I remember all the scenery from ‘ Lord of the rings ‘ absolutely stunning.
I love being by the side of a lake or by the sea , although one place I would love to sit is by the lake of Galilee - just knowing that Jesus walked there xxx
Friendly Bible Study
- Thread starter Carl Emerson
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
I love being by the side of a lake or by the sea , although one place I would love to sit is by the lake of Galilee - just knowing that Jesus walked there xxx
That would be something, to follow his steps of the past, and to wonder when and where the people 'attached' themselves to him along his walk. And to think of where the first apostles were fishing when Christ visited them and later performed miracles on and near the water's edge..it would be a memory-maker indeed.xx to you sister
Yes, I have often wondered why Church leaders have not to my knowledge expressed repentant regret concerning these horrendous actions.
Is this available in high resolution?
The reason is that when we have non-believing visitors - having this on the wall provides a perfect entry to sharing the Gospel and telling my story.
You are not kidding either Carl! How glorious and it is personal to you indeed!!
I was looking around in my office room this morning to find something to share with the group. And I was drawn to some NZ literature I had. I opened a book on New Zealand that the same neighbor and photographer gave me...very kind chap...and I remembered that past the cover lay the photo inside. Now is this a coincidence or what....?
I will ask him if he can give me the digital original etc., of it. I hope he kept it... give me some time...
What a great thing I did for you in my ignorance....it is God's glory, not mine
Again I will ask him....and I will preach to him at the same time...howe convenient for me...
OK keeping on track - you are invited to share testimonies and some recent ones would be great.
Here is a good example.
Yesterday I was in prayer, in fact my day, if you were to ask my dog and my cat , is filled with me talking, off and on, outloud to Him.
I was asking about the lack of traction in various projects I have felt led to put energy into. This has started to feel frustrating - I like to be a doer, not just a talker.
So at about 4am, I am suddenly woken with a beautiful image of a canvas brushed with beautiful hues and in my spirit He is saying "Rest -this is you future - it is all in hand and full of beautiful and fruitful achievements."
All praise to Him working out through us His will and His good purpose.
Here is a good example.
Yesterday I was in prayer, in fact my day, if you were to ask my dog and my cat , is filled with me talking, off and on, outloud to Him.
I was asking about the lack of traction in various projects I have felt led to put energy into. This has started to feel frustrating - I like to be a doer, not just a talker.
So at about 4am, I am suddenly woken with a beautiful image of a canvas brushed with beautiful hues and in my spirit He is saying "Rest -this is you future - it is all in hand and full of beautiful and fruitful achievements."
All praise to Him working out through us His will and His good purpose.
My latest 'testimony' is that a few weeks ago I realised I needed an 'interest'. I was spending most of my time reading or online.
I prayed about it, asking God to give me a new interest and woke up one morning knowing exactly what i was going to do; I was going to use all my yarn left over from various projects to start making a new throw/blanket.
I had loads of unused balls of yarn which I had forgotten about and started to crochet, something I haven't done for years. Anyway to date I have made two throws with my left over yarn and am on my third, this time with newly bought yarns.
Not a very exciting testimony but I know it was God that showed me to do it.
I prayed about it, asking God to give me a new interest and woke up one morning knowing exactly what i was going to do; I was going to use all my yarn left over from various projects to start making a new throw/blanket.
I had loads of unused balls of yarn which I had forgotten about and started to crochet, something I haven't done for years. Anyway to date I have made two throws with my left over yarn and am on my third, this time with newly bought yarns.
Not a very exciting testimony but I know it was God that showed me to do it.
So I have first off considered the question - what is the Word of God. Great input thanks.
Next I want to consider how we hear the Word of God personally - after all Jesus could only do the things He saw the Father doing.
As we look into Scripture on this second topic, for some it will be a challenge to consider entering into a fresh dimension of faith hearing and seeing His specific leading towards good, exciting and fruitful encounters in life.
While I am aware that we all have different callings, I believe many have missed a whole world of opportunity waiting for them as they have not learned to see and hear what He is doing, things that they are invited to partner with Him in obedience.
I don't think my journey is unique but to some degree a road less traveled.
