> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship

To pastor Tony Smith at thewayofgodchurch.com

<< < (7/8) > >>

Bradigans:

--- Quote from: tebza4jesus on August 19, 2008, 11:07:15 AM ---Hi Bradford,

I read your open letter to Pastor Tony Smith, and I thought I too will tell what I know, for I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me! I maybe young of years and very much unmarried, but does that disqualify me for saying anything? I guess no, for it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. Let me share with you my understanding!

The All-knowing God, has not only known your future wife before you or she were born, but the Almighty has brought you two together, having declared all concerning your life from the beginning. And He has always known that this moment where you are contemplating leaving your wife will come. This is no mistake in God's for He is infallible.

Couple His infallibility with His unchanging LOVE for all sinners (including you and I), and you will realise He will never sit down to plan to TORMENT you just for the sake of STRESSING you. Understanding that, will help you to have confidence in ALL His plans for you, including the choice of WIFE for you!

Many times, when we are troubled (which actually means, things don't go OUR way), we tend to make the mistake of taking decisions based on what we "PREFER" other that anything else. "I LIKE/PREFER a woman who is submissive to me. I think marriage life will be better if I had such a woman." I want a woman who believes the same as I do."

These are just simple examples of how we go about making our decisions, and as you can see they are always prefaced by that beast of the heart, I.

It's always about what I and never really about what does the POTTER want.

Could it be that this "thorn in the flesh" is there to a pruning tool unto me? Could it be "a vessel of dishonour" that the LORD has created to use in disciplining, moulding or testing me?

This aspect of the TRUTH we are not accustomed to think of that easily and often for the inclination of men's hearts is purely evil all the time, but it's the TRUTH there, for everyone who has love for TRUTH to accept.

I DO NOT DOUBT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER THAT THE WOMAN YOU ARE MARRIED TO IS GOD'S CHOICE FOR YOU AND I ADVISE YOU TO STAY WITH HER.

There is a story in the O.T. concerning David, Nabal and Abigail, which I would like you to go through! It's a lovely story, simple and short!

David had been helping Nabal by looking over his flocks - offering protection. When David needed help as far as food is concerned, Nabal wouldn't help. David was furious and threatened to avenge HIMSELF.

I am bringing this story up just to show you that even a man after God's own doesn't LIKE it when things doen't go HIS WAY, such that HE will decide to take matters in HIS OWN HANDS. (I will kill Nabal).

But God has a plan, with Abigail coming and bringing wise unto David, he relented and chose to allow God to avenge him (May God's will be done)!

It was not long before Nabal was dead and listen to David's words when he heard that in 1 Samuel 25:39 (NIV)

"When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal's wrongdoing down on his own head." Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife." (Emphasis mine)

Hear me clearly, I am not saying you are David, or that your wife is Nabal! All I am saying is that WHEN THINGS DON'T GO ACCORDING TO THE WAY WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO GO, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE THINK THAT WE ARE RIGHT AND OTHERS ARE WRONG, (LIKE "SHE'S NOT SUBMISSIVE AS A WIFE SHOULD"), WE SHOULD SIMPLY LET GOD TO DEAL WITH THE "CULPRITS", UPHOLDING YOUR CAUSE. LEY THE LORD KEEP YOU FROM DOING WRONG AND MAY HE BRING NABAL'S WRONGDOING UPON HIS HEAD."

I hope I am clear! That's my advise to you. Endure the conditions you don't like ((like an "unsubmissive" wife) and let God fight for you!   
 

 


--- End quote ---

Amen to some of the things you spoke on. I'll list the things that I'm not quite in cahoot's with you on. No offense intended.

