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.
Nice Post! I am reading and Forgotten God by Francis Chan right now and blogging all about it. I highly suggest it. See what I am writing at http://whatsnextgod.wordpress.com
I kew you sounded like you are from my neck of the woods!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to live in San Diego! Thanks for the facebook acceptence, and for not getting mad when talking religion. Most folks cant do it without freaking out
Hi John – I’ve been here for almost 9 years and love it! Are you from San Diego orginially?
I think it is healthy to talk about these issues as long as there is respect on both sides. I think it is how we challenge our beliefs and come to understand what we truly believe and why. So I enjoy our conversations 🙂
As you were talking about allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us (instead of just passively listening to others), I thought of how this relates to the verses from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 COR 10: 25-32).
Specifically, the part where Paul cautions Believers against overriding the conscience of others by insisting that it is ok to eat food offered to idols. It seems that Paul is saying this voice inside us is important to hear versus the opinions of others.
Also, how would you respond if someone was critical of the concept of a Believer learning God’s plan alone without any direction–that I am not trained in the original languages of the Bible and will certainly miss many of the nuances and historical references within.
Slamdunk, Thanks for you comments . . . I think our foundation should be in that instruction that we get from the Spirit – because He will teach us what we NEED to know, when we need it. I often use http://www.blueletterbible.org/ to look up the original Greek and Hebrew words. It can be very enlightening.
I’m not saying you can’t learn interesting historical details from others you can – but I’ve found that it builds upon what the Spirit has already taught me and I’m able to test what they are saying. It isn’t about one or the other – it is about authority and priority. The Spirit needs to hold the number one spot and human teachers second to that. We need to be able to test all spirits and to do so our foundation has to be in Him. And remember it is our qualifications that matter, but that we have the Spirit and His ability and qualifications 🙂
I have found that those who trust the Spirit to teach them in God’s Word come to understand the same truths because they have the same Teacher. This happens a lot with me. Many think if you trust the Spirit then you will go off on your own ideas of what the Word says. I haven’t found this to be the case at all. The Spirit is real. He is our Teacher. And though we are many, He is one. He is able to teach you and me the same truth though I’m here and you are there – I’ve seen it happen over and over – with those who are truly seeking understanding from God and not man. It’s amazing. We have a very powerful God. He is able to do so much more than most give Him credit for.
I’m finally getting caught up on these videos. There were so many helpful thoughts for me in this one. A friend of mine and I have had conversations about this “teacher” issue several times recently as she keeps reminding me that God said His laws are written in our hearts and that we don’t need anyone to teach us. I knew that, of course, but I know that Paul’s letters mention teachers several times and wondered how they fit into this… so your thoughts on that were very helpful to me. What you said about our brethren giving us confirmation is so true! So many times what someone says or what I am reading is repeating exactly what I’ve already been learning through prayer and reading the Word. It’s awesome to see how God builds on my understanding… and continuously confirms one truth before slowly building another one on top of it.
I also appreciate your discussion of reasons why we rely on others to teach us. I’m afraid I have often been guilty of turning to others to “be sure” about something, as if by asking someone I trust, I will get a straight, conclusive answer so I can stop fretting over a question that is plaguing my heart. One of my biggest issues has been going straight to God and not depending on my mom…I leaned on her so much to instruct me in her faith as I grew up, and honestly, I think the Spirit has shown me that whatever it was that I called “my faith” during that time was more hers than mine. I remember one morning several months ago when I felt a very icy fear because I believed His Spirit was instructing me in something and I just wasn’t listening. After ignoring Him, I honestly could not fathom Him forgiving me AGAIN. I was alone at the time and just gave in and called mom… before, during, and after the conversation, I felt God stirring in my heart as He showed me that the phone conversation would accomplish nothing, that He alone could comfort my heart and convince me of His deep and penetrating desire to forgive and cleanse me, that I had to come to Him and not run to anyone else to assuage my fear but rather I needed to face it, embrace it (as fearing the Lord is a mark of a true believer), but at the same time allow Him to deliver me from it!
Though I do think I struggle with doubting myself and my understanding, your discussion here as well as some other things that have come to me lately are showing me that when I put so much emphasis on doubting myself, I am effectively believing that my weakness is somehow stronger than God’s strength. I know He is perfectly strong and has promised to lead us into all truth; thanks for reminding me to rely on that promise!
Ruth – thanks so much for sharing your experience because I think it is one many have in common. As you showed, I’ve also found as you spend that time with God one-on-one, that He becomes your foundation. Without a growing relationship in Him we are going to depend a lot on others because that’s all we have and know. But as we cultivate our relationship with God, then our trust grows and we start shifting to Him being our foundation. I think it is awesome what the Spirit showed you with your Mom. It is a process we’re all in and you are moving in the right direction 🙂
all the time I am the head of the household and I am to fololw him, but how to I fololw a man who is not fololwing God. I know that I can not change nor save my husband but his harsh attitude towards me and my faith is unbearable at times. Please keep me in oyour prayers and thank you again for sharing your story. God Bless all woman and men who may be going through an unequally yoked realtionship.
Living Light 
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January 22, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Nice Post! I am reading and Forgotten God by Francis Chan right now and blogging all about it. I highly suggest it. See what I am writing at http://whatsnextgod.wordpress.com
January 24, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Whatsnextgod – thanks! I’ll check it out!
January 23, 2010 at 1:01 am
I kew you sounded like you are from my neck of the woods!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to live in San Diego! Thanks for the facebook acceptence, and for not getting mad when talking religion. Most folks cant do it without freaking out
January 24, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hi John – I’ve been here for almost 9 years and love it! Are you from San Diego orginially?
I think it is healthy to talk about these issues as long as there is respect on both sides. I think it is how we challenge our beliefs and come to understand what we truly believe and why. So I enjoy our conversations 🙂
January 23, 2010 at 5:20 am
Nicely done.
As you were talking about allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us (instead of just passively listening to others), I thought of how this relates to the verses from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 COR 10: 25-32).
Specifically, the part where Paul cautions Believers against overriding the conscience of others by insisting that it is ok to eat food offered to idols. It seems that Paul is saying this voice inside us is important to hear versus the opinions of others.
Also, how would you respond if someone was critical of the concept of a Believer learning God’s plan alone without any direction–that I am not trained in the original languages of the Bible and will certainly miss many of the nuances and historical references within.
Thanks.
January 24, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Slamdunk, Thanks for you comments . . . I think our foundation should be in that instruction that we get from the Spirit – because He will teach us what we NEED to know, when we need it. I often use http://www.blueletterbible.org/ to look up the original Greek and Hebrew words. It can be very enlightening.
I’m not saying you can’t learn interesting historical details from others you can – but I’ve found that it builds upon what the Spirit has already taught me and I’m able to test what they are saying. It isn’t about one or the other – it is about authority and priority. The Spirit needs to hold the number one spot and human teachers second to that. We need to be able to test all spirits and to do so our foundation has to be in Him. And remember it is our qualifications that matter, but that we have the Spirit and His ability and qualifications 🙂
I have found that those who trust the Spirit to teach them in God’s Word come to understand the same truths because they have the same Teacher. This happens a lot with me. Many think if you trust the Spirit then you will go off on your own ideas of what the Word says. I haven’t found this to be the case at all. The Spirit is real. He is our Teacher. And though we are many, He is one. He is able to teach you and me the same truth though I’m here and you are there – I’ve seen it happen over and over – with those who are truly seeking understanding from God and not man. It’s amazing. We have a very powerful God. He is able to do so much more than most give Him credit for.
January 25, 2010 at 1:17 am
Ok, that makes sense–thanks for the additional response.
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February 2, 2010 at 5:27 am
Hey Rachel,
I’m finally getting caught up on these videos. There were so many helpful thoughts for me in this one. A friend of mine and I have had conversations about this “teacher” issue several times recently as she keeps reminding me that God said His laws are written in our hearts and that we don’t need anyone to teach us. I knew that, of course, but I know that Paul’s letters mention teachers several times and wondered how they fit into this… so your thoughts on that were very helpful to me. What you said about our brethren giving us confirmation is so true! So many times what someone says or what I am reading is repeating exactly what I’ve already been learning through prayer and reading the Word. It’s awesome to see how God builds on my understanding… and continuously confirms one truth before slowly building another one on top of it.
I also appreciate your discussion of reasons why we rely on others to teach us. I’m afraid I have often been guilty of turning to others to “be sure” about something, as if by asking someone I trust, I will get a straight, conclusive answer so I can stop fretting over a question that is plaguing my heart. One of my biggest issues has been going straight to God and not depending on my mom…I leaned on her so much to instruct me in her faith as I grew up, and honestly, I think the Spirit has shown me that whatever it was that I called “my faith” during that time was more hers than mine. I remember one morning several months ago when I felt a very icy fear because I believed His Spirit was instructing me in something and I just wasn’t listening. After ignoring Him, I honestly could not fathom Him forgiving me AGAIN. I was alone at the time and just gave in and called mom… before, during, and after the conversation, I felt God stirring in my heart as He showed me that the phone conversation would accomplish nothing, that He alone could comfort my heart and convince me of His deep and penetrating desire to forgive and cleanse me, that I had to come to Him and not run to anyone else to assuage my fear but rather I needed to face it, embrace it (as fearing the Lord is a mark of a true believer), but at the same time allow Him to deliver me from it!
Though I do think I struggle with doubting myself and my understanding, your discussion here as well as some other things that have come to me lately are showing me that when I put so much emphasis on doubting myself, I am effectively believing that my weakness is somehow stronger than God’s strength. I know He is perfectly strong and has promised to lead us into all truth; thanks for reminding me to rely on that promise!
February 2, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Ruth – thanks so much for sharing your experience because I think it is one many have in common. As you showed, I’ve also found as you spend that time with God one-on-one, that He becomes your foundation. Without a growing relationship in Him we are going to depend a lot on others because that’s all we have and know. But as we cultivate our relationship with God, then our trust grows and we start shifting to Him being our foundation. I think it is awesome what the Spirit showed you with your Mom. It is a process we’re all in and you are moving in the right direction 🙂
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January 10, 2013 at 3:02 am
all the time I am the head of the household and I am to fololw him, but how to I fololw a man who is not fololwing God. I know that I can not change nor save my husband but his harsh attitude towards me and my faith is unbearable at times. Please keep me in oyour prayers and thank you again for sharing your story. God Bless all woman and men who may be going through an unequally yoked realtionship.