I feel to reply to your post and expand to what Carleton stated. In this wicked world we live in one of the most important questions we, those who follow Christ, can ask ourselves when a situation occurs is "what would Jesus Christ do"?
It is right that the truth be spread and exposed. What is right and wrong. A big problem is the evil powers of this world own pretty much everything to do with mass communication. T.V., radio, internet, schools, etc and many people are brainwashed and deceived. Only a very small portion can be trusted to follow truth in whatever way. Although the devil mixes lies with truth to make it even harder for people to denote one from the other.
As I have been following what has been going on with the powers that be in the world for probably the last decade. Violence and fighting physically accomplishes nothing but more violence and blood shed. What the evil one wants. People to destroy themselves, by dividing them in any way, for their gain.
We, who follow Christ, are to live in peace. To turn the other cheek. To love and have mercy even on our enemies. Who I do not see as any other "person". It is the devil and the evil powers that be who control people in this world. That is what/who I hate. Not people. As I feel sorrow that they are being led to damnation. Hoping, and praying, one day in their lives they shall see the light and give themselves to the Lord. One more repentant sinner who has been saved.
Here are a couple verses from the OT and NT for you. With Romans 12:21. Reading Romans 12:17-21 gives a better view. Fear not those who can destroy the body, but Him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna/Hell.
Matthew 10:27-28.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
Micah 6:8
Matthew 5:39-45
Ephesians 6:11-17
They that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52.
Jesus Christ is the only way. Not fighting for this, or any, "country". "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord."
Hi john nsasa thats such a comforting verse ,one of the verses that really gets to me is matthew ch28 v20...'and ,lo, i am with you alway ,even unto the end of the world '.Amen .
If God wrote a "tell all book" revealing every mystery, it would draw the same response as the KJV. The majority of people would go their own way, and the minority would seek the Lord with all their heart.
Isaiah 24:4-5 Describes the conditions of the earth after the beast has taken Babylon, and 3 nations of his own confederacy. Look further down, it is devastating. Isaiah 24:19-20
Ephesians 6:12 This is true. We fight against powerful rulers of darkness: Governments, Bavarian Illuminati, Freemasons, Jesuits and all of their ghastly traditions.
The media outlets are owned by 5 Ashkenazi Jews, they are inherently sinister, practice sorceries. They script fake news we live by.
"The bible is a puzzle due to the deception of adding & removing words since the roman council nicea of 325 AD" You have to carefully read the Bible and use other like scriptures to assess the story. However altered, it's what we got.
The 2nd stick in Ezekiel 37:16 "Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:"
Depicts both houses of Israel coming together ever since the Salomon split, and in a new heaven, earth. This is after the 1,000 year reign of Christ, because ONLY the house of Israel are resurrected as 1st fruits of Christ. Let the Mormon church use the story.
Daniel 12:4 The Holy Spirit increases knowledge in conjunction with the time line. 200 years ago you couldn't discern the prophets like we can today. The 5-6-7th trumpets, which are separate from the first four, and made for this generation.
They were removed to control the masses through all religions including precepts. All religions is Evil Kingdom mimicking - Isaiah 24:4-5 In Ephesians 6:12 is another clue.
Everywhere you turn practically are religion place of images worship with is all abominations - Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments are not done away by no grace LIARS in those satanic witchcraft places taught that bs to control everyone PSYCHOLOGICALLY to keep people stupid in removing natural COMMON SENSE in questioning everything concernng their lies.
In the bible Our Creator stated through the prophets these religions fakes ARE NOT ORDAIN BY THEE AT ALL!!!
Q: Do you know why you hear about religion places being burned globally more frequently from the skies?
A: FOR LEADING THE INNOCENT MASSES ASTRAY AWAY FROM DIVINE ORDER FOR THOSE TRULY LOVING OUR ALMIGHTY CREATOR.
Watch Global News On YouTube & Not Mainstream They Block The Real Truth From The Public Globally.
Everyone need to aquire the oldest bible they can possibly through greatgrands, great aunts, great uncles, etc. There you will locate precepts.
The bible is a puzzle due to the deception of adding & removing words since the roman council nicea of 325 AD
The 2nd stick in Ezekel 37 v16 is the book of Mormn & there are 4 of them. These books with the KJV1611 of Apocrypha joins / explains the puzzle back together for all to get started.
