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Post by evafromgreece on May 5, 2016 16:23:06 GMT -5
Hey guys :) Thank you Cindy for making clear all the above. But to be honest I have to say that terms like tribulation, rapture, millenial Kingdom takes a lot of effort from me to understand... Hard topics... I am moving on to Mark. I think it would be nice to study together the Revelation, since I am a bit afraid of going to this book on my own... I'm sorry Eva, I thought you understood those terms! Please tell me right away when you don't understand something! The Tribulation happens after the rapture and is the last 7 years during which God will pour out His wrath on mankind for their sin and wickedness, and especially on the Jews for rejecting Jesus.
The rapture is a term for what will happen to the people who are alive when Jesus calls His Church, (the body of Christ) to join Him in heaven. They will not die, they will be transformed and given their new bodies, will no longer have a sin nature, and will join Him in the air above the earth to go with Him to Heaven (New Jerusalem). All those who believed in Jesus and died before this happens, will be called to join Him in the air even before those who are alive at the time. So when He calls us, first the dead who died in belief will rise to join Him, and then those who are alive will rise to join Him in the air.
The Millennial Kingdom is the Kingdom that Jesus will begin after the tribulation. It is when Jesus will reign on the Earth for 1000 years. All those who joined Him in the rapture will also be part of that kingdom, as we will help rule the Kingdom with Him. Those who lived during the tribulation and came to believe in Him, will be part of the Kingdom too and will live with Him there for 1000 years. They will still have their sin nature, but Satan will be locked away and unable to influence them for most of that time.Satan will be released just before the end of that kingdom so he can deceive those who were born during that time and haven't chosen Jesus. Jesus will then destroy all the unbelievers and Satan will be thrown into the Lake of fire. Then the Great White Throne Judgement will happen where all the unbelievers are judged and sent to Hell. After that, God will destroy the earth and heavens and create brand new ones for us, for all who believe and trust in Him, and we will live on the new earth with Him for eternity.
This is a very, very, condensed version of what these things mean and what will happen. So please tell me what you don't understand now, as they are very important to understanding all of God's Word.
Thank you Cindy :) Its not that I dont understand these terms at all, we have discussed them various of times, I have searched them also. The thing is that its good to be reminded of them often. Because there are terms far from what I can even imagine and that makes it hard to truly understand them. Similar difficulty I face when I read about what happened to Jesus on the cross, I mean how He suffered. These are things that my mind is too small to understand. But I believe it would be a good idea to study the Revelation together. It might sound strange but, I am a big afraid of reading it again. When I also see verses from it I feel strange feelings I cannot express. I cannot truly understand it, its really hard. But also when I see what is going to happen I am a bit afraid. Like a 5 year old who has just saw a horror movie and cannot sleep. I am not afraid for me. I have Him! But I cannot explain this feeling.
Today, Wed. May 4th I read Mark 4: 21-33
Jesus talks about a Lamp on a stand parable ....things we hide, if not confessed, will be brought to light In any case, it was a good reminder to always confess to the Lord and never try to think I could ever hide anything from Him.
The parable about how seeds grow
and the parable of the mustard seed.
I have often wondered about the mustard seed, because the mustard seed in our country, at this time, is not the smallest of all the seeds, nor does it grow into a tree.
I am wondering if perhaps in the day our Lord walked in Israel, back then, there was a variety of mustard that was indeed the smallest of seeds, and also grew into a tree so that the birds could sit in it.
Interesting points. Let me share what commentaries say about that for you:
The claim that the mustard seed is the smallest seed is made in the context of this parable which is set in a garden, for the word translated ‘herbs’ in v. 32 literally means ‘garden plants.’ The Life of Christ
The mustard seed is not the smallest of all seeds in existence, but it was in comparison to all the other seeds the Jews sowed in Israel. The MacArthur study Bible
This parable has an elaborate double-question introduction which states in essence that the emergence of God’s kingdom is similar to what happens to a mustard seed (the common black mustard, sinapis nigra) after it is sown on the ground. In Jewish thinking, its small size was proverbial since it was the smallest of all the seeds sown in the field. It took 725-760 mustard seeds to weigh a gram (28 grams equal one ounce). The mustard shrub is an annual plant which, growing from seed, becomes the largest of all garden plants (ta lachana, “large, fast-growing annual shrubs”) in Palestine, reaching a height of 10–12 feet in a few weeks. Birds of the air (undomesticated fowl) are attracted by its seed and the shade of its large branches. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Jesus did not intend to teach botany here but to make a point about the kingdom of God. The mustard seed was the smallest seed of any plant cultivated in first-century Palestine and was proverbial for minuteness. Though mustard is not technically a tree, it can grow to a height of from six to ten feet and support birds. Jesus was probably making a theological point that His readers would catch, alluding either to Ezk 31:17 or Dn 4:12 and the world dominion of God’s kingdom. Alternatively the statement may have been meant to shock: The kingdom of heaven will grow much bigger than one would expect when seeing its beginning. The Apologetics Study Bible
Hope that helps. I'm going to go try and post some about some of the things I've been learning....
Did you see what I said about the devotionals I've been posting?
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Post by evafromgreece on May 4, 2016 16:04:22 GMT -5
I read from Matthew 24 and finished the book. I am not sure about Matthew 24: 9-31, it is talking about the events before or after the rapture? I believe it is talking about the events that will follow rapture.I amnot sure of the meaning of "'the abomination that causes desolation,' in verse 15Verse 36-51 Jesus is talking about how we should live, and that we should not live like the unbelievers do thinking that "we have time to repent". We dont know neither the time we will die, nor the time the rapture will be. Jesus continues on 25 about the same issue. We have to be ready and prepared. 25:14-30 it talks about how we should spread Gods Word and not to keep it only for ourselves, or did I miss something? 25:31-46 I believe is linked to chapter 22:34-40, the sheeps are the ones that kept the commandment that is above all, to choose to love is above all. In 26:25 I wondered why the other disciples didnt say anything when Judah was obvious that he was the one to betray Jesus. In 26:69-75 it was sad to see Peter acting like this because of fear. Sometimes we also do the same thing, at I least I know I failed to do this, not to say what I believe, because I was afraid of other people, but its sad and its wrong. To hide your belief its the same thing as denying Him. As for Judas in 27:3-10 I heard that he could be forgiven if he has repented and did not murder himself, could this be true? The following verses until the end of the book of Matthew are too "big" lets say to describe them with words. I am always unable to even imagive what He faced in order to save all of us, and we dont deserved it... OK, here we go: Matthew 24: In order to understand what Jesus is talking about, you have to pay attention to the context, which is where they are, who He is talking to, and what they asked Him . He's talking to His disciples only, and they are Jew's, and are asking a very Jewish question. Remember, Israel as a nation had already officially denied and rejected Christ as their Savior. So what they really wanted to know was how was Jesus going to start His Kingdom and when was it going to happen. So the first 35 verses, are talking mainly about the the tribulation with some of it being about the times just before the tribulation. (not the rapture itself, but what will be happening on the earth just before the tribulation begins.) Keep in mind though that Jesus is speaking to Jew's about what will happen to them, the Jewish Nation.
"'the abomination that causes desolation,' in Matthew 24:15 is something that will happen half way through the tribulation. It is a VERY important sign! The word “desolation” means sacrilege. This is from the prophecy in Daniel 9:27, and is also spoken of in Daniel 11:31, and Daniel 12:11. The Antichrist will do something in the temple that will cause it to be defiled and insist that only he is to be worshiped, and that they can no longer worship the God of their Father's. This sign, when it happens, will tell the Jewish people that see it, to flee to the mountains or they will be killed. Jesus tells them they don't have time to even stop to get anything but that they should run away as quickly as possible if they are to live. God has prepared a place in the desert (probably Petra) where they will be kept safe from the Antichrist until the end of the Tribulation. When this happens, it means that the very worst persecution of any that has ever happened before is about to start. This will make the Holocaust look like a picnic.
Notice that the first 35 verses are talking about a time that has specific events that will happen that people will be able to tell that soon, Jesus will return for the second time. Starting with verse 35 though, it changes a little and we're told that no one can know exactly when He will return. Then examples are given to show how people won't bother to understand what's happening and will go on living like they always have.
The verses that we usually are mistaken about at first are Matthew 24:40–44. We often mistakenly think He is talking about the rapture there, but He is not. Again, we have to remember that Jesus is speaking to Jew's about what will happen to them. He is talking about what will happen at the end of the tribulation when He has returned. The people taken away, are taken for judgement, not for reward, so this cannot be the rapture. The people left behind are those who will live and be part of the Millennial Kingdom.
Of course He has to also say what will happen to those who don't believe, those who are just pretending, and all the wicked as well as those who are really saved. This is what He is talking about in Matthew 24:45–51.
Matthew 25 is about what will happen after Jesus has returned to earth the second time with all of us, His Church, with Him. Here He tells us about the judgements that will happen to those who have lived through the tribulation. The parable of the ten virgins, Matthew 25:1-13 explains what will happen to both the believing and unbelieving Jews at that time.
The Parable of the Talents starting in Matthew 25:14 continues to explain what will happen in this judgement. What it teaches can also be applied to us as well, as it's mainly showing how people will be judged. It's showing that those who are really saved will bear fruit for God. Those who are only pretending, won't, and they will be assigned to hell.
The Sheep and Goats starting in Matthew 25:31 shows the judgement of the Nations. This will be mainly to judge how the people who lived during the tribulation treated the Jews. Those who are true believers will have treated them with love and helped them, and they will enter the Millennial Kingdom. Those who didn't help the Jew's when they had opportunity, will be sent to Hell to wait for the final judgement after the Millennium.
After this judgement Jesus will begin the Millennial Kingdom. Even though these chapters are about the Jew's, the tribulation and second coming, we can also apply what He taught here to our lives.
In Matthew 26:25 , the disciples did not say anything because they did not know that Judas was the one who would betray Jesus. Only Jesus knew this, and He had known it even before He chose Judas as one of His disciples. When we read about it, it can sound like the disciples should have known, but the way the table was set up, and all that was happening then, there was no way they could have known, and Jesus did not want them to know, so that is why He did things the way He did.
About Judas in Matthew 27:3. No, he cannot be forgiven because he did not truly repent. The word in the original language means that he felt badly about it because he didn't expect them to kill Jesus. He felt badly about what would now happen to Jesus, not about what he did. Judas did not repent of his sins. Remorse & regret are not the same as repentance. Jesus clearly said that Judas was a devil (John 6:70), & that, though the prophecies would be fulfilled, Judas would still be guilty of deliberate sin (Matt. 26:24). He said, “I have sinned” (Matthew 27:4) because he had been caught in the act, but he did not show sincere repentance. He had rejected the truth and believed a lie, and Satan had taken possession of him. Judas showed human remorse but not spiritual repentance. In verse 3 where it says, "was remorseful" it means ‘to regret, to be sorry, to change one’s mind.’ It is not the word that is usually used for ‘repent’; the NT only uses it 6 times, and it is never used for a change of heart, but only for a change of mind; it is intellectual, not spiritual.
My goodness Eva, you took in one huge bite what takes me at least a month to study! Slow down! But you're doing very well. I hope what I've tried to explain to you has helped you, and I'm sorry I couldn't do it yesterday, but as you can see these chapters are very involved and take a lot of time study and explain. And although I've been writing this for over an hour, I've only explained the very bare outline of it all.
Hey guys :) Thank you Cindy for making clear all the above. But to be honest I have to say that terms like tribulation, rapture, millenial Kingdom takes a lot of effort from me to understand... Hard topics... I am moving on to Mark. I think it would be nice to study together the Revelation, since I am a bit afraid of going to this book on my own...
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Post by evafromgreece on May 2, 2016 16:55:51 GMT -5
I read from Matthew 24 and finished the book.
