In & out

[farouk]

I didn't start with belief when I first read the gospels, mathew through mark. I started with pity for the man Jesus. Pity because I liked Him, and wished like mad that the world could be like what He said, but thought He was deluded because the world was nothing like what He seemed to say.

Then I saw He wasn't talking about the world. He was talking about what He kept calling a different kingdom. He wasn't saying the world was like what He taught, but that another place was like what He taught.

Then at some point in my reading, I moved from Pity for Him to hope that He would somehow let me know this odd kingdom He taught about.

My hope didn't turn to certainty until He revealed Himself to me. It was not what I expected. It was not seeing Him as I saw everything else, with my physical eyes. It was inside myself that He revealed Himself to me. To this day, it still sounds crazy to me, but it's how it happened.

It didn't change the world around me, or make my life suddenly devoid of struggles, but it started to slowly change me.

Goes to show how important is the reading of the Scriptures, right?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Goes to show how important is the reading of the Scriptures, right?

No. I mean, at Pentecost, the gospel was first spoken. I happened to read it rather than hear it spoken out loud, but others hear it rather than read it when their eyes are opened.

Of course, they THEN want to read all of it!

 

[farouk]

No. I mean, at Pentecost, the gospel was first spoken. I happened to read it rather than hear it spoken out loud, but others hear it rather than read it when their eyes are opened.

Of course, they THEN want to read all of it!

It's the Word of God, whether read or heard by preaching.

 

[JellyJam]

This is why the Scriptures - God's Word - needs to be our point of reference.

Men of faith wrote the Bible, not men of reason.

 

[farouk]

Men of faith wrote the Bible, not men of reason.

Romans and Hebrews are highly reasoned doctrinal arguments which are unanswerable.

 

[JellyJam]

I didn't start with belief when I first read the gospels, mathew through mark. I started with pity for the man Jesus. Pity because I liked Him, and wished like mad that the world could be like what He said, but thought He was deluded because the world was nothing like what He seemed to say.

Then I saw He wasn't talking about the world. He was talking about what He kept calling a different kingdom. He wasn't saying the world was like what He taught, but that another place was like what He taught.

Then at some point in my reading, I moved from Pity for Him to hope that He would somehow let me know this odd kingdom He taught about.

My hope didn't turn to certainty until He revealed Himself to me. It was not what I expected. It was not seeing Him as I saw everything else, with my physical eyes. It was inside myself that He revealed Himself to me. To this day, it still sounds crazy to me, but it's how it happened.

It didn't change the world around me, or make my life suddenly devoid of struggles, but it started to slowly change me.

Ah yes, I know what it's like to have someone live on the inside of me. People can do that you know, well some people. Anywho, it's not what is seems, and it's not a evil spirit (Although it seems that way sometimes) It's kinda crazy to me as well, but I am coming to enjoy the relationship with this person this way.

Since I was robbed of a physical connection, another one was available to me. So I get to be experiencing a lifetime of another person, without getting off my lounge chair.

Pretty cool.

But no demons though.

 

[JellyJam]

Romans and Hebrews are highly reasoned doctrinal arguments which are unanswerable.

I like to see how.

 

[farouk]

I like to see how.

Read it.

 

[JellyJam]

Read it.

Why?

 

[JellyJam]

Men's wear!

 

[Preacher4Truth]

Just that, to straighten me out. I believed like any other real believer does, but that simply wasn't enough.

You need to elaborate on your meaning of "straighten me out."

Also, explain to us what you mean by believe and your salvation.

 

[Episkopos]

Why can't your God fix me properly, I have given him every opportunity to do that. Is this because in reality he is not real, and nothing could ever be fixed with belief?

Do you want to be fixed to your purpose or to God's purpose?

God doesn't want us just to enjoy this life as much as possible and then die. He wants to get you on track for eternal life...but a life lived in and through God.

Struggles help us to focus on what is really important.

If our motives are selfish....God will remain aloof. God is not there to help you get what you think you want. You have to turn your life over to Him so that He takes you to where He wants you. It is in your best interest to do so.

We live in the most selfish era of human history. And in our entitlement we demand that God behaves a certain way. Talk about spoiled brats!

When you are ready to hand over your life to a sovereign God...He will find you.

 

[JellyJam]

You need to elaborate on your meaning of "straighten me out."

Also, explain to us what you mean by believe and your salvation.

I don't think I need to explain this any further, as it's no one's business to divulge any technical details to them. I am quite capable of correcting any mental malfunctions I face, and anything that can't be fixed I accept.

"Imperfect problems need imperfect solutions"

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Ah yes, I know what it's like to have someone live on the inside of me. People can do that you know, well some people. Anywho, it's not what is seems, and it's not a evil spirit (Although it seems that way sometimes) It's kinda crazy to me as well, but I am coming to enjoy the relationship with this person this way.

Since I was robbed of a physical connection, another one was available to me. So I get to be experiencing a lifetime of another person, without getting off my lounge chair.

Pretty cool.

But no demons though.

Oh...I suddenly remember you and you said almost that same exact thing then too, if not word for word. I think your user name is different though. So...have fun. Toodles.

 

[JellyJam]

Do you want to be fixed to your purpose or to God's purpose?

God doesn't want us just to enjoy this life as much as possible and then die. He wants to get you on track for eternal life...but a life lived in and through God.

Struggles help us to focus on what is really important.

If our motives are selfish....God will remain aloof. God is not there to help you get what you think you want. You have to turn your life over to Him so that He takes you to where He wants you. It is in your best interest to do so.

We live in the most selfish era of human history. And in our entitlement we demand that God behaves a certain way. Talk about spoiled brats!

When you are ready to hand over your life to a sovereign God...He will find you.

I disagree:

Psalm 20:4 4May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

 

[JellyJam]

Oh...I suddenly remember you and you said almost that same exact thing then too, if not word for word. I think your user name is different though. So...have fun. Toodles.

Go dig out this user, and we'll see if it has any relevance to what I said today.

 

[Episkopos]

I disagree:

Psalm 20:4 4May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

There's the problem right there. You are doing what so many are doing that call themselves believers...picking your verses and expecting God to reward you for ignoring the rest of His counsel.

I'm surprised you don't claim salvation for yourself. Maybe you haven't found those verses yet....

God has to change our hearts before He gives us the desire placed within. He does not satisfy a heart that yet harbours wicked intent.

Then there is the issue of time. It doesn't say He will give you the desires of your heart quickly. If we hold back from Him, why wouldn't He hold back from us?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Go dig out this user, and we'll see if it has any relevance to what I said today.

No chance. I don't have the time to waste finding your other posts under your other name, but I keenly remember you because of the repeated post.

 

[Preacher4Truth]

I don't think I need to explain this any further, as it's no one's business to divulge any technical details to them. I am quite capable of correcting any mental malfunctions I face, and anything that can't be fixed I accept.

"Imperfect problems need imperfect solutions"

No, you don't need to, just asking.

Since you're leaving things vague, it's impossible to know the meanings of anything you say.

Keep in mind that true conversion doesn't necessitate deliverance from suffering.

 

[bbyrd009]

No, you don't need to, just asking.

Since you're leaving things vague, it's impossible to know the meanings of anything you say.

Keep in mind that true conversion doesn't necessitate deliverance from suffering.

ha that last line is kind of hard to realize at first I guess huh
hate your life and living sacrifice are not ezackly vacation destinations are they lol