Re: what is your take on swearing

I still do it too Bek, which is why the Lord convicted me of it and why I've decided to completely stop. Years ago I did what you're talking about--replacing the bad words with other words, and that seemed to me to be ok then. Then recently as I said, I caught myself using the bad words again at times, while at other times I would still use the ones I'd replace them with. When the Lord convicted me of it, it caused me to start thinking that perhaps it isn't just the words themselves that are bad, but what's behind the words we're saying. If that's true, then that would seem to me to mean that we should not only work on not saying the words, but in taking care of the attitude/emotions etc that cause us to say them in the first place. Am I making any sense? (I'm still kind of out of it this morning lol)

I think this might be the verse you're referring to though:

Matthew 12:33-37 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”


But if you read that in context you see that the words said, come from what's inside us. That isn't a very comforting thought--at least not to me; that even after many years of doing my best to make sure that I only listened to godly music, of studying His Word daily, and spending time with Him daily, that all of that couldn't "erase" the many more years of sinful living that were stored inside of me. Of course, I know that won't be entirely wiped out until we get our new bodies, but that doesn't mean we should sit around waiting and doing nothing to correct it as much as possible now. Jesus actually talked about this a great deal--(about it being what's on the inside of us that is important, and that's what needs to be cleaned up.)

So what I'm saying is that if it's what's inside of us that's the cause of these "words", then we actually have to attack this on two fronts: First the obvious front which is the words themselves, by stopping to use them; and the Second is by looking inside with the Lord's help to discover what it is inside us that we need to work on with His help.

Here's one place where the Lord talks about this that I think we're all familiar with; it shows that it's not so much the looking that's wrong, it's what is causing him to look--what's inside him:

Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Here's another one where He's talking to the pharisees and telling them too that it's not just what you do that the world sees that's important, it's what's in your heart, what's inside you that's important:

Matthew 23:25-26 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

When He tells them to first clean the inside of the cup and dish, He's of course speaking of them cleaning up what's inside themselves first, because if they do that, then they will no longer have to worry about what the world sees, since they will be clean and will therefore automatically bring forth good fruit.

So if we just stop swearing and using bad words, or just change which words we use when we want to swear, we would be trying to make ourselves look good on the outside, just like the pharisees did. We don't want to do that, we want to be real, be ourselves, but not our "old selves". We want to be the people that the Lord saved us to be. Remember, He gave us a new nature, a new "self", so that's the self we want to bring out for the world to see. Paul tells us:

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

He then gives us a number of examples of how our new self is different from our old self and among those examples is this:

Ephesians 4:29-30 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Whenever we do things from our flesh or sinful nature it grieves the Holy Spirit because we're not listening to Him. His job is to teach us and guide us so we can grow and become more and more like Jesus. So when we don't listen to Him, it grieves Him. (upsets Him) After telling us all of this, Paul then shows us again the differences between our new selves and our old selves, telling us that we shouldn't allow ourselves to continue to do these type of things.

Ephesians 5:1-4 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

So to make a long story at least a little shorter, that's why I'm trying to list the things that cause me to swear, so that with the Lord's help I can work see what it is inside me that I need to work on so that the "inside" will be clean too.

I sure hope all that made sense!

 

what is your take on swearing (bible study thread)

Re: Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

One thing I was thinking more on was what caused me to cuss. I had already mentioned anger and frustration which seems to be the main thing. Thinking about it more though I came up with, sudden and unexpected pain, sudden unexpected fright, and even fright in general. Then in thinking back on the "anger and frustration" one, I had to include feeling hurt because often under the anger is hurt feelings. Finally the last one kind of shocked me although in my past it probably would have been the very first thing I would have mentioned, and that's "habit". The reason it shocked me was because I thought I'd ended that decades ago, even before I was saved. But the Lord pointed out to me, while it was happening, who it was that I was hearing it from constantly this past year which is part of why I've picked it up again. I was really surprised because as you all know I try very hard to be aware of my thoughts and to stay in control of them. Finally the last one I thought of was "for shock effect".

That too has taught me a lesson though. The lesson is that we can't let our guard down even when we think we've got something licked. Hopefully I won't make that mistake again!

Actually come to think of it, it showed me two lessons because it also showed me just how desensitized the world has gotten us toward this. We're so used to hearing it and reading it on everything from signs to t-shirts and of course in books and hearing it from everyone around us as well as on TV and in movies and even video games that it just goes from one ear right through the other and never stops to register. That's why God tells us to guard our hearts and minds:

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The word translated "heart" in this verse could probably be better translated, "heart and mind" because it encompasses both since it means more then just mental and emotional capacity but also your values etc. And notice how the Lord says we're to do this "above all else"? That's just how important this is!

Now the reason I wanted to know what usually precipitated cussing for me was so I could be even more on guard against it when I was experiencing those things. So I'm going to list them here again so they're easy to see. Plus that way I can later use them to look up more about them just as I already did for "anger".

• anger
• frustration
• sudden and unexpected pain,
• sudden unexpected fright,
• fright in general
• hurt-hurt feelings
• habit
• for shock effect

If anyone can think of anything else that causes it, please let me know ok?

Finally, after showing me the verse that tells us what NOT to do yesterday, (I'm going to post these in context so we can think about the context and look at it further next time)

Ephesians 5:1-7 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

the Lord led me to one that shows us what we are to do:

Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

This also reminded me of a verse that jumped out at me the other day too, which reminds us again of how important it is to be in control of our thoughts and words:

2 Peter 3:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

Ok, that's all I can remember for now. I'll be gone tomorrow so I'll have to pick this up on Sunday. Feel free to add to this yourselves though!

what is your take on swearing (bible study thread)

Re: Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

True Barbara, and all of that is covered in this verse which should have been the first one I thought of:

Ephesians 5:3-4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

I would like to add one other thing that hit me last night when I was thinking about this. I actually thought of a whole bunch of things last night, but will write about that in a bit. But it suddenly hit me about 'calling a godly person" to find out about something. While there's nothing wrong with listening to what a godly person has to say, and we certainly should, we should never, ever, consider that their word is the final authority of whether or not something is right or wrong or is what God says about something. I certainly hope no one ever says that about the stuff I say here in the bible study forum or anywhere else for that matter. God and only God should be our final authority. When we want to know "for sure" what God thinks about something, the only place we should to go is to Him in prayer as we search His Word. When we ask others, all we're getting are other people's opinions and that includes me as well.

That's why I started this thread/bible study in the first place. First I thought it would be an interesting subject to see what others had to say. (like calling a friend to see what they think) It wasn't because I disagreed with others that I then copied the thread and turned it into a bible study, it was because even though finding out what others think is interesting and fun, it doesn't do anything toward discovering what's important and that's what God thinks about it. The only way I could determine what God thinks about this was to ask Him and do a bible study on it, so I changed this to a bible study thread and began posting the passages He gave me as I got them.

Whenever I do a bible study here I always post the scriptures and try to post them in context so that others who are reading can follow my train of thought and so they can see for themselves what the scriptures say in context. I no longer post all the scriptures I find in my bible studies (and haven't for years) because I've been told that it's just way too much info by most people. So I try to just post the most relevant ones. On average however, I generally have at the very least double the number of scriptures as the ones I've posted in any study. That's mainly because I like to be very thorough and not leave any stone unturned on whatever subject I'm studying. I guess I'm just naturally curious and have a tendency to want to know everything about everything lol The point is though, that no one should ever assume that because I've posted 8 scriptures that that is all there is about it in the bible. Trust me, there's a LOT more about any topic I've done a study on, then what I've posted. It's there for you to find if you pray and dig, looking for His treasure in His Word.

The other point I wanted to make though was that I'm no better then anyone else here. I'm just a fellow believer searching out God's Will and trusting Him to teach me and guide me in all His ways. I may know the bible a little better then some here, but then there are others that know it better then I do. And while I may know a lot in one area, someone else may know more in another area. That's how we learn and grow together. The very last thing I want to do is appear "self righteous" or "holier then thou". Even in this subject matter I've admitted that I sin in this area and it was the Lord convicting me of that sin that caused me to begin this whole thing. All I want is to learn what the Lord has to say about things so I can do my best to live the way He wants me to. So whatever it is I'm learning from the Lord about, I share with others here so that anyone else that's interested can join in too.

Anyway, I'll post more about what all I got last night a little later.

what is your take on swearing (bible study thread)

Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

This is one of the verses I have listed as "example to follow" for it's how I want the Lord to be able to view me someday (I hope)

Malachi 2:6-7 True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.

I didn't realize you had posted in this thread and was just coming here to post about something else I just read that made me think of this. I'm going to continue to post what I find for myself and any others who are convicted about it. I'm not trying to convict anyone myself, that's for the Holy Spirit to do, but since He has convicted me, I do want to continue what I've started. So please don't take offense. That's why I copied the post to the bible study forum.

I'd appreciate it if those of you who disagree would keep your posts on the other thread in end times chat though so that it doesn't disrupt the study portion here ok? As I said, I'm not trying to argue, debate or convict anyone in this thread, I'm just doing what I do with all my studies and sharing what I've learned.

OK, this is part of what I was reading:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The word slanderers reminded me of what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

(Raca means "you fool") This is another area that shows us that it's not just cursing people such as telling them to go to hell that is considered wrong. My commentary says this about it:

Furthermore, becoming angry and assuming a position of superiority over another by calling him a derogatory name (such as the Aram. Raca or You fool!) demonstrates sinfulness of the heart. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures

In searching for more information in God's Word about that, I was led to this verse, and having seen it now, I'm ashamed that I didn't think of it right away:

Ephesians 5:3-4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

The self-centered vices in conduct and speech (vv. 3-4) are the opposite of the self-sacrificing love spoken of in verses 1-2. Since these vices portray selfishness and unconcern for others, a believer should not have even a hint of these sins in his life

Improprieties in speech—obscenity (aischrotēs, “shameless talk and conduct”), foolish talk (mōrologia, lit., “stupid words”), and coarse jesting (eutrapelia, “vulgar, frivolous wit”)—are out of place for Jesus’ followers, because such vices often harm (cf. 4:29),

The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures

The apostle not only cautions against the gross acts of sin, but against what some may be apt to make light of, and think to be excusable. Neither filthiness (v. 4), by which may be understood all wanton and unseemly gestures and behaviour; nor foolish talking, obscene and lewd discourse, or, more generally, such vain discourse as betrays much folly and indiscretion, and is far from edifying the hearers; nor jesting. The Greek word eutrapelia is the same which Aristotle, in his Ethics, makes a virtue: pleasantness of conversation. And there is no doubt an innocent and inoffensive jesting, which we cannot suppose the apostle here forbids. Some understand him of such scurrilous and abusive reflections as tend to expose others and to make them appear ridiculous. This is bad enough: but the context seems to restrain it to such pleasantry of discourse as is filthy and obscene, which he may also design by that corrupt, or putrid and rotten, communication that he speaks of, ch. 4:29. Of these things he says, They are not convenient. Indeed there is more than inconvenience, even a great deal of mischief, in them. They are so far from being profitable that they pollute and poison the hearers. But the meaning is, Those things do not become Christians, and are very unsuitable to their profession and character. Christians are allowed to be cheerful and pleasant; but they must be merry and wise. The apostle adds, But rather giving of thanks: so far let the Christian’s way of mirth be from that of obscene and profane wit, that he may delight his mind, and make himself cheerful, by a grateful remembrance of God’s goodness and mercy to him, and by blessing and praising him on account of these. Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible

As I said earlier, the things that usually cause me to cuss are when I'm really angry and or frustrated. So I'm going to list some verses about that to think about and I want to think too about what else causes me to cuss....

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Psalm 4:4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Ephesians 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Proverbs 15:1-4 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

what is your take on swearing (bible study thread)

Re: Things we "should" be thinking about

Let's see, we could think about nature and how beautiful it is and maybe try and imagine (if we can lol) what heaven might be like--how beautiful it will be etc.

Speaking of imaginations, it seems someone brought that up in the other thread too because unfortunately our imaginations are often sinful or can be. Especially if we use them to imagine ourselves doing or succeeding in something the Lord has forbidden.

We could imagine ourselves in all kinds of normal earthly situations (kind of like a "what if" scenario, only imagine how we would handle various things if we were to do so in a Godly way. Like what if a co worker brought up the subject of sin, how would we handle it--and imagine ourselves doing it in such a way that it would make the Lord proud of us.

Thinking and imagining things isn't bad, as long as were doing it in a godly manner. If you think about it, in the parable of the prodigal son, the son imagines what he will say to his father to try and get his father to take him back. God gave us our minds and our imaginations but sin has corrupted them. We just need to be careful to use them in the manner and for the purpose God intended them to be used in.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

So using our imaginations for good, to think and work out ways in which we could speak or act in a godly way in various situations would be a good use of our imagination.

Another good use for them would be to imagine ourselves becoming very knowledgeable and wise about God's ways and sharing it with others; or perhaps seeing ourselves overcome various problems or sins in our lives and imagining how that might happen. Imagining ourselves being a godly wife or husband, child or spouse etc. would be other ways to use our imaginations for good.

We might imagine ourselves doing something we really love and enjoy and having that as our job and imagine how we would grow spiritually while doing it; or just imagine ourselves growing spiritually as we do whatever our job is now.

There are millions of things we could imagine that would be godly ways of using our imaginations.

Something Barbara said on another thread reminded me of something that's always good to think about, dwell on, imagine about and even pray about:



And that reminds me of a story about my oldest granddaughter when she was two years old. It was Thanksgiving Day and my daughter was having her first Thanksgiving Dinner at her house so it was very special. We were all sitting at the table and the food smelled wonderful. My daughter began to say the blessing over the meal and Cassandra piped up saying she wanted to say the prayer lol, so Michelle told her she could.

