The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

[go_deep]

There's 66 books in the bible. What other 7 books are your referencing? Honestly curious, not trying to be a douche

The Catholic Church compiled and translated all the writings to create the Bible in late 300's, every Bible published until around 1885 had everyone of those 73 books in them. Around 1885 7 of those books were removed to create different versions of Bibles for varies reasons, those reasons are well documented.
Essentially for about 1500 years after the Bible was translated and compiled by the Catholic Church, it was left in its original state, and that Bible with the original 73 books is the Bible the Catholic Church still uses today.

 

[Shortschaf]

The Catholic Church compiled and translated all the writings to create the Bible in late 300's, every Bible published until around 1885 had everyone of those 73 books in them. Around 1885 7 of those books were removed to create different versions of Bibles for varies reasons, those reasons are well documented.
Essentially for about 1500 years after the Bible was translated and compiled by the Catholic Church, it was left in its original state, and that Bible with the original 73 books is the Bible the Catholic Church still uses today.

1500 years we all had them, and still today HALF of all Christianity have all 73 books

Shocked me when I first learned that

You don't know what you don't know

 

[Yoder]

Coincidence or divine intervention? I've struggled with anger a lot in my life. This morning, I was praying to God, asking him to help me with my anger. The Bible and motivational speakers both say you should be careful who your friends are. They will influence your behavior. I've worked with this one guy for almost 20 years. I would say we have been on the same 12 hr shift for probably 15 of those 20. He is the angriest guy I know. Always yelling about politics or pretty much anything else. He's not a bad guy and I consider him a true friend, but he is toxic to be around for long periods of time. I thought of him this morning while I was praying and how if I switched shifts, it might be helpful to me working on this. A few hours later, my manager told me a guy quit on the other day shift and he asked me if I would be willing to change shifts. These "coincidences" always help reinforce my faith.

I had something similar happen last year. My wife and I were hiking in a wilderness area, and my dog took off. Every other time I take her; she never goes out of sight and always listens. I hiked around for about an hour, yelling for that dog. I was really having a difficult time with depression and that dog is my best buddy. I finally sat down on a log and just begged God to bring back my dog. As soon as I was done praying, my phone rang. My wife found the dog walking back to the car. I know both of these things could just be chance, and some of you will think I'm a simpleton but I don't believe in coincidence.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

The understanding about Jesus and God is a issue not related to cognitive ability. A perfect example was brought up today.

Our visual system can be in perfect working order, and we can explain how that process works in perfect detail to anyone, but if we do not have light coming into our eyes, we can not see. If we live in total darkness, if we have blinders on, if we are wearing a filter over our eyes that prevents light coming in, we can not see.

Likewise with God, we need to have the light of God shine into us in order for us to see Him. We can have all the cognitive understanding, we can get all the knowledge, but until God shines on us, we cant see.

I say this with full knowledge that God is not shielding Himself from us, but it is always the opposite. So many have blinders on, or their heads buried, or are just living in darkness yet they don’t realize, since they live for themselves and are perfectly content to live in that reality.



There is the question of whether God can harden someones heart, and while i did not listen to the video that was presented in this thread on that topic, i think that is a question best suited for people above my pay grade. I do know God is omniscient and omnipotent and if He knows someone will never come around to seeing Him, then there might be situations where he does harden a heart to maximize benefit for His people. However, like i said, that is above my paygrade, and beyond the scope of this post/thread.

 

[Plainsman79]

A couple times I know God was active in my live.

All last week I’ve been just buried at work, coming into this weekend it was my turn to cover nights from Thursday to Sunday. It also collided with another massive project on days over the weekend and into next week. I called my boss and told him the situation, but he really didn’t seem to bother much. I turned to prayer, asking for help, strength and guidance. Out of the blue on Thursday, another supervisor calls and tells me he’ll take the weekend duty if I take his next weekend. Just like that, it’s answered prayers.

A few years ago, I was on day 7 of a hunt. It was first thing in the morning and I came across a great buck. My shot blew out his front shoulder and the tracking was on. As I followed him through the snow, tracks and blood he created a small ridge onto a southwest slope. The blood dried up and the snow melted off. I was literally on my hands and knees looking for over turned leaves and broken blades of grass. After awhile I found myself sitting on a rock asking God why. Why would you let me see such a great buck, hit him and then loose him? Why? It’s tearing me up inside. A very real sense of peace over came me and a very soft and gentle voice came into my head that said “keep going”. After I picked up my own self pity party I came to a fence, following the fence looking for blood on the opposite side, I came upon a very small bench and not 35 yards away laying down, there he was-looking directly at me. I put another in his neck and that was it. It wasn’t 5 minutes after I heard His voice, the deer was dead.

I have so many other times in my life where I know God is there. Some are incredibly private and personal, some I’ll share for all the world to hear.

Coincidence aren’t real, what your experiencing is the presence of God’s in your life.

 

[OKHunter84]

The Catholic Church compiled and translated all the writings to create the Bible in late 300's, every Bible published until around 1885 had everyone of those 73 books in them. Around 1885 7 of those books were removed to create different versions of Bibles for varies reasons, those reasons are well documented.
Essentially for about 1500 years after the Bible was translated and compiled by the Catholic Church, it was left in its original state, and that Bible with the original 73 books is the Bible the Catholic Church still uses today.

I didn't know this. I'm going to have to look into this. I knew there was books that they left out but I didn't realize it was as late as 1885. Thank you

 

[Yoder]

If you don't believe, just listen to this man. Sentenced to prison at 18 for 70 years. Had a near death experience. How do you explain experiences like this? Is he crazy? Had a dream? I'm just curious what you think. You have to click watch on YouTube I guess. It's a legit video and there's nothing inappropriate.

 

[eddielasvegas]

god sure works in wonderful ways I must say.

First, he saves @Plainsman79 from a rough work week.

Second (and more impressive I must say), he converts a pagan to a god fearing person , who will not be taken during the second coming, whereas I am dead meat.

Here's another example of god's wonderfulness after watching the Red Sox and Dodgers tonight: he helps players get base hits as evidenced by them looking to the heavens and pointing skyward with their finger.

I have to ask another question although few of mine get even one awswer: Any of you god fearing folks gonna let the enlightened pagan in when he comes knocking on your door at 10PM, or heck just about anytime?


Eddie

 

[Pure101Proof]

This one is my favorite.

Ezekiel 25:17

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."