I am not sure about Matthew 24: 9-31, it is talking about the events before or after the rapture? I believe it is talking about the events that will follow rapture. I amnot sure of the meaning of "'the abomination that causes desolation,' in verse 15 Verse 36-51 Jesus is talking about how we should live, and that we should not live like the unbelievers do thinking that "we have time to repent". We dont know neither the time we will die, nor the time the rapture will be. Jesus continues on 25 about the same issue. We have to be ready and prepared. 25:14-30 it talks about how we should spread Gods Word and not to keep it only for ourselves, or did I miss something? 25:31-46 I believe is linked to chapter 22:34-40, the sheeps are the ones that kept the commandment that is above all, to choose to love is above all. In 26:25 I wondered why the other disciples didnt say anything when Judah was obvious that he was the one to betray Jesus. In 26:69-75 it was sad to see Peter acting like this because of fear. Sometimes we also do the same thing, at I least I know I failed to do this, not to say what I believe, because I was afraid of other people, but its sad and its wrong. To hide your belief its the same thing as denying Him. As for Judas in 27:3-10 I heard that he could be forgiven if he has repented and did not murder himself, could this be true? The following verses until the end of the book of Matthew are too "big" lets say to describe them with words. I am always unable to even imagive what He faced in order to save all of us, and we dont deserved it...
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Post by evafromgreece on May 2, 2016 16:24:56 GMT -5
Speaking about Easter. In Easter and general on holidays like this at church we dont do anything special. I am not sure if in other areas, at bigger churches they do anything different, but we dont. And its no surpise, because it seems the church exists just because it has to, because it must exist and nothing else. In Greek Orthodox church they celebrate Easter in a negative way. And what Matthew 21:12-13 says perfectly applies to them. Greek Easter is consuming, is "fasting" and then eat to death, dancing and jumping and having no idea for what reason this is all about. But... You know something? Our church is not any better. Cold as ice. It is equally wrong but in a different way. In Matthew 21: 18-21 I cannot understand what was wrong with this fig tree. I see that Jesus wanted to show to the disciples what faith is capable of doing, but why to "punish" a fig tree? Then on 21: 28-32 Jesus describes how the Jews wont accept Him but the other Nations will and on 33-42 about the prophets the Jews kiiled and that they will kill also the Messiah that they were supposed to be waiting for. And then He says again that the other nations will accept Him. Continuing in chapter 22 Jesus speaks about salvation the first people He tried to invite to be saved was the Jews, but they were not interested, so He called other nations. I am not sure about 22:11-14 does it mean that that person who was "kicked out" didnt prepare his heart in order to be a part of the Kingdom of God? Also I am not sure of the meaning of 22: 44-45. Hm... I dont know In chapter 23 I see in Pharisees more of Greek Easter and the priests of the Orthodox churces. 23:4 it reminds me of the fasting they make the people do for 40 days . Dont eat meat, actually their fast is like a vegan diet. "Fast" and then speak to a priest to say to you that your sins are forgiven and then take part to the Communion. I am not sure even today what is the correct way of fasting, but I know their focus on food and not the soul is wrong. And yes Greek priests want people to be call them "father" and people to kiss their hand and verse 13 its also speaking for them, they do steal peoples donations to live a big life, but its not only them. There are also protestants that do this also. Like "pastor" Benny Hinn and his big life, his fake miracles and false teachings. And 23:15... Yes these people make others to think bad things about God, because not all people are able to understand that these people does not serve the Lord but the enemy. And just like people say that they dont want "that kind of God" and deny Him and dont even want to listen anything , or they do what these people do because they consider them all good... I am moving on 24 I'll be happy to discuss the way the churches are with you if you want me to, but I don't want you to take it as criticism so I'll wait and see first.
The thing is not how they are with me, but how they are with each other also. For example. People in my church do not have ANY fellowship after church Sunday and Wednesday. People are getting fewer every day. We are fewer than 2012 when I started attending this church. So, its not something with me, its not personal. Its a general thing. The church life is for 3 hours per week and then everyone goes back to their lives. Often in summer we have also tourists that visit Rhodes come to attend the church. They ignore them. All of them, and even people who also speak English pretend they dont and they dont speak to them. And I dont know how these people are always friendly and want to chat with me. With some of them I have kept contact, we have drunk together a cup of coffee and talked about the Lord. I really love summer. There is a couple from Scottland that are visiting the island every year and we are too close. They are much older, they could have been my parents, but they are fun :P and I really enjoy their company and their fellowship. They will be here next month and I cant wait !!! I have heard a lot of people complaing that my church is not friendly to visitors, they complain to me because I am the only one that talks to them. So the issue is not new, and it is not with me. All people that I have discuss this with them, or that they open the conversation always tell me "that we need to have fellowship", but unfortunatelly we dont. I have discussed this many times with the pastor in the past, expressed ideas of how it could be fixed or how we could be more active and do more things but... So now that you have more details, I would like to have your point of view About the fig tree. Remember, this happened at the very end of our Lord's ministry. Barbara is right that the fig tree is a symbol of Israel but we can learn a lesson from it as well. That tree had had a long time to grow and bear fruit, but there was no fruit on it. Israel had also had a long time to bear spiritual fruit but they had not either. They had already rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus cursed the tree because it was not doing what it had been created to do. Israel also was not doing what it had been created to do, and told about many times by Moses and the prophets. Cursing the fig tree was an object lesson for Israel of divine judgment because of her spiritual fruitlessness and for rejecting Him. Jesus even told a parable about it that explained this in Luke 13:6–9. In that parable He said the tree had been given 3 years to produce fruit, but had none. At the time He literally cursed the fig tree, all the time He gave the tree to bear fruit in the parable had past. Israel's time was up, and they too would be cursed. Even knowing this Jesus was merciful and gave them until 70ad to repent.
How did Israel fail? They failed because they refused to believe Him and have faith in Him. Israel pretended to be fruitful, they had the temple and sacrifices and all their rituals, but there was no real faith in God in their hearts. When Jesus cursed the fig tree (that generation of Israel) He was showing them that He now rejected them because He knew they would never bear fruit for Him.
So this was a direct warning to Israel, and a lesson for everyone that God's kindness and mercy will eventually end if we continue to ignore or disobey Him. It teaches us that God expects us to bear fruit for Him. Jesus, as Israel's judge, pronounced the sentence, but it wasn't carried out for about another 40 years.
