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=> General Discussions => Topic started by: Rhys 🕊 on January 09, 2013, 04:29:53 AM

Title: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 09, 2013, 04:29:53 AM: I was reading the following below:

Praying by God's rules

Ah, yes, "the God of peace will be with you." What more do we want? Really: what more do we want? I can swap war stories regarding my past life with the best of you, but to now know that "the God of peace will be with you" is the thing that makes it all worth it. Don't hesitate to thank God for your trials and tribulations and persecutions—they are qualifying you for the incorruptible and immortal Kingdom of God. Answered prayer is a major proof that God exists and that God loves. Obey God's rules governing prayer, and you too will begin to experience God's intervention into your life.

I believe and have no problems with what Ray says here but do find myself struggling.

The following is how I am thinking at the moment and perhaps I'm off the mark here:

It seems more clearer to me now more than ever to be thankful for the things that are not working out for you. Everyone seems to be thankful for the good things but it seems we should be more thankful for the trials and tribulations and persecutions. Even believers seem to be more thankful when things seem to have come right but shouldn't we be more thankful if they stay bad and perhaps even get worse. Nobody seems to be too happy when things go in this direction and everything is going downhill rather quickly. We and especially me included want things to be good again. If these things are qualifying us for His kingdom then why don't we ask for more of them instead of trying to get rid of them. I guess it's like forget the good things give me the trials and tribulations and persecutions as surely that's more important. Well that's how I think at the moment.

I still find myself struggling to be thankful in all the bad things. I am a lot further down the track than I use to be as use to hate God for some things that I was suffering. I guess I'm wondering how do I get to the point of been thankful for all and especially thankful for your trials and tribulations and persecutions and therefore not to complain about anything. Maybe it takes a lifetime but then maybe it only takes a few more weeks. I know what Paul was and then what he became but my transformation does not seem as radical as that. I'm just not sure I will be thankful for all but I want to be and sooner the better at least in my thinking.

Any help appreciated. Maybe I'm not the only one that feels like this but then maybe I am.

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: gregorydc on January 09, 2013, 08:53:21 AM: Hello Rhys,
My dear brother you are definitely not the only one who feels this way. I feel this way quite often, but sometimes I am quite thankful for my trials and tribulations because, in retrospect ,I know without them I would, without God bringing me through them, probably be dead right now, and not being saved. I still have to meditate on the good to see what the bad things are for. I have to also look at the big picture of my life, instead of the small daily things, that is the best way I can be thankful to God. Sorry if it doesn't make a whole lot of since, I just woke up and need coffee. Anyway I hope this helps.
Greg
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: levycarneiro on January 09, 2013, 03:21:32 PM: Quote from: John from Kentucky on January 09, 2013, 03:06:48 PM
Both good and evil come from God. We have no control over what occurs. Like a surfer, we just need to ride the waves. 8)

That's a great analogy :)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: longhorn on January 09, 2013, 04:44:38 PM: I still find myself struggling to be thankful in all the bad things. I am a lot further down the track than I use to be as use to hate God for some things that I was suffering. I guess I'm wondering how do I get to the point of been thankful for all and especially thankful for your trials and tribulations and persecutions and therefore not to complain about anything. Maybe it takes a lifetime but then maybe it only takes a few more weeks. I know what Paul was and then what he became but my transformation does not seem as radical as that. I'm just not sure I will be thankful for all but I want to be and sooner the better at least in my thinking.

You say you are wondering " How do " I " get to the point of being Thankful, and I'm just not sure " I " will be Thankful.. It won't be " YOU " ( Old Man 1st Adam) that will truely be Thankful for trials, but it will be " Christ in You " ( New Man ) that will in all trials have the " Patience of the Saints ". ( Rev 13: 10) when our OLD MAN ( all wood, hay, stubble) is destroyed by the Fire of Christ's words.

Longhorn
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on January 09, 2013, 04:57:26 PM: Quote from: John from Kentucky on January 09, 2013, 03:06:48 PM
...What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10

Both good and evil come from God. We have no control over what occurs. Like a surfer, we just need to ride the waves. 8)

Rather be the Ocean John. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D LOL ~ :)

Rhys, Ray states, "Obey God's rules governing prayer, and you too will begin to experience God's intervention into your life."

