Men will do almost anything with Scripture except live
it.
They will preach it. They will quote it. They will defend
it. They will create systematic theologies. They will make organized doctrines.
They will make bumper stickers. They will make refrigerator magnets. They will
make bracelets. They will underline it in their Bibles. They will make
billboards. They will get Scripture tattoos. They will have favorite verses.
They will debate it. They will make many different translations. They will make
many different commentaries. They will learn about it. They will make
concordances.
And yet to live it with passion and self denial seems too
radical and difficult when we can do all those other things instead.
Posts
16 comments:
A resounding and resonating AMEN!
A short post, yet very powerful to the point of personal conviction in many areas of my life. Grateful for Holy Spirit's timing, Pastor Rick. Be Blessed.
LORD, teach us Your Ways this day.
You don't have to post this Pastor Rick, but someones got to say it.
Can anyone tell me how anyone can sleep knowing that brothers and sisters in Christ are being tortured, maimed, starved, and killed? Do you know how much they love you, their bretheran? They love you enough to pray for your persecution. Think about that. We have it so easy, it is nauseating. They suffer while we complain. To be found worthy to suffer for Christ should be our prayer as well.. While they smuggle contact lists out of the country to protect others who would be subject to the same treatment, we smuggle billions of dollars to support those governments who persecute our brothers and sisters in Christ. Stop supporting the persecution of our brothers and sisters and support the people who go into harms way to preach the Gospel to every creature. Live Scripturally? Perhaps this is a great place to start.
Support missionaries. Pastor Rick can tell you one that is near and dear to my heart. Talk about in harms way? We have no idea how much in harms way they are. God have mercy upon our unbelieving hearts. If you are not called to go, it is our reasonable service to support those who are.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/21/meet-the-woman-who-saved-countless-christians-from-chinese-labor-camps/
When you love someone you don't to pray that they would be persecuted! That way of thinking is unbiblical. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Christians worldwide need a deeper relationship with Him.
God bless you!
Yes Anonymous 5:01, I sat in a Bible study where business owners confessed to praying against other businesses that competed with their own. I believe this practice is unbiblical and lies more in alignment with divination and witchcraft. We do not have to seek persecution for it is already pervasive within the walled church system whose religion is more external than circumcision/purity of the heart.
And I cherish those prayers from persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus from abroad, for persecution deepens our faith in Jesus Christ of which no man can judge. Our LORD knows who are His.
The situation about persecution is far from clear. If someone is old and physically frail, for example, unjust persecution is hardly the "present" that they are jumping up and down for. Yet such is God's gracious love that He can use such events to bring glory to His name.
If persecution humbles you, then praying for it can save your soul. If persecutions makes you reply upon the Lord more, then it can be a good thing. These people you call "unbiblical" are dying because of their faith. And what do you do? You say mean things about them because they want to see you saved and right with God. Do you really think, believe your condemnation of them is of God? You'd be mistaken.
They are praying for your persecution in a way that is mean, but in a way that is biblical.
Perhaps you need a reminder:
Acts 5:18-42
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Although I am afraid of it, pray for me to be able to rejoice to be found worthy to suffer shame and even persecution for His Name. Don't you want to be where they were in their faith? I do. To be able to know for certain that I am worthy at all before God.
Your hard hearts speak volumes and I am sorry for you. Filled to the brim with sorrow for you. May you repent of this hard heart, and pray that you be found worthy to suffer for Jesus sake.
Amen! Anonymous 5:56 PM
your sister in Christ Jesus
Amen.
This is what's bothering me recently. Talking and talking and never growing and then putting my words into action. I need to push myself and stop fearing and go out and do the basic training of being that true disciple, but I fear.
I appreciate so much this blog and Bro. Rick's teaching. I'll continue (God-willing) to read the great teaching of the Word here. But unless I push through this tired frame and do something, I feel empty and unfulfilled.
Sometimes commenting leaves me feeling like an empty shell. I really am not educated enough and am so tired and fearful of saying something that isn't in line with the Word. This is why I need the Body of Christ. I desperately need people to fellowship with, and hear positive testimony. Somewhere along the line, we have become contentious here, and it doesn't do Rick's ministry any good. We argue and don't get ahead and hurt those who read here who don't comment and need encouragement; we never know if there is someone perusing the web who is close to suicide. Arguing doesn't encourage.
And needless to say, the arguing here lately has left me extremely depressed and spiritually weary. Why is it so hard to understand the gospel and I ask why it's so easy for people to disagree. And, I personally am treading back many steps in understanding Jesus' words. All those years I thought I understood and now I'm all confused. It's too difficult to live this life without the Body of Christ, in absence. I don't know if I can do it anymore, but as painful as it is to be alone, it's almost better than to get too many voices arguing and confusing me. I think this is why the Lord set up one shepherd for each flock. We are too immature to handle being the Church because we all believe we know best how to interpret each verse. I'm kind of going on a "quiet" retreat and just read and contemplate what I learn alone.
Love you all.
J.
It is God working in us and the most important thing we should be doing is being transformed by the renewing of our mind. We should all desire the truth and Pastor Rick has said he does not know it all and to me that is a position we should all be in as we should all be open for correction. I do not see where anyone is arguing simply by going over scripture. Everyone cannot be correct if we are all coming to a difficult conclusions and opinions of the Word. If we cannot be corrected at all, then we are claiming we do know it all.
As long as we are here on this earth our first priority is growing in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When those who asks us for the hope that is in us we are to give an answer.
