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Circumcision - ouch!
Kat:
Hi sonofone,
The way I see it is there are works that Christ does through us, these are the good works of the Spirit. And there are the ritual/works that the churches say is necessary, like baptism, tithes, laying on of hands, keeping the Sabbath/Lord's day and such. This I think is like the burdens the Pharisees layed on men's shoulders.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy and hard-to-carry burdens and lay them on men's shoulders. But they will not move them with one of their fingers.
I most certainly believe in prayer and miracles :)
Here is an email that helps explain this.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,492.0.html
Dear Kevin:
Your struggles is no different from many other saints that have gone before you. Here is the simple truth about whether it is all a done deal in our lives, or whether there is something for us to do as Believers in Christ:
"For by GRACE are ye saved [that's a true statement] through FAITH [that's also a true statement]; and that [that 'faith'] not of yourselves: it is the GIFT [and that too is a true statement--a gift can't be 'earned'] of God. NOT OF WORKS [that certainly is also a true statement] lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship [the Greek is 'His achievement'--and that again is certainly true, we can't make ourselves spirituall converted and mature], created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, Which God has before ordained that we SHOULD WALK IN THEM [now where did that come from? Are we now to assume that that statement is NOT TRUE? That there are NO WORKS involved in our salvation, when God ordained that we MUST WALK IN GOOD WORKS?]" (Eph. 2:8-10).
God gives us FAITH, and God grants us GRACE, and with that He works out His achievement in us by causing us to DO GOOD WORKS, and don't let any two-faced lying hypocritical false prophet ever tell you differently.
Our "good works" will not save us, but God will save no one in whom He does not ORDAIN GOOD WORKS that they must walk in.
Now then, take heart. As you read the Truths of God, OBEY all that God is showing you. God will lead you to true spiritual repentance, as that too is something that only God can grant to you (See Rom. 2:4). When you begin to live a life without all the sins of your past, you will have a clean and clear conscience for the first time in your entire life. With a clean and clear conscience comes PEACE OF MIND. If God is causing you to seek Him, then God will grant you repentance, and sin will no longer have "dominion over you" (Rom. 6:14).
You and your future are in God's hands. If what I teach is from the Scriptures, then believe it and follow it; and if not, then ask God to show you where the Truth is. If you find someone else who teaches the truth contrary to what I teach, please get back with me and let me know where you found it.
God be with you, and we will be praying for you,
Ray
javajoe:
--- Quote from: LittleBear on September 25, 2007, 03:45:48 PM ---I've never personally seen anyone healed by prayer before. I don't know if I actually believe in healings for today; I guess people do have testimonies though. I've seen some healing "shows", but no actual healings. If I was in your situation Greg, I personally wouldn't even consider stopping in order to lay hands on the man and pray for healing. I don't mean to sound hard-hearted, but I wouldn't even know if that's what God wanted for him. The whole laying-on of hands also confuses me, and it's always felt eerie to me (from years ago).
Maybe others here have some insight.
Ursula
--- End quote ---
Well I've been healed by prayer before and by the laying on of hands. Timothy was imparted a spiritual gift by the "laying on of hands" (1 Timothy 4: 14). I see no Scriptural evidence that God doesn't heal today, but it entirely depends upon His Will, because some people don' get healed. I think we just need to do the right thing, what we know is right and what we fell lead to do, the results are entirely in God's hands.
Scribbles:
It's chrisiandom that is looking for "revivals", signs and wonders.....when He tells us not to be ( Matt. 24:24, 2Th.2:9)....of course that's a whole other study, etc. but with also in keeping the thought of what Greg brought up, I believe we're to pray "silently" or at least out of the public view, etc.( Mat.6:5 ). "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say to you, they have their reward". Bless God for showing you such a 'pruning'....in yet a gentle way. When we are in the vicinity of an accident or such, a simple heartfelt prayer for the people involved, and their family....and to be thankful God's will to be done, is what He desires to hear from us. When the Spirit of God brings us to tears praying for a stranger.....that may be Him showing us that we are doing what we're supposed to be doing, and we can be assured Gods will was being done for that person. Greg....you certainly did the right thing.....and, as Kay brought up the scripture in Heb 6:1-3.....and God certainly made His point...:)
Another thought...sometimes those "initial instincts" are flat out from christiandom teachings. I'm another one that can say "been there, done it"....lol.....May we all be sensitive to hear Him, and Him only. We're all learning...step by step.
There's been several postings since I started typing this out, because I gave reference of Matt.24:24 and 2Th.2:9, and I hope to make myself clear...I too believe in the power of prayer and miracles. There's a balance to everything, and that will include discerning those kinds of 'signs and wonders' He warns us against, to those that may be given to His own, as JavaJoe pointed out 1Tim.4:14.
~ Scribbles~
Sue Creamer:
Hi All,
This is a good thread..one thought this morning and I am afraid I must ask Kat this question. I remember Ray saying somewhere in his emails or writings that Satan can and does cause illnesses and that he also
has the power to remove them. I do believe that God heals...I do believe God does miracles but seems
that not all healing and not all miracles are of God. Thoughts??
peace,
Sue Ann
Kat:
Hi Sue Ann,
I think this is the email you were talking about.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2862.0.html --------------------
Who makes people sick God or satan? Preachers say God is all powerful but then give satan all the credit when something bad happens.
Dear Reader:
I can give you the simple answer, but few there be who [1] believe it or [2] understand it.
"ALL is of God," but God never lies, never temps people, and never causes people to sin.
Men lie, and men are tempted by their own lusts, and men sin VOLUNTARYILY from their heart.
Yes, Satan causes disease, Luke 13:16, but only becuase it is in God's plan and purpose that there
be disease in the first place.
God be with you,
Ray
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