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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/31/2019 in all areas

  1. I've used up all my "thumbs up" for the day evidently...so...just.....AMEN!
    2 points
  2. hahaha! Boy you jumped straight into the deep end I dearly love that book now but I couldn't make heads or tails of it for years. I could never recommend it as a start point but that doesn't mean HE never would. Fact is it truly is the Teacher who knows exactly where to start each of us individually. His choice will always be best and tailored to the personality, call, and circumstance of each individual. That's the beauty of having God Himself as your personal tutor. He has a tailor made curriculum perfectly matched to each individual student
    2 points
  3. Our salvations are secured by the new birth. This is the starting point, the soil from which all things are to grow. This new birth, growing into a full man in Christ is the purpose of the new birth. As with receiving the new birth, it came through faith. Just the same, all growth of the new birth comes through faith also. Our salvation in Christ is a complete and total finished thing before God. Never to get more or less. What is this finished thing exactly that Christ did for us on the cross. Understanding what He did for us in its totality, is of vital importance for those that would be perfect before Him. The fact is He not only died for us, but He took us to death with Him, so we might live in newness of life in the here and now. This is how He secured our salvation by taking us to death with Him so that all things could become new. That in all those that would be willing to give up there life’s unto death, daily, not just willing to die for Him as a final act. But willing to give up their lives while they were still alive to Him. This is what is meant by presenting ourselfs as a living sacrifice to Him. This presenting is a moment by moment presenting. It is believing that when; “Jesus died, I died, that I might be a new creation, created, in righteousness, by righteousness, for righteousness.” For righteousness being manifested in all things is why Christ died. That righteousness would once again rule in all things. Until this foundation is known and experienced, fellowship with God will be spotty. Great and glorious times will be experienced only to come to a screaming halt. For disobedience/sin will raise it’s head once again. Repentance will come, but it will be a struggle, much hatred of oneself will be endured. Till once again the peace of Christ is felt in the heart. Only to repeat itself again, to the total despair of the believer. Over and over again. To the point that the believer believes that there is no way to walk in newness of life, (like he reads in scripture). This is what their brothers and sisters are experiencing, and being taught, so they believe that this is the all of what Christianity is. But this is not the case. Christians as a whole, believe that Jesus died for their sins. This belief is that which gives them the new birth. But this birth is for the direct purpose of growing. As with all things that come from God they come through faith. Just as our being saved comes through the faith that Christ died for us. Our growth in Christ comes through our faith that when He died we died. It is believing and having faith in the operation of God in our souls. That is Him doing something in us that we cannot do for ourselfs. For anything else is a work of the flesh or trying to establish a righteousness of one’s own. For our salvation in Christ is really and truly having God form Himself in us. So we can walk in righteousness with no breaks in fellowship through our deliberate choosing of sin over Him. This “will or “us”” that would choose sin, that we find still alive in us, after our receiving Christ, is that that Christ tells us to reckon dead. It is this faith put into practice that is that faith that sets a believer free from their fallen nature. For the scripture that’s says; “the just shall live by faith.” Is telling us that faith is to be the all of our walks with Him. But faith in what? It is believing in the totality of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And that was “when He died, we died”. It is our “reckoning ourselfs dead” by faith that is that which has been lost to Christianity as a whole. Ask God about this. For growing in Him is what our salvation is all about. For if there is any truth in these writings, we most assuredly want all that God has for us. Blessings, Much love in Christ, Not me
    2 points
  4. I thought I stuck pretty close to what the text actually says. Let me look at that again. Looking at the Word itself, I AM assuming the word "saint" is used to mean exactly what it means in every other place it's used in the NT. Born-again, by the power of the Holy Spirit who then indwells the believer. As far as assumptions go that seems a very safe one to me. The power to overcome these saints is GRANTED. Who can grant such power but Father? We need an understanding of how our Father who is love could grant such a writ of authority to the beast (and i assert that such an explanation DOES exist and makes perfect sense). Every tribe, tongue and nation is mentioned so we're not just hearing about the 144,000 or Israelites or Jews exclusively. And then I'd have to ask why those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life as an exception (the only ones who DO NOT worship the beast) unless there are some present to reject that demand for worship. It seems to speak pretty clearly and what you are identifying as my "assumptions" still seem very well grounded in the Word as far as I can see. Lets look at your next assertion by actually reviewing Dan 12. I'm trying to make sure we don't get lost in the pile of things before us so I'm stepping through your post one bit at a time. I highlighted in green (Jesus) because I have a question there. Why do you say this is Jesus speaking to Daniel? That's an 'assumption' I need some evidence for. If I'm understanding the context of this encounter properly (and we have to back all the way up to Chapter 10 to find where this encounter starts) this is an angelic messenger who identifies himself in ways that don't seem to fit Jesus Himself. We've got quite a few instances in the OT where we DO see what appears to be pre-incarnate manifestations of Jesus but I don't think this is one of them. Back at the beginning of the encounter this heavenly being testifies that he was sent (my assumption is that Father sent him) to bring a response to Daniel's petition for understanding. And we're given a description of this heavenly messenger. There are some similarities in this description that coincide with a description of Jesus found in Rev 1, BUT...the following verses seem to describe circumstances that COULDN'T fit Jesus. The angel witnesses that he was withstood by a principality. Actually HINDERED in his mission for three whole weeks? I am doubtful any principality can hinder Jesus from doing anything. I suppose these statements I will make next are debatable, but 1. The messenger was "sent" and sent as a response to Daniel's prayer 2. The messenger did not possess sufficient strength to "break through" the resistance of a principality by himself. 3. Evidently Michael is dispatched to assist him in completing his commission to deliver understanding to Daniel. And with Michael's entrance the resistance is overcome. If we're to interpret this being as being Jesus Himself, then we're setting up a situation where Jesus needed Michael's help to get the job done. Now personally i find that a fantastic assumption....unbelieveable in the extreme. This is probably enough for one post. But I want to stick to looking at your post until you're satisfied I'm not just glossing it over and refusing to address it.
