The proper places for private, public and secret prayer are considered today along with the Savior’s condemnation of counterfeit religious displays and vainglory (we say, showing off). The prophecies of Jesus to condemn hypocrisy and self-promotion do not contradict the divine exhortations to continue good works, importunity, intercession, devotions performed out-of-doors, and shared prayer. Given that the gathering places once set apart only for service to GOD now also are used as social halls, community centers, and auditoriums for civic service, amusement and recreation, church sanctuaries are often defiled and profaned by personal chatter, gossip, quarrels and whispering. Some congregations even display cadavers and honor their dead in the areas once strictly set apart for intimacy with GOD by divine laws against uncleanness. While the tabernacle and temple were divinely chosen as locations for oracles, offerings and sacrifice, no specific place was commanded by Deity as the setting for prayer. Prayer has been neither forbidden nor required on the basis of age and gender criteria; and group prayer is practiced by as few as two partners as well as by many more than one hundred. (See Acts 1: 12-15, Acts 21: 4-6, 1st Timothy 2: 1-6 and James 5: 13-18, KJV.) The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Yk” (Level 2 with 397 points, a member since February 05, 2015) attacked using the following:
When Christians pray in public like a church is that the same as praying in a closet with the door shut like Jesus Christ said to pray?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6: 1-9, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Saved by a Prayer? (10/31/2014); Is Prayer an Act of Faith? (11/01/2014); Perfection and Prayer? (08/27/2014); Prayer not Enough? (07/12/2013); A Tree Falls To The South (07/13/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013); Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013)
“Yk”, here are a few points that many Christian believers take into account regarding prayer:
(1.) Prayer is one form of intimate communication between believers and divinity that permits multiple forms of heartfelt exchange and interaction. Included are acceptance, agreement, appeal, approval, confession, dedication, intercession, lamentation, listening, petition, praise, promise, sacrifice, sealing, and submission.
(2.) Because prayer also cleanses and sets apart for service (we say, sanctifies), the sanctuary of most church buildings are accounted anointed, consecrated, and purified through prayer. Thereby, as though it were the upper room recorded in scripture, the area where believers assemble becomes their most holy place wherein they may receive the divine presence; and it is not simply because of its size that congregations gather there for instruction, prayer, and worship.
(3.) No believer ever prays alone. Their prayers are joined to those of the angels, to those of Christ and the Holy Spirit as well as to those of every other believer who was, who is, and who will be. Thus, the power of a single prayer is amplified and multiplied.
As with all the things of our salvation, there is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Believers pray without fear in all places (the home, the workplace, the battlefield) understanding that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD in Christ. The assembly or body is itself a “closed setting” wherein believers may offer prayer as though concealed and hidden. Outsiders may hear or see the carnal dimensions that indicate believers are praying such as bowing the head, folding the hands, or bending the knee. However, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are in a direct communication that does not even require speaking aloud.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Showing posts with label cadavers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cadavers. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
(04/30/2013) Scripture at Funerals?
The practice of reading Scriptures at funerals is the topic, today. Also, there is more on the miraculous births of Jesus and John the Baptist. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Declan” (Level 1 with 94 points, a member since February 17, 2013) posted the following:
Why are bible verses read at funerals?
THE BATTLE AXE: Both Born Holy? (04/29/2013)—(6.) Lacking the Holy Spirit and a right knowledge of the process of GOD, many mistakenly believe that the Scriptures are filled with contradictions and errors, because they see the same sacred events and miracles recorded more than once, yet, they are not reported exactly the same way. Depending upon human intelligence, logic, or reason, and seeking to understand without spiritual discernment, the profound and subtle increases effected by GOD cannot be detected. See 1st Corinthians 2: 9-14, KJV. (7.) The work of John was to announce the fulfillment of divine promises and prophesies recorded in the Scriptures. The work of Jesus was to actually carryout, institute, and perform sacred events, and divine operations upon the earth that pertained to worship and the divine Sanctuary in heaven. Included in the Savior’s work were atonement, forgiveness, incarnation, proclamation, purification, rebirth, reconciliation, and resurrection.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 57-61, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Quoting Scripture to GOD? (04/24/2013); Illusion? (04/25/2013); Suddenly Absent, Suddenly Present (03/31/2013); A Family Affair? (04/01/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Binder 3: A Commitment To The Scriptures (09/30/2011); Inspiration? (03/05/2011); Blasphemy? (03/06/2011); Bible Boring? (09/29/2010)
Declan, here are some points understood to be important among many mature Christian believers about the reading of Scriptures:
(1.) For many, burial of the dead is a mechanical and practical process having more to do with sanitation than salvation. (It is necessary to remove the dead and their decay to block the spread of disease and sickness.) The reading of Scriptures is not needed to “take out the garbage” or to “remove the trash.” For those who acknowledge the authority and sovereignty of GOD over life, death and eternity, readings from Scripture are used to acknowledge and show respect to the exalted position of GOD as Creator and Maker of mankind, as Judge over the quick and the dead, and as the One who establishes eternal life through the resurrection of the dead.
