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  1. Putting money aside for a pension or life insurance of some sort is NOT a bad thing. For you don't know what tomorrow holds. We don't have the entire picture. If you suddenly get hurt or seriously sick, you will need that money to fall back on. Or if you suddenly find yourself without a job and not finding a replacement in the near future, you will find a saving's account of some sort necessary to help you pay your bills. I don't know what age group you fall in, but as any of us get older, it is harder to find a another job that is the same as you were doing or pays in the same bracket. These are good reasons for a pension and / or a savings account. When the apostles wrote their letters things were very bad in their time too and they were expecting the Lord's return in their life time. Being ready doesn't mean we need to throw everything out the window. Being ready means to be ready in the spiritual sense of excepting God's plan of salvation and staying in fellowship with him in spite of all that is going on around us.
    3 points
  2. 1. I do not know. That is something you would have to ask God. 2. No> they could be demons disguised as aliens. 3. No 4. No
    3 points
  3. I am a tad paranoid to use names because I don't want them to come up in a google search....I had had this certain friend about a year now. I will call him "D." Everything was going really good. It is the first friend I have had on the outside world in a very long time. I am pretty much a loner at heart. But it was great to have someone to hang around with. Then a old friend that D has known since childhood came into the picture. My friend started hanging around with "T" T considers himself a wiccan. I'm a one friends friend, so I felt like a third party to this circle. I have been distancing myself for quite a while. D always prefers T's friendship over his and my freindship. This is not the first time He has lost his temper with me, and told me to not come back around him, ever since T came into the picture... I don't know if T is a professing wiccan or a practicing one. To say at the least, I am attempting to sever the ties to this friendship. I just don't know what I think about the friendship. D can be very unstable as a friend. Plus He is bipolar. I feel impressed to withdraw from the friendship because of T.. I will just keep them in prayer from a distance. me and D were inseparable up until T came around. D is one who always helps a friend in need. HE didn't have to worry about me, but he prefers to hang around T who is staying with him until he can afford his own place. I also believe Wiccan is a craft and tool from satan himself. T says he worships nature. I ask you to pray for T's deliverance, and protection for D. I care about my friend but I have to draw the line. I also ask you to pray for the safety of my family during this time of the year. I have had my dealings with occult people. At that time I had a mental break and could not process reality from the truth. I know satan has as much power as you give him....BUT I ALSO KNOW JESUS CRUSHED satans power at the cross of Christ when the HOLY SPIRIT raised Jesus from the dead!!! Thank you! Grace and Peace and healing in the name of Yeshua, Richard
    2 points
  4. WHY do I see no ounce of being grave with you?" Thank you!!!!! Wow! Such high praise, might spoil all humiilty within me. You tickle my ears with such fancy. I don't know for sure the why, but I celebrate and praise God for it, that you do not see gravity in my posts. THANK YOU for your honesty. THIS I can work with and expose through the real scriptures. THEM real apostels SURE did not have this type of mindset how often they were grave and not only that , they taught the church to be grave. SAID it should be. From deacons , bishops to wives , women and even young men , not just old. You exposed your mind very clear. NOW , with this being said. I have no intention of attacking you. Just you really NEED to dig into those letters the real apostels wrote and flee this carnal sensual mindset you have heard in churches. NOW I see why you see so many good churches. But this is not an attack. REPEAT ...........GO BACK into BIBLE ONLY READING , and reading ONLY the BIBLE . I am telling ya , your mind will be transformed back into the true pattern and not this non grave , non serious church age approach. I aint asking ya to follow me...............I AM ASKING YA to start over and READ THE BIBLE again That alone says WORDS of knowledge. You need to quit correcting the ONLY thing this church age sees as wrong . THE CORRECTORS and grave ones.
    2 points
  5. Kind of spot on... I agree more or less. The Holy Spirit convicts. You can deny the existence of the Father and the Son (due to ignorance) and therefore blaspheme them... but once you've seen and touched the Holy Spirit, then you've been fully convicted and have been given solid proof, and have no excuse. I must point out though, that I think blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is almost impossible in this day and age (notice that I use the word 'almost'). Jesus no longer walks in the flesh as he did nearly two thousand years ago. The Spirit was with him when he did. The pharisees had a grandstand view of the Spirit, up close and personal, yet they were so wicked that they rejected it - preferring the Spirit of Satan to the Spirit of God, even to the point of confusing the Holy Spirit and failing to understand it, believing it to be evil. You also have to remember that Satan was on steroids at the time. This was a key point in history, and Lucifer knew it. He was desperate and working on overtime. He knew that the game was almost up so he tried his best to work his lies and deceptions. There was no way that he was going to let this 'messiah' tamper with his plans. But of course, he never saw the knockout punch that was to come... when Jesus died on the cross then subsequently rose again.
