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Post by Cindy on Jun 1, 2016 10:43:34 GMT -5
Eva, the part about there being two Messiah's was my answer to your post:Hey guys I studied Luke chapter 6 and 7. 6:27-36 As I read this again I feel that I have to make more effort on this. I believe that this is the hardest thing of all. Its hardest from all the commandments. To chose to love Gods way, the most important commandment and the hardest one. And 7:36-50 is quite similar too. In 7:18-23 I remember we said before that John was not sure because he was in prison and that was an example of how a human can have doubts under these circumstances. But, after reading again Luke, didnt he know from his parents and their story ase we read it in Luke chapter 1?
Eva, you really, really need to write this down in your bible next to Matt 11:2–19; and Luke 7:18–35 so you don't forget. You don't have to write all of this, just enough to remind you what it means.
We studied this years ago and have discussed it any number of times since then. Of course he knew about all of that, he was the one who told everyone that Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) But John was just a regular guy, a regular person like you and me. He had told Israel that the Messiah was coming and they had better repent of their sins and shape up. (Matthew 3:1–2 and especially Matthew 3:7–10) John could see as well as anyone that the people, especially the leaders hadn't repented, and he was waiting for the ax to fall - for judgment to come on them. Remember, the Jew's did not know that there was only going to be one Messiah. They thought there would be two of them - one who would be the conqueror, and the other one who would be the suffering servant. They were not at all interested in the suffering servant, they wanted the conqueror to come. They wanted to be freed from Rome's oppression of them. We can look back at history and understand the scriptures easily, but they were living them and didn't understand them at all. They could not figure out how one person could suffer and die and yet still start the Millennial Kingdom, freeing them from Rome (or whoever was oppressing them at the time) and making them the head of all nations. If they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, He still would have had to die for their sins and ours, but after His resurrection, He would have started the Millennial Kingdom right then. Since they did not accept Him, it meant that He would start the church instead, and then when He returns again start the Millennial Kingdom. Even John did not understand this then. Plus, being human, he was under a great deal of stress, and most likely other people were planting doubts in his mind too or he was at least hearing the doubts that other people talked about.
Jesus did not try to teach him about everything. Instead He answered his question by proving who He was with actions. Without saying anything, Jesus immediately started performing miracles right in front of John's disciples—curing diseases, casting out demons, and giving sight to the blind. He did not speak to them until He was finished. His reply summarized what Isaiah said about Him: Isaiah 35:5–6; Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 29:18, and Isaiah 11:4. He even added the sign curing of leprosy which only Moses (Numbers 12:10–15) and Elisha (2 Kings 5) had done before. By doing that, it would remind John of what Moses had said in Deut 18:15 - that one day God would send them a prophet like Moses and they should listen to Him. This was all complete and total proof that He was the Messiah John was looking for, and this is what John's disciples went back and told him. Basically, Jesus was telling them to tell John that even if the Jew's are not accepting Him, that He was doing everything that the Old Testament said the Messiah would do. He then said, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”” (Luke 7:23) He was gently saying to John, not to allow his preconceived ideas about the Messiah to interfere with what he already knew to be true about Him. John was in danger of being trapped in one of Satan's snares because of his concern about what Jesus was not doing - because Jesus had not yet judged anyone (that would happen in ad 70). Jesus gently told him to have faith, that He knew what He was doing.
Remember when you asked me about Jesus cursing the fig tree? I was thinking about it and I'm not sure I explained it completely. Jesus created that tree and was entitled to get fruit from it. When it didn't have the fruit He wanted, He cursed it and it died. It was an example of human beings. Jesus created us and expects us to bear fruit for Him. Those who do not, will be cursed & die the second death, spending eternity in Hell, because they were never saved. The tree was also an example of Israel. Jesus had created them, tended them, nourished them, and expected them to bear fruit by recognizing Him as their Savior and being saved. The nation did not and as such was cursed, and the curse was carried out in ad 70. We don't like to think about it, but because God created us, and even keeps us alive - because we could not continue to live unless he kept the earth rotating, and kept our bodies breathing, etc. - because of all of that, God owns us. We belong to Him and He can do anything at all He pleases with us or to us. If He was not loving, He would have tortured us and cast us all in Hell a long time ago. There is not one single human being alive that deserves to be saved, not one single infant, child, woman or man. Everything good that we have, is because He gave it to us. Everything good within us is because He caused it to be a part of us. We did not do anything on our own, we did not even choose to be saved on our own, He had to first cause us to recognize that we needed a Savior and make us want one! So it's His right to do whatever He wants to with any human being, or any animal, bird, fish, tree, plant, rock, or anything else He created. This is some of what the bible tells us about this:
“You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?” (Isaiah 29:16)
““Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to his mother, ‘What have you brought to birth?’ “This is what the LORD says— the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:9–12)
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:20–24) Barbara you wrote that the Jews thought there would be 2 Messiahs? Really? "Remember, the Jew's did not know that there was only going to be one Messiah. They thought there would be two of them - one who would be the conqueror, and the other one who would be the suffering servant. WOW! I didnt remember this, and why did they believe so? "If they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, He still would have had to die for their sins and ours" In that case I guess Romans would make Him suffer only, right?
"He even added the sign curing of leprosy which only Moses (Numbers 12:10–15) and Elisha (2 Kings 5) had done before. By doing that, it would remind John of what Moses had said in Deut 18:15 - that one day God would send them a prophet like Moses and they should listen to Him. " Can we discuss this a bit more?
Eva:
This is a quote from Cindy:
"Remember, the Jew's did not know that there was only going to be one Messiah.
They thought there would be two of them - one who would be the conqueror, and the other one who would be the suffering servant.
They were not at all interested in the suffering servant, they wanted the conqueror to come.
They wanted to be freed from Rome's oppression of them.
We can look back at history and understand the scriptures easily, but they were living them and didn't understand them at all.
They could not figure out how one person could suffer and die and yet
still start the Millennial Kingdom,
freeing them from Rome (or whoever was oppressing them at the time) and making them the head of all nations.
If they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, He still would have had to die for their sins and ours, but after His resurrection, He would have started the Millennial Kingdom right then. "
Since they could not see how one person could be both the suffering servant.....
and
the conqueror
They assumed there had to be 2 Messiah's.
But in fact, they couldn't figure out the purpose of a suffering Messiah...how could he save them?
Actually, that is the same mistake satan made, he figured he had won, when Jesus died on the cross ( no doubt satan thought what a losser, Jesus could have had 'everything'......),
but Jesus didn't need 'everything',
Jesus wanted to save people so that they might fellowship with Him, for all eternity .
Jesus already had everything 'material',
He wanted us because He loves us.....
satan hates us, and he wants everything, including power.
However, I imagine Cindy can round it out even more.
Today May 31th
I read Mark 12: 12-17
Once again the Pharisees and Herodians try to trick Jesus.
what amazes me is how they start off by saying:
"we know that you are a man of integrity.
You aren’t swayed by others,
because you pay no attention to who they are;
but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth"
All of that is true, but they do not mean it!
And of course, Jesus knew it and pointed it out to them.
"But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?”
Plus, they should have known by now, you cannot trick God, Jesus was able to explain their little trick, at the same time, giving us a principle to live by:
"“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
So we are to pay our taxes, but more importantly we are to love and honor God.
Ok, I'm going to work on the tribulation thread while I still can.... oh but that reminds me of something... I wanted to make sure you both have my phone number in case you ever need to get hold of me. I'll send you each a PM with it...
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Post by evafromgreece on Jun 1, 2016 16:19:38 GMT -5
Eva, the part about there being two Messiah's was my answer to your post:
Yes I saw it later in detail, I was answering while I was reading your posts and didnt want to forget what I was thinking. Yes, love is the key to how we're to live and act toward everyone.
Eva, you really, really need to write this down in your bible next to Matt 11:2–19; and Luke 7:18–35 so you don't forget. You don't have to write all of this, just enough to remind you what it means.
We studied this years ago and have discussed it any number of times since then. Of course he knew about all of that, he was the one who told everyone that Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) But John was just a regular guy, a regular person like you and me. He had told Israel that the Messiah was coming and they had better repent of their sins and shape up. (Matthew 3:1–2 and especially Matthew 3:7–10) John could see as well as anyone that the people, especially the leaders hadn't repented, and he was waiting for the ax to fall - for judgment to come on them. Remember, the Jew's did not know that there was only going to be one Messiah. They thought there would be two of them - one who would be the conqueror, and the other one who would be the suffering servant. They were not at all interested in the suffering servant, they wanted the conqueror to come. They wanted to be freed from Rome's oppression of them. We can look back at history and understand the scriptures easily, but they were living them and didn't understand them at all. They could not figure out how one person could suffer and die and yet still start the Millennial Kingdom, freeing them from Rome (or whoever was oppressing them at the time) and making them the head of all nations. If they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, He still would have had to die for their sins and ours, but after His resurrection, He would have started the Millennial Kingdom right then. Since they did not accept Him, it meant that He would start the church instead, and then when He returns again start the Millennial Kingdom. Even John did not understand this then. Plus, being human, he was under a great deal of stress, and most likely other people were planting doubts in his mind too or he was at least hearing the doubts that other people talked about.
Jesus did not try to teach him about everything. Instead He answered his question by proving who He was with actions. Without saying anything, Jesus immediately started performing miracles right in front of John's disciples—curing diseases, casting out demons, and giving sight to the blind. He did not speak to them until He was finished. His reply summarized what Isaiah said about Him: Isaiah 35:5–6; Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 29:18, and Isaiah 11:4. He even added the sign curing of leprosy which only Moses (Numbers 12:10–15) and Elisha (2 Kings 5) had done before. By doing that, it would remind John of what Moses had said in Deut 18:15 - that one day God would send them a prophet like Moses and they should listen to Him. This was all complete and total proof that He was the Messiah John was looking for, and this is what John's disciples went back and told him. Basically, Jesus was telling them to tell John that even if the Jew's are not accepting Him, that He was doing everything that the Old Testament said the Messiah would do. He then said, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”” (Luke 7:23) He was gently saying to John, not to allow his preconceived ideas about the Messiah to interfere with what he already knew to be true about Him. John was in danger of being trapped in one of Satan's snares because of his concern about what Jesus was not doing - because Jesus had not yet judged anyone (that would happen in ad 70). Jesus gently told him to have faith, that He knew what He was doing.
Remember when you asked me about Jesus cursing the fig tree? I was thinking about it and I'm not sure I explained it completely. Jesus created that tree and was entitled to get fruit from it. When it didn't have the fruit He wanted, He cursed it and it died. It was an example of human beings. Jesus created us and expects us to bear fruit for Him. Those who do not, will be cursed & die the second death, spending eternity in Hell, because they were never saved. The tree was also an example of Israel. Jesus had created them, tended them, nourished them, and expected them to bear fruit by recognizing Him as their Savior and being saved. The nation did not and as such was cursed, and the curse was carried out in ad 70. We don't like to think about it, but because God created us, and even keeps us alive - because we could not continue to live unless he kept the earth rotating, and kept our bodies breathing, etc. - because of all of that, God owns us. We belong to Him and He can do anything at all He pleases with us or to us. If He was not loving, He would have tortured us and cast us all in Hell a long time ago. There is not one single human being alive that deserves to be saved, not one single infant, child, woman or man. Everything good that we have, is because He gave it to us. Everything good within us is because He caused it to be a part of us. We did not do anything on our own, we did not even choose to be saved on our own, He had to first cause us to recognize that we needed a Savior and make us want one! So it's His right to do whatever He wants to with any human being, or any animal, bird, fish, tree, plant, rock, or anything else He created. This is some of what the bible tells us about this:
“You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?” (Isaiah 29:16)
““Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to his mother, ‘What have you brought to birth?’ “This is what the LORD says— the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:9–12)
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:20–24) Barbara you wrote that the Jews thought there would be 2 Messiahs? Really?
Yes as i wrote before I saw it later.
"He even added the sign curing of leprosy which only Moses (Numbers 12:10–15) and Elisha (2 Kings 5) had done before. By doing that, it would remind John of what Moses had said in Deut 18:15 - that one day God would send them a prophet like Moses and they should listen to Him. " Can we discuss this a bit more?
About the Moses and Elisha and the reason it would remind John. Its the first time I read about this sign I think, or I might dont remember if we have discussed it before
Eva:
This is a quote from Cindy:
"Remember, the Jew's did not know that there was only going to be one Messiah.
They thought there would be two of them - one who would be the conqueror, and the other one who would be the suffering servant.
They were not at all interested in the suffering servant, they wanted the conqueror to come.
They wanted to be freed from Rome's oppression of them.
We can look back at history and understand the scriptures easily, but they were living them and didn't understand them at all.
They could not figure out how one person could suffer and die and yet
still start the Millennial Kingdom,
freeing them from Rome (or whoever was oppressing them at the time) and making them the head of all nations.
If they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, He still would have had to die for their sins and ours, but after His resurrection, He would have started the Millennial Kingdom right then. "
Since they could not see how one person could be both the suffering servant.....
and
the conqueror
They assumed there had to be 2 Messiah's.
But in fact, they couldn't figure out the purpose of a suffering Messiah...how could he save them?
Actually, that is the same mistake satan made, he figured he had won, when Jesus died on the cross ( no doubt satan thought what a losser, Jesus could have had 'everything'......),
but Jesus didn't need 'everything',
Jesus wanted to save people so that they might fellowship with Him, for all eternity .
Jesus already had everything 'material',
He wanted us because He loves us.....
satan hates us, and he wants everything, including power.
However, I imagine Cindy can round it out even more.
Thank you Barbara, I havent read this all when I posted this reply, I saw it sometime later |
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Post by evafromgreece on Jun 1, 2016 16:40:41 GMT -5
Hey again guys,
I am on Luke chapter 9.
I notice that Luke give more details than Mathew and Mark, at least that what it seems to me. In chapter 9:28-36 it seems like Peter John and Jacob fell asleep while Jesus was speaking with Moses and Elijah about His death and ressurection, that means they missed the most important part...
And I am not sure about something on this. Moses and Elijah was there and they had the bodies they had on earth before? Was this a "vision" of heaven? At least from a part of it? What had happened there? I am not sure if I am expressing correctly what I am thinking, I cannot find the proper words to use.
I am not sure about verse 53. Did the Samarians refuse to accept Him because of the conflict they had with the other Jews?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402 
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Post by fearnot on Jun 1, 2016 17:29:42 GMT -5
Today Wed. June 1st
I read Mark 12:18-27
The Sadducees, didn't believe in the resurrection try their trick question about a woman who marries 7 brothers ( one at a time LOL), they ant to know at the resurrection ( which they do not believe in) whose wife will she be).
I really love the first part of Jesus answer to them:
v. 24 "Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
I think, we are trying to 'know' the scriptures,... so we can have better fellowship, love and honor our Jesus.
He goes on to tell them, they are not going to be marrying each other in Heaven....
And then Jesus goes on and tells them:
26 "Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[d]?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
That is such a great verse, God is not the God of the dead, but the living!
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Post by Cindy on Jun 2, 2016 11:34:07 GMT -5
Eva, the part about there being two Messiah's was my answer to your post:
Yes I saw it later in detail, I was answering while I was reading your posts and didnt want to forget what I was thinking. No, it was me, see the above post:
Yes as i wrote before I saw it later.
Yes, but I have no idea what you want to know about it.... discuss what? that Jesus cured a leper or that Moses or Elisha cured a leper? Or do you want to discuss why it would remind John of what Moses said about God sending a prophet like him?
About the Moses and Elisha and the reason it would remind John. Its the first time I read about this sign I think, or I might dont remember if we have discussed it before Thank you Barbara, I havent read this all when I posted this reply, I saw it sometime later
In 2 Kings 5 we're told about Naaman, a commander of a Gentile army who got Leprosy. He had a Jewish slave girl, and the girl told him about Elisha who could cure him. So he went to Israel and found Elisha and God eventually did heal him. Because he was a gentile, he didn't have to go to the temple and perform the ritual for cleansing that God had given Israel many years earlier in Leviticus 14.
In all of Israel's history, those were the only two people that were ever healed of leprosy. Yet God had given strict laws about how someone who was healed from it was to be cleansed so they could worship Him again. (anyone with leprosy could not go to the temple because they were unclean) The priests of every generation must have often wondered why God would give that law if no one was ever healed from it. They found out why He have that law when Jesus healed the Lepers. he not only healed the lepers in the part you read, but also in chapter 5 we are told that after He healed them He ordered them to go to the temple and offer the sacrifices Moses commanded: “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.” (Luke 5:12–15)
So whenever Jesus healed someone with Leprosy, it made the people think of Moses because Moses had given them the law telling them what to do when someone was healed, but no one other than Moses and Elisha had ever healed anyone of Leprosy, and neither of those times did the person have to obey the law. So this was the first time in their history that a priest had to perform the ritual for cleansing a leper. They always believed that Moses was the greatest of all the prophets Israel ever had. And when someone was healed it reminded them that Moses had also told them that one day God would send them another prophet like him: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) They knew that Moses was talking about the prophet who was to deliver them, the Messiah they were waiting for.Hey again guys, I am on Luke chapter 9. I notice that Luke give more details than Mathew and Mark, at least that what it seems to me. In chapter 9:28-36 it seems like Peter John and Jacob fell asleep while Jesus was speaking with Moses and Elijah about His death and ressurection, that means they missed the most important part... And I am not sure about something on this. Moses and Elijah was there and they had the bodies they had on earth before? Was this a "vision" of heaven? At least from a part of it? What had happened there? I am not sure if I am expressing correctly what I am thinking, I cannot find the proper words to use. I am not sure about verse 53. Did the Samarians refuse to accept Him because of the conflict they had with the other Jews?
Jew's did not think Samaritans were Jew's, and the Samaritans did not think they were Jew's. They were each proud of their heritage and each hated the other. So you are right that they refused to give Jesus and the disciples a place to stay because of their self centered conceit.
.Today Wed. June 1st
I read Mark 12:18-27
The Sadducees, didn't believe in the resurrection try their trick question about a woman who marries 7 brothers ( one at a time LOL), they ant to know at the resurrection ( which they do not believe in) whose wife will she be).
I really love the first part of Jesus answer to them:
v. 24 "Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
I think, we are trying to 'know' the scriptures,... so we can have better fellowship, love and honor our Jesus.
He goes on to tell them, they are not going to be marrying each other in Heaven....
And then Jesus goes on and tells them:
26 "Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[d]?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
That is such a great verse, God is not the God of the dead, but the living!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 2, 2016 12:20:28 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy for all your great answers!
Today, Thurs. June 2nd
I read Mark 28-34
It's called the Greatest Commandment, it's not one of the 10 Commandments but it is the essence of all of the Old Testament , also Jesus gives a second one....but no one can keep either perfectly.
Because no one :
v.30"Love(s) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Shows and proves we need a Savior.
All those religions that think people can work really really hard at being good, doing good deeds etc. love the Lord with ALL their heart, are just deceiving themselves.
As sinners we are too self-centered to love God with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength. How can they possibly believe they love God perfectly, not to mention everyone else as much as they love themselves?
We all need a Savior!
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Post by Cindy on Jun 3, 2016 10:32:27 GMT -5
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 3, 2016 16:26:38 GMT -5
Today Friday June 3rd
I read Mark 12:35-44
It covers such things as:
Whose son is the Messiah,
Warning against the teachers of the Law
and
The Widow's offering
I was reading McGee's commentary and he put it this way:
It's not how much you give to God ( 1%, 10 %, 20% or whatever)
It's how much you keep for yourself.
Very wealthy men may give a million dollars to the church for a new wing ( perhaps named after them or with a plaque in their honor), and some folks may think, my how they love the Lord....
Of course, if they happen to be a multi-billionaire, it could be like so many people who give a dollar....
However, this widow gave all the money she had...that took faith and love!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 4, 2016 18:02:38 GMT -5
Today Saturday June 4th
I read Mark 13:1-31
Concerning: The Destruction of the Temple
and
Signs of the End Times
We are probably going to be going over this in our other Bible study, so I won't get into it now, as there is a lot going on during the end times/tribulation.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 5, 2016 16:18:57 GMT -5
Today Sunday June 5th
I read Mark 13:31-37
The Day and Hour Unknown
I think v. 32
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Can be confusing, because if Jesus is God (the son) some of us wonder, why does He not know the day or the hour?
I am wondering, if it has to do with His being 100% man as well as 100% God? So like when He was on earth as man, He limited Himself in various ways ( so He could be the perfect human), He had to learn things ( that as God He knew), He suffered human conditions that as God, he did not, etc.
So I am wondering if that same limiting, is somehow being applied to His not knowing the day or the hour ( but only God the Father knows)?
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Post by Cindy on Jun 6, 2016 10:34:33 GMT -5
Today Friday June 3rd
I read Mark 12:35-44
It covers such things as:
Whose son is the Messiah,
Warning against the teachers of the Law
and
The Widow's offering
I was reading McGee's commentary and he put it this way:
It's not how much you give to God ( 1%, 10 %, 20% or whatever)
It's how much you keep for yourself.
Very wealthy men may give a million dollars to the church for a new wing ( perhaps named after them or with a plaque in their honor), and some folks may think, my how they love the Lord....
Of course, if they happen to be a multi-billionaire, it could be like so many people who give a dollar....
However, this widow gave all the money she had...that took faith and love!
Anyway, looking back, I was astonished at how my sin nature reared up it's ugly head and fought against learning this.
Today Saturday June 4th
I read Mark 13:1-31
Concerning: The Destruction of the Temple
and
Signs of the End Times
We are probably going to be going over this in our other Bible study, so I won't get into it now, as there is a lot going on during the end times/tribulation.
Today Sunday June 5th
I read Mark 13:31-37
The Day and Hour Unknown
I think v. 32
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Can be confusing, because if Jesus is God (the son) some of us wonder, why does He not know the day or the hour?
I am wondering, if it has to do with His being 100% man as well as 100% God? So like when He was on earth as man, He limited Himself in various ways ( so He could be the perfect human), He had to learn things ( that as God He knew), He suffered human conditions that as God, he did not, etc.
So I am wondering if that same limiting, is somehow being applied to His not knowing the day or the hour ( but only God the Father knows)?
you're doing great. I just finished John 14:1-14 today.
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Post by evafromgreece on Jun 6, 2016 13:18:14 GMT -5
So whenever Jesus healed someone with Leprosy, it made the people think of Moses because Moses had given them the law telling them what to do when someone was healed, but no one other than Moses and Elisha had ever healed anyone of Leprosy, and neither of those times did the person have to obey the law. So this was the first time in their history that a priest had to perform the ritual for cleansing a leper. They always believed that Moses was the greatest of all the prophets Israel ever had. And when someone was healed it reminded them that Moses had also told them that one day God would send them another prophet like him: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) They knew that Moses was talking about the prophet who was to deliver them, the Messiah they were waiting for.Hey again guys, I am on Luke chapter 9. I notice that Luke give more details than Mathew and Mark, at least that what it seems to me. In chapter 9:28-36 it seems like Peter John and Jacob fell asleep while Jesus was speaking with Moses and Elijah about His death and ressurection, that means they missed the most important part... And I am not sure about something on this. Moses and Elijah was there and they had the bodies they had on earth before? Was this a "vision" of heaven? At least from a part of it? What had happened there? I am not sure if I am expressing correctly what I am thinking, I cannot find the proper words to use. I am not sure about verse 53. Did the Samarians refuse to accept Him because of the conflict they had with the other Jews?
