Joulre2abba

I used to suffer, when I was on the wide road, carrying a much heavier burden that didn't offer me any help whatsoever. But the cross of Christ is abundant help. The apostle Paul wrote "We are more than conquerors through Him who gave Himself for us."

Oxymoron: A contradiction. I've already given the explanation : concerning the apostle Paul writing his epistles "in few words". My post was written in a lighthearted attitude.. meaning, I thought Paul saying that to be somewhat funny. Like.. Paul, you've got to be kidding right?.. "few words"..?

What God said to Abraham was conditional to Israel's faithfulness to God. Rome, and the nations before Rome was Babylon, then Medo-Persia, then Greece... has been able to overcome Israel to the degree that they have because of Israel's disobedience and the rejection of Jesus when he was in their midst. The words of Jesus, Matthew 23:37-39 37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD." I read somewhere that the Jews at the time considered Bar Kochba to have been their Messiah to lead the way to their victory. But since it failed so horribly, no Jew would ever admit that now.

For a flash of a second, seeing the legs and tail .. I thought that it was coming out. It would if the action ran backwards

That's an oxymoron. In the days before internet.. the days of writing letters to family or friends.. or in these days of internet articles.. has anyone ever written such "few words" as the apostle Paul? By comparison, the epistle Philemon is "few words".

You can remove them if you go into edit.

There's a video of the song "Blessed Assurance" song by Tennessee Ernie Ford. He reminds me of my father when he would sing that song. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation. Purchase above. Born of His Spirit, found in His love." I know that the lyric is.. "lost in His love." But we were lost in sin, but in salvation we are found in Him. As this other song says "Amazing grace! How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see."

An unfortunate part of church history. Jesus had redeemed adherents from the curse of the law, and provided God's grace.. but the Catholic church put all right back into the burden of the law, Catholic laws. And the wages of sins as the Catholic rulership saw it by discounting Catholic law was .. death. They forgot to love the believers, so they walked in darkness as 1 Jn.1:6 says. Thus that era was rightly called the dark ages.

this is something to pray about.

What do you decide? Is the triple 6 for you? Or is the Trinity of God for you? You don't know that there is an option? That there is a positive for every negative. You feel that God hates you. But the Bible says that God loves you. Who has believed the report of the LORD? Don't let the world tell you lies. But let God's word tell you truth. Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rm.5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. God loves you because He sent His Son to be crucified in order to demonstrate His love to you, to deliver you from oppression, to deliver you from sin and death, to deliver you from thinking that God hates you. I pray that the light of the goodnews of God shine upon you, to enlighten your thinking to be according to God's love for you. Ps.119:130 says "The teaching of God's word gives light, so even the simple can understand."

I agree. The Judeo-Christian faith and the Bible from which is such faith, is the incorruptible living and abiding Word (1 Pet.1:23) of God Jehovah Elohim. All other faiths are the wisdom of men that is the corruptible seed that doesn't produce the Life of God in man. (1 Thes.2:13; 1 Cor.2:5) Jesus said in Jn.6:63 "The words I speak are Spirit and Life, the flesh profits nothing." The apostle Paul said to those who have believed (the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Rms.1:16). "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." (Rms.8:9)

I've used Y-H-V-H many times in discussion. But I likely would not if I didn't understand what it meant.. for how could a person worship God by letters that don't indicate the meaning? The word "Jehovah" would suffice as well as the word "God" as far as any understanding of either word goes. The word "Father" is befitting for a more personal reference. They each have their place. I appreciate that God does not require a precise name, after all He is willing to be addressed by such a generic word as "God".

Jesus said that he is gentle and humble of heart in teaching us his way that is light and easy. And James said that we can ask God for his wisdom and will not upbraid us. Yes, God speaks to us in a gentle whisper, a still small voice.

I simply replied with the information that I have found out by research. I would think that anyone would be having the same security in the knowledge that they have. And yet still be aware that they don't yet know as much as they'd like to. It seems that you must think that I should have instead said something like "lets debate this topic". But that was not my intention, just look and the other posters. I didn't disagree with them. No, it's only your doctrine that I've disagreed with. As is the privilege for anyone to do. Even though you by what you stated, classify it as "ranting". Or in my case "correcting". I do not apologize for putting forth my own position regarding yours. And I do not apologize for saying no thank you to your particular doctrine. Well thank you for giving me permission to do so on my own thread. Thank you again for pointing that out. You have apparently misjudged concerning your posting on my thread. In that case, I only apologize that I didn't use a stipulation on anyone posting such as "any doctrine posted that is not in keeping with orthodox theology will be subject to disagreement." I suggest that all you need to so is start your own thread and there use your privilege to disagree with anyone who counters your doctrine.

I did take the time to look that up on Bible Tools places. God is the English of Elohim. LORD is the English of Y-H-V-H. In some places god(s) is also Elohim. It's not necessarily the original language of the names of God that I'm looking for. It's the limiting English word for God that I'm somewhat frustrated about. So in the O.P. I'm expressing my desire to expand on it. And therefore requesting from Christians on this forum any input that they would have. Thanks for your comment.

I know what you mean. I do the same. Thank you for your comment.

I'm aware of the name "Yahweh" .. it's not correct in that it has the letter "w" in it, which the Hebrew language doesn't have. So that name isn't authorized by God who spoke first in the Hebrew language. Personally a more correct version would be yahveh. The first part "yah" is in keeping with the biblical use, but the letter "e" is a guess rather than a certainty. As for the name "Yehovah", it is derived from the letters y-h-v-h and the vowels e-o-a interwoven.. based on the later added vowel points that were independent of the original Hebrew language. "The vowel points were added around A.D. 700-1000 because biblical Hebrew was becoming a completely dead language, even among the Hebrew Masoretes who were copying it. So they developed a vowel point system to know how to pronounce it." Also, the letter j is derived from the German language that was adapted into the English language. I have on occasion used "Jehovah" but not regularly. I'm not aware of "Yahuah". I suspect that it is less authorized than the first two suggested ways. As I understand it .. it is derived from substituting a "u" for the distinct Hebrew letter "v". So Y-H-V-H is made into y-h-u-h. Unfortunately the Hebrew language doesn't use a "u" in the tetragrammaton. So, I don't doubt that Yahuah's origin comes from whatever particular group within those of "the sacred name" sect. The problem with their pronunciation is that every different group has a different pronunciation that they alone came up with. I could come up with a name for God too by using the word "yahavah" which is a combination of the biblical word "yah" that refers to one portion of the tetragramaton.. and the word "havah" which is the Hebrew word translated in English to be love. So as a bible name though not likely grammatically or linguistically correct, nor do I suggest it to be biblically proper to adopt.. but just as an illustration of what the sacred name people do.. I, by my own invention, have come up with a "hebrew word, name for God" that is connectable to the biblical phrase "God is love". I'd assume that is loosely how Yahuah and all other pronunciations of the sacred name sects occurred. ... Obviously the English folk are trying to make the Y-H-V-H into something pronounceable. I'd rather follow the example of the Jews who did not give the pronunciation of the name given in Exod.3:14 of "Y-H-V-H". The High Priest had been given the pronunciation, to only use once per year when it was the turn of each chosen High Priest to perform their duties in the Temple. But that pronunciation was lost at the destruction of the Temple and the collapse of the priesthood knowledge. The Jews state that Y-H-V-H is an ineffable name.. so any pronunciation that we Christians come up with is incorrect. And concerning the Most High God, I would not want to be incorrectly speaking His name. Neither do the Jews. They refer to Y-H-V-H as Ha Shem which means "The Name". In doing honor to His Name, as well as in reverential fear, that is as close as they dare get. I would not recommend that to anyone. But to rather do a proper research on the sacred name sects themselves. What you find out should properly and wisely put you off of it. I must disagree, the name Y-H-V-H is not a replacement of the word Elohim. But rather the Hebrew words "Elohim" and "Y-H-V-H" both describe a different aspect of God. Elohim refers to His creativity and His power, His wonder-workings. While Y-H-V-H refers to His loving-kindness to mankind, His desire to get close to His crowning achievement of creation. [Anyone can look that up based on the words and phrases I've used since I'm not sure if my putting the actual link might be removed because I haven't first sought permission to use it here]. I agree that the English word "God" leaves a lot to be discovered about the nature and character of God. But, that doesn't mean that the deeper information isn't available from many Biblically reputable sources. And yet one needs to do research as to what each name means. However one born into the Hebrew language would learn it all at an early age. Actually the word "God" is not a proper title name in that it is so generic. It's meaning would have to rely on whatever connecting phrases and words that would surround it. Would each of us be even using the English language in heaven? I hope not because it's so limited in conveying the vast knowledge and understanding of God. For all we know the language in heaven is Hebrew, so in that case, I'd rather get used to saying "HaShem". And in heaven I'll immediately know for sure, for sure the correct pronunciation of it. The sources of translations are a plethora of information that awaits those who desire to know. There are many biblically inspired teachers who teach it. But none of those that I've consulted are from the sacred name sect... what they know is not correct. Regardless if it is expected for me to stop reading here I have the same intention as at the beginning of reading this post that I continue to it's end. Using God's name in emptiness or worthlessness would be to state that God is not capable of doing things today as He did in the Bible.. such as answering prayers, etc. Another way of making God / His name empty.. is to use in vernacular the name "God" as the unbelievers do, though they don't believe that God exists. For instance, to say "thank god!" as merely an exclamation and not to actually speak thanksgiving to God for something He's actually done and giving praise in acknowledgment. However, to say that the church practices using God's name in emptiness or worthlessness is simply not true. The bible uses the word Baal where indicated that the Isaelites were not worshiping the Lord God. That pretty well clears up that. Therefore the implication that any Christian who worships the Lord, might be worshiping Baal is totally inaccurate. The translators used the word Lord and LORD to refer to God. The translators of the writers of the new testament used Lord when speaking of Jesus Christ. There is nothing to fear in using what titles the Bible uses when speaking of or to the Godhead. The implication that there is something for Christians to shun is a strawman set up in order to make way for an unauthorized substitute. In the old testament God spoke through the prophets, in these last days God speaks through His Son. So in regard to prophesying it is correct to say "thus says the Lord".. as written in the new testament concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. So your point is in error. The way to test a prophecy is by comparing it with what the Word of God says. If the prophecy doesn't line up then it need not be regarded as inspired of God for prophecy is to edify, exhort, or comfort, and speaks to the heart of the hearer, or exposes a secret of someone's heart. Whether the substitutionary word for Lord .. Yahweh, Yahveh, or Jehovah, or other, is not the way to judge the authority of a prophecy. There's nothing in scripture that states the use of the correctly pronounced name is the way to judge prophecy. According to Joel, at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh (which occurred on the day of Pentecost Acts 2) Joel said that ".. old men would dream dreams and young men would see visions." Both are valid and therefore are not those of Jer.23:27. In the case of that Bible reference.. it speaks of those ungodly dreamers.. pagans, who prophecy falsehood and delusion (Jer.23:26).. such are they who make God's people forget His character and nature. That God is Truth and Righteous. Again, the use of that scripture cannot be applied concerning Christians who use God and Lord, and don't use "Yahweh", "Jehovah", or other. The biblical word Lord, or LORD, or the Jewish word HaShem.. or even to use Jehovah as some bibles have, is of great peace and protection for any Christian. The continuation of your strawman implication that all Christians who don't use Yahuah are, as you imply unknowingly worshiping Baal.. is ludicrous. There is no scripture gives that indication at all, the original language has been translated correctly. When it says that the people rightly and fearfully worship God, or LORD, or Lord.. the text does not indicate that it's Baal. I'd say that you were in right worship of God but now in using Yahuah, there is an uncertainty there that you have accepted as right because you believed the strawman that was presented to you. They said to you "believe what we tell is right because what you believe isn't right." That is what you are saying now.. but it's not right as I have shown. And as any reputable studious Christian of the Bible or Hebrew Bible scholar, etymologist, linguist will show. The word "halleluyah" is a transliteration made up of "hallelu" which means praise, and "yah" which means LORD. Writing it as a translation "halleluLord" is incorrect. So your rendition is not valid. The linguists wouldn't do what you did because it wouldn't be linguistically correct. Thanks but it wouldn't be wise to accept your help.

