–13 Our text twice over uses the strongest words which could be employed, to set forth the almighty power exhibited in bringing a soul to believe in Jesus, and in bringing that believing soul onward till it ascends to heaven. You will carefully notice we have first of all this expression, ‘The exceeding greatness of his power;’ and then we have on the other side of the word ‘Believe,’ lest it should escape anyhow from the sacred barrier, these words, ‘According to the working of his mighty power.’ Now, the first expression is a very amazing one. It might read thus: ‘The super-excellent, sublime, overcoming, or triumphing greatness of his power;’ and the other is even more singular; it is a Hebrew mode of speech forced to do duty in the Greek tongue: ‘The effectual working of the might of his strength;’ or ‘The energy of the force of his power,’—some such strong expression as that. As if the apostle was not content to say, ‘You believe through the power of God,’ nor ‘through the greatness of that power,’ but ‘through the exceeding greatness of his power;’ and not satisfied with declaring that the salvation of man is the fruit of God’s might, he must needs put it, his mighty power: and as if that were not enough, he writes, the energy, the efficacious activity of the power of that might. No amount of straining at the passage can ever get rid of the grand doctrine which it contains, namely, that the bringing of the soul to simple faith in Jesus, and the maintenance of that soul in the life of faith, displays an exercise of omnipotence such as God alone could put forth. For meditation: God’s almighty power saves and keeps the believer (1 Peter 1:5), but we have to put on the whole armour of God in order to ‘be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might’ (Ephesians 6:10–11). Sermon no. 534 10 October (Preached 11 October 1863) |
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Early Christian being fed to lions! I believe John 3:16! I believe the Lord Jesus love us all without any reservation. But why did the Lord allow emperor Nero to carry out this sinister act ? Can some please help me understand from the scriptural perspective. Regards goldaric |
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goldaric. . . My wife then reminded me of Joni Eareckson Estrada. I mentioned Helen Keller. Also, I remembered that man who has no legs or arms. Fanny Crosby, born blind, achieved recognition in so many ways despite her blindness. Sir, only God knows why He allows these things. For if we believe He is God, then we must also believe He is aware of our suffering. St Paul had “a thorn in the flesh”. This troubled him enough that he asked God three times for relief. It never came. Maybe you're only asking as a search for understanding about why tragedy happens. My wife reminded me that Paul asked us to think on things positive, beautiful, lovely and whatever good there is in our world. To contemplate on these. We believe also that it helps to ask others to share our loads. We, my wife and I, would ask if we may share yours? |
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re: goldaric |
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inhis_service 17-Oct-17, 07:53 |
Deleted by inhis_service on 20-Oct-17, 13:25.
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solascriptura 17-Oct-17, 18:36 |
--Quote-- I believe in the virgin birth of the Lord, crucifixion and ressurection of Lord Jesus. I believe John 3:16! I believe the Lord Jesus love us all without any reservation. But why did the Lord allow emperor Nero to carry out this sinister act ? Can some please help me understand from the scriptural perspective. Regards goldaric --End of Quote-- Before I answer a couple of things about the word "allow". Here is the definition: VERB admit (an event or activity) as legal or acceptable: give (someone) permission to do something: synonyms: permit · let · authorize · give permission for · [more] permit (someone) to have (something): 1. What Nero did, of course, is evil, did God admit the event or activity was legal or acceptable. Rhetorical, of course not. 2. Did God give Nero permission to do the act, again rhetorical, no. 3. Did God permit, let, authorize, give permission for or permit Nero to behave in the manner he did, again rhetorically the answer is no. Let us look at a couple of scriptures: --------------------- Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. ------------------------- In Romans 9:22, God is enduring with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath. In 2 Peter 3:15 we are told that it is for salvation that there is longsuffering on the part of our Lord 1 Petter 3:20 explains God waited through longsuffering for Noah and the ark to be built. Had he not, even the 8 souls would have been lost. God does not allow, sanction, wink, turn a blind eye nor leave the evil unpunished. Look only to the cross, there you find the full wrath. What he does do is endure for a season evil so that the elect may be called from the four corners of the earth and ages past, present, and future. Once the last of the elect is called, the final trumpet sounds, then no more shall evil be present, no it will be swallowed up and spewed into the pits of hell to be seen never more. I hope this might shed some light on why evil exists, it surely is not allowed by God in the sense he permits it. It is my best answer, I am sure there are better. solascriptura |
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solascriptura 17-Oct-17, 18:43 |
--Quote-- “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and ALMOST right.” Charles Spurgeon --End of Quote-- I read your post, it is right on. I imparticular like the quote by Spurgeon. I have a daily bible study and meditation I do called Morning and Night, he is one of the greats! solascriptura |
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solascriptura 18-Oct-17, 18:51 |
We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it. Morning and Evening. The quote comes from the Morning and Evening Meditation. I agree, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief!! What great advise. solascriptura |
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Early Christian being fed to lions! I asked the Lord for wisdom but it seem like I am always making all the wrong decision in life! Then all of a sudden it occurs to me why did the Lord allows or permits such atrocities to happen to his children, does it serve a higher purpose??? I really don't know. But I am grateful to the Lord for his Sacrifice for our soul and fallen nature but these things still atrocities still bother me tremendously! Hence, I always wait until the c*** crow three times before doing anything less I disappoint the Lord Jesus! I will follow Job example and trust in God's infinite love for us ! I remember the old hymn "Trust and Obey". goldaric |
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solascriptura 20-Oct-17, 18:21 |
Check out my post, it helps explain some if this stuff! gameknot.com |
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solascriptura 21-Oct-17, 15:21 |
John 3:16 John 3:16 (NASB) 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. World as defined by Stong English Words used in KJV: world 186 adorning 1 [Total Count: 187] probably from the base of <G2865> (komizo); orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitant, literal or figurative [moral]) :- adorning, world. kosmos: order, the world Original Word: κόσμος, ου, ὁ Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kosmos Phonetic Spelling: (kos'-mos) Short Definition: the world, universe Definition: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment. I walk in the Reformed faith, so many times I am accused of straying from the text on this one. I do believe that the Lord had the whole world in mind (the inhabitants in it) when by the Holy Spirit John 3:16 was revealed. The issue for me is not the word "world" but rather the "whoever". Most of the Arminians quickly seize the text with the concept of universalism. The text is much more about those that are not perishing and have eternal life by believing. The Stark reality is for those in the world that do not believe, a very unpleasant end awaits. The Muslims, Eastern Religion, secularist and atheist all await the final judgment, they have been told in John 3:16 to have eternal life they must believe. It does not do the Muslim Terrorist for example who blows themself up, one whit of good to know Christ died for the whole world if they are burning in hell. The 70 virgins who were to meet him are 70 times 70 torments. Hmmm, wonder if female Muslim Terrorist are taught 70 male virgins await them? It is interesting to notice that Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, all believed and taught that Christ died for all the whole world, and none of them believed or taught that he died only/strictly for the Elect alone. Many times Reformed Faith is totally misunderstood and labeled with descriptors which are not true at all. Did they teach that Christ's death was only effectual for the elect, most certainly! Historically, with the exception of German monk Gottschalk of Orbais (circa AD 808-867), the un-Scriptural idea that Jesus Died Only/Strictly for the Elect Alone, was Not explicitly Believed and/or Taught until Theodore Beza (circa AD 1519-1605) and the eventual onslaught of modern Calvinistic Scholasticism, which is often based upon deductive logical inferences, instead of upon all of the inductive Scriptural facts. Anyone care to take umbrage? Augustine : "The Lord's Death was the Ransom of the World, He Paid the Price for the Whole World."(The Confessions & Letters of St. Augustine, Letter LXXVI). Augustine : "The Redeemer came, and gave a Price; He poured forth His Blood, and Bought the Whole World."(Exposition on Psalm 96:5). Augustine : “For with Righteousness shall He Judge the World - Not a Part of It, for He Bought Not a Part. He will Judge the Whole, for It was the Whole of Which He Paid the Price."