Thank you Cindy! :) It clear to me now :) |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 6, 2016 18:12:09 GMT -5
Today Monday June 6th
I read Mark 14:1-14
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
This seemed to be the last straw for Judas because he decides to betray Jesus. I think he wanted Jesus to overthrow their oppressors and start a war perhaps.
I am sure if Judas really wanted to help the poor he could have done so many times so that was just an excuse.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 7, 2016 12:47:16 GMT -5
So whenever Jesus healed someone with Leprosy, it made the people think of Moses because Moses had given them the law telling them what to do when someone was healed, but no one other than Moses and Elisha had ever healed anyone of Leprosy, and neither of those times did the person have to obey the law. So this was the first time in their history that a priest had to perform the ritual for cleansing a leper. They always believed that Moses was the greatest of all the prophets Israel ever had. And when someone was healed it reminded them that Moses had also told them that one day God would send them another prophet like him: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) They knew that Moses was talking about the prophet who was to deliver them, the Messiah they were waiting for.No, they did not miss the most important part. God made them fall asleep until He wanted them to see something. Remember, God is always in control. No, it was not a vision of heaven. It was real. Moses and Elijah came to earth in their resurrection bodies to talk to Jesus. We do not know how the disciples knew it was Moses and Elijah. Maybe Jesus called them by name... the bible doesn't say. But the bible does seem to say that when we have our new bodies, we will all know each other. (1 Corinthians 13:12) We won't have to be introduced, but will somehow know everyone else, the same way Jesus knows us. Most likely the Lord supernaturally gave them the knowledge of who the prophets were.
Thank you Cindy! :) It clear to me now :)
Today Monday June 6th
I read Mark 14:1-14
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
This seemed to be the last straw for Judas because he decides to betray Jesus. I think he wanted Jesus to overthrow their oppressors and start a war perhaps.
I am sure if Judas really wanted to help the poor he could have done so many times so that was just an excuse.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 7, 2016 15:02:48 GMT -5
Even some so-called 'Christian ministries' that say they are all about helping the poor, but only a rather small portion of the money actually ever goes to the poor.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 7, 2016 15:14:57 GMT -5
Today Tuesday June 7th
I read Mark 14:12-26
The Last Supper
When Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him, they are saddened, and it truly is very sad.
I have always had a hard time understanding how Judas could have betrayed Jesus.
I understand Peter denying he knew Jesus because he was afraid....but didn't Judas see the miracles Jesus did? Didn't he know this was no ordinary 'man'?
Was it just greed?
Jesus says it would have been better for Judas if he had not been born!
I can't imagine how horrific it must have been to be Judas. I have read, that even tho he betrayed Jesus, he could have been forgiven, if he had asked, but instead, he committed suicide and that sealed his fate for all eternity.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 8, 2016 10:46:26 GMT -5
Even some so-called 'Christian ministries' that say they are all about helping the poor, but only a rather small portion of the money actually ever goes to the poor.
Today Tuesday June 7th
I read Mark 14:12-26
The Last Supper
When Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him, they are saddened, and it truly is very sad.
I have always had a hard time understanding how Judas could have betrayed Jesus.
I understand Peter denying he knew Jesus because he was afraid....but didn't Judas see the miracles Jesus did? Didn't he know this was no ordinary 'man'?
Was it just greed?
Jesus says it would have been better for Judas if he had not been born!
I can't imagine how horrific it must have been to be Judas. I have read, that even tho he betrayed Jesus, he could have been forgiven, if he had asked, but instead, he committed suicide and that sealed his fate for all eternity.
No, he could not have been forgiven if he had asked after he had betrayed Jesus. We know that because Jesus said so. He could have been forgiven only if he had repented before Satan entered him, before he left that night when Jesus was instituting the last supper. Satan could only enter him because he had not repented, and his fate was sealed at that moment. He had crossed the line. This is one of those instances when we are allowed to see the invisible line that exists, that each time we sin refusing to give our lives to Jesus, our hearts become a little harder, until finally they become so hard that we could not be saved even if we changed our minds and begged for it.
Another instance where we see this is with Esau. The story is in Genesis 25:27–34; and Genesis 27:30–45. He sold his birthright, and later changed his mind and begged for a blessing, but there was no blessing for him, as he too had crossed that invisible line. That's why we're told not to be like him in Hebrews 12:16.
No, committing suicide did not seal his fate. Suicide is just a sin like any other sin and can be forgiven like any other sin. The only unforgivable sin is rejecting Jesus. He sealed his fate when he refused to repent when Jesus let him know that He knew what he was going to do, before Satan entered him.
We generally tend to think that all the disciples were saved, and in fact don't stop to think about when they were actually saved. The fact is that none of them were saved when they first started following Jesus. They were seekers, but weren't saved yet. Jesus discipled them - He taught them, and little by little as they individually began to understand, they became saved. Peter was the first, and we know that James and John were also ahead of the others, as those 3 were frequently taken aside by Jesus and granted special privileges, like when He took them with Him and allowed them to see Him transfigured. We know that the half brother's of Jesus were not saved until after His resurrection, but we're not told specifically when, or even if his sisters or other brothers were saved. We only know for sure about two of them. My point is though, that all 12 of the disciples, including Judas, were learning, even when they were teaching/preaching and doing miracles. They were still learning themselves. (I know I've told you before that helping you guys with your studies is wonderful for me, because I learn as much if not more then you do; that's really true, and it was true of the disciples as well.) Judas never did anything that caused the other disciples to suspect that he wasn't one of them, and part of the reason for that is that they were all still learning and they all messed up at times. We just tend to forget about that and think that they were somehow super humans or something, but they really weren't. Some folks even tend to think that the only times they sinned are the times we're told about it, but that's silly. They were human and sinned all the time, just like we do. Jesus however, never treated Judas any differently than He did the other disciples/apostles. Which is another reason the others didn't suspect him. Yet Jesus knew when He chose Judas that he would be the one who would betray Him.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 8, 2016 14:46:20 GMT -5
Today wednesday June 8th
I read Mark 14:27-42
First Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him. I have heard that sometimes you don't really know how you will react to a truly dangerous situation, until it happens.
