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Blessings nosolostsoul Welcome to Worthy.....You speak as though you once believed the Word of God,this doesn't mean that you ever had Wisdom or Understanding though......I don't even know if you ever have or do think yourself to be a Christian so it is very difficult to even speculate...there are just too,many variables here..... THe reason I say you speak as though you once believed the Word of God is only because you said you "confirmed it"with Gods Word......so,if you truly believed God Word then you would believe what He SAys.... God cannot LIE,HE is Faithful to His Promises,His Word.....this still doesn't do much to address your situation,I could say that your "messages","people & situations that you thought were a sign or Promise from God were not because you lack the Wisdom ,Understanding & Discernment by Power of the Holy Spirit ,period... but perhaps you are/were a Christian(a carnal minded one) and the things you were asking for were not what God had in Mind when He Touched your heart?I don't know,maybe you asked that someones business fail & they prospered,.mean while God had nothing to do with it...Prosperity in this world is far different than true Prosperity ..... Like I said,there is just not enough information to do anything more than say"Maybe this & maybe that" But the only thing that is 100% positive ,100% without fail is that God does not lie,,,,,,Have you ever had a RELATIONSHIIP with God in Christ Jesus,I wouldn't think so because then you could never make such a statement....I think you may have had "religion".......religion is not Relationship......Obviously ,whatever the issue is"you didn't get your way"(or in your time) & now you blame God...you asked us what you should do & my answer is "Repent & Seek Gods Face in Jesus".....seems you were seeking His Hand,if you get to know Him you can be FRee from doubt,bitterness,resentment & Receive,Joy ,Peace & Comfort from His Blessed Assurance............He Loves you With love-in Christ,Kwik

I have been going through a tribulation period and dont wanna post details as that would be being puffed up but at the same time I wanna help others who may be going through similar things. Its all about helping you all out. Me, I'm treading water just Believing with Pure Faith in Jesus's being stronger than anything in the world.

Hi Everyone! As Christians we know that we are supposed to give thanks to God at all times. Now, I don't proclaim to be an expert in being thankful. Rather, I am one of those people who must work at it. Today I'm thankful for the great January weather I'm being able to experience. In Southwestern Alberta we get these awesome winter weather systems called "Chinooks". It's Chinooking right now! These systems drive warm weather in from the west and raise temperatures well above freezing. So for a week or more we get spring in the middle of winter. I love spring! So...I love Chinooks...and I thank God for them. What do I do when the Chinook ends and winter cold returns? I thank God for the break he gave me and the rest of those who appreciated it. I'm blessed to live here for a number of reasons. Close to the mountains, foothills, it's a free country...Calgary is a beautiful city etc etc. Would I like to live somewhere void of winter all together? ABSOLUTELY! But I don't, so I try really hard not to let winter cold to steel my joy. I'd love to hear what other people thank God for on a regular basis...even if it's the smallest thing. If it helps you get through life in a happy way...and helps you love God more than I want to hear it! God Bless! Tyler

People who are drowning in this world will reach out for the first thing they think will comfort them. I think we all have experienced that, but I think those who seek more than comfort are not satisfied only with having it. I will not speak ill of my mother, but if this is true in her case, I wish her the best. I will pray for her, as she has not been on my mind in a while. I was raised in a dysfunctional family without love. It was made clear to me that the joining was more to stave off loneliness than of love. We were more a group of people who lived in the same house than a family, so I had to seek recognition elsewhere. I tried drugs, alcohol, porn and nothing worked. I found my way to detox, which is really I think the first time God touched me. Anyone who has been an alcoholic knows that the brain becomes pickled in the constant flood of alcohol and it takes a good long while for it to clear itself. It took me about two months of sobriety in that place before that happened and when it did it was the same wonderful, exhilarating feeling I had when God took over my burdens when I finally gave my life over to him. I think God was searching for me for all the times I was abusing myself with that poison and when the barrier of alcoholic haze was destroyed the connection with him was restored and that is what I felt. I didn't understand that and I've always marveled at the two incidences, but I am certain now.

Im so sorry,brother! Oh what a terrible thing that cult. It doesnt make it better that there are so many good people trapped, believing it. (But, seen opposite too). It might be The Lord will come for her too. Its the different bible that really messes it up. If only they had a look in the real one, then.. I had no clue, all I knew was the bible stories, so I was an easy target. All alone in a new country with no friends, and seeking. Typical. It was their coldness and legalism that made me think and the lack of love. I could count few, that werent that way. So i asked God.. And I was presented with plenty of material. One can say yes but it is there, of course, online. No, it was all there, and following one after another truth upon truth. Too perfect to just ..happen. There was no doubt about it I couldnt live with that the gov body puts themself on Gods place. The fear of being lost forever if you leave, as they are the only real godly ones so they say(not) is very real. Its amazing,He saved me. Waw what a loss. So much suffering. And the not question because then youre negative! Or, dont say anything about anything. They couldnt box me. And the dress code!

So encouraged by all these post you all are wonderful and His Spirit is very discernible. As any who are familiar with me you know my tech challenges. I would love to be able to put scripture here but cut and paste is way over my head. So will just reference maybe some would later want to post. 1 John 2:5-11. John talks of the old commandment and the new the old telling us to love God love our neighbor.The old is good but only is able to control our outward self this is good of course principle living is great. Once Jesus comes into our heart the Holy Spirit takes the law to another level. JESUS didn't change the old HE absorb it He drank the cup. Jesus contrast the old and the new in the sermon on the mount,when HE says the law says but i say even to the place of cutting hands of and plucking eyes out. The question becomes is He serious? Or is He wanting us to see are utter need of Him and His Cross. Also when we see Paul's struggle in Romans 7 He says he loves the law but it cant free him of the new Spirit that now resides in him that is in the processes of nudging him to the cross thank God for Romans 8 well i could go on hope i haven't got to (tech.) theirs that tech word again.

I thank God that another refugee of a cult made it out and made it whole. My Mom is still in there and will probably die there. I will go to her funeral to honor the mother she was and be sad for her loss. I've not spoken to her for a while and we have not eat together under the same roof for at least 40 year, give or take, but I love her. I miss her and I wish her well. I praise God that he came to you and out of love pulled you free of your pain and fear. We truly owe him everything including our joy.

Probably. As long as you have delivered the message, what else you think is needed? And there are going to be some cases where you would have the opportunity to deliver the message personally. Such instances would be more effective. If someone would challenge our faith, we should gently defend our faith. It does not mean we should go out and challenge everyone and try to convert them by proving them wrong.

I looked the song up on youtube and am listening to it. Thank you. I was born and raised a Jehovah's Witness but thankfully left that. I didn't find God for a very long time after that. I did read the Bible until I was 25 and in the military. I never really searched him out in earnest until I was so distraught that I was about to have a nervous breakdown and on the floorboard of my truck as asked him for help because I couldn't handle life any more and that was the first time I felt him rescue me. I've went through many times which I have failed in doing what was right in his eyes, according to my understanding, but I've never stopped believing in him since that time on the floorboard.

I think a lot of the negativity about ourselves in this world comes from this world. I've heard people say that they don't really love themselves and I tell you, before It really dawned on me what Christianity was about and what God's love was about I really didn't love myself. I didn't love myself because of all the things this world has thrown up in my face as their version of what beauty and perfection was to look like. I didn't have the next new shiny bobble that they guaranteed would bring my happiness and fulfillment. I had been looking in so many places for that one magic pill that would make me the person I so desperately wanted to be, but It never came. Not with this purchase or with that one, either. I tried drinking and I tried drugs and everything worked to numb the pain but after I returned to reality, the same feeling of inadiquacy always returned. I struggled with this for many years and unbeknownst to me, God came to rescue me, even without my knowledge. I will praise him to the highest, now so long after I should have, but I was too enthralled by my, seemingly new found idea that I actually liked myself and through that understanding and the mindset behind it, I started noticing that people actually were liking me. I started using my humor that might not be all appropriate here to get people to laugh and brighten up other peoples lives. For an example, I am 5'5" and when I met other short people who lament their height I would joke about me having to get a running start to get out of the bath tub or having to my having to use a step ladder to get into my shoes in the morning.. I have come to an even deeper understand through the Lord to honor people as individuals and look for anything that I can see about themselves that I can compliment and hopefully make them feel better about themselves. He's put that wisdom into my heart to do and I didn't realize it until just right now as I'm typing this. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it and I am humbled by the thought. What a great thing we have in Jesus. What a wonderful life and a beautiful world, filled with so many excellent people he has given us. It hurts me sometimes to see that so many don't have this, but there are times when the moral and spiritual poverty of this world has created some people who have made such a spectacle of themselves that I just have to laugh and mock them, because of the utter frustration of seeing and hearing them wail against us. I know this is not Christian, but sometimes it's soothing and I indulge in it until the I am at peace and the Holy Spirit returns and speaks to my through my conscience. I have not always did so but I repent now, of the sin of not loving these people enough to pity them instead of acting just like then and returning the taunts. I think this is what Christ was eluding to when he talked about loving your neighbor as yourself. So often when don't really think of our faults as much as we think of the faults of others. Maybe we need to accept the faults of others as much, if not more than we accept ours. Maybe in doing that we can understand them better. Maybe we can find a way to bring them to Christ so he can heal their hurts as he did ours.

