Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 1301

Dear all, such nice words! If we continue in the good hope we have received, salvation, we will not may only be seen in this life. But guaranteed in the future. Greet you with Galatians chapter 1 and 2, especially in v.20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ty for good reading

What about a discussion of Mark 12:29? I find it interesting, after the scribe (verse 28) asks the important question, "What is the greatest commandment?", that there is seldom commentary regarding the actual answer (verse 29): "Jesus answered him saying, 'The greatest commandment is know, O Israel, the Lord OUR God is one Lord."

Discussion here completely omits any dialog about this verse about the answer Jesus gives him the clear and true meaning gets left out by saying, ".. the great commandment, which indeed includes all, is, that of loving God with all our hearts." What it also "includes" is the great commandment [quote]: "Jesus answered him saying, 'The greatest commandment is know, O Israel, the Lord OUR GOD is ONE Lord' (emphasis added).

Jesus is including himself with "OUR GOD" and why would he say "ONE" Lord, instead of trinity.

Also, if the word 'Trinity' is nowhere in the Bible . . . what can we think about that?

Thank you so much for opening up my mind and heart to consider the possibility of learning how to think for myself - instead of thinking what I'm told to think.

I love the beautiful way the Bible still tells it like it is, when it comes to monotheism.

One God.

Him I really want love with all my heart, mind, soul and spirit. Yes, I want to pray to the same God Jesus prayed to.

Praise God for all that he is doing in my life that I want to study his word daily.

Carolyn,

Witnessing and sharing Christ with others is a good thing but we should never be put under any guilt trip for not getting out there trying to reach people.

Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38 that the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.



First of all we have the condition of the harvest. Jesus said to His disciples that the harvest truly is plenteous. Notice the condition of the harvest? It is plenteous but the laborers are few.



Now when it comes to the harvest, it is not just reaping the harvest. It is the entire process, the planting, the watering, the reaping of the harvest, but there is not enough workers.



But notice verse 38. This is the command concerning the Harvest. Pray, and that is a command in the Greek. You pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into his harvest.



Did you catch that? We are to pray that He sends them out!



The best answer I can give in proper representation of Jesus Christ and His word is to say to you that God's work, God's kingdom work is going on here on the earth, and is the Lord sending you?



You can't volunteer to go witness. The Lord has to send out the harvesters, not people. It's not an appeal for volunteers. It is praying to the Lord that He sends people. The Lord is the one who sends us, otherwise, if He's not in it, our labor is in vain.

That's what we are to do, pray that He will send them. Pray that He will send us. He may send you. If the Lord is leading a person to witness, they should do so. If His Spirit is not persuading you to go, don't go. If the Lord is not leading you, He will not guilt you.

This psalm as always helped me through difficult times in my life when unbelief and doubt stole my joy. A vexed soul to me is who never takes the Word of God seriously. The Lord can cure every type of heartache the soul can experience. Jesus Christ knows us better than we know ourselves. Nothing is hidden from our Creator who breaths life into every living thing. He knows what happened yesterday, today and everyday in our future. He gave you and I free will to choose Him or to choose self. We know for the vast majority self is is #1. Only Jesus Christ can change our way of living life to the fullest. Hope thou in God are very powerful words that people need to know, Praise the Lord morning, noon and evening. You can not have a vexed soul if you Praise Him with Thanksgiving in our hearts. Count it all Joy, for His eye is even on the sparrow. Thank you Lord for saving my soul and making me whole once again. Amen, in Christ's Name we pray.

Neville,

Matthew 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."



The word "poor" PTOKOS, was first used by Plato to describe the beggars, not poor people, but worse than poor people, beggars!



Anybody in a position that has to beg to survive is a PTOKOS. And Plato began that. In the New Testament, that's what it means.



In Luke Chapter 16, Lazarus was a beggar. He was laying out near the trash cans waiting for the garbage so he could have something to eat.



The woman who put all the money she had into the treasury in the temple, she was considered a poor person but she was not a beggar. She had the means to give and to live even though every penny was spent.



So when we are talking about a beggar and we are talking about poor "in spirit," the Lord is saying that the number one principle, and please remember that He is presenting the principles of kingdom living for disciples, you and I.



The Jewish leaders and Jewish people are listening and they've been taught their whole life that you have to work the works of the law to be righteous. And your outward appearance of success signifies whether you are keeping the law or not.



So the first thing Jesus says is "blessed are the poor in spirit," the people that realize their poverty. Not just the poverty, but the depravity of their spirit, so they come to Him.

Remember when the man was in the temple saying "Lord, be merciful to me a Sinner" and he couldn't even lift his eyes up because he was so humbled before God?



Of course the Pharisee standing over there sees him and says Lord, I'm sure glad I am not like that poor sinner over there. So that is the difference between religion and relationship!



Jesus says that everything is going to depend upon your realization first of all, and everything else is built on this.

We can't go any further than this if we don't realize the depravity of our spiritual condition.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Brother Rick.

Isn't marvelous that same law giver "God" is "ON" both mountains, The law "applies" on both mountains, But the way to God is only available by one mountain!! MONT SION. If you clean your self and try to approach God by the law you will die.

Carolyn One other point when holding forth the Word God knows when your ready so we believe it

with our minds we hold it forth with Gods Love and Heart then the hungry will hear also I rarely listen

to sermon I heard but I was glued to the ones I saw I.E. thr witness!

Indeed. As Paul aptly wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds); Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Our concern now is in the spiritual realm, doing battle with the enemy of our souls. What happens to our physical life as a result of the enemy's or his cohorts' attacks, matters little; "whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." ( Romans 14:8). And this is the joy & confidence we have in Christ Who has gone on before us & before Whom nothing escapes or is forgotten. We can rejoice in all circumstances, for our names are written in Heaven.

The nondescript person here uttering a complaint sounds much like the author of Lamentations mourning over the situation during the Babylonian invasion. There is great similarity also to Job during his sufferings. There perhaps is the greatest meaning in the time when Christ returns (v.13). Daniel states that there are set times; and even Antichrist can't change times and delay Christ's return and victory over him ( Daniel 2:21). Once again; as in earlier Psalms the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord (v. 15). The prisoners will be set free ( Isaiah 51:14) as v. 20 indicates; and during the Millennium God looks down from heaven (heavenly Jerusalem) in v. 19. Eventually, the earth shall perish and be changed (v. 20) at the end of the period; and at the time of the Great White Throne judgment. ( Rev. 20:11). Then there shall be eternal glorified saints continuing forever (v. 28). This could indicate those already in redeemed bodies from the church age; as well as those natural men that live physically with their descendants (seed) during the 1000 years; who live throughout that period and are translated into eternity.

Jocelynne Bell I thought quite a bit about this and considered these Numbers 23:19 and 1 Kings 8:56 the

same thing applies to us in our day and time, His Word believed or not Will never Fail!

Hi Chris

You mentioned Deuteronomy 4:14-19. God was reminding the Israelites to not worship God through images. Shortly after

they came out of Egypt and Moses went up the mountain they went back to idol worship. Exodus 32:1-8 They also worshipped the rod with the serpent on it that Moses made. They had to look upon it to be saved. Number 21:8-9 They worshipped it also. They failed to see what it stood for. Hezekiah had to destroy it because they were burning incense to it.

2Kings18:4 God uses images so that we may understand him better but we need to be careful not to go beyond what they represent.

Thanks

Rick

Thanks for the bio.

I have osteoarthritis in my lumbar region and had to quit work because of spasming that pit me on the floor. Not good for a kinder teacher!

So I have been home for the past 16 months using my recliner often to take the compression of my spine.

I've had some good improvement, so I am glad to not be getting the spasms as o once did. So, I hear you.

I know that there is much we agree on and we have the same Lord and Same Spirit to bring us to the Father.

We can present our viewpoints on this forum and some will agree with us and some will

not. I think you and I recognize that and can be loving and harmonious even when we differ from each other.

Do,again thanks for letting me know more about you. God calls us from all different situations to Be united in Christ. He decided this and has cause us to have this contact.

I consider it and you a blessing .

No one can come to the Father unless He draws Him first ( John 6:44). His sheep hear His voice ( John 10:27). I recommend that you read this book in particular to understand election. The god of this world has blinded the minds of men who don't believe ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Parables were hidden from the Pharisees; and only the Holy Spirit could reveal that Jesus was the Son of God ( Matthew 16:17). Once again the Father was the one who did the revealing.

