God's Message to Woman

Allegory has been written by Lewis, Bunyan and many other Christians. We can pick those to pieces also I suppose or use them to show Christians the Love of God and their purpose as Christians.

Personally, this spoke to me greatly today, that I must before GOD "protect my husband's heart" and be "quieter when doing that" and that if I am "more tender" than I can use my womanhood to a greater degree to win hardened hearts to Christ.
That I need not be a macho-woman to be a Deborah.

God does place Himself in Scripture in a female role on some occasions. And in the original language, the Holy Spirit is in the feminine.
Does that make GOD feminine or just having a nature that typifies both sides of human natures.
The "nurturing side" and the "side of strength".

there is not a hint of a feminine-emotional concept of God in all of scripture, such a thought is blaspehmous.

Just for one from the N.T. that is also twice in the Old - Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

As far as the man & woman fulfilling the symbol of Christ and His Church which I very much see in this, I know you know these verses.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 [b]This is a great Mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.[/b]
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

For each paragraph you wrote Paul, Scriptures were coming to my mind.

First, only a person who doesn't know or fear God would dare speak as God Himself in the First Person, and, what's more, speak such sensual, conjecturized and unscriptural breathings as this.

I think many prophets and authors of alegory have.

I post this reply with tender love!

You've basically accused him of Kaballah teachings.

Just wondering your take on The Song of Solomon or if you've ever exegeted it.

Hi Paul, I think first we should get the accusations out of the way.

I've done nothing of the sort. You've accused me of accusing him; I only critiqued his post because I found it unscriptural and even blasphemous.

This is why I mentioned personal accusations.

First, only a person who doesn't know or fear God would dare speak as God Himself in the First Person, and, what's more, speak such sensual, conjectural and unscriptural breathings as this. Brother, there is not a hint of a feminine-emotional concept of God in all of scripture; such a thought is blasphemous.

Who is the person you are referring to here above if it is not the author of this piece ?
You see ... that was a tough call at this member.

About the Holy Spirit ... I'll just give one verse I referred to with a definition and a link that quotes the likes of Charles Stanley in some articles, so you don't think they're off the wall too awfully much.

Psa 51:11 Cast7993 me not408 away from thy presence;4480, 6440 and take3947 not408 thy holy6944 spirit[b]7307[/b] from4480 me.

H7307
רוּח
rûach
BDB Definition:
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
1a) breath
1b) wind
1b1) of heaven
1b2) quarter (of wind), side
1b3) breath of air
1b4) air, gas
1b5) vain, empty thing
1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
1c2) courage
1c3) temper, anger
1c4) impatience, patience
1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
1c7) prophetic spirit
1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God’s spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1e1) desire
1e2) sorrow, trouble
1f) spirit
1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts
1f2) rarely of the will
1f3) as seat especially of moral character
1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son
1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy
1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning
1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power
1g4) as endowing men with various gifts
1g5) as energy of life
1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory
1g7) never referred to as a depersonalized force
[b]Part of Speech: noun feminine[/b]

Not into arguing neither Paul. Just thought you were being a bit critical saying that God never using feminine illustrations, such as Pro. 8 and such.

Anyhow, easier to post a link or two.
Just posting the second one, because the part about "walking in the Spirit" came up elsewhere today and I thought this second article did a great job of it and I prefer for men to talk together - whenever possible.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-gender.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html

I tried to single out what bothered you about this post of his. I think I covered it with these two posts now, but maybe there is more yet that you haven't posted that you're still having problems with, that we can look into further later tonite. Or gladly if someone else wanted to.

But in the long haul, I'm feeling that we're all entitled to our opinions and unless it's blatant heresy that is known by the "fruit" it produces in the hearts of those who it is directed at, I think this one's up to the discretion and opinion of the reader and I needn't force you to agree with it or like it, being allegory and all.

Peace.
Annie

Edited to answer: Why I put the "Hebrew" in and not the Greek.

