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sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 9:08:40 AM)

I must admit, I felt like we got off to bit of a ruff start yesterday. That was my fault for not having everything ready to roll before we started. I'm sorry. Lot's of great scripture. I would like to dig a little deeper, so if it's ok with everyone we can narrow our topic to humbling ourselfs.

Topic: Being Humble

Dear Lord please bless this study and all those who take part in it. Help us to be humble. Help us to serve others. Let us be filled with Your grace and shine a light for You. In Jesus name we ask. Amen

It's our human nature to build ourselfs up. But God's word says that He hates the proud.

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

As we look to how great the Lord is, we begin to see how flawed we are. It is the Holy Spirit working within us that makes us humble.
It is also a choice (the work of the Holy Spirit within us), as we choose to put others (even those who the the world would say wasn't as good as someone else) ahead of ourselfs.

peaceofGod's scripture yesterday spoke of looking at our own inperfection and inabilty to change ourselfs, but humbling ourselfs and crying out to the Lord to create in us a clean heart.

Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jamess 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Thoughts?



marstacy -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 9:21:48 AM)

Sparkle, I've had a house full of kids and still do so I have been a bit distracted. Just got here to see how this is progressing. Thank you so much for inviting me. [sm=chick.gif]

LOVE the topic (if I understand what it is). HUMILITY? Surrender of our "rights" out of love in order to truly follow Our Savior? Allowing everything to be completely about Him and not about me? Caring more about others than I care about myself because I love Jesus and want to demonstrate I am truly his follower?

Oh wow! If this is the topic, then I need this Bible study badly!! I struggle with giving up ALL . . . you know how it goes . . . I'll give up these things but THIS one thing I want to keep. Daily battle. And that thing I gave up last week . . . I want it back. Ugh!

Rusty, I read your post and this scripture, Lk 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple, and then read the text just before it which always makes me just gulp every time:

Luke 14:25-27 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

That is so difficult that I always ask myself, "does the scripture literally mean that?!".


So, my brothers and sisters, am I correct or off base? Is this kind of what we are studying?

Father God,
Cover this Bible study with Your grace and give us power through the Holy Spirit to discern
the true meaning of this or any topic You want us to study. Protect us from the evil one
who would love to bring discord and confusion. Lord, may all the glory and honor be yours and
help us truly be Your disciples.
In Jesus' Precious name I pray,
Amen.



sarju60 -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 9:52:58 AM)

quote:

Luke 14:25-27 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

That is so difficult that I always ask myself, "does the scripture literally mean that?!".


So, my brothers and sisters, am I correct or off base? Is this kind of what we are studying?

Father God,
Cover this Bible study with Your grace and give us power through the Holy Spirit to discern
the true meaning of this or any topic You want us to study. Protect us from the evil one
who would love to bring discord and confusion. Lord, may all the glory and honor be yours and
help us truly be Your disciples.
In Jesus' Precious name I pray,
Amen.


I too take pause whenever I read that scripture. I am quite interested in seeing the responses to it.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 9:56:15 AM)

Us marstacy, I thank that is a very big part of it. Picking up our cross and following Him. Part of humbling ourselfs is to put His will above our own. And I agree, we struggle with wanting to hold on to things. That's the flesh part of us.

I think Luke 14:26 is telling us that we must be willing to give up all for the Lord. To put Him first.

He will most likely never ask you to give up your children for example, but He wants us to be willing to give up whatever He might ask us too. And we can trust that He would give you all you needed to do whatever He asked us to.



RustyCarr -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 9:58:31 AM)

I have a tendency to derail stuff like these threads, but I simply desire to bring greater perspective...

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Greater understanding of this comes to me by adding some more discriptive words to what I have made bold above. Try "proud in his own heart. That is; wise in his own eyes. That is; thinking that I am correct when I am not, and scripture proves it so, yet I do not have the humility to repent.

On the other side of the coin is, "I am wise in God's eyes and scripture proves it so." If the Truth makes us wise, mustn't we believe it and stand up for the Truth? Is our (God's) Truth and wisdom greater than the world's "truth" and wisdom? I think of Moses, here. Many scoffers and doubters thought Moses was arrogant. He wasn't arrogant and puffed up, he was simply RIGHT and he stood firmly on it and BELIEVED it. The same goes for Jesus, the pharisees thought Jesus was arrogant when he told parables that nailed their darkened hearts. Again Jesus was simply RIGHT and He BELIEVED GOD"S TRUTH AND NONE OTHER.

It is Scripture, the TRUTH, that we must be humble to first. Then we won't be discouraged and derailed by accusers who say we are arrogant, when in fact we are simply "right."

Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

So, to whom do we humble ourselves? To God....ONLY GOD, HIS TRUTH, AS IT IS RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE. If we allow sneaky doubters and scoffers to discourage and derail us, what good is the Truth at all? Becoming like children refers to having a humble teachable mind as a child has. And notice this verse: Jn 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

In this world full of misguided decietful men, I think the safest way to go is to be "humble to God" and skepticle of men. How else can we know that what we believe is correct? Except that it be confirmed in scripture. That is the only TRUE measure.

My life experiences have forced me to find the Truth in order to stand up for it. I stood up for it because that was the only way I could stand up for my own actions, which were my BEST EFFORTS TO SAVE MY FAMILY FROM DESTRUCTION BY AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE AND AN ARROGANT IGNORANT JUDGE. In these efforts of mine, many people think of me as arrogant.... I can't reach them, and my young sons are still doing the same things everyone else is doing. She taught them well, wrong, but well. While I had my role as father taken from me, therefore unable to protect my sons from the lies and deception overtaking the world and pushing God's Truth off the planet.

Jamess 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

May the Truth lift me up and not my own heart and pride. If I boast I boast on behalf of the Truth.

Blessings,
Rusty



sarju60 -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 10:16:07 AM)

RustyCarr
quote:

So, to whom do we humble ourselves? To God....ONLY GOD, HIS TRUTH, AS IT IS RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE. If we allow sneaky doubters and scoffers to discourage and derail us, what good is the Truth at all? Becoming like children refers to having a humble teachable mind as a child has. And notice this verse: Jn 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.


I love this description and find it so true. Unfortunately, my problem comes in with not speaking up (I hope I am not the only one). There is nothing that makes me feel worse than not speaking God's truth when worldly topics come up. I guess I consider myself humble by keeping my mouth shut but this has put it in perspective when, as you say, we are to humble ourselves to God ONLY. I am convicted many times simply because I don't speak out for Him. I NEED this Bible study.



RustyCarr -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 10:20:59 AM)

marstacy, you wrote:
quote:

Rusty, I read your post and this scripture, Lk 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple, and then read the text just before it which always makes me just gulp every time:

Luke 14:25-27 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.


I am testing these scriptures, and have been for quite some time. I have found them to be Truth, in that if I shrink from speaking the Truth to my loved ones, they may never find it. And when I do speak the Truth to them and they become defensive seeking to justify their apathy, complacency, and comfort zone, then it is on them, not me. I have done my best, the rest is between themselves and God.

It has turned out, although I love my family deeply,they haven't made up their mind whether to love me or not. Often my presence makes them uncomfortable .... I asked them for help in saving my family as mentioned in my previous post. They couldn't find the courage to confront my ex about her selfish destructive behavior centered around a barstool lifestyle. That was 17 years ago. I have held to the Truth, while she has proved herself ignorant and destructive, taking many people surrounding her with her, including my sons.

As I said, I love my family, but I love Jesus more. And that is the proper interpetation of Luke 14:26 "Hate" in the verse does not really mean "hate" as we understand it, today. There are commentaries on this translation of the Greek word that back up this understanding.

And I think the resistance I encounter from family is part of the cross I must bare. Perhaps, in His time, the Truth will be revealed in a fashion that brings repentance and salvation to my family. Even my ex-wife....

My hope is in Jesus, the truth, and my father in heaven...

