Sight
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Posts posted by Sight
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59 minutes ago, hmbld said:
Friend, Matthew chapter 6 seems to disagree with you. You have a choice. Go with your "experience", or what you have seen, or trust God at his Word, which has been written down for us. Though He may slay us, the heart of the matter is your heart, and my heart, Satan wants us to look at this worldly material gain, to pry us away from that which is greater. Settle for Satan's offering, or trust God has something better, far greater than what you see as "winning". What you describe as winning, I can only see as settling for something inferior. Do you want to settle?
Well then:
QuoteMatthew 6New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Giving to the Poor and Prayer
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Yes, understood. No problems here.
2 “So when you [a]give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your [c]giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
The father who sees what is done in secret, eh...I have yet to see God repay me for the good I have done in secret, so I dont know.
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners [d]so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
This is basically a discourse in discretion. Personally, when I give, I give silently. No one knows I would write $100 to a certain ministry, or $50 for a charity, when I could have used that money for other things. God didn't reward me jack diddly squat for those things, yet THIS IS SCRIPTURE. Care to elaborate?
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
If he knows, WHY DOESNT HE DO SOMETHING? If our father knows what we need, if he holds it back, then he's being obnoxious.
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [e]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [f]evil. [g][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]Amen.
14 For if you forgive [h]others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive [i]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
No contest. This is true, although, it's never to my benefit.
Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth (Mammon)
16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they [j]neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
STILL HAVE YET TO BE REWARDED.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
OK THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR, I NEED CLARIFICATION. I have no idea what this scripture means, even when reading it with the holy spirit's help. How do you store up treasures in heaven? Treasure is something tangible that has inherent value. Heaven is not a bank; you can deposit, but you cant withdraw. Storing up in heaven is no different than giving freely of charity: It goes, but never comes back. Of course moth nor rust destroys, and thieves cant break in...it's INTANGIBLE. No INHERENT value immediately reconcilable. It's no better than the concept of Karma. BUT that last statement...where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...I dont get it. Is my heart my treasure? Last time I checked, cash is king.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is [k]clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is [l]bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Amen. No contest.
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [m]wealth.
If I serve God, he'll never give me wealth. If I serve wealth, I'll never have God. You apparently cant have your cake and eat it too. Basically, it's either wealth without God, or God without wealth. It's not a wonderful decision. To choose God is to choose being broke. No influence, no cash, no money, yet, you have JESUS!!!!!
... are you beginning to see my problem with this?
The Cure for Anxiety
25 “For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you.
He has yet to prove this to me.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [v]care for itself. [w]Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Obviously God the father isn't familiar with creditors and bills, apparently.
Are you beginning to understand?
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3 minutes ago, hmbld said:
What if, in all our knowledge, intellect and wisdom we believe we have, we judge God falsely and don't understand what true blessing is? You want what, more material "blessings"? What if God has blessed you more above all those you rail against, yet your too blind to see it? Who are we to judge God, who gives rain to all: Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Why go to the Father for temporary things, when He offers eternal things, Himself? Do you want the temporal crumbs alone? is that winning? God's perspective is so much greater than ours.
To preface, these kind responses...I cant be feisty after this. You're truly kind, and God's love is at work. At the very least, hmbld, thank you for your kindness. I do truly appreciate it.
Yes, simply put, I want more material blessings. Perhaps I am blind...I have a lot I could be thankful for, but I am a passionate, ambitious, fiery, aggressive contender...I cant help but fight for what I believe is right.
Indeed, who are we to Judge God...but I am the guy who doesn't care, and will throw a fist at God anyway, because I am a fighter and a contender. When no one else will, I put God on the stand. When no one else will, I ask the difficult scriptural questions. When no one else will, I call God out to justify why this is, and why that is. I WILL QUESTION GOD, not because I seek to blaspheme (There's never a place to question what has endured for millenia), but because that is who I am...I test all foundations. I am a truth seeker, and if I shatter a preconceived truth, I will demand an explanation. So far, God's word is unshatterable, but the contexts SURROUNDING the word need clarification. I will clarify them, because I dont care what people think. I will slam the hammer down on the skull; my resolve is THAT strong.
God's perspective is indeed greater...if it's scriptural, I NEVER DISAGREE or CONTRADICT God's word. BUT...I dont care. I want the material things. Material success speaks to people. Material success makes me happy. The "eternal" things are for when I die and go to heaven because of Jesus. They have ZERO value on this earthly existence.
Besides, the only reason I even FOCUS on material gain: I have seen born-again Christians blessed with BOTH material and spiritual blessings. Since I saw it, and all things checked as "God did it", I can have it, and I will seek it, take it, and own it. If I can have BOTH material and spiritual, I shall HAVE both material and spiritual. That's MY rules. That's THE rules as well.
If it is possible, I shall attain to it.
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Yeah, I just said that.
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7 hours ago, Daniel_Quartararo said:
False favor is one of the biggest deceptions in the church today. Those who the enemy has in bonds who claim Christ the enemy will OFTEN "bless" financially, especially if they have a following or influence over people/society. People believe all outward blessing is from God and do not remember that Satan is still the God is this world, and it is not hard for Satan to get his little network of demons to financially overflow someone's life, open doors in the world, and convince that person it "all came from God! Look at how good God is!" when they are filled with pride and their heart is far from God. God resists the proud and to the humble God gives grace. We are saved by grace. So God's grace only is given to the humble. Read this again, this is important: God resists the proud and to the humble God gives grace. We are saved by grace. So God's grace goes to the humble alone.
Please forgive him. Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. But more importantly, your Heavenly Father can't forgive you if you don't forgive. Look into the scriptures, it's scriptural.
Follow God's will, seek His voice, know His voice, and you really won't care what's going on in this world, and He will give you a heart to love the worst people as well. Deep, surrendered relationship with God changes everything and it takes humility (God resists the proud...and to the humble God gives grace... Ref: James 4:6).
God bless you, deeply, in Jesus' mighty name! God loves you dearly! Pursue Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength! You won't regret it! I'm here for you if you need anything at all! Don't be a stranger! -DanielI wouldn't be suprised if that's the case. But if it is, it makes GOD look worse than the person who acted arrogantly. Everything just seems to come back to God being incompetent. I dont like to say that, but seriously, there's a fine line between honoring free will that God established, and God playing favorites. I dont care if Satan blessed the guy, GOD CAN STOP IT, AND GOD IS JUSTICE. If God allows an arrogant person to do as they please to the detriment of others, I cannot call God good. There's just ANOTHER HUNDRED grievances I accuse the father of.
Will I forgive the guy? Yes, what else is there to do? BUT DAMAGE IS DONE CHIEF. Sure, I forgive THE GUY, but God the father is still guilty of letting him do what he did. GOD IS THE GUILTY PARTY. GOD IS THE CULPRIT. GOD IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAIN. As far as I'm concerned, God owes me and everyone that other guy hurt, but God wont do jack diddly squat to fix the situation. "Jesus is good enough", is what I believe God would respond, to which I would tell God the father "You're going to have to do better than that chief. You've already agitated me enough in my walk with you". GOD THE FATHER NEEDS TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. I will not let God off the hook until I personally see him demonstrate righteousness. (Yes, I see God the father as an unfair dictator).
Again, I forgive the arrogant jerk, because there's no other productive option, BUT THAT DOESNT CHANGE THE FACT GOD BLESSED HIM. THAT DOESNT CHANGE THE FACT GOD PLAYED FAVORITES. THAT DOESNT CHANGE THE FACT GOD IS AN UNFAIR JUDGE OF CHARACTER. The evidence is there. If no one is going to call God out on being a hypocrite, I WILL, unless you can justify who God the father is to me. Again, this is all in context of BEING SAVED BY JESUS. He is STILL unfair. I witnessed it firsthand; dont you dare tell me I'm wrong.
Yeah, that's what God the father wants me to do: Follow his will, seek & know his voice, keep my mouth shut, force feed myself with the paltry crumbs he gives me while he gives others prime rib & filet mignon and blessings up the creek. I DONT GIVE A FLYING RIP ABOUT HAVING A HEART TO LOVE PEOPLE, not when I serve a God who plays favorites. Not going to happen bud. I DONT SERVE TYRANNICAL DICTATORS, ESPECIALLY THE SPIRITUAL KIND (And yes, I read the bible. God has yet to prove to me he isnt some sadistical tyrant, even IN SPITE OF JESUS).
Deep surrender to God DOES change everything, and he wants people to come to humility...that way, he can take advantage of that faithful person seeking a loving God, and ruin their lives while he rewards others. I have endured this unfairness firsthand. God isn't fair. Some of you fail to grasp that, EVEN AS A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN.
It goes back to that one question none of you can answer: Why does God give some people more, and why does God give most people less? That is the critical question. If you can answer that for me, perhaps I will change my opinion on the LORD God the father. Until then, I stand by the above.
Why? I SAW THE HYPOCRISY FIRST HAND. Tell me otherwise, if you think you know better.
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Quote
This seems reasonable. You have defined characteristics you see as being a winner and loser in general. Those may not be the root characteristics that are key to being a winner, though. As a side idea, does winner equal someone who's happy and enjoys their life or only someone who is good a exhibiting those characteristics to others?
The bottom line is a winner is those who exhibit their life as one of winning...that is, it is VISIBLY clear they are winners. You can have someone who's happy and enjoys their life, but they're people you want to avoid. There are socially awkward weirdos who are happy and enjoy their life; I dont want them around me. There are paraplegics and sick people who are happy and enjoy their life; they are complacent in my eyes. There are prison inmates and people living on welfare who are happy and enjoy their life...I do not relate to them, and I do not want what they have. I know what being a winner is to me, and I have had faith God would honor my path to becoming who I envisioned being a winner is. But dont get me wrong...I'm not stupid. As I said in the previous comment, if God would be SO KIND ENOUGH to get off his throne, and allow me to see what he sees, and help me change my perspective, I am open to that. But he hasn't, and I dont think he will. He just seems to like watching me suffer, and that is why I throw insults at him daily.
QuoteWhen I read scripture, I see Jesus as being amazingly skilled and powerful. Consider all the times he takes a targeted question or comment and responds so the position is completely changed to serve what He wishes. The author Greg Kuokl wrote a book called 'Tactics' that discusses some of the methods Jesus used and describes how you can learn to do the same. To me, the methods are invaluable and worth investigating. Other books provide good foundations and ideas to develop the 'winner' characteristics you mention. To me, the important part is to always put first the lessons in scripture on how Jesus led his life and how we should lead ours. Any ideas or methods from other sources whether they be books or famous pastors should come second. If those other ideas disagree with scripture, I believe they should be discarded. The scripture lessons on life are the foundation. Learning ways to implement those lessons is like learning any skill.
There's another critical part of all this. What's your relationship with Jesus? Reading and interpreting scripture is one thing, but figuring out how it should be applied to your life requires, I believe, a relationship with Jesus. Some would say that until you surrender your life to Jesus and agree to serve his goals entirely, your path will be only humanly chosen and thus flawed. While that's a really hard thing to do for someone who's a fighter and ambitious, I think it's true. That said, it doesn't mean you must stop being a fighter or ambitious, just that you're going to listen to Jesus and do what you're told. For me, that included 'drought' times when it felt like I received no answers. Some events in my life where I tried to follow His plan didn't work out and involved some painful times. Later on, with som
That's because Jesus was the son of God. OF COURSE HE HAS IT EASIER. He was God. Unfair advantage over the rest. I cant walk on water, I cant multiply bread, I cant make a coin come out of a fishes' mouth, and I definitely cannot raise a person from the dead, or heal the blind, deaf, lame, and sick. That's what Jesus can do, not a mortal man. If I has the power of Christ working in me, I would reverse EVERY aspect of my life to MY favor, but none of us are the son of God, only Jesus, and I chose to believe he WAS who the bible said he was without empirical evidence.
As for my relationship...what relationship? Jesus never put his hand on my shoulder. Jesus never hugged me. Jesus never took me out for lunch to eat a burger with fries. Jesus never told me "I am proud of you". As far as I'm concerned, he is a FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION, but by faith, I have to trust in him that he saved my sins, and I did, initially. Then, my life got worse.
Again, I ask, what bloody relationship? You cant have a relationship with someone you never met personally. Jesus never went out of his way to show himself to me. I trust he's there, but as far as I'm concerned, I could be mentally insane and think he was real, and perhaps I created an imaginary friend out of Jesus. All I have to go on is what's in the bible, and while I'm being a good sport and reading it, all I am learning his who he WAS, not IS. It's a history lesson, not a relationship. Do I WANT a relationship? You bet I do. But will it happen? I dont know...I have to spend most of my time condeming Jesus for making my life a total history of garbage and suffering. You tell me bucko...is Jesus real? Can I have a relationship with him? Are you just blowing hot air at me, like the rest of this fine church in attendance here?
