Oklahoma Howdy All,

 

If you are in orbit in a 1964 Buick (with no hubcaps) at the speed of light, what happens when you turn on your headlights?

 

Well you guys have taught me why we have denominations.  It is so that we can worship without being in constant strife.  Unfortunately even there people sneak in crabwise and try to change things.  In this world the strongest will survive and impose their will on others but in the next life it will be the weak that will be heard.

Oklahoma Howdy to Lance,

Reasonable discussion of differences is good, as that makes us all think, study our Bibles, and seek the truth. Some discussions go too far, and that is one of the topics of this thread. How far is far enough, and how far is too far? Some folks enjoy a good debate and others don't. It is my opinion that all can benefit in a good discussion if it is done in Christian love. Finding a friendly balance where everyone can benefit is the real objective.

I understand your point about denominations, but I think the problem is people, not denominations. If both of us have the same Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we should be able to treat each other as brothers, and we are commanded to do so. If we can't, it would be the fault of one or both of us, not the church we attend and certainly not God. If we are talking about one lost person and one saved person, the saved person is commanded to treat the lost person like Christ would.

In Christ,
Tom

There are many wonderful posts here (haven't had time to read 'em all!)

I try to make a practice of praying for peace and wisdom before I enter the forum. If I am spiritually "watchful" to do nothing out of personal pride, and to restrain anything unnecessarily "disagreeable", I am far less likely to offend someone with my words. Also, it helps to envision other members as living, loving Christians, as I know most of them are; corrupted by flesh just like me, but members of the same body, and the same family. It is hard sometimes to talk to a dead screen, and much of the frustration is overcome by the realization that "people" are on the other end of the glass, people who can be hurt and angered and encouraged and strengthened.



"Live and Let Live"  

Oklahoma Howdy to Willowbirch,

You made some excellent points, and you practice what you preach. You and many others here obviously realize there is a real person on the other end reading the messages. I give thanks that we have many sweet Christians here who do care about that person on the other end they've never met. They could be lost, hurting, ill, in grief, or any number of other human conditions that we've all been in at one time or another. It could be a person with a drug or alcohol problem, one thinking about suicide, one with a broken marriage, one in crisis of some sort, and who really knows. Hopefully, when there is someone in great need, there is always someone to give kindness, care, and prayer.

Willowbirch, thanks for being one of those sweet Christians who love and care. I'm thinking about a fairly large list of folks here who love and care about others. I think that most of us have days that we need to be on the receiving end of Christian love and prayer. Then, we hopefully are there for others with Christian love and prayer when they have their days of need. This is one of the beautiful things about Christian fellowship.

Love In Christ,
Tom

... I want to improve in these areas and be a better witness for Christ.

This sparked another great truth Tom.  How bout this factor?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:35

 

Oklahoma Howdy to Allinall,

You made several excellent points, again they are things that I've been thinking about and praying about. Should a Christian be obviously different than a lost person?  YES  If a child of God has yielded to Christ, should others see a difference in disposition, actions, compassion, love, care, etc.?  YES  Is there something a lost person should see in a Christian that might cause them to want whatever it is that the Christian has?  YES  A Christian yielded to Christ will have a peace, joy, happiness, outlook, and life that is vastly different than a lost person. The "yoke is easy", not bondage. A yielded Christian should be one of the happiest people on earth.

This study also leads to testimony in everything that a child of God does and says. Obviously, this testimony should be pleasing to Christ. The more pleasing the testimony is to Christ, the more abundant will be the joy and happiness of the Christian. Witnessing is much more than talking with someone about becoming saved. Witnessing is a living testimony in everything we do and say. Who is a lost person most likely to listen to, someone who is obviously different or just another person walking in darkness or partial darkness? We both know the answer to this one.

