My LEGO Nexus Organization

That passage has always been a favorite. It encourages me to strive to be that "Good soil", so that the Holy Spirit can continually grow inside me.

I have my thorns and rocks, but different things I read and talk about seem to help me. And God also seems to be striving to help me be that good soil; in all my struggles, almost every day something pops up that just feels like it was meant for me. It's so amazing, and the moment it happens my faith is strengthened and I look up and thank God for sending the help.

Likewise, I treasure that scripture.

From that passage, I derive that our role is to be sowers of the gospel. Just as Jesus shared the word (the seed), we must spread the seeds over all the earth, and let God decide to let them grow or not. The good soil would seem to directly symbolize a person who's heart is open to the gospel. The seeds among birds would seem to be a man when the word is stolen from him. The rocky soil would seem to symbolize a shallow heart (or foundation), a man who gives up when the going's rough. The thorns would be all the lies that can twist scripture.

All in all, the major points for me are:
1) Seed = the Word
2) Sower = Christ, and his followers who evangelize
3) Soil = person's response to the gospel

Yes exactly how I see it!

But remember, God will let all seeds grow; in fact, he encourages them to grow. But he has given us free choice, so it is up to us.

I am glad to see we are off to a good start!
Does anyone else have a verse they'd like to discuss?

I Do!

Matt 24:34
Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away till all these things taken together take place.

This follows talk of the end times. It confuses me, as I know a generation to be no longer than around 80 years.

I have read that "this generation" means the Jewish people throughout the course of their history.  One has to view the term "generations" as being a reference to the race of Jews. But Israel must continue after the Second Advent into the millennium in order to fulfill the promises God made to that nation.
Look instead at the words "pass away" and read it to say "ascend unto heaven".

Then the promise is Truly I tell you, this generation will not ascend unto heaven till all these things taken together take place.

Does this make sense??

Edit for typo.

Yes, it does! Thank you!

This phrase has quite a long genesis. The coiner of the version that we use in everyday speech was Samuel Butler, in Hudibras, the satirical poem on the factions involved in the English Civil War, which was first published in 1662:

    Love is a Boy,
    by Poets styl'd,
    Then Spare the Rod,
    and spill the Child.

[by 'spill', Butler did mean spoil - that was an alternative spelling at the time]

I haven't read the bible, and I don't really think I will, but what is it about?  People always just tell me, "It's about Jesus and God."  I want to know a little bit more about it.

Oh, when you read between the words, you will be amazed. ;) :D

What do you mean by this?

OFT: Look at your math question.

hehe, yea, MsRR put my post turned it into a topic, into big capial letters, wow. And that goes my Algebra Exam... down the drain.

Anyways, the story of the bible is filled with lots of stuff, not only jesus and god, oh, there are so much things, some things that... are quite contrary to the average christian catholic,

but i can't spoil a good bible study can I? Besides what's an atheist like me doing here?

OFT: hows that electric enginnering? I would love to learn more... but oh well, its life.

Eh.... I'm not really that fond of Electrical.  Me and Matoro can teach you a lot of Mechanical stuff.

Please stay on topic, have something relating to the topic in your post. This convo should be completed elsewhere. Thanks ~ MsRR

Ok Sorry MsRR about your topic but this will be quick off topicness.

Torison, anything would be great really, maybe mechanical be also good to, I don't mind, may be fun too...

 Please continue this convo elsewhere.  Thank You ~ MsRR

The Bible is the account of God's action in the world and his purpose with all creation. The writing of the Bible took place over sixteen centuries and is the work of over forty human authors. It is a quite amazing collection of 66 books with very different styles all containing the message God desired us to have.

This compilation of booklets contains an astonishing variety of literary styles. It provides many stories about the lives of good and bad people, about battles and journeys, about the life of Jesus along with letters written to groups of Christians that met in homes. It comes to us in narratives and dialogues, in proverbs and parables, in songs and allegories, in history and prophecy.