    2 points
  5. Thank you for your beautiful posts, @Xethea and @Willa. It's not that I use words toward my family to achieve what God could achieve. I stopped doing that a long time ago. I just prey and try to be good. But sometimes I feel guilty for perhaps not doing enough. I should stop doing that.
    2 points
  6. Pray. I prayed day and night for my husband's salvation for 4 years. Only God can save. It is an undeserved gift. You can't create faith in them, only God can. You can love them, serve them and be an example to them. You cannot force it down their throats or preach it into them. I tried that and failed as well. An ancestor of mine made a pact with God to pray till midnight every night till her husband and 8 kids were saved. It only took 6 months. Perhaps if I hadn't preached at him God would have saved him much sooner. The more I prayed for my husband the more God changed me to be the kind of wife he needed. Perhaps God will change you to be the kind of husband and father you family needs as well.
    2 points
  7. After the death of Jesus, there are significant changes between the Old Testament and New Testament. If we understand the reason for the changes, then we will be able flow with God in the new things that he is doing in this dispensation. Difference no.1 In the Old Testament, only selected few individuals have the Holy Spirit. Who are these individuals? Below are just a few examples of individual who have the Holy Spirit. a) Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and Bezalel b) Prophets: Moses, Samuel, Daniel c) Judges: Joshua, Samson, Gideon d) Kings: King Saul, King David (Joshua) Deuteronomy 34:9 = Joshua is filled with the Holy Spirit to take on Moses' responsibilities. (King Saul) 1 Samuel 19:18-24 = King Saul and his servants are filled with the Spirit and prophesy. (Daniel) Daniel 5:11 = There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. (Bezalel) Exodus 31:1-3 = Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills God chooses these few individual for a specific task. For Joshua, King Saul and King David, the anointing to lead. For Daniel, the anointing to prophesize, For Bezalel, the anointing to build. In the New Testament, every true born again Christian have the Holy Spirit sealed within them. We can see this in the New Testament’s scriptures. 1 John 4:4 = You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one (Holy Spirit) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world. Ephesians 1:13 = And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19 = Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. Colossians 3:11 = Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and IS IN ALL. Romans 8:9 = You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. In the Old Testament, only a few selected individual have the Holy Spirit to empower them to complete specific task. But in the New Testament, every true born and Christian will have the Holy Spirit. If a person claim to be a Christian but does not have the Holy Spirit within he/she, that person is not a true Christian and does not belong to Christ. Difference no. 2 In the Old Testament, there is a possibility that the Holy Spirit leaving the chosen individual if there is disobedience or sin. We can see from a few example in bible. In the case of King Saul who is afraid of men and failed to obey God 1 Samuel 15:24 = Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 1 Samuel 16:14 = Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. In the case of Samson whose has supernatural strength from the Lord but become weak when the Holy Spirit departed from him Judges 14:6 = The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. Judges 16:20-21 = Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. King David must have saw what happen to King Saul and know of this fact. We can see it in Psalm 51:11, his plead with God not to remove the Holy Spirit from him. Psalm 51:11 = Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. In the New Testament, every true born again Christian will have the Holy Spirit. It is written in the bible that a Christian will never lose the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17 = And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you FOREVER the Spirit of truth. Ephesians 1:13-14 = And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were MARKED in him with a SEAL, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit GUARANTEERING our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:22 = set his SEAL of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, GUARANTEERING what is to come. Notice the use of words such as Sealed, Forever, Marked and Guaranteeing. These are words of assurance. A true born again Christian cannot lose the Holy Spirit. Remember John 3:16 and John 10:27–28 John 3:16 = For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have ETERNAL life. John 10:27-28 = My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them ETERNAL life, and they shall NEVER PERISH; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; NO ONE CAN SNATCH them out of my Father’s hand. In the Old Testament, prior to Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit had a “come and go” relationship with people. But in the New Testament, after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit is sealed within a believer with guarantee of eternal life. Conclusion Below is the simple sum up 1) In the Old Testament, God empowers few Jews with his Holy Spirit to fulfil specific tasks. 2) Abraham and Joseph were Jews who were privilege to have God’s Holy Spirit. They do not know of the law of God but able to know him personally. 3) King David who lived under the law knew that God is full of grace because he knew God personally through the Holy Spirit (2 Samuel 24:14 = David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.") 4) However many Jews do not have the Holy Spirit, they do not know what pleases and displeases God. 5) Hence, God gave the law to show them how they should live. Through the law, the Jews were able to know God’s character, standard and expectation on them. 6) The giving of the law is God’s mercy on the Jews. Its purpose is to set a boundary to prevent sins that will provoke God’s anger and judgement which will end in the destruction on the Jews. 7) However, God knew no one is able to obey the law. Hence, God commanded the sacrifice of bulls and goats as a temporary covering for their sins. Christ’s death (payment for sins) and resurrection (vindication that we are cleansed of sins and have become righteous in-Christ) is the ultimate event in bible history that caused a major change between the Old and New Testament. ? Whoever believed in Jesus Christ and his finished work are cleansed of all sins. 9) With the removal of sins, the Holy Spirit is able to seal himself permanently within a believer. Our body become the temple of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19 = Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.) Since every true born again Christian have the Holy Spirit who is God and author of the law, we have a living teacher who will teaches and guides us. There is no longer any need for the law. Just as God personally guide and teaches Abraham and Joseph who knows nothing about the law because they lived before the law was given, God is able to do the same to us. As it is clearly written “No longer will they teach their neighbour”, meaning man will no longer teach man. Hebrews 8:10-13 = This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new”, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. Just as Abraham and Joseph lived before the law but are able to live a life pleasing to God, we have no more need to be mindful of the law but mindful of the Holy Spirit and his commandments for our daily living. The commandments given by the Holy Spirit are flexible and tailored to train build different individual. To one person, he may command to be gentle and patient. To another person, he may command to be firm. To one person, he may command to hold on. To another, he may command to let go. To one person, he may command to pack up and move on. To another person, he may command to stay on and persevere. Note: Even though an Old Testament saint has the Holy Spirit, they were still under severe curses and punishment which may sometimes lead to death. We are more blessed than the Old Testament saints. Our punishment and curses are behind us because Jesus’ bore our judgement and curses when he hang and die on the cross. In the New Testament if there is any punishment, it is God’s discipline and training on his child. Hebrews 12:6 = For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.
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  8. What must we do to get the ticket to heaven? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. The ticket to heaven is a free-gift from God to whoever believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. It cannot be earn but can only be receive in humility. Since we cannot earn salvation, we cannot lose it. What are rewards in heaven? Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. Rewards can only be earn. Every Christian will be judge and reward by Jesus based on their works. Every Christian will receive different level of rewards. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Rewards can be lost. God has predestined all Christians for good works. The amount of rewards that we earned is based on how much we submit ourselves to God to do the good works that he has prepared in advance for our entire lifetime. Conclusion: In heaven, there are good and bad Christians who are unequally rewarded. In hell, no matter how good or great you are. You do not receive any reward. Only different severity of punishment.
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  9. I’m on my spiritual journey and thus far. Wow! The God we serve is just amazing. Recently I completed a Scripture plan “Intimacy”, as of course Intimacy is a big part of every relationship. Needless to say, yesterday I felt the need to worship and praise. Sadly I could not. During the month of my deep reading I got so open and personal, selfish in a sense because I was really in that much of a need. I felt foolish lifting my hands and surrendering, (not a feeling of shame or pride). It felt impersonal to how I’ve known him if that makes sense. And I prayed over it heavy last night-how do I show you I am in awe of you? You my God/redeemer in Our own language. One that’s familiar to me, and not just something shown to me and I’m expected to follow suit (grew up in church where women would throw up their hands and holler )
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  10. I don't mean to poo-pooh the idea of God using the moon to signify and point to prophetic events. But Israel follows a lunar calendar which means that the first of every month is a new moon, which is the only time a solar eclipse can manifest astronomically. Many Jewish feasts begin on the first of the month so many feasts will coincide with new moons regardless of whether they're signs or not. Because full moons always occur in the middle of the month, another set of Jewish feasts will always be occurring during the only time lunar eclipses can happen astronomically. It's quite natural for there to be a high level of coincidence between Jewish feasts and lunar events. I know God DOES set signs in the sun, moon and stars because He said He would and even mentioned that they were for 'signs' at creation. But we need some discernment to separate what events are signs and which are just normal astronomical motions.
