Leaderboard

Certainly, Stalin is always a good example with regards to situations like this. Everybody had to sacrifice for the greater good (including the members of his own cabinet, which he had purged on multiple occasions)..... except for him. This is how the typical modern socialist looks at it, we all need to do more, give more to the cause (the government)... except for them. How do we know this, because they could give all of their money to the government now if they so choose. There's nothing stopping each person who is a member of that party from paying a higher tax rate, they can simply send that extra income to the Bureau of Public Debt, which has a special account setup for donations. By the way, in the 15 years from 1996 to 2011 that fund received 26 million dollars in donations, which, at the time, was about .00018 percent of the national debt. If a socialist wants others to give more to the government then I suggest they start by setting an example for the rest of us lowly capitalists by opening up their own checkbook first, nothing is stopping them.

One of the most frustrating things that human civilization has done to our perception of God and science is forming a barrier between the two in today's skeptic age. Some of the world's most renown scientific organizations have taken the stance that you cannot be a scientist if you believe in God. As if the two are incompatible. THIS IS A HUGE LIE!!!!!!! I love Jesus... And I love science. There is no scientific proof that opposes God. The only scientific instances that oppose God are the theories that have not been proven. Have you noticed this trend? Evolution and the origins of the universe (among other theories in science) are theories that aren't likely to be proven with raw evidence. These are ambiguous theories, and they will most likely remain ambiguous until we see Jesus face to face. Now, on the other hand, when you look at science that has been proven with raw evidence such as gravity in physics, physical/chemical changes of matter, procreation in biology, and the rock formations in geology, it seems more and more unlikely to be an accident the more you study. When I look at science, I do it to take pleasure in the wonders God has created. Where the atheistic science organizations have said, "you cannot be a scientist and believe in God at the same time," I argue that it is more incompatible to be a scientist and disbelieve in God!

I think this is a fundamental stumbling block between believers and non-believers understanding each other on this issue; each have their own definition of homosexual. The biblical concept of homosexuality as I understand it relies heavily upon the behavior of the individual and not on their actual sexual orientation. However the modern concept of homosexuality relies heavily upon sexual orientation. So a guy who is sexually attracted to other guys but married to a women in a monogamous relationship to please God is not gay by biblical standards (as far as I'm aware), but he is still gay to the rest of society because he is sexually attracted to other guys. My point is that we need to make sure we are on the same page with our definitions. You even see this contrast of definitions in the scientific literature. Often a Christian group writing a paper or doing a study of changing homosexuals to heterosexuals will use the biblical definition of homosexual in their study and hail it as proof that you can be 'cured' of homosexuality. And in how they define their terms they are correct, but when using the modern definition of homosexuality the claim of the change becomes nonsense as no significant change in sexual orientation was observed. Just something to keep in mind about the gay debate. Oh well, that explains a lot. For a moment I thought that people could choose their sexual orientation, which seems absurd. I could not suddenly decide to be attracted by members of my sex if this inclination would not be already present, somehow. It would be like me having the choice to start liking hip hop...never! Lol Thanks for the clarification. Ciao - viole It would be rejecting those base sinful lusts and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in the proper direction if you were gay.

This is bold statement and contains a logical absurdity. Who would be so silly to decide to stop believing God because it interferes with her lifestyle? Suppose I believe in God, but I am gay. I have two options: 1) i join a gay friendly church 2) I stop believing God so that I can be gay Option 2) is irrational. If I believe in God, I would never stop believing so that I can enjoy some freedom for a few decades and geopardize the rest of eternity. It would be like stopping believing in law enforcement because it interferes with what I want to do. No, I stopped believing in God not because I wanted to be free to do what I want (my life did not change a bit, actually), but because of other reasons. I noticed some similarities between what you wrote and what is written in my profile, except stirring the pot, I hope. Then I saw you actually visited my profile before posting this. Sorry, if that disturbed you But I think faith is strong enough to sustain some discussions coming from a little harmless girl like me....is it? Ciao - viole Option 3 would be to repent of that lifestyle and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a proper heterosexual relationship (this would be the correct answer). You started with a false predication that homosexuality is different from any other type of lustful sin by indicating that it's something that you "am" and not something that you do, thereby not allowing yourself to draw the proper conclusion.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching Heb 10:24-25 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:15-16 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:19-22 1Cor. 12 talks about being part of the Body and not to be separate. Yes I think we need to be part of a church group. I would not join a church if they vote you in . That ain't right. If Jesus except you in his church that is all required, we are sealed by him.