Peter Knew that He Would Die before Jesus Returned Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:18-19) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. (2 Peter 1:14) Imagine that we had the opportunity to talk with the Apostle Peter after Jesus had died, arisen from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Remember, Peter had been very close to Jesus. He was obviously very familiar with what Jesus said in chapters 24 and 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. But, in spite of those words of Jesus, if you had asked Peter, “Peter, do you think Jesus might return today?” Peter would have replied, “No. Not today. Because He showed me by what kind of death I should glorify him, when I am old. He will not return in my lifetime.” (Then, I suspect, Peter would have given us the explanation of the passages that may seem to teach imminency that you will read in this paper!) Paul Knew that He Would Go to Rome before Jesus Returned And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. (Acts 22:21) And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11) If we had asked Paul before he went to Rome if he thought Jesus would return today, Paul would have said, “No. Not today. He has showed me that I must first go to Rome to bear witness of Him.” The Early Church Knew that They Must Take the Gospel to the World before Jesus Returned 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 (Acts 1:8) If you had asked a Christian shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven if he or she was familiar with what Jesus had said that is recorded for us in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, they would almost certainly have said, “Of course!” If you had followed that up by saying, “Then you believe that Jesus could return today, right?” They would have said, “No. Not today. He told us that we must take the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth first!” Jesus Taught His Disciples Not to Expect His Imminent Return And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. (Luke 19:11-15) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept... After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (Matthew 25:5, 19) These disciples believed (and hoped) that Jesus was soon going to set up His kingdom on the earth. In Luke 19, Jesus corrects them. He compares Himself to a nobleman that went into a “far country” and gave instructions to “occupy” until he returned. He proceeds to remind them that they will have responsibilities to fulfill in terms of stewardship before He returns. In fact, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Luke tells us that the very reason Jesus taught this parable was because some people “thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” And even in Matthew 25 Jesus compares His coming to that of a bridegroom who “tarries” and who returns “after a long time.” He did not intend for them (or us) to expect an imminent return, but instead to plan on an extended time of serving Him on earth before His return. Christians in Thessalonica Erred in Assuming the Return of Christ was Imminent Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5) Some of the Thessalonian Christians had evidently become focused on the possibility that they were already far into the tribulation and that Jesus could return soon. It is reasonable for a suffering church to think that perhaps they are going through the last great tribulation. And certainly the Thessalonians were a suffering church (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6). But Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, knew that they were being premature. He wanted them to learn to “stand fast” (2 Thessalonians 2:15) and to be “established in good words and works” (2 Thessalonians 2:17). He knew that they had work to do before the Lord returned. So he reminded them that there were some things that would occur before the Lord returned (viz., the revelation of the Antichrist and the great apostasy). If the return of Christ were considered to be imminent, Paul would surely have reminded them that they and he would be raptured before the events described in these verses occurred. What about References to His Coming as a “Thief in the Night?” But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (Matthew 24:43) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10) Pretribulationalists usually assume that the idea of Jesus coming as a “thief” necessarily means that His coming is imminent. This is not the case. Let’s consider these passages one at a time. Matthew 24:43 The verse from Matthew 24 must be taken in context. In fact, in Matthew 24 Jesus is teaching against the idea of imminency. He is reminding His disciples that before He returns, there will be the time of the great tribulation. Only one return is mentioned in Matthew 24—a posttribulational return. In verse 21, Jesus warns, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Then, in verse 29 He proceeds to relate what will happen “Immediately after the tribulation of those days.” And in verse 30 He says, “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.” This is obviously a posttribulational return. And there is no mention of any return or rapture before the tribulation given in Matthew 24. (Which is interesting in and of itself, since this is the longest discussion given by Jesus of the end times.)When Jesus warns that the church should watch for His coming “as a thief” it is in the context of being aware of the fact that His coming is near, after the events of the great tribulation! (Verse 33: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.) A close reading of Matthew 24 makes it clear that we are first to watch for the signs associated with the time of great tribulation, then expect an imminent return. Revelation 16:15 The all important Bible interpretation principle of “context” applies to Revelation 16:15 as well. As you read the book of Revelation from beginning to end, you find a description (with powerful symbolic imagery) of the great tribulation, followed by the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, followed by the time of God’s wrath. God’s wrath is described in the sounding of the trumpets, followed by a description in terms of the bowls of His wrath. Near the very end of all these things, just before the last bowl of wrath is described, He warns us that He is coming as a “thief.” Clearly, the warning is parallel to the warning of Matthew 24. Christians are to watch for the signs accompanied by the great tribulation, then be on the alert for our Lord’s appearing. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 This passage contains an interesting comment in verse four. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” It fits perfectly with what we have seen in Matthew 24 and Revelation 16. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. But Christians who understand the signs the Lord has given us (related to the time of the great tribulation) can be prepared, so that they are not overtaken as a thief. It is also important to consider very carefully the meaning of the phrase, “The Day of the Lord.” The Day of the Lord is a very specific Biblical prophetic phrase with a definite meaning. The “Day of the Lord” does not begin until the after great tribulation has passed. You can study the Biblical details of that issue in my general paper on posttribulationalism. The point, of course, is that Christians who take the Lord’s prophecies about the end times seriously will not be surprised when the Day of the Lord comes. He has left us signs so that it is not necessary “that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 2 Peter 3:10 This passage also references “The Day of the Lord.” See the comments above. It should also be clear that if even one passage that refers to Jesus “coming as a thief” does not demand an assumption of imminency, that none of the others would necessarily demand that assumption. Does Our Lord’s Command to “Watch” Require that We Accept Imminency? Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only... Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:34-36, 42-44) The same comments that explain the Matthew 24:43 reference to the “thief” (see above) relate to these comments. Our Lord gave us many signs to indicate the general time of His return. He delineates these in Matthew 24 and other passages. However, He warns us that the specific time (“day and hour,” “watch of the night,”) of His coming cannot be known. In effect, the Lord says, “Be alert. Watch for these things to happen. When you see them happen you can know that the My return is getting close. But you will not know the exact time of My return. So when you see these things begin to happen, be ready!” http://www.aboundingjoy.com/Bible studies/imminency.htm

