s8nfighter

Let me give two different examples of how we can correct opponents. My older brother has a hard time accepting Christ as a savior. He cannot seperate the love of God from the works of man and believes it is by works alone which gains eternal llife. I was an alcoholic and quit drinking (only by the grace of God was I healed) almost 20 years ago. My brother called me 6 yrs. ago and asked me if I could invite his daughter to church with me. He said, "I am not admitting that there is any reason to believe in Christ, but I have seen how much your faith has done for you and I want the same for my daughter." She is now married, and teaches Sunday School. Four years ago a friend came up to me at a construction site I was working at and asked me to help him give up drugs. He said he was asking me for help because I act different than other people he knows. He has quit drugs, moved from his small apartment, started his own business, and is buying a house for him and his family. My point to this is; if you want to help someone you first have to show that you care. I tell people whom I work with one thing, "I can train a monkey to do my job, but I cannot train a monkey to care." That is the characteristic which sets us apart from others. It can be found in the previous verse. "22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." If we live a lifestyle of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, we will not have to approach others, they will approach us. There will not be any need for festavals to aqquire the fire if we just fan into flames the fire which Christ ignited in us. Darrell

Marie and I are not what you would call wealthy in the worldly sense, so we only have the everyday silverware and no china. We live our lives that same way, if you come to our house, rich or poor you eat off the same dishes. I find it kind of odd that we assume that God chose the silver and gold of value when in reality it is not said that the things we place value upon is what pleases God. 1 Cor. 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. (niv) In all reality there is too much putting on of airs when someone of a little importance comes to dinner, or when someone enters church and then off comes the silver and gold when the company leaves or we leave church only to put it back on next week. What Paul might be suggesting is that we do away with the foolish putting on of airs and live a life pleasing to God every day, just as if we were in the presence of Him all week. OHHH we are. Darrell

I have been warning people for years about the false teachings of the so called ministers on T.V.. People are susceptible to the lies proclaimed by them because of two reasons. The first reason is that only in desperate times do people seek a savior. The second is because of lack of study do they not know the true Son of God. One Tela-liar told people that they had to send in double money to get double blessings from God. This double money was in offering of atonement for sins. Wow, a divorced thief telling people that they had to send in an atonement for sins. She either does not know that Christ's death on the cross was the lasting atonement for sins or was hoping that the viewers don't read their bibles. I have written to some of them and asked them to quit telling lies, that didn't work so I wrote to my congressman and now at least they are being investagated. Here is the biggest lie that is often told. Luke 6: 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." The liars will use this verse and it is a good verse to live by. But the truth is that it is all about judging one another and forgiving one another, it is not about sending some thief a hundred dollars in hopes of getting rich. Darrell

Let's take a look at what he is saying. 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. Are we not all to submit to one authority? That authority being Christ. So tha is good advice. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. Paul is not saying that God does not allow a woman to teach but that he does no permit it. Right or wrong, that is the choice Paul made. Authority over a man? In what regard is he speaking? In Godly things? The LORD says there will come a time when when no one will teach his brother or his neighbor the things of God. Jer. 31 That time came with the resurection of Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit. We all have one Master, one God and one Savior. Do we not. You share that, no matter who you are and you are doing well. Darrell

I don't think that Paul was condemning the dress as much as he was encouraging the practice of good works as a witness to the glory of Christ. I say this because in Philippians Paul says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (NIV) You see Paul knows that the position we have in Him is greater than any positon we have in this world. Yes we must dress respectfully because God is worthy of our respect and He demands it also. He told Moses to remove his sandels because he was standing on "Holy Ground". Respect, in order to be returned, must be given. How can we expect God to respect our prayers if we do not show Him respect? Darrell

The problem then, as it is today, is that we have a tendency to judge one another. God asks this question, "How can you say you love me and yet hate my creation?" Jesus was speaking on judging one another in Luke 6 when he said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV) So if we want to be judged for our actions let us be judged by showing love to one another. Darrell

Christ fulfilled the role of the ransom payer because he died for our sins. In his resurection he fulfills the role of mediator, because He lives and is seated at the right hand of God. In proverbs the Lord says he hears the prayers of the righteous, who better to be our mediator than the only righteous one? Praise to our Lord and savior. Darrell

I began to wonder about God's will and our purpose after seeing so many different and contradicting books written about these two subjects. So I began a week long study, searching the bible for the answer. I found the answer to be quite simple and just as I thought. God's will and desire is that we all have a personal relationship with Him and the proof of this relationship is in how we treat others. Salvation is not lip service, for if it was the road to salvation would be wide. Evangelism without the efforts of sound teachings is lost much of the time. And that takes getting involved with everyone who is honestly seeking a relationship with God. Is not everyone who has a relationship with God a kin to us? The problem at Ephesus is still a problem today, the best place to feel all alone is in a crowded place. Darrell

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" (NIV) From this praise of Paul's we learn that there is only one God and he is everlasting and is worthy of our praise. Any time I thank the LORD for food, clothing, safety, health, friendships and even for today it is a form of a doxology. I realize through prayer and thanksgiving that all things come from God and giving thanks I acknowlege that he is our King. Through prayer and thanksgiving I also acknowlege His saving grace which gives me hope eternal. Yesterday I stated that I didn't know if the church would ever get back on center because of all the different rules the present day churches have. My praise to God sustains my hope and courage to be the best Christ centered witness I can. Jesus stated that the best doxolgy we can offer is through our life. He stated that doing something as simple as giving a glass of water to someone thirsty or offering a hand of frienship in his name is noted by our Father in heaven. Does it make me feel good to do good? Yes it does. Not because I am good but because God is good and I am being obedient to God. Darrell

Paul comments on his own life because they probably knew that he was a Jew of Jews. He was trained in the LAW and followed it to a tee. Acts 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today." (NIV) He also held in high esteem those who also followed the law. Acts 22:20 "And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him."(NIV) Paul could also get testemony to his zeal for the law from people in high places. Acts 22:5 "As also the high priest and all the Council can testify."(NIV) I think Paul was reminding them of the difference between laws which were set in stone and a hard heart verses the spirit of the law which is tempered with love and grace. The church has become so divided with so many different laws to chose from, I don't know if it will get back on center till the LORD comes again. But if it is to come close, judgement of others based solely upon position other than that in Christ, must stop. Darrell

Among the results of teaching false doctrine is the falling away of church members, but the biggest problem is the realization that salvation comes from faith in Christ Jesus. It appears that the church at Ephesus started out correctly and then began to feel somewhat self-righteous. And in their self-righteousness they began to judge others according to law and heiritage. Doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of the church by division, faliling to point out the fact as recorded in Eph 4:4 "There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." A good example of this division and exclusion is speaking in tongues. There are some who would claim that if you do not speak in tongues you are not saved. So if I believed I had no chance of salvation or union with Christ without speaking in tongues then I might ask, "Why bother?" And as far as the mission of the church to preach the gospel to me; it would do no good because I do not fulfill this one point of false doctrine. (Mission Failed) Darrell

Yes Jesus requires obedience. Is there a "TRUE" Christian who believes but does not obey? NO!!!! Salvation is a gift not of works. Salvation puts us in the race as Paul says, but salvation does not complete the race as Paul also says. If salvation completed the race Paul would have kept on doing what paid him the best, instead he gave that up to do what was right. If there was no change in Paul's life how many books of the New Testament do you think he would have written? There was a change in his life, in what he believed, and how he "Ran the race" to recieve the prize and to insure the conpletion of what was started in him through Christ. Those are also quotes from Paul himself, which he justifies works. I don't to justify Christ's requirement of obedience because I was not there when He measured out the water in His hands, hung the stars in the sky, and set the sun and the moon to mark the day and night. But I do know that if He says that He desires obedience above sacrifice, it is better to be obedient. And if he says that not all who call on His name will have there name in the book of life because of thier disobedience, I had better take note to do all I can. And if to sit undecided living a wishy-washy life, niether hot not cold makes Him sick, it is better to choose now who I will serve. Darrell

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matt. 22:'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "And the second is like it"is the hard part of the message of Christ. That brings into perspective the dificulties of Christian living which seem to elude all of us at times and for others all the time. Darrell

