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Hi all, Hope and pray you are all ok. Just a quick one to let you know we arrived safely. It was a long journey, but we're here. It is very hot and sunny. Totally different to what we're used to. lol. I will continue to pray for you all whilst I'm here. God bless you. Becky.

May Yahweh bless you richly @diane32. May your walk tomorrow be bolder than yesterday. What a wonderful, loving, kind Father we have! Despite how we act and fall, He is always faithful in picking us up and guiding us by the hand again. HalleluYah!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply with such openess, honesty, love and care...wow to your testimonies of what you been through and by the grace of God came through and for encouraging me. I do have great Christian friends, I also have great judgers lol but u understand everyone is walking their own walk and all that matters is God and what He says and anything good in my life is only because of Him. Part of me lings to turn back and part of me is afraid. I am so thankful to God that I found this chatsite because there are so many truly genuine Christians on here and you are making a difference by the grace of God. I didn't know what to expect when I posted the above post but I cried when I read what you all had to say. From the bottom of my heart thank you all so much and I pray God encourages and strengthens you all in Jesus name ?

So, we have moved to a new house and a week back we had invited one of the pastors we know to our house. Just to spend some time us and bless the new house. He stayed overnight and we were planning to do some prayer in the evening. He is such a humble and wonderful person full of wisdom! He is a pentecostal Pastor and always encourages me and my wife to seek Baptism of Holy Spirit. I have held different positions about speaking in tongues. Generally I have always believed speaking in tongues is for today. But my position was that it was not "essential". I never prayed for it too much. In my Church, a series on Spirit Empowered Life has been going on from beginning of the year (and this week they started a new series). Wonder about the timing!! The Pastor was actually fasting that day and wanted to pray with us for us to receive baptism of HS. He talked about it for a while and we started praying. I prayed. Then I slowly set aside my doubts and prayed to God that He would simply touch me and fill me. If that means speaking in tongues, then let it happen. This went on for a while. Then I thought Pastor would stop and stay keep asking the Lord and some other day it would happen. Nope, he would not stop! We kept on praying and finally my wife started speaking in tongues. That's when my prayers became serious!! I was in tears, just praising God and asking Him to fill me. Then the Pastor was moved by HS and he layed his hands on my head. On that instant, I felt like something gushing out of me. I started crying and speaking in tongues. It felt liberating. It felt like water breaking out of dam. It felt like everything came out of the core of the body or close to belly. That's the best way I can describe! I was speaking in tongues for a while and eventually we stopped. Yesterday during worship service at Church, once again I spoke in tongues for a while. May be for 1 or 2 songs. It is amazing! Clearly I could feel connected to God than normal praise and worship. It feels like there is zero distraction. No other thoughts in mind. And there is a calmness and peace at that time. And plenty of crying! I am so thankful and grateful to Lord that He would chose a sinner like me to show His goodness. I am not posting this up for debate on whether tongues is for today or question my experience. I am sharing this more as a testimony. As for my position about Baptism of Holy Spirit, I can personally testify that speaking in tongues is for today. Is Baptism of Holy Spirit is a second experience after being saved? This is the case for me. May be that's the way it is or may be that's the way it was for me because of my unbelief and not seeking it before. I don't know. If you are in my boat, set aside your doubts and seek Him. Just seek Him.

