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  1. True, some things will only be understood through the Spirit. I remember before I was saved seeing those bumper stickers, "Let Go and Let God." I thought they were the stupidest bumper stickers ever because I didn't "get it." I didn't understand what to let go of nor what to let God do. Then I got saved and was like, "OOHHH!!! NOW I get it!" In the Bible, there will be things that just don't make complete sense until you do have that spiritual connection. (Kind of like in the body, messages from one neuron to the other neuron won't get across without a neurotransmitter carrying the message across the gap/synapse... going from sinner to forgiven, the cross bridges that gap and the Holy Spirit brings understanding.) However, you don't have to have everything figured out before you get saved... Jesus died on the cross to make salvation free and simple for us; it's "us" who complicate it. Of first importance is understanding that each of us is a sinner in need of a Saviour. Then, what we couldn't understand apart from God, we begin to grow and understand (a lifelong process), and as we learn, we also begin to trust Him on the things we do not understand because we start to experience His unfailing love and trustworthiness. You said you understand how to be saved, so what is holding you back from believing with your heart instead of just your head? Are there specific questions you want answers to first?
    3 points
  2. Growing weed for the purposes of having a high is a sin to start with.
    3 points
  3. I truly believe that if you believe in the name of Jesus God will save you on the last day. Only his sheep hear his voice and believe in his name. It does not matter if your Catholic or protestant or Baptist or Methodist. He says my sheep hear my voice.
    2 points
  4. Conditional salvation is getting off on making people tremble, it is a power buzz, a quest for leadership. Trying to draw disciples. They never say that THEY have attained sinlessness, or a different, higher level of holiness because they know that will never wash, what they do is flog everybody else and so imply that they are more holy, more worthy.
    2 points
  5. God has ordered His salvation NOT for the strong, the wise, the people of worth He has ordered His salvation for the weak, the foolish, for people who are nothing. It is the trembling lambs who get hurt by the message of conditional salvation, the most precious of God's flock......it is a doctrine that draws a frown from God.
    2 points
  6. The point is well taken in my post, God's mercy is everlasting and he does use our wounds and struggles to draw us closer to himself.
    2 points
  7. Don't be sorry as it really doesn't matter what one posts. Our replies here come from the heart, some are filled with hate and some are filled with grace. It is evident which is which.
    2 points
  8. That is very,very common. They have a "religion" but not a "relationship" with Jesus Christ.
    2 points
  9. It is truly sad that we think we get to dictate how,when and where God saves someone. It is even sadder when we let our hatred for our brothers choice of a worship place override our own mercy and love. It even extends to those asking others to obey Jesus and show love. I have been attacked here every time I ask that we follow Jesus commands....LOVE ONE ANOTHER. I am not catholic I am a grateful saint made holy and righteousness by Jesus Christ. I found salvation in jail. If someone else finds it at a catholic church or a lutheran church who am I to say they are not saved? Do you not see that by focusing on our differences and spewing hatred for them you are doing satan's work and not the work of a Christian? Anyone unsure or undecided would read this and other ops and think "look at that, those so called followers of Jesus are the same as anyone else, they too are ruled by their prejudices, hate and fears" I suppose it's a waste of time trying to point this out as those whose hearts are hardened will never see without divine intervention but if there is an undecided person reading this op please know Jesus is about loving one another and He is Truth and freedom. Do not let a few hate filled,misguided people effect your decision.
