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  1. actually, we are wading in knee deep water saving people. opening our homes to people who lost their homes watching a bunch of people cry about being hated burn it. we are buying, beds, blankets towels, food, water driving 5 hours in horrible traffic and giving to people in need to turn around and do it again while our love ones are putting themselves in harms way fighting raging water to pull out people that are trapped. while selfi sh hateful people sit on their couches collecting their welfare check, living off their parents and grandoarents and handicapped family members checks smoking their bongs point their judgmental fingers and burning our flags, smashing our history, and mocking our President. You are fooling yourself if you are singing glory to God and hating your neighbor.
    4 points
  2. It's also been my experience lately that a lot of believers seem somewhat apathetic or fatigued or confused on what to do. Repentance is a good place to start. We need to redouble our efforts to disengage from worldly behavior and seek first His kingdom and righteousness.
    2 points
  3. Ten days before Hurricane Harvey.President Donald Trump signed an executive order revoking a set of regulations that would have made federally funded infrastructure less vulnerable to flooding. The Obama-era rules, which had not yet gone into effect, would have required the federal government to take into account the risk of flooding and sea-level rise as a result of climate change when constructing new infrastructure and rebuilding after disasters. In the coming days, Congress will be called upon to send billions of federal dollars to help with the state's recovery and rebuilding efforts. But because of Trump's rollback of President Barack Obama's Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, experts across the political spectrum say much of the federal money sent to Texas is likely to be wasted on construction that will insufficiently protect against the next storm. Again I say Trump cares not what is good for the people. He only wants to undo what President Obama did for the sake of undoing. Anyway, you can read the full story at the link. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/trump-reversed-regulations-protect-infrastructure-201453040.html.
    2 points
  4. I apologise if I am criticle of global hateful statements. But my fiance wears one of those hat's and he literally broke his back in Hati swimming threw raging flood waters to save 35 kids trapped in an ophanage in Hati, He came home with 175 stitches and staples from the hurrican on the east coast and right now is in Houston pulling people out of perilous conditions. He risks his life eveytime he dives in the flood water and it does not matter to hin who it us that needs help because all peopke and aninals have more value to him then his own life. When he is home he is a fire fighter and he goes into the fires to save people. So I admit your little tounge and check opinion pissed me off. Because right now when my phone rings I do not know if someone is calling to say " I'm so sorry" or "hey baby, whatcha doing, I miss you". What you do not get is Trump supports and knows to protect and honor the Faith, Morals and American traditions (though tough) they produces people like my fiance from every race and background. Trump is not apposing a race or any religion. He is apposing the morals and lack of values, honor, self respect, faith and hope that is producing people that are blocking traffic, shooting police officers, fraulently voting, disrespecting our laws, burning down their own cities and destroying their own schools and killing their own families and attacking the weak in mass shootings. America is great, was great, will be great as long as we keep an enviroment that produces honorable, caring, honest, generous, selfless, hopeful, strong and faithfilled people and has freedom to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nobody thinks Trumps a messiah. We just know if he keeps the government off our back the great faith of people in this Nation can do great things through Christ in perilous times. What is sickening is people that do not fear the fire and will risk their own lives to rush in to save and will give comfort and lodging to those who lost their homes are being critisized by people trying to start fires. w What is really sad is to think of a day selfishness and fear produces a generation with no courage to go into a fire or open your home to someone in need. "oh its the governnents job" "No, its called hunanity"
    2 points
  5. Well, I'm determined to keep it on track. And keep the focus on repentance ... however it seems lost to most people.
    2 points
  6. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Draw a circle. Pick a point on the circle follow it around and around -- forwards and backwards. Where is its beginning -- where is its end? Probably the simplest way to comprehend the eternal God we serve.
    2 points
  7. Shalom everyone, I'm actually surprised that I've never done a topic on the Kingdom of God. I always preach on it, so I'm going to start a discussion. I'd appreciate it, if when discussing we could stay on topic. So many threads get started, and go into left field, right field, and every field except the discussion. To really dive into the message of the Kingdom, you have to understand that it was the ENTIRE message preached by Yeshua (Jesus). While many focus on "salvation" and while this is the ENTRANCE into the Kingdom -- the salvation message, is just the beginning of the bigger message that Yeshua was preaching! When you realize that Acts begins and ends with the Kingdom Message, perhaps we should dive deeper into the understandings. Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. So this is what this discussion is going to talk about -- the message of the Kingdom. Your brother in the Lord with much agape love, George
    1 point
  8. A woman prophesied over my life and she said things that I felt were extremely encouraging and nothing seemed weird or twisted. They seemed biblical. Saying that she saw me gently touching people with my small hands in prayer and my prayers over them being so powerful (which is scriptural for Christians, correct? ). She told me my heart was made of solid Gold and so God dwells in it and that's why my prayers are powerful. She said that she sees me as gentle in nature but fierce because of God in me. She then compared me to wonder woman lol. She also told me that I would marry a worship leader. That's sorta what I've been praying for. Then she said something that really made me curious. She told me that I was filled with the Holy Spirit as an unborn baby. She was comparing me to John the baptist. Thing is, I cannot remember exactly when my relationship with God started--it's always been that way even before my memories started. I always thought that maybe It started when I was about 3 but then again I don't remember. It's almost like Holy Spirit has never left me and I can feel that he is always near. I never recognized that He could have been with me before I was born because I just never saw that as a possibility. What do you think? She gave me the following scriptures: Hebrews 12:2-3, Isaiah 46:3-4, Psalms 1, Psalms 127:1, Psalms 12:6, Luke 1:45, Psalms 127:2, Hebrews 11:1, Psalms 139:12, Isaiah 50:10, Hebrews 11:6, and Hebrews 11 Luke 1:15 is the one she quoted from I think having to do with the Holy Spirit in unborn baby John.
    1 point
  9. Thanks Neighbor. I enjoyed that one thoroughly. Was explained so even I could see the sequence unfolding, and where believers fit in.
    1 point
  10. When God created everything, it was perfect. It was set up to be a Kingdom of God, however man fell at the garden. The very first time we see the word KINGDOM in the Bible it's actually referring to Man's Kingdom. Gen 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. So here we have Mankind for the first time trying to establish his own kingdom -- WITHOUT GOD. Soon thereafter, we have the dispersion of the nations, and we have our FIRST clue about the coming Kingdom of God. What's interesting begins in Genesis 10:21. Gen 10:21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. What's interesting that Genesis 10:21 bypasses quite a few people. Genesis 11:10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: Genesis 11:11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. Genesis 11:12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah: Genesis 11:13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. Genesis 11:14 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber: Genesis 11:15 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. So if we have the genealogy in Genesis 11 -- and in Genesis 10 it actually bypasses a few people so God wants us to PAY ATTENTION to Genesis 10:21 in detail. Continuing...
    1 point
  11. The Virtue Sign As power and passion are hand in hand, so vision and virtue walk together. Notice the sequence in the following sentence, “Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all PATIENCE, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” (2 Cor. 12: 12) fancy `patience` before `wonders!` We had never thought of patience as a sign. The virtue of patience. But it puts us on the track of the virtue sign. If the Apostleship needs anything, it needs patience. It is a divine virtue. “The God of all patience.” Without patience we can, as an Apostleship, squander what we have received. We can fail to finish the course. Then what of faithfulness? In Hebrews 3: 1 - 2 Christ Who is spoken of as `the Apostle` was declared to be `faithful to Him that appointed Him.` The true Apostles were men that were faithful to the end. The Apostles, the messengers, the sent-ones, finished their circuit in the perfect will of God at the feet of the glorious Christ Who sent them. Patience and faithfulness are lovely jewels set side by side. Humility is a virtue of Apostleship that magnifies the Master; it is another sign. Neither as being “Lords over God`s heritage…” What is more wonderful than the meekness and humility of the Apostle-Christ? That is the spirit! Listen to true Apostleship! “Have I committed an offence in abasing myself?” (2 Cor. 11: 7) How it humbles us when we think of the exalted ministry of this servant of God. What of this? “Ye have reigned as kings….God has set forth us the Apostles last…” (1 Cor. 4: 8 - 9) All these and many other such virtue signs have their base in holiness, the great virtue sign, “Holy Apostles and Prophets…” (Eph. 3: 5) Power needs passion to balance and control it. So does vision demand virtue. The supernatural calls for the practical in both cases. Vision must be accompanied by virtue for “ Without holiness no man can see God.” Let us then pray for a great world-wide manifestation and recognition of Apostleship and for its development in power and grace. It is Christ`s own personal gift and appointment. `Grant to Thy servant boldness now, That faithfully they speak Thy word, “By stretching forth Thy hand to heal,” Let signs and wonders from the Lord, Here in our midst today be done, So, Father, glorify Thy Son.`
    1 point
  12. The Vision Sign `Am I not an Apostle?...have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?` (1 Cor. 9: 1) Undoubted;y the Apostle was meeting the objections of the carnal Corinthians respecting his call. He does so again in the same letter to the same people. (1 Cor. 15: 7 - 9) This apparent requirement that Paul must needs have personally seen the Lord in the days of His flesh, in order to verify his Apostleship, is by no means proof of a divine condition. Paul goes on to say in the next sentence, “If I be not an Apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you.” (1 Cor. 9: 2) Or as much as to say, “If that is the carping criticism of others, it cannot affect my Apostleship to you. You are the seal of it! Nevertheless I have seen the Lord. Whether or not corporally or in vision - probably both - makes no matter, the glory of the Person of Christ had broken over his soul in a mighty conquering manner. “He had seen the Lord in the way.” (Acts 9: 27) The effect lasting through the years drew from the heart of the Apostle before Agrippa the exclamation, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” (Acts 26: 19) It was upon a heavenly vision of the ascended, glorified Head from whom he was a gift to the Church that Paul relied, “When he ascended up on high, He….gave gifts unto men…he gave some, Apostles….` (Eph. 4: 8 - 11) He had a glory-sign of His commission. An Apostle must have the sign of the heavenly vision. It is perhaps characteristic of Apostolic fellowship the world over on conversing during the first time of meeting for one to ask another “Have you received the Vision?” We can understand one hearing and outside the experience asking “What meaneth this?” They feel completely at a loss. The heavenly vision is the throbbing theme of Apostolic witness, fellowship and service. Burning ourselves - we shall burn it in to some. The depths of Apostleship can be measured by the substance, radiance and insistence of its vision. We are jealous that no diversionary interests shall dim the wondrous vision of the glorious HEAD.
    1 point
  13. The Power Sign `….signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.` (2 Cor. 12: 12) The power-sign is one of the Apostolic signs. We see these grand evidences in the history of the early Church. We dare to believe that `Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, and today, and forever.` (Heb. 13: 8) At the same time we note in our study of scripture that outstanding power-signs amongst the Apostleship in the New Testament were manifested through the instrumentality of a few of its members - mainly Pater and Paul. As we have seen already, not all Apostles are gifted in the same manner nor degree of richness. There is a James and an Epaphroditus as well as a Peter and a Paul. They are equally called if not equally used in the same way. This we can expect today. As the Lord in His sovereignty may determine so the power will flow through this or that member in varying degree at different times. We magnify the Lord for many demonstrations of His power through the Apostleship throughout the years. Progressive Christian and Apostolic experience is always stretching out for more. Our standards are always higher than our reach. As we look at the Church in the Acts of the Apostles in full flood of supernatural power we find a further challenge to our faith. It is not only a challenge to our faith in the Apostleship; it is a challenge to every ministry, to every member and to not one Church alone but to all the Churches. Is any an Evangelist? Then he is confronted with the supernatural ministry of Philip. (Acts 8: 6 -7) Is any as Elder? Then before him comes the necessity of a supernatural power as indicated in James 5: 14 - 16. Is any a simple believer in Christ? Then the sweeping supernatural signs of Mark 16: 17 - 18 are required. Of course, the same principle applies, that individuals will differ in the measure of supernatural giftedness. The challenge of the need of a greater measure of the supernatural comes to us all - Apostles…..Evangelists…..Elders…..and every disciple of Christ. We look for a further latter-day outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord is preparing vessels, `not a few` of all types and sizes. Glorious as the present blessing has been it should be but an earnest of what is to come. (more to come) Note: to see the power-signs today watch - `The last Reformation - the Beginning (2016) Full movie (by Torban Sondergaard) It will bless, amaze and encourage your hearts to see what God is doing. BTW I would call Torban an Apostle. You can watch the development of the gift of God on his life throughout the movie and in other videos of what God is doing through him and those around all over the world.
    1 point
  14. We up north have quarter horses that work with riders and dogs to herd cattle. It is a beautiful thing to watch. We stopped beside the road to watch the real thing--not a rodeo--working in sync. Amazing.
    1 point
  15. Hi firestormx, Another good question. I hope I can clarify it. There are `signs` of an Apostle, and the `seal` of Apostleship. I have my pastor`s book (who was recognised as an Apostle) from the `50`s & `60`s - Ps. W.A.C. Rowe. He and his family came from England to build up the Apostolic work in Australia. The movement came from the Welsh revival and is NOT the NAR, which is false. I will go and prepare some notes from his book on theology, on those topics. regards, Marilyn.
    1 point
  16. Hi firestormx, Glad to see you are looking into this topic carefully and you have some good questions. I will share what I believe and for you to think upon. Now we know that our Lord said that He would send His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. (John 16: 13) And we also know that the Apostle Paul said that `savage wolves` would come in among the flock. (Acts 20: 29 & 30) They would speak `perverse things.` We see that today also. 1. Now you may be too young to remember but back in the `50`s & `60`s there was an emphasis by the Holy Spirit on Evangelists. remember Billy Graham as a good example. Then in the `70`s the emphasis was on shepherds. (Note always the false with the true as the enemy is still at work deceiving). Then in the `80`s teachers abounded - eg. Derek Prince. Later in the `90`s we see across the Body a great interest in the prophetic and now in the new century 2000 + the interest is in the Apostolic, - Apostles and apostolic doctrine. So we can see a pattern by the Holy Spirit of bringing these ministries to the fore so that the Body of Christ can recognise them. Hope that gives a bit more clarity to your first question. 2. The first 12 Apostles were given a specific ministry (Acts 1: 25) `to take part in this ministry and apostleship.` So what was that specific ministry? - to witness of Christ`s life and resurrection to the people of Israel especially. Thus that requirement. `Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.` (Acts 2: 36) The ascension ministries however have another ministry which is to build up the Body of Christ. `And He gave some.......for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect (mature) man...` (Eph. 4: 11 - 13) More than ever we can see the need of the whole 5 fold ministries to bring the Body of Christ to maturity of the unity of the faith. We, by the Holy Spirit have come a long way over the centuries, however this last part of coming to the whole truth, the whole counsel of God, will be a great battle, as the enemy will not want the Body of Christ to come to maturity as we will be judging him and the world system as well. (1 Cor. 6: 2 & 3) regards, Marilyn.
    1 point
  17. I would stay away from an on-line relationship like the plague.
    1 point
  18. Indeed - there is a heavenly Jerusalem ... just as you point out - and the saints on earth are indeed citizens of it - though at a distance. It is that real city that comes down out of heaven at the end of the Millennium in Revelation 21
    1 point
  19. I very much agree with Willa,there is no perfect church on earth but for me the church would have to believe in the Trinity, I can overlook a lot of other things too... Do the people in the church love each other? Are there any other good solid Bible believing church where you live you could go?
    1 point
  20. Beautiful shot of a real American first couple on their way to Texas.
    1 point
  21. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
    1 point
  22. Israel is looking for somebody to protect them and the antichrist will be their savior ,they will look up to him as if he is God himself! They're not really looking for somebody to save them from their sins ,they will be looking for somebody who will make them prosper and let them live safe in the land..
    1 point
  23. Amen Yown, I believe he will come from Europe too--
    1 point
  24. AMEN MARILYN..........................
    1 point
  25. Hi hmbled, That is so true regarding those false ones today, as even from the early Church too. I think people are expecting a CEO who does great miracles etc, whereas the true Apostles of our Lord are out in the harvest field all over the world, humbly working with others - equipping them, encouraging them as a mother and father as Paul did, (1 Thess. 2: 7 & 11). Remember, Paul was a tent maker, and worked with Aquila and Priscilla, teaching and guiding them. They learnt the whole council of God and were thus able to help Apollos, who although great in the scriptures did not know fully the eternal purposes of God. (Acts 18: 24 - 26) So what I am saying is that the true apostle of the Lord may well be out working and teaching others who then go and show the `the way more accurately.` Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the teaching from His apostles that you may learn the `way more accurately.` I would caution you not to look so much for `the man` but for the revelation of Jesus Christ, that they bring. God will reveal this to you as you have a seeking, hungry heart. Blessings bro, Marilyn.
    1 point
  26. Hi Cobalt, Yes the 12 apostles, (pre-cross) had to be witnesses of Jesus` ministry and resurrection. We both agree there. However when Christ ascended He gave (by the Holy Spirit) of Himself, His ministry as Evangel, good Shepherd, teacher, prophet and apostle to equip, build up and mature His Body. (Eph. 4: 11 - 13) Here are some - `But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this.....` (Acts 14: 14) `Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.` (Rom. 16: 7) `Paul, Silvanas and Timothy.....we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.` (1 Thess. 1: 1, 2: 6) and others. So we can see that it is not just to the Ephesians. Marilyn.
    1 point
  27. Hi Enoob, Thank you for those great scriptures showing us how the Lord took the Apostle Paul aside and revealed to him such great revelations that we can read today. Now as to the 12, as you have shown from scripture they needed to have walked with the Lord during His ministry and be a witness of His resurrection. This we know is the requirement of the pre-cross 12 disciples. We are also told by the Lord, Himself, that - `...when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 throne, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.` (Matt. 19: 28) Then we know that there are Apostles given by the Lord when He ascended for the task of bringing the Body of Christ to maturity. let`s look at some of these - `But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this.....` (Acts 14: 14) `Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.` (Rom. 16: 7) `Paul, Silvanas and Timothy.....we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.` (1 Thess. 1: 1, 2: 6) and others, Marilyn.
    1 point
  28. I am very anxiously awaiting our Lord to take my son and I home. What an amazing moment to see Christ face to face. I am thinking that when I do I will know a love that I have never know before in my lifetime
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  29. I notice Firestorm knows this too. But did you all know that pual was not the only apostle outside of the twelve. The APSOTELS barnabas and pual..........yeah it says that in acts..........Barnabas was one too. they lying to us sister. Now you KNOW , however, that like I said.....everyone I have seen call them selves apostels Have been tested , tried and found utterly false. a hint..............if you see an apostel and it has no discernment and hanging out with new age teachers, or other well known false ones............THAT IS a false one too. Cuase I am just a plain man............and I can discern the false from the true. and I don't hang out with the false. Its a utter madhouse. but I am sure their are still all offices available to the body today. I have had some who have tried to pick my office for me................preacher , one said apostle..... some said teacher. You know what , I am just going to keep doing what I am doing............I don't need a title to keep on doing it. I am happy with the title ..........wicked pig saved and changed by grace. Its not that I think its evil to be called preacher , teacher, whatever. IT aint................but as I said..................the Lord knows what I am......and without him , its nothing good that is for sure. I will just keep on exhorting till the LORD calles me Home.
    1 point
  30. "Leonard Ravenhill once said that modern Christianity has accepted a counterfeit version of joy and peace by looking to Hollywood and professional sports to bring us delight. We look to movies and television and football games to bring us the pleasure that our King desires to give. And by leaning on worldly entertainment for rest and refreshment, we find only a temporary fix; not lasting happiness or true fulfillment... Yes, there are a few movies that can actually edify our spirits and lead us closer to Christ. But very few fall into that category. And the bottom line is that the area of worldly entertainment, for most young Christians, has an unhealthy strangle-hold upon us. ..one of the ways that you can tell something is an “idol” or “other lover” in your life is that you are unwilling to let it go; you can’t picture living without it. Most of us, if we were honest, would have to admit that we are unbelievably attached to the world’s entertainment. Life would seem empty and bleak if we didn’t own a T.V. Weekends would be boring and depressing if we didn’t frequent the local theater to catch the latest Hollywood flick... And despite the fact that it is currently hip for pastors to show clips from the latest blockbusters as part of their Sunday sermons, the reality is that movies (or T.V. shows) that actually bring glory to God and lead us closer to Christ are the rare exception, not the rule. When we sit in front of sights, images and messages that are the opposite of God’s Kingdom, we allow our minds to be subtly manipulated by the voices of darkness, whether we realize it or not.... One young woman I talked to, after seeing a handful of movies that portrayed affairs as beautiful and right (rather than selfish and sinful) became convinced that it was okay for people to leave their marriage partner for someone else if they found their “soul mate”. I can’t help but wonder why we as Christ-professing young women are so willing to submit our minds and emotions to an industry that openly mocks the purity and righteousness of our Heavenly Prince. Most of us are far more influenced by pop-culture than we are by the Word of God. We can quote our favorite lines from 100 different chick flicks, but the only Scripture we know is John 3:16. And we wonder why Christ feels distant. But it’s not just movies and T.V. that has us in its controlling vice. It’s an overall pre-occupation with pop-culture. Music artists, professional athletes, and movie stars claim far more of our applause and attention than Jesus Christ does. Little children, keep yourselves from idols are the closing words that sum up the entire book of first John. (1 John 5:21 KJV) Idols are not just golden statues that people bow down to in ornate temples. An idol is anything that claims our attention and affection above Christ. Most of us verbally declare that Jesus Christ is more important to us than our fetish for music or movies. But what does our life say? Where do we spend the best hours of our day? What do we turn to for enjoyment and comfort? Tauler wrote, "A pure heart is one to which all that is not of God is strange and jarring." Pop-culture floods our minds and senses with things that are not of God. But for most of us, the glamorized sin that surrounds us is not strange and jarring. It’s normal and accepted. In fact, we go out of our way to enjoy and participate in it. We even spend a huge amount of our time and money on it. And we allow it to capture our mind, emotion, and attention. Christ makes it clear that we cannot love both Him and the things that charm and ravish this world. We cannot be dazzled by the images of pop-culture and captivated by the King of all kings: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world." (I John 2:15-16 NKJV) "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4) ...Does God stand up and cheer over American Idol? Does He smile with delight over the new Twilight movie? Does He get excited about the latest Cold Play album? Or does He grieve over our distracted, wandering, divided hearts?" - Leslie Ludy
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  31. Bro Tan you got it right....the majority of Christianity is blinded by satan to the truth, and they blindly follow the Roman/Babylonian based religion that tells them God's commandments are no longer in effect, and they swallow it up...and of course the many false preachers they have who are there for the money and not interested in preaching the truth Gospel of Jesus and the true word of God...
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  32. Hi Cobalt! Thanks for your response! After having 2 separate beauticians at different shops tell me they thought I had Scalp Psoriasis, I went to a Dermatologist. He diagnosed me with Scalp Psoriasis. He gave me this $500 prescription spray that thankfully my insurance covered fully. I used it for months, but it did not work. I also used the over counter tar-based shampoos he recommended (Nuetrogena T-Sal, etc.), and they did not work either. I also tried Head and Shoulders Anti Itch that's supposed to be good for Psoriasis, but it only helps a little. I've tried Bath & Body's therapeutic shampoos, Puritan's Pride Psoriasis shampoos, Wal-Marts Psoriasis shampoos,) and none of them have worked. I have tried a few Tea Tree Oil based shampoos, and they didn't work. I'm thinking about trying coconut oil next. I have not seen my Dermatologist in awhile because he is out of network, and it's over $100 just for an office visit, plus his recommendations weren't working. I actually have some dry skin, patchy areas on my arms that I believe may be Psoriasis too. Whatever this is, it is like having a permanent case of poison ivy or what I imagine a permanent case of lice would feel like, and it's driving me a little buggy! lol Thanks for your help, and if I find a new Dermatologist in network, I will ask him if he/she thinks it's Scalp Psoriasis or Seborrhea. Thanks for your help and time! Have a blessed day! ~ Gem
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  33. The simple definition of prophecy is "declaring God's divine will". Telling future is simply part of it. Many times prophecy ends up re-iterating a message already delivered and used to influence a nation. This is quite common in OT. We see many prophets delivering somewhat a similar message. They also predicted future. With Bible, God has revealed everything mankind needs to know. He has reveled until eternity!! There is nothing more to be revealed. In that sense there is no need of prophets. Today declaring God's will is nothing but teaching. Because everything is already delivered in Bible and we can delivering the message from Bible would be teaching. We can't call that prophecy. There is nothing "new" to be added to Word of God. However, God out of his providence still delivers personal messages to people to guide them in certain decisions. This does not mean God chooses people and designates them as prophets. God uses common people to do such acts out of His providence. The stress being on His providence. He does it when He feels it right. But His Word is enough to guide and teach us all through the end. All the self-declared prophets, prophetic hotlines, prophetic mass gatherings are just against definition of Prophecy as per Bible.
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  34. Well said brother.........the church is so terribly full of the world, words fail, I only wish they could see it. It sure is not the gospel they are teaching and living.....makes you wonder what bible they are reading.....except that i know myself how one can read it and still not see, because there is an Enemy at work. All I can say is those false leaders will have lot to answer for how they led God's flock.
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  35. Sorry brother, I can't agree with this. Paul was the first apostle of the church age, following Pentecost.......who did not walk with Jesus when He was on the earth. To say that we no longer need apostles is in disagreement with where we are told apostles are one of the gifts of the Spirit..........that Spirit that was poured out on the church AFTER Jesus had ascended to heaven and was no longer on the earth.
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  36. I do not argue against it "our FRIEND Lazarus sleeps I go that I may wake HIM... Lazarus IS DEAD" John 11. The "DEAD in Christ" are those "who have fallen asleep in Jesus" - thus as Christ said in Matt 22 "God is NOT the God of the DEAD" It is "the person". But the body "returns to dust" when you die.. every night however your body "sleeps".