QuoteServing Jesus and having a real relationship with Him can sometimes mean you are led to make hard choices. Maybe it's to move 1000 miles away or join the military to change your life entirely. It might mean to stay in an area work hard to change yourself.
I've done my part. Jesus needs to do his. End of story. I have DONE my part over and over again, and NOT ONCE did he reveal himself. Either I'm the idiot for trusting in him blindly, or he doesn't exist. Your call chief. You tell me who Mr.Jesus is.
QuoteI don't see it that way. Humans have free will with many paths and decisions that affect their life. Christian beliefs can make a person incredibly strong, and that strength can show in a person's social life and other characteristics. Serve Jesus as a medieval knight served his king, not as a slave only following orders. Serve with honor and always listen or orders. At some times they may be clear, at others you may feel you have been left to judge things yourself. A prayer I have used for those times is simple. "In Jesus name thy will, Lord, not mine."
Then I guess I made really dumb decisions then, even though I was celebrated as a genius when I was younger. That's kind of God to allow to happen...give me a genius level intellect, but curse me with a crap lifestyle. That's who I know God as...a cruel court Jester who loves to play pranks on his creations. THAT IS HOW I SEE HIM. Maybe it's not true, but I have come to learn God is a cruel prankster who messed with my life. You say God is love, I call you a filthy liar.
I was looking to have God as my commander, and me as his five star general. Instead, I seem to be God's own personal living joke, that entertains all his other precious children. God made me look like a fool in front of others, and never allowed me to gain respect. I know what to do, but God ruins everything every single time. You want to know my relationship with God? HES A BULLY, IM HIS VICTIM, EVERYONE THINKS IM A LOSER, GOD REWARDS EVERYONE ELSE. That is all I can see. You can try to convince me otherwise, and I hope you're right, but God has revealed himself to me as someone who enjoys watching me suffer. I know what I see, and I can deduce who people are. God was never my friend, only another bully.
How can I serve a master with honor if he treats me like I'm a reject? Dont tell me God doesn't do it. I know my life better than you do. All my life, people treated me like dirt. For you to tell me God is good...I should smack you in the face for lying to me.
Jesus' will for my life seems to be to make a joke out of my existence. Why do you think I keep wanting to reject him? What kind of "loving LORD with lovingkindness" makes a mockery out of his "Children's" lives? He's like the jock father who keeps making fun of his son because he's not as much of an athlete as his daddy was. That's who God has PROVEN himself to me to be.
QuoteI don't think that statistically Christians have less. Many Christians are humble and avoid bragging. They feel no need to attempt to 'look' successful. Some Christians are wealthy and famous such as John D Rockefeller, Henry Heinz, Sam Walton, Warren Buffet and David Green. Others are famous celebrities such as Mr. T or presidents like Jimmy Carter. Take a look at their lives and see what you find. Who were the people they kept around them when they were younger and not as famous? How did they live their lives?
I know what they all had in common. They all had a dream, and a vision, and they worked hard to achieve it. I never received a dream or vision from God. I prayed for it for years. NOT ONCE did God give me a burning desire or dream. My current desire is to find a vision or dream for my life. I never received one. Some of you have received it. Some of you are led by a vision and dream, but in reality, those Christians who are led by a vision and dream ARE NOT ON THIS WEBSITE, or perhaps you are, but you're not helping me, because like the rest of successful people out there, you want to PROTECT YOURSELVES from negative influences. I'm trying to escape it.
...but back to the question, I bet you they ALL had mentors, and they ALL read books, and they ALL listened to people more successful than them, and they ALL spoke positively, and they ALL prayed to their God, whomever that is. I have mentors, books, people to listen to, and I USED to always speak positively...until I learned how much of a backstabbing traitor my heavenly father is, and have spent years trying to understand what this monster wants from me. Again, mind you, I AM reading the bible, trying to learn who the LORD is. Apparently, it's as if I'm no better than an ancient Israelite after Solomon's reign...something the LORD hates. And yet I'm here, trying to learn from all of you. Either i'm the dumbest person on Earth, or my faith is genuine. Either way, I'm sick and tired of playing this "Find the LORD" game.
QuoteThere are many quiet Christians that are very successful, powerful, and humble. By their nature, you many never hear of them.
I know some of them chief. Some I've even been to their home/estate. God blessed them mightily, and I dont know why. I want what they have, but God keeps me wandering, and I'm starting to hate my heavenly father more and more and more everyday I dont get closer to my goal of being wealthy. I will never change that goal. IF I COULD PUSH GOD OUT OF MY WAY, I WOULD BE BETTER OFF, but no, the key is a relationship...the relationship he wont build with me, for some reason or another.
QuoteThere seem to be a lot of Christians that attend church once a week, talk about being a Christian, yet show no other characteristic of being a Christian. There are some, maybe 1%, that use scripture and a relationship with Jesus in their life. Those sound like the ones that would be good mentors, friends, and teachers. In my experience, they're hard to find.
And I will kill to find the 1% and learn from them. I want to be a 1% Christian. I KNOW some of the 1% Christians. I KNOW a couple PERSONALLY, and they care about me and love me unconditionally. Yet my heart is hateful and vengeful against a heavenly father who never cares for me himself. I was LUCKY enough to find the 1% (Hint: They're located where you least expected them to be...go against the flow of society and think outside the box). I know their hearts, and what they all have in common...GOD IS UNFAIRLY KIND TO THEM AND HAS BLESSED THEM BEYOND REALITY. God is their source, and yet God keeps driving me around in circles. I'm tired of trying to work with my heavenly father. I want the courage and the consistency and persistency to have what the 1% has. I DREAM of having what the 1% has. I LOSE SLEEP because of wanting what they have...and you all say it's a relationship with Jesus. I dont know what that means pal. How do you have a relationship with a dead person? Is it through the holy spirit as a mediator, because for YEARS, I have spoken to, and heard from, and was advised through the holy spirit. How do I become the 1%? HOW? That is what I live for.
QuoteTo me, it's all about free will and God's directions for all of us. A couple articles I found said Christians own the majority of the wealth in the USA, but I haven't verified them
I simply want God to advise me as to what to do. Yes, I have a choice to do it or not, but I want God to be definite with me and present my options to me. I'm tired of playing "Hide and seek" with Jesus. I dont like that game.
QuoteI believe you have the tools to change things. There's no promise it will be easy or end up as you expect. Look carefully, listen, and serve with honor.