    2 points
  10. Blessings HAZARD May as well jump in here,I agree that OSAS can be a dangerous mindset.....& yes,the FICKLE Galatians were indeed being addressed and we can learn much by staying in context with the knowledge of WHO was being spoken to & WHY.......I will never understand why this is difficult for so many & why everyone usually jumps to the conclusions that you don't believe Jesus Finished Work on the Cross? Of course His Sacrifice is enough,ONCE.......BUT,BELIEVERS are not exempt from stumbling,falling,sinning,transgression .....which CAN lead to "giving up" SALVATION.....Of course one cannot LOSE their SAlvation like you can lose the keys to your house or car,by mistake.....it is a much more willful & deliberate action that will lead the Believer to Fall from Grace.... With love-in Christ,Kwik
    2 points
  11. I think like most issues the answer is different for each person. Many people can have a beer or glass of wine and be fine. I am not one of those people. I have been healed by Jesus Christ but for me that healing is using the grace given to me to attend meetings and help others. My flesh has a disease called alcoholism but thanks to God I can use the tools He has given me to not drink. Does this make alcohol universally bad? Of course not but for me it is poison. I can never have even a single drink and that is ok, it's not like I must have chemo or surgery, I just can not drink. Since marijuana was never really an issue for me I can not really speak to it's addictive properties but if someone needs it for medicine I think it is much less harmful than oxycodone or adderall or any of the drugs doctors routinely prescribe. As far as God having a problem with it I think paul would disagree, twice in fact. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. So again my view is if it helps you do it and if it hurts you do not.
    2 points
  12. We can lose sight of having the mind of Christ who through he was rich he became poor for us. We need to become poor in the same way so we can serve and uplift others. God loves them and knows them.
    2 points
  13. That is a valid hardship. The chairs in my church hurt me. I ache for a couple of days afterwards, as well as struggle to walk.
    2 points
  14. Attending a Church is a choice. It is not a salvation issue. A Christian needs to seek the Word of God daily and needs to have a daily relationship with God. Not a religion. I am not into the Charismatic Church, I am not into the Emergent Church. I have attended a Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church and a Catholic Church in my lifetime. I am not impressed. I do know that the Methodist and Presbyterian Church is bringing in many Homosexual Pastors. I will not got to a Church that has a woman Pastor because the Bible tells us that is not what God wants for His Church. I am not into praying or talking in tongues. There is not much of a choice today.There are many who can not attend a Church due to physical or mental disabilities. They are not going to hell because they don't attend a Church.
    2 points
  15. Not yelling, trying to emphasise a point. He knew Christians can fall from grace and be removed from Christ (Gal. 1:6-8; 2:21; 3:15; 4:8-11, 19; 5:4, 19-21; 6:1-8). He wrote to correct the fickle Galatians from further backsliding and following the legalizing, Judaizing teachers from Judea; and set them straight regarding the relation iof Christians on the new covenant with the Jews of the old covenant. Pauls gospel was a revelation from God (Gal. 1:11). Justification is by faith alone without works (Gal. 2:15-3:29). Christians can live victorious over sin (Gal 2:20-3:5; 5:16-26; 6:1-8). Backsliders must be reborn and return to grace (Gal.1:6-8; 2:17-21; 3:1-5, 10-12; 4:19; 5:1, 4, 7, 16:26; 6:1-8). All who go back to law-keeping are under obligation to observe the whole law or be cursed (Gal. 3:1-5, 10-12; 4:21-31; 5:1-4). To sum it all up, saved Christians can and some do fall away and be lost, therefore there is no such thing as once saved all ways saved.
    2 points
  16. YES THEY DREW BACK, YES THEY NEVER HELD FAST TO THEIR FIRST CONFESSION THATS WHY THEY LOST THEIR SALVATION ! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ETERNAL SECURITY ONCE ONE RETURNS TO SIN.
    2 points
  17. it just has so many different ways of using it. Does the purpose not fit this?
    1 point
  18. I'm going to do a skit highlighting the silly excuses people hide behind to justify their departure from church or excuse their refusal to come church or participate in church activities. What are some of the ones you've heard? Hereare some of mine I've witnessed. 1) leaving church because the people pray using archaic words like thee or thy. honestly how regularly would that happen? 2) leaving church causesomeone said something about them that they didn't like. Would make a little sense if not for the fact that you're bad talked at work school and practically anywhere else you go, but you don't leave there. 3)church full of hypocrites. Is your life any better?also u don't stop going to other places the hypocrites are? Any more?
    1 point
  19. The meeting of a wise gentle man I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. As I was sitting in the office reading, a man walked in, I guess he was a little younger than me, but in his 60’s. He seemed weary and brought in with him a cup of coffee. After a while we started talking to pass the time, for the Doctor was running late. He was a man who for the past ten years has had many serious, chronic, medical conditions that he has had to endure. Yet as he continued speaking he brought up his faith. He spoke in simple terms about how he has never lost trust in God even in the worst of times. As he talked he brought up ‘trust’ and how it is never too late to begin again, even after a life that has been wasted on activities that have been self destructive. He spoke with such gentle compassion that I felt in some way he was revealing some of his past to me. Yet in all the time he did not feel the need to quote scripture. He just talked about his personal experience of the love and mercy of God. I found it very powerful and when I got up to go to the back office, I shook his hand and told him that he has given me quite a bit to meditate over. He seemed surprised, for I suppose he was not telling me anything new, since for him that was the world he lived in. In such a quite gentle way he touched me at such a depth that I will never forget him. The way to touch another heart is to be gentle, loving and respectful. This man was all that, though I doubt he was conscious of the fact. Perhaps it was because of that childlike unconsciousness that allowed me to listen so freely and openly. My only regret is that we did not have more time to share. However, I think I needed to be ministered to by him. People don’t understand the power of their personal experiences when spoken in simply loving language. We each have a way with words, just as this beautiful soul did…he showed me how to embrace my own life on a deeper level and taught me the power of gentle speech. In all of my years, when someone talks to me about their faith, when they start coming from "I am Infallible in my own private interpretation of scripture" and then starts preaching or talking down, he or she has little or any impact on me. Scripture can be used to back up pretty much any position. I think it has got to the point that everything is really an opinion. So many disagreements and each feels that the Holy Spirit is enlightening them.
    1 point
  20. #1 Approximately one-third of the entire population of the United States (110 million people) currently has a sexually transmitted disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. #2 Every single year, there are 20 million new STD cases in America. #3 America has the highest STD infection rate in the entire industrialized world. #4 Americans in the 15 to 24-year-old age group account for about 50 percent of all new STD cases each year. #5 It costs our nation approximately 16 billion dollars a year to treat our sexually transmitted diseases. #6 According to one survey, 24 percent of all U.S. teens that have STDs say that they still have unprotected sex. #7 In Chicago, public school kindergarten teachers are now required to set aside 30 minutes a month for sex education. #8 The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the entire industrialized world. #9 According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately two-thirds of all Americans in the 15 to 24-year-old age bracket have engaged in oral sex. #10 At this point, one out of every four teen girls in the U.S. has at least one sexually transmitted disease. #11 According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, there are 747,408 registered sex offenders in the United States. #12 There are 106,216 registered sex offenders in the state of California alone. #13 18 percent of all women in the United States say that they have been raped at some point in their lives. #14 More than 50 percent of all rapes take place within one mile of the home. #15 Teens that are in the 16 to 19-year-old age bracket are 3 1/2 times more likely than the general population “to be the victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.” #16 60 percent of male sex abuse victims and 80 percent of female sex abuse victims “are abused by someone known to the child or the child’s family.” #17 It is estimated that one out of every four girls will be sexually abused before they become adults. #18 An astounding 30 percent of all Internet traffic now goes to adult websites. #19 70 percent of all men in the 18 to 24-year-old age bracket visit at least one adult website each month. #20 The average high school boy spends two hours on adult websites every single week. #21 Law enforcement officials estimate that about 600,000 Americans and about 65,000 Canadians are trading dirty child pictures online. #22 It has been estimated that 89 percent of all pornography is produced in the United States. #23 One survey discovered that 25 percent of all employees that have Internet access in America visit sex websites while they are at work. #24 The marriage rate in the United States has fallen to an all-time low. Right now it is sitting at a yearly rate of 6.8 marriages per 1000 people. #25 In the United States today, more than half of all couples “move in together” before they get married. #26 Not surprisingly, an all-time low 44.2 percent of all Americans in the 25 to 34-year-old age bracket are married at this point. #27 America has the highest divorce rate in the world by a good margin. #28 America has the highest percentage of one person households on the entire planet. #29 100 years ago, 4.52 people were living in the average U.S. household, but now the average U.S. household only consists of 2.59 people. #30 According to the Pew Research Center, only 51 percent of all American adults are currently married. Back in 1960, 72 percent of all adults in the United States were married. #31 For women under the age of 30 in the United States, more than half of all babies are being born out of wedlock. #32 At this point, approximately one out of every three children in the United States lives in a home without a father. #33 In 1970, the average woman had her first child when she was 21.4 years old. Now the average woman has her first child when she is 25.6 years old. #34 In a massacre that is almost unspeakable, more than 56 million American babies have been slaughtered in this country since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. #35 Approximately 47 percent of the women that get an abortion each year in the United States have also had a previous abortion. #36 The number of American babies killed by abortion each year is roughly equal to the number of U.S. military deaths that have occurred in all of the wars that the United States has ever been involved in combined. #37 About one-third of all American women will have had an abortion by the age of 45. #38 Approximately 3,000 Americans lost their lives as a result of the destruction of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. Every single day, more than 3,000 American babies are killed by abortion when you include all forms of abortion. #39 The United States has the highest abortion rate in the western world. #40 It has been reported that a staggering 41 percent of all New York City pregnancies end in abortion. #41 Most women that get abortions in the United States claim to be Christian. Protestant women get 42 percent of all abortions and Catholic women get 27 percent of all abortions. #42 According to Pastor Clenard Childress, approximately 52 percent of all African-American pregnancies now end in abortion. #43 About 18 percent of all abortions in the United States each year are performed on teenagers. #44 One very shocking study found that 86 percent of all abortions are done for the sake of convenience. #45 A Department of Homeland Security report that was released in January 2012 says that if you are “anti-abortion”, you are a potential terrorist. #46 Some abortion clinics have been caught selling aborted baby parts to medical researchers. #47 Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger once said the following… “The most merciful thing that a family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.” http://thetruthwins.com/archives/100-facts-about-the-moral-collapse-of-america-that-are-almost-too-crazy-to-believe
    1 point
  21. No there is nothing wrong with wanting more God in our discussions. He should be first and foremost in our thoughts and lives.
    1 point
  22. I agree, God can and will save anyone anywhere He pleases, catholic,protestant, calvanist, arminian, possibly even dallas cowboy fans, though that may be testing the limits....
    1 point
  23. On legalized pot all I'll say is this: If its used to relieve suffering, etc. I have no issue with medical use. There have been many terminal patients who benefited from using it for pain relief as an example. On the abuse side: the Bible does not condemn alcohol outright -- but drunkenness is roundly condemned throughout Scripture, so I figure the same principle would apply to other forms of intoxication. I did my time in the drug world before I was saved and the Lord was gracious enough to free me from those addictions. I won't be going back to any of that slavery because I found out along the way that sobriety wasn't so bad after all. I don't want any chemicals getting between myself and the Lord.
    1 point
  24. it's getting legalized in canada.. to you and ladykay. i understand, patriot. if not for medical, then for abuse. i get that.. i'm addicted to pot from my escapades as a sinner. God healed me of my alcoholism.. but not this. i just wish for an answer from Christ Almighty.
    1 point
  25. statistics are never perfect, yowm.
    1 point
  26. marijuana, while not as addictive as tobacco, is still addictive, and mind altering. While it may have some positive side effects, that doesnt make it "healthy" or even something that should be put on a high pedestal. Studies show that 1 in 11 people will become addicted to it, with that number is down to 1 in 6 if they strat as a teen. While in moderation, it has shown some positive effects, but a lot of people dont know what "moderation is" and heavy use can lead to mental and physical health issues, and a want for a better high. Im not against medicinal pot use. or, if people could actually use it moderatly, not against legalizing it. Problem is, we live in a country where "moderation" only applies to morals and the church. People dont want marijuana to cure a disease or as a "pain killer" those are just an excuse to legalize getting high.
