Christians Unite!

[Deleted member 20280]

I consider myself simply a "Christian", in that I mean a follower of Christ and his teachings, I classify myself as Non-Demoniational as the scriptures teach us that "When 3 or more of my my followers are gathered together, I shall be there with them"

My father was a Lay-Pastor with the United Reformed Church and he taught me theology when I was a child, I have also considered taking my Learning for Service to become a full Pastor Minister myself, but I do not feel that is the Lords wish for me now.

 

[Changing4Best]

Yes, it is important for us to want to be in the Lord's will, so if He has not expressed a certain path for you, there is a good reason. He knows all time, our every thought and even knows us better than we know ourselves.

 

[Changing4Best]

Psalm 19:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

"May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

This verse was the central point in a Bible Study I did many years ago. It is a good verse to memorize, I think, because it is so central to our Christian way in general.

 

[Ed Norton]

I do not wish to interrupt the continuity of your scriptural quotes, @SheilaKathy but the following song is how I have felt at times. although I have never stopped believing in God I haven't always felt his presence close to me which was my fault because I distanced myself from Him. I have always considered this more of a gospel song than a Rock song.

Also, as I began to reintroduce myself to the Lord. I've sung this song, after my anger at our father dissipated, I put a bad English translation below. Anyway I appreciate your very inspirational quotes and that this thread exists

Link Removed

 

[The Albatross]

 

[Changing4Best]

@Ed Norton I think that celebrating the Lord in songs is most appropriate, because the Bible even says that He sings over us! Here is a verse in which this is spoken of:

Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation)

"For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Obviously He sang over Janis, or she would not have thought to sing this song.

 

[Changing4Best]

@The Albatross That is a beautiful song, OH MY SOUL, and it has a lot of truth in it.

 

[Changing4Best]

I just finished reading the first 9 chapters of Genesis. These tell about the creation, the great flood and Noah and also about some of the things that happened after the flood. I have decided to read the whole Bible again. This will be my third time reading it. I do read portions of it every day, but this will be the third time I read it from cover to cover again. I am reading it this time in a Study Bible, so it will be more in detail and with more of the footnotes than the other times I have read it. The footnotes contain info from archeological digs, historical info discovered by other means and from other writings. The version of the Bible I'm using is called the New Living Translation. It is in modern English and is easier for me to understand.

 

[Changing4Best]

Often when folks talk about the Psalms, they mention that their favorite Psalm is Psalm 23. I am sharing it here so that we might discuss why it is so popular. Do you like it, what does it mean to you?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=NLT

 

[Changing4Best]

I want to share this verse, so that we can compare it to the above Psalm.

Matthew 25:31-33New Living Translation (NLT)
The Final Judgment

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left."

I think I know why he compares sheep and goats here. What do you think?

 

[Ed Norton]

Actually, I'm eagerly awaiting your interpretation Sheila :)

 

[Changing4Best]

Sheep are very peaceful and docile animals, they are also very obedient. When the shepherd calls them by their names, each one will come to him. They know their shepherd's voice, and if another person tries to call them, they will not come to him!

They give us wool in the late spring, when they no longer need it, so we can knit sweaters for the following winter. They peacefully allow us to sheer their wool off of them. Again, it is not just anyone who can sheer them. Only the shepherd is allowed to do so.

And the clincher is this verse, in which Jesus is speaking of Himself:

John 10:11New Living Translation (NLT)

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep."