Sower

So I agree . . . at least I think I do . . . sorry, but I'm still not exactly sure what you are questioning from my earlier post. Maybe quote from me the specific item you are questioning. Thx This will all be determined at the Judgement Seat of Christ (Bema Seat) It is not about sin, as they have been all paid for. It is about our 'good works' or lack we were created for. Many works receive no reward, like those done for self to be seen. These were not sin/sinful, but the work has already received reward. Those done for Christ, in the spirit etc = gold, silver, precious stones. My understanding is our position in the millennial reign is thus determined. My understanding. Thanks enoob and VA...

I appreciate your reply and sharing your understanding of John 15. My understanding is somewhat different, yet I believe may be helpful. Verse 1; “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser" Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, abiding (remain-stay in a given place-pitch a tent- tabernacle-etc) IN Him. It is Jesus who produces fruit that flows into the branches to show HIS fruit. The branch produces NOTHING, nor can it. It only bears the fruit of the vine, Jesus. Verse 4; Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jesus is the one that produces the fruit, and the branches, us, only bear it. This is a biggie. As VA said, I believe, that we can do nothing of our selves, no righteous work. My bible says my heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it. But, as I abide in the vine I can do all things, yet, not I but Christ. Took me a while to grasp this understanding. Most all my problems come from the source/fact of not abiding. Jesus is the one who works through me, and I bear his fruit, as I abide. The fruit is not for me. It is for others. What can we do if we cannot do anything? We can abide, as you say, 1to3... To God be the glory, much fruit pleases the Father. Hope this may help any understanding, and thanks 1to3...

"singular unpardonable sins?" Didn't know there was more than one. Shucks... A lot of tough meat there to chew on, and swallow, or not. Thank God for his word, at the exclusion of man's ideas. Well, I know who I have believed in. And, I have been convinced. God alone is able to keep that understanding I have committed/believed to Him. Till he appears. I am not able to keep myself saved, but He is. As says the word. Never leave nor forsake me. Not I but Christ! No codicils implied/added. It's what I believe, even amongst so many 'new revelations' floating around. Theologian I'm not. Spirit led I (hope/pray) am. (We're getting close when even the elect may/will be deceived) Thanks, Dennis. I shall ponder the replies to come... You always make me think..

All technology is good. God created all the basis for it. What man does with it can be good or evil (life/death). My belief is the rise in technology coincides with the return for a purpose. Man is the church key that opened this can of worms. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. And here we are...wondering, and guessing what's next.... (We're in peak of the exponential curve)...

I Believe in what He did, done, then I work. (created to do good works for what God has done) vs... I work, done, believe in what I did. (created to believe in my works for what I have done)

Well seems to me what God the Father sees is the perfected person made so by God His son's sacrifice for that very purpose, all by God's doing alone and not by any precedence setting or any meritorious work or works of any man. For it is my understanding at least that it is all of God and of God alone that any are saved out from under the consequence of His just wrath. Hi Neighbor, I thought your OP was about what a sermon was. And then you brought in what is worship.... Now you have brought up the salvation subject, by grace not works, when I suggest to others that God sees "inside" our heart, a heart which happens to be deceitfully wicked according to my bible. “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Unfortunately, you missed my effort to explain my understanding of worshiping with a clean heart in whatsoever we do, not just at a church service. God knows what's in my heart, and yours and others, the motives and reasons others do not see, while raising their hands to God, some a white washed sepulcher. Raising hands, singing and fellowship within the assembly together, or washing feet unseen, is an outward appearance. God sees the inside. My point. Thanks Neighbor...

While still here on this earth, we are soldiers in the army of God. Boot camp/infantry training regiment. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Ephesians 6:10-12 Doubts (fiery darts) vs Faith... "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" Good one warrior12.....

"disasters, disappointments, and difficulties" A butterfly when still in the cocoon stage struggles to get out to fly. If you cut the cocoon and let it out, no struggle, it will never fly. The struggles and difficulty push blood into the wings, growing/strengthening them. God designed the butterfly to go through the struggles for his intended purpose. This applies to his created people also. Growth, strength, wisdom, etc comes at a price. God's ways are not man's ways.....

You may ignore God to show him your anger. But he won't ignore you. He will never leave you! He will never forsake you! God doesn't lie. Trust is best when things get hard. Wait upon the Lord...And his timing. EDIT, PS: Those sins you mention have been paid for, washed away!

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house (TV-PC) or give him any greeting, For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 1:10-11 We do bring all sorts of messages into our home now, digitally. Entertainment = dopamine release... Does what we see on TV/PC teach God's message, or the devil's? It is programming us whether we know/believe it or not..... Not being legalistic! Being sensitive to the intended subtle (whispered) messages. A no-brainer.. Thanks, Revelation Man...

Why didn't God kill me/us when I first sinned? God's ways are not man's ways. Some of God's ways are a mystery for a reason only he knows. I believe the body of Christ has been and is in (spiritual warfare) boot camp. Those enlisted in the army of God battle the fallen spiritual realm with God's full armor. When the lord returns we graduate, with scars, those who were faithful to his word. This expresses our love to the God who saved us, we need a resistance/battle to self/pleasure. God allowed this enemy for us to battle/endure/overcome in Christ. Grow. As faithful soldiers, abiding in the true vine Jesus, we can bear much fruit. This glorifies the Father. My thoughts. Thanks Marilyn.

I didn't/couldn't quit!............... I was delivered. By God, totally! May sound petty, but to an addict, it's a miracle. Thanks farouk..

"Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Pray without ceasing has always been easy for me to understand. Don't let up. My prayers are more like a conversation throughout the day, with the line always open. Good one and thanks, Jayne...

And all the more as the day approaches. "And he that winneth souls is wise".... Pray. Open mouth. Acknowledge God. He will speak....... Good stuff, VA....

I reckon my destiny (a predetermined state or end) is in God's hands. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10) As to my call I'd say it changes (I believe) according to my growth in Christ. From called to repentance/salvation, called to become a husband/father, and member of a body of believers. Growing in the word, called to be a carpenter, and the call to be a help through my craft to those in some need I could fill. 40+ yrs ago I went on my first visitation and witnessed my first stranger accept Christ as savior and profess Jesus as Lord. I've maintained that urgency/call to share the good news to anybody any place any time any way. I witnessed a large lack of concern from members back then to share what scripture encourages us, to spread the gospel. Most say they were not called to preach. Pew sitters. Comfortable. No desire to simply share their own testimony to the lost. I'm no preacher for sure. But I prayed that I never get that comfortable. God answered that prayer. My call is the same as everybody who was lost and then was saved. They heard the gospel and believed. The call to share the good news as we heard ourselves. It came from some faithful brother/sister who took the time to talk to us about God, sin, salvation, and the freedom in Christ. Why do most listen to the enemy's lies/deceptions that they can't share, embarrassed/shame. Lies. Deceptions. We can do all things in Christ. A universal call to share all the word to all the world. God talking through us. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise"