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  1. The wind beat and the rain poured But yet the broken Vase remained restored Once broken, battered and bruise From ruff housing, mistreatment and abuse The Vase glowed and shined brand new The devil laughed I have you in my grasp But GOD said I hear by loose, It is you I redeem As the vase is a vessel and the vessel is me I am saved, delivered and joyfully set free.
    3 points
  2. The Nature of Grace 1. Grace is the Father acting freely, according to His own nature as Love; with no promises or obligations to fulfill; and acting, of course, righteously—in view of the Cross. 2. Grace, therefore, is uncaused in the recipient: its cause lies wholly in the Giver, in the Father. 3. Grace is also sovereign. Not having debts to pay, or fulfilled conditions on man’s part to wait for, it can act toward whom, and how, it pleases. It can, and does often, place the worst deservers in the highest favors. 4. Grace cannot act where there is either desert (permanent departure—NC) or ability: Grace does not help—it is absolute, it does it all. 5. There being no cause in the creature why Grace should be shown, the creature must be brought off from trying to give cause to God for His grace. 6. The discovery by the creature that he is truly the object of Divine grace, works the utmost humility: for the receiver of grace is brought to know his own absolute unworthiness, and his complete inability to attain worthiness: yet he finds himself blessed—on another principle, outside himself! 7. Therefore, flesh (the sin nature—NC) has no place in the plan of Grace. This is the great reason why Grace is hated by the proud natural mind of man. But for this very reason the true believer rejoices! For he knows that “in him, that is his flesh, is no good thing”; and yet he finds the Father glad to bless him, just as he is (then makes him as He desires—NC)! The Place of Man Under Grace 1. He has been accepted in Christ, who is his standing. 2. He is not on probation. 3. As to his life past, it does not exist before the Father: he died in Christ on the Cross, and now Christ is his Life. 4. Grace, once bestowed, is not withdrawn: for the Father knew all the human exigencies beforehand—His action was independent of them, not dependent upon them. 5. The failure of devotion does not cause the withdrawal of bestowed grace, as it would under law. For example, the man in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, and also those in 11:30-32, who did not “judge” themselves and so were “judged by the Lord—that they might not be condemned with the world. The Proper Attitude of a Man Under Grace 1. To believe, and to consent to be loved while unworthy, is the great secret. 2. To refuse to make resolutions and vows; for that is to trust in the flesh (we trust in what God does and has done, and not in what we have done or do. Our source is always to be derived from His “work” - Phil 2:13, not from ours. Our work derives from desire to please Him and nothing more—NC). 3. To expect to be blessed, though realizing more and more lack of worth. 4. To testify of the Father’s goodness at all times. 5. To be certain of the Father’s future favor; yet to be ever more tender in conscience toward Him. 6. To rely on the Father’s chastening (child-training) hand as a mark of His kindness. 7. A man under Grace, if like Paul, has no burdens regarding himself, but many about others. Things Which Gracious Souls Discover 1. To hope to be better is to fail to see yourself in Christ only. 2. To be disappointed with yourself is to have believed in yourself. 3. To be discouraged is unbelief—as to the Father’s purpose and plan of blessing for you. 4. To be proud is to be blind! For we have no standing before God in ourselves. 5. The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of devotion. 6. Real devotion to the Father arises, not from man’s will to show it, but from the discovery that blessing has been received from Him while we were yet unworthy and not devoted. 7. To preach devotion first and blessing second, is to reverse God’s order and preach law, not grace. The Law made man’s blessing depend on devotion; Grace confers undeserved, unconditional blessing: our devotion will follow, but does not always do so in proper measure. - Wm R Newell (1868-1956 - from his book Verse by Verse, Romans, end of chapter 6) Excerpt from MJS devotional for July 5: “I do not see the Cross truly if I only see it as opening a way of escape for me, and yet allowing that in me to escape which has incurred the judgment of the Cross. “In the present day (1867) the truth is lowered to the measure of man’s need; hence if the need is met, which grace does, the convert makes little or no advance; he rests in the satisfaction of his need, instead of being directed to the scope of God’s thought, which only begins with his need.” - J B Stoney http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/
    2 points
  3. Hi Willa! I agree and thanks for the correction! God bless!
    2 points
  4. Desert (philosophy) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search "Just deserts" redirects here. For other uses, see Just deserts (disambiguation). Desert (/dɪˈzɜːrt/) in philosophy is the condition of being deserving of something, whether good or bad. I believe the meaning of desert in this case in not departure but deserving, since grace has much to do with God's mercy to the underserving. . It makes more sense to me to say that Grace cannot act where there is either deserving or ability: This is given as the last definition in most dictionaries, if included at all.
