Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 201

Hi Giannis,

Thanks, brother, I'm not the best at putting on paper my understanding. I know some Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit as he, but the Spirit is the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God dwells in us, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16 and, more. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that does the work of God, Romans 15:19, Jesus did the miracles by the Holy Spirit, Matthew 12:28, Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38, Hebrews 2:4.

Jesus said the words He spoke were not His words but the Fathers and God did the works, this was done by the Holy Spirit through Jesus. John 14:10. Jesus said the Holy Spirit/Comforter proceedeth from the Father John 15:26, Jesus said the Holy Ghost will not speak of himself but what he is told, so the Holy Spirit is under the direction of the Father and Jesus, John 16:13.

All the salutations are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not in any salutations. In Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the temple of it. No Holy Spirit, what I see in Scripture is the Holy Spirit is the conduit that God works through and now Jesus as well.

I hope this gives you enough info to see how I see the Holy Spirit and I know that is not what many believe. I do not want to offend and I hope I don't, but this is what I see in Scripture. I do not see the Holy Spirit as a person but as the power of God that surrounds this earth by which God and Jesus dwell in us to communicate, guide, and comfort us.

God bless,

RLW

Thank you Hijinx. I hope those few verses were helpful to you in some small way, though I suppose, without the knowledge we have now about the universe & our place in it, it would be very easy for someone on Earth looking at the night sky and believe that what they see moving around them, must mean that the stars & planets all revolve around the Earth. So there is truly great benefit in science and how God reveals through our study what is really factual & what is a vain assumption. Blessings.

Hello Ronald

I am trying to understand your belief about the nature of God. So my question is: what do gou believe the Holy Spirit is? A mere impersonal power of God or a separate person within the Godhead?

Yes , I see exactly what you are saying and I'm mostly in total agreement . I can see why some people have the idea that Jesus existed in heaven before he was on earth , I don't believe that myself but , I can genuinely see why some people would believe that .

However , so far I have not found good enough , consistent proof , to fix the doctrine of the trinity into my heart or mind . Try as might I just can't see it , for every verse that a person who believes in the trinity quotes , I can find five verses to contradict it . And yes , it also seems to me that some people sometimes start with an idea and then try to find proof to back it up . I'm so sorry if I'm offending any of my brother's or sisters here but I have to speak the truth as I see it , we are all allowed to do that on here aren't we ?

It's a big issue for sure and one that can potentially cause upset , which I don't want to do . I still have some life left to live and throughout all the days of the rest of my life , as long as I am able I shall be studying the Bible . Who knows how I may change my mind ? Any of us may change our minds as we continue to read and study and pray to our Heavenly Father . As long as we all agree , there is only one God , the Holy One of Israel and one mediator between God and man ( and woman ) the man Jesus Christ , who died and was ressurected to eternal life and who shall return to this earth to establish God's Kingdom on it . These things are eternal truth and God does not lie .

May we all do our best to encourage and support each other as we grow together in our understanding of , and appreciation for God's Word and may we exist together in peace and tolerance because none of us in this life , in these bodies of sin , shall be perfect .

Thy Kingdom come Lord .

Apostle Paul was circumcision twice , one by flesh and one by spirit.

Philippians 3:5

Circumcisedtheeighthday, ofthestock of Israel, ofthetribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew oftheHebrews; as touchingthelaw, a Pharisee;

Finally, God separate us from the flesh. We are free from the bondage of sin, but not license to sin. And it doesn't make us a Jew inwardly or outwardly .

Colossians 2:11

In whom also ye arecircumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Apostle Paul is speaking to Jews.

Romans 2:28-29

28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 keep the gospel of grace in your mind .

Can a Pastor drink wine or alcohol ? Apostle Paul saids no. A Pastor should never drink alcohol or do drugs . Can a deacon drink wine or alcohol ? Yes , but a little and not to get drunk . Apostle Paul has the rules for Pastors and Deacons in how to run a church and how to live at home.

1 Timothy 3:1-8

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

May the gospel of grace change your life

Apostle Paul explains why we are not laying hands to heal sickness. We can pray to the Father in Heaven, but it's through prayer only and then waiting. Remember covid-19.

Now we are using wine to feel better.

1 Timothy 5:23

Drink no longer water, but use a littlewinefor thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

note: things were changing, no more hands on healing.

Only God can heal the sick in prayer.

Philippians 2:27

For indeed he wassicknigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Apostle Paul just couldn't lay hands for healing anymore, God has changed it all for the Bible.

2 Timothy 4:20

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletumsick.

Now that we have the completed Bible written, we don't need signs and wonders. All we do is rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us the Word of Truth.

1 Corinthians 13: 8-10

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

May we all understand that the book of Acts was a transitional book and God made Apostle Paul the leader of the gospel of grace.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by thegraceofGodI am what I am: and hisgracewhich was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but thegraceofGodwhich was with me

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The gospel of grace for to day.

Tithing is the most controversial thing in the church today. Nobody wants to go broke giving a tithe. The Old Testament can give us a guide line, but it was given to the Jews to follow.

Deuteronomy 14:23

And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.

The Jews were to follow the law to tithe.

Hebrews 7:5

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham

Churches will use this verse to make people feel guilty of Tithing.

Malachi 3:8-10

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Apostle Paul teaches us that the Old Testament and the four gospels are for learning because Jesus Christ had completed His mission and nailed the Law on the cross and all our sins .

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The New Testament teaches us how to give a offering by the heart, without madness and anger in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul teaches us how to give without the law.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthi

Hi Fuji,

Was Jesus in heaven before creation? My understanding is no. Many will say Jesus is part of a Triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons, all co-equal, and co-eternal so that would put Him in heaven before creation.

God is a Spirit John 4:24, so if Jesus were in heaven His form would be Spirit. Are there verses on their own that would support the Trinity, yes. But we must keep a verse in context and compare it to other Scriptures about the same subject and not start with the answer, or a preconceived idea. We should let the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit give us the answer and meaning.

A few thoughts. In John 1:1 what beginning is John referring to, the beginning of creation or the beginning of Jesus's ministry, when He was anointed with the Holy Ghost becoming the Messiah, Matthew 4:16-17. We see the same introduction in 1 John 1:1 and others. In Revelation 19:13 Jesus's name is called the Word of God is that saying Jesus is God?

God was manifested in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, 1 John 1:1, Luke 4:18, John 14:10. The life eternal that was with God was manifested on earth through Jesus that we may fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ 1 John 1:2-7.

I will not go on and on but to me, there is one problem the Trinity doctrine creates I cannot find an answer.

God is perfect and cannot change, in the doctrine that would be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The law was made for man and a man had to fulfill it. A man who could sin had to live a perfect life without sin to pay the penalty. Jesus did and paid the penalties for sin with His death. God cannot die and God cannot sin nor can He be tempted James 1:13, so He could not fulfill the law. Jesus was born without sin as the first Adam but could sin, the first Adam was not obedient and sinned. The last Adam, Jesus, was obedient to the Father and sinned not Romans 5:19. If God sacrificed Himself John 3:16 is not true.

God bless,

RLW

If you heard the gospel of grace in this dispensation and deny it, then you will not have a second chance in the 7 year tribulation. I will say, he might be right, because God will send strong delusion by the way of Satan . God will allow Satan to buffet the brain (spirit) of unbelievers .

2 Thessalonians 2:10-13

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send themstrongdelusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Most people don't realize when we think, dream and have thoughts , it comes from our brain and its really spiritual .

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythoughtto the obedience of Christ;

Apostle Paul wrote for us to think good things.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,thinkon these things.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

There is no prophecy in Apostle Paul's epistle for Israel promises or any happening during that dispensation of time. Prophecy is speaking the word for there was not the complete written Bible.

1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that yeprophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whetherprophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift ofprophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1 Timothy 4:14

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee byprophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Anyone can say I believe God. Believing with a head knowledge is not enough, we must believe with our heart and soul. For the devils believes in God and tremble.

James 2:19

Thoubelievest that there is one God; thou doest well: thedevilsalsobelieve, and tremble.

We must use our heart to BELIEVE....

Romans 10:10

For with theheartman believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 believing with the heart

I truly believe that most people don't believe Satan exist. When Adam fell, all the power went to Satan. Satan has lots of power.

Job 1:12

And theLordsaid untoSatan, Behold, all that he hath is in thypower; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. SoSatanwent forth from the presenceoftheLord.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

Even him, whose coming is after the workingofSatanwith allpowerand signs and lying wonders,

We can resist Satan by worshipping God in his Word through Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit.