God is sovereign over all creation, which includes trees, plants, animals, nature, and mankind. The tree was not bearing fruit the way it was created to do, and therefore was judged and found wanting. It wasn't "innocent" any more then any human being is innocent of sin.
You described the parable of the wedding banquet well. The person who was "kicked out" as you said, was a person who was not really saved, but only pretended to be. Remember, the king asked him how he got in without wedding clothes. The wedding clothes represent the righteousness of Christ that we are clothed with when we are saved. (Isaiah 61:10) Therefore he will go to Hell, instead of Heaven. When Jesus says that many are invited but few are chosen, He is talking about how all are invited to accept His gift of salvation, but many don't. Those who don't accept it are not "elected" or "chosen" by God.
About verse 44 and 45, In the original language, the first ‘Lord’ is Yhwh, God’s name in Hebrew, and the second ‘Lord’ is Adonai, the Hebrew word for ‘Lord.’ So this verse reads literally, ‘Yhwh (God) said to my Lord, (Jesus) “Sit at my right hand.” ’ The Messiah, then, is man because He is David’s son, yet He is God because He sits at the right hand of Yhwh (God the Father)! David recognizes Him as deity by calling Him ‘my Lord.’ It proves that the Messiah must be both man and God.
In chapter 23 about Rabbi … father … leaders: Here Jesus condemns pride and pretense, not the titles themselves. Paul repeatedly speaks of “leaders” in the church, and even refers to himself as the Corinthians’ “father”(1Cor 4:15). Obviously, this does not forbid the showing of respect, either (cf. 1 Thess. 5:11-12; 1 Tim 5:1). Christ is merely forbidding the use of such names as spiritual titles, or in an ostentatious sense that accords undue spiritual authority to a human being, as if he were the source of truth rather than God. The MacArthur study Bible He is stressing that we are all servants, even though there would be some among us who are pastors, teachers, leaders etc. As God gives us those teachers/pastors, fathers, leaders, to help us.
I enjoyed reading your post, you did a great job telling about what you read and how it affected you.Thank you for clearing out what I didnt see :)
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Post by evafromgreece on May 2, 2016 16:01:34 GMT -5
Hey guys, I havent seen your replies on the other thread, because I didnt get any notification. Probably because you didnt quote me, I dont get notifications for new replies. Eva I don't mean this as a criticism but your question about why did Jesus rebuke the fig tree, so reminded me of Jonah and the vine. I think your question puts you in good company, because Jonah was greatly loved by the Lord.
But remember God's answer to Johan about his plant which also did no wrong:
Ch 4:9-11 "9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
I think I will let Cindy tackle the reason Jesus cursed this plant. I have read tho, that the fig tree represented Israel.... but I will leave it at that, least I mislead you.
s Thank you Barbara for your helpful reply :) There is no reason to see is as criticism, dont worry. By the way Hot Cross Buns seem really nice !!
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 30, 2016 14:38:33 GMT -5
Speaking about Easter. In Easter and general on holidays like this at church we dont do anything special. I am not sure if in other areas, at bigger churches they do anything different, but we dont. And its no surpise, because it seems the church exists just because it has to, because it must exist and nothing else. In Greek Orthodox church they celebrate Easter in a negative way. And what Matthew 21:12-13 says perfectly applies to them. Greek Easter is consuming, is "fasting" and then eat to death, dancing and jumping and having no idea for what reason this is all about. But... You know something? Our church is not any better. Cold as ice. It is equally wrong but in a different way. In Matthew 21: 18-21 I cannot understand what was wrong with this fig tree. I see that Jesus wanted to show to the disciples what faith is capable of doing, but why to "punish" a fig tree? Then on 21: 28-32 Jesus describes how the Jews wont accept Him but the other Nations will and on 33-42 about the prophets the Jews kiiled and that they will kill also the Messiah that they were supposed to be waiting for. And then He says again that the other nations will accept Him. Continuing in chapter 22 Jesus speaks about salvation the first people He tried to invite to be saved was the Jews, but they were not interested, so He called other nations. I am not sure about 22:11-14 does it mean that that person who was "kicked out" didnt prepare his heart in order to be a part of the Kingdom of God? Also I am not sure of the meaning of 22: 44-45. Hm... I dont know
In chapter 23 I see in Pharisees more of Greek Easter and the priests of the Orthodox churces. 23:4 it reminds me of the fasting they make the people do for 40 days . Dont eat meat, actually their fast is like a vegan diet. "Fast" and then speak to a priest to say to you that your sins are forgiven and then take part to the Communion. I am not sure even today what is the correct way of fasting, but I know their focus on food and not the soul is wrong. And yes Greek priests want people to be call them "father" and people to kiss their hand and verse 13 its also speaking for them, they do steal peoples donations to live a big life, but its not only them. There are also protestants that do this also. Like "pastor" Benny Hinn and his big life, his fake miracles and false teachings. And 23:15... Yes these people make others to think bad things about God, because not all people are able to understand that these people does not serve the Lord but the enemy. And just like people say that they dont want "that kind of God" and deny Him and dont even want to listen anything , or they do what these people do because they consider them all good...
