Say no to religion

PonGoad:

Something I've picked by reading The Holy Bible and praying for The Holy Spirit to provide discernment for me.

If the actions focus upon man's glorification, it is of man. If the actions Glorify God and bring all the attention on Him as being worthy. One is begining to see His word as it should be read.

God is not political, nor is He a beggar who seeks your money in order to save you, nor does He need you to be God.

He is God and His Way is not the way of man. Money is a man made invention that we use incorrrectly to measure our self worth, instead of Glorifying God with by sharing what we have as He calls us to do. Politics are used to divide man into groups that oppose the Way of God in one way or another, separating man through his fleshly desires into groups who think alike, it is easy to use the word of God to lead man down the path of ruin while claiming to be righteous.

Our lives have to be all about God- meaning we cannot allow anything or anyone to be above Him in our lives-, or we risk falling away and following those who devise wickedness for their own gain.

Just the way I see it, after a life of being deceived by my own goals in the past.

Peace my friend. Glad ya made it on the Vine.

cowboygrandpa

Your comment gives me room for thought...

...Unless someone starts questioning their religious beliefs or their reasons for pulling away from God, as I have done, I don't think we realize that we must separate religion from God's Word. It's when I started questioning the doctrine I was taught as a child that I started to realize there are capitalistic motives behind institutionalized religions.

Just my thoughts and opinions.

Hi PonGoad,

..Unless someone starts questioning their religious beliefs or their reasons for pulling away from God, as I have done, I don't think we realize that we must separate religion from God's Word.

So true! I can attest first hand to this!

PonGoad, FR sent, please accept if okay with you?

Pon Goad:

We are told to discern the spirits of the messenger so we will know from what type of spirit it is that brings a message.

Many claim spirituality as a means of Godliness. But not all spirits are from God, even those who claim Him and preach in a church are not above being of a wicked spirit.

When Jesus Christ said that Love was the Greatest. He knew what He was saying, Love overcomes the lack of wealth, Love overcomes the lack of power on earth, Love overcomes lies, Love leads one to Him. In Him is the Love of The Father and through Him-Jesus Christ are we made acceptable to The Father and we are led by The Holy Spirit whom God sent to bring us to Christ.

Many preach a behavioral-works based salvation- they will be some of the best behaved sinners in hell, but they will still be there without His Grace in Christ.

Our works are done because He has changed us. Not so He will change us. He offered Salvation on the Cross and said it is finished. I accept it and Him and know He finished His work, and now I'm His to make of what it pleases Him for me to be.

It really is that simple to me.

Hi TruettCollins,

This is great! As the Pastor of a church, it is important that you set a good example by teaching and doing that which is pleasing to God; your teaching those who do believe in God to always put Him first is very pleasing to Him. As you know, this simple act can and does get lost in the shuffle from time to time; therefore, it is good to bring this reality back to the forefront!

I pray that our Father lead, guide and direct you always according to His will.

When they called me to pastor this church I told them that they would never find me teaching denominational doctrine. That I teach from God's word only. For the most part doctrines come from men's opinions by taking single sections of verses from scripture to prove their point instead of taking it as a whole and when you inject men's opinions into it you have strayed from the teachings and guidance given in the word and by the Spirit. I thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue and also to pray that there will be more and more who turn away from men's doctrine and back to God.

I thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue and also to pray that there will be more and more who turn away from men's doctrine and back to God.

You're welcome, and AMEN!

Hiram-1381633 - e-mail me your address and I will send you a copy of the recording of todays service.

TruettCollins

You hit the nail on the head of another one of my frustrations with religion. Many times, in sermons, in devotionals, on the web, and in everyday conversations a single verse or two is used to drive home a point. I have learned to pull out the Bible and read the entire chapter or two that surrounds this-these verses in order to understand the intended meaning of these verses. What I find out is, many times, the meaning of this-these verses take on an entirely different one when they are put back into the context of the scripture they were written for.

And then take those chapters and compare them to other books in the Bible and putting them all together you come away with a totally different message than you would think from the single verse.

Hi PodGoad,

What I find out is, many times, the meaning of this-these verses take on an entirely different one when they are put back into the context of the scripture they were written for.

So very true. There was a time I didn't recognize this, now I do. At times, knowing what's not the message is as good as knowing the message; this is one way seeking out the truth can help one in gaining wisdom, knowledge and understanding based upon the precepts of God and not from the precepts of men "flesh".

