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Here is a summary of this post for those who don't want to read it all. 1. Some Christians have no clue what things are worth fighting over and what things are not worth fighting over. I think we should have a very clear sense of what things are critical to believe and what things are arguing about the color of the carpet. 2. Some Christians think it is more important to believe the right things than it is to know God well. (Primary symptom of this I observe: "Well, you cannot know God well unless you believe the right things first!") I think that an ever increasing knowledge of the Truth is ultimately a result of knowing God (and His mature people) more and more. There are Calvinists who are convinced that Arminians refuse to believe what the Bible "plainly" says; there are Arminians who are convinced that Calvinists refuse to believe what the Bible "plainly" says. There are Pentecostals who are convinced that Cessationists refuse to believe what the Bible "plainly" says; and vice versa. There are Christians convinced that the Bible teaches that the earth is flat; and those that don't. There are Christians that are convinced that particular musical styles are wrong; and others that are convinced that those very same musical styles are fine. There are some Christians that wholeheartedly believe that all women should have some type of head covering in church; and others who do not. There are some Christians convinced that it is vital that all Christians hold the correct biblical view of the End Times. There are Christians who believe baptism by immersion saying the name of Jesus (not Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is necessary for salvation. There are some Christians who believe that some denominations are in essence satanic. On many points, the determination of "false" doctrine comes down to the opinion of individual Christians, individual congregations, and individual denominations about what the Bible "plainly" teaches. On all of the above points I mention, there are Christians who cannot in good conscience let the above points go and not fight about them. And on pretty much all of those points, there are Christians who point to a few proof texts where the Bible plainly says that they are correct; and then there are other Christians who point to other proof texts that prove that they are completely wrong about it. I'll be completely blunt here. A whole lot of "protecting truth" that I've seen over the years boils down to "I read the Bible correctly and I am very close to being right on all the important things! Therefore anyone who disagrees very much with me is a false prophet, wolf, false teacher, heretic, not-really-a-Christian, or <fill in your favorite disparaging term for a Christian who disagrees with you>. Praise be to God that I am one of His favored ones that holds God's Truth correctly and that I'm one of the few on the narrow path that leads to life." Much of "protecting and proclaiming Truth" that I've seen boils down to childish "I'm right and you're wrong!!" or "I serve God better than you!!" behavior. Frankly, not much different that the "which of us is greatest" argument the disciples liked to have or the "they weren't following us so we forbid them to do anything in your name" attitude the disciples had toward other disciples. Deny the Trinity. I'll come down on it like a (gently padded ) ton of bricks. Question the deity or humanity of Christ. I'll push back. Argue about the color of fabric on the pews, I'll try to point out the stupidity and childishness of doing that. Here's another blunt statement. Most Christians I see spending large amounts of time fighting "false" doctrines really have no sense of priority as to what things are really worth contending for. They have elevated their opinions on way too many issues as being "critical" for contending for the faith. Another point to be blunt on here. Some Christians have made an idol out of "all or nothing" belief. If you do not have the right opinion on everything, then it is impossible to serve God well. Their entire faith in God rests on every single item that they "believe" being correct. If a single part fails, their entire belief in God comes crashing down. It is critical for them to know the answers to every question; how to answer every argument; having to win every argument; why? Because their faith is NOT ultimately in God; their faith is in what they believe about God. The key point in all of this is this. Being a Christian is about being transformed into a new creation who lives life in a way that glorifies God; that righteousness and good works flow naturally from us; that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and the like are the characteristics of our life; that we come to know God more and more as we consistently walk with Him. Believing the right things about God ultimately comes from knowing God more and more; not memorizing proof texts and counter proof texts; from closely observing those who truly exhibit fruit of the Spirit in their lives, those whose prayers are answered, who truly minister to those around them; not from those who are strongly opinionated and spend much of their time pointing out "problems" in God's other children. God gave us the Bible to reveal Himself to us. To the extent we search the scriptures to learn more about Him, we are using it well. To the extent we search the scriptures for minutia, hidden spiritual truth, rules and recipes, and ways to win arguments, I think we are missing the point. Brothers and Sisters! Believing the right things about God ultimately comes from knowing God from spending time with Him. Holiness and a changed life does not come from talking about it; it does not come from knowing and following the right rules about what is and what is not sin; it does not come from trying our hardest to be righteous; it comes from God's presence in our life changing and transforming us. Sin does not really decrease in our life because we learn more about what it is and try to avoid it, or because we try harder, exercise our willpower, find accountability partners, or other efforts to mitigate it. That's trying to achieve holiness through our own strength. Sin decreases and righteousness and holiness increases by God's presence in our life increasing. This does not come about from having the correct biblical view on every possible issue that might arise; it comes from knowing God more and more; it comes from consistently spending time walking with God; it comes from consistently spending time with very mature Christians (and not merely outspoken and opinionated ones!!) who know God very well themselves and exhibit a lot of natural spiritual fruit in their life (and not just self-imposed follow-strict-rules behavior).