(Commentary on Psalm 96:13). Martin Luther : "Christ has Taken Away Not Only the Sins of Some men, but your Sins and Those of the Whole World. The Offering was for the Sins of the Whole World, even though the Whole World does Not Believe."(Lectures on Galatians). John Calvin : "We see here that there are No Exceptions, for the Prophet includes All. The Whole Human Race would have Perished, if Christ had Not brought Relief."(Commentary on Isaiah 53:6). John Calvin : "This is My Blood, Which is Shed for Many. By the word Many He means Not a Part of the World Only, but the Whole Human Race."(Commentary on Mark 14:24). John Calvin : "When he says, the Sin of the World, he Extends this Favor Indiscriminately to the Whole Human Race."(Commentary on John 1:29). John Calvin : "He has employed the Universal term Whosoever, both to Invite All Indiscriminately to Partake of Life, and to cut off Every Excuse from Unbelievers. Such is also the Import of the term World, which He formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the World that is Worthy of the Favor of God, yet He shows Himself to be Reconciled to the Whole World, when He Invites All men Without Exception to the Faith of Christ."(Commentary on John 3:16). John Calvin : "Christ Suffered for the Sins of the Whole World, and is Offered by the Goodness of God Indiscriminately to All, yet Not All Receive Him."(Commentary on Romans 5:18). John Calvin : "God commends to us the Salvation of All men Without Exception, even as Christ Suffered for the Sins of the Whole World."(Commentary on Galatians 5:12). John Calvin : "Even denying The Lord that Bought them. Though Christ may be denied in various ways, yet Peter, as I think, refers here to what is expressed by Jude, that is, when the Grace of God is turned into lasciviousness; for Christ Redeemed us, that he might have a people separated from all the pollutions of the World, and devoted to holiness and innocency. They, then, who throw off the bridle, and give themselves up to all kinds of licentiousness, are Not unjustly said to deny Christ by Whom they have been Redeemed."(Commentary on 2 Peter 2:1). John Calvin : "Christ is denied, when they who had been Redeemed by His Blood, become again the vassals of the Devil, and thus render void as far as they can that incomparable Price."(Commentary on Jude 1:4 in reference to 2 Peter 2:1). John Calvin : "It is incontestable that Christ came for the Expiation of the Sins of the Whole World."(Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, page 148). World Renowned Calvin Biographer & Reformed Scholar Alister McGrath : "It may be stressed that at no point does Calvin himself suggest that Christ died only for the elect."(A Life of John Calvin, page 216). Calvinist Steven Lawson admits : "Unlike Augustine, Gottschalk taught that Christ died only for the elect. Gottschalk provided the first clear articulation and defense of a particular redemption in church history."(Gottschalk by Steven Lawson). |
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"The Elect" For God so loved "the world" that He gave His one and only Son to die for us such that we might have life with Him forever. (my paraphrase) Some might argue that those of us who become children of God by accepting the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of the One, True, Living God, and who confess our unrighteousness to Him asking Him to come into our hearts so we can learn to love, honor, serve, and obey Him are, in fact, "the elect." However, I prefer to veer away from that language as it is confusing, and it might cause those who are new to the faith to believe that God chooses those who will become His children prior to their birth. |
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solascriptura 21-Oct-17, 17:07 |
--Quote-- it might cause those who are new to the faith to believe that God chooses those who will become His children prior to their birth. --End of Quote-- Of course, we must specify "prior to their birth" meaning while they are still in the womb, or are we speaking spiritual birth. The whole realm of free will opens up to the question "do we choose to follow Jesus, which flows from Saving Faith or do we make the choice to follow Him and then are given Saving Faith. Neither of these are actually address with John 3:16. The passage only addresses what happens to those believing in Christ, the fact they have eternal life. Blessings my friend, good to hear from you. |