The accounts in the Bible were not generally written down as they occurred. Rather they were told over and over again and handed down through the years before someone finally wrote them down. Yet the same themes may be found throughout the book.
So  along with the diversity there is also a remarkable unity. So what is the Bible? Well, in addition to all the above, the Bible is this:
      It is a guide for living life to the full. It gives us a road map for the perilous journey of life. Or to put it another way, on our voyage through life's ocean, we find our anchor right here.
      It is a storehouse of wonderful stories for children and grownups. Remember Noah and the ark? Joseph's coat of many colors? Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah and the fish? The parables of Jesus? In these stories we recognize the triumphs and failures of ordinary people - and we may even see ourselves!
      It is a refuge in trouble. People in pain, in suffering, in prison, in mourning, tell how they turned to the Bible and found strength there in their desperate hours.
      It is a treasury of insight as to who we are. We are not meaningless robots, but we are magnificent creatures of a God who loves us and gives us a purpose and a destiny.


You should give it a read. 

      It is a sourcebook for everyday living. We find standards for our conduct, guidelines for knowing right from wrong, principles to help us in a confused society where so often "anything goes."

There is overwhelming evidence that Jesus existed. artifacts like the Dead Sea Scrolls and many more things I'll add later. I have a cell report to finish right now.


We are here to study the Bible, and you are welcome to do so, but please hold debates in the debate board. Thank You. ~ MsRR

Yea, I guess we should NOT debate, this is Education of the bible, Let's stick with it, and debate in the debate section.

Um... MsRR wasn't there a part where Jesus went into the desert for over 40 days, without food, to appose also to the "Gluttony" one of the deadly sins?

The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days.Think back to the Old Testament. Noah and company in the Ark watched rain fall for 40 days and forty nights. Moses was up on Sinai receiving the 10 commandments for 40 days. The Israelites wandered around the desert for 40 years.
He was led about by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness for forty days and his former life in heaven was revealed to him by his Father, Yahweh God. His earthly commission from God was also revealed to him.
Of course, Satan had to go and try to tempt him to sin against God, but Jesus reminded Satan that it is God he must follow.
Text: Matt.4: 1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning You'; and 'On their hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
In the next verse, he begins his preaching:
 12-16 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 1"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
I hope this clarifies your question!

Sorry I haven't been on, this week has been the most hectic. Barely got time to sit down! :D

This isn't an exact bible verse, but what do you think of the Feast Days? I know several Christians who believe they should be celebrated. I personally don't, but I can't think of why exactly. :-\

Although I do not always keep them, in our celebration of traditional Christian holidays, the Biblical Holydays should not be excluded. The motive for the Christian to celebrate Biblical holidays is to honor what our Lord has instituted.

"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts." (Lev 23:1-2)

Feast days are not Jewish in an ethnic sense or Christian in a religious sense but they are divine in a Biblical sense and therefore eternal and universal.

I think they're good to be celebrated, although we don't need to.

But, even if, I still encourage it since it's a reminder of what God has done.

Anyway, could I introduce a new verse?

What does everyone think about the ever-so-popular John 3:16 verse?

“For God so loved  the world, that He gave  His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
To me it means that God loves us all greatly, that we can be saved if we exercise faith in Christ. God is gracious and merciful. 
The proper rendering of this verse would be:
"In this way God loved the world (all types of people), that He gave His only begotten Son, that all the believing will not perish, but have eternal life".

God being just, could not 'just' forgive mankind for their sins with no consequence..
Thus a price had to be paid.
Hebrew justice required like for like.  (hand for hand, life for life, eye for eye)
Since Adam was a perfect man, the price had to be a perfect man.
Since all of Adam's children became imperfect, we on our own could not 'pay the price'.
Thus God created his 'only begotten' son, to give up his perfect life for us.
Thus God 'gave' us the means of gaining everlasting life, that Adam lost when sin was introduced into the world.

Christianity does not exist to condemn us all as sinners, but rather, we are all sinners, cut off from our loving father, and Christ came to give us a way to escape from our fallen state.

Does that make sense?? 

My interpretation is not the only one possible. What does everyone else think?

Can I join in? I'm a new christian. Came back to Christ after falling away for a year and a half after I lost a girl I really liked. I was mad/depressed/nearly friendless/sad/struggling with addiction and now I'm still struggling with stuff, but definately making progress away from it. Never thought I'd get out of it. But I did thanks to MsRR, and many others! Thank you guys! Anyways, what do you we do here exactly? If someone could, I'd like just basic stuff to get me more familiar with Christianity (I'm a baptist btw).

Everyone is welcome here, Kit. We only ask that you read and follow the first post.:)

Okay, coolio! So what now?

We are just beginning with John 3:16.  Please read the whole topic and reply if you have something to add to the conversation.

Hey Kit, great to see you here :)

Anyway, here are my thoughts on that verse...

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

"For God so loved the world... He gave His only begotten Son..."

From what I take, is that God loved His creation so much, that He couldn't leave us to our own demise. Thus, He was willing to give up His only Son, the only perfect man.

Since He is merciful yet just, Jesus was our only chance of salvation.

"...whoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

But, God made us with choice. Thus, it is our choice to accept His gift or not. If we should choose to accept His gift, eternal life is given to us. If we don't accept his free gift, however, our souls are led to perish in hell.

Does it make sense that God "begot" Jesus specifically to save us?

I don't think He did, but I believe in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I also believe that God has existed since before time began.

I believe in the Trinity as well.

Well then, my thoughts are that Jesus became Man to specifically save us... but not that He was specifically existing to save us. Quite the opposite actually; we exist to give glory to an Almighty God.

But we don't choose God, He chooses us, correct?

He chose to make us, He chose to give us a way to salvation, He chose to give us a choice.

My view is that we choose to accept His given gift... but He chooses to reveal the gift to us.

John wrote in his first epistle that we love God because he first loved us (I John 4:19).

Can we talk about that verse next?


Edit: removing spam ~ MsRR

I John 4:19
"We love because he first loved us."

No object is supplied for the verb love The obvious objects that could be supplied from the context are either God himself or other believers (the brethren). It may well be that the author has both in mind at this point; the statement is general enough to cover both alternatives, although the following verse puts more emphasis on love for the brethren.

I John 4:20
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

So if God didn't love us, we couldn't love others/Him?

Which of the following best expresses the meaning of “We love, because He first loved
us”?
- We should love others because Jesus gave us the example of how to love?
- We should love others because God loved us in giving His Son? (cf. John 3:16)
- We should love others because Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us?
(cf. Gal. 2:20)
- We love God in response to His previous love for us?
- We express God’s love to others because He regenerated us and gave us His
Spirit to enable us to love others? (cf. Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22)
- We express God’s love to others as a result of God’s having lovingly restored us
with His divine life in order to express His character unto His glory.

All of them...

The object is applied previously. Look in verse 16. "God is love" usually comes after a paragraph break. This is the only other object than the reader until verse 19, thus, we can conclude that we love God because he first loved us.

They all do, in a way.

By not having an object, it seems that John was implying that we simply can love, not that we love a certain object. Though the immediate objects that come to mind are obviously God and others.

J esus first
O thers second
Y ourself last

The true meaning of Joy.

Oooh, okay, that makes sense. I like the JOY thing, that's cool. 0:)

Romans 10:14

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Your thoughts, anyone?

My take is that it is nigh impossible to call upon God, if we've never even heard of Him. God has charged us to ensure that everyone hears His word, that everyone may at least have the chance to ask for forgiveness.

In the Bible, Jesus even tells his disciples to preach to every corner of the earth, that all may know His name.

In BSF last night they used that verse as justification for missions...I think that's quite correct myself.

I agree. God wants us to tell Everyone about it. Give EVERYONE a chance to accept God as their Lord and Savior.

Well, here's a new verse open for discussion:

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

What are your thoughts on this? :)

In the very beginning God created us in His image. Part of that image, I believe, is the ability to attain holiness. Even though our holiness is attained though the shed blood of Jesus, we must still live a lifestyle which reflects that holiness. And we can do this if the goal (heaven) means more to us than anything else this life has to offer.

The KJV says: ". . . gird up the loins of your mind" we must prepare our minds daily for the things we will encounter.
There are many things that can intoxicate our minds and render us useless in serving God. Such things as pride, arrogance, greed, revenge, hate, laziness, the lure of drugs,  etc. We should  be on guard against those things which would weaken our resolve to be faithful, take our minds off the goal or convince us that there is some better or easier way.
We need strong, complete and never failing hope. We need to abandon old habits that hinder or progress as Christians, to be holy.


Edit:
Other thoughts about this verse??

self will is a tad out, so is pride, God set us here on earth to choose for ourselves, these two things are paramount. he's watching

Please stick to discussion of the verse.  ~MsRR

We need to Read, Study, and ask Gods help even when troubles have not come. We need to be changed, born again Children of God; then, our minds will be prepared for when the time of trouble comes. :)

Amen. I couldn't agree more.

Very well said, Walter.

LVR: One-word post ;) Though you can't add anything to that.

Hi Ms.Rowdy,

I saw you gave me a link to this topic. May I get in it? I am glad that you guys think of this stuff! Great!! 0:) :)

Hi Indy. Anyone can post here as long as it is a verse(s) for discussion, or discussion of a posted verse(s).
And it's MsRowdyRedhead or MsRR.

Thanks!

Sorry about the username; it's kinda hard to remember at times, seeing it is hard to remember if 'head' is capitalized.

Indy, any thoughts on the verses we are currently discuaaing?

Hmm, well, I think it is a strong verse. It was in the New Testament. I just finished reading the book Peter a few days ago, but I read it using the NIV Bible.

At this moment, I will have to think about it a little more to fully understand it. Like I said, it is a strong verse, unlike some others in the Bible.

I heard something interesting from my Bible professor. "Gird up your loins" refers to something that Israelite men in ancient times did. As you all are probably aware, men in ancient Israel wore robes, which of course had what were basically skirts. The skirts were split along the sides so that they could tie up the skirts when they needed to run. This action was referred to as "girding up one's loins", since the strips making up the skirt were called loins. Essentially, I think God is saying to prepare our minds not only for temptation, but for learning as well.

You are quite right, Driver.

I think Walter covered it pretty good.

Mind if I bring up a few verses?

Please do, LVR

I would like to discuss the subject of tithe and whether or not it is needed. First off I'll post some verses about the subject.

And qall the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.
-Lectivous 27:30

You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year
-Deuteronomy 14:22

Now I thik it pretty clearly says whether or not it is needed, but I want to see everybody's take on the issue.

Hmm. What do you really want again? Tithe means:

one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy.
• (in certain religious denominations) a tenth of an individual's income pledged to the church.
• [in sing. ] archaic a tenth of a specified thing : he hadn't said a tithe of the prayers he knew.

So, what do you want us to say about it? :)

Whether or not a tithe should be payed to the church or whether it should depend on wealth, etc.

I think it should be payed to the Church, but...

 Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (always compulsory), and giving to God (always voluntary). . . . The issue has been greatly confused, however, by some who misunderstand the nature of the Old Testament tithes. Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel. .Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government.
All giving apart from that required to run the government was purely voluntary ( Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Each person gave whatever was in his heart to give; no percentage or amount was specified. . .

The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

I'll join and you are absolutely right MSRR!

All that we own belongs to the Lord, I believe that while we shouldn't be legalistic, tithing to God is an important aspect of the Christian life. Of course, we must also be wary of giving to a good source.

With government, that is mandatory. Christ said "give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar." (He also said "give to God what belongs to God.")

I believe however, that giving more than the 10% as a display of complete gratitude is voluntary and has good effects. Consider the lady who gave 95% and survived on the money she produced.

There are also many stories of people who were blessed because of how much they tithed. My family has experienced this in these hard times.

A good book to read, by Randy Alcorn, would be Money, Possessions, and Eternity.

@ Flash,

I have read some of that book. My Mom rented it, and it looked interesting. Though, I wasn't able to finish it.

For me the key is still "not grudgingly or under compulsion;" If we give under compulsion ( you must tithe) it is a meaningless transfer of funds.

Yes, but it's hard to understand the joy of giving if you've never given before.

Here is what I think fully of tithe:

A. Someone shouldn't go around with a bowl asking for money while in church. I think that you should just set out a box at a main door/area and let people put it in (I've gone to a few churches that do that). Just asking for money with a golden bowl is kinda demanding...

Vs26 has always held a place in my heart as I grew up a very angry and bitter kid. My parents always reminded me of that, and it helped me in resolving my sins with God and others before I hit the sack. After all, you never know if that will be your last day.
Vs27 is a great verse because every action we do has effect. We either serve the Kingdom of God, or the other kingdom. This is an important reminder to serve God always.
Vs28 not only puts down what God considers wrong, but encourages us to be productive rather than lazy.
Vs29- The Bible always says that the tongue is sharper than a sword. It wounds, and it heals. The latter is always the better decision.
Vs30- We must, must, must respect God the Holy Spirit. There is even a curse for those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
Vs31- A good summary of what we should avoid, specifically on the case of bitterness - which has a deep root which can affect generations of family. I know this from experience in my grandparents and uncle.
Vs32 tells us how we should treat each other, because God loves us. Because we are forgiven, we can forgive others too.

Old Man Winter

Thank you, Flash.

Does someone have a verse or passage they would like to bring up next??

Not currently, but I'll be sure to find one.

How about this one?

4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
 6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
 7but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature[b ] of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
 8And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:4-8

This is one of the prime passages in the NT. It has in it the deep mystery of the will of God and the light of his grace. To the theologians have come seeking to know God personally. To it the fellowship of believers have come to be inspired for their living together in peace. Profound, illuminating, moving, this passage is a prime treasure and a prime requirement for the church and every Christian.
Paul has exhorted us to possess four specific traits:
 
1. Unity and harmony .
 
2. Freedom from faction and vainglory. (vainglory n. , pl. , -ries . Boastful, unwarranted pride in one's accomplishments or qualities. Vain, ostentatious display.)
 
3. Lowliness. ( Not needing to be "fine)
 
4. Concern for others.

If we truly want harmony and unity in our fellowship, we must follow v. 5.
"Mind" ... literally "attitude." "Have the exact attitudes of Christ and you will find joy in your unity and harmony!"
Outlook determines everything! If one's outlook is selfish his actions will be dictated by his attitude..Thus verse 5 stresses the need for us to develop the proper attitude toward others. How can we do this? By following the example of Jesus Christ.

Freedom from faction and vainglory= "My faith is better than your faith"
Christ intended us to work together, grow together, help each other..not compete for parishioners.

Oh, great verse ^.^ And you covered it very well.

It would seem a daunting task to achieve understanding, and yet that is what we need to do as best we can.
2 Tim 2:15* Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
Instead of looking at the Bible as a document we all need to ratify, or an instruction manual for the world, look at the Bible as a personal letter from God to you.
The Lord never intended generations of His children to to push each other apart, each claiming to have the "correct" interpretation. He meant for us all to read with our heart open, and let the lessons have personal meaning to each of us.
There is NO paragraph in the Bible that says we should have different denominations and sects.
Each book of the Bible is taking a snapshot of God's love for the world from a different angle..so that we may understand it's richness and depth

Totally off topic.

~MsRR

The first post says that this isn't a debate... It shouldn't be required that MsRR gives a reason as to why.

Thank you Jayko.

Legodac, this is a Bible STUDY topic.