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And now for the bad news. I look at it this way. It's important to discuss these things to see what we can do, yet we know some things never change such as corporate greed. They have become expert and making food look healthy by adding artificial coloring and ingredients that cost them less but are not healthy to eat. "The world" isn't poisoning our food and drink as much as the larger corporate interests across the world. I don't see that ever changing so long as we have politics in bed with the large corporations and lobbyists. They regularly scratch each other's backs. Most of us can really only be responsible for what we put in out mouths. The body can deal with the occasional bad food for most. Habitually eating bad things though is only asking for trouble. A high fat high sugar intake diet and no or little exercise over time is asking for trouble.Buying and eating too many pre prepared foods like TV dinners isn't good either because they use the lowest quality ingredients in those while they add ingredients most have no idea what they are. The body is an amazing thing in that it can deal with a lot, but there is a tipping point.

And now for the good news! We, as born again believers, are not of this world. We are not in control of this world God is in control. Yes, we should be good stewards of all blessings. But this world is not our 'home'. (Our new home has no GMO's:)

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Believers may have the "right" to do anything, but not everything glorifies God. To glorify God it requires full commitment to Him. Glorifying God means we honor Him.

Hello all, Of all the things that I have done as a child of God, I don't know of anything that the Father has honored in my life experience more than my reading of His Word from cover to cover. When I was 25 (I am now 63), I began my first journey through The Bible. That first time, my journey took me four months. Was I then finished with it? No. The very next day I read in it. And the day after that, till the days became weeks, then months, then years, then decades. I will never be finished reading The Bible, though I have read it through multiple times. I will never be finished with reading God's Word, anymore than I will never be finished with eating! Whereas I have always enjoyed my Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 journeys, I have sometimes just did a New Testament study, or a Bible book study. Sometimes even a Bible chapter study. I think of the Psalms or any of the Proverbs. When 25, my pastor at that time often encouraged the reading of a chapter of Proverbs that corresponded to the day of the month. He advised the doing of this instead of the reading of horoscopes, which thing I had often done. Of course, as there are 31 chapters of Proverbs, there is a chapter which would correspond with any month. I bet I've read the book of Proverbs over a hundred times, probably twice that many! And, I still love it as much as ever. My mind goes to what Peter said in I Peter 2: 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of The Word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. When I was 25, I was like a new born babe in Christ, even though I had been saved at ten. For me, it was like I woke up at 25, still, what I call, "a delivery room stage" child of God. Now, I can look back and see that I went through what might be referred to as the crib stage, the crawling stage, the toddler stage, the elementary school age stage and so forth, until I got to the graduation stage, where I might be used of God more fully for His Kingdom purposes. In retrospect, if I hadn't continued in the Word of God, I know I wouldn't have made much true progress. I think of what Jesus said, as recorded in John 8... 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. I have a story that is on my heart to tell that relates to the importance of Bible study, but I know going into it that it could end up quite lengthy. But, here goes... When I was 25, I was still single, and I began to seek God for my "Eve" if you will. I was done with running around and dating whoever or being with others that were not THE ONE, if you know what I mean. Well, in God's providence, I got the opportunity to meet and go out with who I considered at the time to be the most beautiful young woman I had ever seen. We started dating, fell in love, and I eventually asked her to marry me. And, she said she would! Well, there was a snag. She had been raised in a different denominational belief, which her and her family were steeped in. Whereas I had attended her church and she had attended mine, when we got more serious, her family would not let her attend with me any longer. Also, my pastor at that time counseled me not to marry her, unless we could believe alike, calling my attention to such scriptures as Amos 3:3 and II Corinthians 6:14. I prayed about it and sought God about it. I did not know a whole lot about the beliefs of the denomination of which she was a part. Because of this, I was inclined to study out what she believed, and I thought, if I could accept her beliefs, for my love for her, I WOULD CHANGE. Without her knowing it, I began a journey of studying out the beliefs she and her family were steeped in. I discovered that there was a bookstore in a fairly local city that happened to be affiliated with her denomination, so I went there and looked around. I bought several pamphlets, and the store owner even gave me a book concerning all their religious beliefs. I was on my way! As I began to study all their material, I found that they made a lot of good points. I remember discussing some of the things I was finding with my dad and hearing him say, "But what about this?" that the Bible would say about something. And, I would wrestle with it. I continued to read and study their material and wonder---and ended up quite confused. For two weeks of my life at that time, I didn't know what to believe about some things. I was highly frustrated. Then, at the end of two weeks, when in prayer, God spoke to my heart, "Put down all this other material that you have been reading, and just read My Word." So, that's what I did. My first direction was to read the New Testament through. Something very interesting happened. Before I got through the book of Matthew, I KNEW THAT I COULD NOT BELIEVE ACCORDING TO HER BELIEFS. Now, before this, I had already read the Bible through for the first time. And, here I was again, on my second journey through the New Testament. I stopped right where I was, went to Wal-mart and got me a brand new Bible, some highlighters, and a notebook---and I did me an intensive study. I colored coded Scripture that pertained to a couple of major doctrinal beliefs that we differed on, and I made all kinds of notes. All without her having any idea. I even went back through the material that I had got at that bookstore and color coded and made notes. Then, around this time that year (1984), instead of going out like we normally would, I told her I wanted us to go to my grandparents (where I was living at the time) to show her something. In the spare bedroom, I had laid everything out on the bed, and I was going to let her know what I had been doing behind the scenes and what I had found out. I was excited, just knowing that when saw in the Bible what I wanted to show her, she would be able to believe like me. It didn't turn out that way---at all. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. She told me that she had read her Bible, that she knew what she believed, and that she wasn't changing. I tried to reason with her and she told me that this was just going to ruin Christmas and she didn't want to talk about it any more till after Christmas. So, I didn't. I prayed about it and gave it to God the best way I knew how. On January the 2nd (after the holidays were completely finished), I asked her again to come to my grandparents so that I could go through with her what I was wanting to show her. I tried it again, with the same results. Didn't get anywhere. She stiffened up about it all and had no regard for what I tried to show her in the Bible. She again told me what she had told me before, and that when we got married, I could go to my church and she could go to hers. I asked her what her thoughts were if we had children, and she said they could go with her sometimes and with me sometimes. In my mind, I was thinking no. I was so frustrated and bewildered that I don't even know how to convey how frustrated and bewildered I was. I was 26, she was 18, we had fallen in love, were engaged, and religion was separating us. I was really kinda upset with God, cause I thought, here I had prayed to Him to bring me together with my "Eve" and I thought He had---and now HE was coming between us! Another couple of weeks passed. You probably know how it is when there is an issue with someone you love, but ain't nobody talking about it. That's the way it was with me and my supposed wife to be. Utterly going along with "that sinking feeling" I resolved to God that I would not marry her unless we could believe alike. I had it settled in my mind, but had not told her. I didn't know how to tell her! I figured she would hate me over it. And, at the end of two weeks, something very interesting happened again. In my prayer time with God, He spoke to my heart to encourage her to read the New Testament through. I thought, there's no way she could think that that would be a bad thing or something that would lead her astray. I had hope! So, on our next time out, I told her that if she really loved me, I wanted her to read the New Testament through---and she said she would. I told her that I wasn't worried that much about if she read The Revelation at that time, but to at least read Matthew through Jude. It took her a while. And, sometimes I could kinda tell those days when she was reading and those days that she didn't. I never said another word, only there were some times that I would ask her where she was at. I was excited about those times when she would be reading this or that that her beliefs were in conflict with---but I never said a word. I gave it all to God. One day, when she was in the area of Paul's writings to Timothy (I believe), when she got in the car for us to go out, she leaned over the console and hugged my neck and told me that she understood (I'm tearing up). After that, she never stepped foot back in her home church, we have never since had a disagreement over any Bible subject---much less doctrine---and I am now still happily married to her, for going on 37 years. When we got married, we had to elope, as we knew full well that her parents would not have been up for her having a church wedding in a church of another denomination. In their minds, I was dragging their daughter down to hell, as this was kind of the mentality of those who were steeped in her denomination concerning those who converted to something else. Whereas we got along and I loved her parents, there was that undercurrent of religious differences. But, they found that there was nothing they could do. The story doesn't end here, but I need to be trying to finish up. I've got to tell all of you this much more, anyway. In time, my mother-in-law went with us once to where we were attending church. She had an old friend that was our organist, and she had invited her to come sometime. Later, she went again, and then, again and again! By and by, my wife's brothers and sisters started coming. And her aunt. And finally her dad. Everyone of them left the church and denomination they had been steeped in, and started going where I went. Her brother is now a pastor of a solid church in the same community, of the same denomination that I was then a part of. I, and the church I pastor, no longer have a denominational affiliation. I don't throw any stones, and I will not, but we are just trying to be as much like a first century church as we can. But, we all (her family and I) believe the same. Oh, and one more thing. Way back there, after my wife read the New Testament through, she admitted to me that she had never really read her Bible. She had only ever read the book of Ruth. Now, she has read the Bible through and is presently reading it through again. And, like me, she will never be finished with reading her Bible. I love the KJV. She prefers the NIV. I have a lot of different translations and have often been helped by comparing. But, the KJV holds a special place in my heart. It is the translation that I grew up with it. In closing my opening post for this thread, I would just like to say that I will not be entering into any negative discussions in this thread. It is only for the purpose of edification and encouragement concerning The Importance of Reading the Whole Bible. If my testimony or what I believe is of an interest to anyone, I have concerning these things in my thread, My Testimony and More. Following is a link to it (https://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/252050-my-testimony-and-more/).