The word pagan means country dweller. This would indicate that the society of the pagan was small if any at all. A pagan would be akin to the mountaineer, seeking solitude, of the early 1800's here. The word Gentile simply referees to any tribe, group, or citizenship except Jew. I would say that Jesus used the term pagan in reference to anybody that does not belong to a society of people, a person who is out there for themselves. Oddly enough even the pagan who, more than likely had not heard of God, knew that there must be a god or gods and this strong belief in a god led to many religious beliefs. Gentile on the other hand is kind of like being either American, Canadian, German, etc... This is not a bad thing, but a good thing because Christ came first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. He came "living" for the Jew and in resurrection for the Gentile. Romans 9:25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one," 26 and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"Darrell

I believe that the phrase, "Do not worry" can be interpreted as, "Do not compare". Lets take a look at it this way. Jesus begins with, "Do not worry about your life." I wonder if he means do not compare your lifestyle. Do not compare what you eat or drink(Meat or just beans, wine or just water). Do not compare your body (Big nose, skinny lips, hair or no hair). Do not compare what you wear, (K-mart, Wall-mart, or the latest Hollywood fashion). I believe this because he ends with, "Is Life not more important than theses things?" It makes even more sense when we consider Matt. 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? niv I cannot say that worry if you haven't eaten in a while is sin, I cannot say that if you are about to lose your house because of the economy and you worry about were your children are going to live is sin. But I can say there is a big difference between envy and concern. Now let's consider what Paul is saying in Philippians 4 about positive thinking. Is he saying that if we eliminate worry we can get ahead in the world or quite the opposite? Paul tells us in chapter 3 of Philippians where he came from. Philippians 3:4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. All this he gave up because 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ In chapter 4 of Philippians Paul says he knows what hunger is like, he knows what wealth is like, and neither condition is how he measures his position in Christ. What a contrast of the prosperity preaching of today. Darrell

What Jesus is saying and trying to get people to realize is that God has provided all we need for life. You might ask, "Well if that is true; then why are people starving and going without the necessities of life?" My answer to that is why do some pour out milk, plow up grain, withhold service in order to drive up prices? If we all were clothed in the glory of God, (Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.) I don't think that would happen. This is what Jesus was talking about when he says that Matt.6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Darrell

Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven? I am not. Matter of fact I am looking forward to that day!!!!

In the seventies, long before I came to Christ, I felt secure as long as I had a quarter in my pocket for a cup of coffee. Coffee back then cost a dime and refills were free. So with a quarter you could invite a friend for coffee, chat for an hour, and leave a nickle tip. I don't know why a quarter in my pocket made me feel secure and comfortable but it did. Maybe it was because as a youth I was never invited to get a soda and go shoot hoops with the other kids because I didn't have a nickle in my pocket. I do know that because of the closeness of my family (even in poverty) relationships have always been more important than things to me. And I cannot, still to this day, understand how people can determine friendship by what they have, or determine how blessed they are by what possesions they have accumulated. Maybe I should give them one of my special quarters. But honestly I do pray that all come to know the comfort and security we have in our LORD and savior, Jesus Christ. Since I came to know him I don't need the two bit peices any more. Darrell

My daughter posed this question to me. Would you sell your car and give the money to someone who was in need of a surgery to save that person's life? Would you sell your car to give to the poor so that they might not starve to death? How about this? If your car was stalled at a railroad crossing and you had a choice to either push your car off the tracks to avoid an oncoming train or to rescue a person who had fallen and was laying on the tracks, what would you do? Don't we make that same choice every time we sock away money, buy junk that sits and collects dust, or clothes that are "OUTDATED", or just gotta have that new toy? I am thinking that is what Jesus meant by "You cannot serve two masters." I just love Christmas time. People go out and buy the new toy at ten times the price just so they can say they got it. Headline in the local newspaper last week, "Cost is major factor in determining medical procedure." Not what is best for the patient, but cost. High cost of finance cost people to lose their homes, high cost of transportation cost people their jobs, high cost of insurance cost people their lives. All for chasing after the money. It's ok till it is your house, job, or life. Darrell