Brother Paul, I read your post again and I have to say that sometimes we all can be a bit too hard on each other. Picking at every word and putting motives behind why people post some things.
Yesterday on a thread, that had me very emotional and in a sad way for seeing some folks getting judged severely ..... when one brother brought up coffee and donuts, that was the first time I was able to laugh all day and it eased my tension for that moment, and you judged me severely for mimicking that brother's laugh.
I meant no one any harm on that thread and you could look at all those pages to see that.
I was asking that we just pray for folks more rather than have maybe 5 or more men jumping one.

We can both be wrong brother. I don't go around looking for where you are wrong in each post and I know we don't agree on the popular topics on the Scripture threads, I normally only come on if I come back to a harmless brother's posting and see him ribbed and then get ribbed myself for my reaction to the ribbing. That's the norm and you can check that out. I'm not Calvinist, but I won't get to fighting about that neither and appreciate the divide-bridgers that are on here enourmously.

Hope we can see more of that bridging of divides here without the accusatory tones also.

With His Love & Prayer.
Annie

I didn't "accuse" --- Paul did.

This is not "personal" to me, just a discussion over this post .... as every other thread is on this Forum and not me moderating but answering as every other poster does when discussing the lead Post.

I may defend myself now for being falsely accused because that is also biblical.

I am not moderating, but doing the same thing that goes on on every thread here, and politely.

Paul said this poster may not know God, etc., I never said that.

Motes and beams are flying high when a person is just posting their opinion on an issue brought up on a thread. You have just falsely accused me again. Please read this thread more closely and get the "Personal" out of it. Thank you Mike if you will. I've posted here no differently than most and less critically than Paul did.

God Bless.

LiveforGod, there was no "arguement" on my part here, but a discourse of opinions over your post.

Glad you've come back to explain yourself.

I mentioned the few good things I did see in it in my first post.

Lord Bless.

Paul, you said the right word, "Presumably".

That was not directed at you from me, but what I said on that thread was that the others who had argued all day with him, were not reading neither of our posts and even another two folks posts that joined in later.

You took my post personally to you when that debate had gone on all day.

And I told you all that I agreed with us all finding a Fellowship and what I had gone through to find one, I just didn't feel badgering by several folks at a time would help him, but that that we should take it to prayer for him and the others who can't find fellowships that they can agree with.

The thread is locked now so none of us were able to come to an understanding about what "Church and Fellowship" really is. That whole day was sad because I had to say from the first post to about the last that I agreed with Both sides.

As far as this thread, he cleaned up his post just now on this previous page.

Too much motes and beaming here and that will stop Personal Revival if we don't look closer at ourselves and love one another.

Love.
Annie

I don't mind if we disagree at all, it was just this quote that shouldn't have been said in the first reply.

I don't normally read allegory at all, I only said what I got out of the end of it.

But to say the following to this brother is not hitting just the ball but the man.

First, only a person who doesn't know or fear God would dare speak as God Himself in the First Person, and, what's more, speak such sensual, conjectural and unscriptural breathings as this.

Love to you all.

Annie

Hi Paul, I wouldn't have answered again now, but I just noticed your question mark after 'peace' on my downloaded copy.

Of course Peace! I ended my second post to you with "Peace".

I wasn't upset at all and I said on another thread yesterday, I don't get "angry" ... that is a very dangerous place to go.

I thought LiveforGod wrote it and I'm glad he cleared that up also.

Yes, he is gracious and understanding.

Again, Love between us all is all I care about or ever will.

Annie

Heya folks,

Grannie, you don't find anything remotely new age-ish or occultish about this post?

There are so many wonderful feminine aspects of spirituality in the Bible - Solomon personifies Wisdom as a noble woman in Proverbs; Zion, or the church, appears as a woman in Song of Solomon; the last proverb where a certain saint get's motherly advice; Deborah and Jael from Judges; the fact that women followed Jesus to the Cross after all his male disciples fled...

"You are special because you are the extension of me..." and "inner life" smack of new age, airy-fairy occultism.

I'd be wary about taking it too seriously.

Heya Corey, Brother now that I know that LiveforGod didn't write this thing, I will be completely open about this.

The end of it touched my heart about things as I posted in my first post ... I'll quote that part here ....

Personally, this spoke to me greatly today, that I must before GOD "protect my husband's heart" and be "quieter when doing that" and that if I am "more tender" than I can use my womanhood to a greater degree to win hardened hearts to Christ.
That I need not be a macho-woman to be a Deborah.

But I did not post "to it" because of the parts that were slurpy to me, but I mentioned on another thread that it did put a tear in my eye and not for any other reason but what I just quoted at the end of that post.

I only came on to defend a brother from this one sentence, thinking he had written this woman thing in an attempt to help and that maybe he was young in Christ. He posts a lot on Devotions, so I didn't want him hurt by this statement. Looking at the 'heart' of a poster again, judging by what 'else' he's posted ... oh hum.

Again, this is why I came on -

First, only a person who doesn't know or fear God would dare ...................

When someone posts a lot of posts that they think will encourage others and then has this posted to them for a mistake, I thought that was a bit hard, thinking as I said, that he had written it.

Had I loved the post from stem to stern I would have posted to it the first time I read it, when he first posted it.

Just tried to save what I could of this brother's attempt to say something nice.

Many could have come on and corrected it, but I did not feel led to. And neither did the others until .........

It's just "how" we correct each other here that is hurting us all. We can disagree all day, but not question hearts .... right ?

I believe we are to defend each other as The Body from things that are not handled Biblically.
"Ye which are spiritual ........", type corrections and to look at the heart of someone before we post what I quoted above and even then, those are hard words if LiveforGod 'had' been the author or even if he weren't.

Well, we choose to either pull for each other or not on here. Or falsely accuse people by bearing false witness against them. But GOD is GOD and there are eyes everywhere and His ways will be honored in the end, because He said so, not stupid me.

All I was hit with when I first came on line was apologetics. First having to defend the deity of Christ and the Trinity 'to' Moderators who felt differently. Then on and on from there, being forced to expose new age, etc, etc, "crossroad.to" .... for goodness sake .... yes, I sure do know off things when I see it, but I'm SICK of everyone digging at each other and that's all that I see anymore. I did the apologetic & discernment minstries debates until I just want to see The Elect get along now.

"Heya folks."

There are two types of poison in the Body of Christ right now ... one is doctrine - the other is this type of correcting that goes on here ....

""First, only a person who doesn't know or fear God would dare ................... "

I wouldn't mind if someone said that to me, because I've been here long enough, but I don't think it's right to say these type things when correcting a good brother and not a full blown heretic like those who deny the Deity of Christ and such.

For this, I'm called names again too, but it doesn't matter.

The two type poisons within the Body are the lack of Truth And Love.

Have a great day at Church tomorrow y'all.

Mike, all I know is that in the coliseums and where people like Richard Wurmbrand was and many other type instances similar ... that Christians would lay down their lives for others and I saw that one sentence I posted as a quote above as a potentially lethal use of words, else I would have stayed off of this thread.

Why do you look "into" hearts ?

Edit: just noticed the emphasis on "to" there Mike.

Because they came after me personally for believing what I did, and I could give you the name of the Site if you'd like.
The moderator's name was Marv and there was another and both were Unitarians on a site named "Christian Website". I had no way to know that I and others would be "jumped on" for what we believed.

Mike, why you think that I am "contending" with you is very very hard to see or figure out, even still. That's a heavy word.

The reason I put "look into hearts" because that is what I was doing with LiveforGod. I thought that came across.

The reason why I brought up Richard Wurmbrand and all --- I already posted above.

This whole thread, once again, is not about me.

I don't know how many ways to say that or how to say it, except as always ... the thread itself bears whatever out.

Once again and always
His Love to you.

Annie

Hello everyone,

If I may, I'd like to pick up on something from a couple of posts, about 'speaking for God'.

I've just read the whole thread, (and I'm not going to quote anyone unless in a reply, unless responses to this one require it).

I see / saw / knew that the piece in the leading post has been around for a while (years), although it picks up on something said by a sound preacher (I believe) about Eve being formed from Adam's rib - to be equal with him as a help meet.

What prompts me to write is the assertion that [i]no-one speaks 'for God' in the first person[/i] while at the same time [i]correctly representing Him.[/i]

I have to say this is not my experience, nor is it scriptural.

