Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?
Jesus answered and said unto them,
Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink;
thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
And Jesus said unto them,
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Jesus stood and cried, saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,
I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.
Jesus said unto them,
If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God;
Jesus answered,
If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me;
Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Then said Jesus unto them again,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
hey a. amos love: seriously… on this blog we LOVE the diversity of personalities. let your personality shine through. tell us a bit about yourself? say something not scripture. please?
And to be a “Disciple of Christ” it will cost you;
A “Disciple of Christ”
Will;
Forsake all…
Hear His voice…
Love not the world…
Love not their own life…
Just want to know Him…
Count all things but dung…
Always take the lower place…
Do nothing apart from Jesus…
Take on the form of a servant…
Make themselves of no reputation…
Count others better then themselves…
Gives thanks for all things… All things? Yes.
Deny themselves and pick up their cross daily…
Counts all the shame, “joy,” for what lies before them…
Love the Lord their God, love their neighbors, love themselves…
Forsake all honor, glory, praise, power, profit, prestige, recognition, reputation…
A “Disciple of Christ”
Will NOT;
Lord it over…
Exercise authority…
Honor themselves…
Seek their own glory…
Be called rabbi/teacher…
Be called Master/leader…
Receive honor from man…
And a disciple of Christ will not piss off and patronise other people on blogs. If I were feeling broken-hearted, you’re the last person I’d want to have to listen to. Go and write your own blog if you’ve got so much to say. I am not in the mood for dealing with tossers like you.
Agreed. Anyone can quote Bible verses. Churches do it all the time to justify doctrine, belief, hatreds, who’s in and who’s out, and often what you must do to be ’saved’. The point is that everything must be taken in context, historical meanings and the audience it was intended for, original language (because English is so limited)… Very similar to someone saying that the Iliad is ’speaking to them’. Anyone outside of the church and who doesn’t speak christianese knows what I mean. Xtians have a whole culture centered around themselves. This ain’t reaching out to anyone, or reaching anyone. Tiggy points this out brilliantly.
@A. Amos Love
Your contribution to this blog post is a good example for what does n o t help. You rush in, drown people in scripture and probably expect that everybody is overwhelmed with gladness.
People will not take any advice from you unless they feel understood, but that takes time and commitment. You need to listen to them – don’t judge people by your own situation, perception, feelings etc. I’m quite sure that most of the people you address here, know the mentioned scriptures very well.
You can’t “fix” people by blurting out scripture. You talk about the love of Jesus – do you LIVE the love of Jesus? In the book where you got all these scriptures from you can read that Jesus took care of people’s needs – he healed them, fed them, helped them out when they were in trouble, and t h e n he told them what was necessary.
Jesus said to his disciples: You will do the things I did and even greater things. 2000 years later I still don’t see his disciples, or the ones who call themselves disciples, do what he did (not mentioning the “greater things”). They point people to Jesus – go to Jesus, he will help you, comfort you, be there for you, etc. – but Jesus isn’t here on this earth anymore. But he left a legacy: YOU WILL DO …
DO WE? Do we help people (not only the nice or “profitable” ones)? Do we heal people? Do we raise the dead? Do we feed the hungry? Do we weep with the sad? Do we carry each others load (not only on Sunday morning)? Then, and only then, we can point people to Jesus by telling them, who has given us the love and strength to do all these things. Until we are willing to take on this responsibility, and everything that comes with it, instead of using scripture as an easy cop-out, we should not run around and act like we know it all.
(If you find any spelling mistakes you can keep them, English is not my native language.)
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your feelings.
“Drowning people” or “overwhelming them with gladness” wasn’t my intent. My apologies.
“Your contribution to this blog post is a good example for what does n o t help.”
Hmmm? Just wondering…
1 – What’s your evidence procedure for knowing if something “helps” or not? Or when it “helps?”
2 – Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some and not others?
3 – Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some NOW and others LATER?
4 – Doe everyone know “all” the Scriptures that were quoted?
5 – Does everyone here need “help?” Could some just need encouragement? A reminder? A blessing?
6 – Maybe quoting the Scriptures was a blessing for someone just passing by? Not commenting?
7 – Maybe those Scriptures bolstered someone else’s faith? Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
“People will not take any advice from you unless they feel understood, but that takes time and commitment.”
Hmmm? Are you giving out “your advice” now? Sounds like “advice” to me.
1 – Do you wonder about my feelings now after your rebuke?
2 – Do you wonder if I feel understood?
3 – Did you take the time to listen to me to see why I believe so strongly in “His Word?”
4 – Did you take the time to “read, reread, and meditate” on those verses to see if you could hear from Jesus?
5 – Don’t you wonder, at least a little, why I would take the time to quote so many Scriptures?
6 – Don’t you wonder if some of those verses were a blessing to me in my struggles, hurt and pain?
7 – Don’t you wonder if some of those verses have blessed others in their struggles, hurt and pain?
“You can’t “fix” people by blurting out scripture. “
You’re correct. In fact I can’t “fix” anyone.
It is God who comforts. It is God who heals.
Jesus has comforted me. Jesus has healed my broken heart.
“His Word” has helped to comfort me.
“His word” has helped to heal me in many ways.
That’s why the website – “God’s Words of Comfort & Healing.”
That’s why everything on the site is FREE for you to use.
“Freely you have received freely give.”
And it is very expensive, very costly, to give away so much for FREE.
Just ask Jesus…
And it is a real blessing when I see others comforted by Jesus and the Scriptures.
And it is a real blessing when I see other broken hearts healed by Jesus and the Scriptures.
In the beginning was”The Word.” “The Word” was God.
“The Word” became flesh and lived among us. Jesus.
My experience,
when people turn their heart to “the Lord” and “His Word”
Broken hearts often are healed.
Illness and dis…ease often are healed.
They cried to the Lord in their trouble… He sent His Word and healed them…
“but Jesus isn’t here on this earth anymore.”
Not true Gabrielle… Jesus wants to live in you and thru you.
Paul said, “It’s no longer I that live but Christ that liveth in me.”
It’s “Christ in you the hope of Glory.”
“Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you.”
The Kingdom of God comes not with observation.
The Kingdom of God is within.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear my voice;”
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold, One Shepherd, One Voice.
If not now, When?
Amos, luv, we don’t care. You are no better than a spammer. Just go away. I’m sure Jesus wouldn’t want you to go around annoying people and you’re clearly not achieving your aims so go elsewhere. Shake off the dust from your sandals or whatever, but piss off, there’s a dear.
amos… please don’t leave. this is my blog and i welcome you in the hopes that eventually you’ll cast off your artificial way of relating to us and become more real. some people have no patience with masks, whereas I see we all wear different masks of our own choosing. you’ve written a great deal on this blog, but i have no sense of your person. please relax and give it a go. don’t quote scripture or refer to it for starters. your host, david
@ Amos
1: What’s your evidence procedure for knowing if something “helps” or not? Or when it “helps?”
Evidence? Really. Evidence. You want evidence of something that cannot be scientifically documented, seen, produced, or even written down. Anything supernatural, emotional, or psychological is merely a theory. Nothing can be produced. This is why anything in the metaphysical field is, for the most part, a guess. For example: I am manic-depressive. I had it for 10 years before I was properly diagnosed. I went through testing for hypothyroidism, narcolepsy, low iron, even had electricity shot through the nerves in my arms because I knew there was something up. But every single doctor kept telling me the same thing: “There’s nothing wrong with you.” They kept telling me I was depressed. And that was it. That was all the “evidence” there was.
But I would get better. I would be fine for months and months at a time. I wouldn’t sleep for days. I would spend money like it was water, letting it run through my fingers. I would go out and make friends with strangers which is completely unlike me. I would have bouts with drugs and alcohol. Anything I could get my hands on so I could get that “high” again.
Three psychiatrists later over a period of a year and a half, after lying through my teeth to one which doubled my drugs — no questions asked — and I got a straight answer. 10 years. Evidence is in the eye of the beholder. It cannot be written down, it cannot be pulled from a book. It cannot be witnessed by an outsider. It is not a “life verse”. It is not something that can be tested. It is not evidence. If there was actual evidence of G-d or mental illness that could be put down on paper, there would be a lot less questions. If there were evidence of what helped me or not with what I have, I would never be sick again. But we live in a world with physical limitations. We live in a world where G-d chooses not to interfere with every little thing. Where he chooses not to make himself known.
Does this mean there is a G-d or not? There is no evidence that says there is or isn’t. The more we learn, the more questions we have. And there is no evidence that points us in one direction or not. We are curious beings. And sometimes we need to just leave it at that. Let people be their curious selves. You can’t win over people by beating them over the head.
2: Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some and not others?
I grew up in a house where “Name It and Claim It” wasn’t exactly practiced, but verses were highly valued. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Prov 16:3) was a good idea. Also was the “I can do all things through Christ” (Phil 4:13) cliche. I remember being told that one when I was really nervous before a swim test. I still couldn’t swim on my back. But my parents told me that one over and over. So I repeated it to myself. When it came time for the test, I did fine on the way down the pool, which was the front-side swimming. On the way back, we had to swim on our backs. I flipped over onto my back and attempted. Couldn’t do it. I froze. Tried again. Nothing. G-d had failed me. There were other times where G-d’s “promises” didn’t work, like when I was told to resist the devil and he would flee from me every time I had bad dreams. I had terrible nightmares — demonic in nature. They didn’t stop even when I prayed against them. G-d failed me again. It took me until I was nearly 20 and out of the house to start fully trusting G-d again. This was after I planned to commit suicide at 17.
I found some really good xtian friends who took me aside and taught me what xtianity really meant. And it isn’t about how life always turns out for the best. Especially not the way I grew up.
So yeah, Amos. Living life thinking that everything is wonderful and happiness and rainbows with these verses doesn’t work. In fact, it’s a form of abuse to get them rammed down your throat.
3: Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some NOW and others LATER?
See above.
4: Does everyone know “all” the Scriptures that were quoted?
Even the demons know. And tremble.
5: Does everyone here need “help?” Could some just need encouragement? A reminder? A blessing?
I doubt everyone here needs help in this way. Some people need a listening ear. Some people need to be heard. Some people are going to be driven away by a know-it-all.
