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So here let me start by saying what i have observed. This might shock some . I watched reinitin talk about water baptism. She never said it saved . she never once did. What she said is correct. IT IS HIS COMMANDMENT. that alone means what . we should get angry if one says we should get water baptized. NO. Had reinitin SAID if a man at or near his death comes to Christ and could not be water baptized, then he is in hell. THEN we would have had major problems. She never said that. However something hit me like a ton of bricks today. JESUS SAID TO DO IT. SO i say baptize any who can be baptized. its the same thing i would say about Giving to the poor. WE SHOULD. HOWEVER if a man is dying and his whole life was naught but evil but on his death bed is wheezing out his last breaths, yet comes to Christ . the simple fact he never fed the poor wont damn him. We are saved by Grace alone. HOWEVER once we come to HIM , we then LEARN to walk as DID HE. and this includes ALLL HIS SAYINGS And yes we must provoke one another unto these good works, because sometimes some get weary and must be reminded , or they fall in error and must be corrected quick.

I agree 100 percent that it is Mary that is being lifted up instead of Christ right from the start in the OP. Mary was not God in flesh but it was Jesus that God made flesh. Mary had the sin nature from Adam just as every one born into the world has been and are a slave to sin and death has passed upon all the human race. I can read the Word of God and can see where Mary didn't escape the wages of sin as she died a physical death she had no immaculate flesh. Mary was already a believer she wasn't suddenly born again as the OP is saying. Instead you see Mary keeping the law of God as she took Jesus to the temple to have him circumcised on the 8th day as was required by the law. Mary knew God and worshiped him as her Creator maker of heaven and earth. Mary did not die on the cross for our sins she was no sacrifice nor did she give of her body to be slain on the cross for the sins of mankind. No instead it was Jesus who was God in flesh an earthly mother but a Heavenly Father. Mary was just a humble servant to the will of God like Moses and so many others that could be named nothing Immaculate about there earthly flesh. All bodies are simply a house which the Spirit of God abides.

God has not forgotten about you. He answers our prayers as yes, no or I have a better plan for you than what you are asking for. In His timing. We have to have trust and faith.

Forgiveness Confusion and hatred is what is bred when selfish thoughts and actions become habitual. The only guide in that kind of darkness, the only hope in that sort of oblivion of nothingness comes soely from your capacity to forgive others. If you don't forgive your not forgiven. The Lord teaches that the greatest commandment is to love others as yourself. When this is done then you fulfill the law. But what does it mean to love someone? To actually love someone for who they are, flaws and virtues alike? What does it mean to love like God loves? To love selflessly and relentlessly? I firmly believe that you cannot love properly if you don't forgive often and quickly. The Lord says to forgive others or you won't be forgiven. The doctrine of forgiveness is so essential to the christian life that its even part of the the Lords prayer. The easiest way to lock yourelf in a mental and spiritual prison is by focusing on yourself. What you have, what you don't have, what you need, what you've lost, what you've gained. It can be deceiving. There's nothing wrong with self-reflection. The book of proverbs is based off the self-reflections of a wise Jewish king. But there's a fine line between self-reflection and narcisism. Between an attitude of repentence and masochistic thought tendencies. To focus inwardly for too long is to disregard the needs of others. An essential part of being human is fellowship and friendship. If your not actively looking to help others then your only damaging yourself. Like putting a plant in a closet and expecting it to grow. It won't happen. The first step to becoming an effecient servant of Christ is to actively practice forgiveness. Matthew 5:38-42 says You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."" These teachings on revenge tell a great deal about how the Lord wants us to live our lives. I don't think anyone has the mental or spiritual capacity to follow this particular teaching without a firm grasp on what it means to forgive. The Lord also teaches that we should love those who persecute us or despitefully use us. Again, I don't believe that loving your enemy is possible without forgiveness. Luke 17:3-4 says If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.""" I love this particular scripture. It goes a long way to show exactly what the Lord expects from us as Christians. Notice how he doesn't leave room for compromise. If they repent, you must forgive. Forgiveness goes to show the love of God to a dark world whilst simultaneously keeping the fire and light of the spirit bright and powerful. Learn to understand the importance of forgiveness and learn to practice the art of forgiveness with everyone you meet under every circumstance. To do this from a pure heart will bring blessings unmeasured and spirtual peace that can't be compared with anything this world has to offer. ---- Wrote this a few year ago.

