Some things / words to ponder...
 

Been thinking about some things this morning..(which is dangerous). Check this list of words below...what comes to mind when you see these??

Happiness
Joy
Peace
Purpose
Obligation
Sacrifice
Death
Loss
Gain

I realize that the older I get I spend a great deal of time in thought and self examination...maybe to much! Having said that, I see so many different ideas within various Apostolic folks on life, our purpose, etc. Some believe God will bless in everyway, and He cares about not only our needs - but our happiness as well; still others feel happiness is just another humanistic and carnal endeavour to please and appease the flesh.

It seems that some are just "holding on" until Jesus comes or they die, while others seem to have a much fuller and happier existence. I suppose the point of the thread is to get others feedback on the overall purpose of this life. Nauturally Christians are to spread the Gospel, but is that it and all? What about loosing our lives, and to what extent? Should we be striving to "do more", "work harder", for the Kingdom - is there ever enough, or will it ever be enough?

How fragile is salvation, and are we here to just convert folks and that is it - is there no pleasure afforded us but to sacrifice, hurt, loose, then die? What motivates...is it fear, hell, or love. Sorry, just trying to see how others interpret such things. I know that I personally am concerned for how I live, what I contribute, and my love toward God. It seems others take no thought but live day to day and are happy to do so with no worry in the world. Anyway....

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

This scripture came to mind when I read your post:

II Peter 1:2-3 "Grace (graciousness,acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thanks) and peace (quietness, rest) be multiplied unto you through the knowledge (recognition, full discernment) of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"

Act 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being..."

The more I read and study His Word, I find peace, happiness, joy, purpose, etc. When I try to figure these things out on my own, I lose some of those elements and have to go to Him and start over. It's that simple for me.

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

I was thinking along these lines myself yesterday with the words peace and contentment in my train of thought. I was thinking about my life, and allowed my mind to go back to things that I normally try not to think about, and as I was thinking about those events, I realized that through each and every trial of my life, despite the difficult circumstances, there was an underlying peace in my heart throughout the situation, even when it seemed there were no answers.

That peace and contentment is worth far, far more than anything that money will ever provide for.

I have learned far more about God and His great love and mercy in the darkest hours of my life more than I have learned when the boat of my life was sailing smoothly along.

It has been the hours when I cried out to God for His help, and even though most times He did not answer the way I thought He should, He always answered in a way that let me know HE was in control.

So, in thinking about those things, I guess I would have to sum happiness, and contentment up like this...

Your happiness, and contentment cannot be based on physical, natural, material things although all those things bring us a great measure of joy at times, such as children, family, loved ones, a roof over your head, food on your table, and the bills paid, enjoying nature and life.... My contentment, peace, and joy come from within, despite whatever circumstances surround my life in knowing that I have a God who cares about the most minute details of my life, and when I am in HIS hands, that is the safest place to be.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lemon, and allowing me to share mine. I think our salvation is only achieved as long as we are "God seekers" and continue to seek, search and long after our Saviour each and every day. We must be sold out to Him with all our hearts, and not just looking for the blessings that come from being a child in the Kingdom of God.

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

Wonderful words!

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

Happiness -- love
Joy -- Jesus
Peace -- West Virginia
Purpose -- missionary
Obligation -- bills
Sacrifice --Jesus
Death -- sin
Loss -- money
Gain -- detergent

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

1) "I realize that the older I get I spend a great deal of time in thought and self examination...maybe to much! Having said that, I see so many different ideas within various Apostolic folks on life, our purpose, etc. Some believe God will bless in everyway, and He cares about not only our needs - but our happiness as well; still others feel happiness is just another humanistic and carnal endeavour to please and appease the flesh.

2) It seems that some are just "holding on" until Jesus comes or they die, while others seem to have a much fuller and happier existence. I suppose the point of the thread is to get others feedback on the overall purpose of this life. Nauturally Christians are to spread the Gospel, but is that it and all? What about loosing our lives, and to what extent? Should we be striving to "do more", "work harder", for the Kingdom - is there ever enough, or will it ever be enough?

3) How fragile is salvation, and are we here to just convert folks and that is it - is there no pleasure afforded us but to sacrifice, hurt, loose, then die? What motivates...is it fear, hell, or love. Sorry, just trying to see how others interpret such things. I know that I personally am concerned for how I live, what I contribute, and my love toward God. It seems others take no thought but live day to day and are happy to do so with no worry in the world. Anyway...."

1) The introspection inherent in the type
of Christianity usually practiced today
despite Scriptural warning is much commented upon;
Solomon had great words for the rest, about going too far
down any one "path," be it asceticism or gluttony-vanity!

2) How did "I came that you might have life, and more abundantly"
turn in to "I can't wait to die, and go to Heaven" lol.
You might examine Original Sin's role in forming your Christian model
http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-the...ristian-Models

Your best witness is your next decision.
Trust that God delights in your unique way
of producing fruit.

3) Ok, converting? OMG, ARE YOU PROSELYTIZING?
Lol, kidding. But not really.
See 2, and know that Christ's reply
to a potential follower is "count the cost,"
effectively discouraging...anyone who might be discouraged
in this instance, hmm...could you excuse me, I have to get a pencil...
and as for the last, "Have no thought for the morrow..."
so see how they carry out a command, and might possibly know something?
Peace

Creation is continuous, and never stops

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

Your next decision is your best witness.
(I'm still in shock that this is a web original?)

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

We are all called to different ministries...which is why I detest the manmade clergy/laity separation labels. The anointing of the Holy Ghost is our ordination from God to go into the world and preach the gospel. There are many of us anointed to work from without the camp. Some of us are scars on skin that God put there to protect the wound. Scars are ugly and many people try to get rid of them. Yet, they are put there to protect the area of the wounded body. Some of us are the "body parts" that the world never sees. They are not meant to see certain body parts, but God put those parts there for a function so that the whole body of Christ can work. So just because one part may not have a glamourous duty to perform, it is necessary and they are rarely seen or given accolades in this lifetime. Sometimes that part is scorned by the visible parts because the visible parts receive the accolades from men.

Think about all those who toil in the jungle...Brother and Sister Alvear for instance. Think about those who toil in the dangerous inner cities.

I believe He has a work for everyone and that no man should hinder another from doing that work because of titles or amount of education or even lack thereof..etc. The Holy Spirit does not operate on man's terms.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, 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.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

If I personalize that verse of emboldened scripture above, I understand that verse telling me to never mind what God has told someone else what to do or even if they are to do nothing. But that I should follow Him in what He tells me to do.

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

Amen. I'm dimly seeing (I'm pretty sure
this is why God has me digging post-holes :lol)
that when I'm able to support and encourage you
in whatever that is, w/o necessarily understanding it,
maybe I'll have taken a step.

Re: Some things / words to ponder...
 

Well...look at it this way....you have a P.H.D in digging. :happydance