CAUSED, of God, to desire to OBEY God, is a desire of the heart given to you by God. 8) To be exceedingly grateful TO GOD, that you have THAT priceless gift, FROM GOD, is, as Ray states, to "begin to experience God's intervention into your life. " :)

Arc
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 09, 2013, 05:10:09 PM: Thanks guys, helpful advice indeed. Guess it's something I still struggle with but I am sure I will get there. I find that article Praying by God's rules quite helpful and have read many times. I often thank God for the tough times but I often don't feel it in my heart.

Looks like I need to take up surfing. Oh well off now to buy a surfboard.

Rhys ::)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Extol on January 10, 2013, 12:45:24 PM: Rhys,

Something I struggle with at times is the expectation of things going wrong, and the fear and worry that comes with it.

See, I have a very good life. I have a nice house, a car, a job. I'm married, and am a successful student. I've never known what it's like to miss a meal. Etc. Etc. I sometimes wonder, Where is the bad? Where is the persecution? I've had some marital problems, and a few people have ridiculed my beliefs, but it's nothing compared to what a lot of people--even unbelievers--have experienced.

I'm caught in this awkward place between wanting to live a good, happy life and yet not wanting too much, because then I may not be "qualified for the kingdom". I want to be a good provider, but should I try not to make too much money? I want to be educated, but should I try not to get too educated (and be one of the "wise after the flesh" [1 Cor. 1:26])? This might sound ridiculous, but I sometimes feel a bit guilty for being a hard worker and a dedicated student. . . because I don't want to feel like I am trying to gain the world, only to lose my soul (Matt. 16:26).

I think when it comes down to it, these are all just my own carnal thoughts; it's me trying to work out my life, instead of trusting that God is working all things after the counsel of His will [Eph. 1:11].

It would benefit me to follow JFK's excellent advice; hope you don't mind if I join you in your surfing excursion. I may be in the middle of the big, wide U.S. of A., but you're never far from the ocean where you live. 8)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: gregorydc on January 10, 2013, 01:30:55 PM: Hey Extol,
Your scriptures are good and true, but you forget a few people in the bible like, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Solomon, plus many more. All of these people had a good life with plenty and God gave them even more. Just because you feel that you have a lot doesn't mean that your trials and tribulations will come that way. It is Gods good pleasure how you live, and how he blesses you. I remember in one of Rays papers where he spoke about how he made thousands of dollars a month at one time. I believe as long as it doesn't go to your head let the Lord keep blessing you, maybe your meant to pass it along to someone else along the way? Who knows? Only God. May God keep blessing you too my friend, and the rest of us here.
Greg
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 10, 2013, 03:35:32 PM: It's something you have to learn how to do just like everything else. Ray can say he's thankful and wants more tribulation till the cows come home, but do you know how many YEARS it might have taken him to get to that point?!

Telling someone they ought to do something and expecting them to want to go off and start doing it immediately, and/or expecting them to know exactly how it's done are two different things.

Ask God for wisdom regarding this. The carnal mind is emnity with God. No one's thankful in all things in the beginning -- when they're carnal.

And since we don't know exactly what you're going through, for all we know it might have nothing to do with tribulation at all, but it might be the chastening of the Lord -- and you might be unthankful because you're despising it. In which case, it makes sense that you're not able to be thankful. Because no chastening in the PRESENT seems pleasant...

Hebrews 12:4
God Disciplines His Sons

4 You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and whips every son whom he receives.

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?

8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bas*tards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless A-F-T-E-R-W-A-R-D it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby.

And p.s. I don't think Ray ever expected everyone who reads that to automatically and suddenly be having feelings of thankfulness. When I'm personally going through hard times, be they tribulation, persecution or judgment/chastening -- I have to FORCE myself (Yes! I know it's God operating in me to will -- so don't be offended by that statement, anyone! lol) to say to God, You know, this is not pleasant but I know there's a good reason for it.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He plans to give us hope and a future and it will happen! Because he can't take back His word. He can't and He won't. But it feels like he's got other things in mind. (His ways are definitely not my ways. lol)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 10, 2013, 06:43:38 PM: You make some points there Gina. I know some things I am thankful later on because I get to see what God is doing. Mind you I also go through some tough things but seem to be thankful straight away. I just wonder to myself why not be thankful straight away in all things if you know God is working in you. Yes I can see a bit of the chastening of the Lord going on with me and thanks for the versus. It's good to go through it even at times you wish you weren't.

Greg - I think Ray also said in another audio that he just didn't want all the money and nice things as it would be a distraction from doing what God wants. I do get blessed at times with making good sales in my business and have plenty of money which I am thankful to God. If I am doing well I just pray for God's wisdom in the good times and not too take it for granted.

Extol - Let's both go surfing. I think you play tennis as I do so we can do that as well. I think we just need to trust in God as my experience in life I have seen the good and the bad. Sometimes the good can come to end pretty quickly and your left wondering what went wrong, just have to trust in God everyday and realise the verse that Gina shared:

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 10, 2013, 07:26:53 PM: Quote from: Rhys NZ on January 10, 2013, 06:43:38 PM
You make some points there Gina. I know some things I am thankful later on because I get to see what God is doing. Mind you I also go through some tough things but seem to be thankful straight away. I just wonder to myself why not be thankful straight away in all things if you know God is working in you. Yes I can see a bit of the chastening of the Lord going on with me and thanks for the versus. It's good to go through it even at times you wish you weren't.

Rhys

Because it's not possible to feel joyous when you're in pain. At least not this girl. haha

Do this: Go surfing with Extol. Have an accident (not your fault) and get knocked upside the head with your surfboard and immediately go unconscious. Are you feeling joyous? No. Because your unconscious. ;D

Being thankful in all things doesn't mean you're feeling joyous at that very nanosecond.

What we want and need is peace of mind: freedom from worry and guilt. We want to know that everything is going to turn out okay.

God's promises are the "eye of the storm." The hard part is believing them -- focusing on them. Train yourself to focus on and believe God's promises. Practice makes perfect. :)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 10, 2013, 07:28:34 PM: Quote from: hayley on January 10, 2013, 07:11:23 PM
I love you family - you encourage me with sound advice that can only come from the scripture. Thinking aloud I just may be at a place in my life where I truly appreciate that Jesus wept. I do not need or want sympathy or more than I can deal with to be considered worthy - only that my heart can work and be tender x

Hayley you're such a sweet heart. I love reading your posts.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: dodrill on January 10, 2013, 08:11:06 PM: Thanks Gina - I love reading your posts too - in between one foot in the mouth and the other waiting in the wings - God is working on me - we have maps of our lives here - spiritual journeys - and it is a safe place to bare our souls. We are still having a human experience and the more we surrender the better it gets - thanks for compliment on my sweet heart - it's not mine :) He makes me love as He is LOVE
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 11, 2013, 01:50:44 AM: Quote from: hayley on January 10, 2013, 08:11:06 PM
God is working on me - we have maps of our lives here - spiritual journeys - and it is a safe place to bare our souls. We are still having a human experience and the more we surrender the better it gets

Hi Hayley

I like the line above you mentioned. I think with my topic here about being thankful in the tough times it's a good reminder of what we have here and the people we have here that can help and encourage us in out journey as we surrender our lives more and more to the Lord.

God bless

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Ian 155 on January 11, 2013, 07:13:00 AM: Good to see most of you are all smilleys when it comes to tribulations - I do a lot of lip service [probably desperado stuff - not from my heart] some times during this constant unrelenting crushing process called trials and tribulation,I'm thinking, taking a cross or a bullet or a be-heading would be easier - I wonder how Ray felt dealing with 4 or 5 types of cancer ?

having a large family seems like there is multiple trials at once, all the time...

It is humbling, and we will overcome, praise God

Ian
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Extol on January 11, 2013, 11:27:58 AM: Yes, I love tennis!!! Aussie Open time!!!
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: indianabob on January 11, 2013, 01:06:33 PM: Friends and Extol,
Being blessed and very well off, financially and otherwise, can be just as tempting a trial as being very poor.
It is so easy to assume that we have earned or some how deserve the blessings we receive.
Imagine that we are born really good looking. Think how difficult it would be to empathize with one born plain in appearance? So I think it is true that one may be tested by great possessions as strictly as one with very little. The poor may envy the wealthy and likewise the wealthy may disregard the plight of the poor.

Regards, Indiana Bob
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 11, 2013, 01:28:46 PM: Quote from: indianabob on January 11, 2013, 01:06:33 PM
Friends and Extol,
Being blessed and very well off, financially and otherwise, can be just as tempting a trial as being very poor.
It is so easy to assume that we have earned or some how deserve the blessings we receive.
Imagine that we are born really good looking. Think how difficult it would be to empathize with one born plain in appearance? So I think it is true that one may be tested by great possessions as strictly as one with very little. The poor may envy the wealthy and likewise the wealthy may disregard the plight of the poor.

Regards, Indiana Bob

True. But being ugly can't keep people from becoming rich. And riches rule. Haven't you noticed how ugly some really rich men are and yet they can get any woman they want? Sometimes more than one. Take Hugh Hefner for example. He is old, wrinkled and fugly! Do you think that matters to his new bride?

By the same token, Jesus was ugly too. Didn't stop him from having people congregate to Him. He was sought after day and night.

But to be fair, it was because they both have something people desire -- riches. One has worldly riches. The other has spiritual riches.

Ray's another example. There was a time there where he was grossly overweight. But that didn't keep me from him or his writings.

Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, if you're poor and ugly (spiritually and physically, respectively) -- you may as well just set fire to yourself.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Ian 155 on January 11, 2013, 03:30:24 PM: Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, if you're poor and ugly (spiritually and physically, respectively) -- you may as well just set fire to yourself.
[/quote]

HA ha he heee - Gina send me those matches

PS I have a t shirt that states "beauty is in the eye of the BEERHOLDER"
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 11, 2013, 04:04:53 PM: Quote from: John from Kentucky on January 11, 2013, 03:16:06 PM
I know I have trials with being handsome.

I don't know if women are truly attracted to me or just my pretty face. :'(

My heart bleeds for you John. Your problems overwhelm me. I would go with the pretty face response. I too have the same problem. Anyway it's all the burgers. ???

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 11, 2013, 04:36:03 PM: Quote from: Ian 155 on January 11, 2013, 03:30:24 PM

Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Quote
Now, if you're poor and ugly (spiritually and physically, respectively) -- you may as well just set fire to yourself.

HA ha he heee - Gina send me those matches

PS I have a t shirt that states "beauty is in the eye of the BEERHOLDER"

Fnuny how aholcol has taht efefct on a preson's viison.

I wlil sned the mtchaes jsut as soon as my brun bndagaes cmoe off.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 11, 2013, 07:37:09 PM: Quote from: Game Over on January 11, 2013, 04:36:03 PM

Fnuny how aholcol has taht efefct on a preson's viison.

I wlil sned the mtchaes jsut as soon as my brun bndagaes cmoe off.

Spellcheck , Spellcheck, Spellcheck??? I need to get drunk at some stage so I can talk like this. :o

What's my wonderful thread coming too? ;)

Surely not a hijacking of my own thread going on. ??? How could God be so unfair? :P

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 11, 2013, 07:50:40 PM: ! Not dnurk ! I'm brneud -- I set msylef on fire! ;D

It's not nice to hijack your own thread, Rhys.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 11, 2013, 07:56:01 PM: :) ;) Too true :D ;D

Look what it has resulted to ??? Overuse of smileys syndrome :-[ :P :'(

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 11, 2013, 07:58:18 PM: Psshhhh. Dontcha hate it when that happens.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Michael on January 12, 2013, 04:20:27 PM: Hello Rhys,

I can't say I'm too thankful for the trials that come my way. At least not right away. Like you and Greg and many others I'm sure, in retrospect I can see where trials and troubles where a good thing that turned me around and back on course or kept me out of continued trouble. Other trials or tribulations...... I still have no clue as to the benefit of them. Not yet anyway.
I wonder to myself if this cannot be some sort of guidepost. The quicker I can give thanks in times of trial, great and small, the closer I am ......maybe that's not how I should look at it. I don't know.
More recently, when big trials happen, I don't complain, I ask God, (admittedly, sometimes with a *sigh*), "Now what?". Not quite thanking and rejoicing, but I think I'm headed the right way. Of course the answer to , 'Now What?", may take some time to come. Hard to continually be thankful when it looks like your world is collapsing around you. At least we know who to run to at that point........(Full circle?).

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

If it's His will for us to 'give thanks in all things', then it will happen, eventually.

Anyway, I do understand Rays thoughts on this. If persecution, trials and tribulations will help, "qualify us for His kingdom", then, 'bring them on so I can qualify quicker'. I suppose it would be easier to do that if we could see ourselves in the process of qualifying , right then and there. Being a builder of things, the building process can get quite messy and disorganized and though not complete, I know what the end result will be and can deal with the temporary mess. I can't say I have that in the spiritual sense. Perhaps the more spiritual we become, the more we can see the end result and the easier it will be to deal with our temporary mess?....not to mention the, 'this is going to be great when finished', hope for the future.
Ramble, ramble, ramble. Not much help other than to say, you've got company on this trip.

Extol,

I'm sort of in the same boat as you, the worry and the fear when life seems, ok. Not a good place to be.
Though I may not be well off, I'm more well off than a lot of folks out there so there is the, 'success guilt', hanging over me. 'Why am I ok while others are miserable?'. 'Does my getting by ok now mean that my rewards are now and not in the future?" Drives me crazy sometimes.
In one of Rays papers he talks about the 7 falls that we each need to go through, or something like that. I've only had 3 or 4 which means I'm looking at 3 or 4 more...? Ugg. Hard to be thinking worry and fear free when there may be more big trials on the way. (I may have misinterpreted what Ray was saying but I'm pretty sure that was the gist of it). I'm going to to go find that again and read it a few more times to see what he meant. Perhaps it was spiritual falls, perhaps carnal, not that knowing which will make it any easier. I'm not sure now.

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

So there we go. Sounds simple right?

It's all a process, and it can take time.

Michael

By the way, I don't surf, but dig surf music.
Couple of classics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJmI6fAPUSk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJmI6fAPUSk)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqC3BjIyq_0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqC3BjIyq_0)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 12, 2013, 05:38:13 PM: Thanks Michael. I seem to be in a very similar situation as you are so is quite helpful to me to read what you have shared.

I like this verse to - Col 2:7
having been rooted and being built up in Him, and being confirmed in the faith according as you were taught, superabounding in it with thanksgiving.

I like the fact of not only being rooted in Him but also built up.

Maybe as I come to realise that more I too will be superabounding in it with thanksgiving.

Was the 7 falls from The Lake of Fire - PART VI - The life of the believer. If not let me know, would like to have a read myself.

Cool surf music by the way. Perhaps I don't need to take up surfing now just listen to the music (I can feel those cool vibes already working man!)

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Michael on January 12, 2013, 07:39:59 PM: LOF 13
http://bible-truths.com/lake13.html (http://bible-truths.com/lake13.html)

OK. I see. Ray was talking about the, 'Falling away', and pointed out a proverb that mentioned man will fall 7 times,

THERE MUST COME A ‘FALLING AWAY’ FIRST

I have shown you that John, Paul, Peter, ALL of the apostles, the whole church in Asia, the Seven Churches of Revelation, the entire flock of God’s called, all built their houses upon spiritual sand—in other words EVERYONE ever called by God, falls, falls down, falls away.

The Proverb tells us that, "For a just man falls seven times…" That’s a COMPLETE fall. But strange as it may seem, this is necessary in God’s plan. What happens to a just man after he falls seven times? "…and RISES UP AGAIN" (Prov. 24:16). When he completely falls, he falls from grace. But for those whom God is both calling AND choosing, they will RISE UP AGAIN, for

"Who are you that judges another man’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be holden up [made to stand up]: for God is able to MAKE HIM STAND" (Rom. 14:4).

My take now is that it's not mentioning a total of 7 separate falls, though it sure reads like that, but rather, the 'seven' is the number of completeness of a fall or of a cumulative fall.
This would be a spiritual fall.

Here's the Proverb,
15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Michael
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: eskimojerry on January 13, 2013, 07:12:25 AM: My last two years have been like "C'mon, get me outta this 'sermon on the mount' prison" already. And than I think to myselft, "the more will be better for me, bring it on". And I cry and pray,...but, God is nowhere to be found, but my whole being knows that He is everywhere and is for me. And yet, I can't wait to get out of this prison.

"put me back in the matrix" than the next second, I can't explain it but it's like "don't ever put me anywhere else, this is the best place for me now", the waves calm down, the world gets beautiful again and I forget my sorrows and look forward to a day.

And my hope is renewed, day after day.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 14, 2013, 11:52:07 PM: Hi Jerry

I get what you mean about the prison. Here's a good thread from a couple of years ago

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11231.msg97094.html#msg97094 (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11231.msg97094.html#msg97094)

I believe that if anyone is not Spiritually minded and doing the things of God in a way which is consistent with the Truths of the Spirit,then,to me at least, that would be a prison of the heart and mind[a carnal way of thinking]. Of course the only One with the key to freedom from that prison is Jesus the Christ.

John 8;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8;36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: eskimojerry on January 15, 2013, 02:55:52 PM: Thank you, Rhys.

It says that 'good works' will be performed. Good works towards people, feeding, clothing, sheltering, etc... helping the least. I'm not even at a point where I could be 'accused' of doing these good works. That is my dream. To do good works and be yelled at to be less physical and more spiritual. To be a blessing and not a liability.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: manuela on January 15, 2013, 10:40:35 PM: Dear Gina,
I do not appreciate how you talk about Ray. Please stop posting things that have nothing to do with his character or his teachings. He did not believe in vanity like many other people.
Thank you
Manuela
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 15, 2013, 10:52:06 PM: In my defense, Manuela, I was not putting Ray down. I was just stating a fact. I'm sorry that my comment upset you. And if anyone thinks that I was putting Ray down by that comment, they misunderstood my point entirely. I was referring to the fact that it matters NOT what people look like. God drew people to Jesus and the Good News in spite of what Jesus looked like (appearance marred more than any man's). That was my point.

Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

I wouldn't compare Ray to Jesus, who also was no one of beauty and he was not vain, but I don't think that he would have denied that he was overweight, no fault of his own of course!
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: indianabob on January 16, 2013, 02:28:25 AM: Hi Gina,
An excerpt from your message above was.
"Take Hugh Hefner for example. He is old, wrinkled and fugly! Do you think that matters to his new bride?"

Well yes, I do think it matters. It would to any sane, healthy young woman who has demeaned herself for money.
These folks are going to need help just as much as any of us on the forum, to salve their wounds and scars, when the time comes.

There are many down trodden people in the world and we don't know their struggles or background, but it seems plain to me that considering the number of "young ladies" this Hefner has had or pretended to have for advertising his magazine and keeping the income flowing, that his and their motivation was not love or true respect and affection.

Of course I cannot judge. But not judging (their fate) doesn't mean not evaluating the error of their ways.
I feel sorry for the women and men who sell themselves for money, position and fame.

Kindly offered, Indiana bob, still chugging along in Plymouth, IN
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 16, 2013, 03:21:16 AM: Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice to my topic here. It is quite a help to me and am sure for others as well.

The topic was about being thankful for the trials and tribulations and persecutions that come to us believers. I'm not sure what Hugh Hefner and his women has to do with this. I don't think much of the guy especially when he marries a women 60 years younger than himself. I don't even know why this guy is mentioned on my post.

I hope this thread can stay on target or perhaps the moderators need to look at locking it. I know some have been removed recently and I don't want this one to be removed as I feel I raised a good topic within the rules and there are a lot of helpful comments here.

I hope we can just keep focused on what Ray taught. His teaching is a massive blessing to me. It's just I need help along the way hence the questions. I'm sure I will have many more in the future. Dealing with the carnal man ain't so easy.

Blessings to each one.

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 16, 2013, 05:04:31 AM: Was not blaming you there Gina. I think your example of hefner was a good one. It just went a bit off afterwards and I didn't help much by adding my silly ways to things. It was bob who started going on about that guy that I felt was irrelevant to the topic. I'm sure you love Ray as I do or you wouldn't still be here. Maybe what you have said here kind of brings it back on topic of being thankful in these difficult times. All of us are going through it to some sort of degree and I know for myself it's often hard to see God in all that is going on. Guess that's why I started this thread. But I'm learning more and more that He is right in the middle of it. The picture that comes into my mind right now is being taken further and further out to sea away from the safety of the coast, you wonder how far your going to keep going out to sea. The good news is that Jesus is at the helm and we will be just fine.

Blessings

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 16, 2013, 09:32:57 AM: I'm thankful you're here, Rhys.

Thank you all for not holding anything against me, and for your prayers. We're all grieving over something, and I'm thankful that I have some of you to divert my attention (in whatever way God sees fit) from those things that truly grieve me.

Weeping shall endure for a night, but there is joy in the morning.

Which morning will that be, God? :)

God bless us, everyone.
Gina
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 16, 2013, 12:56:29 PM: Deep down JFK, you're so shallow. ;D
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: manuela on January 16, 2013, 01:10:43 PM: Gina,
I sent you a message weeks ago. Please stay on topic and think before you type. I don't mean to be rude but some of your comments should not be made.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 16, 2013, 02:59:07 PM: Dear Manuela,

You're not coming across as rude to me at all. My feelings aren't hurt and I'm not offended by anything you have said to me in the least.

I'm telling you that I never received your message weeks ago. I don't know who you sent it to but it wasn't me. I check all my messages.

And if you tell me which comments I shouldn't make, then I'll think them over and have a talk with God about it.

p.s. I noticed no one had a problem with me saying Jesus was ugly.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Ian 155 on January 16, 2013, 04:03:51 PM: ahem, John, - You started this, with your, " I is so good looking" post ;D

Ian
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: cjwood on January 16, 2013, 05:36:39 PM: i sent gina 3 private messages. private messages, moderators. no lies. just messages in private about concerns for and by manuela. and gina decides to make my pm's public. why, gina. why?

look where you took this thread. i never even commented on the thread publicly. why did you betray the function of sending forum members private messages, by making private conversations public?

rhys, i apologize to you.

claudia
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Dave in Tenn on January 16, 2013, 10:11:00 PM: I'm thankful for the opportunity to humble ourselves before we get humbled, and to forgive others before we receive forgiveness. I'm thankful that the Sermon on the Mount is for those who believe, and that the LORD doesn't require of those who are not His disciples anything at all, except to wait their turn. Sometimes, at least, I'm thankful for the beam in my eye, as it makes me think more highly of others, who only have specks.

And sometimes I'm thankful for the opportunity to test spirits, as it reminds me over and over again that Jesus is LORD. Sometimes its best just to let flags fly.

I'm also thankful to God for the 'lock thread' button, even though using it tends to draw more attention. Please don't make us do that. ;D And please remember that the forum IS moderated. If we can't have peace voluntarily, we will still have it.

Let's get back to the topic, or move on.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on January 16, 2013, 10:41:06 PM: Nicely said Dave. I hope peace comes voluntarily as well. I also hope and pray your situation with Gina will be sorted soon Claudia. I feel we do need each other well at least that's how I feel.

I like your line too Dave about having the opportunity to humble ourselves before we get humbled. Been down that road of "before we get humbled" a number of times and can be quite tough and painful. Guess I'm learning more and more to be humble first and forgive. I feel that helps me be more thankful.

God bless ;)

Rhys
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 04:12:18 AM: Quote
Sometimes, at least, I'm thankful for the beam in my eye, as it makes me think more highly of others, who only have specks.

I will never, ever be thankful for the beam in my eye DiT. Not ever. Having a beam in my eye and being thankful for it to me means that I'd be thankful for the sin in me. No thanks. I want that thing OUT. lol But I think I know what you're trying to say. Not picking on you, Dave. Just remembering how Ray told us that once you get the beam out of your eye, you'll be able to see that the person with the "speck" actually has a beam in their eye too! Wow!! That was an amazing, amazing truth I will never forget (er ... I hope I always remember).

I shared that online with another person on another forum, and someone was really blessed by it.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 04:36:58 AM: Apparently, my "beam" isn't my only problem.

"She's got a unicorn horn and wild purple hair. It was kinda freaky. But if you can get past the mole under her left eye with the four hairs each succeeding in size from largest to smallest, you’ll do just fine"

haha!! I love it. That's from my new online friend to another online acquaintance. Don'tcha love her? She describes me perfectly! She clearly has gotten the log out of her own eye.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: dodrill on January 17, 2013, 05:33:37 AM: I thought the implication of a beam in one's own eye was regarding a character flaw not sin
If so, is it my flaws that make me weaker in certain areas than others not willful sin?
I'll have to have another look with the good eye ;)
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 11:04:32 AM: Well, I believe you're so right Hayley, my chubby kissable cheekS friend. (Hope you don't mind me saying that--but if you do I'll stop. My daughter has some kissable cheeks.) I guess I figured since character flaws naturally lead one to sin that that's pretty much the same thing as sin. So I have just learned something brand new today. Thank you for your reply.