I am moving on 24
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 28, 2016 17:01:31 GMT -5
Now we can understand the perils that were hidden in Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27. For one thing, we must not “suppose” (Matt. 20:10) that we will get something more if we really do not deserve it. It is possible to do the Father’s work & yet not do His will from the heart (Eph. 6:6). If we serve Him only for the benefits (temporal & eternal), then we will miss the best blessings He has for us. We must trust Him unreservedly & believe that He will always give what is best. There is the danger of pride. “What shall we have?” asked Peter. This parable warned him, “How do you know you will have anything?” Beware of overconfidence when it comes to the rewards God will give, for those first in their own eyes (& in the eyes of others) may end up last! Likewise, do not get discouraged; for those who consider themselves “unprofitable servants” may end up first. Beware of the danger of watching other workers and measuring yourself by them. “Judge nothing before the time,” Paul warns in 1 Cor 4:5. We see the worker and the work, but God sees the heart. Finally, we must beware of criticizing God and feeling that we have been left out. Had the early morning workers trusted the owner and not asked for an agreement, the owner would have given them much more. He was generous, but they would not trust him. They did not rejoice that others received more; instead, they were jealous & complained. The goodness of the owner did not lead them to repentance (Rom. 2:4). It revealed the true character of their hearts: They were selfish! Whenever we find a complaining servant, we know he has not fully yielded to the master’s will. The Bible exposition commentary
I hope my explanations from yesterday and today have helped you understand what Jesus was saying. It really is a good idea to make notes by the verses so you don't forget it in the future. I also just realized that you may take my reply as a criticism, but it is not. You don't need to be afraid or ashamed of making mistakes or of not seeing the whole picture. We all make mistakes and none of us learn without making lots of them. It's part of being human. It would be a sin for me to read what you wrote and not tell you the truth. It would be a sin because I would not be acting in love, I would be acting in fear instead. It would be acting in fear of you taking it wrong and having your feelings hurt, and that is not love. Love always tells the truth because it wants the best for the one who is loved. Love wants the other to grow and flourish, and not just stay the same. When my children were little, I did not tell just them they were doing great when they got their spelling or their math wrong, I corrected them and told them to keep trying and that they were doing fine. That's what I'm saying to you too. It's ok to make mistakes, you're trying and doing a good job at it. Hey guys! Today I finished Matthew 21. I will post tomorrow my comments on this :) Thank you Cindy for making these verses clear. I just didnt understand much of the comentary you posted, because it turned to difficult language. Yeah, it must me harder for wealthy people to get saved, but I cannot really relate to this lol, since I have never had much money :P I can only imagine it can be harder. Proverbs 30:8–9 make it even clear , probably the worse thing is extreme wealth or extreme poverty, because on the other hand you can steal, of be angry or lose all faith. But... Now I just remembered that Job was a rich guy before the trial, wasnt he? How about this thing. Dont worry I am not taking this reply as a criticism. From now on I will be clear about how I see your replies. I wrote in the other thread what I saw as criticism, and what bothers me. Anyway, we will have Easter this Sunday. Tomorrow is Big Friday here. We use to dye eggs and make cookies. I dont remember if I asked you before, do you do anything like this in Easter?
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 27, 2016 12:20:03 GMT -5
Hello guys! Matthew 19:13 the desciples tell the children to go away even though they heard Jesus on 18:01-05. It seems like they could not see exactly what He was talking about. I believe in verse 24, it doesnt mean just having money but loving them. If you love money, if your heart is there you wont be with the Lord. Some say if you just have money and material you wont be with the Lord, that you need to be poor , but I dont think that is what it says. In chapter 20:01-16 the people that worked from the morning and paid the same as the ones that came later are the old in faith and the others the new ones? The prize salvation? Or He was talking about also the Jews (old) and the nations (new)? But the prize there could not be salvation as Jews did not accept Him. And I am finishing 20 and moving to 21
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 26, 2016 15:04:21 GMT -5
Hey guys :) I studied Matthew 17-18 I saw something again in 16 that I am not sure what it means. On 16:28, I am not sure. I feel its a bit of a contradiction here, but I cannot express my thoughts right in English about this , I cannot find the words. The Kingdom didnt come that period because Jews didnt accept Him, so why He is talking about something that they will see soon? Chapter 18:3-4 its good to remember and to have it always in mind. In verse 6 , is He talking about people that lead others away from Him and faith, or bad things that a believer would face in general? Verse 10, I dont want to be "critical" at some churches , but the should have remembered this before they consider their salvation as something they inherit from their families and before they were so "proud" and unwilling to welcome new people at their churches and consider them brothers and sisters in Christ. And it continues in 12-14. I will continue on 19 . I saw the posts at the other thread, I will reply tomorrow on them
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 25, 2016 13:06:25 GMT -5
"The crowd does seem to be patient, don't they? They're eager to be healed and to see miracles done and don't want to leave. Sadly, they didn't come to hear His Words about salvation, but to see or receive miracles. If you remember from when we studied the gospels before, right after Jesus fed the 5000 (Matt 14:16; Mark 6:37; Luke 9:13; John 6:8) the crowd tried to make Him their King. It doesn't say anything about it in Matthew, but it happened right after He dismissed the crowd. It explains it in John: “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:14–15) Jesus knew that what they wanted was to make Him King thinking that way He would miraculously feed them and keep them safe. They still were not interested in repenting of their sins and doing God's Will."
Now it makes a sence :) Thank you for making and all the other things clear.
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 22, 2016 16:37:11 GMT -5
OK, I have something embarrassing to tell you guys and once my decision is made, may need you guys to hold me accountable for a change...
Here's my problem: I've been studying the Lord's word the same way for the last 16 years. I always start right after I wake up and continue until I have to come here and post, and then I eat and go do my chores around the house when I'm done here. All years this year I've been feeling like I need to curtail my study time so that I have more time to do the things needed around the house. It was never even possible before the Lord showed me that I wouldn't be in so much pain if I slept sitting up, but now, it is possible. I'm still in a lot of pain, but it's nothing like it used to be. Anyway, I've been trying and trying and trying, and I simply cannot tear myself away from His Word!!!! I always wind up running very, very late, (like today - it's almost 1pm now) I usually start my studying by 7am - sometimes a little earlier, depending on when I wake up. If I allowed myself to study as long as I really wanted to, I'd be just finishing up when Bruce got home from work at 3:30. (I've done that a number of times so I know lol) My goal was to finish studying by 10 am. But when I think about it, that's only giving me 3 hours for study and prayer! I just can't do it in that little amount of time! Well, I guess the truth is that I can, but I don't want to stop! If I was positive that the Lord wanted me to quit sooner, I'd do it with no problem, but I'm not sure about it. So I guess that's the real problem. But I always wind up feeling rushed and feeling torn.... I really do want to do more around the house now, but I don't want to give up my time with the Lord! So what can I do? I don't want to study after Bruce is home, because then I won't be able to spend any time with him, and that's important too, and I know the Lord wants me to spend time with my husband, so that's out. I seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. It's driving me nuts. Somehow I've got to decide what I'm going to do and then discipline myself to do it. Cindy, what if you have some time studying and praying until 10 or 10.30 and then after Bruce gets home continue for some time. For a example, if he needs some time to just relax after work, you will get to have some more study time and then again have the time to spend some time together? I suppose he needs some time to relax? Right?
