Mine either *grin*I have to say you threw me with that..I picked up my bible and looked and at first saw the same verse I thought my bible site had made an error..so I had to go check..Then I realized that I had thought 19 was 29 because I hadn't "looked " correctly
We agree..someone I know used this phrase.." They are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good"
I went to a full gospel church that had a strong "faith " message for many years...finally I had to get out because the gospel was never preached. All we heard were snippets from scripture that God wanted us all rich and healthy and powerful .....funny he didn't want any of that for His own Son huh?
One Preacher stood up and showed us his hands..rings on every finger.."this " he said "is how I know God loves me"
Pathetic..I left shortly after.
In all the years I went there I never heard one sermon on repentance or holiness..it was all self centered..me me me
We need spiritual balance...God does hear and answer the prayers of His people..but in the end he is God and He makes the final call..
It seems to me there are too many around that think God should conform His will to theirs instead of the other way around
I ignored this thread for a long time,because I knew my words would not be popular..
Nothing personal to you,we do not even know each other,so I would never mean to imply my thoughts were a judgment of anyone that posts here....they are just general thoughts..this was just a rant left over from my years in that church.
The preacher long lost or forgot the message of salvation that's for certain. I didn't mean to jump you earlier some post are hard for me to read. This post I agree with you 100%. If there isn't balance in the messages being preached you have a one thought congergation. Saved yes if they answer the call of salvation but missing far more spiritual wise that is aviable. They don't grow.
The truth is hopefully no one can look back at their beliefs let's say of 20 years ago and see they have not somewhat changed. If you study and seek they have too. I've read some preachers admit they look back at their sermons of their beginning and say gosh did I say that? That was true as well with the ones who penned the scriptures. A objective look at their lives and the changes say as much. You pray, study, read, and learn. In the end you realize you can still no where comprehend the full extent of the Greatness, Grace, and Mercy of GOD.
Grace through Faith becomes the bridge to except without understanding fully GODs full plan. I don't have to understand how the earth was formed. I have to believe in the one who formed it and his Son. But then again looking for things like the Red Sea crossing got me involved looking deeper into scriptures. This thread was a good shot in the arm for me as well. Got some cobwebs knocked out and thoughts to stiring.
Jesus already had it all...didn't He? One thing that isn't expounded upon in scripture...is where He got His seamless robe...(obviously quite expensive since the Roman soldiers cast lots for it) and the fact that He had a treasurer (Judas) What do you need a treasurer/accountant for... if you have no money? Jesus, God come in the flesh... could've have turned stones into bread.... commanded fish into the nets of the fishermen.... got money from a fish's mouth to pay taxes. He said He could have called on the Father to have 12 legions of angels at His disposal...See what I mean?
We need spiritual balance...God does hear and answer the prayers of His people..but in the end he is God and He makes the final call..
I agree with you. Unfortunately... some of the faith based ministries are built on greed... and it sours the taste in the mouths of Christians for even the good ones who teach repentence, well-founded scripture and obedience to the Word. Believe me... I had to look for a long time before I found one with "balance". I guess my point is here.... is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. People do misuse the scripture for their own means sometimes.....but it doesn't make God's Word any less true or valid. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us discernment...if we ask Him.
this was just a rant left over from my years in that church.
I understand completely. I had a Christian bookstore some years back. A woman from that "metaphysical" type church I'd belonged to before getting saved... came into the store and wanted me to put her church's promotional material on my counter for people to pick up and read. I totally went off on the lady. Sigh. I had to repent of this TOTALLY unChrist-like behavior. It was out of character for me... and I shocked myself. A "no thank-you we don't do that" would've sufficed. *chuckle* I just pray the Lord sent her to someone else... less offended by their cult... to minister to her and possibly lead her to the Truth.