James 4:7

Submit yourselvestherefore to God.Resistthedevil, and he will flee from you.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 let the Holy Spirit in your heart

Thank you very much for looking those up for me. I appreciate that.

Well, I want to thank you very much for taking the time to find those verses for me. It's very tedious sometimes looking for something like that so I thank you again.

Apostle Paul always writes to believers. Remember, Jesus Christ is ascended in Heaven. If Jesus Christ didn't have the Godhead, he couldn't of died on the cross, it would of been impossible.

Philippians 2:5-6

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Because of the sinful flesh Jesus Christ had, God was in Christ Jesus as one.

2 Corinthians 5:19

To wit, thatGodwas in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us thewordofreconciliation.

Jesus Christ was the voice and Word in Genesis .

Genesis 3:14-15

14And theLordGod said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus Christ spoke in Genesis about bruising Satan's heel.

Romans 16:20

And the God of peace shallbruiseSatan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Jesus Christ was always the Son of God and took on flesh by the virgin Mary.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus Christ is our Saviour God.

Titus 1:3

But hath in due times manifested hiswordthrough preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandmentofGodour Saviour;

Jesus Christ is the Word.

1 John 5:7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, theWord, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

May we all believe that Jesus Christ is a Man, Sevant, King , Saviour, and our God in three persons.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 BELIEVE ONLY

Page 5. Fuji.

And finally to this last page, you asked, "what form did Jesus take in Heaven?" In spite of the many answers that we have heard (e.g. He is the archangel Michael, or the Angel of the Lord, the Word of God, etc.), we must only go by what the Bible clearly shows us. I have heard of pre-incarnate appearances of Christ, and while I can't dispute such encounters with Abraham, Lot, Jacob, etc, I can't say with all certainty that Jesus (Who doesn't seem to be called Jesus in Heaven - Luke 1:31), was given a Form in Heaven or was sent out performing God's Will in such manner as angels are sent. I don't believe the Bible clearly states this, but Jesus is revealed as the Word of God involved in creation, He is seen, as God, doing the Will of God in unison with the Spirit. I am happy to just believe that Jesus is God's Word, unseen in any physical Form, but made human for our sakes. Any other belief on my part, would just not sit well, as I can't find clear support in the Word of God.

I apologize for the length of this response, but hopefully it will give you further thoughts for your consideration; serious consideration for such an important doctrine - a doctrine that ranks very high amongst other doctrines that are seriously challenged by others. Blessings.

Page 4. Fuji.

As a man, yea as a Son, Jesus now talks to & prays to His Father in Heaven. He also said that He came to only do His Father's Will ( John 6:38), so in every respect, Jesus laid aside His Glory that He enjoyed with & in God, & as a Man waited upon His Father continually.

To the natural mind, how could Jesus be God & then be found praying to & worshiping Him? My answer is that Jesus laid aside that Glory & Position to become a Man, a Man Who came to be sacrificed ( John 12:27), and now a Son, subservient to His Father in all things. So how does God then become a Son? That is why God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son & Holy Spirit - if one aspect of His Nature is removed, I believe that God ceases to be God. Just as if our spirit or soul or body is removed or put to death, we instantly cease to be the person that was once born into the world. God exists as a Tripartite God - He can't exist as any other - that is Who He is (as revealed to us). For our sakes, God chose to take that part of Himself & give it flesh (what we otherwise understand as and called, His Word). This act doesn't render God speechless or in any way deficient in knowledge, for His Word is still active in Christ & by His Spirit. And He has given us His Word (both in Christ & the written Word) & His Spirit, thus causing us to truly become new creatures, alive in Jesus & to be lovingly called, the children of the Most High. What a great privilege - what an undeserved position we have been granted, as those already seated in the heavenlies, IN CHRIST ( Ephesians 2:4-7). And that is how our Father sees us & receives us - His blood-bought, His special children, His Spirit-sealed, forever His - because of His Work alone to ransom us. Onto Page 5.

The mind of the Spirit

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ( Proverbs 14:12).

When we view the life of Christ; it seems few emphasize that doing the will of the Father in heaven was the most important thing ( John 5:30; see also John 5:19). This explains why Christ did few miracles in his hometown and didn't use His own Divinity to shortcut God's plans as Satan tempted Him to do during the 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness where the Spirit Himself led Christ immediately after His public Baptism and before He started His ministry picking the Disciples.