Rusty



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 10:29:22 AM)

Very well put Rusty. And I will be praying for your family's salvation, and for the relationship with you and your sons.



ppodmama -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 10:34:37 AM)

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (Romans 12:3)
I say also don't think more poorly of yourself than you ought, because the world isn't going to cut you any slack
1 Cornithians 4v3-4: (NIV)
"I care very little if I am judged by you or any human court; indeed I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
I say the tenderhearted are very good at judging themselves, but it is a good idea to not even judge your own self, confess your sin yes, but don't judge yourself, as it will no doubt color how you judge others, right?
John 8:7
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
I say remembering that there will be times in our life when we will be the target of the stones and times we will be the pitcher should cause us to have the empathy of people in both positions.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Note: Above all



prayn4u -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 10:35:15 AM)

sarju60, you are not the only one. I have found myself in those types of situations wanting to remain humble.

I want people to see His light is what is shining and not hear what they think is me tooting my own horn,* dismissing the message as holier than thou. So in certain situations I have not ascertained how to be humble but yet speak up on God's truth. I have sought to humble myself before GOD, bringing my heart to be examined and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I know God's grace is what has saved me, certainly not anything that I did!

So, like RustyCarr, "resistance is part of the cross I must bare." and "my hope is in Jesus, the truth, and my father in heaven..."

* ~ He must increase, but I must decrease. ~ John 3:3



sarju60 -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 11:09:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: prayn4u

sarju60, you are not the only one. I have found myself in those types of situations wanting to remain humble. Perhaps, because of the times I have spoken in front of a family member who become defensive calling me a bible thumper or holier than thou. So in certain situations I have not ascertained how to be humble but yet speak up on God's truth. That His light is what is shining and that they don't think it's just me tooting my own horn. I have sought to humble myself before GOD, bringing my heart to be examined and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I know God's grace is what has saved me, certainly not anything that I did!

So, like RustyCarr, "resistance is part of the cross I must bare." and "my hope is in Jesus, the truth, and my father in heaven..."


ppodmama

quote:

I say the tenderhearted are very good at judging themselves, but it is a good idea to not even judge your own self, confess your sin yes, but don't judge yourself, as it will no doubt color how you judge others, right?
John 8:7
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
I say remembering that there will be times in our life when we will be the target of the stones and times we will be the pitcher should cause us to have the empathy of people in both positions.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.


prayn4u, yes that puts it exactly. I am not as afraid of being yelled at (except by family members, my father actually angrily walked out on me one day) as I am of hurting someone's feelings. Maybe that sounds like a copout but I think there is a fine line when it comes to speaking to an unbeliever. When Rusty speaks of only humbling ourselves to God, it helps to put things in perspective for me. I see myself as a peacemaker and so tend to be over careful how I chose my words. Even though I am convicted by my silence many times, if I see someone getting upset by conversation, I am always afraid I will put them off for good so I shut up. I see that I need to be more assertive.



prayn4u -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 11:32:36 AM)

Ooops, I edited my previous post after you copied it, sarju60. I edited it because my thought was not that I was afraid of being yelled at (that came out wrong in writing)--- more for the reason as I changed my post to read --- I want people to see His light is what is shining and not hear what they think is me tooting my own horn,* dismissing the message as holier than thou.

So, I actually I agree with what you said "I am always afraid I will put them off for good so I shut up." And you are right it is a new perspective for me as well, to think of it as Rusty speaks of as only humbling ourselves to God.



marstacy -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 1:26:58 PM)

Luke 14:25-27 (Amplified Bible)

25 Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them,

26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters--[yes] and even his own life also--he cannot be My disciple.

27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


I know that in the original language there are "shades of meanings" that are very difficult to translate into English. I always turn to the Amplified Bible to try to catch the full meaning.

So my own paraphrase using the Amplified Bible in verse 26 tells me that the quality of my discipleship and following God's will means that in comparison to my desire to follow Him I would seem indifferent or as though I disregard my family and their wishes. I must follow Him and persevere no matter what . . . even if it means that I will lose my life.


Verse 33 (Amplified) goes on to say: So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.


