Scripture is not the last word.

[marks]

I’ve heard the same. Coincidence? “Do trust Me?” Always followed by something that requires trust. Also have heard “Do you know My voice?” ...many times.

For me it's just the repetition . . . Trust Me . . . Trust Me . . .

 

[VictoryinJesus]

It is Only us who place barriers , it is not God who is elusive. God doesn't play games hiding on us. God can change you if you are willing. He Loves you and stands waiting for you to come all the way to Him. He will give you a new heart. Sometimes people begin to believe--but they have not yet received Jesus and His grace.
Watch the video & Lee's testimony that I linked, I think it will help you.
For myself, I didn't feel close to God until I truly got humbled ,I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and truly saw myself as a despicable unworthy sinner, and repented & submitted myself and my life to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. At that time, I was willing to make a commitment by overcoming my resistance by seeking Him my whole heart, I attended Bible study, I sought out and attended faithfully a Bible believing humble church that preached THE BIBLE scripture by scripture. I worshiped with others and I prayed asking God to let me HEAR the Holy Spirit's teaching through that Pastor. I took a bible and used a highlighter & red ink in it to make notes in the margins on the scriptures.
Prior to that , when I was skeptical and seeking I listened to testimonies like from Lee Stobel to know why I should believe that Jesus was not just a legend, but HE is the Son of God who was crucified on Calvary and Jesus arose from the dead and that all the accounts in the bible are TRUTH. I humbly went on my knees and asked God for forgiveness for my life of rebelliousness & my doubt. I asked the Lord to forgive me my stubborness & the sins that I committed against HIM and I read the Psalms and prayed.
Lee Strobel A Case For Christ testimony-

God's Promises are real. God will spiritually wash away your sins, He will cleanse you from all your impurities, He will Give you a New heart and a New Spirit. When that happens you will know that you belong to Jesus, that you are one of His sheep for ever more!
Ezekiel 36:26
"25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
26 I Will Give You a NEW HEART and Put a New Spirit within You;
I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.…"

thank you. Will watch the video.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

For me it's just the repetition . . . Trust Me . . . Trust Me . . .

Yes repetition. Should have clarified it was never a question but as leading to something I should know. Like the “do you know My voice?” With verse after verse coming to mind and hearing Him. Then again the repetition of “I Am the Key that opens.” With the question “Do you know My voice?” With Matthew 25:26-27 coming up over and over. “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

A couple years ago I had no desire to read the word of God. I labored over one verse...and had to make myself read it. I prayed for Him to give the desire and one day as I went up into the woods for alone time with Him...He said to bring the Word. Maybe it is insanity but I asked what He wanted me to read and went immediately to
Revelation 19:13-16 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS .

Have had the desire to study ever since. Need to hear Him like I need food to survive. But then others claim the Spirit doesn’t speak ...then I am insane. Not sure when I’ll stop listening to man and instead listen to God. Maybe I fear I am insane and near the edge of no return.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I’ve been reclusive my whole life. My mother is the same. If I had the choice between isolation or a crowd...I’d choose isolation. My husband is the opposite and fits in easily wherever he goes with whoever he is around. One social and needing others —the other the opposite. It has been a challenge and I do believe I’ve held him back from others.

I'm the same way, solitary. I would prefer to be alone whenever possible. And I was that way before I met God. And if anything, after I met Him, I became more solitary, not less. I also had a very outgoing husband.

Some people recharge their batteries being around others. Then people like us only become more exhausted the more we can't be alone. We need to be alone to recharge.

You don't have to feel guilty for being an introvert. Its how you're built. Once you understand that, you can be you unapologetically.

 

[justbyfaith]

I'm an extravert myself since becoming a Christian; and was greatly introverted before that. My personality completely changed because I became evangelistic in my outlook.

Which is not to say that being introverted is wrong. I think that I also recharge when I am alone with the Lord. And that is important.

It is written in Proverbs, "He who has friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

I believe that Jesus is that Friend; and if you spend more time with Him than with many acquaintances, then you are actually in a great place.

 

[tzcho2]

I'm the same way, solitary. I would prefer to be alone whenever possible. And I was that way before I met God. And if anything, after I met Him, I became more solitary, not less. I also had a very outgoing husband.

Some people recharge their batteries being around others. Then people like us only become more exhausted the more we can't be alone. We need to be alone to recharge.

You don't have to feel guilty for being an introvert. Its how you're built. Once you understand that, you can be you unapologetically.

Personalities are different but that is aside.
Seeking God with our whole heart is done actively, reading His Word, submitting to God's authority in our lives, loving the Savior all of this is not about our comfort with others or our needing to charge our batteries by isolating.
The Scripture teaches us to Not to forsake assembling together. We are called as Christians in a Christian family , to gather together for prayer, worship, for study, receiving the Word of God and to serve God by serving in this community Church.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Do you remember in the Old Testament when the prophet challenged the false prophets to call down fire and their idol didn’t show up? But God ...the Living God...showed up when called upon and did exactly what He said He would do. I know God is real. But sometimes I doubt and it is as if I’m calling as those false prophets did and there is only silence. Nothing. My biggest fear and depression comes from what if He is not alive. What if like all the dead idols which have no breath or life and do not show up when called ...what if He is the same and just another idol without Life. I could take anything except ...Him not being the Living God. Atheists come here and say our God is not real. That He is just another religious idol. I ask God to please show up. They say they also believed once and called for His help and He never came. God said He came so that we could have Hope. Sometimes I feel like a dog chasing its tail ‘round and ‘round until it is exhausted. The darkest place of depression for me is in wondering if the God I’ve called on doesn’t answer...nothing but silence...like when they called on a false god who was not real...what then? As the disciples said “where would we go?”

I guess the question is: why is He elusive?

He is elusive in order to get you to walk in trust and to grow your trust.

He is elusive to see what you will do, just as it says He allowed Israel to become very thirsty in the desert "to see what they would do."

It was a test, and you are in a test also. Its purpose is to grow your trust, increase your goods.

They said to Moses, Gods going to let us die of thirst and hunger. They refused to trust, even after they saw a huge wall of water stand straight up and tower over their heads!

Now He lets you become thirsty (the true fast, in Spirit) to see what you will do.

If He has put you on this fast, it is to give you more. It is to grow you. He chooses it for us when we are ready to bear some thirst and not have it turn us back to the world/our bondage. If God took them straight into battle, they would have become scared and turned back to Egypt/bondage. So He led them by a way that they wouldn't immediately see battle.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

all of this is not about our comfort with others or our needing to charge our batteries by isolating.

The Scripture teaches us to Not to forsake assembling together.

Jesus told the disciples to get alone, away from the crowd, and even Jesus Himself did this at times. So yes, He encouraged some time alone, away from people, for battery charging, despite your protest.

I most definitely did not tell anyone to not assemble together. It might be what you think you heard but, NOT what I said. And Paul went off to be by himself and did not consult with the other believers for a few YEARS. God will guide each man how God will guide each man, despite your objections.

 

[ScottA]

There is a time for milk, and there is a time for meat.
There is a time for the flesh, and there is a time for the spirit.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

That was the purpose that prompted this thread.

It is also why there was a time for Jesus to become flesh and walk among men, and also a time for Him to return to the Father God, whom is spirit.
It is also why there was a first Adam, and a Last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
It is also why there was an Israel, the first fold brought by Christ, and also another fold which He must bring.
It is also why we are born of the flesh, but must also be born of the spirit of God; why there is a natural body, and also a spiritual body.
It is also why the word of God has been written on tablets, and why they must also be written in our hearts.
It is also why the Word who inspired men to write the scriptures, would come to say, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
It is also why Jesus promised another Helper, the Holy Spirit...not to give what was His, the flesh, the writings on tablets, the earth, the moon, and sky only, but also to give the kingdom of heaven.
It is also why Jesus laid down His life, and why He took it up again.
It is also why Paul preached to leave the elementary [worldly] principles of Christ, and to press on to the prize, to perfection.
And it is why the Beginning is different than the End.

Nonetheless, we have also heard of Israel following God, and not following God, and then following God again, and circling thus in the desert.
We have heard of God's deliverance from Egypt, and also how some seemed to prefer it and wanted to return.
We have heard of Israel being saved from disasters, calamity, pestilence, enemies, war, captivity, and fire, and them forgetting, and then remembering again.
We have read how Israel became so focused on what they thought was good and right before God, that they completely missed the coming of their Deliverer.
We have read about what the next times (the times of the gentiles, and the times of the gospel of Christ going out to the ends of the earth) are to be...first the natural, then the spiritual.
And we have read, "Then comes the end", and of the faithful and the wicked servant, and of the blessings and the cursings.

So the question is: Should we be about serving milk, or meat; serving the elementary principles of Christ like lawyers and the law, or about pressing on to perfection?

Well, we have all seen what has happened here, who has come out, who is preaching what, who is defending what, who has their eyes on the prize, and who has made the things of God a religion, and who has come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs.

Each person must decide. But do so quickly.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

There is a time for milk, and there is a time for meat.
There is a time for the flesh, and there is a time for the spirit.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

That was the purpose that prompted this thread.

It is also why there was a time for Jesus to become flesh and walk among men, and also a time for Him to return to the Father God, whom is spirit.
It is also why there was a first Adam, and a Last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
It is also why there was an Israel, the first fold brought by Christ, and also another fold which He must bring.
It is also why we are born of the flesh, but must also be born of the spirit of God; why there is a natural body, and also a spiritual body.
It is also why the word of God has been written on tablets, and why they must also be written in our hearts.
It is also why the Word who inspired men to write the scriptures, would come to say, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
It is also why Jesus promised another Helper, the Holy Spirit...not to give what was His, the flesh, the writings on tablets, the earth, the moon, and sky, but also to give the kingdom of heaven.
It is also why Jesus laid down His life, and why He took it up again.
It is also why Paul preached to leave the elementary [worldly] principles of Christ, and to press on to the prize, to perfection.
And it is why the Beginning is different than the End.

