Religion Share the glory of God

[studyonline]

When I saw those threads on the Bible or Christianity, it surprised me for a moment because of the fact that this is just a forum for Japanese language (mainly anyway),so I didn't quite expect to see those threads. But I know I should have not reacted that way. The kingdom of God has advanced in any place. That's a fact. The Spirit of God is moving on people, revealing Jesus in this great harvest time.


This thread is for mainly Christians to:

Share praise reports with other brothers and sisters in Jesus.

Pray for one another.

Discuss (not argue) on sipiritual matters. Such as dreams and visions, prophecy, spiritual warfare, etc.

*Discussion should be based on your daily experiences with God, not from the perspective of any theology. This way we may be able to avoid arguments.

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As any thread has its purpose, I have an intention of opening this as well. The verse tells my theme.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." - Psa 19:7 -

Have you ever experienced or find sometimes how hard it is to lead someone to the Lord? You may have thought they were hopeless even. You tried everything you could say or do to them, but it seemed you just talked to a wall. No result or change of course, no slight effect either. Frustrated yet challenged, but you couldn't do anything better. We all know it is ultimately up to the person's decision, between him and God. But we are to tell people about Jesus. Of course a "fleshy preach" or religious-spirit driven attempt would fail. We need the Holy Spirit to work with, and we must follow His guide. Once we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we then know what we need to do as He leads us. There we will no longer struggle or make any effort to do something for God.

We sometimes forget to be witnesses to Jesus even though serious Christians do not forget the importance of telling the gospel. Explaining what the scripture says is one way to do that. Giving a message from a pulpit is another way. But simply being a witness to Jesus by sharing what God did to you is so dynamic. The common response and reaction from non-believers lead to an argument when you talk to them "about" God or the Bible. It is like an attempt to sow the seed on "unprepared" soil.

I would like to remind you that sharing what God did in your life is the core of being witnesses to the Lord. The importance of the testimony of the Lord is not just in receiving a revelation, a spiritual gift, a blessing, etc. The testimony of the Lord also has to be in "giving". Then we will see the rusult part "making wise the simple". By sharing God's glory, they will see the Father. If your best-patient-careful explanation on a scripture provoked the person and led you to another argument, try the testimony of the Lord next time. It will give the person clearity.

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." - 1Cor 2:4 -

:note:

To begin with, I think I would like to share how I came to the Lord.

It was when I was 12, possibly 13 as I was in 7th grade, I had this children's Bible from my uncle. It was written for kids obviously, so I had no particular reason to resist nor hesitation to open it. I could read and understood some. The Bible was only the NT. I could easily notice that similar things were repeated in the gospels. Previously, I had some experiences on "Christianity" such as attending a church, fellowship meeting, etc.

All those things started when my uncle started to go to this church. He would ask me to go with him. I simply went with him because I didn't have any reason to say no. Reading those scriptures reminded me of what I have heard at this church, about Jesus. I think I finished reading it pretty quick, probably took 2-3 days. Not bad for a 12 year-old kid. The first thing I thought and told myself was "This stuff can not be a lie." The next step was so easy for me. I just believed the Lord right then. I remember what the scripture says in Romans, so I confessed my sins and believed in my prayer.

The assurance I recived that I was saved never left me since then even though I left the church and left God for the following 7-8 years. The assurance always kept me and held my soul with ultimate peace no matter where I was whatever I was doing.

My testimony on how I came to the Lord is quite simple compared to other people's whose experiences are often something rather exciting and dramatic. As God does in His way, we all go through differently as we are different from each other. What was your experience? How did the Lord come in to your life?

 

[Pararousia]

Great thread to start! Here's my testimony...

In my mother's home in Alabama, there is a well-known picture that hangs over her bed. It's a picture of two small children trying to make their way home on a dark, stormy night. They're having to cross a footbridge and we can see that up ahead there are boards missing in that bridge. They are clutching each other in fear as the lightening and thunder rolls around them. What they can't see is a great and might Angel standing just behind them watching over them all along the way.

