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| Questioning Faith |
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11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Is the intellectual acknowledgement of doctrines and ideas faith? Or is that just custom and/or tradition? If one's beliefs do not create a heart that is passionate for God and obedient to Him, is it faith?
If God is more than a theory, then faith needs to involve a loving and obedient relationship with Him. God speaks to people continually through their conscience, their circumstances, other people, the Bible, and His direct voice in their heart.
After I first encountered God in 1970, I began to read the book of Acts in the New Testament. I noticed that it contained many references to hearing God speak: "God said to Peter," and "The Spirit spoke to Paul." I didn't think God was talking to me, so one day I asked Him about it.
I said: "God, you frequently spoke to people in the New Testament, why aren't you speaking to people in our day."
Suddenly these words popped into my mind: "The problem is not that I'm not speaking, but that you're not listening." Now, I know that I didn't answer my own question or make that up. I had never thought such thoughts before.
Since then God frequently speaks to me -- when I take the time to listen to His voice. He often tells me things that I don't want to hear. My challenge is always: Do I obey what God said or do my own thing? It's very tough to go against my own desires and obey God, but I strive to do so.
Faith is not theory or religion or ritual or doctrine or ceremony. Faith is a dynamic, personal, obedient relationship with the living God.
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| To add a comment to "Questioning Faith" |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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I just had this conversation with my husband, Jim. He asked, how do you know if it is God or your own thoughts since we don't see many burning bushes these days...my paraphrase. I said that it is usually a thought I wouldn't have, not the way I would have answered myself. I have that happen and then it is confirmed. It is the most exciting thing. Or...a word of knowledge comes and you make it known and it is confirmed both given and received. You are always a joy to read, my brother. love ya juanita |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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I learned about Listening....the hard way.
Now God can talk all he want, I'M ALL EARS.
AMEN |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| Amen Sir. Good word! |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| So true Steve! We have to stop and listen to what He is telling us. Sometimes I don't always like what He has to say either and just recently He told me to give up something that I don't want to. But God only tells us what is good for us. :-) |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| Faith is having a relationship with Jesus & listening to the Holy Spirit. Amen & amen. |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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All religions in the past claimed to have had those people who directly talked to the supreme been or the supreme been talking directly to them. For faith knows no intellect, or reason and cannot be disputed. There is no reasonable argument against faith because at the end is just that, Faith.
So what really is faith?
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| It takes but just a moment to hear what He will say....So take the time to listen (smile)...That is my Trademark signature on all my products because it is A FACT...GOD is talking all the time...His children are simply too busy to listen to what He has to say..They have not trained their spirits to hear the Spirit of the Lord speaking...and when He does speak...They don't want to DO what He says...because He is not going to say anything that don't line up with HIS WORD...May we all hear...Listen..and then DO!!!! |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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Faith is believing God's even when we don't turely understand. Hearing from God, I believe, starts with knowing, reading, and meditating in His Word. His Word will become anchored deeply in our Hearts and we'll hear Him speak to us. We will know his voice and be guided by His Words.
And yes, I do agree, listening and how we listen play important role in what we get out of it all.
Matt 4:
23. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.''
24. And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
Good thought here
JR |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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"Faith is not theory or religion or ritual or doctrine or ceremony", they are merely the pedagogues leading us into dynamic relationship with God. Faith is pure gift nurtured by the grace that flows through these pedagogical aids endorsed by Jesus in whom all authority in heaven and on earth was/is invested. He who remains open to grace, believing in the Lord Jesus and enduring his redeemed shortcomings in steadfast faith to the end will be saved. "In the world we will have trouble but,courage! I have overcome the world" Jesus said. "It is accomplished" said the One whose words are trusworthy and true, who surrendered his life on the cross that he might take it up again, together with all who believe that he surrendered to death (the wages of sin) as a ransom for sin, and strive to live in thanksgiving.
Alex |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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Thanks for all the positive imput and discussion! |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| amen that is how i am too 2 m steve simms |
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| January 23, 2009 |
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| I wasn't even interested in being a Christian, having been taught all my life, that God doesn't speak to us that way....it was only when I realized that my relationship with God would NOT be like talking to a brick wall, that I really got excited! I remember the first time God spoke to me...that I heard. I had been saved maybe a month or a little over...well this was when all the "hell breaking loose after getting saved" thing, had mostly past. And anyways, I heard the words, "refiner's fire" or "refined by fire", and I didn't know what that meant. So I asked Mom, and she said, "It's what you are going through right now" because there were still some things happening at the time. And then I got sooooooooooooo excited. GOD, Maker of Heaven and earth...He talked to little ol' ME!!!!! And boy, do I gotta get back to that place of getting excited like that again. It really is a priviledge to be able to talk to God! |
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| January 24, 2009 |
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| This is awesome to hear how God speaks to you all. And so encouraging. We are not alone. We are not crazy. God, indeed, still communicates with His people. |
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| January 24, 2009 |
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I love this post. I have been hearing from God
for 12 almost 13 years. At first it was just a partial
scripture that he would speak then, I would have to go
look it up. I did not know any scriptures when my journey began
with the Lord. Then I heard that people had conversations with Him.
So I asked Him to speak to me in that way, and He did!!
I was so excited, I cried.
The scripture was "Man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds out of
the mouth of God" Amazing! He lives, Praise Him!!!
Thank Him for Faith!!
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| January 25, 2009 |
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| Wonderful testimony, Sis! |
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| January 25, 2009 |
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quote from actress lily tomlin" why is it when we talk to God we're said to be praying but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic" |
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| January 25, 2009 |
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I know I'm not schizo!! The way He talks is way... above the way I talk.
Can't send me to have tests done. Jesus already passed all the tests for me!!
Have a Blessed life.
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| January 25, 2009 |
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| higherground. It is said that that quote show how many people view the voice of God. |
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| January 25, 2009 |
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| yep, so many think I am crazy because I hear from God. Then when it is proven they think I am chosen. I tell folks that there are millions like me, just have to listen, not mentally ill, just slowing to hear his voice. hugs juanita |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| I feel like God sent me a message when I read this. Yesterday I posted a question about how do people know that its God talking and not something else (by the way I got a very good answer). Later on in the day, I was speaking to my best friend about it and I told her sometimes I feel God is speaking to me when have these thoughts that are not of my own and can't explain how I got them...Praise God!!!! (I can't stop smiling!!!) |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Amen, Jairo! God speaks in many ways. Glad you are listening to Him. |
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