When our Faith Is Tested:Sometimes when difficult things come into our lives, we wonder why. Though we must be willing to trust and obey even if we don’t know why or aren’t given that answer for some time, we do need to distinguish between tempting and testing. Satan tempts; God tests. Under Temptation we should give recognition of what is really in our hearts. Satan loves to tempt us with the sin embedded in our hearts, (Jer. 17:9) Recognition should bring repentance and acknowledgment to God; Testing is in the order to make our faith stronger and to prove our faith. Testing reveals to God where we are in terms of our faith as God already knows whether or not we will pass a given test. It is as we go through the fire of testing and trial that we can be strengthened, sanctified, and purified. James 1:2-4 emphasizes the sanctifying and strengthening results of testing when it says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." So it is imperative that we discern between testing through various trials and the tempting of the devil. We are never to say or think when tempting comes that God is doing this, but rather Satan has been be allowed to tempt us in various ways, that which is in our hearts be exposed.Scripture expressly denounces this in James 1:13 which says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." God does allow Satan to tempt us in various ways, we can be tempted for we are human and evilness dwells in all of us. For Paul said, "the old man surfaces." and he does. Our hearts are being made pure through Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore Let him that thinks he stand strong take heed lest he fall. Therefore hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; But God is FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted above what ye are able. And will provide you with a way of escape.When God tests us, He wants us to succeed. He wants us to know Him. Our faith is real and refined by fire. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.We see from this passage that God test all men who are his. In other words, God doesn’t put us through a refining process for no reason. He is not malicious or desiring to see us suffer through trials. Just as a goldsmith only puts the metal into the fire in order to get rid of impurities, so is the way of our Lord. God will test us so that OUR impurities WILL COME OUT, we WILL see GREATER at the End of the trial, Like Job did. Job 42:5-6 My ears have heard you, but "But now my eyes SEE YOU", therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.Job's impurities were worked out of him by God testing his faith. Afflicting Job until what God wanted from Job was accomplished. In the End Job REPENTED of his attitude, his pride, and his ignorance of God. Not only was Job's faith increased through the testing, but Job actually could see God. Not the person, but the unseen God. We can be sure that God crafts each test specifically to show us individually and personally what our defects and impurities are so that we can be sanctified and changed. Testing is really something to hope in rather than to dread. But we must be willing to go through the fire and stand the testing, that we will see and know our Lord better than before. God put Abraham through quite a test in Genesis 22. God had promised Abraham descendants through Isaac that would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Yet, out of the blue it seemed, God commanded Abraham to do something that totally contradicted His promised blessing to him. He was to take his son Isaac and offer him up to God as a sacrifice.Now God is not honored by sacrificing children or human beings in any way shape or form. Yet He commanded Abraham to do this. Certainly Abraham must have been initially baffled at this directive, wondering why. But Abraham had great faith, and so he obeyed God, even going as far as binding up his son and taking the knife up in readiness to slaughter his only son (Genesis 22:9-10). We learn what Abraham was really thinking in Hebrews 11:17-19 which says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.’ He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type" (italics mine). Abraham was willing to slaughter Isaac because he was so confident that God knew what He was doing and that God would keep His promise to him even if it meant bringing Isaac back from the dead. That is amazing faith. Abraham’s faith was evident, and God told Abraham to stop and provided instead a ram to sacrifice. Of course, God never intended for Isaac to be killed. This was merely a test of Abraham’s heart. Which did he love more: the promised son from God or the God Who had promised his son? This was the question for Abraham, and Abraham passed the test, demonstrating that He loved and trusted God even more than the blessings of God themselves (Genesis 22:12). Abraham called the place "The Lord will provide," and God went on to reiterate His promised blessing to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18).The testing of God is to reveal just how much we believe God. God is powerfully glorified by those who do continue to believe even when things don’t make sense and perhaps even appear to be contradictory, as in Abraham’s case. When in testing and the fire burns hotly, TRUST God, for He will know we are his friend. For we will see Jesus Christ, at His Coming.I leave you with this promise from God during the tribulation. Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tired: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say, this is my people and they shall say this is the Lord who is our God. In Christ's lovefriend
Are You God's Friend?
