T-Nation Christians

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
61

[quote]Jason852 wrote:
HEALING POWER OF JESUS AND ONE NEW BORN SON!

5 months into my wife and I second son, we heard the news no parent wants to hear-something was wrong with our baby.

Tests showed that our child had severe hydrocephalus-water on the brain-and doctors didn’t expect our baby to live to full term. Even if it did, the doctors prognosis was dismal at best.

Doctors told us, “We’ve never seen any baby come out of this alive.” Doctors suggested abortion.

The day we heard the bad news, I got down on my knees to pray. Visiting other specialists, we heard more bad news as doctors predicted a vegetative state for our baby if he lived.

Facing this we came to a crossroad of faith.
We knida grew up with the idea in our heads that sickness is of God, kinda like its your cross. So for a month we accepted what the doctors said and waited tosee if the baby would live.

In June of 2004 we attended a healing service at Resurrection Life Church and learned what the Bible says about healing. We got really excited about that, it was stuff we’d never heard before.

Afer receiving prayer and starting our journey of faith, we turned more and more to what the Bible teaches dispite doctor’s reports of increasing fluid in our baby’s head.

With the support of people in the ResLife Healing Clas, we continued to grow in faith and found a sense of peace that God was healing our baby.

To make a long but fantastic story short My wife gave birth to our 2nd son Lucas. The child that doctors said would die, lives. Doctors said Lucas would be blind, but he sees. They said he would be deaf but he hears. Doctors have said he has no mental hld backs and continues to exceed everyones expectations.

The Bible says:
By his stripes you were healed.

Trust not in the wisdom of men but rather the power of God.

Whosoever says to this mountain be removed and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart will have whatever he says.

God bless.

[/quote]

Very powerful testimony. God Bless you.

62

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their posts and PMs on my question. Very helpful and I feel I have a better understanding of each of your individual views on faith (which I always find interesting). I can tell there are plenty of people on here who have strong, deeply held beliefs on faith, spirituality and God.

It’s also nice to see that while we differ in our views and beliefs, we can still have a discussion on them nonetheless. Nothing worse than it turning into a raging debate or an attempt to convert everyone else to their own beliefs.

Kevin

63

I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. I believe in the Holy Trinity. God the Father (YHWH), God the Son (Yeshua, Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

I am in no way ashamed of this statement. I believe it and have absolutely no doubts. I have had many personal experiences that affirm my faith.

Christopher

64

[quote]Jimmy T wrote:
Awesome!!!
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength
Philippians 4:13
JP I will pray for you.God bless you brothers and sisters.PTL[/quote]

Phil…tattoed on me!!!
Most of my tats are testimony of my faith. I have many more designed and drawn, just can’t afford to stick em’ yet. I also have a Japanese symbol on my right leg(calf) that says God is my strength.

On another note…my wife was raised Catholic, her whole family is Catholic. She started going to church with me, and asking many questions. She even asked me one day what the RED LETTERS in the Bible meant. It blew my mind how much she didn’t know. I prayed for her every night, and we read the Bible together and I answered many questions she had by showing her verses. Just this past month she sat down with our pastor to become a member and be baptized. There has been a great work in her heart, and it has made our relationship that much stronger. Now we share so much more.

I know if I didn’t have prayer…this velocity diet I’m on would be KILLIN ME! Week and a half to go!!!

Nooge

65

Interesting that the T-Nation Atheists thread got 4 stars and we only got 3.
:slight_smile:

66

[quote]dukefan4ever wrote:
Interesting that the T-Nation Atheists thread got 4 stars and we only got 3.
:-)[/quote]

Shouldn’t be all that surprising…

It is interesting who Jesus was taking to in John chapter 3. In verse 1 he is called “a ruler of the Jews”, most likely a member of the Sanhedrin, or religious rulers. This was a man well schooled in the O.T. Law. He probably knew the scriptures and kept the law better than 99 44/100% of the Jewish people. In verse 10 Jesus calls him a “master of Israel”. This guy was as good as a human gets, and yet it was to him that Jesus says “Ye must be born again”.

Doesn’t matter who we are or what we do, we must repent of our sins and turn to Christ. That is the only way to be “born again”.

67

I don’t understand why those of the “born again” persuasion use the King James Bible? I realize that is is one of the better “literal” translations, however, the American standard is a better literal translation and it’s understandable.

Could someone please provide a logical explaination for this?

68

[quote]ConanSpeaks wrote:
I don’t understand why those of the “born again” persuasion use the King James Bible? I realize that is is one of the better “literal” translations, however, the American standard is a better literal translation and it’s understandable.

Could someone please provide a logical explaination for this?[/quote]

I think it may be that a lot of online/electronic versions use the King James version since NIV is protected under copyright. So when people get verses, it ends up being a non-NIV version.

69

[quote]ConanSpeaks wrote:
I don’t understand why those of the “born again” persuasion use the King James Bible? I realize that is is one of the better “literal” translations, however, the American standard is a better literal translation and it’s understandable.

Could someone please provide a logical explaination for this?[/quote]

Good question.
I’m a born again believer and I mostly use the New Living Translation. The only time I use the King James Version is when I am on mission trips as it seems to be the most popular version. I was given my NLT when I first became a christian so it has always been my preference for sentimental reasons.

Great thread btw.

70

[quote]JPBear wrote:

I am not of this world, this is temporary. I should therefore not be a friend of the world.

My purpose here on earth is not to live a happy life, or to become holy, or to be fulfilled. [/quote]

Sorry, I had to respond to this one. This is not what I think God is at all. God WANTS us to be happy and fulfilled in this life as well as the next one. That’s a large part of the reason why we are here. They are not mutually exclusive. And we should be good people and try to leave the world a better place they we found it and make peoples lives better in THIS life because it is the right thing to do and makes others and our own life better.

If someone is being a ‘good person’ soley because of what it will do for them in the hereafter, they are not really a good person. We are alive, we breathe, we laugh, we cry. Seize the day. Being spiritual and living life to the fullest are not mutually exclusive. Rather they serve each other and make the world a better place.

71

[quote]JPBear wrote:
I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread where born again believers could talk about what God is doing in their lives, what He is teaching them, what Scriptures they have been reading etc.

I will start.

God has changed me so much since I stopped drinking six weeks ago. I have been a Christian for 10 years but have not grown spiritually for the last seven. Now I am surrendering my life to God.

What has He been teaching me? Where do I start. Here are a few things:

I am not of this world, this is temporary. I should therefore not be a friend of the world.

My purpose here on earth is not to live a happy life, or to become holy, or to be fulfilled. My purpose is to be the vessel of God and attempt to bring as many souls with me to Heaven as possible before I die. I need to be willing to submit to His will for me, even if that includes poverty, loss, rejection, humiliation or persecution.

Our arguments do not save people. Only the Spirit of God can soften a man’s heart to His truth.

The Word of God is powerful.

Books I have read lately:

Psalms, Titus, James, 1 Peter, Acts

I’ll ad more later. Hope to hear from others!

[/quote]

But congratulations on sobriety. That is great!

72

[quote]scw2 wrote:
ConanSpeaks wrote:
I don’t understand why those of the “born again” persuasion use the King James Bible?
Could someone please provide a logical explaination for this?

I think it may be that a lot of online/electronic versions use the King James version since NIV is protected under copyright. So when people get verses, it ends up being a non-NIV version.[/quote]

Forgive my hasty reply - gotta go!
I just wanted to share an excellent web based electronic Bible resource. It has about a dozen good English versions, foreign translations, is searchable, and is FREE! You can even cut and paste. The Copyright info is on the sight…

I hope this is a blessing in your search for answers.

73

Great thread! It is good to see the testimonies of God’s grace here.

My wife and I were saved when we were 23 and are now 39. I currently pastor a reformed baptist church in British Columbia (though I am from California). I just confess I have been having some struggles with whether or not I ought to continue on here. I sometimes feel as if I have done all that I can here and should move on. I am seeking wisdom in this matter.

With reference to the new birth of John 3, it is good to compare Ezekiel 36 to John 3. Jesus implied that Nicodemus should have understood the doctrine of the new birth as a teacher of Israel. I believe Ez 36 is the backdrop of Christ’s teaching. Just a thought…

jpb

74

jsbrook,

Yes, God wants us to be happy and fulfilled. And we will be if we serve him. We will not find happiness in the things the unsaved strive for. Here is a good verse:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

1 John 2:15-17

75

Fair answer, but any version of the living Bible is considered a “contextual” translation. Contextual translations are paraphrased and the translator is inserting their own ideas or interpretations. Contextual translations are considered the least accurate. You’d be better off sticking with the King James.