Thank you for commenting. Yes we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, we love God and are dependent upon Him. And likewise of Jesus. But there is my point.. we address God by that generic word, yet we know of the personal name of our Savior. .. well, the name Jesus does mean Savior. But I hope that you understand what I mean. The word "God" in the English language doesn't mean anything but to refer to the Creator, when compared to the Hebrew word Elohim which more directly means the Creator, or the Hebrew word Y-H-V-H that is translated LORD. It's not that I am confused on how to address God .. it's that I'm in a quandary to have a better word than what we all use. I suppose that it would be comparative to a good friend of mine calling me "human" instead of my personal name. We do however have the example in the personal name that Jesus used in speaking of God, which is "Father". It seems that there is no other name to use.. we all are to address God according to his nature, who He is. Creator, Redeemer, God of peace, God of righteousness, the everlasting Father, etc.

To me the word "God" is a generic replacement word as a way to address the Creator of the heavens and the earth.. the entire universe and all that it consists of. In some bibles the word "God" is sometimes substituted for the Hebrew word Y-H-V-H. Which is said to be unpronounceable. In some bibles the word LORD is used in replacement of the tetragrammaton. Research says that the Hebrew gematria of Y-H-V-H has the number value of #26.. which is also the same number value of the Hebrew word havah.. which translates to love. I do wonder if the apostle John intended to convey that when he wrote "God is love". I've researched and discovered that the word "God" has it's origins in Germany. The word "good" is by the Germans pronounced "gauht", or was it goht"..? So, if I was to say "grace" as I'd been taught, before we eat, I'd say "God is good.." But to the German I might as well be saying "gauht is goht". Anyway I'm looking for a way to address the significant God in significance. Like maybe "God- the Source of all blessings." ------- What are your thoughts?

I looked up on a website what those Hebrew words mean. what-does-baruch-shem-kvod-malchuso-lolam-vaed-mean "And be a witness to the world that God’s honorable kingdom is blessed." I think that phrase would be a good way to end one's prayer request for a particular promise of blessing to be in one's life. That the answering of the prayer in that person's life would result in that person to be a witness to the world that God’s honorable kingdom is blessed. "A King’s Kingdom consists of 2 things, His lands and His people. In this case we are referring to his “honorable” kingdom. Land cannot be honorable only people can be honorable. Therefore God’s honorable kingdom means God’s people." Also, concerning the wearing of "the box" on one's head".. is explained this way. "By Putting the tefillan (the bible uses the word "phylacteries") on the forehead and between the eyes we reinforce the concept that we are witnesses." John 3:21 "We do (practice) the truth and come to the light that it may be manifest that our deeds are wrought in God."

The temptations are such that are common to man.. the unsaved as well as the saved. In my mind that indicates that what Paul said is not necessarily including those who are martyred in regard to the "escape" part. That is not to say that God abandons the martyred to their fate. I believe that the words "that it will not be above what you be able to bear" is for them. And in the daily trials, the promise of escape is to all believers .. the word "escape" would to me mean "escape the snare of the devil".. but that they may be able to bear it, some bible versions use the word "endure". The idea is to endure against the trial of adversity, the accompanying verse would be "submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." I think of the devil testing Jesus in the wilderness. For Jesus the way of escaping the temptations was to know and quote the scriptures. Either way, the words assure the believer that God will because of our faith in Him, provide His grace which strengthens the believer so that they won't faint or yield to the test and thereby miss the opportunity to overcome.