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QUOTE (Vickie @ Mar 5 2009, 04:10 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70283
When our Faith Is Tested:Sometimes when difficult things come into our lives, we wonder why. Though we must be willing to trust and obey even if we don't know why or aren't given that answer for some time, we do need to distinguish between tempting and testing. Satan tempts; God tests. Under Temptation we should give recognition of what is really in our hearts. Satan loves to tempt us with the sin embedded in our hearts, (Jer. 17:9) Recognition should bring repentance and acknowledgment to God; Testing is in the order to make our faith stronger and to prove our faith. Testing reveals to God where we are in terms of our faith as God already knows whether or not we will pass a given test. It is as we go through the fire of testing and trial that we can be strengthened, sanctified, and purified. James 1:2-4 emphasizes the sanctifying and strengthening results of testing when it says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." So it is imperative that we discern between testing through various trials and the tempting of the devil. We are never to say or think when tempting comes that God is doing this, but rather Satan has been be allowed to tempt us in various ways, that which is in our hearts be exposed.Scripture expressly denounces this in James 1:13 which says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." God does allow Satan to tempt us in various ways, we can be tempted for we are human and evilness dwells in all of us. For Paul said, "the old man surfaces." and he does. Our hearts are being made pure through Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore Let him that thinks he stand strong take heed lest he fall. Therefore hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; But God is FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted above what ye are able. And will provide you with a way of escape.When God tests us, He wants us to succeed. He wants us to know Him. Our faith is real and refined by fire. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.We see from this passage that God test all men who are his. In other words, God doesn't put us through a refining process for no reason. He is not malicious or desiring to see us suffer through trials. Just as a goldsmith only puts the metal into the fire in order to get rid of impurities, so is the way of our Lord. God will test us so that OUR impurities WILL COME OUT, we WILL see GREATER at the End of the trial, Like Job did. Job 42:5-6 My ears have heard you, but "But now my eyes SEE YOU", therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.Job's impurities were worked out of him by God testing his faith. Afflicting Job until what God wanted from Job was accomplished. In the End Job REPENTED of his attitude, his pride, and his ignorance of God. Not only was Job's faith increased through the testing, but Job actually could see God. Not the person, but the unseen God. We can be sure that God crafts each test specifically to show us individually and personally what our defects and impurities are so that we can be sanctified and changed. Testing is really something to hope in rather than to dread. But we must be willing to go through the fire and stand the testing, that we will see and know our Lord better than before. God put Abraham through quite a test in Genesis 22. God had promised Abraham descendants through Isaac that would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Yet, out of the blue it seemed, God commanded Abraham to do something that totally contradicted His promised blessing to him. He was to take his son Isaac and offer him up to God as a sacrifice.Now God is not honored by sacrificing children or human beings in any way shape or form. Yet He commanded Abraham to do this. Certainly Abraham must have been initially baffled at this directive, wondering why. But Abraham had great faith, and so he obeyed God, even going as far as binding up his son and taking the knife up in readiness to slaughter his only son (Genesis 22:9-10). We learn what Abraham was really thinking in Hebrews 11:17-19 which says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, 'IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.' He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type" (italics mine). Abraham was willing to slaughter Isaac because he was so confident that God knew what He was doing and that God would keep His promise to him even if it meant bringing Isaac back from the dead. That is amazing faith. Abraham's faith was evident, and God told Abraham to stop and provided instead a ram to sacrifice. Of course, God never intended for Isaac to be killed. This was merely a test of Abraham's heart. Which did he love more: the promised son from God or the God Who had promised his son? This was the question for Abraham, and Abraham passed the test, demonstrating that He loved and trusted God even more than the blessings of God themselves (Genesis 22:12). Abraham called the place "The Lord will provide," and God went on to reiterate His promised blessing to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18).The testing of God is to reveal just how much we believe God. God is powerfully glorified by those who do continue to believe even when things don't make sense and perhaps even appear to be contradictory, as in Abraham's case. When in testing and the fire burns hotly, TRUST God, for He will know we are his friend. For we will see Jesus Christ, at His Coming.I leave you with this promise from God during the tribulation. Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tired: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say, this is my people and they shall say this is the Lord who is our God. In Christ's lovefriend
Thank you Vickie.This was a blessing to read and an opportunity for me to reflect on the DECADE+ of trials I recently went through.Oh that I could've realized what was happening and given thanks seeing the ultimate blessing God was bestowing on me. Instead (medicated) I railed at Him, let the trials defeat me, despair me, and cause me to desire death. I also dealt with the trials by ignorantly using medicines rather than seeing what the Bible had to say about such. My Doctor lost his license though, I was forced to stop the meds, moved to a house where we only had TBN and a couple of other channels.I repented and rededicated my life, and spent two years learning more about the Bible and getting closer to where God wants me.The blessings? Curiously they were like some you mentioned about Job:"In the End Job REPENTED of his attitude, his pride, and his ignorance of God." AND his Faith was increased.I'll add for me, in addition to those, He taught me not to judge (I'm not talking about judging sin), taught me to forgive and PARTIALLY why, taught me to love others and see them more like He does......etc. I could go on and on.Now I IMPLORE fellow Christians to give thanks in ALL things, to have Faith/believe that God is doing something with the trials, and to repent and seek His face. They will be AMAZED later in retrospect.Sigh......If clay could feel......we're SO like that clay. He'll get out the clumps, maybe smash it down and start over a few times, but when the clay is just right and gives just right to His touch.....Thanks again and God bless ya!Jim I just pray I'll practice what I preach when put in my next trial
When our Faith Is Tested:Sometimes when difficult things come into our lives, we wonder why. Though we must be willing to trust and obey even if we don't know why or aren't given that answer for some time, we do need to distinguish between tempting and testing. Satan tempts; God tests. Under Temptation we should give recognition of what is really in our hearts. Satan loves to tempt us with the sin embedded in our hearts, (Jer. 17:9) Recognition should bring repentance and acknowledgment to God; Testing is in the order to make our faith stronger and to prove our faith. Testing reveals to God where we are in terms of our faith as God already knows whether or not we will pass a given test. It is as we go through the fire of testing and trial that we can be strengthened, sanctified, and purified. James 1:2-4 emphasizes the sanctifying and strengthening results of testing when it says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." So it is imperative that we discern between testing through various trials and the tempting of the devil. We are never to say or think when tempting comes that God is doing this, but rather Satan has been be allowed to tempt us in various ways, that which is in our hearts be exposed.Scripture expressly denounces this in James 1:13 which says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." God does allow Satan to tempt us in various ways, we can be tempted for we are human and evilness dwells in all of us. For Paul said, "the old man surfaces." and he does. Our hearts are being made pure through Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore Let him that thinks he stand strong take heed lest he fall. Therefore hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; But God is FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted above what ye are able. And will provide you with a way of escape.When God tests us, He wants us to succeed. He wants us to know Him. Our faith is real and refined by fire. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.We see from this passage that God test all men who are his. In other words, God doesn't put us through a refining process for no reason. He is not malicious or desiring to see us suffer through trials. Just as a goldsmith only puts the metal into the fire in order to get rid of impurities, so is the way of our Lord. God will test us so that OUR impurities WILL COME OUT, we WILL see GREATER at the End of the trial, Like Job did. Job 42:5-6 My ears have heard you, but "But now my eyes SEE YOU", therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.Job's impurities were worked out of him by God testing his faith. Afflicting Job until what God wanted from Job was accomplished. In the End Job REPENTED of his attitude, his pride, and his ignorance of God. Not only was Job's faith increased through the testing, but Job actually could see God. Not the person, but the unseen God. We can be sure that God crafts each test specifically to show us individually and personally what our defects and impurities are so that we can be sanctified and changed. Testing is really something to hope in rather than to dread. But we must be willing to go through the fire and stand the testing, that we will see and know our Lord better than before. God put Abraham through quite a test in Genesis 22. God had promised Abraham descendants through Isaac that would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Yet, out of the blue it seemed, God commanded Abraham to do something that totally contradicted His promised blessing to him. He was to take his son Isaac and offer him up to God as a sacrifice.Now God is not honored by sacrificing children or human beings in any way shape or form. Yet He commanded Abraham to do this. Certainly Abraham must have been initially baffled at this directive, wondering why. But Abraham had great faith, and so he obeyed God, even going as far as binding up his son and taking the knife up in readiness to slaughter his only son (Genesis 22:9-10). We learn what Abraham was really thinking in Hebrews 11:17-19 which says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, 'IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.' He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type" (italics mine). Abraham was willing to slaughter Isaac because he was so confident that God knew what He was doing and that God would keep His promise to him even if it meant bringing Isaac back from the dead. That is amazing faith. Abraham's faith was evident, and God told Abraham to stop and provided instead a ram to sacrifice. Of course, God never intended for Isaac to be killed. This was merely a test of Abraham's heart. Which did he love more: the promised son from God or the God Who had promised his son? This was the question for Abraham, and Abraham passed the test, demonstrating that He loved and trusted God even more than the blessings of God themselves (Genesis 22:12). Abraham called the place "The Lord will provide," and God went on to reiterate His promised blessing to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18).The testing of God is to reveal just how much we believe God. God is powerfully glorified by those who do continue to believe even when things don't make sense and perhaps even appear to be contradictory, as in Abraham's case. When in testing and the fire burns hotly, TRUST God, for He will know we are his friend. For we will see Jesus Christ, at His Coming.I leave you with this promise from God during the tribulation. Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tired: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say, this is my people and they shall say this is the Lord who is our God. In Christ's lovefriend
Thank you Vickie.This was a blessing to read and an opportunity for me to reflect on the DECADE+ of trials I recently went through.Oh that I could've realized what was happening and given thanks seeing the ultimate blessing God was bestowing on me. Instead (medicated) I railed at Him, let the trials defeat me, despair me, and cause me to desire death. I also dealt with the trials by ignorantly using medicines rather than seeing what the Bible had to say about such. My Doctor lost his license though, I was forced to stop the meds, moved to a house where we only had TBN and a couple of other channels.I repented and rededicated my life, and spent two years learning more about the Bible and getting closer to where God wants me.The blessings? Curiously they were like some you mentioned about Job:"In the End Job REPENTED of his attitude, his pride, and his ignorance of God." AND his Faith was increased.I'll add for me, in addition to those, He taught me not to judge (I'm not talking about judging sin), taught me to forgive and PARTIALLY why, taught me to love others and see them more like He does......etc. I could go on and on.Now I IMPLORE fellow Christians to give thanks in ALL things, to have Faith/believe that God is doing something with the trials, and to repent and seek His face. They will be AMAZED later in retrospect.Sigh......If clay could feel......we're SO like that clay. He'll get out the clumps, maybe smash it down and start over a few times, but when the clay is just right and gives just right to His touch.....Thanks again and God bless ya!Jim I just pray I'll practice what I preach when put in my next trial
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
QUOTE (shmity72 @ Mar 6 2009, 08:37 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70305
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
Jim
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
QUOTE (shutin45 @ Mar 6 2009, 01:48 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70314
QUOTE (shmity72 @ Mar 6 2009, 06:37 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70305
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
JimMay I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin. Gambling in excess is a sin. Everything should be done in moderation. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. Everything is dangerous when done in excess. I repeat gambling in itself is not a sin. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. We have to learn to do everything in moderation... That's why we need self-control.
QUOTE (shmity72 @ Mar 6 2009, 06:37 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70305
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
I agree in a way with all the posts. I have taken sleeping pills and anti-depressants for short periods (several weeks at a time 20 years ago) and never became addicted to anything. I do not see anything wrong with the right medication when you are in a "hole" but being very aware to wean yourself off when you need to. Some people are more prone than others at becoming addicted to different things.
QUOTE (Jordan @ Mar 6 2009, 02:54 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70315
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
JimMay I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin. Gambling in excess is a sin. Everything should be done in moderation. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. Everything is dangerous when done in excess. I repeat gambling in itself is not a sin. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. We have to learn to do everything in moderation... That's why we need self-control.
Thanks for clarifying. You're right.Things I did or was prescribed to do by my Doc were not short duration, and were high dose. If I had no other valid point than not medicating as a coping mechanism I'll settle for that. I still believe trials should be dealt with Biblically.Thanks again!Jim
Hey Schmity72!I've been convicted to stop smoking, but just can't do it yet. Gambling? Well, of ALL the things I've been through to get where I am, that was one. It was stock market "gambling" though. Daytrading. Lost around $100,000. We are to labor with our hands (which He promises to bless), or invest wisely - NOT daytrading. We're commanded to be good stewards with our money. SOOO - gambling is a sin bro. BUT.........I'm not judging you. Without doing it and learning from it (of the MANY trials I've been through) I wouldn't be where God has brought me.Need to do more than homework about drugs though. Even prescription drugs. Been through all that too. Prescription drugs - anti-depressants etc. - REALLY messed up my brain. If I'd only known. BUT......learned from all that too and use it to help others. NEVER use meds and/or illegal drugs - OR ALCOHOL - to cope with issues/trials. If we give thanks in our trials, believe that God is working through them, and research Biblical guidance on dealing with them AND APPLY IT we'll see results sooner and avoid MUCH pain. Hang in there bro...(Brother in Christ). He ain't finished with me yet, and you sound like I did a few years ago. GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!I'll pray for ya, and may God bless, lead, guide, and direct you.And to all - God bless and have a GREAT weekend
Thanks for clarifying. You're right.Things I did or was prescribed to do by my Doc were not short duration, and were high dose. If I had no other valid point than not medicating as a coping mechanism I'll settle for that. I still believe trials should be dealt with Biblically.Thanks again!Jim
Please explain: Gambling is NOT a sin?Please explain: Where in the Scripture can I find 'moderation'?Does moderation mean - less than 3 times a week?How about sex: Is it ok in moderation? How about drugs: Is it ok if they're hallucinogenic? Or are the recreational one's a sin? Where is the line between moderation (dope) and excess (heroin)? And who's the judge for that?How about hallucinogenic: Are they a sin - because they affect our soul/mind?How about physical drugs: Are they sinful - because they serve the flesh only?How about this: Physical right - spiritual wrong?So sex with a prostitute, whilst NOT desiring HER in one's heart, but only desiring the 'physical feeling of climax' - that should be ok. I mean, adultery didn't come into it? - only fleshly desire - and that in moderation. I'm hoping for a positive & just as liberal answer here ..... ;-)Wherein lies the satisfaction of gambling: Is it spiritual? Is it physical?Your reply (quote above) - is that something you 'interpreted' for yourself - to allow yourself a hobby? (non-addictive - only in moderation - therefore not sinful?)Is the Scripture: The LOVE of money is the root of all evil; 1 Timothy 6:10 ? ... and perhaps the 'covetousness' mentioned ... is that part of your 'sanctification' of gambling (non-excessively)?....that should be good for an interesting answer - moderation, eh?haven't heard that one for a long long time ;-) (I mean, used by Christians ...)usually used by catholic priests & nuns when justifying their shortcomingsmoderation - hm, hm, - nah - can't remember Jesus mentioning that ....Joel 2:23; "... for He has given you the former rain moderately..." Nah - sorry! Not really connected to gamblingPhilippians 4:5; "Let your moderation be known unto all men..." Aha! - there it is! One Scripture. One Scripture? Well, YOU did let us know - about your moderation in gambling at least. Wahoo! You've fulfilled a Scripture before our eyes!Can't seem to find the Scripture where Paul or anyone else mentions gambling though. Yep - you're right. There's also no Scripture about tv. NT is a bit behind on a few subjects. But gambling? Bit of a thorn - don't you reckon?Maybe I'm missing something here. Did anyone die and a new revelation was sent out?Could you please include me in the list of recipients next time?....ThanksJules...Reminds me of a joke I heard once: Man goes to confession (Catholic - of course), tells the priest that he was 'rubbing' against his neighbour's wife. Priest says: rubbing counts as much as the real thing - say 5 hail mary's and put $50 in the box. Man gets out from the confession box, says his 5 hail mary's and on the way out he rubs his $50 note against the money box. Priest sees it and shouts after the man: Hey! you didn't put it in! Man says, according to your reckoning - rubbing counts as much as the real thing!Shifty, those priests - aren't they?Did you get that , Jordan?Moderation .... tsk, tsk, tsk
QUOTE
name='jules' date='Mar 7 2009, 12:56 AM' post='70332'][ name='Jordan' date='Mar 7 2009, 06:54 AM' post='70315']"May I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin."Please explain: Gambling is NOT a sin?Please explain: Where in the Scripture can I find 'moderation'?Does moderation mean - less than 3 times a week?How about sex: Is it ok in moderation? How about drugs: Is it ok if they're hallucinogenic? Or are the recreational one's a sin? Where is the line between moderation (dope) and excess (heroin)? And who's the judge for that?How about hallucinogenic: Are they a sin - because they affect our soul/mind?How about physical drugs: Are they sinful - because they serve the flesh only?How about this: Physical right - spiritual wrong?So sex with a prostitute, whilst NOT desiring HER in one's heart, but only desiring the 'physical feeling of climax' - that should be ok. I mean, adultery didn't come into it? - only fleshly desire - and that in moderation. I'm hoping for a positive & just as liberal answer here ..... ;-)Wherein lies the satisfaction of gambling: Is it spiritual? Is it physical?Your reply (quote above) - is that something you 'interpreted' for yourself - to allow yourself a hobby? (non-addictive - only in moderation - therefore not sinful?)Is the Scripture: The LOVE of money is the root of all evil; 1 Timothy 6:10 ? ... and perhaps the 'covetousness' mentioned ... is that part of your 'sanctification' of gambling (non-excessively)?....that should be good for an interesting answer - moderation, eh?haven't heard that one for a long long time ;-) (I mean, used by Christians ...)usually used by catholic priests & nuns when justifying their shortcomingsmoderation - hm, hm, - nah - can't remember Jesus mentioning that ....Joel 2:23; "... for He has given you the former rain moderately..." Nah - sorry! Not really connected to gamblingPhilippians 4:5; "Let your moderation be known unto all men..." Aha! - there it is! One Scripture. One Scripture? Well, YOU did let us know - about your moderation in gambling at least. Wahoo! You've fulfilled a Scripture before our eyes!Can't seem to find the Scripture where Paul or anyone else mentions gambling though. Yep - you're right. There's also no Scripture about tv. NT is a bit behind on a few subjects. But gambling? Bit of a thorn - don't you reckon?Maybe I'm missing something here. Did anyone die and a new revelation was sent out?Could you please include me in the list of recipients next time?....ThanksJules...Reminds me of a joke I heard once: Man goes to confession (Catholic - of course), tells the priest that he was 'rubbing' against his neighbour's wife. Priest says: rubbing counts as much as the real thing - say 5 hail mary's and put $50 in the box. Man gets out from the confession box, says his 5 hail mary's and on the way out he rubs his $50 note against the money box. Priest sees it and shouts after the man: Hey! you didn't put it in! Man says, according to your reckoning - rubbing counts as much as the real thing!Shifty, those priests - aren't they?Did you get that , Jordan?Moderation .... tsk, tsk, tsk
I think a better way to put it is gambling is not a sin for those that it doesn't cause to stumble. Gambling can be a serious addiction for some, while others have no problem with it all. The seriously addicted shouldn't even try doing it once, or in moderation, because this would lead to stumbling and sin. The other example you give, sex, is directly addressed by Jesus. He says if you even think sexual thoughts for another woman it is a sin. (I don't remember the exact scripture) I don't know how to address drugs except to say it is best to stay away from them altogether. I'm not sure it is possible to control your intake of drugs because they are designed to alter your thinking. So you may have every intention of not abusing them but once your mind is altered who knows?? I wouldn't take the chance.
name='jules' date='Mar 7 2009, 12:56 AM' post='70332'][ name='Jordan' date='Mar 7 2009, 06:54 AM' post='70315']"May I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin."Please explain: Gambling is NOT a sin?Please explain: Where in the Scripture can I find 'moderation'?Does moderation mean - less than 3 times a week?How about sex: Is it ok in moderation? How about drugs: Is it ok if they're hallucinogenic? Or are the recreational one's a sin? Where is the line between moderation (dope) and excess (heroin)? And who's the judge for that?How about hallucinogenic: Are they a sin - because they affect our soul/mind?How about physical drugs: Are they sinful - because they serve the flesh only?How about this: Physical right - spiritual wrong?So sex with a prostitute, whilst NOT desiring HER in one's heart, but only desiring the 'physical feeling of climax' - that should be ok. I mean, adultery didn't come into it? - only fleshly desire - and that in moderation. I'm hoping for a positive & just as liberal answer here ..... ;-)Wherein lies the satisfaction of gambling: Is it spiritual? Is it physical?Your reply (quote above) - is that something you 'interpreted' for yourself - to allow yourself a hobby? (non-addictive - only in moderation - therefore not sinful?)Is the Scripture: The LOVE of money is the root of all evil; 1 Timothy 6:10 ? ... and perhaps the 'covetousness' mentioned ... is that part of your 'sanctification' of gambling (non-excessively)?....that should be good for an interesting answer - moderation, eh?haven't heard that one for a long long time ;-) (I mean, used by Christians ...)usually used by catholic priests & nuns when justifying their shortcomingsmoderation - hm, hm, - nah - can't remember Jesus mentioning that ....Joel 2:23; "... for He has given you the former rain moderately..." Nah - sorry! Not really connected to gamblingPhilippians 4:5; "Let your moderation be known unto all men..." Aha! - there it is! One Scripture. One Scripture? Well, YOU did let us know - about your moderation in gambling at least. Wahoo! You've fulfilled a Scripture before our eyes!Can't seem to find the Scripture where Paul or anyone else mentions gambling though. Yep - you're right. There's also no Scripture about tv. NT is a bit behind on a few subjects. But gambling? Bit of a thorn - don't you reckon?Maybe I'm missing something here. Did anyone die and a new revelation was sent out?Could you please include me in the list of recipients next time?....ThanksJules...Reminds me of a joke I heard once: Man goes to confession (Catholic - of course), tells the priest that he was 'rubbing' against his neighbour's wife. Priest says: rubbing counts as much as the real thing - say 5 hail mary's and put $50 in the box. Man gets out from the confession box, says his 5 hail mary's and on the way out he rubs his $50 note against the money box. Priest sees it and shouts after the man: Hey! you didn't put it in! Man says, according to your reckoning - rubbing counts as much as the real thing!Shifty, those priests - aren't they?Did you get that , Jordan?Moderation .... tsk, tsk, tsk
I think a better way to put it is gambling is not a sin for those that it doesn't cause to stumble. Gambling can be a serious addiction for some, while others have no problem with it all. The seriously addicted shouldn't even try doing it once, or in moderation, because this would lead to stumbling and sin. The other example you give, sex, is directly addressed by Jesus. He says if you even think sexual thoughts for another woman it is a sin. (I don't remember the exact scripture) I don't know how to address drugs except to say it is best to stay away from them altogether. I'm not sure it is possible to control your intake of drugs because they are designed to alter your thinking. So you may have every intention of not abusing them but once your mind is altered who knows?? I wouldn't take the chance.
QUOTE (shutin45 @ Mar 5 2009, 07:57 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70293
Thank you Vickie.This was a blessing to read and an opportunity for me to reflect on the DECADE+ of trials I recently went through.Sigh......If clay could feel......we're SO like that clay. He'll get out the clumps, maybe smash it down and start over a few times, but when the clay is just right and gives just right to His touch.....Thanks again and God bless ya!Jim I just pray I'll practice what I preach when put in my next trial
Thank you Jim, it excites me when God's spirit moves on people like you that identify with what I am identifying with.We serve a Good God, and he must be shown by us that we are his friend. And we are friends to one another. As God has told us. "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". Let us not tear down the building he is making but help make it stronger. friendQUOTE (shmity72 @ Mar 6 2009, 06:37 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70305
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Your welcome. We are all in this mire of carnal nature together. But with Christ all things are possible. Let us cry out to him to open our eyes and help us through the mire that we be made spotless before him. Trials are for goodness they show us our heart and sins. Whether it be pride, cruelness, anger, pity, God is patient and will bring us through it and bless us greater in the end, it just takes our searching HIM out in the trial. two years of boils for Job and his skin turning black is what it took and his friends reasoning with him over their lack of knowledge in their self-righteousness, that brought Job to the depth he needed to go to SEE GOD. Not just be obedient tohis LAWS. Thanks for letting me share this with you.IN CHRIST'S PRECIOUS LOVEVickieQUOTE (Jordan @ Mar 6 2009, 01:54 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70315
May I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin. Gambling in excess is a sin. Everything should be done in moderation. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. Everything is dangerous when done in excess. I repeat gambling in itself is not a sin. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. We have to learn to do everything in moderation... That's why we need self-control.
You have spoken with wisdom. The problem is not all of us can do things in moderation. I for one can't in some areas like smoking. It controls me. So, I don't smoke now at all. God gave me a little incentive that has stayed with me, that I am now a none smoker and don't want to cross back over to them. It is moderation and consideration. If your moderation is in consideration of others, it okay. My smoking offended God's little one's. God clearly showed this too me, and that I was being a stumbling block to the little ones. I had to stop. This is an area that God made it clear I must not cross this line. So, it was easy to quit on this bases. I fear the Lord and do not want to hinder his work in others I am in contact with. Thanks for sharing VickieQUOTE (TuiBird @ Mar 6 2009, 02:30 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70316
I agree in a way with all the posts. I have taken sleeping pills and anti-depressants for short periods (several weeks at a time 20 years ago) and never became addicted to anything. I do not see anything wrong with the right medication when you are in a "hole" but being very aware to wean yourself off when you need to. Some people are more prone than others at becoming addicted to different things.