76

Another electronic resource that is good is the e-sword project. It’s basically an electronic bible you can download onto your computer.

77

[quote]JPBear wrote:
jsbrook,

Yes, God wants us to be happy and fulfilled. And we will be if we serve him. We will not find happiness in the things the unsaved strive for. Here is a good verse:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

1 John 2:15-17
[/quote]

Yes. I would agree. But I don’t believe serving God is about self-flagellation or strict denial. But by the same token, I don’t think anyone could honestly say that using alcohol or other drugs or really anything as a crutch could say it’s honestly making them happy. Beyond momentary gratification. That is not constructive or productive and cannot be what God wants for people. So, I think we are in somewhat of agreement.

78

These are from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20, all describing the same event. For shorthand, I will refer to them as MT (Matthew), MR (Mark), L, and J. I have taken this from the NIV.

MT
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

MK
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

J

  1. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

MT
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

MK
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

L
4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?

79

[quote]ConanSpeaks wrote:
Fair answer, but any version of the living Bible is considered a “contextual” translation. Contextual translations are paraphrased and the translator is inserting their own ideas or interpretations. Contextual translations are considered the least accurate. You’d be better off sticking with the King James.[/quote]

Hey,
I’m pretty sure that the KJV, NKJV and NIV are (some of the) LITERAL translations and try not to be paraphrased. Of course, translating Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic to English is going to have a hiccup here or there.
Some other translations are more paraphrased and contextual to make them easier for us to read in “modern” times.

80

I am an extremely anti-religous born again christian. There are several reasons for my disdain of what is passed off as religion these days.

But first - I want to explain my faith. I am forgiven. I know I am becasue the Bible says so. My life was redeemed with the highest price I can imagine - the death and resurrection of God’s only son.

I believe that God created each one of us for a specific and unique reason. And that is to offer up worship to him of our own free will.

He has angels and heavenly hosts, and whatever else walking around up there in his presence and they worship him 24/7 (if there is such a thing in God’s presence). But they do it becasue they have no choice. That is their job, so to speak.

So what’s so unique about worship if all of heaven is doing it all the time? Free will. He created each one of us uniquely. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I say that God created each of us with a unique and special gift, that when offered back to God in a spirit of worship, fulfills the reason God made us in the first place.

Th blood of Jesus makes it so that we can enter into a relationship with our creator in which we have the express right to enter into his presence anytime we want.

The rules are - there are no rules. That’s what Paul said. We are free from the law. We are brothers of the very man that died so that we could enter the kingdom.

But organized religion has taken what was once a beautigul and honest thing, and corrupted it. Now the emphasis is on “being good”, “obeying the rules”, “praying the right prayer”.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, but when you use that as a barometer for how ‘holy’ you are, you are robbing God of the very thing he created you for - honest and free worship.

But let’s take a little look back. Who was the first person to enter the streets of heaven under the blood of Christ? A religous leader? The one that had perfect attendance in church for ten years? The one the spoke in toungues the loudest? Nope - it was a crminal, senttenced to death hanging on a cross right next to Jesus. He knew he deserved death for his life choices, but Jesus saw the man’s heart and told the man the he would be in paradise that day with Jesus. Heck - he was never baptized, and he never darkened the door of a church.

Pual said of leagalism that if being circumcized made you acceptable to God, why stop there? Why not cut off you entire penis so you could be REALLY accepted?

Isaiah says that “our righteousness is like filthy rags”. What we try and do on our own is like a pile of filthy rags. Guess what kind of rags he is referring to? I had a guy tell me this, so I have no real proof, but those rags that Isaiah refers to wer used feminine napkins as it were. They couldn’t run to the the 7-11 and pick up sopme tampons. Our best attempts at being anything other than what God created us to be is like bloody, stinky, filthy, piles of used womens’ protection.

That’s why I hate organized religion. Folks that have cut their penis’ all the way off and decided to waller on a pile of used Kotex meeting together to show off just how clean and holy they are.

God did not create us for that. And I’d be willing to bet cash money that he didn’t kill his kid for that either.

But I could be wrong.