This is good news. My concern that I had for you when I read your first post is now relieved in reading this post. Like the apostle Paul wrote there are circumstances that arise when the difficulty causes upset, times when I'm shoved out of my comfort zone and I don't feel happy about the situation, but like Paul said I don't get into despair (2 Cor.4:8-9), although I do think that those times would be the excellent occasion for the rapture to happen. It's the Christian version of the advertisement slogan "[product name], take me away!" Thank God, He is a present help in time of trouble.. He is a refuge for all of us to run to and under His wings we do trust.

Thank you for sharing. Thank God for comforting those who are cast down.. to lift them up.. and deliver them from the valley of the shadow of death.

Loving one's life has the connotation of selfishly endeavoring to have the comfort things of this world by using the methods of this world to get them. If a person will seek to hang on to those things by selfishness, then the person will loose them. If believers will volunteer to lose all .. like Jesus offered the rich young ruler.. then a believer will gain the higher life. As the apostle Paul stated that he counted all things that he'd gotten .. the perks of righteousness through the law.. to be "gar-bahj" in light of the astounding exceeding gain of knowing Christ. In my study on righteousness through the law I found out that "the filthy rags" are non other than what is called today "female menstrual pads". That brings to mind when Rachel was in her "monthly curse" so she stayed seated and excused herself not to get up and there be found the fertility idols. It also brings to mind the stain of the woman's clothing due to a dysfunction of the issue of blood, that sickness was by God's law a curse. But, we have been redeemed from the curse. As it says "Though our sins be as scarlet.. they shall be made whiter than snow. Not knowing about that historical part that you bring up.. I had thought that they followed Jesus because they knew Him to be a Rabbi, as was the custom in those days. Who wouldn't say "yes" when the man of God would call? Even so one of them was convinced that Jesus was THE MAN OF GOD. Thank you for providing your input.

Are you comparing yourself with God who has capacity to decide regarding a situation? Don't you remember what I posted ..do not avenge but remember to leave such things with God... "vengeance is Mine, I will repay says the Lord." Does that mean we are to be like the sons of thunder who said with enthusiasm that the fire of judgement fall upon someone they deemed needed it? We are not to do that according to Jesus who said "You don't know what spirit you're of." Meaning.. their thoughts came not from God. I see that you want to live in the old testament like the sons of thunder did. But we are living in this age of grace. The same grace that we enjoy from the Father is also given unto the worst of sinners. As Jesus said "God makes the sun to shine and the rain to fall on both the good and the evil." Do you really expect them to act like loving Christians to you? That's just ridiculous. But anyway, have you read the beatitudes of Jesus lately? He states in so many words that the Christian life is not a bowl full of cherries, it's not sitting in the recliner and being waited on hand and foot. It's not sinners automatically being nice, thoughtful and kind to Christians.. but it's the favor of God when any of them are. But we are no matter the mistreatment, supposed to be loving, and kind to them. Jesus always loved the pharisees who sought to shove Him off the nearest cliff. And some of us think that they are the exception? That sinners won't be hostile towards them? What do you suppose the apostle Paul thought about it when he was a multiplied times mistreated by those of many walks of life? Did he think so much about how those bad people showed no remorse whatsoever for their crimes.. did he think about how happy they were at hurting him? Did he use any of that as an excuse not to forgive and love them? I'll answer my own questions. No he didn't make excuses, he forgave them for the sake of the anointing to continue to work in his life because he knew that if he didn't forgive then God would not forgive him. If he didn't forgive then he couldn't operate in the love of God and therefore his ministry effectiveness was down the tubes. His speaking in tongues would amount to nothing. His faith to move mountains would amount to nothing. If he was martyred it would amount to nothing. All of this Christian life is by faith and faith works by love. God has demonstrated His love in forgiving our transgressions and also those of the worst of sinners. Of which Paul called himself when he'd dedicated himself to hunting down and putting them in a prison that would result in the same that the apostle Paul experienced.. no hope of release, no hope of life. And the apostle Peter too who the next day was to be martyred except that the saints prayed for his release and an angel opened the jail cell door and the exit door out of that prison. If the apostle Paul and Sylus had been angry at those who put them in jail just because they'd been preaching the gospel.. they'd both of rotted and died, but instead they worshiped God.. can't do that without forgiving others.. the praise was heard from God and the miraculous happened. We Christians are to imitate God in loving and forgiving. That is the only way that we'll be able to accomplish our good works in this life and receive rewards from Jesus at the Bema Seat. I thank God for the right examples in the Bible of how we are supposed to be in regards of what pleases God. I never said that we're supposed to be grateful to those who persecute us. But Jesus said to pray for such people. And we're not supposed to pray that the suns of thunder fire of God comes on them and reduces them to a greasy spot on the ground. I'm not saying that at all. I took my case to court when I got hit by a semi truck and injured in such a way that I'm still physically debilitated today. I couldn't hold a job, I didn't get disability compensation. The court settlement compensation ran out in just a few months time. So there's been just one wage earner in our household for these many years. The injuries I sustained back then are taking their toll even more so now that I'm older, those injuries contributing to my general health and ability to function in top condition for my age. But.. all the while I prayed God's best concerning them. I prayed and still pray earnestly for their salvation. I did the same when I was burgled, more than once over the years. Because the Bible says, Jesus said "If you have ought against any, forgive." Now you are quoting what Jesus taught the Christian to do. Ask Him your question. Do you think that is what Paul told Christians to do? The apostle Paul defined what God's law is that we are supposed to keep. In Rom.13:8-10 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Yes, the decision is up to Him. We are not to be like the suns of thunder to ever think that God gives us the right to avenge ourselves, or to make our list of bad people and call upon God to wipe them out. That is spoken to those under the old covenant. On the basis of that verse the widow woman during Jesus ministry went before the unjust judge and demanded that righteousness be done by him on her behalf. On the basis of that scripture Jesus ministered to all who were oppressed.. those who'd been robbed of health, and the sick. Jesus did no wrong to the Syro-Phoenician woman but rather delivered her daughter from the demon. Jesus did no wrong to the Roman soldier who asked that his servant be healed. Jesus called for mercy to prevail concerning the woman caught in adultery .. that her blood not be shed.. for who among those Pharasees were innocent to throw any stones? Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” God puts first that He practices steadfast love. And because of that, justice, and righteousness. God's grace to the sinner is God's justice (fairness) and righteousness (right-doing). "He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us that we be made the righteousness of God in Him." That is to whosoever believes. Be it the worst of sinners, or the minor sinner. God doesn't really make any such distinction but I make it because you see a distinction. The writer of Hebrews 10:32-35 said "32 Don’t you remember those days right after the Light shined in your hearts? You endured a great marathon season of suffering hardships, yet you stood your ground. 33 And at times you were publicly and shamefully mis-treated, being persecuted for your faith; then at others times you stood side by side with those who preach the message of hope. 34 You sympathized with those in prison[d] and when all your belongings were confiscated you accepted that violation with joy; convinced that you possess a treasure growing in heaven that could never be taken from you. 35 So don’t lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward!" Your using "Because we love our enemies" seems to be said like anyone would enjoy getting teeth pulled without novocaine. My scripture references shows what it has to do with Jesus, the law of Moses and Biblical teaching. But the way you've been going.. you'll probably find a way to ignore or call them invalid in some way. Directing anyone to God's will to love sinners does not put anyone in danger. However, you're one-sided postulations will by your own prediction put people who accept your stance on the matter in the same danger that you are in. To live in continuous hostility toward those whom God has already demonstrated His love toward them, through the voluntary sacrifice of Jesus through crucifixion. On the basis of all of the scriptures and comments I've given throughout this discussion, I say that those who do not honor the gospel message, to count all to be redeemable, are in danger of being incapable of effectively evangelizing ordinary sinners, much less the worst of sinners.