I would be on guard and even caution against some of the above. Yes, there can be a lot things that are profitable and to learn from that is not scripture, however, they will usually harmonize with the normative red thread of scripture. I am not into contrasting let alone contradicting anything to something else -
all is supposed to lead us to the goal.
Anything can be or become a goal or an end in itself, even our quest for a deeper walk with God, being freed from what you've mentioned above etc, etc. There are so many things... That's why I think its better to not let much affect one's faith and rest in that.[/quote
Thankyou for your words of caution tribesman , as it is always good to test all things.
But , what I hope you will understand is that too often, we believe we are the ones that have to be guarded , careful and are responsible for wether of not we get all right.
I used to think this myself, then God pressed upon me His promise and understanding.
I then saw that in Jesus we are to trust and rest always in Him, for we cannot possibly keep track of all threats.
God will not fail us, Jesus will not let any take us from His hand, and the Holy Spirit brings all desernment and understanding.
As long a one rests first in Jesus, trusting all to God, the Holy Spirit first, the second part where we need to be wacthfull and disern, is given, and we can walk securely always in faith.
You are correct about scripture supporting all things, but then one could caution as well that even satan knows scripture well and can abuse it to decieve.
So what can one do?
As said before, we rely not on ourselves, but trust always in Jesus, God Our Father, the Holy Spirit to protect, teach and guide us.
As said before, all trully is to bring one to the goal, and in seeking the goal, one recives all things needed to obtain the goal
As scripture says, Jesus Christ is Lord come in the flesh, and in Jesus, we reciveve the way, the truth and the light!
God bless you tribesman and thankyou.
pickles