    2 points
  5. The world hates Christ. None the less saints rejoice in the certainty that is Jesus. Praise God while sharing of His sovereignty with all that will hear, and pray for the Holy Spirit to turn about many away from sin against God and to their own personal repentance and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord. May many have the same wondrous experience of receiving umerited grace and mercy as all the saints that have come to that awareness already. Excerpt of John 15 ESV “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning." Rejoice in the comforter that is with us and within us, God the Holy Spirit, as Jesus who is God the Son has gone to prepare that better place for us; a heavenly wedding cottage a honeymoon place, and then there shall also become a new heaven and a new earth with a gate that never closes. All the saints will praise God the Father, to live in eternal security with God at a New Jerusalem. Excerpt of Revelation 21 ESV ..."the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." Rejoice rejoice rejoice!
    2 points
  6. I agree their hate comes out because their lifestyle is so very opposite to us. Also, they are heavily deceived by the devil since they embrace sin so easily. Thankfully, we do have some Christians working in Hollywood such as Jim Caviezel, Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett. Roma Downey and Mark Burnett try to produce movies with a Christian message.
    2 points
  7. Hi Melinda. And welcome to Worthy. I sense your having some doubts about not having done some grand sacrifice to show God your commitment to Him. I feel that often also, no mater my involvement. But when I struggle to 'abide' and keep a God consciousness, I learn it is not the mountaintop experiences I need, but the every day common place mundane daily life battle to walk worthy. My willingness to do/go what/where I feel led as the Spirit leads me. To be a blessing to others, to purpose to bless others. The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. I am supposed to present myself as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. I have a family, and do not believe I will have a call to travel overseas to be in God's will to be used for His work. I really try to pay attention to the 'little things' that are not so talked about, and not the grandiose. I believe in the body there are plenty of chiefs available, so I offer my simple God given talents. As my talent is carpentry, that's where I'm most effective, and useful. In our church are a group of men that are involved with helping both young and old in need, whether working on cars, homes, etc, or building needed facilities. My wife and her ladies groups have many ministries that help those in need, especially the very young families, and the older women/men needing medical help. There are several overseas ministries, like Neighbor posted above, that you can support that provide food and schooling, and/or medical, and spiritual assistance. It really is just a few bucks, but it goes a long way overseas, helping the poor or needy. I have found, at least for me, if I ask God to 'send' me someone that I can be a blessing/witness to, He will provide. The little things.
    2 points
  8. Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2Co 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Hallelujah
    2 points
  9. I watched some of his videos. And I went to his church website and checked his sermons. He is really off the wall and in my opinion not worth listening to. Sadly he is a pastor of a fairly large independent baptist church. Convincing folks that the earth is hollow, cats are the devil (seriously he made a whole sermon of this) etc.
    2 points
  10. Hi Yowm, and thanks for your input! It's a matter of differentiating between "manifest" and "produce," and I think this is where much misunderstanding exists. Obedience manifests salvation, not produces nor maintains it!
    2 points
  11. He's in the mighty roaring of the billows on the seas He's in the gentle breezes as they whistle through the trees He's in the sweetest bird refrains that greet me everyday He's in the happy voices of the little ones at play He's in the awful thunder as it sounds for all to hear He's in a heart that's breaking and the silence of a tear To those who don't believe in Him and say one can not know I shake my head in wonder for God's everywhere I go
    2 points
  12. Amen Brother, nice you see again my friend
    1 point
  13. No I haven't said that I am asking a question, were in scripture says God is separate from his creations? do you know?
