Good Morning, Everyone! :hibye: Daily Scriptural Text for Friday, February 2, 2007:
6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.
--Hebrews 11:6, Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Complementary Scriptures:
9 Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of [YHWH]'s tabernacle. 10 Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to [YHWH] and wept with many tears. 11 Making a vow, she pleaded, "[YHWH] of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant's affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to [YHWH] all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut."--1 Samuel 1:9-11, ibid.
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4 But [Elijah] went on a day's journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, "[I have had] enough! [YHWH], take my life, for I'm no better than my fathers."
--1 Kings 19:4, ibid.
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21 So I [Paul] discover this principle: when I want to do good, evil is with me. 22 For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God's law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?--Romans 7:21-24, ibid.
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20 After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because [she said], "I requested him from [YHWH]."--1 Samuel 1:20, ibid.
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21 [YHWH] paid attention to Hannah's [need], and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of [YHWH].--1 Samuel 2:21, ibid.
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5 Then [Elijah] lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, "Get up and eat." 6 Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of [YHWH] returned a second time and touched him. He said, "Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you." 8 So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 He entered a cave there and spent the night.
Elijah's Encounter with [YHWH]
Then the word of [YHWH] came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for [YHWH] God of Hosts, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life."
11 Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in [YHWH]'s presence."
At that moment, [YHWH] passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before [YHWH], but [YHWH] was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but [YHWH] was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but [YHWH] was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard [it], he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
14 "I have been very zealous for [YHWH] God of Hosts," he replied, "but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they're looking for me to take my life."
15 Then [YHWH] said to him, "Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. 18 But I will leave 7,000 in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him."--1 Kings 19:5-18, ibid.
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8 There is a crown which comes from being right with God. The Lord, the One Who will judge, will give it to me on that great day when He comes again. I will not be the only one to receive a crown. All those who love to think of His coming and are looking for Him will receive one also.
--2 Timothy 4:8, New Life Version..
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My comment: Do you notice how the first three of the Complementary Scriptures express the plaintive cries of Hannah, Elijah, and the apostle Paul? Who would doubt that they were three examples of faith? Yet, they had weak moments; they had "doubts"; they felt a need to cry out in anguish to God, from time to time. Are we any different? So, on those (hopefully, rare) occasions when we might feel "abandoned," ... when we might be filled with confusing doubts, ... when we may even cry out in anguish (and/or anger) to God, we may know, -- deep in our heart, -- that we are not alone. Nor are we the first (or, only ones) to have experienced such things.
After pondering the outcries of Hannah, Elijah, and Paul for a while, then revisit the last four of today's recommended Complimentary Scriptures. You will discover that they all came to realize that they were not ever abandoned at all. Even when they felt sure of it.
Just one more note on today's Scriptural text. Here is how it reads in ...
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (with References):
6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [Him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that He is and that He becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking Him. Â
The footnote for the expression, ... "the rewarder," ... says:
Literally, "giver back of reward."
"Giver back"??? When have we ever had our reward, in the first place, so that we managed to lose it? That is the entire point. We never have! We didn't lose it. Satan, -- assisted by human accomplices Adam and Eve, -- literally stole our reward from us! Before we ever received it; before we could ever experience it; before we could even taste it! And, so, our heavenly Father has been holding our reward in escrow (or, in trust) for us, all of this intervening time. He can't wait to Give us our reward! Or, more precisely, to give back to us that which He fully intended for us to have, in the first place; but which was stolen from us, for a time. Exciting food for thought to consider, don't you think?
Have A Fantastic Friday, Everybody! :giverose:
KEEP The Faith! :friends:
Much LOVE to ALL! :love: isomam
02-02-2007, 12:31 PM
02-02-2007, 12:59 PM
:heartbeat:Good Morning all...and Iso.
Very thought provoking scriptures today.  I enjoyed your comments about the term Rewarder.  I agree, once again they make it seem that it is something deserved or earned.  Nonsense!
How comforting to know that we can prostrate ourselves before the father and son, plead our sorrows away and be heard.  :cry:
For what father does not want to grant his child requests!  I was thinking, how do we know when our child really, really, wants something and that it is not just a passing phase?  A couple things come to mind.  How they ask for it, in sincerity, and persistance.  Our tone in our prayers reveals our hearts troubles, and our persistance shows our desires. Â
The Bible is full of times our Father granted the requests of his servants, not because he had too, but because he wanted too.  We see the same from the Son,..while on earth he 'wanted to' heal and nourish and save.  This can give us much comfort when we are dealing with life's twists and turns.
Love to all this day
Lynn:love:
Very thought provoking scriptures today.  I enjoyed your comments about the term Rewarder.  I agree, once again they make it seem that it is something deserved or earned.  Nonsense!
How comforting to know that we can prostrate ourselves before the father and son, plead our sorrows away and be heard.  :cry:
For what father does not want to grant his child requests!  I was thinking, how do we know when our child really, really, wants something and that it is not just a passing phase?  A couple things come to mind.  How they ask for it, in sincerity, and persistance.  Our tone in our prayers reveals our hearts troubles, and our persistance shows our desires. Â
The Bible is full of times our Father granted the requests of his servants, not because he had too, but because he wanted too.  We see the same from the Son,..while on earth he 'wanted to' heal and nourish and save.  This can give us much comfort when we are dealing with life's twists and turns.
Love to all this day
Lynn:love:
02-02-2007, 05:11 PM
This morning's discussion reminds me of a question I posted on the temporary refugee board. How do we pray without doubt....
James 1:5-8
So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.
While still praying constantly....
Luke 18:1-8
Then he went on to tell them an illustration with regard to the need for them always to pray and not to give up, 2 saying: "In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and had no respect for man. 3 But there was a widow in that city and she kept going to him, saying, ‘See that I get justice from my adversary at law.’ 4 Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Although I do not fear God or respect a man, 5 at any rate, because of this widow’s continually making me trouble, I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling me to a finish.’" 6 Then the Lord said: "HEAR what the judge, although unrighteous, said! 7 Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? 8 I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
If we are to continually pray, and pray, and pray...how do we do so without doubts...? Do we simply accept the fact that are prayers are being answered, and the answer is "No." as some in the world say?
How do we persevere in prayer, without having doubts? I am still at a loss on this subject. To me, if we have faith, strong, true faith- even the size of a mustard seed- we could pray once, and know that Jah heard us, and will respond. And yet in Luke, Jesus tells us to keep praying, to keep "pestering" Jehovah, and he will "cause justice to be done to them speedily". How do these two thoughts not contradict each other? Really. I'm asking.
Much love to all,
Sis Micah :neo:
James 1:5-8
So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.
While still praying constantly....
Luke 18:1-8
Then he went on to tell them an illustration with regard to the need for them always to pray and not to give up, 2 saying: "In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and had no respect for man. 3 But there was a widow in that city and she kept going to him, saying, ‘See that I get justice from my adversary at law.’ 4 Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Although I do not fear God or respect a man, 5 at any rate, because of this widow’s continually making me trouble, I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling me to a finish.’" 6 Then the Lord said: "HEAR what the judge, although unrighteous, said! 7 Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? 8 I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
If we are to continually pray, and pray, and pray...how do we do so without doubts...? Do we simply accept the fact that are prayers are being answered, and the answer is "No." as some in the world say?
How do we persevere in prayer, without having doubts? I am still at a loss on this subject. To me, if we have faith, strong, true faith- even the size of a mustard seed- we could pray once, and know that Jah heard us, and will respond. And yet in Luke, Jesus tells us to keep praying, to keep "pestering" Jehovah, and he will "cause justice to be done to them speedily". How do these two thoughts not contradict each other? Really. I'm asking.
Much love to all,
Sis Micah :neo:
02-02-2007, 06:17 PM
Hi Micah,
I can only answer for myself. And maybe this is not the answer.
How do we truly come to believe?? Do we just say to ourselves I believe and wala. We believe and have faith??
For me the answer is no. just being real ..
So for me I have prayed and prayed on certain occasions to miss the fulfillment of the prayer and yet on other occasions I have seen the fulfillment.
I have learned that I have to work on my faith from this. I truly feel that it is saying to me even if I don’t have complete faith have enough faith to keep on praying… and things will work out. Even thou we may not even recognize that they are working.
I do realze that I am not filled with faith as of yet but I do have more then I did. And it is because I keep asking.
TD
I can only answer for myself. And maybe this is not the answer.
How do we truly come to believe?? Do we just say to ourselves I believe and wala. We believe and have faith??
For me the answer is no. just being real ..
So for me I have prayed and prayed on certain occasions to miss the fulfillment of the prayer and yet on other occasions I have seen the fulfillment.
I have learned that I have to work on my faith from this. I truly feel that it is saying to me even if I don’t have complete faith have enough faith to keep on praying… and things will work out. Even thou we may not even recognize that they are working.
I do realze that I am not filled with faith as of yet but I do have more then I did. And it is because I keep asking.
TD
02-02-2007, 07:24 PM
Luke 17:5...
"Now the apostles said to the Lord: “Give us more faith.â€
I think of this scripture often.
Could it be an indication of a level of faith, to know to ask for more faith?...I think so...imo..etc.,...grin.
.02,
gogh
"Now the apostles said to the Lord: “Give us more faith.â€
I think of this scripture often.
Could it be an indication of a level of faith, to know to ask for more faith?...I think so...imo..etc.,...grin.
.02,
gogh
02-02-2007, 07:43 PM
CaliHavoc Wrote:
This morning's discussion reminds me of a question I posted on the temporary refugee board.  How do we pray without doubt....
James 1:5-8
So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.
While still praying constantly....
Luke 18:1-8
Then he went on to tell them an illustration with regard to the need for them always to pray and not to give up, 2 saying: "In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and had no respect for man. 3 But there was a widow in that city and she kept going to him, saying, ‘See that I get justice from my adversary at law.’ 4 Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Although I do not fear God or respect a man, 5 at any rate, because of this widow’s continually making me trouble, I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling me to a finish.’" 6 Then the Lord said: "HEAR what the judge, although unrighteous, said! 7 Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? 8 I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
If we are to continually pray, and pray, and pray...how do we do so without doubts...?  Do we simply accept the fact that are prayers are being answered, and the answer is "No." as some in the world say?