God does not test us, just like parents do not test their children. No matter how many times a small child fall down we pick him/her up again and again. Praying

Wasabear, Capizalization of those letters is English grammer, not Greek grammer. "Bible" is supposed to be capitalized too, you know. But as for what you said the bible says, the only testing of spirits reference I recall is found in 1 John, and that is not what it says. Please clarify. i was gonna refer to 1st john also- it talks about testing the spirits to see if they are of god, i think you do it by asking the spirit if jesus is the christ and god in human form if i'm not mistaken. Wasabear, Capizalization of those letters is English grammer, not Greek grammer. "Bible" is supposed to be capitalized too, you know. But as for what you said the bible says, the only testing of spirits reference I recall is found in 1 John, and that is not what it says. Please clarify. i was gonna refer to 1st john also- it talks about testing the spirits to see if they are of god, i think you do it by asking the spirit if jesus is the christ and god in human form if i'm not mistaken. 1 John 4:1-2 "Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, weather they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the spirit of God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. It is not simply saying Jesus Is Lord, but confessing with your mouth the grace and the gift that Christ brought upon us. And believing in your HEART (Romans 10:9-10) I will repeat the same wisdom that was bestowed upon Fez and repeat it. This is not a gift, rather biblical. Discerning of spirits is God given, no one has power within themselves, God brings forth all ! (Isaiah 40:26, 2 Chronicles 20:6) False prophets may speak of "good things" but they are wolves. (Mathew 10) They may come to us in sheep's clothing (Mathew 7:15) the truth is always there, and it will set you free (John 8:32) hold the word of God above men, for the book (Bible) was not sent to us, but for us ! (Mark 7:8-13) 2 Peter 2:1- "But, there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers amoung you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves destruction." Now this verse worries me because let us say for one minute God did give you a gift. Not once have I heard you say it as so. You say it is from God in your origional post but from there it is, I have this Gift, I can do such and such. I do not wish to call you out rather stress a strong point of giving thanks unto the Lord for this is something that we can all work on (Psalm 107:1) If your thinking that I am wrong please look at Mathew 7:21 for this reason your Heart must also be set on God, it cannot be simply saying the words (Mark 7:6-9) God bless you all !

Once you accept Christ, you are already a member of every true church. Many church memberships come attached with the denominational doctrine you have to agree with. If you are following Christ, you are doing His will in every area, as your faith grows in Him. I have never seen the reason to sign a piece of paper when we, those who truly accept salvation in Christ, are all His body.

Selene, I believe you are right on with a very simple answere. God knows all in advance but only He has been around forever. Our souls are placed in us at birth, it would seem, or conception for that matter. Not before though.

I have did quite a bit of research on this study myself. The above post has some good points. I have debated ex-Christians for a long time but not with great results. Many believe once you have accepted Christ you will never fall away, and if you do, you were never saved in the first place. How sad. If so, the sinners prayer is a fake because when we tell all who pray it that they will go to heaven, when we know some will not (not really saved) than we make the bible to be untrue. However, to be breif, this is not about making a mistake, or backsliding a little bit. This is about a continues rebelling of the call from the Holy Spirit once you have accepted Him in your life. Over time your heart will become hard and you will never come back to Christ Jesus. What it does not mean is that someone who has gone astray can never be brought back. When I was a kid I got saved. Through the expetation of trying to be perfect I gave up. It was not until 12 years later when I accepted Jesus in my life again, but taking it one baby step at a time. Many have their own reaons why they give up on God, rather they feel God let them down, or they could not make God happy, or false doctrins that God would not comply with, such as ask in His name and it will be done for you, and taking it to mean if it is not you did not have enough faith. God knows our thoughts and hearts. That is GREAT news. He will bring us back to Himself if our reasoning was not out of rebellion. I believe this. I want to share a couple of verses for better understanding of what I believe is being talked about. 1 John 5:16-17 16If you see another believer committing a sin that doesn't lead to death, you should pray that God would give that person life. This is true for those who commit sins that don't lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I'm not telling you to pray about that. 17Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, yet there are sins that don't lead to death. Different opions about this verse but I tend to believe it is not "a" sin but a sinful life brought on by a hardening and rebellion of the heart over a period of time, which if continued, will lead to death. I believe this is the sin that leads to death. James 1:14-15 14Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. 15Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. 16My dear brothers and sisters, don't be fooled. I believe this is how the downslide begains. I have had many times in my life where God said, "Here you are, at the cross roads. It is your call, Me or your lusts." I chose God, but sometimes it wasa hard choice, surprisingly. Ezekiel 18:26 also goes along with this. We must never harden our hearts toward Christ because those that do may never come back to safety. Anyhow brother, I hope that helps. It is not about our sruggles, but about our heart. As Christians, we love Jesus because He first loved us. When we took the offered gift of salvation we also took on our cross. To be a follower of Jesus, we must be willing to give up all, though this is a life long learning process and I have yet to reach that goal. God HATES to see the wicked die, but rather that they would turn and live. God wants to see us all come to Himself. We were made to fellowship with God (Acts 17:26-27; Gen. 3:8-9) He has put eternity into our hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) He knows all of our days before we were formed. (Psalm 139:1-16) One last verse I will leave you with is this. Hebrews 7:25 Jesus always lives to make intercession for us believers. Hebrews 6:9 shows that we do not need to fear going the way of death provided we do not harden our hearts and always fear and look up to God. The last thing God wants to do is not let someone in heaven. His last prayer in the garden shows this as He asked God if there was any other way let this cup not fall on Him to bear, but there was no other way. That is why Jesus is the only way. Those of us that have recieved this great love and the Holy Spirit to guide us, then turn our backs on it all (again, not a struggle or slip up but a prelonged hardening of the heart) we are putting to shame the blood of Jesus. We will be worse off than a sinner that never believed. Anyone that repents, changes their mind about Christ Jesus, and calls on Him to be saved will be saved. Only those who turn their back on the one Who gave them life will have to worry. Thus, stay humble and obedient to the Holy Spirit, and let us never harden our hearts against God, and live in sin as we once did. This is a harsh matter, as God cannot allow those who rebell against Him in the gates of heaven, for if He did, He would have no justice, and for that matter, no love for those with eternal life because heaven would become like hell. God bless brother. Stay true

From what I understand our faith is always being tested. Not in a way to punish us or anything but more so to see where we stand in Him.He gives us faith not so everything will be easy.. but so we can stand firm in the midst of it.. I have been learning to be more deeply rooted in Him and what i am noticing is the more deeper I go the more the enemy wants to try and stop me and keep me where I am .. I have walked around the same stupid mountain too many times and now it is time for me to step up and step in.. So I am digging in with both heels and I am not giving in. I am sure it is very confusing and frustrating dealing with so many different beliefs but you have to be strong and stand firm in what it is you believe in .. i have had my share of questioning my faith .. especially seeing as to how I am in the same boat as you in the looking for work dept. But I have to believe that God is working in my life no matter what it looks like or doesn't look like and no matter how it feels.. I have to believe.. It's really the only thing I am counting on.. That He is indeed working in my life.. I don't know your sister's beliefs or her age but I wouldn't let yourself believe that her decisions are punishment for anything.. The enemy will use any opening given.. so try as much as you can to cast down those negative thoughts.. Your sister is her own person and sometimes we have to let people do as they will in order to learn.. I know for me I was forever learning the hard way.. I like to think I have smartened up some..LOL.. Just talk to Him let Him know how you're feeling.. I mean He already knows.. but just talk to Him .. let Him reassure you and encourage you. For me I believe in God with all my heart.. yes i had moments of doubt and I questioned so much.. But I had to get comfortable in not knowing , and i know I still have to work through over thinking and over analyzing so much.. I won't understand everything God does and why and that's okay. But I believe.. I believe that even when my world feels like it has been turned upside down that God has got me. It's Him redirecting me... showing me what I need to work on and where i stand with Him.. Ask Him to fix your foundation.. He will be there to carry you through this .. )

If it was a local flood. Then there would be no more floods on the earth because of the rainbow promise, but they stil happen. So it must be worldwide since it never happened again according to the bible.