    1 point
  14. I found this interesting (from Bibles for America) Although many verses reveal the wonderful truth that Christ is in His believers, we’ll highlight just eight here. 1. “But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.”—Romans 8:10 We human beings were created by God with a body on the outside and a soul and spirit on the inside. Our spirit is our deepest part, created to contact and receive the Spirit of God. When we received Jesus as our Savior, He cleansed us of our sins and He came into our spirit as life. Thus, because Christ is in us, our “spirit is life because of righteousness.” 2. “Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, is the One who shined in our hearts to illuminate the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us.”—2 Corinthians 4:6-7 The apostle Paul describes the believers as earthen vessels that contain “this treasure.” What is this treasure? It is Jesus Christ, in whose face we see the glory of God. Christ lives in us earthen vessels as a precious treasure, revealing to us the glory of God from within. 3. “But when it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me.”—Galatians 1:15-16 We might think this verse should read, “It pleased God…to reveal His Son to me.” But in the original language of the New Testament, Greek, the verse reads “to reveal His Son in me.” God’s plan is to reveal His Son in us, from within, rather than to us, from without. Or, to put it another way, God reveals Christ to us from within us. To those who have Christ in us, God is pleased to reveal in us more of the wonderful Person of Christ. 4. “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.”—Galatians 2:20 Here, Paul did not say “I live in a Christ-like way,” or, “I glorify Christ through my behavior.” No, he said, “Christ…lives in me,” clearly telling us that Christ lives in His believers. The Christian life is not a matter of behaving like Christ, but of allowing Christ Himself to live in and through us. 5. “My children, with whom I travail again in birth until Christ is formed in you.”—Galatians 4:19 Paul viewed the believers in Galatia as his spiritual children. He had labored to help them receive Christ at their salvation, and in this verse, he continues to labor on them so that the Christ they received would be fully formed in them. Christ lives in us from the time we are saved, but He wants to be formed in us in a definite way. Day by day, we need to give Him the opportunity to be formed in us. As we do, Christ will be able to express Himself more fully through us in our daily life. 6. “That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith.”—Ephesians 3:17 When we believed into Christ, He came to live in our spirit, the deepest part of our being. But Christ also wants to make His home in the rest of our inward being: our hearts and our souls. By living in our spirit, Christ is the new source of our new life. But our soul—our mind, emotion, and will—can still choose to ignore Him as our new source and go on just as before. In this case, Christ is in us, but He’s limited in us, kept only in our spirit. So He cannot be expressed through us very much. The Lord Jesus wants to make His home not only in our spirit, but also in all the parts of our soul. 7. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”—Colossians 1:27 This verse shows that Christ is in us in a particular way: as our hope of glory. When we believed in Him, Christ came to live in our spirit. Now He is making His home in our hearts. In the future, when He returns, He will even spread to our body outwardly so that God’s glory can shine through us in a full way. The Christ who lives in us is our hope of such glory. 8. “When He comes to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at in all those who have believed.”—2 Thessalonians 1:10 Christ’s second coming will surely be a marvel. But according to this verse, the most marvelous thing will not be the outward display of His coming; it will be His glory revealed from within His believers. The Christ in us, who lives in us and is being formed in us, will be revealed from within us, and even our bodies will be transformed to match Him. What a glory to God, a marvel to man, and a shame to the devil, that people on this earth would choose to receive Christ and allow Him to grow in them and express Himself through them throughout their lives!
    1 point
  15. The "cat sermon" should definitely be a big red flag to anyone in his congregation or anyone else!! ? Meow!
    1 point
  16. Hi DP! Thanks for your replies and God bless!
    1 point
  17. I had to laugh so hard reading this, I didnt even know about the cat thing
    1 point
  18. The moment we begin to rest our peace on anything in ourselves, we lose it. This is why so many believers have not settled peace. How can you have settled peace? Only by having it in the Father’s own way. By not resting on anything, even the Spirit’s work within (not on the fruit of our faith but on the Source of our faith—NC), but on what the Lord Jesus has done entirely outside you. Then you will know peace—also conscious unworthiness, but yet peace. The more you see the extent and nature of the evil that is within, as well as that without and around, the more you will find that what the Lord Jesus is and did, is the only ground at all on which you can rest. As knowing the Lord Jesus to be precious to our souls, our eyes and hearts being occupied with Him, will we be effectually kept from being taken up with the vanity and sin around, and this too will be our strength against the sin and corruption within. Whatever I see in myself that is not in Him, is sin (the presence of sin is not the issue but rather the identification of it is—NC). But then it is not in thinking upon my own sins, and being occupied with my own vileness, that will humble me; but thinking of the Lord Jesus and dwelling upon the excellence (1 Cor 2:1; 2 Cor 5:7; Phl 3:8—NC) in Him. It is well to be done with ourselves and to be taken up with the Lord Jesus. We are entitled to forget ourselves—we are entitled to confess and forget our sins—we are entitled to forget all but the Lord Jesus. It is by looking unto Him that we can give up anything, and can walk as obedient children. Were it simply a command, we could have no power to obey. “God hath chosen you from the beginning to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess 2:13). It is then the belief of the truth; it is not the belief of the fruits. The Holy Spirit cannot present to me the fruit He has produced in me as the object of my faith. He speaks to me of my faults and of my sins, but never of the good works that may be in me. "He produces them in me, but He hides them from me; for if we think on them, it is but a more subtle self-righteousness. It is like the manna which, being kept, produced worms. All is spoiled—it is no more faith in action. The Holy Spirit must always present to me the Lord Jesus, that I may have peace. — J N Darby Excerpt from MJS devotional for July 11: “If and when the trial comes, you will find Him waiting there.” MJS “We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be. This preparation consists in attention to present responsibility, and acceptance of present discipline. “If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered. Today should be preparation for tomorrow. The only proof that we shall be equal to tomorrow’s test is that we are meeting today’s test believingly and courageously. The only evidence that we shall be willing for God’s will tomorrow is that we are subject to His will today.” -W.G.S.http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/
    1 point
  19. Concerning Roma Downey, you may find this helpful: NEW BOOKLET – Confused by an Angel: The Dilemma of Roma Downey’s New Age Beliefs Unfortunately, she is a Catholic/New Age Mystic and there are numerous problems with her productions.
    1 point
  20. Another little ministry that is actually very helpful is perhaps taking a senior citizen to the grocery store. Some seniors might not drive anymore and might not have any family to help them. I have a new Christian neighbor and she has taken me to the market with her twice already, and plans to call me whenever she goes. It's very helpful, God bless her! Also, if you know a lonely senior citizen, maybe visit with them a little sometimes.
    1 point
  21. The atheist website was telling about him thinking cats are evil! I didn't realize he did a whole sermon on it! lol, I think this guy must not even like dogs either! Remember that one hateful church that had Baptist in their name? They would protest at funerals with hateful signs. Anyhow, the Baptists said that church had nothing to do with the Baptists. So maybe it's the same with this Gene Kim's church? So sad people like this are leading congregations...
    1 point
  22. Great to see that you escaped the insanity of your previous years.....no wonder you are happier.The charity and compassion of which you speak are great things......I hope you realize they play no part in your salvation...could you expand on the Red Letter thingy? What does it say about salvation?God bless.
    1 point
  23. 1 point
  24. oh..a youtube link just showed up. no wonder I couldn't see it. sorry it's just for my country's internet policies. I can try with some proxy/vpn. sorry again.
    1 point
  25. Check out the cover of this book: https://www.sovereignworld.com/loved-like-never-before/ He can be cuddly - Abba Father with you on His lap. BUT But there is also His tougher love also that teaches you to be strong too - that kind of love is prudent e.g. when you put your hand too close the fire you get a smack but you never burn it again. God is love and He will love you however He can in whatever situation or place you are in, in order to help you.
    1 point
  26. It is righteousness that is hated, by those that love unrighteousness, so it shall be mocked. Two groups with apposing desires. In Ecclesiastes it divides into two groups, the right and the left, the wise and the fool. Ecclesiastes 10:2 (CSB) “A wise person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.” It seems so prophetic. much love in Christ, Not me
    1 point
  27. I want to write little notes like this while studdying The Bible. This is not the first time I read Acts. But somehow this story completely slipped my mind. I forgot the story completely to my shame. When it comes to The Bible, nothing should be forgotten; we must study it delegently and with zeal every day! It's sad that my mind is so limited and my memory is so weak.... The most important thing is that we all should remember that THE LORD!!!!!!!! loves us and that HE!!!!!!!!!! Is the ONLY REASON!!!!!! for our life!!!
    1 point
  28. As a courtesy the link would save time. Easy enough to copy and paste from the site you were reading... Why Hollywood Hates Christianity It's not just Hollywood but secular entertainment productions in general mocking all that is holy to God and His people. There is a sense in which it is, or will be a judgment upon the world because when the fruits of such ungodly labours manifest the result is an ugly mess for the culprits to suffer.
    1 point
  29. Hi Daniel, Are you coming from a pre-trib or post trib standpoint? The way I see 1 Thessalonians 4 about this: 3 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1. Christ returns with the spirits of those who sleep in Chirst - no one alive comes back as pre-tribbers claim. This debunks that false theory. 2. The dead bodies rise first, are reunited with their now glorified bodies and rise in the air. 3. Those who are alive and have never died, are changed with immortal bodies and rise to meet them in the air.
    1 point
  30. "Might need to study the Hebrew root words instead of always reading the English translation" One does not need to know Hebrew in order to understand the Lord's word son Why would you make such a statement? I now believe that you are hiding behind this absurdity
    1 point
  31. Thank you, sincerely. As a Jew, I knew lifelong how "Christians" slaughtered Jews and oppressed entire nations. All Born Agains who've trusted Jesus for salvation are Christians, but not all "Christians" are saved, born again. The Greek word usually translated believe and faith in English means "trust". Trust for salvation is a one-time act, a transference of trust for eternal life from oneself, one's own works/goodness/deeds, to Jesus only. I've already trusted God, therefore I'm saved, not "going to hope to be someday saved". I try to never use jargon in evangelism. There is no need, if you think about it, to use loaded words like belief, faith, repentance and many other words and concepts when witnessing. "Do you think you can get to Heaven by good deeds? You must trust what Jesus did for you on the cross, death by torture for our sin, guilt and shame, and His resurrection, you must place your trust in Jesus today, to be saved."
