I love to look up quotations from Spurgeon, Moody, etc. Today I happened across these quotes. This has turned into one of my favorite past times and has been extremely encouraging.
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Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrows,
but only empties today of it's strength.
- Charles Spurgeon
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Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving.
My warrent is the Word of God --
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is one greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!
- author unknown
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It can be said:
That using one's time in this manner and fashion is a "truly teachable moment."
- B. Harless
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
When Confustion Is Added
I have another Christian blog on another social network. Two days ago I posted a blog about salvation from God's Word. I was bombarded immediately by criticizers. It was very hard for me to answer questions from those who really had interest. It took some time thinking about what had happened to realize that posting these blogs were truly a good thing.
Eventhough some didn't believe at least they took the time to read it. Some were suprised upon learning some of the Greek and Hebrew meanings of words that had gotten them so upset. Some were suprised to learn some of the Jewish customes that explained some verses clearer to them.
I also learned practically that "soft answers turn away wrath". Most became very polite after awhile possibly realizing they had leaned up to their own understanding of some scripture. Some were irritated from answers given they had no idea about. Some, I am sure will go to the bookstore and purchase concordances and commentaries to check for themselves. One imparticulat appologized for hi-jacking my blog because I had been so compassionate in my answers to him/her.
I have to say, I was suprised to see how fellow Christians were so quick to ridicule and jump in on the free for all. I was also suprised that most of them also came across as angry and bombardant. This confuses and turns away those that don't believe so they won't even listen. This has also made me realize that I need to show genuine concern and compassion to unbelieves so they too will hear the Word.
I feel sure that they are at least hearing and considering scripture. This is all I can hope to accomplish through these blogs. God will do the rest.
Eventhough some didn't believe at least they took the time to read it. Some were suprised upon learning some of the Greek and Hebrew meanings of words that had gotten them so upset. Some were suprised to learn some of the Jewish customes that explained some verses clearer to them.
I also learned practically that "soft answers turn away wrath". Most became very polite after awhile possibly realizing they had leaned up to their own understanding of some scripture. Some were irritated from answers given they had no idea about. Some, I am sure will go to the bookstore and purchase concordances and commentaries to check for themselves. One imparticulat appologized for hi-jacking my blog because I had been so compassionate in my answers to him/her.
I have to say, I was suprised to see how fellow Christians were so quick to ridicule and jump in on the free for all. I was also suprised that most of them also came across as angry and bombardant. This confuses and turns away those that don't believe so they won't even listen. This has also made me realize that I need to show genuine concern and compassion to unbelieves so they too will hear the Word.
I feel sure that they are at least hearing and considering scripture. This is all I can hope to accomplish through these blogs. God will do the rest.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Fear and Faith (Part 2)
I have continued in my study once again because I feel it has been laid upon my heart to dive even further. So many questions by so many are being asked because of the fear they have in their personal lives due to these economic times. My study has led me to 1 John 4:16-18.
v. 16 And we (have known and believed) the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
v. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
v. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
These verses further convinced me further that fear is a tool used to diminish our faith. If we truly have confessed that Jesus is the Son of God (v.15), then God lives in us, His love abides in us, we have experienced the love of God and believe in His love toward us. There is no fear in love. God is love. His love casteth out fear.
Also, these verses have further convinced me that fear comes from unbelief. These verse say
to me that, If I believe that God's love is perfect toward me then I can believe that I can have no fear. This also means that, If I don't believe that God 's love is perfect toward me then I will have fear because of my unbelief in God's perfect love. This is perhaps something I will never completely master. But I can spend an abundance of time striving to overcome by studying scripture, meditating, and referencing.
This also is futher convincing that we desperately need to spend more time in scripture; reading, studying, meditating, asking the question to ourselves about what we don't understand about God and His love toward us, but more importantly than asking the questions to ourselves, we desperately need to make the time to SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH the scriptures for the answers to our questions. It will bring you closer to God, bring clearer understanding, bring lasting peace and comfort. It will also bring a desire to know more and to understand more.
v. 16 And we (have known and believed) the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
v. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
v. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
These verses further convinced me further that fear is a tool used to diminish our faith. If we truly have confessed that Jesus is the Son of God (v.15), then God lives in us, His love abides in us, we have experienced the love of God and believe in His love toward us. There is no fear in love. God is love. His love casteth out fear.
Also, these verses have further convinced me that fear comes from unbelief. These verse say
to me that, If I believe that God's love is perfect toward me then I can believe that I can have no fear. This also means that, If I don't believe that God 's love is perfect toward me then I will have fear because of my unbelief in God's perfect love. This is perhaps something I will never completely master. But I can spend an abundance of time striving to overcome by studying scripture, meditating, and referencing.
This also is futher convincing that we desperately need to spend more time in scripture; reading, studying, meditating, asking the question to ourselves about what we don't understand about God and His love toward us, but more importantly than asking the questions to ourselves, we desperately need to make the time to SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH the scriptures for the answers to our questions. It will bring you closer to God, bring clearer understanding, bring lasting peace and comfort. It will also bring a desire to know more and to understand more.
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