Amen PR

And to note there are several times that Jesus and the disciples came in contact with Roman centurians.  And not once did Jesus rebuke them for being soldiers and direct them to lay down their arms. 

Sincerely
Jerry

Amen to all of the great words of wisdom.

PR stated the comment about us rolling up our sleeves and helping the innocent.  And that is where this conflict comes down to for many people.

There are many Americans confused as to who we are to support in this current conflict.  We can site that so and so bombed so and so first or all sorts of things of that nature.  However that can go back further than any of us have an accurate history of...thousands of years back there was conflict. 

You can also through in political and econimical aspects of things but then that is putting the humanistic attitude into the mix and that can more often than not be incorrect.  The best way to look at the current conflict is with the prayer.  Get down on your knees and pray to God that His will be done with what is going on over there.  And pray for both sides to find wisdom in God and find their salvation in God.  I know it considered overreaching to pray for an entire people to find salvation.  But do not pray that either side will win, but that they will come to terms with Jesus and His will prevail.  Pray to let Jesus shine in any involved directly or indirectly with what is going on and that His will be done.

I have no preference for a victor in the conflict except God.  The Islamists have substituted thier faith in Muhammed for that of God.  The Jews have ignored what God had told them of Jesus and will be dealt with during the Tribulation.  I only pray that if it is God's will that they fight it out that it stays confined to that region.  And that if soldiers are sent in, that they also be soldiers of Christ and are able to spread His word to the region.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Amen!

Being the man of the house if my wife were to cheat on me with another man I would also have to reflect upon my walk with Christ.  I know and have posted before that if a man were walking right with Christ then the wife, if also saved, would follow that man to the ends of the earth.  Their relationship will be on a level where sexual gratification is no longer the primary focus of the relationship.  Their focus will be on Jesus. 

In situations where both are saved and one is sinning, once realized and confessed to Jesus the sin is forgiven.  And a correct walk can be started.  And if the hurt spouse is also enjoying a relationship with Christ then the Holy Spirit will move in that person and help them along as well.  Praise God for that.

No matter the situation if even one of the people involved is letting Christ lead and guide them and handles the situation with prayer and acceptance then Jesus will not let that person down and they will end up in a better situation than before.  Even if that is a divorced situation.  Jesus will strengthen them throughout the trial.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Lissue

Well done.  You speak better than you give yourself credit for

And I would love to sit down, and I will, study some of the material.  One thing to remember that even in studying the Bible it is not a matter of intelligence, understanding, or trusting in one's self that will teach you anything.  And that is not even pertinent to studying alone but even in a class environment.  If you do not go into it with prayer and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit teach you, then you will not learn.  Even if the most learned instructor is there and translates, re-interates, or any other *ates, you will not learn it without the Spirit of the Lord teaching it to you. 

I am happy that you are able to learn from these folks.  I, I presume, am the opposite of you in my learning techniques.  I prefer to sit down and study and delve into the word.  I like to have several Bible translations open before me, my computer software up and running, a couple of commentary type books around and whatever ever else I can get my hands on.

Have a blessed day

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

linssue55

Let me first state something clearly.  I have no doubt.  An apprehension of trust in people is because of firm knowledge that people are just that.  I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone.  I trust my wife as well.  But I can say no where near as much as I do Christ. (no offense dear).  All others have varying degrees of trust.  And I have no doubt that all humans can, have, and will sin.  So there is but one thing I give my reliance on what God has to say.  And that is the Bible itself.

I also know that everything is to be put into context.  There is value in many different areas of the Bible.  Every verse may have historical relevance, as well as doctrinal relevance.  One of the most amazing things of the Bible itself is that anyone with prayer and the Holy Spirit as their guide can learn all that there is to know just from the Bible.  It is both a historical work as far as events, you can learn the attitude of people at the time, economics of the region, and pretty much anything you want.  It may not be as nicely organized as a history book would be in those cases but you can understand if you read and pray what the situation was.  For example at the time of Christ there was a mafia type of thing going on.  The soldiers were extorting money from the people as a sort of protection scam.  Luke 3:14 "Some soldiers were questioning him, saying 'And what about us, what shall we do?' And he said to them 'Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages' "  John the Baptist would not have told them not to do these things if that was for the future to prevent it from happening.  But because it was already going on and to stop it from happening instead.  This is an example of something that is not stand out and tell you what was going on.  But if you read it you can see that this was obviously an issue and happened quite a bit.  If it was just one man John would not have said it to all.  But there were many there and he said those words to all of them.  So you can find what you absolutely need in the Bible.

Now as I said earlier it is always good to have reference material available.  Because it is sometimes easier to read something like a history book and have it confirmed by the Bible.  Just because of some of the more elusive remarks about the society that are there.  There is far more secular writings that describe the general society and history of the region at the time.  But it is covered in the Bible with careful reading.

And it is not a matter of the wheres and whys of ICE.  I only stress caution when one MAN is attempting to provide ALL the answers.  And anytime you compare scripture to scripture with prayer and trust in Jesus, you will never go wrong.

As far as many people stating same as me.  Well let me ask you this.  If many people state a different interpretation of a word or phrase from the same sources (ancient languages and such) than the one man, Mr. Thieme, then who would you think has the correct interpretation of the word?

Now let me address the link you posted, you can definitely tell that RBT was former military.  Operation Bathsheba, 1st Battalion, etc.  Kinda funny sounding at times, but being former military I understand it

And again let me state I am not against RBT or saying he is a cult leader or anything of that nature.  However I would always advise a strong caution towards a reliance on a man, any man for the learning of God's word.  God tells us in the Bible that if we seek an answer to ask and it will be given.  And that we should go to study in prayer seeking answers.  God would not have provided us His word if we could not understand it.  And I believe that God will preserve His word in the languages He created at the tower.  So that all the world may come to know Him.  When you state that you cannot learn the real meaning of the word unless you read it in the orignal Hebrew or Greek then you also sound very close to Muslim who believe you cannot get the meaning of Muhammed unless you read it in the original language as well.  I only urge a continued check of what a preacher, teacher, or anyone says of the Word with prayer and other sources as well. 

As far as the sermon you posted I would recommend if anyone else listen to it to listen to the entire thing.  He says some things at the beginning that unless you either listen to the sermon completely or have heard him preach before you may begin to really wonder.  ie he almost makes it sound like you can lose your salvation at the beginning, just because of the terms he uses, but towards the end he wraps things up and re-iterates that salvation is eternal and cannot be lost.  But again you can definitely tell he is former military

Linssue again I am not attempting to bash him or you or anyone.  I just advise that people never get to comfortable accepting the word of just one person.  Look at EB White.  Her "interpretations" and stories of the Bible.  Even Joseph Smith.  God will preserve His word so if someone says something that sounds really intellectual but just does not quite "jive" with what you think...go find other sources.  Then I also begin to look more critically at what else has been said as well as will be said.  Ask question and if not a satisfactory answer.  Then maybe a change in church or similar.  To all who read this God will let you know when you are reading a verse correctly or when you are not.  If you misinterpret something God will bring to light the verse(s) you need to properly correct that mistake.  But you must go at it with prayer and a heart to learn. 

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Thank you all for the wonderful words, links, and insight.

But one thing my old buddy has put into place would be similar to this statement.

God being all knowing and such saw the creation of our universe before he created it.  He saw all the possibilities before they were possible.  God saw all the possible realities that are there.  But when creating he chose this one reality.  (Specifically discussing the Yates case of the 4 children being drowned).  When He could have chosen a different reality to create.  Thus, my friend would state, that those 4 children drowned because it was God direct will.

Now I am not trying to cast doubt on anyone's eyes or anything.  And to all younger Christians here please let me explain that God did not directly will those children to die.  I do not believe that nor does the Bible support that sort of direct action of God.  But this is the sort of philosophical thinking that you or anyone else may encounter in the world that is driven by Satan. 

And I liked the example about the cruise liner.  However my friend would have come back and said because God knew in advance that Jimmy on the ocean liner would get sea sick and that it was God that created the ocean and ocean liner and put Jimmy on that ocean liner in that ocean then it was God's will that Jimmy gets sick.

It can get down to also the plans of God and that there will be and has been some human sacrafices to better the glory the God.  I know nothing in Bible says that no one will die.  Or that people will not die to better the kingdom of God. 

It gets really philosophical at points and I miss some of the words needed to really explain what the truth of the matter is.  It has been a good debate he and I have had.  And will not be the last nor was it the first.  Even as an unsaved I thank him because it makes me study even harder.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Amen both BEP and Linssue

I always cringe and turn the channel as soon as a preacher says "God told me..."  It does not matter how good the preaching was up to that point it is all wasted.  God's last telling was with Jesus and will not happen again until it is too late to do anything.

I know from experience that God reveals.  That God urges and leads.  And the day my pastor switches from being led by the Lord to talking to the Lord is the day I find another church.  Thank you Jesus though for continuing to lead my pastor

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

I think it is great to ensure that your study also involves looking into the ancient languages.  But I have a question are you learning the language as well or only the meaning of some of the words?

I mean that would be a very daunting task to have to learn the languages as well.  Otherwise you are reading what it is that someone else says the translations mean.  I am all for going back to study the original words and do it often in my study.  Stong's is good for that as well as checking online for lexicons and such.

Some of the reason's I asks is that I get leary of the "all in one" type of study material aspect of things.  When you rely on one person to do the translating and defining then you can run into an easy avenue for cultism.  The Bible tells us that we are to go into study with prayer and a mind for God.  And if everything is spilled out for you in one quick text then it can be more difficult to do your own research.  And this being primarily from what appears to be one person I get even further cautious. 

Take a look at your notes on Isaiah 47.  See specifically vs 3.  Your notes by RBT would state the phrase "Your nakedness shall be uncovered" is an idiom for rape.  Rape being having carnal relations with a person against their will.  (BEP I hope that was child safe enough   ).  I think if you read the verses before and after this it is actually implying that Babylon had done this to themselves.  It was more that Babylon had become unclean and un-virgin like of it's own accord.  There was more shame in that than there would be if Babylon was raped.

Now that is not a big one to me.  But shows a possible issue that to me could be reflected further down the line.

But take a look down at verse 6.  The notes state that "the Jews were given over to the Chaldeans to administer the 5th cycle of discipline but the Chaldeans abused this authority"
I was trying to figure out where the 5th cycle of discipline came in.  Also the Jews were slaves to the Chaldeans so they would not have put the Jews in any position other than that of a slave.  The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, did call fourth some of the youth of the Jews, royal blood.  To train up in the ways of the Babylonians.  Daniel and others were the select group.  And the story of Daniel then unfolds. 

One that threw me was verse 10. RBT did get the word correct it was batach.  Strongs number 0982 lexicon ID XTB.  But no where in any of the definitions of the word is it in reference to a wrestler or doing a body slam.  Several translations of the Bible state the first phrase of this verse to state something as "trusted in your wickedness".  This goes hand in hand with the second portion of this verse that imply's they are trusting in themselves and not putting their trust in God.

Now I am not trying to state that Mr. Thieme is wrong, evil, or anything of that nature.  But what I am saying is that you should evaluate every piece of literature about the Bible with the knowledge that it is coming from man and not God.  NO matter how Godly the person may appear to be when you take their statements and hold them to the same standard as the Bible itself then you can be asking for trouble.  I do not even read any of Billy Graham's work unless I read it in reflection of what the Bible says.  And if he is translating something I seek sources for that translation to confirm.  I cannot read Greek nor Hebrew as a language.  I can read the words but that is not knowing the language.  So I have batach in many translators to ensure I have the concensus before accepting it as translated that way.

Other than things like that I think it is great to be able to get expanded notes upon a single glance.  But do not toss out your Strongs or Lexicon yet.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Lets not forget James
James 3:5-6 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

BEP

You are correct, and it was my error in the confusion of e-sword with The Sword project.  I did get those confused.  And correct they are two different projects. 

I felt the same about the Klingon translation.  I have found that there are also various "translations" of it as well...ie KJV, NASB, etc.  All they have done is substitute words.  And still most of it is in English actually...so it has a funny read.  Like where we would read "In the beginning" they would have something like "In the dhn eyy3nn" or whatever word is beginning.  Although my opinion is that if there is a trekkie out there that needs to have a klingon translation...they may have more wrong with them than their salvation

But then there is nothing that Jesus can't fix...so maybe a good start.

