I have to respectfully disagree with that observation for the following reasons.

a) Whenever we interpret scripture we have to interpret it in context, not only within the context of the passage but the overall context of scripture as a whole.
Let us examine what the nature of God is like.

Matt 5
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


b) This is further reinforced by the parable of the sower.

Matt 13

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The sower is scattering seed EVERYWHERE. not only the good soil.

Although Jesus explains that the seed is the word of the kingdom, do we only spread the word through talking alone? Do we not also do it by good deeds ?



c) By limiting our assistance to only fellow believers are we any better that others who openly campaign for support of only their particular group? Does it resonate with the overall teaching of the scriptures? If not, then we have to re-examine the observation.

Have you considered John 3 :16?

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

And the story of the good Samaritian

Luke 10:25-37 New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”



If you do not know, Jews and Samaritans have no dealings with one another because they are traditionally enemies.
Jesus purposely used a Samaritan as the good guy compared to the Priest and the Levite who left the injured Jew by the roadside. The Priests were like the pastors of the day and the Levites like the church workers.

What do you think Jesus was trying to convey?

I find that if you simply ignore posters like these, they eventually fade back into the woodwork.

This dupe probably is one of our regular friends who visit us from time to time.

His doctrines are unusual to say the least but are mostly harmless other than give the rest of us a bad rep.

So, no harm done

Actually both are correct.

We have to look at context.

In John 15, who was Jesus speaking to?

A large crowd or a small group of 11 people who already believe, and most of them will die while spreading the gospel?
Jesus was telling them they are chosen by Him to bear much fruit, not regarding salvation.

where else repent and believe , first spoken by Jesus in Mark 1:15 and He was addressing the public in Galilee.

moral of story.

Always check the context.

Just a heads up.

poster mubtadi PM and requested

"Hello, I am looking for a person who can assist me in studying bible. May you help me in discussing certain aspect of bible. I need a reference and correspondence for my study

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You guys may receive similar requests

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I would like to request your help in this survey for a FYP of someone close to me.

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Apologies. link error. edited

This post has been edited by yaokb: Nov 4 2019, 12:01 PM

I have read your other thread and I emphatise with you.

I want to remind you that God loves you and He has the best in store for you.

Romans 8:28 reminds us

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV

God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge sees the end of the matter. We only see the present moment and it hurts.
Every hurt we go through has a teaching moment, if learnt, will become a blessing or help to someone else in the future.

Do not despair.

It has only been two weeks since your breakup and the hurt will be there for some time to come. I think the girl is hurting also because of the perceived "betrayal".

She needs time to process what had happened and it does not mean it is the end for both of you.

What would I do in your situation?

I would continue to keep in touch with her via text messages even tho we agreed not to contact her.
Good morning messages
think of you messages. etc.

just to let her know she is still important to you.

Women are complicated. If you don't contact her she might think you are no longer interested even tho you are just honoring the no contact agreement.

Do you have a church pastor or cell leader you can talk to to unburdrn yourself? if yes, do talk to them.

Keeping you in prayer.

God bless.

You ask good questions.

Please bear in mind not everyone who post here are necessarily sane or even really christian, so be wise in accepting advice and always double check with the Word of God.

What you are experiencing is normal.

We must remember to hold on to the promises of God.

While pain cannot be easily dismissed, regrets, shame and guilt have been fully dealt with by Jesus' sacrifice for you, therefore they have no rightful place in your heart or mind anymore.

whenever they come, quote God's promises to yourself.

for example

1 John 1:9

Eph 1:7

look them up and think about them.
don't just stop at the verse. read the whole chapter if possible

1 John is especially beautiful.

Let me share a secret.

The Bible is a very interesting book.

Don't just read.

Think as you read.

Ask yourself questions as you go along.

some passages in the Bible are sombre.

some feels like they came out of a comedy sketch.

Luke is a particularly funny writer.

ok. lets take Luke chapter one.

stay with me ya. long passage.

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

(Introduction on whom the book was written to, some big shot during those times)

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (good people)

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

(in other words, real oldies)

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

(in other words, dei, you blind ka? How in heaven are we going to have a kid at our age??)

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

(oops.... should have kept his big mouth shut earlier. now cant talk for 10 months)

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived;
(quick question, how does one conceive a child? picture it in your mind and remember they are both oldies. brrrrr...) and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”


Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus . He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

(good question!)

And the angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

(Woah!! what is she saying!!! those days if you were unmarried and pregnant you might get stoned!
Now do you get why she is called blessed?)

And the angel departed from her. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. ( Zack son of Zack )
His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

(Duh!! He is dumb! not deaf!)

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Luke 1:1‭-‬80 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.1-80.NKJV

you get the picture?

give it a try.

I cut and paste from Youversion App.

memory verses are specifically memorised. but always read the whole passage so you don't misunderstand what it really means.

too many people quote verses out of context to suit their purposes and you must be careful not to do that.

As with all disciplines, start slow.
unless you are stirred up by the Holy Spirit and you just can't stop reading. wooooo. wonderful times.

be consistent.
one chapter a day and slowly increase.

then you won't feel discouraged by the seemingly many verses you have to read.

sooner or later you will catch the fire.

read what you are comfortable with.

Luke and John are good starters.

and prepared to be amazed by what you will discover Jesus has done for us.

God bless

i think the nearest any answer can come to that question is that there is a slight difference between being in control and controlling.

if God controls all things then we are merely puppets in a diorama

however if God is in control, the role of freewill truly comes into play.

each and every individual can and does have and exercise freewill, yet God is able to know the outcome of each variation of action.

otherwise God is not omniscient.
to achieve His final purpose and outcome, God does intervene actively, the most obvious one being sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of all mankind.

other not obvious ones happen all the time in countless peoples' lives.

we all feel it. an urge to do something for someone, call a person, visit a forum you have not gone to for ages, say something to someone, for no forseeable reason.

we can either do it or ignore it, that's freewill in action.

finally, because God is a good God, all these interventions, which does not violate our freewill, but may cause outcomes that we or others did not desire, are made by God to achieve His purposes at the minimum level of suffering mankind as a whole needs to go through.

someone once said, the why do bad things happen to good people?
but the fact is , no one is good except God, and it is more accurate to say why do good things happen to bad people, because we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

every day we have good things happen to us but we are never thankful, but when a bad thing happens, we make a huge fuss of it.

why do we think we deserve sunlight, rain, food shelter and clothing everyday, some of which we never worked for?
and in the rare occasion our car breakdown or we fall sick, we think God is agains us?

kinda sad but true.

the title of the thread is fellowship, which is ironic.

perhaps we can all take a step back and review our attitudes when making posts

My heart goes out to her.

It must be a very horrible experience for her and all you can do now is just be there for her and pray for her and with her if she wants to.

sometimes just being there without speaking much will do more good than trying to counsel.

she will need time to process the experience and come to terms with it.

i think her talk of losing faith is just a knee jerk reaction, while we should be concerned, we should let her vent her feelings.

perhaps when the opportunity presents itself when she is more settled, tactfully point out that had Abba really not protected her, she could have ended up much worse.

Hmmm.

now i see where the reasoning comes from

however would you not agree that there is a distinct difference between asking the living to pray together with you vs asking the dead?

one is encouraged

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

while the other is explicitly forbidden

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 1 Cor 10:13

you might argue that Saul did not ask Samuel to pray but the crux of the matter is that Saul sought help from the dead.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

Like all of us, Ravi was susceptible to human weakness.

That however does not in anyway diminish the value of his contribution to the body of Christ in the area of apologetics.
Most, if not all of us, cannot hold a candle next to his work.

May we hold his memory dear.

Oh yes.

Does having an argument with God and getting an audible answer count?

Does seeing a vision, then hearing instructions what to do, and upon doing that, end up saving a situation count?

Does testifying about the power of the name of Jesus and seeing someone delivered from a spiritual attack count?

Does prophesying over people and seeing those prophesies come to past count?

I have had all those happen to me before so i am throughly convinced Jesus exists.

wow.

but some of the details are quite private

i'll share those that are not.

i fought with God over the issue of favouritism
why some people seem to be loved more than others
even the bible mentioned "the disciple that Jesus loved"

it went on for weeks until one day while cycling and complaining on that same issue, i heard God say

son, I love everyone the same!
it is your response to My love that makes the difference!

i almost fell off my bike when i heard that!




then on a mission trip.

was having a sharing session with one of the team members one night,

both of us were seated on the floor while another team member was actually sleeping between us.

we were talking about the power of the Name of Jesus and i was sharing a testimony, about a testimony i heard from some one else how a person was delivered from demon possession when the Name of Jesus was mentioned, and in relating the story, i raised my voice for dramatic effect, saying "in the Name of Jesus!" quite loudly.

the team member sleeping between us suddenly sat up gasping.
i actually thought i startled him, but he told us he was actually being choked and could not breath and when i said "in the Name of Jesus!" the pressure vanished.

the point is this. spiritual warfare is real
we did not even know our team member was under attack, but the Name of Jesus has power to deliver, even if it was mentioned in a testimony, about a testimony!


in that same mission trip, we had a service and after that we prayed for some of those who came up.

while praying for a young man, i had a vision and a word of knowledge that he possessed some chinese talisman.
on asking him, he said yes but they were at home
so we got him to bring them that night and with his permission and after praying together we burned the charms.
the charms burned with a green flame.

i later heard the young man went on to serve in an international christian ministry.

i have had the opportunity to pray for friends and see some of the prophesies come to pass years later.

what i want to say is the the reality of Jesus to those who walk with Him is something we cannot fully convey to those who refuse to believe. we have to leave it in God's hands to convict and convert them in His own way and own time.

what we need to do is merely to do our part in sharing the gospel in ways and means the Holy Spirit guide us in.