All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Division within the Body of Christ - PLEASE READ
Dear all,
I feel the Lord has laid it upon my heart to bring forward this message, which I now share. I quote from Titus 3:9-11 (NIV):-
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
It seems to me that over recent days, people in general on this site have been getting involved in the foolish and unprofitable arguments of which Paul warns. Please do not misunderstand me – I am all up for objective discussions, constructive study and critical examination of different interpretations of difficult passages. But I feel many of them here are starting to evolve into quarrels over “pet doctrines” which are secondary in nature and do not bear any real reflection on maturity as a Christian or on the gospel message and salvation. “Petty quarrels” lead to foolishness, but honest and objective discussion leads to wisdom.
Niels Bohr once said in regard to another field “If you think you are understanding quantum physics, you are not understanding quantum physics”, and I think the same is true of Scripture. Granted there are some doctrines which are abundantly clear and which are non-negotiable, but there are other doctrines which really are not worth causing division over. None of us have all the answers – and if one thinks he does then he is deceiving himself, for if we had all the answers we would live whole-heartedly for Christ, which none of us do. In the words of Romans 3:11, “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” If we claim to be living our entire lives for God then we would have to be without sin, and the Bible makes it very clear that if we claim to be without sin then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).
People should understand that one of the purposes of the Body of Christ – and indeed this social network – is to seek to serve one another. Instead of sharing together in fellowship and worship, it seems that more and more we are spending time in selfish indulgence, arguing and disputing. If you read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, you will find further instruction in this respect:-
“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Here, Paul rebukes the early Corinthian church for their divisions based on loyalties to particular figures. But these divisions always ended in arguments, and the believers were divided by it. This also had profound and far-reaching consequences in other important areas. For instance, those who were wealthy would keep what was theirs to themselves, eating their food before the poorest members showed. This was a complete turn of events from the first Christians in Jerusalem depicted in Acts 2:44.
It seems to me that, as was the case here, we are continuing to be walking in the flesh rather than in the Spirit and we are following our own wills rather than that of the Lord’s.
I refer you to the rest of 1 Corinthians 3, which is of relevance here:-
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”
I fear we as the Church – speaking collectively – are beginning to walk more and more according to the fleshly nature rather than that of the Spirit and we are following our own wills and desires rather than that of God’s.
It is my contention that division – where not necessary – is among the first symptoms of spiritual sickness.
As the body of Christ, we must unify the church under one banner - a state where they will be prepared to stand on the authority of the Word of God, whilst prayerfully seeking God's will. Then and only then can there be revival - for how are we to win the spiritual war when there is fighting, bickering, squabbling and throwing of toys out of prams among ourselves? We are on the same team, are we not?
Let there be REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are people’s thoughts on this?
God bless,
Jonathan
I feel the Lord has laid it upon my heart to bring forward this message, which I now share. I quote from Titus 3:9-11 (NIV):-
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
It seems to me that over recent days, people in general on this site have been getting involved in the foolish and unprofitable arguments of which Paul warns. Please do not misunderstand me – I am all up for objective discussions, constructive study and critical examination of different interpretations of difficult passages. But I feel many of them here are starting to evolve into quarrels over “pet doctrines” which are secondary in nature and do not bear any real reflection on maturity as a Christian or on the gospel message and salvation. “Petty quarrels” lead to foolishness, but honest and objective discussion leads to wisdom.
Niels Bohr once said in regard to another field “If you think you are understanding quantum physics, you are not understanding quantum physics”, and I think the same is true of Scripture. Granted there are some doctrines which are abundantly clear and which are non-negotiable, but there are other doctrines which really are not worth causing division over. None of us have all the answers – and if one thinks he does then he is deceiving himself, for if we had all the answers we would live whole-heartedly for Christ, which none of us do. In the words of Romans 3:11, “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” If we claim to be living our entire lives for God then we would have to be without sin, and the Bible makes it very clear that if we claim to be without sin then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).
People should understand that one of the purposes of the Body of Christ – and indeed this social network – is to seek to serve one another. Instead of sharing together in fellowship and worship, it seems that more and more we are spending time in selfish indulgence, arguing and disputing. If you read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, you will find further instruction in this respect:-
“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Here, Paul rebukes the early Corinthian church for their divisions based on loyalties to particular figures. But these divisions always ended in arguments, and the believers were divided by it. This also had profound and far-reaching consequences in other important areas. For instance, those who were wealthy would keep what was theirs to themselves, eating their food before the poorest members showed. This was a complete turn of events from the first Christians in Jerusalem depicted in Acts 2:44.