6: Maybe quoting the Scriptures was a blessing for someone just passing by? Not commenting?
We will never know.
7: Maybe those Scriptures bolstered someone else’s faith? Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
For me, the Word of G-d is Christ (John 1:1) and the Scriptures are what is written, what is used to encourage and inspire those who understand and those who follow xtianity as a way of life. Those who have faith are those who believe without seeing and follow without fully understanding but still strive to do so daily. They don’t wish to convert others to their way of life. Others see them and want to have that kind of peace because it permeates their life, their being, their soul. It isn’t something that hits you in the face and offends if you don’t desire to hear more. It closes itself up and quietly moves on its way. It changes the subject and goes on to discuss football should that be more desirable. As Paul put it, I become all things to all men that I might reach all.
Sounds like you’ve had quite a number of ugly challenges to overcome.
I’m in agreement with you about the evidence.
Very hard to know when something “helps” or not. Or when.
And I also agree…
“Living life thinking that everything is wonderful and happiness and rainbows
with these verses doesn’t work.”
For you.
And at one time they didn’t work for me either.
And as I continued to tell my horror stories to people, over and over again,
looking for that “elusive” listening ear, that would listen and take the pain away,
I found “none” that had any lasting effect.
I would praise God one day, then shake my fist at Him the next.
I would yell at God – I’m not telling anyone about you anymore.
Just save them before they die. What kind of friend are you anyway.
Why should anyone have to go through all this pain and rejection.
I started to realize I was not to speak and complain about my past anymore.
The Isrealites who complained and murmed in the wilderness died in the wilderness.
And It wasn’t doing me any good. As those horrers were being relived I often cried.
Oh, I would get a few – “Oh, that was horrible how they treated you.”
And – “Nobody should have to go throught that.”
But no one had any answers. No lasting relief, no lasting comfort, no healing.
Not being too smart, I just kept reading the Bible and talking to Jesus.
I knew what I had in my past life was not the answer.
Where could I go? Who else had the words of eternal life?
I decided to stick with Jesus.
There’s a song that goes…
Just forget about yourself
concentrate on Him
and worship Him.
How do I forget when there is so much pain, so many mistakes,
confusion, low self worth, rejection. etc.
I came across scriptures that said to put away the past.
I’m a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things become new.
Yeah right???
And, all the books I was reading about inner healing,
different therapy methods, psychiatry and the like all went back to the past.
When I questioned Jesus about this,
Why I should not be telling to people about my horrible past?
He answered and said something like this…
Because you don’t remember “your past” accurately.
When you tell people, they don’t have an accurate picture,
and every time you tell it, you tell it differently.
I was able to understand that as a truth.
I often cannot remember what happened yesterday “accuratly.”
I dealt with the past best I could.
Asking Jesus to forgive me for the biterness, anger, doubt, my part, etc.
Forgiving the others involved.
Forgiving God.
Forgiving myself.
When you stand praying if you have ought against any.
Forgive.
Then I figured I would “trust” some of what the Bible says
about forgetting the past. The one I couldn’t remember accuratly.
I found that Jesus gives you permission to forget the past.
Paul, a murderer, said, forgetting those things that are behind.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This one helped a lot.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; “now” it shall spring forth;
I wanted a new thing – the former things were making me feel miserable – they had to go.
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I was to talk about Jesus. Not talk about poor old Amos.
No more looking back. Looking at Jesus. Spending time with Jesus.
I was to live one day at a time. One hour at a time. One now at a time.
I was to speak words of life and not of death.
Luke 17:32-33
Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it;
and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
There are more scriptures but you get the idea.
I became willing to lose “my life.” Not much to lose anyway.
Decided to do it a little differently.
Started giving thanks for all things.
Praising God for all things.
Looking for the benefit in all things.
Started to really believe Rom 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Sara, you have a benifit, most don’t know the scriptures as well as you.
You wrote something beautiful and valuable.
“Those who have faith are those who believe without seeing
and follow without fully understanding but still strive to do so daily.”
Much agreement.
Jesus is there. Jesus cares. Jesus has the best ears for listening.
Something else that “helped” me and others was
realizing I didn’t have “to change” to please God or others.
God loved me just the way I was.
Strengths and weaknesses and character defects and all.
And living thru the tough times was broken down to
one day at a time, one hour at a time, one “Now” at a time.
How good could you feel if – you knew – you didn’t have to change, now?
That would be a relief, a different way of thinking, right?
Did you know, God gives you permission to forget the past?
and to not think about tomorrow?
Because all we have is “now.”
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; “now” it shall spring forth;
Isaiah 43:18
Take no thought for your life…Take no thought for tomorrow:
for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:25
Do we want a new thing in our life?
“Now” it shall spring forth.
God is not in yesterday. That’s over and done with.
You’re forgiven and you’re a new creation.
Old things have passed away
and behold, all things become new. 2Co 5:17
You’re a new creation thanks to the blood of Jesus.
God is not in tomorrow. Tomorrow hasn’t come yet.
God is only “now.”
What if “now” is not a time word?
Hour, minute, second, these are time words.
But now, now is where God is, now.
God is not even in the first now you read six now’s ago.
He is only in this now, now.
In His presence is fullness of joy, now.