How do we persevere in prayer, without having doubts?  I am still at a loss on this subject.  To me, if we have faith, strong, true faith- even the size of a mustard seed- we could pray once, and know that Jah heard us, and will respond.  And yet in Luke, Jesus tells us to keep praying, to keep "pestering" Jehovah, and he will "cause justice to be done to them speedily".  How do these two thoughts not contradict each other?  Really.  I'm asking. Â
Much love to all,
Sis Micah :neo:
James 1:5-8
So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.
While still praying constantly....
Luke 18:1-8
Then he went on to tell them an illustration with regard to the need for them always to pray and not to give up, 2 saying: "In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and had no respect for man. 3 But there was a widow in that city and she kept going to him, saying, ‘See that I get justice from my adversary at law.’ 4 Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Although I do not fear God or respect a man, 5 at any rate, because of this widow’s continually making me trouble, I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling me to a finish.’" 6 Then the Lord said: "HEAR what the judge, although unrighteous, said! 7 Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? 8 I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
If we are to continually pray, and pray, and pray...how do we do so without doubts...?  Do we simply accept the fact that are prayers are being answered, and the answer is "No." as some in the world say?
How do we persevere in prayer, without having doubts?  I am still at a loss on this subject.  To me, if we have faith, strong, true faith- even the size of a mustard seed- we could pray once, and know that Jah heard us, and will respond.  And yet in Luke, Jesus tells us to keep praying, to keep "pestering" Jehovah, and he will "cause justice to be done to them speedily".  How do these two thoughts not contradict each other?  Really.  I'm asking. Â
Much love to all,
Sis Micah :neo:
Hi, sis Micah! :hibye: I remember you asking that. I thought it was in one of the daily text threads during the short time we were there. I went to look for it (the Temporary Refugee DB is still alive and active, BTW), but I couldn't find it. It seems like we had some conversation regarding that. Do you remember where it might have been? Would you care to look? (Sis spud, can you help us out?) I want to discuss it with you, but it will have to wait a few days. I am under such time pressure, just right now. Remind me if I forget, OKIE DOKIE? Meantime, maybe others will join in with their thoughts.
Christian Love, ... iso...
02-03-2007, 01:47 AM
Totaldismay Wrote:
Hi Micah,
  I can only answer for myself. And maybe this is not the answer.
How do we truly come to believe??  Do we just say to ourselves I believe and wala. We believe and have faith??
For me the answer is no. just being real ..
So for me I have prayed and prayed on certain occasions to miss the fulfillment of the prayer and yet on other occasions I have seen the fulfillment.
I have learned that I have to work on my faith from this. I truly feel that it is saying to me even if I don’t have complete faith have enough faith to keep on praying… and things will work out.  Even thou we may not even recognize that they are working.
I do realze that I am not filled with faith as of yet but I do have more then I did. And it is because I keep asking.
TD
  I can only answer for myself. And maybe this is not the answer.
How do we truly come to believe??  Do we just say to ourselves I believe and wala. We believe and have faith??
For me the answer is no. just being real ..
So for me I have prayed and prayed on certain occasions to miss the fulfillment of the prayer and yet on other occasions I have seen the fulfillment.
I have learned that I have to work on my faith from this. I truly feel that it is saying to me even if I don’t have complete faith have enough faith to keep on praying… and things will work out.  Even thou we may not even recognize that they are working.
I do realze that I am not filled with faith as of yet but I do have more then I did. And it is because I keep asking.
TD
Hi, Totaldismay,
I just love your answer! (Brother gogh's, too.) I think you two brothers have captured and expressed the essence of the matter better than I ever could.
much appreciated, ... iso...
02-03-2007, 09:31 AM
I was thinking about this last night as I read these thoughts about prayer and was thinking how wonderful this avenue of communication is between us and God--prayer seems to be different things to different people as I read these words. I have felt for a long long time now that my day and my life is kind of a never ending prayer as my head and heart are so full of God and of Christ all the time and not in a 'religious' way but just so full of them and the bond is never broken and I am almost always in a state of awareness of them. I think it is that way for many if not most of us as we look to heaven for answers and guidance. I journal most days and a few years ago I realized my journaling was really letter writing to God which has become a form of prayer to me also. I too agree that praying for faith is an act of faith in itself--even if we are praying for more faith we need the faith in the first place to ask for more :) I think that is beautiful--and touching--and tender :heartbeat: Prayer is so precious and something no one can ever in any way take from us--it represents a holding hands in a way--a holding on in other ways--an unbreakable link that we make day in and day out--and I believe it fills our heart with that awareness of the presence of God and of Christ in our life always--steady and secure and so available to us--to me prayer is communication and connection and it expresses the need I have for these spiritual things--and I agree that it does indeed grow--we are all so blessed aren't we-- :love: :hug: