Hello!

[for_his_glory]

God wants us to walk with Him treating others as Jesus did which, is the only way he will walk with you in any degree on closeness.

If we are walking with God then in fact we have fellowship with Him just as we fellowship with Christ and the Holy Spirit as it's all of God's Spirit that we have fellowship with unless you do not believe in the Deity/Trinity.

 

[for_his_glory]

Of course I didn’t say God doesn’t want our fellowship

But wasn't it you that said God does not want us to fellowship with Him or did I misunderstand you.

 

[for_his_glory]

A “sacrifice of saying words of praise” isn’t much of a sacrifice, frankly speaking. What is the speaker sacrificing? Now a sacrifice of obeying God, that’s something He values for obvious reasons.

We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord.

And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of thanksgiving;
And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of joy

I would think that thanksgiving and joy are great sacrifices on our part given unto God for His faithfulness and His blessings bestowed upon us, Psalms 100; 116:17; Jeremiah 33:11

 

[Dorothy Mae]

We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord.

And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of thanksgiving;
And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of joy

I would think that thanksgiving and joy are great sacrifices on our part given unto God for His faithfulness and His blessings bestowed upon us, Psalms 100; 116:17; Jeremiah 33:11

If that is all a believer ever gave God, they will be deeply sorry they had refused to give Him something of real value. What did God say of one group who did the above, “they praise me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.”

 

[Dorothy Mae]

But wasn't it you that said God does not want us to fellowship with Him or did I misunderstand you.

Perhaps it came across wrong. What God wants is for us to do right by others and to forgive them when they fail to do right by us and to walk humbly with Him. That is what God wants and I can prove it.

I seriously doubt He thinks much of us convincing ourselves that the pleasure of our company is high on his priority list and telling ourselves God wants our fellowship as the focus of His desire feeds an ego (we think we’re so great even God seeks an audience with us) that is likely repugnant to Him.

I’ve actually heard in sermons pastors say, “all God wants is to spend time with you.” This is an appeal to pride pure. No one with this attitude will find God showing up when they grant Him a few minutes in their busy day. That’s because “God opposes the proud.”

The correct view is humbly seek Him and keep seeking and you will find Him. That finding is worth the price you paid in denying yourself other pleasures and buying instead the pearl of great value.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

If we are walking with God then in fact we have fellowship with Him just as we fellowship with Christ and the Holy Spirit as it's all of God's Spirit that we have fellowship with unless you do not believe in the Deity/Trinity.

My very dear for_his_glory, how can I gently put this? A believer can read a Bible verse that tells them in no uncertain terms that they already have fellowship with Him by virtue of it being written in black on white. One can, as it were, legally claim there is fellowship.

I cannot know whether that is, in fact, how Jesus sees the matter. There is the account of people who came to Jesus in the hereafter calling Him “Lord” (which in some circles “calling on the name of the Lord” is enough) to whom Jesus sent them away because there wasn’t the fellowship that they had assumed was there. Matthew 7:22

I have doubts that having fellowship with Him is a matter one can claim to be so because a Bible verse was written of others for whom it actually was so. I think the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit also have a say in whether fellowship occurred or is occurring or not.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I already gave the scriptures, but here are a few more.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

As believers in Christ Jesus we are in a relationship with the Lord. This is called being Spiritually born again from above, or being justified by God. We are not only to have a relationship with the Lord, but also having fellowship with Him as we worship Him in Spirit and truth. We are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus that we are sons and daughters to God. John 1:1-18 as when we have fellowship with Christ we have fellowship with the Father.

Also read my post #59

I think we are talking past one another. Thanks for the verses. You notice God is not seeking fellowship with individuals there in that verse but is seeking worshippers. Worship is different than praise. Praise is done with the lips. Worship is the heart. He isn’t seeking those who praise Him with the lips per se. He is seeking those who will love Him with all of their heart, with all of their minds and with all of their strength. You agree right?

 

[eddif]

Notice the “to DO good” is there. And the praise MUST be continuous. With doing good and continually thanking Him, He is well-pleased. See what I mean? Praising CONTINUALLY is a sacrifice. Praise now and again saying words isn’t.

Praise should be continuous.
Galatians 6:1 kjv
1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

When we fail there is a system set up to help us return to spiritual health.

By the way:

Dialysis - hemodialysis Information | Mount Sinai - New York

Learn about Dialysis - hemodialysis or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.

www.mountsinai.org

The medical community seems to think dialysis may help a person return to physical health. Mount Sinai even talks of filtering blood.

We just need outside help at times. The Holy Spirit is involved in the rod and staff directing our path.

Church discipline starts out slow, but can become more harsh.

Mississippi redneck
eddif

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Praise should be continuous.
Galatians 6:1 kjv
1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

When we fail there is a system set up to help us return to spiritual health.

By the way:

Dialysis - hemodialysis Information | Mount Sinai - New York

Learn about Dialysis - hemodialysis or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.

www.mountsinai.org

The medical community seems to think dialysis may help a person return to physical health. Mount Sinai even talks of filtering blood.

We just need outside help at times. The Holy Spirit is involved in the rod and staff directing our path.

Church discipline starts out slow, but can become more harsh.

Mississippi redneck
eddif

Have even seen church disciple in practice that turned out well? Dialysis, btw, is not a function of the body but external.

 

[eddif]

Have even seen church disciple in practice that turned out well? Dialysis, btw, is not a function of the body but external.

Galatians 6:1 is inside the Christian community.
Dialysis is within the health care industry.

Yes the context is different, but the concept is the same. The person did not take care of themself, but outside individual intervention was needed.

I have seen it go wrong and right. Drug intervention does not always work, but the success drives the continuation of intervention. The failures inside the church is the same. Some Jews failed, but all did not.

eddif

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Galatians 6:1 is inside the Christian community.

I asked if you have seen this in practice and it worked well. I know the theory and I don’t know a church who does this. Please provide a detailed example of success.

Dialysis is within the health care industry.

Yes the context is different, but the concept is the same. The person did not take care of themself, but outside individual intervention was needed.

The person on dialysis doesn’t repent to receive help.

 

[for_his_glory]

If that is all a believer ever gave God, they will be deeply sorry they had refused to give Him something of real value. What did God say of one group who did the above, “they praise me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.”

This is only a part of what we give God as our praise of Him acknowledges His goodness, love, perfection and all the incredible things He has done for us. It's not so much that He needs it, but that He deserves it. Those who give praise to the Lord give from their heart of gratitude, but yet many only give lip service to the Lord.


Psa 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Many praise Him just with their lips, but yet deny the power thereof.

2Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

[for_his_glory]

Perhaps it came across wrong. What God wants is for us to do right by others and to forgive them when they fail to do right by us and to walk humbly with Him. That is what God wants and I can prove it.

I seriously doubt He thinks much of us convincing ourselves that the pleasure of our company is high on his priority list and telling ourselves God wants our fellowship as the focus of His desire feeds an ego (we think we’re so great even God seeks an audience with us) that is likely repugnant to Him.

I’ve actually heard in sermons pastors say, “all God wants is to spend time with you.” This is an appeal to pride pure. No one with this attitude will find God showing up when they grant Him a few minutes in their busy day. That’s because “God opposes the proud.”

The correct view is humbly seek Him and keep seeking and you will find Him. That finding is worth the price you paid in denying yourself other pleasures and buying instead the pearl of great value.

I already addressed this earlier and gave the scriptures where God wants us to fellowship with Him. Fellowship with Him has nothing to do with all you said as it's not about ego or pride, but having a personal relationship with Him. We can only do that through the Spiritual rebirth from above.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

[for_his_glory]

My very dear for_his_glory, how can I gently put this? A believer can read a Bible verse that tells them in no uncertain terms that they already have fellowship with Him by virtue of it being written in black on white. One can, as it were, legally claim there is fellowship.

I cannot know whether that is, in fact, how Jesus sees the matter. There is the account of people who came to Jesus in the hereafter calling Him “Lord” (which in some circles “calling on the name of the Lord” is enough) to whom Jesus sent them away because there wasn’t the fellowship that they had assumed was there. Matthew 7:22

I have doubts that having fellowship with Him is a matter one can claim to be so because a Bible verse was written of others for whom it actually was so. I think the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit also have a say in whether fellowship occurred or is occurring or not.

It's sad that you have never experienced that wonderful fellowship many of us have with the Lord as we walk and talk with Him. Fellowship is the most important thing God wants from us. It's how we come to know Him, to be with Him and spend time with Him in the quiet times we are alone with Him. We need to listen to Him for comfort and direction in our lives as His will be done.

 

[for_his_glory]

I think we are talking past one another. Thanks for the verses. You notice God is not seeking fellowship with individuals there in that verse but is seeking worshippers. Worship is different than praise. Praise is done with the lips. Worship is the heart. He isn’t seeking those who praise Him with the lips per se. He is seeking those who will love Him with all of their heart, with all of their minds and with all of their strength. You agree right?

No, I do not believe we are talking past each other.

Worship is defined as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for the Lord God.
Praise is defined as the expression of one's gratitude and respect to God, especially in song.

Both can be different, but yet go hand in hand as we bring honor and glory unto God.

 

[for_his_glory]

Dialysis, btw, is not a function of the body but external.

Actual Dialysis as in purifying the blood within one can be compared to the Spiritual Dialysis that is also internal as we are made new again by the purified blood of Christ.

 

[T. E. Smith]

It's sad that you have never experienced that wonderful fellowship many of us have with the Lord as we walk and talk with Him. Fellowship is the most important thing God wants from us. It's how we come to know Him, to be with Him and spend time with Him in the quiet times we are alone with Him. We need to listen to Him for comfort and direction in our lives as His will be done.

It is not fellowship that he desires most, but to be worshipped. And obeyed without question.

 

[for_his_glory]

It is not fellowship that he desires most, but to be worshipped. And obeyed without question.

Fellowship, worship, praise and even the sacrifices of thanksgiving and joy is all done unto obedience to the Father that helps to make our relationship with Him flourish as we learn His will for us and the plans He has for us while here on earth. We must always be about our Fathers business and give Him first place in all we do and say.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Actual Dialysis as in purifying the blood within one can be compared to the Spiritual Dialysis that is also internal as we are made new again by the purified blood of Christ.

Very strange analogy as the patient is passive and we are anything but passive. If a christian sits in a chair reading a magazine patiently for God to painlessly and effortlessly purify him, he’ll wait until death with no change whatsoever.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

It is not fellowship that he desires most, but to be worshipped. And obeyed without question.

Where do you get that idea? God says, “come let us reason together.” I just read Job in preparation for a new thread and God repeatedly says to Job,”stand up and talk to me like a man.” Abraham questioned God and got answers. Moses talked to God like a friend. Jeremiah questioned God and got answers. Lastly and least, I’ve questioned God and got answers. You are raised by Calvinists, I gather. and so I understand. They don’t allow questions, of God or anyone, it seems. God, the real one, isn’t like that.