Contemplating the oneness of Truth while guided by the Voice of Truth produces the evolution or maturation of the soul, spirit and mind, so reality can begin to reflect Truth's immutable, divine attributes, which manifest the highest good for all. This blog reflects an ever-deepening understanding of the Truth a soul gains as its mind is renewed by Truth's pure Light.
Just watched these videos. Thanks for all the ideas. Some of these are ones that I’m already using, but your additional ideas and just explaining why these suggestions are important has been very helpful. I jotted down quite a few notes, but I think the most important are the reminders to BE STILL for those last 5 minutes (this “listening” part is what I think I have struggled the most with, but I like how you characterize this as an act of trusting God and putting His time before mine) and staying determined. Those distractions and lies that it’s not that important or that I can get around to it later have often come to tempt me!
Thanks again for sharing these videos on your blog! I would appreciate your prayers for God to strengthen me, draw me closer to Him, and teach me along this journey. Thanks.
As Ruth stated, I have a nightly Bible reading and prayer time, but have neglected the listening time that you describe. I like the structure of your approach–it fits well with my personality.
I’ll implement the program tomorrow and look forward to viewing/reading more of your suggestions and experiences.
Your messages were impactful and filled with so much truth! Nothing is more important than our time with God. You have clearly highlighted the powerful meaning of communing with God through His word and personal prayer. I have been studying Scripture for many years yet I learned something new today! Good work from someone whose heart is ablaze for God!
Hi Rachel. Our slow computer doesn’t do well with You Tube presentations. Nonetheless, if it’s ok, I would like to link to this, and following ones, when time permits. It’s ever so imortant for us to be in close to the Lord continually and always atuned to the Spirit. I have much growing to do; especially with an overactive imagination that requires constant casting down.
John – I don’t attend a church as in the church system. There are some blogs I’ve written about how I felt God’s call out of the Church System and to His Word. This is my personal experience . . . https://stirringthedeep.com/2009/09/10/out-of-the-church-system-into-his-arms/ — others are under the category “Outside the Church System” on the rightside column of my blog. I’m planning on writting more about my experience in a post next week.
Thats cool. So, all those scriptures about everlasting punishment, you think God was just blowing hot air? There are munerous scriptures about hell and eternal damnation. How can you be a universalist? I think just about very single orthodox denomination believes in a hell that is eternal.
This is indeed a difficult and loaded topic but here are some of my thoughts . . . it is definitely a work in progress as is all our understanding . . . I think there is much more to the plan. It is a difficult thing to read the Word of God without all our filters that we have learned from the church. But often those filters lead us to fit the Word to our understanding instead of seeking what the Word is truly saying. I try to read aware and without the filters and seek that clarity from God, but it is confusing no doubt. A lot more questions arise when I do this . . here are some of my questions . . .
I’ve been working up a document on hell and the more I dig I realize it is no way straight forward – it is fire, yet darkness. There are multiple verses that say people perish – not dwell in torment. The wages of sin is death (and as we learn in this physical life – death means you are gone not in a place of torture). God is called a consuming fire. We are given eternal life. In the Bible I don’t see this torment-nature, eternal punishment in God’s character. He killed, punished to bring people back to Him, but eternal torment I don’t see.
Luke 16:22-31 Once the blinders are off (which I think happens after death so for some hell would be in the reality of everything) and realizing you rejected God who loves you, understanding His love, the pain you caused and so on . . .never being near Him as those of the first resurrection (does that suggest a second?) will be extremely painful and difficult. Rev 20:6. The Bible talks about the shame people will feel.
If people go to hell to eternal torment – then why another judgment? Rev 20:12-13 – Aren’t they already judged? Then hell is thrown into the lake of fire Rev 20:14 Jesus came to destroy death – not so that it would live on forever.
Is the idea of hell as it is traditionally thought more of man’s justice or God’s?
Then there is Romans 5 – esp Romans 5:18 . . .
But from what I’ve been studying about God hell-fire eternal punishment as most think of it doesn’t seem to fit. From what I’m studying in the scriptures it isn’t so straightforward. We are deceived, blinded and mislead on this earth. We are dust and our thoughts futile – why would OUR decision here be ours for eternity. It is no doubt deep but as I read all the verses I see more to the salvation plan than just saying a prayer and go to heaven or not and go to hell – there is much more. As you can see I have lots of questions and not many answers.
I think you are way way off and into heresy. That is one of the biggest lies of satan, and you are falling for it.
God put set teachers, elders and pastors in the church for a purpose. he is the one that set the local church in motion.
A hallmark of people withdrawing is apostasy and severe error.
The Bible does teach that God is love, and tha He is also a judge. If you cant believe in eternal hell, then you cannot believe in eternal heaven.
You are treading on thin ice theologically. 95% of all Christian denominations would vehemently disagree with you. That being said, i still like you and care about you and wish to have fellowship.
John – I appreciate your comments on this – really. I understand you are passionate about your beliefs – many of us are 😉 but I am a believer in that it is good to ask questions and search the scriptures and be slow to put others in a certain category- people need room to learn, grow and search the scripture and I think it is good for people to ask when they have questions – especially when they have a heart for the truth and the Word. When we ask and search then that is how the truth becomes ours instead of just believing what someone or some group says is true.
A couple things I want to clarify – I’m not saying I’m a universalist – because I don’t know all they believe and there is probably a huge variance in what they believe as a group as with most groups – one reason I don’t like being stuck into a category, whatever it is. But there are aspects of what they say – that resonate with my understanding of the end at this point in time. From what I have been reading in the entire Word and I fully admit I have much to learn- it seems there is more to the plan. Its like there are pieces of a puzzle before me – and they aren’t all put together so I can’t see the whole – if that makes sense. But it is my heart to search and learn.
I do believe in a hell, the Bible clearly mentions it. The soul is tormented in hell. But the Bible is complex and layer upon layer and the more I read it seems the more layers there are. But the nature of hell, how it fits into the bigger plan . . . I’m not just looking at hell but all the verses about the end especially those in Revelation and how they fit together. What about the 1000 years where Satan is bound, so there is no deception? Then He is released again. Then there is the judgment after that. Why does Hades give up her dead to be judged? Rev 20 Aren’t they judged already because they are there? Is there another opportunity – a chance for a spirit to learn and repent in hell? Is there a second opportunity after physical life to know and believe without all the deception? Not that all would, but is there another chance? That is my question. Most don’t believe now because they are deceived – which is also a part of God’s plan. What if there is another opportunity to learn of God’s ways, to see the truth, and to come to Christ through repentance and belief? Though even if this is true this isn’t the first choice by any means – blessed are those of the first resurrection. We want others to come to Him now regardless because of His amazing love and what you have to face if you don’t. As for the eternal tormet part – suppose just for a moment that there is some merit to another chance . . . to go through hell, understand your rejection of the love of God, the pain, suffering, shame, to be one who isn’t of the first resurrection and whatever differences that may entail in eternity – that to me would be eternal torment.
So its understanding the bigger picture and how it all fits together.
This then is how Jesus spoke of hell. Jesus said that…
hell and fire go together as “hell fire” Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47
hell is a place of “fire” Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41
hell is the “furnace of fire” Matt 13:42, 50
hell is “the fire that never shall be quenched” Mark 9:43, 45
hell is the place where “the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:44, 46, 48
hell is a place of “everlasting fire” Matt 18:8, 25:41
hell is “damnation” Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47
hell is the “damnation of hell” Matt 23:33
hell is the place of “eternal damnation” Mark 3:29
hell is the “resurrection of damnation” John 5:29
in hell “their worm dieth not” Mark 9:44, 46, 48
in hell there will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” Matt 13:42, 50
in hell there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30
hell is a “place of torment” Luke 16:28
hell will have various “torments” Luke 16:23 (note that “torments” is in the plural)
hell is the place where the damned will be “tormented in this flame” Luke 16:24
hell is a place of “outer darkness” Matt 8:12, 22:13
hell will be “everlasting punishment” Matt 25:46
Is there any way that I could order these video,s ? It is too difficult to listen to on my phone or going to the library with my kids. No computer at home. It would be too difficult to get the information off of my phone. You have some awesome video’s
You can install Firefox – and then click “options” and select “add ons”. From the Firefox add ons search for YouTube downloader. Then when you go to YouTube, every video has a new button called “download”. You can download the video(s) to MP3 – then burn them to a data CD and play them in your car. I do this a lot.
