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Post by wanttobewithGod on Mar 3, 2008 18:34:07 GMT -5
Please share your thoughts. Let's do these two chapters through Wednesday or Thursday? M. Modified on Sunday to add: Sorry...this has gone on longer than I intended. I have read the chapters a couple times and will post tonight....I keep hoping for a little more interest! I don't always feel that I have a LOT to say....or, with the position I'm in right now with not knowing my Bible *really* well anymore...that I only have the most basic thoughts to share. I know you're all busy though too.... I do understand. I start a job this week as well (and dentist appointments, and another interview, and my son's soccer season starts in about 6 weeks....so I DO understand!!!!) I would be glad to hear your thoughts any given week and/or chapters that you have time for....no one needs to feel that if they participate they will be "expected" to each time...just jump in when you can or when you feel like it...doesn't have to be anything "official" either...just in response to another's thoughts even! (I'm really tryin' to get ya here....) M.
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Post by ranman77007 on Mar 13, 2008 19:30:42 GMT -5
Please share your thoughts. Let's do these two chapters through Wednesday or Thursday? M. Modified on Sunday to add: Sorry...this has gone on longer than I intended. I have read the chapters a couple times and will post tonight....I keep hoping for a little more interest! I don't always feel that I have a LOT to say....or, with the position I'm in right now with not knowing my Bible *really* well anymore...that I only have the most basic thoughts to share. I know you're all busy though too.... I do understand. I start a job this week as well (and dentist appointments, and another interview, and my son's soccer season starts in about 6 weeks....so I DO understand!!!!) I would be glad to hear your thoughts any given week and/or chapters that you have time for....no one needs to feel that if they participate they will be "expected" to each time...just jump in when you can or when you feel like it...doesn't have to be anything "official" either...just in response to another's thoughts even! (I'm really tryin' to get ya here....) M. if you copy paste the chapter here, i'll read it. with you. i know i don't put forth much effort, but really, this is probably the best idea this site has seen..... i think maybe i was a little hasty in my judgment of it. those are my thoughts....a few of them... (i have others)
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Mar 13, 2008 22:24:02 GMT -5
I have thoughts too and am still reading...but I guess I have left this behind at the moment. I WILL be back soon. I have started a new job and have had some personal things going on, so I apologize for not posting here. Again....SOON. PS...I don't have to copy/paste Ran...I know you don't have a Bible you said but there are TONS of online Bibles...just google whichever version you want to read and there it is! In fact, tell me which version you want to use I will find you one and copy/paste the LINK here...I don't want to keep pasting entire chapters.... Take care...M.
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Post by ranman77007 on Mar 13, 2008 23:32:50 GMT -5
no big deal.....see my post on the special mtg canceled by winter storm thread..
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Mar 14, 2008 3:11:52 GMT -5
www.ibs.org/niv/The above link....just click it and on the left side there is an option to "browse Bible by book" You can go right to Matthew and any particular chapter there. There are also a lot of other really great options. If you prefer the King James Version: etext.virginia.edu/kjv.browse.htmlThere are tons of links. Those are just a couple. I could have put them in the links section, but I wanted to put them here where they would be more accessible to you, Ran. Will probably copy them into links later. I'm tired tonight. BUT...working again!!! YAY! G'night all. PS...I'm really not trying to argue with you in the other thread, Ran (popcorn, scones.....) I just like to say what's on my mind occasionally just like you, alright? It's nothing personal, honest. You should know that by now. M. I wish you would read this and participate....I have been dealing with a few issues here in my head (scary thought!) and working now the last few days and upcoming again...so less time...but I HAVE to make time for these things...which is one of the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place...and I fear I am failing miserably. I would be nice to read some posts to you with information I would actually *like* to read. ;D (veiled insult in reference to Ron Paul perhaps, but only joking!!) ;D
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 20, 2008 16:05:18 GMT -5
I'm waiting for Matt 10...
