Where Do You Put Your Faith?

[Milton Platt]

Not seeing @Milton Platt, so maybe I didn't provide enough.
So continuing...

Since God is spirit - Can't be seen or felt physically, how does one test or detect God?
Matthew 5:3
What does that mean?
Well, we all know what a physical need is, and how to fill that need.
The phrase “those conscious of their spiritual need” or "poor in spirit", literally means, “those who are beggars for the spirit.”
Matthew 5:3 (Μακάριοι) Happy (οἱ) the (πτωχοὶ) poor ones (τῷ) (as) to the (πνεύματι), spirit,
Matthew 5:3 Interlinear: 'Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

Our spiritual needs involves things related to the spirit - our conscious awareness to understand and know things - specifically an innate spiritual need.
So we ask, "Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Where are we going?" and based on what we see, we ask, "Why? Why death? Why suffering? Why injustice?" and the questions keep going.

When one is conscious of a physical need, do you notice that they don't lie down and say, "Aw. So what?" They seek to fill that need. Otherwise, after some time their skeleton will tell the tale.
Some, sadly, have ignored, or not given attention to their spiritual need. Some who once gave attention to their spiritual need, have given up, on trying to fill that need. The results are seen there too - Many there are, but one is suicide.
Suicide data
Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicide. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.
Suicide is a global phenomenon; in fact, 79% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2016. Suicide accounted for 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 18th leading cause of death in 2016. .....
There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.
[GALLERY=media, 8659]Global AS suicide rates both sexes 2016 by nPeace posted Sep 8, 2018 at 12:47 PM[/GALLERY]

On the other hand some have not given up on filling that need, and as Jesus said, it results in happiness. Why (More on that laterr)?
Many have felt that something was missing from their life.
Jehovah's Witnesses BROADCASTING

In a way, it's like being sick, only not physically.
I think all of us, at one time or another, has been sick/ill.
We know when we feel well, from when we feel ill.
When we feel/defect that there is something wrong, we want to make sure, so we go see the doctor.

Sometimes we may not feel sick, but since we can't see our internal organs or their functionality, some of us have regular checkups with the doctor.
If the doctors checks, and finds that something is wrong, depending on what it is, we may get some kind of medication.
Sadly, some people get an inaccurate diagnosis, and are sent home, only to become seriously ill, or die.

Sometimes a person may get a prescription and decide, "You know what. I'm not taking these. All they are going to do is fill me up with more chemicals." So they store them in a drawer, or dump them in the garbage.
Some take the medicine, and see results. They get better... Or do they?

One thing I do know, works for sure, is Panadol.
Man... have you ever had a severe tooth ache? Ouch!

Pop two of those things in your mouth, swallow, and in about 60 seconds, you are grateful you brought Panadol.
How do we know if we feel better? Our senses tell us, right?

What is my point?
Our experiences through the use of our senses, allows us to make observation every day. They allow us to make decisions, analyze, and verify the results of those analysis.
We don't throw reason, logic, and common sense out the window, for the sake of belief.

A spiritual person searches for answers. They don't just accept things for the sake of belief, but they use their senses. They observe, they reason and use logic, in order to find reasonable answers.

Their experience in life, through the use of their senses tells them that the universe and life did not originate on its own, but was designed by an intelligence. It screams design. Nature bears the signature of a creator.
This reasonable and logical conclusion is mentioned in scripture. Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:19, 20

They have also experienced the powerful effect of God's spirit, and his word the Bible, it being a product of holy spirit.
The results of their observations tell them that these are real, and true.
Examples
I have seen results every time from...
Effects of spirit - Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12
Effects of prayer - Matthew 6:7, 8; Mark 14:38
Effects of God's word, the Bible - Psalms 1:1-3; 119
These give clear evidence of the existence of God. These are all spiritual "instruments" that we use to test that conclusion. There is no physical instrument that can be used to do this.

Any questions... please feel free to ask.
I realize you didn't answer my last questions, so perhaps might like to do so now, as I have once again addressed your questions.
Based on the examples you provided... What evidence is there that life evolved from one common ancestor?

I've been out of the country........

That's quite a long post. Too bad it's mostly Bible quotes and commentary on the quotes

Effects of spirit - Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12

Demonstrate that a spirit exists before you attribute things to it.