Shalom @diane32 Yes, I did. Through my own selfish and foolish desires and because of my lack of discipline in staying in the Word. It may be more extreme than what you are going through, but hopefully the below brief testimony will help: I unintentionally walked away from Yahweh for a long time (perhaps 7 years?). Partly out of shame and partly out of immersing myself in worldly studies – principally psychology. I still stuck by Scriptural standards, but halfheartedly and without joy. Living like a Christian felt more like work and I didn’t really believe that Yahweh loved ME individually, but more like I was part of the Christian crowd – That He loved me in general, but I was kinda at the back and not really in His eye-line. Does that make sense? Depression came on strongly and I isolated myself from friends, family and eventually even work. I went on medication for the depression, drank a lot, studied various disciplines of psychology more and more for an answer. But all I found was more hopelessness. As time went on, even with the medication and “mindfulness meditation”, I still struggled with life and started to greatly fear the end of days. What would await me? What would the persecution be like for me? Will I be tortured? What about when I meet the Lord Jesus? Won’t He be angry with me and say “I never knew you”? At this time, I slowly walked back to the Lord. I didn’t know how to do it but I thought that I just needed to get back to wherever He is. I needed to search Him out. If I was so ready to end my life, why not instead use it to search Him out? So I decided to pray, each morning, the following prayer. “Yahweh, I love you. Please give me wisdom, in the name of the Lord Yahushua (Jesus)”. That’s it. It’s all I could manage! But I kept it up for months. As well as this, I made it a mission to read the Bible cover-to-cover, and to repeat that cycle endlessly – until I could almost memorise sections. I made it a mission to leave no stone unturned – by investigating every Scripture or book that I was confused about – with the aid of audio commentaries. I didn’t rush though. Genesis may take 3 months. So what! Why rush through when reading the Bible is a lifetime pilgrimage. Time went by and my prayers naturally became longer. Joy started coming back into my heart. I stopped the antidepressants cold (which you should never do) and amazingly felt no side effects or withdrawal, or need for them ever again. Rather, I felt better – happy, emotionally stable, and full of love for Yahweh again. From there I went from strength to strength, by His grace. I stayed in prayer at least once every morning, and read or listened to Scripture or a commentary on it, DAILY – during lunch and commuting. Then, about 3 years later, I sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I had heard much about it and been taught that it should have happened already, with the laying on of hands after my water baptism. But that wasn’t good enough for me. It didn’t feel like anything happened back then and what I read in the Bible sounded dramatic. So, I made it my only life goal to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit above all things. After much seeking, it happened for me (thank you Yahweh!) and now I doubt I could ever fall away to that dark place again, by His grace and the guidance of His Spirit. In summary, it wasn’t brother or sisters who pulled me back. Thankfully not, as my faith and reliance would be partially grounded in them! Instead, I had even felt judgment and criticism from some unfortunately. But our walk is, fundamentally, an individual one. Therefore, don’t compare yourself or assume any kind of support from the Church. If it’s there, great. In my experience, it wasn’t. So my message to you is to keep your faith simple. Offer a simple but honest sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, every morning and evening. Make it your mission to understand every book of the Bible, leave no grey areas! Fully commit yourself to that journey, as this is your lifetime pilgrimage with the Father, as He talks to you through His Word – even in obscure passages. Above all things, seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit (if you haven’t been baptized already). This is paramount. Again, keep your walk simple, pure and holy between you and Yahweh, through the Lord Jesus. As you keep this up, some wonderful things will happen for you and, one day, you’ll find the idea of falling away again as repulsive. Because as you draw near to Him, He’ll draw near to you with much love and grace, and give you an endless shalom. Only then will you be ready for serving Him with your gifts. It might take 1 month it might take 10 years. Proceed as if it’s the former but be prepared for if it’s the latter. Love & Shalom

Are your friends and associates godly people? If you spend time with people who are walking with the Lord, it will help you to grow closer to Him. The company that you spend your time with can influence how you view the situations and circumstances of your life. So consider: Do the people you associate with meditate on God's Word? Do they have a Christ-centered lifestyle? Do they have a humble spirit and seek godly solutions to problems? If not, then you may want to examine the time you spend with certain people and how they influence your daily decisions, behaviors and opinions.

I think this is pretty true. Friends definitely influence our spiritual lives. Bad friendship could suck time out which could be better spent. I think this is also very important when you have little kids. Kids easily get influenced. While we cannot control who they develop friendship with, we should try to put them in situation of good influence as much as possible.

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:15-17

Shalom all, I used to be an atheist of atheists! I mocked Christians, Christianity, the Bible, the Lord Jesus and even God himself. I was even actively disparaging Yahweh with my art and creativity and lifting up satan, the occult in opposition. I worked with some Christians who could have easily written me off. They could have been outraged and offended by me. They could have had no hope for me and ignored me - as some are hasty to do in this forum. But, instead, they showed me love, peace, patience and truth. Because of their welcoming behaviour, I became more interested in the Bible and respected the Christians a lot more, even before I gave my life to Yahweh. I'm thankful that these Christians were like this, despite my arrogant, proud, atheist mindset. Their light shone forth and it attracted me to the Lord. It could have been so different if they said a cold word here, gave a short answer there, or had a judgemental attitude towards me. We ascribe salvation to the Lord, and rightfully so. However, we cannot underestimate the role we play and the impact we have on others in that process. I believe we will be judged on such matters as well - whether we have helped or hindered the lost, and our heart attitude towards them. Love & Shalom

Amen to that, and I would have to admit to stumbling along the pathway. And more than once. Thankfully, the Lord always managed to help me back on track. The family of God should always be willing to accept the Prodigal back into the fold. One time I saw a bumper sticker that said - If you feel far away from God, guess who moved? Proverbs 21:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. KJV Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one, in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. KJV

Which is why they are not given access to the forum the atheists are in. I want to share with you a lesson I learned long ago. The Lord showed me, or rather reminded me, that it is not up to our efforts. That He can use our words no matter how poor they are, to bring someone to salvation. This was the situation. In chat years ago, an unbeliever was in there and had been expressing interest in Christ until that day. I was unhappy thinking she was rejecting Him. Then 2 Christians came in and spoke harshly to her. I was convinced she was going to reject Christ for sure. She started to speak against getting saved, then out of nowhere, she changed her mind and considered Christ again, despite the negative words that were spoken to her. She eventually was saved. We cant save. By the same token, we cant keep someone from being saved. Should Christians be mean to atheists. Of course not. The way the forums are set up, the folks who speak harshly to them no longer can reply to them.

Heroes of faith ( Hebrews 11) Hebrews 11, some are delivered and some are not. instead those that were not delivered were tortured , cut into two..Well do you deliver or not? God said to me : I do both. I want to display the nobility of a heart that will even go to the death of martydom because they love me and I want to display my awesome delivering power and I will do it in the midst of an evil doer that demands worship. We have to prepare for both, whether He delivers or not “ our God whom we serve is able to deliver us and IF NOT ,be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:18)

Some of our most beloved and enduring hymns have been written under extreme trials and were born through deep sorrow/heartache. That is the case with the hymn "It is well with my soul." If you would like, feel free to add a story behind the song. This incredible story of faith belongs to Horatio Spafford (1828-1888). Much like Job, he placed his trust in God during his life’s prosperity, but also during its calamities. A devout Christian who’d immersed himself in Scripture, many years of his life were joyous. He was a prominent Chicago lawyer, who’s business was thriving. He owned several properties throughout the city. He and his beloved wife had four beautiful daughters and one son. Life was more than good — it was blessed. But faith, no matter how great, does not spare us from adversity. Just as Horatio hit the pinnacle of his profession and financial success, things began to change. It began with the tragic loss of their son. Not long thereafter, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed nearly every real estate investment Horatio owned. Just a few years later in 1873, Horatio decided to treat his wife and daughters to a much needed escape from the turmoil. He sent them on a boat trip to Europe, with plans to join them shortly after wrapping up some business in Chicago. Just a few days later, he received a dreadful telegram from his wife, “Saved alone…” It bore the excruciating news that family’s ship had wrecked and all four of his daughters had perished. Horatio was on his way to meet his heartbroken wife, passing over the same sea that had just claimed the lives of his remaining children. It was then that he put his pen to paper and the timeless hymn was born, beginning with the words: When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Famous hymn composer, Philip Bliss (1838-1876), was so moved by Horatio’s prose, that he composed a peaceful tune to accompany the words. The song was published by Bliss and Sankey, in 1876. It’s incredible to think such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such unimaginable sorrow. It’s an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the Lord. And is goes to show the power our God has to overcome even the darkest times of our earthly life.

I agree. Our children are very easily persuaded. I think Satan tries to work on our children very early. That is why we need to be very careful as parents.

Matthew 7:1 One of the most misinterpreted and misapplied verses in the bible. Other verses speak to judging such as John 7:24. John 7:24 Do not judge according to sight, but judge righteous judgment.