This also leads to another series of thoughts and questions. Could one stereotype a Christian who is most likely to be happy and fulfilled in Christ?  YES  Would it be a Christian yielded to the will and purpose of God or a Christian needing correction and chastisement?  We both know the answer to this question.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

Jesus Christ took the form of a meek and lowly man, yet HE was the Lord of Hosts. Many saw HIS goodness and received HIS mercy. He taught others to show goodness and mercy, and HIS Word continues to teach HIS children to show goodness and mercy to others. We are not worthy of HIS goodness and mercy, nor of HIS compassion and love. We are to be like Jesus and treat others the way Jesus treats us. It is a reasonable service to give to others when we have received so much.

Matthew 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Romans 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Romans 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Romans 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 Corinthians 4:1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
1 Timothy 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1 Peter 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

As a result, the old "golden rule" isn't good enough. The standard is how Jesus treats us. I am positive there are fruits in the Spirit when we really try. This is part of the joy and peace available to a Christian trying to be a vessel filled with HIS compassion, love, mercy, and goodness.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Solo1000,

First, I don't think that I've had an opportunity to welcome you to Christians Unite. I sincerely hope you enjoy it here.

Second, I enjoyed your post. Your post agrees with the study I'm doing right now. I find all of the Biblical teaching to be greatly superior to any of man's teaching, and the requirements much greater than any man can achieve. Your post was very timely. Read my next post and you'll see what I mean.

In Christ,
Tom

Hi Tom,

It would be great if we could vote them out....but unfortunately, The Supreme Court members are appointed for lifetime.

Psalm 119

Oklahoma Howdy to Psalm 119,

Yes, that is unfortunate. They are really not accountable to anyone. They've recently proved the balance of powers envisioned by the founding fathers is broken. I think that a public flogging is in order.  

In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to rurounidisciple,

I sincerely hope you enjoy it here. We have many sweet Christians to fellowship with.

About your University, we have a forrest in SE Oklahoma with a name I'm almost sure is spelled the same. Would you be going to school in SE Oklahoma? If so, I'm a little bit familiar with the area (i.e. beautiful woods and ancient mountain range).

In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Jabez,

Brother, I highly recommend e-Sword, the computer Bible Study package that is available free if you download it:

http://www.e-sword.net/

Others may disagree, but I would be studying the KJV. If you download e-Sword, there are a ton of free dictionaries, commentaries, and Bible Study aids you can add to e-Sword and quickly switch back and forth between various translations of the Bible and all of the study aids. I like to use the KJV with Strong's Numbers built in. You put your mouse over a Strong's Number, and the Strong's definition pops up for the word. There is a huge selection of Bible Dictionaries that are interactive with the Bible while you read it. Other than Strong's, I use Easton, Naves, Vines, and Webster's fairly often. If you click a word while reading, a symbol comes up on the dictionaries with addional information. I have all of the commentaries installed. If you click on a verse, a symbol comes up on the commentaries with additional information. e-Sword is excellent.

If you click on a book of the Bible, a symbol comes up on each commentary with a preface to the book. This really helps in giving you an idea about the purpose, audience, and writer of the book. It's simply nice to set the stage before you start reading.

Reading the entire New Testament very slowly is a good idea. However, I would recommend that you do considerable study of the entire Bible before trying to read and digest Revelation. I'll try to come up with some ideas for you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hoekstra Devotion - January 14

The Law Convicting the Rebellious:

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners . . . But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  (1Ti_1:8-9 and Gal_5:18)

Although the law has some God-given inabilities, it is nevertheless good. "Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Rom_7:12). It does have certain abilities, "if one uses it lawfully." One unlawful application of the law would be using it to obtain justification, a declaration of being righteous in God's sight. If anyone ever infers that attempted obedience to the law of God could potentially secure an overall verdict of "not guilty," that would be biblically forbidden.

Another unlawful application of God's law would be using it to obtain sanctification, progressive spiritual growth in the Lord. If a person imagines that they could grow in godliness by their best attempts at living up to the law, that too would be prohibited by God's word.

The law is "for the lawless and insubordinate." The law of God is for those who are rebellious at heart against the will and the ways of God. This truth, in its basic interpretation, is directed toward unbelievers, "for the ungodly and for sinners." Herein we see that the law of God is able to convict unbelieving rebels of their defiance against a holy God.

However, by implication, there is an insight for believers here as well. As far as God is concerned, we are "not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14). Yet, only those who walk according to the Spirit fully enjoy the daily blessings of that reality. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." When followers of the Lord Jesus walk according to the flesh, they practically place themselves under a performance code. They put themselves under the law for practical day by day living.
The message of the law, which is for the rebellious, also has the capacity to expose this unacceptable condition within the life of a self-sufficient believer.

Dear God of all Grace, I confess that I  formerly lived in lawless rebellion against You. Lord, Your Holy Spirit convicted me of my self-righteous defiance against Your holy law. By Your grace You justified me, as I cried out in faith toward Your Son. Lord, now I earnestly ask You to convict me of those times when I attempt to live by the self-righteous resources of my own flesh. Lord, I need to be sanctified daily by Your grace, even as You previously justified me by Your grace. I praise You that such a work is abundantly available through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Oklahoma Howdy to Symphony,

   UM?? - One of those sleek transitor radios that fit in your pocket...........Only the rich kids had those.....

   I bet you even had your own bed that you didn't have to share with 2 brothers..............

   Silver spoons instead of GI steel???

   Yep!......We heard about those rich folks....

Love In Christ,
Tom

Actually, you can't use it at all, it is the title of my new book

Oklahoma Howdy to Tibby,

   Brother, you need a manager and promoter. I'll give you a brother-in-law deal on my fees.

In Christ,
Tom

from ollie
Is it not possible for all parties concerned to simply say, " Let us go to God's word and see what He teaches?"
Then accept it as the final authority on the matter since it is from God

WHY ?

Oklahoma Howdy to Lance,

Because God's Word is ONLY authority in this discussion. It might also be an intelligent way for everyone to learn something in peace and respect for all involved.

In Christ,
Tom

Hoekstra Devotion - January 13

The Law Producing Accountability for Sin:

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God . . . For by the law is the knowledge of sin.  (Rom_3:19-20)

God's law speaks to those who are under the law. This would certainly include the Jews, for the law of God was given to them in writing (first engraved on stones by God, then written on parchment in the Holy Scriptures). Yet, the law speaks to the Gentiles as well, since they have it inscribed upon their consciences. "[The Gentiles] show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Rom_2:15). Thus, every Jew and every Gentile begins life under the law.

Remember, when the law speaks, it is saying, "be holy, be loving, be perfect." The result of all people having received this message (either externally in writing, or internally upon the conscience) is that "every mouth [is] stopped."

What would we say if we stood before God, and He evaluated our lives  by His law? How could we answer if God said, "Here is your life; here is My law; now, give an account of yourself." Our "mouths [would be] stopped." We could provide no excuse, explanation, or justification.

The law produces accountability to God. And this accountability is universal. "All the world [is] guilty before God." There are no exceptions. Everyone in all the world is included. The law of God reveals to all humanity what sin really is.

Sin is not a cultural phenomenon. It is a divine revelation of what is absolutely unacceptable before God in light of His holy character. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Man would have no insight into this matter were it not for the law of God. "I would not have known sin except through the law" (Rom_7:7). Murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting are all revealed to mankind by God's law. "For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet'" (Rom_7:7). Through God's law we are all accountable to Him for our sins.

O Lord God of holiness and love and all that is perfect, Your holy law has stopped my mouth. I have no excuse for my spiritual failure before Your perfect standard. What I have read in Your word confirms the convictions of my heart. My life would stand forever guilty in Your sight, if it were not for Your forgiving, justifying grace. Thank You for providing forgiveness of my sins and justifying me, when I could offer no justifying words or deeds of my own. As I look at the world of humanity all around me, please remind me that they are guilty before You, until they come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This prayer I humbly offer in Jesus name, Amen.

THis is such a wonderful idea for a thread. Thanks, Tom!

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

You are most welcome. This subject is something I have been thinking about and praying about for weeks. I was not surprised at all to find large numbers of Scriptures that deal with Christian conduct and how we interact with others. I want to improve in these areas and be a better witness for Christ.

I have other posts planned, but it's taking more time than I thought it would. Maybe I'm just getting slower.  

In Christ,
Tom