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James chapter 4 verse 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor? I sometimes speak like I'm the law giver and judge, and just want to say I'm sorry, I'd be smart to leave it to the pastors. James chapter 3 verse 1,2 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. I thought I should teach since I read or listened to the bible about 200 times, but the bible doesn't say teach if you've studied the bible a lot. So once again SORRY.

I use to work at a food bank handing out food. It’s sad, but 80-90% of the people that came in enjoyed living like they were. They’ed go from food bank to food bank stocking up on whatever they could get. Sell/trade want they could, mostly for drugs and alcohol. Kept what they wanted. Had no desire to change or improve that state. That was the sad part, was a real eye opener. The 10% or so that wanted to get out of their situation, I felt compassion for. The rest, they were just looking for a way to take advantage. They’ed talk a good game but it was just talk. It was just so you’d let your guard down and give them more. Every once in awhile you’d meet someone had a good heart, that were honestly trying to do the right thing. They would most definitely make your day. Much love in Christ, Not me

Not sure what that is all about, but it's a nice confession. Humility is a good sign, and very becoming of believers in Jesus Christ.

As far as i know the term Jew came as a descriptor of people who where native citizens of the kingdom of Judea.. Judah is one of the 12 tribes of Israel.. The people of the 12 tribes when they left Egypt where known as Hebrews.. During the history of the land called Israel the Kingdom split and the two kingdoms became Israel 10 tribes and Judea two tribes.. I think the tribes Judah and Benjamin ( being much smaller ) populated the kingdom of Judea and also some of the tribe of Levi because the tribe of Levi where the tribe responsible for being priests in the Temple in Jerusalem and seeing that Jerusalem was in the kingdom of Judea then some Levi tribes people stayed there.. Since the majority of the population where of the tribe of Judah then the kingdom became known as Judea and thus the people came to be known as Jews.. Modern day Jews are people who claim to be genetic descendants of Israel who was the father of 12 sons who's descendants became the 12 tribes.. While there is a Jewish religion.. Most modern day Jewish people are secular / atheists.. Well that's my take on the term Jew.. I am sure others will be quick to correct me on anything i have messed up on..

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."

Fortunately, Yeshua is still the Head of His church. He is good at looking after His kids. Yes we should take care of our own back yards and attempt to unveil truths that often we do not fully understand. That does not really matter so long as our hearts are for the Lord. He is quite capable of nurturing His flock, so we must take care that we do not err and steady the ark unnecessarily. Be ready in season and out of season - but do not spend too much time honing your pet beliefs. Rather, it is time well spent to daily reassess ones own life and lifestyle.

When One Is Save Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:22-24 One WILL Do Good Works Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 Love, Your Brother Joe

Big meal in the evening for a good sleep, bean tacos in the morning for energy. Hard days work for the soul. Work; the best narcotic! 1Co_3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. Gal_6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Pro_13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Well maybe you can teach. Maybe God has called you to teach.

John - to the believers, revealing Jesus as the Son of God - Deity We`ve seen the Lord`s authority in Matthew`s account; are amazed at His humbleness shown as a Servant, in Mark; then appreciate His compassion for the many hurting in Luke. Finally in John`s picture of the Lord we stand in awe in the knowledge that He is actually God come in the flesh. `In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, ` (John 1: 1 & 14) The Word - He is the complete expression of the mind of God. The work of creation is followed by His administration as Son. The Father has given all things into the hands of the Son. (John 3: 35) He shows the Father`s heart, His mind and will. He became flesh in order that humanity might behold Deity in human form. `...the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.` (John 1: 14) Jesus reveals this relationship with the Father, a title which occurs over 120 times in this account and made these stupendous claims. `He that has seen Me has seen the Father,` and ` I and My Father are one.` (in unison) As the Word, the mind of God then both eternal life and truth are revealed in Him. He reveals that the symbols of the Tabernacle and aspects of Israel`s history all point to Him - Deity. `I am the truth...life...light...the way...the resurrection...the door...the living bread...the Lamb....the Bread....the Vine....` Maker - He is omnipotent. This is demonstrated in creation. `All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made....` (John 1: 3) He is omniscient. He knows the inner secrets of man`s heart. From the beginning to the end of this account Jesus shows that He knows the heart of man, together with the inner thoughts and desires. (John 2: 24) He is omnipresent. He manifested Himself in the midst of the disciples in the upper room. (John 20: 19)

Just wondering how the homeless situation is in your area. Was watching Dr. Ben Carson and he said homelessness has increased 75% in Los Angeles the past five years!!! I know many homeless come to L.A. because of the milder weather, and also our rents are extremely high so that adds to the problem. Also some people might get huge medical bills and end up homeless. I see more people living in tents here the past couple of years than I've ever seen before. The mayor is working to help them but just not enough places to shelter people.

ACTS - LORD OF ALL. When the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father He sent His Holy Spirit to give salvation to every race and bring together an entirely new group - the Body of Christ. Thus under the Lord`s sovereign administration in the power of the Spirit, each race receives salvation. Ham - Ethiopian eunuch, (Acts 8: 26 - 40) Shem - Paul of Tarsus (Acts 9: 1 -31) Japheth - Cornelius the Roman centurion. (Acts 10:24 - 48) From Shem, Ham and Japheth the seventy nations arose that are recorded in Genesis 10. Cornelius responded to Peter with spiritual insight, declaring, `He is Lord of all.` (Acts 10: 36) The believers then came together from house to house, encouraging each other, sharing possessions and learning of the Lord. `And they continued steadfastly in the apostle`s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers..... Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to them daily those who were being saved.` (Acts 2: 42 - 47) The Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit is shown to be the administrator of this new group - the Body of Christ. In the new group at Antioch we see how the Spirit directed them. `Now in the church that was at Antioch, there were certain prophets and teachers; Barnabas, Simeon...Lucius...Manaen...and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13: 1 & 2) Later we are shown how the Apostle Paul and others with him, are directed of the Spirit to places and people throughout their missionary journeys. `...and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ....we...concluded that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.` (Acts 16: 6 - 10) Then over many years we see that the Apostle Paul reveals God`s full purposes to the believers. `For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 27)

CHRIST IN HIS BODY After the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to bring together a whole new group of people - the Body of Christ. This revelation was not known previously and Satan definitely would not have killed Jesus if he had known of this. This new group would be made up of people from Israel and the Gentiles, (nations). They would be joined together by the Holy Spirit and built up on the truth of Christ, His character and His purposes. This would take place over the centuries and across the world. Their inheritance would be to rule and reign with Christ on His own throne in the third heaven. This was where Satan, (Lucifer) had ruled previously till he was cast out. Thus we read in the book of Acts how this group was formed and guided by the Holy Spirit and through the Lord`s ascension ministries of Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Shepherd and Evangelist. Amid opposition the different groups of believers grew in knowing the Lord and reaching out to others. The Apostle Paul was the one who received the revelation of the Body of Christ and it is through his writings, by the Holy Spirit that we learn of how the early believers functioned and learnt of the work of the Lord in their lives. In Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Galatians we learn of the sufficiency of Christ. He is not an add on to other beliefs but the only way to the Father. It is through Him that we have Salvation, Sanctification and Justification. Then in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians, we learn of our standing in Christ. He is the Eternal purpose of God, the Name above every name, preeminent in all things and will manifest Himself to His Body. From 1 & 2 Timothy to 1,2 & 3 John we learn of the indwelling Christ. Here we are told of Christ`s character being formed in the believer - His grace, His life, His tender compassion, His enabling in practical duties and His strength in sufferings. He is our High Priest interceding for us in heavenly places. Finally in the book of Jude we read a summary of God`s word and this prepares us for the final unveiling of Christ in His heavenly Glory - Revelation.

Luke - to the Greeks, revealing Jesus as a Man and Priest. The writer of this aspect of Jesus is a doctor, Dr. Luke. He was an educated man and a keen observer. He wrote this account by the Holy Spirit revealing Jesus as the perfect Man to the Greeks. The Greeks possessed a wider culture, loved beauty and philosophy. Luke being a Greek himself, would be well fitted for presenting Jesus as the ideal of perfect manliness. In Luke`s account we see God manifest in the flesh. Luke deals with the humanity of Jesus, a man with all His sympathies, feelings and growing powers. Here we see the glory of God coming down to our level, entering into our conditions, and being subject to our circumstances. Luke gives the fullest particulars concerning the miraculous birth of Jesus and that testimony is from a physician. He tells of Jesus as a boy, subject to his parents, in the temple and working with his hands. Luke also shows how Jesus is touched with the feelings of people`s infirmities. He touched the man full of leprosy. He touched the bier of the dead young man. He touched the ear of the servant of the high priest. He knows the grief of a wounded spirit. He comprehends the sorrow of a bereaved soul. He weighs the burden of a broken heart. He feels the solitude of the leper`s loneliness. He regards the distressing circumstances of the poor widow. He senses the tragedy of a disabled body, whether lameness, deafness, blindness or dumbness. These and many more demonstrations show Jesus` infinite tenderness and compassion as the sympathetic Priest who came to unveil the very heart of God with all His kindly love. The words `redeemed & redemption` do not occur in Matthew or Mark, but appear in Luke for the first time in the New Testament. `to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.` (Luke 2:38) Jesus never allowed the law to prevent His gracious ministry. How can there be a law against His activities of love? As a priest He represented mankind before God, therefore prejudice toward caste, race, nation, class or gender, could not find a place in His heart. The climax to this presentation declares that repentance and remission of sins are now possible to all nations in His name. (Luke 24: 46 & 47)

‘Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; ... (Est 2:5) Hello Dan_79, The verse above is the first usage of the word that I could find, and in the margin of my Bible, in relation to this, it ways, 'a certain Jew' = a man (Heb. 'ish'), a Jew. The contrast between Judah and Israel was lost in a strange land; and, as Nebuchadnezzar's campaign was against Judah, so 'Jew' became the name used by Gentiles. Hope this is of help to you. In Christ Jesus Chris

