Dating
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A
I'm not denying the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit while reading the Bible. But of what you wrote there was very little word for word from the Bible (I mean, that goes for what all of us write here) and as soon as we start using our own words we start using our own interpretations. If you only want to say what He says, why don't you just copy and paste large passages of the Bible. Then we'd all be inagreement that that's correct.
I definitly do not rely on man to do my thinking for me. I most definitly advocate other Christians do not do that. Why then do you credit Dr. Freeman for influencing you? Did he not do some thinking for you?
You seem to be contradicting yourself. You said that the Holy Spirit helps you understand the Bible, but then you said "men are not responsible for the bible nor can they understand it of themselves." So do understand the Bible or do you not?
So, if you believe that what you wrote is not correct and only what's in the Bible is correct and that we should read what is scripture and not what is written by men, why did you write this essay?? Shouldn't you have just said "Don't read what I write, just read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it."
I definitly do not rely on man to do my thinking for me. I most definitly advocate other Christians do not do that. Why then do you credit Dr. Freeman for influencing you? Did he not do some thinking for you?
You seem to be contradicting yourself. You said that the Holy Spirit helps you understand the Bible, but then you said "men are not responsible for the bible nor can they understand it of themselves." So do understand the Bible or do you not?
So, if you believe that what you wrote is not correct and only what's in the Bible is correct and that we should read what is scripture and not what is written by men, why did you write this essay?? Shouldn't you have just said "Don't read what I write, just read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it."
The opinions of the author and sources will trickle down, therefore it is the responsibility of the reader to weigh everything in the light of God’s word and yield to the Holy Spirit for perfect guidance. The author and the sources sited strive to stay true to the Light of God’s word and His opinions. The reader should do the same.
A
Ok, I have now read all of it. So, yes, if you could tell me where you got your real life facts, I'd really appreciate that. I mean, one thing you said, that parents give the kids money for doing stuff and they'll give them more money if they're going on a date. Really? Where did you read that? I mean, I have a hard time understand how parents can just give their teenagers money when they ask for it, no strings attached, because that's so different than how I was raised. But I guess some parents do, but I'd be surprised if a parent giving their kid more money if they were going on a date than if they were going out with their friends. Statistically, about how many parents do that? Or is that just something they do in the United States?
See, I by no means disagree with everything you wrote. I mean I have heard that when has a boyfriend or girlfriend young they run the risk of cutting themselves off from their same sex friends and that's bad for them in the long run.
I just have a hard time understanding how you can Biblically justify saying that God will bring all couples that He wants to marry together and you don't have to get to know them much before you get engaged because God will tell they're the right one. I think it would be a stretch to say that because God did that for Isaac that He intends to do that with everyone.
See, I by no means disagree with everything you wrote. I mean I have heard that when has a boyfriend or girlfriend young they run the risk of cutting themselves off from their same sex friends and that's bad for them in the long run.
I just have a hard time understanding how you can Biblically justify saying that God will bring all couples that He wants to marry together and you don't have to get to know them much before you get engaged because God will tell they're the right one. I think it would be a stretch to say that because God did that for Isaac that He intends to do that with everyone.
Well Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. Don't worry about not believing it. If you don't it won't happen for you so there should be no concern there.
Dating game for young people started in america. The face of dating has changed. But yes....they called them allowances...that they would give to the kids....taking a girl to the movie or to get ice cream....ect. Not every house did it.....but it was a trend mentioned....i believe in one of the articles. Again these articles were painting the face of dating when it first came on stong.....its got nothing but worse since....and has changed with the times.
Dating game for young people started in america. The face of dating has changed. But yes....they called them allowances...that they would give to the kids....taking a girl to the movie or to get ice cream....ect. Not every house did it.....but it was a trend mentioned....i believe in one of the articles. Again these articles were painting the face of dating when it first came on stong.....its got nothing but worse since....and has changed with the times.
www.[B]faith[/B]mandp.com you can Get the tape recordings there. The tape series is called i believe bilical view of courshio and marriage. If your really intrested i can pin it down for you. I own the tapes.