I have always thought I would be cowardly, but in Peter's case, he thought he would be brave to the point of even dying with Jesus, only to find out, that he would be so afraid he would that he would deny knowing Jesus 3 times.
And then peter, James and John go with Jesus to Gethsemane to pray and he asks those 3 to watch and pray also, but 3 times they could not ( they kept falling asleep). You might have thought at least one of them could stay awake, but no.
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Post by evafromgreece on Jun 8, 2016 16:18:51 GMT -5
Hey guys! I don't have my computer since yesterday, I gave it to get cleaned because it was getting warm. I believe I will have it by tomorrow. Until then unfortunately I cannot do much with the phone.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 9, 2016 12:32:10 GMT -5
Today wednesday June 8th
I read Mark 14:27-42
First Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him. I have heard that sometimes you don't really know how you will react to a truly dangerous situation, until it happens.
I have always thought I would be cowardly, but in Peter's case, he thought he would be brave to the point of even dying with Jesus, only to find out, that he would be so afraid he would that he would deny knowing Jesus 3 times.
And then peter, James and John go with Jesus to Gethsemane to pray and he asks those 3 to watch and pray also, but 3 times they could not ( they kept falling asleep). You might have thought at least one of them could stay awake, but no.
Hey guys! I don't have my computer since yesterday, I gave it to get cleaned because it was getting warm. I believe I will have it by tomorrow. Until then unfortunately I cannot do much with the phone.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 9, 2016 15:21:41 GMT -5
Today Thursday June 9th
I read Mark 14:43-65
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss ( so the chief priests etc. know which one is Jesus).
A kiss, which normally is a sign of love, is used as a sign of betrayal.
Of all the signs Judas could have used he opted to degrade the epitome of love itself, (Jesus) with a kiss.
It seems strange, that the religious leaders could not tell which person was Jesus....hadn't they been dealing and debating with Him for 3 years? Jesus even says:
49 "Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me...."
Since satan was indwelling Judas, it almost seems as tho the Devil, wishes to mock and sneer at what satan thinks as Jesus weakness.....love.
Anyway, Jesus is arrested and brought before the courts....where the false witnesses can't even get their stories straight ( if it were not so tragic and sad ...that would have been almost funny).
The only thing they can conjure up to condemn Jesus on is, the truth....He is the Messiah, and they call the truth
' blasphemy'....
meanwhile, everything about the so called 'trials are illegal.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 10, 2016 10:27:32 GMT -5
Today Thursday June 9th
I read Mark 14:43-65
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss ( so the chief priests etc. know which one is Jesus).
A kiss, which normally is a sign of love, is used as a sign of betrayal.
Of all the signs Judas could have used he opted to degrade the epitome of love itself, (Jesus) with a kiss.
It seems strange, that the religious leaders could not tell which person was Jesus....hadn't they been dealing and debating with Him for 3 years? Jesus even says:
49 "Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me...."
Since satan was indwelling Judas, it almost seems as tho the Devil, wishes to mock and sneer at what satan thinks as Jesus weakness.....love.
Anyway, Jesus is arrested and brought before the courts....where the false witnesses can't even get their stories straight ( if it were not so tragic and sad ...that would have been almost funny).
The only thing they can conjure up to condemn Jesus on is, the truth....He is the Messiah, and they call the truth
' blasphemy'....
meanwhile, everything about the so called 'trials are illegal.
well said!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 10, 2016 14:31:19 GMT -5
Thank you as always Cindy, I guess the reason I thought the religious leaders were all there ( and should have recognized Jesus) was when it said that Peter cut of the ear of the servant of the high priest.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 10, 2016 14:43:50 GMT -5
Today Friday June 10th
I read Mark 14:66-72
This is about Peter denial that he knows Jesus 3 times.
Since I have a super cowardly nature
( especially concerning excruciating pain, such as having huge nails being hammered into my wrists and feet and hanging on a cross....which I assume peter was afraid would be his lot, if he admitted knowing Jesus)......
I can't say, that I too wouldn't have done exactly as Peter did, in fact, unless the Holy Spirit enabled me to have courage, I would have done the same and would have felt forever horrible about it.
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Post by evafromgreece on Jun 10, 2016 15:14:20 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I have my computer back :)
I have studied from Luke chapter 10 to Luke 13
Starting Luke chapter 10:4 Jesus pointed out how important is to trust God and then on 10:13-16 it is important that He said about the Jews and that they will face Gods wrath because they didnt accept the Messiah.
In chapter 11 when I read again about how we should pray I understood better what God was trying to teach all of us. Ask for God's will first and all of the other things will be add to you. Do not worry, dont ask for things you dont need , and forgive people around you just like our Lord died on the cross for our sins even though we did not deserve it. These past days I try to focus on this even more and try to concentrate more on how I should pray.
I am not sure about 11:31, about the queen of the south, I am not sure if I have asked about this again on the previous books, I really dont remember.
Luke 12:31 , one of the most important verses of the Bible!
I want to discuss with you about 32-34. The Lord said sell everything, give your money to the poor. But we earn and use money for our every day needs, some of use have a house and dont rent one, also some have a car. How about this? I mean , we do have things...
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 11, 2016 15:28:23 GMT -5
Eva:
As usual I defer to Cindy, and I can only speculate that maybe Jesus was firstly speaking especially to that young rich person ( not to people who needed basic things like food, a place to live, transportation.).
I am thinking this rich person had way more than basics, and Jesus knew that money/materialism was the young man's 'god'.
Secondly, it might be a problem many people have tho.
I think that the poor often think, if only I had a 'wee' bit more money, life would be better, easier, etc.
Sometimes, they do in fact get a bit more, only to discover, that if they had just a little bit more, all would be well, and on and on it goes.....it is never enough!
But more than that, they are making 'money' their 'god'.
Which makes me wonder, if that ( in part) why so many people will take the mark, because they think with their allegiance to the anti-Christ they will no longer need to worry about having enough money for a 'comfortable' life?
But it would actually be better to starve, without a roof over one's head, than to take the mark of the beast.
I Timothy 6:10 says:
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
It's the loving money, trusting money, making it your 'god' that is the problem, not having money or 'things'.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our trust in provision needs to be in God, not in money ( or even in things, which we have to polish, wash, worry about thieves, etc.)
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 11, 2016 15:39:07 GMT -5
Today Saturday June 11th
I read Mark 15:1-20
Christianity is an enigma in that what is the most horrific event ( Jesus going before the courts, being mocked and tortured, crucified, and death etc), is also our best news.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 12, 2016 15:19:04 GMT -5
Today Sunday June 12th
I read Mark 15:21-40
This is about the Crucifixion
But it first mentions the name of a man forced to help Jesus carry the cross.
It's a sort of curious verse:
v.21 " A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross."
It mentions where he was from, his name, his 2 sons name, the fact he was just passing by and that he was forced to help our Lord.
I wonder if he and his sons, became Christians?
V. 31 says:
"In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!"
They are mocking Jesus, but not knowing they are actually telling a basic truth....Jesus saved and was in the process of saving millions of souls, but in order to save us, He could not save Himself.
Jesus allows Himself to die, and another interesting verse about another person is v.38:
"39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Also, the women were there, watching from a distance. We tend to think of woman as the 'weaker' sex, and indeed in some ways many are, yet it seems like in this case, the men were more cowardly or afraid, and the woman were more steadfast.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 13, 2016 12:01:57 GMT -5
Thank you as always Cindy, I guess the reason I thought the religious leaders were all there ( and should have recognized Jesus) was when it said that Peter cut of the ear of the servant of the high priest.
Today Friday June 10th
I read Mark 14:66-72
This is about Peter denial that he knows Jesus 3 times.
Since I have a super cowardly nature
( especially concerning excruciating pain, such as having huge nails being hammered into my wrists and feet and hanging on a cross....which I assume peter was afraid would be his lot, if he admitted knowing Jesus)......
I can't say, that I too wouldn't have done exactly as Peter did, in fact, unless the Holy Spirit enabled me to have courage, I would have done the same and would have felt forever horrible about it.
Sorry I wasn't here over the weekend. My back got really, really bad and I just couldn't do much of anything at all.Hey guys! I have my computer back :) I have studied from Luke chapter 10 to Luke 13 Starting Luke chapter 10:4 Jesus pointed out how important is to trust God and then on 10:13-16 it is important that He said about the Jews and that they will face Gods wrath because they didnt accept the Messiah. In chapter 11 when I read again about how we should pray I understood better what God was trying to teach all of us. Ask for God's will first and all of the other things will be add to you. Do not worry, dont ask for things you dont need , and forgive people around you just like our Lord died on the cross for our sins even though we did not deserve it. These past days I try to focus on this even more and try to concentrate more on how I should pray. I am not sure about 11:31, about the queen of the south, I am not sure if I have asked about this again on the previous books, I really dont remember. Luke 12:31 , one of the most important verses of the Bible! I want to discuss with you about 32-34. The Lord said sell everything, give your money to the poor. But we earn and use money for our every day needs, some of use have a house and dont rent one, also some have a car. How about this? I mean , we do have things...
All of Luke 11:29–32 is showing how people in the past had believed without any miracles or signs and done right but that Israel who had more knowledge, and who had seen many of our Lord's miracles and signs, still was not satisfied and still would not accept Him as their Messiah. Therefore they would be judged and all the people from Israel's past, like the people of Ninevah, and the Queen of Sheba,would stand in judgement against them on the last day. If you want to read the story about the Queen of Sheba, it begins in 1 Kings 10:1 and 2 Chronicles 9:1.
Luke 12:32–34 is not telling us to sell everything, anymore then Matthew 5:30 is telling us to cut off our hands. Jesus is saying to sell everything in order to get our attention and to show us how important it is for us not to make earthly things important in our lives. Instead, the only thing that should be important to us is how much we have in our heavenly account - how much treasure we have built up in heaven for ourselves. Or, another way to say it would be to say, how many rewards will we be getting at the Bema Judgement.
In other words, Jesus is telling us that God will take care of us while we are here on the earth, but that this life is only temporary, and we should not get attached to it. We tend to get everything backwards because we tend to think that this life is very important, because it is all we know. We are like a woman who is pregnant and who thinks that the baby will always be in her womb. She thinks she will always be pregnant and so all she thinks about is looking for more maternity clothes, where she wants to go and what she wants to do next. That's really silly because we know that isn't true. We know that the baby will be born after 9 months. We know that the mother should be thinking about how she is going to care for the baby - she should be buying a crib and baby clothes, and all the things the baby is going to need. Jesus is trying to tell us to stop thinking like the woman who thinks she will always be pregnant, and instead to think like the mother who knows that her baby will soon be born. He says we should be busy getting all the things we are going to need for our real life, when we are born into Heaven. While we are here on earth, God will take care of us, just like He cares for the baby in the mother's womb. But we will want to have lots of treasure ready for us when we are born into Heaven, therefore we should get busy doing all the things that Jesus tells us to do so that we will have lots of treasure in our heavenly account.