Hold on.... please.... This is because I have heard the gift of prophecy exercised many times in very safe spiritual surroundings, and this is [i]always[/i] how it comes out.... [i][b]and[/b][/i] with His authority. (I mean, if it doesn't come with His authority, then [u]of course[/u] it is open to other questions.)

Very little upsets me more, though, than the kind of piece which prompted this thread, in which [u]it is clear[/u] to those who know the Lord and who know scripture, that in [u]no way[/u] was this written by [u]the Holy Spirit[/u].

Just the same, when a person is claiming to prophesy, and instead of speaking the word as if God Himself is giving it, they are constantly re-arranging it so that it is now in the third person ('He says / said' or, 'the Lord says / said, etc.) it is most disconcerting. The person is so distracted by this exercise, one can easily feel the word may have been partly missed, or added to.

I suppose, though, that if a person with the gift of prophecy is bringing the word of God in a culture which refuses to admit 'the first person', then he or she is high and dry with no other recourse than to attempt to translate it.

Therefore, I'm a little concerned there should be such an insistence that the use of the first person [i]in itself[/i], is stated in this thread as the [i]definging factor[/i] by which 'a word' can be judged to be from God [i]or not[/i]. This cannot be relied upon - in my experience of [i]knowing[/i] God speak to me through such 'prophecy' (ie a word from God for (that particular) 'today').

Another bemusement on my part is: what are you going to do at the conference, when the gifts are in operation under the power of the Holy Spirit (as some are used to exercising), and God speaks through one and another in the first person, with 'I...' ......? ........?

I would like to leave that question hanging there, because surely it must refine our knowledge of God a little further, if we (despite our belief that God does [i]not[/i] speak with 'I'), find ourselves recognising Him in the voice, and in the word, and find ourselves delighting in His presence and desirous to respond?

Beloved brethren, [i]please[/i] respond to Him then. The person speaking is merely a servant. You will know what He is saying to you with a surety - but if not to you, then another will know what He is saying to him or her. This is the way it works in practice.

I wanted to draw this distinction out, and should say I agree completely that it is most unwise for anyone who is not in communion with God, to purport to speak for Him!

As we have seen in the preceding posts, it can be instantly discerned by those who know Him, that the speaker does not (know Him). Amen.

Even a babe in Christ with the gift of prophecy, who is given one or two short sentences to speak, by the Lord, brings a word which is true and honest, and recognisably from our Father.

The other thing on my mind is that there is a world of difference between 'feminine' and 'feminism' (whoever mentioned the latter).

Also, apart from Christ taking upon Himself the Old Testament picture of God spreading wings of protection round His people, you will find that Paul (in his born again condition) describes himself as a nurse (1 Thess 2:7) --- which is a bit different from the person he was before the Holy Spirit came to dwell in Him!

And there is Psalm 18:35d 'Thy gentleness hath made me great.'

Might we all agree that the existence of women and their natural role, is a strong defence of God Himself being a fruit-bearing Creator,and this much is not in question....?

What we all [i]minded[/i] in the leading piece, was the wrong [i]spirit[/i] which was wrongly being attributed to [i]God Himself[/i] ....... Yuck!

"God's Message to Men and Women"

A controversy arose on one Forum I was on. They were saying that we didn't HAVE to "Love" God or others, to be or stay saved. So me, being the nut I am, letting Scripture speak for itself, and not human words ... posted this. .... It wasn't received so well on the Forum I posted it on. They prefered human words and arguments in their debates, over what God wrote.

Only one lifetime to grasp this.

Starting in Deut. and several times throughout Deut and the rest of the O.T. ... 'Before' the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who 'assists' us now, to Love with HIS Love.

Deut. 6:5-7 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. (Mat 5:43) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Mat 5:44)

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Mat 5:46)

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Mat 6:24)

Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Mat 19:19)

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Mat 24:12)

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

And the second is like, namely this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself".