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  11. There is no aspect of evolutionary theory that precludes this possibility. The scientific evidence suggests that the human population was much larger than 2 at the time, but a literal Adam and Eve are certainly possible. I am one of many Christians that accept evolution as a tool of God’s creation, while still accepting a literal Adam and Eve.
    1 point
  12. Greetings to all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, BG, the falling away (2Thes 2:3), that Paul says must come before the day of Christ is near in time, is the departure from the faith that Jesus said would take place prior to His coming. Jesus said, "then shall many be offended" (Matt 24:10). Like those who received the seed into the stony ground (Matt 13:20-21), when they shall experience unprecedented persecution for His "name's sake" they will fall away. He also said that many would be deceived by the false prophets who will show great signs and wonders (Matt 24:11, 24). The falling away is the notable departure from the faith of many if not most of those who "call themselves Christians." Any apostasy that has been witnessed over the past 2000 years is insignificant as an identifiable sign that Christ's return for us is at hand. The falling away is future. It will take place after the abomination of desolation when the world worships the Beast. Glory be to Jesus Christ
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  13. Yes the same can be said for those who Nero burned on crosses to light the roads to Rome. In Christ Montana Marv
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  14. I have come to about the same place. I'm describing myself as a "follower of Jesus" more and more these days because even "Christian" has become so confused, meaning so many different things to different people I can never be certain what the person is "hearing" when I say Christian. Accepting a denominational label went out the window years ago.
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  15. I would encourage you to keep seeking the Lord about it.....ask Him if this is from Him, and if so what does it means and how does He want you to pray. Anytime I have had anything from the Lord He always confirms it and shows it in His word, so maybe you could ask Him also to confirm and show you what it is in His word. We are to always test the spirits to make sure it is from the Lord, by discernment and also by His word.
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  16. I'd throw my vote behind the Gospel of John as many have already That's as good a starting place as any I know of. There is another option for the daring Get yourself in a quiet place and ask Him where to start. Then listen, as long as it takes to hear His answer. The quicker you realize and believe that He is THE Teacher and available to you to explain everything you're about to read, the quicker that living Word will begin to blossom in your understanding. Not to mention just the incredible experience of His presence....
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  17. I'll just echo what's been said here. God brings conviction and changes people. So long as you're praying and setting a good example for them and keeping yourself close to God you're doing exactly what you need to be doing.
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  18. DEAD MEN CAN'T SIN! lol...I KNOW IT....I have intellectually apprehended it, but I still fall in and out of BELIEVING it in my HEART where it counts. This IS the "work" we've been assigned...to BELIEVE! This truth that we DIED with Him is so fundamental and so strongly resisted by our carnal minds I do believe its worthy of a LOT of our attention and effort applied to just believing. thanks for the reminder once more brother....i needed it. again....
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  19. I think that you should only be concerned with yourself and your relationship with Christ. Let God handle every other human's heart in this world. We can be the salt and light as born again Christians in this world and be an example. We can post on Worthy the Word of God and how to live a Christian life.
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  20. You are loved swidl . Hands up and let all praise the LORD .
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  21. Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. You might reach people in the unbelievers pavilion with comparisons to philosophy, but in the believers area we will respond better to Scripture. My dad considered himself a philosopher till he read "He Is There and He Is Not Silent" by Francis Schaeffer. He gave his life to Christ a year before he passed away. "He Is There and He Is Not Silent is divided into four chapters, followed by two appendices. The first of these chapters deals with metaphysics; the second, morals; and the third and fourth, epistemology. The first appendix concerns revelation and the second the concept of faith." Wikipedia..
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  22. No one in this life, even given a 900 year life span, could do enough or reach the limit to doing things for God. Do all you can, there is no limit or minimum that God has set, but he would appreciate you live the most you can for him. If you aren't, he already knows what you're going to do until you get to heaven, so it wont surprise him. Overall, he wont be disappointed in his saved people. He appreciates even the smallest things you do greatly.
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  23. I should have done better in this opening post and used a better chose of words, maybe using the term archetypes rather than gods would have been better. An archetype is the central or organizing structure of a complex. Dionysus and Apollo were gods to the ancient Greeks, but they were false gods and that is the point that I was trying to make. .... It is a matter of semantics. ..... I appreciate your feedback.
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  24. Recently my state elected a lesbian atheist. I didnt vote for her though because I followed her career for years and greatly disapprove of her stances on issues. She took an oath to office this january. She used the us constitution and the arizona constitution to take her oath. I guess it would depend on the individual what they would take their oath on. If by some chance I went insane and ran for public office and by some miracle got elected, I likely wouldnt take my oath on the bible. Jesus said to let your yes be yes and your no be no. It bothers me to take an oath on the bible for something secular. I probably would also use the constitution.
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  25. The church did not come up with the idea of marriage the sanctity of it. That was God's idea and that does NOT change. You said that God wants us to respect his word. Jesus said to the woman at the well when exposing her sin that she had been married 5 times and was now shacked up with a man she was not married to. Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage is honorable, but that adulterers and fornicators will be judged by God. [Just like all sinners will be judged by God, but the author of Hebrews is making a point about marriage in particular.] Acts 15 gives the teaching to abstain from sexual impurity. 1 Corinthians 7 says that people who desire sex should feel free to marry. It doesn't say that they should feel free to shack up. The same passage also say for widows who still have a sex drive to marry again. It doesn't tell them to move in with their boyfriend. So there you go. There the word of God. All of us, including the OP, should - as you say respect his word.
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  26. This is a good article expressing the issues at hand. https://thefederalist.com/2019/01/24/new-law-makes-easier-new-yorkers-get-third-trimester-abortions/
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  27. he bible teaches that a married couple are one. It alspo teaches that there is a higherarchy in marriage. The Christian women has to obey her Christian husband, but the husband is to 'love' his wife in the same way as Jesus loves his church. As a husband what are you prepared to give up for your wife. Wifes if your husband loves you like that, is it a problem to obey him?
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  28. 14 “The people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow[will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. 16 Fear and dread will fall on them; By the greatness of Your arm They will be as still as a stone, Till Your people pass over, O Lord, Till the people pass over Whom You have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O Lord, which You have made For Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. 18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.” 19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. Exodus 15:14-19
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  29. false dichotomies are one of the most powerfully deceptive tools the devil has in his arsenal and we should be very aware of that. He'll take a subject and frame it up in such a way that BOTH viewpoints deny God's Word and then get us fussing over those while he laughs behind his hand. The Word cuts through all that and we need to be familiar with it so we can quickly see the false constructs and reorient the topic to God's way of seeing things. Just as Pastor Who did in the above post. Just a quick example is seeing people accept that there is "white" or good witchcraft and black magic....etc. God forbade ALL witchcraft and this is not so much an issue with Christians (I'm pretty sure most Christians still view any form of witchcraft as forbidden) but it's a pretty good example of a layer of deception that appeals to the mind and serves to obscure the truth of God's Word from people who don't know Him yet. I live in an area FULL of covens and little shops that sell all kinds of very, very strange ingredients and talismans for spell casting. Magic and witchcraft have a huge following in this area. Beware the false dichotomy
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  30. the whole world has become nonsense and we are all ridiculous. we watch tv where people talk utter rubbish, the internet is full of gossip and lies and most people cant go five meters without looking at mobile phones.
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  31. @Annette The book of Ruth is one of my favorites, too. It has an interesting combination of characters. Ruth is devoted and selfless. Unlike many so young, she chooses to put her mother-in-law's happiness over her own. She could've stayed behind and remarried. She even turns away from worshiping the idol of her land and embraces the true God of Israel. In v 3:5 she is shown to be obedient to Naomi. "And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.” Naomi is clever. She senses Boaz is drawn to Ruth by the way he keeps seeing to it she is eating well and protecting her. Boaz gives her special treatment and tells her he wants her to stay nearby in his personal fields. In 2:8 Naomi explains to Ruth: "Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor..." Ruth 3:2-3 For Naomi knows Jewish law obligates wealthy, kind Boaz to marry her. Boaz is bighearted. He treats his servants fairly and is especially generous with Ruth and Naomi...looking after these two widows. Best of all, Boaz can be seen as a Messianic foreshadow! He is a type of Christ in several ways. Boaz is from the tribe of Judah and of the town of Bethlehem which points ahead to Jesus. ( Boaz, David and finally Jesus, fulfilling the Micah 5:2 prophecy.) He is the redeemer...the one who can rescue Ruth from her plight as an outcast (heathen) in Israel. She will find safety under his covering "Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” Or "Spread the corner of your garment over your maidservant" (3:9) All of us were outcasts lost in our desperate spiritual condition. Like Ruth, we found hope in the Savior who mercifully received us as His own. The Church is His beloved Bride. Another parallel of Jesus and believers with Boaz and Ruth. Praise God.
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  32. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=power+in+the+blood+fernando+ortega&t=hi&ia=videos&iai=D0RIv4l5d1M&pn=1&iax=videos
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  33. I forgotten about this thread but received an email notification. I was angry when I started it but like most anger it does wash over. If I will apologize to anyone it will be blood bought in the context of disagreeing that medication has helped him and helps some other people. So I do offer a heart felt apology for offending the people diagnosed with a genuine mental disorder and that medication helps them. I was wrong and admit my error. Weather you accept that is up to you. The system misdiagnosed me with a severe mental disorder 10 years and they abused me. I found this out by an independent psychiatric assessment who operates outside of groupthink. As for my anger towards the mainstream profession that shoehorns everyone with a one size fits all approach I remain unrepentant. To quote George Orwell “The system filters out the thoughtful and replaces them with the faithful. When everybody is thinking the same thing, nobody is thinking at all” I work and I’m getting married in a couple of months and I’ve stayed out of hospital. But I will never seek help from the mainstream system again. They need to take good hard look at themselves. That’s all I have to say. I am now unsubscribing from this thread and moving on..
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  34. In this sin sick world our obedience to His Word is received not as salvation wise but as 'I love you' back to God This is good council....
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  35. Sorry but these gods do not exist. There is only the Creator God, the great 'IAM' who is God, all other gods are the devils decieving people.
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  36. I would suggest you start with the four gospels, and one very important thing to do before reading your bible is pray and ask God for understanding. Don't overdo it, I would recommend a chapter at most so you get the context of the passage. In regards to the issue of pornography, what you are experiencing there is personal conviction, regarding a sin you are committing. What you need to do is remove this from your life, by any means necessary. There are software options available that will block these type of sites, and if you find that doesn't work, then perhaps staying off the internet altogether is necessary. If it is through television, there are ways to block these types of programs there as well, and if that doesn't work, get rid of cable altogether. The bottom line is, you are ashamed of your actions, and this is why you feel God is mad at you. He isn't mad at you by the way, you are precious to Him, but He does hate sin, and your body is the temple in which He resides, so treat it appropriately. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. God bless
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  37. I basically agree with Willa.....I have heard it put this way........A Christian is someone that has Christ in them and Christ is formed in your heart by faith.
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  38. And so we sang at my husband's funeral. I so look forward to worshipping God with him again, and with many here on Worthy. Was a victory our Savior won at that cross! Hallelujah! AMEN and AMEN!
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  39. Heb 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; This indicates that the person who is not forgiving may not obtain the grace of the cross, that perhaps their unforgiveness hardens their heart with bitterness so that they fall short. I think of Simon the Sorcerer. Both of these are after the cross. Perhaps these are people who were not filled with thanksgiving due to their bitterness and so didn't surrender to Jesus as their Lord. Or perhaps they are saved as by fire. Certainly they never know the joy of their salvation if they are full of bitterness. Also the parable: Mat 18:3 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Mat 18:33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ Mat 18:34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[fn] until he should pay all his debt. Mat 18:35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
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  40. Over the years the word "Christian" has lost its significance. Anyone can call themselves a Christian. A born again Christian has put their faith, hope and trust in the work of Jesus Christ. Including His death on the cross as payment of our sins. A born again Christian does not just have a religion but a daily relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ comes before anything or anyone in their life. They have an eternity in heaven which will never end.
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  41. James, all I can add is that" when we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and Shout the Victory." In Heaven, there will be no denominations, there will be no differences, we will come in unity under His Headship. While we live this side of Glory, there will be differences, though we worship the One Lord and Saviour, be not distracted in what others are doing, but as Jesus said to Peter on the beach, "What I will for this man is not your concern, You follow me." We all have a "cross" to bear, let's then keep our focus on "Him." What has been posted above is good, Godly, sound advice, be encouraged James, and as always, I hope this helps, God bless.
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  42. A Christian is a person in whom Christ lives (or abides). Jhn 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jhn 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Jhn 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Jhn 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. Jhn 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Jhn 15:8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Jhn 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
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  43. I know it's difficult. I was faced with the same choice many years ago. I didn't do what I knew was right, was I told was was right to do, instead I satisfied my own feelings, I didn't heed the Lords words on the matter. Lost it all, and I mean everything. When you do finally know it's my hope you do much better than I. Be stronger than I was, listen better than I did. It may be a hard thing but much easier than what may happen in the end. Blessing to you both. May the Spirit guide you always.
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  44. Truthfully, I don't mean to be trite, but you need to asking the Lord if she is the Eve He has for you and also discuss this with your pastor. Here is what my pastor taught about this subject, Man is made in the Image of God, just as God is three person in one, man is a spirit that is connected to his body by his soul, with that in mind, how compatible are you two in these three areas. Let's start with the least important, body, are you attracted to her just as she is, she doesn't have to change anything for you, ...now take a good look at her mother, in the future she could be, in resemblance, just like mom, would you still love her just as she has become? Her soul, are you both moved by the same emotions, are you in agreement on how emotional problems can be solved, is there communication between you two, deep communication, can you confide in each other things you would never tell anyone else, are you best friends? The spirit, in a Christian marriage the man is the authority figure, he has to make the final decisions, responsibility in the marriage, he alone is answerable to Christ, can she accept that, ...ministry do you both have the same goals and vision, will she be your helpmate in ministry? I haven't written this for you evaluate the promiscuous girl, but someone in the future, ...like has already been said, you need to run away as fast as you can, ...consider this, she has already given in to the temptation of her flesh, how can she keep her promise to you without the aid of he Holy Spirit living inside of her?