A
Your right Jesus stays the same. But our society changes. In the principles you outlined there's a lot that is unique to modern society. For example, you recommend couples be in love before they get married. In Biblical societies that just wouldn't have happened. I'm not saying that just because something is a product of modern culture that it's bad (and you're not either). So while Jesus stays the same we change and therefore we need to figure out how God wants us to behave in our unique situations. But since the Bible isn't specific to our unique situations because it was written specifically for the recipients that the author was writing them for, then we need to use interpretation, as you outlined for us. Of course, just because, for example, Paul was writting to the Corinthians, doesn't mean that he doesn't want to say the same things to us, if he knew we existed, he does. The Holy Spirit was working through him and we're to read the Bible because this is how we know what God wants for us, but we need to put it into context. Like, once at College and Career we were asked the question if the Bible says it's ok for us to drink alcohol. We were given certain passages to look up and we realized that one could make strong Biblical arguements both for and against. The real question is whether or not Paul, if he knew us and knew all about our lives, would he (with the Spirt speaking through him) tell us to drink or not.
Anyway, I will not believe the ideas of people over the Word of God. If you can show me, in the Bible, where it says in the Bible that God will bring every one of us the right person to marry and that He'll tell us who this person is when we've met them so we don't have to get to know him before engagement, then of course I'll believe that. The problem is, although I know that this idea is popular with young Christian singles and a lot of married people have said that God told them the moment they met their future spouse, I do not find the scripture where God promises that this will happen to everyone. I read a book in university by a woman who advocated this view. I wasn't surprised to find, 5 years later, she's still waiting on God to send her the right one. Yes, God leads us in life, but if we're unwilling to even put one foot in front of the other, how can he lead us?
Anyway, I will not believe the ideas of people over the Word of God. If you can show me, in the Bible, where it says in the Bible that God will bring every one of us the right person to marry and that He'll tell us who this person is when we've met them so we don't have to get to know him before engagement, then of course I'll believe that. The problem is, although I know that this idea is popular with young Christian singles and a lot of married people have said that God told them the moment they met their future spouse, I do not find the scripture where God promises that this will happen to everyone. I read a book in university by a woman who advocated this view. I wasn't surprised to find, 5 years later, she's still waiting on God to send her the right one. Yes, God leads us in life, but if we're unwilling to even put one foot in front of the other, how can he lead us?
A
Your right Jesus stays the same. But our society changes. In the principles you outlined there's a lot that is unique to modern society. For example, you recommend couples be in love before they get married. In Biblical societies that just wouldn't have happened. I'm not saying that just because something is a product of modern culture that it's bad (and you're not either). So while Jesus stays the same we change and therefore we need to figure out how God wants us to behave in our unique situations. But since the Bible isn't specific to our unique situations because it was written specifically for the recipients that the author was writing them for, then we need to use interpretation, as you outlined for us. Of course, just because, for example, Paul was writting to the Corinthians, doesn't mean that he doesn't want to say the same things to us, if he knew we existed, he does. The Holy Spirit was working through him and we're to read the Bible because this is how we know what God wants for us, but we need to put it into context. Like, once at College and Career we were asked the question if the Bible says it's ok for us to drink alcohol. We were given certain passages to look up and we realized that one could make strong Biblical arguements both for and against. The real question is whether or not Paul, if he knew us and knew all about our lives, would he (with the Spirt speaking through him) tell us to drink or not.
Anyway, I will not believe the ideas of people over the Word of God. If you can show me, in the Bible, where it says in the Bible that God will bring every one of us the right person to marry and that He'll tell us who this person is when we've met them so we don't have to get to know him before engagement, then of course I'll believe that. The problem is, although I know that this idea is popular with young Christian singles and a lot of married people have said that God told them the moment they met their future spouse, I do not find the scripture where God promises that this will happen to everyone. I read a book in university by a woman who advocated this view. I wasn't surprised to find, 5 years later, she's still waiting on God to send her the right one. Yes, God leads us in life, but if we're unwilling to even put one foot in front of the other, how can he lead us?
Allowances is different from what you were describing. An allowance is when a child recieves a set amount of money over a set period of time, as was the case in my house. That has nothing to do with dating. What you said (if I'm not mistaken) is that parents give their children more money if they going on a date rather than going out with their friends and therefore dating can be blamed for their mismanagement of money.