I do have the tools, and it DEFINITELY isn't easy, but God...he needs to be more present in my life, which yes, I need a relationship...but I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO? What IS a relationship with God? I am reading scripture, and just got up to my 2nd reading of Romans. What is it? More prayer? More tithing? Speaking in tongues?
WHAT DOES HE WANT?
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3 hours ago, hmbld said:
The grass is always greener on the other side, only thing is, its not, and nobody believes it until they get over there and see it for themselves. Wisdom does cry out from every street corner, and chasing all that is temporary leaves one empty, and dead inside. Let the living Word of God show you the meaning of your life, and refuse to listen to the lies of the world. The kingdom of God is at hand, at your very hand, yet you continue to dream about being an earthly winner, wanting only someone to tickle your ears with words you have predetermined are the only ones you will listen to. Listen to Truth, the lies you seek will devour you. As always I pray for you, God bless
I am currently studying scripture, so what I am desiring, hmbld, is a revelation of the truth...where I can stop being this person I am now, and be changed in Jesus towards what the LORD wants for me. I'll be honest, I harbor a lot of anger and fury in my soul...I want to fight and win so badly that I will challenge ANYONE.
I want things to change. Badly. So badly I would kill to get it.
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I'm really considering being standoffish and abrasively nonresponsive to people I dont like anymore.
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16 minutes ago, Randal said:
Thank you all so much for helping. One last question. It appears the general consensus is I do have to tell her, which is what I thought too. Any advice on how? Never having met her, the most I can do is call her up on her cell phone and tell her hey you don't know me and I'm sorry but…
Yeah.
Just tell her, and just do it.
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If you dont tell his wife, she will be hurt even more. Get it done and get over it.
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2 hours ago, bryan said:
Your comments about your beliefs, history, how your feel, and the people around you make sense in some ways to me. I came to this forum in the hope of finding rational discussion, so here are a few questions and comments. See what you think.
What defines someone as a loser? I know many people with expensive toys, high paying jobs, yet are very stressed and generally unhappy. Are some generally happy but poor a loser, or does being a loser involve mostly social dynamics, i.e. how people treat them. What defines the opposite, a winner?
It sounds like you're mad you haven't found what you're skilled in, mad that you feel weak and dependent on your Christian beliefs, question those beliefs, and yet believe all that will lead you to never get what you want. How do Christian beliefs lead to being a loser, weak, and pathetic? As a child, I was told I was in complete control of my mind and body, so if I didn't like something or wanted it to change I should figure it out and change it. Blaming and getting mad were ways of accepting defeat. Still, I'm not seeing connections between this and Christian beliefs.
Many are complacent. I respect people that are ambitious, generally, if they seem to have a good foundation. Chasing money and power as 'success' blindly can and does end badly many times. You mention a common denominator of some that give up being Christians, yet I'm not seeing that. There are many quiet Christians that are very successful, powerful, and humble. By their nature, you many never hear of them.
Again, how does accepting Jesus lead to someone becoming weak and pathetic? To me, there's a logic gap there. One thing isn't a cause for the other.
Reversing the logic and rejecting Jesus doesn't logically mean you'd be successful.
This comments here seem to describe a loop where being Christian means you will be a loser. What happens if you step back and look at the whole situation where you separate Christian beliefs and being a loser/winner. Examine the social dynamics side separately, how people influence and affect you. What needs to change so you win? How do you achieve that? Depending on your life and experiences, your definition of winning will likely change. Plan accordingly. One every year I look at my life, how I spend my time in every way, and consider the value of it all. Am I working too many hours, not spending enough time with my family, wanting more social time, etc. Sometimes that leads to minor adjustments, other times I've quit jobs and/or moved across the country. My Christian beliefs are a foundation to consider, value, and use in making these decisions.
I'm glad I'm making sense. My intent is not to be a general troll. There is a deep sense of substance and intention behind what I share. You can have a rational conversation with me. I can see many different viewpoints.
A loser...to me, is someone ... who isn't in a relationship, who doesn't have much money to their name, who cant hold down a regular job, who doesnt have many friends, who is always angry and defensive, who is ignored and overlooked by everyone, who is dependent on others to sustain a living...in other words, me for most of my life. Yes, I have always been a loser at life, and have had a strong desire to not be a loser anymore.
A winner is somone who has good relationships, who has skillsets developed, who has a way with life, who makes a good amount of money, who has connections, who has things work out for the better...a winner is the person I've always wanted to be, but God always kept away from me, being the sadist I believe God is, EVEN AFTER READING SCRIPTURE.
I guess for me, being a loser or a winner is all rooted in social dynamics...relationships, social status, social skillset, reputation, respect, influence...if you have it and can develop it, you are a winner. If you cant, and you screw up regularly, you are a loser. I had been a loser most of my life, and it was disgusting, and I always blamed God/Jesus because of it. I mean, people who were popular and successful mostly werent Christians, so God had something to do with someone being lame and unwanted.
I have not yet found what I am skilled in. I prayed to God for YEARS for him to reveal my expertise. He never answered that prayer. I strongly believe Jesus was weak, and that I am weak because I believe in Jesus. I believe, because I have accepted Jesus, that the world will never treat me with respect, and because of that, I hate Jesus for who he is...because of Jesus, I am dirty just like he was, and I am ashamed. Yet, Jesus traps people by saying in scripture "Those who are ashamed of me here, I shall tell my father I am ashamed of them in heaven". It's like Jesus wants people to be losers; which is why I spent years cursing the name of Jesus. To me, he's a jerk who ruins people's lives.
I've been trying to "figure it out" for years, but NOTHING...NOT ONE THING worked. I am still running in circles, and I feel like I'm in hell, repeating history over and over again, and I feel Jesus is toying with me and having fun with my life. I didnt do anything to deserve being treated like a joke by my heavenly father.
Yes, I STRONGLY, FIERCELY, CONVINCINGLY BELIEVE that I am a loser because I am wholly dependent and weakened by my Christian beliefs. The way I understand it, God calls the shots, and at birth, God decided who would be a winner, and who would be a loser, and God expects you to shut up, deal with it, and give him his tithe. That's how I see God. That's how I understand him. The point is...
...No matter how hard I work, the LORD handicapped my efforts from the beginning, and even if I gave it 150%, nothing works because God cursed me to fail, and blessed the others to win, hence, my question FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS: Why do some Christians have more, and why do most Christians have less, and not one Christian can answer that question on principle. Instead, I get MORE complacent losers flocking to me. I hope you're beginning to see the picture.