Now, as we are entering into the end times, the time is short indeed for believers to become true believers … by starting to obey Jesus’ commandments! Please also see my first thread, “Have you been deceived by Satan through your church?” The Holy Spirit, God’s angels, and Satan’s angels (demons) can all speak to us (spiritually), i.e. they can place thoughts into our minds (but demons cannot read our thoughts). The Holy Spirit will dwell INSIDE the true (obedient) believer … but this thread is not really about this point, so I will only list some references: John 14:15-24, John 15:1-10, Acts 5:32, 2 Cor 13:5, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12-16. Now, on to the purpose of the thread: Obedience results in the believer remaining “in Christ”. John 14 (NLT, 2007) 15 If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth ... you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 20 … you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. 23 All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. Jesus says believers who love Him and obey His commandments – are “in me” (v.20). This is what being “in Christ” is all about. 1 John 2:3-5 (NLT, 2007) 3 And we can be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. John says believers who know and love Jesus and obey His commandments – are “in him” (v.5). This is what being “in Christ” is all about. I have summarized Jesus’ warnings in John 15 … John 15 (NLT, 2007) 1 I (Jesus) am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He (Father God) cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit … 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. 9 Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. Please note that “every branch of mine” (v.2), and “you” (v.5), refer to believers in Jesus. Jesus says those who obey His commandments “remain in my love” (v.10). This is what being “in Christ” is all about. And He says those who “do not remain in me” are thrown away and burned (v.6). So, remaining in Jesus (through loving and obeying Him) is mandatory for final salvation! “To remain in Christ means to love him, to obey him, to pray to him, to worship him. In other words, to remain in Christ means to be joined to him spiritually, just as a branch is joined to a vine. If we remain joined to Christ in this way, we will be like living branches. And just as the sap of the vine flows into the branches and gives them life, so will Christ’s Spirit flow into us and give us spiritual life. In order to bear fruit, we must remain in Christ. If we do not remain in Christ, we shall not bear fruit. Not only that, we shall wither and die (v.6). … There is only one thing that can separate us from Christ: sin. Sin is like a disease that eats at the base of the branch. We will surely lose our union with Christ, if any known sin remains in our lives for which we have not repented. … We can say that in our Christian lives two main things are necessary: first, Christ through the Holy Spirit, must remain in us; and second, Christ’s words, that is the words of the Bible, must remain in our hearts. … In the Christian life, we always find two things appearing together: promises and conditions. If we fulfill the condition, God will fulfill His promise. God has never given a promise without also stating a condition along with the promise … To remain in Christ’s love (v.9,10) is the same as to remain in Christ. … To remain in Christ’s love, we must love him. To love him, we must obey him (see John 14:15). As long as we continue to obey Christ, we shall remain in his love, and he and the Father will abide in us (see John 14:21).” … Dr. Thomas Hale, medical missionary (The Applied New Testament Commentary,1996) All through the Epistles, people in the churches are condemned … if they are involved in habitual sin (note: they have not remained “in Christ”). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, NKJV) Those who have remained “in Christ” are free from the law of sin and death … because they are continually having their sins washed away through repentance! “But remember, even though we believers have escaped condemnation, sin still remains in our lives. Therefore, we are still guilty of sin and deserving of punishment. But if we repent of our sins, God will not count our sins against us; He will not judge us guilty (see 1 John 1:9).” … Dr. Thomas Hale (The Applied New Testament Commentary,1996) “(the uncondemned) no longer follow our sinful nature, but instead follow the Spirit. … So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to (eternal) death. But, letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:4-6, NLT) “We cannot live according to the sinful nature and according to the Spirit at the same time; we must live according to either one or the other (see Galatians 5, etc.).” … Dr. Thomas Hale (The Applied New Testament Commentary,1996) “For if you live by its (the flesh’s) dictates (desires), you will die (eternally). But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live (eternally). For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:13-14, NLT)

