~ Checking Our Foundation ~

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for
the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye
shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk
therein. Jeremiah 6:16


~ Know What You Believe ~

When we seek to know about God instead of knowing Him, our
knowledge will never be complete.

... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth. 2 Timothy 3:7


Dictionary interpretation of words miss God's intent.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than
your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9


In fact, our thoughts aren't even ours, but ideas the devil
planted to detour us from all that is true.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be
established. Proverbs 16:3


Neither do teachers always have it right.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. Mark 7:7


It isn't enough to have head knowledge.

Ye shall 'know' the truth ... John 8:32


And, the only way we can 'know' what we believe is to have heard
it from God ...

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14


As He reveals it to us.

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them,
and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
Jeremiah 33:6


We make ourselves most teachable once we stop telling God what He
believes and seek understanding from Him.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter
1:23


Plus, we are not to do anything toward prohibiting spiritual
growth in others.

Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come
unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14



~ The Old Testament Still Counts ~

Being the New Testament hadn't yet been completed,
one can conclude the 52 N.T. references to 'scripture'
support gleaning from Old Testament writings.

To limit our study to N.T. doctrine omits the full testimony of
Jesus.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39


It is the Old Testament writings that teach us truths about who
God is ...

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the
scriptures, nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29


And the same writings that offer hope in our time of need.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures
might have hope. Romans 15:4


To limit application to N.T. scripture separates us from knowing
the true intent of God's heart and His counsel for meeting our
needs.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his
heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11



~ Don't Put God in a Box ~

There is no such thing as 'taking scripture out of context' ...

It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word of God. Luke 4:4


Unless one speaks when God didn't send them.

(Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I
have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12)

If they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear
my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their doings. Jeremiah 23:22



~ Written Especially for You ~

The Bible is given (present tense) by the inspiration of God ...

All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16


And is written for you ...

For all things are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21


With gender equality ...

God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them. Male and female created he
them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day
when they were created. Genesis 1:27, 5:2 And God blessed them,
and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish
the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the
sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise
her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31

There is neither male nor female. Galatians 3:28


Regardless of family affiliation ...

You are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the
service of God, and the promises. Romans 9:4


Irrespective of race ...

There is neither Jew nor Greek. Galatians 3:28 But he is a Jew,
which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in
the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men,
but of God. Romans 2:29


Without residential requirements ...

In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness,
is accepted with him. Acts 10:35


No matter one's affiliation ...

It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if
the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things,
their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Romans
15:27


Without preference due to social standing, prominence, or
position of leadership ...

There is neither bond nor free. Galatians 3:28


Whatever one's religion ...

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6


In spite of one's doctrine ...

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own
master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for
God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 And, ye masters, do
the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that
your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of
persons with him. Ephesians 6:9


Without regard to what one believes ...

God that made the world and all things therein ... giveth to all
life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all
nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and
hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of
their habitation ... as we are the offspring of God. And the
times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the
which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom
he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:24-31


One's past being history ...

They shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man
his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord;
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin
no more. Jeremiah 31:34


Without respecter of persons.

Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Isaiah 56:7

The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 3:8

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Ye
are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians
3:26, 28-29

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have
mercy upon all. Romans 11:32

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all). Acts 10:36

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have
mercy upon all. Romans 11:32

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19



To believe otherwise ...

There is no Christ in such doctrine.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us.
Ephesians 2:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14



© 2006 by Joyce C. Lock

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About the Author:

Joyce C. Lock is the founder and owner of numerous e-mail groups.
She writes about our relationship with God and each other.  You
can visit her online at:
http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/