Hi TruettCollins,

And then take those chapters and compare them to other books in the Bible and putting them all together you come away with a totally different message than you would think from the single verse.

Exactly! Amen!

Using God's instructions on how best to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding from Him based on His written word is what has helped me immensely! Isaiah 28 and 29 instructs one the best way to "hear" "learn" "study" the word of the Lord. Of course we do not always do as we are instructed to this day, but making the effort is very pleasing to God simply because He knows that which is in our heart/mind and He is able to help us when we make the effort, meaning He is able to make it easier for us to please Him in our actions.

Of course one must first believe God, He makes this very clear, and this simple act can be very liberating. For example, believing and understanding that our Father has foretold us all things, Mark 13:23. Believing this is what caused me to dig and to continue to dig a little deeper to gain that which I desire which is to do the will of God. II Timothy gives us another testimony of how best to learn... specifically 2:14-28 and again II Timothy 3:16-17 and 4:1-5.

I can with all honesty and sincerity say that wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God does not always come instantly but it does come just the same when I make the effort to seek Him for which I am so very thankful and blessed of our Father through Jesus Christ. I know God is blessing me with His wisdom, knowledge and understanding through my studies "seeking", there is no way I can deny it.

Sorry Hiram, it's not nearly as cut and dried as you make it out to be. Hence, so many denominations of Christianity and all arguing that a THEIR interpretation is the RIGHT one and everybody else is wrong. If it were so simple, they'd all be on the same page. Would an omnipotent being have been able to foresee the confusion and made sure it was written so anybody picking it up could understand it? Why do you have to "go" to Bible study to learn what it says? Why is someone else's interpretation more accurate than yours or mine? When there are any questions about what a passage means, Christians pull a "Bible Scholar" out of their hat. Why would anyone need the advice of a scholar if it were that simple?

Hi Sparrow,

it's not nearly as cut and dried as you make it out to be.

I believe Hiram spoke that which is written is clear?

Hence, so many denominations of Christianity and all arguing that a THEIR interpretation is the RIGHT one and everybody else is wrong.

It's been this way from the beginning, and it is flesh doing this, not God. Jesus Christ chastised the Phararees for this reason... telling others what they should be doing, all while foregoing it themselves...? It is also why salvation is provided through our faith based belief in God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and not according to our interpretation. It is also why God instructs that one should hear, learn, study the Scriptures precept upon precept and line upon line, it helps to keep His written word in the correct context, thereby allowing the Scriptures to interpret themselves, it works very well this way.

If it were so simple, they'd all be on the same page.

Again, the only page that those who believe in God should be on is where our belief in God and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ is concerned. God, as is written, clearly states this as well as that not all who claim to teach in his name are sent by Him. No big deal really, Christians are people, people are not perfect and that does include Christians. Those who teach such as a pastor of a faith based church are held accountable for not teaching God's word as He instructs which is why judgment begins at the pulpit, but it does not end there?

Would an omnipotent being have been able to foresee the confusion and made sure it was written so anybody picking it up could understand it.

Not just that, He also warns us in the Scriptures , who believe Him, about this and how to avoid the babble and confusion that can cause His truth to be void; based on the precepts of men, and not upon He who has foretold us all things.

Why do you have to "go" to Bible study to learn what it says?

You don't have to go anywhere, but God does instruct those who believe Him to study and look to Him for understanding.

Why is someone else's interpretation more accurate than yours or mine.

As long as an interpretation is not contrary to God's truth, it is fine IMHO. However, much confusion is done from lack of wisdom, knowledge and understanding of what is written. One does need to rightly divide the word of truth from God as He instructs one to do.

Why would anyone need the advice of a scholar if it were that simple?

Because the original manuscripts are written in a language that not all are able to read i.e., Hebrew/Greek, any good Bible Scholar should be able to assist one in understanding based on those original manuscripts. Many words in their original language carry a different meaning and/or several meanings based on context then what they are sometimes translated into or as. A good Bible Scholar and/or a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance can help one stick to the intent/context based on the original manuscripts language.

Another reason is that God has promised that there will always be a remnant in this flesh period of time (those that hearken "listen" to Him and do His will). As is written, some of us don't even know what to pray for so He leads, guides and directs us according to His will.