You said something earlier:
There are many quiet Christians that are very successful, powerful, and humble. By their nature, you many never hear of them.
Those are the Christians I am looking for. I'm not looking for the weak ones who gave up on life and tell me to accept a less-than-average lifestyle to please Jesus. I DONT HAVE TIME FOR THOSE CLOWNS, AND I LET THEM KNOW I DONT WANT TO HEAR THEM. But those quiet Christians who've built success, whom I've never heard of...I want to be that person. I WILL KILL TO BE THAT PERSON. You have no idea how much I DREAM of becoming that silent Christian super success. THEY EXIST. I SEEK THEM. I WANT TO LEARN FROM THEM AND DUPLICATE THEM. I dont have time for Christians who do not have what I want.
Perhaps there IS a logic gap. Maybe it's the fact 90% of Christians I know arent people I want to be around. SCRIPTURE has a different story about who the LORD is, and I have read scripture. Again, the question is: Why do some born-again Christians have more, and why do most have less, and what can a person do to become the born-again Christian who has more? THIS IS THE ONLY THING I CARE ABOUT.
Indeed, reversing the logic does not equal success. Jesus died for all people, unsuccessful or successful, rich or poor, black or white...doesn't matter. ALL who accept him are set free, but that does NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION as to why some Christians have more, and most Christians have less. NOT ONE CHRISTIAN, NOT ONE PASTOR...can answer that one.
Yes, I strongly believe being a Christian = Being a loser. I will not apologize for that statement. I believe it to be true. For me to step back and seperate Christianity from Winning/Losing, I need to find someone WHO UNDERSTANDS WHERE I AM COMING FROM. 95% of online Christian users live in la-la-land wasting their time pursuing irrelevant things. I am not one of those people. I mean, if you are, by all means, go ahead and do whatever pleases you. I am not your dictator, but I will not waste time dealing with you.
I've made a lot of decisions, and cut out a lot of bad things to get closer to Jesus. All it did was tick me off and make me poorer, and angrier at Jesus.
THE ONLY QUESTION I CARE ABOUT, IS, ONCE MORE: Why do some Christians have more, and most Christians have less? It's like an exceptionally cruel Pareto Principle (20/80) rule in action, and I'm on the negative end of it. I will NOT STOP until I find an answer to this question.
How do I escape the losers, and live with the winners?
That is my only objective with Christianity.
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3 hours ago, Allroses48 said:
Well for me it wasn't a rationalization. You say the power of attraction is at work. It would make sense if the very faults you find in those around you are the exact ones you suffer from yourself. I don't feel triggered at all. My perspective is that there's more to life than material success. Like Christ said what profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul. We often don't want to see our own faults reflected in others. You seem extremely driven to success as if that's what the goal of life is. Are your values in line with Christ's values? Have you ever asked yourself who taught you you weren't good enough if you weren't successful?
People look at me and they don't see success. I'm not married, no kids, I'm underemployed and overeducated. I am a shy introverted person and much of societies values of what a person should be repulses me. Guys would have the fancy car, clothes, and job and I just wasn't taking them up on their offers. Women had fake nails, cake makeup, and designer clothes and I just couldn't see myself like that as a female. Fashion trends grossed me out and as did the nauseating fakery. Give me a job where I can help people, my yarn, my garden some family members and friends and I'm just fine. Maybe it's my Mennonite roots speaking here but I truly believe your values are screwed up and that's why you feel the way you do. If you're always chasing perfection and success, you will always be a slave to rejection, judgment, and failure. Perhaps somewhere deep down someone said to you you're not a real man if you're not a-d. Just a thought.
I dont want to be a loser. I never wanted to be a loser. I seem to be treated like dirt by others since I was a kid. I never knew why. Others seemed to get whatever they wanted. I never understood it. All I wanted was a place in the world, and since my childhood, I have failed hundreds, if not, thousands of times trying everything in my power to find what I was skilled in.
I never asked to be a loser among people. God seemed to ordain that for me naturally. I feel weak, pathetic, and disgusting having to depend on Jesus Christ for my own sense of life satisfaction. All my faith in him to this day has been on the premise of faith...I have no evidence to determine if he even existed, if he's real, or if Christianity has ANY sound basis at all. I chose to believe because everything else in the world was false, evil, and fake. I dont like Jesus. I dont like Christianity. I dont like you, or anyone else on here. I made the decision to believe for the sake of the truth, and it seems like I will never get what I want out of it, which makes me angry at all of you even more.
I'm sorry you are how you described you are. I have nothing in common with you. YOU ARE COMPLACENT. I am ambitious. Why are so many of you Christians such quitters at life? You give up on everything and chalk up your existence to being God's will. That's baloney. You're capable of much more, but for some reason, you refuse to rise up and be all you can be. I cannot respect people like that. When I study the scenario, I cant make a dent in life, where others have, and when I strike the common denominator, they arent Christians. Non Christians win more than Christians.
Makes me think...what is it about you Christian people that makes you poor, weak, and useless in the world? I didnt accept Jesus to become weak and pathetic like the lot of you. I came to win. I know what I want, and it seems like I will never have it...I am a useless loser just like the rest of you, apparently. You people dont seem to understand that I cant see what you see. Why do you choose to live passively and without any sense of growth? Are you THAT passive and complacent? Are you that much of a coward in life that you cant make a difference? But if I reject Jesus, sure, I can have the world, but I will become reprobate, and burn in hell. That defeats the purpose.
Either way, I lose. I dont care about the gospel. I dont care about the word. I dont care about you. I just want to win, and I guess I'm the fool for trying to find a Christian success story on a website full of derelect rejects of life that have no value to this world. Yeah, I just said that. Think what you want. I'm tired of trying to find Christian success stories. All I find are losers, rejects, and fools
Will I find the person I'm looking for here? Maybe I have FAITH I will. The kid gloves are off. I'm not going to play nice anymore. It's either I find what I'm looking for, or I will bring down the house trying.
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1 hour ago, Allroses48 said:
I don't really see human beings as losers or winners. Too me they are just human beings. I've also never understood the mentality of "if you're not successful in life you're a loser". That value in and of itself is the very thing Christ spoke against : pride, vanity, riches, success, looking down on others. Christ lost everything to gain it all. He wasn't rich, wasn't successful, was a basic carpenters son and was in fact hated and despised by all the Jewish people who were considered winners. Remember Christ sat down with the losers of this world: criminals, prostitutes, lepers, thieves. He never had anything good to say about the rich, wealthy, and successful. What profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Maybe "losers" flock to you to teach you a lesson in humility and self awareness. We always think we are so much better than other folks, until we get slapped upside the head with reality. At the end of the day we all stink, we all need to bathe, we all go #2. Nobody is perfect in God's eyes. In fact we are literally specks of dust to Him but he died for that light that shines through the dust.
And this is why I may not make it through this. I will explain:
- Yes, there are winners, and losers in life, whether you, or anyone else likes it or not. I am not being rude; I am being factual. This is life.
- Yes, I know Christ spoke against it. THAT IS MY NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WITH BOTH JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, AND CHRISTIANS...You all speak against gain and victory. Yes, Christ lost everything to gain it all, so I, and you, and others DONT HAVE TO. He did the work, and gave us a free gift, and I am ok with taking that free gift for myself.
- Jesus wasn't rich, he wasn't successful, he indeed was a carpenters son, and was indeed hated by all the Jewish people of that time. WHAT YOU FORGET, as well as every other Christian seems to forget, is that THIS was God's will for his only son. It HAD to happen. It's not something we need to choose. The BIGGEST FAULTY LOGIC I find in 95% of Christians is that, for some reason, you all think and feel you have to suffer like Jesus did. No you dont, he did it for you. In another instance, Paul suffered for the sake of validating the gospel, but that doesnt mean YOU have to suffer.
- Yes, Jesus sat down with the losers of the world, and the dirty. Fantastic, THAT WAS JESUS, NOT ME, and I dont really have to do the same if I dont want to. Jesus never had anything nice to say to the wealthy and powerful of the time because they wouldnt be able to recognize him as the son of God; like the parable of the sower, they were choked by the thorns (world's distractions) and never bore fruit. But at that time, he hadn't died yet, so they couldnt be forgiven, and probably chose NOT to be forgiven after his death.
- No, I'm not being taught a lesson. I KNOW what's a lesson, and what's simply inconvenience and the power of attraction at work. Yes, we are all the same, but I simply do not want people who fail at life around my presence. Judge me for what you will; I demand excellence in everything, and if a person isn't willing to grow with me, I cannot invest time with them.
This post proves you dont get it. Again, I'm going to REALLY play hardball with all of you on this one. Hard enough to evoke emotions and trigger you. Listen, I understand your perspective, but it is unacceptable. I am looking for answers, not for rationalizations.
I RESTATE THE QUESTION:
Why do certain types of people flock to me, and how do I change the type of people who get around me?
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12 minutes ago, Annette said:
Hey Sight,
I know you were asking questions the other day too.
I just saw your comments in the group chat, so looked for your post. And for what its worth, here is my two cents...
Have you ever known a family and wondered how they could all be related despite them all being so different?
I think the same goes for Christians. I have always thought of Christians as people who are acknowledging that they have done wrong and that they need Jesus. We are all at different stages in our walks with the Lord, even though we have chosen to belong to a new family of Christ. And so, not everyone who calls himself a Christian is at the same level of maturity.
So just because someone calls himself a Christian, it does not mean that I am going to blindly follow him. I have a few people who I really respect and look up to for advice. I know that they will not just say what I want them to say and I value their input.
However, I do think that there are people that may be in our lives so that we can both grow. Some of this growth may not be comfortable. Some of what you are going through may not be comfortable, but could it be a period of growth for you, or be an opportunity for you to be able to be a guide to others who, though on the journey, need someone to come alongside them.
Hope it helps,
Annette, thank you for sharing. I would like to leave this post in place for future editing, so I can really take in what you've said, and hopefully share a more INFINITELY POSITIVE feedback so many can grow from this. Thank you again!
EDIT: [ Once I understand the above ]
RESPONSE ---> In terms of family, yes. I myself, have a VERY large family on both sides (Father / Mother). Many family members are different in their own right...different levels of living.
Jesus did indeed forgive us ALL (that is, ALL who accept him) of their sins, and we are led to repent and never sin again. However, different people that WERE forgiven still attract different qualities of life, and while I am saved, I will not settle for 2nd, 3rd, or last place. I will fight, knowing yes, I am forgiven, but I will still fight.
I am VERY careful as to who I allow to influence my life. I cut out what doesn't work, and get around what does. That concept...MATURITY as a christian...makes a lot of sense, which makes me ask myself: Am I immature in Christ, or is this who God intends for me to be? If it's immaturity, perhaps I need to study the word more closely. If it's God's will for losers to flock to me, well, best be assured I will put up a bloody fight, but with what I read, no, that's not the case. It's definitely a lack of maturity. God is too good to allow mature Christians to do unpleasant things...IF said Christian was led by the LORD to do something unpleasant (like preach the gospel in Somalia, Uganda, Afghanistan, or Kenya, for example), then that person would be given a love and heart for it by the LORD to fulfill that will. One only need study Acts, and the letters of Paul to understand what Paul (formerly Saul) had to go through. It was horrible, but the spirit was ALIVE in Paul through the midst of it.
So maturity is definitely something to reflect on...for THAT, it sure helped Annette, thank you!
As for being a guide, I have no problem with that. The problem...is in primary association...what I tend to ATTRACT towards my existence. I will guide those I dont want to associate with, but I do not want to ATTRACT them to my presence. As my mentors define what is right and not right, so I wish to define boundaries with people I dont want near me.
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(Sounds like a complicated title, but I will try to simplify and explain. Scroll to the bottom for the main question)
(WARNING: Some of you are not going to like me after reading this. So be it)
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I'm part of a group...let's consider it a "Chamber Of Commerce club", for reference purposes.
We have different people in there. I have 4 couples who are mentors to me in different areas of life, and I have about 18-20 people in association with me. We're all driven to achieve the same goals, similar lofty dreams, and a unified vision of excellence we will bust our butts for.
I was the first of them. Then, after many readjustments, promotions, demotions, and timing, we have a solidified team formed.
After me, is this snotty, arrogant, silver-spooned self-entitled pompous jerk, who ends up marrying one of my mentor's daughters, and for some reason, was, and somewhat is still bountifully blessed by God. Born again at a young age, his dad is an elder at the church I go to (That's where my mentor's daughter met him, and fell in love, blah blah blah, whatever...), and God seems to have given him whatever he wanted, and he is skilled at everything. This guy is the reason I spent 5 years cursing Jesus, and mocking the bible and God. I dont like the guy, and probably will never forgive him. Dont really care.
There's another guy, who I was friends with for a while, who has his fiancee (soon to be wife), who is an awesome human being, and an all around good guy. We got along, and still get along somewhat, but he's been able to figure out how to work success in his favor, and is slowly building his own influence. I understand why we talk less, and he's getting mentored by higher ups, and his demeanor has changed. HIM, I can forgive, because I know his heart and kindness, and understand he is merely watching his associations so he doesnt screw up his momentum. Good for him.
The third guy...is 5 years younger than me, but that's irrelevant. He was born in the same city I was, and is also dating another one of my mentor's daughters (He has 3, 2 are dating people in my association). He is strong, confident, forward moving, and mentorable. Also a good guy all around, and we have a lot in common, and get along just fine. Unlike the other guy (to which they will both become brothers-in-law eventually), he's humble and respectful, and knows how to be a rounded person.
I'll get back to the first guy...there are some other people who are kind of "next generation", and still have yet to form a relationship with them, but let's get into...the painful people I have to deal with.
One guy...is basically one of the world's most filthiest, disgusting, unhygenic human beings. At first, we had a close friendship, because in addition to him (appearing) being kind, we could relate on a LOT of things, and that was ok. Over time, however, he began to reveal his true colors...opportunist, ride moocher, emotional manipulator, idiot, unaware fool, lack of discernment, no judge of character, bad associations, clumsy, awkward...you name it. He was filthy. Didn't take care of himself. Always took advantage whenever he knew he could. Sinks his tentacles through friendship, and sucks his victims dry...I cared for him, and wanted to rise with him, but he CHOSE to remain a leech, and he's still around my association, and I cant keep him away from me.
He brings in:
- Another guy who's 6 years older than me, married to a wife who hates him, father of a girl who has too many problems to bear, and he himself...is a bumbling moron. Stupid is too nice of a word to describe him. The social awkwardness, his lack of manners, the way he shoddily dresses, the clumsiness, him being a uncomfortable person to be around...I literally have to tell him how to dress and behave. He's an embarassment to existence, and does nothing to improve or change himself. He's even worse than the above guy, and the above guy brings him into the association, saying "I believe in his potential". I want both of them to dissappear.
There's a last couple, but they're not so bad. The guy is a computer genius, and has great tech credentials. Unfortunately, he's a total klutz, and socially inept. He's not as bad as the rest, but the first guy (Filthy guy) manipulated him into moving in, sharing resources, riding in his car, and using him as his supply partner. Worse, he saddles him up with the girl...she's nice, and kind, and sweet. I have no problems with her; she just needs to get a car, but anyway...
Here's the thing folks, and why I write this thread: I am stuck going between jobs, living at home with the folks, struggling to network and connect with people...
...it's as if everywhere I go, the losers in life flock to me, and the winners seem to walk past. I havent figured that one out yet.
I know what you're about to say..."Sight, Jesus would love them/Be nice/Your mission is to serve them"...yeah, I dont care.
Serving is one thing. Being there is one thing, but my primary association isnt among socially unacceptable losers. It's to be among the movers and shakers in life. Some of you are going to say "That's anti-biblical"...keep your mouth shut and dont talk to me about that. I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong.
The jerk snob I told you about? Born-again Christian
The other guy who's about to get married? Born-again Christian.
The young guy who was born in the same town as I? Born-again Christian.
And those disaster area people I told you about? ALSO Born-again Christians.
This isn't a question of "Jesus vs non-Jesus". This is a situation of some Christians having better lives than other Christians, AND I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE OK WITH THAT UNTIL SOMEONE GIVES ME A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF WHY THIS IS.
THEY ALL believe in Jesus Christ, so dont give me any of that "Give to the poor" baloney. I wont have it, nor will I take you seriously, NOR will I spare you any insults.
If winners can be accepted in Jesus, so can I, but God keeps the losers around me. I DONT HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH LOSERS, yet God keeps sending them my way. God keeps sending me people I dont want to associate with, yet they keep following me like fleas on a dog. That tells me that perhaps I am a loser. Folks...that is reason enough for me to tell Jesus to take a hike, even WITH the scripture I'm already standing on.
This post might have offended some of you. I REALLY REALLY DONT GIVE A FLYING RIP HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT. This is the situation. I will ask the difficult questions. Some of you will not like me. Sorry. Cant say I care. But, I will get to the bottom of this one way or the other, even if other people's tears have to be shed. I am a winner and a bulldog, and I do whatever it takes to get to the core, even if at your expense.
Yes, I read the bible.
Yes, I know the word of God.
Yes, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and savior, and have fallen at the foot of the cross to obtain his mercy.
I'm not a mean person, I am just a bulldogged fighter. I get my nose into everyone's face. Whatever it takes to get to the truth, I do it, even if it means I offend you. The truth is of higher priority than your feelings.
That said, sorry. But, here's the thing: I dont want losers flocking around me. I want to attract winners to me. Even if "losers" are mixed in with winners, I can deal with that, but I do not want undesirable people flocking around me as if I'm the last bottle of water in a desert.
I'm even starting to understand how beautiful, attractive women feel when creepy guys try to hit on them. It's not a fun feeling. Yes, I know what I have posted doesn't seem Christian. What YOU need to understand is...Christian or non-Christian, value is value, and association is association.
Name your top 5 people you hang out with, and I'll tell you where you're going to be in 2-5 years. Principles are as old as God's word. Read Proverbs if you dont believe me; there are many chapters on who to associate with, and who to avoid.
TL:DR - Why do certain types of people flock to me, and how do I change the type of people who get around me?
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The losses, the suffering, the firings, the lack of relationships, the rejections...
Apparently, this statement made it all make sense:
Quote...this is your time to have a privaliged one on one experience with Jesus and learn his presence. that way you will recognize it later...
...to get to the bottom, find Jesus, and work your way back up.
Matthew 19:24 - And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
...I think I know what I have to do. I am willing to listen to some suggestions...on how to finally meet Jesus one on one.
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KevinB, why do you even care?
Is the answer to this question going to benefit you in any sort of way? Why is it bugging you? Is it REALLY that important?
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Quote
Parable of the Talents
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five [a]talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his [b]master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your [c]master.’
22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money [d]in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This parable confuses me. Of course the guys with five and two talents will double them. The one who got one talent got jipped. The richer get richer, and the poorer get poorer, and this scripture confirms God is the author of that paradigm.
What does this parable mean? All this parable does is trigger and upset me.
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Jesus spoke this:
John 14:12-14New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
...how does a person know they are truly believing in Jesus? Is it the love? The wisdom? The freedom?
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Very simple post. I finally understand what life is about.
Service. Love. Giving. Giving. Giving.