    2 points
  6. People need to stop claiming there position on the coming of christ or rapture as the only true one. There are many positions in the the body of christ on this topic. I believe the rapture happens at the last trump. After the heavenly signs. Which is after the tribulation. But the inportant thing is wait for christ to return and come to this earth to rule it in his Fathers righteousness.
    2 points
  7. I see your point Neighbour, but isn't it a different approach for the lost as opposed to those who already know the Lord though? We are being made into soldiers.......I think of following the Lord as being like boot camp, taking up our cross to crucify the flesh, ENDURING, SUFFERING sound doctrine.....strong meat for the mature in Christ. It isn't easy, how I know it. As long as any flesh remains alive in us, it will be a suffering to endure at times. There is a little secret that Jesus spoke of that I have to remind myself of occasionally............to AGREE with our adversary along the way so that we will not have to be handed over to the Judge. Well think on these things brother, I wish you all the best in our Lord.
    2 points
  8. Do you not think we should just be frank, speaking the truth to one another in love, like the BIBLE says? And then try and learn not to take it so hard at the same time, which is usually just pride having to take one for the home team. Just because something doesn't "feel" right or feel comfortable, doesn't mean it is wrong. Just some observations but it seems like we are so unused to correction and reproof and straight up honesty in our generation, that we all became more like spoiled divas and no longer soldiers of a cross that nails our flesh to the wall until it dies. The church has lost its saltiness.....instead of being the way GOD says we are to be, the church has gone the way that seemeth right to man and the world.......politically correct........it seemeth right to our flesh in other words, which doesn't want to submit to the truth and to God and would rather just keep skipping merrily along in error and sin. Nobody is all that, not me, not you, not anybody, but only Christ is all in all. We are to be both salt and light, because light without salt is just new age and an ineffective gospel that leads astray. Self-satisfied is a dangerous place to be, because the bible says the opposite, that if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged with the world. And if we be chastised as sons it's because we are loved as sons, but if we be without chastisement, that is not good in GOD's economy of things.
    2 points
  9. A great many Christians believe you should not take God's name in vain once you decide to be a Christian. Many also believe you should cease with child pornography, prostitution.. working as a hit man.. torturing the saints during the Spanish inquisition... once you are converted. Christ said "By their fruits you shall know them" Matthew 7 James said that "dead faith" is the faith that produces nothing. We probably both agree on this point. But the born-again saint in Romans 8:4-9 is contrasted with the lost person this way.. "The mind set on the flesh does NOT submit to the LAW of God neither indeed CAN they" Thus the saved and the lost are contrasted in that chapter. Perhaps you agree with this as well. The Bible teaches that we are saved by placing our trust in Christ, period. Anyone who receives Christ's death, burial and resurrection as full-payment for their sins is saved. Even childlike faith is enough to save a person. But that does not mean you can live like that devil and "stay saved". "I forgave you ALL That DEBT!!" - Matt 18 I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
    2 points
  10. Like an athlete running a race. Don't give up and run that race to the end and when you do you will receive that reward.
    2 points
  11. No one usually understands this, ........ the battle we in Him fight is not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual forces in high places ..... "be harmless as doves"
    2 points
  12. Sometimes called the “unforgivable sin”, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has attained considerable notoriety - and caused no little confusion over what it actually means. First of all, what is blasphemy? It’s more than ordinary insults or angry words; it’s a deliberate attempt to destroy God’s reputation through slander. Now people blaspheme against God and against Christ all the time, very often through blindness or ignorance. These sins are serious - but not unforgivable, as the case of Paul proves. “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” (I Timothy 1:13) So what is different about blasphemy against the Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God engaging with the world, the Person of the Trinity who works with unbelievers to convict them of sin (through their conscience), reveal Christ to them (through Scripture or the Church), and bring them to the point of repentance (see John 16:8-11). Those who set themselves against the Father or the Son are still open to the Spirit; but those who turn knowingly against the Spirit cut themselves off from the Father and the Son as well. The reason that Jesus warns the theological experts from the Jewish Sanhedrin so solemnly about the unforgivable sin is that they are in danger of committing it (note that He doesn’t actually say that they have committed it). They think that by attributing the Spirit’s work to Satan they can dismiss the claims of Jesus (Mark 3:22); but such deliberate and calculated defiance of God's revelation is the essence of blasphemy against the Spirit. So ‘blasphemy against the Spirit' is a sin unlike all others. It's easier to say what it isn't than what it is. It is NOT the same as ‘grieving the Spirit’ (Ephesians 4:30). It is NOT a sin committed by a Christian who ‘should have known better’. David sinned like that when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband - but even he was forgiven (II Samuel 12:13)! It is NOT the same as backsliding. Peter denied Jesus three times - but even he was forgiven (John 21:15-19)! Someone who blasphemes against the Spirit has reached the point of no return. They have hardened their conscience irretrievably; they have no sense of sin and no fear of judgement. They cannot be forgiven because they cannot repent; they have put themselves forever outside the reach of God’s grace.
    2 points
  13. CONCLUSION In the next couple of years, I believe we will see peace in Iraq. A Peace negotiator will arise and bring the different factions together by his skilful cunning, deceit and intrigue. It is then that Russia & its Federation take the opportunity to come down through Syria to the mountains of Israel. They seek to take over this wealthy country with its warm ports available year round, its gas and oil reserves. Iran, Libya and Ethiopia joins the Russian Federation, as God`s word tells us. The allies, Britain and America and Saudi Arabia all go to challenge this great army but God intervenes and causes the elements fire, great hailstones and brimstone to rain down upon the Russian Federation and the armies of Iran, Libya and Ethiopia. In their terror men will kill each other by sword. Most of their armies will be annihilated. This will leave a power vacuum to be exploited, in the Middle East. The great nations of the world will demand cessation of all conflict. Then into this situation will step the Peace Negotiator, a seemingly benevolent leader who will convince everyone that he can bring peace between the Arabs and Israel. As confirmation of his capabilities, he will cite the successful transformation of the previously volatile Middle East. Further, he will negotiate and conclude a seven year peace treaty with the nation of Israel. The tribulation will have begun!
    1 point
  14. THE PEACE NEGOTIATOR The Middle East has again come into focus on the world stage. There seems no solution to the violent fightings and clashes of many groups. However the reality is that this kingdom is divided, and the Sunni and Shi-ites will not have peace until their long awaited `Messiah` figure comes and joins them together. God`s word says that it would be a `divided kingdom` partly strong, and partly weak. ` Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter`s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; ........the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.` (Dan. 2: 41 & 42) The leader of this Federation is described in great detail in God`s word. He is a royal person, with strong features; he is quite deceitful with cunning; he comes in peaceably and seizes power by intrigue. `...a king (royal person) shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes.....Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand...`(Dan. 8: 23 - 25) ` ...he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.` (11: 21) There is a person of that description who is even now seeking to negotiate peace with the different groups. His name is Ali Hatem Al-Suleiman. He is one of the most prominent leaders of the Sunni Awakening. In 2006 Ali Hatem entered a strategic alliance with US forces, (against ISIS) which, in combination with the surge in US troops that began in 2007, succeeded in re-establishing a modicum of security in Iraq. Since then though, the Shi-ite Iraq Government have excluded the Sunni from the police, army and jobs. Thus there is still unrest in Iraq. Ali Hatem desires stability for Iraq through Political means and not through fighting. He was brought up in cosmopolitan Bagdad and has often spoken publicly of the need for tolerance. He is a crown Prince with ties to royal families across the Arab Gulf and the elite of neighbouring Jordan. His tribe, the Dulaim, is one of the largest tribes in Iraq and is a powerful social, political and economic force. Note Babylon is in its region. He has a talent for speeches and his title of crown Prince inspire respect and loyalty. He travels to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to rally Gulf Arabs to his cause. Someone to watch!
    1 point
  15. http://apprising.org/2008/05/30/who-is-richard-foster/ Come Let Us Reimagine, i.e Reinvent… Since the Lord leads this work here at AM to also aim at exposing the severe spiritual errors of the Emerging Church movement as well, it’s critical here that we have now firmly established Guru Richard Foster is undoubtedly a “key” mentor and a primary source within the Emergent Church on CSM and this alleged “Christian” mystical tradition.
