~Royalynne Rose Miller
I have just graduated from high school as of last Saturday, and even though it’s good to have it done with I’ve been in a huge state of confusion since then. I’m sure there are a lot of you out there that can identify with me.
When reading through one of the devotional books I got for graduation I came across this verse:
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way to go; walk in it.” ~Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
That was a HUGE comfort for me. God’s always going to be there, whispering in my ear, telling me which way to go.
An example of this is College - I honestly had no idea where I was going to go for college this fall until about December of last year. But when I visited Corban University…that voice was there! “This is the way you should go.” I know without a doubt that Corban is where I should be. That is so exciting to me and when you learn to rely on that… there’s so much stress that is just blown away.
Trust in God and that He will lead you. There is so much confusion you can avoid if you just follow Him :)
Showing posts with label Royalynne Miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royalynne Miller. Show all posts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Bible And Drugs
~Royalynne Rose Miller
Lately in my life I’ve come into contact with a lot of people who are dealing with drugs in some way or another. Either they have friends who are experimenting with drugs or they themselves are experimenting. One of my best friends and I got to talking about it and looking to see what the Bible had to say about drugs. After looking for a while and searching the internet there’s nothing in the Bible that talks about drugs specifically using the word “drug”, I can say that without a doubt. But does it talk about drugs? Yes.. In a way, I believe it does.
First Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”
Right there it’s talking about sexual sin. Pretty obvious, but something that came to my mind when I read this verse this morning is this: Do drugs not have the same effect on a person as sexual sins and are they not done for the same reasons as sexual sins?
Think about it - A person begins sexual sin for many reasons but if they continue to do them, no matter what the reason was to start, they will become addicted. I’ve seen it happen, I’ve heard about it happening and I’ve felt it start to happen with myself. They even have sex rehab.
Now is it not the same way with drugs? No matter what reason someone starts, peer pressure or running from their troubles etc., A person will become addicted to drugs. It’s pretty obvious that it’s something you can get addicted to when you hear of people trading valuables for some crack.
Let’s look back at the verse. It says “..All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” You all know about STDs. It’s very common in today’s society. When you get involved sexually you are putting yourself at the risk of getting a disease that is harmful to your body and sometimes can’t be cured. There’s a reason why God tells us over and over to flee from sexual immorality.. It hurts us!!
Now what do drugs do to your body? The same thing! When you use drugs you are putting yourself at a very high risk of getting a harmful disease or even killing yourself. It’s a sin against your own body.
Another thing I want to make sure I point out is this: More often then not, both sex (meaning sexual things out side of marriage) and drugs are done for the pleasure of the moment or to escape from something. Also after you have entered into a life style of either of these things you will never be the same and it’s very hard to get out of. People who have been involved sexually or use drugs take years to heal - mentally and physically.
In the light of all this I want to beg you to be careful - once you get involved it’s hard to get out. Please.
Lately in my life I’ve come into contact with a lot of people who are dealing with drugs in some way or another. Either they have friends who are experimenting with drugs or they themselves are experimenting. One of my best friends and I got to talking about it and looking to see what the Bible had to say about drugs. After looking for a while and searching the internet there’s nothing in the Bible that talks about drugs specifically using the word “drug”, I can say that without a doubt. But does it talk about drugs? Yes.. In a way, I believe it does.
First Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”
Right there it’s talking about sexual sin. Pretty obvious, but something that came to my mind when I read this verse this morning is this: Do drugs not have the same effect on a person as sexual sins and are they not done for the same reasons as sexual sins?
Think about it - A person begins sexual sin for many reasons but if they continue to do them, no matter what the reason was to start, they will become addicted. I’ve seen it happen, I’ve heard about it happening and I’ve felt it start to happen with myself. They even have sex rehab.
Now is it not the same way with drugs? No matter what reason someone starts, peer pressure or running from their troubles etc., A person will become addicted to drugs. It’s pretty obvious that it’s something you can get addicted to when you hear of people trading valuables for some crack.
Let’s look back at the verse. It says “..All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” You all know about STDs. It’s very common in today’s society. When you get involved sexually you are putting yourself at the risk of getting a disease that is harmful to your body and sometimes can’t be cured. There’s a reason why God tells us over and over to flee from sexual immorality.. It hurts us!!
Now what do drugs do to your body? The same thing! When you use drugs you are putting yourself at a very high risk of getting a harmful disease or even killing yourself. It’s a sin against your own body.