Anyway, I will not believe the ideas of people over the Word of God. If you can show me, in the Bible, where it says in the Bible that God will bring every one of us the right person to marry and that He'll tell us who this person is when we've met them so we don't have to get to know him before engagement, then of course I'll believe that. The problem is, although I know that this idea is popular with young Christian singles and a lot of married people have said that God told them the moment they met their future spouse, I do not find the scripture where God promises that this will happen to everyone. I read a book in university by a woman who advocated this view. I wasn't surprised to find, 5 years later, she's still waiting on God to send her the right one. Yes, God leads us in life, but if we're unwilling to even put one foot in front of the other, how can he lead us?
Allowances is different from what you were describing. An allowance is when a child recieves a set amount of money over a set period of time, as was the case in my house. That has nothing to do with dating. What you said (if I'm not mistaken) is that parents give their children more money if they going on a date rather than going out with their friends and therefore dating can be blamed for their mismanagement of money.
A
Oh that's Hobart Freeman's site. Well, I've already mentioned my reservations I have about him. I mean, not that I doubt that he's right about a lot of things. But, he's a pre-millentialist, right? See, they all too often, have a tendency to interpret things that are modern in a negative sense because they believe that the world is getting steadily worse because this has to happen for Jesus to return. So, I guess if I'm looking for him to cite statistics, I shouldn't waste my time.
A
Basically what I'm saying is this: Chocolate, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that we shouldn't date because if we have faith in God then He'll bring the right person to us and tell us that's the right person. Now, please know that I disagree with you not because I want to disagee with you, it's because the Bible doesn't say God will do that. Like I said, it's not like He's never done that for anyone, it's just that no where in the Bible does He promise to do that for everyone. See, the reason why I think it would be great if you were right is because humans are by nature lazy. Finding the right person (for most people) takes work. Making the relationship grow and figuring out if you should get married takes work. Because we don't like work, it's always nice to believe that God will do the work for us. See, that's not saying that He won't provide. I really believe God provided me with my job. But, I had to send out a couple of dozen resumes (and first do the work of figuring out where to send those resumes) and then attend four interviews, before I got my job. Was I showing a lack of faith by not trusting that God would just get my future boss to call me without me contacting her first? No, of course not. I wasn't living with my parents at the time, but can you imagine if I was? Could you imagine me sitting around watching TV telling my parents that if God wanted me to have a job He'd have someone call me with a job offer? Would they think that I had a lot of faith or that I was being lazy? Well, the answer would be the latter. God has provided for my parents in amazing ways throughout their lives, but they've had to do their fair share of work. Life involves work, God made that clear when Adam and Eve left the Garden. I mean don't get me wrong, there are gifts and stuff, but generally, the only thing that none of us ever have to work for is our salvation.
A
Yeah, I really oppose the mentality that just because one sins in a context that means that the context is a sin. People sin on the Internet, but that does that mean we shouldn't use the Internet? We're all using the Internet right now!! I mean, yeah, some people really shouldn't use the Internet, but that doesn't make the Internet evil. I once read a blog of a woman who thought using birth control within a marriage is wrong. Her rational is because birth control her rational is that it's because birth control made the sexual revolution possible, and that was wrong. Well, she's right about the sexual revolution, but that doesn't explain why she thinks it's wrong for married couples to use it. The way I see it is this, people can really have any opinion they want, but if their view is not logical and Biblically justified, then they might hear from me. Like here's a example, I read on a Jewish site why (some of them, at least) don't believe Jesus was the son of God. They said it's because the Bible says that God is indivisible. Well, that's valid. I'm pretty sure somewhere in the Old Testament it says that God is indivisible, and that it's a logical argument. I disagree with it of course, because I don't think that the Trinity is breaking up God in a way that is contrary to what is written in the Old Testament, but I still respect whoever wrote that for having a valid point of view. Does that make sense?
God is not up there saying "ops i didn't see this one coming" Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever and He is no respecter of persons. What He does for one He will do for another. Jesus is not hindered by our society. God is limited to what you believe Him for. If you don't have Faith if won't happen for you. Its simple. Believe God and you will prosper. Faith is not without works. Take care not to walk in presumption. You need to be yielded to the Holy Spirit and sensitive to do what He says. Its not blind doubt of dating. Its listening and walking With the King. You think you can find your mate for life better then Him? That is what your saying. You think you can do a better job at working to find it then trusting Him to show you. Its not stopping all search. Its waiting on the Holy Spirit. He knows the heart. He knows People want to find the right one. He loves us and we should trust in Him not our works. You think the Bible is changed by the way our society believes? No. You conform to this society or your become transformed to be like Jesus. You want to do things God's way? Or this societies way? This society is passing away and those who are of it will parish. He who does the will of God will abide for ever. You mix your reasoning and rationing of your human intellect into you walk with God. The carnal mind is enmity with God. You reason away the Supernatural power of God and hence limit Him. God will act where Faith is present.
Maybe these can help you. They can be used for men or women.
Proverbs 12:4 4 An excellent[a] wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Footnotes: Proverbs 12:4 Literally A wife of valor
Proverbs 18:22
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 31:10
10 Who[a] can find a virtuous[b] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10 Literally a wife of valor, in the sense of all forms of excellence
Proverbs 31:10Verses 10 through 31 are an alphabetic acrostic in Hebrew (compare Psalm 119).
Ecclesiastes 9:9
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Malachi 2
The LORD’s holy institution which He loves: Yet she is your companion
And your wife by covenant.
15 But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring.
Matthew 1
8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 19:4-5
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made[a]them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’[b] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?[c] 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
1 Corinthians 9:5
5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:31 Genesis 2:24
1 Peter 3:7
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Revelation 19:7
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
1 Corinthians 7:2-5 (New King James Version)
2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Colossians 3:18-19 (New King James Version)
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Micah 7
Song of Solomon 4, 5
Psalm 127:1
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain
Isaiah 22:22-23
22 The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.
Revelation 3:7
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[a]
Malachi 3:6
6 “ For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Numbers 23:19
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Isaiah 46:8-10
8 “ Remember this, and show yourselves men;
Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
Job 42:1-2
1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
2 “I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Proverbs 12:4 4 An excellent[a] wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Footnotes: Proverbs 12:4 Literally A wife of valor
Proverbs 18:22
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 31:10
10 Who[a] can find a virtuous[b] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10 Literally a wife of valor, in the sense of all forms of excellence
Proverbs 31:10Verses 10 through 31 are an alphabetic acrostic in Hebrew (compare Psalm 119).
Ecclesiastes 9:9
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Malachi 2
The LORD’s holy institution which He loves: Yet she is your companion
And your wife by covenant.
15 But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring.
Matthew 1
8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 19:4-5
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made[a]them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’[b] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?[c] 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
1 Corinthians 9:5
5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:31 Genesis 2:24
1 Peter 3:7
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Revelation 19:7
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
1 Corinthians 7:2-5 (New King James Version)
2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Colossians 3:18-19 (New King James Version)
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Micah 7
Song of Solomon 4, 5
Psalm 127:1
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain
Isaiah 22:22-23
22 The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.
Revelation 3:7
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[a]
Malachi 3:6
6 “ For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Numbers 23:19
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Isaiah 46:8-10
8 “ Remember this, and show yourselves men;
Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
Job 42:1-2
1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
2 “I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Daniel 4:34-36
34 And at the end of the time[a] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Psalm 115:3
3 But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
14 I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
15 That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past.
1 Peter 5:6-8
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Corinthians 7:7
7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
Matthew 7:11
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
1 John 5:14-15
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
John 16:23-24
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Matthew 6:34
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Romans 9:21-24
21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
1 Thessalonians 4
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5
Christian Liberty
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Love Fulfills the Law
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
34 And at the end of the time[a] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Psalm 115:3
3 But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
14 I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
15 That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past.
1 Peter 5:6-8
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Corinthians 7:7
7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
Matthew 7:11
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
1 John 5:14-15
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
John 16:23-24
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Matthew 6:34
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Romans 9:21-24
21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
1 Thessalonians 4
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5
Christian Liberty
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Love Fulfills the Law
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.