The only unforgiveable sin was blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 12:31-32). This related to people seeing Christ's miracles and attributing them to Beezlebub (or Satan). Most people would when they saw His miracles think that he was a prophet; or good man as Peter indicated the general response was earlier when Christ asked who men thought He was. This is much like looking at the Sermon on the Mount and all those who Christ declared blessed and thinking somehow a person could be virtuous by doing a bunch of good works alone. Many are called; few are chosen ( Matthew 22:14). Satan of course will do many signs and wonders in Revelation 13 through the false prophet to draw men to worship the Antichrist. There are many evil spirits that are deceiving men today. When Christ did miracles; he would ask people at times to go back to the leaders to confirm the healing was genuine and be officially declared "clean".

Jesus asked the Pharisees which was harder; forgiving sins or healing ( Matthew 9:5). Jesus indeed did healings without preaching salvation many times; but he would say go and sin no more lest something worse happens to you to a man paralyzed most of his life ( John 5:14). This can be seen also with the woman about to be stoned ( John 8:11). In this; we can see that the Presence of the Holy Spirit Christ draws all men (that He has called and chosen) to Himself.

This is also true in Acts; the Apostles didn't beg to get more converts; people said what must I do to be saved ( Acts 16:30).

Hi Rick

You mention 1 Corinthians 15:54-55. This whole chapter is on the resurrection. Those verses mentioned are saying when we are raised from the dead to immortal beings death will no long affect us. The bible describes those that die in Christ as being asleep. Consider Lazarus. When he died our Lord described him (Lazarus) as being asleep. When his disciples miss understood him he told them that Lazarus was dead. John 11:11-14 Those that die in Christ will be brought back to life to die no more. So even if they die it is like sleep because they will be raised from the dead. There is an order. Jesus is the first fruits and the rest at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

We all die because of Adam. We have his nature. We all sin. The wages of sin is death.

Death will happen to all of us until the Lord returns to this earth.

The death of the child to King David happened because it would have been a constant reminder of David's sin with Bathsheba. David should have died for his two sins. Adultery and murder. God forgave him. He didn't die but the child did. God knows the end from the beginning. If the child would have grown up to be a righteous person I'm sure God

wouldn't have let the child die. We are given free will. Let us be careful on how we use our free will.

Thanks

Psalm 96

Clearly a millennium Psalm; God's glory is to be declared "among the heathen.." (v. 3) Offering is said to be brought to Him in verse 8. His rule over the earth will be with a rod of iron ( Psalm 2:8-9; Rev. 2:27). Justice will reign supreme; as He is to be "..wonderful; counselor; Almighty God; the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace." ( Isaiah 9:6). Again the fear of the Lord (v.4) is an important thing to remember for all of us. The new song (v. 1) could be an extension of the song the 144,000 sing at the throne; perhaps when they rule and reign with Christ later on in the 1000 year dispensation ( Rev. 14:3).

The fact that the sea is roaring (v. 11) indicates that it is before there is "no more sea" in Revelation 21:1. There will be no more sin or death in the new heaven and earth in eternity. Sadly; many will follow Satan's last rebellion at the end of the Millennial period despite such wonderful living conditions on the earth. It takes a supernatural change to man's heart to be saved; sadly the failures of man have been evident from the beginning.

Hi Jocelynne.

The account is in Genesis 22:1-18.

It's a lot to this story than what meets the Eye.

Issac was the child of promise and heir of the blessings promised to Abraham and by which the seed would come and by which all the world would be blessed.

Genesis 15:5-6.

Genesis 21:12.

( And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.)

Now if God was going to keep his promise "WHICH HE ALWAYS DO, BECAUSE GOD CAN'T LIE" Abraham would have to believe in something else. THE RESURRECTION!!

Hebrews 11:17-19. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; FROM WHENCE ALSO HE RECEIVED HIM IN A FIGURE.

I believe this is where the Gospel is preached to Abraham.

Galatians 3:8.

Genesis 22:14. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, IN THE MOUNT OF THE LORD IT SHALL BE SEEN.

I believe the Lord Jesus was offered up on that same hill.

I hope this helps.

God bless.