There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mar 12:31)

And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mar 12:33)

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, (Luk 6:27)

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. (Luk 6:32)

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luk 6:35)

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? (Luk 7:42)

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. (Luke 10:27)

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luk 11:42)

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luk 16:13)

Joh 3:16 FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (Joh 5:42)

"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (Joh 8:42)"

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (Joh 13:34)

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (Joh 13:35)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (Joh 14:15)

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (Joh 14:21)"

Jesus answered and said unto him, IF a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (Joh 14:23)

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (Joh 15:9)

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (Joh 15:10)

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (Joh 15:12)

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (Joh 15:13)

These things I command you, that ye love one another. (Joh 15:17)

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (Joh 15:19)

"And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (Joh 17:26)

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (Joh 21:15)He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (Joh 21:16)He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (Joh 21:17)

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5:5)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom 8:35)Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39)

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Rom 12:9)

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; (Rom 12:10)

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another "hath fulfilled the law." (Rom 13:8)

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Rom 13:9)

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10)

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; (Rom 15:30)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1Co 2:9)

But if any man love God, the same is known of him. (1Co 8:3)

1Co 13:1-8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (Charity = Agape), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1Co 16:22)

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1Co 16:24)

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. (2Co 2:4)

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. (2Co 2:8)

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, (2Co 6:6)

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (2Co 8:7)

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2Co 8:8)

Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. (2Co 8:24)

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2Co 13:11)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2Co 13:14)

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; "but faith which worketh by love". (Gal 5:6)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal 5:13)

For ALL the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy "neighbor as thyself". (Gal 5:14)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Gal 5:22)

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Eph 1:4)

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (Eph 1:15)

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Eph 3:17)

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:19)

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Eph 4:2)

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Eph 4:15)

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Eph 5:2)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Eph 5:25)

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (Eph 5:28)

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself ; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph 5:33)

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 6:23)

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (Eph 6:24)

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (Phi 1:9)

Phi 1:15-17 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: Phi 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. (Phi 1:17)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Phi 2:1)Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Phi 2:2)

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints. (Col 1:4)

Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. (Col 1:8)

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Col 2:2)

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Col 3:19)

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1Th 1:3)

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: (1Th 3:12)

"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1Th 4:9)

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, "putting on the breastplate of faith and love"; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (1Th 5:8)

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1Th 5:13)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2Th 2:10)

SEEMS SO FAR ... THAT WE CAN'T BE SAVED IN THE END WITHOUT HIS LOVE IN US !

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2Th 3:5)

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (1Ti 1:14)

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1Ti 6:11)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2Ti 1:7)

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, "in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (2Ti 1:13)

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2Ti 4:8)

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (Tit 2:4)

Phm 1:3-7 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (Phm 1:9)

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Heb 6:10)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Heb 10:24)

Let brotherly love continue. (Heb 13:1)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, "which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (Jam 1:12)

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" (Jam 2:5)

(Jam 2:8-9)If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1Pe 1:8)

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1Pe 1:22)

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1Pe 2:17)

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (1Pe 3:8)

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (1Pe 3:10)

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: 'hereby' know we that we are in him. (1Jo 2:5)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1Jo 2:15)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1Jo 3:1)

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1Jo 3:11)

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (1Jo 3:14)

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1Jo 3:16) [Compare to John 3:16 - Neat coincidence in verse numbers ? :)

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1Jo 3:17)

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1Jo 3:18)

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1Jo 3:23)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (1Jo 4:7)

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1Jo 4:8)

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (1Jo 4:9)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1Jo 4:10)

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1Jo 4:11)

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1Jo 4:12)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1Jo 4:16)

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1Jo 4:17)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1Jo 4:18)

We love him, because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:19)

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? (1Jo 4:20)

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1Jo 4:21)

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (1Jo 5:2)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. {He gave TWO commandments} (1Jo 5:3)

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (2Jo 1:1)

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (2Jo 1:3)

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. (2Jo 1:5)And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2Jo 1:6)

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. (Jud 1:2)

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jud 1:21)

Rev 2:1-4 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Since this thread has not been a "Devotional Thought", could I humbly request Greg or one of the moderators to possibly move it to another forum ?

The folks that normally come to the Devotional Thoughts Forum usually post Devotions that are focusing on peace and His Presence and those type things and this turned into more than that.