As a child, I would ponder that picture but I knew the message even that young that God was watching out for us and as in that picture, He was strong and much more mighty than the darkness and thunder.

My mother always took my sister and I to Sunday school and church on Sundays and at one point, maybe when I was 4 or 5 years old, I began to ask questions about baptism and what it all meant. My mother quickly told me that I was too young to understand and to just stop asking. But I believe the Lord was drawing me even then, and I remember telling Him that when I was old enough to make a decision by myself, I would do just that.

One of my class mates along in Sunday school and then later in middle school was a girl named Kathy and she was a real Christian girl. I knew this by the difference in her behavior and attitude from that of the other girls in my classes. One day during a study hall she handed me a survey that she had obviously made up as a witnessing tool. It asked if I'd ever thought about becoming a Christian, and I answered honestly that I had.

Some time after that there was a week of evening "revival" services at my local church and my mother decided we would go to a few of those services. I sat down front with my friend Kathy, who, as you would guess, turned to me during the invitation and asked me if I wanted to go down front and become a Christian. I was really ready to go but told her I'd go home and think about it and decide the next night. Well I did go home and I remembered the promise I'd made years earlier and I decided that it was time to make that promise good. And the next night I did. That was October 9, 1969.

I've told you all these details to show you how God worked in my life through the little things. A picture in a home, a child's questioning mind, and a friend with a home made gospel tract were all things God used to draw me to Him. So don't discount the little things that you can do and that God can use. He's all around us, waiting and watching to draw us to Himself.

An old song says, "Tho' by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." Matthew 10:31 backs up that song with a verse that says, "So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows!"

 

[Mars Man]

It's good to see that you opened a thread that suits you well. I'm all for that. And since it's 'mainly for Christians to verb, rather than 'for Christians to mainly verb, I'm sure you'd have no qualms at my pitching in from time to time to question things, right? I mean, this is an open forum, isn't it?

Since the theme is the Mosaic Law, I wonder if you think that's a perfect law?

 

[Pararousia]

Studyonline please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe she/he is referring to the Mosaic law at all in her/his post above. I'm going to guess that the law referred to is the law of love.

And she/he did ask that there not be debate But please don't feel excluded just because you're not a Christian

 

[studyonline]

That picture, I might have seen it. It also reminded me of another picture I have seen. It is an angel standing and watching over right besides the boy, who sleeps on the bed. The angel is a guardian angel, huge and strong looking. Thanks for sharing your testimony, Paraousia ????.

As for the purpose of this thread and theme, it is not just for Christians only. But considering non-believers have no experience with the Lord in terms of "being in the relationship", it is impossible for them to share the glory of God.

To Mars Man

Yes, you may ask questions as long as it has no intention of causing a big debate or argument though I know the fact and reality that it is not easy to do so when we talk about certain things.

Also, it is actually not about the Mosaic Law since it is not "perfect", you might have guessed so because the scripture is from Psalm?
Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Mat 5:17 He is the one to fulfil the whole law. He is the law and the perfect one. So I am not simply bringing up the letter (law), but the living Word, Jesus Christ. Yes, its all about Jesus, the Person. (not person)

Just because some are Christian they do not know all things of God as I don't even have to tell that. I do not expect to know what exactly what my theme means even to some Christians. I have already known that part before I put the theme. But those who know know what I am talking about. There is no harm to make it clear on that issue though. Simply, it is about the life being led by the Holy Spirit. Spirit-filled life that is not just to experience the love of God but to share and let other see the glory of God.

 

[Mars Man]

Thanks for the replies folks !

So, my understanding is that those who are not Christians are welcome here, and that of course sounds fair. I'm not sure if it's possible, as you obviously know, studyonline, to question things without debate--even when one questioning his or her own judgement. Any questions that I would ask, would be for the purspose of clarification as to what one's statement or claim may mean, (in the event I could not understand) or to help clarify what the facts are regarding certain points related to the Bible, or usual Christian claims, etc. (even when this simply means the more or most likely from among a number of choices on some matter.)

In all honesty, I just feel that to the degree that this is theoretically open to the public, the public has the right to join in--of course with due respect to the person who started the thread, and those who mostly talk and discuss on it.

That song recorded in Psalms was, without any doubt whatsoever, talking about the Mosaic Law as understood as having come from YHWH. For that reason, I thought that maybe it was about that, or, perhaps that you had had a misunderstanding of that fact. This, of course, holds the potential for a major discussion that could possibly cover much information that is at the same time going on on other threads, so I'll stop here, to check your opinion on discussion one more time.

In your definition of discuss, do you allow room for debate, or no? In the event a person makes a claim for which there is ample and sound proof to the contrary, do you allow ones bringing that more or most likely possibilty to the attention of the readers? Do you allow readers to ask for evidence to support a claim knowing some fact; and to what degree?

I'll just wait here, and see what your decision is. Talk to you later !!

 

[studyonline]

That song recorded in Psalms was, without any doubt whatsoever, talking about the Mosaic Law as understood as having come from YHWH. For that reason, I thought that maybe it was about that, or, perhaps that you had had a misunderstanding of that fact. This, of course, holds the potential for a major discussion that could possibly cover much information that is at the same time going on on other threads, so I'll stop here, to check your opinion on discussion one more time.
!!

I am not surprised the way you look at it, but the way I see the truth in the Bible doesn't limit time. The OT is simply a shadow. The NT is the substance. I mean that the things are in the OT is for the NT. They relate to one another. For example, the sacrificial ritual of sheep was the shadow of what Jesus did at the cross. John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Just because it's in Pslam, it doesn't mean the perfect law refers to the Mosaic Law. Well, that's how I see. As you and I already know that the law can not be perfect, isn't this another "possible" way to look at the "perfect law"?

I appriciate your polite inquiry. The thread is for anyone. But I did mention and indicate the rule as I like this to be sharing stories rather than debating theories/opinions. I used to debate, too. I found out though many deep discussions often led nowhere. Since debating usually aims at convincing someone, people tend to be so rude at the end of the conversations. lol Sometimes hatred or anger toward certain people can arise in person's heart. I surely do not like to see it. So, I have 0 intention of convincing or proving how I think or do the way I do in this thread. I woul like to clearify things though if asked.

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The salvation of one's soul is the biggest miracle. It is this miracle that leads you to heaven. Praise God! Although we experience stuff differently as we are different; thus God leads us differently, any true Christian surely experience this common miracle-salvation.

As we start the spiritual journey with Jesus, we actually "begin" to experience spiritual matters as meeting Him was the entrance of it. It can be a physical healing, spiritual dream/vision you had, or supernatural gift by the Spirit God operated through you. It may be a gentle yet tangible, spirit-awakening touch of God. To me, as I always love the presence of God, I tend to prefer the gentle and loving way of God's miracle- something not too dramatic in appearance yet powerful and certain-though I have experienced so many times the dynamic of God's anointing. But the story below is my experience on healing.

One time (only once so far) I have experienced an immediate healing when I had a sever pain in my stomach. It lasted for few days, and I had absolutely no clue how the pain started or the cause. I felt so full all the time, so I could not eat much for few days. Feeling weaker and weaker day by day, I started to think so negatively. I thought I might have some kind of tumor or whatever in my stomach, but I still didn't go panic as I trusted in the Lord for this. I was just resting on the sofa that night around 6:30, hoping this would go away. My wife asked me to go with her somewhere but I said I couldn't. So she left me home alone. Only about 10 min after she left, I noticed the pain was gone all of a sudden. Well, I didn't shout or scream with joy, but I really thought "how this could be". Half-wondering and rejoicing, I just let the situation be as it is. I just sat there and watched TV. After my wife came back, she asked me how I was. I told her that the pain left after she left me. I told her it was about 10 min later. She could not believe I got healed. She was so surprised, but she said she should have asked me "are you healed?"

