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Author Topic: Depend
Eden
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Sister Carol Swenson said,
quote:
We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy, but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves.
But don't include me in that number of "we often depend on our own skills" because the Holy Spirit is INTERESTED IN MY SKILLS.

God searches the earth for what He needs and especially if the person is a bornagain-type Christian, the LORD will use that person.

By now most of the time I'm on a combo team, the Holy Spirit and me, writing together. Hopefully I got what He said.

To repeat what Carol Swenson said
quote:
We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy, but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves.
I am listening to Him DAILY. I am trying to STOP SOUL RULE and am making every effort to "spirit of man rule".

love, Eden
love, Eden

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Carol Swenson
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Yes, well, anyway...

We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy, but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. Depending on God is not defeat or weakness, but a realization of our own powerlessness without Him and our need for His constant contact. God is our source of power, and we receive His help by keeping in touch with Him. With this attitude, problems will drive us to God rather than away from Him.

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Eden
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! [Wink]
. [Wink]

love, Eden

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Carol Swenson
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Why do you post everything with a question mark?
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Eden
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Carol Swenson wrote
quote:
And the reference to "scary" was just a joke about the old signature she used to have "Are ya dead yet?"
I'm glad you have your own "scary", Carol Swenson. My "scary" was when, in prayer, God asked me to do something that "I hadn't expected Him to ask and now may involve a little 'faith' on my part to do, 'should I decide to accept this mission'". love, Eden
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Carol Swenson
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Eden
quote:
I'm assuming it was Carol Swenson?? who had to look up Shiloh?
Yes. Thank you. What I meant was I didn't understand the connection:

Shiloh = Messiah = Revelation 22:17 = Living Water = Holy Spirit

The way Zeena posted it:

quote:
For the peaceful waters of Shiloh still flow to this day!

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

And the reference to scary was just a joke about the old signature she used to have "Are ya dead yet?"
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Eden
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Sister (adopted) Carol Swenson said to brother (adopted)
quote:
Eden:Asking what God wants me to do, YES. But that isn't what you said. You said DOING it.
I said both. I said, asking for what God wants me to do, and then DOING what God asked me to do.

That's why a lot of Christians stick to laundry lists, they are "more predictable" and safer (life-safer) than asking, "God, what would YOU like me to do?!?" [happyhappy] Are You kidding me!!!

love, Eden (adopted, but beginning to fit in)

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Carol Swenson
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Eden said

quote:
And I say: Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete listening—and an action— doing what I was told to do by God.
Asking what God wants me to do, YES. But that isn't what you said. You said DOING it.
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Eden
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Hi, sister Carol Swenson, you wrote to Eden
quote:
However, the "doing what God wills us to do" part comes after prayer. I can't see that it is actually a part of praying since I am on my knees and can't really do anything.
Dear sister, since when is asking, "God, what what YOU like me to do" and then waiting for an answer, NOT prayer?

Laundry lists are cool, and they ARE part of prayer, but asking what GOD would like ME to do ON EARTH is the other side of the relationship of prayer. God has a right to HIS 50% of talking... We are being SElFISH if we only present HIM WHO SAVED US with our laundry list...

But this is also where the "rubber begins to meet the road". To listen to God and to do what God asked me to do, involves FAITH, which is something a little different than BELIEVE.

I BELIEVE that Jesus died for my sins.

But when God asks me to DO something when I listened to my spirit of man, now THAT make take FAITH, and sometimes can be initially scary; but believing, thank God, is not very scary. But faith-ing that God will also provide for what He asked me to do, CAN be scary.

love, Eden

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Eden
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Adopted Daughter of God Carol Swenson wrote to Eden
quote:
I agree that listening is an important part of prayer, (but I know that the answer will not come until God's timing).
It is true that the answer to our laundry list may take some time (howbeit, when a Christian delights in the LORD, the LORD gives us the desires of our heart), but, it is true that the answer to our laundry list may take some time, but in the meantime we can ask and listen for what God wants US to do.

Most Christians have a laundry list for God, "Oh, God, please fix this and this!" But we need to stop that long enough to see what GOD WANTS US TO DO, and then DO WHAT GOD ASKED US TO DO.

