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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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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Mar 21, 2016 22:04:44 GMT -5
Today Monday March 21st
I read Zechariah ch. I
This part of v. 3 is so wonderful:
".....Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you..."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 21, 2016 22:08:58 GMT -5
I forgot to say, Hi Eva. Thanks for letting us know what is going on in your life.
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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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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 22, 2016 23:39:12 GMT -5
Today Tuesday March 22st
I read Zechariah ch. 2
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 22, 2016 23:40:02 GMT -5
It's great to see you posting again Eva!!!
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Post by Cindy on Mar 23, 2016 10:10:03 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. Today Monday March 21st
I read Zechariah ch. I
This part of v. 3 is so wonderful:
".....Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you..."
 Hey guys Yesterday I studied Proverbs 4:1-27 and today 2 Corinthians 10: 1-6 and Ephesians 6:10-20  Today Tuesday March 22st
I read Zechariah ch. 2
Sorry I haven't been here as much. I simply haven't been feeling very well and have a lot to do here at home, whether I feel up to it or not. I've continued to study Luke 22 every day and am almost done with it now. Luke 22:23 made me think about Judas and all the time he'd spent with Jesus and the other disciples. It's amazing how close someone can be to being saved and yet still not be saved. It made me think about how the other disciples didn't have a clue that Judas wasn't really one of them. When Jesus said one of them would betray Him, they didn't know who it was and even questioned themselves. They knew they were all sinners, all but Jesus, so it could have been any of them. I think that's why they didn't suspect Judas. Sure, they'd seen him sin, like when he took some money for himself, but they knew they all sinned so they couldn't condemn him for sin when they were all guilty of it. How differently then how we act with each other today! Today we're quick to point fingers at another person, thinking their sin is much worse then our own.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 23, 2016 21:46:40 GMT -5
Today, Wed. March 23rd
I read Zechariah 3
v.2 ".......The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
I feel like a woman a burning stick snatched from the fire.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 24, 2016 11:53:33 GMT -5
I think everyone who's been saved feels like a stick snatched out of the fire before it's consumed! Let me share my notes on this in case you're interested...
The Angel of the Lord rebuked Satan and acquited Joshua, not because Satan’s accusations were false, but because of God’s gracious love for and choice of His people Israel. Joshua was functioning here in his high priestly capacity as representative of the nation Israel. God’s choice of Jerusalem, not Joshua, was the basis of the rebuke (Zechariah 3:2). Later the sin was removed from the land, not just from Joshua (Zechariah 3:9). Joshua and his priestly companions were said to be “men symbolic of things to come” (Zechariah 3:8). Therefore much as the high priest represented the entire nation on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16:1–10), so here Joshua the high priest was accused and acquitted on behalf of the nation Israel. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The Angel of the Lord is identified as the Lord, thus verifying this “messenger” as deity. The message was crucial in confirming that 1) God had not cast off the Jews, but was consistent with His covenants with them in Abraham and David, and 2) His election takes their side against Satan’s accusations. God will do this rebuking, as reported in Rev 20:10. God’s favor rested on Israel above any nation on earth (cf. Deut 7:6–11). He snatched them from potential disappearance in their captivity, like pulling a stick out of the fire just before it is torched (cf. Amos 4:11). Thus, God confirmed His purposes for Israel, sweeping from Zechariah’s time to the consummation of human history (cf. Rev 12:3–17). The MacArthur study Bible
The second basis for the rebuke of Satan is expressed in a rhetorical question: “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” The proof that Joshua (and the people he represented) stood in God’s favor is seen in the fact that he had been rescued from grave danger. God had rescued Israel from the fire of exile where they as a people might well have been destroyed. Therefore, Joshua, as the representative of this people, was not to be the victim of malicious slander on the part of the Evil Accuser (Zechariah 3:2b). For those who have been saved, there can be no condemnation (Rom 8:1). The Minor Prophets. Old Testament Survey Series (Zec 3:1–3).