Hi, TuiBird! We live in a world that all consume medications in some form. From birth we consume them. All things being done in moderation as another poster wrote is the key. But this is not always doable. We just need to make sure we are notweakening our conscience awareness that Satan can come in and cause us to sin. As we all are fighting our carnal fleshthat has a hold on us in one area or another. We have to keep struggling against the Old Man. He will surface. Thanks Vickie
Thank you Vickie.This was a blessing to read and an opportunity for me to reflect on the DECADE+ of trials I recently went through.Sigh......If clay could feel......we're SO like that clay. He'll get out the clumps, maybe smash it down and start over a few times, but when the clay is just right and gives just right to His touch.....Thanks again and God bless ya!Jim I just pray I'll practice what I preach when put in my next trial
Thank you Jim, it excites me when God's spirit moves on people like you that identify with what I am identifying with.We serve a Good God, and he must be shown by us that we are his friend. And we are friends to one another. As God has told us. "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". Let us not tear down the building he is making but help make it stronger. friendQUOTE (shmity72 @ Mar 6 2009, 06:37 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70305
hi, i thought this might be a good post to say i have an issue with my habits that i do not control well. aka smoking/gambling/laziness.thank you for you post it was very good.~sincerely shmity72p.s. please do not get down on drugs our body is a rx store in and of itself. Do your homework b4 you ingest pills ...or a big mac for that matter.~sincerely shmity72
Your welcome. We are all in this mire of carnal nature together. But with Christ all things are possible. Let us cry out to him to open our eyes and help us through the mire that we be made spotless before him. Trials are for goodness they show us our heart and sins. Whether it be pride, cruelness, anger, pity, God is patient and will bring us through it and bless us greater in the end, it just takes our searching HIM out in the trial. two years of boils for Job and his skin turning black is what it took and his friends reasoning with him over their lack of knowledge in their self-righteousness, that brought Job to the depth he needed to go to SEE GOD. Not just be obedient tohis LAWS. Thanks for letting me share this with you.IN CHRIST'S PRECIOUS LOVEVickieQUOTE (Jordan @ Mar 6 2009, 01:54 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70315
May I comment and correct you on a small thing? I gambled a few times in life. Gambling in itself is not a sin. Gambling in excess is a sin. Everything should be done in moderation. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. Everything is dangerous when done in excess. I repeat gambling in itself is not a sin. The same goes for prescription drugs and alcohol. We have to learn to do everything in moderation... That's why we need self-control.
You have spoken with wisdom. The problem is not all of us can do things in moderation. I for one can't in some areas like smoking. It controls me. So, I don't smoke now at all. God gave me a little incentive that has stayed with me, that I am now a none smoker and don't want to cross back over to them. It is moderation and consideration. If your moderation is in consideration of others, it okay. My smoking offended God's little one's. God clearly showed this too me, and that I was being a stumbling block to the little ones. I had to stop. This is an area that God made it clear I must not cross this line. So, it was easy to quit on this bases. I fear the Lord and do not want to hinder his work in others I am in contact with. Thanks for sharing VickieQUOTE (TuiBird @ Mar 6 2009, 02:30 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=70316
I agree in a way with all the posts. I have taken sleeping pills and anti-depressants for short periods (several weeks at a time 20 years ago) and never became addicted to anything. I do not see anything wrong with the right medication when you are in a "hole" but being very aware to wean yourself off when you need to. Some people are more prone than others at becoming addicted to different things.
Hi, TuiBird! We live in a world that all consume medications in some form. From birth we consume them. All things being done in moderation as another poster wrote is the key. But this is not always doable. We just need to make sure we are notweakening our conscience awareness that Satan can come in and cause us to sin. As we all are fighting our carnal fleshthat has a hold on us in one area or another. We have to keep struggling against the Old Man. He will surface. Thanks Vickie
Jules, Setfree, and Vickie,I hope people read and reread what y'all wrote. I "saw" the Scripture in it all even where you didn't give it. Thanks for the references where you did.It was also SOOOOO wonderful seeing how we discussed these things like Brothers and Sisters in Christ. There are some pretty mature Christians here
Not me - I'm still a babe. I'm talking about y'all. Just had to comment. SO much Biblical and general wisdom y'all gave.In Christ,Jim
Oh, I think it is when the spirit of God moves you to truth you see it, on a post, in a conversation, a verse..... just proves you have the spirit of God working in you....my brother.Jules, Setfree, and Vickie,I hope people read and reread what y'all wrote. I "saw" the Scripture in it all even where you didn't give it. Thanks for the references where you did.It was also SOOOOO wonderful seeing how we discussed these things like Brothers and Sisters in Christ. There are some pretty mature Christians here/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Not me - I'm still a babe. I'm talking about y'all. Just had to comment. SO much Biblical and general wisdom y'all gave.In Christ,Jim
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