Hi boscolly2000!

Welcome to Mingle2 Christian Singles Forum!


You asked:




I did'nt feel that I could verbify as well as I'd like ...

But... I've run across some article on the topic in Christian sites.
So... here is one article:


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Building A Better Relationship With God

article by Mike Bennett


Here are five tools that can help us build a stronger, closer friendship with God.


1. Prayer: God Wants to Hear From You!

If you were given the opportunity to talk with the U.S. president or the queen of England, what would you say? You would probably be a bit nervous, and would think a lot about what you should talk about. But One far more powerful and important than the president or queen wants you to talk to Him! And He doesn't want you to be nervous, but to share what's on your mind and to pour out your heart to Him.

God loves us so much and understands what we are going through. That's why we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

How should we pray? Christ's disciples wondered the same thing, and asked Him to teach them (read it in Luke 11:1-4 and Matthew 6:5-13). He told them prayer wasn't for show, and it wasn't about saying the same thing over and over again. But He did give us a framework of the types of things to pray about:

• Praising and thanking God.

• Praying for God's Kingdom to come, and for His will and work to be done today.

• Requesting that our needs and the needs of others be met, whether healing, food, wisdom or protection.

• Seeking forgiveness and the help to forgive others.

• Asking for protection from temptation and the evil tempter.

In addition to getting on our knees in private (King David did so at "evening and morning and at noon"—Psalm 55:17), we can talk to God in our minds throughout the day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Read David's Psalms and other heartfelt prayers of the Bible to see more about how this spiritual tool can help you draw closer to our Creator.


2. Meditation: How Do I Apply This Today?

When we've prayed for understanding and then carefully read the Bible, a natural next step is to think about what we've read and how it relates to the situations in our life. That's what biblical meditation is all about.

It's not about emptying our minds or relaxation techniques or mystical experiences at all. It's "directed thinking, reflection, contemplation or concentration" and it helps make prayer and Bible study "meaningful instead of mechanical, inspiring rather than superficial".

Some meditations are recorded for us in the Psalms. The psalmist said meditation helped make him wiser than his enemies and led him to restrain his feet "from every evil way" (Psalm 119:97-104.

Meditation helps us know where we are going—"ponder the path of your feet," as Solomon put it (Proverbs 4:26).

Some passages worth pondering: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-2.

God told Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law "day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it" (Joshua 1:8). Once again, the key is doing!


3. Fasting: A Serious Power Tool

The Bible has many examples of people of God who voluntarily went without food and drink for a time to humble themselves and draw close to God (Ezra 8:23; Esther 4:16; Psalm 35:13).

Christ said His disciples would fast and explained that particularly vexing situations can sometimes only be dealt with by prayer and fasting (Matthew 9:15; 17:21). In that way, fasting can be looked on as a power tool for building our relationship with God.

But there are some things to understand first. Biblical fasting is not for show (Matthew 6:16-18). It's not to be undertaken lightly if your doctor or parents (if you're under 18) object. It's not to try to get something from others or to try to force God to do what we want (Isaiah 58:3-4).

Fasting should first and foremost be about personally drawing near to God (James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 5:6-7). It should also be about compassion and sharing with others (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Since the Creator God is the source of all power, drawing closer to Him and casting our cares and worries on Him will give us the spiritual strength we need, even while feeling physically weak.


4. Bible Study: Listening to God

A person who does all the talking and never listens ends up with a very one-sided friendship—or no friendship at all. So besides talking to God, we need to hear what He has to say.

Most of us are blessed today to have a copy of the Bible right in our own home. Can you imagine just hearing the Bible read once a week and trying to remember it through the week? People through history memorized major parts of this most important of books. God even told each king of Israel to write out a copy of the Book of the Law—found in the first section of the Bible—and to "read it all the days of his life" (Deuteronomy 17:18-19).

Why do we read the Bible? It is as necessary for our spiritual life as food is physically (Matthew 4:4). Both the Old and New Testaments show us how God thinks and how we can become like Him (take a few minutes and look up Psalm 119:105; Luke 24:44-45; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; and 2 Peter 3:15-18). We can pray that God will open our understanding and help us grow and be "doers of the word," because just reading is not enough (James 1:21-25).


5. Fellowship: Friendship With God and His People

It's a dangerous world out there, and sometimes it's just good to know someone has "got your back"—is watching out for you. God put His people in His Church to support, encourage and learn from each other (1 Corinthians 12:25-26; Philippians 2:1-5). Of course we also can offend and hurt each other, but one of His goals is for us to learn to reconcile and to get along. In that way, the Church is a workshop for living His way of life.

Biblical fellowship is a three-way relationship between us, God and His people (1 John 1:3). God puts us each in His Church where He wants us, with our own specific part to play (1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 4:16). He listens lovingly to our conversations and records His precious people in a book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16-17).

God warns us not to "neglect our meeting together" because we so desperately need to encourage each other to "outbursts of love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24-25, New Living Translation). VT


http://www.ucg.org/christian-living/building-better-relationship-god/

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+ + + CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS 2013 + + +

1/6/2013 - Three Kings Day

2/13/2013 - Ash Wednesday

3/24/2013 - Palm Sunday

3/28/2013 - Holy Thursday

3/29/2013 - Good Friday

3/31/2013 - Easter Sunday

5/9/2013 - Ascension Day

5/19/2013 - Pentecost

5/26/2013 - Trinity Sunday

12/1/2013 - Advent

12/25/2013 - Christmas

"We having the same spirit of faith,

according as it is written,

I believed, and therefore have I spoken;

we also believe, and therefore speak;"

2Co_4:13,

I do agree with what you've said, Oldhippie!

No mere man substitutes for Jesus Christ!!!

Here on earth we have the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost...


"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you."
Joh_14:26,


"But when the Comforter is come,
whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:"
Joh_15:26,


"Nevertheless I tell you the truth;
It is expedient for you that I go away:
for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send him unto you."
Joh_16:7,

Question: "Is the pope the Vicar of Christ?"

Answer: The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius,
which means "instead of."
In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official,
with all of the same authority and power that that official has.

Calling the pope the "Vicar of Christ" implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the church.

The title is derived from Jesus' words in John 21:16-17 to Peter,
"Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep."

This,
according to Catholic reasoning,
defines Peter as the Prince of the Apostles, the first pope,
and fulfills the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-19
(calling Peter the rock upon which Jesus will build His church).


For a better understanding
of whether or not it is biblical to consider that a mere man is the representative of Christ,

we turn to the pages of Scripture
to find out what it says about Jesus' role in our lives,

when He walked the earth

and what He continues to do right now.

The letter to the Hebrews draws the comparison between Jesus and the high priest Melchizedek (Genesis chapter 14)
and contrasts this with the old Levitical priesthood.

The question posed is,
if perfection could be obtained by following the law, why was another priest to come (Hebrews 7:11)?

The writer says,

“For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry
but on the basis of power of an indestructible life.
For it is declared ‘You are a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect),
and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:14-19).


This makes Jesus superior to the priests,
and more importantly, the high priests.

This is the key text:
“Now there have been many of those priests,
since death prevented them from continuing in office;
but because Jesus lives forever,
He has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore,
He is able to save completely
those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives to intercede for them”
(Hebrews 7:23-25).

This means that Jesus is our high priest forever.

Since He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, [and] exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26),
He is unlike other priests in that He "does not need to offer sacrifices day after day,
first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people.
He sacrificed for their sins once and for all when He offered Himself" (Hebrews 7:27).

Men are appointed by the Law, and men are weak.

But the Son was appointed by the New Covenant, and He has been made perfect forever (Hebrews 7:28).

The ministry of Jesus is superior to the old, and it is founded on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

The Bible says of Jesus
that there is no other name by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12).
There is only one mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).

We can now see that there is no biblical foundation for claiming to be a representative of Christ on earth.
No man could do what Christ has done, or what Christ is now doing on behalf of humankind.

But
the title of vicar also carries with it another implication:
the bearer has the same jurisdictional power of the official he represents.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ is the one who says He will build His church; He never delegates this power.
By claiming the title of Vicar of Christ, the reigning pope is, in fact, promising to do what Christ promised.

Jesus does indeed predict a “vicar” in the sense of a “replacement” for His physical presence here on earth.

However,
this “vicar of Christ” is not a priest, high priest, bishop, or pope.

The only biblical “Vicar of Christ” is the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 declares,
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:16-18 proclaims,
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever
— the Spirit of truth.