    1 point
  32. I cannot find one translation that does not use the word, "before." God would not do a sign during, but before and as a warning. This is true
    1 point
  33. Funny! The thread has turned into a travelog of sorts. LOL Well to add to fine places to be in life; if I have my own druthers I as soon be back on a kayak at offshore Florida Suncoast Gulf waters. Or even better running the rivers of inland Central Florida around Ocala area, frightening gators and deer alike as I spin through the faster moving twists and turns gaining speed and distance onto the larger wider expanse of the merging river tributaries. See opportunities at http://www.florida-outdoors.com/article_ocala_canoe.htm and an excerpt from that site " "Juniper Creek The canoe trip from Juniper Springs Recreation Area to Juniper Wayside flows about 7 miles through the heart of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. You will be surrounded by a lush tropical forest comprised of palms, cypress and many kinds of southern hardwoods. The first 2.5 miles of this creek are narrow and winding, with a channel scarcely wider than 6 feet. Past Half-Way Landing, the stream broadens out and becomes shallow and slow moving. There are no intermediate access points, and the average family takes about 4-5 hours to complete the trip. " I loved the start at the Juniper river canoe rental spot at the Ocala National Park. I dropped in my own kayak there at the little spring. It was like a little Disneyland ride, gentle too gentle at first with very shallow water, then it expanded and got deeper and there were tree trunks to duck. I heard the serious thump behind me of my large friend on his own canoe as he grabbed a tree trunk spanning across the river, that I had managed to duck, He had hit it with his belly first. Later on after many joinings of spring fed river water tributaries I made a choice of one of three passages and found good speed and then an opening and a bend with two gators napping on the very small sandy beach like spot in the sun. I had never seen a gator run backward before! Tail first as they were spooked by me approaching fast on my sit on top kayak. They run tippy toe backward, tail first! As they hit the tall grasses some five feet tall, three deer the size of elks lept high above those tall grasses almost into the low Florida sky and just disappeared from sight as I whizzed past on my turn. Later the river exapands yet again and again, until opening into a quite wide body of river with a small park landing point, limited civilization and a trailer-truck to pick us up and tow us back up river. Great fun place to be!
    1 point
  34. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I pray to sow and water the seeds of the Gospel, believing that God will give the increase. My friends do not reject the message of the Gospel or of Christ. They do not actually follow Islam (a good first step!). It sometimes takes many, many years for someone raised as a Muslim to finally come to Christ, as apostasy and being killed or disowned by their families has been hung over their heads. Some old time missionaries to the Muslim world often saw few or no converts. Here on the forum, I met a young man from Saudi Arabia. When he studied in the USA, he noticed what Christians were like.... peaceful and kind, this made an impression on him as he had been taught differently about us. After he returned to his homeland, he then searched about the Lord and accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord! Many Muslims are now having visions of Christ, and coming to Christ as their Savior. God is working in mysterious ways to bring Muslims to Himself! I appreciate any prayers for my friends. Thank you!
    1 point
  35. So, don't. For now, just treat them with the same kindness and love you have for years before. News Flash: You cannot "convert" them. Nor can you "make them change their ways." And you know what? God knows that.
    1 point
  36. The banner of His word needs to be raised up....that IS the job of the church to preach the truth of the word in order to convict of sins and call people to repentance. But I agree that cold uncaring attitudes and self-righteousness are not the ways of the Spirit, and the Lord is very angry at how so many people have been prevented from entering the kingdom due to Phariseeical attitudes and ways of the church that are of the flesh. Our conversation is to be full of grace and only seasoned with salt. But on the other hand there are many churches that have no salt at all....and Jesus said if the salt loses its saltiness it cannot be made salty again...it's fit only to be taken out and trampled by men. He is not going to fix a church that has lost its saltiness, He is only going to judge it, and that's why He has led many to leave such places to seek Him outside the camp in the last days. It's time for judgment to begin at His house.
    1 point
  37. There is a lot of hypocrisy in the church without question. But it doesn't change a thing about what the bible says regarding homosexuality and other sins. God is no respecter of persons and anyone who wants to be a follower of Jesus needs to cease their sin because without holiness no-one will see the Lord, and that's true whether homosexual or heterosexual or thief or liar or drunkenness, etc. Healing, deliverance and understanding may not come right away, but for sure sins of any kind needs to be stopped, or the person is in serious danger of losing their salvation. Sin separates us from God. Jesus said if you would be my disciple, DENY YOURSELF, take up your cross, and follow me. Belief without also working out our salvation with fear and trembling is not going to take anyone very far, because even the devil believes and trembles. If a person has no desire to be free of their bondages and be holy/clean in the sight of God and doesn't begin to fight the good fight of faith against the lusts of their flesh, then I would doubt they had received Christ or perhaps that they were ones who had no root in them. Some come to faith but draw back to perdition as soon as they realize there is a cost involved in following the Lord.
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  38. Your Circumcision is Not of the Heart http://graceambassadors.com/mystery/your-circumcision-is-not-of-the-heart By Justin Johnson God required Israel to be circumcised. If they did not cut off the foreskin of their flesh, then God would cut them off from his covenant promises: “And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” – Gen 17:14 Many still perform physical circumcision for this very reason not knowing that God later changed his instructions and told Paul that circumcision did not avail anything: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” – Galatians 5:6 Circumcision of the Heart The real lesson of physical circumcision was written in the law. It was supposed to reflect an inner circumcision of the heart. That is, Israel was supposed to separate itself from the desires of the flesh and be obedient to God’s instructions. Notice what the law book of Deuteronomy says: “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” – Deuteronomy 10:16 This was true inner submission to God and his precepts as recorded in the law. Those with circumcised hearts would serve the Lord with all their heart and soul by keeping the commandments (Deut 10:12-13). Uncircumcised Israel Even though Israel had kept the covenant of physical circumcision they had broken the law of inner circumcision by not submitting their hearts in obedience to God. This is why Jesus took the kingdom away from unbelieving Israel and gave it to the believing remnant. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” – Mat 21:43 It is also why Stephen, filled with the Holy Ghost, calls unbelieving Israel “uncircumcised in heart and ears”. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” – Acts 7:51 Paul explains about hypocritical Jews that true Jewish circumcision was an inward circumcision of the heart. Their flesh circumcision was not sufficient for righteousness even though it was an outward obedience to the commandment. “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” – Romans 2:29 Circumcision Without the Law Both the physical circumcision and inward heart circumcision were required by the covenants to Israel long before Jesus or Paul showed up. However, when Christ revealed the mystery to Paul he speaks about a different circumcision. Paul describes it in Col 2:11. “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:” – Col 2:11 This circumcision is not part of Israel’s covenants. It is not physical. Neither was it the inner circumcision of the heart which was commanded to serve the Lord “with all thy heart and soul” (Deut 10:12). This mystery circumcision describes an operation of God, not of ourselves, lest any should boast. It is God circumcising us from the body of the sins of our flesh. This doctrinal separation was a part of our crucified identification with Christ (Gal 2:20, Rom 6:3-4). Glory of God’s Operation It is only when God separated us from the body of the sins of the flesh that he could rightly declare us righteous in Christ. When our own body is cut off, then we are free to live in Christ without the sins of the flesh weighing us down. This great mystery where we reckon our flesh dead and alive unto God describes a truth that has been performed already upon you by God the moment you believe. Like many grace truths, we learn about it after studying the mystery of Christ. It is not the flesh circumcision that avails, neither is it the obedience of our heart to a covenant. While we were still sinners Christ died for us and when we put our faith in his finished work we are cut off from the old man. Glory to God!
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  39. I have always loved this song, and even have the album that looks just like that!
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  40. I was inspired this morning to write this after reading Yowm's latest poem. It caused me to think about all Jesus did and about the miracle of the new birth. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Then another scripture came to mind: "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" Ephesians 4:22-24 Salvation, new creation, meditation Out with the old man and in with new This is the work only Jesus can do Once we're converted soon we will find We must be daily renewing our mind Spiritually born through His wonderous grace is followed by fervently seeking His face Reading His Word and obeying His will Walking by faith despite doubts that we feel Loving Him more as each day passes by Pleasing His heart till the day that we die
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  41. That has already been happening, somewhat with the division between left and right. It's become less politics and more rampant and uncontrolled idealism on both sides, a maelstrom of malcontent that tends to sweep up many who come into contact with it. However, in my eyes, I haven't much concern for the US. The only thing that matters to me is continuing to try and grow in the faith, to try and become a better Christian. After all, I could tear apart both myself and others trying to set things right by my own ideals and ego... Or I could keep my gaze on what comes beyond all this nonsense.
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  42. I'd strongly urge you to find several *independent* Christian research sources. Most of the so-called Christian research sites I find basically copy and re-copy each other's material and create an echo chamber. Just because one can find 20 links and see 20 people say the same things about someone doesn't mean it's necessarily true or discerning. Often it is a rehashing of one original article that gets amplified by a number of people repeating it and reposting it and rewriting it to appear more original. Sometimes the original article is well done and researched well; sometimes the original article is plain awful, misleading, and basically libel and untrue. I've seen both types of articles posted (and reposted) on Christian sites. About 40 years ago when I was a younger Christian, I got suckered into Christian witch hunting that masqueraded as discernment and research and wasted a few years believing pretty much every bad thing researchers wrote about various other Christians. I had a rude awakening when I was sharing my discernment with a few people at my church. Someone mentioned a particular preacher and I felt compelled to explain about how unbiblical this person was. They challenged me on it and gave me one of this preacher's books to read. I was happy to dig in (especially since I had a book that had exposed this preacher as a new ager in disguise.) I was shocked to find that nothing of what I had been saying was correct. The book disparaging this preacher had taken literally every single quotation out of context and put words in his mouth. As I found, this author that I had been taking as an authoritative guide to exposing the new age in the church was putting words in people's mouths. He was probably so convinced he was right and that the devil was so devious and deceptive that he deemed it proper and spiritual to re-arrange sentences, take things out of context, and in general make up whatever he wanted to. It's been a long time so I forget many of the details, but I remember being shocked to find that this researcher was basically fabricating stuff and saying that it was what this preacher was teaching when I read sentences from this preacher that explicitly said something different. I then found a couple other books by authors that this researcher was attacking and found he did exactly the same thing to them. He'd lift words and sentences out of context, redefine them, and then put a new age message where there was none before. Sadly, this guy is still active decades later doing the same old thing. I suspect as people wise up to him and ignore him that many more new people discover him and listen until they wise up. Even more sad is the number of other Christian "researchers" that do exactly the same thing. In the interest of illustrating the type of thing I'm taking about, I am going to butcher the OP in the manner I've seen some of these Christian "research" sites do. I do NOT believe what I am writing here. I am purely doing this as an example of the type of stuff I've seen Christians put out and how they intentionally misrepresent people and make many worst case assumptions. (Now, I think they are probably doing it out of good intentions and they believe they are exposing darkness, but that doesn't change how misleading they often are.) [Example of a Christian hit piece] "Firstly, let me start off by saying that I do not know how to test the spirits as yet and therefore I am unable to tell whether or not someone is a false prophet and so, therefore, I always conduct a google search to do a background check on the "preacher" in question - I've only recently started doing this." Wow, the OP apparently believes Christians should use a biased secular source to "test the spirits" and trust that this biased secular source will give unbiased links!!! I wonder what type of spirits are being tested!?! Does any mature Christian really believe that the spirit behind google will return links pleasing to the Holy Spirit!!!! No mention of the Bible, prayer, being part of a solid Bible believing church, or of asking a mature Bible believing pastor. Any *real* Christian with the Holy Spirit in them should be able to test the spirits. Or is this the OP's attempt to misguide Christians into trusting the spirit behind google instead of the Holy Spirit?!?! It's good God now gave us google or how did Christians for the past 2000 years discern false prophets?!?! Let's call out posts like this that encourage Christians not to follow the Holy Spirit and the Bible but to read and accept questionable links!!!! [End of example] Ayyy. I cannot do this anymore. I couldn't even bring myself to put in large size type in red color to make it more authoritative. I don't know how in the world some Christians can write pages upon pages of stuff like this day after day and maintain such a cynical, negative, hostile, and dark mindset to do this. But this is the type of thing I've seen (and on sites that some people regularly link to from this site). Frankly, I think some people who often read sites like that start to unconsciously adopt that same type of inquisitional and accusatory spirit that is willing to twist and question everything in the quest to root out error. To me, the sad thing is that the accusations often become accepted truth by repetition and innuendo rather than truth by fact. The reality is that it is very easy to make anyone look terrible and accuse them of teaching or believing false things by grabbing individual phrases and sentences from a book or sermon out of their larger context. It becomes even easier when a handful of sites and researchers start agreeing with each other and unquestioningly repeat and repost what the others say. Over the years, I've come to take the approach of trying to judge someone's ministry and teaching in its entirety and from the perspective of how it is growing and maturing, not from a few sound bytes, a few of their most stupid moments or decisions, or from a few of their most poorly phrased sentences. Sadly, many Christian research sites seem to take the approach of "hey, we've made 100 different accusations against this person, if only a fraction of those things are true, they must be as bad as we thought. And besides, if they are that bad, we are justified in making more accusations and keeping them under close scrutiny." This is why I look to find several *independent* Christian sites and *independent* articles with different viewpoints when researching any particular person or ministry. I also like to look up original books, articles, or sermon transcripts from that person to find a more complete context.