Jesus knows everyone on earth. He knows their heart. He knows every detail about them. If a person genuinely asks Jesus Christ into their life they have a one way ticket to heaven and are saved.They are a born again believer. No one can fool God He knows it all

I know scripture does tells us that God can, and has, taken people to heaven and back, but I do not believe all the claims out there. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The Ten Commandments of Online Witnessing Commandment #1 Thou Shalt be Humble. Upon this one commandment do most (if not all) the other commandments hang. Humility is the key to reaching out to others. If arrogance fuels your witnessing, people take note and very rarely desire to listen to more than two sentences from you. If you are struggling in this area, pray for help. God will listen. Proverbs 29:23- A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Commandment #2 Thou Shalt Not Pick Fights. Thou shalt not fight with thy neighbor, nor thy neighbor's friends, nor thy website admins. This one should go without saying, but how often do we find Christians actually trading verbal blows with unbelievers and believers alike! What unChrist-like behavior to exhibit. If you feel the onset of AIMrage, step back and cool it. Go take a shower or have a run though the park. If it feels like people are being more unruly than normal, give the internet a rest for a day and come back to it. Doing nothing at all is better than ruining your Christian testimony online. Proverbs 15:1- A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Commandment #3 Thou Shalt Listen. Don't cometh crying to me when people don't want to hear you because you won't heareth them!! You want to make an impact right? Well so does everyone else online (well okay, maybe not everybody). But eveyone at least wants to be heard or they wouldn't be online in the first place. Give them that respect and open your ears and mind to what they say. Many people are driven to the online world because of stress, depression and lonliness. Reach out to them and hear their cries of desperation. When you hear them out they will return the favor in kind. Proverbs 1:5- A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Commandment #4 Thou Shalt Use Thy Bible Search Engine With Great Ferver and Dilligence! How canst thou take on the forces of the Evil One without thy sword? The answer is YOU CAN'T!! The internet has one huge advantage that witnessing in real life will never even come close to comparing to- Bible search websites. Twenty years ago if you were witnessing to a person and they produced a difficult question you had no answer to it might take a week or longer before you could get back to them. Not anymore. Drop the question into Google and have your answer. Type some text into a Bible search engine (like Blueletterbible.org) and have a verse in 5 seconds. What an amazing tool! Don't waste it! Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Commandment #5 Thou Shalt Avoid Chatroom Arguments What? Know ye not that nothing is resolved by arguing in chat rooms? Think back for a moment. Was there ever a time you were in a chat room and were just hit with an amazing spiritual epiphany? No? Me neither. Why's that? Because there are 20 other people in there talking which distracts you and whoever you're talking to from getting the message. Chat rooms should primarily be used for one purpose in regards to witnessing- meeting people to talk to one on one. Which is the more ideal witnessing situation- on a loud, profane, crowded bus, or in the quiet of someone's living room? The same principle applies here. Leave the witnessing for instant message and watch your results change drastically. Acts 8:31- And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. Commandment #6 Thou Shalt Begin With the Gospel Always Remember that it is not by thy strength thou doest what thou doest. The Holy Spirit is the person that does the work of bringing people to an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He's going to have a time of it if you're always butting in with different doctrines/beliefs/religious discussions. From the outset, your best bet is to present the word of God and see how it registers with the person. The Bible is the most powerful tool to use with unbelievers because it can say so much more than you or I can. It is the water of life, and people are thirsting. Keep the Romans Road and other great verses handy at all times (even memorize them if you can). 1 Corinthians 1:17- For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Commandment #7 Thou Shalt Not Ignore Questions Wouldst thou like to be brushed off? In Commandment #6 we realized that our first approach should be the gospel, but what if people have reservations due to skepticism in matters of the Bible, theism or any other aspect of Christianity? Answer their question if you are able. That is what Pre-Evangelism is all about: breaking down all the barriers that prevent the person from accepting Christ. Start out with the gospel, but if a person wants to challenge all that the gospel is based on, don't ignore this challenge. Study up now before you meet it and when it comes have an answer to every person of the hope that you have in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Commandment #8 Thou Shalt Be Reasonable! The worst thing thou canst possibly do in a conversation is reducing yourself to being beyond reason. Many skeptics will only listen to you if you sound like a reasonable person. Realize this and think about it while you talk. Don't waver from the truths of the scriptures, but also don't dismiss everything an unbeliever says just because they are an unbeliever. Skeptics are fully capable of rational thought and treating them any less than rational normal people will only result in a bitter end to what could have been a useful conversation. Isaiah 1:18- Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Commandment #9 Thou Shalt Not Waste Time Art thou called to preach Christ unto all people? Then why are you spending all of your time browsing entertainment and shopping sites? Sure, those things are fun, but are you really willing to be used of God to reach people? If you can't pull yourself away from mindless activities like games and quizzes, why even bother witnessing at all? You are there. Unbelievers are there. Do what you know you should be doing! Revelation 3:15,16- I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Commandment #10 Thou Shalt Be Kind at ALL Times Is not a believer in Christ a new creature? Sometimes we forget who we represent and what God has done for us. We get distracted and taken in by the cares of the world. We begin to get afflicted by the same things that rob unbelievers of their joy such as depression and anger. When our minds are set on the cross and what Christ has done for us, our hearts are able to reflect that love onto other people. Kindness is simply a demonstration of love and can go a million miles towards showing an unbeliever you really care. Don't hesitate to love people. Don't hesitate to be there for them. Put your differences aside when they grieve. Never beat them over the head with the message you bring. Ultimately when you present the truth in love, they will listen, and many times you will see the fruition of your labors for Christ. Psalms 126:6- He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. From the former website of and by Daniel Allen And Posted At Worthy With His Permission Love, Joe