Lol i think im coming over to your place for supper, youd best fire up that smoker!

I highly recommend the book.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Ephesians 3:17-19 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the Love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with the fullness of God.

Sometimes the most controversial topics can increase our faith by doing just that taking us out of our comfort zones and having to dive deep I live for that if it’s done to glorify God and not feed Ego ( that’s when a lot of topics go off the rail) but I agree getting your hands deep in the word is faith building ? SHALOM❤️

I like the posts that cause me to check "whether it is so", leading to engrossing devotion times in the Word.

Like I always say the Holy Spirit is in the drivers seat I’m just along for the ride, He gets excited to see so many positive threads about our Father so you guys keep sparking old interests I had forgotten by just posting it has been a blessing and made my faith even stronger just observing and piggybacking with my own knowledge so nothing in particular at the moment SHALOM❤️

Do you have particular topics that you like to get into?

And yet here we have all found a new family ? George seems pretty cool I have read his threads, I hope the server transfer goes down without a hitch I enjoy reading all the informative posts so far ? SHALOM❤️

I learned you can learn a lot from people you don’t always get along with Friends have a habit of not telling you when you say something out of order, likewise people that you can’t agree with sometimes open a new veiw on things you might have been wrong about, I will look and contemplate.. if they change my mind then I gained something if they are just spewing hate then I don’t get baited into meaningless quarrels Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise I tend not to ignore because I might miss a morsel of truth but I don’t get involved if it’s just egocentric rebuke thats just how I approach it SHALOM❤️

Hi Not an Echo, Reading our Bible is excellent advice !! I am going to read the Proverbs chapters corresponding to the day of the month, great idea.

Our drinking water has chemicals and chlorine in it to a level that is not safe. The authorities tell us that it is safe but it is not. There is an addiction in our world today of coffee and alcohol. Neither are safe to drink in large qualities but many are doing just that. Our oceans and rivers are polluted with chemicals and bacteria which makes our fish unsafe to eat. There are recalls everyday of our food being tainted with salmonella, listeria and plastic and glass particles. Our produce is saturated with pesticides which causes cancer. We live in an unsafe world.