I studied Luke 22:31–38 and was blown away by what the RCC did with one of the verses! I couldn't believe it, even though I've seen it doezens of times with other verses, this was just too much! I wrote about it here: You won't believe how the RCC twisted this verse!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 25, 2016 0:00:23 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy, as always, for sharing your notes!!! I am always interested, so never ever think I would not be. Thank you again.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 25, 2016 0:09:59 GMT -5
Today Thursday 24th
I read I read Zechariah 4
v.6 "......‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."
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Post by Cindy on Mar 25, 2016 8:43:21 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy, as always, for sharing your notes!!! I am always interested, so never ever think I would not be. Thank you again. Today Thursday 24th
I read I read Zechariah 4
v.6 "......‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."
“An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43) To me this shows that if we are obedient, the Lord will give us the strength to face torture, death or anything for His sake. Paul's experiences also bear this out.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 25, 2016 22:31:48 GMT -5
It really helped reading this that you said:
"To me this shows that if we are obedient, the Lord will give us the strength to face torture, death or anything for His sake. Paul's experiences also bear this out."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 25, 2016 22:40:49 GMT -5
Today Friday 25th
I read I read Zechariah 5
Okay don't laugh at my rather silly question, but I have always thought that if angels had a "sex" they were male. They have names like Michael, Gabriel, etc.
But in Zechariah 5 V.9 when talking about the wicked woman in the basket, that is lifted by:
"... two women, with the wind in their wings!"....
it made me wonder if they were angels....but more precisely...woman angels?
Sorry for the rather silly question....
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Post by Cindy on Mar 26, 2016 12:07:51 GMT -5
It really helped reading this that you said:
"To me this shows that if we are obedient, the Lord will give us the strength to face torture, death or anything for His sake. Paul's experiences also bear this out."
Today Friday 25th
I read I read Zechariah 5
Okay don't laugh at my rather silly question, but I have always thought that if angels had a "sex" they were male. They have names like Michael, Gabriel, etc.
But in Zechariah 5 V.9 when talking about the wicked woman in the basket, that is lifted by:
"... two women, with the wind in their wings!"....
it made me wonder if they were angels....but more precisely...woman angels?
Sorry for the rather silly question....
Since storks are unclean birds (Lv 11:19; Dt 14:18) these (women) must be agents of evil, demonic forces, protective of the wicked secularism, who set up the final system of evil. God allows them to set up the world system that the Lord destroys when He returns (cf. Rev 19:11–16). The MacArthur study Bible
Wickedness confined (5:5–11). In the end times, there will be a concentration of evil at Babylon, that last expression of the evil world system (Rev. 17–18). The word wickedness is feminine in Hebrew, which explains why a woman was used as the illustration. With the Word Bible Commentary
Some commentators have suggested that the woman embodies a specific form of wickedness, such as idolatry (of which the Israelites were cured outwardly but not inwardly by the Babylonian captivity) or commercialism; but it is not necessary to limit the symbolism so narrowly. The best interpretative parallel is probably the reference to the man of sin (2 Thess 2) who is the embodiment of all kinds of sin—including religious, for he sets himself up as God. The woman, likewise, is probably best viewed as the embodiment of all kinds of sin, including religious sins which may have preeminence, just as they do in the representation of the man of sin. KJV Bible Commentary
Two unidentified women with great wings like those of a stork transported the ephah of wickedness to the country of Babylonia (lit., Shinar), the recent place of Israel’s Exile but also the site of ancient and future idolatry and rebellion against God (Gen. 11:2; Rev. 17:3-5). This lends support to the view that the city of Babylon on the Euphrates River will be rebuilt (cf. comments on Rev. 17-18). Unger identifies these women with demonic forces that seek to protect the woman of wickedness and enshrine her for worship in Babylon. Others see them as agents of divine power or providence. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Today I studied Luke 22:47–53. This is what I got from it:
Nothing surprises the Lord, and He protects us, even when we don't know we need protecting. (just as He protected Peter) Plus, Jesus had told Peter to stay awake and pray so he wouldn't be tempted. Peter allowed himself to follow his flesh instead and fell asleep and so wasn't prepared for the temptation that came. Peter failed, and yet Jesus protected Him still! He does this for us as well. Often, we don't pay all the consequences of our sins because of His protection. 2. Jesus said that it was the hour when darkness reigned, meaning that this time was limited and wouldn't last forever. 3. Even when we are being threatened or harmed, we are not to retaliate in kind. Instead we are to be peacemakers, and love those who are trying to harm us or who have harmed us. Knowing that any harm they've done, has been allowed by our loving Father, and therefore is an opportunity for us to show that person or persons what His love and forgiveness looks like.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 26, 2016 23:00:21 GMT -5
Thank you that was a great explanation with great Bible quotes!