His love is overpowering especially when we are in turmoil and are so out of sorts we don't realize he has just graced us with the answer and then, out of the blue everything comes together and it hits us that it was his love that fixed everything. I think that is when we truly need him. Remember the poem "FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND?"

My understanding of the culture Jesus was raised in is that it was very closed. Jesus bridged the gap in that regard and yet are we suppose to love indiscriminately our neighbors? I think that is the question too.

That was beautiful. Thank you and God bless you for being who you are.

Love this topic and Heaven unlimited your answer as well. Will be watching this Love to all. LET IT SHINE LET IT SHINE. Love covers a multitude of sins. His love for me covers mine and His love through me covers my neighbors. Mercy needed is mercy given.

There are many people who have had NDE's that have brought them from atheism to the Christian faith. Howard Storm is a good example. His book the "My Descent Into Death: A Second Chance at Life" is a good example of one being brought to Christ through his experience. "Return from tomorrow", is also a good book that brought a man to Christ Jesus after his NDE. I think they are neither good nor evil, but show us what may happen right after we die, but not much else. The NDE is in the New Testament, Paul talked about a man went to the third heaven, it is believed to be him. Perhaps when he was stoned and left for dead. In any case, one's faith can not be based on them, unless of course like Howard Storm, it was experienced. They can bring people to faith. These experiences have been recorded through out history. Peace Mark

Im happy you survived and that you met The Lord, how wonderful!

thanks ghost dog...sorry that i didn't notice your response until today. GBU

I do not give any importance to near death experiences. And we need to be very careful because Satan can pose as many different things. Question: "What does the Bible say about near death experiences?" Answer: There is no specific scriptural support for near-death experiences. Many people use 2 Corinthians 12:2-5 as a biblical proof text of near-death experiences. However, this is taking great liberty with interpretation and makes the assumption that Paul had actually died when he found himself in heaven. The passage nowhere states that Paul had died. It was a vision that God gave Paul of heaven, not a near-death experience. We need to be extremely careful in how we validate our experiences. The most important test of any experience is comparing it with the Bible. Satan is always ready to cause deception and twist people's thinking. "But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Because the Bible is silent regarding near-death experiences, and scientific research has not been able to be performed reliably, we simply cannot accept the legitimacy of near death experiences on their face value. It would be too strong to state that all near-death experiences are faked, imagined, or Satanic, but there are still serious concerns, biblically, about the validity of near-death experiences. https://www.gotquestions.org/near-death-experiences.html

You'll say you won't go through the trib,do you(rapturist)understand what the trib is? If so would you mind explaining it to me?

Let's do this ,when the rapture happens people are gonna want to know what happened. Those left who come into the truth will say Christ came and raptured them away. Would that be correct? If so how do you explain the below verses? Matthew 24:23 "Then if any man shall say unto you, 'Lo, here is Christ,' or 'there,' believe it not." Matthew 24:26 "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." Don't know what the above means to you,but for me it clearly states,if someone has to tell you Christ has come,He hasn't!!!! Christ says he whom endures till the end Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." So when is the end?It can't be the rapture,so will someone tell me,when is the end?

I have always been a non-believer in the authenticity of the shroud. Here's why. [1] The Bible says that after his death that Jesus didn't even look human. I don't see much signs of physical suffering in the shroud to cause someone to not look human. Isaiah 52:14 The Suffering Servant - "Just as many were astonished at you,– so his appearance was disfigured so to lose resemblance with man, so his form was marred beyond recognition as a man." [2] The impression of the face shows a completely manicured beard and mustache. The Bible says in the Messianic chapter of Isaiah 50 that Jesus' beard was ripped out. [3] Matthew 27:27-31 says that Jesus was beaten about the head with a staff "again and again". The face in the shroud shows no sign of being beaten: no swollen features and no hematomas [sp?]. [4] The shroud is one long piece of material, but the Bible says that the headpiece was separate from the body piece. John 20:7 "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself." There's more, but for those who believe, I won't convince them and for those who doubt, they need no more discussion. It doesn't affect eternity so I'll not try to convince anyone of anything.