So Cassandra began praying:

Dear God, thank you for our house, for our kitchen and our table and our sink to wash the dishes in, thank you for our dishes and the silverware too; thank you for our couch and for my rocking chair; thank you for my toys (she then named quite a few of them!) thank you for our toilet and the bathtub and the sink and our toothbrushes; thank you for soap and toilet paper and for my mommy's hair brush; thank you for my barrettes,thank you for my hair, and thank you for water to drink and water to wash in; thank you for my daddy's coffee; thank you for my mommy, daddy, grandpa, grandma (and that list went on quite awhile too) and thank you for the vacuum and the broom and sponges to clean up messes; thank you for the TV and the stereo and for music; thank you for clean sheets and pillows and blankets to keep us warn; thank you for our car and the phone and mommy and daddy's jobs, and for our money, and the trees outside; the sun and the beach, the moon and stars at night, the sand, the grass and flowers, for our curtains, our beds, our kitty, and the kitty's food, .....

That little one continued on like this for at least a full five minutes before Michelle tried to stop her and let her know that the food was getting cold! She said she'd be done soon so Michelle let her continue. and continue she did for another full five minutes!

Finally Michelle told her she had to stop lol and she ended her prayer, "In Jesus' Name, Amen!" We all were laughing at first but I had tears in my eyes by the end of it because I had learned more that thanksgiving day from my two year old granddaughter then I ever would have suspected! That little one truly understood what being thankful was all about and understood that all those things she named really were blessings from the Lord. It made me think of these verses right away:

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Matthew 18:2-4 He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I vowed that day to never forget the lesson she taught me. In fact this past Thanksgiving Michelle again had Thanksgiving Dinner at her house with the whole family. Cassandra was 12 then and after Michelle led us in prayer, I reminded Cassandra of her first real Thanksgiving dinner and her prayer that day. I thanked her for all she taught me and told her that I have shared the story with many people since then so really she has taught many about thankfulness and counting our blessings. I pray it's something she will never forget, and that it's something that will help many including me to remember to be thankful for everything we have, because really, we have so much!



I think I'll go count my blessings right now! Being so much older then Cassandra was, I should be able to count them for a very long time!!! (and each and every one of you are a blessing to me!)

 

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Things we "should" be thinking about

In our bible study on Stress,worry,fear etc & the Christian We were looking at some verses where we are told what kinds of things we should be thinking on instead of worrying and having fearful or depressing thoughts. Barbara suggested that we should have a thread where we could list the good things we could think about to replace the sinful thoughts.

In preparing to start this thread I started reading what the commentaries said about Philippians 4:8 and was shocked to find that they say exactly what we've been talking about in our study! So to help us think up "good thoughts" I'm including these commentaries since they break it down more and that can give us more ideas. Plus they'll show you that I'm not the only one that has realized that this is God's prescription to living in peace and joy

First though, here is the main passage we're working from:

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Here are what a few of the commentaries had to say about this:

Character and conduct begin in the mind. Our actions are affected by the things we dwell on in our thoughts. Paul cautions his readers to concentrate on things that will result in right living and in God’s peace Spirit filled life study Bible.

Finally. In conclusion.
Whatsoever. Whatsoever introduced six adjectives picturing old-fashioned Christian ideas.
True.Resting on reality and aiming at reality.
Honest. Honorable, dignified, worthy of reverence, the combination of gravity and dignity.
Just. Righteous relations between man and man, and man and God. Pure. Stainless, chaste, unsullied.
Lovely. Lovable, endearing, amiable, gracious, charming, pleasing, winsome.
Of good report. Attractive, fair speaking.
If there be any virtue. Mental, moral, and physical excellence.
If there be any praise. Anything praiseworthy, deemed worthy of praise.
Think on these things. Meditate on them with careful reflection, not casually and superficially, but constantly and logically. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7). Noble thinking produces noble living; high thinking produces high living; and holy thinking produces holy living. All these noble qualities were exemplified in Christ and are produced by the Holy Spirit. KJV Bible commentary.

Right Thinking (Phil. 4:8)

Peace involves the heart and the mind.“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:3). Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry. We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

“Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny!”

Paul spells out in detail the things we ought to think about as Christians.

Whatever is true.Dr. Walter Cavert reported a survey on worry that indicated that only 8 percent of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern! The other 92 percent were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway. Satan is the liar (John 8:44), and he wants to corrupt our minds with his lies (2 Cor. 11:3). “Yea, hath God said?” is the way he approaches us, just as he approached Eve (Gen. 3:1ff). The Holy Spirit controls our minds through truth (John 17:17; 1 John 5:6), but the devil tries to control them through lies. Whenever we believe a lie, Satan takes over!

Whatever is honest and just. This means “worthy of respect and right.” There are many things that are not respectable, and Christians should not think about these things. This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing, but it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts.

Whatever is pure, lovely, and of good report. “Pure” probably refers to moral purity, since the people then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity (Eph. 4:17–24; 5:8–12). “Lovely” means “beautiful, attractive.” “Of good report” means “worth talking about, appealing.” The believer must major on the high and noble thoughts, not the base thoughts of this corrupt world.

Whatever possesses virtue and praise. If it has virtue, it will motivate us to do better; and if it has praise, it is worth commending to others. No Christian can afford to waste “mind power” on thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if these thoughts were shared.

If you will compare this list to David’s description of the Word of God in Psalm 19:7–9, you will see a parallel. The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a “built-in radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law” (Ps. 119:165). Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God.

The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"

So, now that you have an idea of what we're talking about, what are some of the things you think we could dwell on that would meet the requirements of what Paul tells us in that passage in Philippians?

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The notion of divine control

The notion of divine control

How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew 7:11.

Jesus is laying down rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit. By the simple argument of these verses He urges us to keep our minds filled with the notion of God’s control behind everything, which means that the disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek.

Notion your mind with the idea that God is there. If once the mind is notioned along that line, then when you are in difficulties it is as easy as breathing to remember—Why, my Father knows all about it!. It is not an effort, it comes naturally when perplexities press. Before, you used to go to this person and that, but now the notion of the Divine control is forming so powerfully in you that you go to God about it. Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit, and it works on this principle—God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry?

There are times, says Jesus, when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but trust Him. God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural Father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the notion of the mind of God behind all things strong and growing. Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. “Ask, and it shall be given you.”

Chambers, O. (1993, c1935). My utmost for his highest : Selections for the year (July 16). Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers.

Re: Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

What I've been thinking about lately about it is that God calls us to be separate from the world. Often when I'm reading His Word, I can see that His ways are the total opposite of the world's ways, so that no longer surprises me. Often I've discovered things in His Word (like this subject) that I've never really given much thought to, that tell me that He has given it thought. Like so many other things that I "want to do", usually when I saw something like that, my first response was to ignore it. When I could no longer ignore it, my next response was to question each word I used. "Well can I say this then?". Like a little child who's mom has told them that they can't eat cookies before dinner, so they pick at the crumbs and the broken pieces instead. (cause if they're broken you're not "really" eating a cookie ) Now though the Lord has finally been able to convict me entirely and I'm ready to repent and stop eating the broken pieces and the crumbs.

I'm ready to be further separate myself from this world and be the godly woman He's called me to be. Somehow when I read these verses, I can't see that person swearing/cursing etc. for any reason:

1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

When I've used swear words or cussing in front of others, even as a joke, I've become part of the crowd and I'm accepted as "one of them". Looking back on my life, I can clearly see that now, and I don't want to be one of them anymore. I want to be someone who people can see is always different from them so that they will want what I have that makes me different. (Jesus of course)

You know, like Lulu said, for a long time after we were married, my pet name for Bruce was "jerk". It was a joke between us of course and I never thought too much about it until one day Bruce pointed out to me how bad it sounded to others. Of course I defended it because no one likes hearing they've done something wrong. But after praying I knew he was right so I asked both the Lord and Bruce to forgive me and haven't called him that since. (well I did slip once in a while at first, but you know what I mean)

Now, being a member of God's household, a citizen of heaven and while here an ambassador of Christ, I just don't think I would be being a very good ambassador for Him if I continue to use words in that way. To me, after having read all those verses I posted before, I think that by using words that way, I am both setting a bad example for others, and more importantly am putting my Lord in a bad light since I represent Him.

The hard part for me is determining what I "should say" then. I'm accustomed to taking my thoughts captive and replacing them with God's Truth, but in this case I need to replace them with ordinary words lol, and believe it or not, that's harder for me because that means I have to think about it and can't do it instantly.

So I decided that in instances where I would normally be upset and frustrated and so might say "shoot" (or whatever lol) that if I'm feeling that way because of something I've done/a mistake I've made, etc, then I'll simply say, "Oh no!" or "oh no, I did it again!" That way I won't be using any curse word at all.