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Post by Scott Ross on Mar 20, 2008 22:22:51 GMT -5
Matthew 8
3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
5He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick
29"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water
Something that really struck me is that Jesus did all this healing and never once asked for anything in return. He never told them they had to do a single thing to deserve his healing touch. Nothing. So often in my life I have felt that there should be a 'give and take' in a relationship with those around me. 'I'll do this if you'll do that' attitude. I have found a real peace in my life since accepting Jesus into my life, and by letting the Spirit guide me in what I do. It has been very rewarding to interact with others and to help them without ever expecting anything in return. The most amazing thing is that I get back way more than I put into it now....... Scott
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Post by Scott Ross on Mar 20, 2008 22:44:34 GMT -5
Matthew 92Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Mark 2
4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
Luke 5
18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." These are all the same account by different writers. It has been one of the passages that I find most intriguing in the accounts of Jesus in his ministry as he travels around. It has really made me wonder..... Can MY faith actually help someone else in my life reach salvation? Is this a message to us that perhaps we can affect the salvation of someone in our life that we need to 'carry to Jesus' for healing? Sometimes I come across people that I feel a need to do just that. Use everything in my power to 'carry' someone who is hurting to where they can be forgiven by Jesus for their sins, and to be restored to life from their sinful past. Of course in the account listed above, Jesus also physically healed the paralytic. How many have I known who were paralyzed by their sins, and in need of the healing touch of Jesus? Can my faith be strong enough to allow me to carry them before Jesus? Can my prayers perhaps do this for those I cannot actually touch? I have always found inspiration in this account of how we as friends acting out of love can affect someone else.... Scott
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Mar 21, 2008 18:13:14 GMT -5
I'm waiting for Matt 10... Did you mean because you want to participate in that thread or? any other particular reason? I know it is often said the 2x2 defend their beliefs by Matthew 10...I am probably wrong and I apologize in advance (truly) if I am...but if you are in any way inferring that I haven't posted *because* we've reached Matthew 10, you are wrong. You don't seem to be the kind of person to make snide remarks, but I want to clear that up...just in case. There are simply other things on my mind and plate right now and I have barely spent any time on the board recently. Nothing should be more important than God and reading my Bible, but I've just been distracted lately. Thanks all for your understanding...as I said, I *will* be back soon. Thank you for posting, Scott...I always appreciate your thoughts. M.
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 22, 2008 7:56:53 GMT -5
No, I wasn't insinuating anything. You're the leader here.
I noticed that you usually give about 3-4 weeks to a study, and its not been that much time since you announced Matt 9. Not time for Matt 10 study yet.
Yes, I want to participate in the Matt 10 study.
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 22, 2008 7:58:56 GMT -5
Here are some of my notes from my recent studies about miracles. I thoroughly enjoyed studying about these.
REGARDING MIRACLES: There are nearly 40 demonstrations of signs or miracles which were performed by Jesus and are recorded in the Gospels. However, these were selected by the NT writers from among a much larger number that they observed. John says, “Many other signs/miracles truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples” (John 20:30).
Perhaps the most notable or memorable were written down. Miracles, Signs and Wonders are significant because the prophet Isaiah foretold the Messiah's exercise of miraculous power in Is 35:4-6; 42:7). John the Baptist asked for such a sign of Christ through his disciples (Matt 11:2-3). Jesus replied by quoting Isaiah: "The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (verse 5). His miracles provided proof of who He was.
In biblical times, it was almost universally believed that only God could heal. Even the king of Israel, to whom the king of Syria sent his general, Naaman, for healing, remarks, "Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy?" (2 Kings 5:7). The prophet Elisha intervenes, suggesting how Naaman could be healed. The belief that only God could heal leprosy is key to Jesus' use of this miracle to prove who He was.
Jesus never paraded His supernatural power. Sometimes He even commanded those He healed not to broadcast the news of their healing (Mark 1:43-44; 5:43; 9:9). He never performed a miracle to create a sensation or to make believers. He refused to perform a miracle to satisfy unbelievers’ curiosity. He never worked a miracle on His own behalf (unless it was the coin found in the fish's mouth in Matt 17:27).
Jesus never solicited healing Several times, strong faith was rewarded with healing (Matthew 8:5-13; Mark 5:25-34; 7:24-30; 10:46-52), while, in contrast, unbelief caused Christ to refrain from showing “signs and wonders.” (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:5-6). While He did not refuse to heal anyone who sought His aid, many were not healed. In John 5:3-9 at the pool of Bethesda, He passed by a great number, healing the one man who had a 38-yr old infirmity. His healings did not always lead to repentance; miracles do not guarantee conviction of sin.
In the New Testament, the sick are healed, demons are exorcized Luke 6:17-19), and the dead, like Lazarus, are resurrected (John 11:1-44). Three times it is recorded that Jesus raised someone from the dead. His miracles can be grouped as His (1) control over nature; (2) power over physical and mental diseases; and (3) ability to command the spirit world. The Gospels contain no record of failure or relapse in anyone He healed.
Jesus’ goal in performing miracles was not merely to astonish those who witnessed them. When asked for a sign from heaven, He refused to oblige (Lu 11:16-17). He was not a magician as Herod learned asked Jesus to perform a miracle to satisfy his curiosity. However, some of His miracles did overwhelm onlookers (John 7:45-46; 18:6).
No miracles that He did promoted His own ease and comfort. He performed no miracles for His own relief when suffering intense anguish in Gethsemane, when being beaten by Roman soldiers, or when hanging on the cross. Although there were legions of angels at his disposal, He never requested their help (Matt 26:53). And though He provided more than enough food for hungry followers, He did not transform stones into bread to satisfy His own great hunger when the devil tempted Him. (Matt 4:1-4; Mk 6:35, 41).
He followed no set method or ritual in His healings. Sometimes He laid His hands on the sick, while at other times, He healed without any contact. Some reached out to touch Him or His clothes and were healed. Once, He used His spit to heal.
Four miracles concerned Jesus casting out devils, also known as evil spirits, demons and unclean spirits. Today this is known as an exorcism of some who were demon-possessed by evil spirits subject to the devil (Mark 1:32). A “demoniac” is one possessed by a demon (Matt 4:24) Demons can speak (Mk 1:23), know Jesus (Mk 1:24), bow to Him (Mk 5:6), describe Him as “the Son of the Most High God” (Mk 5:7) entreat Him (Lu 8:31), obey Him (Matt 8:16) and comprehend prophecy and their inevitable doom (Matt 8:29).
There is no historical record over the last 2,000 years that such healings continued consistently in the church. Except for the healing of Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12 and Publius in Acts 28:8, very few miraculous healings are mentioned after the first several years of the church. The prophet, apostle, or evangelist would take no payment for healing.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Mar 22, 2008 19:40:14 GMT -5
I apologize, Cherie. Truly. I was afraid I had misread you and should have likely kept my mouth shut (um...obviously more like it) but so often things ARE insinuated on this board (especially about Matthew 10 for obvious reasons) and I guess I was probably just too snappy earlier! *(and thank you for your thoughts which I will read again tomorrow evening when I am not thoroughly exhausted like now!) Actually, I was going for a chapter a day (or two chapters every 3/4 days) but that's probably too quickly...I wasn't (for ME) going for a real in depth study....just a way to get myself rereading the Bible for basic knowledge (I have forgotten SO much...nearly everything it seems sometimes!) but I have no objection at all if someone else wants to go more in depth...I am always glad and grateful to be able to read the thoughts of others. For me, though, I will just be posting on what stood out most to me in the chapters....kind of like we did in meeting, I suppose....but that wasn't the intent...just kind of reminded me of it all of a sudden. Back later, Mom & Dad just arrived... M.
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