The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.
But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

The Holy Spirit is Christ’s “replacement” on the earth.

The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Teacher (John 14:26), and guide into all truth (John 16:13).

In claiming that the pope is the “Vicar of Christ,”
the Catholic Church rejects the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ’s priesthood,
and grants to the pope roles that Christ Himself declared would belong to the Holy Spirit.
It is therefore blasphemy to ascribe to the pope the title of “Vicar of Christ.”




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Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

This page is also available in: Español, Português, Deutsch, Nederlands, Italiano, Hrvatski, Français, Polski


Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/vicar-of-Christ.html#ixzz2NcmyuZwF

Thank you, Ploduwa03!

We are sooo.. blessed by your posts!

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever

them that are sanctified."

Heb_10:14,


"But whoso keepeth his word,

in him verily is the love of God perfected:

hereby know we that we are in him."

1Jo_2:5,



"No man hath seen God at any time.

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,

and his love is perfected in us."

1Jo_4:12,

Hi TorahLover!

Welcome to Mingle2 Christian Singles Forum!

We walk daily with the Messiah.

We're being perfected.

Fiery trials and all.



"Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Eph_6:16,

"Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:"
1Pe_4:12,

Man can never achieve righteousness outside of God's provision.

"How much more abominable and filthy is man,
which drinketh iniquity like water?"
Job_15:16,

Man was meant to live eternally.
Death came through sin; a defining moment.

Eternal life comes through Jesus Christ.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him
shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Joh_4:14,


"And he said unto me, It is done.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is athirst
of the fountain of the water of life freely."
Rev_21:6,

The high concentration of sugars ingested

trigger cravings for more sugar.

Afterward the consumer is still thirsty.

The body longs for the water.


The tongue craves sugar tartness and salt.

That poptart should have been an object lesson.

Teachers are supposed to teach and inform students.

But instead some are geared toward "teaching-them-a-lesson"

as themselves are becoming "informants".

The bottlers should be made/encouraged to

water-down all sweet drinks.

This would make them more refreshing

since quenching of thirst is usually the intended purpose.

You may also notice a more watered-down version of soft drinks.

I am fine with that.

I've always felt they were too sweet.

Lord abide with us!!!

1 John 4:
Testing the Spirits

1, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2, Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:
Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:
and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come;
and even now already is it in the world.

4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5, They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6, We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God,
and knoweth God.

8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9, In this was manifested the love of God toward us,
because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10, Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12, No man hath seen God at any time.
If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13, Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14, And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15, Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16, And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love;
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17, Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:
because as he is, so are we in this world.

18, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19, We love him, because he first loved us.

20, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21, And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

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Herein is our love made perfect.
When love is perfected in us we will have no fear of the judgment day.
Those who love God supremely will not be terrified at his presence.

Because as he is, so are we, etc.
The great ground of boldness is that we are as Christ; purified like him, made sinless like him,
filled with love like him and appear at judgment in his likeness.
This transformation begins when we are converted, hence, in this world.

There is no fear in love. There may be reverential fear, but there is no terror.
Fear of God gives way to love.

Fear hath torment. Because it fills us with forebodings.
We love him. His wonderful love in Christ fills every redeemed soul with love.

If a man say. Yet no one can claim to love God who hates his brother. We cannot love the unseen God when we hate the brother who is in God's image.

This commandment. It is God's will that he who loves the Father should love the children also.

Hebrews 1:

God's Final Word in His Son


1, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things,
by whom also he made the worlds;

3, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins,
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4, Being made so much better than the angels,
as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5, For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6, And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith,
And let all the angels of God worship him.

7, And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:
a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9, Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10, And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth;
and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11, They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12, And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail.

13, But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14, Are they not all ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Lord be with you also, Robinsonfolan!

Welcome to Mingle2 Christian Singles!

Psalms 147:


Praise for Jerusalem's Restoration and Prosperity


1, Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant;
and praise is comely.

2, The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

3, He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

4, He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

5, Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

6, The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

7, Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

8, Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,
who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

9, He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

10, He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

11, The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12, Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13, For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

14, He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15, He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16, He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17, He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18, He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19, He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

20, He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments,
they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Welcome to Mingle Christian Singles, shibi0009!

May the Lord give you the desires of your heart!