Yes, when you get time I would like to hear and learn more!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 26, 2016 23:13:22 GMT -5
Today Saturday 26th
I read I read Zechariah 6
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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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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 27, 2016 21:43:38 GMT -5
Dear Eva, nothing wrong with collecting bibles LOL
I am guessing the hard to read version was the King James. Cindy pretty much tries to steer people away from it because it is hard to read and other reasons.
Yes Thank you Eva, this Sunday (today) we celebrated Easter.
We did not go to church, as our car is not running, we will have the mechanic look at it Tue. ,.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 27, 2016 21:48:27 GMT -5
Today Suday 27th
I read I read Zechariah 7
The people ask the Lord:
v.2 ".........“Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”
God answers them in v. 5 & 6
v.5 ".....‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?
v.6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?
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Post by Cindy on Mar 28, 2016 10:32:44 GMT -5
Before I answer the posts here, I want to answer something Barbara wrote on another thread first:I still falter on this:
"learning from other people, other books, other articles instead of being in His Word daily with Him. That's why they have a form of godliness but deny it's power"
I am getting better at being in His Word daily, but I still rely too much on commentaries etc. Tho I do ask the Lord to study with me,
and
I wait, a bit, to see what the Lord/Holy Spirit might teach me....
but then,
I almost always still read what someone else says.
Very good, Thank you Cindy, as always!!
So let's say you have a plan, and whatever it is, you begin reading where you're supposed to according to that plan after praying for Him to guide and teach you. You begin reading and you read through the chapter or whatever you're supposed to read that day. If you read something you don't understand, you simply ask Him to help you understand it. That does not mean that you then sit there quietly and wait for an answer! As I said, we have the mind of Christ and God expects us to use it and common sense as well. Since I'm studying Luke right now, I'll use it as an example. Let's say you've just read Luke 22:39–40 and you're wondering why Jesus would have told them to pray they wouldn't be tempted..."what brought that to His mind," you ask the Lord. You know that we have to take consider everything in context, and you know too that usually, (though not always lol) people have a reason for the things they say so you decide to check back a little before the verse in question to see if there's anything there that will answer your question. As you skim over the portion of scripture before the part you're currently reading, you see Luke 22:31–34 where Jesus has just told the disciples that Satan has asked to Peter - in other words, he's going to be tempted. Well, that explains Peter, but what about the rest of the disciples. Since you happen to have a commentary, you check that to see what it says about these verses and discover that The word "you" in Luke 22:31 is plural; Satan asked to have all the disciples so he might sift them like wheat! And there you find your answer. It seems like you, yourself are doing it all, but you're not. You're using the mind of Christ, with the Lord's guidance. He gave you the idea to look back over those scriptures, and then gave you the idea to check the commentary.
