Do you trust God? Do you trust God?

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May 21, 2009
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#1
Do you trust God? Do you trust God? The Lord showed one of my friends the churches are full of praise and worship for the Lord.

That praise and worship is going up to heaven. It looks like golden rods from the churches to heaven.

But the insides of the churches are bare, dark and gloomy. Even scarey looking because the people don't trust God.
 
Jun 29, 2010
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#2
The sad thing is most in the church do not even know God much less trust Him.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
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#3
I think you are definatly right Loveschild. Do we actually trust God? Or is it only when we are going through problems? Anyhow a lot of churches tend to be all about how to get the best bands, light shows, Pastors with white dazzling teeth, yet do they actually know God and trust Him. It is a question that we all have to keep focussed on individualy and corporatly.

Blessings

Phil
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
2,111
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#6
I rather Trust God than myself .. He can see more down the road than I can :)

Thats very true Yahweh_is 4me, we tend to trust ourselves than God. I have learned that when I trust in myself I usually mess up.

Blessings

Phil
 
M

Mich223

Guest
#7
The bible does say we should fellowship. That takes trust in God. But it can get hard sometimes for us to worship together for one reason or another. But I think if we put trust in God, we'll fellowship together.
 
B

bonnie2

Guest
#8
Do you trust God? Do you trust God? The Lord showed one of my friends the churches are full of praise and worship for the Lord.

That praise and worship is going up to heaven. It looks like golden rods from the churches to heaven.

But the insides of the churches are bare, dark and gloomy. Even scarey looking because the people don't trust God.
Loveschild, I've read a couple of your posts, and it sounds like you think God "shows" people things through visions. The Bible says that it is the only revelation that is necessary. Can you trust God to give you everything you need through the Bible, instead of "showing" you or your friends things?
 
S

scm1147

Guest
#9
God is the only truth and rock solid thing we can count on, we all have this thing called flesh... and remember Jesus is the best kept secret in todays church

God bless you all and thanks for letting me reply
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
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#10
Trusting God Our Father is the wisdom of obedieance.
The understanding of His love.
As to churches, it is sad, but I believe people do not trust the organised church much right now.
I do believe that many are putting their trust in God.
In Jesus, God bless.
pickles
 
B

Blueberry

Guest
#11
Loveschild, I've read a couple of your posts, and it sounds like you think God "shows" people things through visions. The Bible says that it is the only revelation that is necessary. Can you trust God to give you everything you need through the Bible, instead of "showing" you or your friends things?

In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all
people.
Your sons and daughters will
prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and
women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those
days,
and they will prophesy.

Joel 2v28-29
 
B

bonnie2

Guest
#12
In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all
people.
Your sons and daughters will
prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and
women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those
days,
and they will prophesy.

Joel 2v28-29
There's a couple principles to keep in mind when pulling out a verse from the Bible. First of all, you have to take it in context. If you read the entire chapter of Joel 2, you'll see that this chapter is talking about the time after the Tribulation and the destruction of the northern army. Also, the prophecy is addressed to Israel, not the church. You can't just pull any verse out of the Bible and assume that it is talking about Christians today.
1 Cor. 13:8-10- Love never ends. As for prophecies,they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
With the completion of the Bible, the gifts of tongues, knowledge given directly by the Holy Spirit, and prophecy were done away. We now have the complete Bible, and the Holy Spirit to help us understand it. We do not need visions or dreams, which are subjective.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
The Bible meets all our knowledge needs! "equipped for EVERY good work"
Heb. 4:12- For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
We judge our own thoughts and intentions BY the word of God- our subjective experiences too (that would be included in thoughts).


 
S

sandstorm7

Guest
#13
These days, so many people tend to trust themselves over God. But why? God knows everything, He understands us better than ourselves, His will is what is best for us.

I used to be so consumed with my future career. Networking, getting myself the right job experiences, taking the right courses... but after being saved, I began to re-evaluate where my life was heading. I realized I wasn't even sure if what I "wanted" was what I truly did want. My entire perspective on things changed. I once had my entire future completely mapped out but now, I have placed it all into God's hands. I have complete trust in Him and, even though I now have no idea what my future holds and what career I want, I'm a lot more at peace now than I was when I thought I had everything completely figured out.
 
Y

yahweh_is4me

Guest
#14
Thats very true Yahweh_is 4me, we tend to trust ourselves than God. I have learned that when I trust in myself I usually mess up.

Blessings

Phil
Yeah Phil I know what you mean I just did a bible study on how much we trust God its like we can give him a problem and then either he is taking to long to answer us or something then we take it back from him,
I just have to remember that Gods time is not our time..one of my favorite verse is Trust in the Lord with all your heart& lean not on your own understanding .. Proverbs 3:5 :) anyways yeah I always mess it up with I think I can handle it more than God ... God Bless
 
B

Blueberry

Guest
#15
There's a couple principles to keep in mind when pulling out a verse from the Bible. First of all, you have to take it in context. If you read the entire chapter of Joel 2, you'll see that this chapter is talking about the time after the Tribulation and the destruction of the northern army. Also, the prophecy is addressed to Israel, not the church. You can't just pull any verse out of the Bible and assume that it is talking about Christians today.
1 Cor. 13:8-10- Love never ends. As for prophecies,they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
With the completion of the Bible, the gifts of tongues, knowledge given directly by the Holy Spirit, and prophecy were done away. We now have the complete Bible, and the Holy Spirit to help us understand it. We do not need visions or dreams, which are subjective.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
The Bible meets all our knowledge needs! "equipped for EVERY good work"
Heb. 4:12- For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
We judge our own thoughts and intentions BY the word of God- our subjective experiences too (that would be included in thoughts).
Actually if you remember in Acts this is the exact scripture Peter used to describe the baptism of the Holy Spirit when the disciples started speaking in tongues from little tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost. Didnt he just yank a scripture out from a 1000yrs ago and refer it directly to what the people were witnessing?
Can you provide other scriptural references that says once the Bible was completed there was no need for tongues, prophecy, etc? This sounds more like a doctrine, other than what is clearly written in the Bible. Additionally how can you make that decision and put God in a box, and tell Him what he can now only do or say?
All I can see from your scriptural references is those things WILL fade away, doesnt say when.
But anyway, Im not going to get into a doctrinal argument over what different churches do or don't believe.
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
#16
There's a couple principles to keep in mind when pulling out a verse from the Bible. First of all, you have to take it in context. If you read the entire chapter of Joel 2, you'll see that this chapter is talking about the time after the Tribulation and the destruction of the northern army. Also, the prophecy is addressed to Israel, not the church. You can't just pull any verse out of the Bible and assume that it is talking about Christians today.
That might work, except that Peter uses it in Acts 2, so...
1 Cor. 13:8-10- Love never ends. As for prophecies,they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
The context of the passage is that when perfect love comes, there will be no need for gifts.
With the completion of the Bible, the gifts of tongues, knowledge given directly by the Holy Spirit, and prophecy were done away. We now have the complete Bible, and the Holy Spirit to help us understand it. We do not need visions or dreams, which are subjective.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
The Bible meets all our knowledge needs! "equipped for EVERY good work"
The giftings of the Holy Spirit do not superceed the written word of God.
Heb. 4:12- For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
We judge our own thoughts and intentions BY the word of God- our subjective experiences too (that would be included in thoughts).
Absolutely.
I appreciate your fervor for the word, but keep in mind that if "all scripture is profitable" and if you include the NT in scripture, then the teaching of the giftings of the Holy Spirit are still "profitable".
 
B

bonnie2

Guest
#17
Actually if you remember in Acts this is the exact scripture Peter used to describe the baptism of the Holy Spirit when the disciples started speaking in tongues from little tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost. Didnt he just yank a scripture out from a 1000yrs ago and refer it directly to what the people were witnessing?
Can you provide other scriptural references that says once the Bible was completed there was no need for tongues, prophecy, etc? This sounds more like a doctrine, other than what is clearly written in the Bible. Additionally how can you make that decision and put God in a box, and tell Him what he can now only do or say?
All I can see from your scriptural references is those things WILL fade away, doesnt say when.
But anyway, Im not going to get into a doctrinal argument over what different churches do or don't believe.
Here are a few paragraphs from Peter’s Quotation of Joel in Acts 2 | Midnight Call Ministries, Dr. Thomas Ice.

Many believe that at least part of Joel 2 was fulfilled in Acts 2 since Peter quoted it. However, a close look at Peter’s reference to Joel is not that of fulfillment (the word “fulfill” is not used in Acts 2), but one of similarity (“this is that,” i.e., like that in Acts 2:16) between the working of God’s Spirit in the future—as noted in Joel—and what the Holy Spirit was doing in starting the Church.
Peter quotes extensively from Joel 2:28-32 in his Pentecost sermon (2:17-21). In Acts 2:17, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter changes the phrase “after this” in Joel 2:28 to “in the last days,” underscoring the fact that his citation of the Joel passage was not being fulfilled in his day, but must await the future time of the Tribulation. “Last Days,” as used by Peter refers to the Tribulation (cf. Deuteronomy 4:30; 31:29; Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; Ezekiel 38:16; Daniel 2:28; 10:14; Micah 4:1). After Israel experiences the material blessings described in Joel 2:21-27, they will experience the spiritual blessings noted in 2:28-29.
What does Joel describe in 2:28-32? Joel describes the activity of God’s Spirit at work in events surrounding a yet future Second Coming of Christ. Thus, Peter’s point is that of similarity between what the Holy Spirit will do in the future with the nation of Israel and what He was doing almost 2,000 years ago. The pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh, in the context of the Joel passage, refers to the conversion of Israel during the future Tribulation Period as supported by the subsequent reference to the various echelons of Jewish society, “and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28). These are categories of individuals who have been excluded in the past as vehicles of God’s prophetic inspiration. But in the future a time will come when the Spirit will impact all aspects of Israel’s society. The context clearly limits the scope to Israel. Such a limitation means the passage is not describing what will happen within the Gentile believing community. As opposed to a mere trickle, at this time in the future, God will pour out His Spirit upon Israel. The exact meaning of the phrase relates to a time when God will provide maximum revelation through all echelons of Israel’s society. Proverbs 1:23 says, “I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”
(If you want to read the whole article, the conclusion explains this further)

So I would say Peter didn't "just yank" a Scripture out to refer to Pentecost. He used a comparison, under inspiration.
You asked how can I tell God what He can now only do or say. But I have Scriptural support (although not an outright statement) that God's revelation is only contained in the Bible. I am not trying to tell God anything. But I would say it's very dangerous to tell God what He IS doing with your subjective experience. You could so easily misinterpret that experience and completely mess up your life.
In 2 Tim. 3:16, which I already pointed out, God is saying, "Here is my Word. It is sufficient to meet all your needs." and you're saying, "But I want to find your Word through my dreams and visions. They're more exciting."
That's dangerous!
I also wanted to give you a quote by John Wesley. Don't belittle this, he was a great man of God. And actually considered one of the forerunners of Pentecostalism.
"Give no place to a heated imagination. Do not hastily ascribe things to God. Do not easily suppose dreams, voices, impressions, visions, or revelations to be from God. They may be from him; they may be from nature; they may be from the devil. Therefore 'believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God.' Try all things by the written word, and let all bow down before it. You are in danger of enthusiasm every hour if you depart ever so little from Scripture; yea, or from the plain literal meaning of any text taken in connection with the context. And so you are if you despise or lightly esteem reason, knowledge, or human learning; every one of which is an excellent gift of God, and may serve the noblest purposes."
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
#18
Here are a few paragraphs from Peter’s Quotation of Joel in Acts 2 | Midnight Call Ministries, Dr. Thomas Ice.

Many believe that at least part of Joel 2 was fulfilled in Acts 2 since Peter quoted it. However, a close look at Peter’s reference to Joel is not that of fulfillment (the word “fulfill” is not used in Acts 2), but one of similarity (“this is that,” i.e., like that in Acts 2:16) between the working of God’s Spirit in the future—as noted in Joel—and what the Holy Spirit was doing in starting the Church.
There is no linguistic support for this supposition. In addition, He quotes the passage directly and in detail. (Of course, there is also the fact that he was not refering to what would happen in the future, but what was happening at that moment.)
Such a limitation means the passage is not describing what will happen within the Gentile believing community.
Yet it did expand to the Gentile community, as attested by Acts and the Epistles.
You asked how can I tell God what He can now only do or say. But I have Scriptural support (although not an outright statement) that God's revelation is only contained in the Bible. I am not trying to tell God anything. But I would say it's very dangerous to tell God what He IS doing with your subjective experience.
It seems that you are saying that God cannot work through visions or dreams. As for "subjectivity", ultimately that is haw we jusdege things. Even your reaction to Loveschild is a subjective one. "Loveschild, I've read a couple of your posts, and it sounds like."
You could so easily misinterpret that experience and completely mess up your life.
I think that you are assuming two things. First that Loveschild is not a mature Christian. Two that she is incapable of correctly interpreting what God would say to her.
In 2 Tim. 3:16, which I already pointed out, God is saying, "Here is my Word. It is sufficient to meet all your needs."
Not exactly what it says. There is no doubt that scripture is the objective guide that God has given to us. But Christianity includes having a subjective relationship with God. As a believer we are promised His presence.
and you're saying, "But I want to find your Word through my dreams and visions. They're more exciting."
I think that is an assumption.
Do you have any passion of faith? I think so. So does Loveschild. Someday the Lord is going to tell you to do something that is outside your comfort zone. I hope that you have enough passion to obey.
 
May 21, 2009
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#19
God bless you all. May the touch of the Holy Spirit fill you all.
 
J

JClover

Guest
#20
Yup I do. But my weakness of humanity means that I forget to always surrender every problem, concern and "issue" to his good care and let it go. I think we need to surrender every day - sometimes several times a day - especially when things aren't going the way we'd like them to.

my two cents