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[amadeus]

@Bobby Jo
Welcome to the forum!

 

[Bobby Jo]

I just want to be a sheep. Baaaaa. :) ...

Hi Mayflower,

You know, as a young Christian (capital "C") I thought how gentle and pastoral the mental picture of Jesus gently tending the "sheep". But when I explained to concept to my non-believing father, he explained to me that when driving truck as an equally young man he had to transport a herd of sheep. And in all his young years of driving equipment, grain, feed, hay, cattle, and pigs, -- he had NEVER driven a load as detestable as that load of the most stupid animals on the face of the earth. He went on to say that he'd NEVER drive sheep AGAIN. -- And this was after some 50 years of time from when he was driving truck, and he STILL had such a strong response to ONE LOAD he transported ONE TIME.

So that's what we're up against. -- Our own stubborn, stupid, and contrary natures. -- But when we're led by the Spirit, we can do even greater and more mighty things than Jesus did on earth:

John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.​

And the only way we'll get there is by ardent pursuit of the things of GOD:

Matt. 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. -- Or better rendered: The kingdom of heaven is obtained by pursuit, and the pursuers take it by ardent action.​

I guess this mean I won't be communing with GOD while reclining on the sofa, eating a bag of potato chips and drinking a Pepsi, while watching Oprah. -- It might take MORE.

Bobby Jo

 

[Mayflower]

Hi Mayflower,

You know, as a young Christian (capital "C") I thought how gentle and pastoral the mental picture of Jesus gently tending the "sheep". But when I explained to concept to my non-believing father, he explained to me that when driving truck as an equally young man he had to transport a herd of sheep. And in all his young years of driving equipment, grain, feed, hay, cattle, and pigs, -- he had NEVER driven a load as detestable as that load of the most stupid animals on the face of the earth. He went on to say that he'd NEVER drive sheep AGAIN. -- And this was after some 50 years of time from when he was driving truck, and he STILL had such a strong response to ONE LOAD he transported ONE TIME.

So that's what we're up against. -- Our own stubborn, stupid, and contrary natures. -- But when we're led by the Spirit, we can do even greater and more mighty things than Jesus did on earth:

John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.​

And the only way we'll get there is by ardent pursuit of the things of GOD:

Matt. 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. -- Or better rendered: The kingdom of heaven is obtained by pursuit, and the pursuers take it by ardent action.​

I guess this mean I won't be communing with GOD while reclining on the sofa, eating a bag of potato chips and drinking a Pepsi, while watching Oprah. -- It might take MORE.

Bobby Jo

I agree with this for sure, that we need to be active in our faith. "I Just Want to be a Sheep" is a children song basically giving the message I just want to follow God and learn His voice. A sheep will only follow the voice of His master. But we are still stubborn, stupid, and have contrary natures. God turns us into new creations as we learn to follow Him.

 

[Mayflower]

 

[Mayflower]

 

[farouk]

I just want to be a sheep. Baaaaa. :) Welcome. It is 2am and a lot of what you said just went right over my head... But Jesus Christ is who I know and He died on the cross for our sins so that we can have eternal life. Believe in Him! He offers forgiveness and I can kindly say He is my shepherd.

Good post!

 

[Bobby Jo]

... so if we hear from the Master, -- is there anyone besides me that has a Scriptural and Historical basis for believing that we crossed the threshold into the Tribulation (42 months per Rev. 13:5, -- not seven years as most errantly teach) some 9 months ago?

1 Thess 5:3 When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
​

And yes, I know that no man knows the day or the hour, -- but we can know the week; month; season; year (1); decade (10); score (20); century (100); daytona (500); and millennia (1,000).

Or will you be "surprised"?


Bobby Jo

 

[historyb]

Sounds like we have attracted yet another one with an ax to grind. LOL

There are many like that

 

[Heart2Soul]

Hi,
it seems to me that a huge percentage of those who profess christianity are really not Christians at all. They disobey 1 Cor. 14 (they PAY a HIRELING to do their thinking), and it's pretty much a "social christianity" where everyone has to be "nice" to be a christian. -- But being nice has NOTHING to do with either GOD or Jesus. If it did, then there'd be no hell, but there is, so maybe neither GOD nor Jesus are "christians"?