Well, I am going to quote, what I put in that video thread, since it is so relevant here: By the way, for those who want to watch Dr. Ice on the pre-tribulation rapture theory, the video missmuffet posted is at: https://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/212695-thomas-ice-on-the-pretribulation-rapture-of-the-church/

Source: Matt Slick Exposed

My friend...You are the best one to represent all Christians. Every day you go out and meet people. As soon as they know you are a Christian they will judge all Christians by your actions and speech. So let Jesus live through you, let them see Jesus, not you.

LOL! If you don't take a stand, then you don't know something! You are an ideal candidate for others to shove down their doctrine.

I would reduce the initial chart to a single entry: Who determines an individual's salvation? Calvinists say God does and Arminians say the individual does. Many years ago, I was reading one of Millard Erickson's theology books. He summarized the fundamental difference between all the varieties of Calvinists and Arminians as this: Calvinists believe that an individual's salvation is God's decision whereas Arminians believe that salvation is the individual's decision. Erickson's conclusion was basically that while there were problems with both, Calvinism seemed the more consistent with scripture. I would add one further point that never seems to be considered. Calvinists and Arminians both believe that human logic dictates that only one or the other is correct and hence centuries of Christian infighting over the point. It is a belief in this logic that it is simply assumed to be common sense and accepted without question. However, is it Biblical to simply accept that it has to be one or the other? Neither side is willing to consider that it is possible that sovereignty vs. free will is perhaps one of those mysteries of the faith such as Jesus being fully human and fully divine or the Trinity where God is at the same time one God but 3 Persons. We accept Christ's full humanity and full deity and we simply say that Bible passages which point to His humanity do not disprove His deity nor do Bible passages which point to His deity disprove His humanity. We accept both as true. In the same way, we do not use verses pointing to God being one God as disproving He is not 3 Persons, nor do we use verses clearing showing 3 Persons as proof of tri-theism. We take passages showing God's unity as well as 3 Persons on their face value and accept both as something we as finite beings cannot wrap our heads around. We comfortably talk about Jesus being human. We comfortably talk about Jesus being God. We do not use logic to prove that we must choose between the two options as many heresies that either reject the humanity or the deity of Christ (or force a modality where He was first human and then divine or talk about a human "Jesus" and a divine "Christ"). Over the years, I've come to accept scripture passages both dealing with God's sovereignty and human free will to be taken on their face value and not to explain them away. I've come to accept both as true and fit this under the same category as the Trinity and the Humanity/Deity of Christ. It does make reading the Bible much more enjoyable. I don't have to spend my time worrying about whether Pharaoh hardened his heart or God hardened Pharaoh's heart and which of those verses are the "real" ones and which need to be "explained". I just take both as written and say that it seems that the Bible teaches both are equally true statements. I've decided to reject logic that says one or the other is correct and go with the preponderance of Biblical evidence that seems to say that both are true. So, basically this means everyone thinks I'm a fruit cake that needs Biblical correction because I now refuse to join either side in a centuries long schism.

I just have one more thing in my heart I must say to you as a reply to all the contention, false witness about me, OSAS dogma and (In my humble opinion) the lack of consideration and respect for brothers and sisters seeking purpose and understanding and ways we can honor our Lord and his name without bringing attacks of the world on us for our behavior toward one another. How can we believe usless we hear? and how can one speak for God unless He be sent by God? If I am wrong may the Lord correct my error. But I say, anyone that is sent saying "ignore what Jesus said, It ment this" "Ignore what Jesus did It ment that." "Ignore all Paul said and did except this." Ignore and disreguard james, john and Peter, Acts and Titus" Ignore The Messages Our Lords words in Rev as he tends to the lamps stands and watches over the churches. Cause all those thing dont matter and non of it has meaning because these 15 verses are all you need to know". I say anyone doing that or anything like that to people who are new creations in Christ is not a messanger sent by God for us to hear.

Claim that God is responsible for Satan's actions is blapshemy. By claiming that not only you claim God to be liar but also that he is evil and not perfect himself . James 1:13-15 13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

I think an important thing is discernment as to what the real issue is. Often, many of the things we are most concerned about in ourselves and other people are *symptoms* of a deeper cause. For example (hypothetical case only, I'm not suggesting this is actually what is happening), if your sister is angry and frustrated and rebellious towards your parents and the church, this is going to result in a lot of different behaviors that are not good. If the root issue is anger and bitterness, getting her out of the current relationship is damage control and isn't dealing with the real problem. More issues would continue to emerge in the future. Continuing on in the hypothetical case, is this just rebellion and stubbornness gone too far, or was your sister hurt in some way by your parents or the church? In that case, apologies, reconciliation, and forgiveness may be needed for healing and change to occur. I'm not suggesting that is the actual case though I've seen that in a few people. I'm just trying to generate food for thought as to if this relationship is indeed the main issue or if there is something deeper that God wants to work on. When something is going on with someone, I prayerfully try to discern what the real issue is that God wants to deal with at present. I then focus my prayers and interactions with that person on addressing that deeper issue. I've at times seen that the most obvious stuff we are most concerned with are symptoms rather than root causes. Of course, that's not to say we don't try to minimize consequences of what's going on, but we need to focus on what God's priority is for change in someone. If we do not deal with the root issue, we're going to see a range of different problems keep emerging and we end up fighting a bunch of different battles without ever fixing the real problem. Sometimes what we see is the real issue; sometimes not. In this case, the main issue might be the relationship itself, or the relationship might just be a symptom of some deeper spiritual battle going on inside your sister.

It is about a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Pour out to God the concerns of your heart and draw closer to him. You are loved and cherished by God. Turn to Jesus for your peace of mind and Joy and then nobody will be able to take it from you. Let your Focus be on Jesus and him alone, and he through the Holy Spirit will equip you with whatever gifts you need.

We Are All Imperfect By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. We are all imperfect human beings, fallible and prone to sin—and that is why Christlike love is so important in the church. Because we are imperfect, we must learn to accept one another and tolerate one another in all our many imperfections. Because we are imperfect, we must learn to love one another with genuine agape love. Because we are imperfect, we must learn to forgive one another. And because we are imperfect, we must hold one another accountable. The culture around us embraces a false notion of tolerance and love that says, "If you love somebody, you have to accept all their sins, their character flaws, and their godless lifestyle. You must never correct them, never rebuke them, never challenge them, never encourage them to repent and live righteously. Love means tolerating whatever anyone does, including their sinful and destructive behavior." That's the world's notion of love—and if you violate that notion, if you confront or rebuke someone for a lifestyle of sin, suddenly you will become the bad guy, the bigot, the hater, the reactionary, the extremist. According to the world, the out-and-proud sinners are good, and the godly are evil. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. We are living in Orwellian times. But God's Word teaches that admonishing one another in a spirit of humility is actually a demonstration of Christian love. As someone once said, "If you love, you level." Paul calls this "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Paul is not telling us to go around and correct and confront our fellow Christians for every little thing they do wrong. But if someone is straying from the Truth or wandering from the faith, if someone is engaging in a lifestyle of sin and self-destruction, we should love that person enough to sit down, reason, pray, and even weep with that person over the tragedy of sin. That's what it truly means to love one another. Prayer: Father, help me to internalize this precious concept of Christian love. May I seek to build up my brothers and sisters in Christ by pointing them to You and exhorting them to Christlikeness even as I receive the same counsel. May we all receive and give admonishment with humility and love, remembering the grace we have received. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

No but i would be happy to be one to be honest .

Werther's Original , in my country they had them only in these paper tube packages like mentos , so i remember them this way .

Yes, if that were not supported by scripture, it would be vain babbling, if you have really studied this topic out, you already know that scriptural support exists, if not, you can probably find it even on this site, certainly on the web, and maybe from me. However, not everything is vain babbling, just because it is not found in scripture, some thing though, experience, and broader reading than scripture, are needed. The Bible cannot tell me how to fill out my 1040, or how to make a perfect omelet. The things I stated about free will, are both Biblical and self-evident. If you do not have free will, then how you respond next, will not be of your own free will, and then who will be vainly babbling? By the way, where in your canon of scripture, did you find that the canon of scripture, consists of 66 books?

Depends in the circles you run in I guess. Google tulip daisy roses! Regarding free will: You are free to choose to do what you want to do, but you are not free to choose what it is, that you want to do, nor are you necessarily able, to do what you choose to do! In other words, you are free to choose, to fly like a bird, if that is what you really want. However, what you want, is not free to choose, your nature determines what you want to choose, Finally, wish to fly like a bird, all you want - there is no guarantee that you will be able to do, what you choose. I choose to sin, because that is in my nature, I choose not to sin, because God has given me a new nature, but in this ongoing process of sanctification, I have not been entirely purged of my old nature, but I do see progress. When I am fully sanctified at His coming, my old nature will be gone, then I am able to choose not to sin, and I shall carry that out, because my will shall be aligned with God's will.

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2017/09/19/12/34/electronic-pulse-threat-attack-from-north-korea While the world has been fixated on North Korea's growing nuclear missile arsenal, the rogue state's threats against the West now include a weapon that can take down a country's electricity grid. -snip-

Amen. Jesus saves and Jesus said "be baptised".

Thing like this happen all the time. Its why we need to sit and really listen to what the other is saying. I have been accussed of many teachings i have no clue about. just because i say something the group itself has said. THIS is where we need to all slow down and we all need to stop assuming, i said all. And ASK each other what we believe and etc. Like when i speak about the rapture , i have very little idea what pretrib teaches post trib teaches, ormid trib. HOWEVER when i say what i learned by reading the bible, IF it lines up with any of these other teachings i get accused of believing LIKE EVERY GROUP But i have no IDEA what all they teach. I am just explaining what i learned in the bible. THIS happens to all of us. I have never even heard of baptismal regeneration either. We need to all of us SLOW DOWN , stop assuming if one says this THEY MUST be THIS or THAT and just start over again. I think this can all get cleared up real quick. I DO. i really do , if we do this. Most here have sat in churches. Most not all, most here have learned their doctrine from others or internet. By grace , i just learned by reading the bible, by the HOLY GHOST. it almost gets comical, if it were not so sad, when i get all these labels, YET i sat not under any church denomination or post trib , etc pre trib. We need to start this all over . And let none of us assume, instead if we think something , WE ask the other . The holy spirit wants his people together as one, BUT only IN TRUE DOCTRINE . so why don't we start this all over .

amen

Whatever JESUS said to do , WE do and we stir one another up to do it . This is not earning it as some have been led to believe . ITS LIVING IT. But he who hates me , KEEPS not my commandments. HE who loves me KEEPS my commandments and Me and MY Father will manifest ourselves unto him. i think a lot of people get real confused about works vesus living . IFwe have HIS SPIRIT then HIS SPIRIT HAS us , unctions us to DO if we try doing to earn salvation , WE DOOMED. But if we keep not HIS COMMANDMENTS. HE WILL TELL US , I NEVER KNEW YOU. Because the truth is, IF HE IS TRULY IN US........we SIMPLY DO by HIS grace the good works HE said to do. And its a JOY TO DO IT. LIVE IT by the SPIRIT . we are servants to whom we obey. whether its the flesh which end is death or Obediance by the SPIRIT unto righteousness. THE SPIRIT unctions us to BE HOLY , to walk as DID OUR LORD, but beware the flesh its contrary HEED IT NOT , HEED ONLY THE SPIRIT and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Im beginning to believe the conspiracy theory that there is something in the water. Cause the folks have gone nuts lately.