But, let's say you didn't have a commentary. The Lord would find another way to teach you the truth. What seems impossible to us, isn't at all hard for Him! He might have had you realize that Jesus had been speaking to all of the disciples in the verses preceding Luke 22:31–34 (Luke 22:23–30) and after Luke 22:31–34 (Luke 22:35–38). So it's unlikely that He wouldn't have included them in the warning about being sifted. Or, He might also (or instead of) given you the idea to check out other places that you recalled of Satan testing others with trials, like Job 1:8-11, Job 2:3-6, and Zech 3:1. He might have had one or more of these scriptures remind you of something about Satan in the NT, such as 1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 2:11, Rev 12:10 and 1 Peter 5:8, 9. Each of those scriptures from the old and new testament would have given you more information to understand what was behind Jesus telling them to pray they wouldn't be tempted in Luke 22:39–40. 1 Cor 5:5 would have pointed out that the purpose of the sifting being allowed, may have been to destroy the sinful nature, and obviously Peter wasn't the only one with a sinful nature! Or the Lord may have done it in another way entirely, using another verse you read during your time that day. Maybe He would have had you think about all the Lord was going through, and had you think that if you were going through something like that, you'd have been tempted to run away, and perhaps the disciples would be tempted as well.... eventually bringing your thoughts to the Truth in the scripture that you asked about.
The bottom line is that God does not bypass our minds. He expects us to use them and wants us to use them, leaning on Him for our understanding. When we think that it was our intelligence or something that caused us to realize what this or that verse meant, that's when we get in trouble. We have to KNOW that when we pray for guidance and help understanding His Word that the Lord WILL guide and help us to understand it, and will do so immediately. The reason we can know this, is because Jesus told us this was so, and since Jesus is God and His Word is Truth, we can know that whether or not we "feel" it, that the Holy Spirit will indeed teach us, guide us and help us to understand His Word. The amazing thing is that the more we rely on Him, the more we ask for His help and thank and praise Him for that help, the more we will recognize it. At first it seems like it's just us, but that's our ego's, or sin nature talking because there's nothing good in us, and our hearts are deceitful, but God is all good and all Truth, and He always keeps His Word, therefore we know that everything we do understand, came from Him. I often will say "The Lord showed me" this or that, but I have never meant that He did so in some mystical way, only that my understanding came from Him through the normal use of the mind He gave me. As you become more in tune with Him and His guidance, you'll find that He will use many other things, even TV shows, or fiction books to teach you more about whatever you're studying with Him at that time. But those things can never and should never take the place of His Word. The less time we spend in His Word, the less we will learn, the less our minds will be renewed, the less our faith will grow, the less we'll be like Jesus and more we'll be like the world, the more we'll fear, the more we'll....well, you get the idea.
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27)
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13–15)
Does that help?
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Post by Cindy on Mar 28, 2016 10:54:55 GMT -5
Thank you that was a great explanation with great Bible quotes!
Yes, when you get time I would like to hear and learn more!! Today Saturday 26th
I read I read Zechariah 6
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
I have lots of Bibles (real book bibles, as well as computer ones lol) I think most people who love God's Word tend to get more bibles. I'd have even more except I usually wind up giving mine away except for the ones that I use the most.
That's good that you've returned to the one that's easier for you to understand though.
Yes, we celebrated Easter yesterday. It was a lovely day for us all!Dear Eva, nothing wrong with collecting bibles LOL
I am guessing the hard to read version was the King James. Cindy pretty much tries to steer people away from it because it is hard to read and other reasons.
Yes Thank you Eva, this Sunday (today) we celebrated Easter.
We did not go to church, as our car is not running, we will have the mechanic look at it Tue. ,.
Today Suday 27th
I read I read Zechariah 7
The people ask the Lord:
v.2 ".........“Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”
God answers them in v. 5 & 6
v.5 ".....‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?
v.6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?
We need to remember to ask that ever day, because if we're just reading/studying and not applying it, then it's not doing us as much good as it could be.
I studied Luke 22:54–62 Peter Disowns Jesus. It showed me how important it is to be alert and pray. It showed me why it's so important to train our minds to think righteously, & scripturally, so that we'll do so even when everything seems to be falling apart around us. That way we will walk by faith & not by sight - like Jesus did. I also saw it as a good picture of what fear of man does to us - whether it's fear of what others think of us, or what they'll do to us as individuals, or (like in Peter's case) as the legal authority in the land. Knowing what fear of man does to us showed me another reason it's so important to fear God instead or at least more then men.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 28, 2016 23:19:13 GMT -5
That was a wonderful step by step help on studying God's word with Him and His Holy spirit and how it's not some mystery 'receiving', but rather God expects us to use our minds in a practical, sensible way....and it is His leading.
What I applied to myself concerning the feasts, is to be aware that it will be my tendency to gain 'glory' and kudos for myself.
I need the Holy Spirit's help thru prayer, God's Word to give God the glory, when I do anything (eat, drink, read God's Word etc.)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 29, 2016 0:44:39 GMT -5
Today Monday 28th
I read Zechariah 8
I think I counted over 20 "This is what the Lord says".
When God says something people can count on it. It may be an immediate blessing, or a promise for the future, it may be good or seemingly bad, but if the Lord says so.....it will happen, now, or in the future.
I need to make my word sure. This is one thing I actually always tried to work on (often in my own strength).
I also 'cheated', in that, when my children were young, I would never 'promise' them for sure for sure of anything.
I would say, 'IF' everything works out, we will go here or there,buy this or that, do this or that, etc....
or,
I simply would announce it until we were minutes from being on our way ( or whatever, buy something, have a party ).
But I feel like that was cheating, in that, I hedged my bets and never had to really pay a price ( so to speak).
However, now I need to not do or say something in my own strength, but rather, ask the Lord in prayer first, and be willing to pay a price ( give up or sacrifice) if necessary.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 29, 2016 22:31:42 GMT -5
Today Tuesday 29th
I read Zechariah 9
I counted...give or take....32 I will's from the Lord God.
These are things in the future, all of which can be counted on.
V. 9 is one of many many perfect prophecies of Jesus:
"9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 30, 2016 10:55:07 GMT -5
That was a wonderful step by step help on studying God's word with Him and His Holy spirit and how it's not some mystery 'receiving', but rather God expects us to use our minds in a practical, sensible way....and it is His leading.
What I applied to myself concerning the feasts, is to be aware that it will be my tendency to gain 'glory' and kudos for myself.
I need the Holy Spirit's help thru prayer, God's Word to give God the glory, when I do anything (eat, drink, read God's Word etc.) Today Monday 28th
I read Zechariah 8
I think I counted over 20 "This is what the Lord says".
When God says something people can count on it. It may be an immediate blessing, or a promise for the future, it may be good or seemingly bad, but if the Lord says so.....it will happen, now, or in the future.
I need to make my word sure. This is one thing I actually always tried to work on (often in my own strength).
I also 'cheated', in that, when my children were young, I would never 'promise' them for sure for sure of anything.
I would say, 'IF' everything works out, we will go here or there,buy this or that, do this or that, etc....
or,
I simply would announce it until we were minutes from being on our way ( or whatever, buy something, have a party ).
But I feel like that was cheating, in that, I hedged my bets and never had to really pay a price ( so to speak).
However, now I need to not do or say something in my own strength, but rather, ask the Lord in prayer first, and be willing to pay a price ( give up or sacrifice) if necessary.
“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:36–37)
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:16–17)
You're right in that we're to make our word sure, in that if we say something it should be true. People should be able to know that they can trust us to keep our word without us having to "promise" or "swear" to it. We should mean what we say, and say what we mean, no more and no less. So again, it's right to not "promise" or even just tell someone you're going to do something in the future, even if it's just tomorrow, because only God knows what tomorrow will bring.
Today Tuesday 29th
I read Zechariah 9
I counted...give or take....32 I will's from the Lord God.
These are things in the future, all of which can be counted on.