In the beginning I was quite annoying, uninformed and wasted alot of time believing that God sent me to preach out of a book about the wonderful news of his son Jesus. Then, I started growing in my faith and stopped seeking to instruct people out of a book. I had become as one who sought to teach out of the law (scriptures) neither understanding what was written or what I affirmed. I had a change that happened to me that took me to another level of teaching the gospel. A man took me out into the streets to minister to the lost, sick and dying in the streets. He taught me how to lead them to ask me how I do what I do and that opened up the door to a real conversation about the power of Christ in me. This week I had the honor of being a part of another atheist converting to Christ. I do talk to them about what the Bible says when they are ready to receive it. The atheist I was led to minister to had attempted suicide 2 weeks ago but failed. A week later he is getting to know his Creater and becoming free from that which had him bound on a path of certain death. I say all this to say it is great that your asking questions. I needed a "Paul" to lead me to understand how to be more effective in my witnessing. But the gospel is more than words, it is a demonstration of the power of Christ in us convincing the world of their need for him. God love ya!

You could simply ask a person "Do you know that you've been born again?" and take it from there.

Times may change, but God does not. Until He takes me home, I have full faith that He will protect me as a Father does a child with more love and care any earthly parent could ever understand. The timing of the rapture is at the last trump, not before, nor after. Every theology outside of this scripture is just peoples "best guess". I do worry for those who think they will be taken before the tribulation begins as I feel they will doubt their salvation, or at least their understanding of scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I use biblegateway all the time, but that is not what I asked. I asked why you titled the thread "Soul sleep and the witch of endor" and then pointed to the verses declaring the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The two have absolutely nothing to do with each other. If you are asking about Jesus descending and ascending, please read Matthew 12:40, which speaks of Jesus descending into Hades/Paradise for three days before His resurrection. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

You can pray for anything you what to pray for. Just because we pray for something, our prayers do not guarantee they will be answered the way we want.

If he is, then I full disagree with the OP and will stand corrected.

The rapture is not an escape as some put it, but rather a gathering to Him at His time. I am not a pre tribulation believer, but I do believe that if I have to live through any part of the tribulation, God will protect me as He protected His people in the past: Noah and his family, Moses and the Hebrew nation, Lot and his family,etc. God saw them through these times. He did not take them off the earth so they would not have to go through anything.

John tells us that Jesus existed in the form of God before he became human...... and since several people saw the God of Israel in Moses time and no one has ever seen the Father according to Jesus it seems that Jesus is the Jehovah God of Israel...... but he is not the Father. Holy Spirit connects us to both the Father and Jesus.... we can't have access to the Spirit without what Jesus did for us and we will never have access to the Father except for the righteousness of Jesus. We have to have all three to have any of them so they are one for us. Three with one focus and goal and all work together as one.... they think the same thing and say the same thing treat us as one........ and ask us to be one with them. Trinity but no big mystery.

The teachings of Christ are clear. We are to Love God with all our hearts, souls, strength and minds. We should love one another. They shall know that we are His disciples if we love one another. God has given us new hearts that have these things written on them. When we walk after the Spirit we walk in godly love and compassion and are not under the law. 2Co 13:5 AMP Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ and not each other]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected? I added the and not each other. We seem often to be trying to dislodge the speck from our brothers eyes while trying to see through the logs in our own.

In the OT we are told no one could keep the whole of the law. For if they violated one tenet they violated all and all was lost. How does someone think to teach, argue, resort to sarcasm in order to promote, the same thing under a new cover. It is beyond me and yet it seems to be cropping up all over the place far too frequently of late. Though it was foretold that there would be those who would seek to bring false doctrine to the saints in order to mislead them. Maybe that's it. Maybe that's the purpose of all those false teachers out there. Proving in their efforts the truth of scripture for those saints that know the truth. No Christian works to save themselves. We are saved by God's grace. I'll not go into the rest of it because the teachings of Christ are clear.

I see more minorities being racist toward whites than whites being racist toward them

That is an interesting question. Was it God? We always have to test those words that we think are coming from God. Are they Biblical?

How did you verify that it was God speaking to you and what brings up the idea that he lied? Was there a date set or a task given? Many people look to have their prayers answered in their time line and the manner in which they would agree to.

Brother, it says, " A Christian should prayerfully examine why he/she wants to experience lucid dreaming." It does not say that a Christian can/should pray to God for him to give them lucid dreams.

What a shame. Legalism has no place in Christ's teaching.

There is never a chastising or discipline of God with those in Christ that results in punishment (Heb 12:5-9, chiefly 10, 11), difficulty usually but never from being in trouble with Him or losing His favor with you who are in Christ. The Spirit’s opposition to our “sinful nature” (Gal 5:17) may at times feel to us that God is against us personally but we are to remember that this address is always against the “old man,” to keep us from doing that which we would otherwise be doing in accordance to our old man. In my assessment, the believer’s doing of God’s “pleasure” (Phil 2:13) is contained in the desire He “works” in us, which to put His desires first. Even though there will always be times of doing “the evil that I desire not” (Rom 7), the issue is that the believer in the new nature does not desire it, thus any wrongfulness done is unintentional because it’s being done against the will and desire of the believer, e.g. as a “captive” (vs 23) or unwilling subject, unlike that of a willing subject, who does not act as a captive to it because it’s his desire and thus not against his will. Since He ensures that our ultimate motives are always “His good pleasure,” there leaves only that which is of our Father’s loving-training school, and since He already knows what all will do in every situation it is always for others to learn from concerning every trialing situation. In Job’s case (and all who are in Christ) He knew he would manifest an overall acceptable representation of Him (33:10), thus discrediting Satan’s claims against Job, which also demonstrates God’s antecedent preparation of Job’s life to learn from it. This is the same care and outcome God maintains for all who are His in Christ. One evidence manifesting our learning here is that we will find ourselves wishing we would learn to take each difficulty (general hardness) with less surprise and hardness, so that we might strengthen and manifest our faith more in remembering to take them lighter via by the forethought of knowing God has already “worked” it out for our “good” (Rom 8:28). Being mindful, that antecedent to every trial small or great, God has beforehand prepared us not only to “endure” it (1 Cor 10:13), but more importantly to learn from it unto the strengthening of our faith (1 Pet 1:7) in our Father and our Lord Jesus. “We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy” (Jam 5:11 NLT). - NC Death Wish It should be borne in mind that, while it is God’s purpose in His dealings with Job to vindicate His own estimate of His servant, it is at the same time, shown us how He educates or disciplines that servant so as to render him worthy of this estimate. “That which I feared greatly has come upon me.” This must ever be the case when the soul has no better security for the love than the evidence and presence of its gifts. The gifts are thus a snare to us, and Satan’s imputation against us is often in a measure true; our ground of rest and quietness of spirit before our Father being His kindness and mercies to us, and not simply the knowledge of His love to us in His Son. This is very evident from the grief and despair many of His people fall into when they are deprived of any particular mercy. They had rested in the gift more than in the Father, and the gift was to them an evidence of His love; the love itself was not the rest of their heart. Job’s discipline is administered in order to set aside self, and introduce the heart into its true relation, with self apart from God. Hence the effect of the discipline is to expose the secret workings and feelings of the old man, which otherwise would not have been detected or known, and, if not known, not renounced. Job felt himself now a hapless one, with misery all around him, having outlived every enjoyment on earth, and he cursed his day. What had he lived for, and what should he live for? Little he knew the place he was occupying before God, or how God was preparing him, through terrible sufferings, to vindicate His own estimate of him to Satan—and ultimately, to ourselves. We have now to examine how God effects this, His blessed purpose, noting the course which a soul under discipline from the Father necessarily takes in order to arrive at simple dependence and rest in Him. The first thought, and the bitterest one, after awakening to a full sense of one’s misery, is to curse one’s day; a terrible impression, and one that can lead to suicide when God is not known. But when the Father is known, as in Job’s case, it is the beginning of healthy action, not in the discontent and wretchedness which it discloses, but because the sense of death, utter exclusion from everything is known and felt. I may give way to rebellion and discontent in learning the utter wretchedness of man on earth, but the sense of this is necessary to full self-renunciation. I ought not to blame my Father for it, but I need to realize it as man’s true place (actual condition without God—NC). Death, because of such present misery, is preferred. To live in it has no attraction for the heart. This Job feels. He knows that God seeks to make him a witness of dependence upon Himself against Satan, yes, and himself (e.g. old self or sinful nature—NC). But this is the Father’s way. Discipline may have the effect of making us feel that death is preferable to life, but it is working out the Father’s purposes on our behalf. Job knew that he had done nothing to deserve his trial; but what he had to learn was that he was entitled to nothing. We are not aware often of the severe process of soul which we must pass through before we are prepared to hear of the Father from His own side. We may have to weary ourselves in very darkness before we are ready to hear the word of light; for light come from the Father only: He (the Lord Jesus) is the “light which lights everyone which comes into the world.” - J B Stoney MJS devotional for Feb. 7: http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/ Devotional excerpt: “It is only natural to feel that our need requires immediate victory, but the truth is that we cannot come to maturity apart from the Holy Spirit’s processing and development of our life, day by day. A quick and easy victory would cripple our usefulness in these two ways: we would not understand the all-important principle of processing; we would not appreciate the needs of others. If we are unable to share, we abide alone like the grain of wheat that does not die.”

I read that website and I couldn't find anywhere that it said that "lucid dreaming can be good". In fact, in the first paragraph they associated lucid dreaming with the occult practices that God forbids. The only thing I saw in your link that came even near to what you said is this quote: " Although dreams are mentioned frequently in the Bible—God can and has used dreams to speak to people—lucid dreaming as such is never addressed. Lucid dreaming simply means being able to control your dreams. There is nothing essentially wrong with this. " The authors of the link clearly state that being able to control your dreams has nothing "essentially" wrong with it. That means - if it just "happens" - don't panic or think you are in sin. The very next thing from the authors of the link was to steer Christians away from seeking out this type of dreaming as a practice. I can't imagine for the life of me why a Christian would pray to God to have lucid dreams. What would be its purpose, zorgblar?

White Rabbit has been banned from the topic and will be issued a warning point for the above post.