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 22, 2016 16:28:28 GMT -5
Hey guys,
The last 2 days I studied Matthew ch 13-16. I have to say ch 14:1-12 made me angry, I dont know how to describe it in another way, seeing again how John the baptist die because of one man have sinful lust for a woman. Actually, I see there one woman "making" a man doing something really bad, he could say no actually but he didnt. But, that might be a childish thought, I know its not right and accurate, but what if someone claims that women are "more evil" than men? Another example Adam and Eve. It looks like it, but I know thats not true, because men could have said no and not sin. Also, the diciples though they have seen in 14:13-21 Jesus feeding the crowd, they have doubts again in 15:32-39 and again they asked Jesus "how we can feed all them"... But in both times the patient crownd reminds me of Luke 12:31 In Matthew 16:4 I don understand what is the sign of Jonah, and I think it was mentioned also before in the book.
I am moving on... I will let you know what I studied and what I think about what I studied
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 20, 2016 15:37:20 GMT -5
Ok guys, I believe you both made the issue about John it clear to me. Yesterday I studied Matthew ch 12 and now I am moving on. I dont have something to comment
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 19, 2016 15:01:07 GMT -5
Guys, I would appreciate a thread to discuss this. I dont want to argue, and I dont believe that if Cindy wrote something more on this would be arguing. I know Cindy wrote more than the things I putted on red colour. Not mentioning those things does not mean I dont see them also or I dont consider them. If I didint see that also, love and care, I wouldnt try to solve this, even late. I believe I should have open this conversation earlier. But, I will tell you again, one small thing : Please try not to jump in conclusions. Even if the things I wrote might sound crazy, please consider them for a minute.
Anyway... I studied from Matthew 1-11 In Matthew 11:3 John asks if Jesus was the Messiah. Why? Didnt he know already? Didnt he recognise Him from the baptism in chapter 3?
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 18, 2016 15:52:12 GMT -5
After reading it all over again, I'm afraid I do not see any criticism and cannot see why you're disappointed. The only criticism was during the first two months when you were not following the directions. And that wasn't even really criticism, it was simply trying to get everyone to do what we had agreed to do, so that this would work for us. I see quite a lot of encouragement in my posts to you. Do you see that too? I tried to encourage you even though you still were not participating the way we had agreed to. I can see by my replies that I tried everything I could to get you to talk more and to participate more, but nothing worked. You have hardly posted at all during all these months, and half of your posts are about why you can't post. That tells me that you don't want to participate, and that's fine. You don't have to.
I told you several times that you didn't have to participate here if you didn't want to, but each time you came back saying you did want to. So I let it go and again kept trying to encourage you. It was honestly very frustrating to me. The whole point of this was to show that we are studying God's Word every single day. Now, if you have been studying His Word daily for the last 12 months or more, then you don't even need to be part of this anyway! I thought, when we first started discussing this, that both you and Barbara said that you did not study daily. It was for that reason that I started this, so that I could help you both get into the habit of daily study. I wanted it to be fun and encouraging for us all. I wanted us to be able to share with each other. That's hard to do when you don't show up most of the time. The few times you do show up each month, you act like nothing's happened and that no one should be worried or upset that you haven't been here. The only people who would act that way, are people who didn't care about you. Our sin natures pulls us away from God's Word, and it hates correction, just as it hates self control and self discipline. It finds all kinds of excuses to get us away from God's Word and get us away from other godly Christians too. There have been many times when I have not wanted to come here and post, but I did it anyway because I'd made a commitment to both of you. When we make a commitment, we also make it before God, so we don't honor God when we break it. He wants us to keep our word. Our sin nature hates it though and will do all it can to stop us. I don't know if they have this saying in Greece, but here, we have a saying that actions speak louder then words, and it's very true. That you don't post very often tells me that you don't want to be here, and no matter how hard I tried, it hasn't gotten you to come more often. Instead, as you just said, you see my replies as criticism, which they are not. I ask you questions because I'm interested, and because I care. I asked why you were confused because I wanted to help you and I could not do that until I knew what you were confused about. I asked what happened to your computer because I'm often able to fix computers that other people can't fix, so I was hoping I'd be able to help you fix your computer. If you see my posts as discouragement, it's because of your sin nature. It is looking for an excuse to quit, just as it has been all along. I love you and care about you. I don't want to see you lose what you have gained from the Lord. But I'm very much afraid that is what is going to happen. I'm afraid that you either already are backsliding or that you will backslide, because as far as I know you don't go to church regularly and don't have any good solid Christian friends to help you in your walk with God. I don't want to see that happen to you. So I urge you to find a church, any church, and start going to it regularly. No church is perfect, but anything is better then nothing. If you do, then sooner or later, you will find a good godly young woman to be your friend. Being here regularly with us would help you, but you're not here regularly. You let other things come before this. I know you work hard, and I know you get tired and I know you get sick at times. We all get sick and we all get tired. But this is where that saying comes in: "actions speak louder then words". If you really truly wanted to be here, you would find a way to do it. If being here was really important to you, then this is where you'd be. Being sick or tired wouldn't stop you. The same thing is true for me and for Barbara too, and everyone else for that matter. We all tend to do what we really want to do, and avoid the things that aren't that important to us. Barbara and I live with chronic severe pain and have more diseases then we can count anymore! But we want to spend time with each other in God's Word, so we make it here almost every day to do that. Sure, we miss a day or two once in a while and I take Sunday's off now that I'm going to church, as my children and grandchildren come home from church with me, so I have a house full, and can't stop and take time to post here that day. But no matter how much pain we're in, or how sick we are, we generally come here and post something to let the others know that we think this is important too. Obviously if we lose our internet connection and don't have any other way of posting here, then we just have to wait till our internet is fixed. If we could find another way to post though, we would. I wasn't upset that you couldn't be here because of no internet. I noticed one other thing in looking back and reading all the posts including many of Barbara's and my replies to her. I don't think there is anything I said to you Eva, that I didn't also say to Barbara at one time or another. I asked Barbara to explain her schedule, she did and I misunderstood it, and had to apologize for that. I asked her quite a lot of questions over the last few months, but she did not take them as criticisms, she took them for what they were...questions showing that I cared about her and wanted to help her grow in her faith. I'm tired of being the "teacher". I'm no better then either one of you. I really wanted this thread to be a sharing thread for all of us. So we could share together what the Lord had shown us each day about what we'd read. It has become that for me and Barbara. I just wish it could be that with you too. One other thing too. Barbara and I have both learned to give other people the benefit of the doubt. In other words, when someone says something to us, and we think it could be taken as criticism or a put down, we choose to think that the other person probably wasn't feeling too well, or was extra tired, and so what they wrote came out wrong. We choose to believe the best about the other person until they prove us wrong. (well, at least we try to, but we're human too and fail sometimes). You'd be surprised at how often it turns out to be true and the other person had no intention of putting us down or criticizing us. Other times, I'll choose to believe that I'm the one that isn't feeling well, and because of that, I'm taking what they said the wrong way. Again, 99% of the time, I'm right when I do that. So if nothing else, I hope by writing all of this, that you can see that I care about you and love you. It's your choice whether or not you want to participate, just as it always has been. You need to let us know what you decide. In the meantime, I'll pray for you, and I'm sure Barbara is too. I lost my first post to you so had to rewrite it and I simply have run out of time. I hope this answers your questions though. Read more: fresh-hope.com/thread/1767/daily-time-lord#ixzz46D5TpR7IThat tells me that you don't want to participate, and that's fine. You don't have to.