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My thoughts from my Bible reading today . . . 1 Woe to the rebellious children! This is the Lord’s declaration. They carry out a plan, but not Mine; they make an alliance, but against My will, piling sin on top of sin. 2 They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shadow. 3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and refuge in Egypt’s shadow your disgrace. Isaiah 30:1 – 3 (HCSB) Of there is a parallel I believe with those in our nation who have forgotten our God and seek to depend on our own resources and wits to meet the challenges we face. In my mind Egypt is like the world and it's secular humanism – IMO. Also, in that same chapter of Isaiah I read: vs 9, 10 They are a rebellious people, deceptive children, children who do not want to obey the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions. (HCSB) The world and most Americans do not want to hear what God's advice may be. They'd rather tune in to entertainment and sports spectacles – anything to keep them distracted. IMO vs 15 For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing.” (HCSB) The Lord yet waits for those so deceived to return to Him – He's waiting now. IMO. And how will we know He's is speaking? IMO Vs 21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. (NKJV) My thoughts today while reading. Please, share your thoughts with the club. |
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solascriptura 17-Nov-17, 17:43 |
2 They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shadow. --End of Quote-- Seeking shelter under Pharaoh's protections is much what we are seeing today. We have continued to entrust the government with more power, more authority in order to protect the individual from harm. Unfortunately, the harm continues, we have just eroded way some freedom in order to gain a false sense of security. Secular humanism permeates our entire society and directly has affected the our mores, values and greyed areas which in times past were clearly delineated. The words of the great prophet Isaiah ring true from 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! There will come a day of reckoning when those who have promoted for example the rights of the Sodomites to call the unholy union they engage in marriage. To take the livelihood of a Bakery away for refusing to engage in the blurring of the definition of marriage and what it has meant and defined by the Lord. Alas my brother inhis_service , these are well spoken and true words. "The world and most Americans do not want to hear what God's advice may be" |
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Biblical Question My question is as follows: In what ways are His disciples to prepare for His triumpant return? |
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Preparing/ watching and waiting The Apostle Peter, in one of his letters admonished us in "hastening the day" of the Lord. As Christians "life it out", something my precious wife often refers to, I believe we will see more evidence of the Lord's kingdom manifested in this world. This should be our focus, spreading God's love. This would please our Father and keep OUR focus on where it should be. |
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solascriptura 18-Nov-17, 18:02 |
Of all things, the Christian must do is stay near to the Word. Good deeds are but like rags if out of the heart they are done for the glory of self. We must surround ourselves with sound doctrine. Titus2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Many say, well I don't believe in doctrine, I am a Bible only guy. Doctrine is basically a system of beliefs and may denote both the act of teaching and that which is learned. For Christians, it is a set of accepted beliefs and it is the set of true beliefs that define the parameters of that belief system like the sinless-ness of Christ, His divinity, His all-sufficient sacrifice on the cross and so on. If you read and study the Bible, you then develop doctrine, it can be good or bad, but doctrine will come your way. Read more at www.patheos.com 2 Timothy 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 1 Peter 3:15-16 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Colossians 2:2-4 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Psalm 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Ephesians 4:11-14 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Hebrews 5:13-14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Isaiah 55:10-13 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. "For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Ezekiel 3:1-3 Then He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you " Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. solascriptura |
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solascriptura 18-Nov-17, 18:18 |
All of Grace C.H. SPURGEON In Spurgeon's opening, I found the following, thought I would share: I HEARD A STORY; I think it came from the North Country: A minister called upon a poor woman, intending to give her help; for he knew that she was very poor. With his money in his hand, he knocked at the door; but she did not answer. He concluded she was not at home, and went his way. A little after he met her at the church, and told her that he had remembered her need: "I called at your house, and knocked several times, and I suppose you were not at home, for I had no answer." "At what hour did you call, sir?" "It was about noon." "Oh, dear," she said, "I heard you, sir, and I am so sorry I did not answer; but I thought it was the man calling for the rent." Many a poor woman knows what this meant. Now, it is my desire to be heard, and therefore I want to say that I am not calling for the rent; indeed, it is not the object of this book to ask anything of you, but to tell you that salvation is all of grace, which means, free, gratis, for nothing. solascriptura |
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re: inhis_service and solascriptura I believe that one, as a Christian, should continually strive toward holiness or santification during his/her Christian walk from the moment of salvation until death. Yes, indeed, one must die to self and sin daily. Satan, of course, continually seeks to destroy by moving us away from this goal. Recently, God petioned me to start back in Matthew and read the New Testament followed by the Old Testament in their entirety. Then I came up with the idea of reading the New Testament through Hebrews, followed by the Old Testament, and finally finishing up with Revelation. God approved of this notion and idea. For Revelation, my parents loaned "Read Revelation in One Hour" to me. I do not remember the author. My parents later misplaced the book after I returned it to them. It can be obtained for about $35 online with a corresponding DVD. It is the best book I have found that adequately explains Revelation. Maybe someone else has found other material to help understand the last book of the Bible. If so, please share its title with us. At any rate, I am far from being holy. Nonetheless, last year I sought to become more like Jesus by seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I later sought the gift of Tongues, God's least of the gifts. On July 21 of this year, my wife fell out of her car breaking her foot in two places. She was hospitalized for a week including a challenging surgery. She then spent another 4 weeks in a skilled nursing facility. I ran myself in the ground during that 5 weeks trying to hold the house down (we have two dogs) and cater to her everyday. However, I took advantage of the situation almost every early morning with my devotions and praise sessions to God. Indeed, it was during these special times that the Holy Spirit came upon me and gradually allowed me to speak the Heavenly language in Tongues. With the exception of my teenage to early adult years in which I experimented with first Chruch of God and later Assembly of God churches, I was Southern Baptist. My mother raised my sister and me in Southern Baptist churches; I excepted Christ while attending a Southern Baptist church; and my wife and I have attended Southern Baptist churches during our married life as my wife is uncomfortable in Pentecostal type churches. However, my wife has not attended church with me in several years. Moreover, God has mandated that I start attending a Church of God assembly in part now and in full starting the second Sunday in upcoming January. I certainly plan to follow His lead. |
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Trials and testings. . . I do not presume to say I understand all why a brother or sister may have to deal with various misfortunes, but God's Word assures us it is not simply for “punishment” as touches our sin as such. That was dealt with at Calvary. Now one such a one who has not yet done “business” with God concerning their sins, then that is another matter all together. Looking back during my personal trials and testings, I cried plenty for added strength and/ or understanding the reasons for the various trials/ testings. And without any pride I will admit that I was made a better Christian for them, though I would never ask for them to be repeated! And wouldn't your confess that it has strengthened you? Is not your faith stronger, and your convictions firmer? Spurgeon wrote: The captive Savior freeing his people ‘Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.’ John 18:8 - 9 Suggested Further Reading: Hebrews 12:5 - 11 When you suffer tribulation, affliction and adversity, do not think that God is punishing you for your sins, for no child of God can be punished for sin penally. Let me not be misunderstood. A man is brought before God first of all as a criminal before a judge. You and I have stood there. Through Christ’s blood and righteousness we have been absolved and acquitted as before God the Judge, and it is not possible for the law to lay so much as the weight of a feather upon us since we have been perfectly acquitted. In all the pains and sufferings which a Christian may endure, there is not so much as a single ounce of penal infliction. God cannot punish a man whom he has pardoned and who is then adopted into God’s family. Now, if he shall as a child offend against his father’s rule, he will be chastened for it. Everyone can see the distinction between chastening by a father and punishment by a judge. If your child were to steal, you would not think of punishing that child in the light in which the judge would do it, who would commit him to imprisonment for having broken the law; but you chasten your child yourself, not so much to avenge the law as for the child’s good, that he may not do this evil thing again. So our heavenly Father chastens his people with the rod of the covenant, but he never punishes them with the sword of vengeance. There is a difference between chastening and punishing. Punishing is from a judge; Christ has suffered all such punishment, so that no penal infliction can fall upon a soul that believes in him; but we may have chastisement which comes to us as the result of a father’s love, and not as the result of a judge’s anger; we have felt such chastisement, and have reason to bless God for it. For meditation: If God becomes our Father, he will sometimes judge that we need disciplining now (Hebrews 12:6 -7). If he remains our Judge, he will one day condemn us for ever. Faith in Christ is the only way to have a Father instead of a Judge in heaven (John 5:24). Sermon no. 722 25 November (1866) |
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solascriptura 25-Nov-17, 13:52 |
The other reality is that the sworn enemy of man loves to get the world's legal system involved in bringing down the saints. Though we are forgiven by our mighty Father, the world is unforgiving. It demands justice which usually is meted out by bias judges. If one is a Christian and drug into court, most generally you will be held to a higher standard. When we fall into sin, we step out from under the grace and protection of our Lord. At that point in time, the world is always quick to pounce upon the hapless Christian. Alas, the Lord does not even have to chastise, there is always a law or ruler to carry out that portion of discipline. Having a Father is always much better than the Judge. Isa 10:5-7 5 The Lord says, “I will use Assyria like a stick. In my anger I will use Assyria to punish Israel. 6 I will send Assyria to fight against the people who do evil. I am angry with them, and I will command Assyria to fight against them. Assyria will defeat them and take their wealth. Israel will be like dirt for Assyria to walk on in the streets. 7 “But Assyria does not understand that I will use him. He does not think of himself as my tool. He only wants to destroy other people. He only plans to destroy many nations. The Lord most certainly can and does use the world to get our attention. As Spurgeon points out, the Lord no longer punishes, he won't because His perfect Son is our atonement. In fact, as New Covenant believers we can stand on the following from the OT Isaiah 54:9 (NASB) 9 "For this is like the days of Noah to Me, When I swore that the waters of Noah Would not flood the earth again; So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you Nor will I rebuke you. God ain't mad anymore!! Woe to the world though: Jer 50:18 New American Standard Bible "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. solascriptura |
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re: Trials and Testings I finally succumbed to the Father's will. I ascertained that He only desired I undergo such torment in hope that my living through such calamity would bring Him honor and glory. Now I am on 3 prayer teams, and I facilitate a Bible study group on Monday nights through Facebook. When one finally bows to God's will, He can do mighty things through that person. |
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no more tears, free indeed . . . The point of our Apostle's message was how are we preparing for that future? Do we understand that at the judgment seat of Christ that the Lord will reward us according to our investment in the Kingdom of God? Are we investing wisely with this in view or are we simply accumulating wealth/ accolades for this life only? Jim I do not know all of the outside peripheral issues with which you dealt with during those dark years, but I have to wonder how much support did you have at home? At church? Among those with whom you associated? Were you content with your marriage your work – life in general? How was your relationship with Jesus? In heaven that will be the measuring rod which our Lord will use in assessing our Kingdom work, I believe. Obviously, you didn't have much peace. The Lord said that this is the first thing we have when we give our lives to Him. When I was first saved He was all I thought about. I wanted to tell everybody I met about Jesus. My life was consumed with Jesus. Could this have been what was lacking back then? What you may be lacking now? You “put this out here”, Jim, so I only trying to help. “When one finally bows to God's will,” usually what follows is a great relief and joy at that surrender. Not regret. Are you working to get God's approval? |
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