    1 point
  27. I don't use it, but I think it's just fine in moderation. Same as alcohol. It's infinitely safer than alcohol, almost impossible to overdose on, and is even prescribed by doctors. My uncle had terminal cancer and was given a marijuana prescription. He started eating again, was sleeping through the night, had dramatically less pain, and lifted his depression. It has many great uses when used properly, even besides ingesting it. There are countless hemp items such as clothing, bags lotions, cleansers etc. It's the street stuff you have to watch. It's mainly a problem because the street sold pot can be filled with artificial junk and chemicals that can harm you. You don't always know what you're getting. After a bit of research, you will find it is literally the safest and least harmful drug out there. I wish it would just be legalized everywhere already. The revenue will be enormous for your city and the jails will emptier.
    1 point
  28. I view questions like this as something that is personal between you and God. I would guess that the answer could be bass how it effects you. Where does it lead you? First off if it is illegal where you are, I think there is something in the Bible about how you should obey the laws of your government. Romans 13:1 Also it may depend on how you buy your pot. Well you maybe able to say that pot is no big deal, most drug dealers sell more then just pot. Stuff that is like really bad like meth. And where is the money going that you use to buy your pot? Some of it could be going to fund Drug Lords who do really bad things like kill people (I watched Breaking Bad so I know) Anyway I think you need to consider all these things.
    1 point
  29. i couldn't even get through that list without feeling like crying. I'm canadian.. but still.. that's so sick, missmuffet. that's just depressing. the end times are near! the threat of wars are already beginning to start with russia and the USA.. earth quakes will come.. people pretending to be the Messiah.. etc... brace yourselves.
    1 point
  30. yea, i know it's probably bad. i just wonder why it can be used so many different ways.. and robert, brain damage? is that one of those conspiracy theories?
    1 point
  31. so if someone legally grew bad weed, that'd be fine?
    1 point
  32. Not everything is good. What is grown today is not what God created. It has been heavily altered to produce a greater high.
    1 point
  33. Well my mother in law said she can't sit that long. Lets see.......Oh someone didn't like the music. And.....Church starts too early in the morning. That's all I have for now.
    1 point
  34. I am just saying we need all the scriptures to have full truth. People never quote Romans 2:7 .They always quote eph 2:9 .
    1 point
  35. Works alone is dead. Faith without works is dead because it reveals a heart that has not been transformed by God. When we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our lives will demonstrate that new life. Our works will be characterized by obedience to God. Unseen faith will become seen by the production of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). Christians belong to Christ, the Good Shepherd. As His sheep we hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:26–30). Faith without works is dead because faith results in a new creation, not a repetition of the same old patterns of sinful behavior. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Faith without works is dead because it comes from a heart that has not been regenerated by God. Empty professions of faith have no power to change lives. Those who pay lip service to faith but who do not possess the Spirit will hear Christ Himself say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers” (Matthew 7:23). http://www.gotquestions.org/faith-without-works-dead.html
    1 point
  36. The argument has been beaten to death. All who call on the name of the Lord are saved. God wills the salvation of all. All this going back and forth merely makes this a matter of opinion, it is kind of absurd. We are called to allow God's love into our hearts, his mercy and compassion. We can do nothing to win it, it is given. I also believe that Christians mature and grow in their understanding of grace by personal experience in how it works in their lives.
    1 point
  37. Read Romans 2:7 and 8 Paul wrote eternal life to those who by patient continues in doing good seek glory and honor and IMMORTALITY. Our works come from our faith. We are redeemed by his blood. We can never do any works to clear our selfs from our sins. Only the cross. But salvation is also being saved from bondage to our sins. You cannot throw out what Paul said in Romans 2 it's there. And Peter wrote make your calling and election sure by doing these things a entrance into the kingdom Of God Will be supplied to you. We are saved by Grace through faith. But faith without works is dead.Works come from a living faith. I think I have this correct. You cannot take a few scriptures and make a truth. You need all of the word.