What happened was the Lord spoke to her to pray for me while she was driving. She thought why now, but she prayed anyway for few min. The Lord told her then, "it's done." So my wife didn't pray for me any more, being assured by His word. She still had little doubt though she couldn't deny the relief. That's why she admitted that she couldn't say "are you healed?" when she got home. We rejoiced together and were amazed how God does things in His way.

I always wondered how one could feel when the pain vanishes suddenly when God heals him. I understand that not all healings are instant. Well, how I felt it? Since it wasn't really gradual process, I think it must have been very fast. In fact, I missed the very moment of the change. It was too quick for me to notice it. It was there a second ago but already gone in the next second. Pretty cool stuff, really.

 

[No-name]

I praise God for my job. For the children at this school he has entrusted to me. For every dime of my paycheck and for my healthy family.

I have to talk to my younger (13 year old) son about certain adult internet sites he visited. And I need to get the earthlink protections up to at least make him hard to visit them again. Any suggestions?

 

[Mars Man]

studyonline san, thanks for your clarification on the point of debate. I would just ask that I may be allowed to point out, as I once saw the Bible as having double (and sometimes triple) meanings and applications, as do practically all Christians, that it is a false conception that is simply due to the passage of time from the point of having been put down in writing, The writers of the NT also failed to take the fact of locked meaning into consideration, which is why, for example, you get Paul twisting Psalm 67:19 at Eph 4:8.

Debate is an effort to get at truth value in things, and for that reason is important. I will accept, and respect the field of topic and mode of communication that you have set up for this thread. I hope that you will continue to drop in on those where debate is encouraged, in a thoughtful, honest to reality, and fair way. Talk to you later ! Thanks again!

 

[Maciamo]

When I saw those threads on the Bible or Christianity, it surprised me for a moment because of the fact that this is just a forum for Japanese language (mainly anyway),so I didn't quite expect to see those threads.

This forum is about all things related to Japan (not just language, but news, economy, politics, culture, history, entertainment...) AND Europe (same). It also has a quite developed section about various intellectual topics (philosophy, linguistics...), as well as US and China-realted news and hot topics.

 

[No-name]

I praise God for this forum.

 

[Maciamo]

I praise God for this forum.

Do you mean that Thomas and I are some kind of gods ?

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I have to talk to my younger (13 year old) son about certain adult internet sites he visited. And I need to get the earthlink protections up to at least make him hard to visit them again. Any suggestions?

I don't have kids, but I worked with kids that age for 10 years. I'd say it's perfectly natural for a 13 year old boy to visit those sites - I'd probably be more worried if he had no interest in it. I'm not in favour of making it hard for him to visit them, as that takes the responsibility away from him. I'd explain to him why you don't want him to visit them, ask him not to, and tell him that you will be checking. That way he has to take responsibility for his actions.

Do you mean that Thomas and I are some kind of gods ?

Well, you are all-powerful (in the forum at least) and we all worship you, so maybe!

 

[Kinsao]

Do you mean that Thomas and I are some kind of gods ?

Just to set the record straight: J-bot is god of this forum!

Best of luck talking with your son btw. It can't be easy.

 

[Revenant]

I don't know if this helps any Sabro, but my father found a playboy magazine I bought and then burned in fear of it being found. I was sixteen at the time. He first said, 'I see you looked so hard at the playboy magazine that you burned a whole through it. Actually, I was a bit worried you had no interest in girls.'

 

[Pararousia]

I praise God for my job. For the children at this school he has entrusted to me. For every dime of my paycheck and for my healthy family.

I have to talk to my younger (13 year old) son about certain adult internet sites he visited. And I need to get the earthlink protections up to at least make him hard to visit them again. Any suggestions?

Here's a couple of places that may help you:
http://www.covenanteyes.com/
http://www.NetMop.com

 

[Mycernius]

I praise God for my job. For the children at this school he has entrusted to me. For every dime of my paycheck and for my healthy family.

I have to talk to my younger (13 year old) son about certain adult internet sites he visited. And I need to get the earthlink protections up to at least make him hard to visit them again. Any suggestions?

Reminds me of a guy I know. A few years back his son (about 14/15 at the time) was on the net looking at various adult sites. The way that his father found out was he recieved his credit card bill one day. On the statement was several payments made to several sites. Loved to have heard the conversation he had with his son when he saw that.

 

[No-name]

Thanks for all the good advice. I haven't visited parousia's sites yet, but possibly tonight. I hope to heaven none of those sites are pay sites or he will really be in trouble (I hadn't thought of that.) Other than that I do think it is pretty normal-- just really embarassing.

 

[studyonline]

I would say what your son did was a "normal" response to the abnormal world we live in. I don't think such things were so normal or common in old days. Things changed? Oh yes. In a very BAD way that most people don't even know what "normal" is. Living in the world with mind of Christ is difficult but possible to do so with the help of the Almighty. Not by our own understanding of what seem to be right things to do but by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. We all make mistakes don't we? Thank God for His mercy. I hope your son will take a lesson and know the voice of God soon. It is the very thing you and I can live through in the midst of world's temptations. Let your parental advice be anointed by the Lord, Sabro ????!


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?u?D???v?@means to like someone/something. I suppose most people come in this forum know that Japanese word. You might have learned it long time ago when you just started to learn Japanese. But when it comes to a particular situation, the word is no longer basic verb-"to like". It is the scene when a person confesses and expresses his/her emotion, affection to the lover. I have seen many wrong interpretation by foreigners as they always use and mean it to "like" something or someone.

?u???Ȃ????D???ł??B?v?@If you thought there could be a possibility to translate this sentence into "I like you". You are wrong. The fact is, we never use ?D?? for a person without the affection, love. The possible exception is when a kid uses it though a kid will almost never say it in such a rather formal way. So "I love you" is actually the correct translation of it since one's love is expressed. It can be confusing sometimes, but Japanese people or the language itself tend to express things indirectly; thus we say ?D?? but mean "love" in a special occasion.

I have no clue if there is another culture and language that is similar to Japanese in terms of being "indirect". But kids over there grow up without hearing "I love you" from parents. ?????? is of course to love, but we never use it in the real life. We only read or hear it in a movie or drama on TV. The expression of love is like a taboo. Furthermore, ?D?? for love is only used for a romantic relationship. That's why parents can never say it to their kids.

"But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." This familiar verse from the Bible talks about the first priority in Christian life. Without love, I could easily walk away from my belief and hope in Jesus Christ today. I thank God for His love above all things He has done for me. The tenderness and kindness of His love always kept me going and attracted me to follow Him. It really was not about how powerfullyl He performed His miracles or how wisely He could speak and teach people.

What was your experience with the love of God? Were you moved? Happy or excited? This experience should be exercised on a daily basis in a Chiristian life. In reading the Bible, worshipping at a church, or in a personal devotion time, we could experience the love of God as we just allow Him to touch our hearts. I admit I often cry when the Lord touches my heart even though I cried only few times in my school days. (6 to 18) Only to those who have experienced can know the reality of God's love. It is not a mystic experience one may think. It is as real as these very letters you see, read, and comprehend what they mean. So, what did I experience with the love of God? I'll tell you next time!

 

[Luthien Rogue]

I have to talk to my younger (13 year old) son about certain adult internet sites he visited. And I need to get the earthlink protections up to at least make him hard to visit them again. Any suggestions?

Just a quick comment on this: make sure he really did visit them, because spyware and adware can cause certain sites--like the ones you're refering to--to appear in your History, Cookies, Temp Files etc even when you've never visited them. Search Google Answers to find more on this.

And I can't resist...

to at least make him hard to visit them again.

Freudian slip? :lol:

Take care! :sorry: