Christianity Oasis Forum

[dema]

Somehow I had these in Spiritual Warfare - so here the next one is here. There are 7 more in the other forum if you are interested.

God is love. God loves us. We are loved.

1 John 4:12-19
New International Version (NIV)
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The fruit of our salvation is love. We need to love one another. Loving one another means that we allow ourselves to be loved as well as to love. Sometimes that is hard when you have been hurt. But it is important. You want other people to have fruit too!

This is fruit of our salvation. How do we know that we are saved, that we are God’s?

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Have you seen that Jesus is the son of God and that God sent Jesus to save the world?

15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

Have you confessed that Jesus is Lord? And that he IS the son of God?

Then you are saved. You are God’s. And God loved you before you were saved. But now you are his.

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

We know and rely and trust – trust - in the love of God. That God loves us. He loves us so much that he sent his son to suffer and die. It is easier to die yourself than to be a loving parent and let your child suffer and die.

God is love.

God isn’t punishment. God has punished in the past. But God isn’t punishment. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Live in love.

17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

Let love grow in you. Let love bring you confidence. Let love make you like Jesus.

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

Don’t fear punishment. Live in love. Live without fear.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Let go of your fear so that you can grow in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.

God loved us first. He sent Jesus to teach us about love and salvation. We need to follow his example and honor his sacrifice by living and showing and receiving love.

[dema]

Where is God? Where does God live and work and exist? You might say, “everywhere”. God does reign in every place and time. But, most importantly, God lives inside of you.

Luke 17:21
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
21 nor shall they say, Lo, here; or lo, there; for lo, the reign of God is within you.'

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, he comes to live in our hearts.

Colossians 1:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

He is the hope of glory. God promises glory beyond our imagination.

1 Corinthians 2:8-10
New International Version (NIV)
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

God loves you! He has amazing treasures waiting for you.

Matthew 13:44
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The treasures God has promised us are worth more than everything else there is. And now, right now, God lives and works inside of you if you invite him to do so. Believe in the power and love of God. All things are possible to you when you believe. God loves you!

[dema]

Is God’s promised treasure really for us? Is it for me? Is it for you? I am not good enough.

2 Corinthians 5:17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Jesus made us new creatures. He cleansed us by his actions. God sent Jesus to give us grace – free stuff. Grace, a free will offering from God to us. Grace – a gift we did not deserve.

Romans 5:2-8
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Through a free gift we should exult – be thrilled beyond measure – in the hope of seeing the full glory of God.

We ARE included in this glory! Included by faith.

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

And yes, sometimes it is rough. But we have to persevere – keep going no matter what.

4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

And we won’t be disappointed. The love God has put in our hearts testifies to the fact we will not be disappointed.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

We were helpless – we were. But then we learned of the sacrifice of Jesus. And His Spirit was planted within us.

7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died to lift us up. To put us in line for receiving glory. Have hope. Know that glory is coming for you – if you believe and persevere. God loves you.

[dema]

Where do you dwell? Where are your thoughts? Where do you exist?

If you accept Jesus as your savior, he should live in your heart – he should dwell there. It should be his dwelling.

Ephesians 3:17-18
New International Version (NIV)
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Do you let Christ live in you? Do you welcome his presence? Do you talk to him as you would a roommate?

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

A root draws nourishment from the soil. Do you draw nourishment from the love of Jesus that is within you? Are you established – made firm and stable – in love?

18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Paul prayed that we would be firmly established in the love of Christ. And that we would grow to realize just how wide and long and high and deep that love is.

The reason for Jesus coming to Earth is love.

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God sent Jesus to die so that whoever – and whoever includes you – whoever, believes in him should not perish. Are you still perishing? Do you think that you are too big a problem for God to solve?

I’ll say that again. Do you think that you are a bigger problem than God can solve? Is God bigger than you or not? Do you really think that you can cause more difficulties or be worse than God can handle?

Romans 8:38-39
New International Version (NIV)
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing in creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God. Your sins cannot separate you from the love of God. No power, including your own ill will, can separate you from the love of God.