Effects of prayer - Matthew 6:7, 8; Mark 14:38

The effects of prayer are measurable and they have been measures and shown not to work.
Power of prayer flunks an unusual test
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1005.5574&rep=rep1&type=pdf
http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Harvard_prayer_experiment

Effects of God's word, the Bible - Psalms 1:1-3; 119

You need to list specific things and then demonstrate cause and effect.

 

[Milton Platt]

Not seeing @Milton Platt, so maybe I didn't provide enough.
So continuing...

Since God is spirit - Can't be seen or felt physically, how does one test or detect God?
Matthew 5:3
What does that mean?
Well, we all know what a physical need is, and how to fill that need.
The phrase “those conscious of their spiritual need” or "poor in spirit", literally means, “those who are beggars for the spirit.”
Matthew 5:3 (Μακάριοι) Happy (οἱ) the (πτωχοὶ) poor ones (τῷ) (as) to the (πνεύματι), spirit,
Matthew 5:3 Interlinear: 'Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

Our spiritual needs involves things related to the spirit - our conscious awareness to understand and know things - specifically an innate spiritual need.
So we ask, "Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Where are we going?" and based on what we see, we ask, "Why? Why death? Why suffering? Why injustice?" and the questions keep going.

When one is conscious of a physical need, do you notice that they don't lie down and say, "Aw. So what?" They seek to fill that need. Otherwise, after some time their skeleton will tell the tale.
Some, sadly, have ignored, or not given attention to their spiritual need. Some who once gave attention to their spiritual need, have given up, on trying to fill that need. The results are seen there too - Many there are, but one is suicide.
Suicide data
Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicide. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.
Suicide is a global phenomenon; in fact, 79% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2016. Suicide accounted for 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 18th leading cause of death in 2016. .....
There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.
[GALLERY=media, 8659]Global AS suicide rates both sexes 2016 by nPeace posted Sep 8, 2018 at 12:47 PM[/GALLERY]

On the other hand some have not given up on filling that need, and as Jesus said, it results in happiness. Why (More on that laterr)?
Many have felt that something was missing from their life.
Jehovah's Witnesses BROADCASTING

In a way, it's like being sick, only not physically.
I think all of us, at one time or another, has been sick/ill.
We know when we feel well, from when we feel ill.
When we feel/defect that there is something wrong, we want to make sure, so we go see the doctor.

Sometimes we may not feel sick, but since we can't see our internal organs or their functionality, some of us have regular checkups with the doctor.
If the doctors checks, and finds that something is wrong, depending on what it is, we may get some kind of medication.
Sadly, some people get an inaccurate diagnosis, and are sent home, only to become seriously ill, or die.

Sometimes a person may get a prescription and decide, "You know what. I'm not taking these. All they are going to do is fill me up with more chemicals." So they store them in a drawer, or dump them in the garbage.
Some take the medicine, and see results. They get better... Or do they?

One thing I do know, works for sure, is Panadol.
Man... have you ever had a severe tooth ache? Ouch!

Pop two of those things in your mouth, swallow, and in about 60 seconds, you are grateful you brought Panadol.
How do we know if we feel better? Our senses tell us, right?

What is my point?
Our experiences through the use of our senses, allows us to make observation every day. They allow us to make decisions, analyze, and verify the results of those analysis.
We don't throw reason, logic, and common sense out the window, for the sake of belief.

A spiritual person searches for answers. They don't just accept things for the sake of belief, but they use their senses. They observe, they reason and use logic, in order to find reasonable answers.

Their experience in life, through the use of their senses tells them that the universe and life did not originate on its own, but was designed by an intelligence. It screams design. Nature bears the signature of a creator.
This reasonable and logical conclusion is mentioned in scripture. Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:19, 20

They have also experienced the powerful effect of God's spirit, and his word the Bible, it being a product of holy spirit.
The results of their observations tell them that these are real, and true.
Examples
I have seen results every time from...
Effects of spirit - Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12
Effects of prayer - Matthew 6:7, 8; Mark 14:38
Effects of God's word, the Bible - Psalms 1:1-3; 119
These give clear evidence of the existence of God. These are all spiritual "instruments" that we use to test that conclusion. There is no physical instrument that can be used to do this.

Any questions... please feel free to ask.
I realize you didn't answer my last questions, so perhaps might like to do so now, as I have once again addressed your questions.
Based on the examples you provided... What evidence is there that life evolved from one common ancestor?