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 God, by His nature, makes things whole. He IS a healer: A healer of bodies, of minds, of relationships, of nations - Whatever needs making whole and sound. Unknown

I prefer either brisket or dino ribs low and slow over a wood fired smoker. There is science to the proper cooking of meats. LOL

I like my steaks rare to medium rare and still bleeding...i guess that counts as eating blood to some lol

Hi, Josheb. You said the above in response to my statement, "BRIEFLY! The Kingdom didn't stay on the earth because the King didn't stay on the earth!" How much plainer can I make it? Yeshua` the Messiah of God, Anointed to be the King of Israel, was not anointed by the children of Israel, even His own house, the Jews, to be their King! And after His resurrection, He went away! Acts 1:1-11 (KJV) 1 The former treatise (Luke) have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but ... "wait for the promise of the Father, which," saith he, "ye have heard of me. 5 For John (Yochanan the Submerger) truly baptized with (immersed in) water; but ye shall be baptized with (immersed in) the Holy Ghost not many days hence (from now)." [The word "en" meaning "in" is actually used with "Pneumati Hagioo" (translated as "the Holy Ghost") in the Greek text; this implies that the correct case of "hudati" (translated "with water") should be the locative case, "in water" by comparison.] 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, "Lord (Master), wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" [Note: It hadn't started yet!] 7 And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (That is, it's in the Father's timing, and that's all you need to know.) 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld (watched), he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight (a literal cloud "nefelee" obscured their view). 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven (Greek: eis ton ouranon = "into the sky") as he went up, behold, two men (Greek: andres duo) stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven (Greek: eis ton ouranon = 'into the sky')? this same Jesus (Yeshua`, haMashiyach Elohiym, the Messiah of God, the Anointed to be the King of Israel), which is taken up from you into heaven (Greek: eis ton ouranon = 'into the sky'), shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Greek: eis ton ouranon = 'into the sky')." Sometimes, as one reads along, one must also remind himself or herself what the various words and names mean. That's why I included what I did. It was like watching the launching of a rocket from Cape Canaveral. You can watch it go up for several minutes, constantly going up and getting smaller and smaller to view. Soon, one is straining one's eyes to catch a glimpse of it, and if a cloud gets in the way, one tries to find it again after the cloud has passed. I feel I can guarantee that no one had ever seen such a thing before! The two men in white clothes had to snap them out of it! Yeshua` the Messiah of God, Anointed to be the King of Israel, who was not anointed by the children of Israel, even His own house, the Jews, to be their King, had said to the Jews of Jerusalem, Matthew 23:38-39 (KJV) 38 "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate! 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, 'Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD.'" The sentence "Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say (condition)," or "Ye shall not see me from now on, until ye shall say (condition)," implies that there shall be a time when "ye shall see me," when the (condition) is said. Yeshua` the Messiah of God, Anointed to be the King of Israel, who was not anointed by the children of Israel, even His own house, the Jews, to be their King, had said to His disciples, John 14:1-4 (KJV) 1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (trust me!). 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am (back again, on earth), there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." Later, he said, John 14:16-20 (KJV) 16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more (they'll die and turn to dust); but ye see me: because I live (Greek: egoo zoo, meaning "I am-alive," a present, indicative, active state, implying that 'I will have been resurrected' based upon when the statement was made), ye shall live (Greek: zeesete, the future, indicative, active form of zaoo meaning 'I am alive,' means 'you shall be alive') also (i.e., you shall be resurrected, too). 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." Paul said, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV) 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God (the Father) bring with him (with Jesus). 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Now, I know that pretribulational rapturists have a particular view of these verses, but I understand them to be events that happen at the Second Coming itself. The important point is that the Messiah Yeshua shall return and with Him, all those who are at that time currently dead in the Messiah, raising them to life, and transforming those who are alive at the time in the Messiah. Being a part of the Second Coming, we also need to see the Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24:1-31 (KJV) 1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, "See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (1-70 A.D.) 