Yes, you are the spirit God gave you. It is not demonic nor Christ like, it is a human spirit with a fallen nature that sins due to its natural desires. These desires do not come from Satan or any demon. They come from disobedience to God. When we accept Christ, we are given His Spirit to live in us, the Holy Spirit. His Spirit does not jail our natural being, the old man. We have to learn to let the old man die so we can come to know the Holy Spirit better. It is through these lessons we become stronger in Him. We will never be perfect while we live in this tent. We will continue to sin, though it will not be habitual sin as we did before salvation, but sine none the less.

I pay no attention to the Emmy's.

That would be a perfectly fine response on many occasions. Not everyone knows all the details. At least they are making the effort and not acting like nothing happened! This is often used when the person does not know anything about what's going and still tries to make the other person feel better. God does know exactly what everyone is going through.

There's only one that irks me a bit. "God won't give you more than you can handle" It has become like fingernails on a chalkboard to me at this point in my life. Mainly because it's so incredibly untrue - God gives us more than we can handle at times because it makes us see our need for Him. The honest statement is God won't give you more than HE can handle lol I could tell you story after story from my own life that prove He definitely gave me more than I could personally handle - and but never once has He given me more than HE could handle. Anyway.

best way to destroy society? accept Christ and follow Him with all your heart, and when Christ returns He will finish society and give us a new, perfect society.

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If He is Lord of your life you need to obey Him to be happy. And God tells us to obey civil authorities. If you are born again you also have a new heart that desires to obey God and obeys laws. You no longer will want to be so selfish. Your life will revolve around Jesus and not around yourself. Turn away from sin and selfishness and turn to God to forgive you and give you a new life. He loves you so much he sent His only Son to earth to die in your place so you won't go to hell if you put your trust in Him. Blessings and prayers

That's a generic, "I really don't want to deal with your issue" answer. Then they brush you off and move on.

"You're a sinner. Look at all these sins you're guilty of committing. Join my church and you can be saved!"

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. I am an older man and I can tell you that if any male is asking you sexual question, you can be assured that this is what is in his heart and will only lead to un-Christlike thoughts and activities. Stay away.

Not really a gamble when He knows the next card in the deck..........

It is true that the amount of knowledge one has is useless if at the end they have no connection to Christ. But Christ gives us this information about the future "for a reason". For the people before the flood - everything depended on what they would do with the warnings God sent through Noah. Living on the other side of the planet from Noah while claiming to be "spirit filled" and "informed" would not get them anywhere, when the rain started to fall. For the people living in John the baptizer's day - simply ignoring John and being "comforted" by the fact that they have the right church, and the right Bible - would get them nowhere.

Gem, Was so glad to see your post in my inbox. It is so awesome to meet another compassionate chronic sufferer who can relate to many things I am going through. In 2007 I had a lumbar fusion on L4 & L5. I had high hopes that this would solve the pain I had been experiencing, but unfortunately it made it worse. I have been on meds to try and keep the pain at a minimum, but to tell you the truth some days I barely get by. Only by the grace of God! Life is hard, but God is Good and I am forever grateful that I have Him in my life to carry me when I become too weak to go on. I also have fibromyalgia, osteo arthritis and osteoporosis along with my degenerative disc disease that has warranted cervical fusions as well as the lumbar. Thanks so much for replying to my post and I look forward to chatting with you sometime soon. Take care of yourself. Blessings, Due