There is one thing, and one thing only, that can separate you from God – and that is your choice. Choose God. Choose love.

[dema]

I’m not good enough.

God has been using the “not good enough” since the beginning – or close to it.

1 Corinthians 1:26-30
New International Version (NIV)
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

This was written in the time of the early church. But consider the history of God’s people.

Jacob was the younger son of Isaac the son of Abraham. He became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. When the prophet was sent to Jesse, David’s father, to anoint the next king of Israel – Jesse didn’t even send in David. He was a little boy.

In the lineage of Jesus the women mentioned have a shady past – and yet these are the ones mentioned: A harlot, a woman who posed as a harlot, an adulteress and a Moabitess.

God chooses his vessels.

God chooses? Not you? If you hve accepted Jesus as Lord, you are chosen. Don’t get side-tracked on that. God accepts all that call on the name of Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-14
New International Version (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We pray for your wisdom and understanding and growth - but you ARE rescued from the dominion of darkness.

You ARE brought into the kingdom of the Son God loves.

You have redemption – the price of your sin is paid.

And your sins ARE forgiven.

[Mackenaw]

Amen!

Thank you, Dema (((hugs))) Thank You Holy Spirit \o/ \o/ \o/

God bless and keep you, Dema.
Love,
Mack

[dema]

Continually, I hear the argument that God does not exist because there is evil in the world. Why are we here?
I find it impossible to believe that we are merely a bunch of hamsters that are born to eat and drink, soil our environment, raise pups and die.
Then, where did we originate and where do we go? And WHY?
Within each person is a place of knowing and seeking. Why do we even ask why? If we are hamsters, why don’t we just accept whatever comes? It is because of our souls that we want to KNOW. And it is within our souls that we recognize truth.
Are we created for the very first time when we are conceived? I don’t know. Are we sentient beings prior to birth? Again I don’t know. Do we continue on beyond this life? Yes. I KNOW that we do. Is this life important to the next life? Yes, vitally.
If we are born to an existence with no conflict where everyone loves one another and no one does anything wrong – then why experience this world at all? I am totally convinced that a life of ease is not the purpose of our glimpse of humanity. Being loved teaches easy love. Easy love is valuable. Every child of five should be totally versed in it.
But, we are here to learn essential lessons that we will carry with us into the next world. THAT is why we are here. And poverty, adversity and pain teach us.
Who do you know who is wise? What kind of life did they live?
Who do you know that you respect? How easy has it been for them to become worthy of that respect?
Where do you go for examples of how to live? Who touches you? The rich kid who took over his father’s business and spends all his time and money on work and himself? Or the amputee who overcame his adversity to become a success, and who gives generously of both time and money to help others?
We know, YOU know that having it rough and getting through is what makes us strong. It is how we learn. External loss can lead to dejection, depression and a useless life, or it can lead to victory and enormous internal growth. Passing through the fire changes us. It turns us into ashes, or into finished gold.
There IS a deeper meaning to life. There is joy. But, the joy does not come from getting what we think we want. The joy comes from fulfilling our purpose here.
The following passage is called The Beatitudes. Jesus preached it to the masses. It confuses many modern Christians.
Matthew 5 - (New American Standard Bible)
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
These are the humble, who seek after God. They do not exalt themselves, or feel that they can do it all alone.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mourning indicates intimate personal loss and suffering as a result.
5"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
When is there need for gentleness? When dealing with the small, the wounded, the helpless – with those who are hurting or who are vulnerable to pain.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
When do we hunger and thirst? When there is food and drink before us? Or when there is none to be found? Is this not saying “Blessed are those who see or suffer unrighteousness and continually seek to right the wrongs and see good win out”?
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
In a kind and gentle world, would there be need of mercy?
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
In a world without corruption, all would be pure.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
And without war and conflict, there would be no need of peacemakers.
10"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
For years I have puzzled over The Beatitudes. I thought life’s goal was perfection and these verses just do not fit with that goal.
But the goal is learning. The goal is to be in the fray, resisting corruption, bringing peace and gentleness to those who are hurting. We are here to love and mourn; to fight for right in the face of wrong; to seek peace in the face of conflict. We are to experience the great sea of humanity, risking pain and sorrow and loss. We are to endure.
James (New American Standard Bible)
12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
We are not here to live a bland life. We are to be tried and tested and persevere. We are to be salty. Life is a test. It is a piece of a greater life. This is boot camp – it isn’t pleasant – it isn’t meant to be. It is meant to determine if we have what it takes.