A character flaw is defined as: a defect of character, an Achilles' heel, a weakness, a vulnerable point.

Wow. What a revelation. I always thought it was sin itself. I was under the impression that the character flaws (speck) that we see in others are actually gigantic disorders of the ~~brain~~, rather heart, that compels one to sin (i.e., the carnal mind -- which is enmity with God -- what makes us hate God's guts and everyone around us).
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 11:19:19 AM: Wow, you put a fire under my hiney Hayley. I'm on a mad rush to go make sure I didn't misunderstand. This is good my rhyming friend.

From Ray's Repentance and Guilty of All paper
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php?topic=3709.0

Quote
Why didn’t Jesus Christ say, why do you try to purify your brother’s heart, of some small sin, when you got a heart that is corrupt? Why didn’t He say that? That’s more in keeping with where the sin comes from, right, the heart?

. . .
Quote
But I’m telling you, why you’ll only see a speck. Because you’re not living by faith and your living by sight and the carnality of the mind, through sight and what you see. When that sight is impeded you don’t see very well, so you think your brother has a speck in his eye, he does not. He has a beam in his eye too. But you can’t see it with a beam in your eye. Are you following this? You can’t see it with a beam in your eye. If you get that beam out and you say, 'OH! I thought it was a speck, it’s a beam!'

(Emphasis mine.)

Okay, yeah, I was right. (Phew! What a relief to know that I'm just a big, steamy pile of clay. ha! With a unicorn horn and a mole under my left eye, of course. -- I try really hard to cover those things up but L'Oreal only covers so much. Nome sayin? ;) )
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 11:52:42 AM: See, this is precisely why I like you, Hayley. When I grow up, I want to be like you. A kid! hehe (Unless you become as one of these little children.. :-*)

So, yeah, this has my mind going. Boy. This is good stuff. Okay, so in order for us to get the gigantic sin out of us we have to work, but in actuality, God must work in us, because the carnal mind likes sin. (I'm just figuring all this out--not correcting you.) Okay, so tell me if I'm right, okay? So, the carnal mind, which is enmity with God and hates God, obviously doesn't see a gigantic sin in their brother's eye but only a speck because it only sees what it wants to see, because the carnal mind doesn't want to even acknowledge that it has sin ("whoever says he has no sin, is a liar" No, no, that's not what it says: It 1John 1:18 says: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Pretty much the same thing).

To deceive ourselves is to ... sin? The heart is deceitful above all and exceedingly weak.

Deceitful is defined as: deceptive - false - fraudulent - delusive - lying

Okay, yes, so I'm a lying, big steamy pile of clay. Phew. Just making sure!

Thanks for letting me work that out.

So, if I'm just a big fat liar deep deep down inside, then God's going to have to work in me in to get that beam out, because my carnal mind likes to think all I have is a little itty bitty speck (maybe that's why we prefer to see specks in brother's eyes -- because it makes us feel as though we're being less judgmental and holier than thou (phoney baloney). I can only keep that up for so long though, because the truth has a way of getting in.. (I can run but I can't hide.) So, here's to mud in your eye!

Raisin rice and rye .... bye-bye!
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: Gina on January 17, 2013, 12:39:15 PM: Exactly. Because you can't see a person's heart (under the surface) unless God reveals it to you. I'm so thankful for these truths sometimes, and other times, I'm like, Ahhh!! Noo!! Don't show me that, Ray!! But God is so gentle with you when you humble yourself. Have you noticed? I think that's why you're so gentle with me.
Title: Re: Thankful to God in all things
Post by: mharrell08 on January 17, 2013, 09:00:32 PM: This topic has run it's course.

Members need to stay on topics and stop taking personal swipes at others. If your replies within a thread have a personal attack, it will be removed. Also, PMs sent to you are not to be posted on the forum. If someone wanted their comments on the open forum, they would have put them there.