God's daylong instructions of course have to deal with how to best deal with minutiae, but sometimes God wants us flatout to go do something that we were not expecting and may be a scary request which may make us look foolish, at first, and God's request REQUIRES FAITH...Ooo, scary.

It is Biblical to present God with our laundry list, especially in the beginning of our Christian walk when "our sanctification needs some serious fixing", but God is VERY interested in finding people who will ask, "God, what would YOU like me to do???"

John 11:35
And Jesus wept.

Let us also remember to ask What God would like us to do?

love, Eden

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Eden
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I'm assuming it was Carol Swenson?? who had to look up Shiloh?

Joshua 18:1
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

The site of Shiloh is known, I have it somewhere in my studies but too difficult to find. To my recollection, the site of Shiloh is not far north of Jerusalem, just east of the main Jerusalem-Galilee road, I think in Benjamin, where there is a great regular flat platform which is where a still-united Israel first placed the tent of the congregation after Israel's exodus from Hamite Misr (Egypt) and after the still-united Israel had conquered most of the land of Hamite Canaan.

Joshua 18:1 And the whole congregation 05712 of the children 01121 of Israel 03478 assembled together 06950 at Shiloh 07887, and set up 07931 the tabernacle 0168 of the congregation 04150 there. And the land 0776 was subdued 03533 before 06440 them.

Joshua 18:10 And Joshua 03091 cast
07993 lots 01486 for them in Shiloh 07887 before 06440 the LORD 03068: and there Joshua 03091 divided 02505 the land 0776 unto the children 01121 of Israel 03478 according to their divisions 04256.

Genesis 49:10
And the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall the gathering of the people be.

To Him shall the gathering of the people be.

love, Eden

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Carol Swenson
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Eden

quote:
And I say: Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete listening—and an action—doing what I was told to do by God.

What do you think? love, Eden

I agree that listening is an important part of prayer, (but I know that the answer will not come until God's timing). So are praise and giving thanks. And praying for others. And repeating and BELIEVING the promises of God.

There are whole books written on the subject of prayer - praying certainly is not just about making personal requests.

However, the "doing what God wills us to do" part comes after prayer. I can't see that it is actually a part of praying since I am on my knees and can't really do anything. [Wink]

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Eden
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Far to much of our prayer is a laundry list of what we would like God to fix.

We can ask God to fix our screw-ups (and no doubt we have much that needs fixing or needed fixing), we can ask God to fix our screw-ups, but another very important part of prayer is this:

To ask God what HE would like me to do. I ask the question, and then I try to remain thought-quiet until God either tells my spirit something, or I give up trying, for now. But as Arnold said, I'LL BE >BACK< YOU KNOW TO THAT PRAYER.

Way too much of our prayer life is about laundry requests. And I'm guilty of this too, I need to ask the LORD too, God of Israel, what do you want ME to do?

love, Eden

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Eden
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Dear Handbook of Bible Application, as posted by Carol Swenson, you wrote
quote:
Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete dependence—and an action—asking.
Regarding the words I bolded, Yes, but I would change those words. I would say this:

[quote]You said: Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete dependence—and an action—asking.

And I say: Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete listening—and an action—doing what I was told to do by God.

What do you think? love, Eden

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Zeena
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quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
quote:
LOL!

I cannot help but give the WHOLE counsel of God..

Scary or not!

 -
And no one shall make you afraid! [Smile]
For your Life is founded on the Rock! [Big Grin]

--------------------
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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Carol Swenson
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Zeena

quote:
LOL!

I cannot help but give the WHOLE counsel of God..

Scary or not!

 -
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Zeena
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LOL!

I cannot help but give the WHOLE counsel of God..

Scary or not!


Isaiah 8:5-10
The LORD spoke to me again: "Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel."
Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered;
give ear, all you far countries;
strap on your armor and be shattered;
strap on your armor and be shattered.
Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
speak a word, but it will not stand,
for God is with us.

Isaiah 10:5-7
Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger;
the staff in their hands is my fury!
Against a godless nation I send him,
and against the people of my wrath I command him,
to take spoil and seize plunder,
and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
But he does not so intend,
and his heart does not so think;
but it is in his heart to destroy,
and to cut off nations not a few;

Jeremiah 21:8
And to this people you shall say: 'Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.

For those who may be listening to the soft spoken voice of the Holy Spirit who says; "COME!" and to the voice of the Bride who says; "COME!" then come, come to Jesus! He longs for you!