C. S. Lewis once said something like this: "There are times when I feel like my Christian walk is going pretty good. There are other times when I think I'm not measuring up and not all that close to where I should be. It is at those times that I am probably closer to Him." Remember, your works are not what save you. Grace saved you. Your works are simply a manifestation of that. You are being perfected until the day you die. It is not an easy process. It ebbs and flows. The important thing is knowing that you are his, no matter what you "do". That is freeing. It frees you to continue to keep up the good race, no matter how you "feel". You are dad's son. Yes, he may have to bail you out of jail for something. Yes, he may have to nag you to clean up your room, but he's not writing you out of the will. That inspires me to do the right thing, not because it ensures I get my cut of the will, but because I acknowledge that he is my dad, even after I've screwed something up. I'm free to do better in spite of my past. Even if that past is ten minutes ago.

I hope your fellow Christians are being loving and kind to you. It sounds like you are desiring a closer walk with Jesus again.

That is a very poignant question since deception is rarely seen for what it is by the subject it influences. One can easily find oneself 'far away' and the implication of that feeling is that God is ALSO far away. He has patience with His Children and is a far better Father than we can imagine. It is our actions that 'position' ourselves and sometimes that can seem far far away from the Lord. The ones that think they are home and dry are also at risk since there is nothing quite so influential as someone that thinks they 'got it made'. Generally speaking, in my experience, other believers have been most harmful to me. Thus, even though they 'speak truth' it is most likely NOT in love and only serves to make you feel more distant. The adversary and his minions have a field day with Christians that are drifting away and they will try to convince you of two things: 1) you are OK really because God loves you anyway, or 2) you are a looser and God would never accept you even if you turned back to Him. The simple truth is that most believers do not understand the reason for their salvation; a) what God decided to do from the beginning; b) that God has no 'plan b' and He will continue His current plan until all is accomplished; c) they have been chosen by the Lord to be members of His family as rulers and judges of the world to come. d) they are sons and daughter of The Most High.

Years ago atheists had access here and they were counter witnessing to immature Christians, basically corrupting their faith. This site is also accountable for encouraging Christians to grow in faith and not be harmed by atheists who are intent on causing harm. In my opinion, it is good for there to be a place for Christians to fellowship without unbelievers and for there to be a place for atheists to be witnessed to by well grounded Christians.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14). Of his own lust? I thought we don’t have to deal with it anymore when we are in Christ! Doesn’t Bible say that we are complete in him (Colossians 2:10)? And now you mean to say that all of human race is infested by this vile disposition? One of the reasons why God endorsed “Marriage as honorable” - Hebrews 13:4 - and encouraged all be married* - 1 Timothy 5:14 - (please note that, forbidding to marry is not the doctrine which is according to godliness - 1Timothy 4:1-3/6:3) *is that, not all can contain this problem of the heart, which is lust of the flesh - 1John 2:16/James 1:14,15. I have heard many say and have read in many books that Jesus hath made our hearts pure when we believed in him. Is that right? If our hearts are cleansed already and doesn’t need further sanctification then why is the Holy Ghost counseling us through His Word “but if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn” (1 Corinthians 7:9) - why is He telling us “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness”? (2 Corinthians 7:1) - and “ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed (an ongoing process) in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:22,23) - “why is He warning about a law of sin in our members, which is warring against the law of our minds, and wants to bring us into captivity again”? (Romans 7:23) - why is he then exhorting us “to put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth”? (Colossians 3:8) - “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts (which is prevalent), glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:14-16) Now I perfectly understand what “work out your salvation” really means (Phil 2:12) and how deceiving it is to think of oneself so highly when he is nothing - Galatians 6:3 - For by the grace and pure mercies of God alone we are what we are now. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands (those that believe that they have attained everything already) take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12) - fall from what? Know that we are prone to fail of the grace of God - Hebrews 12:15 - err from faith - 1Timothy 6:10 - fall from grace - Galatians 5:4 - which is why the Lord is admonishing us to be diligent to be found in him - 2Peter 3:14 - and to examine ourselves/prove our own selves to verify whether we are in the faith or not - 2 Corinthians 13:5. Remember the hymn! Prone to wander, Lord I feel it - Prone to leave the God I love! And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear (1 Peter 1:17) - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after (Philippians 3:12). If all that Christ hath accomplished was enough, then why would God give so much spiritual work for us to do? Why we have to endure hardship, lay hold on eternal life, fight the good fight of faith, keep the faith, cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, suffer with Christ etc…? The whole new testament speaks on doing something (to be accounted worthy) to obtain that world - Luke 20:35/21:36/2Thessalonians 1:4,5. Be ye doers of the word - James 1:22/1Corinthians 9:24,25/Hebrews 6:15/11:35/2Thessalonians 2:14/1Thessalonians 5:9/Luke 20:35. Receiving the end of our (tried/keeping) faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:9). Even we have to sow into the Spirit, the word of God (to exercise therein) to reap in due season, the everlasting life - Galatians 6:7-9 - and we all know that unless we yield something we cannot reap anything - yield what? Hebrews 12:10,11/James 3:12/Romans 6:16,19/Mark 4:8/Proverbs 12:12/Galatians 6:8. The prophet Jeremiah so accurately describes the state of man’s heart - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9/Mark 7:21-23) - I perceive that this is a “Pre and Post regenerated” state of man’s heart despite his/her standing in the Lord. The portrayal of a clean heart is not Scriptural at all. When it comes to the depravity of our soul - the truth is, there is nothing good dwells in our flesh - Rom 7:18. It is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation when we say that our past sins have been remitted - Romans 3:25/5:11-21/Hebrews 9:15 - and that our hearts have been sprinkled from an evil conscience (Hebrews 9:9,14/10:2,22/13:18/ 1Peter 3:16,21/Titus 1:15/1Timothy 1:5,19/3:9) - that we should serve in newness of spirit - Romans 7:6 - To posses a pure heart should be our prime focus - 1Timothy 1:5 - for without holiness no one shall see the Lord - 2Corinthians 7:1/Hebrews 12:14 - to be endowed with or to hold a clear conscience is imperative - Romans 2:15/9:1/Acts 24:16/ 1Timothy 1:19. The post-regeneration work on the soul is imperative that the life of the inward man solely depends on its compliance to the word of God (the soul must be brought to the obedience of Christ - 2Cor 10:5). If the soul is unregenerate it is condemned already but if a regenerate soul is feeding the inner-man with the things of the world, the spirit-man (the fetus state) will eventually die/gets aborted due to malnourishment. That is why Romans 8:13 says, if ye live after the flesh (the fallen nature) ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live. The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word (the incorruptible word seed - 1Pet 1:23/Luke 8:11), and it becomes unfruitful - Mark 4:19/ Luke 8:14. Christ hath brought you out of the miry clay to walk in newness of life - Rom 6:4 - not to turn back to your own vomit or to wallow in mire again - 2Pet 2:22 - drawing back from this track is perdition - Matt 10:38,39 - The soul that sin it shall die (regardless of the grace made available in Christ) - Ezekiel 18:20 - if you live after the flesh, ye shall die - Rom 8:13 - one could sin against his own soul - Habakkuk 2:10 - Hence, a complete sanctification is inevitable for to be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ - 1Thess 5:22,23. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:14). All of these verses substantiates that, whether great or small, spiritual or unregenerate, good or bad, we all carry within us a wicked nature (the nature of the wild olive tree from which we wert cut out of - Rom 11:17,24) - there is no holy man out there among the sons of man - for all have come short of the glory of God - Rom 3:23 - and this nature stays riveted until we go through some thorough purging - until we let/put on the new nature/man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness - Ephesians 4:24 - Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, we partake of the divine nature - 2Pet 1:4 - In due season, we shall yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness and partake of His holiness, if we endure the chastening of the Lord - Hebrews 12:5-11. Apostle Paul speaks about this “indwelling sin” “the presence of evil” and “ the law of sin which is in our members” in the book of Romans 7:17,20,21,23 The Christian life isn’t just the exercising of some spiritual gifts or the church gatherings or doing some charity works, which are vital. The real Christian life is a walk with Christ; it is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings and be made conformable unto his death - Phil 3:10,11/John 17:3 - that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body - 2 Corinthians 4:10,11 - to possess the mind of Christ - Phil 2:5/1Pet 2:21 - to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God and to reign with him or to be glorified together we must endure the righteous judgment of God - we must be judged now (which is the chastening of the Lord) - 2Thessalonians 1:4,5/Hebrews 12:5-11/1Corinthians 11:32/1Peter 4:1,2,17 - these are the marks of a true Christian or how we distinguish a genuine believer. For he bears about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus - 2 Corinthians 4:10,11. This is what the Holy Ghost through the apostle Paul is imploring us: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example - let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing (Philippians 3:16,17). It is high time that we would examine ourselves/ prove our own selves to know whether we are in the faith walk - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - whether we too have been seduced or been deceived by the the falsehood - 1 Timothy 4:1/Mark 13:22. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12/1Peter 1:17) Majority of Christians have fallen prey to the end time deception - for they already left this path, which alone leads to life - they have taken paths, which seems right unto them, which has a form of godliness - 2 Timothy 3:5 - they lean to their own understanding - Proverbs 3:5 - the fundamental requirement of laying down ones life, denying the self and hating his/her life in this world is not a criteria anymore - 1 John 3:16/Luke 9:23/John 12:25/Matthew 10:38. People are seeking the approval of man than being approved of God. It is not that hard to be recognized by man; if you have a talent and you are able to perform well or you are educated according to the course this world system - Ephesians 2:2 - if you have something the world wants and you are willing to trade it, then you can ride on its back to popularity and fame. But to be known or be approved of God/acceptable to God, it takes time and must endure patiently many things. For instance: the Bible says, the word of the Lord tried Joseph until the time that his word came - Psalm 105:19 - Abraham was tried in many areas until he was called the father of all nations - Hebrews 11:17/Romans 4:17-24 - Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God (Acts 2:22) - Study to shew thyself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15/2 Corinthians 6:3,4/7:11/10:18/1 Corinthians 11:19/Romans 14:18/16:10) - They all endured - Hebrews 12:2,3,7/11:27/10:32/6:15/2Timothy 2:3/3:11/4:3,5/1Peter 2:19/James 1:12/5:11/2Thessalonians 1:4/1Corinthians 13:7/John 6:27/Mark 4:17/13:13/Matthew 24:13. Let us therefore, walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (Colossians 1:10/1Thessalonians 2:12). Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing (Philippians 3:16,17) KJV.

