My concerns about the bible

[Grandpa]

Although for some reason this didn't last long maybe a week or so, one day it just stopped i never could read the word like that again I never felt my soul devouring each verse like that. it's not the same as reading the bible or studying it like we normally do there is no interpretation needed no view of what a scripture means its as if God already gave you the eyes and understanding and all you have to do is simply feast on his word. I desperately want this again and I have prayed for it but it simply doesn't happen.

I wish this sometimes as well, Blain. When every single grain of Truth in the Bible was a brand new Revelation and you could feel the Love of God in almost every verse.

Some describe that as the "honeymoon" phase of Christianity. Or babes in Christ.

I guess we are made for something greater. Those experiences are just a taste for what is in store, for those that Love God.

I experienced the same sort of thing in my natural marriage to my wife. At first it was all new and passionate. But after awhile there is a familiarity that is still good, but lacks that passion and initial "surprise" or mystery.

We are truly blessed to be able to Know the Lord like this, Blain.

 

[Femalelamb]

Have you read Revelations, Ivanc0? The New Testament has plenty of God's vengefulness. As a matter of fact when he returns he will tred the wine press and mass kill all those wicked in the world. God is Holy and Just but also kind and merciful. When you assume things about Him you are making yourself judge over God. He is not accountable to us. We are accountable to Him. I urge you to repent and go back and study the Word again. I will gladly help you if you like. I was once one who thought just like you, so I am not coming from a place of hoitines or prideful or mean. I care about you and for you to see how truly merciful God really is. You are still alive after cursing Him like you just did. Think about that for a moment. Now, if you are right about the Word what have you got to loose by looking at it, praying, and listening to a few kind people? But if you are wrong, you have eternity to suffer for not heeding warnings. I am praying for you sincerely... Not as if I think I'm better and don't need prayer myself, I certainly always do. But from a place of sincere concern that you are looking at our creator through narrow eyes and a hard heart. I know, I've been there. May the God who created the ocean, the stars, the universe, even Mnt. Everest and ever living thing open the eyes of your understanding and enlarge your hear and give you abundant insight into His Spirit of truth and Love. Amen.

 

[ivanc0]

Wait Blain is actually talking about something that fits in the bible discussion forum!? But all jokes aside There is something i wish to discuss and it's bible. Lately I have been talking to God about my concerns with his word. I'm sure you all know my stance on scripture that it is holy and sacred and should be treated as such not to be used lightly or misused.
My conversation with God starts off with how it disturbs me how easy it is for one to tear apart his holy words and twist them and misuse them with ease. I heard atheists will study the bible exhaustively simple to debate attack and hurt Christians, I notice how if one knows the bible well how easy it is to take it out of context to fit our own desires beliefs or intentions. Even satan himself did this when Jesus was in the wilderness.

Another thing is this whole Bible version mess.Lots of ppl say a certain version is the only true word of God such as the king james version or possible some other version. But see this doesn't make sense to me because when I was first saved I only had a living translation bible and I have seen scripture do amazing things. When i began reading it wasn't like reading or studying a normal book every word and verse I read I could feel my soul devouring it as if it was the most amazing and most satisfying food or wine. I didn't read with an interpretation or anything I simply devoured everything I read and i saw how strong it made me so quickly I saw the power each verse held and I saw it do amazing things.

Although for some reason this didn't last long maybe a week or so, one day it just stopped i never could read the word like that again I never felt my soul devouring each verse like that. it's not the same as reading the bible or studying it like we normally do there is no interpretation needed no view of what a scripture means its as if God already gave you the eyes and understanding and all you have to do is simply feast on his word. I desperately want this again and I have prayed for it but it simply doesn't happen.

Another terrible contradiction is Job history.

Job
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

[SUP]7 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, “From whence comest thou?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it.”

[SUP]8 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, “Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who feareth God and escheweth evil?”

[SUP]9 [/SUP]Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Doth Job fear God for nought?

[SUP]10 [/SUP]Hast not Thou made a hedge about him and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance hath increased in the land.

[SUP]11 [/SUP]But put forth Thine hand now and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face!”

