Sufficient Self's Bible Study Group

[Farmfresh]

The fact that the sun comes up and goes down and the rivers always flow and the ocean is never full - all these things are constants. Things that can be depended upon. This to me is a comfort.

People struggle to grow "wise". They get degrees and study and work, yet the wisdom of mankind is nothing. If we can't control the world in which we live and all of our wisdom is but vanity, then what is it that gives life its meaning?

This is a very depressing book for me as well - but sometimes you have to look at the hard cold painful facts before you can see where to find the answer to the problem.

This book is starting out like a person who has discovered a moisture spot on the ceiling. Peeling away all of the moldy plaster and rotten boards is a bad depressing job, but that is the only way to locate the source of the leak and fix all of the trouble. When the roof is properly repaired there will be no more rain getting inside!

 

[BarredBuff]

Sorry Guys I havent posted! I have been pretty busy today. Ive had a lot of animal chores plus I had to do Wednesday visitation with Dad so I havent had much free time. I promise I will read it tommorow!! Sorry!!

 

[Wannabefree]

Sorry Guys I havent posted! I have been pretty busy today. Ive had a lot of animal chores plus I had to do Wednesday visitation with Dad so I havent had much free time. I promise I will read it tommorow!! Sorry!!

No problems Mr.Busyman!! See...good idea to stretch the time frame a bit eh? Tomorrow I will be super busy Have a good night James!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Beekissed]

if there is a reason to think we may somehow be open to being tempted of their particular sin in attempting to restore them?

I think there is a danger when consorting with people who are actively sinning because it is easier to drag someone down than it is to pick someone up. For example....if everyone in your office cusses like a sailor, it is so easy to slide into it. Or, if they are constantly complain about the job or the boss, it is so easy to just go along to get along. Same with gossip.

When you get closer to sin, it has a way of pulling you in.

Excellent point, so how do we go about armoring ourselves against this?

I know this seems like a silly question, but what behaviors should we be using? Silence, in my mind, is acceptance. Being 'politically correct' and attending meetings/get-togethers that make one uncomfortable condones it, too.

As a young and immature Christian I let myself join this behaviour at work and outside my home but tried to live differently at home. People at work were very surprised that I never cursed at my home but did so fluently at work. Yeah, I know...not a Christian example at all. Back then I couldn't even talk about God without feeling embarassed.

The only thing that armors oneself against this behaviour, IMO, is to have a closer walk with the Lord and put on the whole armor of God, like it says in the scriptures. Now, when I think about what I used to do, I cringe and apologize to Jesus Christ. Even now.

As for how I behave now around similar behaviour in my workplace or amongst my more secular friends? I just quietly lead a life for God and I don't laugh at the jokes I used to laugh at. I don't respond to ribald behaviour or suggestive comments and I don't comment when dirty gossip is passed along....after folks started to notice, I didn't have to put up with any of that any longer. They just naturally respected that I don't participate in those things anymore.

Every morning I ask God to guard my tongue and help me only do and say things that would be worthy of a child of God. On the mornings I forget to pray this I can sure tell the difference. Every day is a battle and one has to die to their old selves. I will say this...it gets easier the more one practices it.

For me, my example is my witness. I never did feel comfortable berating other people's choices in life. I don't necessarily condone and I don't participate, but their choices are their own, ultimately.

 

[BarredBuff]

Sorry Guys I havent posted! I have been pretty busy today. Ive had a lot of animal chores plus I had to do Wednesday visitation with Dad so I havent had much free time. I promise I will read it tommorow!! Sorry!!

No problems Mr.Busyman!! See...good idea to stretch the time frame a bit eh? Tomorrow I will be super busy Have a good night James!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I have to give it to ya. It was a good idea to extend it. When school starts back I would be destroyed on the old way.

 

[Denim Deb]

Sorry Guys I havent posted! I have been pretty busy today. Ive had a lot of animal chores plus I had to do Wednesday visitation with Dad so I havent had much free time. I promise I will read it tommorow!! Sorry!!

No problems Mr.Busyman!! See...good idea to stretch the time frame a bit eh? Tomorrow I will be super busy Have a good night James!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I have to give it to ya. It was a good idea to extend it. When school starts back I would be destroyed on the old way.

Hey wait a minute! It was MY idea to extend the time. Nothing like not being appreciated.

 

[BarredBuff]

No problems Mr.Busyman!! See...good idea to stretch the time frame a bit eh? Tomorrow I will be super busy Have a good night James!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I have to give it to ya. It was a good idea to extend it. When school starts back I would be destroyed on the old way.

Hey wait a minute! It was MY idea to extend the time. Nothing like not being appreciated.

Im sorry Deb!!

 

[Denim Deb]

You do know I was only joking, right?

 

[BarredBuff]

You do know I was only joking, right?

Yes I know! But you were right!

 

[BarredBuff]

I just read Ecclesiastes Chapter 1. This book is pretty grim. I really dont have anything to comment but I just thought that verse 18 was pretty good.

18 The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increas knowledge only increases sorrow.

I liked this verse it is very true!