If I am not willing to GIVE UP ALL I HAVE, then I cannot be His disciple and that speaks not just to material possessions but family and friends. Just being honest, I can't do it now. So I just have to trust Him to give me all I need in order to give up whatever I am called to do when the time comes (Sparkle, I think you said that, too.)

Am I misreading any of that? These verses are extremely hard to take in or at least I think they are.

By the time I get this thought out and typed, no telling how many others have responded and the whole thread may have taken a different turn. [;)]



RustyCarr -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/2/2009 7:44:41 PM)

In response to several of the posts, I would like to add the following concerning our interaction with family and friends who are argumentative about scripture. Peacemaker is good. We must be kind and hospitable and loving. A right spirit is very benefitial and that spirit should earn some respect from those around us. Firmness without wavering is taught in the Bible, too. So, wisdom, patience, and understanding must be used as well.

That being said, I am of the mindset that a firm rebuke of nonsense is better than being "humble" to the point of wimpering off in defeat. Once the rebuke is said, withdrawing from the unpleasant confrontation, or whatever, seems okay with me. No hard feelings.....

What others believe affects them, not me. I do my best to live and speak for Jesus. The problem with people who say "I don't believe in religion, etc" is they are just mixed up and they don't know what they are talking about. If you/I were to ask them, "Well, do you believe in Love," they would most likely say "Yes, I have children and I love them."
You/I respond, "Well, the Bible says God is love, yet you say you don't believe in religion or God, what's up?

The lost simply have their OWN DEFINITION OF LOVE, and they are content with it. BUT IF THEY TRULY LOVED THEIR CHILDREN, THEY WOULD CERTAINLY WANT TO TEACH THEM ABOUT LOVE (GOD). This is where Christianity has messed up for generations. Our fathers got comfortable with public schools training and teaching their children. And they are still comfortable, but 50 years ago scripture and prayer were removed from government schools and replaced with nonsense, secular humanism, political correctness, evolution, socialism.....

In surveys of teachers prior to 1955 the biggest problems encountered in the classroom were chewing gum, talking/whispering while the teacher is speaking, and some of the guys tended to nod off. LOL
NOW WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS IN THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS? CURSING, AND CURSING OUT THE TEACHER, UNCONTROLABLE CLASSROOMS, GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS, DRUGS, COMING TO SCHOOL HIGH ON POT, ETC, ETC.

Get the picture? Our churches haven't been able to compete, much less take up the slack in government indoctrination..oops, I mean government so-called education. I am sorry to say that I think too many churches in this country have themselves been dumbed down as the newer generations of pastors have been trained to avoid controversy and rocking the boat.

Boy, did I get off topic? Anyway, standing on the Truth is the only way to reach the lost. Even they respect and recognise indisputable Truth from God. If we wimper off in defeat, they won't respect that. That is why I have my "mindset."

Blessings,
Rusty

I'd sure like to get together with some guys and .....

EDIT: Oops! Since most eveeryone on this thread are wonderful ladies, I should not have left that last thought hanging.

I'd sure like to get together with some guys who see what I see concerning the education in Truth that our offspring need.

I left it hanging because I have beat to death my desire to wake up fathers. I didn't want to say it again, but then I thought the ladies would be a little confused or taken aback. Sorry.



IwillseekHim -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 8:39:06 AM)

I know in my own walk with Christ, I do well to remember to humble myself each and every morning. It's hard to surrender ALL things, but if I do not, it does not take long before God is giving me a wake up call.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 9:49:32 AM)

quote:

Original: RustyCarr

As I said, I love my family, but I love Jesus more. And that is the proper interpetation of Luke 14:26 "Hate" in the verse does not really mean "hate" as we understand it, today. There are commentaries on this translation of the Greek word that back up this understanding.


I agree that the highlighted part is what Jesus was trying to teach us.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Part of carrying our cross and following Him is forgiving, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted Him. Some hurts are so deep that we can only do this by asking Him to help us forgive for we can't do it on our own. I know for myself there have been a couple of things that hurt me so badly that I couldn't forgive for a long time. I had to ask God to help me forgive the person who did this wrong, for I couldn't forgive them on my own. And I had to ask over and over. Not because I wanted to forgive them but because I wanted to be obedient to the Lord. It took time and prayer but the Lord did help me to forgive and filled me with His peace.