Do you seek joy? It’s found being in His presence. “Now.”
Most spend way to much time dwelling on yesterday
with all their pain, hurts, mistakes and sin.
Most also spend way to much time thinking about tomorrow
which creates doubt and fear.
But now, can you agree that right now, you’re okay.
Can you trust God for right now?
Not yesterday and not tomorrow but trust Him for right now?
If you’re sorry for all your sins now.
Then God forgives you all your sins now.
The blood of Jesus, that was shed two thousand years ago,
is the cleansing agent for your sin.
His blood is the penalty for your sin and Jesus paid that penalty for you.
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus christ our Lord.Ro 6:23 It’s a gift. Just receive.
When you repent and say, I’m sorry Lord.
You’re forgiven and all your sins are gone, wiped out, forgotten.
I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Jer 31:34
That’s right, God doesn’t remember your sin. He’s not keeping a record.
Why do you? Are you smarter than God?
Come into agreement with Him. Amos 3:3
If He’s not dwelling on your past sin that means you don’t have to either.
You can be free from guilt and shame.
So, right now, you’re okay, right?
You’re a new creature, old things have passed away and you’re okay now.
So right now you don’t have to change to be okay with God, do you?
Can you say, you’re okay with God, now?
If you can say, you’re okay with God now,
then you don’t have to change now, do you?
You can be free to be who God made you to be, now.
How good could you feel
if you knew you were okay and you didn’t have to change now?
Would that be a relief? Would that be a weight off of your shoulders?
Would you feel at liberty to be yourself now?
Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.2Co 3:17
There is liberty, now.
My whole life people said I had to change.
You can do it, just apply yourself. My teachers, my parents, myself.
Just try a little harder you can do it.
That didn’t work.
What if God says, I love you, you’re okay just the way you are? Hmmm?
See, once you accept yourself the way God made you,
you don’t have to focus on yourself anymore.
Changing yourself takes a lot of time and effort
and you spend all that time and effort worried about yourself,
your past, your tomorrow and what other people think.
Don’t fret, God will make the necessary changes along the way.
Some through your natural growth in the Lord and some through His discipline.
But now, you can forget about yourself,
concentrate on seeking the Lord, His kingdom,
and every thing “you need” will be added.
David Hayward is an artist trapped in a pastor's body, stripping to the essential.
Jesus said – What seek ye?
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?
Jesus answered and said unto them,
Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink;
thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
And Jesus said unto them,
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Jesus stood and cried, saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,
I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.
Jesus said unto them,
If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God;
Jesus answered,
If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me;
Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Then said Jesus unto them again,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
What seek ye?
a. amos love: are you a real person or a computer generated scripture-spitter-outer?
‘I am the door of the sheep.’!!! He never said that! Sheep don’t have doors.
Please go away, you are pissing me off.
[ ; o )
Maybe it’s a wind up. Check the ISP.
Lord, I thank you for Tiggy.
Please, pour out your love and grace upon Tiggy.
And your peace that passes all understanding.
Thank you Jesus…
hey a. amos love: seriously… on this blog we LOVE the diversity of personalities. let your personality shine through. tell us a bit about yourself? say something not scripture. please?
nakedpastor – Hi
Enjoyed your cartoons.
Was reading the comments here and felt sadness and sorrow.
Folks not being able to connect with Jesus. My greatest joy.
Those who are led by the spirit, those are the sons of God.
Kinda hard to be led by the Spirit if you can’t hear “His Voice.”
For me, I had to get desperate, very desperate, to hear “His Voice.”
I found there is a prerequisite to being “a disciple of Christ.”
I found there is a prerequisite to “hearing His Voice.”
Jesus said, In order to be “my disciple” you must forsake all.
I spend my time consulting with folks who have broken hearts.
And sickness and dis…ease caused by a broken heart.
Jesus said the words that “I Speak” they are spirit and they are life.
Seemed to me there were quite a few folks here who tried, tried to find God,
who were looking for that life, and couldn’t find it.
Jesus, who is the Word, is the only one I know who can heal a broken heart. Yes?
They cried to the Lord in their trouble… he sends “His Word” and heals them.
My experience, when people turn their heart to the Lord and His Word
Broken hearts often are healed.
Peace…
And to be a “Disciple of Christ” it will cost you;
A “Disciple of Christ”
Will;
Forsake all…
Hear His voice…
Love not the world…
Love not their own life…
Just want to know Him…
Count all things but dung…
Always take the lower place…
Do nothing apart from Jesus…
Take on the form of a servant…
Make themselves of no reputation…
Count others better then themselves…
Gives thanks for all things… All things? Yes.
Deny themselves and pick up their cross daily…
Counts all the shame, “joy,” for what lies before them…
Love the Lord their God, love their neighbors, love themselves…
Forsake all honor, glory, praise, power, profit, prestige, recognition, reputation…
A “Disciple of Christ”
Will NOT;
Lord it over…
Exercise authority…
Honor themselves…
Seek their own glory…
Be called rabbi/teacher…
Be called Master/leader…
Receive honor from man…
Peace…
And a disciple of Christ will not piss off and patronise other people on blogs. If I were feeling broken-hearted, you’re the last person I’d want to have to listen to. Go and write your own blog if you’ve got so much to say. I am not in the mood for dealing with tossers like you.