When something clearly contradicts the word of God, then its most definitely wrong doctrine.

The Shepard is Jesus; He's not here to teach us the correct interpretations of every verse that humans argue over. To suggest that there is a correct interpretation of every verse that some human/humans know and that we should all be listening to is just pride. And we know what that's all about. You don't seem to understand why people argue over scripture, it is dogmatic thinking like that, that causes the arguments. Humble yourself and realise that there is much that is not known.

I don't come here to find what I believe or what I should believe. This site is not my church. I see it has an exchange of ideals.

Seems a false doctrine to me! Maybe you are right and there is an increase. But: my God has never told me to park my brain in order to come to Him. No way has He done that. His word is a challenge to those of scholarly attributes far greater than most that post on Christian message boards, certainly self included. Demanding all stop their thinking on the word of God seems to me a false doctrine in of itself, or at least very poor advice. Why? Because almost every pastor, priest, and prophet, that I have read of has had an awakening, a humbling moment of realization as they were thinking and praying upon the word of God they were reading, that some point some understanding, some doctrine even, that they have espoused is not correct. They have then come to a pulpit or have written of their long held conclusion being wrong. No! God's lessons do not stop at the end of each sentence of the Bible. God help the person that decides they have read his word, every one of which is perfectly clear to them, and they may proceed without thinking from there on. On a practical basis if no thinking were required there would be no commentaries, no Strong's Concordance, no "Got Questions", no reference material of any kind, and no pastors nor teachers, not even a Bible man. Of course anyone should pray on and think on their understanding of what they read in the Bible! To read without praying and thinking is presumption, to think without reading and praying is atheism- Could we really have greater false doctrines being held today than did the very people of the Bible whose legacies have been recorded for us to pray read and think upon? Anyone been melting down all the gold in the nation to make golden calves as idols to worship lately? More false doctrine today? Doubt it.

If the Bible was truly the basis of doctrine and practice, there wouldn't be a Sunday observer in Christendom.

1"I have spoken these things with you that you would not be subverted." 2"For they shall put you out from their assemblies, and the hour will come when everyone who would kill you will think that he presents an offering to God." 3"And they shall do these things because they do not know either my Father or me."

Yes. I totally abhor the part where Christians marginalize other Christians and call them Raca. Burning Cranmer is of particular gravity to me: I have stood there and taken a picture of the place where the stake was. It is truly horrible that this spirit is still alive today turning Christian against Christian in the mistaken belief they are doing it as a favor for God.

Still though. Any serious questions should be taken up with your pastor. Or someone you know you can trust to give you sound Christian advice. If I was to follow everything everybody says on here, I would be all over the place. Oh and lets not leave out seeking God's advice on our own as well. With that said. If you feel someone on here is spouting off false doctrine then call them out on it. Use the Bible and the brain that God gave you to back you up.

Hi Ana, I loved reading about gatherings around the piano. We also grew up with a piano. I always loved it when my dad played the piano because when he did, he would play using the just about all of the keys. I loved the full, rich sound. Thank you for taking the time to reply. It was good to read your post. I am glad that you could relate to the joys of a boiling kettle Hope you have a great day. Blessings

False doctrines are not living water . They never satisfy , give rest , give joy , give peace . Instead they provide , disillusionment , disharmony , worry , weariness . In this they are always easily identifiable . Only the doctrines of Living water provide true rest unto the soul . In this they are also just as easily indentifiable . " There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God " ( Hebrews 4 : 9 )

The Trinity and Bible Proofs that Jesus Christ is God 1. Matthew 28:17-20 “they worshipped him”, “All power is given to me”, “I am with you always” and “baptizing them in the name (one God) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” = Trinity. 2. In Matthew 3:1-3, Jesus Christ fulfils Isaiah 40:3 to ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah’ and our God. 3. John 1:1 “the word was God” (KJV, NIV), not ‘a god’ (NWT). a) Isaiah 44:8 ‘Is there a God beside me?’ b) The absence of the article before “theos” (God) identifies “word” as the subject (Colwell’s rule)Ans855 ‘The subject is identified by the article (ho logos) and the predicate (theos) without it.’ AT Robertson 5,4. John did not use the word for “Godlike or a lesser god” (theios) to describe Jesus, but used “theos” (God). All early writers disagree with JWs. (Irenaeus,Theophilus, Clement,Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Tatian). All modern Greek experts disagree with JWs. (Zodhiates, AT Robertson, Wuest, Vine, Vincent, Mantey) 4. John 1:3 “All things were made by him” Malachi 2:10 “Hath not one God created us?” Jesus is Creator. 5. John 3:13 “Son of man which is in heaven.” Jesus is omnipresent (on earth and in heaven at same time) 6. John 4:42 “Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Isaiah 43:11 “Jehovah; beside me there is no saviour.” 7. John 5:18 “said God was his Father, making himself equal with God”. John believed it and quoted it. 8. John 5:23 “all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father” Do you honour the Son as God? 9. John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father.” Who did OT saints see who they said was God?Is6:5 10. John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.” Jehovah is “I am” in Exodus 3:1-14. 11. John 8:58,59 “Before Abraham was, I am. They took up stones to cast at him.” Jesus said He is God. 12. John 10:30 “I and my Father are One. They took up stones to stone him.” No stoning if agree with God. 13. John 10:33 “thou being a man, makest thyself God. They sought again to take him (39)”. Why? 14. John 16:15 “All things that the Father hath are mine:” All the Father’s attributes as God are Christ’s. 15. John 17:5 “the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Isaiah 42:8 “I am Jehovah: my glory will I not give to another.” Jesus is Jehovah because he alone shares Jehovah’s exclusive glory. 16. John 20:28 “Thomas said unto him (Jesus), My Lord and my God.” No rebuke for blasphemy or error. 17. Acts 20:28 “Feed the church of God, which he (God) hath purchased with his own blood.” Jesus =God 18. I Cor. 1:2 “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ.” Prayer to Jesus makes him God. 19. I Corinthians 15:47 ‘the second man is the Lord from heaven’ This is Jesus. No man is from heaven. 20. II Corinthians 13:14 is the Apostolic Benediction:“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (II Corinthians 13:14). Why is there a change in the order of the persons of the Trinity, compared to Matthew 28:19, if not to show that in this Trinity none is before or after the other, and none is better than another? 21. Philippians 2:6 “Who being in the form of God (in His pre-incarnate state Christ had the form of God) thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (a prize to be held on to, not a prize to be won. AT Robertson). 22. Colossians 2:9 “In him (Christ) dwells all the fullness (exhausts the limits) of the Godhead bodily.” 23. I Thes 4:14 “them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Jesus returns as God at rapture. 24. I Timothy 3:16 “God was manifest in the flesh.” Jesus is God the Son conceived in Mary. 25. Titus 2:13 “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Granville-Sharp rule: Jesus is God and Saviour. 26. Hebrews 1:6 “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Only worship God. Matt 4:10, Ps97:7 Son is God 27. Hebrews 1:8 “To the Son he saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever’” Psalm 45:6,7. Son is God. 28. Hebrew 1:10 “And (to the Son he saith), Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:.thou art the same.” Son is unchangeable creator. Ps102:24 29. Hebrews 1:13 To which of the angels said he, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 35 30. I John 5:7 “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The heavenly and earthly witnesses in v.7,8 are confirmed in v.9 by God and men. The masculine article (oi) for “that” in v.7 is derived from the masculine nouns “Father and Word” in v.7. 31. Revelation 1:17,18 “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth and was dead;” Jesus = first and last. Revelation 1:11 “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:” Jesus = first and last = Alpha and Omega. Revelation 22:12,13 “I come quickly; I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” Jesus=Alpha & Omega. Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the Almighty.” Jesus = first & last = Alpha & Omega =Almighty 32. Revelation 22:3 “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Both God and the Lamb equally own the throne. Revelation 22:3 “his servants shall serve him:” Both God and the Lamb equally own the same servants. Revelation 22:4 “they shall see his face.” Both God and the Lamb have the same face. Revelation 22:4 “his name shall be in their foreheads.” Both God and the Lamb have the same name. Revelation 20:6 “they shall be priests (of God and of Christ), and shall reign with HIM a thousand years” Revelation 21:22 “for (the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb) are the temple of it.” Both are temple of NJ Revelation 21:23 “for (the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light) thereof.” Both light of NJ 33. God identifies Himself as “us” (a Trinity) in:‘God said “let us make man in our image”’ Genesis 1:26 ‘Jehovah God said, “Behold the man is become as one of us . . .’ Genesis 3:22. ‘Jehovah came down … the Lord said, let us go down.’ Genesis 11:5,7 ‘who will go for us?’ Isaiah 6:8. 34. Exodus 3:14 “I AM hath sent me unto you.” ‘I AM’ is the name of the angel of Jehovah, Jehovah, God (2,4,6) & Jesus in John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I AM” & John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I AM” 35. Psalm 110:1. God told David that David’s son would be David’s God. ‘The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ Jesus applied this to Himself in Matthew 22:41-45 as a question: ‘If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?’ This shows that Jesus Christ would be both a man descended from David and David’s God. 36. Isaiah 6:1-8,5. “Mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts” on the throne in heaven. God asked Isaiah “who will go for us?” (‘us’ = trinity). In John 12:37-41, John said, “These things said Esaias when he saw his (Jesus) glory, and spake of him (Jesus).” Jesus was the King, Jehovah of hosts that Isaiah saw. 37. Isaiah 9:6 ‘Unto us a child is born (human Jesus),unto us a son is given (God the Son): his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God.” Jehovah is Mighty God in Isaiah 10:21;Jer32:18; Ps 50:1 38. Isaiah 44:6 ‘Thus saith Jehovah the King of Israel (Father) and his redeemer Jehovah of hosts (Son)” 39. Isaiah 48:12,13,16 “Hearken unto me…Mine hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens:…Come ye near unto me,..the Lord GOD, and his Spirit has sent me.” Me, mine, my and me is God the Son describing his two works of creation and of incarnation to save man. 40. Ezekiel 44:1,2 “This gate shall be shut…because Jehovah, the God of Israel has entered in by it.” In Luke 19:45-47 Jesus, who is Jehovah, fulfilled this prophecy, entering the east gate on a colt in 33AD. 41. Hosea 4:1 and 5:15. Jehovah will return to ‘my place’ (heaven), till the Jews admit their offence of killing Jesus. “Hear the word of the LORD (Jehovah) (4:1),.I will go and return to my place (heaven), till they (Jews) acknowledge their offence (of killing Jesus), and seek my face: in their affliction (7 year tribulation) they (Jews) will seek me early.” Jehovah the Son came from heaven to be born of Mary as a man, he was rejected and crucified by the Jews. The resurrected Lord Jesus returned to heaven. Jesus will return when the Jews acknowledge their offence of killing Jesus. This occurs after the 7 year tribulation. 42. Zechariah 11:4,12,13. “Thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) my God; (v.4). If ye think good, give me my price; So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (v.12)….I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD’ (Zechariah 11:4,12,13). (silver, temple floor, potter field) These three prophecies were fulfilled in Judas betraying Jesus Christ in Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:3-10. 43. Zechariah 12:9-10. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He is identified as Jehovah God whom Israel pierced on the cross. “I (Jehovah) will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem (v.9). They (Israel) shall look upon me (Jehovah) whom they have pierced.” Jesus fulfilled this in John 19:37. 44. Zechariah 14:3,4,5,9. When Jesus Christ returns to earth on the Mount of Olives, He is identified as Jehovah God (Zechariah 14:3,4). ‘Then shall the LORD (Jehovah) go forth and fight against those nations, And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives (v.3-4)....the LORD (Jehovah) my God shall come, and all the saints with thee (v.5)….the LORD (Jehovah) shall be king over all the earth.’ When Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, two angels told those witnesses present that “this same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-12). 45. In Zechariah 2:8-11, Jehovah the Son states twice that Jehovah the Father has sent Him to Israel. This proves that there are at least two persons in the Godhead, both called Jehovah. “For thus saith Jehovah of hosts (the Son).. (v.8) Ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts (the Father) hath sent me (v.9). ‘I (Jehovah the Son) will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts (Father) hath sent me unto thee.” (v.11). Lesson: Jehovah (the Father) sends Jehovah (the Son). Two persons here are named Jehovah. This clearly proves that Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate state is fully Jehovah God. 46. In Zechariah 3:2 “Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan”. One person in the Jehovah Godhead speaks about another person in the Jehovah Godhead. See Isaiah 48:16 Rules of Grammar dictate that: “Jehovah (the first person = person speaking) said unto Satan (the second person = person spoken to), Jehovah (the third person = person spoken about) rebuke thee.”

Faith is built on God's word backed by His good Name and reputation. We learn about His reputation through Scripture as well. Remember that we are here to serve Him, and not the other way around. So you may need to learn what specific gifts and talents God had given you by which you can serve Him. It is often recognized by how you see the needs of others. One thing we can all do is tell others of God's grace and goodness in our lives to save us and make us His own. We can tell others of the love of God, His forgiveness and righteousness shown in Christ's death on our behalf. We have the opportunity here on Worthy to tell others of God's goodness. Bringing God glory is very fulfilling. Jesus became a servant when he humbled himself and became a man. He served Father God by His perfect obedience; He served people by caring for them, having mercy when they were hungry and feeding them, when their feet were tired and dirty He washed them, He healed many; and he fed our souls by telling us of the Holy Spirit Who would be poured out to us. His servanthood was setting an example to us to also serve others; this also can be rewarding. So do read God's Word and pray, talking with God and fellowshipping with Him. He loves you and wants to interact with you.

Who decides what false doctrine is? God. If it is not the literal true Word of God it is false doctrine.

As a pre teen and a young teen I used those TV test patterns! And, later a degausser on color tvs, tested my own TV tubes including the dreaded "do not touch high voltage" ones in that metal shielded box. Used a long handled screw driver placed with the side of it against the metal and then tapped the top of the tubes that had those wired leds on the top.

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Yes, they knew and they knew why also. But they were ok as they knew how important an item it was to whoever had one. On a note too, i was always kind of possessive with my things, as i would try to make them last and others would not care. Even today with my tools, i am like that as a man gets attach to his own tools. It's just a tradesman thing i guess. Long ago it was true neighborly living where we would borrow each other tools as for whatever reason. You would lend your hand saw sharp only to get it back with tooths missing or dull and you just dealt with it. But it was true sharing and helping your neighbors.

Hi! I would like to read about getting trough depresion. Thak you!

That is interesting Neighbor! Was it something that you got into on your own?

HI Warrior12, It is interesting to read and be reminded of how things have changed. I agree with you though, not everyone likes to take care of things, in particular, if it belongs to someone else. Reading about tools, back home, there was one man who had the tidiest and cleanest workshop I have ever met. I think he was more like you and liked to take care of what he had. Hope you have a great day. Blessings

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Hi, Okay. Except "I" think that there is no truly new topic to be found here, nor is it more prevalent today that there are advocates of errors than there always have been. Also; I find I must reject the idea of "we think". There is no "we" think. You may pray read and think, and so may I. The Holy Spirit may enlighten each of us to the will of God for each of us individually, but neither of us thinks for the other. Unless this is to be a cult like experience where no one thinks at all. And, I know that is not the case. The word "we" as in we think used to add credibility always bugs me- sorry for my rant against it. I just find it to be a presumption without basis whenever and by whomever it is used. I catch myself doing it to my own shame. I personally believe from my own reading, and my own thinking, and my own prayer, that there are no greater denials of Jesus today, than have been recorded for us within the Bible to think upon and pray over. I agree that there may be spikes in interest in a subject as one poster excites another about one theory of faith or another; but that seems to me to be the ebb and flow of conversations generating yet more thought and prayer, which is a good thing! For it also provides yet another opportunity to read, think, pray, over the word of God, to share the gospel of Jesus, along with the chance to armor up too on the word having read, thought, and prayed over it. Reading by the saints in Christ Jesus with prayer and thinking brings about much good application, as well as the stronger armoring up that enlightens and works sanctification of the saints. Even an iron sharpening iron experience sometimes occurs to the gain of all in Christ Jesus.

An Indian was walking in downtown New York City alongside a resident friend. As they approached a busy street corner in the center of Manhattan, the Indian seized his friend's arm and whispered, "Wait. I hear a cricket." "Come on!", the city boy sneered, "This is downtown New York -- how could you possibly hear a cricket?" His friend persisted however, "No - seriously, I do!" The post Long time - no hear! appeared first on Worthy Christian Devotional - Daily Devotions. Read the entire devotional.

Amen!

Ok I have to ask ... It sounds like you are living with this partner, without the benefit of marriage. First it is a sin to live together like that, and a Christian should know this. Secondly, if you are not married to her, you really do not have claims on what she can and cant do. Sure, she should respect your feelings on the matter, but you do not have the authority of leadership over her if you are not married. I suggest counseling if this is an issue. And if you are living together without marriage, either marry or live apart without intimacy until you marry (IF you marry).

of cause you have to think thats why God gave you a brain, you are right we cannot give Gods word our own meaning thats why we use our brain & base scripture upon scripture. why do you think there is so much confusion, Have you got it all right? I,m not trying to be nasty sister, I just can't see were you are coming from or how you come to your conclusion.

Don't you think each person thinks they are right & if you don't agree with them you are the one practicing false doctrine. I can guarantee we don't agree on all points. So you are practicing false doctrine, is that the way we are to think?

Who decides what false doctrine is? you will have to be more specific on the topic, each denomination has different twists some baptise by emersion some by sprinkling some hold to the the sabbath as I do, some do not. Some say you must speak in tongues, each should be fully convinced & not go against their conscience. Gods people are in many churches with different philosophy's they differ in theology but they are His children. Revelation 18:4 speaks of it, come out of her my people, here God is saying HIS people to come out of Her=church, Babylon =confusion The great harlot was the church that hijacked Christianity= The papacy & all the reformers agree. What does your, my all denomination still have in them that is still carried through from them. What was added by the papacy that which is not original. God bless

Somebody wants to work? Encouraging! May God bless your pathway and endeavors. May He enlighten those interviewing you in a way that they will see and accept your talents and gifts without prejudice.