You say,
--- Quote ---The All-knowing God, has not only known your future wife before you or she were born, but the Almighty has brought you two together, having declared all concerning your life from the beginning. And He has always known that this moment where you are contemplating leaving your wife will come. This is no mistake in God's for He is infallible.
--- End quote ---

I don't believe what you're saying has a real scriptural basis. I'm not certain that God brought us together, and whether or not HE will keep us together is up to HIM. Succinctly, i would like to say, "our lust brought us together with no regard to what God thought." We didn't pray on it, because those so many years ago we were set on having sex with one another. Then she got pregnant, and then there's that bond. Then she got pregnant again, and again, and it's been usually at a time when I've mustered up my courage to leave. But, I love these kids so muuuch!!! I believe the love i have for her also is the same i have for these kids. It's a deep, deep concern; a sacrificial, I'm willing to make, concern. I've died many times for her in killing my own feeling in what i really wanted to do. Whether or not God will bless this union, I'm not certain. I'm open to whatever HIS holy will may be. Like I say, we started off in lust fulfilling fleshly desires. Remember, God SPIRIT thrives in and through love.

 - 1 John 4:16 says - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

We both admit that we didn't love each other at the time. We were relating through the spirit of lust to satisfy fleshly urges and itches. We both could care less what God thought at that time.

 - Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (the mess we're in today); but he that soweth to the Spirit (God is love - 1 John 4:16) shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

However God leads, we're both set on following; whether it's apart or staying together. It'll have to be by HIS SPIRIT.

You say,
--- Quote ---Couple His infallibility with His unchanging LOVE for all sinners (including you and I), and you will realise He will never sit down to plan to TORMENT you just for the sake of STRESSING you. Understanding that, will help you to have confidence in ALL His plans for you, including the choice of WIFE for you!
--- End quote ---
[/color]

Well, I'm not a sinner. How can I be? There are no charges to or against a bona fide believer.

 - Romans 8:33 - Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.   

If I was to subscribe or go along with you on something like that, I would be despising the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

 - Hebrews 10:28-29 - He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

You would have me to testify to the lie (John 8:44) of the blood of Christ not being enough or inadequate to save to the uttermost. There's no amen there from me. I'm not cosigning with you on that one.

You also state,
--- Quote ---Many times, when we are troubled (which actually means, things don't go OUR way), we tend to make the mistake of taking decisions based on what we "PREFER" other that anything else. "I LIKE/PREFER a woman who is submissive to me. I[/b] think marriage life will be better if I had such a woman." I want a woman who believes the same as I do."
--- End quote ---
[/color]

I don't believe a woman (a wife) can be submissive to a man (her husband) until he's willing to be submissive to her and to love her.

 - Ephesians 5:25 says - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

I may be the problem in our relationship.  Look at what Jesus had to say.

 - Matthew 20:25-28 - Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

I believe the love of a man opens up the love of a woman. A man has to be willing to die for the woman he loves like Christ died for HIS CHURCH BRIDE. That's what opens her up to serve and to be submissive. Are you willing to submit yourself because submission starts at the head. Look at what Christ did for his bride. Remember also that Jesus washed the disciples feet. You can't serve HIM if HE hasn't served you first.

Well, i think that's enough for now. I really can't agree with much to nothing that you said. But, i do that you for your response. I know you meant well.

God bless and in HIS ETERNAL LOVE AND GRACE,

Bradford

KristaD:
If you don't agree that God is all knowing and planned your life and everything that you would do before you were born and that you ARE in fact a sinner as we ALL are then you need to go back and read Ray's papers. Tebza4Jesus was right in your first two quotes and your dispute of them are a dispute of what we believe here, the TRUTH of God.

Bradigans:

--- Quote from: KristaD on August 20, 2008, 01:07:17 PM ---If you don't agree that God is all knowing and planned your life and everything that you would do before you were born and that you ARE in fact a sinner as we ALL are then you need to go back and read Ray's papers. Tebza4Jesus was right in your first two quotes and your dispute of them are a dispute of what we believe here, the TRUTH of God.

