How Many of You Are SAVED?

[james33440 10+ year member]

paying tithes is in the BIBLE. Hence, if you don't pay tithes then you are sinning just as if you are performing any other sin.

In fact, I used to believe that as well. However, Jesus is starting to open my eyes a lot more in this world.

Take a look.........

In Malachi 3:8 God says: "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." God says those who refuse to give Him tithes and offerings are stealing—breaking one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19).

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come (1 Corinthians 16:1,2).

There are more verses in the Bible that tell you to tithe.

You know the devil really knows how to stir trouble up but that doesn't matter because in the end we all know he going to win...GOD!

Why do people pay money for all this materialistic stuff that doesn't mean anything and spend so much money on medicine that most of the time doesn't help and yet they just don't want to give something to the Church?

I knew of a woman in Miami, FL that was saving money to buy a car. This was her testimony. She didn't tell us exactly how much she had saved up. However, she said she heard the Holy Spirit tell her to write a check for $1000! She did so before the service was over after debating whether or not she should because then she wouldn't be able to buy a car for a $1000 less than what she planned. Well, a week later a cop was outside of his house washing his van and it had a for sale sign on it. The lady looked at it but was afriad to ask how much. So she left. Again, she seen the man outside a week later. So, she and her friend talked to him again. This time he asked her how much would you offer? She was skeptical to tell him how much because she feared who would laugh and tell her to leave. However, the other girl that was with it told him. He said count the money up and they did so and he counted it again. Then he told the two woman that he would be right back. The man went inside and came back out with the title. The woman told us that the man counted the money again and then signed the title over to her and gave her $100 from the money she gave him to buy food and fill up the gas! She said the man told her it was a gift from GOD.....

The devil knows how to tempt us and money is one of those areas. If we listen to want GOD wants us to do he will let us prosper. We just have to have faith and believe in him....

 

[Frraksurred 10+ year member]

You know, I realized something....why do people whom are sick (like cancer, paralysis, deaf, etc) spend soooo much money at doctors, whom most of the time can't even heal them fully, and yet they are so afraid to come see a preacher who will get the job done through Jesus Christ? And another thing, the ones that do show up and get prayed on and then get healed, give a little $5 offering but yet they give the doctors thousands of dollars for nothing!!!!!! Don't get me wrong doctors are good. It's just that IMO, there are times when I believe that doctors are for the sinners and non-believers of Jesus!

I understand your frustration and agree that those who believe in God should seek Him first, but God heals in many ways. He has never been against Doctors or the practice of medicine. In our country especially, the medical field is the vehicle He most frequently uses. One of Jesus' own disciples was a "Physician" (Luke). Though God often does bring healing miraculously, particularly in places around the world that are romote or extremely poor and He is the only hope, He also works through Doctor's and advancing medical technology. To ask God for healing and then not exaust every moral option in finding it would be ignoring the gift of medicine that He gave us. Also, in regards to your last statement, please keep in mind that we are ALL sinners. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Jesus said that we had the power to heal the sick just like he did...

This is true, but remember when Jesus visited His own home town the people there looked down on Him because they were offended that some one they watched grow up was now all "big and famous" (in their eyes). Two of Jesus' disciples record that "He could not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith" (Matt. 13:58 & Mark 6:5). Many of today's denominations no longer believe that these gifts (like healing) are extended to us as Christians. They believe that Jesus extended them to the 12 disciples, but no more. I don't believe, and the evidence certainly does not show, that this is the truth. I believe these gifts were meant for all God's disciples, past, present and future. The point however is, that it takes faith and if Pastors are undermining that faith by contradictory teachings, then it is going to affect the number of miracles we see done through the body of believers.

I actually go several days a week - I believe that you see who truly is a Christian when they attend Church other than Sunday

Hmmm, I would take some issue with that statement. Indeed it is important, even commanded to gather together with other believers inside the orderly structure layed out in letters like 1 Timothy (i.e. Church), but as best selling author of "The Purpose Driven Life," Rick warren states, "most Christians don't need another class or seminar, they already know more then they are applying in their lives. What they need is to take what they've learned outside the church walls and start using it" (quoted from memory, so the wording may not be exact). Church is a needed part of any believer's life and I have no issues with being there as frequently as you want, but I don't think that is a measure of true Christianity. Think of all the missionaries, evangelists, inner city ministers, counselors, etc that are only in church once to twice a week because they are investing so much time into actually putting their faith into action. Would you consider them less of a Christian?

Remember again, God brought his Son, Jesus, down to earth to die for our sins so we don't go to hell. All we have to do is live right (Holy) and accept Jesus for what he has done. Why is that so hard for people to understand? So many people would never do drugs or anything else that would harm them yet after a couple of times of asking them they will eventually try it just to see how it feels. So, why is it so hard for someone to do something that is right and that will make you feel so much better than anything else in this world???

This is the greif of almost every person who's life has been changed by Jesus Christ. After you have known Him, nothing else you've tried to fullfil or satisfy makes any sense. Like it says in my sig: "Jesus is STILL the answer."

 

[pw91686 10+ year member]

I actually got saved last semester. It's so awesome being 100% sure of your salvation. Awesome thread bro!

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

There are some good arguments in this thread, but for the most part it's symmantic bullshit.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hide.gif.2d479cfd917eedfe201353b91522ceab.gif

 

[Frraksurred 10+ year member]

What most the world outside of the church (and even many in the church) do not understand, is the purpose behind tithing. It was never designed to make a Pastor or church body rich, it was designed to enable the church to do all the things that God had commanded it to do. Such as take care of the sick and elderly, the homeless and orfaned, or in taking the Gospel into all the world. Unfortunately some have misused it, garnered a great deal of publicity and now many want to assume that is what goes on in every church. That is simply untrue. Our church is not only held accountable by the association it is a part of, but by the people who attend there. We have yearly business meetings where all of our past and suggested future expenditures are concerned. Our church doesn't spend any significant amount of money that the people who have given it in the offering are not aware of.

To view it from God's perspective, all that we have, He has given us. He created all things, He provided our education and jobs (yes, we had to be faithful to making the most out of them or even those gifts would become useless), and all He has asked for is 10% back so His church can do what He has commanded them to.

 

[buthatsabuick 10+ year member]

symmantic
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hide.gif.2d479cfd917eedfe201353b91522ceab.gif

GOOD WORD! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[Frraksurred 10+ year member]

There are some good arguments in this thread, but for the most part it's symmantic bullshit.
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hide.gif.2d479cfd917eedfe201353b91522ceab.gif

LOL! Yes, some times you have to sift through the dirt in order to find gold. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I understand your frustration and agree that those who believe in God should seek Him first, but God heals in many ways. He has never been against Doctors or the practice of medicine. In our country especially, the medical field is the vehicle He most frequently uses. One of Jesus' own disciples was a "Physician" (Luke). Though God often does bring healing miraculously, particularly in places around the world that are romote or extremely poor and He is the only hope, He also works through Doctor's and advancing medical technology. To ask God for healing and then not exaust every moral option in finding it would be ignoring the gift of medicine that He gave us. Also, in regards to your last statement, please keep in mind that we are ALL sinners. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

You kinda stole what I was getting ready to say ( //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif ), but in regards to james that medicine is for sinners;

If God is what you claim, then he would only allow us to discover (medically and scientifically) what he wants us to discover. He wouldn't have allowed us to have this medical technology if he didn't want us to use it to it's fullest capabilities. So why would we not take advantage of this? Why would we not atleast try every medical splender that he has afforded us? Wouldn't it almost be a sin to not partake in the advances he has allowed?