My favorite quote comes from D.L Moody, "I hold very loosely to the things of this world because I never know when God may require them of me." What a contrast to the bumper stickers which say, "The one who wins is the person who dies with the most toys." We speak of God, faith, Christ's death and resurrection, His love and His provision, but we seldom speak of what God requires of us. If we look at every verse which requires something from us as a figure of speech; then shouldn't we look at His love and His provisions as figurative? From there it is only a short step to say, "When God created the heavens and earth, it should not be taken literally." When Christ spoke in parables He began with, "Let me tell you a little story." Those stories had value to those who understood the meaning, and little meaning to those who missed the value. The parables of Christ always had a "YOU SEE TIMMY" moral to them and were often missed, prompting Jesus to question the people He spoke to. Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? (niv) Jesus spoke of the "abundant life" and only one disciple figured it was the life which forty pieces of silver could buy, most of the others suffered beatings, hunger, imprisonment, and death. Then how is the abundant life and "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth" the same. To know the love of God, that is the abundant life. To know that there is life after death is wonderful in deed but to know we will be caught up in His love forever is the abundant life. Luke 12:45 But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Old or a new way of thinking? Genesis 13:10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar.(niv) Lot chose to go to the money and the security which it provided. How closely sin associates itself with money and the "good life" is the problem along with the difficulty of letting go of the good life even when God says let go of it. Genesis 19:26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (niv) It is a good thing to know where you are coming from, but it is much better to know where you are headed.... Darrell

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." There are many ways to give toward God. But the first thing to realize is the kingdom of God is the people, not a church building nor a certain church or person; but the people who have received His Spirit. Luke 17:20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."(NIV) There are some people who work for a dollar and work very hard for that dollar. But there are others who work because they have a desire to fulfill a need. Their family may need food, or shelter, and they work very hard to meet that need. Another may see a need of someone outside their family and work hard to fulfill that need in return for payment. The purpose for which we work is where the reward is. I have found that the person who only works for the paycheck will seldom, if at all, do anything beyond what is required, but the person who works to fulfill a need often adds joy to the job. Jesus is not condemning the man for saving for the future but He is condemning him for thinking that he is the only person of concern. Darrell

God's kingdom has come to those who set aside the desires of the world to take up service to others. When the rich man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life Jesus replied, "You know the commandments." Jesus said keep the commandments but for great reward in heaven, "Sell everything you have and give it to the poor." Then he goes on to explain the kingdom of God, which is here and now. He says that the desires of the world keep people from entering into serivce of the LORD. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." How should this prayer affect our living if we truly understand that the kingdom of God is here and not something to be waiting for? How is it possible to go to work everyday for a month expecting a pay check at the end? How is it possible to work for forty years expecting to retire? How is it possible to give to others, attend a service oriented Church, tithe, treat others with love and kindness, and live a life free from sin? Because it is Christ who lives in us and not us who live in the world. We gain our strength from God to do what seems impossible and foolish to others. As Paul puts it, "If I am to be considered foolish, let me be foolish for Christ." Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done. God only has one desire, one will. That desire is found in John 3:16. Just like a job, we can work either for the pay check or for the one who hired us. I guess it depends on the retirement a person desires. Darrell

The interesting thing about this prayer format is the first word Jesus uses, "Our". He doesn't use "My Father but "Our Father" indicating that we are all part of the family as brothers and sisters with God the head of the family. The way we live with respect and love for others is a good way to show that we are dedicated to the LORD. If we are disobedient to God's word we show no honor at all for His name. I used to think that "God" was a word I could pull out in times of need, then I began to read the bible and discovered a who He is. He is a loving, caring God who has provided everything we need including instructions. With His word he provided life and all that sustains life. Even when death entered because of our disobedience He provided life through His Son. We all know John 3:16. That is God's prayer for us. But how many know 1 John 3:16. That is how he knows his prayer has been answered. Darrell

Yes God knows what we need long before we ask, that is why he made the earth as it is. He made it to supply all our needs. He is the one who waters, created the fertile soil, determined the air mixture, the salt in the ocean, and the cycle of river to ocean to rain for cleansing. He also gave us a list of rules to live by so we would not destroy ourselves in the process of living. What sense does prayer make? Prayer is more than a list of meaningless and vain requests, it is recognizing who the supplier of our needs is and giving thanks. If prayer encourages us to be obedient, and lifts us to a higher standard of obedience, then it is a good thing. Darrell