That you don't post very often tells me that you don't want to be here, and no matter how hard I tried, It is looking for an excuse to quit, just as it has been all along. I love you and care about you. I don't want to see you lose what you have gained from the Lord. But I'm very much afraid that is what is going to happen. I'm afraid that you either already are backsliding or that you will backslide, because as far as I know you don't go to church regularly and don't have any good solid Christian friends to help you in your walk with God. and avoid the things that aren't that important to us. One other thing too. Barbara and I have both learned to give other people the benefit of the doubt.
Hello Cindy, From the part in red it seems that you have already decided that I dont want to be here, I am not willing to study Gods Word or go to the church and that I am backsliding, and everything that has to do with the Lord is not really important, and that is why I am avoiding them... Wow! And then you speak about the benefit of the doubt... You know something? The fact that you "know" for me , even though you dont know is what makes me avoid to post. I've tried many times to explain this to you. I am trying now one more time, but I dont know if you are going to see this. Sometimes, its good for us to say that we dont know, if we dont, instead of jump into conclusions. I told you again many times, and as I've seen I ve said you again on February 5th, as long as you posted the whole thread, I prefer to read instead of writing to explain why. That really makes me not willing to post. This is the root of the problem. And if its possible to be solved, it would be easier if you tried not to be so sure about what you think. The benefit of the doubt you wrote... Where is it? And I wrote, that I might be wrong about you wanted to critisize. But, you are so sure... Even though you dont know. So instead of being sure that I dont want to participate and that I want to get away from the Lord and find excuses as you say and that is not really importand, try to think for a while for the strange things I write here... Also, isnt it a bit strange that I dont write anymore much personal things, how I feel , what I am doing etc? Havent ever cross your mind that I might not feel that confortable anymore to post because I might be afraid of the reaction I get? For example, about a year ago , or more you wrote that I normally shouldnt have anxiety-fear problems after all these years, when I posted something I was facing that period. It was at the previous FH , so I cannot find it. And that an example of how I actually stopped sharing my thoughts. I am not blaming you, I am just trying to explain. And because all the above assumptions were wrong, I do want to participate, I am not looking for excuses, but not feeling confortable makes me unwilling to post, not to study but to post, AND I DID mention before that this is something that makes me not to post, and tried to explain. If I was really unwilling, it would be much easier I wouldnt be here trying to explain and wanting to be heard... Also, I am going to my church every Sunday, even though I hate this church because theres no other option. Almost 2 years ago I quitted for 2 months searching for another one, but then I did not find anything and got back, discussed with the pastor, but unfortunatelly things didnt get any better. And that was a story I DID share with you. The only true is that I dont have any christian friends around me. I dont know what else to write
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 15, 2016 12:47:45 GMT -5
Guys, I am studying daily. But every time I start being here posting what I have done, and believing that I am doing well, I feel I get critisim from the other side. Lets say why you are doing this this way instead of the other way. I get dissapointed and I am not willing to write anything. Speaking honestly thats what I feel. I might be wrong, but this is the way I see these things and I have to say I am dissapointed
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Post by evafromgreece on Apr 11, 2016 15:32:25 GMT -5
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 27, 2016 4:14:49 GMT -5
Hey guys! Do you have Easter there? We will next month , on the 1st of May. If thats true, I hope you have a Blessed Easter :)
Here is what I studied these days. On the 24th Philippians 4:1-13 on the 25th Romans 12: 1-21 Yesterday Hebrews 3 And today Colossians 3:1-17
I've been thinking... I have changed my Bible translation some months ago. My previous Bible was a bit in a bad condition and I bought a new one at the same translation we used at church. But... I noticed that it is a bit harder to read from this Bible, it uses a bit more formal language and it needs more effort to understand. So, these last 2 days I went back to my old one and it was much more easy for me. So I am thinking to buy a new one in this translation, because as I wrote before this is in a bad condition. I dont know why, but I want my Bible to be perfect , Ι dont want even a small scratch in the cover :P And then I will have 4 Bibles. I have 3, one with small pages to easily have it with me. My old one, my new one. I dont know why I am collecting Bibles :P LOL
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 22, 2016 17:01:14 GMT -5
Hey guys
Yesterday I studied Proverbs 4:1-27 and today 2 Corinthians 10: 1-6 and Ephesians 6:10-20
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 21, 2016 15:01:10 GMT -5
Hey guys :) I am back! Actually I couldnt get my laptop with me, and even if I could I couldnt use it with no internet connection. I had only some megabytes on my phone, which is almost nothing. I dont know if you have internet access through wifi on the streets, some countries in europe do have, but Greece does not. So if you are not at home, that means you have to have some data available from your mobile phone provider, some megabytes only, and this is actually almost nothing. To be honest I dont remember what I have studied exactly these past days. I should have writen the verses down, in a paper or something. And as long as I had a poor internet connection I havent post them immediatelly. I tried to go to another church in another area. found which but to go to. Found a map to get there... But I went to the area and got lost. I could not help myself with the map because in most streets there is not even one sign to show to you in which street you are walking, so... I was wondering around, and then got lost... And I got back without finding it :( And in a city of 800,000 people, Thessaloniki is the 2nd bigger city of Greecethere are only 2 evangelical churches. I found out that there are some pentecostal churches, but I avoid them. You know... Tongues and etc... Some false teachings... Remember about a year ago you gave me a link that had some bible reading plans. Do you still have the link to see some more reading plans? I think it was biblegateway.com, I will search again. I am wonering if it suggests some plans on lets say a topic or something.