(2.) Scriptures are read to invoke (i.e., invite, welcome) the presence of GOD; and to petition (make request) for divine resources. In addition to pleas for acceptance of the dead into the divine presence, the needs of the surviving loved ones are addressed including comfort, direction, guidance, healing, strength (emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual), and reaffirmation of their own condition as saved believers. See Romans 15: 4 and 2nd Corinthians 1: 3-9 King James Version.
(3.) Scriptures are read to reestablish awareness of divine truths held among believers that are powerfully contradicted and opposed by bereavement, separation, and loss of loved ones. Included are praises, prayers, proclamations, promises, prophesies, and thanksgivings. Men are easily convinced that death is real, because multiple devices of the flesh dominate human awareness. Appetite, sensation, and mental functions such as desire, recall and thought, are all engaged. By contrast, apprehension of eternal life comes only when awareness is directed by the Spirit of GOD, and things otherwise invisible and unknowable must come into ones experience.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) GOD is a spirit. The holy writings convey and transfer divinity as spirit content in the form of words (i.e., breath, utterance). Included are aspects of the divine makeup such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering (endurance), love, patience, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Why are bible verses read at funerals?
THE BATTLE AXE: Both Born Holy? (04/29/2013)—(6.) Lacking the Holy Spirit and a right knowledge of the process of GOD, many mistakenly believe that the Scriptures are filled with contradictions and errors, because they see the same sacred events and miracles recorded more than once, yet, they are not reported exactly the same way. Depending upon human intelligence, logic, or reason, and seeking to understand without spiritual discernment, the profound and subtle increases effected by GOD cannot be detected. See 1st Corinthians 2: 9-14, KJV. (7.) The work of John was to announce the fulfillment of divine promises and prophesies recorded in the Scriptures. The work of Jesus was to actually carryout, institute, and perform sacred events, and divine operations upon the earth that pertained to worship and the divine Sanctuary in heaven. Included in the Savior’s work were atonement, forgiveness, incarnation, proclamation, purification, rebirth, reconciliation, and resurrection.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 57-61, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Quoting Scripture to GOD? (04/24/2013); Illusion? (04/25/2013); Suddenly Absent, Suddenly Present (03/31/2013); A Family Affair? (04/01/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Binder 3: A Commitment To The Scriptures (09/30/2011); Inspiration? (03/05/2011); Blasphemy? (03/06/2011); Bible Boring? (09/29/2010)
Declan, here are some points understood to be important among many mature Christian believers about the reading of Scriptures:
(1.) For many, burial of the dead is a mechanical and practical process having more to do with sanitation than salvation. (It is necessary to remove the dead and their decay to block the spread of disease and sickness.) The reading of Scriptures is not needed to “take out the garbage” or to “remove the trash.” For those who acknowledge the authority and sovereignty of GOD over life, death and eternity, readings from Scripture are used to acknowledge and show respect to the exalted position of GOD as Creator and Maker of mankind, as Judge over the quick and the dead, and as the One who establishes eternal life through the resurrection of the dead.
(2.) Scriptures are read to invoke (i.e., invite, welcome) the presence of GOD; and to petition (make request) for divine resources. In addition to pleas for acceptance of the dead into the divine presence, the needs of the surviving loved ones are addressed including comfort, direction, guidance, healing, strength (emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual), and reaffirmation of their own condition as saved believers. See Romans 15: 4 and 2nd Corinthians 1: 3-9 King James Version.
(3.) Scriptures are read to reestablish awareness of divine truths held among believers that are powerfully contradicted and opposed by bereavement, separation, and loss of loved ones. Included are praises, prayers, proclamations, promises, prophesies, and thanksgivings. Men are easily convinced that death is real, because multiple devices of the flesh dominate human awareness. Appetite, sensation, and mental functions such as desire, recall and thought, are all engaged. By contrast, apprehension of eternal life comes only when awareness is directed by the Spirit of GOD, and things otherwise invisible and unknowable must come into ones experience.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) GOD is a spirit. The holy writings convey and transfer divinity as spirit content in the form of words (i.e., breath, utterance). Included are aspects of the divine makeup such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering (endurance), love, patience, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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