Thank you a lot for your consideration.

Annie

I have no problem with people digging in to this at all. I did a Google search last night on it and it's on almost 5 googled pages. It's everywhere, but I don't feel led to search any further. Just don't feel led.
I wouldn't give this out to anyone and I get things in my email everyday like this and I just delete them.

These "christian" emails that I get everyday, I get upset about, but I don't dare rebuke these sisters that are in my M.E./Plus other Illnesses Support Group from all around the world ... hope you can understand why sometimes I just can't correct certain people.
But I find it better to just pray for them all.

I asked above, if we are going to get into these things, I know that those who enjoy the Devotional Thoughts Forum most are gentle people and this should be moved to general or S&D so that 'everyone' is at "peace".

Thanks!

I left you a simple link brother Paul that simpley explains all of this.

It's not that women are "special-er" at all, not at all, but they were just built differently to compliment their husbands and the Church.

Their "hearts" are what most men notice a difference in, as far as in God's ideal.

Any Christian professor could tell you the vast differences between women and men's make-ups.

Maybe, if we just held back some and do the right thing, which is pray more than we choose to be right, we wouldn't have needed to come this dangerously close to hurting one another.

I would say from 1 Corth 13, that that is more important than any of us "knowing it all" right now and flaunting the mistakes of other posters.

That maybe prayer first before attacking would help.

NONE of us knows it all, so we've ALL been surprised to learn some marvelous things here ... we just need to be humble enough to admit, we don't know it all, but if our passion for Him is seen in that we walk in the Spirit and 'for' and 'in' a passionate love for each other, we'll know 'enough'.

Those love verses hit me like a brick when I searched them all out.
That's the affect they should have on us.

Love one another, 1Corth 13 the First commandment.

Annie

Brother, first you took this too personally and about Love having nothing to do with this thead, as you said, I see it very differently according to Scripture, we're not to do a thing without those verses.
Brother I do not want to rehash putting "doubts of people's salvation" in your first post here. That was all that bothered me and we've discussed that sufficiently. I'm just sensitive to questioning other's salvation unless it's a question of some doctrinal magnitude.
The bulk of my post above was to all of us. As was the warning to the Church at Ephesus in the book - Revelation.

I came back on because I was reading a fantastic article that I wanted to post here, before I saw your reply, so this was what I wanted to post for all of us. It's really neat.

Here it is ....

[b]Lord, Revive Us Again

It is not the sinfulness, crime, immorality and pleasure-loving people who are prohibiting a mighty revival in the world today. "The whole world ever did lie in wickedness" (I John 5:19). The blackness of sin only affords the background to display the power, love and beauty of the saving grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. "But where sin abounds, grace did much more abound." (Romans 5:20).
The Spirit of God came into the world to convict of sin, righteousness and judgement. Why then is His mighty power not working in the hearts of unbelieving men, women and children as we have seen Him work in the past? The trouble is not with the people of the world, who in their sinful, natural self cannot please God, but with the people of God who have experienced the regenerating power of the Spirit of God.

When the children of Israel were doing the will of God and walking in obedience to His Word, He fought their battles. He went before them and drove out their enemies from the land of promise. He rained hail stones from Heaven and turned the swords of the enemies against his fellow. The blast of the rams’ horns was enough to cause the walls of Jericho to fall flat, thus bringing victory to Israel with the minimum of conquest. But when they sinned against Him, He left them to themselves and they went down miserably in battle. They fled before their enemies and fell by the edge of the sword. They were conquered instead of conquering!

The history of the children of Israel, was it not written for our learning? Is it not true that the Church of God on earth is failing in its mission because of self-sufficiency, lack of love, divisions fault-finding and finding satisfaction in material things instead of having our affection set on things above? Have we not brandished our swords against each other instead of girding each one his sword upon his thigh and going forth together in the power of the Spirit of God to use it upon the enemy instead of upon God’s dear people?

In the case of Israel, God raised up men, kings and prophets to call the hearts of His people back to Himself in order to bless them and be able to make His promises good to them, but to no avail. "They would none of His reproofs" (Proverbs 1:25), and last of all, God sent His Son and we see Him as He stands and weeps over Jerusalem crying out, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing, and ye would not!" Finally, they killed the heir as they did the prophets nailing Him to the cross.

Children of God, upon whom the end of the age has come, is it not high time to cry to God to raise up men whose hearts He has won and touched to stand fast together and sound the clarion call, to return unto the Lord, to walk in His ways, to preach the Gospel of His Grace, to stand fast for His Truth, to confess the sins and failings of His people as their very own as did some of the prophets of old, and then expect God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out the blessing we won’t be able to contain?

Let us stand together for Christ and His Truth in this day of departure, declension and lukewarmness, or we may have to stand together with our arms uplifted and be pierced through the heart with bullets from the guns of the enemies of Christ who today seem to be getting the victory over us by closing doors throughout the world to the Gospel and denying the God Who purchased us with the blood of His own dear Son.

May we do it for His dear Name’s sake and do it now! There is no time to lose.[/b]

William G. McCartney

[b]Slander - A Dangerous Weapon

No Christian worker can take up the sword of slander and escape the consequences. "All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt. 26:52). So spake Jesus, and history has repeatedly borne testimony to the truthfulness of His warning. Men who have slandered others have either been ruined by slander themselves or have been judged by God with death.
Judgment is God's prerogative, not man's. His Word is "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Ps. 103:15). Since no mere man is capable of judging, God's servants are accountable to Him and to Him alone. And woe betide the man who dares to set himself up as a judge and publicly slander his fellow- workers! God will not let it pass. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper (Isa. 54:17).

I could tell of more than one guilty of the awful sin of slander who has been judged by death, and in some cases sudden death. "For they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Drastic measures may be used. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ . . . Let us not therefore judge one another any more" (Rom. 14:4,10, 13). God help us to hearken.

Remember this, my friend: he who slanders is working with the devil. Satan is a slanderer. He is continually accusing us before God. That is his biggest job and his most destructive work. Oh, my brother, are you going to do the devil's work? Are you letting him use you as one of his slanderers? God help you! What carnality! Oh, what a tragedy! God's child but the devil's agent. God's servant working for the devil. A slanderer, an accuser in the pay of the enemy. What a disgraceful state of affairs! Once more I warn you: "All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

"I would rather play with forked lightning," says Dr. A. B. Simpson, "or take in my hands living wires, with their fiery currents, than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on others."

Now Satan seldom uses carnal Christians to retail slander. He knows they would not be believed. Generally he chooses one who is noted for piety and is supposed to be spiritual; one who is characterized by a sanctimonious air. That kind of tool he can use. Beware of the one who wants you to confide in him. He may but seek your wreck and ruin. Confide only in God. Take your failures to Him. Let no man be your judge. Avoid the slanderer. He is a garbage collector and what he collects he must dump. He hears of a brother's fall and he must need tell it to everyone he meets.

The Bible says, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends" (Prov. 17:9). God says, "If a brother be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one" (Gal. 6:1). That the slanderer will never do. He is out not to restore but to condemn. "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth" (Prov.26:2). Of course, no story could spread of itself.

Heed now the warning voice of God as recorded in Romans 2:1, Phillips' translation "Now if you feel inclined to set yourself up as a judge of those who sin, let me assure you, whoever you are, that you are in no position to do so."

Brethren, where are we heading? What is to be the outcome of it all? Fifty years from now our work will all be done, for many of us much sooner. The future life will then be ours. What will it mean, I wonder, as we stand together at the Judgment Seat of Christ? How ashamed some of us will be. Will we not be sorry we did not leave the judging of one another to the appointed day? For many whom we condemned on earth will be lauded at the Bema, and many whom we approved on earth will be condemned then.

God help us to live, think, act and speak in the light of eternity! Then, instead of getting our eyes on man and judging him, watching for his failures, we will keep our eyes fixed on the Christ Who indwells him, and see no man save Jesus--and Jesus only.

Oswald J. Smith[/b]

Felt this one last Sermon was more important then whether I'm here or not.

God is here, He can handle it alone.

Bless you!