In Daniel 12:4 Only A Few Were Released 2 Esdras 14:44 explains further that there are way more books & are being expose right now
Globally those seeking Our Creator - Matt 6:33 & Come Away From Babylon Religions - Rev 18:4-5 we have entered the beginning of the last days & headed into a new era called Age of Aquarius.
My explaination is THE TRUTH & Only If you Ask for Our Creator Of His Gift Of DISCERNMENT Then Clarity/Removal Of The Veil Will Come To You, The Purity Of Mind,Heart,Spirit.
In Acts 7, Our Father informs us we are the only TEMPLE Our Creator Resides or Ever Needed.
I hope you will come back often. Conversations vary, day to day. Sometimes I take "a break" and pray with people in the Prayer Request room. There's a link out on the red link page.
I think Malachi 3:16-18 is what we're doing, in a way. Bless God even so.
I was gone about a month. I'll be looking for you :)
Yes brother Ezekiel, if you click Reply on the person's comment that you want to respond to, they should get an alert in their email that you responded. But I think that sometimes the alert isn't sent, as I don't always get the alerts. Anyway, I always peruse all the comments for the day, so I will see them anyway & try to respond if I feel led to.
My understanding of 1 Corinthians 7:26-31, is basically Paul telling the Corinthians that, because of their present distress, they should re-focus their lives & their thoughts on things that pertain to dealing with the sufferings & maybe persecutions. That they shouldn't be consumed with the affairs of this life, whether to marry or not, or engaging in other worldly needs or pursuits. Rather they should attend to the things that would help them deal with & go through the sufferings that they face.
My thoughts turned to some of the very poor Christians in Pakistan, where I ministered for a short while. They had very little as many of the others who lived in villages had. But because they were Christians, the govt. denied them electricity, a water supply, & access to any services that would normally be available to Muslims. How did they cope? Their life was more difficult: they had to use lanterns for light or depend on a full moon to show them where to walk; they had to go a long distance to pump up water from the ground or well; & they had to make do with very little. So, they had to accept this & had to live accordingly without complaining. I then see the 1 Corinthians passage as applicable to them: they had to devote their time & energies in just surviving & encouraging each other in the faith, that to be involved in anything else seemed secondary & almost unimportant. So marriages still took place, but they weren't consumed over the matter as others; those that sorrowed or in joy, attended first to what was more important; etc. They had to look past their problems & look to the Lord, to each other & to eternity.
Hi brother Chris, This is Ezekiel who wrote annotation on 1Cor 7:30 about 14 hrs ago. Thanks for your comment. I wrote complete annotation (I don't call it commentary no longer) for the entire Bible and came up with some new theologies during my last 11 years of Bible study and plan to start my ministry or church soon 'with GOD'S assistance'.
When I was studying 1Cor ch 7 yesterday, I thought that people would have difficulties to understand verse 30 (and verse 29), somewhat strange expression. I could not see what you're trying to say in your response clearly. Basically we believers just pretend as if either good or bad thing did not happen when it happened really and look forward to the glorious time in heaven since we are just passing by this temporary life on earth. Please read the general idea again in the annotation.
When I clicked 'discussion' button, I saw your name at the top. I red your response to somebody asking about Holy Spirit. I will respond shortly too. Now I'm not sure how it works. If I click 'reply' button under your response, would that person who posted the question see my response?
From reading those notes on 1 Corinthians 7:30, I agree that should be the general rule of a Christian's view of himself, his family, possessions & of the world & the evil that abounds in it.
However, I always focus on the context & situation that the writer was in or writing about. It seems clear from verse 26, "I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress...", that Paul knew what was happening around him & what was happening to believers under Roman rule. We're not told specifically what the "present distress" was; it may have been an increasing antagonism against Christians with persecutions (under Nero AD 54-68 persecutions began & 1 Corinthians was believed to be written during this time).
So, it might have been at a time when believers were experiencing the first buds of suffering & hardship, & Paul then gave this word to them concerning marriage at this time & the usual life's situations that came before them (vv 30, 31). All these things were a normal part of life, but when suffering for your faith, the emphasis should rather be on finding strength to withstand any onslaught, by spending much time together in the Word, in prayer, & in encouragement & support of one another. The Church in those days was a much more cohesive body, depending on each other heavily in both practical & spiritual ways, unlike today, when we meet together infrequently & are very much independent & self-sufficient. There may be a time coming for us, when the longing & cleaving to each other as a Church, becomes much more necessary for our spiritual well-being & strength to withstand the ever increasing forces of evil.
Anyone having difficulties to understand 1Cor 7:29, 30?
Please read 1Cor 7:29, 30 and follow the annotation on the difficult verse 30.
1Cor 7:30. And they that weep, as though they wept not: restraining and moderating their grief by the hope of the life to come. As a matter of fact, it is very difficult for human nature to ignore pain or any adverse circumstance as if nothing happened to him when persecuted, maligned, slandered, when near earthly friends are taken away and etc. Religion will keep us from immoderate grief, and sustain the soul even when in distress nature forces us to shed the tear of mourning.
As though they rejoiced not: Not rejoicing with excessive or immoderate joy; not with riot or unholy mirth; not satisfied with these things, though they may rejoice in them; Not forgetting that they must soon be left; but keeping the mind in a calm, serious, settled, thoughtful state, in view of the fact that all these things must soon come to an end. Oh, how would this thought silence the voice of unseemly mirth!
As though they possessed not: It is right to buy and to obtain property; but it should be held with the conviction that it is by an uncertain tenure, and must soon be left.
The general idea in all these expressions is, that in whatever situation Christians are, they should be dead to the world, and not improperly affected by passing events.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Heb 4:12-13
And writing of the Alpha and Omega:
"And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Rev 1:16
The Word of God is ALIVE and is the ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON to use against the devil: The Sword of The Spirit, The Word of God. Eph 6:13-17.
Jesus, while being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, replied using ONLY SCRIPTURE.
That's an interesting perspective, but we still have to deal with Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...". And verse 11, speaks about withstanding the Devil, who is certainly not of our flesh. This should tell us immediately that our enemies are not from mankind who are flesh & blood, but to the opposite of "flesh & blood", i.e. those of the spirit world. Of course, the evil found in that world, certainly influences man, both the inconspicuous lowly citizen right up to those in positions of power on Earth, both of whom are certainly 'flesh & blood'.
Does your understanding of "wrestling not against flesh & blood" hold another meaning to you?
" It is likely that the meaning is the same as in Eph 2:2 The high places, the air, is a dwelling place and medium of these evil influences."...That's not the way I take it. I believe that "high places" means those that are in positions of power in government, on earth.
The Apostle Paul paints the picture of a soldier at war. When we consider the soldier, with his responsibilities, his focus on the job at hand & his deprivations, we get the picture of a Christian in his warfare with the Evil One.
A soldier is required to obey every command no matter how difficult or unreasonable that might be. He has to be focused on the enemy, watching out for him, because his life & that of his platoon are at stake. Though his mind may wander back to the home, family & friends he left behind (& maybe to never see again), he brings himself back to the duty before him because it requires his full concentration. He is deprived of luxuries, of sufficient sleep & food, always at the ready at his superior's command. He thinks not of his own life, but of his company & the country for which he might one day lay down his life.
So when we look at the soldier, we can certainly see clear similarities to the warfare of a Christian. However, our warfare is "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." ( Ephesians 6:12). So we must ask, 'what are things in this life that would side-track us from our mission?' One could say that anything that renders us weak in faith, deviate from our course, brings on doubt or fear, or engages our minds on worldly matters that do little or nothing to assist us in our battle. Each person would need to put in their own circumstances that have caused them to weaken in their battle. We can "embrace or enrol in the affairs of this life", but not to the point where those affairs are affecting our spiritual walk & warfare. And we could find examples in family, business, pursuit of pleasure, etc. The Christian must always be his own judge in these matters so that his battle may be won.
And verse 5 also speaks of the discipline & focus of the athlete at the (Grecian) games having a chance for the prize.
PROOF: Look at all the 'spoiled' children today as a result of the world's 'experts' telling to spare the rod. Discipline is not abuse. Abuse is certainly not discipline. Discipline, I believe, is done with love and goodness but abuse is done with hate and evil.
Helen I do not quote scripture to answer questions. I search for answers and use my own understanding of what I have experienced with my own journey through my wilderness.