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, "'I am Christ (2-the Messiah)'; "and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled (3-1st Century): for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (4-Beyond 1st Century) 7 "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (5-1st Century and beyond) 9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (6-1st Century) 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (7-1st Century and beyond) 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (8-Beyond 1st Century) 15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (9-66 A.D.), (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day (10-66-70 A.D.): 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened (11-1st Century and beyond). 23 "Then if any man shall say unto you, "'Lo, here is Christ!', "or "'there [He is]!'; "believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (12-1st Century and beyond). 25 Behold, I have told you before[hand]. 26 "Wherefore if they shall say unto you, "'Behold, he is in the desert!'; "go not forth: "'behold, he is in the secret chambers!'; "believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (a glimpse to the return.). 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together (1st Century). 29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (This happens at the Second Coming of the Messiah Yeshua`.) Mark 13:1-27 (KJV) 1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, "Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, "Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down!" (70 A.D.) 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, "Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, "'I am Christ (the Messiah)'; "and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled (1st Century): for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet (Beyond 1st Century). 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (1st Century and beyond) 9 "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. (1st Century) 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (Beyond 1st Century) 11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. (1st Century) 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. (1st Century and beyond) 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Beyond 1st Century) 14 "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (66 A.D.) (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. (66-70 A.D.) 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. (1st Century and beyond) 21 "And then if any man shall say to you, "'Lo, here is Christ!'; "or, "'lo, he is there!'; "believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (1st Century and beyond) 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." (This happens at the Second Coming of the Messiah Yeshua`.) Luke 21:5-28 (KJV) 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 "As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (70 A.D.) 7 And they asked him, saying, "Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?" 8 And he said, "Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, "'I am Christ (the Messiah); and the time draweth near!': "go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified (1st Century): for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by (immediate)." (Beyond 1st Century) 10 Then said he unto them, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (1st Century and beyond) 12 "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (1st Century) 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (1st Century) 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (1st Century and beyond) 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (1st Century and beyond). 20 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (66 A.D.) 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (66-70 A.D.) 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (1st Century and beyond) 25 "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (This happens at the Second Coming of the Messiah Yeshua`.) Finally, Revelation 11 talks about the return of the Messiah, the Son of God, to reign with God, the Father of the Messiah, at the seventh trumpet blast, which is a subset under the seventh seal: Revelation 11:15-19 (KJV) 15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord (YHWH God), and of his Christ (His Messiah); and he shall reign for ever and ever!" 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And 'the nations were angry,' (Psalm 2:1-3) and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." 19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. And, one should realize that this instance, which is NOT a figurative passage, follows Revelation 6:12-17, the opening of the sixth seal, which is exactly what Yeshua` was talking about in the Olivet Discourse: Revelation 6:12-17 (KJV) 12 And I (Yochanan or John) beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" And, how will these kings of the earth, etc., be able to see the face of Him who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb, if the Lamb is not back here on this earth?! And, along the same lines, how can YHWH God and His Son, the Lamb, rule over the kingdoms of the world, having become His kingdom, if not from this earth, which was His goal all along, according to the prophecies of the Messiah in the TANAKH (the Torah [Instruction or "Law"], the Navi'iym [Prophets], and Ketuviym [other Writings], the Old Testament)?! I've tried to keep these verses from the New Testament, for your sake, but this is HARDLY all there is, when one includes the literal interpretation of the OT prophecies, as well. Don't forget the conclusion of the vision that God gave Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. Furthermore, there are passages in the New Testament I didn't mention that add to this viewpoint, such as 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 and 2 Peter 3:3-13. None of these passages should stand alone because they work together to produce the correct view on the end times. And, that's what is meant by, 2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV) 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. I've just provided another "plethora of scripture," as well. IF you'll take the time to read them, as I do yours. Please note that I've kept most of them in the New Testament, to show that they come from Yeshua` and His disciples. First, understand this, please: "Eternity" is "Infinity" with relation to time. And, in mathematics, as the foundation of the Cartesian graphing methods we use to visualize relationships, time is often represented on an x-axis, pointing off to the right, from the origin on the graph. "Infinite lines" are discovered in two forms: A full line, with arrow heads off to the left and to the right, is considered infinite in length, which represents "infinite time" or "eternity," when the graph's x-axis is so labeled (for example, "<-----0-----> t" for "time"). HOWEVER, there is also a half-line, with an arrow head only in one direction, most frequently to the right ("0-----> t"), because time only flows forward. These half-lines, although having a starting point on the line, are also considered infinite in length, representing "infinite time" or "eternity," but only toward the FUTURE. God the Father is an infinite full line, when it comes to time; that is, HE "was, is, and always will be the King Eternal." Yeshua`, on the other hand, has a beginning point at His conception. The Scriptures say, John 1:1-3, 14 (KJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ..... 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Gavri'eel told Miryam in Luke 1, Luke 1:26-38 (KJV) 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women!" 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God! 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible." 38 And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her. Thus, the human being, conceived and born of a woman, was fundamentally DIFFERENT THAN the Word before He became flesh! "Yeshua` the Messiah" is different than "God the Word." HE BECAME FLESH; He didn't just "put on flesh," which is what theologians say and the word "incarnation" implies! He didn't just "come in flesh," like it was some sort of suit He put on! He actually BECAME flesh! And, just as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:45a, 45 And so it is written, "The (first) man (Adam) was made a living soul" (quoted from Genesis 2:7);... a "soul" meaning an "air-breathing creature," Yeshua` the Messiah of God was also made a "living, air-breathing creature," when He was conceived and grew into a baby that was born into the air and began breathing on His own! Then, when He was circumcised the eighth day and was officially named, they called Him "Yeeshuwa`," which means "He shall save" or "He shall deliver" or "He shall rescue." When He died, He as an air-breathing body ceased to be "air-breathing," and He was no longer a "soul." When God resurrected Him three days later, He was not only an air-breathing body again, He was more! 45b ... the last Adam (Yeshua`) was made a quickening spirit. He now was a "life-giving WIND," as well, able to breathe life into an individual! However, His "eternity" now is a HALF-line! He had a beginning. "The Word was made flesh" and "Miryam conceived in her womb," and at least at His resurrection, "this day have I (God the Father) begotten Thee!" We also read, Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. In Greek, this is ... 8 Ieesous Christos echthes kai seemeron ho autos kai eis tous aioonas. Literally, "Yeshua` Messiah yesterday and today [is] the same-one and into the ages." The author of Hebrews was implying that Yeshua` yesterday (during His lifetime) and today (after the Resurrection) will also be the One into the ages! No, the problem is, as I see it, a misunderstanding of the phrase "kingdom of heaven." This all comes down to whether "ouranou" is the genitive case showing ownership, translated with an "of" or "belonging to," or if "ouranou" is the ablative case, showing origin, translated with a "from." I believe that context time and time again shows it to be the latter. Furthermore, using Yeshua`s usage of the word in Matthew 16:1-4, the words "ho ouranos" mean "the sky." Thus, it is the "Kingdom FROM the sky," not a "kingdom that belongs to (or belongs in) some mystical place called 'Heaven.'" Actually, YHWH God DOES use human men as representatives between Himself and the human population. First, He used Mosheh ("Moses") and Aharown ("Aaron") to act as His mouthpiece to communicate His wishes with the children of Israel. Then, He used Yhowshuwa` ("Joshua"), then all the judges from `Aatniy'eel ("Othniel") to Shmu'eel ("Samuel") as captains of His armies to reconquer His Land for 430 years. (Tell me again, how long has the United States of America been in existence?) That's who the king David was. He was God's mouthpiece to the children of Israel during his reign and he was the captain of the LORD'S armies, and David haMelekh always recognizing who the TRUE haMelekh Yisrael, the King of Israel, was! Yeshua`, the HEIR of David, will continue David's "tradition," recognizing YHWH God His Father as the TRUE King of Israel, and after a thousand years of subduing His enemies, He will recognize Him as the TRUE King of the WORLD, subjecting Himself to His Father also! (1 Corinthians 15:20-28). That's YOUR opinion because you do not understand how the OT fits into the New. You claim "Judaizing! Judaizing!" and misuse the term IMMENSELY! That's why I gave you NT verses above, since that's all you seem to accept. Sure it does, but the Kingdom is not "near" anymore; it's "far above," now.