How do we get treasure in heaven? How do we earn rewards? We can not earn our salvation, but once we are saved, if we obey God, He will reward us for our obedience to Him. But it is not just about doing things, it's more about our attitude when we do things. If we help someone who is homeless or do any good deed for any reason other than that we want to please the Lord, then we won't get a reward. If we do anything because we want to please our Lord, then we will be rewarded. For example, if I clean my house because I like my house to be clean, or because I have company coming, or because I want to please my husband or mother or anyone, I will not be rewarded by God. But if I clean my house because I want to please my Lord, then He will reward me in heaven. More importantly, if I pray for people that I really don't like and I ask the Lord to change my heart and help me to love them like He does, He will not only help me be like Him here and now, but will also have a reward for me in heaven for obeying Him. As I grow in faith and begin to love those people that I did not like before, and I continue to pray for them and for God to continue to change my heart to be like His, and I show them my love by the things I say and do for them, even though they treat me badly, the Lord will help me here and will have another reward for me in Heaven. If I babysit for someone because they asked me to, or because I love the people who asked me to babysit, I will not earn a reward. But if I babysit for someone and begin to do it because I want to please my Lord in everything I do, then I will earn a reward from God. If I ask the Lord to help me because I use bad language and I know God does not want me to, then the Lord will help me stop using the bad language and since I'm doing it because I love Him and want to please Him, God will have a reward for me. But if I stop using bad language because I know God doesn't want me to talk that way, and I do it just because I think I have to, I will not get a reward.
God rewards us when we obey Him because we love Him.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)
“Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”” (Matthew 10:41–42) No matter what you do, if it is done with the right attitude, you will receive a reward in heaven for it. The Lord loves to give us good gifts, both here and in heaven, and He wants us to know that what we do here in this life, will count toward what we will have in our eternal lives. Luke 12:32–34 is telling us that planning and working toward having a lot of treasure in heaven is what we should be doing in this life, instead of pretending that this life is important - like the woman who thinks she will always be pregnant.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:10–12)
The temptation for riches is ever present and Timothy was to constantly run from this desire. Instead he was to follow or “to run” after righteousness. This is personal and practical righteous living which brings usefulness and rewards. Not defeated by the snares which he flees, but clothed with this fruit of the Spirit (righteousness, godliness, faith, etc.) he is to Fight the good fight of faith. The word Fight is an athletic term meaning “to engage in a contest.” This contest is the whole life of the believer striving to win “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:13). It is a good fight whereas the fight for money is evil. KJV Bible Commentary
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Finally, remember "context". Read again what Jesus said in Luke 12:15–21, and think about how what He said here, applies to Him saying to sell everything....
Eva:
As usual I defer to Cindy, and I can only speculate that maybe Jesus was firstly speaking especially to that young rich person ( not to people who needed basic things like food, a place to live, transportation.).
I am thinking this rich person had way more than basics, and Jesus knew that money/materialism was the young man's 'god'.
Secondly, it might be a problem many people have tho.
I think that the poor often think, if only I had a 'wee' bit more money, life would be better, easier, etc.
Sometimes, they do in fact get a bit more, only to discover, that if they had just a little bit more, all would be well, and on and on it goes.....it is never enough!
But more than that, they are making 'money' their 'god'.
Which makes me wonder, if that ( in part) why so many people will take the mark, because they think with their allegiance to the anti-Christ they will no longer need to worry about having enough money for a 'comfortable' life?
But it would actually be better to starve, without a roof over one's head, than to take the mark of the beast.
I Timothy 6:10 says:
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
It's the loving money, trusting money, making it your 'god' that is the problem, not having money or 'things'.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our trust in provision needs to be in God, not in money ( or even in things, which we have to polish, wash, worry about thieves, etc.)
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
Today Saturday June 11th
I read Mark 15:1-20
Christianity is an enigma in that what is the most horrific event ( Jesus going before the courts, being mocked and tortured, crucified, and death etc), is also our best news.
Today Sunday June 12th
I read Mark 15:21-40
This is about the Crucifixion
But it first mentions the name of a man forced to help Jesus carry the cross.
It's a sort of curious verse:
v.21 " A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross."
It mentions where he was from, his name, his 2 sons name, the fact he was just passing by and that he was forced to help our Lord.
I wonder if he and his sons, became Christians?
V. 31 says:
"In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!"
They are mocking Jesus, but not knowing they are actually telling a basic truth....Jesus saved and was in the process of saving millions of souls, but in order to save us, He could not save Himself.
Jesus allows Himself to die, and another interesting verse about another person is v.38:
"39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Also, the women were there, watching from a distance. We tend to think of woman as the 'weaker' sex, and indeed in some ways many are, yet it seems like in this case, the men were more cowardly or afraid, and the woman were more steadfast.
“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” (Mark 15:21)
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” (Romans 16:13)
Because Mark mentions both of Simon's son's, and later Rufus and Simon's wife are mentioned as being saved in Roman's, we can know that at some point, Simon and his whole family were saved. It's possible Simon had heard Jesus speak before he carried the cross and may have already been a believer, but if he wasn't, he got saved after the resurrection as did many others. All we can know for sure is that we will find Simon, his wife and sons in Heaven when we get there!
True about the men being more afraid then the women but then they had more reason to be. In those times, women were not looked at the way they are now. They had no say in any legal matters, and therefore could not be prosecuted for anything. Even if the authorities knew that they followed Jesus, it wouldn't matter, because they would simply be looked on as weak woman who couldn't know any better. But the men could be prosecuted for following Jesus and be nailed to a cross just like He was if the authorities discovered that they were His disciples. That's why Jesus made sure that they all escaped when He was arrested. Jesus protected them so that they would live and begin His Church.
You made some good points as always!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,402
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Post by fearnot on Jun 13, 2016 16:21:45 GMT -5
Thank you so much Cindy....for explaining about Simon and his wife and son! I had hoped that carrying our Lord's cross, would have saved some or most of his family, it is so good to know that it in fact did!
Also, I didn't know that about woman at that time. I knew, they did not have the same status as men, but I didn't realize they couldn't be prosecuted because of their 'weakness'.
So it makes a bit more sense now as to why only the woman remained steadfast ( tho I can certainly understand why Jesus mother would even so, regardless)!
Oh I forgot to thank you soooo much for your answer to Eva
Especially explaining how we earn our Heavenly rewards....I can see I need to get busy and get a better attitude of doing 'whatever' for the Lord!!
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Hey guys I studied Luke chapter 6 and 7.
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