No. I believe to be close to God means to worship Him daily, not just while in Church, but at every moment of our lives: through our actions, words and thoughts. For Christians it is much more to be close to God, is to have Him in us. Abide in the true vine, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." - John 15:4

I reject your interpretation.

Did Galatians 6:17 say that Paul had stigmata?

Look in the New Testament to see when Yahweh heals people . Also, look what happens to the people who Yahweh uses to bring about healing. (they get executed, persecuted, not treated well, cursed, treated like the trash of society ) All through the centuries, including the last century, not much has changed - only a lot more fakes obviously, every day.

What about Galatians 6:17 ? If someone is beaten with a whip, stoned, burned, etc, for the Gospel's Sake in Jesus, they also bear in their bodies the marks/ scars for the Gospel, for the Master Jesus in their body. S****ata is never attributed to Paul, , nor to anyone else in true believers in Christianity anywhere since Jesus ascended into heaven.

Scripture is silent to the meaning of Paul. When scripture is silent, I suggest we remain silent also. I advise not to read into scripture imaginative thoughts. That can be very deceiving and lead down the road of false teachings, opening one to all forms of conspiracies.

Does the Bible say that Paul had stigmata?

Very nice I wish I were more mathematically minded.

Like much of the advice already given use your despair to bond with Christ; use the devil's own momentum against him The afflictions of the righteous are many. One thing that makes the psalms so good is that it is very broken people writing them in their moment of need, Christ is our bandaid, he is our crutch. Read the psalms, remember them, use them, accompany them to uplifting music. My favorite psalm passage is "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit". If you're shattered remember that it's at that moment that your connection to the creator can become extremely powerful, but you must remember to speak to him when you are down.

The remnant of Israel are those we call the Lost Tribes. They will be reunited as a nation. It is this nation, the true Israel, that are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, into which Christians are adopted spiritually. Judah is but a fraction of these people. Ezekiel 37

I would not want to feed my brain on such things. It is just not healthy and not edifying for the Christian life.

Yeah and we also have people saying husbands and wife unite as husband and wife in the resurrection. JESUS shut that down , but man believes what man believes. they shall be as the angels in heaven, they aint married nor are they given in marriage. As for the dead, I think Samuel has a word to say on that one. WHY did you disquiet me . samule actually did talk to saul , a soothsayer had raised him. BUT IS WICKED to do that. and as you did say the spirits roaming this world, that most think is mom or grandpa, AINT mom or grandpa, its dark angels masquerading as mom or grandpa. Let none seek unto those with familiar spirits , necromancers, soothesayers, etc. Yet on tbn we had Sid roth, we have the ghost whisperer and so on and christains just eating it up and loving it. FOR ALL THIS WILL MAN BE JUDGED . this is evil yet so popular among christains. ANYWAY be blessed now .

Some people don't realize that dabbling in Eastern religions in the forms of Tae kwon do, meditation, yoga etc, when the philosophy is taught with it, is spiritual adultery in God's eyes. We are not allowed to mix religions. That is what has happened in many countries that have kept parts of their native religions and added Christianity to them. Doing this and creating one's own concept of God as a mixture of ideas opens some people up to demonic activity. It denies the God of the Bible. This is especially true if they also speak to the familiar spirits of their ancestors as they do in Mexico and as some people also do here. These spirits imitate their dead relatives and open the door for demons to torment them. Whether they had in fact surrendered to God as their Lord over their lives is questionable. Most of these people cannot confess Jesus as Lord.

Hi. I don't believe you have been blessed with the gift of evangelism either! Fact is I don't see evangelism as a gift at all! Especially if you are referencing spiritual gifts specifically, of which nine are shared within first Corinthians, but I digress abit, sorry. I might get on point by stating evangelism if it is the sharing of the gospel of Christ Jesus with an unsaved world so that many may be found mature in Christ having the security of eternal life with God, is not a gift. It is not pastoring, it is not teaching, it is testfying, sharing as a witness to what you know. It is a command, you must testify. You and I may follow the command poorly, we may not follow it at all to our terribly deep personal shame, but we cannot wait for some "gift" to come upon us for testifying. What talent or gift does that take,- none. We need do the hard work of rote knowledge of some basics of the word of God for our own sake that we not become deceived again. Hard stuff hard work! And we must must see the gospel of Jesus as our salvation, then with joy stronger than any fear within us that we may have of ridicule, go about our Lord's business which is also the business of His Father. And be holy as He is Holy, be the doer as well as the talker of all things that tell the world of Jesus and His truth His gospel. But even as a first hour born again saint we can testify of Jesus even as a baby cries out of life's existence. Tools? Sure there are tools, even great lesson plans for learning all of the Bible. One is available through another ministry that of Zola Levitt and is found on their website . Look for CORRESPONDENCE COURSE: INSTITUTE OF JEWISH-CHRISTIAN STUDIES Another simple tool that I like personally is their tract The Roadway To Heaven a very simple Gospel presentation tract which can be found online too. See https://www.levitt.com/road/ Each of us must get past fear, know we will have some if not a lot of it always, unless we have the gift of martyrdom. Do all things in a manner that does bring glory to God, anyway! None of us, not one, has excuse for not sharing of the awesome gift of grace and mercy from God that we also heard of and received by God's grace alone. And we must live it too, live the result of that awesome gift so that our life matches our talk. Each of us is a soldier in the army of saints in Christ jesus. Each are to stand our post and know our purpose. To defend the Faith of Jesus always giving testimony of that faith in all that each of us does, there is no falling out, no being off duty. I suggest for consideration that sharing personal testimony on this message board is a good place to hone one's evangelism the testifying of Jesus' gospel and how it is working in our own lives.

Memorize scripture, especially the gospel references. Google up "The Roman road" (in the bible) and memorize the scriptures, about five of them, for starters. Practice on a friend in Christ, like it was for real, to see how well you do. I use no particular method to witness. Depending on who I'm talking to, I may not even quote any scripture, but only paraphrase what they need, an understanding of God's intent of scripture. Every soil I try to plant seeds in is different. A youngster, teenager, or grey head. I try to start a friendly conversation with the mail, USPS, fed x, UPS, lumber delivery people, etc, giving them cold bottled water and striking up a conversation while they drink. Stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc are full of strangers usually open to casual conversation. The spirit will enable me to steer a conversation to life situations, family, kids, work, troubles etc, and I mention how the Lord has blessed me and my family, and how before I was headed down a sorry lifestyle, hanging with the wrong crowd etc. I put myself way below some pious bible thumper, not elevating myself, but conveying I'm only one beggar trying to show another beggar, where to find bread. I will never push for a decision, only suggest to not trust anyone but go home and read the bible for themselves, talk to God, listen through His word, and try to find a bible based church. I give my testimony how the Lord got a hold of me, and what different stages I went through growing in Christ. I emphasize how much God loves us and wants us to trust Him, if we would only listen to His "instruction manual" of life. When you think about it, it's not very hard to tell someone about something that has changed your life for all eternity. We all should be excited, as what else would be more important. I'm also cowardly Gift, and sometimes I really pray myself up to witness to someone. And then, it doesn't happen. But later, when I least expect it, wham, there comes someone the Lord sent when I wasn't "prayed up" ready. I just talk, I just share, and give scriptures. All I try to do is plant as many seeds as possible. Then God takes over. The Holy Spirit does the convicting, I scatter seeds. I do emphasize salvation is a gift, cannot be earned, will not be maintained, but any good we can now do is because God found us, and shows His love for us mightily, and we now want/desire to please Him. I also emphasize how I was in religious churches for thirty years before I ever heard the good news, the relationship God wants for us to have with Him. When I see someone on this forum expressing a desire to spread the good news, like you Gift, I get excited, as the Holy Spirit is at work. What better life changing topic can there be. And the incredible feeling you receive when someone does shows interest and begins to ask so many questions about their salvation. Also, it is God's word that enters into their heart and spirit that does the convicting, that plants new understanding, that helps them "change their thinking" (repent). I use my testimony only to get their attention, it's the word that gives life. Because I'm a coward like you say, Gift, I ask God to send someone to me, crossing my path, and He does. They were always there, but now, expecting, I see them. Rom 10:14,15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ...................

Pray about it, LK. That's what I do when I'm stumped about something. It usually works.

I can understand. I come from India. There is an app from YouVersion. You can download Bible versions to be read offline. In this way, you are not using up data each time. You can download while connected to some WiFi network.