Isaiah 54:14
In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

--------------------
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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Zeena
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quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
Zeena

Who did you witness to?

Susan, the assistant coordinator for Sunday school early this morning, and Bob [AKA TB125] not an hour or so ago.. Both born again believers who had asked me to give my testimony.

quote:
I had to look up Shiloh:

The prophecy in Gen 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,… until Shiloh come,” etc., has been the subject of very diverse interpretations. the Revised Version margin gives as alternative renderings, “ ‘Till he come to Shiloh having the obedience of the peoples’ Or, according to the Syriac, ‘Till he come whose it is,’ etc.” (1) From the earliest times the passage has been regarded as Messianic , but the rendering in the text, which takes “Shiloh” as a proper name, bearing a meaning such as “peaceful” (compare Isa 9:6, “Prince of Peace”), labors under the difficulty that Shiloh is not found elsewhere as a personal name in the Old Testament, nor is it easy to extract from it the meaning desired.

(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)


I didn't know Shiloh was thought of as Messianic. Thank you!

Yes, the Peaceful Waters of the Holy Spirit [Smile]

And, my pleasure! [Big Grin]

--------------------
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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Carol Swenson
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Zeena

Who did you witness to?

I had to look up Shiloh:

The prophecy in Gen 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,… until Shiloh come,” etc., has been the subject of very diverse interpretations. the Revised Version margin gives as alternative renderings, “ ‘Till he come to Shiloh having the obedience of the peoples’ Or, according to the Syriac, ‘Till he come whose it is,’ etc.” From the earliest times the passage has been regarded as Messianic , but the rendering in the text, which takes “Shiloh” as a proper name, bearing a meaning such as “peaceful” (compare Isa 9:6, “Prince of Peace”), labors under the difficulty that Shiloh is not found elsewhere as a personal name in the Old Testament, nor is it easy to extract from it the meaning desired.

(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)


I didn't know Shiloh was thought of as Messianic. Thank you!

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Zeena
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quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
Hi Zeena

I'm glad you like it. How is it perfect timing?

Hi Carol, a devotional on dependance on God is ALWAYS perfect timing, but moreso when we realise our need.

I came [yet again] to realise the need for Him when asked to give my witness. [updown]

quote:
I like your new siggie better, by the way. The old one made me think of spooky movies [Eek!]
Oh? I'm sorry!

I didn't mean to 'scare' you into Christ! [Eek!] For the peaceful waters of Shiloh still flow to this day! [spiny]

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

--------------------
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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Carol Swenson
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Hi Zeena

I'm glad you like it. How is it perfect timing?

I like your new siggie better, by the way. The old one made me think of spooky movies.

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Zeena
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Thanks for that devotional Carol [Smile]

PERFECT timing, praise God! [Big Grin]

--------------------
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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Carol Swenson
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DEPEND

What does it mean to depend on God?

BIBLE READING: 1 Chronicles 29:10-25

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. (1 Chronicles 29:11, TLB)

Dependence on God means counting on his control. David acknowledged God’s greatness. Our constantly changing world is controlled by a constant and unchanging God. As we see life come and go, materials decay, and friends change, the only thing on which we can truly depend is God’s control. His love and purpose for us never change. Only when we understand this can we have real peace and security.

BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:9, NIV)

Dependence on God means counting on him for our daily needs. Paul does not give details about their hardships in Asia, although his accounts of all three missionary journeys record many difficult trials he faced (Acts 13:2-14:28; Acts 15:40-21:17). He does write that they felt doomed to die, and realized that they could do nothing to help themselves—they simply had to trust in God.

We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy, but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. Depending on God is not defeat or weakness, but a realization of our own powerlessness without him and our need for his constant contact. God is our source of power, and we receive his help by keeping in touch with him. With this attitude, problems will drive us to God rather than away from him. Learn how to rely on God daily.

BIBLE READING: Mark 9:14-29

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus replied, “Cases like this require prayer.” (Mark 9:29, TLB)

Dependence on God means counting on the power of prayer. The disciples would often face difficult situations that could be resolved only through prayer. Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our life. Effective prayer needs both an attitude—complete dependence—and an action—asking. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite him to fill us with faith and power. There is no substitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that seem impossible.

(The Handbook of Bible Application)

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