Hi Harry's Girl! I'm sorry to hear that your heart is hurting, (((Hugs)))! I can't say that I know exactly how you feel, but I do hear the pain and longing in your heart, and I can pray for God to comfort you. I did lose my mom in my late 20s, have been unable to have children, and have had 17 years of chronic illnesses. Sometimes life is just plain hard. My chronic health issues had left me bedridden at times which created isolation and loneliness. It turned this social butterfly into a hermit practically! But God lifted me up out of that pit. I still struggle with chronic health issues, but He has given me a purpose in spite of them. I do know that God is the only one that can truly bring healing to any of us. Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you. I've been keeping a list of my favorite Bible verses by topic. When I am struggling in a specific area I read over all of the verses to help comfort me with God's own words. Some verses that could help with loneliness are: Isaiah 4:10, Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 4:16-17, Lamentations 3:22-24, Jeremiah 31:3, & Philippians 1:6. Feel free to look those up and maybe add some of your favorites if you'd like. As far as the guys are concerned, rejection plain hurts. It's very unfortunate that so many were not in it for the long haul. But, in a way it's good that you've weeded out the ones that are not dedicated and would not treat you the way you desire. I had a friend once that was in and out of bad relationships. They committed a year to focus solely on pursuing God and that they wouldn't date anyone. When they did that, they became closer with God and focused on Him and His purpose for their life. During that year they met someone, but wouldn't date them until the year was up. They eventually got married and now have 2 kids. You never know what God's purpose is during this time of loneliness. God has never left you, cause he tells us that He won't in His word. Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you. Something I have learned is to not base my decisions on my feelings. Our feelings can be misguided and lead us astray. Sometimes I have to choose to believe what the Bible says to be true even though it may not feel like it at the moment. Also, God longs to give us the desires of our hearts as long as they align with His plan for our lives and His timing. Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. I encourage you to keep pouring your heart out to the Lord. Sometimes we see God answer our prayers quickly and other times it takes awhile. Part of that is us learning to trust God and releasing control to Him. Prayers that your heart will stop hurting and you will have peace! (((Hugs))) ~ Gem

There have been lots of things I did not get in my life. I was fretting when I was young but only now I realize the wisdom of seemingly cruel words: if you don't have it you don't need it. Sometimes you can see that lack of something saves you from something much worse. I was suffering from hernia. Is there any positive about it? Unexpectedly when there was a major conflict and war (it was the USSR then) it helped me to avoid conscription and I think it saved my life. Think again which is better to have a bad marriage or not to be married at all? Or have a child with mental deformity or remain childless. This world is not about pleasure and happiness for most people. I am sorry to tell you this bitter truth. I am 71. I try and find solace in God. That is my happiness Things of this world are usually less than reliable. Praying for you. Wishing you all the best.

There is a story about a very old tombstone bearing the epitaph: Pause, stranger, when you pass me by As you are now, so once was I As I am now, so you will be So prepare for death and follow me someone came along and scratched a reply underneath: To follow you I'm not content Until I know which way you went.

Amen, Friend. Would be honored to do so. "No good thing lies in me" We are but a lump of clay and Jesus is the treasure residing in us. Reminds me of another though. An Irish ancestor had on her tombstone, "Faithful to the end."

Willa ya moved me heart. so I have a request. IF , I should die before you do. Come to my funeral and say this. The man you see here in the casket today. HIS ONLY GOODNESS came from CHRIST , he was nothing but a wicked thing that while in the darkest hour of his sin instead of the death he deserved GODS grace appeared , drew him to Christ , changed his vile wicked heart. Yes. HIS ONLY GOODNESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS was of GOD alone amen.

Both of my grandmothers were in their upper 80's when they died and their funerals were more of a celebration than mournful. Of course we did miss them, but they had such long and helpful lives. I had many uncles and aunts that lived believer lives that were not so sad. And I don't remember us ever praying for the deceased person, but for the people their dealing with the loss, and helping to remind people of how their loved on had made their lives better and where they are was not so bad. A really good funeral makes you envious of the person gone to heaven ahead of us.

To me, I want a preacher at the funeral, to help those the deceased left behind, realize that life is temporary, and often wasted. It is a time, to think about the vanity of life, and also what comes next. Some people never go to a church, or have a Christian around them, who cares enough to let them know that the next stop for them, might just be a permanent and unfortunate, separation from God, most people call Hell. It does not have to be that way, and I think any truly decent funeral service, will not just be about remembering the dead, and sharing loss, but also a call to reconsider our own spiritual status while we can. It does not have to be a preacher or a pastor, but they usually are more experienced in that message, and some people might consider them more authoritative, than that message from John Doe.

Honestly, let me take a look. I forgot about them and I just assumed someone had already approved them.