It is difficult to understand sometimes; but at times God simply removes individuals through death or being taken out of our lives before we can witness to them and it is also hard to see those who we have opportunity to share our faith with time and time again not making any steps toward Christ in repentance and receiving the message. We should eventually grow in wisdom to God's ways in regard to that; but also never allow that to stop us from seeking those who are indeed open to the Gospel on our daily errands as well as taking the time out for just evangelism whenever the Lord gives us opportunities.

From my own experience I am learning how every moment God answers many prayers almost immediately just with those we encounter who God gives us resources to help either financially or with food for example; or guides us each day with the time and wisdom to get things done (having attention deficit makes things like that especially clear due to my own disorganization and lack of certain skills). Just being in certain places can enable the Spirit to hold back evil; or give us the desire to pray for others we don't know or encourage others in our path. I am not very organized in scripture reading either but meditation on the Word helps us bring it up in times of need and stress and to share with others.

May we follow the Spirit's leading this week.

Page 3. Fuji.

To me, God's Love is overpoweringly expressed & seen, as when God gave His Own Life for us because He loved us so much to do so, rather than bringing forth an animal or even another human being to be slaughtered for us. There's no love in this - at least not the indescribable Love of God. I could easily urge someone else to run into a burning inferno to save a child from certain death rather than do it myself: is that love? - maybe a genuine concern & anguish, but not the Love the Bible speaks of. It took God to send forth Himself (& He chose to send His Word) to instruct & warn His people Israel & then to ultimately to lay down His Life for us. Had Jesus refused or failed to complete this Work, because of sin or fear of people or death, God had no other plan for salvation - this was His only Plan that could save sinners; or else we all remain condemned & destined for the punishment we deserve - eternal separation in agonizing pain.

When I see Jesus in the Bible, I see Him as God Himself, as the Word made flesh, for the suffering of death; for God is Spirit & can never be affected by the limitations, weaknesses, & death that the flesh can be. To be our Sacrifice, the supreme Sacrifice, God had to reveal Himself in Jesus His begotten Son, for the purpose of displaying His Love for us & then executing that Love in Sacrifice. And Paul reminds us clearly in Philippians 2:5-11, that this Jesus was in the very Form of God, i.e. in the Personhood of God, having God's Nature, His Power, His Will, etc; but in receiving human flesh, did not cling onto that Divine Nature, rather laid aside His Divinity, taking on human form, becoming a servant of men humbling Himself (how great must have been that humbling?) to even allow His Life to be put to a most horrifying ignoble death. God didn't deserve this - but His Love compelled Him to go all the way to the Cross for us. I well up in tears just thinking of such undeserved love for a wretch as me. Onto Page 4

Page 2. Fuji.

I would be the first to confess that the Trinity teaching goes against everything my mind tells me is true, for how indeed, can God be divided into three, let alone Him coming to Earth in human form? Yet fortunately, I have two appeals against holding such a belief: firstly, I would have to twist or alter the Word of God to suit my natural understanding, and this I will not do or else what then would I do to the rest of God's Word & how would it then instruct me if I were to change its meaning to appease my conscience & understanding?

And secondly, my conversion to Christ was very dramatic, requiring a full conversion (so to speak), than just the verbal assent given before my godly parents with maybe my limited childhood understanding. Not only did the Spirit of God come upon me (in Oct 23, 1979), arresting me in my sinful tracks, showing me the awful consequences of my sin & eternal hell, but as I then read the Bible with a regenerated spirit, I wondered 'why would such an Holy God send His only begotten Son to be the payment for my sin, and that I could make no acceptable sacrifice to Him to absolve my sin & guilt'? Couldn't He just provide a spotless heavenly lamb or bullock, where all Israel could see descending from the clouds & hear God's Voice say: 'this lamb is my great provision as sacrifice for your sins & by believing, you will be forgiven and received as my special children'? I thought, wouldn't that be more preferable, than creating another human just to put Him to death for no sins of His Own? We know "that greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" ( John 15:13). And this spoke to me as well; here we have a picture of one laying down his life for another, not having an iota of a chance of escaping death - but that through his death, another life (of someone that he loved) would be spared & given a chance to live. Onto Page 3.