--- End quote ---

I said, and i quote,
--- Quote ---Well, I'm not a sinner. How can I be? There are no charges to or against a bona fide believer.
--- End quote ---

They've all been wiped away with the precious blood of Jesus Christ the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 - Hebrews 4:3 - For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

 - Revelation 13:8 - And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

I'm not certain about you, but for me that means my sins are forgiven from forever past through out forever future. God through Christ made an eternal sacrifice. Eternity emcompasses time and not time eternity.

 - Hebrews 10:12-14 - But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever(in eternity), sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Can i get an amen, alleluia from somebody over there. Lord JESUS!!! We magnify YOUR name; we magnify YOUR name! We magnify YOUR name!!! We lift YOU up; we lift YOU up! WE LIFT YOU UP!!! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!!! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH. I LOVE YOU JESUS! I LOVE YOU JESUS!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE!!! TAKE ME!!! OH LORD JESUS!!! YOU'RE JUST TOO GOOD!!! You're worthy to be praised!!!

IN HIS ETERNAL LOVE AND GRACE,

Bradford

Kat:

Bradford,


--- Quote ---Well, I'm not a sinner. How can I be? There are no charges to or against a bona fide believer.

They've all been wiped away with the precious blood of Jesus Christ the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
--- End quote ---

Not even Paul made that claim.

Php 3:11  that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
v. 12  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.

You need to consider all the Scriptures on this, as being made into His image is a process that does not end until we are resurrected into the kingdom.

1John 1:7 Yet if we should be walking in the light as He is in the light, we are having fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, is cleansing us from every sin."

"Is cleansing us" we're not yet clean as it is a process.

v. 8 If we should be saying that we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
v. 9 If we should be avowing our sins, He is faithful and just that He may be pardoning us our sins and should be cleansing us from all injustice." (CLV)

Here is an email on this.

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6922.0.html -----

Dear J:  You must rid yourself of all the Christian superstition that is still in your consciousness. You can't save yourself, except as God gives you the desire and the power. If sin still has "dominion" over you (See Rom. 6), then God has not yet been victorious in your spiritual life. It doesn't mean that he is finished with you, however.  I continued to sin for years after I KNEW what I was doing was sin. I just deceived myself into being thankful for greasy grace.

    One does not stop all his sinning just because he desires to stop.  I desired to stop, but I couldn't stop. When it was God's time in my life to really repent and stop sinning, then God brought that about. No matter how much power you believe there to be in human will, God will bring you to the place that you will have NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (Phil. 3:3).  God is going to make you hate your sins real bad before He will grant you victory over them. Be patient--pray and obey till God comes to your aid.
v
v
editorial note to my last reply to Jeremy's email on quitting sin --
I was not suggesting that we becomes totally "sinless" when we become spiritually converted. The key is in the word I used to reference Romans chapter 6 in which it is stated that sin shall not have "DOMINION" over our lives. Now there is a different between consciously living sin free, and committing sins even when we consciously determine not to sin.  It is not humanly possible to live totally sin free. Notice Paul's words:

Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

This letter was written years into Paul's ministry, and years after his bitter repentance, and YET, he states, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect..." If Paul could admit to that, where oh where do you think most of us come in?  Yet we should all come to the place in our lives where "sin shall NOT have dominion over you." Hope this makes my previous statements a littler clearer.

God be with you,

Ray

Dennis Vogel:

--- Quote ---Can i get an amen, alleluia from somebody over there. Lord JESUS!!! We magnify YOUR name; we magnify YOUR name! We magnify YOUR name!!! We lift YOU up; we lift YOU up! WE LIFT YOU UP!!! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!!! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH. I LOVE YOU JESUS! I LOVE YOU JESUS!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE!!! TAKE ME!!! OH LORD JESUS!!! YOU'RE JUST TOO GOOD!!! You're worthy to be praised!!!

IN HIS ETERNAL LOVE AND GRACE,
--- End quote ---

Bradford, you are losing it! Seriously.

This is only my advise and obviously you don't have to take it. You need to get away from all forms of religion for awhile, as long as it takes to get your sanity back, even if it's years.

Because right now you are out of touch with reality.

Dennis

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page