There are a few things I've learned over the years. The first is that the wellspring of all ministry is God flowing through us out to others. It is about growing spiritually ourselves. We can do lots of activities that maybe yield some results, but it is about working with God, being changed ourselves, and letting Him work through us that bears the most long lasting spiritual fruit in our lives and others. Without the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:16) evident in our lives, we are mostly like a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal (I Corinthians 13:1) to people. The second thing I've found is that naturally talking about what God has done in my life (and just being a good example of a Christian) seems to have a bigger impact than having memorized the answers to a bunch of questions and trying to run through a particular presentation with people. I just listen and offer to pray with people when they are having problems. When I stopped worrying about how to force conversions and confrontation so people would have to make a choice for or against Christ on the spot and started worrying about whether or not people were seeing God in what I said and did, I felt much more comfortable and I think I started having more influence on people. I find that most people are willing to talk about themselves (and their problems). I find that by listening carefully, you can often discern what is of the most concern to them and often that is where God is working on them. And by listening carefully, I don't mean listening for excuses to pick a fight over a particular sin, but rather to discern where God has been moving in their life to show their need for Him. One of the most powerful things I've seen over the years (and it's an emphasis in our church for outreach) is looking for opportunities to offer to pray for people when dealing with something overwhelming to them. We don't see that many conversions on the spot (but many people who now attend our church do so as the result of something like this), but our sense is that God is making Himself known to them in a fairly tangible way and that our prayers are a part of what God is doing in their life to draw them to Himself. Over the years, my observation is that the most effective evangelists (not counting those plainly gifted as such) are those that God just naturally flows through to other people. I think it is mostly about learning who is that special person God has created you to be, growing to become that person, and then as that unique and special person showing who God is to others through your words and actions in a way natural and unique to you. Over my life, I've found that the most effective method for me is discerning what God wants to say and do in a particular person's life and trying to offer that to them as the person God has made me to be. I'm in the middle of a life transition so I've been trying to figure out what various things look like now. Lately, most of my encounters with people are when I meet people with our big fluffy friendly dog. I just try to strike up a friendly conversation and see where they are at. These past few weeks, I've been focusing much more on looking for opportunities to share and pray for people. I just listen and try to discern what God's doing in someone's life. It's not an issue of being "brave" or "cowardly", it's simply an issue of me being me being comfortable around people doing what I do naturally.

Blessings Zoltan Interesting Topic(or Topics,since there are a few going on here,lol) The funny thing is,whatever theory or belief anyone would like to support they probably could do so in a rather convincing way ,even with Scripture references.....many go to the Word of God as if it is a smorgasbord laid out for them to pick & choose whatever taste buds they want to tickle & tantalize that day,week,month or year...of course choosing single verses of Scripture out of context This I know very well from personal experience,when I was babe in Christ-lol But the important thing is to not lean on our own understanding,these are dire times where we must be very careful not to get distracted by things that have little to do with Salvation,Jesus Finished work on the cross...simply because it is interesting or even entertaining....BUT to: Proverbs 3"5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. I do know people that spend countless hours researching different subjects ,siitting in front of the computer from sun up to sundown searching for " the answer" or "evidence" while the next door neighbor is not Saved & they don't even know his first name after living 10ft away from him for 16 years......anyway,I was just prompted to share that.....perhaps it is not meant for anyone here but maybe someone out there who is reading and needed to hear it? Zoltan.....there are many claiims that man & dinosaur co-existed,the present their "evidence".....? http://www.icr.org/men-dinosaurs/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/04/0418_020418_primates.html http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2416 http://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/ With love-in Christ,Kwik

Blessings Unknown Every Christian is a prime target.............it's great to know Jesus is your Savior & now the process begins,as you learn & grow you become a New Creature in Christ Jesus & Understand WHO you are in Christ......through pray,praise, worship,reading His Word you develop your Relationship with Jesus We learn & grow,learn & grow........ Study His Word,learn the Authority & Power that Abides in you.....this Wisdom & Understanding come by Divine Revelation......get firmly established in His Word,there is every tool you need to deal with spiritual warfare We have Armor,a Sword,A Shield.....everything we will ever need in Christ Jesus but you can't put the cart before the horse...Call on Jesus & remain under Gods Wings as you learn...... May people will tell you "Speak this verse & that verse in the Name of Jesus" but without Faith Activated Power & Authority of the Holy Spirit it is like sending a kid into a gun fight with a sling shot,You must feed your spirit with Gods Word......for now remember that if God is for you no one can be against you resist the devil & her will flee With love-in Christ,Kwik

Blessings Unknown Welcome to Worthy.....the Outer Court is for Seekers & Unbelievers to ask us questions about our Faith so I suppose you have posted in the appropriate Section/Forum I will send you more info in your PM(envelope icon)to help you out with that Looking up single verses ofScr6ipture to fit in with an idea or a word or a phrase is not how we read the Biible,that is taking a verse out of context Jesus & satan are not people,Jesus is God the Son & satan is a demon,a fallen angel and of course GOD is Almighty God,the Great I Am I really do not think you are insane.you may have really seen a purple light and you could have been talking to any demon as they do have the abilitry to appear as an angel of light or you could have been dreaming but you said you woke up in a a state of confusion & also the figure told you that you are Jesus.....so from the Word of God we know that God is not a god of confision and we also know you are not Jesus so the figure is a liar Your questions do not sound stupid and I am glad you are here asking......I will ask you a question,if that is okay? It is the same question BK asked.."Who is Jesus to you?" With love-in Christ,Kwik