In your answer you said that�s the way I see it, that just means you have an opinion. I thank you for your reseach. I was reading Daniel 2:44, maybe this could be a key piece to in the puzzle, to finding out what the Kingdom is?
Daniel 2:44 says:
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
If the Kingdom is a pearl, then why would God set up his pearl and destroy other people�s pearls?
Keep searching and researching. Maybe we should look up the word in the dictionary?
ANSWER TO JER
Finally the ultimate question. A rich merchant sells everything to buy a single pearl. That pearl is THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Everyone knows the story.
In my humble opinion the whole deed of Jesus from Nazareth is to prepare us and to believe The Kingdom of God that is going to come. It is not easy for understanding and I see it as a making harmony you within you, and you within your surrounding. In other words to carry your cross without nagging. It is impossible to achieve (Jesus only did it, and because he is Christ). Good Christian spends all his life trying to reach that goal. I repeat this is only how I see it.
Asking questions like this is a good way towards this goal. GOD BLESS YOU.
P.S.(Considering the other question, because THE GOD IS OUR LORD, in simple words you may say that Lord is a job description, but I would rather avoid such comparisons.)
Every time I make a certain continuum in my Bible study something tries to stop me. This became a rule. Everybody has his own approach to his religion. I pray to God every day but not much. The main thing I do is to read a lot and to think more. I am some kind of gnostic. I tried in orthodox church, nothing. I tried with Baptists but I am not a hypocrite to say Amen to something I don�t believe in. So I have to dig through the Bible and some good books about history of that time, and to find answers for myself. But it is a hard work wit lots of reading and much more thinking.
But now came that pain in my belly. Believe me I am not afraid, only angry why I can not create the vision of Jesus and to try to follow him. Question is what is that force that stops me. Is it devil or God with his mysterious ways. Nobody knows.
GOD I SEEK FOR YOUR KINGDOM AND YOUR JUSTICE, AND ELSE WILL BE ADDED
Matthew 6:16 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Mater of physical pain in relation with faith. Jesus said when we fast, then our face should be bright and we should be joyful because we restrain ourselves in the name of GOD. True.
Then what Jesus suffered on the cross for our sake. No need to talk about it. Then stories about certain saints who wore barbed wire around their belly to remind themselves about the pain that Jesus suffered. I read the biography of Ignatio de Loyola. The ways he torched his body astounded me. The point of all this is that those people were able to think, work, walk, preach, form new religious groups etc. I one way they lived a fulfilled life.
I have some health problems lately and pain is on the first place. My heart, my reason, my faith tell me it is a betrayal of Jesus, at least it is a betrayal of yourself, of what you were speaking and thinking all these years. But no, pain comes on the first place and I can not read, think and what is the worst I forget about everything, I forget about Jesus.
Am I weak, or God is telling me something in his way. Anyway I�ll continue my struggle, even in these parts of the day when my consciousness breaks trough until I get better.
GOD WE SEEK FOR YOUR KINGDOM AND YOUR JUSTICE, AND ELSE WILL BE ADDED
It shows us that we need to keep are faith, to love everyone. No matter who they are, or how they treat us. To. stand strong, that the Lord is with us always.
I agree with Judith. The universal prayer among the christians all over the world is Mt 6:9-13 "Our Father which art in heaven...", but the verse 33 came into my heart and my mind at first.
Not just in the prayer but during the whole day one has to seek for the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and the else will come or will not. God knows. God bless you.
When I read this scripture the words that comes to mind is "Faith", "Trust" and "Obedience". As humans we have a tendency to dwell on the things of this earth which are materialistic and transient in nature. By seeking God first we are really exercising our faith in Him. Everything that we think we need cannot come close to what God can give/do for us when we put Him first in our lives.
this is my first time using your site you are a blessing to the body of christ. students,teachers,pastors,will find this site a must in their studies. MAY (GOD) continue to bless your ministry. elder frank rodgers
I notice that Gwendolyn had a question concerning
alms in Matthew 6:1. Her question was what is alms. Alms is another way of saying charity, or
pro bono work and basically giving of yourself for the sake of others. It is the motive behind what you are doing and why you are doing it. Jesus wants our reason for doing the right thing out of the Love we have for Him. Because some people do good things so others can see how good they are not how good God is.
I have to disagree with the words of Wesley. God indeed does ENJOIN us to live a certain way. His word itself is a book of commandments. When he Bible reads WHEN, it is say that is WILL happen. He desires and tells us through the Basic Instructions Before Leavin Earth (BIBLE). It is up to us to follow His instructions. He merely gives us an ultimatum, "Live by my Word (Instructions, Commandments, Law...All words used to relate to the WORD), OR suffer the concequences. Bottom line is that we must do what God ENJOINS us to do in order to be what He wants us to be.
the first thing you got to put jesus first,because we don't do nothing until you ask jesus first,we must have the faith and pray to the lord in secret,and tell him about our trouble,and leave it in his hand,and believe in your heart god will work it out.
what is verse 22 about ? ...don't seem to make sense of it! i understand eyes are told to be the windows of the soul concept, but what with the "single" eye...don't we have two???? what is Matthew trying to teach me hear?
Dear God... I came today attempting to get a word from you. I had no idea what this chapter was about, but you spoke of that which I "hope" is for me. I am writing here because maybe you will hear my prayer. God I need you, and I know you are aware of my needs, but just maybe you have turned your back on me. God you know just what I can bare and the road is rough...I am unsure just how much I can take. If you would allow me just one more opportunity. I need thee. I am tired, weak, lost and confused. I have nothing but you...i hope, and I am depending on you to grant unto me Grace and Mercy. God Please make a way, for only you can. I beg of thee. I know that I am not worthy, for I am a sinner and have traveled this road before, but here I am and you know my heart. Entrust in me an opportunity to start again. This is my prayer. Amen.
In seeking the kingdom of God first we will be able to access the blessings of God's kingdom. It is a simple principle which needs not much thought but to do as the bible says. If one tries to reason what this scripture says that is when the devil wil install fear and we start to worry about earthly things.
what matt-6 means is a fact- fasting must come with the good heart intention for the lord. we are nothing but without the lord. humanly specking let everyone fast, feel, an act, if thats how they show there love for god and jesus christ. when did jesus leave his job and said ok you take over? stop pulling what you want from others, an allow them to do what their heart is telling them. you take care of yours. god will judge not our friends, lovers, husbands, wifes. god only. s. m. san antonio,texas
Nothing is nuts about the word of God. If you are controlled by worry how can you live your life free. To worry is to be caught up in the cares of this world. Yes, you have to prepare for certain things in life, but worry is not preparation. It is not of God.
Our Lord's prayer example before the cross. Since Jesus, the mediator of the new testament, had not yet died, his disciples were still under the law as given to Moses. (please see Heb. 9:15-17. Under that economy, they had to do something to recieve the benefits. Moses says "The man who does those things, shall live by them" ( Rom. 10:5). After the cross, Eph. 4:32 says "Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you". Also Col. 3:13 says "Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Since the cross, "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom.8:2). Before the cross no-one was able to adequately forgive in order to have his own sins forgiven. Those of us that are translated into the kingdom of God ( Col. 1:13) have many benefits that John the baptist and the disciples did not have before the cross. (see Matt. 11:11 & Lu. 22:32). Under the new covenant we are forgiven for Christ's sake and are now able to forgive one another. Willing to be corrected.
Since Jesus, the mediator of the new testamwnt, had not yet died, his disciples were still under the old testament law, which says, if you don't, neither will God. (see Heb. 9:15-17). The new testament writings state "God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you". "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death"(Rom.8:2). Those of us that are translated into the Kingdom have many benefits that John the baptist and the disciples did not have before the cross. (see Matt. 11:11 & Lu. 22:32. In the new testament, we are forgiven for Christ's sake and are now able to forgige one another.
It's a provable statement. Either Jesus was nuts, and telling people crazy talk, or a human being can "not worry" about food or clothes and just focus on God and God will meet their needs.
I tried it.
It's really, really hard to actively "not worry".
If you do it, seriously not worry about any of your needs but just trust that God will take care of it as you seek to do His will, you will be freaked out. Like "red pill, rabbit hole" freaked out.
Especially when you realize Jesus was telling the truth, about everything.
But it is hard to do consistently, to just trust God and not worry. And it is kind of nuts. You really don't fit into the world anymore when you do it. And you really start to understand why it was always the religious people killing the prophets in the old days.
In your answer you said that�s the way I see it, that just means you have an opinion. I thank you for your reseach. I was reading Daniel 2:44, maybe this could be a key piece to in the puzzle, to finding out what the Kingdom is?
Daniel 2:44 says:
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
If the Kingdom is a pearl, then why would God set up his pearl and destroy other people�s pearls?
Keep searching and researching. Maybe we should look up the word in the dictionary?
Finally the ultimate question. A rich merchant sells everything to buy a single pearl. That pearl is THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Everyone knows the story.
In my humble opinion the whole deed of Jesus from Nazareth is to prepare us and to believe The Kingdom of God that is going to come. It is not easy for understanding and I see it as a making harmony you within you, and you within your surrounding. In other words to carry your cross without nagging. It is impossible to achieve (Jesus only did it, and because he is Christ). Good Christian spends all his life trying to reach that goal. I repeat this is only how I see it.
Asking questions like this is a good way towards this goal. GOD BLESS YOU.
P.S.(Considering the other question, because THE GOD IS OUR LORD, in simple words you may say that Lord is a job description, but I would rather avoid such comparisons.)
What does �Hallowed be thy name� mean? Is it the Father�s name? Is Lord a name or a job description?
Aside from the Kingdom is in heaven. What is it? Why are we to pray for it to come?
But now came that pain in my belly. Believe me I am not afraid, only angry why I can not create the vision of Jesus and to try to follow him. Question is what is that force that stops me. Is it devil or God with his mysterious ways. Nobody knows.
GOD I SEEK FOR YOUR KINGDOM AND YOUR JUSTICE, AND ELSE WILL BE ADDED
Mater of physical pain in relation with faith. Jesus said when we fast, then our face should be bright and we should be joyful because we restrain ourselves in the name of GOD. True.
Then what Jesus suffered on the cross for our sake. No need to talk about it. Then stories about certain saints who wore barbed wire around their belly to remind themselves about the pain that Jesus suffered. I read the biography of Ignatio de Loyola. The ways he torched his body astounded me. The point of all this is that those people were able to think, work, walk, preach, form new religious groups etc. I one way they lived a fulfilled life.
I have some health problems lately and pain is on the first place. My heart, my reason, my faith tell me it is a betrayal of Jesus, at least it is a betrayal of yourself, of what you were speaking and thinking all these years. But no, pain comes on the first place and I can not read, think and what is the worst I forget about everything, I forget about Jesus.
Am I weak, or God is telling me something in his way. Anyway I�ll continue my struggle, even in these parts of the day when my consciousness breaks trough until I get better.
GOD WE SEEK FOR YOUR KINGDOM AND YOUR JUSTICE, AND ELSE WILL BE ADDED
Not just in the prayer but during the whole day one has to seek for the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and the else will come or will not. God knows. God bless you.
alms in Matthew 6:1. Her question was what is alms. Alms is another way of saying charity, or
pro bono work and basically giving of yourself for the sake of others. It is the motive behind what you are doing and why you are doing it. Jesus wants our reason for doing the right thing out of the Love we have for Him. Because some people do good things so others can see how good they are not how good God is.
I tried it.
It's really, really hard to actively "not worry".
If you do it, seriously not worry about any of your needs but just trust that God will take care of it as you seek to do His will, you will be freaked out. Like "red pill, rabbit hole" freaked out.
Especially when you realize Jesus was telling the truth, about everything.
But it is hard to do consistently, to just trust God and not worry. And it is kind of nuts. You really don't fit into the world anymore when you do it. And you really start to understand why it was always the religious people killing the prophets in the old days.