I was at Bible college coming up to a recess when I heard the Spirit of Jesus say "I want you to go to Israel for Christmas" So I was somewhat surprised given that I was a poor student - yet I sought confirmation from Scripture and read about Ezekiel being asked by the Lord to pack his bags for exile in the view of the people.
So I felt confident to tell folks what I believed He was saying.
I needed about 2000US for a return fare. Well the last 1000 appeared in an envelope 1 hour before the tickets had to be paid for. So I took off on a Jumbo Jet with just 150 dollars that my brother had given me to buy a radio to keep up with the news. I didn't know why I was going and after take off I was called to the flight deck over the speaker and spent an hour or so with the crew. This was like being in heaven for me. A friend in Air New Zealand arranged it without me knowing. So returning to my seat I asked God why I was going and His answer was "to do you good !!"
What a good Father - amazing.
So I arrived in Israel and stayed at a Christian lodge in Jaffa. To my amazement there as a conference for Christian musicians taking place the next day. Heaven again... I was a trained singer and classical guitarist.
But soon my 3x$50 travellers cheques were running out - what then ???
So I figured I had to seek Him for answers. To do this, I went to the King David Hotel and found some big leather chairs and prayed all day for three days. At the end of three days I said to Him "Well if you wanted a man of faith ypu have the wrong dude - i might as well pack up and fly back to NZ." Then amazingly, a couple who had seen me in church came into the hotel and said "come with us..."
They were running a ministry giving support to converts from Judaism persecuted for their new found faith in Jesus.
So I had a bed and a roof and food and did repairs and such for them.
Then it happened... I was having dinner with a well known saint and in the middle of the meal "Leave immediately" deep inside and urgent. It was embarrassing but she was used to that sort of guidance - what a relief. So into a taxi in the pouring rain, back to Gilo and I see the husband running down the road. I yell out "Whats wrong??" - "my wife is having a heart attack I'm getting the GP" So i go in and she is crying to the Lord not to be taken as her children were still young. Her auntie had died of the same symptoms at the same age. Immediately I thought why havnt they called the Pastor - immediately I put 2x2 together - I was being called to pray.
So I felt her pulse - light and fluttery 130 or so. I took her hands , prayed to Jesus, and spoke against the condition in His name. In about 2 minutes she was completely well. She is still in contact with me after 40 years running an important pro-life ministry in Israel.
The point of all this is that I saw and heard first - it was an appointed encounter.
I am inviting you to learn to see and hear.
Next I want to consider how we hear the Word of God personally - after all Jesus could only do the things He saw the Father doing.
As we look into Scripture on this second topic, for some it will be a challenge to consider entering into a fresh dimension of faith hearing and seeing His specific leading towards good, exciting and fruitful encounters in life.
While I am aware that we all have different callings, I believe many have missed a whole world of opportunity waiting for them as they have not learned to see and hear what He is doing, things that they are invited to partner with Him in obedience.
I don't think my journey is unique but to some degree a road less traveled.
I was at Bible college coming up to a recess when I heard the Spirit of Jesus say "I want you to go to Israel for Christmas" So I was somewhat surprised given that I was a poor student - yet I sought confirmation from Scripture and read about Ezekiel being asked by the Lord to pack his bags for exile in the view of the people.
So I felt confident to tell folks what I believed He was saying.
I needed about 2000US for a return fare. Well the last 1000 appeared in an envelope 1 hour before the tickets had to be paid for. So I took off on a Jumbo Jet with just 150 dollars that my brother had given me to buy a radio to keep up with the news. I didn't know why I was going and after take off I was called to the flight deck over the speaker and spent an hour or so with the crew. This was like being in heaven for me. A friend in Air New Zealand arranged it without me knowing. So returning to my seat I asked God why I was going and His answer was "to do you good !!"
What a good Father - amazing.
So I arrived in Israel and stayed at a Christian lodge in Jaffa. To my amazement there as a conference for Christian musicians taking place the next day. Heaven again... I was a trained singer and classical guitarist.
But soon my 3x$50 travellers cheques were running out - what then ???
So I figured I had to seek Him for answers. To do this, I went to the King David Hotel and found some big leather chairs and prayed all day for three days. At the end of three days I said to Him "Well if you wanted a man of faith ypu have the wrong dude - i might as well pack up and fly back to NZ." Then amazingly, a couple who had seen me in church came into the hotel and said "come with us..."
They were running a ministry giving support to converts from Judaism persecuted for their new found faith in Jesus.
So I had a bed and a roof and food and did repairs and such for them.
Then it happened... I was having dinner with a well known saint and in the middle of the meal "Leave immediately" deep inside and urgent. It was embarrassing but she was used to that sort of guidance - what a relief. So into a taxi in the pouring rain, back to Gilo and I see the husband running down the road. I yell out "Whats wrong??" - "my wife is having a heart attack I'm getting the GP" So i go in and she is crying to the Lord not to be taken as her children were still young. Her auntie had died of the same symptoms at the same age. Immediately I thought why havnt they called the Pastor - immediately I put 2x2 together - I was being called to pray.
So I felt her pulse - light and fluttery 130 or so. I took her hands , prayed to Jesus, and spoke against the condition in His name. In about 2 minutes she was completely well. She is still in contact with me after 40 years running an important pro-life ministry in Israel.
The point of all this is that I saw and heard first - it was an appointed encounter.
I am inviting you to learn to see and hear.
I have 'heard' God speak to me in many different ways - through dreams and through nature - but there was one time when it was my day off work and I had decided I would just relax and enjoy it. I got settled down with a book and then felt God tell me to go out, so I immediately started to get ready to go and was sure he was telling me to give to the children.
I got to the bus stop and there was a lady there I hadn't seen before and we got chatting. She told me her bag was heavy because she was taking her collecting box back to the Catholic church in town. I asked what she had been collecting for and she told me it was for the children. I was so amazed and emptied my purse into her tin just as the bus came round the bend.
It wasn't very dramatic but it was a lesson in learning to trust. And I used to see her quite often after that as we waited for the bus.
I got to the bus stop and there was a lady there I hadn't seen before and we got chatting. She told me her bag was heavy because she was taking her collecting box back to the Catholic church in town. I asked what she had been collecting for and she told me it was for the children. I was so amazed and emptied my purse into her tin just as the bus came round the bend.
It wasn't very dramatic but it was a lesson in learning to trust. And I used to see her quite often after that as we waited for the bus.
Brakelite
Well-Known Member
No. It's not that. The early Catholic church very quickly developed a full and complete dogmatic justification for persecution of heretics... And official sanction for this was granted then by Justinian. And the Vatican still believes they are fully justified in persecuting unbelievers and heretics... When they think it will not harm their reputation.
Yes Brandon, although the rudimentary basis of these cruel and corrupt policies by the CC is based of their heart condition and attitude towards God. They still defy God by their religious vain pompous pride. The pope as emperor, lacks clothing. All works of any kind are sourced from the heart.
History does support your views indeed on this matter.
I think today though, the CC is more cautious in still pursuing these policies with even an ounce/gram for you guys, of vigor...it is bad politics these days. And we may differ here, as I think the CC and their past infamous acts of their religion, is on the ropes and falling for good.
Last edited:
Recent communications have been limited compared to years ago when I would sometimes have pictures and would ‘ feel words ‘ ( only way I can describe it ) I became open to hearing from God in many ways, and that included using secular things. I was at the cinema with my sons watching the last ‘ Lord of the Rings ‘ film and at the end when Frodo is writing in his book I felt as if the Lord was standing in front of me saying the following words directly to me
‘ How do you pick up the threads of an old life- how do you go on when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back. There are somethings time can’t mend , some hurts that go too deep that have taken hold ‘
They have become such special words over the years, speaking into something I was working through then (2003 ) then again in 2015 ( going through a divorce ) then again in 2022 when I lost my dad. I would often feel prompted to remember those words
The same thing happened with a song ‘ Stand by you ‘ I was cleaning at one of my private jobs and she always had the radio on. I was going through the divorce and it had been a roller coaster ride of events and emotions - this song came on and something deep within me felt Jesus making This person to me, I was just sobbing ( thankfully the lady had popped out ) so this became a special song.
I am a ‘ words ‘ person , so I have often found that the Lord gives me words so that I can relate to them and be reminded and encouraged many times over.
‘ How do you pick up the threads of an old life- how do you go on when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back. There are somethings time can’t mend , some hurts that go too deep that have taken hold ‘
They have become such special words over the years, speaking into something I was working through then (2003 ) then again in 2015 ( going through a divorce ) then again in 2022 when I lost my dad. I would often feel prompted to remember those words
The same thing happened with a song ‘ Stand by you ‘ I was cleaning at one of my private jobs and she always had the radio on. I was going through the divorce and it had been a roller coaster ride of events and emotions - this song came on and something deep within me felt Jesus making This person to me, I was just sobbing ( thankfully the lady had popped out ) so this became a special song.
I am a ‘ words ‘ person , so I have often found that the Lord gives me words so that I can relate to them and be reminded and encouraged many times over.
2003 seemed to be one of those years - These words were laid on my heart - remember me saying I just feel words !
‘ I feel that something is going to happen that is going to bring about pain for someone I love. I will not be able to ease their pain BUT have to claim the promise that this is to bring about victory and will bring glory to God ‘
The following morning my youngest was playing and I had an overwhelming question in my mind ‘ Are you willing to give up your son ‘ The next day he was going on a a school trip and I honestly thought that God was preparing me for a loss , so much so that I made sure everyone said goodbye to him when he left for school. While he was away it was as if God was simply giving me space to consider my answer - once again this was just something I knew deep down.
I was reminded of the first message ‘ it will bring victory and Glory to God ‘ well his death wouldn’t perhaps do that And Victory meant salvation.
I held on to those words for years and years. Dan had a break down and tried to end his life, from that moment on he was in pain on a mental level - he self harmed regularly , he had suicidal thoughts all the time and it broke my heart …….I had to focus on ‘ The victory ‘ …….I often doubted, often questioned , but still pondered the things spoken to me back in 2003 When he was ten years old.
Over the years I had to ‘ give God my children one by one ‘ I had to trust him with them - then in 2021- Miraculously he came to faith , changed from an atheist to a Christian.
‘ I feel that something is going to happen that is going to bring about pain for someone I love. I will not be able to ease their pain BUT have to claim the promise that this is to bring about victory and will bring glory to God ‘
The following morning my youngest was playing and I had an overwhelming question in my mind ‘ Are you willing to give up your son ‘ The next day he was going on a a school trip and I honestly thought that God was preparing me for a loss , so much so that I made sure everyone said goodbye to him when he left for school. While he was away it was as if God was simply giving me space to consider my answer - once again this was just something I knew deep down.
I was reminded of the first message ‘ it will bring victory and Glory to God ‘ well his death wouldn’t perhaps do that And Victory meant salvation.
I held on to those words for years and years. Dan had a break down and tried to end his life, from that moment on he was in pain on a mental level - he self harmed regularly , he had suicidal thoughts all the time and it broke my heart …….I had to focus on ‘ The victory ‘ …….I often doubted, often questioned , but still pondered the things spoken to me back in 2003 When he was ten years old.
Over the years I had to ‘ give God my children one by one ‘ I had to trust him with them - then in 2021- Miraculously he came to faith , changed from an atheist to a Christian.
How heartfelt and sincere in your words Rita.
Rita, I can relate to this form of song/heartfelt words of spiritual communication between the Spirit of God within me and my own. It is real, as it is too much of a coincidence in my life.
One example I want to share just now with you. Whilst taking a critical operations examination to maintain my certification for operating and controlling the launch of a set of nuclear missiles, via a simulator, I felt I was blowing it. And at the end I made a 2 major errors, I believe no critical ones however. I was very upset with myself, it was such a humbling emotionally drawn-out experience within me.
When I wandered aimlessly outside still thinking about the exam, I managed to go and get into my car to go home; and then I switched on the radio. And low and behold, and being is such a weak and humble state, I heard a Bobby McFerrin's song......don't worry be happy.
Now this song comes to my mind when I get a little down indeed and always I get a real sense of peace. It worked for me then and for me today... I get happy again! And it is meant for me
Just so you know, your personal past experience was far greater than mine, in my example, although I came close to it in one year...it churns and churns the stomach to no end. It completely does a number on your heart and mind...my heart goes out to you for it.
Last edited:
Similar threads