Sorry that was my sibling. She's 10

These words clearly indicate Christ's promises from the Father; hence Satan's attempt for Him to fall to temptation to break continual obedience at the end of the 40 days of fasting in the wilderness ( Matthew 4:2 and following verses). Clearly, we have promises such as in verse 8 where we will only see the destruction of the wicked with our eyes and verse 7 where a thousand fall at our side; 10000 near you which could indicate those on earth at Armageddon or the battle for Jerusalem ( Zechariah 14) or our view of the judgments as they are cast to earth from heaven as seen in Revelation. We are also promised that God will go before us and be our rear guard ( Isaiah 52:12); and the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers him ( Psalm 34:7). Angels are ministering spirits; who have worked to free prisoners from jail in the case of Daniel in the lions den; and Peter in prison. When we are seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:6); hence He is our refuge ( Psalm 91:9). We do well to heed to the example of Christ; when he neared the end of His trial at His weakest point the enemy attacked. Patiently waiting until He was ministered to by angels afterward is a lesson to us to trust in Him (v. 2); and see that the Lord is good ( Psalm 34:8). We must endure to the end; but that is only in His strength. We remember that He is our High Priest; ever interceding for us ( Hebrews 7:25 and many other verses in that book).

What is it to be poor in spirit?

S.Spencer I'm about out of breath reading that! Good stuff!

Marcelo The pharisees were not of the believing tribe of the hebrews, it would pay you look at the different

names of lord according to hebrew text which is not shown except in certain places I.E.in Genesis chapter 17:1

I am lord I am the Almighty God which means El shaddai supplier of all need and sufficiency walk before me

and be perfect. The word lord is representative of how God operates with his created works, or in context the

worshippers of unbelievers bowing down to their lord or baal. In the old testament alone there are 12 different

usages in regard to how God functioned at given times.

Marcelo Take the time to look of the different usages of lord in the scripture, very inspirational!

Hi Kathy,

I would like to add to the truth Cait has given referencing Hebrews 12:18-23. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

BUT YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT SION, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE ( HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, ) and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Notice the contrast. In Exodus 19:10-12. THE LORD TELL MOSES TO SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE AND TELL THEM TO WASH THERE CLOTHES, and bring them the third day, and they still couldn't touch the border of the law given mountain!!

In the Heavenly Jerusalem God don't wash garments, he gives new ones.

Zechariah 2:10-13.

Zechariah 3:1-9.

Ephesians 4:20-24.

Colossians 3:9-10.

Parallel-

Galatians 4:21-26. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

WHICH THINGS ARE AN ALLEGORY: FOR THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

BUT JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE IS FREE, WHICH IS THE MOTHER OF US ALL.

Romans 8:3-4.

A general area to study in.

Hopefully someone will add.

God bless.

Jim There's one thing I keep in mind about Gods Word everything He said where when why how and to

whom and the way He said What He said is for a reason. Its the hidden treasures so to speak of the scripture.

Brings to mind Mathew 5:18 every Jot and tittle every smallest mark of hebrew alphabet and every ornamental

mark in hebrew writing will be fulfilled. I looked that up UNBELIEVABLE! It hurt my Head! God Bless!

Hi, why the Bible does not use the real names of God or Jesus and use the word Lord.

There are lots of lords in England.

God's real name is YHWH there are many god's Satan is a god.

Jesus' real name is Yahusha and in his time here in the world there was no letter J.

why use the Jews in the Bible as if they were YHWH people they are not the Hebrews of old, they are the Pharisees, that hated Yahusha.

They are pure Cabal from the Russian steps.

Are you even able to answer me? If you are it would be much appreciated.

YAH BLESS

Marcelo

Gigi My heart in my communication is only for greater understanding what a person chooses to believe or

not believe is based on a lot of background info whether proven or not. Myself I had absolutely no type

of denomination background at all but I spent literally when i was younger a full year of just going to work 8 hrs.

and studying the scripture all the rest of the time I had no contact with the outside world period. Then I

went out and watched others and listened. Either it lined up or not, I do have research material but again if it

doesn't fit with all scripture I drop it.