I like your insight Charlie...very thoughtful stuff and right on the money!

Totally understand, no offense taken ? SHALOM❤️

No offense intended, but the apocrypha books don't interest me. I've seen biblestudytools listed in google, but haven't looked at it. Another a lot of people like to use is Esword. I may not have that spelled right. No matter, the important part is we need both God's word and prayer time, daily. I agree.

Hey I once got banned from a forum for talking about the book of Enoch ? I just prayed for them and moved on I have enjoyed your posts, we can all be a little overzealous sometimes it’s all love ? SHALOM❤️

BibleGateway has audio for all the versions they have listed. I don't use the audio feature. Another good online bible site is Bible hub. I don't know if bible hub has audio but like gateway they have quite a list of versions you can open up and read side by side. Any time someone posts scripture, I use that feature to compare the scripture posted to see where their posted scripture is coming from when I see something posted that doesn't quite look right.

Ouch.

Not touchy at all, just trying to keep the conversation at least kinda close to on topic.

Acts 12:23 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. NKJV

He came forward saying he wanted to repent from marijuana, but I think there was other stuff too.

Amen to that! when you read the Bible it’s God talking to you when you pray that’s you talking to God combine the 2 and you have a conversation between you and the Father ? And regularly reading will increase your faith in my case, it has.. It gives me a complete picture of Gods character What other book would you check out from the library and start from the middle? I used to think in my early walk it didn’t matter, but I suggest start from the beginning and work through it ( yes even Leviticus ?) just like you would any book,. The Gospels are great but when you read the Old Testament you really get a great deal of information and realize Jesus is the key ? to unlock the whole thing! I love the word, audio is great, but hands on flipping the pages then meditating on what was read and even asking God for insight ( for me it was Isaiah that stumped me and Leviticus) I asked God for the insight and he opened them up Father gave us a great roadmap for dealing with the struggles in this worldly journey and learning to walk in his Righteousness ? But you begin wherever the Spirit leads you, My 1st Book was The gospel of John- I started recording my readings on my phone that’s also a tip to revisit my commentary’s on the books to see how my opinions and views changed over the years I can’t get enough of Gods word I love Paul’s letters and Old Testament myself But the books are all amazingly ? mind blowing every time I reread them I find something new Thank you for the inspiration Brother SHALOM❤️

Just Wow, God is amazing, it's sort if scary to watch, thank You Jesus for deliverance...

Blessings and more blessings, what a blessing to read… Love to read how God has worked and is working in one’s life.. Such encouragement!!! Many thanks, and may He continue to bless.. A fellow follower of His, Not me

I like mouthy! sometimes the Holy Spirit puts the pen to paper for me too ? you never know where he might take me… I’m just along for the ride! ? SHALOM❤️

OK. The matter got lost, and it is a long explanation which altar it was. I let this pass if you agree.

Yes, it is unsafe. I think because we took ourselves seriously when thinking we have dominion, domination, over all things in this world. We stopped living with our planet home and instead now live on it. We're like unto parasites. Feasting on our host world, giving nothing positive in return. Consumer-ism. We want to be in control, and suffer no ill effects. Because many forget this planet is a living thing, a living system that operates as does our interlinked physiology; in balance. And just as with our health and physiology, when we are out of sorts, out of balance, we become ill. So too does earth. Yet one thing she has going for her that we do not. A history of extinction level events with regard to species and terrestrial ages. One day, unless we wake up, we'll find ourselves on the brink of extinction. Because our massive overpopulation has no respect for where we live. 90% of plastics given for recycling ends up in either the landfill or dumped in our oceans. Our world's surface is 3/4ths water. So too is our anatomy,physiology. In most if not all states it is legal to use human waste water to irrigate human food grade crops. ?? "You are what you eat. You are what's eating you." Yes, our world's authorities over food and drink are poisoning us. Chemical and genetic Band-Aids trying to fix what we've done to the environment and by proxy ourselves. If we die out, we earned it.

Big difference between being told something was offered to an idol and nothing being said at all. B-B's family is showing hospitality in a very gracious way and to start quibbling over minor issues is rubbing salt into a wound. All this will do is bring hostility and condemnation, in other words.... start an unnecessary war between family members over food. In fact, declining the invitation because the family is non Christian is quite insulting in and of itself. and will create an unnecessary divide. We can not share Christ with others while also being hostile and condemning. Think about how much more wonderful it would be if all of B-B's family became Christians. Don’t undo the work of God for a chunk of meat.

