Trektiger Jack

Hi Corey, The version of PC Study Bible (PCSB) I use has an A.M. and P.M. Daily Devotional by Spurgeon, which I enjoy. Sometime the words are a little out of date, but certainly understandable. On occasion I'll even Copy and Paste one into a BB or send to friends. God Bless, Jack

On Edit: My post drifted drifted off-topic - sorry. Jack

The Lord, literally YHWH (probably pronounced "YAHWEH"), is the most significant name for God in the O.T. It has a twofold meaning: the active, self-existent One. The name occurs 6,823 times in the O.T. and is especially associated with God's holiness (Lev. 11:44-45), His hatred of sin (Gen. 6:3-7), and His gracious provision of redemption (Isa. 53:1,5,6,10). One of the reason Jesus came was to reveal God as our Heavenly Father. Every once in awhile I'll call God by His Name, YAHWEH, but most of the time I call Him Father. My six children call me father or dad, hardly have I heard them use my legal name. It all about family relationships. My Heavenly Father (IMO) prefers me to address Him as Father. This is the New Covenant relationship that Jesus ushered in on our behalf. Using any of the other Names for God when talking with Him and fellowshipping with Him is like living in the shadows of the O.T. Naturally this is IMO. Today it's a New and Living Way we the redeemed live in.

Mike, It now seems you are putting forth a discussion on the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Bible has much to say about who God the Holy Spirit is and about His Personality - His characteristics, His works -- what is ascribed of Him. As there is much about His Deity - His Names, divine attributes, however the "biggest" point regarding the Holy Spirit is that it is He that gives us revelation and illumination of the Person of Jesus Christ. Without God the Holy Spirit bringing us to a personal belief and trust in Christ we would still be lost and in our sins, destined for Hell and damnation. God came as the Incarnate One, Jesus the Christ. However, when Jesus was crucified, dead and buried on our behalf, was raised from the dead and ascended in Heaven, He (Jesus) is no longer with us, rather He is in Heaven making intercession on our behalf as our High Priest. When Jesus ascended He sent the Holy Spirit. Not just a force or energy, rather God the Holy Spirit Himself. He take up abode with us. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is well defined in the Bible and accepted in main-stream Christianity. If you now have a question in regard to the Person of the Holy Spirit, don't be bashful. Ask away, I'm sure many on this forum have much to share. Also, there are many Study-Bibles which have good doctrinal outlines and discussions, along with the Scripture references. One of several I have is the Ryrie Study Bible. Bare in mind though that commentary can be a good point of reference when undertaking a study, they are not the inspired divine Word of God. There is much assistance that Bible study tools can help us with, but they can never replace the Scriptures and the personal teaching by the Holy Spirit. A short study of the Apostle Paul would bare the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit ministry, which teaches us in the ways of Truth concerning the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Again, do not hesitate to ask. There are many Christians living today that need to improve their understanding of the ever-abiding, caring, loving Holy Spirit. There is much I would like to share about my personal experience living with the Holy Spirit, then I probably would be getting ahead of the discussion. Respectfully, Jack Anderson A short post-script here - I just did a search on my PC Bible (PC Study Bible) using only the words, "Holy Spirit". It came up with 90 references in the New American Standard Bible wherein the Name and Person of the Holy Spirit is used.

Mikeado5001, Is it Mike? Excuse me if it's not, just seems a little more personal on a first name basis. In my opinion there is nothing wrong in having questions about doctrine. As with your question - a question regarding the Doctrine of Scriptures. However, when one is pondering doctrines and asking publicly for opinions, it must be done with a sensitivity which does not put your audience on the defensive. Your question involves the Canonicity of the Bible, which requires an in-depth look into the Canon of the O.T., and the principles and formation of the N.T. Canon. Now that in of itself is a worthy subject to study. Then there are at least three major groups of people who we could categorize thusly: 1. The Canonized Bible alone, the Sola Scriptura group, for the most part those who belief the Bible as the sole source of faith and doctrine. The Bible is self-authenticating and church councils have only recognized the authority inherent in the books themselves. That God guided the councils so that the canon was recognized. 2. The Bible "plus" group, the other books and letters (IMO spurious) that go beyond the 66 contained as in the KJV and NAS, as well as the words of Oral Traditions of the Church fathers, such as with the Catholic Church. 3. The Bible "plus" spurious books (including gospels, letters, writings), being a number of that, go beyond the 66 contained in such versions as the KJV or the NAS. Usually these are foundational books and writings by the founders of Christian Cults. It's my belief if one so desires to use the "writings" which go beyond the 66 books of the Bible, they should be kept for one's private reading, but not for public reading in the church. The tested writings passed on in the canon which we consider to be Divine and inspired of the Holy Spirit are the official Scriptures. And these only are the ones to be used in public, in the church, for teaching and preaching from. Now if the spurious writings such as the Gospels of Barnabas are to be accepted as divine, then they need to be able to pass all the tests that the official writings had to when canonized before being used in the church. Otherwise they, along with the hundreds of other spurious writings should be read in private. Some spurious writings obviously are a waste of one's time, which would be better served reading the Bible. Permit me a short detour here. In my case, having been an Agnostic, I grew up and learned of God from what I'll term a natural theology, the learning of God thru His creation. Actually I view this as good now, since I never had major conflicts of faith to deal with after becoming a follower of Jesus Christ as a young man. It's been approximately 50 years since I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and over those years I've bent the ears of many friends, pastors, and teachers with my questions. Wore out some Bible in the process. This I have learned -- only after I achieve mastery over the 66 books I now have in my Bibles, then and only then will I ask the Holy Spirit to give me more books to study. I never expect to make this request of Him. I bid you well Mike in your search for truth. Jack Anderson P.S. You wrote me, "again please don't thrown stones." No stones thrown to my knowledge, if I did, please forgive me. I did not offer you any opinion or course of action that I do not apply to myself. Even to this day I tests the spirits to ascertain the source. Is it my Father's voice that I'm listening to, or is it the Deceiver's voice, or is it my own? Discernment improves with study, experience and age, but I'll never let my guard down until the day Jesus returns for me. Jack

Mikado5001, You ask, "What are your thoughts?" Here's what I think. When you say that you believe the Bible is true and complete, then imply the contrary, it causes me to wonder who and what are you listening to. When one starts thinking God incapable of inspiring and preserving His Word, when He clearly states He did, and does, then you need to ask who's voice it is that you're listening to? There are only three sources, God, the Adversary, and man's (our) own carnal thinking. It behooves you to discern which voice it is you are hearing.

The Bible tells us God is the God of all Comfort! God's sources are limitless when we permit Him to minister comfort to our grieving souls. Consider how God used a dragonfly in the following story and the story that follows the story. I received the following story via an email dated, August 21, 2004. The events shared after the story are true, just as our God is the God of all Truth! "The Dragonfly" ============= Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever. Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life! ~Author Unknown~ ================ The People and Things That God Uses To Bring Comfort - Several days after receiving this email I again read the story and it so thrilled my spirit I thought it needed to be sent to others who would enjoy it as much as I did. So I emailed to our three daughters and three sons who have very busy lives, thinking some in the family may take the time and enjoy this wonderful story. After another couple days and only two "Thanks" responses, I concluded not many thought this story was as good as I thought it was. Then still after a couple days one of our sons, Doug, called to tell us of a very unusual happening involving this story. Doug and his wife Kelly have three children (12, 14, 16). A school and church friend of Jaima (the 14 year old) was killed last week in a tragic auto accident. His name was Nate. Nate's mother and father were naturally overcome with grief, the mother wept and cried often. The father, a mild-manner quiet sort of fellow was holding up pretty well considering his grief. The wake itself had so many come offering their condolences it lasted from 4-10 PM. This is public record, but what is not, is what happened next. It was during this grieving period of time, Jaima and several other friends of Nate went over to help his mother with house-work and to be a comfort to her. Jaima took a hard copy of "The Dragonfly" story and gave it to Nate's mother. She read it and cried and put it in her purse. Later, at another location, she was picked up by her husband and while he was driving home she read the story Jaima had given her. He no longer could control himself and broke down and cried. When they arrived home, and upon opening the car door, a DRAGONFLY flew into the car and lit upon the palm of his hand. It just stay there. It wouldn't leave his palm. He went into the house and the dragonfly continued clinging to his palm. He then took it out back of the house and put it on the trunk of a tree. An amazing story indeed! After you have read this story, I'm sure you'll agree with me that God is a God of all comfort. The grief of losing a loved one is a terrible event in one's life -- great and exceedingly crushing -- and yet while in deep despair, God can lift you up. Sometimes He uses a Dragonfly! God Blessl

Thanks Mikeyjay for the thumbs-up. This analogy I heard 35 years ago and it has stuck with me over the years. I'm sure it was much briefer and to the point than I wrote. Sometimes it's difficult to put thoughts down into words. Jack

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Phil 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure , whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. IMO, this should be the guide-line we adhere to.

Zayit, My reply post to Jason was deleted from that Thread and I didn't write one word in agreement with Jason that I'm aware of. Just the contrary. Why would my reply be deleted and others in Jason's Thread still remain. Very puzzling to say the least.

This is what I receive when trying to email Jason. "This message can not be sent because the recipient does not have permission to use the personal messenger or their personal messenger inbox is full. This personal message has not been sent" I tried again about an hour ago and got same message. Also when I tried the link in Nebula's reply it took me to a Thread something about "Married Five Times" and I did see anything about Jason's. Maybe it's me, but I do not see member "jasonlevene" listed here on these boards??? Whatever my difficulties, thanks you all for trying to help me understand.

Jason, Sorry to hear that your Thread was closed. Being a new member here I'm really not up to speed as to what the forum's Admin's allow and do not allow to be discussed. Your inquiry seemed to me to be a genuine question from the heart as you're coming to grips with the doctrine of Christ. And it did seem that some immediately took issue with the subject and thought it not worthy of discussion. Personally I believe illumunination and revelation by the Holy Spirit to be progressive, that is why I added to my reply the analogy of the bucket of ocean water to our finite mind when it tries to grasp the infinite Being our God is. You said that Eve was driven by her worldly and corrupt sin-nature. It is my opinion Eve did not have a corrupt sin-nature. After all God created her, she was not born as we are, nor was she under the sentence of death until she gave in to her sin. However, she was created with a free-will giving her choice. The three areas of Eve's self-deception are in the same categories of temptation as those in found in 1 John 2:16. Eve was deceived -- Adam ate knowingly (1 Tim 2:14). Their sin was more than merely eating forbidden fruit -- it was disobeying the revealed word of God, believing the lie of Satan, and placing their own wills above God's. Sin, with all its dreadful consequences, now entered the human race and the world in general. The sin-nature we were born with is the capacity and inclination to do those things that can in no way commend us to God. As a father of six (3 boys, 3 girls) I can tell you we human tell lies before we can talk and steal before we can walk. Before I accepted Jesus, not knowing God, I did wherever I thought was acceptable. After receiving Christ as my Savior, the Holy Spirit has been opening my mind and spirit to the Will of God in my life. He also has enabled and helps me have victory over the old nature of sin. Not that I've arrived at some super sin free state (let will be on that glorious day I see Him face to face) but He has given me a desire and commitment and power to overcome the sin-nature of the flesh. In your second question you asked why Jesus would asked the Father to spare Him. I assume you are referring to Matt 26:39 and Luke 22:42. This cup was all the suffering involved in the sinless Son of God taking upon Himself the sin of mankind including the necessary, though temporary, separation from God (Matt 27:46). His cry from the cross may reflect the desertion Jesus felt as physical man as He was bearing the sins of the world (2 Cor 5:21). Our Lord Jesus naturally shrank from this, though He willing submitted to it. Praise God Jesus was obedient!! It's late and I've been rambling on here. If I was unclear on anything I'd been willing to help out where I can. God Bless you on your quest for knowing Our Lord more fully. Jack Anderson On Edit: Missed inclusion of a copule words in the 2nd question of yours. It read okay now.

Halifaxchristian When studying the doctrine of Christ there is a topic called - "The Kenosis" - literally emptying of Himself. It involves the veiling of Jesus' preincarnate glory, His condescension in taking the likeness of sinful flesh in the incarnation and His voluntary nonuse of certain attributes during His early life. Jesus did not die spiritually. How could He? He was and is God. The Bible tells us He was our sin barer. If Jesus had had a sin-nature such as we, then on what basis could the Father forgive Him (Jesus)? There would be no Savior or sin-barer for Him for the forgiveness of sin. Forgive my belaboring your question, but 2 Corinthians 5:12 is the heart of the gospel - the sinless Savior Jesus has taken ours sins upon Himself (bore them in His flesh) at that horrible and cruel cross that we might have God's righteousness! Praise God He did!!!

Yomo, Your question has landed you smack dap in middle of the studies of The Doctrine of God called the "Omnipresence of God" and "Omniscience of God". There are many "Attributes of God", His Omnipresence and Omniscience are but two. The Omnipresence of God means He is everywhere (not pantheism). The Omniscience of God means He knows all actual and possible things and extends to all of His own being and His creation. He has perfect possession in consciousness of His own being and knows the world in its totality. This knowledge extends to small as well as to great affairs. To the hidden heart and mind of man as well as to that which is open. It extends to all the divisions of time, the past, present and future alike. I did not include the Bible verses which establishes and supports the above, they're too numerous. A good study Bible or a Bible with a Topical Concordance would provide these. A Google search should also provide a wealth of information on these topics. I have at my computer, PC Study Bible and could copy and paste some references for you if you're unable to locate these references. On Edit: I would like to put forth the point that there are certain things that God is not going to reveal. Who would believe in a God that they can put in a box and completely understand? It safe to say and acknowledge that we will never know all that there is to know about God, not me, not you, nobody! Recently I read a good analogy of this point -- you can take a bucket down to the ocean and dip out a bucket full of water. Everything in that bucket is ocean, but not all the ocean is in the bucket. Our minds are like that bucket! God's Blessings, Jack

IMO it would grieve the Lord to refer to myself as a fool. It would also grieve me to hear one of my sons or daughters referring to themselves as a fool. Referring to one's self as being a fool, seems to me that individual has low self-esteem. Realizing and admitting we make mistakes is only being honest.