V. 9 is one of many many perfect prophecies of Jesus:
"9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
thought this was interesting:
The Macedonian armies of Alexander passed and repassed the city of Jerusalem without laying siege to it. The ultimate cause of this was the divine protection of the city (I will defend My house). This defense foreshadows God’s final protection of the city in the Millennium, when never again will enemies invade Jerusalem (cf. Joel 3:17). The Bible Knowledge Commentary
This is the pledge of God’s protection of Jerusalem from Alexander. It came true when, on his way S, Alexander treated Jerusalem with kindness. After having subjugated Egypt, he returned through Palestine again without doing Israel harm. The supernatural and lasting protection here promised must anticipate the Second Advent of Messiah, whose coming is the subject through the rest of this message. The transition from Alexander to Christ can be understood in this way: If God can use a pagan king to judge the nations and save Israel, how much more will He use His righteous Messiah? So v. 8 bridges to the final judgment and deliverance of Messiah. The MacArthur study Bible
Today I read the Luke 23:1-25 about the Trials of Jesus. I'm not quite done yet with the chapter. It's a really heavy one.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 30, 2016 12:54:26 GMT -5
I am sooooo glad you gave me those verses!!
What a relief to know I was doing something God actually said,
tho I wasn't aware of it at the time, nor even up to today!! :o
And I too did not want to disappoint our children.
But I wonder if that didn't allow them to learn to handle disappointments of other people, as they grew up?
Perhaps, If we had had a situation like what happened to you, it could have been an opportunity to help them learn that people will always eventually disappoint you, being human ( even a heart attack, that we have no control over, is still a human thing)..... that will never happen with God?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 30, 2016 22:06:33 GMT -5
Today Wedsday 30th
I read Zechariah 10
A lot more count on it "I will's" from the Lord
For me, it is uplifting to see how many promises God makes ( to those who love and obey Him). I know we should want to, love and obey Him, even if He chose not give us anything in this life, but as a loving Father He may give us blessings ( and even if He didn't, He promises to be with us....tho we may not always think so).
Still it is nice to know that, should He choose to, He can and may, in fact give us blessings ( beyond the zillions he in fact already does, like even air to breath, salvation, His Word etc etc etc.).
And yes, I know sometimes trials, even sorrows are actually blessings to make us grow....but I think you know what I mean:
v.6 ".....I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God
and I will answer them"
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Post by Cindy on Mar 31, 2016 9:36:23 GMT -5
I am sooooo glad you gave me those verses!!
What a relief to know I was doing something God actually said,
tho I wasn't aware of it at the time, nor even up to today!! :o
And I too did not want to disappoint our children.
But I wonder if that didn't allow them to learn to handle disappointments of other people, as they grew up?
Perhaps, If we had had a situation like what happened to you, it could have been an opportunity to help them learn that people will always eventually disappoint you, being human ( even a heart attack, that we have no control over, is still a human thing)..... that will never happen with God?Today Wedsday 30th
I read Zechariah 10
A lot more count on it "I will's" from the Lord
For me, it is uplifting to see how many promises God makes ( to those who love and obey Him). I know we should want to, love and obey Him, even if He chose not give us anything in this life, but as a loving Father He may give us blessings ( and even if He didn't, He promises to be with us....tho we may not always think so).
Still it is nice to know that, should He choose to, He can and may, in fact give us blessings ( beyond the zillions he in fact already does, like even air to breath, salvation, His Word etc etc etc.).
And yes, I know sometimes trials, even sorrows are actually blessings to make us grow....but I think you know what I mean:
v.6 ".....I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God
and I will answer them"
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 31, 2016 20:05:21 GMT -5
Today Thursday 31th
I read Zechariah 11
A very sad chapter. I could only think and pray ask that God keep me out of the gutter so to speak ( this world is wallowing more and more in the gutter, on every level of life.... and I have spent waaaay to much of my life there).
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