Declare your own heart. This is the fruit of my seed. Let God lead your words.
Thank you all so much. While reading your replies I broke down and began thanking God for an answer I had been seeking. For I was beginning to feel lost and unwanted. I found this site by accident WHILE searching for answers after reading my Bible. Then reading this online Bible against my Bible my heart began to settle and in studying Gods word I felt the need to reach out. I feel he sent me a answer. May God bless each one of you.
Helen, may the Spirit grace you with HIS wisdom and His understanding. Keep studying God's word, you may think you can't remember everything; and if called upon you are concerned you would fall short of the task. You want fall short of the task because God's word says:
Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of the Father which speaketh in you.
Our first objective is to agree with the Spirit. WE ARE THE POT AND HE IS THE POTTER.
Sometimes the POT was created just to be seen, your actions more often speak louder than your words.
However the POTTER uses us is at his discretion not ours, but he will provide all you need to fulfil his desires.
Jesus told his disciples he was sent to be a servant, isn't it wonderful that Jesus does all things or us.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches:....... without me you can do nothing.
Isaiah 30:7 .....Their strength is to sit (like a pot on the wheel) still.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand and BEHOLD THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.......
Our problem is WE KEEP GETTING OF THE POTTERS WHEEL.
"What if God needs me to fight but I can't remember verses."
Leave "what if" to God, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Now how I am able to present you that verse, is not because I remember it by book, chapter and verse, but instead, by remembering the subject of his ordaining our walk in good works, context and content. From there I use the search/concordance to focus on words I know are in the verse, to find exactly what God has said.
The Lord Jesus quoted some scripture, but unlike the scribes and Parisees, he demonstrated the grace and heart of God. He spoke as the person who cared for them by helping them understand, because God cared for them. If the best you can do is remember what God has said, it is far far more important to other people than where he said it, which they can look up for themselves, if need be that important to them. Seeing for themselves is what God want's from them anyway.
As a Christian you are in the fight, the armor is defensive, to keep you safe from being disabled, so don't take on an anxious/fearful position of not being good enough to represent our God. Keep growing in his grace.
I am encouraged to hear your desire to please our God.
That's a good question, Helen. As we age, our memories tend to fade, in some areas particularly, & when someone refreshes our memory about some past occurrence, we almost feel that they are lying to us. But to admit our failing in this area is important & as we seek God's Help in it, especially with His Word, He will not disappoint us.
The thing I've found with the Scriptures, is that my memory tends to weaken particularly in remembering the Scripture references; I know which Bible Book that I'm to refer to for a particular verse, but can I remember the chapter & verse? However, that recollection can only come about by continually referring to the Bible & making it a point in storing in our memories the chapter & verses as well. But I've also learned, that it's God's Spirit that really is the One Who refreshes us with His Word. I'm sure that I can speak for others who regularly answer questions on this Site, but as we commit the enquirer's question to the Lord as to how to answer, the Spirit engages our mind in not only what to write but also the relevant Scriptures that are to be shared as well. So often, I have to use my Bible (or here on this Site) to find the Scripture & maybe even quote it verbatim so that our focus may be on what God is saying to us through it.
I knew one brother in Christ, many years ago, who could repeat whole portions of Romans without error. If I asked him now to do so, I'm sure he would stumble through it, but the Word planted in his heart can never be removed & will be called upon as the need arose. I think that if we come to a point in time when very little from God's Word comes to mind, then we have cause to be concerned - so don't be discouraged, continue to read God's Word & store it up in your heart, or as Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Keep it hidden there, the Spirit will surely reveal it to you at the appointed time. Every blessing.
I just finished Ephesians, reading about the armor of God. The sword is the word of God. Here is where I get a little upset. I have read the Bible a few times, I am in my 60's with not a great memory. Some things stay with me but I forget so much. What if God needs me to fight but I can't remember verses. Now if you mention something in the Bible I can tell you all about it. I have prayed so hard on this. Any thoughts?
I feel to reply to your post and expand to what Carleton stated. In this wicked world we live in one of the most important questions we, those who follow Christ, can ask ourselves when a situation occurs is "what would Jesus Christ do"?
It is right that the truth be spread and exposed. What is right and wrong. A big problem is the evil powers of this world own pretty much everything to do with mass communication. T.V., radio, internet, schools, etc and many people are brainwashed and deceived. Only a very small portion can be trusted to follow truth in whatever way. Although the devil mixes lies with truth to make it even harder for people to denote one from the other.
As I have been following what has been going on with the powers that be in the world for probably the last decade. Violence and fighting physically accomplishes nothing but more violence and blood shed. What the evil one wants. People to destroy themselves, by dividing them in any way, for their gain.
We, who follow Christ, are to live in peace. To turn the other cheek. To love and have mercy even on our enemies. Who I do not see as any other "person". It is the devil and the evil powers that be who control people in this world. That is what/who I hate. Not people. As I feel sorrow that they are being led to damnation. Hoping, and praying, one day in their lives they shall see the light and give themselves to the Lord. One more repentant sinner who has been saved.
Here are a couple verses from the OT and NT for you. With Romans 12:21. Reading Romans 12:17-21 gives a better view. Fear not those who can destroy the body, but Him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna/Hell.
Matthew 10:27-28.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
Micah 6:8
Matthew 5:39-45
Ephesians 6:11-17
They that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52.
Jesus Christ is the only way. Not fighting for this, or any, "country". "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord."
With respect. God Bless.
If God wrote a "tell all book" revealing every mystery, it would draw the same response as the KJV. The majority of people would go their own way, and the minority would seek the Lord with all their heart.
Isaiah 24:4-5 Describes the conditions of the earth after the beast has taken Babylon, and 3 nations of his own confederacy. Look further down, it is devastating. Isaiah 24:19-20
Ephesians 6:12 This is true. We fight against powerful rulers of darkness: Governments, Bavarian Illuminati, Freemasons, Jesuits and all of their ghastly traditions.
The media outlets are owned by 5 Ashkenazi Jews, they are inherently sinister, practice sorceries. They script fake news we live by.
"The bible is a puzzle due to the deception of adding & removing words since the roman council nicea of 325 AD" You have to carefully read the Bible and use other like scriptures to assess the story. However altered, it's what we got.
The 2nd stick in Ezekiel 37:16 "Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:"
Depicts both houses of Israel coming together ever since the Salomon split, and in a new heaven, earth. This is after the 1,000 year reign of Christ, because ONLY the house of Israel are resurrected as 1st fruits of Christ. Let the Mormon church use the story.
Daniel 12:4 The Holy Spirit increases knowledge in conjunction with the time line. 200 years ago you couldn't discern the prophets like we can today. The 5-6-7th trumpets, which are separate from the first four, and made for this generation.
Everywhere you turn practically are religion place of images worship with is all abominations - Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments are not done away by no grace LIARS in those satanic witchcraft places taught that bs to control everyone PSYCHOLOGICALLY to keep people stupid in removing natural COMMON SENSE in questioning everything concernng their lies.
In the bible Our Creator stated through the prophets these religions fakes ARE NOT ORDAIN BY THEE AT ALL!!!
Q: Do you know why you hear about religion places being burned globally more frequently from the skies?
A: FOR LEADING THE INNOCENT MASSES ASTRAY AWAY FROM DIVINE ORDER FOR THOSE TRULY LOVING OUR ALMIGHTY CREATOR.
Watch Global News On YouTube & Not Mainstream They Block The Real Truth From The Public Globally.
Everyone need to aquire the oldest bible they can possibly through greatgrands, great aunts, great uncles, etc. There you will locate precepts.
The bible is a puzzle due to the deception of adding & removing words since the roman council nicea of 325 AD
The 2nd stick in Ezekel 37 v16 is the book of Mormn & there are 4 of them. These books with the KJV1611 of Apocrypha joins / explains the puzzle back together for all to get started.
In Daniel 12:4 Only A Few Were Released 2 Esdras 14:44 explains further that there are way more books & are being expose right now
Globally those seeking Our Creator - Matt 6:33 & Come Away From Babylon Religions - Rev 18:4-5 we have entered the beginning of the last days & headed into a new era called Age of Aquarius.
My explaination is THE TRUTH & Only If you Ask for Our Creator Of His Gift Of DISCERNMENT Then Clarity/Removal Of The Veil Will Come To You, The Purity Of Mind,Heart,Spirit.
