> General Discussions
SATAN ALWAYS SHOWS UP WHERE HE IS NEEDED
hillsbororiver:
Hi Patrick,
You are absolutely right, God is perfect so His plan is perfect so everything that is happening fits into His plan perfectly, even Satan.
It is my belief that the devil has been pretty fat, happy & full for the most part, he is, was, will be able to devour everyone but Jesus and those whom Jesus has chosen for His elect. Those in that group will be tormented and tried but not devoured. The physical torments that the "men of old" and Prophets in the OT experienced are shadows of the spiritual torments and trials of God's elect.
This sure is an incredible journey,
Joe
Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Joe
A thought provoking and direction inspiring post. Thank you.
Some thoughts....
"Finding fault"…….compares as radically opposite against Titus 1 : 9… He must hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God as he was taught it, SO THAT he may BE ABLE both to give stimulating instruction and encouragement in sound wholesome doctrine and to REFUTE ( not only deny but REFUTE with EVIDENCE) and convict those who contradict and oppose it, showing the wayward their error. 10 For there are many disorderly and unruly men who are idle vain, empty and misleading talkers and self-deceivers and deceivers of others. This is true…
Finding fault is as in false witness, with no evidence, hate for God and His word, envy and strife. Like many of Ray’s detractors that come against him and Ray true to Titus 1 : 9 shows his ability to show to be in the wrong all those who find fault with him.
Isaiah 54 : 17 ….every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me, this is that which I impart to them as their justification says the Lord.
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
skydreamers:
--- Quote ---The physical torments that the "men of old" and Prophets in the OT experienced are shadows of the spiritual torments and trials of God's elect.
--- End quote ---
Hi Joe, your comment made me think of the poor guy in this e-mail:
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3705.0.html
I totally relate to this guy, not in the sense that our experiences are the same, but in the way that it is so emotionally tormenting and disturbing to have to face your sin nature day in and day out. I remember reading Ray's paper about The Beast and feeling relieved because it gave me an inkling of understanding why I hate myself (that is, the sin in my members) so much. What can be more tormenting than living a hypocritical life claiming to be a Christian but all the while knowing your thoughts and behaviors are 99% un-Christlike. It is so frustrating and depressing! Seeing little changes here and there is no great comfort either. When you long to be like Christ token good behaviors really are "filthy rags".
Satan stirs up the old coward card with me too. Although I can see the fires of affliction in my life, I'm more terrified of having to endure some horrible family tragedy or terrible illness as some dear brothers and sisters are going through As it stands now, I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and my health fully intact. This sometimes SCARES me as I contemplate what might be in store for me. But at the end of the day, I'd rather go through my judgment now, whatever it is, than having to be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Ray says in his answer:
I have told many that they will not begin to come out of their sins until they begin to really HATE THEM. Oh, I know, "everybody hates their sins." No, not really. When you begin to hate your sins like poisonous snakes you WILL STAY AWAY FROM THEM.
I really thought I hated my sins but when I read this I realized I probably still had a ways to go....I think I've been hating Satan more than I've been hating my own sins. I think there might be a difference there. Satan is annoying to be sure, but he's merely a tool in devouring the flesh. It's really the Beast in the mirror I need to hate. But the anguish of feeling helpless at not being able to change myself is sometimes more than I can bear, yet other times it's like I'm numb to the consequences of sin. When I first came to bibletruths I was overjoyed and in awe for sometime but lately I'm getting more distressed at the lack of changes in my life....I sometimes just don't get why God would show me these truths but still leave me the way I am. Sigh, this is the meloncholy side of me. But I do not lose hope even though I am impatient. And I do understand that God has his timing. But even if it's not in God's plan for me to be in the first resurrection, I'm okay with that...I just don't want to live my life staying the way I am! Know what I mean? I'm praying for PROGRESS :)
Peace, Diana
Kat:
Hi Diana,
I relate really well with what you are saying :)
--- Quote --- This sometimes SCARES me as I contemplate what might be in store for me. But at the end of the day, I'd rather go through my judgment now, whatever it is, than having to be cast into the Lake of Fire.
--- End quote ---
I too feel like my life is going pretty smooth in comparison to what some on the forum have shared. I too wonder if there are some great trials ahead of me.
But then again I too would rather go through my judgment now.
--- Quote ---but lately I'm getting more distressed at the lack of changes in my life....
--- End quote ---
There too I think I should have progressed farther for sure in some areas. But I know that God's plan for my life is perfect. So I have the peace and confidence that He is working all things for my good.
Eph 1:9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
v. 10 for an administration of the fullness of times, to head up all things in Christ, both the things in Heaven, and the things on earth, even in Him,
v. 11 in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will,
v. 12 for us to be to the praise of His glory, who previously had trusted in Christ;
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
DWIGHT:
Hi Diana,
I really enjoyed your post, and like Kat, I too can relate to what your'e saying. Sometimes, I think that I should be going through a lot more than I am, you know like Paul being persecuted with rods and stones or something like that. And whose to say that it won't happen in the future, but it seems that God is trying me now with little things like patience, self-control, and other smaller things that used to not bother me, probably because I was too carnal to notice.
This reminds me of the faithful servant parable, " His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matt. 25:21
I guess we just have to make sure that we are faithful no matter what God sends our way. Satan is constantly accusing us before God night and day, but we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Your brother,
Dwight
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[*] Previous page
Go to full version