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  45. Matthew 13:18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Not everyone who hears understands, not everyone who hears embraces, not everyone who hears follows, not everyone who hears is born again. Now, if she says Jesus is not the way, the truth and the life, then how can she be a believer? I think that says it all right there, regardless of how long she attended church earlier in her life, the cares of the world are what she values now. My advice, run now. God bless
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  46. The yes/no/later response strikes me as one-dimensional. It's like the only element involved in prayer is putting in an impersonal request form and God pulling out one of 3 stampers to put a response on our request form. The issue of unanswered prayers is one that has vexed Christians for millennia to some extent. There is sometimes an element of us thinking we know best in what we ask for. We can pray to win the lottery; but perhaps what we should be praying for wisdom and guidance for how to support ourselves. There is also sometimes an element that we really don't trust God and think He is holding out on us for some reason if we don't get the response we expect when we expect it. I think our view of unanswered prayers ultimately comes down to how we think of God's heart toward us. Does He have our best interest at heart as a loving Father? Or is He just waiting for us to fall short so He can smite us or play games with us? Do we trust Him to do what's best in that we don't see the big picture? or do we assume that He should do things the way we expect? There is also the issue that prayer is much more than just asking things of God; it is meant to be communion with God as well. It is a time to reflect, meditate, and rest in His presence, and not just rattle off a list of prayer requests. As a bigger part of our spiritual life, prayer is a time of getting away from the world and just being with God. When prayer becomes primarily about asking for things, I think we are missing the biggest part of it.
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  47. We all know John 17, the oneness chapter. And over the years, since the wolves that Paul spoke about came into the church after his death, the church has split from one church to over five hundred denominations today. We have seen great efforts put into seeing John 17 fulfilled. We have often tried to table our differences, be more “inclusive”, and there is an ecumenical movement afoot, and yet it is failing badly. Like the builders of the Tower of Babel, it almost seems like as Christians, we too have been given different languages. We cannot understand why those in those other denominations cannot see their glaring errors, but they are too busy doing the same thing to us. Despite the fact we are all naming Jesus as savior, we cannot get along. Heck, even in the same fellowship, there are divisions and schisms and disagreements, how money should be spent, why Joe is leading worship when Sheila has such a pretty voice, whether it is right to have an Easter egg hunt. Heaven help us! And the sum of the matter? We have no clue.... none.... as to how to walk in oneness with one another. And the reason? We have no clue how to become ONE with God.... yet. Let me explain. Picture the church as a wagon wheel and all along the rim of the wheel, we find all the truly born again believers, some from every denomination. Some are closer to our beliefs than others. Others? Whew! Are they ever misled! LOL. But we are all there. And each of us has a spoke leading to the center of the wheel, the hub. And there sits Jesus. Now, when we try to follow John 17, here is what happens. We urge others that we all need to be one, so we scoot over a little, pat the place next to us like nice friendly Christians, and motion them to join us. But the people on the other sides of the rim shake their heads side to side, smile politely, scoot over, and pat the place they have reserved for us next to them! Wow, we a a polite bunch! Do you see the problem? Those stupid people..... er..... I mean brothers and sisters in the Lord.... need to get a clue, right? But there is a bigger problem. None of us are sitting on the hub with Jesus. None of us are one with Christ. And until that happens, we are destined to build the Tower of Babel v.2. and oneness with each other is flat out impossible. Is oneness with God a pipe dream.... or just a goal? Is that what we are to aim at but never hit? We are told that if we abide... remain.... in Christ, we will NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh, amen? Yet who does that? And if someone says they do, we chew them to pieces as pride filled liars. Is oneness wit Jesus something reserved for us in Heaven but no more than a nice concept here on earth? I do not know how it is in your walk, but in mine, if I have to make it on my own, it is crash and burn time, big time. I need to abide, not just visit the Lord on Sumdaycmornings, then back to MY life. No, oneness is possible, but something needs to happen first. We are told that two can only walk together when they are agreed. Well, that eliminates uniting on the rim of the wheel, doesn’t it? But how about our walking together in agreement with the Lord? You see, there is the crux of our problem. We and the Lord do not agree. You do not believe me? Let’s test it out. God says that we are no longer in the flesh and owe it nothing. God says that sin shall not have dominion over us. God says that He will cause us to will and to do of His good pleasure. I can list a dozen more but these few make the point. We are not agreeing with Him, and why? We are in unbelief. That, dear brothers and sisters, is the core root of our problem. Our God is even now beginning to arouse us from our deep sleep we have all fallen into. And