Although all the verses I posted have convicted me of this, I think these are the ones that really got me:

James 3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

 

Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

Re: Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

I know we all do it, but I guess what I'm getting at is "should" we do it? What does God really think about it? Does God say that sometimes we can and other times it's not OK? (guys, please don't think I'm lecturing because I'm honestly not--what I'm writing here are the questions I've been asking myself and I'm sharing with you the answers I've been getting to them. I seriously am NOT trying to condemn anyone--how could I when I'm every bit as guilty as anyone else? I only want to discuss it so we can all learn and grow together and to be perfectly honest, to use you guys as a kind of sounding board to bounce my thoughts off of, if you know what I mean)

I agree with Barbara because that verse she mentioned does come into play here.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And then He says this too which I think applies to what we're discussing:

Matthew 12:35-37 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Luke 6:43-45 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

James 3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

It is these verses that really have convicted me about this. When you combine this with what we've learned in the bible study about stress, fear, worry etc it shows even further just how important our thoughts and words are. I know that to some people this might seem petty or even "legalistic". To me though it really isn't. I'm only trying to live this life the way the Lord says we should so that I can please Him and so I can be the godly woman He desires me to be and that He planned for me to be. I probably can't live up to His expectations, but at least I can try. If I use those same techniques that I posted about in the stress study, I should be able to clean up my mouth and my thoughts fairly easily since taking my thoughts captive is already a habit. I just have one more thing to take captive now.

The more I've thought about this, the more I think that this is yet another area that we have been "brainwashed" by the world in. What I mean is that they have "desensitized us" to swearing and cussing. After all, we hear it constantly and even see it everywhere on shirts and signs etc. It's often turned into a "joke" and meant to be "funny". (when you think about it, that's the same way they desensitized us to other evils such as premarital sex, extra marital sex, homosexuals, etc.) I freely admit that I've laughed at my fair share of things like that too, but I've found over the last few years especially that those kind of things turn me off more and more now. I believe that the Holy Spirit is showing them to me as they really are now.

When I think back to when I was a little girl, I know without a doubt that many words people use today without thinking twice about it, would have earned me a spanking easily and instantly! In fact, when I was 20 and my mom was dying, I was taking my dad to the store and was venting about something that was upsetting me at the time. I accidentally used a swear word (and it wasn't anything that anyone now days would consider "bad"). My father actually pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped!!! I thought for sure he was going to turn me over his knees right then and there! I quickly apologized and so didn't get the spanking but I did get a lecture letting me know in no uncertain terms that he raised me to be a lady and those kind of words didn't come out of a lady's mouth! I wonder what my poor dad would think of today's world? (He died when I was 25). I don't think he'd like it very much.

There's a lot more that's been running through my head about this but I'll wait to post it as I know this is pretty long already...


Here are the verses from my opening post if you want to reference them again:

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

Matthew 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I realize that those last two verses are talking about swearing an oath and not profanity. But in trying to figure this out for myself I've done some digging and discovered some other verses that also go along with this subject but are more along the lines of "cursing". I'll post them for those who want to see what the Lord says. (there are plenty more but those you'll have to find on your own or I'll be here all night LOL)

Romans 3:10-14 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

Exodus 22:28 “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Psalm 10:7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

Exodus 21:17 “Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Psalm 59:12-13 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

In the Scoffers thread, we were talking about how differently we think and view things then unbelievers do and it reminded me of what I was thinking about yesterday as I was painting.

I was having a real hard time "staying in the lines" and I kept using a bad word that I hate. (It starts with s and ends in t ) I quickly realized it and asked the Lord to forgive me and changed it to "shoot". I continued talking to the Lord about it as I painted and asked Him if it was OK to use the word "shoot" instead. The verses that came to my mind then were these

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

Matthew 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I never take the Lord's Name in vain or anything like that, and normally I don't even say things like "shoot", but for some reason it seems as though I've been hearing an awful lot of swearing lately, both in "real life" as well as from the TV when Bruce is watching it. I guess that's rubbed off on me without my being aware of it.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that everyone seemed to be swearing more and even those that didn't normally swear (at least not in front of me) were doing so now. I guess it's because of all the stress unbelievers and "young" Christians are under these days.

To me there's several "levels" of swearing:
The worst would be using God's Name in vain, and then would be calling other people by swear words and then using swear words when you've accidentally hurt yourself or something like that, and finally is when you substitute other common words for the swear word, like what I did when I was saying "shoot".

I've also come to the realization that not everyone considers the same words as "swear words". I remember hearing it explained as anything you wouldn't say to God was a swear word. I liked that because I know some people say it's anything you wouldn't say to your mother, but today kids say things to their mothers that would have gotten my kids slapped! (and still would!)

Anyway, I wanted to ask you guys what your take was on swearing. What, if anything is "OK" and when, and what isn't? Yesterday I came to the conclusion that even saying "shoot" wasn't acceptable so I've decided to really be careful from now on and train myself to quite literally not swear in any way shape or form, but simply let my yes be yes and my no be no. So next time I "go out of the lines" painting, I'll have to train myself to simply say, "Oh no!". (actually I already started training myself to do that yesterday LOL)

 

Speaking of the world today, what is your take on swearing?

after you have suffered a little while

— 1 Peter 5:10 “After that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

You have seen the arch of heaven as it spans the plain: glorious are its colours, and rare its hues. It is beautiful, but, alas, it passes away, and lo, it is not. The fair colours give way to the fleecy clouds, and the sky is no longer brilliant with the tints of heaven. It is not established. How can it be? A glorious show made up of transitory sun-beams and passing rain-drops, how can it abide?

The graces of the Christian character must not resemble the rainbow in its transitory beauty, but, on the contrary, must be stablished, settled, abiding. Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no “baseless fabric of a vision,” but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you.

But notice how this blessing of being “stablished in the faith” is gained. The apostle’s words point us to suffering as the means employed—“After that ye have suffered awhile.” It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way. So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.) (July 11 AM). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

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Re: Waiting For Jesus to Come

Well for starters let's do what we usually do when we're looking for the meaning of a passage and read it in context. Let's go look and see what Jesus was talking about just prior to these passages. Let's go back to the beginning of chapter 12 and see what's up. (no, lol, don't worry, I won't post the whole chapter LOL)

Luke 12:1-5 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

At the beginning of the chapter Jesus is telling the disciples to be on their guard against hypocrisy. I think here He is warning us to not only be on guard against it from others, but to also be on guard to make sure we don't wind up falling for any of it ourselves. He then warns us that everything we say will be known, no matter how deep and dark a secret it is. In light of what He'd just said about hypocrisy, I think this is a warning to all that if we purposely teach others things about God and His Word that aren't true, that they're going to be in very deep trouble! Part of the reason I think this is what He's saying is because of the context. First He says to be on guard against hypocrisy, then that whatever is said even in secret will be known and then that we should fear God. Plus we know that in other places God warns us not to add or subtract from His Word and to be careful what we teach and what we accept as being from Him.

The next portion of this chapter deals with telling us not to worry or be anxious about anything.

Luke 12:29-34 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I know that usually when I read this I think of worry about everyday things and certainly He includes that in what He's saying. But there's more to it then that. What He's telling us is what we should have our minds occupied with instead of our "daily lives and routines". He's telling us that the pagans are concerned about their daily lives here in this world, but what we need to be concentrating on instead is our spiritual lives, His Kingdom. If our focus is on His Kingdom all the time, then the things of this life fall down to their proper place in our minds--they're just "incidentals" and not of any great importance really. He is telling us that the reason we worry about things is because they're important to us, and the things of this world shouldn't be all that important to us. Instead we should be concentrating on Him, His Kingdom, His Will etc.

Did you notice how He started each portion out with what was happening in the physical world, shows us it's consequences in the spiritual world and ended it by telling us to pay less attention to the physical and more attention to God? Then the very next portion is the one we started out with:

Luke 12:35-36 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

So far anyway, this entire chapter reminds me of this saying:



The problem is, "how" do we live for Him? How do we guard against hypocrisy? How do we know enough about Him and His Kingdom to make sure we aren't following some erroneous teaching ourselves and so misleading others? How do we provide ourselves with treasure in heaven? Just as something to chew on, let me share some of the cross references for this as I think we can discover the "how's" through these as well.

Matthew 6:19-24 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 3:18-21 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Colossians 1:5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel

Colossians 3:1-6 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Haggai 1:5-11 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.”

So, what do you guys think?

 

Read the whole thread "Waiting for Jesus to Come" on FH

Waiting For Jesus to Come

Waiting For Jesus to Come

That’s what we’re all doing now more then ever, but exactly what is it that Jesus wants us to do while we’re waiting? Are we just supposed to stand outside, listening for that trumpet and looking up in the sky to see if we can see Him yet? No, I don’t think so lol, and I doubt if any of you think that either, even if that is how the world likes to make us look. But then what are we supposed to do?

The one thing they all say over and over is that we are to "watch, be alert, be self controlled, etc. Jesus Himself tells us this and it's repeated a bunch of times elsewhere as well. (I've learned to think of everything in God's Word as coming from God Himself even if it's not Jesus speaking in one of the Gospels but wanted to make the distinction that in this, Jesus Himself does address it specifically.)

Anyway, I wanted to know why this is so very important. We know that any time God has something repeated in scripture that it means that it's very important and that the more often it's repeated the more importance it has... I realized that the only way to discover the "why" is to read these in context, so I thought I'd share several passages with you guys and see what we could all come up with as to why Jesus wants us to watch, be alert and self controlled etc. But instead of looking at all of them at once, it will be easier to look them over one at a time. Plus that way we won’t miss anything! So let’s look at the passage from Luke first.

Luke 12:35-48 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Wow! Just reading that passage reminds me of so many other passages; like the parable of the ten virgins with their oil; the parable of the wedding banquet itself, the parable of the talents and others as well.

Obviously from the number of times Jesus says this, "being ready" is very very important for us. So from this we can understand that we must first "know the signs" so that we can expectantly watch for His return, and while doing that keep ourselves ready so that when He does call us home, He will be pleased with us.

I think one of the biggest problems though is that many people don't know what they are to do to "be ready". What is it that Jesus is looking to find in us on that day? What does He want to see in us then?

waiting for Jesus to come (on FH)

Homosexuality in the End Times

Not too long ago, I went off line at about 4:30 to finish cleaning up the house and get supper started for Bruce for when he got home from work. We both like to listen to the news when it comes on at 5pm so I turned the TV on our local news station so that it would be on the right channel when the news came on. While cleaning I realized that the show playing then was Oprah and she had on a young country music star who had apparently recently come out and said she was a lesbian. She told a heart wrenching story of how she hid it all her life from everyone including her parents and how being brought up in a good Christian home she was sure she was hated by God and would go to hell for it. Her story was truly heart wrenching and my heart went out to her and to all those like her.

Unfortunately she still doesn't understand the Truth. She thinks she feels a billion times better now because she's told the truth and she's not "living a lie" anymore. And well she should! Lying is a sin (as she knew too) and of course "living a lie" is a sin as well. Sin hurts us in many ways and hurts those around us. So here are these poor people who are so enslaved to many sins that they feel their only way out is to either kill themselves and get it over with, or be a practicing homosexual and decide (somehow) that God doesn't see homosexuality as a sin anymore.

What's even sadder is that many of these people were raised in "good Christian homes" and went to "good Christian churches". Where then was the discipleship they so badly needed when they were young??? Why then do they not understand that God never hated them because they were tempted to sin??? He hates the sin, not them. Where is their understanding that God doesn't make mistakes, that He doesn't create people as "homosexuals" or pedophiles, or thieves, or murderers, or liars etc. Why do they not understand that all of those things, like so many others, are quite simply sins and temptations??? Why do they not understand that God has called us to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ???

Do they seriously believe that God creates people to be murderers and thieves and homosexuals??? Apparently they do, but they are so very wrong!

How very sad that they feel they have to act on their sinful desires in order to "be happy". All they had to do was tell the truth about their sinful desires to have a homosexual relationship instead of hiding them. It's when we hide our sins that we give Satan a hold over us and many of these people obviously hid this sin for a very long time. Then instead of confessing the sinful thoughts/feelings and taking them captive in Christ, they went the other way and determined to find a way to reconcile their sin and yet remain "Christian". Just as Adam blamed God for his sin when he said, "the woman you gave me" made me do it, so they are blaming God for their sin by saying "God made me this way so it's His fault".

And now they are blaming those "good Christian churches" for all their problems and this young lady actually said that churches are ruining young people by telling them that homosexuality is wrong!!!

Unfortunately she's right in some ways. Churches that haven't been or aren't discipling their youngsters, and parents that are waiting for the church to teach their children God's Ways instead of doing it themselves are hurting the young.

Our children should all know that they will be tempted many times in many ways, but that being tempted doesn't make them "bad". It simply means that they need to turn to the Lord for His help and they need to be taught how to guard their minds and hearts by taking their thoughts captive for Christ. Basically, it means they're human! They need to know that they can always go to God about any thought or feeling they have and that He loves them always and that He will help them. That doesn't mean that He will make it easy for them though. There's a big difference between helping someone and doing it for them! And that's a HUGE thing that many people today simply don't get anymore.

Everyone wants everything handed to them on a silver platter instead of having to work for it. While God does give us gifts that way sometimes, for the most part He requires us to work out our salvation and use the tools He's given us in His Word.

I could go on and on about what they "should" have been taught, and what they should know, but you get the idea. What's so horribly sad though is that now, because these people think that they have finally been "freed" they are preaching their "salvation" to everyone, using every means at their disposal--TV, Radio, movies, the Internet, meetings and community groups, political activism etc.

Some of them are in many ways a part of this "new Christianity", that Warren, Piper, and others preach--but it's a Christianity without the Gospel and those people are going to go to Hell and will bring everyone else right along with them! So this half of the homosexual group is attacking the church, the body of Christ, with all the ammunition they can bring on it, and the other half, the half that are "atheists" are paving the way for them in society by mocking God.

It really opened my eyes (even wider) to how very active Satan is in our times! It's like an old fashioned cattle round up, only humans are the cattle and they're being rounded up to go to Hell. I think these people, these "stars" are going to be at the forefront of the battle to have the bible banned as hate speech and that's just part of what they'll accomplish. The question is, how much of it will we witness before the rapture???

see the entire thread here