Just a bit of heart what started my quest to give anyone possibly a laugh I was at a friends house and

we were smoking something not good I was a hippie, then we flipped through the t.v. channels and the end of

the greatest story ever told came on and I watched this guy going up in clouds and say lo I am with you always

even till the ends of the age. My initial attention getter because I knew mankind the way he was headed was

going to be toast and where was I going to wind up. So went home found my moms bible read the book of

revelation first and went into complete and absolute shock not knowing about being born again and forgiveness

just understanding my butts going to be eternal toast. I didn't eat or sleep for three days, then by Gods grace

got into the gospels and read about this Guy who Loved healed and raised the dead and gave his life

paid so you would be saved. Read Romans 10:9+10 absolutely believed it and that was the start. Lost girl

friend all immediate so called friends and began my new life in Him and never looked back. Eventually SIT

and signs miracles and wonders followed. Also I fellowship with others either in person or by phone hookup

its a bit challenging for me to travel I deal with spinal stenosis not fun. So Gigi there's some of my heart,

I can come across sometimes short or too brief due to my challenged body.

Hello Lorraine. In this account, the Lord had already spoken to Balaam, "And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" ( Numbers 22:12). This was a direct command - there was no further discussion that could be had in it. Yet, Balaam, though still abiding with God's Command & indicating that even if Balak would offer him silver & gold to persuade him, said that he would not disobey the command. But, what was actually in Balaam's heart? His mouth said one thing, but his heart was being tempted & lusting. So, he went to seek the Lord's Word once again on the matter (v19). By doing so, it showed that Balaam was trying to see whether the Lord would change His Mind, or at least, allow him some concession on the matter - that God would understand.

And this time, the Lord told him to go with those men (v20). I see here, that God had a lesson in obedience for Balaam (you've read the account of Balaam's ass encountering the angel of the Lord), & finally Balaam learned it the hard (& painful) way. After learning not to disobey God, Balaam was allowed to proceed & to perform His Will & His Words (in the following chapters). If this had not happened, Balaam would surely have been enticed with the gifts from Balak & therefore brought to him nice, convenient words which Balak wanted to hear. But Balaam learned his lesson & now only brought out God's Word.

And sadly, there are many servants of God, who may be enticed with gifts & the approval of men, who have detoured from God's Word & God's direction for their ministry. This is a story of compromise - there can't be any compromise before the Living God. Remember, how Israel lusted for a king - then God gave them one, Saul, who was not God's choice for them - and they suffered. We should learn from such lessons & apply them to our lives.

Lorraine Whats interesting about Balaam was what it took to stop Him and get His attention,in verse 22 he

is cruising along one an ass with two servants and doesn't see the angel but the ass turned aside! Then he's

headed down a narrow pathway the ass slamming balaam against the wall and balaam beating the ass but the

ass saw the angel dropped down and the prophet didn't get the hint until the the Lord talks to balaam through

the ass's mouth verses 28-30. Wouldn't that be enough to get your attention but God still had to reveal the

angel to balaam to get the hint and he stopped. Eventually he got with balak but didn't tell balak what he wanted

to hear, actually the exact opposite Chapter 23: 19 balaam saying to balak God is not a man that he should lie

neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he not spoken and shall

he not make it good. Its funny sometimes in our lives we need nudging like balaam only perhaps for a different

simpler reason.

Thanks Jim for that reference in Luke. It's just that I don't understand "the shape of a dove" to be an exact look-a-like of the bird, but taking on the general form of it & more specifically its manner of descent upon Jesus. In other words, John should NOT have been in a position to observe & exclaim, "Hey lookie there, I see the Holy Spirit coming, taking on the form of a dove - that must make that dove a very special bird created by God". And of course, as I wrote earlier, if the appearance of the 'dove' was perceived to be an animal by anyone, then we would have to ask how does that fit into the other Scriptures that warn us (e.g. Deuteronomy 4:14-19)?

Then of course, we have Acts 2:2,3, with the "cloven tongues as of fire". The similarity is striking to the previous one; again, the understanding of many is that it was actual fire that came upon the apostles who were gathered there, whereas what appeared was the general appearance of fire, maybe even flickering, yet would not cause harm as a fire would. Anyway, I guess we can each have our own perceptions of these, & from so many other biblical accounts, which sometimes adds that extra dimension to our Bible reading & understanding. Thanks again for your thoughts on this.