Focus On The Family

[Cyd]

Hi all,
Many on this forum are older like me a grandma, led of the Lord I heard these words as I started with just texting one grandson who had a desire to get close to the Lord and wanted to hear Him. I hear the Lord, and told him he would also if he followed scripture and read one verse each day of Yeshua (Jesus) words. I hate cellphones but had to figure out how to do this for him. I finally figured it out all it says is Scripture today would put the verse and link it to blue letter bible red letter and I would make it top verse... so said top verse and the link for cellphone.

From there it grew to many in the family I was just led to do it, they are all Christians. Found out they loved getting the cellphone text too. They get fed everything else but not Yeshua's words. At about 75 days in a row the Lord led me to write a program with those scriptures, well I had to use AI and He wanted them on my blogs. Now I send the new ones to the website as they all auto start over even when I pass away at blogspot anyway.

I want to encourage people to go just get the scripture a day you don't have to put phone or email and don't need to read the blog even just get your new scripture a day. A Red Letter Christian
Thanks if any comments I will see them here ok
Cyd

 

[Cyd]

@Nancy @Debp @TitusTwoWife
Hope all is well with you, I just did a post on how my texting got started and my cellphone illiteracy. Did any of you try texting scripture to family or loved ones? I am not sure why men don't have much to do with it seems to be a woman thing maybe.
Let me know if you ever do ok?
Cyd

 

[Debp]

@Nancy @Debp @TitusTwoWife
Hope all is well with you, I just did a post on how my texting got started and my cellphone illiteracy. Did any of you try texting scripture to family or loved ones? I am not sure why men don't have much to do with it seems to be a woman thing maybe.
Let me know if you ever do ok?
Cyd

I don't like to text so had it removed from my phone. I email on my tablet.

Talking about Bible verses...check out my topic here.

Bible verses with beautiful photos

www.christianityboard.com

 

[stevesonthebay]

I like watching biblical stories. I watched one on Acts the other night and it was great. It basically reads out the bible with images and will sometimes give some commentary. I think this is great for young people and those who find it hard to read. The bible can seem daunting and hard to understand for some.

I have found the Old Testament especially hard to get my head around. But in going through each book it has opened my eyes up and it explains things.

I also like history and I think understanding the world as it was back then also gives good context. Sometimes the bible will refer to an emporer or pharoah and understanding the real history of how these people and cultures related to the Isrealites gives real context.

Especially how the prophets, judges and kings interacted. How the Isrealites lost their way by allowing the surrounding pagan cultures to influence and then came back to God.

 

[Cyd]

I don't like to text so had it removed from my phone. I email on my tablet.

Talking about Bible verses...check out my topic here.

Bible verses with beautiful photos

www.christianityboard.com

Wow Deb that is awesome I see it has been since 2020, I know why I missed them because I always come in to whats new and so forr me all the posts I would see of yours were in the news. Those always stayed up top, so considered you more a watcher of things we are all told to watch for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Cyd

 

[Cyd]

I like watching biblical stories. I watched one on Acts the other night and it was great. It basically reads out the bible with images and will sometimes give some commentary. I think this is great for young people and those who find it hard to read. The bible can seem daunting and hard to understand for some.

I have found the Old Testament especially hard to get my head around. But in going through each book it has opened my eyes up and it explains things.

I also like history and I think understanding the world as it was back then also gives good context. Sometimes the bible will refer to an emporer or pharoah and understanding the real history of how these people and cultures related to the Isrealites gives real context.

Especially how the prophets, judges and kings interacted. How the Isrealites lost their way by allowing the surrounding pagan cultures to influence and then came back to God.

Thanks, my grandchildren do have things they investigate about the scriptures even reading the gnostic gospels, I have but they are really young to do that. hahaha that is why I want the focus on Yeshua's words with all they search on. Thanks for your input will mention it to the, see if they watch videos they never mentioned that one.

 

[Nancy]

@Nancy @Debp @TitusTwoWife
Hope all is well with you, I just did a post on how my texting got started and my cellphone illiteracy. Did any of you try texting scripture to family or loved ones? I am not sure why men don't have much to do with it seems to be a woman thing maybe.
Let me know if you ever do ok?
Cyd

Most all of my immediate family are Christians, but there are times I do text scripture to them, as well as to nieces and nephews who are not Christians (those are the Catholics, in name only).

 

[stevesonthebay]

Thanks, my grandchildren do have things they investigate about the scriptures even reading the gnostic gospels, I have but they are really young to do that. hahaha that is why I want the focus on Yeshua's words with all they search on. Thanks for your input will mention it to the, see if they watch videos they never mentioned that one.

I think content has to be age appropriate. Likewise for new Christians or those having striggles with faith it is important to ensure accurate interpretations of Gods word. People will sometimes not understand parts of the bible and really that is something they need to grow into.

One thing I have learnt is that primarily the main message is the gospel. Knowing and understanding this simple and central truth first is what will help understand the bible. Even the Old Testament as this is a reflection of what was to come with the gospel.

In fact Christ says that He would send the Holy Spirit to help us understand. Its not as if God has turned off the same spirit to open the eyes of the disciples and early Christians and even the prophets. I find the more you fill your heart with Gods spirit and hand over. The more God the more you understand the bible.

When Jesus was a child when He heard the Gods word being read in the Temple and recognised and understood His fathers word. I think with Christs spirit we can also know Gods word that we can percieve its truth.

 

[Cyd]

@stevesonthebay
You are correct Yeshua heard readings from the Law and the prophets, I don''t think they have sermons maybe a quick story, our churches do not do that, they don't read you the Bible typically you get a few verses then a sermon. This is why I have the link to scripture to see it in red, the words of Yeshua. Now for my texting them the scripture they are forced to open the Bible to see it being the top verse, typically most continue reading from there being curious even the adults read down the page. With scripture a day they have a choice unlike my cellphone texting. Thanks though I will see them this weekend and ask about video's.

 

[stevesonthebay]

@stevesonthebay
You are correct Yeshua heard readings from the Law and the prophets, I don''t think they have sermons maybe a quick story, our churches do not do that, they don't read you the Bible typically you get a few verses then a sermon. This is why I have the link to scripture to see it in red, the words of Yeshua. Now for my texting them the scripture they are forced to open the Bible to see it being the top verse, typically most continue reading from there being curious even the adults read down the page. With scripture a day they have a choice unlike my cellphone texting. Thanks though I will see them this weekend and ask about video's.

Yes having Christs words highlighted cuts to the only words we should hold as truth.

There is a lot of preaching about social issues and Ted talks on how we should apply the bible. Christ mentioned He spoke in parables to keep it simple.

 

[Grailhunter]

Yes having Christs words highlighted cuts to the only words we should hold as truth.

Of course Yeshua spoke the truth.
But only Christ's words?
What about the rest of the New Testament?

 

[Debp]

Of course Yeshua spoke the truth.
But only Christ's words?
What about the rest of the New Testament?

I think the rest of the New Testament helps us to grow spiritually. A lot of it is practical advice for our lives.

 

[Grailhunter]

I think the rest of the New Testament helps us to grow spiritually. A lot of it is practical advice for our lives.

Of course you are basically correct, but it is a simplification.
But to say--->Yes having Christs words highlighted cuts to the only words we should hold as truth.
The only words?
Paul gave a detailed explanation of the spiritual aspects and theology of Christianity.
I am sure that most of us wish we had more of the words of Yeshua.
We have four Gospels, but they are more or less duplicates of each other. Not that many words.
And most of the time He was talking to Jews, fielding questions about the Mosaic Law.
I appreciate that Yeshua was wise enough to answer their Jewish questions but still include a Christian meaning.
Yeshua was in precarious situation, Yeshua's ministry happens in the Old Covenant. The Mosaic Laws were still in effect and the Jewish people by religion and culture were not that spiritual.
The concept of a God walking among them.....blew their minds.
The Apostle Paul made a significant contribution to Christian understanding.
So I trust His words were true also.

 

[Debp]

The Apostle Paul made a significant contribution to Christian understanding.
So I trust His words were true also.

Yes I agree.

 

[stevesonthebay]

Of course Yeshua spoke the truth.
But only Christ's words?
What about the rest of the New Testament?

The rest of the NT is derived from Christs words.

Apart from the telling of the events surrounding Christ such as the telling of the events and the people involved. Which can help give creedence to Christ and His words.

But the teachings after Christ are based on what Christ taught. The gospel of Christs death and resurrection and what this represents as the fullfillment of Gods promise to Abraham, the prophesies and how Christians are to be in this world. All stem from Christ.

Thats why Paul said he was an ambassador for Christ and told the truth and that if anyone preached another gospel they were liars and to be avoided.

In some ways the events and people spoken about surrounding the events of Christ are the practical evidence that Christ is real and said what He said. We can find the places and people in the ground and in other cultural texts matching what the bible says.

 

[Grailhunter]

The rest of the NT is derived from Christs words.

Apart from the telling of the events surrounding Christ such as the telling of the events and the people involved. Which can help give creedence to Christ and His words.

But the teachings after Christ are based on what Christ taught. The gospel of Christs death and resurrection and what this represents as the fullfillment of Gods promise to Abraham, the prophesies and how Christians are to be in this world. All stem from Christ.

Thats why Paul said he was an ambassador for Christ and told the truth and that if anyone preached another gospel they were liars and to be avoided.

In some ways the events and people spoken about surrounding the events of Christ are the practical evidence that Christ is real and said what He said. We can find the places and people in the ground and in other cultural texts matching what the bible says.

Sorry, You missed the point.
Yeshua did the right thing, but it was hard to save the Jewish people when He could not tell them the truth.
Limited to preach around the bush. So to speak.
He could tell them that there was a Holy Spirit but could not tell them what it was.
His own Apostles called Yahweh God but called Him Lord.
He could not even tell the Jews who He was.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that the Mosaic Law would be obsolete.
He could not tell them that His sacrifice would make animal sacrifices irrelevant.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that the Temple was not necessary.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that there would be no such thing as divorce. His own Apostle freaked when He spoke of it.
As far as the --- You must eat my body and drink my blood or there is no life in you---That would have freaked them out. As far as they were concerned that would be demonic.
You had the Jews, the Jewish-Christians and the Gentile-Christians and they did not get along with each other.
The Apostles walked with Yeshua for 3 years and after He was gone they formed the Jewish-Christians, that still followed ~~ some the Mosaic Laws, and worshipped and sacrificed animals in the Temple. And opposed Paul's efforts to save the world.
It is nothing that Yeshua did wrong, He could only take the Jews so far. Today it is hard for some to understand that Christianity was a shock to the system back then. It was unlike the Jewish faith and unlike the Pagan faith. Crazy as it sounds sometimes the truth will not get the best results.
It is like me and this forum. If I said Yahweh was not a God or Yeshua was not a God or the Holy Spirit was not a God, they would freak. If I say there are 3 Gods, they freak. Yet there is no divine blender to blend them up. And the scriptures do not tell of a 3 headed God. It is clear they had their own minds and sit on their own thrones. The truth does not always work. But the Trinity had a plan and eventually it worked out. The 3 factions battled each other and eventually the Jewish-Christians died out.
God's plan always works out but that does not mean there will not be some bumps in the road. The Catholic Church brought a lot of faiths together. (Mainly because Emperor Constantine insisted on one faith.) But lets be honest the Catholic Church went insane for 1500 years. Then when we finally get Bibles in our hands the Protestants fracture the Church into 30,000 denominations. Don't get me wrong, the Protestants made things a lot better.
Besides being a benefit to Christianity, the Protestants brought the focus on the family into Christianity and a requirement for Church Wedding Ceremonies. Before them the Catholic Church would not even allow Weddings in their churches and were not big on the family but rather celibacy.
The Lord works in mysterious ways? LOL

 

[stevesonthebay]

Sorry, You missed the point.
Yeshua did the right thing, but it was hard to save the Jewish people when He could not tell them the truth.
Limited to preach around the bush. So to speak.
He could tell that that there was a Holy Spirit but could not tell them what it was.
His own Apostles called Yahweh God but called Him Lord.
He could not even tell the Jews who He was.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that the Mosaic Law would be obsolete.
He could not tell them that His sacrifice would make animal sacrifices irrelevant.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that the Temple was not necessary.
He could not tell them that in the New Covenant that there would be no such thing as divorce. His own Apostle freaked when He spoke of it.
As far as the --- You must eat my body and drink my blood or there is no life in you---That would have freaked them out. As far as they were concerned that would be demonic.

I agree the disciples did not understand what Christ was saying. Only after His death when the Holy spirit came to them did they understand. They actually hid and were afraid and bewildered before that.

You had the Jews, the Jewish-Christians and the Gentile-Christians and they did not get along with each other.
The Apostles walked with Yeshua for 3 years and after He was gone they formed the Jewish-Christians, that still followed ~~ some the Mosaic Laws, and worshipped and sacrificed animals in the Temple. And opposed Paul's efforts to save the world.

I think at first it was natural that the apostles and Jewish Christians thought as a Jewish sect. There were other sects like the Essenes who were similar. It wasn't until the holy spirit came upon the Gentiles as well that it was realised this was for all nations.

It is nothing that Yeshua did wrong, He could only take the Jews so far. Today it is hard for some to understand that Christianity was a shock to the system back then. It was unlike the Jewish faith and unlike the Pagan faith. Crazy as it sounds sometimes the truth will not get the best results.

Though I think at that time the Hellinistic worldview brought about philosophical and gnostic thought which opened the door for different ideas.

Especially within gnosticism which was unlike the ritualistic and law based beliefs. Very mystical and spiritual. Which in some ways allowed such ideas to be incorporated into Christianity about being one in the spirit of God in Christ.

It is like me and this forum. If I said Yahweh was not a God or Yeshua was not a God or the Holy Spirit was not a God, they would freak. If I say there are 3 Gods, they freak. Yet there is no divine blender to blend them up. And the scriptures do not tell of a 3 headed God. It is clear they had their own minds and sit on their own thrones. The truth does not always work. But the Trinity had a plan and eventually it worked out. The 3 factions battled each other and eventually the Jewish-Christians died out.

The holy spirit revealed the truth which none could deny. In fact when Peter saw that the holy spirit had also come upon the gentiles he realised that they were included. The holy spirit and not any man showed the truth to all that could not be denied.

God's plan always works out but that does not mean there will not be some bumps in the road. The Catholic Church brought a lot of faiths together. (Mainly because Emperor Constantine insisted on one faith.) But lets be honest the Catholic Church went insane for 1500 years. Then when we finally get Bibles in our hands the Protestants fracture the Church into 30,000 denominations.

Don't forget the Eastern Orthodox who also have deep roots back to the disciples. But for the west the CC dominated and took over the church and abused power. The Protestants were a reaction to this and splintered the church even more.

Don't get me wrong, the Protestants made things a lot better.
Besides being a benefit to Christianity, the Protestants brought the focus on the family into Christianity and a requirement for Church Wedding Ceremonies. Before them the Catholic Church would not even allow Wedding in their churches and were not big on the family but rather celibacy.
The Lord works in mysterious ways? LOL

I think the CC supported families. They believed priests should be chast because Paul mentions Elders that sacrifice marriage are of greater service and is pleasing to God. Though Paul also says that an Elder should have one wife and manage his damily well before leading the church.

I think families are the foundation of the church community and society for that matter. First get the families right and in order and then communities and nations can be built on this.

The problem now is that progressive churches promote individuals over families and diversity of family over Gods institution of marriage and family. Secular ideas have crept into the church rather than upholding Gods law and order.

 

[Grailhunter]

I think at first it was natural that the apostles and Jewish Christians thought as a Jewish sect. There were other sects like the Essenes who were similar. It wasn't until the holy spirit came upon the Gentiles as well that it was realised this was for all nations.

Boy I wish that were true. The Twelve were Jewish-Christians, except for Peter who joined Paul's camp. For most of the twelve we do not know what they were preaching. James depending on how you look at it was not an Apostle, definitely not one of the chosen twelve.
49 years later the Jewish-Christians were still harassing Paul's ministry. James represented the Jewish-Christian at the 1st Christian council in Jerusalem in 49 AD. Paul and Peter and Barnabus represented the Gentile-Christians. So how the Apostle took and learned from the Pentecost, we do not know. All we know is that, it appears that the twelve and the Jewish-Christians were very Jewish.

Don't forget the Eastern Orthodox who also have deep roots back to the disciples. But for the west the CC dominated and took over the church and abused power. The Protestants were a reaction to this and splintered the church even more.

It is kind of like Trump Derangement Syndrome.....The Protestants hated the Catholic Church's devotion to one faith, even though in general it should have been the goal. They also hate formal education which worked against them, thousands of denominations formed by the uneducated. And I am not forgeting the Eastern Orthodox.....but less intoxicated with power and blood thirsty.

families are the foundation of the church community and society

You are right on! But the Catholic Church made no provision for children and did not support marriage thinking it was against God's will. The think is the New Testament scriptures were not focus on the family, mainly because they thought Yeshua could return any day and forming a family was a distraction and produce more children to be slaughtered in the arenas.

The Protestants were the first to allow children in the church and the first to sing hymns and the first to have Sunday school classes for women and children.

The problem now is that progressive churches promote individuals over families and diversity of family over Gods institution of marriage and family. Secular ideas have crept into the church rather than upholding Gods law and order

Thumbs up on that one.