Page 1.

Hi Fuji. Thank you for your questions & for seriously considering this very important doctrine. Bro Giannis has certainly answered your questions very well, and if I might add more for you to consider.

Once we can understand such doctrines (i.e. as far as we humanly can understand, since the deep matters of God will always be mysterious to us in this life), then we can piece together the information the Bible gives us, to help us form an understanding & belief. True, we must confess that we cannot know everything about such a subject, such as the one addressed, but from what we're given, without forcefully altering its intended meaning, we can safely believe, before God Who judges righteously, that He would not hold us accountable for any misunderstanding.

To that end, we have already shared that Jesus was already in Heaven, whether in His references to being in 'existence' before Abraham ( John 8:58), or Paul's reference to His creative Work ( Colossians 1:15-17), or even Jesus' Own prayer to His Father ( John 17:5); and how true this prayer must have been, for would Jesus even try to hoodwink His Father on such a matter? So when we come to the Word & believe in every word given to us, as I know you do, then what are we to do with it & how are we to believe & accept the Scriptures. Unfortunately, we very often let human reasoning & logic come to the fore (which of course, is very natural), & so reading the Scriptures can be colored by that intrusion. Onto Page 2.

Persecution update

As several affiliates have mentioned; 70 Christians were beheaded after being summoned out of their homes and herded to a local church in the DCR recently. (Congo). These massacres are ongoing; still primarily originating in the Northeast part of the region with ISIS affiliated individuals.

There apparently is very little coverage of this lately. Let us not forget these martyrs; and continue to pray for the missionaries today and support those we can in our local churches.

The cost of Discipleship

Proverbs 27:5 states that open rebuke is better than hidden love. Ideally; of course we should take a brother aside and express concern if it appears sin is having a negative affect on their witness. The opposite of confronting in love is likely gossip.

The world often looks for inconsistency in the lives of those proclaiming Christ. Thus; we may say that the first part of those who wish to undertake discipleship as a ministry is to have our own lives in order. Such actions early on in our walk should have given us sufficient experience with relationships that went south because we no longer wanted to go party with our friends and watch unseemly and unedifying programs on TV as two examples. As a test I recommend talking about the Lord; prayer and scripture reading with those who are in our local fellowship and after a few weeks see if we are invited out to eat after the service or to someone's house as much as we are used to. This is also part of discipline; we find out much of our time is spent alone if we sincerely want to be as iron sharpening iron ( Proverbs 27:17 interestingly in the same chapter as the previous quoted verse).

Such a challenge could easily be part of evangelism as well; since many will profess Christ. It may be easier; in fact to get through to someone outside their normal social circles where they don't have to keep up appearances.

I probably should have included this in my Gospel for Dummies post. Should we encourage NON believers to get away from sin when sharing the Gospel? The answer I would say is yes; albeit the principal thing is coming to Christ. Repentance MUST be preached however; the Spirit must move someone to desiring to follow God and grants repentance according to scripture ( Acts 5:31 and several other scriptures). Nonetheless certain sins in particular can kill us so we should warn people to flee fornication; for example.

Time is a big cost of discipleship and few spare it.

I love the King James Version of the Holy Bible! It's my primary "go-to" for scripture. But, in one instance- Job 29:17-KJV fails us mightily. Allow me to explain. From Job 29:12 through verse 17, Job described his effort in tikkun olam (Hebrew for "repairing the world") For Job, tikkun olam was a personal obligation. Job said he delivered the poor and fatherless, caused the widow to sing for joy, was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. When he didn't know the cause, he searched it out. And broke the jaws of the wicked and plucked the spoil from their teeth. In verses 18-20, Job expressed a closely held belief in metaphor & simile:

"Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the SAND."

Other** English translations use PHOENIX, not SAND, which makes infinitely more sense considering he began by stating he "shall die in his NEST." Here, Job is describing eternal life! He continues to expand on his immortality metaphor in verses 19 & 20:

"My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand."

Why obscure this bold statement of our hope for transformation? Ten chapters earlier, Job asserted his beliefs about transformation in his prophecy of our Redeemer as follows:

"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." Job 19:25-27 KJV

Caveat: study it out for yourself, do your own research, pray for guidance, and hold fast the dictates of your conscience. **English translations with "phoenix" instead of "sand" include New Revised Standard,1989 re-revised from 1952 RSV; Revised Standard Catholic Edition,1965; Jewish Publication Society,1917; Complete Jewish Bible,1998; New American Bible,2011; & Wycliffe 1382.