It seems to me that, as was the case here, we are continuing to be walking in the flesh rather than in the Spirit and we are following our own wills rather than that of the Lord’s.
I refer you to the rest of 1 Corinthians 3, which is of relevance here:-
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”
I fear we as the Church – speaking collectively – are beginning to walk more and more according to the fleshly nature rather than that of the Spirit and we are following our own wills and desires rather than that of God’s.
It is my contention that division – where not necessary – is among the first symptoms of spiritual sickness.
As the body of Christ, we must unify the church under one banner - a state where they will be prepared to stand on the authority of the Word of God, whilst prayerfully seeking God's will. Then and only then can there be revival - for how are we to win the spiritual war when there is fighting, bickering, squabbling and throwing of toys out of prams among ourselves? We are on the same team, are we not?
Let there be REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are people’s thoughts on this?
God bless,
Jonathan
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ron on -
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHO IS TALKING AND WHAT THE WORD OF GODS SAYS, WHEN WE ARE WASHED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS SANCTIFIED MADE HOLY UNTO GOD LIKE HIS WORD SAYS .WE WILL BE ABLE TO TEST THE WORDS FROM ANOTHERS MOUTH AND SAND I HOPE IN WHAT WE BELIEVE
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Sue Schenfeld on -
I so agree with you! It's time to go on to maturity & be built together as living stones, as a Spiritual House, fit for the Lord in all His GLORY! If the Body of Christ is going to RE-PRESENT Christ to the world, we have to get our act together & seek Oneness in Him!
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Permalink Reply by LT on -
Yvonne,
The forums are set up for discussion to take place. In the context of Christian love. Everyone will not agree on every issue. The Bible tells us that "iron sharpens iron." In this context one must acknowledge that for iron to sharpen iron two things must occur. 1) The two pieces will come into contact with each other. 2) In order for the sharpening to occur their will be friction between the two pieces. Niether harms the other, but helps the other in the process and heat is developed in the sharpening process.
I would ask you to look at your own post. You claim that the people here are argumentative and that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Your own post is guilty of what you accuse everyone else of. You are arguing against open discussion that does not always agree and then wish to deny us our belief and freedom to share it and defend it. Regarding the right to believe what one wants is absolutely true and God will sort that out in the end, but error cannot go unchallenged, lest we allow people to lead others astray. We are told in the book of Jude that we are to "Contend for the faith." Because someone joins this site does not mean they are Christian and we have seen many wolves in sheep's clothing come in with the desire to lead astray and destory. Passivity does not mean love, in fact if you love someone you stand up against anything that can harm them.
I am sorry that your experience here has been less than you expected, but this is a good place with many good people if you stay long enough to get to know us.
Lord Bless,
LT
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on -
Hi there Yvonne
So sorry that you have been offended... I have just prayed for you and for all the problems in churches... and I pray that you will come closer to Jesus. I also ask that you please be my friend. I am sending you some words that mean so much to me. Please share this with me and pray with me for the peace we are all seeking...
I know that you will find something encouraging in the words that I send to you from my heart:
You Raise Me Up
When I am down and
Oh my Soul, so weary
When Troubles come
And my Heart burdened be
Then, I am still
And wait here in the Silence
Until you come
And sit awhile with me
You raise me up,
So I can stand on Mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy Seas
I am strong
When I am on your Shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be
You raise me up
So I can stand on Mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy Seas
I am strong
When I am on your Shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be
You raise me up
So I can stand on Mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy Seas
I am strong
When I am on your Shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be
You raise me up
So I can stand on Mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy Seas
I am strong
When I am on your Shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be
You raise me up
To more than I can be
Final Arrangement and sung in Stereo by
Ray Pfob
We all have our "sad moments" and it is so good to turn to Jesus when I have mine.
Be blessed now and always
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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DEAREST YVONNE
I HAVE SOME WONDERFUL NEW FOR YOU!!!
I have come to share the most WONDERFUL NEWS with all of my friends...
Jesus asked me to tell you that we are joint heirs with Him... I read it in the Bible and, therefore, it must be true:
Romans 8:16–17
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...
As long as you are born again, you are no longer a "slave", but a son of the Most High God. And God does not just call you His son. He also calls you "an heir" through Christ. (Galatians 4:7) In fact,
Romans 8:17 says that you are "joint heirs" with Christ.
As a joint heir with Christ Jesus, you inherit everything that He is. How precious Jesus is to the Father, is how precious you are to the Father. The way the Father loves Jesus, is the way the Father loves you!
How accepted are you by God today? Look at Jesus. That is how accepted you are! Christ is the measure of your acceptance. How favored are you by God? Look at Jesus, who is seated at the Father's right hand. You enjoy that same favor today because whatever Christ enjoys, you enjoy!
As a joint heir with Christ Jesus, you also inherit all that He has obtained from the Father. How much Jesus has, is how much you have. How prosperous is the one who made all things, and who put the gold, silver and diamonds in the earth? So are you in this world! (1 John 4:17)
I read the Bible to find out more about Jesus because I know that when I find Him, I find my every blessing in Him. (Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3)
My friend, all that Jesus is in heaven today, you are in this world. All that belongs to Him belongs to you. That is why it is in your interest to know Him more, to see Him in all His glory and beauty. And because Jesus is so rich and glorious, it will take you a lifetime to discover everything that He has done for you and has for you. I know this is true as I have been searching "for a lifetime"...
I am an "old lady" and I am still searching AND FINDING!!! For it is not possessions that make us rich - it is LOVE AND COMPASSION and SHARING our BLESSINGS with others.
Beloved, you are an heir of the Most High God. You are a joint heir with Christ Jesus. So find out all the blessings that your rich inheritance includes and start walking in them today!
You are all in my prayers and I love you all dearly... So be blessed now and always
Fond love in Jesus
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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Dearest Yvonne
It is Ramona again!!! Please do not think that I am a pain... I am not trying to be one but I thought it may help if I share this with you:
I truly pray and sincerely hope that you do not think that I am inundating you with comments but I feel so truly concerned about your "hurt"... and would like to comfort you. I was thinking of something that used to "tickle me:
My mother always quoted:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
I remember years ago a friend talking about some people being "cursed with the affliction to give advice." At the time it sounded strange to me as I had no idea what she meant. Now I understand.
According to Webster's Dictionary, people "offering ... unwanted (uncalled for )advice or services" are officious. They can also be obnoxious. Unwanted or unsolicited advice can be a put-down and can be a thinly veiled criticism.
I'm not talking about going to a lawyer, an accountant, a car mechanic, or whatever, where we need and ask for professional advice. What I'm talking about is when we share our struggles and feelings with a friend and they have a compulsion to tell us what we should or shouldn't do. They are putting us down in that they assume that they know the answer to our situation and needs better than we know them ourselves.
Other people have a compulsion to tell you simple things like how to shine your shoes ... how to sweep the floor ... and how to do a myriad of other things that are obvious to all, assuming that you aren't as knowledgeable or as smart as they are. They treat adults like a mother treats a small child! As the saying goes, "they come on parent." They also make people angry.
Even when some people want advice in their personal life, it is a much wiser not to give it, but to help them see what their options are and determine their own solutions. As long as I "come on parent" to others, advising them what they should or shouldn't do, it may inflate my weak ego and make me feel important (falsely so), but it keeps others over-dependent on me and immature. It can also play the part of God and the Holy Spirit in other people's lives!
A good counselor doesn't tell people what they should or shouldn't do. He/she helps his/her clients to face reality (to see the truth ... first about themselves and then about the situation they are in) and decide for themselves what they need to do.
What I want from a friend when I am feeling in the pits, is someone to listen to me with their heart, to give me their presence, and accept me as I am—and in so doing communicate to me that they care. On such occasions I don't want or need advice, unsolicited or otherwise.
In other words I want friends who rejoice with me when I rejoice and weep with me when I weep. If you have such friends, cherish them forever. They are rare jewels.
Suggested prayer, "Thank you God and Jesus that you are friends of sinners such as I. Help me to be such a friend to others. Help me not to give advice but always and in all ways be as Jesus to every life I touch. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
ROMANS 12:1 -21 (KING JAMES VERSION)
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
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.
12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good
Truly fond love in Jesus and blessings in abundance to you and your loved ones... may your Sabbath be blessed and may you truly be fed by a sermon... (I am actually always psyched up on a Saturday because I look forward to the Sunday sermon - as our pastor is a jewel)...
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Scribe D'Nucov on -
Yvonne, welcome to the Net. Thank you for adding your opinion to this discussion.
I agree with you in many things that you have expressed here.
We ought to learn to obey what Jesus commanded and bless, rather than curse. I do not mean that we should abandon our convictions. But, I do think that it is essential that we stay clear in the purpose of glorifying God and serving the cause of Christ. We can argue for truth without being "argumentative".
That is to say - it is possible to make a persuasive case for what we believe, without being critical and contentious. I think you did that effectively in your comment.
~ Scribe
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Permalink Reply by Stephen on -
Dear Jonathan,
At the risk of oversimplification, I have long held, that as a pastor once told me," We are not so much saved by what we know but more by who we know". An intelectual understanding of Grace is not enough. In my experience I have had to come to know the source of that grace personally. In that relationship real love for my fellow man. Would that that love emanate from me as God intends.
Love you brother! Be blessed. Stephen
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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Dearest Stephen
I am in awe of how you put inplain simple words - one paragraph.. all that one should know and experience And I can truly add that Love does emanate from you "as God intends".. You are SUPER...
Be blessed and know that you are truly loved by me and by Jesus (much more!!!)
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen on
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Dear Ramona,
Thank you so much! You are a precious woman!
If through me you can see "God at work", I hold that the highest compliment. Especially considering that I am truly a "work in progress"! Therefore I try to remember to remove the log from my own eye before pointing out the speck in my brothers eye.
Luv you sister! And I still love the fish too! lol Stephen
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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STEPHEN
YOU TRULY ARE SUCH A BLESSING... AND THANKS FOR THE OTHER EMAILS THAT CHEER ME UP.
STAY STRONG IN JESUS AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AT AAG... WE NEED STRONG, RELIABLE, CHRIST FOLLOWING MEN LIKE YOU. WHOM SHOULD I COMPARE YOU WITH??? BARNABAS??? PETER.... ???
Who is an encourager in the Bible? When that question is asked, many people mention Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement. But there are other encouragers in Scripture.
.....Besides Jesus, who is your favourite Bible Character???
One person I've always been fond of is a preacher named Titus. When you read his references to him, it is obvious that the Apostle Paul thought quite highly of him, as well. In the little letter that Paul wrote him he called him his "true son in our common faith" (see: Titus 1:4). He was a Greek man, who was raised in a culture quite different from that of Paul. The two of them literally came from different worlds. That is why it is astounding to read Paul's account of their standing together in defense of the "truth of the gospel" (see: Galatians 2:1-5). In the person of Titus we have a living demonstration of the biblical principle of salvation by grace through faith for the Gentiles.
Titus was consecrated, courageous and resourceful. He knew how to handle the quarrelsome Corinthians, the mendacious Cretans, and the pugnacious Dalmatians. ( SEE Zondervan's Pictorial Bible Dictionary)**** This is worthwhile looking at.
There is no doubt about the fact that Titus grew to become one of Paul's dear and trusted fellow-workers. Just take a look at the things he said about him:
2 Corinthians 2:13, Titus is referred to as brother.
2 Corinthians 7:6, his coming is said to be comforting.
2 Corinthians 7:13, he is said to be happy or joyful.
2 Corinthians 7:14-15, he is said to be affectionate toward the saints at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 8:6, he is said to have made a beginning of the pledge to give by the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 8:16, he had heart-concern for the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 8:17, he was said to be coming to the Corinthians with much enthusiasm.
2 Corinthians 8:17, he was coming of his own initiative.
2 Corinthians 8:23, Paul referred to him as his partner and fellow-worker.
What's more? When we look at little further in the Scriptures, we find that Titus was often entrusted with critical matters:
He was sent on a mission to Corinth to solve problems and bring to fruition their pledge to assist the needy at Jerusalem— 1 Corinthians 1 - 6; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:5-16; and 2 Corinthians 8.
He was assigned to Crete with the task of organizing churches in every town, appointing elders, and building up the body through practical and authoritative instruction— Titus 1:5; 2:1, 15; and 3:1-2.
He was obviously needed by Paul at Nicopolis— Titus 3:12.
Titus was true to Lord when turned away from Him; the last report we read from Paul has him headed to Dalmatia— 2 Timothy 4:10.
Hopefully, this gives you a bit of insight into why Titus is one of my favorite biblical characters. He really was quite a guy, wasn't he?
But Peter??? Even though he denied Jesus... I have a "soft spot" for this guy... This rough and tough guy who also learned to weep...
And what about Stephen? (I usually weep when I think of this martyr - "taking a bullet for Jesus"... (stoned to death)...
Well, you choose whom you would like to be like! And you will be able to follow in his shoes...
<:))))><<
Your friend
Ramona P.
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