Taking eyes off myself, and putting them on others. Serving others. Loving others. Giving of myself for the sake of others. THAT is the purpose of our lives...service to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ...giving of self.
But even more so...the purpose is LOVING others as God loves. The purpose of living...is to SERVE OTHERS, not GLORIFY SELF.
To state that...means that when we give and serve others, God will take care of our own needs. I think I understand now.
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"Religion" cannot exist without Science.
Science cannot exist without "religion"
They are codependent on each other.
The reason "Religion" is in quotation marks, is because the focus ISNT about "religion", but the SPIRITUAL, that of the SPIRIT, and Jesus is a Spirit as well as being man as well as being God. Religion is manmade, Spirit is eternal.
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3 hours ago, MrPopple said:
so Im trying to deal with some issues in my past Ive been married nearly 25yrs to a beautiful woman that has put up with alot, my question is am I accountable for making someone do something against there will? SO I dont know how to put it my wife fell pregnant and I dont want it. Please dont judge me Im just asking
You married her. She's pregnant. You deal with it. You laid with her...you rise with her.
What you're basically asking is...how can you make your wife have an abortion?
The answer: Unacceptable. You knocked her up, you bring it out. Take responsibility as a man.
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A second simple question, built on 1 Corinthians 13 & 1 John 4
1 Corinthians 13 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Excellence of Love
13 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of [c]prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [d]became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror [e]dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the [f]greatest of these is love.
And
1 John 4: 7-21 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God Is Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is [a]born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested [b]in us, that God has sent His [c]only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has [d]for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear [e]involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
These two verses made sense of everything. I do not know God's love. I spoke faith in Christ on the cross, and believed INTELLECTUALLY, but my heart is wrenched with black tar, and I have no love. Some of you have come to know me...I have come across as downright tyranical and insensitive.
How do I let God's love in? I do not know how.
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A very simple question this time.
How exactly...does the word of God restore a person? I have found the scriptures...what is requires for true restoration in Christ?
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17 hours ago, Bihous said:
In all his life from the begining to his last day on earth Jesus did not claim he is the Messiah.
if you permit i have one video that prove this issue
Just one video?
Dude, get with the program. Read the bible yourself. Dont waste people's time.
God's Will, and Social Group Dynamics
in Have a problem? Looking for advice?
Posted
Thanks for your kind words Daniel. I will aim to respond to each part:
Envious of evil...that opens up a perspective. I mean, if God would only align a bit of blessing my way, I wouldn't be so adamant in the way I am. All I want is for God to be God, not an absentee landlord. Is THAT so much to ask for, that I have to keep throwing stones and dirty toilet paper at his door? What do I have to do to get his attention? Break his window...cause if it were possible, I WOULD BE THE GUY who would break his window and throw a stink bomb in his living room just to get him to open the door. I'm THAT determined to get the LORD to respond.
I'm actually considering that opinion. It opens up more possibilities, and from my understanding in the spirit, you've got a VERY good point I can agree with, not because it tickles my ears, but because it makes sense.
I cannot disagree with that. I will see it the way God sees it. Maybe if I actually did that instead of trying to yank God's beard, perhaps I will witness him doing that LOT more you speak of, and I know he could do.
If this verse came alive in YOUR life, I want to know what you know, do what you do, trust how you trust, love the LORD as you love the LORD...I will listen, IF you're indeed being truthful with me, which I STRONGLY BELIEVE you are. I know people who love Jesus and bear fruit. I am trusting you here Daniel.
I like steak. A LOT. Filet Mignon. NY Strip. T-Bone. Salisbury. Steak Diane. Churrasco. Skirt Steak. Kobe Washugyu. Steak Tartare. Venison. You name it. I have yet to know God as better than a nicely cooked porterhouse, and I know my steaks.
But whether it's steak, chicken, fish, shrimp, lobster, turkey, veal...knowing God, according to the REST OF YOU, is infinitely greater. I cannot yet relate. I want to throw knives at God at this moment. This relationship you speak of...I do not yet know. Indeed, if I had this "relationship" you speak of, I would be a changed person. Perhaps that is my mission here...to enter relationship with Jesus. Maybe I'll change. Again with "eternal life"...I'm definitely missing something here, and I NEED TO FIND IT NOW, and I will break the door down, and I wont ask...I WILL DEMAND. I will not seek...I WILL EXCAVATE AND DIG UP. I wont knock...I will BREAK THE DOOR DOWN if I have to. If he wont answer, I'll break the door down and yell at the top of my lungs.
EVERYTHING. Literally everything. Repented. Gave. Prayed. Studied scripture. Submitted to him. WHAT ELSE DOES HE WANT? If he were a person, I'd have cracked a wooden bat over his head for playing the Riddler with me.
Those are words of wisdom. I cannot disagree. Perhaps that is EXACTLY what is happening.
I will tell you EXACTLY what he is captivated by: His wife, and his easy life. He even said himself...he never had any difficult challenges growing up. The moment he said that, I was ready to go after the LORD God with a sword and cut the LORD down. I didnt know how angry I could become until after I hear that arrogant snob guy say that. I wanted to take him to the school of hard knocks and give him a crash course in Hoodrat Ghettostyle 101, FIST MEETS FACE STYLE.
But I wasn't angry at him. He was just a little innocent White Anglo-Saxon Preppy snotnose who didn't know any different. I was angry at GOD for allowing him to live like that and get every blessing for free. He literally got everything handed to him on the LORD's silver platter, while I had to FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL for even the smallest crumb.
I am proud of my inner city heritage, and growing up tough as nails, but for God to let the snob snottynose get away with free blessings and favor for no reason...I literally threw seven bibles, six that I PAID FOR with my own money, in my apartment's trash chute out of anger and rebellion...over $250 worth of Bibles in the trash out of anger. I decided to buy a smaller bible that goes in my glove compartment in my car, and I read scripture online, so I dont throw away bibles, but so you all know, I had punched that copy of the bible in my car over a hundred times in fury. No joke...it was PURE UNFAIRNESS.
But it's not the scenario that matters...it's the principle of the matter that the LORD gave me crumbs and scraps, and gave him a silver platter. I WANT AN EXPLANATION. I WANT GOD TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND EXPLAIN HIMSELF, I dont care if it's someone he brings to me on the street or someone here...I WANT AN ANSWER FROM GOD AS TO WHY. Anyone deserves and explanation. I want God to explain himself. What's so bad in asking him that? IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I will continue working in that direction.
God bless you as well, In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.