Another thing I want to make sure I point out is this: More often then not, both sex (meaning sexual things out side of marriage) and drugs are done for the pleasure of the moment or to escape from something. Also after you have entered into a life style of either of these things you will never be the same and it’s very hard to get out of. People who have been involved sexually or use drugs take years to heal - mentally and physically.
In the light of all this I want to beg you to be careful - once you get involved it’s hard to get out. Please.
Are You Worried and Afraid?
~Royalynne Rose Miller
“Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for every- thing you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (NCV)
I have lately found myself in a situation that cause worry and even fear. People I love are in danger or are hurting and it’s scary. But the Bible tells us to not fear.. to not worry about ANYTHING! What falls under “anything”? Well I don’t know about you but I can’t think of anything that doesn’t fall under anything.
Something else I wanted to touch on is God’s peace. It says a peace so great we cannot understand it… How awesome is that?!
Let me give you an example of this awesome peace. When I was about 14 or 15 I was having boy troubles (as many 14/15 year olds do) I didn’t know what to do. I was trapped in a relationship that wasn’t healthy and I didn’t want to be in. I remember one night I lay in my bed thinking about everything, my pillow was soaked with tears and I started to pray. I prayed that God would hold me and give me peace and calm me. A lot of scary things were happening and I was terrified. As I continued to pray I began to realize I wasn’t scared anymore - I felt a peace come over me and with that peace I felt that I was being held. I fell asleep in the arms of my savior that night. I don’t understand what happened and I don’t know how or why, but what I do know is this: I felt that peace that night and I can testify that this verse (along with the rest of the Bible) is so very true.
So next time you feel afraid or worried ask God to give you peace. He won’t disappoint you. :)
“Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for every- thing you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (NCV)
I have lately found myself in a situation that cause worry and even fear. People I love are in danger or are hurting and it’s scary. But the Bible tells us to not fear.. to not worry about ANYTHING! What falls under “anything”? Well I don’t know about you but I can’t think of anything that doesn’t fall under anything.
Something else I wanted to touch on is God’s peace. It says a peace so great we cannot understand it… How awesome is that?!
Let me give you an example of this awesome peace. When I was about 14 or 15 I was having boy troubles (as many 14/15 year olds do) I didn’t know what to do. I was trapped in a relationship that wasn’t healthy and I didn’t want to be in. I remember one night I lay in my bed thinking about everything, my pillow was soaked with tears and I started to pray. I prayed that God would hold me and give me peace and calm me. A lot of scary things were happening and I was terrified. As I continued to pray I began to realize I wasn’t scared anymore - I felt a peace come over me and with that peace I felt that I was being held. I fell asleep in the arms of my savior that night. I don’t understand what happened and I don’t know how or why, but what I do know is this: I felt that peace that night and I can testify that this verse (along with the rest of the Bible) is so very true.
So next time you feel afraid or worried ask God to give you peace. He won’t disappoint you. :)
Awe and Wonder
~Royalynne Rose Miller
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
This last winter I was on my way to Corban College from the Oregon coast, we put the address in the GPS and followed where it told us to go. It had us take a different way then my dad expected but we followed anyway. We ended up taking all these back roads that took us to the top of a mountain and back down again. Along narrow roads, by a river, on cliffs…. On one hand it was kind of scary (There were points when it was just a one-lane road going around corners! Who knows what would happen if someone was coming the other way!) But on the other as I looked out my window and felt the wind on my face, I looked out on to the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. The light was shooting though the clouds and hitting the tops of the trees here and there. Everything was so green and you could smell the freshness in the air. As I sat there and looked on at that beautiful scene, I was overwhelmed with awe and wonder and an incredible love. It was so intense I felt like I could reach out and touch the love I was feeling. A love for my Creator and his awesomeness and a love from my Creator. How much He must care about me to make something so beautiful for me to enjoy! I wasn’t surprised at the emotion, if you can call it that, more of just in awe of it. Nature like that has a way of putting things back into perspective for me. :)
Are you going through a rough time? Are things just hard and stressful? Well I have a question for you - Have you ever sat back and just looked at all the things God has made and God has done? If not I suggest you do. Take a drive in the country, go for a walk, even just look up. In Psalm 19 it says that the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands! How true that is! How wonderful is our God? How amazing is He! He made all these things that take our breath away; a starry sky, a beautiful landscape, a mighty tree. And yet He still takes the time to love us and care for us. John 3:16 says “For God SO LOVED the world that He [God] gave his only son, that who ever believes in him, will have eternal life”
Let God wow you. Stand out under the stars tonight, look up and let His awesomeness put you in a state of awe and wonder - and then remember that the same God who made all that cares about you. It will take your breath away.
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
This last winter I was on my way to Corban College from the Oregon coast, we put the address in the GPS and followed where it told us to go. It had us take a different way then my dad expected but we followed anyway. We ended up taking all these back roads that took us to the top of a mountain and back down again. Along narrow roads, by a river, on cliffs…. On one hand it was kind of scary (There were points when it was just a one-lane road going around corners! Who knows what would happen if someone was coming the other way!) But on the other as I looked out my window and felt the wind on my face, I looked out on to the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. The light was shooting though the clouds and hitting the tops of the trees here and there. Everything was so green and you could smell the freshness in the air. As I sat there and looked on at that beautiful scene, I was overwhelmed with awe and wonder and an incredible love. It was so intense I felt like I could reach out and touch the love I was feeling. A love for my Creator and his awesomeness and a love from my Creator. How much He must care about me to make something so beautiful for me to enjoy! I wasn’t surprised at the emotion, if you can call it that, more of just in awe of it. Nature like that has a way of putting things back into perspective for me. :)
Are you going through a rough time? Are things just hard and stressful? Well I have a question for you - Have you ever sat back and just looked at all the things God has made and God has done? If not I suggest you do. Take a drive in the country, go for a walk, even just look up. In Psalm 19 it says that the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands! How true that is! How wonderful is our God? How amazing is He! He made all these things that take our breath away; a starry sky, a beautiful landscape, a mighty tree. And yet He still takes the time to love us and care for us. John 3:16 says “For God SO LOVED the world that He [God] gave his only son, that who ever believes in him, will have eternal life”
Let God wow you. Stand out under the stars tonight, look up and let His awesomeness put you in a state of awe and wonder - and then remember that the same God who made all that cares about you. It will take your breath away.
You Can Run But You Can't Hide
~Brandon James Scott Scholl
Callings. Everyone has one on their lives. Whether you realize your calling at a young age or when you’re an adult, you have one. That calling could be something along the lines of being a pastor to being an artist. Here’s the thing though, can you lose it? Can you completely run the other way and never fulfill a calling that God put on your life?
Now, let’s say that you are made aware of a calling that is on your life. In fact, let’s say that you’re aware of your calling that you’re supposed to be a pastor. Now, this knowledge scares you and you don’t want to be a pastor at all. So, you do whatever you can to get away from that. You attempt to accomplish this by either changing your lifestyle to drugs, sex, and breaking the law or even leaving your town, friends, or state so that you aren’t even around people who claim this about you. I guarentee that before your life is over, you’ll be a pastor.
Now, some of you reading this may not agree with this at all and I completely understand that. However, let’s look at what the bible says.
The bible says that everything is set according to God’s way and purpose.( Eph 1:11, “God always does what he plans, and that’s why he appointed Christ to choose us.” ) That basically means that whatever happens is because it’s going to work out God’s will and purpose in either someone’s life or the lives of numerous people. A good example that you can relate to right now is reading this article. Here you are reading something that you either agree with or you don’t agree with. The thing is I wrote this because I felt God putting it on my heart and it’s going to affect your life in some way. Whether that way is big or small, I have no idea. You may have a quick thought and then it be totally gone. Bottom line, however, is that it has been read by you just now and it’s now in your head.
Now, you may know someone that has been called to do something specific. That could be a family member, friend, stranger. In my current life, that would be a close family member of mine who’s running quite the other way. Now, I cannot explain how much I love this member of my family and I pray and talk to God about them all the time. In fact, there have been times where people have even wondered if he will be going to heaven or not. This person is running completely the other way and has been for quite some time. My answer to the people that question his destination is this: I know that God called him to do a form of ministry. Whether he agrees with it or not doesn’t matter. Bottom line is that God called him to do it and before he dies, he’ll accomplish that calling. I don’t know how and I don’t know why. All I know is that God has plans for him and he’s not able to run anywhere that is going to bail him out of that.
So, whether you know someone that’s in that position or you’re the person that is currently in that position and you may even be looking for a way to prove this wrong, a force is coming. It’s a force that cannot be stopped, blocked, ignored, or that you can hide from. That force is God. He is not someone that you can simply say no to and everything end for you. Just something to think about.
Royalynne (Royal Chick) Miller:
When you follow where God is calling you, you are so much happier and life just goes better and easier in the sense that you know He’s going to take care of you and keep you secure. There’s a peace you get when you are doing what God has called you to do. I know from personal experience what it feels like to run from God and what it feels like to be where God wants you and to be doing what God wants you to do. If you are doing what God has called you to I guarantee that you will feel that “peace that passes understanding” the Bible talks about.
Callings. Everyone has one on their lives. Whether you realize your calling at a young age or when you’re an adult, you have one. That calling could be something along the lines of being a pastor to being an artist. Here’s the thing though, can you lose it? Can you completely run the other way and never fulfill a calling that God put on your life?
Now, let’s say that you are made aware of a calling that is on your life. In fact, let’s say that you’re aware of your calling that you’re supposed to be a pastor. Now, this knowledge scares you and you don’t want to be a pastor at all. So, you do whatever you can to get away from that. You attempt to accomplish this by either changing your lifestyle to drugs, sex, and breaking the law or even leaving your town, friends, or state so that you aren’t even around people who claim this about you. I guarentee that before your life is over, you’ll be a pastor.
Now, some of you reading this may not agree with this at all and I completely understand that. However, let’s look at what the bible says.
The bible says that everything is set according to God’s way and purpose.( Eph 1:11, “God always does what he plans, and that’s why he appointed Christ to choose us.” ) That basically means that whatever happens is because it’s going to work out God’s will and purpose in either someone’s life or the lives of numerous people. A good example that you can relate to right now is reading this article. Here you are reading something that you either agree with or you don’t agree with. The thing is I wrote this because I felt God putting it on my heart and it’s going to affect your life in some way. Whether that way is big or small, I have no idea. You may have a quick thought and then it be totally gone. Bottom line, however, is that it has been read by you just now and it’s now in your head.
Now, you may know someone that has been called to do something specific. That could be a family member, friend, stranger. In my current life, that would be a close family member of mine who’s running quite the other way. Now, I cannot explain how much I love this member of my family and I pray and talk to God about them all the time. In fact, there have been times where people have even wondered if he will be going to heaven or not. This person is running completely the other way and has been for quite some time. My answer to the people that question his destination is this: I know that God called him to do a form of ministry. Whether he agrees with it or not doesn’t matter. Bottom line is that God called him to do it and before he dies, he’ll accomplish that calling. I don’t know how and I don’t know why. All I know is that God has plans for him and he’s not able to run anywhere that is going to bail him out of that.
So, whether you know someone that’s in that position or you’re the person that is currently in that position and you may even be looking for a way to prove this wrong, a force is coming. It’s a force that cannot be stopped, blocked, ignored, or that you can hide from. That force is God. He is not someone that you can simply say no to and everything end for you. Just something to think about.
Royalynne (Royal Chick) Miller:
When you follow where God is calling you, you are so much happier and life just goes better and easier in the sense that you know He’s going to take care of you and keep you secure. There’s a peace you get when you are doing what God has called you to do. I know from personal experience what it feels like to run from God and what it feels like to be where God wants you and to be doing what God wants you to do. If you are doing what God has called you to I guarantee that you will feel that “peace that passes understanding” the Bible talks about.
Your Lifesong
~Royalynne Rose Miller
We all listen to music. Seriously, I’ve never met someone who doesn’t listen to music of one kind or another. People like different things but you know, there’s always one sort of music that is really popular. Everyone may not like it but everyone knows what it is.
I love music and I often think of my life as music. The Bible says we are instruments (Romans 6:13) and even though instruments is just another term for “tools” that word always makes me think of music. So if we’re instruments that would mean we make music with how we live.
As a Christian we should be that music that everyone knows. Not everyone likes it but everyone knows it.
Have you ever heard someone try to rap when they can’t? That’s what being a fake Christian “sounds” like to the world. You say your Christian but you sure don’t sound like it. It’s not beneficial for anyone and you’re making yourself look like a fool. But we’ve all heard those amazing people that just…have amazing music!!
So, we make music with our lives. Are you that really bad rapper or are you someone who has the most amazing music? Something to think about.
We all listen to music. Seriously, I’ve never met someone who doesn’t listen to music of one kind or another. People like different things but you know, there’s always one sort of music that is really popular. Everyone may not like it but everyone knows what it is.
I love music and I often think of my life as music. The Bible says we are instruments (Romans 6:13) and even though instruments is just another term for “tools” that word always makes me think of music. So if we’re instruments that would mean we make music with how we live.
As a Christian we should be that music that everyone knows. Not everyone likes it but everyone knows it.
Have you ever heard someone try to rap when they can’t? That’s what being a fake Christian “sounds” like to the world. You say your Christian but you sure don’t sound like it. It’s not beneficial for anyone and you’re making yourself look like a fool. But we’ve all heard those amazing people that just…have amazing music!!
So, we make music with our lives. Are you that really bad rapper or are you someone who has the most amazing music? Something to think about.
You Words- A Spark of Hope or Destruction?
~Royalynne Rose Miller
So I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how what we say affects those around us. I just want to point out a couple of verses.
Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 3:4.Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6.The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” !!! It doesn’t take much to start a forest fire and it’s the same way with our words. It doesn’t take much to hurt someone. To break someone. Or even kill someone. What you say has so much more affect then most people understand! I work with children, I have all my life, and I’ve seen what words can do. It just takes a few encouraging words to set a spark for Christ in a child’s life likewise it doesn’t take much to break that same child down. Some people are strong and some are not but everyone, everyone is affected by words.
When my father was in high school he was told he should drop out because he would never amount to anything. – He went on to become a respected pastor and a missionary with American Missionary Fellowship and the father to 8 kids who adore him.
After a girl broke up with her boyfriend he began to tell her over and over that she had so many issues no one would ever want her but him – After being told over and over she began to believe him and for years after she dealt with feelings of regret and worthlessness.
There was a small girl playing Pictionary with her older sister and her friends, after the round was over and she hadn’t been able to get anyone to guess right a girl on her team told her that she would make a horrible artist and would fail if she ever tried..not knowing that that was all the girls hopes and dreams – she spent the rest of the evening crying her eyes out.
Those are just three examples and I could give you so many more… with good turn outs and bad. What you say affects people. No one can stress that enough! Your tongue is like a fire – it can be used to warm someone or to burn them. Almost every school shooting, suicide or life of crime started with a small word. There are jokes and then there is harshness, and a lot of the time people get those mixed up.
So next time, before you open your mouth, think about how the words will affect the person you’re talking too. You wouldn’t hold a lit match to someone’s skin, would you? Remember your words can either burn or warm someone. Which will you choose?
So I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how what we say affects those around us. I just want to point out a couple of verses.
Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 3:4.Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6.The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” !!! It doesn’t take much to start a forest fire and it’s the same way with our words. It doesn’t take much to hurt someone. To break someone. Or even kill someone. What you say has so much more affect then most people understand! I work with children, I have all my life, and I’ve seen what words can do. It just takes a few encouraging words to set a spark for Christ in a child’s life likewise it doesn’t take much to break that same child down. Some people are strong and some are not but everyone, everyone is affected by words.
When my father was in high school he was told he should drop out because he would never amount to anything. – He went on to become a respected pastor and a missionary with American Missionary Fellowship and the father to 8 kids who adore him.
After a girl broke up with her boyfriend he began to tell her over and over that she had so many issues no one would ever want her but him – After being told over and over she began to believe him and for years after she dealt with feelings of regret and worthlessness.
There was a small girl playing Pictionary with her older sister and her friends, after the round was over and she hadn’t been able to get anyone to guess right a girl on her team told her that she would make a horrible artist and would fail if she ever tried..not knowing that that was all the girls hopes and dreams – she spent the rest of the evening crying her eyes out.
Those are just three examples and I could give you so many more… with good turn outs and bad. What you say affects people. No one can stress that enough! Your tongue is like a fire – it can be used to warm someone or to burn them. Almost every school shooting, suicide or life of crime started with a small word. There are jokes and then there is harshness, and a lot of the time people get those mixed up.
So next time, before you open your mouth, think about how the words will affect the person you’re talking too. You wouldn’t hold a lit match to someone’s skin, would you? Remember your words can either burn or warm someone. Which will you choose?
Predestination, A Closer Look
~Brandon James Scott Scholl & Royalynne Rose Miller
The following article is dedicated to Robert Wilson.
So, there has been a lot of debate and talk on this particular subject. Predestination is one of those things that you either really like and feel comfortable with or you really don’t like the thought and idea and do everything you can to fight it. However, what does the bible say about predestination?
For those of you who have not heard of Predestination or don’t completely understand here’s what it is. Predestination is the decree of God by which certain souls are preordained to salvation or to damnation. Basically, what this means is before everything was created God decided who was going to end up where in the afterlife for eternity.
Now, this may make a lot of you uncomfortable or think that this is not fair. However, this does not destroy or elliminate your free will. I promise we will be getting to that.
There are two basic sides to this topic. There are the ones who believe that this is completely accurate and that ultimately God knows before we were even created that specific people were going to heaven or hell for eternity. Let’s look at the two and what they have to say.
The first group is Calvinism. Now, Calvinsim believes basically all that predestination stands for. Along those lines. The word predestined is in the bible four times so it is in there. However, there is a warning to this particular type of thinking called Hyper-Calvinism. These are the extremists that believe this to the point of saying that what is the point of doing anything or even witnessing because God will take care of getting His elect or predestined people into heaven. This is not a valid belief. In fact, this belief denies the great commission in Matthew 28: 18-20.
The opposing view of this is Armininism. The extreme of this belief says that God doesn’t know everything and whether you are going to heaven or hell depends on the amount of faith you have and what you have done. God doesn’t have a set path for your life and it’s all up to you. There’s no predestination involved. So in a round about way hyper-Armenians believe that you are saved by works
Now, let’s see what the bible says about predestination.
The word predestined is used four times in the NIV. Twice in Romans and twice in Ephesians. Let’s quote all four of them:
Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Eph 1:5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Eph 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Now, what these scriptures are saying. God has set everything in motion according to what He wants to have happen. A good example is the battle in the end between God and Satan in Revelation. He knows that for the ultimate goal of that to happen certain things must be set in motion. So, he uses people, places, and events to get to that goal.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
In other words, God wants everyone to be saved and go to heaven. However, here’s the answer to that. A child wants something and the parents is aware of this. The parents loves to see their child happy and would love to do anything to keep make their child happy. However, just because they know it would make their child happy doesn’t mean that they will do it. It may not be in the best interest of the child’s future, well-being, whatever. See, it’s the same thing with God. He would love to see everyone go to heaven and nobody perish. But, God knows everything as well. God is able to predestine people to heaven or hell because of his foreknowledge of whether they will accept or reject Christ in their lives. You have to take in to account that God knows EVERYTHING.
Here’s another thing to take into consideration. We know that God is omniscient. (Job 37:16, Psa 147:5) Now, if God knows all things then by saying predestination is false you’re saying that God doesn’t know all things because He wouldn’t know where you’re going. So, basically, you’re saying that God isn’t God.
Now, we’ll leave you with this. The bible not only explains predestination but is supported and mentioned four times in the bible. As far as Calvinism and Arminianism we aren’t saying that one is necessarily better than the other. We will, however, that Arminian’s view is from our perspective within time.
Calvinism’s view is from God’s point of view outside of time. One problem with Arminian’s view though is it sounds like we’re saved basically by our actions or something we must gain on our own. Ephesian 2:8 and 9 it says that we are saved by grace not of works.
What do you think?
The following article is dedicated to Robert Wilson.
So, there has been a lot of debate and talk on this particular subject. Predestination is one of those things that you either really like and feel comfortable with or you really don’t like the thought and idea and do everything you can to fight it. However, what does the bible say about predestination?
For those of you who have not heard of Predestination or don’t completely understand here’s what it is. Predestination is the decree of God by which certain souls are preordained to salvation or to damnation. Basically, what this means is before everything was created God decided who was going to end up where in the afterlife for eternity.
Now, this may make a lot of you uncomfortable or think that this is not fair. However, this does not destroy or elliminate your free will. I promise we will be getting to that.
There are two basic sides to this topic. There are the ones who believe that this is completely accurate and that ultimately God knows before we were even created that specific people were going to heaven or hell for eternity. Let’s look at the two and what they have to say.
The first group is Calvinism. Now, Calvinsim believes basically all that predestination stands for. Along those lines. The word predestined is in the bible four times so it is in there. However, there is a warning to this particular type of thinking called Hyper-Calvinism. These are the extremists that believe this to the point of saying that what is the point of doing anything or even witnessing because God will take care of getting His elect or predestined people into heaven. This is not a valid belief. In fact, this belief denies the great commission in Matthew 28: 18-20.
The opposing view of this is Armininism. The extreme of this belief says that God doesn’t know everything and whether you are going to heaven or hell depends on the amount of faith you have and what you have done. God doesn’t have a set path for your life and it’s all up to you. There’s no predestination involved. So in a round about way hyper-Armenians believe that you are saved by works
Now, let’s see what the bible says about predestination.
The word predestined is used four times in the NIV. Twice in Romans and twice in Ephesians. Let’s quote all four of them:
Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Eph 1:5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Eph 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Now, what these scriptures are saying. God has set everything in motion according to what He wants to have happen. A good example is the battle in the end between God and Satan in Revelation. He knows that for the ultimate goal of that to happen certain things must be set in motion. So, he uses people, places, and events to get to that goal.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
In other words, God wants everyone to be saved and go to heaven. However, here’s the answer to that. A child wants something and the parents is aware of this. The parents loves to see their child happy and would love to do anything to keep make their child happy. However, just because they know it would make their child happy doesn’t mean that they will do it. It may not be in the best interest of the child’s future, well-being, whatever. See, it’s the same thing with God. He would love to see everyone go to heaven and nobody perish. But, God knows everything as well. God is able to predestine people to heaven or hell because of his foreknowledge of whether they will accept or reject Christ in their lives. You have to take in to account that God knows EVERYTHING.
Here’s another thing to take into consideration. We know that God is omniscient. (Job 37:16, Psa 147:5) Now, if God knows all things then by saying predestination is false you’re saying that God doesn’t know all things because He wouldn’t know where you’re going. So, basically, you’re saying that God isn’t God.
Now, we’ll leave you with this. The bible not only explains predestination but is supported and mentioned four times in the bible. As far as Calvinism and Arminianism we aren’t saying that one is necessarily better than the other. We will, however, that Arminian’s view is from our perspective within time.
Calvinism’s view is from God’s point of view outside of time. One problem with Arminian’s view though is it sounds like we’re saved basically by our actions or something we must gain on our own. Ephesian 2:8 and 9 it says that we are saved by grace not of works.
What do you think?
The Trinity
~Royalynne Miller and Brandon James Scholl
So, the trinity is something that a lot of people have a hard time putting their finger on. We will tell you all right now, this was NOT easy.
Those of you who do not know the dfintion of the Trinity it is: Three personas (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spitit) in one celestial entity. Now, here is an explanation for those of you who do not have a clear understanding or comprehension of this concept.
There are two ways to easily explain the Trinity. The first one, we like to refer to as the Egg/Apple/ Orange. An egg is made up of three parts: The shell, egg white, and the yolk. But, with these three parts being different they are still an egg all together. All of these parts also are there for different reasons and functions. When a bird is developing within an egg the yolk is the part of the egg that feeds it. (Acts 1:8) This is a good representation of the Holy spirit because it feeds us and substains us. The egg white protects the bird from damage or takes the beating for the bird as Christ did for us on the cross. (I John 3:16a) Lastly you have the egg shell which holds everything together such as the world. While that baby bird is developing the only world that the bird is aware of is the egg and that the shell is holding it all together because it’s poor and defenseless. (Job 12:10)
Now, another way to explain this fun topic is the multiple personas. Think of a family man. He’s a happily married man so he’s a husband. Now, this man also has children. This makes him a father as well as a husband. Lastly, this male individual has grandchildren. This makes him a grandfather as well. Now, if we put all three of these together we have one man who is a husband, father, and grandfather. Three roles that have different characteristics but are still from one person. In other words, another fine example of the trinity.
Those of you who read this and plan on explaining this later here is a forewarning. While explaining this topic you must be careful what you use to explain the parts of the trinity. Words like entities, personalities, individuals make is sound like you’re being polytheistic. Make sure you not only completely understand before relating something like this but you are able to articulate it correctly.
For those of you who think that the Trinity doesn’t exist, consider this: Why is it that the bible says plural things like when God says that He wants to create Man in “OUR” image. He’s not talking to anyone else. He’s talking to himself, also known as the Trinity. Just something to consider for you people like that.
Also, for those of you that think that the Trinity doesn’t exist or is a lie but that Jesus, the Holy Spirt, and God are still functioning like this I would like to let you know that you are in sin because you believe in more than one celestial entity which means you are polytheistic and you should probably check your hermanutics.
So, the trinity is something that a lot of people have a hard time putting their finger on. We will tell you all right now, this was NOT easy.
Those of you who do not know the dfintion of the Trinity it is: Three personas (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spitit) in one celestial entity. Now, here is an explanation for those of you who do not have a clear understanding or comprehension of this concept.
There are two ways to easily explain the Trinity. The first one, we like to refer to as the Egg/Apple/ Orange. An egg is made up of three parts: The shell, egg white, and the yolk. But, with these three parts being different they are still an egg all together. All of these parts also are there for different reasons and functions. When a bird is developing within an egg the yolk is the part of the egg that feeds it. (Acts 1:8) This is a good representation of the Holy spirit because it feeds us and substains us. The egg white protects the bird from damage or takes the beating for the bird as Christ did for us on the cross. (I John 3:16a) Lastly you have the egg shell which holds everything together such as the world. While that baby bird is developing the only world that the bird is aware of is the egg and that the shell is holding it all together because it’s poor and defenseless. (Job 12:10)
Now, another way to explain this fun topic is the multiple personas. Think of a family man. He’s a happily married man so he’s a husband. Now, this man also has children. This makes him a father as well as a husband. Lastly, this male individual has grandchildren. This makes him a grandfather as well. Now, if we put all three of these together we have one man who is a husband, father, and grandfather. Three roles that have different characteristics but are still from one person. In other words, another fine example of the trinity.
Those of you who read this and plan on explaining this later here is a forewarning. While explaining this topic you must be careful what you use to explain the parts of the trinity. Words like entities, personalities, individuals make is sound like you’re being polytheistic. Make sure you not only completely understand before relating something like this but you are able to articulate it correctly.
For those of you who think that the Trinity doesn’t exist, consider this: Why is it that the bible says plural things like when God says that He wants to create Man in “OUR” image. He’s not talking to anyone else. He’s talking to himself, also known as the Trinity. Just something to consider for you people like that.
Also, for those of you that think that the Trinity doesn’t exist or is a lie but that Jesus, the Holy Spirt, and God are still functioning like this I would like to let you know that you are in sin because you believe in more than one celestial entity which means you are polytheistic and you should probably check your hermanutics.
A Little Bit About Me (Royalynne Miller)
~Royalynne Miller
One of the things Brandon did when he first started this blog was tell you all a little about himself. So I figured that would be a good place for me to start as well. This way when I write you’ll know a little about where I’m coming from.
Like Brandon told you my name is Royalynne Miller, I’m 17 years old and I’m currently a senior at iSucceed Virtual High School. I was born in Oregon and was raised a missionary kid, and for probably the first 10 years of my life, my summers were spent on the road going around to small churches helping run VBS’ and working at Bible camp. When I was 13 my dad became a pastor and my family moved to Idaho. I’m the oldest of 8 kids so I’m never bored. I’m very much involved with my church and my community. I’m really into theater and right now am the president of a youth theater group called Pend Oreille Players In Training or POPIT. I love working with kids and will teach Sunday school class for the 2nd graders at my church from time to time. My plan is to go to Corban College next year and get a degree in Elementary Education with my ultimate goal being missions. So we’ll see what God does with that.
It’s a honor to work with Brandon and I’m excited to share thoughts and ideas with all of you :)
One of the things Brandon did when he first started this blog was tell you all a little about himself. So I figured that would be a good place for me to start as well. This way when I write you’ll know a little about where I’m coming from.
Like Brandon told you my name is Royalynne Miller, I’m 17 years old and I’m currently a senior at iSucceed Virtual High School. I was born in Oregon and was raised a missionary kid, and for probably the first 10 years of my life, my summers were spent on the road going around to small churches helping run VBS’ and working at Bible camp. When I was 13 my dad became a pastor and my family moved to Idaho. I’m the oldest of 8 kids so I’m never bored. I’m very much involved with my church and my community. I’m really into theater and right now am the president of a youth theater group called Pend Oreille Players In Training or POPIT. I love working with kids and will teach Sunday school class for the 2nd graders at my church from time to time. My plan is to go to Corban College next year and get a degree in Elementary Education with my ultimate goal being missions. So we’ll see what God does with that.
It’s a honor to work with Brandon and I’m excited to share thoughts and ideas with all of you :)
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