And the real kicker is, they see the Abrahamic convenant erroneous. FOR in THY SEED shall all nations be blessed. Paul does such a wonderful job of explaining it. Thy seed as in one not many...........thy seed as in CHRIST. the abrhamic convent IS the gospel. and so many miss that. IT is the promised given unto the Fathers...........it always pointed to faith and faith in Christ . Abraham saw HIS day on the mount HE saw it and he rejoiced. A RAM GOD WOULD PROVIDE . Abraham SAW JESUS DAY and the name of the mount says it all..........Jehovah jireh IN the MOUNT of the LORD it shall be SEEN, PROVIDED. Their never was a different plan for jews and or gentiles.......it always was, is and shall be the one true gospel of Christ that is the ONLY answer and ONLY salvation a man of any tribe , nation , language can have . Paul fought so hard

John 6:47-51..47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

Who will occupy the Millennial Kingdom?" Answer:There will be two distinct groups occupying the Earth during the millennial kingdom—those with glorified bodies, and those with earthly bodies who lived through the tribulation and on into the millennial kingdom. Those with glorified bodies consist of the Church, receiving glorified bodies at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-53), and those who are resurrected after Christ returns to Earth (Revelation 20:4-6). Those who have earthly bodies can be subdivided into two groups: believing Gentiles and believing Jews (Israel). InRevelation 19:11-16, we find the return of Jesus Christ to Earth, known as His second coming. The rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;1 Corinthians 15:51-53) is an appearing of Christ in the air, not His second coming. I mention this to make a distinction between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. There is no mention inRevelation 19-20of any kind of rapture event. The implication is that saints who are on Earth when Christ returns will remain on Earth to enter the millennial kingdom in their natural bodies. If the rapture or any kind of event where a living believer receives a glorified body were included in the second coming of Christ to Earth, one would expect to find reference to such a major event inRevelation 19. But no such reference is to be found. The only event that results in believers receiving glorified bodies is found inRevelation 20:4-6where those who became believers during the Tribulation and were killed because of their faith are resurrected. It is also believed that at this same time Old Testament saints will be resurrected, also receiving glorified bodies (seeDaniel 12:2). Matthew 25:31-46is another passage that should be considered. This passage is commonly called the separation or judgment of the sheep and the goats. The sheep and goats refer to righteous and unrighteous Gentiles. Christ will judge the unrighteous Gentiles (goats), and they will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46). Therefore, no unbelieving Gentile will survive to live on into the millennial kingdom. The righteous Gentiles, or sheep, will live on into the millennial kingdom. They will give birth to children and will populate the Earth. However, these are not the only ones who will be producing children during the millennial kingdom. The impression is given that when Christ returns, all Israel will trust in Him (Zechariah 12:10). They, too, will not receive glorified bodies (as did those who were raptured prior to the tribulation and those resurrected afterward). They also will produce children during the millennial kingdom. So, believing Gentiles, Israel, and resurrected/raptured believers (all of whom have glorified bodies) will occupy the Earth. It should be noted, however, that believers with glorified bodies will not be reproducing. There is no marriage after this life (Matthew 22:30). Children born during the millennial kingdom will have the responsibility of faith in Christ as all people of past ages have (faith in Christ since His coming; faith in God before—Genesis 15:2-6;Habakkuk 2:4;Romans 3:20). Unfortunately, not all of the children that are born during the millennial kingdom will come to faith in Christ. Those that do not will be led away by Satan into rebellion against God at the end of the millennial kingdom when Satan is let loose for a short time (Revelation 20:7-10). For a further look at this subject (who will live into the millennial kingdom), look also at the following passages:Isaiah 2:2-4;Zechariah 14:8-21;Ezekiel 34:17-24;Daniel 7:13-14;Micah 4:1-5. Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/millennial-kingdom.html#ixzz3Ye2QFDgo As I was reading more today about the Millennial kingdom ~~ I asked myself some questions of who and how we will live in the Millennial? revelations 5:10 And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. What do you think will your job will be? How will the people are are surviving the tribulation live and what will they do? Do you think life in the Millennial kingdoml will be very different from the way we live now? We are approaching the end of days as we are living now ~~~we could be living in those the Milennial kingdom soon!

Love.