Effects of spirit - Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12

Demonstrate that a spirit exists before you attribute things to it.


Effects of prayer - Matthew 6:7, 8; Mark 14:38

The effects of prayer are measurable and they have been measures and shown not to work.
Power of prayer flunks an unusual test
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1005.5574&rep=rep1&type=pdf
http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Harvard_prayer_experiment

Effects of God's word, the Bible - Psalms 1:1-3; 119

You need to list specific things and then demonstrate cause and effect.

 

[nPeace]

I've been out of the country........

That's quite a long post. Too bad it's mostly Bible quotes and commentary on the quotes

Effects of spirit - Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12

Demonstrate that a spirit exists before you attribute things to it.

Do you think?
If you do, please demonstrate that you do, and then I will try my best to meet your request.

Effects of prayer - Matthew 6:7, 8; Mark 14:38

The effects of prayer are measurable and they have been measures and shown not to work.
Power of prayer flunks an unusual test
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1005.5574&rep=rep1&type=pdf
http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Harvard_prayer_experiment

Do you think they might have had more success running a test on ignorance? Is it possible to test ignorance do you think?
Then I think the failure is in these tests - not prayer.
How can one test something they don't know anything about?

Effects of God's word, the Bible - Psalms 1:1-3; 119

You need to list specific things and then demonstrate cause and effect.

Power to transform lives, resulting in happy family life, unity among people of all nationalities, or ethnicity, race, background..., wisdom that serves as a protection, and saves lives.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

 

[Milton Platt]

Do you think?
If you do, please demonstrate that you do, and then I will try my best to meet your request.


Do you think they might have had more success running a test on ignorance? Is it possible to test ignorance do you think?
Then I think the failure is in these tests - not prayer.
How can one test something they don't know anything about?


Power to transform lives, resulting in happy family life, unity among people of all nationalities, or ethnicity, race, background..., wisdom that serves as a protection, and saves lives.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

I think, as all humans do. So please do provide the evidence that can be verified and tested that shows what "spirit" is and what it does, thanks.

I have no idea why you are asking about tests for ignorance. That isn't even germane to the discussion.

The people doing the testing took their cues from Christians as to what prayer is supposed to do. The idea of intercessory prayer is that you pray for someone to be healed and they are healed, right? They tested to see if those that were prayed for were healed at a greater rate than those who were not. It' really simple.

People have happy families and have wisdom, and save lives, all without the Bible, so I don't get the connection.

 

[nPeace]

I think, as all humans do. So please do provide the evidence that can be verified and tested that shows what "spirit" is and what it does, thanks.

Sorry Milton, reasonable people reason, not throw questions, while ignoring questions thrown at them. You haven't answered any of my questions - past or present.
Is this a one way, or two way dialogue?

Please demonstrate that you think, and then I will try my best to meet your request. Thank you.

I have no idea why you are asking about tests for ignorance. That isn't even germane to the discussion.

The people doing the testing took their cues from Christians as to what prayer is supposed to do. The idea of intercessory prayer is that you pray for someone to be healed and they are healed, right? They tested to see if those that were prayed for were healed at a greater rate than those who were not. It' really simple.

That's just it. They are ignorant to what prayer is, and what it involves.
1. What is a Christian?
2. Prayer is not a ask-for-what-you-need-and you-will-get ceremony/ritual like asking some genie in a bottle for a wish.

People have happy families and have wisdom, and save lives, all without the Bible, so I don't get the connection.

Likely you don't have in mind what I am saying. So give a few examples of having wisdom that serves as a protection, saving lives, and unity among people of all nationalities, or ethnicity, race, background...,

 

[pipahaha]

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[TagliatelliMonster]

 

[chialo]

I want you to thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful article! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have bookmarked your blog to check out the new stuff of your blog a great blog.

 

[viole]

Everyone wants to live and enjoy life right? Who doesn't enjoy eating an apple, or mango, or grape, or....? The things on this earth that can satisfy man, are almost endless, and the beauty about is is that we never tire of those things - They always seem fresh, and the experience always seem different.

Yet, the reality is, we age, and the body loses its vigor, the taste buds, lose their sensitivity... but the brain still seem to desire these things. Then death end it all.

Scientists are promising to fix that - resurrect the dead - end the aging process - end death.
The Bible says God, the creator, promises the same.

Where do you put your faith, your trust, your confidence, your hope...
In the "big magic man in the sky", or the "puny dreamers on this earth"?

Why?

Come back to us when we can communicate like this between continents by praying.

Ciao

- viole

 

[chialo]

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[Trailblazer]

I don't want to live on this plane of existence forever, or even 150 years. The next life is much better.

Don't worry, you won't have to. The physical body was designed by God to be mortal, not immortal.
It's all in the Bible but some Christians cannot face reality because they want to live forever on earth in a physical body.

 

[Trailblazer]

Everyone wants to live and enjoy life right? Who doesn't enjoy eating an apple, or mango, or grape, or....? The things on this earth that can satisfy man, are almost endless, and the beauty about is is that we never tire of those things - They always seem fresh, and the experience always seem different.

Not everyone cares about enjoying the physical pleasures of this life, and they certainly do not value such things if they believe what Jesus taught.

John 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.​

​

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.​

Yet, the reality is, we age, and the body loses its vigor, the taste buds, lose their sensitivity... but the brain still seem to desire these things. Then death end it all.

Scientists are promising to fix that - resurrect the dead - end the aging process - end death.
The Bible says God, the creator, promises the same.

I must have missed the article where scientists are promising to resurrect the dead, end the aging process, and end death.

Where do you put your faith, your trust, your confidence, your hope...
In the "big magic man in the sky", or the "puny dreamers on this earth"?

Why?

My hope is in God and what He has promised.

“O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329​

 

[Truthseeker]

Don't worry, you won't have to. The physical body was designed by God to be mortal, not immortal.
It's all in the Bible but some Christians cannot face reality because they want to live forever on earth in a physical body.

You discovered a 5 year old dead thread? (until now). Oh, I see. Someone else revived it. It's been revived twice, in fact.

 

[Kfox]

Everyone wants to live and enjoy life right? Who doesn't enjoy eating an apple, or mango, or grape, or....? The things on this earth that can satisfy man, are almost endless, and the beauty about is is that we never tire of those things - They always seem fresh, and the experience always seem different.

Yet, the reality is, we age, and the body loses its vigor, the taste buds, lose their sensitivity... but the brain still seem to desire these things. Then death end it all.

Scientists are promising to fix that - resurrect the dead - end the aging process - end death.
The Bible says God, the creator, promises the same.

Where do you put your faith, your trust, your confidence, your hope...
In the "big magic man in the sky", or the "puny dreamers on this earth"?

Why?

Science does not promise to fix any of those things, and when it comes to faith, I don't use it; I prefer evidence over faith any day.

 

[Kfox]

I don't want to live on this plane of existence forever, or even 150 years. The next life is much better.

How do you know? Most who say the grass is greener on the other side can at least see the grass. You can't see the grass but only have faith it is there and taste better than what you already have.

 

[Lekatt]

Life here on planet earth can be hard at times, full of many problems with few solutions. It can also be happy and rewarding. It is a constant mix of change. But we all will grow older and leave the planet behind for some unknown. My spiritual beliefs keep me balanced and strong in the progression. I put my faith in a spiritual life after this one. A stable life filled with love and learning.

 

[nPeace]

Science does not promise to fix any of those things, and when it comes to faith, I don't use it; I prefer evidence over faith any day.

I don't think it possible to separate evidence from faith. If you do, it's not faith, since faith requires evidence.
I think you may be confusing blind belief with faith. You would not be the first to make that mistake.

 

[nPeace]

How do you know? Most who say the grass is greener on the other side can at least see the grass. You can't see the grass but only have faith it is there and taste better than what you already have.

Eyes of faith see realities, not seen physically.
If you can see something before it is realized, would you not appreciate that?

 

[Trailblazer]

I don't think it possible to separate evidence from faith. If you do, it's not faith, since faith requires evidence.

Faith does not 'require' evidence. Some believers have both faith and evidence, but not all believers have evidence for what they believe.

 

[nPeace]

Faith does not 'require' evidence. Some believers have both faith and evidence, but not all believers have evidence for what they believe.

Right, they don't have faith. They just believe. Faith is not just believing.
Notice you also made that distinction - Quote Some believers have both faith and evidence... Unquote