Aha, perhaps, perhaps! But maybe one can be diligent in perseverance without holding on to one career, instead holding to principles diligently in each of them. My creator has led me to varying careers and has given me life long enough to have I guess six or maybe seven so far. In each I learned more about being diligent, and I learned of God by a careeer change too. My skills grew from the changes. God used them for His purposes. I have merely been diligent in perseverance learning to wait for what He will have me to do today, and perhaps tomorrow. I think that the gift of the Holy Spirit of "helps" is nourished by the Lord through His pushing the saint to be blessed with this gift, into learning many diverse skills, as well as a manner of doing many things, that a diligent mindset grows out of it and is then put to work for His good purposes. As the skill grows the Lord may move the saint onto yet another "career", another school, another challenge, all to be a cog placed exactly where needed to help the gears turn. God once sent me to Nassau to work on a Christian school ( just a volunteer part of a few that went to build a couple of classrooms and do some maintenance). There a young child that observed that I did many different tasks, all skills that were restricted as skill sets at his country. He asked me at church that Wednesday night how it was that I knew so many skills and could do them. I was tongue tied trying to understand and respond, for they were just things to me that we had to do. I stuttered a bit until his mother told me; " Here we can only do one skill for life. We each start as an apprentice for $40 a month, then we become a journeyman and get $60 amonth. He sees you doing many different trades and is in awe that such a thing exists. I have been telling him about God's love for us and that God has sent Americans here special just to help him at this school so that he may learn more about God's love for him." About brought me to tears, here I thought I was just sweating in the miserable heat and the fiberglass insulation, installing air conditioners, putting down flooring, roofing, and fixing old plumbing, just laboring. I learned a lot that short trip. All from a little kid and his mom. I had leadership skill trade skill I had a degree in my trade i even had hospitality industry training, yet God used the bits and pieces I had to learn out of economic necessity along the way to then make a little kid learn a lesson about God's love for him. And it evidently helped his mom show her kid some encouragement in a place of some despair. And boy was that place ever bleak once one got past the tourist straw markets and out the back doors of those shops to the rest of the island. Oh wow what a nasty nightmare it was. There might be diligence in diversity, I think I have experienced that.

The Lord obviously. What Im saying is we can be watching out for eachothers safety but we are not neccessarily at fault for the way the churches are heading...churches are led (they have a leadership a hierarchy an agenda...) the sheep are sheep...they are followers...they turn up listen give tribute and leave for home till the next instalment...

While I agree I cannot help ask was it ever any different for my generation? The founding fathers of the US had a good church as they finally threw off the bad yolk...they left it behind to find somewhere to build up a nation from GODS word ...and it worked....until the wolves/goats/tarea etc showed up... For the US with its fresh history how a decline can be evidenced is much more easily discernable. When I look through the history of the churches in my country (England) I doubt I would of accepted any of them at this point of my life even hundreds of years ago. The reason I ask is most church denominations in my country where borm out of one schism or another, based primarily upon a moulding of Gods immutable laws into mans will. A slow degradation that was known soon after the death and ressurection of the Lord. Jesus knew his sheep would be scattered amongst all nations, John knew this also... Church splits and splits etc but only Jesus with his angels have the task of bringing them back into the safety of the fold. Not man.

I could write about all the Church denominations I have visited once, either by invite (weddings communion christenings funerals etc) or by choice. It is best I do not lol. All gave me a fair and honest insight into church life. It just wasn't for me. That could change to, I am not a closed book. The churches should all keep the holidays and festivals to be genuine anyway. These are great for meeting like minded Christians.

This is the strange thing of my experience like yourself wanting truth, I was led to a church and guided straight back out of it when I picked this book up and read it to myself. I felt like God gave me free reign on his message, once I recieved this bible I had only the limitations of the time I gave to reading it and studying it. I am not anti preacher but like all preachers you need to be able to apply at least some discernment to the message you get from them, it helps you see and understand that man does sometimes have or works to an agenda, is fallible and open to error, which is basically good for the truth to know all mans additions to the word are based on what is in his heart.

Those are some really great thoughts! I agree with all of it especially because it is what helps you to grow and become a wonderful person of faith, rising up mightily in the knowledge of His Truths.

OH and if Yeshua is teaching...oh yeah....that's where I want to be....

My thought? Well I am always surprised at how few spend time to praise God for the local church body that the Holy Spirit has led them to, and how God has provided the perfect provision for them, that which is needed at any one point in time. I am surprised how many lament that they cannot find a church to their liking or standard and how many accusations are posted on Christian message boards about pastors. Seems to me it is not a failure of pastors if true but instead a failure of God, for God is sovereign over all matters. Does God lack capability of providing the gift of pastor teacher? The way some on boards present shrill accusation I would think that to be the case, except that the Holy Spirit has always led me to where God will want me, so that I may learn of Him, His awesome power over all of His creation. I can think of no local body of Christ that I would rather be at than the local body God directs me to go be a part of for whatever period of time He will have me stand my post. When He transfers me I go and I stand my new post, not in personal comfort so much as in awe that He provides what is perfect for my need, alway. Praise God for the fellow saints that have rallied around me when I have hurt, praise God for the deacons that have shepherded many ministries of helps and for the elders that have taught, of which my pastors are but two. Thank God for the deaconesses, those wonderful sisters in the Lord that do so many errands of mercy. I am blessed beyond my reasonable comprehension never seeing it all as I look forward, but always finding it has been perfect for me as I look back. My thought? Praise God He provides and He is among us as we gather for God is among us when two or three ( or more) gather in the name of Jesus. And there is where I love to be; mostly for the fellowship of the saints with God. I find no fault in the local bodies of Christ Jesus for that reason, each is sufficient if I listen to the lead of the Holy Spirit and read of the word of God even the weakest of gathering places benefit me. It is not a man's presentation that I follow and therefore it is not a single pastor nor a single elder that I champion as best among many nor as worst among all. Instead I try to be humble in appreciation of the humblest of sermons to glean from the corners of the field what is there, left by God for me.

I sought like minded people...some were sheep some were wolves. I wandered into a church service once early on in my mission to find truth... on invite from someone whose directions to get there were not clear, ended up in another church where I recieved my own bible...it went from there really. Tried a few churches and my thirst for truth just wasnt being quenched properly. I found that I preferred to just sit and read and formulate questions based on points in scripture that I could not find clarity on and I have never stopped.

And exactly what the entire point of this thread is about....

wow, so you obviously had some knowledge of Christianity to seek it yourself.....but how did you grow.....did you get a bible and start reading? I wholeheartedly believe that as the scriptures say "no man need teach you anything but the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth".....however....who can truly say they hear the Holy Spirit when He speaks....not all do.....some...but not all.

Good point. I cannot speak for anyone else here, you would be suprised to learn how people recieve the message. My experience is not that uncommon. I was not raised as a Christian. Had 2 atheist parents and I was guided to where the confrontation was presented to me, no one applied any pressure on me, I decieded to seek him myself or so it seemed buy I already felt repentive, guilt ridden etc...I was looking for help and someone answered.

If they have the Holy Spirit yes, I cannot see a reason why not.

I have edited my previous post to include some commentary to my initial post which might seem a bit off. The Sabbath is what God gave to you personally, time put aside to learn about the bible...with your whole family!! What better company could you wish for? Mathew 18:20

No it doesn't but with the lack of teaching at home or at school and with government banning public display of Christianity there isn't much hope to see a body of believers grow and enjoy the meat of God's Word because there are no teachers....no preachers...no evangelists....no prophets....no apostles.....where does one go to grow....if I was a new born-again believer who got saved by someone sharing on the street and then went there way and I went mine....then what....I don't know a thing about the bible....I don't know a thing about the different religions....I am stuck just knowing Jesus as my saviour and that is where I will remain..... and when the enemy comes and attacks me...you know...when you hear the truth of God's Word immediately the enemy comes to snatch it away...

Yes. I read your post, found it interesting. Jesus said he use his angels to collect his flock from amongst all nations over the earth, for they are truely scattered. Bricks and mortor buildings with their denominations only seek to divide and thus conquer the believers. Consider the stubbornness to ever be united and each pride themselves on their difference! Or that the most financially successful seeks tribute from all the other denominations. These do not make up the body of christ. I am aware people say the Catholic church is the false church, in doing so they become blind and more trusting of the others. I'm only saying.

And that would be the church of Pergamum? or even Thyatira both guilty of allowing teachings that led the flock astray...the answer is there....God has a warning....who would employ a wolf? Those who cannot discern or rightly divide the truth. Look this thread is addressing the church...the ones who are supposed to be seasoned in the knowledge and truth of God's Word....the ones who are responsible for training up the babes in Christ....so to start bring every what-if's into this is futile in that it takes away the purpose and intent of accepting responsibility as servants of God to teach His Word to the new believers. So Sorry Dan....I didn't mean to come across so harsh....what I mean to say is that the reason the church is so spiritually sick today is mentioned in the seven churches above....and it is becoming to the point of a rising popularity amongst millennials and Christianity is losing ground fast....it isn't popular to be so strict and the path so narrow..

Notice how it "works" for every-body.

What about (mr nice but dim) the blind overtrusting Christian who due to lack of eyesight or warning (read foresight) employs wolves to guard over the flock he was entrusted to look after?

The problem lies in the privilege and curse of free will. We are free to think and act as we wish. Some call this moral free agency as if there was a restriction. Worse is the ability to think and make choices sans standards or through personal standards. In light of this, fact, truth, and understanding are laid aside in favor of what is desirable to the flesh. No amount of reasoning, pleading or patience can overcome this. Only the touch of the Holy Spirit can give any individual the Light of revealed truth. I have seen it happen, so there is still hope for you and many others. It is my hope the truth and understanding will come to you before the evil day arrives.

This is an awesome testimony of God revealing your heart.....I believe your intention is genuine...perhaps your deliverance needs work....praying for you! BTW....you haven't offended me....but I don't know you that well.....i just love your honesty.

Faith without works is dead. Meaning it is not living. Does not mean works earn you salvation. Paul said we are saved by faith not of works. A faith that is living will bring forth works. A living person will bring forth works. A dead person will not bring forth works.But the works the living petson does did not give him life. But is just what a living person does. Nowhere have I over said we can earn our way to heaven. And you may be just trying to clarify for some people who read this blog, so I will add more. Faith with out works, is saying, you say you have faith but your actions prove otherwise. Therefore your actions display your faith. The faith that saves. James 2:20 But do you not know O foolish man, that faith with out works is dead. Meaning the faith you say you have is not there, you are all words, if you had the faith you say, it would automatically be displayed by your actions. Everyone seems to get so hung up about doing good works, which the bible says is a reflection of your faith. Your faith, which is in Christ & HIS finished works. He did good works did he not, he is not labelled a legalist, aren't we suppose to be more Christ like. As long as we realise we cannot earn our way to heaven but only through His works & our faith in Him & his works, along with repentance etc the rest of the basics. We should be saved.