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 14, 2016 13:03:25 GMT -5
Hey guys. I managed to have some days off work and came to see my old neighborhood. At least I am trying because its poring rain here. I don't have a computer or a standard connection . I just wanted to let you know I am here. I want to try to go to the church. The old woman I knew from that time asked me if we can go again there like in November because she liked the hymns. But I am not sure about this place after the disappointing experience we had there last time
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 11, 2016 17:38:54 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I am not home. I am in Thessaloniki and I have limited internet access. I will write as soon as possible to discuss with you what I have been studying
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 4, 2016 15:41:48 GMT -5
Hey guys
On Feb 25-26 I studied 1st Corinthians 1-2 27-28 1st Corinthians ch 13 29-1 March 2nd Corinthians ch 4 2-3 March 2nd Corithians ch 5
And I am about to see again ch 5 and then I will move to ch 8
You are right Cindy, I have to write more on what I read. I will try to do so starting from what I am going to study today.
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 24, 2016 16:42:05 GMT -5
Hey guys! On Feb 19 I studied Romans 5 Feb 20-21 Romans 6 Feb 22-23 Romans 7 Yeterday Romans 8 Today Romans 12
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 24, 2016 15:53:31 GMT -5
Hey guys! Barbara, believe it or not, I just got your Christmas card and your small gift! It was AWESOME! YOU MADE MY DAY! I AM SO HAPPY AND BLESSED :) But I am laughing about our post services... How long it took? 2 months or more? Cindy, if you sent me also a Christmas card, I havent got it yet, maybe on Easter it will arrive! Or next year :P Due to our perfect postal services :) If not, it is ok :) I am just wondering what is wrong with these so called "services". Ah.... Things in my country is getting worse every day...
I will write in a little while what I am studying
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 18, 2016 17:11:48 GMT -5
Hello everyone. I am feeling much better now. I dont remember in detail to write what I studied before Feb 10. But Feb 11-12 I studied Acts 13. Feb 13-14 Acts 14 Feb 15 Acts 15 Feb 16 I just came back from work and just ate and slept, I felt too sick. I was sleeping more than 12 hours. Hopefully on Feb I had a day off. Feb 17 Acts 16 And now I am moving on to Romans
As for the above it took me more time to study one single chapter , because when I was sick it was tto difficult for me to stay consentrated and I was reading the same verses over and over again...
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 10, 2016 16:11:37 GMT -5
I will reply to you soon. I am sick again with tonsilitis... I studied Acts 11-12 and now I am moving on
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 7, 2016 13:38:11 GMT -5
So if you want to do this, then you need to first let me know what your scheduled time to spend with the Lord is, and then be here every day and post what you read and what you got from it. If you do not want to do this, then again, just say so. But don't just disappear.
Ι am not sure if you understand what I am trying to say. My scheduled time is every night after work, but it cannot be the scheduled time in FH always. Anyway, if you wish create another thread as you said that we can talk about questions etc, and its ok
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 5, 2016 16:37:27 GMT -5
Hey guys, This period I studied John and now I started the book of Acts. I read 1-3 yesterday and today 4 and 8-9. I have one question on John 21:7, the disciple who Jesus loved was John? Also I have one general question about John. In Patmos island there is a cave that it is considered to be the cave where John wrote the Revelation. Is this the actual cave? Is this true? Eva, you have only posted a few times on this thread, January 3rd, 4th, and 12th are your only posts before today, so it's been 3 and a half weeks since your last post. Because it's been so long, I certainly don't expect you to write a list of what you studied each day for the last 3 weeks. That would be ridiculous. I would like to know though whether or not you plan on joining us in this or not? We've worried about you and waited for you and wondered about you and prayed for you, yet you never showed up here, or at least never posted. Why? I know that Barbara has written you and asked you why and you told her that you were reading this thread, but why were you reading it if you have no intention of joining us? And why would you read posts that said we were worried about you and not reply? Actually I didnt say exactly this. I was studying alone and then I saw an email of her and login and then I read that you were worrying and replied.
If you are going to be part of this, you need to first understand why we are doing it, and then you need to commit to doing it yourself. Do you even remember why we're doing it or what the directions were?
If you don't want to be part of this, that's fine, you don't have to be. If that's true, then at least tell us and then I will start a thread for you in this forum where you can just ask whatever questions you have. OK?The truth is that I do want to be a part of this, but I dont see how of this is possible. We are doing this in order to be closer to the Lord and learn His Word. (I am not sure if I use correct English). I believe we partly lost the purpose of this and we spend too much time and energy on explaining reasons like this instead of discussing the actual Word. This is why I dont believe it is possible. I dont see it like a possible thing because of this As for the study, today, I studied Acts ch 10.
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Post by evafromgreece on Feb 4, 2016 16:37:26 GMT -5
Hey guys,
This period I studied John and now I started the book of Acts. I read 1-3 yesterday and today 4 and 8-9. I have one question on John 21:7, the disciple who Jesus loved was John?
Also I have one general question about John. In Patmos island there is a cave that it is considered to be the cave where John wrote the Revelation. Is this the actual cave? Is this true?
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