Tiggy
“If I were feeling broken-hearted, you’re the last person I’d want to have to listen to.”
That’s the idea Tiggy. You don’t have to listen to man.
You can go straight to Jesus and He will teach you and comfort you.
Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice,
that he might instruct thee.
John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.
Jesus, Glory…
Tiggy
You make me smile. { ; o )
Amos, you make me puke. Talk to the butt…..I’m outa here.
Tiggy
“Go and write your own blog if you’ve got so much to say.”
Thanks for the advice.
Here it is.
http://godswordsofcomforthealing.blogspot.com/
Hope you enjoy it.
Oh my God, are you still here? Do you seriously think I would have any interest in looking at your blog, you deluded nutter?
Has to be an American, HAS to be.
Agreed. Anyone can quote Bible verses. Churches do it all the time to justify doctrine, belief, hatreds, who’s in and who’s out, and often what you must do to be ’saved’. The point is that everything must be taken in context, historical meanings and the audience it was intended for, original language (because English is so limited)… Very similar to someone saying that the Iliad is ’speaking to them’. Anyone outside of the church and who doesn’t speak christianese knows what I mean. Xtians have a whole culture centered around themselves. This ain’t reaching out to anyone, or reaching anyone. Tiggy points this out brilliantly.
Tiggy
If you won’t check out the blog here’s a whole website about God’s love and healing.
Maybe not for you,
but you might know someone with a broken heart who doesn’t know me.
“God’s Words of Comfort and Healing”
http://web.me.com/love101/Love
Two free e-books.
Lot’s of 8 x 10 posters – Color and Black + White. – free down load.
Audio and Text – 10 topics of Scriptures helpful in the healing process.
It allows people to take an active part in their healing process.
The audio is a free download to iTunes. Free to burn on CD’s and give them away.
Scriptures about 1- Prayer. 2- Healing. 3- The word of God. 4 – Faith.
5 – Love. 6 – Mercy. 7 – Trust. 8 – Joy. 9 – Forgiveness. 10 – Comfort.
Of course, maybe not for you,
but for someone you care about who has a broken heart, who’s in a tough place.
Be blessed…
@A. Amos Love
Your contribution to this blog post is a good example for what does n o t help. You rush in, drown people in scripture and probably expect that everybody is overwhelmed with gladness.
People will not take any advice from you unless they feel understood, but that takes time and commitment. You need to listen to them – don’t judge people by your own situation, perception, feelings etc. I’m quite sure that most of the people you address here, know the mentioned scriptures very well.
You can’t “fix” people by blurting out scripture. You talk about the love of Jesus – do you LIVE the love of Jesus? In the book where you got all these scriptures from you can read that Jesus took care of people’s needs – he healed them, fed them, helped them out when they were in trouble, and t h e n he told them what was necessary.
Jesus said to his disciples: You will do the things I did and even greater things. 2000 years later I still don’t see his disciples, or the ones who call themselves disciples, do what he did (not mentioning the “greater things”). They point people to Jesus – go to Jesus, he will help you, comfort you, be there for you, etc. – but Jesus isn’t here on this earth anymore. But he left a legacy: YOU WILL DO …
DO WE? Do we help people (not only the nice or “profitable” ones)? Do we heal people? Do we raise the dead? Do we feed the hungry? Do we weep with the sad? Do we carry each others load (not only on Sunday morning)? Then, and only then, we can point people to Jesus by telling them, who has given us the love and strength to do all these things. Until we are willing to take on this responsibility, and everything that comes with it, instead of using scripture as an easy cop-out, we should not run around and act like we know it all.
(If you find any spelling mistakes you can keep them, English is not my native language.)
@ Gabrielle: Beautifully put.
Gabrielle – Sara
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your feelings.
“Drowning people” or “overwhelming them with gladness” wasn’t my intent. My apologies.
“Your contribution to this blog post is a good example for what does n o t help.”
Hmmm? Just wondering…
1 – What’s your evidence procedure for knowing if something “helps” or not? Or when it “helps?”
2 – Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some and not others?
3 – Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some NOW and others LATER?
4 – Doe everyone know “all” the Scriptures that were quoted?
5 – Does everyone here need “help?” Could some just need encouragement? A reminder? A blessing?
6 – Maybe quoting the Scriptures was a blessing for someone just passing by? Not commenting?
7 – Maybe those Scriptures bolstered someone else’s faith? Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
“People will not take any advice from you unless they feel understood, but that takes time and commitment.”
Hmmm? Are you giving out “your advice” now? Sounds like “advice” to me.
1 – Do you wonder about my feelings now after your rebuke?
2 – Do you wonder if I feel understood?
3 – Did you take the time to listen to me to see why I believe so strongly in “His Word?”
4 – Did you take the time to “read, reread, and meditate” on those verses to see if you could hear from Jesus?
5 – Don’t you wonder, at least a little, why I would take the time to quote so many Scriptures?
6 – Don’t you wonder if some of those verses were a blessing to me in my struggles, hurt and pain?
7 – Don’t you wonder if some of those verses have blessed others in their struggles, hurt and pain?