LPTSTR once again, you are trying to approach God in a wrong way. You're only concern seems to be getting your prayers answered, your wishes fullfilled. That is NOT what being a Christian is about. You go to God, broken because you have seen your own sin and failure, knowing you can never be worthy of His love and forgiveness, and ask Him for it despite that fact, because He has offered it after paying the huge price for it. It's about desiring to serve Him, not desiring Him to serve you. You have to understand that God does not give us all we want, for a variety of reasons. He may not want you to have something because it's bad for you, or because He has something better for you in mind. You won't always be able to understand or see that; there is where faith comes in. You are chiefly concerned, it seems, with this life. With the very temporary existence in this world. You're afraid to give yourself to Him for eternity because He might not give you all you desire, in the way and on the timing you desire, in this very temporary life. But this life is ultimately not the point or purpose. We are here to serve, and then to enter into eternity and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant." Ask God to help you trust Him. Ask Him to reveal His will to you and to help you follow it regardless of how it jives with YOUR will. Ask Him not only to save your soul, but to nurture and grow it so that you can cast off worldly desires and follow Him.

I'm locking this thread because it has long since ran its course. However, I think it is a good OP and the exposure of some of the ridiculousness that is out there is the main reason I am locking the thread, but not deleting it. Without getting specific, I think that some of the claims you see made in this thread illustrate the importance of sticking to the scripture first and foremost, and elucidate how easy it is to end up down rabbit holes with absolutely no end in sight in search of knowledge that we don't need in the first place. The truth of the matter is that we simply don't need to know adam and eve's full and complete life story. I can be assured of this fact because if we absolutely needed to know about it, i am confident that God would've provided it to us in the scripture. God has left us everything we need in the scriptures themselves. "Recovered" lost books are incredibly notorious for being fraudulent and one needs to be incredibly careful in their approach to such things. Otherwise, I'm not against looking at general extra-biblical historical sources or anything such as that, but it needs to be done with the idea that human records and observations are fallible, while God is not. Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Sister, I have not read 1 Esdras, but I have read 2 Esdras - I cannot call it a "very good book" as you do. And I do find great fault with it. Here is what is says - in contraction to the Bible - will take place before the Great Judgement when all is over. 2 Esdras [Ezra] 7:28-38 - For behold, the time will come, when the signs which I have foretold to you will come to pass, that the city which now is not seen shall appear, and the land which now is hidden shall be disclosed. And every one who has been delivered from the evils that I have foretold shall see my wonders. For my son the Messiah shall be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years. And after these years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw human breath. And the world shall be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings; so that no one shall be left. And after seven days the world, which is not yet awake, shall be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish. And the earth shall give up those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who dwell silently in it; and the chambers shall give up the souls which have been committed to them. And the Most High shall be revealed upon the seat of judgment, and compassion shall pass away, and patience shall be withdrawn; but only judgment shall remain, truth shall stand, and faithfulness shall grow strong. And recompense shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested; righteous deeds shall awake, and unrighteous deeds shall not sleep. Then the pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; and the furnace of hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight. Then the Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, `Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised! Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments!' Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment --" The Bible says in Matthew, Acts, Romans, and 2 Corinthians that we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Esdras says that God, alone, {the Most High} will sit on the Judgment seat because Jesus is going to die again - with all of humanity. 2 Esdras says that Jesus will die at the end of time with all of humanity and that everything corruptible will perish. But the Bible says that Jesus rose from the dead - incorruptible - while his body still looked similar, he could pass through walls and ascended. Paul says that the resurrected body is incorruptible. It cannot die. Either the Bible is telling the truth or 2 Esdras is telling the truth. They cannot both be the truth. I don't say these things to confront you or to hurt you. I say these things in hopes that you might understand.

i am also thankful for this warm weather we are having.

Thanks for reading my post Bonnie! You know...I try and try to understand the "love of winter" but alas...I just can't! I was born into it, being born in December. This is my 48th winter! So you have a dream winter home? I just bet it's a lot different from my current "dream winter home" lol. God bless!

Christians don't look to "history" to establish Bible doctrine. What does the Bible say about three Divine Persons in the Godhead? That is all that matters. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7 KJV). Greek Orthodox Church 1904 ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὁ Πατὴρ, ὁ Λόγος καὶ τὸ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, καὶ οὗτοι οἱ τρεῖς ἕν εἰσι. Scrivener's Textus Receptus 1894 ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες εν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὁ πατήρ, ὁ λόγος, καὶ τὸ Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα· καὶ οὗτοι οἱ τρεῖς ἕν εἰσι. Stephanus Textus Receptus 1550 ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες εν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὁ πατήρ, ὁ λόγος, καὶ τὸ Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα· καὶ οὗτοι οἱ τρεῖς ἕν εἰσιν.

To God be the glory....I just have to say thank You Father! Joe,that was one of the most beautiful things I have read lately and what a wonderful set of standards that only the Lord could have placed in your heart....thanks Joe,for your obedience in Christ and for listening to that still small voice.....the Holy Spirit does move a great many people on this site,Worthy is truly a blessing....but for those that do not seek the Lord in all things,its best to read and listen......not everyone is called to preach and thats okay,everyone has a purpose in Gods kingdom... Anyway,I really loved the 10 commands and they have been very helpful in my self examination,which I like to do to stay in check......I pray I do not get in the way of the Holy Spirit as my flesh wars against my spirit,I pray I am obedient when He tells me to keep silent and when He tells me to speak.......I ask for your prayer as well and I will pray for you! God bless us all......With love,in Christ-Kwik