Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 2238

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Looking at 2 Cor 9, Paul spoke about 'ministering to the saints' for which the Corinthians were well spoken of (v2). That which was collected was for those who laboured in the Gospel & those who were needy in the Church. It's not clearly stated but I believe the elders & helpers in the Church had their own professions & were not supported workers: similar to the Brethren Assembly setup now, so that they were not a financial burden to any. Yet, Paul does speak about both liberal giving & also giving from the heart cheerfully (vv 6,7). So there seems to be a balance of giving for someone's needs but with a mind convinced of the importance of doing so.

Tithing may be a good guide, but sometimes the Lord may lay (& enable) one to give over & above that amount & not be restrained by tithing. So I wouldn't teach tithing except to use it as God's guidance for Israel & a lead in for believers now to be sensitive to the needs of the Church & others, giving according as the Lord has prospered them. This challenge should be the motivation for giving, according to one's faith, ability & burden. I think we might find that more than 10% would be given for the support of the Church & spread of the Gospel in this way rather than by compulsion, which as you say, may be a grievous burden for some. Not everyone has that faith to overextend themselves in giving; but as they mature & prove the Lord faithful in other areas of their lives & being convinced in their hearts that others have a greater need than them, there may just be a special work of Grace in their hearts & lives.

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You bring up some great questions Spike that have not only been discussed extensively on this Site but have also been the cause for much heated debate. Tithing, as with keeping the Sabbath & a meticulous adherence to the Ten Commandments are some of these subjects. But tithing is a worthy subject as, I agree, it is readily taught right from Sunday School to the pulpit. And I believe you're correct in quoting 2 Corinthians chapter 9 to rather support one's liberal & happy disposition in giving rather than the legal constraints of tithing.

Now I don't say that Tithing is wrong in itself as I find that to an enquirer or a new believer, it provides some clarity & guidance as to this mysterious function within Christ's Body. The LORD instituted it ( Deut 12:11) as an appropriate percentage of one's profit from the field, livestock, etc. which involved both for support for the Levites (& in the NT the needy of the Church), but also exercised one's heart in sacrificial giving & identifying with those that were less fortunate. I do keep it in the back of my mind when giving; realizing that giving of one's substance is not just for Church needs, but also for Missions, special projects, & to those that the Spirit lays upon one's heart.

Spike4187

Many church's today treat the church/congregation as a business, and this is in total opposition to Christ's teaching. The tithing, including the 10% rule is a way for the preachers to get gullible christians to feed their greed. I would not give anything to a church like this. Many church's and pastor's are getting bigger and richer everyday. I'm not going to feed a Beast like that.

I agree with you, we should give from the heart to those who are in need. We should give to People that you see IN REAL LIFE that are really in need. Those are the one's that Jesus wants us to help. Not rich church's and rich pastors to live opulent lives.

Too many Christians feed the Beast/Church and the pastors that are wolves.

Proverbs 22:9

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."

Also in Genesis 7 Noah was 600 years old when he went into the ark. So he was in the ark a little over a year.

601 years of Noah's life, at that time in Genesis 8:13. If you go to the next chapter 9:29 all of the days of Noah were 950 years and he died.

I thank you Chris for your wisdom in response to my questions. If I may just ask you one more. Tithing. This again is another subject some disagree on. I cannot find any scripture in the New Testament that commands us to give ten percent of what we earn to the church. What I have found however is what Paul tells us. We are to give what the Lord has put in our hearts to give, not out of compulsion but out of a cheerful generous heart. Many preachers beat their congregations over the head with Malachi. But when you read Malachi, God tells a prophet to go to the Jewish people and tell them they are robbing God. I understand the Levites were not allowed to own land or have businesses and therefore people needed to give money to support the priests and their families and they were not doing that. So God sent the prophet to warn them.

What Paul tells us sounds like something Jesus would say to the people of the New Covenant. You give what is in your heart, you don't do it because of compulsion, for example, I made a thousand dollars therefore I must give 100 dollars. I must give exactly that amount and when some try to follow this alleged rule, they have a hard time giving cheerfully and generously. It becomes a mathematical equation and for most families that live paycheck to paycheck it places a burden on them. I think Jesus would rather you give with a cheerful heart what you can generously afford to give happily and also be able to pay your bills and honor the promises you made to your creditors. I know, and I am sure you do as well of people who reluctantly give because they feel they are sinning and robbing God if they don't give their (10) percent and will neglect to pay a bill with the idea that God will provide the means to pay it. God loves a cheerful giver, but many who follow the ten percent rule do not give cheerfully but the contrary, reluctantly and out of compulsion. What are your thoughts on this matter?

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

The Bible reveals we have a purpose to instruct angels. We think of them as all powerful and indeed they do seem to possess supernatural powers, however, we are not told they were created in the image of God. The nature of evil is in that Lucifer transitioned from being God centered, to self centered. Whatever else that change involved may not be known to us now. As a created being, the sum of knowledge we do know, is a fraction of all there is to know. Rational

thought alone places the Creator over his creation, faith is the key to God's perfect wisdom, which one day will be revealed more perfectly, and thus answer all questions we might speculate on now, in our immature state. The holiness of God is a unique attribute we will never fully comprehend, despite our being in his image. God is, and always will be, the best occupation of our minds, hearts and hands.

I see many people have responded to your post already, but some of what you said sent my mind backwards to when I was saved. I had no reason to have any doubts as I had a "Damascus Road" kind of experience as Paul did. When Jesus comes into our life, it doesn't always come with sunshine and a voice from above.

Our spiritual house inside of us must be filled with the Holy Spirit, swept free of anything demons may use as doorways back into your home (not you); finally garnished with Bible study, praise and worship. Fasting from all media and just sitting silent listening for answers to your hearts prayers: for the Holy Spirits voice.

When I read your post: He said 'spirit of Heaviness'. It is demonic and it is sent to destroy your peace and happiness in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to end this interference in your walk with Jesus.

The spirit of heaviness is in the Bible and can be verified by you that it's real. It has fruits that you will recognize as you study this. You nailed it, in what you said in your post. It's nothing be afraid of. The Holy Spirit is encircling you and protecting you; comforting you. He is going to teach you of this. And with His Help, you are going to cast this hindrance out of your life.

I'm going to send you to a website that has an excellent teaching on this. Read it all. You are not afflicted with any mental weakness. But for some reason this thing is holding you back from Gods best for you. Are you into a gospel band or anything like that? Email me after you've read this article, ok?

"Preach the word dot com"

Find the teaching message on: "Deliverance From The Spirit of Heaviness"

By David Legge

(Put a Dot . where I spelled out dot

Someone gave me a couple of tapes by DION: Kingdom in the Streets; and Seasons. Find the albums on YouTube. Demons HATE praise music. It helped me greatly to get free from the heaviness.

Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit wants to free you.

Mishael

Hi Ann,

To reply to someone one must click the Reply button below one's comment. It sounded like you were trying to respond to someone so I'm mentioning that.

If I'm reading your comment correctly, it sounds like you're comparing yourself to the Israelites that were enslaved in Egypt and that you in the USA today are much worse off. Did I understand your comment correctly?

If so, I'd like to learn more about why that would be, because I know you have the freedom to read the Bible on this website, which is great- the Israelites didn't have this. Second, you have an internet connection, Third you have a computer, tablet, or even a smart phone in order to view this page- and Israelites who were slaves worked all the time and didn't have such luxuries, and you live in the USA, which is a free country with no slavery. Finally, you are fluent in English which shows you received a modern education, which the Israelite slaves didn't have either. Maybe you have other blessings too- these are just 5 I can deduce logically from your comment. Slavery was and still is a sin of the whole world with nearly all countries involved, including the USA, but most people were against it and that's why they lost the civil war. Everyone from that time died and everyone alive today in the USA is rich, privileged and free, unlike some other countries today. So it is a privileged country to live in with the average citizen making multiples more than the average wage of the world- many want to immigrate there for the great opportunities and the strongest GDP in the world.

Given that, are you truly worse off right now in the modern and free society of the USA than an abused, poor slave in Egypt from thousands of years ago? If you are in captivity, of course call 911. But if maybe I didn't interpret your comment right and if you're not worse off than a slave then maybe you instead have a prayer request? God bless...

Luke 17:34 - Careful study suggests that the faithfull will be with our Lord Jesus on His return. Others will be perished as like in the age of Noah and Lot. The disciples asks where he one shall be taken? The taken shall be perished and eagles will feast on their dead bodies. Revelation 19:21- And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. For our Lord death is a sleep only. John 11:11 - These things said He :and after that He saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth: but I go, that I may awake him. In reality , Lazarus was dead. Thus the death of an unfaithful is a permanent departure from Him.Still it is a sleep. The unfaithfull will be judged after millennium. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that love not his brother abideth in death. John 3:14.

Hi Robert, please note you were viewing Ecclesiasticus which is a book in the apocrypha, not Ecclesiastes. This page tells you more: Link

I'm 43 I got married young at around 20 my wife then and I had 2 kids but through my lack of maturity and own self indulgence I left and a few years later following a sickness and during my sickness from drug induced psychosis was carted to my ex wife's divorce lawyers I office and told under duress to just sign all the papers even though all I wanted was to try again. My kids now are grown and sh we s engaged to another man biblically can I remarry another woman and if so does she have to never have been married?t

Did St. Francis of Assisi really say this Psalm at the time of his death or was it some other Psalm? Thank you very much in advance.

All the reformers agreed the Anti Christ is the Papacy.

Prayer for Healing for My Fiance & Kids

Prayer for Healing for Myself

Amen

We generally have governments who wants to maintain separation of religion from politics. However, from the Middle Ages, it was the government/kings that wanted to control the religious aspects of society, claiming that they had the divine right to do so. Then in medieval Europe, it was the Pope who demanded authority of the Church over the State but in the West (i.e. not popish Europe), governments still exercised some control over the Church.

Then in the Protestant Reformation, it was Martin Luther who brought in the doctrine of the two kingdoms: the start of separation of the Church & State, where it was proposed that the State could not have any authority over the Church. And later (in the American context), Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter, "The Wall of Separation between Church & State" to the Danbury Baptist Assoc. to assure them that the U.S. Bill of Rights prevented the establishment of a national Church, so they had no concerns about government interference to their religious freedoms. So in that letter to the Association in 1802, Jefferson referenced the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, & I quote:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of govt. reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"; thus building a wall of separation between Church and State in the U.S.

And from that, many countries have adopted a similar position of separation. So, maybe your question is how can religion (i.e. knowledge & worship of God) be excluded from the State (politics). The above is one reason & the other, in my perception, is their rejection of anything of God to be incorporated into the law, politics & their thinking.

What are a "tables of brass"?

That is terrible that you call the hebrews "the children of Isreal", they are no children...; they are are no God people....they did exactly as other heathens and people in area

.....they called upon God for material goods and land......and to be superior to others.....

They came to to egypt because there was a famine in thier to be promised land; it is true that God hepled joseph...their number increase by thousands.....by no way I am not endorsing what the mean pharoh instructed the midwives to do....

I have been in the USA for and with in few years forty years and I am treated much worse than that......this almost four thousant yeas later..............

I HAVE. the authorized king james version, of the holy bible., and on the book of, Ecclesiastes, it dont have, CH-26:12. It only goes up to chapter 12:13. Am looking for 26:10-12

Do you mean why the KJV & some other versions use the word 'illuminated' instead of 'enlightened'? If so, both words mean the same in the original Greek 'photizo' = to enlighten, illumine, to bring light, to reveal.

In Hebrews 6:4, the word used there is 'enlightened' which is from the same root word 'photizo'. Why the difference, I can't tell.

But if you mean why a change was made in the KJV to read 'illuminated', then that question can only be answered to those who were involved in the translation.

I am confused about 2 things witch may only gather more. Is the devil a cherub or an angel? I'm having a really hard time finding verses that explain it. 2nd question is who are the "the beast" ( not plural but singular) and the false prophet spoken of in Revelation 20:10? I understand what a false prophet is, but I always thought there were many false prophets? And if satan and his followers (and his Angel's- by the way did satan create his angels?) And the beast then there must be only one beast. But I always thought that to be plural as well. Can someone give me some verses to help me understand this all?

In Hebrews Chapter 10 verse 32. Why was the word enlightened replaced with illuminate?

Read commentary for James 1

Feeling an action from the holy spirit, is a natural fleshly need. When you read Christ words, remember He is teaching you and me about the kingdom of God! We are learning about Him, while growing in his knowledge for all of us. He confirms His teaching and healing with miracles! Why can't we experience these same miracles? When we read Gods word,we may not see it or feel it, but know that the seed that has been planted in your heart through faith is growing! This is the miracle! When doubt creeps in remember, that He shed His blood , so that through faith you will become more like Him. When you become a child of God, you will conform into him! This is his amazing grace towards us!

To understand 'iniquities' in Psalm 51, indeed the whole Bible, we would need to look at the other similar words as well. So briefly:

a. Iniquities. Heb: awon. Refers to the inner character of a person and points to an intentional twisting of a given standard (by God).

b. Sin. Heb: chatta'ah. Means 'to miss the mark'. As when God sets a standard for us to follow & we fall short of it or miss it entirely (as when an archer fails to hit or misses his target altogether).

c. Transgression. Heb: pesha. A wilful rebellion against a given standard. Similar in meaning to Iniquities but one of rebellion against God's Standards rather than a twisting of them.

All similar in meaning, yet specifically shown as separate words & meanings so as the readers will know what is meant.

Amen A Innocent Lamb dying and Shedding his blood so the Guilty could be covered Jesus on the cross The passover lamb

Norman, you don't mention whether you both were born again at the time of your wedding. Now, even if you both were believers loving & serving God, you both found each other at a time when she was rejected & unloved by a vile man. Ordinarily, the Scriptures are clear about divorce & re-marriage (which you are aware of), but I believe that God sees exceptions & also gives further proof His acceptance of us. Your wife was abused or treated badly - she rightly left that relationship before she was hurt further. You both then met, you offered her counsel & support & your love for each other grew. You both wanted to cement that love in marriage - you've had a wonderful family, a loving faithful marriage & you've remained together through thick & thin with the blessing & help of the Lord. Apart from this sense of guilt you express now, have you ever sensed the Lord rejecting or disregarding your love for Him during your marriage? Did He give any clues about His displeasure & allowing a strong Word or discipline to come your way? You only know those answers.

From what I can glean from your sharing here, is that the Lord has indeed blessed your lives in innumerable ways and isn't this His Confirmation to you both that your marriage was of the Lord, both to save her from a life of sorrow & that you both might grow a family to know & serve the Lord? You have without doubt shared all your heart ache on this matter with the Lord & I sense that you've done so in all honesty & devotion to Him. Leave it with the Lord, look for His confirmations of His acceptance & forgiving any wrong, & continue to love Him & your family with all that's within you.

When we consider so many outside of Christ just hopping in & out of wedlock, we see a continual unhappiness & dissatisfaction in their marriages, often based on trivial issues or looking for the greener grass on the other side. This, the Lord hates; but I see the Lord's blessing on your marriage revealed in many ways to you.

Borand, to add what Matthew has said about having faith: I'm sure you are expressing faith in your Christian walk; after all you came 'by faith' when you turned to Christ & that same faith keeps you walking each day loving & trusting God for all your needs. However, I've learned that having faith is not a passive gift or experience. Some pray & just wait for something to happen. Faith demands that we get on in our daily existence looking for the presence & Hand of the Lord to keep us & direct us. Also, there's not always a 'feeling' about the presence or power of God that one has - if we only looked for a feeling for proof, then our walk is not of faith. God expects His children to have implicit faith in Him no matter what our circumstance, whatever our wants or even when there seems to be silence from Him. He knows you love Him & are devoted to Him: as you pray & read from His Word, there will be times when suddenly the Spirit of God 'intrudes' into your prayer/reading to tell you something special or give confirmation.

I have many examples, but one now: I attended a Fellowship in my early Christian walk that majored heavily on Missions. It was always a challenge to us: "Why are you still sitting here & not out there sharing the Good News?" So, I prayed for a number of years but there was no answer or urge from God. So, I continued in my Christian walk, going out each week with a group to share Christ on the streets (as was the burden on my heart). Then after a few years, while in morning prayer, the Spirit just 'intruded' into my prayer time, & burdened my heart heavily to go out & serve, giving me the Mission name as well. That burden wouldn't leave me so I left it all with him to direct me. Soon I got a call from a man from another country who wanted to buy my house, without seeing it & ready to pay whatever I wanted! I knew this was God' Hand. The deal went through without problems.

Just trust Him as you walk each day with the Lord, He WILL guide you.

Walking with the Lord will keep the Lord close. The Bible says He will never leave you or forsake you. God is listening but He may speak to you through others or His Word. Prayer is effective but you must believe and have faith. Faith comes from the Word of God.

Every sin "you believe" you ever committed was wiped away at the cross of Jesus Christ... The cross is/was a finished work. Have a great day. Lynn