    1 point
  16. 1.How does God make a human soul?Does the bible say how it is done? 2.Do you believe in aliens? 3.Do you believe they can abduct people? 4.Does the bible talk about aliens?
    1 point
  17. We are to be wise with how we live while we are here on this earth. There is nothing wrong with setting money aside for emergencies or even retirement. Scripture is full of wisdom on how to deal with money and how we should use it. Maybe Christ will come back in my lifetime but if He doesn't I still can be a good steward of what God has given me and I can make sure that my family is taken care of if for some reason I can't work or whatever.
    1 point
  18. Sister you praise the Lord. the only aliens the bible does mention IS US. we aliens and pilgrams . Onward sister , on ward in the Lord.
    1 point
  19. be ready to die for the LORD , to suffer for his name sake and understand deeply that it is the righteous judgment of GOD that we be counted worthy to suffer for the Kingdom. Seeing it will be also Gods righteous judgment to appoint tribulation against those who persecuted us too. WHEN the LORD returns , after many lambs have been slain and few remain He will return to take those who are live still and those who have slept up with Him in the clouds as HE alone lays down the wrath of GOD. THAT DAY , that HOUR is known only to the Father. be prepared church, be prepared peoples , be prepared brothers and sisters to die for the Lord. We are appointed tribulation from man. Be prepared to endure all faithful. Persecutions , tribulations have been since the early days. What we are about to suffer is no different than all others who have suffered for Christ will endure. What makes it the Great tribluatoin is not that we suffer worse, its the NUMBER of dead at its end. Such a massive world wide persecution with such tremendous number of dead and in such a quick time is approaching. As the world and churches, through media , politics , all inclusive agendas as in gays , transgender, relgoion as in all groups gathering with same mindset they being led to the beast . the false prophets are gathering the faiths and relgions and peoples under this agenda. The worlds largest ecumenical gathering in mind has began under the guise of all inclusive lies. and soon all faiths , all religions , all non religious, gays , transgenders , you name it, they will in mind, body and heart HEED the KING and kings this is leading the world right too. under false love, under false freedom, under tolerance , under peace , safety and unity will all the peoples tribes , tongues ,religious and non religious be united with ONE HEART with one common goal. and they will heed this man of love , peace unity as he gives the solution for world peace. They will see themselves as doing gods will for world peace , even when this god of humanity and his kings give the SOLUTOIN for the worlds ills. The solution will be riddance of haters, of terrorist , OF which we will be seen as . ALL will go under the lie , all will worship the beast WHOSE NAMES are not in the lambs book of life. And a tremendous all out great tribulation wll begin , all in the name of peace love and unity . YEAH its getting closer now . Be ready to die for the Lord and remember forgive those who persecute you , but never conform to their ways , not once , not ever.
    1 point
  20. Matthew 7:1-3King James Version (KJV) 7 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
    1 point
  21. That post is a perfect example of the self-conflicted argument that must be constructed to sustain the arguments against God's Sabbath Commandment. For example it argues that we are not to judge -- only to flat out condemn Sabbath Keeping as if it were paganism and loss of salvation. PROOF: 1. The quote from Galatians 4 makes no mention at all of Sabbath keeping - it is in fact Paul flat out condemning gentile Christians that have reverted back to keeping pagan holy days... Paul argues that to keep even one of them is a rejection of Christianity - a rejection of the Gospel. 2. AND YET - in Romans 14 Paul argues that NO ONE is to judge or condemn any Christian that keeps one of the Bible-APPROVED holy days. "one man observes one day above another while another man observes THEM ALL " Romans 14 <Thus in the actual Bible - all pagan holy days are condemned - and all Bible approved holy days -- (see Lev 23) are defended> Notice all the Gal 4 "details" you left out -- as would be needed - to make the case you made in your post. Gal 4 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. Paul is condemning their return to paganism... observing pagan days... your bait-and-switch swaps in one of God's TEN commandments in the place of "paganism" in Gal 4 ... in order to get the NT to condemn it in the that the doctrine against God's commandment "needs" but does not "have" in Galatians 4. Notice that D.L. Moody, Andy Stanley, C.H Spurgeon, Baptist Confession of Faith, Westminster Confession of Faith... and many many others all claim to KEEP the Sabbath commandment (a bent Sabbath that points to week day one.. and not "The Seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD Thy God" Ex 20:10) - but your argument above condemns them alike for daring to refuse all out war against the entire concept of Sabbath -- daring to call their observance some sort of compliance with the Word of God on that point. This perfectly illustrates Christ's argument against the traditions-of-man invented to wage war against even one of the Commandments of God - in Mark 7:6-13