    1 point
  38. We are not saved because we do good works, we do good works because we are saved.
    1 point
  39. Worldwide Divorce Rates ““ Top 20 Countries with Highest Divorce Rates per Capita 1. Belarus 68% 2. Russian Federation 65% 3. Sweden 64% 4. Latvia 63% 5. Ukraine 63% 6. Czech Republic 61% 7. Belgium 56% 8. Finland 56% 9. Lithuania 55% 10. United Kingdom 53% 11. Moldova 52% 12. United States 49% 13. Hungary 46% 14. Canada 45% 15. Norway 43% 16. France 43% 17. Germany 41% 18. Netherlands 41% 19. Switzerland 40% 20. Iceland 39% 21. Kazakhstan 39% Global and regional estimates of induced abortion, 1995 and 2003 Region and Subregion No. of abortions (millions) Abortion rate* 1995 2003 1995 2003 World 45.6 41.6 35 29 Developed countries 10.0 6.6 39 26 Excluding Eastern Europe 3.8 3.5 20 19 Developing countries† 35.5 35.0 34 29 Excluding China 24.9 26.4 33 30 Estimates by region Africa 5.0 5.6 33 29 Asia 26.8 25.9 33 29 Europe 7.7 4.3 48 28 Latin America 4.2 4.1 37 31 Northern America 1.5 1.5 22 21 Oceania 0.1 0.1 21 17 A few stats pulled from other sources would seem to indicate moral decay is a worldwide problem just as the Word predicted it would be. According to WHO, every year in the world there are an estimated 40-50 million abortions. This corresponds to approximately 125,000 abortions per day. 125,000 per DAY!!! Come quickly Jesus.
    1 point
  40. In God's timing He will judge our world with His wrath and it ain't gonna be pretty
    1 point
  41. Yep, "as in the days of Noah" the Bible says . . . and something tells me things must have been really nasty in Noah's time. Perhaps the kind of nasty that makes today look like a walk in the park, I don't know. Things got to the point where God decided to wipe everyone out except Noah and his family, so things had to have been really bad.
    1 point
  42. This passage should make it crystal clear (Ephesians 2:8-10) SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: WORKS EXCLUDED FOR SALVATION Not of works, lest any man should boast. WORKS REQUIRED FOR SANCTIFICATION For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
    1 point
  43. In my country we have just about the same problem. The end of times is coming.
    1 point
  44. I pray for the "Mind of Christ", the flesh can manifest in many ways. Peace Mark
    1 point
  45. Willa, Wayne was around a long long time ago. Glad he found his way back! I miss your teachings, Wayne! Can you post the doc as a post? It'll make it easier for us to quote and ask questions based on different parts of the message.
    1 point
  46. Willa, please check with George. Thank you for your dillegence. I was actually one of the first moderators many years ago. George won't allow us to ever retire. lol.
    1 point
  47. Amen ,He came to save us and to show us that The Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit are one and His power to save~~~~ And all of them are God~
    1 point
  48. My question is, what is the best way to suss out when the devil is trying to trick us by making things seem like the 'right' path when it is the wrong path? Especially if you're in the thick of it and it's hard to tell you're even GOING down the wrong path?
    1 point
  49. I think it is unhealthy to get too focused on what the Devil is doing. What happens is you start to over spiritualize events, and your life with God slides into a works based Christianity. If something bad happens (your washer breaks down), you think you blew it. When things go well, you think your works is the reason. It becomes very self- focused. Furthermore, it leads to condemning others, a lot of the time unjustly. If you look at each of the verses dealing with Satan and the Devil, the object is to be humble, trust God and keep His Word in our minds. Doing that accomplishes all that is needed. I don
    1 point
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