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

GOOD WORD! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

Semantic... whatever:cop:

 

[Frraksurred 10+ year member]

If God is what you claim, then he would only allow us to discover (medically and scientifically) what he wants us to discover. He wouldn't have allowed us to have this medical technology if he didn't want us to use it to it's fullest capabilities. So why would we not take advantage of this? Why would we not atleast try every medical splender that he has afforded us? Wouldn't it almost be a sin to not partake in the advances he has allowed?

This reminds me of a story I heard a Pastor once use.

A man is stranded on his roof in the midst of a sudden flood. He prays to God: "Lord, save me!"

Two men in a canoe happen by. "Sir, climb aboard and will take you to higher ground."

The man responds: "Thank you, but I have prayed and I know the Lord my God is going to save me."

The men row away a bit bewildered. Two hours later a rescue worker with several others who had been stranded trolls up in the small town's fishing boat turned coast guard wannabe. "Hello! Are you OK? Get in, we have some blankets and food."

Again the man responds: "I appreciate your generousity, but I am a Christian and I know God is going to save me.....so, I don't mean to seem cruel, but I really do not need your help."

After trying to persuade the man repeatedly, the boats motors away until it's methodic noise can no longer be heard.

Several hours into the night some lights can be seen in the sky. As the man looks he recognizes the sound of a Helicopter heading in his direction. As it begins to hover over him a voice comes over the loudspeaker. "Lucy we found you in all this darkness. Hold still and we'll lower you a rope."

The man yells to be understood over the roar of the bird's blades. "No! I don't need help! God is going to save me!!!" Another debate ensues, but enevitably the helicopter dissapears into the night with no more passengers then when it arrived.

Finally, after a number of days the man dies and stands before God...with a bone to pick. "What happened? I asked you to save me and I believed with all my heart that you would. I trusted you, put my faith in you and you didn't save me! Why!?! WHY!?!"

God replies: "My son, I sent two boats and a helicopter, what more do you want?"

The moral of the story? God often works through people and not all of his miracles are supernatural. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[powerslide 10+ year member]

well I've returned

I wanted to make a few more points a few pages back but due to circumstances I havent been able to get to a computer

Crisis this last week for me, lets just say that I've been through the church many times in this last week.

I didnt once change my mind on what I think despite my situation, which further affirms my own beliefs. However, I did find some interesting things:

There is a huge tug on me when I'm standing in front of a symbol of Jesus and the cross, with a preacher underneath and hundreds of people around me all focused on the same thing and chanting the same thing in unison.

There's a feeling that is created - mabye something like a contact high - in a time and place like that.

But I still feel as though it was inside me.

I think the best way to describe what I mean could be from this example:

A few years ago, I attended a Hindu temple for a high school trip. The priest explained to all of us the different icons and gods, most of which were embodied in statues in front of us. She explained how certain gods return to earth every now and again, and at a certain event (if i remember correctly) they will all return to earth together for an event. Each of the gods had different characteristics, and different meanings in the religion. Hindu practitioners give offerings of food and stuff for these gods, and they pray to them.

When the service was over, I went and spoke with the priest. She explained to me that these gods were not real: there were no elephants with extra human arms. The whole idea of these different gods was to project and give a form to our own internal spirit and feelings. They were given form to make them more tangible to us- less abstract, and then, easier to connect with. In the end it was all about our own inner self.

So this is in reference to earlier points I made, hopefully cleared up my stance a bit.

 

[Diplexers 10+ year member]

Holy crap!!! no pun intended

592

 

[Acidburn 5,000+ posts]

Holy crap!!! no pun intended592

x2... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Jameseypoo 5,000+ posts]

[No message]

 

[ZeroSktr56 10+ year member]

I'm not saved. I went to church when I was little, got confirmed in 8th grade, but I don't buy into all that Jesus stuff for some reason. there's no real proof that there is a god for one, if anybody has some Im all ears. I cant stand listening to people telling me that I will go to hell if I do this or that. no one knows what happens when we die either, who knows what kind of crazyness happens when you die. thats my 2 cents worth