King James Bible
King James Version (KJV)
Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 705
Viewing page: 705 of 5385
< Previous Discussion Page Next Discussion Page >
695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
But should "Christian charity" be confined to those in the faith? We can think of the parable of the Good Samaritan ( Luke 10:30-36). A certain lawyer came to Jesus enquiring about attaining eternal life. Jesus asked him of what the Law required. He quoted correctly, but then asked, 'who is this neighbour that I'm supposed to love'? And Jesus' parable gave him the answer.
Yes, we must care for our own house first, whether one's earthly or spiritual family. But that love in our hearts must be demonstrated to others in need, maybe I should say, in real need; for there are many that wilfully misuse what they have & so find themselves in poverty. Yet, many others are genuinely in financial trouble, & we might be able to provide either some money, food or goods to help them out. I don't look at the 'Christ deniers' spirit when giving help to others, rather, whether there is a real need there - and usually God's Spirit instructs & prompts me to give or not. And you can give to them, in the Name of Jesus the Lord, that the receiver might know that this small gift is directed by Him through you, His servant.
But I agree with you, if you know of people or organizations that promote ungodliness & are destroyers of people's lives or country, then your gifts are better served to those who are in genuine need & their appreciation for your help & quick chat with them, will be a blessing to you both.
When we see important Scriptures as you shared, as in 1 Peter 1:14-16, "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy", we see a couple of things. Once our lives were lived according to our own desires & dictates from the world. Peter instructs that all that is now past because God has "called you", or, God has chosen you to receive salvation & eternal life. And if God has called & He is Holy, then our new lives lived in the Spirit will be according to the dictates of His Spirit. And He says 'don't fashion yourself to the world but to the One Who has redeemed you'. If we subject ourselves to Him, then He will direct our lives to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Are we then freed from sinning? If so, then we must also be free of this sinful flesh & free from the struggles of this flesh with the spirit. Since we're never promised that in this life, striving for holiness will always be the quest of the spiritual person, desiring to please the Lord Who ransomed him & be circumspect in every area of life.
Some might give up & say that this is impossible to achieve. We need to keep the Lord always in view, & 'run with patience the race that is set before us' ( Hebrews 12:1,2). The road ahead won't be smooth, but finish we must.
Jesus instructed us to love thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus came not for the saved but for the lost, the gentiles.
Jesus was looked down upon when he invited gentiles to eat at the table with the others.
Think of the parable of the lost sheep.
Many examples in the Bible.
If we ONLY help the saved, what work are we actually doing? Do we just leave the unsaved in the dark? No.
Through charity and love we help many. Through charitable works we show love and we show the character of Jesus to others. We show and instill hope. That love, often, is what brings gentiles, unbelievers, sinners TO the Lord. Do all Christians not sin just as those you spoke of? Yes, we do. All of us. Therefore, should Jesus set us aside and only focus on those very few who (for the sake of conversation) do not sin?
I don't think it works that way. How was I saved? Why was I saved when I was once a "king" of the gentiles? Why was I helped?
As followers of Christ we should emulate our Father. This does not mean to become unequally yoked with others but rather to be in the midst of them and to provide light. We need preachers and we need pastors. Two different approaches or missions yet sharing the same mission.
Please forgive me for not including reference to scripture but this question seems rather simple and straightforward. I am sure others will provide specific scripture for reference.
I will help a homeless "crackhead" on the street just as fast as I will help a brother or sister in my church. But that is what God has laid within my heart.
And that is... love, charity, hope and peace.
God bless!
The scripture doesn't give us a time table of Jobs suffering.
But here James reference him, so the book of Job is not a parable! The story of Job as I'm sure you know was as real as you and I.
James 5:11 (KJV) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
God bless.
Proverbs 22:6, it's a process of examples by living teaching by example, showing what love one another means.._..
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:27, I would start there
Hopefully these are helpful
* Leviticus 19:15, Amos 2:6-7, Amos 5:12, Amos 8:4, Habakkuk 3:14,
Scriptures about the poor: Exodus 22:25, Exodus 23:1-11, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:14,15,
Job 29:11-17, Job 30:25, Job 31:13-40, Job 34:19-28,
Leviticus 25:25-55, Deuteronomy 15:1-15,
1Samuel 2:7-8, Job 24, Matthew 19:21,
Psalms 9:18, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 14:6,
Galatians 2:10, Zechariah 7:10, Luke 14:12-14, may want to keep reading Luke 14,
Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20,
Hopefully these are helpful
God bless.
I think primary, our first concerns should be fore the household of faith, and of course, our own families. We are told if we do not provide for our own, we are worse than infidels!
There are some other times to give too, for Scripture tells us so. Romans 12:
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Having said that, what concerns me today is that many Christians go without, while 'the church' has become the 'welfare provider' for the world! I have done some studying and reading on the roots of the 'social gospel'; there are plenty of good articles about it, and I leave you to study all the good available articles and videos online. This is another gospel, and something that we should be aware of. We are not called to 'make this world a better place'; we are to honor and glorify Christ and preach His gospel.
Blessings!
That aside, I would introduce you to 1 Corinthians 10:18-33 which may further lend support to what I've shared earlier. Again, Paul iterates that the meat offered to idols is nothing. This is not a Christian going to a temple, being offered the sacrificed meat to eat & then partakes of it there. Paul speaks of eating of meat as sold in the marketplace ('shambles'), whether sacrificed meat or not, is perfectly appropriate to eat by the Christian as the idol is nothing (a lump of wood or stone). But he would refuse to eat this 'retail' meat if it meant that a brother's conscience is affected by it. Paul had freedom to eat anything, but love & concern of the other person constrained him.
In Revelation 2:18-20, Jezebel (whoever she was or represented), promoted fornication & eating of meats offered to idols. These are specific acts of wickedness, as of 'free love & partaking of temple offerings'. Does Paul ever advocate this? Rather, he denounces any form of fornication ( 1 Corinthians 6:18-20) & partaking in the "table of devils" ( 1 Corinthians 10:20-21). But he does allow eating of meats that may have been offered to idols, but sold in the shambles, because that is still only meat untainted with any devilish impurities. But not all have a clear conscience about that, & so they don't eat the meat & Paul abstains also for their sakes.
If you believe this is still all speculation, then that's your choice, as also the choice of other readers.
Mark 2:17,: When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
If our communication and outreach is only to the righteous (the brethren)...who's going to win the lost? I understand your frustration as persecution is part of our daily walk. But, if I think the unsaved have no right to eternal life...then how was I born again. Someone saw me as religious but unsaved and they shared the Word with me to Salvation. I was profane, I was a drunkard, I abused drugs, I cursed the things of God when I was unsaved.
Ask yourself, the what is the great commission and what am I doing to win the lost by shutting them out?
I had a book once called "God's Little Promise Book", which at that time in my life was a big help to me. I'm sure you could find one online at a very reasonable price. It's a great resource to have many promises in one place for quick referral. Although that little book could not cover every promise in the Bible - it was very useful.
As you study each day, ask the Holy Spirit to quicken verses that are personal to you to 'grab hold of' and make them yours, too.
God bless you as you did into His Word!
I think of now of the lesson we learn from Mary. Mary found the ONE GOOD THING - and that was sitting at Jesus's feet! Others may have been tempted to think that Martha was right, doing all the busy work and 'serving', but 'serving' is nothing without having sat at the feet of the Master first.
Note: we are called human' BEINGS', not human "Doings" - ha ha!
My husband is European, and I remember when we first met almost 25 years ago and as we were getting to know each other, I asked his hobbies. At the end of his list, he concluded with, "hiking, reading...and just being." I was puzzled, and asked, "Just being what?" He looked at me just as puzzled and said again, "You know...just being. I like to just be."
Well this went back and forth for a moment or two more, until he explained to me that he enjoyed just sitting, and examining his soul with the Lord, and just sitting in the presence of the Lord, with no 'motive' or 'agenda' or 'need to do something". He liked to 'just be with himself and his Maker!.
That as a very good lesson, for I tend to be a type-A, very busy-minded gal. It is good to push all the unnecessary off of our plate to have time with Jesus.
This lesson reminded me of all that, and I am thankful Gigi.
God bless you!
Chapter and verse please!
Thank you,
Phil
I thought perhaps that was the case, since I've not seen you here for some days. Though your Mom's passing was expected, it's still a loss, and for that I extend my sympathy to you and your family. My Mom died in 1997, and I miss her continuously, though I too rejoice that she is with Jesus. She and I got saved on the very same day, and we were prayer partners, and best friends for a long time! I am so thankful for those years. It's the warm memories that we have of our loved ones who are with the Lord that warm our hearts until we see them again one day!
I will continue to pray for those things you requested, Gigi.
May the God of ALL comfort spread His wings over your whole family during this process!
Love in Christ, dear sister!
Yet, Moses says in this chapter that he was teaching the people God's laws and statutes. He must have been taught these will in Midian, meeting with the Lord with God correcting his faulty beliefs and ethics. Jethro was obviously sent by God to Moses to deliver the advice concerning judging matters between the people. Even with just three months passing, Jethro knew that Moses could not bear up under the constant bringing forward of matters serious and petty to Moses. Jethro knew that the land of Canaan was not far away and could be reached in a short time. He did not know that they would wander for 40 years. Jethro may have thought that Moses would be the leader of these people in the Promised Land, so his advice to delegate matters to a hierarchical system of governing would be beneficial while they traveled and when they settled in Canaan.
The leaders needed to be men of good character who loved God and could not be tempted by bribes and corrupt practices. there was first, men set over ten men (ten families), then men set over 50 men (families), then men set over 100 men (families), then men over a thousand, and finally, Aaron and Moses. So, disputes and matters needing sound judgement were mostly settled with the first group. And then the matter may go to the next level, and the next, etc. until it was satisfactorily resolved.
God spoke through Jethro in this matter, which freed up Moses time for what was to come. He would soon be called by YHWH to ascend Mt. Sinai and receive a large treasure of laws, statutes, decrees, and ethical rules to govern these people both socially and spiritually. Moses would now have time to meditate, pray, intercede, and meet with God knowing that most matters among the people were being resolved by the men appointed by himself and Aaron.
This makes me think that we need to be careful of overcommitting ourselves in many avenues and instead concentrate on a few things that are placed upon us by the Holy Spirit.
As the chapter begins, Jethro has heard of the great things YHWH has done for the Israelites in delivering them from Egypt and bringing them into this wilderness land that Moses and Jethro were very familiar with. Upon meeting Moses again, Jethro listens to the whole story of what has transpired from the time they left Egypt up until the present time of being camped at the base of the mountain of God. Jethro affirms that he believes that YHWH is above all other gods because He brought down the mighty and haughty Egyptians (whose idols could not help them). Jethro was a priest of the Most High (YHWH) and this account of what he had done for these people of Abraham helped to cement his faith in YHWH to the exclusion of any other gods that people around him worship, it seems. being also a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Jethro knew that God blessed the descendants of Isaac over any of the other sons of Abraham (Keturah had 6 sons, Hagar 1). Jethro was not opposed to the Israelites like some of the descendants of Ishmael, Esau, and other sons of Keturah. He seemed to be just fine with The Most High selecting the Israelites to be His chosen people and not Midianites. Who knows what God may have disclosed to Jethro over his lifetime. But it seems obvious that he was content in his "place" in God's plan, having faith to believe God and His ways.
The number of Israelites that left Egypt was most likely several million. Moses was trying to be a righteous leader and teach these people God's ways and settle conflicts within the group. It had been three months since leaving Egypt but this was before going up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law from God.
I speculated the same things myself.
I suggested: if one invites a Jew to dinner, they should not serve pork.
Then, I heard this message:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20
Jesus and the Holy Ghost teache the entire Church of God:
Christians must abstain from eating meats offered to idols.
"Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." Acts 7:51
It seemed good to the Holy Ghost for all Gentile Christians to obey four decrees.
Paul agreed with the Holy ghost and helped to establish the churches among the Gentiles by preaching the four decrees.
After having helped to establish the churches by teaching that Gentile Christians must abstain from eating meats offered to idols in the temple of an idol, why would Paul suddenly abandon the instruction of the Holy Ghost and teach the opposite?
It seems more likely that the epistle to the Corinthians is the leaven of the Pharisees, Saduccees, and/or Herod that Jesus warned the Chruch to beware of.
Are you aware of the practice of writing something and attributing it to someone postumously?
Do I have faith? That's what I'm wondering too. If I do, it's misplaced. If I don't, where do I find it?
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
The question is: who is our brother or sister? For years I thought Christians were supposed to be giving to EVERYONE in need. Now I think that Christian-charity is for believer to believer. Not believer to infidel.
Acts 2: (after the Holy Spirit of God came down to earth)
44 And ALL THAT BELIEVED were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
2 Corinthians 6:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Why should I give aid to Christ deniers???? (you-know-who-I mean)
I'm real tired of hearing that old line, "Fine Christian you are!" because I won't support the wicked: Baal worshippers, pedophiles, homosexuals, women who kill their babies, lying & cheating politicians, drug users/runners/manufacturers, illegal invaders..... to name a few.
Am I off base or not?
.....The great miracle was his Spirit made his flesh and blood God,...The Living Word Christ Jesus became Flesh and blood...When he told us to drink his blood and eat his flesh...He was refering to his spritual word...As in hearing his Word that good seed....His Voice....The Plasenta is a very complex organ, its keeps the womans blood separate from the fetus's blood.....
....The Living Word was made flesh and blood and we beheld his Glory as of the only begotten of the Father.... John 1
.....Thats y I say that he cd not be of the tribe of Judah....Simply b/c the tribe of Judah carried the spot and stain of ADAM and the lamb of God cd carry no such spot....He had be the perfect lamb of God....No kind of spot or stain cd be in him..PERIOD
.....Jesus told the Pharisees if David refered to Christ as LORD how cd he be Davids son, His bloodline etc...How cd he be of the tribe of Judah...ok...leme go