In earlier posts I discussed how as new believers in particular we may or may not to change our vocation or location. The difficult balance is often when we should commit more to a particular activity in a church whether it is volunteer work assignments; opportunities for evangelism and or feeding the poor etc. I have found quite often when there are a few people committed to such things often those in leadership tend to be rather loudmouthed or bossy and the concern there is for how the message is being given through the examples of such people. The struggle is that we want the message to go out no matter what and just how much should be overlooked. There has been strife over such approaches from brothers I have known in the past.

I have been places where every activity is preplanned in a church environment to what usually has been preferable in terms of consistency; with home Bible study groups having meetings and going out to share the Gospel. The danger of that sort of group is a lack of having proper discipline as can be seen in a more structured church environment. Nonetheless; in places I have lived especially now it is hard to find anyone evangelizing consistantly.

I am grateful in my own situation to have many in my church praying for me and Christians involved in the Home Care Agency and Hospice Care my mom had; as well as in the facility my dad is currently in. Opportunities even with this time confined to taking care of my parents to witness as to trusting the Lord to work things out even in my most difficult days was something I am grateful He gave me. Now; I pray that I don't rest on my laurels; I need to be willing and able to "thrust myself out" and heed opportunities to evangelize.

I have tried to follow my own advice on not hastily changing my vocation or living place. For now some work has opened up where I currently am living for the summer; which may mean He wants me for now to stay here. Enough about me.

How to deal with controlling people

Thinking about my own history in the last decade or more I have seen the result of having an unfaithful wife; as well as obstinate and often controlling parents at home. Such experiences have given me a platform to warn others of putting themselves into bad situations such as toxic marriages and impossible caretaker situations. Nonetheless learning patient endurance once in these situations as well as knowing when there was no other choice but to remove myself after all means of living peaceably were exhausted was something I can now see as being removed to the past. Avoiding conflict when leaving my home then divorcing my wife initially wasn't really performed too well but I am thankful the Lord kept me from a violent reaction. The same could be said from accusations from my dying mom and from my dad who says placing him into a dementia facility was kidnapping and imprisonment. Apparently my aunt (mom's sister) is also angry and afraid of her situation at the end stage of her life; also not knowing the Lord (keep her in prayer; my cousin is seeking so called spiritual guidance to understand this suffering likely from non Christian influences as of my conversation today).

With family I have tried to talk of how the Lord has saved me and can save others from anger as I recently challenged my dad with a few days before going to his current living location. With such a subject matter we cannot assume Christians are exempt from such behaviors. This is a challenge when we fellowship and evangelize with those who can be either overly dogmatic on certain doctrines or simply immature. We in one sense have to trust God will work through the local Body of believers the Lord has set before us; and learn from others gifted in areas we are weak in. Ultimately; we have to follow the Lord and commit to spiritual disciplines including sharing our faith whether others around us are doing it or not. More in the next post

I love the story of the 100 sheep's. Jesus Christ knows that the one sheep was lost because he knew he was lost. It's just like a remnant of believers today. The 99 are lost and don't care because they are comfortable with there lifestyle. Jesus Christ saved that one sheep.

Matthew 18:12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Now we rejoice in heaven for that one sheep that admitted he was lost and needed Salvation.

Matthew 18:13

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Today, Jesus Christ is using Apostle Paul's epistle for Salvation and doctrine and the 99 are just blind to it.

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hathblinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Apostle Paul's gospel of grace.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Ray, in Christ Jesus

Part 1

Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the gospel of grace that was given to him by the ascended Jesus Christ our God and Saviour.

2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first, thatnoprophecy of the scriptureisof anyprivateinterpretation.

2 Timothy 3:16

Allscriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Apostle Paul started his ministry in Acts chapter nine .

Acts 9:15

ButtheLord said unto him,Gothy way: for heis a chosen vessel unto me,tobear my name beforetheGentiles, and kings, andthechildren ofIsrael:

The Jews did not want to hear Apostle Paul's doctrine , so Apostle Paul and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,It was necessary thattheword ofGod should first have been spokentoyou: but seeing ye putit from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turntotheGentiles.

Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of the grace of God