I guess I can word that better. It's not about losing salvation, rather it's about Godly righteousness or lack thereof. It's similar to how God doesn't send believers to hell for lack of maturity in Heb 5:11-14, Heb 6:1-6. James 2:21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. James 2:24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? James 2:10 is why Jesus died in our place and why our sins are paid for God bles

Faith without works is dead. Meaning it is not living. Does not mean works earn you salvation. Paul said we are saved by faith not of works. A faith that is living will bring forth works. A living person will bring forth works. A dead person will not bring forth works.But the works the living petson does did not give him life. But is just what a living person does.

Hi Marilyn This wonderful. Thank you.

Hi WW I have been reading the advice you have received from Marilyn C with help from her hubby. I have experienced help from this lovely couple before and I can definitely back up what they have said. In the past I have been taught, as a Christian, I can only find my fulfilment in God. I "feel your pain" as your husband does not show interest in what you want to do. I understand that you feel left out and this is not good for any wife. Perhaps this is the time God has chosen for you to draw near to Him, and know that God alone can fulfil your every need. It seems to me that God may be bringing to light things you need to deal with, as highlighted by Marilyn's husband. If you have not already done so, take these things to Him and ask Him to help you deal with them and then give it all to Him. Maybe if this happens then your husband will see that you are not emotionally dependant on him, even though you love him, and perhaps this will cause him see things in a different light. Put your trust in the Lord. I am not saying you haven't already done this, but I guess I have found in my life there are different levels we reach in trusting Him and He will often do the unexpected! May God bless you and bring your husband into the place where he surrenders all to Jesus. 1 Pet. 3:1.

I'm requesting that this thread be locked.

Good to see you brother, praying.

I was raised in a dysfunctional family, alcoholism. Though I am not an alcoholic, nor if I never had a drink, I would still pass on to my children dysfunctional habits/traits/ tendencies and coping methods learned as a child. Even as a believer, it took a very long time to recognize many of my warped coping mechanisms I had developed. And, I warned my children they would also be affected. We can do all things in Christ. It just takes time.

Just my opinion, LK, but the Lord doesn't require us to deny ourselves everything. You will feel much more charitable toward others if you are good to yourself. As for your step daughter, if she is healthy and able, there are LOTS of jobs out there. A thirty year old should be independent. We are to hlp our children if need be but not enable them. It[s bad for THEM..

Mark - to the Romans, revealing Jesus as the Son of God, the Heir. This account of Jesus was written to Roman readers. The Roman was different from the Jew. His genius was his strong common sense. His religion must be practical. He would have no interest in tracing beliefs back into the past. Legal genealogies and fulfilments of prophecy would leave him cold. He might say, “I know nothing of your scriptures, and care nothing for your peculiar notions: but I should be glad to hear a plain story of the life this man Jesus lived. Tell me what He did. Let me see Him just as He was.” Thus Mark portrays Jesus as the humble but perfect Servant of God. There is no reference to His birth as no one is interested in the pedigree of a servant. There is no visit of the wise men. A servant does not receive homage. No account of Jesus as a boy in the temple. The Romans are not interested in the boy, but Jesus the man, and what He did. Jesus is not called King but master. Jesus is thus shown in His service, obedient, faithful and resolute. As the Son and heir he enters the estate that had been bestowed upon mankind, but which was lost and in enemy hands. Jesus was confronted with disruption and death at every turn and found the whole universe dominated by hell`s dominion. The features of the enemy`s work are graphically recorded and the heir has the authority to cast out all things that cause offence. Such authority related to leprosy, palsy, fever and demon possession. These surface disorders were symptomatic of secret conditions, the underlying power of darkness. Jesus was able to meet every assault that was made upon man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The central message of His claim as the Heir is in ch. 12 - `Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he sent him to them last, saying, “They will respect my son,” But those vine-dressers said among themselves, “ This is the Heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.` (Mark 12: 6 & 7) All the way through, the perfect servant was dogged by His enemies. He exposed their hypocritical practices but their hard hearts would not repent. Finally He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave and gave His life a ransom for many. When He arose Mark tells us that Jesus was received into heaven and exalted to the right hand of the Father where he continues to work. `And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them,` (Mark 16: 20)

Hi you can always shop in a thrift store. I bout five pairs of really nice jeans and six t shirts and other stuffnts to wrar. The jeans were twodollars each. The shirts 99 cents each. So i spent just 20 dollars total. And the jeans are really nice. I alwaysshop like this l9l. I have a lot of clothes. Praise God he opens doors if we ask.

My opinion only. I have nothing to do what so ever with face-ache. I have seen more people get into trouble on face-ache, and marriages break up than its worth. Your husband should not have become angry with you for deleting the friend request. And second, your husband should have told this woman to go to a bike repair shop, or the dealer for the repairs and not meddle in married men's lives.

Sounds like a handful of issues being mixed together here. Temporary help to an adult child in need for unexpected situations is one thing; an on going subsidy of a negative cashflow lifestyle is another. One spouse making a monetary decision without consulting the other when it has effects on lifestyle is a problem. Being ground down from over-ministering to others can be a problem; we have our limits. Once we go beyond "my yoke is light and burden is easy", perhaps we are taking on too much. I'm not sure this will help or not, but I ran across an interesting sermon this week about having our internal life in order. He gave the example of when someone asks you to do something you really don't want to do. How often do we feel like our options are to "say yes and be mad" or "say no and feel bad"? He pointed out that often our negative feelings are often due to taking on burdens we are not meant to carry and some degree of self-deception. "If I don't do it, no one else will." "I'm a bad Christian if I do not." "It will mess up some relationships if I don't" He made the great observation that we need to have a strong sense of "This is an opportunity from God to minister" or "This is a distraction that will divert time and resources away from where God really wants me to minister." When we operate from this level, we are in a better to position to say yes or no without the attached negative feelings of guilt or frustration. We are also in a position where our ministering to people will be much more effective. So, I would not say you are being unChristlike so much as this maybe being symptomatic that God might want to do some changes inside you or have clearer priorities for ministry.

Personaly I loathe long posts, but this fictional interview will answer many ,if not all of you questions.God bless Stachys: Can we talk about your teachings? Paul: By all means. The Lord revealed to me doctrines, which I termed “secrets” (μυστήριον). I designated them so because that is what they were. The Lord had not revealed them to Israel’s prophets, nor to the Twelve. He also had kept them hidden during His earthly ministry. They were revelations the ascended Lord revealed exclusively to me. Stachys: What were these secrets? Paul: One was the gospel of the grace of God–that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (Acts 20.24; Galatians 1.11-12) Another was salvation by faith alone–believing the good news that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Stachys: Peter and the Eleven did not know this gospel and salvation by faith alone? Paul: No. Peter and the rest preached the gospel of the kingdom which had begun with John the Baptist. That gospel focused upon the identity of Christ–who He was–the Messiah, the Son of God. They looked for the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth with Christ ruling as King (Matthew 6.10). I received my gospel directly from the risen Lord (Galatians 1.11-12). It focused upon His work–that He died for our sins and rose from the dead. The faith part of the gospel of the kingdom was believing Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 16.16; John 11.27; Acts 8.37). But in addition, that gospel also required repentance, keeping the Law, and water baptism for salvation (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Luke 10.25-28; Acts 2.38; Acts 15.1, 5). My gospel (Romans 2.16, 16.25; Galatians 2.2, 7; 2 Corinthians 4.3; 2 Thessalonians 2.14; 2 Timothy 2.8) requires but one thing: trust in the death and resurrection of Christ. When Peter preached the Lord’s death, he did not preach it as good news but as a Jewish crime (Acts 2.22-24, 3.13-15). He demanded the nation repent of it (Acts 2.36-38). For Peter, the significance of the Lord’s resurrection was He could return and establish His kingdom on earth–if the Jewish people would repent (Acts 3.19-20, 25-26). The gospel the Lord gave me proclaims His death and resurrection as goodnews (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). My gospel is a gospel of grace and faith alone (Romans 1.16-17, 3.22, 26, 28, 4.5; Ephesians 2.8-9; 1 Corinthians 15.1-4). The Twelve had no idea Christ’s death and resurrection had paid for the sins of the world and that God had reconciled the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5.14-21). This truth remained hidden until the glorified Lord revealed it to me. The Twelve learned this truth from me (2 Peter 3.15-16). Stachys: Wow. That’s not what most people have been taught. Paul: Well, that’s not my fault (smiling). I wrote these things in my letters. They are there for anyone to read. In my first letter to Timothy, I wrote I was the first (πρῶτος), God’s prototype or pattern (ὑποτύπωσις), for those who would follow in this new salvation (1 Timothy 1.15-16). To the Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 3.10-11, I expressed this truth with an illustration of architecture. I wrote them, “as a wise master-builder, I laid the foundation” (ὡς σοφὸςἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον ἔθηκα). The foundation is Christ Himself, specifically His work on the cross and resurrection. The Church, the body of Christ, is the creation which came into being based upon His death and resurrection. The Lord also revealed to me many other truths He had kept hidden. Stachys: What were these? Paul: Well, to continue, one was the Church, the body of Christ, in which those who believe my gospel become members of His body. No difference exists between Jew and Gentile in this relationship (Galatians 3.27-28). This was unknown to the Twelve. Stachys: Peter did not know about the Church? Some teach that the Church came out of Peter. Paul: Well, no one thought so in my day, especially Peter. Peter knew nothing of the Church. Peter and the rest of the Twelve never had a ministry to Gentiles. Peter, James, John, and Jude wrote to Jews and never mentioned the Church, the body of Christ, in their letters. Peter left Jerusalem to visit Cornelius only through direct communication and prodding from the Lord. And after he returned, the believing Jews in Jerusalem upbraided him for having gone (Acts 10-11). God designated me as the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13) and designated the Twelve as apostles of Israel (Matthew 19.28; Galatians 2.7-9). The ascended Christ revealed to me, not Peter or the other apostles, the secret of the Church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 3.2-7; 1.22-23; Colossians 1.19; 1 Corinthians 12.12-27; Galatians 3.28). Stachys: The Church did not begin at Pentecost? Paul: Read Luke’s account. What is the definition of the Church, the body of Christ? It is that body in which Jew and Gentile are equal in Christ. Whom did Peter address at Pentecost? Jews or Gentiles? He addressed Jews. Pentecost, or the Festival of Weeks, was a Jewish feast day, held 50 days after Passover. Peter called on the Jewish nation to repent from the murder of the Messiah (Acts 2.5, 14, 22, 36-39). If this was the birth of the Church, why did Peter not address Gentiles? We find the same thing in Peter’s second sermon, in Acts 3. He addressed Jews only (Acts 3.12, 25). Throughout his messages, he quoted the prophets. The Jewish prophets meant nothing to Gentiles. If the Church came into existence at Pentecost, why did no evangelism of Gentiles occur? Read the Scriptures. Peter and the Twelve never had a ministry to Gentiles. Stachys: Few seem to know this. What else? Paul: The Lord revealed to me that when one believes my gospel he is identified in Christ’s death and in His resurrection (Romans 6.3-5, 8). This identification is the basis of our hope of resurrection and the key to victory in the Christian life (Romans 6.6-7). Peter and the other apostles knew nothing of this identification truth–of believers being baptized and identified in His death and resurrection. Stachys: Other truths? Paul: Several more. The Lord revealed that the one who believes my gospel is under new administration: Grace, not Law (Romans 6.14). God gave the Mosaic Law to Israel, not to Gentiles. The Law’s primary purpose was to condemn and to reveal sin. It had no power to make one better. Peter and the Eleven continued to practice Judaism under the Law of Moses. They knew nothing of a new administration of Grace which replaced the Mosaic Law. Peter finally understood at the Council of Jerusalem that through my gospel one is saved by trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection alone, apart from the works of the Law. Once he saw this, he sided with me (Acts 15.7-11). Stachys: The Law was bad? Paul: Heavens, no! The Law was holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7.12). The problem was not with the Law but with us. This is another truth the Lord revealed to me alone. The nature we inherit from Adam cannot keep the Law. I learned this truth through hard experience and wrote about it in Romans 7. When the Law encounters our fallen, Adamic nature it excites sin. It does so because our fallen nature, which I also called the flesh, is in rebellion against God (Romans 7.8, 11, 21, 23, 25). To counter this and conform us into the image of Christ, God has given us a new nature (Romans 7.22; 2 Corinthians 5.17) and placed us under the administration of grace (Romans 6.14). By this arrangement, we can more ably obey Christ. This new relationship operates through faith, hope, and love. The love of Christ constrains us (2 Corinthians 5.14) and through the superintending work of the Holy Spirit, God transforms and sanctifies us to Himself (Romans 8.29), in a way the Law never could (Galatians 5.16-26). We are to “reckon” or “consider” (λογίζομαι) ourselves dead to sin but alive to God (Romans 6.11). This is an act of faith and the key to sanctification and living the Christian life. Stachys: What about national Israel? What is their future? Do they have a future? Paul: Yes! God’s covenants and purposes for Israel will be fulfilled. When God establishes a plan and makes a promise, He keeps it (Romans 11.29). At present, national Israel is blind. God revealed this secret to me and I wrote about it in Romans 9-11. When God called Abraham, He began a new program. He laid the foundation for the creation of the Jewish people. He revealed Himself to them and gave them covenantal promises. God promised they would become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19.6; Isaiah 61.4-6). He promised they would become the preeminent nation upon the earth and that He Himself will reign as their King and rule the earth (Deuteronomy 28.1, 13; Zechariah 14.9). But at the present time, they are blind (Romans 11.7-8). God removed them (they removed themselves by rejecting Him) from the place of blessing and placed Gentiles into that position. But God will reestablish them into the place of blessing (Romans 11.11-12, 25-27). One day, they will recognize Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. They will repent and be saved (Matthew 23.37-39; Zechariah 12.10-14, 13.6; Romans 11.26). The prophecies and all God’s promises to Israel will be fulfilled. But this cannot occur until the Lord removes the Church, the body of Christ (Romans 11.25-26). Therefore, the future of Israel is bright! Stachys: What do you mean, “removes the Church?” The Ἁρπάζω: the resurrection of believers of Paul’s gospel. Paul: We can close with this secret–the believer’s great hope (Titus 2.13)–the return of the Lord and the resurrection of our bodies. People get confused about the subject of the Lord’s return. The Lord revealed to me His return for His Church, the body of Christ. This return was a secret and an entirely different event from His return which the prophets taught and which He taught in His earthly ministry. That return will occur at the end of the Tribulation, to deliver Israel and the nations. The return the Lord revealed to me comes before the Tribulation. The Lord will deliver the Church from His wrath (1 Thessalonians 1.10, 5.9). This return was secret (1 Corinthians 15.51). The Rapture and the 2nd Advent are separate events and cannot be harmonized. The word translated “Rapture” comes from the word ἁρπάζω I used when I taught the Thessalonians this wonderful truth (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18). It means to seize or snatch