God bless and have a wonderful day

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Good day BEP

I do use the E-Sword as well...I like the Klingon Translation 

I will use that for the commentaries more than anything since I do not possess the commentaries in hard back.  They are on the shopping list someday.  I collect old books so I want them printed and well worn

I started with NASB as it was given to me on the day of my baptism.  And with it comes many spiral binders of my own notes.  Someday when I feel they are complete enough to add as a module I may put my notes in there as well.  I love the e-sword and that is something I also usually put on the computers where ever I happen to work at so I have a quick reference Bible there.  I usually keep mine on my desk at work as well.  It pretty much goes everywhere with me, cause you never know when you may need it.

Thank you for the recommendation though.  Always good to know there are others out there looking to provide answers.

God Bless BEP and may your day be glorious.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

[PRAISE GOD!!]

Brother Jerry... Satan must hate that dining room table of yours... PRAISE GOD!!

       

Tina...I hope so   

Good day to all my fellow believers

I am requiring a little assistance from some of them that may be outside of the box that I am in
I have been in a discussion with a friend of mine.  One I have been praying about for a long long time.  He is not a Christian and to the point of atheistic if I had to label him.

However we get on the topic of God every now and then and we were today.  We were talking of the Yates woman who drowned her 4 children.  He has made a comment of how it must have been God's will that those children die.  Which of course got us down the topic of free will and predestination and such...of course.

My points being that God has forseen every decision we have made and will make and the outcome of every one of them.  However that does not mean that God is imposing His will upon us.  His ultimate rebuttal going something like the following:

"He ran through all of them (possible universes, realities, etc) in his head before the creation, and chose the one He liked best, along with all of it's outcomes...therefore everything that happens, happens because he chose it to happen."

There was much much more to our conversation.  I was trying to explain that yes God foresaw an infinited number of universes to create.  And the outcome of each and everyone of them before creation.  He did select this universe.  And the universe being the physical aspect of what we live in.  And He did see the infinite possibilities of His creation but just because He did the act of creating does not mean He imposed His will upon those created.

And his rebuttal is usually along the lines of yes God did because He could have just as easily created a reality in which the 4 children did not die.

I am trying to explain that there is a difference between the universe and a "reality"  God saw all realities but did not create them.  He created the universe that best suited the creation of man with a free will.  It is the outcome of man's actions that create the realities. 

If anyone knows some good references Biblically or philisophically for the fallacy that my friend is positing...I would be greatly appreciative.

I usually stand well against him and he and I have bantered back and forth for years.  But I either could not word things well or my brain froze up on this one.

Thank you in advance
Sincerely
Brother Jerry

I have to agree with BEP on the versions bit. 

Except I have found for me the NASB has been the better one for me to read when I want to just read.  I teach from the KJV because at our church we want everyone to be teaching from the same version and provide a consistancy.  But when I go to sit down and study I will have my KJV, NASB, and usually either a Green's Literal or Young's Literal available.  As well as a couple of Lexicon's opened up   And of course my handy dandy Strongs.

My dining room table gets a mess when I start to dig deep into a verse or topic that Jesus is wanting me to understand

Amen to all and have a blessed day

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Thank you all for the kind words and continued prayers.  It has been a continual blessing since rededicating.  I have seen my son saved, our house blessed, my life under God's control.  And the relationship with my wife grow and prosper. 

I heard a preacher once during a men's conference state something of the nature that if you want "mama" to take care of you then walk in accordance to God and "mama" will walk beside you.  And how true that was.  My wife and I have our lives in alignment with what God had wanted and He has blessed us greatly.  Even when I had recently lost my job (long political story) He was right there with assistance to tide me over until I could find something else. 

And Doc.  You asked if I would call what I did courage.  No I would not.  I would call it trust.  I put my trust in Jesus again.  Trusting that He would do what was right in my life and the life of my family.  I had taken my trust from him and placed it in myself.  I put it back in his hands and let him drive.  God is not my co-pilot...I am His passenger.  And it is not courageous to put your trust in Jesus.  It is foolhardy not to.

THank you all again.
Sincerely
Brother Jerry