“You can’t “fix” people by blurting out scripture. “
You’re correct. In fact I can’t “fix” anyone.
It is God who comforts. It is God who heals.
Jesus has comforted me. Jesus has healed my broken heart.
“His Word” has helped to comfort me.
“His word” has helped to heal me in many ways.
That’s why the website – “God’s Words of Comfort & Healing.”
That’s why everything on the site is FREE for you to use.
“Freely you have received freely give.”
And it is very expensive, very costly, to give away so much for FREE.
Just ask Jesus…
And it is a real blessing when I see others comforted by Jesus and the Scriptures.
And it is a real blessing when I see other broken hearts healed by Jesus and the Scriptures.
In the beginning was”The Word.” “The Word” was God.
“The Word” became flesh and lived among us. Jesus.
My experience,
when people turn their heart to “the Lord” and “His Word”
Broken hearts often are healed.
Illness and dis…ease often are healed.
They cried to the Lord in their trouble… He sent His Word and healed them…
“but Jesus isn’t here on this earth anymore.”
Not true Gabrielle… Jesus wants to live in you and thru you.
Paul said, “It’s no longer I that live but Christ that liveth in me.”
It’s “Christ in you the hope of Glory.”
“Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you.”
The Kingdom of God comes not with observation.
The Kingdom of God is within.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear my voice;”
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold, One Shepherd, One Voice.
If not now, When?
Be blessed…
Amos, luv, we don’t care. You are no better than a spammer. Just go away. I’m sure Jesus wouldn’t want you to go around annoying people and you’re clearly not achieving your aims so go elsewhere. Shake off the dust from your sandals or whatever, but piss off, there’s a dear.
amos… please don’t leave. this is my blog and i welcome you in the hopes that eventually you’ll cast off your artificial way of relating to us and become more real. some people have no patience with masks, whereas I see we all wear different masks of our own choosing. you’ve written a great deal on this blog, but i have no sense of your person. please relax and give it a go. don’t quote scripture or refer to it for starters. your host, david
Tiggy
You’re going to have to do something about the way you beat around the bush.
Can’t you just say what you really mean.
L.O.V.E.
L.anguage O.f V.ictorious E.ternity
is LOVE.
B.I.B.L.E.
B.asic I.nstructions B.efore L.oving E.veryone
Jesus loves you this I know… Read that somewhere…
David
Thanks for the encouragement.
Blessings
David
If you would like a sense of my person
You might try reading –
Love is Rising
Tending the Garden of God
The Garden of Love
It’s on the “Your Heart” page on the website.
Just click on A. Amos Love at the top of this comment.
It will give you a little of my walk with Jesus.
Most of what is written on the site is from experience as well as the Bible.
a. amos love: nope. didn’t help one bit. you’re probably the most elusive “person” i’ve met on the internet.
David
Listened to the song you wrote
“i give all glory to him”
Good stuff.
David
Elusive? Hmmm? Could be.
Well at least I’m the “Most” at something. Thanks.
But knowing Jesus loves me just the way I am
has been a real blessing to me and others.
And coming into agreement with Jesus is also a benifit.
Can two walk together unless they be agreed?
Knowing He is the only one I have to please, and I already please Him,
has taken a lot of heavy burdens off these shoulders.
I think some would call it – entering into “His rest”
When we cease from our own works.
Knowing I don’t have to change,
knowing I’m okay with Jesus, always.
Brings that peace that passes all understanding.
Now, If He wants to change me He has my permmission.
But now, I don’t focus on myself as much. Focus is on Jesus.
And now I can love myself, enjoy myself, and even laugh at myself,
strengths, weaknesses, and character defects and all.
When I was striving to be a better Amos,
When I was crying out to Jesus to change me.
And I heard him say,
“I love you the way you are. Will you love you the way you are?”
That was a game changer. Brain freeze.
“Lord how can you love me – when I don’t love me?”
And here a little – there a little. His ways are higher.
Jesus brought me into agreement with Him.
Here is a song I’ll sing to myself.
God loves me the way I am.
There’s nothing I need to change.
I’ll always be the perfect me
Nothing to rearrange.
I’m wonderful, beautiful,
being the best way I can.
And I love me
just the way I am.
Now I’ll sing it to David, Tiggy, Sara, Gabrielle, as from God.
And God would sing this to you.
And I love you, the way you are,
There’s nothing you need to change.
You’ll always be, the perfect ye,
nothing to rearrange.
You’re wonderful, beautiful.
Being the best way you can.
And I love you
Just the way you am.
@ Amos
1: What’s your evidence procedure for knowing if something “helps” or not? Or when it “helps?”
Evidence? Really. Evidence. You want evidence of something that cannot be scientifically documented, seen, produced, or even written down. Anything supernatural, emotional, or psychological is merely a theory. Nothing can be produced. This is why anything in the metaphysical field is, for the most part, a guess. For example: I am manic-depressive. I had it for 10 years before I was properly diagnosed. I went through testing for hypothyroidism, narcolepsy, low iron, even had electricity shot through the nerves in my arms because I knew there was something up. But every single doctor kept telling me the same thing: “There’s nothing wrong with you.” They kept telling me I was depressed. And that was it. That was all the “evidence” there was.
But I would get better. I would be fine for months and months at a time. I wouldn’t sleep for days. I would spend money like it was water, letting it run through my fingers. I would go out and make friends with strangers which is completely unlike me. I would have bouts with drugs and alcohol. Anything I could get my hands on so I could get that “high” again.
Three psychiatrists later over a period of a year and a half, after lying through my teeth to one which doubled my drugs — no questions asked — and I got a straight answer. 10 years. Evidence is in the eye of the beholder. It cannot be written down, it cannot be pulled from a book. It cannot be witnessed by an outsider. It is not a “life verse”. It is not something that can be tested. It is not evidence. If there was actual evidence of G-d or mental illness that could be put down on paper, there would be a lot less questions. If there were evidence of what helped me or not with what I have, I would never be sick again. But we live in a world with physical limitations. We live in a world where G-d chooses not to interfere with every little thing. Where he chooses not to make himself known.
Does this mean there is a G-d or not? There is no evidence that says there is or isn’t. The more we learn, the more questions we have. And there is no evidence that points us in one direction or not. We are curious beings. And sometimes we need to just leave it at that. Let people be their curious selves. You can’t win over people by beating them over the head.
2: Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some and not others?
I grew up in a house where “Name It and Claim It” wasn’t exactly practiced, but verses were highly valued. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Prov 16:3) was a good idea. Also was the “I can do all things through Christ” (Phil 4:13) cliche. I remember being told that one when I was really nervous before a swim test. I still couldn’t swim on my back. But my parents told me that one over and over. So I repeated it to myself. When it came time for the test, I did fine on the way down the pool, which was the front-side swimming. On the way back, we had to swim on our backs. I flipped over onto my back and attempted. Couldn’t do it. I froze. Tried again. Nothing. G-d had failed me. There were other times where G-d’s “promises” didn’t work, like when I was told to resist the devil and he would flee from me every time I had bad dreams. I had terrible nightmares — demonic in nature. They didn’t stop even when I prayed against them. G-d failed me again. It took me until I was nearly 20 and out of the house to start fully trusting G-d again. This was after I planned to commit suicide at 17.
I found some really good xtian friends who took me aside and taught me what xtianity really meant. And it isn’t about how life always turns out for the best. Especially not the way I grew up.
So yeah, Amos. Living life thinking that everything is wonderful and happiness and rainbows with these verses doesn’t work. In fact, it’s a form of abuse to get them rammed down your throat.
3: Could the Scriptures quoted “help” some NOW and others LATER?
See above.
4: Does everyone know “all” the Scriptures that were quoted?
Even the demons know. And tremble.
5: Does everyone here need “help?” Could some just need encouragement? A reminder? A blessing?
I doubt everyone here needs help in this way. Some people need a listening ear. Some people need to be heard. Some people are going to be driven away by a know-it-all.
6: Maybe quoting the Scriptures was a blessing for someone just passing by? Not commenting?
We will never know.
7: Maybe those Scriptures bolstered someone else’s faith? Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
For me, the Word of G-d is Christ (John 1:1) and the Scriptures are what is written, what is used to encourage and inspire those who understand and those who follow xtianity as a way of life. Those who have faith are those who believe without seeing and follow without fully understanding but still strive to do so daily. They don’t wish to convert others to their way of life. Others see them and want to have that kind of peace because it permeates their life, their being, their soul. It isn’t something that hits you in the face and offends if you don’t desire to hear more. It closes itself up and quietly moves on its way. It changes the subject and goes on to discuss football should that be more desirable. As Paul put it, I become all things to all men that I might reach all.
@Amos
Your reaction does not motivate me to reconsider anything I have written earlier.
Sara
Sounds like you’ve had quite a number of ugly challenges to overcome.
I’m in agreement with you about the evidence.
Very hard to know when something “helps” or not. Or when.
And I also agree…
“Living life thinking that everything is wonderful and happiness and rainbows
with these verses doesn’t work.”
For you.
And at one time they didn’t work for me either.
And as I continued to tell my horror stories to people, over and over again,
looking for that “elusive” listening ear, that would listen and take the pain away,
I found “none” that had any lasting effect.
I would praise God one day, then shake my fist at Him the next.
I would yell at God – I’m not telling anyone about you anymore.
Just save them before they die. What kind of friend are you anyway.
Why should anyone have to go through all this pain and rejection.
I started to realize I was not to speak and complain about my past anymore.
The Isrealites who complained and murmed in the wilderness died in the wilderness.
And It wasn’t doing me any good. As those horrers were being relived I often cried.
Oh, I would get a few – “Oh, that was horrible how they treated you.”
And – “Nobody should have to go throught that.”
But no one had any answers. No lasting relief, no lasting comfort, no healing.
Not being too smart, I just kept reading the Bible and talking to Jesus.
I knew what I had in my past life was not the answer.
Where could I go? Who else had the words of eternal life?
I decided to stick with Jesus.
There’s a song that goes…
Just forget about yourself
concentrate on Him
and worship Him.
How do I forget when there is so much pain, so many mistakes,
confusion, low self worth, rejection. etc.
I came across scriptures that said to put away the past.
I’m a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things become new.
Yeah right???
