Mish-mash of topics

[MarcR]

=JFSurvivor;2073144]So I was reading in my "Jesus Journal" (as I like to call it) and I came across some stuff that interested me. Here's some background before we get in to the actual Bible part of this post: You may have seen me refrence a church by the name of ICOC on here. Well while I was going there they wrote some notes in my journal. Some of these notes I took and some they took.That is what I am bringing in to question today. It's going to cover a lot of random topic so bear with me.

Anything in this font I have taken directly from my notebook.

1) "Emotions can stand in the way of listening well"
What do you think of this statement?

If we feel strongly about something; our feelings may mask nuances and subtleties in what we are responding to.

2)"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Can someone please explain this verse to me? I came across it and the notes alluded to the fact that you can stand under ANY temptation. But that makes no sense because we are sinners and if we could stand up under sin where is the need for Jesus then? Yes we don't have to be subject to sin but sometimes as humans we choose to because of our hearts and because we live in a fallen world...even Christians. Those are my thoughts on the subject. What are yours?

IMO, the verse is saying that people tend to respond to similar desires; and Jesus having faced the same temptations, is able to help us rule our desires and passions, through the Holy Spirit within us..

3) "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
ex) Jess's friend has bipolar and anorexia --> beat it with Jesus and the Bible.
This is something that drives me up a wall. People are like "Oh you're on medication? You're going to therapy? Well then you're not completely trusting in Jesus to save you." I feel like it's the same as a physical injury. If you were to one day start coughing up blood you wouldn't sit there and think "God will save me." No you go to the hospital. How is mental health any different? I am honestly curious about this.

The statement simply says that there is nothing that God is unable to do or unable to cope with. The statement does not obligate God to give us everything we ask for; nor does it preclude God from working through people (even unbelievers) to accomplish his purpose.

4) Don't excuse sin because of stress.
In my notes it explains how Saul was put in a stressful situation and ended up sinning. I guess I don't really understand this because a) stress isn't always a bad thing and b) stress doesn't always lead to sin. So stress can lead to people acting irrational or saying things they don't mean. Is that considered sin and can it be controlled by everyone, even the mentally ill? I don't think it always can but I feel like everyone is different so it depends on their mental health.

Sometimes life (in our culture especially) puts us in the position of having to meet other people's goals, expectations, or deadlines. these situations can cause stress if we take them on ourselves or peace if we rely on the Holy Spirit within us instead of ourselves. When we choose to put ourselves under stress by taking things on ourselves; that is not an excuse to behave in ways that compromise our witness.

5) Don't use the excuse "you don't understand" Look for Gods way out. People can help without understanding.
This one makes me really angry. "You don't understand" is not an excuse. It is a fact of life. either you do or you don't understand. If you do then you have a little mental tool box in your head of how to help. If not you're lacking that toolbox. Thoughts?

That's all I have so far. All in all a lot of the notes seem to over-simplify Christianity and life in general. Life is not simple, neither is Christianity. There is a lot of complexities to it because we have a complex God. God is complex yet simple. That's how complex He is!!! So how can we say "Just do this and you'll be ok" when clearly that's not how it is at all?

Sometimes God's Word may instruct us to do something that we don't understand the reason for. In such cases it is enough to know that we are accountable to Him; but He is NOT accountable to us. If we understand His will; it is not always necessary to understand His reason.

There will probably be more either in this thread or another.

Thanks!

 

[MarcR]

I found another one!! (This kinda goes with #1)

6) God looks at it as disobedience when we turn to our feelings.

​Thoughts?

If we truly believe that God's wisdom and understanding are superior to our own; then putting our feelings ahead of His instruction is both disobedience and lack of trust.

 

[MyLighthouse]

So feelings are ok as long as we don't sin. Is there a verse for that?

It does for anger, not sure of other emotions.

Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger...(Eph 4:26)

Tremble and do not sin. Think about this on your bed and remain quiet (Ps 4:4)

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (Ja 1:20)

 

[DiscipleDave]

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The statement simply says that there is nothing that God is unable to do ... . .. . .. . .

Just a question for you, Can God help me to overcome sinning? All things are possible with God.

^i^ Responding to Post #41