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  43. "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys." - Job 42:12 NIV From time to time we actually have to come out of one project completely before God can transition us to the next assignment. Something that closes in our lives can make us feel like we are out of control, going to shipwreck, or worse yet, never able to rebound. Sometimes our calendars, schedules, and plans just don't line up with where God wants to take us anymore, so He decides to change our course. "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." - Psalm 25:5 NIV God knows what you are about to walk through and He is already prepared for it. Don't be afraid to share how you really feel with Him. He wants to hear what you have to say about it. At first, it can feel breathtaking and even fearful, but God is there. He is in the heights, the depths, and the small steps of faith you are about to take. STEPPING OUT OF THE BOAT Some of the steps ahead will be like walking on water. Unfortunately, we don't get to pick the visibility of the water or the depth of the ocean that the Lord asks us to step out on. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" - Psalm 139:7 NIV Rest assured that God never closes a door unless He intends on opening something else for you. He will not leave you abandoned! "Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed" (Isaiah 49:23 NIV). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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  44. Christianity, IS a deliverance ministry. And regarding going to a specific ministry for deliverance....... it depends on what they are doing.......Is it based on New Testament doctrine? I can tell you that no person can "deliver" another person from anything......There is no minister who can heal you, and no minister who can deliver you.....As all things related to spiritual power come from Christ, through the Holy Spirit......So, if anyone is a "deliverer" they are lying, and are not of God.. But, on the other hand, if they have a ministry that tries to help people who are oppressed, and they do this through Faith and Prayer and so forth, then that is possibly legit. It all comes down to who is getting the credit for the power to deliver.....And no man has this, as only Christ is the Healer.
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  45. My dogs and cats topic disappeared, so I decided to start a different but related topic. [I don't know what happened to my previous topic. I do know I was falling asleep at my keyboard so I may have hit some wrong buttons.] Source: It's Easier to Love Pets than Some People. I know exactly how James Robinson feels. With God, all things are possible.
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  46. The words might be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, running frontwards or backwards. The 31 words in the puzzle, are from Romans Chapter One, in the King James Version. That chapter is produced below, and the words are highlighted in yellow. Greetings to the Saints in Rome 1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4And declared to bethe Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's Desire to Visit Rome (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20) 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. God's Wrath against Sin (Jeremiah 6:10-21; Jeremiah 25:15-33; Jonah 1:4-10; Acts 27:13-26) 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
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  47. The time of the great tribulation is before God pours out His wrath. About time you learned the difference between tribulation and God's wrath. By all means, please expound on the scriptures for me. I will explain: Tribulation: suffering, affliction, persecutions, and distress. Wrath: Violent Anger, Fury, Punishment, Judgement. Tribulation and Wrath do not mean the same thing and its a great error to make them mean the same thing. The bible say that believers are not subject to wrath but we are appointed to tribulation, sufferings, afflictions, persecutions and distress. Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Makeing Tribulation mean Gods Wrath and Punishment is not only illiterate but unbibical. Jesus promised his followers that we would see tribulation, sufferings, distress and even death. But I agree that true believers will not be Punished with God's Wrath but we will have Tribulation that comes from being a follower of Christ. If you read Mat. 24/Mar13/ Luk21 you will notice Jesus said "when you see these thing" as if we will be here to see these things. No where in Jesus discription of the End-times did Jesus mention a pre-tribulation escape but warnings dont be deceaved, you shall be delivered up, you shall be killed and persecuted and many christians deceaved. I believe we will be here during the tribulation and the bible speaks about God shorting the Tribulation for our sake. So I believe somewhere toward the end of the tribulation God steps in and says its enough, grabs his people and Wrath and Judgement beings and comes on all who are left on earth which is the Beast and his followers. God Bless,
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  48. The pre-trib. rapture is such a secret,that Jesus forgot to mention it . Actually, Jesus said, "immediately after the tribulation" in Matt. 24:29. Some pretribbers say that Matt. 24 is just for the jews,and not the Church,but,if they would read Galatians 3:26-29, and Ephesians 2:11-19, they would know that EVERYBODY that has the name of Christ is part of the "elect". The jews who still have to be born again,and the born again gentiles",are the "elect, so whoever is a christian, then Matt.24 is written to them as well and not just to Israel. Yes,Matt. 24 is written to the jews,but also to the spiritual jews {born again gentiles}. The true Israel of God is all born again believers, and some pretribbers don't know that. My dad doesn't know that,so he said that he didn't care what Matt.24 says. I told him that if he really was born again, he better care,because those are the words of Jesus. Jesus said, ".......whoso readeth,let him understand" {Matt.24:15}. I read it,and every born again believer who reads it better understand it to,and take it personally for Jesus never mentioned a pretrib rapture for his believers in that chapter. I think the apostle Paul made it quite plain to in 2 Thess.2. The bottom line is, there is no pretrib rapture,for everything points to posttrib.
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