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  37. Joni, I tried tea tree oil, but not coconut oil. It's one I've been considering, so this may be reaffirmation that I need to try it. Thanks for the suggestion and taking the time to help! Have a blessed day! ~ Gem
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  38. At the rapture "the dead in Christ rise first" 1 Thess 4 ... at the "first resurrection" Rev 20:4-5 which is part of the Rev 19-Rev 20:5 second coming event -- When Christ "comes again" to take all the saints to heaven "to My Father's house" as in John 14:1-3 It is after the tribulation. How about Matt 24? 20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. ... 29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. It is just ONE event - the second coming: John 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Christ does not say "I will come again... and again... and again..." It is sudden and surprising Matt 24 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 1 Thess 5: . 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 2 Thess 1: 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction
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  39. The text calls them -- "them which are asleep."
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  40. Has anyone brought up the fact that there is a lot of looting going on?
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  41. I have a friend I show horses with. For years he has asked me to pray for him. because (according to him) he drinks a lil to much beer with his friends and he doesn't walk away from any fights. He called me in tears. "Lisa, God is answering your prayers. The associate pastor is taking over the Pastor position at the cowboy church. He confessed to me he was afraid because of the huge accoutability for the flock is now on his shoulders. Lisa, My heart swelled up with a soft kindness. I told Him God doesn'T expect you to do it alone. We are his sheep pray and ask him what to say and what to do. you are one of his sheep he will carry the burden" After the first address to the congergation the message from the new pastor was powerful and many people were excited about the new pastor. After service the new pastor found my friend to tell him, thank you. The young pastor had prayed and told the Lord these are your sheep I need your help and the Lord took his fear away and gave him his first sermon. My friend said to me, Lisa, it was God, He gave me the words to say. I would of teased him about being afraid. I told him I'm not the best person to go to for advice. God just decided to use me. What is truely humility? admitting it is God working through his Spirit or taking credit for Gods working? I see God worked through my friend. Spirit of prophecy- The Lord will provide for his flock. Was a prophetic intention of God. The Lord also gave instruction through my friend for the new pastor to recieve what God wanted to provide the flock and new pastor with. Gods Spirit gave the instruction through my friend - Go to the Lord in prayer. It is the Lords flock, he uses his sheep according to his purposes. He does it by the working of His Spirit through us.
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  42. Since I am on a roll, please indulge these thoughts on how we make decisions on who is a brother or sister in Christ or not, and thus is eligible for church membership, - should they desire to be members. We find must be careful who we allow to be voting members of our local church. If we don't we will find we could be soon overrun and controlled by Scientologists. For we are the world capital for that group of individuals that do not know Christ as savior. I use Dianetics or Scientology for the example, but it pertains to all the unsaved world! We do invite them all to church. We do share of Jesus, but we cannot have them voting and directing us in our church matters. So: To be a member, a voting member, is a privilege extended through a process. Each person desiring membership must fill out an application, with personal identification, address, etc., and must testify in writing as to their undertanding of the Gospel of Jesus and especially of their own very personal experience of hearing the specific call from the Holy Spirit to turn about from their sin against God. Plus their personal experience of having accepted the comfort of the Holy Spirit and of their own repentance from sin against God - their conversion experience, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit occuring within them. They must also learn through a series of four classes ( just four hours ) what this local chuch is about, how we work, how we solve problems within our group,- which is mostly through the procedures in Matthew 18 Then all the elders read of the testimonies confer, pray, ask questions if need be. They also teach in those four hours of classes for prospective new church body members. As side note; we are a middling sized church and have between 20 and 50 new members at our membership classes given twice a year. We are somewhat of a transient community, so members come and they go off elsewhere in the world too. To be a member each person must have been baptized in water ( Baptism by Immersion). We have pre-baptism classes concurrant with the membership classes and then have baptism for those that still have need of baptism testimony and desire membership. We have managed to do that process even with the issues of language with many that do not speak our native English. It is harder of course, but it is do-able. Every born again saint knows his conversion and remembers the call from the Holy Spirit into the fold of Christ Jesus. If they don't there may be reason to ask; why not? Perhaps the person thinks they are saved, or does not yet know, in which case they may still need to actually hear the gospel of Jesus and ask of the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ to them. Their testimony can be assessed by other born again saints in Jesus. We chose to have our very best trained, our elders, take upon themselves that responsibility. The candidates for memberhip are put before the congregation, BUT not so much for approval, as the entire body is not aware of the individual testimonies, nor details of the experiences of the classes. They are put before the body for prayer, and for welcoming and fellowship! Then they are encouraged to seek growth in their spiritual life. If they are of Christ there will be a joining with other Christians in study prayer common work for the poor, love for one another, etc. There will be growth in them in their understanding and desire for the things of the gospel of Christ Jesus. They too will also be led by the Holy Spirit of God to the sharing of their faith, in action and in word. That leaves a responsibility for the church, that of providing good encouragement, guidance, and support for personal spiritual growth and support for the missionary endeavors to grow within the new members, the refugees, in the case of what is happening now within communities and churches. Is this the only way any church should operate? I don't know, it works pretty well for us. Our leaders and our members find it Biblcal and with prayer also it is protective of the whole group. It doesn't prevent our inviting many to come and share with us as we gather, nor does it keep us so separated that we do not go into all the world. May God guide each of us, that we may glorify Him. p.s. My apology to all for hogging the thread, but I got on a roll on a subject dear to my own heart. I will love to learn from others their insights, experiences, and sense of Biblical guidance! I do so want to learn of your thoughts, see your knowledge hear of your experiences, and testimonies. So please share.
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  43. out of respect to a few of our members
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  44. The left uses any tool available to try to shift attention away from the truth. It almost never works with true believers though. Christianity is under attack....but we knew it would happen. I guess they didn't read the end of the Book.
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  45. I have wondered that with all the vitriolic attacks against trump in other threads. Yet they continue.
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  46. Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Th 2:2 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. 2Th 2:3 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;
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  47. James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ] You're as close to God as you want to be! Live a lifestyle of repentance, prayer, and staying in His Word!
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  48. Freebird, My dear, you have a real challenge. While the alcoholism is a terrible burden to bear, you cannot help but be angry at the womanizing because that tears at the very basis of your marriage. And feeling numb is not a desirable outcome either because if you become numb to your husband, you will have a tendency to become numb to God as well....and that is NOT good. According to I Corinthians 7:14, " 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy." That means that, as a believing wife, you are now sanctifying your husband, which is a high and holy calling. Just because you sanctify him though, does not make you responsible for his sins (alcoholism and womanizing), nor does it relieve him of his guilt. When you sanctify someone, you dedicate them as holy to God....which means that God is now responsible for them. He gets the job of fixing them...which is His job anyway. Now, because of the nature of your husband's sins, he is transmitting a LOT of sickness to you in the form of stress and potentially in the form of physical or emotional abuse. When you are trying to be holy and pure, that sort of thing really discourages you. My response is that you first find a church with people willing to just pray for you and love on you. That will feed your spirit and soul and provide a source of divine love "with skin on". That love is supposed to come from your husband, but he is not giving it to you...so the church should. If you are experiencing financial or physical trauma as a result of anything he is doing, please seek counsel from a pastor, lawyer or even a Christian psychologist. You DO NOT want to stay in an unsafe relationship. Assuming you are "working through", you need to spend time every day in the Bible. These are the words of God Himself and they will provide food for your soul and food for your heart. Besides, God blesses those who read and study His word. That will build your knowledge of godly ways the quickest. If there is a bible study or women's bible study available once a week, put that on your schedule. That will do 2 things: first, it will provide you with fellowship and prayer support and second, it will provide you with knowledge and learning. Last, find a way to be thankful. Start with the little things, and build up. God appreciates it when we are thankful. I am sure there are some blessings you have or even things you are working on. Gratitude often leads to joy, which is spiritual strength, which is what you need to deal with your husband. As I am sure you have found out, nagging him about his "issues" isn't really working. So here is what you do. First, hold him accountable for things that he is responsible for. Tell him once and only once (unless it is life threatening). After that, take the issue directly to God and speak your mind. God can handle it. Remind God of His promise to fix your husband. Let out all the anger you have for your husband on God. When you have all the emotion out, wait in silence and let the Holy Spirit fill you with the sweetness of His presence. Once you are fully sweet, you can deal with anybody. Stay focused on God even if NOT doing something might cause the rent to be late or something similar. When things fall apart, you will have a clear indicator of what he is or is not going to do. At THAT point, you protect yourself and do what you must. REMEMBER: the goal of the exercize is to win your husband to Christ. If that is not possible, your husband will make his own decision. Be blessed. We are all in prayer here.
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