[SUP]12 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Satan is Son of God! They talk and have a little bet..... Just do not put the hand on Job, but kill wife, sons, daughters is just OK.

....
Second meeting between God and Satan:

Job 2
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

[SUP]2 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, “From whence comest thou?” And Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it.”

[SUP]3 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, “Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who feareth God and escheweth evil? And still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst Me against him to destroy him without cause.”


... more suffering for Job. 42 chapter later.....

Job 42

[SUP]12 [/SUP]So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand sheasses.

[SUP]13 [/SUP]He had also seven sons and three daughters.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]And he called the name of the first Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Kerenhappuch.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job, and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren.

[SUP]16 [/SUP]After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his sons’ sons, even four generations.

[SUP]17 [/SUP]So Job died, being old and full of days.


And the men live happily, concern about 1st dead family...... This story has the signature of a legend. (God and Satan making a bet on Job)

 

[ivanc0]

Have you read Revelations, Ivanc0? The New Testament has plenty of God's vengefulness. As a matter of fact when he returns he will tred the wine press and mass kill all those wicked in the world. God is Holy and Just but also kind and merciful. When you assume things about Him you are making yourself judge over God. He is not accountable to us. We are accountable to Him. I urge you to repent and go back and study the Word again. I will gladly help you if you like. I was once one who thought just like you, so I am not coming from a place of hoitines or prideful or mean. I care about you and for you to see how truly merciful God really is. You are still alive after cursing Him like you just did. Think about that for a moment. Now, if you are right about the Word what have you got to loose by looking at it, praying, and listening to a few kind people? But if you are wrong, you have eternity to suffer for not heeding warnings. I am praying for you sincerely... Not as if I think I'm better and don't need prayer myself, I certainly always do. But from a place of sincere concern that you are looking at our creator through narrow eyes and a hard heart. I know, I've been there. May the God who created the ocean, the stars, the universe, even Mnt. Everest and ever living thing open the eyes of your understanding and enlarge your hear and give you abundant insight into His Spirit of truth and Love. Amen.

If you could teach me and show me that the old testament does not say what I am reading, I will be really happy.
so please go ahead and give me some of your wisdom.
Thanks.

 

[Willie-T]

No that's not what i'm saying I read the word I just don't seem to be able to feast on it like I used to. I do not claim to have every interpretation of scripture correct or view it in the correct way which is why I am so careful in how I use it as my understanding of it may be lacking and ppl don't like that they expect me to use scripture to make my point or to use it in a debate but do you know how easy it is to even accidently misuse misquote and take scripture out of context?

But when I use it to help ppl instead of debates or to make my point I see the scriptures demonstrate amazing power

Don't be upset. Relax. Rest in your trusting. Remember the Word is SUPPOSED to be "new to you every morning." Otherwise, you are nothing more than a Pharisee, quoting the product of your memory, but not living your heart.

At phases throughout my life, I have progressively seen more and more of God than I may have in previous years. And I have learned THIS is what is meant by "growing in the Word", not simply getting sounder, and sounder, and sounder. and sounder in doctrine, till you are no longer a singing harp for God, but you become little more than a muffled "gong", trying to make impressive noises.

 

[Willie-T]

Remember, after awhile we are no longer to just revel in feasting on the Word of God, but rather we are to thrill in now feeding others with it as we live it out in our lives.

Jesus came, not to teach us how to perform better church services, but to serve others.

 

[Angela53510]

Blain, the Word of God is our bread. That means we need to eat or partake of it every day. It feeds our soul. And if we are not passionate about the Word, then is it God's fault, or our own? We can pray to have the Holy Spirit illuminate the Bible, and I think that is a prayer God always answers, sooner or later.

I have read the Bible countless times, yearly, in different languages. Sometimes it does seem a bit dry. But I persist and God always showers me with blessings. I just read the book of Job. I was enthralled with the story. I learned so much again from it. But the interesting thing was remembering the times I read it, and it was just "blah, blah, blah" especially the friends' speeches. Maybe studying Job in a course on suffering a few years ago helped, I do not know. Just that I was so excited to pull out my Bible every day and read that fascinating story, which tells us so much about what an indescribable God we serve.

As for using the Bible, I don't think there is any other way to go! Seriously, if the Word is our bread, then it needs to be fresh in our hearts. We need to share it with others, both saved and unsaved. We simply cannot put it on a shelf and say it is too holy to be used. That is verging on blasphemy! Because the whole point of God leaving us with such an incredible record of salvation history is that we use it - live it - speak it - write it- and always share it!

And if someone twists it for their own evil devices, well that is between them and God.

PS. I did enjoy the verses you posted the other day on that thread about hell. Good to see someone digging to support their beliefs.

 

[Blain]

Blain, the Word of God is our bread. That means we need to eat or partake of it every day. It feeds our soul. And if we are not passionate about the Word, then is it God's fault, or our own? We can pray to have the Holy Spirit illuminate the Bible, and I think that is a prayer God always answers, sooner or later.

I have read the Bible countless times, yearly, in different languages. Sometimes it does seem a bit dry. But I persist and God always showers me with blessings. I just read the book of Job. I was enthralled with the story. I learned so much again from it. But the interesting thing was remembering the times I read it, and it was just "blah, blah, blah" especially the friends' speeches. Maybe studying Job in a course on suffering a few years ago helped, I do not know. Just that I was so excited to pull out my Bible every day and read that fascinating story, which tells us so much about what an indescribable God we serve.

As for using the Bible, I don't think there is any other way to go! Seriously, if the Word is our bread, then it needs to be fresh in our hearts. We need to share it with others, both saved and unsaved. We simply cannot put it on a shelf and say it is too holy to be used. That is verging on blasphemy! Because the whole point of God leaving us with such an incredible record of salvation history is that we use it - live it - speak it - write it- and always share it!

And if someone twists it for their own evil devices, well that is between them and God.

PS. I did enjoy the verses you posted the other day on that thread about hell. Good to see someone digging to support their beliefs.

The verge of blasphemy? are you serious? Did you even read what I said? i explained it wasn't me not using the scripture but how I choose to use it

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

John 1:1-5
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 6:48-51
48I am that bread of life. 49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Romans 10:16,17
16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 3:19
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Jason0047]

And I tend to think you miss the "unto God" part and think it means you need to prove yourself to show your worth. That defeats the purpose...

Since we're now telling what we think others are thinking.

There is no me telling what I think he is thinking on this point. He clearly said before he does not like quoting Scripture. Yet, it is a Biblical thing to do (Which he is ignoring). Jesus and the apostles quoted Scripture. That means we should be doing the same thing.

 

[Blain]

There is no me telling what I think he is thinking on this point. He clearly said before he does not like quoting Scripture. Yet, it is a Biblical thing to do (Which he is ignoring). Jesus and the apostles quoted Scripture. That means we should be doing the same thing.

Before you go making false accusations of me I have said to you over and over I do not quote scripture in debates simply to prove my point or to be right I quote scripture to help encourage and uplift others. you use scripture your way and I use it mine. Let me ask you in your time of debating have you ever seen ppl take the scripture you use to heart? Every time I see ppl use scripture in debates I never once see ppl take it to heart never once have seen them accept what the scripture says and learn from it i have only seen them either totally reject it or say it means something else and them post scripture to counter that scripture.

I suppose the motive for posting scripture in debate is to edify correct? For the most part I have only seen ppl use it to prove their right or simply to prove the other person wrong and no one ever does learn from the scriptures because in their minds they are right and refuse to accept they could be wrong. As I have said I haven't seen the power the scriptures hold by using it in debates but I have seen it by using it to help others.

 

[didymos]

...
Although for some reason this didn't last long maybe a week or so, one day it just stopped i never could read the word like that again I never felt my soul devouring each verse like that. it's not the same as reading the bible or studying it like we normally do there is no interpretation needed no view of what a scripture means its as if God already gave you the eyes and understanding and all you have to do is simply feast on his word. I desperately want this again and I have prayed for it but it simply doesn't happen.

Illumination of the Holy Spirit is the key. Pray for it before you begin your reading/studying, you can't do without it. Don't read/study your Bible as if it were a manual. God wants to be involved in you understanding His Word. Through His Holy Spirit the reading becomes more than just an interpretation of words, it becomes a true communication with God, to know His will.


He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--
not of the letter but of the Spirit;
for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

(2 Cor 3:6 / NIV)

 

[oldthennew]

great OP Blain.

we're so impressed, there are so many shared words of wisdom here.
how we love others when they share from their hearts in love.

our Father's Words are like a river of life, they flow and ebb according to
our Spiritual needs.
what a beautiful river of light and knowledge.

 

[Blain]

great OP Blain.

we're so impressed, there are so many shared words of wisdom here.
how we love others when they share from their hearts in love.

our Father's Words are like a river of life, they flow and ebb according to
our Spiritual needs.
what a beautiful river of light and knowledge.

I can't take credit my friend i only posted what I felt lead to post and what I said simply came from the heart not mine but God's. any wisdom i ever have is from him alone for I am nothing on my own

 

[PeterJens]

I can't take credit my friend i only posted what I felt lead to post and what I said simply came from the heart not mine but God's. any wisdom i ever have is from him alone for I am nothing on my own

There is a strange problem with the word, the bible. It is just a book, a fixed set of stories, instructions, while God is alive like ourselves. If the bible was actually alive, speaking, commanding it would be God, but it is His word, His testimony.
When God speaks he speaks to our hearts through the Holy Spirit and uses his word, and many other things.

The problem is the word speaks loudly when it relates to where we are, speaks at the moment to a current situation, and the light goes on. But when the word echoes with things we know, speaks of ideas we have understood, it can seem empty, because in a sense its work is done in that area. I then flipped over from the conceptual to the application to those around me, using the Word to minister, to encourage, to bring hope. It suddenly becomes stronger, another layer of wisdom, yet the same words.

I begin to see it is like exercising love, if you choose to be passive not much takes place, but you start to look for guidance, opportunities, things come alive again. A road map is not much use if you are sitting still.

 

[Utah]

I heard atheists will study the bible exhaustively simple to debate attack and hurt Christians, I notice how if one knows the bible well how easy it is to take it out of context to fit our own desires beliefs or intentions. Even satan himself did this when Jesus was in the wilderness.

Sometimes I read Scripture and it feels as though my spirit is not fed while other times I am indeed so filled that I can't wait to share the Word with others. Peaks and valleys, my friend; you can't have one without the other.

Regarding atheists, the Bible is a book of faith, and since atheists have no faith their reading the Bible is a moot point. Of course they're going to debate and attack Christians, because though most atheists will never admit this, they want the gift of faith that we have and they're angry because they don't have it, hence the attacks.

 

[Blain]

There is a strange problem with the word, the bible. It is just a book, a fixed set of stories, instructions, while God is alive like ourselves. If the bible was actually alive, speaking, commanding it would be God, but it is His word, His testimony.
When God speaks he speaks to our hearts through the Holy Spirit and uses his word, and many other things.

The problem is the word speaks loudly when it relates to where we are, speaks at the moment to a current situation, and the light goes on. But when the word echoes with things we know, speaks of ideas we have understood, it can seem empty, because in a sense its work is done in that area. I then flipped over from the conceptual to the application to those around me, using the Word to minister, to encourage, to bring hope. It suddenly becomes stronger, another layer of wisdom, yet the same words.

I begin to see it is like exercising love, if you choose to be passive not much takes place, but you start to look for guidance, opportunities, things come alive again. A road map is not much use if you are sitting still.

This is where you are wrong my friend. God's word is not just a book, it's in the form of a book but is very much alive and very powerful.

 

[GaryA]

Jesus quoted Scripture as an authority. The Scriptures say we are to conform to the image of Christ. Also, the apostles also quoted Scripture, too. 2 Timothy 3:16 says Scripture is profitable for correction and training in righteousness. Meaning, we are supposed to use the Word of God when we correct and train other believers. It is not an option.

This is one of those places in the Bible where folks like to get their 'authority' kick to satisfy the old man pride...


2 Timothy 3:

[SUP]15[/SUP] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [SUP]16[/SUP] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [SUP]17[/SUP] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


In the context, Paul is giving Timothy instruction regarding fulfilling his calling. Look carefully at the wording of these verses.

While it is true that we use scripture to teach others - in the context of this passage, it is talking about teaching good doctrine to self and self-reproof and self-correction and instruction to self.

Be careful not to "wield" this passage as justification of authority over someone else for the purpose of "fixing" them --- it is actually talking about using the scriptures to ensure that we ourselves are "at or above par"...

 

[didymos]

This is where you are wrong my friend. God's word is not just a book, it's in the form of a book but is very much alive and very powerful.

The Bible only becomes God's Word through the Illumination of the His Holy Spirit. Without that it's "just" another book. Some people even choose to read it as literature, there are even literary versions available where the indication of verses has been omitted.

 

[Miri]

Hi Blain I know exactly what you mean about the word of God. Here is a copy of my response on another thread about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sorry I didn't want to digress and bring another subject into your thread but my reply would not have made sense outside the context of the original response. Hope you don't mind.

[h=2]

Re: Who here has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?[/h]

Hi Druiz.

Unfortunatley there is a lot of sceptism and controversy over the matter and one which crops up regularly. possibly people have gotten a little fed up of debating it and the controversy it can cause. It's a pity really as it is an important question.

I can only tell you of my experiences . I attend a Pentecostal church and many speak in tongues I use to feel very frustrated and that I was missing something as everyone kept telling me how wonderful it was and how edifying it was to speak in tongues both in public and private prayer.

i went forward on several occasions for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. People would pray for me then tell me to speak. I would ask them what I should say and they just looked at me and told me to speak in tongues which I found really confusing. What was I suppose to say? Sometimes people would tell me to repeat what they were saying but I refused to do that. I was determined that if I was to speak in tongues I wanted it to be the real thing. Unfortunatley this backfired a bit as I got to the point where I even refused to try in case it wasn't real. I wanted it to be the real deal.

Then during one meeting with a small group of people, we had an amazing time of prayer and the atmosphere in the room was electric. I know this sounds a bit peculiar but a person bright some silk veils and suggested covering each person in turn and praying for them. Sort of symbolic of going into that secret place of prayer with God.

Well my turn came and something happened that night. I really believed I was baptised with the Holy Spirit. I could not speak in tongues but it was as if my eyes were wide open to spiritual things in a way they hadn't been before. I went home that night and although it was late all I wanted to do,was stay up and read the bible.

But even that felt different it felt as if the words were just leaping off the page and i wasn't just reading with my eyes I was reading with my spirit. Every letter, every punctuation mark, even the blank spaces between the words seems to have such significance. At that point I fully understood that verse in Revelation where John said the word tasted like honey.

That whole bible reading thing lasted 3-4 months. I had such a hunger for the bible but reading it took ages as every word I read seemed to have deeper meaning then ever before. Eventually things calmed down although I still get that same excited thrill even after all this time when I pick up the bible. I find myself reading the same old passages that I have read over and over again but even now it can feel as if I am reading them with new eyes for the first time.

i still couldnt speak in tongues though but looking back I think it was me, I was just in such a turmoil about the whole matter and so anxious that it not be false, that I refused to even try. In the end I decided not to bother anymore and that I just wouldn't go forward again and I put the whole matter out of my mind.

Well as soon as I stopped worrying about it, I started to realise that while singing hymns and joining in with the worship in church, I started to get words popping into my head only they seemed to come from deep within me, sort of from my stomach, I know that sounds strange. I didnt voice them as I didn't know what to make of it.

it took me some time to realise (I was a bit slow on the uptake) this was tongues and I started sort of singing in tongues a little during time of worship.

i still don't speak in tongues generally but that's my own inhibitions, but during times of worship it builds and builds and I can feel the words there inside needing to come out while singing.

i don't know if this helps at all. Every one will have a different story to tell on the matter.​