> General Discussions
What If?
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: mari_et_pere on June 08, 2007, 11:45:20 AM ---
In my 32 years I've had a lot of "upstanding christians" shatter people's emotions. I have so many examples I can't even think of which one to use! These supposed good, prayer warrior type women being totally nasty to others, sometimes within their precious church walls!
On the other hand, I've had people who were rough and tough, down and out, beer drinking, cussing folks who had hearts of gold!
You'd be suprised who you'll find a good heart in sometimes. :)
Matt
--- End quote ---
Hi Matt,
You are so right about that! This has been my experience as well, not to say there aren't any helpful and sincere people in the churches, I have found some very compassionate, true friends that would put themselves at risk of loss by helping others out, not to stay out of hell (non believers, at least in a traditional sense) or because they need to preach salvation to some poor soul that is down and out but do it because they would truly appreciate someone doing the same for them or a loved one if the need be, no payback, no promise of reward, no accolades, just a sense of brotherly duty.
Great observation Brother,
Joe
--- Quote from: Arcturus on June 08, 2007, 12:29:31 PM ---
So if one is feeling slighted or disappointed at where our lessons are ensuing, it may be that we are not going to be led forth and away on the day of God's wrath into the LOF!
--- End quote ---
Yes exactly! If we are presumptuous enough to reject out of hand an answer to our prayer or another piece of His treasure that is understanding His Word we will be held accountable for it, I would be in a deep despair on that fateful day to have to answer the Lord that I rejected a gift from Him because I was not very fond of the vessel He chose to present it to me.
Thanks Arcturus,
Joe
--- Quote from: YellowStone on June 08, 2007, 02:26:30 PM ---
But, we are not without hope: For we must be like children, meek and mild; fully realizing that one cannot guarantee ones salvation free of the LOF, but rather God who works all according to His will. Therefore, as innocent children being meek and mild, worrying not of the future knowing that the responsibility is not theirs to bare. Such children know that they have no control over what tomorrow might bring and become not anxious.
--- End quote ---
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Yes Darren,
That sums up the gift of faith and how we should be wide eyed and receptive to the things our Heavenly Father bring our way, just like a small child who has that unwavering faith in their earthly parents we should have that same faith (coupled with discernment) in our walk through this world.
Thanks for your responses.
His Peace and Wisdom to you all,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
The point I was trying to underline is that the spiritual battle we are fighting is more internal than external, that the thoughts we ourselves embrace and the way we tend to view others is more likely to stunt our spiritual growth than anything another man can say or even do to us.
Many smooth and comforting things spoken come from a deceitful heart with an agenda far removed from our Lord, on the other hand many contrarian views and statements come from this same carnal heart that wars with the Spirit within. Nothing said by anyone can truly affect us unless we embrace it or let it consume us, there is wisdom to be gained from everyone if we are like Solomon and fervently pray for discernment to judge words and events.
Who is our own worst enemy, our brothers and sisters or ourselves?
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
YellowStone:
Hi Joe,
You really hit on a golden truth here. The whole world is full of excuses. I could have if; he made me do it; she looked at me funny; I didn't like the tone of his voice; I didn't sleep well last night; all of these words are just all to common.
As you so rightly said: "Nothing said by anyone can truly affect us unless we embrace it or let it consume us, "
No one can make me mad, no one or NOTHING can make me angry and lose my temper, unless I choose to do so. Oh I am sure some will say that if God wants you angry, you will be angry; you have no choice. Really! Are not all events provided for our growth, both physically and spiritually? I think so. :)
The whole Scriptures provide ample instruction on how to act, to be meek, mild and humble; they also explain that if one is wanting in strength, wisdom and perhaps patience, then all one need do is ask and it shall be given (assuming all faith of course) Ref: Luke 11:9
So the next time one begins to feel anger well up deep inside, all they need to do is stop and look who is choosing this to happen; they really might be surprised. Anger, frustration, impatience are personal habits and should be seen for what they are. Carnal attachments.
Many Thanks Joe,
Your brother Darren
mari_et_pere:
Joe and Darren,
You both have hit the nail on the head with this! Joe you said that our spiritual battle is more internal than external. How true! I think the state the world is in today, from the big things like war to small scale things like the local crime in your town, is an external affect of internal battles.
I don't want to sound like a New Age nut here, so I hope nobody confuses this for what it's not meant to be, BUT....collectively, the internal lives of humans is what causes the world to be what it is. Or should I say it is HOW GOD CAUSES the world to be. That happens by the internal being played out externally.
If I were to get offended at one of you, and punch you in your face, that would be my internal anger coming out externally, thus affecting the world. Or at least YOUR world. Maybe mine also after you were done beating me up for punching you in the face. ;D
But you see what I'm saying here? Over time, with all humankind's internal thoughts becoming external actions or speech, we have what we have. A corrupt world with corrupt actions. Or, a corrupt religious system such as TBN or your local church. I think you see where I'm going with this. It could be taken a million different directions into every facet of society.
Now that I'm done rambling, I have no idea how this post got to where I just brought it to. ??? ::) See, sometimes I should probably keep my internal from becoming external. :o ;D ;D ;D ;D
Matt
aktikt:
Matt,
I think Prov 23:7 speaks to these issues, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee."
Strange how what a person is thinking sometimes produces their action and sometimes not. The double minded man (James 1) unstable in all his ways says one thing, but his heart is on something else. While the righteous, who's eye is single, speaks exactly as he is. Only when our houses come crashing down from being built on the sand can we speak as we are because God has removed and is removing and will remove our pretense from us.
I just had another thought, when Jesus says that they all may be one as We are in John 17. Perhaps, this is an aspect of His meaning. The oneness meaning truthful. As if to say, that they all may be truthful as We are. Wow, that's a cool connection. I like it.
Josh
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