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#1 Brian Rushfeldt

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 05:26 AM

Lawyers practice law, doctors practice medicine. Christians - in that same context- practice what Jesus has taught you. Apply yourself, apply what you have received from Jesus. Know that God's principles and laws are to be practiced and know that those principles are so certain that you can depend on them to produce exact results as God promised us. Application of God's principles produce sure and certain results.

The universe is so ordered that a plane can leave North America and 15 hours later precisely arrive at a point in Australia. That is fixed law. When I apply the principles of Galatians 5:15-25 - love, longsuffering, kindness and self control (etc) I can be assured the results will be what Jesus taught, promised and commanded.

What an amazing relationship with Christ through Holy Spirit is ours.

#2 Denes House

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 06:08 AM

Amen to the idea that Christians should practice what Jesus has taught! We need to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers.

It's true that in some places, the Scriptures teach a cause-and-effect relationship between obeying certain promises and receiving certain results, especially in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. But it's also true that God is a person, not a vending machine. Some times, we love others and are hurt in return. We should love anyway. Sometimes, we are longsuffering toward others and are taken advantage of. We should bear with them anyway. Some times we exercise self control and are injured by other people who aren't doing the same. We should exercise self control anyway. Because the payoff for obedience to Christ does not always happen in this world. Sometimes, we have to trust God for our ultimate vindication and reward after death.

Amen - we do indeed have an amazing relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. His Holy Spirit reminds us to trust in Him, even when what we see around us seems unfair or out of control. He reminds us that Jesus sits on the throne at the right hand of God the Father, and He is a perfect judge who combines justice and mercy, and who rewards those who seek Him.
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#3 thirstydeer

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 02:24 PM

I have to agree.... if you dot the i's and cross the t's there's still no guarantee you are gonna get what you think you should get. Maybe some promises spill over into the NEXT life.

I can diffintely see where the original poster is coming from but i'm still a bit hmmm about the term 'practice'
in relation to Christianity. Maybe cos I don't think it's relational but work orientated.

But YES we do have to be doers of the words. And Jesus said who puts my words into practice etc... but practicing Christianity? I'm not sure.

#4 Brian Rushfeldt

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 05:58 AM

Hi,

I'd like to suggest reading THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD by Brother Lawrence - . it will give the perspective of practicing - which is not a works issue at all, it is being a doer of God's word as best we can in every situation. Maybe the dicipline of practicing describes all this better.

I have to agree.... if you dot the i's and cross the t's there's still no guarantee you are gonna get what you think you should get. Maybe some promises spill over into the NEXT life.

I can diffintely see where the original poster is coming from but i'm still a bit hmmm about the term 'practice'
in relation to Christianity. Maybe cos I don't think it's relational but work orientated.

But YES we do have to be doers of the words. And Jesus said who puts my words into practice etc... but practicing Christianity? I'm not sure.



#5 RuthAnn Nicholls

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Posted 12 October 2010 - 02:03 PM

Hi,

I'd like to suggest reading THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD by Brother Lawrence - . it will give the perspective of practicing - which is not a works issue at all, it is being a doer of God's word as best we can in every situation. Maybe the dicipline of practicing describes all this better.



That book is right here:
Practice the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

on line where you can read it or the author has given permission to download and print it. It's only about 20 pages. I'm reading it on line.


Thanks so much.

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when I wake up Satan says, "Oh, no! She's awake!


#6 Travis Richey

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Posted 25 October 2010 - 05:52 PM

Thank you very much for the link to Brother Lawrence's thoughts on Practicing the PResence of God. I have heard this title many times over the years, and have caught brief descriptions of this work, but had the opportunity Saturday to sit down and read it through. Wow! Now I need to print out a copy so I can go back through it with highlighter and really read it. Thanks again.