[dema]

There is much criticism about the church and what is done wrong. Today let’s look at what is done right.



Luke 4:18

New International Version (NIV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,



The concept of doing good to ALL others is, I believe, a uniquely Christian one. The early church grew, in spite of members being persecuted unto death, because of the teachings to be good unto all. Because of the striking example of Christian love. I have read a lot of history, and historical fiction. The concept of all people being loved by God is by no means universal. Children were sacrificed to gods. Kings slaughtered at will – even in centuries following the resurrection the concept of the importance of the individual was lost and found many times. It IS a Christian teaching.



Matthew 25:34-40

New International Version (NIV)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’



Even many secular people in our country practice CHRISTIAN teachings of love for one another - that all mankind is our brother. Surely we can look at the things that are done wrong in this country and throughout the world. We can look at the selfishness and crime.



Or we can realize that the selfishness and crime is the condition without Christ. And that the works and teachings of Jesus are spread far and wide. Without Christ, oppression would be rampant. Much of reform came from the conviction of the hearts of the oppressors. Martin Luther King, and those before him, did not win by force. They changed the world through conviction – conviction that came through applying Christian principles. Even Mahatma Ghandi changed his world by applying Christian principles.



Christ changed and changes this world daily – minute-by-minute. The change is of the best kind and reaches to the ends of the earth. Foodbanks, shelters, missionaries, food distribution, hospitals, schools, care for the oppressed – in all corners of the world. In all corners of our country.



If Christ came today….. Christ is here already. He is here in the hearts of his followers and in many who emulate the followers even though they do not know him personally.



Praise the Lord! Jesus Lives!

[dema]

The woman is caught in the act of adultery. She is brought forward for condemnation. The rumors start to fly. People gather. The noise level grows as new people come up and ask what is happening. People gather in groups. Some are gathering stones - running perhaps many feet away to gather this stone and that. They are ready for the lynching. Mob mentality is building. The air is sharp with blood-lust and excitement. Jesus is asked what he would do.

"What did they say to this rabbi-person?" One man asks another.

"I could not hear. What did he say?"

The noise is deafening. But someone heard the question,

"Should we stone her according to the law of Moses?"

and the message is passed around. As each person is told the question, he stops and looks. Some are still gathering stones, but they aren't traveling so far from the action now, they are looking to see what the itinerate Rabbi will say.

"Where is this man?" one asks another. His eyes start to search the crowd - but the man is drawing in the dust. There is an open space where he is drawing. The man squatting and drawing is easy to spot. He provides an obvious focal point for the scene. There is a crowd, a mob really. The Pharisees stand out by their dress and demeanor. The woman stands out with her captors. And the man, peacefully drawing in the sand is most obvious - his calmness in stark contrast to the energy and excitement.

The Pharisees repeat their question - this time into utter silence.

Had it not been silence, there would have been a stray stone. There would have been someone who did not hear. There would not have been the drama and the tension and the assurance that nobody ran up and started the stoning. If the stoning had started, it would not have stopped.

But Jesus, the teacher, the man of patience, had excellent timing and sense of drama. When he spoke, it was into utter silence with all eyes glued on him.

"He who is without sin throw the first stone."

Nobody could pretend they did not hear. And in the silence and the tension and the drama, he who threw the first stone would be known, and damned by all. So, in this dramatic silence, stones were placed on the ground and the people silently departed.

The question was intended to condemn Jesus - because if he answered to stone her, he violated Roman law, but if he said to not stone her, he violated the law of Moses. But Jesus knew a greater law, the law of love.