No born again believer as reached or arrived to a plateau of not being corrected.
Yes, we can quote scripture until we are blue in the face but it has to be the Lord who ministers these truths to us. We know those things we do of ourselves will be burned up because it was not the Lord doing them through us.
We are in the last days, no doubt about it. And knowing this, and the urgency I feel in my heart, I have been trying to start an internet prayer meeting and fellowship. But it has all been for naught.
I get all kinds of responses, and also none at all. It breaks my heart that almost everyone here says they love the bretheran, but then shuns them, me. We are to love the bretheran. The Word says not to fore sake the gathering together of the Body of Christ. Yet no one as of yet wants to join me in this prayer and fellowship endeavor. I know it is not an ideal way, but it is all we have at the moment.
We know that sincere prayer can break strongholds. NO, not by our demands, but by petition to the Father in Jesus' Name.
Could it be that you are more comfortable with your life as is, and that our amens are just our way of contributing to the discussion but really has no substance at all? Would we admit it if it were true?
I have been on this blog for the better part of a year and I see the same old thing. Good intentions, but no action. The attacks on brothers and sisters in the Lord, and some out right meanness. I am ashamed and dismayed at it all. I have grown this past year along with the scars of correction. I know the Lord has been working on me because I approach things differently. Especially when it comes to others. I am not always right, and I am afraid. But, I also have the burning in my heart to do something in spite of the fear. It is there, but the desire to serve the Lord is more powerful and evident. My desire to be with my brothers and sisters in the Lord, especially as these days get worse is ever strong, but you shun me, why?
I don't know you. I only know what a few of you look like, but I do not know you in a face to face sense due to this kind of communication. But I want to get to know you. You are my brothers and sisters in Christ! Why wouldn't I want to get to know you.
We need to ask ourselves if we truly believe what Scripture says about all things, and in Context, or we are as fake as the walled church. Ask yourself this question:
If we say there is no one, or very few of the bretheran in our home area, why then do we not desire to reach out to those through this medium? What are we afraid of?
But the real questions is;
Do you believe the below Scripture?
Hebrews 10:21-25
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I will ask one more time if anyone is interested in an online prayer and fellowship meeting. There is no cost to you. The only cost is your fear, your pride, your unwillingness to pray with others. That is all. There is one other thing. I need godly men to lead. I, as a woman, cannot. If God blesses us with a woman's fellowship, Praise God. You would be surprised to hear what I have been told is why some do not want to join a woman's fellowship. No, I think it's because they would not be able to push their agenda, so they don't want to participate. Okay, be it as it may.
So let the arrows fly, if Pastor even allows this post. May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God be with you this day.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Who is shunning you, sister?
We have fellowship and unity in Him.
Trust in Him as most of the time we are fighting against His plans and ways.
I wrote a previous comment to J before you commented and hopefully Rick you will post it as I need to make a correction.
Thank you Pastor Rick for allowing me to correct my statement.
Everyone cannot be correct if we are all coming to a difficult conclusions and opinions of the Word.
My correction is: Everyone cannot be correct if we are all coming to different explanations of the Word.
That is only partially correct. many Scriptures have different applications and even dual interpretations. Some of the Old Testament Scriptures have their present interpretation as well as a future revelation. And as the case in revelation the words spoken to the churches in Asia also have applications to current churches as well as applications to individual believers. Sometimes tow perceptions can be correct, however there are times where only one view can be correct.
Kelli,
i have a blog and comments are not always posted in exact order, or we all write comments, but they are either before or after the fact. I have to say I am surprised at you asking who has shunned me when you are one of them. Remember our email conversation of a month or so ago when I asked you about joining me in a women's online prayer and fellowship? You gave me a reason that I will let you tell, that I thought was a bit overboard. Not that it didn't have some merit, I have been to those you have spoken about, but not all are that way. I wasn't compelling anyone either, just asking if they wanted to follow Scripture and gather together for prayer, worship and fellowship. So yes, you shunned me. Just because some are like you said, I am not. Also, I am open to being corrected. I think it a blessing to be corrected, but I will only accept correction by the Word of God, not someone's perception or opinion.
You are correct that no born again believer has arrived yet, but no one wants to admit that we are lazier then we think. Especially when it comes to fellow brothers and sisters. And we, the unchurched are all so righteous aren't we that we cannot admit we are somewhat similar to those we chastise in the visible church. But at least they fellowship. What is our excuse?
When are we going to start walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I wrote what I wrote whether or not anyone liked it and it is truth. I have read the posts on this blog by people who are trained by one group or another but do not see the Whole Counsel of God in there words. Everyone keeps to one thing and hardly ventures out into the whole Word. And as far as fellowship goes, well, this is sorely lacking. People are so bent on getting their two cents in they forget to exhort and lift up each other. Frankly, I am sick of it. Like I said, no one esteems another better than themselves and it is truly sad. I do count fellowship with God as best, but we are told (Scripture given) to fellowship with the bretheran especially in these last days, but no one, not one does so according to the Word of God. But, but, we are all so much better than the visible church huh? Peace
your sister in Christ Jesus
and yes, I am hurt by this
Here's a mouth shutter verse. If your life doesn't produce this fruit in others you probably are guilty of the message of this post!
Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I am disheartened that comment threads end up in personal and unedifying interactions. Comment threads on this blog are to add to the post article, express thanks to God for what was shared, ask questions, or some other non-confrontational comment.
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