Strong's - [Grk. 3404] miseo (mis-eh'-o)
from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful).


quote:

So, to whom do we humble ourselves? To God....ONLY GOD, HIS TRUTH, AS IT IS RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE.


I have to disagree that we are only to humble ourselfs to the Lord. I understand the post your trying to make about not allowing doubters to derail us, we are to stand for God's truths. But the Lord tells us to humblely serve others.

1Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Here is Jesus's example of humbly serving others.

Joh 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
... :12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 10:23:05 AM)

quote:

Original: sarju60

Unfortunately, my problem comes in with not speaking up (I hope I am not the only one)


Your not the only one. :) I know there are times I wish I had spoken up and didn't.
I don't think being humble is the same thing as being timid.
Jesus was humble yet was bold in teaching His truths.
Paul spoke boldly for the Lord.


quote:

Original: ppodmama

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.


Very good quote ppodmama. and God's word says love is:

1Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

prayn4u and sarju60, I agree, we need to let the Holy Spirit guide us. There is a differance between wittnessing for the Lord and letting His light shine and beating someone over the head. That only drives them away. Being a timid person myself there have been times when I kept quite when I shouldn't have. But I'm learning there are also times when i have to take a big gulp and speak up about something that is being said that goes aginest God's word. May we all stand humblely but boldly for the Lord.

marstacy, I think Your defining of Luke 14:25-27 was right on! [:)]



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 10:35:19 AM)

quote:

EDIT: Oops! Since most eveeryone on this thread are wonderful ladies, I should not have left that last thought hanging.

I'd sure like to get together with some guys who see what I see concerning the education in Truth that our offspring need.

I left it hanging because I have beat to death my desire to wake up fathers. I didn't want to say it again, but then I thought the ladies would be a little confused or taken aback. Sorry.


Rusty, I agree with you about the schools, and how some are trying to take God out of everything. (And the results that has caused!)
We do need to stand strong. We can be humble toward the Lord and our attitude towards others and still stand strong for the Lord.
And I admire your desire to wake up men to be good fathers and teach their children to follow the Lord.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 10:44:04 AM)

quote:

Original: IwillseekHim

I know in my own walk with Christ, I do well to remember to humble myself each and every morning. It's hard to surrender ALL things, but if I do not, it does not take long before God is giving me a wake up call.


I agree IwillseekHim. I know if I start getting a big head, the Lord has a way of putting me in my place real quick. Ouch!



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 11:40:50 AM)

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



RustyCarr -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 11:53:11 AM)

sparkleingsnow,
Thank you for your understanding. I have admired your posts, too.

quote:

I have to disagree that we are only to humble ourselfs to the Lord. I understand the post your trying to make about not allowing doubters to derail us, we are to stand for God's truths. But the Lord tells us to humblely serve others.

1Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.


Certainly we are called to serve, and if we are serving God, we will want to humbly serve others. The Bible goes so far as to tell slaves to serve their masters as if their service is to God. Which it is, but there are lines in the sand that we should not cross.

My post is from the perspective of dealing with the lost, contending for the faith, and teaching the Truth. Your post is dealing with serving among the Christian community. Much humility is desired and actually fulfilling among friends.

Paul converted men who owned slaves and men who were slaves. I think He is speaking to Christian masters and slaves when he asks slaves to submit to there masters as though they are performing their service to God. This worked so well as to compel some slaves to remain in their master's service, even after freedom has been granted. WOW! FRIENDS!

Humble service is correct, but I think we are sort of talking about different things. I am talking about being humble to God, but courageous and upright toward the arrogant lost. If I was a slave to a pornographer, I would have to flat out refuse to make the bed and set up the camera for the exploitation of someone's daughter.... I would have to bare my cross to the point of lashes and a beating. Escape would become a first priority.