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  22. Agreed. The Bible is what matters ... not the forged and fraudulent documents in Catholicism or their traditions-over-the-Bible logic. That is why I keep pointing the discussion back to the Bible
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  23. Hint: New Covenant - made with "The House of Israel and the house of Judah" says "I will write My LAW on their heart and mind" ... read it in Jeremiah 31:31-33 Read it "Again" as it is "unchanged" and verbatim .. in Hebrews 8:6-10 And notice that Jesus reminds us "the Law of God matters" in Mark 7:6-13 Thus it is "still a sin" -- to take God's name in vain...even for NT Christians. (As we all already know) - because "SIN IS transgression of the LAW" 1 John 3:4 even for NT Christians "what matters is KEEPING the Commandments of God" 1 Cor 7:19 Gentiles to keep the Sabbath Isaiah 56:1-8 in fact ALL MANKIND to Keep the Sabbath Isaiah 66:23 Bible details matter.
    1 point
  24. Recall that in Justin Martyr’s day.. no internet… no Pope Justin Martyr was born in Flavia Neapolis circa 100 A.D., and converted to Christianity sometime around 130 A.D. A Christian apologist, he taught and defended Christianity in Asia Minor and at Rome. He suffered martyrdom in Rome about 165 A.D. Certainly Justin Martyr claims to totally ignore God's commandment - when it comes to the Sabbath. No question about his position opposing the Commandment of God. Paul warns us of such things in Acts 20 25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. I prefer the teaching of Christ in Mark 7:6-13 when it comes to Justin's suggestion that Christians ignore God's Commandment Mark 7 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; 11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ 12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” A truly sobering teaching from Christ - for any Bible-loving, Spirit-filled, new-birth, New Covenant Christian with the "Law of God written on the heart and mind" Jeremiah 31:31-33 and a true love for the teaching of Christ. It would be very hard for such a Christian to turn a blind eye to the teaching of Christ just then. Very hard indeed!
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  25. Jesus said because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold i have watched churches close down due to not finding the preacher THEY want
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  26. But let us also hear JOHN...............EVEN SO COME quickly O LORD......................looking and HASTENING unto the coming of our LORD............WHEW WEE PRAISE THE LORD peoples I say praise the LORD .
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  27. (: I think its important to discuss, I don't like fighting but I do disagree with some, there are some bullies on this site & there are some very good Christians also, if they hold a different point of view I don't mind. I just try to direct, I have learnt things here, I was a Sunday keeper for some 25 yrs but fir the past 15 Sabbath keeper I'm 65. lived through the 70 (: not all my friends did. By the way ifs Saturday here (: I live in a Muslim country in a Hindu island in a Muslim village this is my contact to Christians brothers, some not so brotherly ): God bless
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  28. Let none who follow Christ get a tattoo. Somehow my whole life even while in the marines I never got one. Now I know not too. I know many in times past may have, but DO NOT DO IT NOW. I used to commit adultery on a regular basis but now by grace am made new. THUS the same with tattoes. IF you got one in times past , of course you are forgiven. BUT DONT DO IT NOW.
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  29. parts of Revelations is happening as we speak jesus said occupy till i come
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  30. No one knows the day not the hour of the 'snatching away' [Rapture], but we can certainly know the season, and we're in it. The Rapture is imminent and could have occurred at any moment since Jesus ascended to Heaven, the Apostle Paul was even expecting it in his lifetime. Based on my pre-tribulation Rapture view, and all the prophetic signs being convergent, I have a suspicion the Rapture may occur prior to the year A.D. 2023. I am not, and this is not "date setting". Any day now I believe we could hear that loud trumpet and a shout "come up here"! I personally have a suspicion when we're called up, it will be personal, and we will be called up by our name? As far as life insurance... It's only prudent and proper to be prepared to depart this world at any moment, and not be a financial burden to anyone.
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  31. You need to open your eyes and see the truth. Is this bickering really necessary?