when we do, we will be confronted by a truth that we have all pretty much choked on. Our old nature, our flesh, is dead. Listen. We are not told to kill it, ignore it, tie it up, choke it out, or get an accountability partner to oversee it. Neither are we told to try to improve it. We are told to reckon it as DEAD and then, by an act of faith, to put it off. Disavow it. Disown it. We are asked to come into agreement with God that our old nature died the minute we made Jesus savior and Lord. And then we are to put on our brand new natures God has given us. And we do all this by faith, simply because God said so. I pray you hear me. When we do this, something amazing happens. Christ is no longer with us. He is IN us. and praise God, to our amazement, we find ourselves sitting with Christ in the centerof the wheel. But here is where it gets truly mind blowing. You know that guy across from you that had those crazy ideas about Jesus and salvation? Guess what? He did the same thing, and I’ll be darned, but he too sits in the hub, right next to you. And to both of your amazements, you now see things exactly the same, you both are ONE with Jesus... together. Man, he is a great guy too! I”ll be darned! We are about to witness a true miracle. John 17 fulfilled. No more rim sitting. Ever. And those in the world will look on, incredulous. What they will see will not only match the church of the book of Acts, it will surpass it! And our feeble efforts at evangelizing the world will be turned on their heads. And just as God promised in Ezekiel 36, “The heathen shall know that I am the Lord when I shall be sanctified IN THEM before their very eyes.” Whether we want to admit it or not, we have disgraced the name of our God by how we have represented Him, both individually and corporately. This is not me saying so God said it. But all that is coming to a close. God has shown me that there are multitudes all over the earth who are the elect, but they have been waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. And peoples from all religions, those who truly love the light but never have seen it in us, WILL see it and come to join us in the last great end gathering. God’s house WILL be full, and believe it or not, we are going to be a huge part of it! We serve an amazing God! Blessings, Gideon
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  48. Of course His name will be mentioned! We will display it! Jesus Christ alone will get the glory. This is not some new age,kumbahyah let’s all love God whatever his name is. Jesus Christ is Lord of.ALL. I am so sorry if you misunderstood that point. I pray that clears it up. Blessings, Gids
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  49. There is no doubt about the persecution. But I think much of it will come from inside the church as we know it, not from the outside world. Remember where we are told that darkness will be so great that in the end men will turn family members in to be killed. And get this. As they do this, they will think they are doing God a spiritual service. Why will this happen? Because as the church awakens, they will, because of their new natures, testify to the others.... without words.... that their deeds are evil. Up till now, the wheat and tares are mixed in the church today and that certainly is not happening.... yet. But when one lights their lamp and opening testifies that it is no more He that lives and that he is crucified with Christ, am that it is now Christ who lives in him? Well, the tares will not like that one bit. And neither will satan. Friends, I understand the responses. What I share is new and yes, it is different than what we have accepted as ‘normal’ Christianity. All I ask is this. Get alone with God. Let Him see your own heart and where you stand in relations to sin in your life. Are you content without godliness or is there a gnawing hunger there. He will lead you to truth. And I would be remiss if I did not tell you to open up your Bible and pray with it open. God has promised to cause us to obey. If you have found in your walk that sin still rules the roost, that self is still very much alive, and that you identify with Paul’s hatred of his failures and his longing to be delivered into the free indeed Jesus promised, then I trust God will lead you all the way home to walk as an overcomer. What I share is amazingly wonderful to any who hate their old nature. It is just not that exciting for those content to live in Romans 7 but without Paul’s hunger for Free Indeed. Blessings, Gideon
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  50. Sigh Brother, are you saying we are letting our light shine to a lost and dying world as the church exists today? We neither love God with our whole heart, nor do we love others as ourselves. And when we can finally admit it and break before God, and ask for natures that indeed can do that, it will change everything. The world sees our nakedness, and our shame, and our shallow hypocrisy, but we are blind to it. We are, whether or not we can see it, Laodecia and we need to hearten to the counsel God gave them. Tears need to be shed, and we need to clothe ourselves with new natures, natures that can shine forth into a very increasingly dark world. God loves us too much to come back right now, and our awakening has been foretold so we can light our lamps. We might be those like Thoma who will not believe until they see it with their own eyes, but God assures is that His sheep WILL hear His voice. When will the world be convinced that our God is THE God? When He shall be sanctified IN US before their very eyes. This is coming, and all who love the Lord will be a part of it. Rest assured, the church will not go out unprepared and dressed in worldly rags, lukewarm to their high calling. Amazing days are ahead. Blessings, dear brother, Gideon
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