Can we do this?

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JesusLives

JesusLives

Senior Member
#21
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#21
Willie-T said:
I say, in all honesty, that we cannot. And that the majority of us would not even try.

My wife just came to me, and said that she was recently challenged to read the Bible as though there was not a word in there which pertained to THEM.... but rather, that every single word was written to and about her, personally.

I say none of us, including myself has the guts to do that.

I think we lack the ability to ask, "Are you saying that directly to ME, God?"
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This may be my Blond thinking, but I always thought that God had written the book (Bible) for me to read as though He wrote it for me to learn about Him and to help me get through this life.... Us and them? I thought it is saved and lost cause really when all is said and done each person has to do the reading of the book for themselves and decide - Do I choose Jesus as my personal Savior or do I say No I don't want or need Jesus?

The Bible is my book and it is your book because God wrote it for all of us to take and read personally and then we each as individuals say yes or no.... There sure are some good stories in my book.... What about yours?
 
S

sydlit

Guest
#22
#22
Willie-T said:
No, it sounds like you pretty well understood what I was saying.
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Ok, just re-read the OP. I guess what your wife was saying I had backwards, maybe? I was only looking at how ppl tend to read the word and Only apply good things to themself, while reading the condemnations and pointing (in thought) that they must apply to others, either individuals or some group.
I tend find myself thinking, 'Wow, what a beautiful promise, I can see that applying to this or that person', but I have a hard time accepting that it applies to a wretch like me. However, when I read 'You do always quench the Holy Spirit' I often think, 'I know...I do...I'm sorry, why do I do that?' The Word there is personally applying to me, but I don't usually apply it to someone else, like, 'Yeah, Lord, that person always does that'.
So is your wife saying the challenge is to apply ALL the Word to ourselves, individually and personally, both blessings and condemnations?
Usually I get to 'Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner', and I can personalize that, but the reply of 'Today you will be with me in paradise' I always read as Jesus saying that to the thief on the cross, I know that's who He was talking to, but I have a hard time 'personalizing' it. How to do that?
 
JesusLives

JesusLives

Senior Member
#23
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#23
Joidevivre said:
I have done this. Of course, there are lots of verses that do not pertain to me - but I sure found the ones that were like an arrow in my heart. And underlined them. I wanted to grab hold of many of them. And if I questioned if this was right, I sort of heard the words to my spirit "why not?"

I think I would like your wife, Willie.
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She is a wonderful lady that would like you too I'm sure. Have gotten together with Willie and his wife with my tourist and they are good people. Lots of fun to be with always room for more friends in real life....
 
JesusLives

JesusLives

Senior Member
#24
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#24
Willie-T said:
My wife just told me that she did Romans 12 today, interjecting her own name at every place she could use it as a substitute for what was actually written. It really had a profound effect on her.
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I have done that making it up close and personal and it is a revelation and makes it as though God is talking directly to me. Which He is by the way.....lol
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#25
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#25
sydlit said:
Ok, just re-read the OP. I guess what your wife was saying I had backwards, maybe? I was only looking at how ppl tend to read the word and Only apply good things to themself, while reading the condemnations and pointing (in thought) that they must apply to others, either individuals or some group.
I tend find myself thinking, 'Wow, what a beautiful promise, I can see that applying to this or that person', but I have a hard time accepting that it applies to a wretch like me. However, when I read 'You do always quench the Holy Spirit' I often think, 'I know...I do...I'm sorry, why do I do that?' The Word there is personally applying to me, but I don't usually apply it to someone else, like, 'Yeah, Lord, that person always does that'.
So is your wife saying the challenge is to apply ALL the Word to ourselves, individually and personally, both blessings and condemnations?
Usually I get to 'Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner', and I can personalize that, but the reply of 'Today you will be with me in paradise' I always read as Jesus saying that to the thief on the cross, I know that's who He was talking to, but I have a hard time 'personalizing' it. How to do that?
Click to expand...
I do believe you have it! As for the question about the thief on the cross... Maybe you could just put yourself in his place as he spoke what he did to the other thief, and as he asked Jesus to simply do no more than just remember him..... (and then received so much more!)
 
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