Yes, but for me that doesn’t replace spending time reading it on my own … there is something about taking time with it in your hands, stopping to pause and write and reflect on what you read, letting the spirit of truth bring to mind different verses and connecting them together for you to bring a deeper understanding.
The issues I have now is staying motivated and focused . I do home care here for my mother who’s turning 91 this Dec so I’ts a bit tough at times. I cannot leave the room while she watches the hallmark movies incase she needs my help for anything. I listen to your teachings at that time. or watch Christian movies. Any good advice how to stay motivated by myself? Thank you.
Each has their own journey … but ultimately seek to walk in divine love to all creation, at all times and in all situations … when you obey the inner directing into loving kindness you will see the joy and power it holds and it will propel you forward.
Think of the Bible as a tool by which the spirit of God, the spirit of truth, can talk to and teach YOU by. Thus when you read let God teach you what He desires to teach you at that time. You find over time you will learn different things from the same passage as your understanding deepens. The mind is a vast network of concepts, God knows exactly how to construct yours, thus trust Him to teach you. Others can confirm, but let God be the one to establish the truth in you. If you trust His instruction in this way, He will always lead in on the right paths and what you need to know at this time in your life.
Living Light 
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January 11, 2010 at 8:04 am
Just watched these videos. Thanks for all the ideas. Some of these are ones that I’m already using, but your additional ideas and just explaining why these suggestions are important has been very helpful. I jotted down quite a few notes, but I think the most important are the reminders to BE STILL for those last 5 minutes (this “listening” part is what I think I have struggled the most with, but I like how you characterize this as an act of trusting God and putting His time before mine) and staying determined. Those distractions and lies that it’s not that important or that I can get around to it later have often come to tempt me!
Thanks again for sharing these videos on your blog! I would appreciate your prayers for God to strengthen me, draw me closer to Him, and teach me along this journey. Thanks.
January 11, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Ruth – I’ll definitely keep you in my prayers 🙂
January 13, 2010 at 3:42 am
Nice work with the videos.
As Ruth stated, I have a nightly Bible reading and prayer time, but have neglected the listening time that you describe. I like the structure of your approach–it fits well with my personality.
I’ll implement the program tomorrow and look forward to viewing/reading more of your suggestions and experiences.
January 13, 2010 at 5:28 am
Your messages were impactful and filled with so much truth! Nothing is more important than our time with God. You have clearly highlighted the powerful meaning of communing with God through His word and personal prayer. I have been studying Scripture for many years yet I learned something new today! Good work from someone whose heart is ablaze for God!
January 13, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Thanks Marianne. I really appreciate your feedback on them.
January 14, 2010 at 7:56 am
Hi Rachel. Our slow computer doesn’t do well with You Tube presentations. Nonetheless, if it’s ok, I would like to link to this, and following ones, when time permits. It’s ever so imortant for us to be in close to the Lord continually and always atuned to the Spirit. I have much growing to do; especially with an overactive imagination that requires constant casting down.
Thanks again. Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
January 14, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Timbob – absolutely. It is my number one passion to lead others to cultivate a relationship with God in His Word on a daily basis.
January 14, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I enjoyed the videos. what church do you attend?
January 14, 2010 at 5:31 pm
John – I don’t attend a church as in the church system. There are some blogs I’ve written about how I felt God’s call out of the Church System and to His Word. This is my personal experience . . . https://stirringthedeep.com/2009/09/10/out-of-the-church-system-into-his-arms/ — others are under the category “Outside the Church System” on the rightside column of my blog. I’m planning on writting more about my experience in a post next week.
January 14, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Thats cool. So, all those scriptures about everlasting punishment, you think God was just blowing hot air? There are munerous scriptures about hell and eternal damnation. How can you be a universalist? I think just about very single orthodox denomination believes in a hell that is eternal.
January 15, 2010 at 5:53 pm
This is indeed a difficult and loaded topic but here are some of my thoughts . . . it is definitely a work in progress as is all our understanding . . . I think there is much more to the plan. It is a difficult thing to read the Word of God without all our filters that we have learned from the church. But often those filters lead us to fit the Word to our understanding instead of seeking what the Word is truly saying. I try to read aware and without the filters and seek that clarity from God, but it is confusing no doubt. A lot more questions arise when I do this . . here are some of my questions . . .
I’ve been working up a document on hell and the more I dig I realize it is no way straight forward – it is fire, yet darkness. There are multiple verses that say people perish – not dwell in torment. The wages of sin is death (and as we learn in this physical life – death means you are gone not in a place of torture). God is called a consuming fire. We are given eternal life. In the Bible I don’t see this torment-nature, eternal punishment in God’s character. He killed, punished to bring people back to Him, but eternal torment I don’t see.
Luke 16:22-31 Once the blinders are off (which I think happens after death so for some hell would be in the reality of everything) and realizing you rejected God who loves you, understanding His love, the pain you caused and so on . . .never being near Him as those of the first resurrection (does that suggest a second?) will be extremely painful and difficult. Rev 20:6. The Bible talks about the shame people will feel.
If people go to hell to eternal torment – then why another judgment? Rev 20:12-13 – Aren’t they already judged? Then hell is thrown into the lake of fire Rev 20:14 Jesus came to destroy death – not so that it would live on forever.
Is the idea of hell as it is traditionally thought more of man’s justice or God’s?
Then there is Romans 5 – esp Romans 5:18 . . .
But from what I’ve been studying about God hell-fire eternal punishment as most think of it doesn’t seem to fit. From what I’m studying in the scriptures it isn’t so straightforward. We are deceived, blinded and mislead on this earth. We are dust and our thoughts futile – why would OUR decision here be ours for eternity. It is no doubt deep but as I read all the verses I see more to the salvation plan than just saying a prayer and go to heaven or not and go to hell – there is much more. As you can see I have lots of questions and not many answers.
January 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I read my comment and to me I sound like a smart a*s, but Im not meaning to.
January 15, 2010 at 5:53 pm
John – I didn’t think that . . . I appreciate the conversation it is how we grow and challenge our beliefs.
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January 16, 2010 at 12:39 am
I think you are way way off and into heresy. That is one of the biggest lies of satan, and you are falling for it.
God put set teachers, elders and pastors in the church for a purpose. he is the one that set the local church in motion.
A hallmark of people withdrawing is apostasy and severe error.
The Bible does teach that God is love, and tha He is also a judge. If you cant believe in eternal hell, then you cannot believe in eternal heaven.
You are treading on thin ice theologically. 95% of all Christian denominations would vehemently disagree with you. That being said, i still like you and care about you and wish to have fellowship.
January 18, 2010 at 5:49 pm
John – I appreciate your comments on this – really. I understand you are passionate about your beliefs – many of us are 😉 but I am a believer in that it is good to ask questions and search the scriptures and be slow to put others in a certain category- people need room to learn, grow and search the scripture and I think it is good for people to ask when they have questions – especially when they have a heart for the truth and the Word. When we ask and search then that is how the truth becomes ours instead of just believing what someone or some group says is true.
A couple things I want to clarify – I’m not saying I’m a universalist – because I don’t know all they believe and there is probably a huge variance in what they believe as a group as with most groups – one reason I don’t like being stuck into a category, whatever it is. But there are aspects of what they say – that resonate with my understanding of the end at this point in time. From what I have been reading in the entire Word and I fully admit I have much to learn- it seems there is more to the plan. Its like there are pieces of a puzzle before me – and they aren’t all put together so I can’t see the whole – if that makes sense. But it is my heart to search and learn.
I do believe in a hell, the Bible clearly mentions it. The soul is tormented in hell. But the Bible is complex and layer upon layer and the more I read it seems the more layers there are. But the nature of hell, how it fits into the bigger plan . . . I’m not just looking at hell but all the verses about the end especially those in Revelation and how they fit together. What about the 1000 years where Satan is bound, so there is no deception? Then He is released again. Then there is the judgment after that. Why does Hades give up her dead to be judged? Rev 20 Aren’t they judged already because they are there? Is there another opportunity – a chance for a spirit to learn and repent in hell? Is there a second opportunity after physical life to know and believe without all the deception? Not that all would, but is there another chance? That is my question. Most don’t believe now because they are deceived – which is also a part of God’s plan. What if there is another opportunity to learn of God’s ways, to see the truth, and to come to Christ through repentance and belief? Though even if this is true this isn’t the first choice by any means – blessed are those of the first resurrection. We want others to come to Him now regardless because of His amazing love and what you have to face if you don’t. As for the eternal tormet part – suppose just for a moment that there is some merit to another chance . . . to go through hell, understand your rejection of the love of God, the pain, suffering, shame, to be one who isn’t of the first resurrection and whatever differences that may entail in eternity – that to me would be eternal torment.
So its understanding the bigger picture and how it all fits together.
January 16, 2010 at 3:03 am
This then is how Jesus spoke of hell. Jesus said that…
hell and fire go together as “hell fire” Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47
hell is a place of “fire” Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41
hell is the “furnace of fire” Matt 13:42, 50
hell is “the fire that never shall be quenched” Mark 9:43, 45
hell is the place where “the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:44, 46, 48
hell is a place of “everlasting fire” Matt 18:8, 25:41
hell is “damnation” Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47
hell is the “damnation of hell” Matt 23:33
hell is the place of “eternal damnation” Mark 3:29
hell is the “resurrection of damnation” John 5:29
in hell “their worm dieth not” Mark 9:44, 46, 48
in hell there will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” Matt 13:42, 50
in hell there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30
hell is a “place of torment” Luke 16:28
hell will have various “torments” Luke 16:23 (note that “torments” is in the plural)
hell is the place where the damned will be “tormented in this flame” Luke 16:24
hell is a place of “outer darkness” Matt 8:12, 22:13
hell will be “everlasting punishment” Matt 25:46
January 16, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Hey Rachel, I know Im coming across as a jerk, but I dont mean to.
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January 23, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Is there any way that I could order these video,s ? It is too difficult to listen to on my phone or going to the library with my kids. No computer at home. It would be too difficult to get the information off of my phone. You have some awesome video’s
January 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Hi Melody,
You can install Firefox – and then click “options” and select “add ons”. From the Firefox add ons search for YouTube downloader. Then when you go to YouTube, every video has a new button called “download”. You can download the video(s) to MP3 – then burn them to a data CD and play them in your car. I do this a lot.
September 23, 2013 at 1:35 am
can we listen to someone reading the bible.?
September 23, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Yes, but for me that doesn’t replace spending time reading it on my own … there is something about taking time with it in your hands, stopping to pause and write and reflect on what you read, letting the spirit of truth bring to mind different verses and connecting them together for you to bring a deeper understanding.
September 28, 2013 at 10:07 pm
The issues I have now is staying motivated and focused . I do home care here for my mother who’s turning 91 this Dec so I’ts a bit tough at times. I cannot leave the room while she watches the hallmark movies incase she needs my help for anything. I listen to your teachings at that time. or watch Christian movies. Any good advice how to stay motivated by myself? Thank you.
October 2, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Each has their own journey … but ultimately seek to walk in divine love to all creation, at all times and in all situations … when you obey the inner directing into loving kindness you will see the joy and power it holds and it will propel you forward.
October 4, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Hi Rachel. Are the Bible comentaries a good tool for learning ? Thank you. Greg
October 4, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Hello Rachel. Are the Bible comentaries a great tool for learning ? Thank you . Greg
October 7, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Hi Greg,
Think of the Bible as a tool by which the spirit of God, the spirit of truth, can talk to and teach YOU by. Thus when you read let God teach you what He desires to teach you at that time. You find over time you will learn different things from the same passage as your understanding deepens. The mind is a vast network of concepts, God knows exactly how to construct yours, thus trust Him to teach you. Others can confirm, but let God be the one to establish the truth in you. If you trust His instruction in this way, He will always lead in on the right paths and what you need to know at this time in your life.