This so called "christianity" reminds me of the hippies of the 60's & 70's which were all "peace and love" until you disagreed with them, then they were hateful, vile, and vicious.

Or so it would seems to work that way. But then again I hate to accuse the ~10% for the behavior of the ~90%.

Bobby Jo

Welcome to the forum...I find it most comforting to just take care of the beam in my own eye instead of the splinter in others....a humbling experience my Father so graciously allowed me to experience to expose what was in my heart and to purge it. Amazing grace....how sweet it is!

 

[Bobby Jo]

There are many like that

Actually there are too few like this, and there are too many that just go along with whatever they're told by the Minister/Pastor/Priest that tells them what to do, what to think, and how to act. And given that when Eve sinned, part of her penalty was that she would be under a man, but Adam is under GOD. So if you're happy being under a "man", the obviously you must be a woman*, otherwise you'd be under GOD.

And don't forget as provided in Post #13:

I'm quite confident that when Jesus returns, HE will encourage everyone to do whatever pleases them, in whatever fashion they desire. HE won't have any "AX TO GRIND", and HE certainly won't hold anyone accountable.

Rev. 2:27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father;
​

"Rod of IRON", "ax to grind", -- sounds like Jesus needs to be rebuked by some in this Forum.

* Please note my presumption that the "audience" addressed is a male, and no offense is intended for any female readers, as given per Scriptural guidance in 1 Cor. 14 & 1 Timothy 2.

Bobby Jo

 

[Bobby Jo]

Welcome to the forum...I find it most comforting to just take care of the beam in my own eye instead of the splinter in others....a humbling experience my Father so graciously allowed me to experience to expose what was in my heart and to purge it. Amazing grace....how sweet it is!

As you suggest, perhaps Peter should have minded his own business when he rebuked Peter, A DISCIPLE. Remember, if the church does not judge itself, the world will judge it, -- and I think that means that we MUST judge the church:

Gal. 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public, because he was clearly wrong.

1 Cor. 6:1 When one of you has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? ​

Some prefer to play as christian (small "c") instead of perform as Christian (capital "C"), and thus my criticism of "social christianity" (small "c"):

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.​

So I exhort you to grow and then disciple others in the fullness and calling GOD has for his beloved children! :)


Bobby Jo

 

[Heart2Soul]

As you suggest, perhaps Peter should have minded his own business when he rebuked Peter, A DISCIPLE. Remember, if the church does not judge itself, the world will judge it, -- and I think that means that we MUST judge the church:

Gal. 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public, because he was clearly wrong.

1 Cor. 6:1 When one of you has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? ​

Some prefer to play as christian (small "c") instead of perform as Christian (capital "C"), and thus my criticism of "social christianity" (small "c"):

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.​

So I exhort you to grow and then disciple others in the fullness and calling GOD has for his beloved children! :)


Bobby Jo

I understand what you are saying about the condition of the church today, as of today there are over 44K different denominations claiming to be Christians and preaching out of the same bible but adding their own interpretation of it. The issue with the churches practicing social Christianity has been going on even before Jesus time.
The angels we will judge will be the ones assigned to each of us and we will testify whether they did according to the assignment in obedience to what was God's Will.
We are to rebuke FALSE TEACHERS and FALSE PROPHETS.....Peter did not rebuke Cephas he opposed his hypocrisy in front of those around him because they too were in error of the truth believing that Cephas knew what he was doing.
Galations 2:11
11 When Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.


Correcting a brother or a sister who is in error of the truth is done in love to help them grow so that they will not remain ignorant....but if they refuse then bring 2 or more witnesses.....and still if they will not repent then turn away from them.

With all your scriptures about judging how do you explain Jesus saying "do NOT judge lest ye be judged yourself?"

 

[quietthinker]

g'day Bobby Jo, Yeahhhh, oils ain't oils and Christians ain't Christians. It sucks hey! Nevertheless, I soldier on. The lack of integrity of others is their business. I will choose to mind mine and not use them as examples.

 

[Bobby Jo]

I understand what you are saying about the condition of the church today, as of today there are over 44K different denominations claiming to be Christians ...

One should ponder which "denominations" follow the model established in 1 Cor. 14, versus a HIRELING that does ALL the preaching, week after week after week after week after week, ad infinitim.

1 Cor. 14:26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.
30 If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent.​

With all your scriptures about judging how do you explain Jesus saying "do NOT judge lest ye be judged yourself?"

It's pretty obvious that each of us must conform to Biblical standards. This is NOT about Judging as some might suppose, -- it's about Hypocrisy:

Matt. 23:13 “... woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, ...
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...​

Bobby Jo

 

[Bobby Jo]

... The lack of integrity of others is their business. I will choose to mind mine and not use them as examples.

I don't think that GOD distances HIMSELF from the affairs of men. Perhaps we shouldn't either.

Bobby Jo

 

[bbyrd009]

It still comes down to where we encourage "wolves" to enter "fellowship"; and "kill" the prophets for calling "wolves", "wolves". -- And that's my point.

Where we see GOD as being JUST, holding his flock close to HIS breast and extending HIS hand to those who do not know HIM; we also see a vengeful GOD who will destroy those who willfully defy HIM and attempt to destroy HIS children; -- whether on earth or as we all stand before the Judgement Throne. But in many "christian" (small "c") circles, we're led to believe that we should ONLY extend a hand to the unsaved. -- WRONG!

The "discernment" you cite is a CRITICAL aspect of our Christian (capital "C") lives, and we need to be wise, especially as we've already entered the 42 month Tribulation (Ref. Rev. 13:5):

1 Thess 5:3 When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief.​

Bobby Jo

there is only One Immortal
no one has ever gone up to heaven
no Son of Man may die for another's sins
return to Me, and I will return to you
why do you stand there looking up into the sky?
He who seeks to save his life will lose it

But ntmy anyway! ;)
You make some good points imo

 

[historyb]

Actually there are too few like this, and there are too many that just go along with whatever they're told by the Minister/Pastor/Priest that tells them what to do, what to think, and how to act. And given that when Eve sinned, part of her penalty was that she would be under a man, but Adam is under GOD. So if you're happy being under a "man", the obviously you must be a woman*, otherwise you'd be under GOD.

And don't forget as provided in Post #13:

​

* Please note my presumption that the "audience" addressed is a male, and no offense is intended for any female readers, as given per Scriptural guidance in 1 Cor. 14 & 1 Timothy 2.

Bobby Jo

Actually there are way to many who think they know better and have to tell everyone everything they think they know; However they don't know anything. Those embody Proverbs 18:2, and 1 Corinthians 8:2

 

[Bobby Jo]

Actually there are way to many who think they know better and have to tell everyone everything they think they know; However they don't know anything. Those embody Proverbs 18:2, and 1 Corinthians 8:2

Perhaps you didn't notice my previous response in Post #30, where I believe that some are happy being accountable to a man, and they're called women. But MEN are accountable to GOD. And these MEN provide their insights but if others aren't in agreement or aren't interested, then there should be a parting:

The Proper Operations Of The Church:

1 Cor. 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.​

Those That Prefer Pigs Over Jesus:

Luke 8:37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Ger′asenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned.​

When Refused, The Discipes Moved On To Others:

Luke 9:56 And they went on to another village.​

Bobby Jo

 

[historyb]

First I notice your other faith so I ain't buying te junk your selling and you get to go on my ignore list. A fool spouts everything they know, which is nothing.

 

[Bobby Jo]

First I notice your other faith so I ain't buying te junk your selling and you get to go on my ignore list. A fool spouts everything they know, which is nothing.

Apparently you missed Post #15. And you also apparently missed the Book of Matthew:

Matt. 5:22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire.​

... but of such are the christians (small "c") which pervade Christianity (capital "C") and the respective christian (small "c") Forums.

To the TRUE Christians, we need to arise from our slumber and perceive the evidence and signs of the end times both in the church and in the world. It's an exponential curve, and it will only get worse.


Bobby Jo