away, which describes what the Lord will do for believers–He will snatch them from the grave and from their mortal bodies and transform them to have resurrection bodies. In my follow-up letter (2 Thessalonians), I wrote to correct the false teaching that the persecution they were experiencing was the Tribulation, the Day of the Lord, I used the word ἀποστασία for “Rapture.” Stachys: Can you say a bit more why did you use these words? Snatch away and departure from what? Paul: Jewish theology has two great themes: One is the kingdom of God on earth, in which Christ will rule and Israel will be supreme among the nations, and the other is the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord encompasses a long period. It begins with the seven year Tribulation and continues to God’s creation of the New Heavens and New Earth. But most of its focus is upon the Tribulation–when God will exercise His wrath upon the earth. David was the first to write about it in Psalm 2–which is a short course and summary of Jewish theology–no extra charge for that (laughter). But before God pours out His wrath upon the earth He will remove His body, the Church. No believer of my gospel will experience the judgments in those terrible seven years. I taught the Thessalonians this comforting truth (1 Thessalonians 1.10, 5.9) and used ἁρπάζω to describe how the Lord will “snatch away” believers to meet Him in the air before He begins to vex the earth. This amazing truth means one generation of believers will not experience physical death. I had hoped to experience this myself but had no idea the Lord would extend His program of the Church for so long. I used ἀποστασία to correct the false teaching the Thessalonians had received that they were experiencing the Tribulation. Believers will depart (ἀποστασία) before the Antichrist, the Beast is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2.1-3). They will experience none of the events of the seven years of God’s wrath. Stachys: Why do so few know these things? Why is there so much confusion? Paul: Several reasons account for the confusion. The primary reason is the failure to recognize the vast differences in my ministry and the ministry of Peter and the Eleven, or put another way, God’s program for Israel. When one reads my doctrines and the secrets the Lord revealed to me–God’s program for the Church, the body of Christ–into His covenantal program for Israel, the result is confusion. The two programs are entirely different and cannot be mixed. If they are, confusion results. I dealt with this regarding the gospel at the Council of Jerusalem in 51 A.D. Fortunately, God had prepared Peter for that battle long before, when He commanded him to go to Cornelius’ house. Because God gave him that experience, he was able to grasp what I was saying and come to my aid. Beyond justification, on the matter of the believer’s sanctification, I wrote the whole book of Galatians. The Galatians, influenced by the Judaizers, were being taught that believers of my gospel had to obey the Mosaic Law. They were abandoning my teachings of grace and placing themselves under the Law. They thought they could be conformed into the image of Christ through the Law. I fought that battle but lost. I lost all of Asia. I had spent so much time there–in Galatia, Ephesus, Colossae, Iconium, Derbe, Lystra, Antioch Pisidia–I lost them. Stachys: You lost them? Paul: Yes. It was a bitter pill and heart-wrenching to see these believers abandon their freedom in Christ and the truths of grace for the yoke of the Law. I wrote Timothy of this great tragedy (2 Timothy 1.15, 4.14-16). The syncretism in Christendom today–the mixing of Law and Grace, conflating God’s program for the Church and His program for Israel, failure to distinguish the Rapture and the Second Coming, not understanding salvation by faith alone from salvation by faith and works, thinking God has replaced Israel with the Church, believing Peter and I preached the same gospel, the teaching that Peter and the Eleven ministered to Gentiles–I could go on–all these have their roots in the battle I fought in my lifetime. Confusion results from failure to understand the Scriptures–to understand my letters–to see God saved and commissioned me as THE apostle of the Gentiles and that with me He began an entirely new program, the Church, the body of Christ. Stachys: Thank you. This is sobering. It also is an encouragement to concentrate on your letters and study the truths the Lord revealed to you. Finally, what are your thoughts about today, what concerns you most? Paul: I am the epitome of God’s love and grace. I was so misguided. I thought I was doing God’s will but had become a religious monster. But God loved me. He chose and commissioned me to reveal His grace and revelations He had kept secret–to all–Jews and Gentiles. God chose me to be to the Church what Abraham and Moses were to Israel. My greatest concern is for those without Christ, without hope, and without eternal life. God wishes all to be saved and come to the truth (1 Timothy 2.4). Christ has done all the work and has made salvation so simple. One need only trust in His work–in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Living the Christian life is not easy. But God has provided freedom in Christ. Peter noted at the Council of Jerusalem that the Law was a burden, a yoke (Acts 15.10). It was. I know. I was a Pharisee. But those who believe my gospel are under grace. They are free. God has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us. As we came to life by faith, we are to live by faith. God is Life. The more we trust Him the more alive we become. He is our blessed hope–and He is coming–soon! 1 This fictional interview serves as a vehicle to present Paul’s life and doctrines. Luke’s account in Acts is distinctly Jewish and differs in emphasis from Paul’s letters. Luke’s intended audience was Jews and his purpose was to explain Israel’s fall from God’s favor and why the kingdom of God did not come. Paul’s letters addressed Gentiles primarily. In them, we find Church doctrine–doctrines the risen Lord gave for the Church, the body of Christ.