Vickilynn

Shalom, What is "Boxing Day"? Seriously, I have no idea. I thought it was a British thing, but the OP is from KY! Someone, please enlighten me, I'm too tired to google.

Shalom, You see, this part of the problem. NO ONE said that we are not to repent. No one. However, the thrust of this thread is whether we are to treat our brothers and sisters with GRACE or CONDEMNATION. The topic is not whether we are to repent of our sins. The Scriptures say we are. BUT, the Scriptures do not say to beat up with brothers and sisters with condemnation, but to walk in grace.

Shalom KD, Curious statements: Hmmmm. A little anti-Jewish sentiment here? BTW, according to the Scriptures, we in Jesus are ALL saints and only certain denominations exalt certain people above others and call them "saints." The Scriptures do not make such a statement.

Shalom Brother, What do you think of the ESV in comparison to the original languages?

Shalom, As usual, there are people here who have totally disregarded the OP in favor of pushing their own agenda and arguing things that have NEVER been said. It's time to stop accusing people of saying that we get a free pass to Heaven or that grace means we can sin all we want. No one has ever said that. Time to STOP the false accusations. Let's go back to the OP please and please stay on THIS topic in THIS thread. Thanks!

Shalom Bib, This is such a powerful study, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Shalom, ~~Bump~~

Shalom, WOW, excellent post! Thank you!!

Shalom CAndi, Oh my GOODNESS, how did we miss this wonderful post!!! This is what I'm talking about!! Amen Sister! I am so saddened about your brother. It breaks my heart to read that he died in prison, unaware of the love of your parents or even the love of His Savior. You are so right, how must it BREAK JESUS' HEART to see us reject His love, or be totally unconcerned or unaware of His vast love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace and His open arms. He loves us, more than we could ever fathom or fully comprehend. And He loves those who do not know Him or know He loves them. How much more shall we take His love to those? Thank you Candi, for this bittersweet, wonderful post. G-d bless you for sharing your heart.

Shalom and BUMP!!! You will see G-d's GRACE and love in these words! I pray you are blessed!

Shalom Cobalt, EXACTLY. You see, some take Scriptures out of context and twist them to make them try to apply to whatever agenda they are promoting. That's not what the Bible is for and that is not how to read, interpret or apply the Scriptures. That is someone taking verses out of context and using them wrongly to support a position that has no Scriptural support. We see this when people want to justify their sin (doing drugs, homosexuality etc.) they take Scriptures, out of context and apply them erroneously to try to make them apply in the wrong context. It doesn't work. It is evident to all reading.

This was a reference to Jesus being rejected by his people of national origin (as a nation). It was not a statment about saved believers rejecting Him Shalom Eric, Thank you. Amen. Very important distinction when we see misusing the Scriptures to judge people's hearts. The context is extremely important when applying the Scriptures. We can't rip them out of context and attempt to make a point with them that the Scriptures did not intend. Jesus preached grace, not condemnation. This what this thread is all about.

Shalom, WOW! So cool!!!

Shalom Suzanne, And again we see blanket judgment. Who said anyone is angry or offended by the WORD? Assigning heart motives and judging hearts that man has no business doing. That is G-d's job and we are not G-d. Do not so quickly assume that the posts in disagreement are the disagreement with the WORD, but in fact, disagreement with what we see from posters who wrongly interpret the Word and misapply the Word to judge and condemn, rather than let G-d be G-d in someone's life.

Shalom, Matthew 18 5 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Shalom Emily Anne, I pray for the Spirit of G-d to call out to your family's hearts and may they be open and may they reply to His invitation by accepting the gift of salvation of Jesus, by faith.

Shalom, When we see the same people over and over preaching only condemnation, judgment, and calling Believers "Sin", Sin, Sin" and ignoring the mercy, forgiveness and grace of G-d for our sin, then we have to consider that person is not balanced in thei walk and may have a critical spirit as a means to avoid their own sin. The message we should be hearing is grace, mercy and forgiveness of our sins and we serve G-d because we LOVE Him and recognize what He has forgiven us from, not because we are afraid of losing salvation or being condemned. And yet, balanced with that we are expected by G-d to walk holy as He is holy and to walk in His ways, not to continue to willfully sin. But, if we DO sin we can know G-d's forgiveness again through Jesus, if we truly repent and desire to walk according to His Word. That is the Biblical message, not the lopsided one we keep seeing of condemnation only with no grace.

Shalom Dennis, No, you do not correctly understand me. Oh my, if you haven't seen these comments, perhaps we're not reading the same posts. Yes, these comments are all over the several threads on this topic. I can copy and paste them for you, but I'd rather you search and see them. They are there which is why I said what I said. They are there. Perhaps others will take the time and copy and pqaste for you, but I'm not inclined to at this moment. I will just re-state that these comments are all over these latest threads including THIS ONE. Exactly what I have been saying all along. Dennis, did you miss my posts saying this as well? I am not being sarcastic here. How can not know that this is what I've been standing up and saying against these who are condemning? It is G-D's job to judge our hearts and our salvation, not us. Actually, that's not quite true as I see it. It is the INTERPRETATION of the Scriptures that is the problem. In answer to the OP, most Christians believe the Word of G-d, however, where we disagree is man's interpretation of those Scriptures and how they apply. Nope. It is G-d's job, not yours or mine to judge hearts. The Word of G-d convicts people of sin, but what we have here are PEOPLE putting their own spin on it and playing G-d, trying to do His job, judging people's hearts with condemnation and completely ignoring His grace, mercy and forgiveness. This is what I am referring to. Back atcha!! Dennis, I am saddened by your disregard for the Word in doing this. You took your personal judgment of me and placed it in a public thread. Now, the right thing to do would have been according to Matthew 18, PM me PRIVATELY and discuss your concerns about my heart. They do not belong here and I will report them to the Mods. I am responding in PM and in this thread to show the hypocrisy of your words. Also, you are not in a position to judge my heart or attitude and you are dead wrong about your opinion of what I feel and think. BUT, I would have been more open to your words, more inclined to discuss them with you supposedly said in love, if they had been written in love according to the Scriptures and not for some other agenda in a public forum. Please Brother, walk your talk. Check out your own log (your own motives, your own agenda, your own spirit, your own heart ) before you attempt to speak to someone else about your perceived speck in their eye. THAT would be the Biblical thing to do, not what you just did.

That is excellent. Shows without doubt that the spirit within you is aware of something not quite right and is prompting you to do something about it. My challenge when that occurs in my life is not to take it out on somebody else when if fact it is me that is out of kilter. The remedy is as simple as looking into a mirror and not out of the window. I thank God that being a Christian is so simple. The only complications are when we make it complicated. Shalom Smalcald and Stan, Amen and amen, good words!! Yes, I believe those we see who are always judgmental and condemning may not be NOT seeing their own sin, but focusing on others to escape their own sin. I find that true in my own walk as well. When I am convicted of something and I am running from G-d, I find myself VERY critical, especially of my family. When it is in fact my sin G-d is pointing out about something and I, in the flesh, fight it, I in turn become critical of others. I believe many others in the Body do the same. When we see the same people over and over preaching only condemnation, judgment, and calling Believers "Sin", Sin, Sin" and ignoring the mercy, forgiveness and grace of G-d for our sin, then we have to consider that person is not balanced in thei walk and may have a critical spirit as a means to avoid their own sin. The message we should be hearing is grace, mercy and forgiveness of our sins and we serve G-d because we LOVE Him and recognize what He has forgiven us from, not because we are afraid of losing salvation or being condemned. And yet, balanced with that we are expected by G-d to walk holy as He is holy and to walk in His ways, not to continue to willfully sin. But, if we DO sin we can know G-d's forgiveness again through Jesus, if we truly repent and desire to walk according to His Word. That is the Biblical message, not the lopsided one we keep seeing of condemnation only with no grace.