1Peter 5:5 is also written to the Christian community, the mature Christian community. There may be some pornographers who CLAIM to be Christians... I write extreme examples, I know.

quote:

Part of carrying our cross and following Him is forgiving, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted Him. Some hurts are so deep that we can only do this by asking Him to help us forgive for we can't do it on our own. I know for myself there have been a couple of things that hurt me so badly that I couldn't forgive for a long time. I had to ask God to help me forgive the person who did this wrong, for I couldn't forgive them on my own. And I had to ask over and over. Not because I wanted to forgive them but because I wanted to be obedient to the Lord. It took time and prayer but the Lord did help me to forgive and filled me with His peace.


This sort of ties in with what I am trying to say in the first part of my post. I very much tend to separate the lost unbeliever from the believer. Therefore, when I need to forgive, I know that this is for my own benefit, my own heart health. Most of the lost who hurt me or sin against me couldn't care less if I forgive them. But I do forgive them easily because I was once like them. Now my focus turns to "How can I help them? How can I be a light, a magnet?" I will speak the Truth in love boldly (and at appropriate opportunies) and then they may be drawn to me or repelled. I am not talking about beating people over the head with the Bible, either.

The Bible teaches us how to love one another and we should all be capable of earning love, trust, and respect if we are abiding in Him. Within the Christian community we forgive, also. But, the Bible tells us to exhort, to encourage, and to support one another in our walk and worship of God. This will keep us wholesome, happy, and righteous on the right path. Ro 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Let's not forget to exhort one another in love. No fear of condemnation, huh? We are all hungering and thirsting for righteousness and Truth.

So, I hope this clears up my mindset. And it is the mindset of a male. Men are called to be the strong and courageous. Women shouldn't have to stick their neck out so much. But I sure love the support of a wonderful woman by my side!

Blessings,
Rusty



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 12:01:44 PM)

What a wonderful post Rusty. Thank you. And I agree with all you said about humbeing ourselfs to the Lord, in service and attitude toward others, and about boldly speaking the truth, and about lifting one another up. [:)]



RustyCarr -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 12:18:16 PM)

Wow! That is kind of interesting. While I was writing my post, sparkleingsnow, you put up this one.

quote:

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.


You highlighted the first verse. I highlighted verse 16 because it lines up with what I am trying to say here:
quote:

But, the Bible tells us to exhort, to encourage, and to support one another in our walk and worship of God. This will keep us wholesome, happy, and righteous on the right path.


Hmm... let us not be singly focused on one aspect of scripture over another, but let the Holy Spirit balance the whole Truth in our minds, hearts, and motivations.

Praise the Lord for the FULLNESS of His Word.

Rusty

How do we move on to the next topic? Give each topic one or two or more days? And how to pick a new topic? Your thread, you're the leader. LOL

Love ya in Christ....



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 1:01:49 PM)

LOL, that is cool! And I must admit the verse you highlighted spoke to my heart also.

quote:

Hmm... let us not be singly focused on one aspect of scripture over another, but let the Holy Spirit balance the whole Truth in our minds, hearts, and motivations.

Praise the Lord for the FULLNESS of His Word.



Amen!


I think we should stay on one topic as long as we feel we need to. Most things one or two days would be ok, although some may take a bit longer.

As for me being leader, no let's let the Holy Spirit be the main leader, and all of us can be co-leaders. :)
I think at any time anyone can suggest what they would like the next topic to be, and if others agree thats where we'll go. As for me, I would like one of our topics to be how we're to treat each other (we've already touched on that a bit).

How about you? Any rabbits you want to chase today?



IwillseekHim -> RE: Ongoing Bible Study (7/3/2009 6:36:25 PM)

Is being humble and being meek the same thing?

Also, what is the bible verse that says something along these lines... If My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves before me.... I will heal their land? I don't think that is the exact wording, but it is the verse that has come to my mind all day with this bible study. I can't find it in my husband's bible and that is the only bible I have handy at the moment. Please advise. Thanks. It is an important scripture worthy of discussing if we are discussing humility/humbling ourselves before our Creator.



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