Nonetheless, we have also heard of Israel following God, and not following God, and then following God again, and circling thus in the desert.
We have heard of God's deliverance from Egypt, and also how some seemed to prefer it and wanted to return.
We have of Israel being saved from disasters, calamity, pestilence, enemies, war, captivity, and fire, and them forgetting, and then remembering again.
We have read how Israel became so focused on what they thought was good and right before God, that they completely missed the coming of their Deliverer.
We have read about what the next times (the times of the gentiles, and the times of the gospel of Christ going out to the ends of the earth) are to be...first the natural, then the spiritual.
And we have read, "Then comes the end", and the faithful and the wise servant, the blessings and the cursings.

So the question is: Should be be about serving milk, or meat; serving the elementary principles of Christ like the law, or pressing on to perfection?

Well, you have all seen what has happened here, who has come out, who is preaching what, who is defending what, who has their eyes on the prize, and who has made the things of God a religion, and who has come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs.

Each person must decide. But do so quickly.

Don’t know how it could be shared any clearer then your post above. ...a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. ...a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; ...

Never will hear those passages the same way again.

Luke 12:42
[42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

 

[justbyfaith]

Justbyfaith, you have done so well here. Just SO WELL. I kept hoping very hard that you would not revile back and I could see that you must have walked with God for a long time to have not been dragged under yourself at fleshy displays of pride and arrogance.

You have so encouraged me!

I don't know what to say...except, thank you for complimenting me on something that I have put forth effort to achieve in my personal walk concerning message boards. I have paid mind to my responses to people who come at me aggressively, that I do not respond in kind. (I have not been always perfect in this). Because I know that if I do respond in kind, I am no better than them...those who bear briers and thorns as fruit. I am not naming anyone in particular, but I think that deep down, they know who they are...and also, they are very likely hidden from those to whom they have not also responded in the same manner. But if they have been "prickly" to anyone else, those people have also felt the sting of the thorns that they bear...and I would suggest to those who have felt those pricks, that they consider them to be what Jesus has said them to be...wolves in sheep's clothing.

There are those who speak like the piercings of a sword...but the tongue of the wise is health.

This is not to say that there aren't specific moments in which we are to brandish the word of God like a sword against principalities and powers that lurk behind the words of certain human people that would come against us...and if the word of the Lord convicts the souls of those people in particular, when it is being brandished against the principalities and powers behind them...then I suppose that that is simply the work of the Holy Ghost; as He is seeking to save them and deliver them from certain sinful behaviours.

 

[Preacher4Truth]

It is stupendous to see someone who supplants the authority of scripture with hearing God’s voice. If ppl want to hear from God, they must crack open their bible.

That’s not me being an arrogant jerk, but me defending the sufficiency of the Bible.

Exactly, nothing you said was arrogant. Many times it is how one chooses to hear, not what one actually stated.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

LOL

 

[tzcho2]

Exactly, nothing you said was arrogant.
Many times it is how one chooses to hear, not what one actually stated.

That is exactly right.

 

[Preacher4Truth]

That is exactly right.

Yes, unfortunately it's a way for someone to dismiss what was said while taking a swipe at someone's person at the same time.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

LOL

 

[tzcho2]

Yes so is the mockery used to take a swipe at others....too bad they don't know the Bible is God-breathed. Instead, they think humans talking is equal to that wisdom.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

LOL

 

[Marymog]

No. See John 17:20-23 as Jesus continues on to include all who believe in Him.

Thanks Scott.

John 17:20-23 has NOTHING to do with Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to guide all Christians into truth. If your theory were true then any teaching opposite of the Apostles by the disciples (students) of the Apostles would be true also. There can't be two truths sooooo your theory is not logical. Only the teachings of the Apostles are true since they, and only they, were guided by the Holy Spirit; just like scripture says. The Apostles then taught other men the Truth who were to teach other men the Truth (2 Timothy 2:2).....just like Scripture says.

Jesus prayer in John 17 says "I have given them your word" (vs 14) and after that he prays that we may all be one (vs 21). Christians can only all be one if we have one authority to discern the Truth. In John 16 ONLY the Apostles were given the Holy Spirit to discern the Truth and they did discern the Truth with the guidance of the Holy Spirit at the Council of Jerusalem. They were the Church authority at the time and they used that authority and it was good to the Spirit.

The reason for the Council was because there were different teachings amongst the different Churches. Your theory about John 17 suggest that the Christians at those different Churches were guided by the Holy Spirit into the Truth. They clearly weren't and neither are you or I or the Reformers. What you are suggesting is called relativism. The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth.....not each individual Christian...Just like Scripture says.

Bible study Mary

 

[Preacher4Truth]

Yes so is the mockery used to take a swipe at others....too bad they don't know the Bible is God-breathed. Instead, they think humans talking is equal to that wisdom.

The interest needs to be in Scripture, it's context, glorifying God through what he reveals, and in the person of Christ. Not how one feels about a person, and how they reflect this in response to said person that is trying to convey the former values.

This is why several of us attempt to get MANY on here to use context and end their melding of verses together, out of context, in order to share their errant gospel and beliefs.