Someone once asked why Church services are seemingly meant for Christians? Those already in the faith. Isn't it more fitting to minister the Good News to the unbelievers who would feel led to attend? Being as the converted already have accepted the Gospel. While it would then be more fitting for the faithful to join, unite, in a church gathering dedicated to Bible study. Wherein, unlike a church sermon setting, questions can be asked and an educational atmosphere may then ensue. Rather than as in church the learned pastor speaks their sermon of choice to the congregants, a Bible study allows everyone to openly question, advise, and learn from where they are currently in their own journey. I thought that a unique and valid observation. Which leads also to answering the OP querry. Ours is to be a relationship with God, our Creator. It's deeply intimate and personal. As such I feel the individual Christian should follow the leading of the inner Holy Spirit in such matters. If we don't feel called to a church, remain solitary in worship and communion with God. If called to join a church, do so. But never feel pressured to follow the herd. God knows our name, and the number of hairs on our head. He knows where we are in mind and heart eternally. We're not separated from God if we're not one of many in a congregation. And as this and other such sites demonstrate, we can always find our way to community outside of a church structure. We are the church. We each are temples of and to God. Don't be a joiner if it doesn't feel right. Because following the crowd can mean putting God's voice behind the call to conform. Wow, that was a bit mouthy. I'll shut up now.??

The origin of life is not part of evolutionary theory. However, we have God's word on it. Would that be enough for you?

This is how the bible says we should be. 1 Corinthians 10 : 27 (NIV) If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. Luke 10 : 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.

The original post asks the question “Is there a Godly way to offend people?” The answer should be a resounding NO. When it comes to Christians, No congregation enjoys sermons that leave a knife (barbed remarks) sticking in the back of whoever is the target . Its often touted as “causing others to think outside the box” because they say... “the bible uses it”. The difference is that the bible is never coarse. Our attitude and approach are not the same. We are not the writers of the bible. Sarcasm in a ministry is NOT witty..... it is hostility. I'm not speaking of its cousin “satire”, but specifically of sarcasm. Especially on a message board where tone of voice and facial expressions are absent. Doesn't matter if people are sensitive or not, dishing out barbs and displaying superiority of knowledge above others is NOT helpful. As a matter of fact, they leave bleeding wounds. When Christians use sarcasm it bears passive-aggressiveness and bitter fruit in the hearer's and teaches others to be harsh and unloving themselves. A person might have a knack for dishing out sarcasm, but it has no place in the pulpit, or when sharing the gospel message. The bible teaches us to speak to others with grace, tact, and politeness. Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. With regard to unbelievers. It is true that as believers, we carry an offensive message; no doubt about that. But we do NOT need to carry our offensive message “offensively”. Yes, unbeliever's need to know what sin is and what it is not, but our “message” should not be all law, judgment, and condemnation before they can see and taste God's goodness and what God has in store for them. It is important to choose our words and actions with care and compassion, well seasoned with tact and grace, so that they can see a side of Christianity they've never experienced.

WHY WOULD THERE BE A NEW COVENANT IF THE OLD WAS THE SAME and why would you want to make THE LORD JESUS CHRIST into a liar HEBREWS 7:11 if therefore perfection were by the levitical priesthood for under it the people received the law what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of melchisedec ---and be not called after the order of aaron --- --7:12-- for the priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the law *******ROMANS 8:2 for the law of the spirit of life in CHRIST JESUS ---hath made me free from the law of sin and death ******* LEVITICUS 20:10 and the man that committeth adultery with another mans wife even he that committeth adultery with his neighbors wife ---the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death--- --20:15-- and if a man lie with a beast he shall surely be put to death and you shall slay the beast --- JOHN 8:7 so when they continued asking HIM HE lifted up himself and said unto them ---he that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her--- LUKE 13:3 I tell you nay but except you repent you shall all likewise perish LOVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

What was the writer of Proverbs thinking . . .? Pro 8:5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

It's also not even supported by the main creationist organizations.

Let's ask God... Genesis 1:24 And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds. And it was so done. God says it did. I believe Him.

What's that have to do with the question of babies going to Heaven?

Yes, of course all babies go to Heaven.

Yes, all babies do go to heaven.