And, all the books I was reading about inner healing,
different therapy methods, psychiatry and the like all went back to the past.
When I questioned Jesus about this,
Why I should not be telling to people about my horrible past?
He answered and said something like this…
Because you don’t remember “your past” accurately.
When you tell people, they don’t have an accurate picture,
and every time you tell it, you tell it differently.
I was able to understand that as a truth.
I often cannot remember what happened yesterday “accuratly.”
I dealt with the past best I could.
Asking Jesus to forgive me for the biterness, anger, doubt, my part, etc.
Forgiving the others involved.
Forgiving God.
Forgiving myself.
When you stand praying if you have ought against any.
Forgive.
Then I figured I would “trust” some of what the Bible says
about forgetting the past. The one I couldn’t remember accuratly.
I found that Jesus gives you permission to forget the past.
Paul, a murderer, said, forgetting those things that are behind.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This one helped a lot.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; “now” it shall spring forth;
I wanted a new thing – the former things were making me feel miserable – they had to go.
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I was to talk about Jesus. Not talk about poor old Amos.
No more looking back. Looking at Jesus. Spending time with Jesus.
I was to live one day at a time. One hour at a time. One now at a time.
I was to speak words of life and not of death.
Luke 17:32-33
Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it;
and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
There are more scriptures but you get the idea.
I became willing to lose “my life.” Not much to lose anyway.
Decided to do it a little differently.
Started giving thanks for all things.
Praising God for all things.
Looking for the benefit in all things.
Started to really believe Rom 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Sara, you have a benifit, most don’t know the scriptures as well as you.
You wrote something beautiful and valuable.
“Those who have faith are those who believe without seeing
and follow without fully understanding but still strive to do so daily.”
Much agreement.
Jesus is there. Jesus cares. Jesus has the best ears for listening.
Sara – Gabrielle
Something else that “helped” me and others was
realizing I didn’t have “to change” to please God or others.
God loved me just the way I was.
Strengths and weaknesses and character defects and all.
And living thru the tough times was broken down to
one day at a time, one hour at a time, one “Now” at a time.
How good could you feel if – you knew – you didn’t have to change, now?
That would be a relief, a different way of thinking, right?
Did you know, God gives you permission to forget the past?
and to not think about tomorrow?
Because all we have is “now.”
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; “now” it shall spring forth;
Isaiah 43:18
Take no thought for your life…Take no thought for tomorrow:
for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:25
Do we want a new thing in our life?
“Now” it shall spring forth.
God is not in yesterday. That’s over and done with.
You’re forgiven and you’re a new creation.
Old things have passed away
and behold, all things become new. 2Co 5:17
You’re a new creation thanks to the blood of Jesus.
God is not in tomorrow. Tomorrow hasn’t come yet.
God is only “now.”
What if “now” is not a time word?
Hour, minute, second, these are time words.
But now, now is where God is, now.
God is not even in the first now you read six now’s ago.
He is only in this now, now.
In His presence is fullness of joy, now.
Do you seek joy? It’s found being in His presence. “Now.”
Most spend way to much time dwelling on yesterday
with all their pain, hurts, mistakes and sin.
Most also spend way to much time thinking about tomorrow
which creates doubt and fear.
But now, can you agree that right now, you’re okay.
Can you trust God for right now?
Not yesterday and not tomorrow but trust Him for right now?
If you’re sorry for all your sins now.
Then God forgives you all your sins now.
The blood of Jesus, that was shed two thousand years ago,
is the cleansing agent for your sin.
His blood is the penalty for your sin and Jesus paid that penalty for you.
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus christ our Lord.Ro 6:23 It’s a gift. Just receive.
When you repent and say, I’m sorry Lord.
You’re forgiven and all your sins are gone, wiped out, forgotten.
I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Jer 31:34
That’s right, God doesn’t remember your sin. He’s not keeping a record.
Why do you? Are you smarter than God?
Come into agreement with Him. Amos 3:3
If He’s not dwelling on your past sin that means you don’t have to either.
You can be free from guilt and shame.
So, right now, you’re okay, right?
You’re a new creature, old things have passed away and you’re okay now.
So right now you don’t have to change to be okay with God, do you?
Can you say, you’re okay with God, now?
If you can say, you’re okay with God now,
then you don’t have to change now, do you?
You can be free to be who God made you to be, now.
How good could you feel
if you knew you were okay and you didn’t have to change now?
Would that be a relief? Would that be a weight off of your shoulders?
Would you feel at liberty to be yourself now?
Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.2Co 3:17
There is liberty, now.
My whole life people said I had to change.
You can do it, just apply yourself. My teachers, my parents, myself.
Just try a little harder you can do it.
That didn’t work.
What if God says, I love you, you’re okay just the way you are? Hmmm?
See, once you accept yourself the way God made you,
you don’t have to focus on yourself anymore.
Changing yourself takes a lot of time and effort
and you spend all that time and effort worried about yourself,
your past, your tomorrow and what other people think.
Don’t fret, God will make the necessary changes along the way.
Some through your natural growth in the Lord and some through His discipline.
But now, you can forget about yourself,
concentrate on seeking the Lord, His kingdom,
and every thing “you need” will be added.
Well anyway – this was a benefit for me.