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  32. Pride is unbecoming. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Having a high iq doesnt guarantee you have any real smarts. After all someone as smart as stephen hawking doesnt grasp that he needs Jesus.
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  33. [for me anyway] it is rather a matter of what the Lord Jesus tells us, namely: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) Our daily problems is our own load which the Lord exactly tells us that we have to pick up and carry; also that we must deny our own will daily as well, that we may submit to and rely on His will daily, which is by His Word. If it be so that we will truly follow Him, then these are what we shall do, because the Lord tells us to.
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  34. Ascended, listen, "once saved, ALWAYS saved." You can't lose your salvation. Remember, believers sin all the time, that doesn't mean they lose their salvation. God has already forgiven you for every single sin that you commit, both before, and after, salvation. As for baptism, it is a sign of salvation. Baptism doesn't save you. It is a public "announcement," if you will, of your acceptance of God's free gift, His forgiveness. -Era
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  35. John 1:14 - "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." Observation: Grace gives me courage, strength, and boldness to let my old way of seeing things and my past way of dealing with life be put to death. Then, in Spirit, I learn how to live and to "walk" above every natural event. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord." To see God, it is imperative that our vision becomes spiritual and not just sensory. To hear God, we must learn to tune out the clamor of our fears and earthly desires. The Bible was written by individuals who actually beheld the glory of God. To see the glory of God is our call as well. Our spiritual vision is not an imaginary device of the mind, but that which comes from the living union of the Holy Spirit with our hearts. Matthew 5:8 -- "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Affirmations:I ASK THE LORD TO SHOW ME HOW TO STEP OUT INTO THE GIFTS HE HAS GIVEN ME. THERE IS A MOVE OF GOD THAT IS LIVING IN ME AND THE LORD IS EAGER FOR IT TO BE RELEASED AND BRING GLORY TO HIS NAME. Philippians 3:13 - "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Affirmations: I KNOW THAT IF I MEASURE EVERYTHING BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN MY PAST, I WILL NEVER GROW BEYOND IT. MY CONFIDENCE RESTS IN WHAT GOD HAS SAID. Hebrews 13:6 - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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  36. THE LINE IN THE SAND Over a period of centuries the Western area of the Roman Empire was overrun by various groups. The Eastern region, around the Middle East held power till the 15th century when the Turks took control. Their empire was called the Ottoman Empire after its founder. It was not a World Ruler, but ruled over a large area of the Mediterranean. The Ottoman rulers claimed caliphate authority, meaning that they were an Islamic steward over territory under their leadership. They came to be viewed as the de facto leaders and representatives of the Islamic world. In World War 1 (1914 - 1918) the Turks joined with Germany and eventually were defeated. The empire was then broken up into parts by the Allies. The British and the French made a secret agreement with each other, prior to the end of the war, to divide up the Middle East. The Arabs who fought on their side were promised an Arab homeland. However, once the war was ended, Britain took the land at the beginning of the rivers - Euphrates and Tigris, while the French had the upper region. They in effect had `drawn a line in the sand` and took control of their different regions - Iraq and Syria. This agreement is seen by many as the turning point in Western and Arab relationships. The borders that were created are often termed `artificial` borders in the Middle East without any regard to ethnic or sectarian characteristics which has resulted in endless conflict. Turkey became a republic and constitutionally abolished the institution of the caliphate, (Islamic rule). The Kurds, were not given a homeland but were included in the territories of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Then over the years the different regions gained independence. Iraq and Egypt - 1920`s. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel - 1940`s. Kuwait - 1950`s. Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman - 1970`s.
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  37. THE `SUNNI AND SHI-ITE` STRUGGLE Although the various nations gained independence from foreign powers, they still struggled with internal difficulties; the main one being - the Sunni and Shi-ite groups. Wherever they met there were clashes and wars. The Iraq / Iran war in the `80`s lasted for 8 years without either side winning. This was basically a Sunni (Iraq) / Shi-ite (Iran) clash. Saddam Hussein (Sunni) the Prime minister of Iraq borrowed heavily to finance the war and thus came into great debt. He looked with eager eye upon his neighbour, Kuwait, and eventually invaded it taking the great oil wealth of that nation. He had a catch cry - “Oil is wealth and this wealth is for Islam.` The War in the Gulf in 1990 saw the cooperation of many countries eject Saddam`s military from Kuwait. Saddam however was not removed from office and he continued to inspire Islamic hope of welding the Arab race identity with Moslem religious fervour. Saddam also wanted to duplicate the glory and power of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. At enormous expense and effort he rebuilt much of the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon to its former pattern and glory. In 2003, however, after the invasion by the United States and its allies, the Saddam Hussein`s government was removed from power and multi-party parliamentary elections were held. The city of Babylon was ransacked and much was destroyed, however the United Nations has now declared it a Heritage Site, and is aiding the Iraq government to again rebuild the ancient city. Although the American presence ended in 2011 conflicts continued. Fighters from the Syrian war spilled over into Iraq. Out of this came the most destructive group known as ISIL or ISIS, (a Sunni rebel group). They took over large parts of the north and west of Iraq but have since been largely defeated, mainly by the Kurdish fighters, and only retain a small territory. The Kurdish people (mainly Sunni) now desire their own sovereignty and are seeking a place at the negotiating table when Iraq gets divided up. Another Sunni group, the Arab Sunni are also seeking a region for themselves. They have been down trodden by the Iraq (Shi-ite) government that has relied on Iran`s forces (Shi-ite). Thus we see that there are different groups - Kurds, Sunnis and Shi-ites, all seeking their part of Iraq. Something has to give, someone needs to bring peace to this war torn area of the Middle East.
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  38. Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an ... continue reading The post Come on in! appeared first on Worthy Christian Devotional - Daily Devotions. Read the entire devotional.
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  39. Read the article posted as a link. You will see that NONE of them changed the Sabbath... to 'sun-day' Lord's Day. The people who trust in the Fathers as their authority for departing from God's commandment, are miserably deceived as to what the Fathers teach. 1. The Fathers are so far from testifying that the apostles told them Christ changed the Sabbath, that not even one of them ever alludes to such a change. 2. No one of them ever calls the first day the Christian Sabbath, nor, indeed, ever calls it a Sabbath of any kind. 3. They never represent it as a day on which ordinary labor was sinful; nor do they represent the observance of Sunday as an act of obedience to the fourth commandment. 4. The modern doctrine of the change of the Sabbath was therefore absolutely unknown in the first centuries of the Christian church.2 But though no statement asserting the change of the Sabbath can be produced from the writings of the Fathers of the first three hundred years, it is claimed that their testimony furnishes decisive proof that the first day of the week is the Lord's day of Revelation 1:10. The Biblical argument that this term refers to the seventh day and no other, because that day alone is in the Holy Scriptures claimed by the Father and the Son as belonging in a peculiar sense to each, is given in chapter eleven, and is absolutely decisive. But this is set aside without answer, and the claim of the first day to this honorable distinction is substantiated out of the Fathers as follows:— Again I give the source: [http://sabbath.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/BOOK/k/955/Sunday-Lords-Day-Not-Traceable-to-Apostles.htm
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  40. ROME - ISLAM The fourth World Empire, the Roman Empire became one of the largest empires in world history. It was the most powerful economic, cultural, political and military force in the world of its time. It came to power in 27 BC and ruled for many centuries over the area of the Mediterranean Sea. Its main religion was an Imperial cult, worship of the Emperor; however it gave room for many other religions even Judaism for a time. Christianity emerged as a supposed Jewish religious sect and spread out across the Empire. Then about the 7th century AD another main religion arose - Islam. Its founder was a man called Mohammed who believed that God gave him revelations. These became known as the `Quran.` In Mecca, (where he was born) Mohammed preached to the people, imploring them to abandon polytheism (many gods) and to worship one God. Over time Mohammed was able to unite the tribes of Arabia (Middle East) into a single religious polity. The religion spread out across the Mediterranean as far as Spain. After Mohammed died, disagreement broke out over who would succeed him as leader of the Muslim community. From here the two main denominations of Islam started. The Sunni Muslims - meaning people of the tradition, (of Mohammed). They believe that the first four caliphs (leaders) were the rightful successors to Mohammed. They believe that a Caliph should be elected by the community. The Shi-ite Muslims - believe that Mohammed appointed his son-in-law as leader and that the Caliph (leader) should be elected by God. Over time this religion spread across the Mediterranean . The Roman Empire was eventually overrun by various groups and there has not been a World Ruler since.
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  41. You are quite correct. http://sabbath.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/BOOK/k/955/Sunday-Lords-Day-Not-Traceable-to-Apostles.htm This is a lengthy explanation that the Sabbath was NOT changed early on. However, to show their Authority, the Roman Church did change it with much fanfare, even mocking Protestants that also changed with it suggesting their adoption of the change indicated their support of the Roman's Authority. Added: The above link includes the so-called affirmations of the church fathers. But this is found to be at fault. No one changed anything in reality.
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  42. GOVERNMENT OF MAN. In the beginning God gave man dominion over the earth but when Adam disobeyed God, he forfeited that to Satan who held sway over him. Judgment however, was in the hands of God and we see that when He punished Cain, and also the people in the time of Noah by the flood. Then after the flood, God establishes human government – the government of man by man. The highest function of government is the judicial taking of life. All other governmental powers are implied in that. Man was then responsible to govern the world for God. ` Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man`s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man`s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.`(Gen. 9: 5 & 6) As mankind multiplied after the flood they decided to move to the land of Shinar, (in Iraq). There they built a tower, thinking they could establish a world empire that would be independent of God. This would mean power and control by a few, `lording it over` others. `Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.: They had brick for stone and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Gen. 11: 1 - 4) In judgment God sent a confusion of tongues and scattered them. Thus the name of the tower was called Babel, meaning confusion. `So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth and they ceased from building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.` (Gen. 11: 8 & 9) This tower was man`s first attempt to govern without God.
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  43. THE FIVE WORLD RULERS After God judged mankind at Babel the people were scattered, North, South & East. They became different ethnic groups, nations speaking different languages according to Noah`s three sons. Shem`s sons settled in Arabia and to the east, Ham`s sons settled in Africa to the South and Japheth`s sons settled in Europe to the north. Over time many nations developed around the Middle East. The most powerful nations however, were Assyria in the north and Egypt, in the south. Although they were powerful and mighty nations, they never became World Rulers. As Israel became a great nation they learnt to rule under God and were of great renown amid the other nations. Over time however, Israel turned from God and thus came under God`s chastisement. World Rulership was then passed on to the Gentiles for a set time. Thus the great power of the Babylonians arose and dominated the Middle East. They conquered Israel, who then went into exile to Babylon. Now God knew which World Rulers would emerge and in which order. He actually revealed who they were to the king of Babylon, by a pictorial representation - a Great Image. The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, had a dream, but no one could interpret it. Finally Daniel, after asking God, was able to tell the king what the dream was & its interpretation. The king had seen a vision of a Middle Eastern man with head of gold, arms & chest of silver, thighs of brass, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. (Dan. 2: 28 - 45) Daniel told the king that this great image represented the different world rulers to come. We know from history that - the first was the Babylonian Empire, the next the Medes and Persians, followed by the Greeks and then the Romans. These have all come to pass, however there is still the final Gentile World Ruler to come. Head - Babylonian Empire. Chest and Arms - Medes and Persians. Thighs - Grecian Empire. Legs - Roman Empire. Feet and Toes - The Divided Empire. Looking at this great image, we see that it is standing before the king in Babylon. Thus each of the first four World Rulers have ruled over this area, the Middle East, and the Final World Ruler will also.
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  44. OVERVIEW God has given man the responsibility to govern, and man will be made accountable as to how he does that. As nations formed God made His own nation, Israel, to rule righteously over the other nations of the world. However Israel turned away from God and so God has given the Gentiles (other nations) opportunity to rule for a set time. Over the centuries we have seen Gentile empires come and go. And amazingly God in His wisdom has revealed to us who the Gentile World Rulers would be. God presents this information of Five Gentile World Ruling Empires, in the form of a great image of a man. King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire saw this great image in a vision, but he needed the interpretation. This was given by God to the prophet Daniel. As we look at this great image, representing Gentile World Rulership, we see that it is standing in the Middle East. Amazingly, this area has again come into world focus right on God`s schedule. The final Gentile World Ruler will emerge from this area, as God`s word reveals. Then after God judges it, He will bring in His righteous Rulership through His nation of Israel. Let`s look at - - What God has said concerning this Great Image and the Middle East. - What man has tried to do in the Middle East, especially in contemporary times. - Who brings peace in the Middle East, before and after the Russian War.
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  45. Pro 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards As long as I'm still breathing, I will have the capacity to act the fool........ Pro 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent Pro 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ro 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words Pro_26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
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