Shalom, I've been torn about this subject, as I see both sides. But, the more I ponder and pray, the more I agree with Axxman that we are not to fellowship light with darkness as "friends." And honestly, we have good intentions of going out and hanging out with people and our Jesus will rub off on them, or overshadow their ways. Not they they aren't great people! But, they do not have the Spirit of G-d inside them and as such they do not understand the things of G-d. There may come times that the friends want to do something, drink something, watch something, hook up with something, party with something and the Christian will either go along or make a stand against the friend. Even if the friend is the nicest, sweetest, most loving person in the world, without JESUS they are sinners, unregenerated and their choices are not Christian. As for witnessing, I believe we can LOVE, and reach out and show kindness and interest and truly show Jesus without being buddies with them. I mean, we can love them, care for them, show love for them, but ultimately we desire to show JESUS to them. I have no non-Christian friends. That wasn't a choice, it just happens as I don't work outside the home any longer and my church is my social life as well. But, I know lots of non-Christians and interact with them as often as possible and try to show them Jesus' love and care and sincerely treat them with love, but I don't "hang out" with them for the sake of hanging out, if I spend time with them, it is to show them the love of Jesus and His salvation.

Shalom Damien, G-d bless you Brother. Your testimony just rips at my heart. You have been through some horrible trials in your life. You should not be made to feel any less a Christian, or condemned and I understand why you feel this way in response to this thread. I just want you to know that I am honored to call you "brother" and I pray for you and you wife's ministry serving G-d. You are a blessing to us Damien. Don't let anyone lay condemnation on you, please keep your eyes on how Jesus sees you and how precious you are to Him. May our gracious Heavenly Father bless you and your family.

Shalom Dennis, You can always count on me for both! And I appreciate your grace in these discussions, even if we don't agree! I don't see anyone "ganging" up on her as much as doing what she asked...replying to her questions and offering their Biblical viewpoint concerning the OP. Those are valid. When it becomes of the new focus of the thread, it is called "de-railing" the thread and then becomes counterproductive. That's why people keep asking posters to stay on topic. Relating it to THIS TOPIC, the OP asks if we believe Scripture and then posts Scripture out of context with no explanation of her point, interpretation or whatever and asks for replies. Well, the reply is that Scripture is Scripture and it's G-d's Word. However, the problem comes in with MAN'S INTERPRETATION of what that Scriptures means and how to apply it. When we have people disagreeing over those interpretations, we get people accusing one another of not "believing the Scriptures" That is what this OP is set up for, and why it is a trap. Neither is it the job if the OP to imply that if a Christian does not agree with HER interpretation of Scripture, that Christian doesn't BELIEVE Scripture. That is the trap, that is the wrong of this thread as has been pointed out by two Moderators. No hard feelings, I can assure you! I don't mind differing views as long as there is no judgment and condemnation for differing views. This is why I am speaking out against this thread as well as some others. Not the differing views but the calling of "Sin, sin, sin" and accusing of not believing Scripture, not understanding Scripture, promoting false doctrine, sending people to Hell (yada yada yada) if we don't agree with the premise or the interpretation of the OP. THAT is the sin.

SHalom, AMEN AND AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!

Shalom Pilgrim Dear Brother, you are the one that continues to be off-topic and going on and on about the "trap." Believe me, the OP can speak for herself. Let's stick to the topic of the thread, not a side issue of a trap. As for Damo, as I Christian woman I understand where he's coming from and I agree. However, that again is off-topic and if you want to discuss it with him, another thread may be more appropriate. The thread is nothingness as Eric said because if we are Christians, we BELIEVE Scripture. Duh. So, in answer to the OP. Yes, I believe Scripture is Scripture and I believe that Scripture is the very words of G-d. However, the way this thread is presented is pretty disturbing because the Scripture is not presented in its correct context and presented as a discussion object.

Dear Sisters, I spent two and a half hours at our LORD's Feet this early morning. I absolutely love the weekends when everyone sleeps a little longer and I get to linger with my beautiful Savior and LORD. I feel such a hunger by the weekend to get alone with Him for a longer period of time. My week has been so busy with differing schedules and differing personalities. I love my morning hour alone with Him on the weekdays, but I have to pull myself away earlier than I would like to make my husband's lunch, get my children up, start cooking, begin homeschooling, walk through all the necessary chores of the day, receive the ladies into my kitchen as my son teaches their children piano, serve dinner, crochet or stitch, read, type, or answer phone calls, oh, and I could go on and on, but I think you know a woman's typical day. It is very busy and full. I work so much more in His peace and in His joy having spent the firstfruits of my mornings with Him. Then comes the weekend. Oh, then comes the weekend. I am almost panting to get alone with Him. My soul is so thirsty to sit and soak up His Word for a long, uninterrupted time. I feel like the richest woman in the world come Monday after my long weekend mornings alone with Him. I can't adequately describe to you how much He fills my heart and my soul with His love and His strength. This weekend was no different than any other weekend. It had been a full week. So much to contend with over five days. I was excited as I went to bed Friday night knowing the next day was Saturday. Truly I could sit and listen to Him forever. Saturday and Sunday are a mere moment's grasp of that eternal time coming soon. Oftentimes when I look up at the clock, two hours have gone by so very quickly. They seemed but a mere moment of time with Him. So precious is His Presence. I never understood how much my Father loved me. I never understood how much my Teacher wanted to teach me. I never understood how much His Holy Spirit wanted to help me. Then I began to look deeply into His Eyes. The Living Word of God. The Word that will never, no never, pass away. It is worth all my time to look There. And when I do, He replaces my fear with faith, my guilt with grace, my pride with praise, and all my claims with Christ. I have found more than the pearl of great price, and I've given up everything to be with Him. Nothing is more precious to me than my Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ. There is no one that I listen to more than I do Him. There is no one that I talk with more than I do Him. There is no one that I praise more than I do Him. He is my eternal Bridegroom. I've looked into His Eyes and I can't get over His great love. The more I know Him, the more I want to know Him. The more I love Him, the more I want to love Him. The more I serve Him, the more I want to serve Him even more. His yoke is indeed easy. His burden is indeed light. Precious, precious Jesus, Savior and LORD. His Word practiced in my life has affected my marriage, my mothering, my family relationships, my friendships, my homemaking, my homeschooling, my writing, my speaking, my health, my use of time, my finances, my gifts and talents, even my cooking. His Word knows no bounds and is absolutely priceless in every area of my life. He is the Master of all my Moments. I can't stop praising Him and thanking Him that I am His Maidservant bound to Him for all eternity. Over and over I ask Him that: "I may know Him as He truly is and not how I perceive Him to be." "That I may love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength." "That I may kiss His Feet with my life." "That my prayers may be a sweet incense rising up to His Throne of Grace." "That I may capture every thought and make it give up and obey Him." "That I may know the height, breadth, and depth of His love." "That I may stay hidden under the shadow of His Wing." "That I may hear His Voice as He masters my moments." "That I may know His Word better than I know my own thoughts." "That I may never stop hungering and thirsting for Him." "That I may see Him, only Him, everywhere I go." "That I may love others with His great love in me." "That I may cling to Him and one day walk into His open Arms for all eternity. For then I will know Him as I am fully known." Oh, how I love Him! I try to explain it here each letter to you through what He's been teaching me and showing me, but words cannot adequately describe what He's doing in my heart, soul, mind, and strength. His joy is so much my strength. I cannot stop kissing His Word as I read it over and over and over each day. No amount of sleep could ever do what He does for my heart each morning. It has been eight years this month since I began to get up early to steal away with Him. I have shown up sick. I have shown up at other people's homes. I have shown up at camp with a flashlight. I have shown up with a newborn nursing. I have shown up with a small child sleeping next to me. I have shown up with only three hours of sleep the previous night. But I need Him more than I need my necessary bread and my necessary sleep. I need Him so very much. He has given me back more than I have ever given up. I can't stop clinging to His Holiness for He literally takes my breath away. I'm hungering badly for The Honeymoon. "Come, LORD Jesus, come!" Oh, how I want to share His Word with other women. I want to so badly. And I do as best I can when I write or speak, but it is never as sufficient as I would like. For you see, His Living Word is much more than I can humanly share. That is why I try so hard to draw women There for themselves. Their own intimate time with their Savior. It will do more than anything I can do for them. Believe me, it's worth everything to give up anything to be There. Especially an hour or two of sleep. Many years ago I remember reading about a woman who got up at 2:30 a.m. to spend one hour with the LORD because she had a newborn, among other little children, and there was no other time in her day to be alone with Him. I marveled at her determination. She said she never lacked the loss of sleep as much as she would have His Spirit. I read no excuse such as, "This is the season I am in and I don't have the time to get alone with the LORD." Or "I am just so busy or too tired." Well, it's many years later, and I understand now that woman's hunger. Likewise her incredible strength. I, too, began sitting at His Feet when I had a newborn and three other little children. How grateful I am that He brought me to this incredible place. For it is in clinging to Him that we have confidence and strength. We must pull away, be still, and know that He is God. It's called worship. Our soul needs it more than we know. His Word says in Isaiah, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." It's looking in His Eyes. It's being changed by His Presence. It's kissing His Feet. It's the sweetest incense rising up to His Throne of Grace. It's Eternal Marriage. It's what we were created for. Praise His Holy, Holy Name! The Lamb of God Who laid down His life for such a sinner as I. His "Sinderella." Now called His, "Spotless Bride." I am covered in Christ. The veil is torn down. I have begun to have eyes to see and ears to hear. And I have never known such love. Praise God I kept seeking and seeking and seeking as His Word so wisely speaks. My Prince is coming soon to take me Home, and I can't stop pouring myself out for Him as He did for me. No matter if I am taking out the trash at church early Tuesdays morning or serving tea to the mothers of my son's piano students on Thursday afternoon, I know my Savior leads me. I know my Savior loves me. No matter if I am scrubbing a toilet or teaching my son to read, I know my Savior leads me. I know my Savior loves me. I can't stop thanking Him. I can't stop praising Him. He is my life. His Word keeps coming back to me all day long. Perfect Truth. I don't live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the Mouth of God. I've never been so full. His Truth and perfect power results in my praise, praise, praise all day long. I know I look normal, but I feel rich, rich, rich. "Blessed is the 'woman' who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD." Proverbs 8:34-35 Some women write to me of their difficulty with full time homemaking. It isn't appreciated in our society anymore. It isn't taught by their mothers anymore. Other women write to me who work full or part time out of the home. They are struggling to manage it all. They ask for my advice. I can only tell you that no job, no man, no child, no earthly relationship, no amount of money, no house, no perfect system of time management, no food, no clothing, no peice of jewelry, no car, no vacation, no place, no how can satisfy your heart and your soul like Jesus Christ our LORD. He is it! He is Life! All I want is to know Him and to walk through this life for His glory, no matter what, no matter how. I have looked deeply into His Eyes in His eternal Word, and I know all things are possible through Him. All things! I love watching Him work through someone as weak as I. It is nothing short of a miracle. Jesus told Martha that Mary had "chosen what was needed and that it would not be taken away from her." What was so needed for those women of God just as it is so needed for the women of God today? Sitting, oh, sitting with your breath taken away and your heart pounding at His Feet. It is very difficult to pull yourself away when your eyes are looking at Him like that. Sit down. No, I mean really sit down. Be still. Be very still. Know that He is God. Know your Greatest Love. He is The Joy set before you. He is the reason for all your moments today. Lean against Him and breathe Him in. Be filled. Be filled. Be filled. Soak up His Eternal, Living Word before you hear the first human word in your day. Don't give up. Don't give up. Whatever you do, don't give up. Keep showing up day after day after day. Beg Him to be There. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He promises it. And His promises are true and trusted. Then you'll soar on eagle's wings. Oh, then you'll soar! For you've looked deeply into The Bridegroom's Eyes and you'll never be the same again. You can't help but gaze a little longer the next time. Especially on the weekend. Love, Laine Back to archive listing <http://lainesletters.com/letters.html> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Laine's official website: http://www.lainesletters.com To subscribe: Laines_Letters-subscribe@welovegod.org To unsubscribe: Laines_Letters-unsubscribe@welovegod.org ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~