In Acts 7, Our Father informs us we are the only TEMPLE Our Creator Resides or Ever Needed.
I think Malachi 3:16-18 is what we're doing, in a way. Bless God even so.
I was gone about a month. I'll be looking for you :)
My understanding of 1 Corinthians 7:26-31, is basically Paul telling the Corinthians that, because of their present distress, they should re-focus their lives & their thoughts on things that pertain to dealing with the sufferings & maybe persecutions. That they shouldn't be consumed with the affairs of this life, whether to marry or not, or engaging in other worldly needs or pursuits. Rather they should attend to the things that would help them deal with & go through the sufferings that they face.
My thoughts turned to some of the very poor Christians in Pakistan, where I ministered for a short while. They had very little as many of the others who lived in villages had. But because they were Christians, the govt. denied them electricity, a water supply, & access to any services that would normally be available to Muslims. How did they cope? Their life was more difficult: they had to use lanterns for light or depend on a full moon to show them where to walk; they had to go a long distance to pump up water from the ground or well; & they had to make do with very little. So, they had to accept this & had to live accordingly without complaining. I then see the 1 Corinthians passage as applicable to them: they had to devote their time & energies in just surviving & encouraging each other in the faith, that to be involved in anything else seemed secondary & almost unimportant. So marriages still took place, but they weren't consumed over the matter as others; those that sorrowed or in joy, attended first to what was more important; etc. They had to look past their problems & look to the Lord, to each other & to eternity.
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
When I was studying 1Cor ch 7 yesterday, I thought that people would have difficulties to understand verse 30 (and verse 29), somewhat strange expression. I could not see what you're trying to say in your response clearly. Basically we believers just pretend as if either good or bad thing did not happen when it happened really and look forward to the glorious time in heaven since we are just passing by this temporary life on earth. Please read the general idea again in the annotation.
When I clicked 'discussion' button, I saw your name at the top. I red your response to somebody asking about Holy Spirit. I will respond shortly too. Now I'm not sure how it works. If I click 'reply' button under your response, would that person who posted the question see my response?
However, I always focus on the context & situation that the writer was in or writing about. It seems clear from verse 26, "I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress...", that Paul knew what was happening around him & what was happening to believers under Roman rule. We're not told specifically what the "present distress" was; it may have been an increasing antagonism against Christians with persecutions (under Nero AD 54-68 persecutions began & 1 Corinthians was believed to be written during this time).
So, it might have been at a time when believers were experiencing the first buds of suffering & hardship, & Paul then gave this word to them concerning marriage at this time & the usual life's situations that came before them (vv 30, 31). All these things were a normal part of life, but when suffering for your faith, the emphasis should rather be on finding strength to withstand any onslaught, by spending much time together in the Word, in prayer, & in encouragement & support of one another. The Church in those days was a much more cohesive body, depending on each other heavily in both practical & spiritual ways, unlike today, when we meet together infrequently & are very much independent & self-sufficient. There may be a time coming for us, when the longing & cleaving to each other as a Church, becomes much more necessary for our spiritual well-being & strength to withstand the ever increasing forces of evil.
Please read 1Cor 7:29, 30 and follow the annotation on the difficult verse 30.
1Cor 7:30. And they that weep, as though they wept not: restraining and moderating their grief by the hope of the life to come. As a matter of fact, it is very difficult for human nature to ignore pain or any adverse circumstance as if nothing happened to him when persecuted, maligned, slandered, when near earthly friends are taken away and etc. Religion will keep us from immoderate grief, and sustain the soul even when in distress nature forces us to shed the tear of mourning.
As though they rejoiced not: Not rejoicing with excessive or immoderate joy; not with riot or unholy mirth; not satisfied with these things, though they may rejoice in them; Not forgetting that they must soon be left; but keeping the mind in a calm, serious, settled, thoughtful state, in view of the fact that all these things must soon come to an end. Oh, how would this thought silence the voice of unseemly mirth!
As though they possessed not: It is right to buy and to obtain property; but it should be held with the conviction that it is by an uncertain tenure, and must soon be left.
The general idea in all these expressions is, that in whatever situation Christians are, they should be dead to the world, and not improperly affected by passing events.
And writing of the Alpha and Omega:
"And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Rev 1:16
The Word of God is ALIVE and is the ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON to use against the devil: The Sword of The Spirit, The Word of God. Eph 6:13-17.
Jesus, while being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, replied using ONLY SCRIPTURE.
Does your understanding of "wrestling not against flesh & blood" hold another meaning to you?
Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:15. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
A soldier is required to obey every command no matter how difficult or unreasonable that might be. He has to be focused on the enemy, watching out for him, because his life & that of his platoon are at stake. Though his mind may wander back to the home, family & friends he left behind (& maybe to never see again), he brings himself back to the duty before him because it requires his full concentration. He is deprived of luxuries, of sufficient sleep & food, always at the ready at his superior's command. He thinks not of his own life, but of his company & the country for which he might one day lay down his life.
So when we look at the soldier, we can certainly see clear similarities to the warfare of a Christian. However, our warfare is "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." ( Ephesians 6:12). So we must ask, 'what are things in this life that would side-track us from our mission?' One could say that anything that renders us weak in faith, deviate from our course, brings on doubt or fear, or engages our minds on worldly matters that do little or nothing to assist us in our battle. Each person would need to put in their own circumstances that have caused them to weaken in their battle. We can "embrace or enrol in the affairs of this life", but not to the point where those affairs are affecting our spiritual walk & warfare. And we could find examples in family, business, pursuit of pleasure, etc. The Christian must always be his own judge in these matters so that his battle may be won.
And verse 5 also speaks of the discipline & focus of the athlete at the (Grecian) games having a chance for the prize.
Declare your own heart. This is the fruit of my seed. Let God lead your words.
Helen
Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of the Father which speaketh in you.
Our first objective is to agree with the Spirit. WE ARE THE POT AND HE IS THE POTTER.
Sometimes the POT was created just to be seen, your actions more often speak louder than your words.
However the POTTER uses us is at his discretion not ours, but he will provide all you need to fulfil his desires.
Jesus told his disciples he was sent to be a servant, isn't it wonderful that Jesus does all things or us.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches:....... without me you can do nothing.
Isaiah 30:7 .....Their strength is to sit (like a pot on the wheel) still.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand and BEHOLD THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.......
Our problem is WE KEEP GETTING OF THE POTTERS WHEEL.
GBU
"What if God needs me to fight but I can't remember verses."
Leave "what if" to God, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Now how I am able to present you that verse, is not because I remember it by book, chapter and verse, but instead, by remembering the subject of his ordaining our walk in good works, context and content. From there I use the search/concordance to focus on words I know are in the verse, to find exactly what God has said.
The Lord Jesus quoted some scripture, but unlike the scribes and Parisees, he demonstrated the grace and heart of God. He spoke as the person who cared for them by helping them understand, because God cared for them. If the best you can do is remember what God has said, it is far far more important to other people than where he said it, which they can look up for themselves, if need be that important to them. Seeing for themselves is what God want's from them anyway.
As a Christian you are in the fight, the armor is defensive, to keep you safe from being disabled, so don't take on an anxious/fearful position of not being good enough to represent our God. Keep growing in his grace.
I am encouraged to hear your desire to please our God.
The thing I've found with the Scriptures, is that my memory tends to weaken particularly in remembering the Scripture references; I know which Bible Book that I'm to refer to for a particular verse, but can I remember the chapter & verse? However, that recollection can only come about by continually referring to the Bible & making it a point in storing in our memories the chapter & verses as well. But I've also learned, that it's God's Spirit that really is the One Who refreshes us with His Word. I'm sure that I can speak for others who regularly answer questions on this Site, but as we commit the enquirer's question to the Lord as to how to answer, the Spirit engages our mind in not only what to write but also the relevant Scriptures that are to be shared as well. So often, I have to use my Bible (or here on this Site) to find the Scripture & maybe even quote it verbatim so that our focus may be on what God is saying to us through it.
I knew one brother in Christ, many years ago, who could repeat whole portions of Romans without error. If I asked him now to do so, I'm sure he would stumble through it, but the Word planted in his heart can never be removed & will be called upon as the need arose. I think that if we come to a point in time when very little from God's Word comes to mind, then we have cause to be concerned - so don't be discouraged, continue to read God's Word & store it up in your heart, or as Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Keep it hidden there, the Spirit will surely reveal it to you at the appointed time. Every blessing.