What most Hebrew roots folks don’t understand or won’t admit, is the thing that separated the Jew from the Gentile was the law of Moses. The one new man, has been made because He Himself abolished it in His flesh, having nailed it to the cross. Therefore there is now peace between the two, for those who are in Christ Jesus. - having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15 JLB

The gentiles were not allowed to worship with the Jews unless they converted to Judism. The Jews still considered gentiles to be unclean. Jewish Christians met with Gentile believers where they became one in Christ. Paul always first preached in the Jewish Synagogs till he was kicked out, and then he took the Gospel to the Gentiles. In the beginning they had love feasts with their service. That is why they had the disputes about people getting there first and eating all the food, not leaving food for the widows and poor. It was like a church potluck or picnic. Afterward they would have hymns, prayers and preaching, often till late at night. When the Lord's Supper was instituted it was a Passover meal that was eaten before the elements of bread and wine were passed, so they kept on having an evening meal as Christ had done.. Yes, we do celebrate the resurrection by meeting on the 1st day of the week. 1Co 11:20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 1Co 11:21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. It is not my custom to speak Hebrew. I will use the names of the week days that I am accustomed to. However, I respect your using the Hebrew names. It is not false doctrine in the church to use the name Saturday (OP). Nor is it false doctrine to worship on Saturday. It is simply my custom to worship on Sunday and Wednesday, and to treat every day as holy to the Lord. It is false doctrine, however, to believe that those who don't assemble to worship on Saturday have taken the mark of the beast and are going to hell, as some believe.

I'm not comfortable even making acquaintances with people who don't have some kind of belief in Christ. If there are other things in common, that may work for a while, but it always comes down to faith in the long run. At that point, it just gets too awkward to carry on a relationship of any kind. Much less, consider hanging around.

@miss muffet Definitely true. In my early walk with Christ I learned this the hard way. I thought I could help my best friend. But in the end her worldly ways were rubbing off on me instead. It happens quite subtly. Sometimes, by the time you're aware of it damage has already been done. Christian Standard Bible Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Contemporary English Version Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. (1 Cor 15:33)

A well prepared atheist can logically win debates against Christians all day. They study the Bible to seek out logical inconsistencies, plausible interpretations, and arguments which cannot easily be debunked. They task themselves with knowing Scripture so they can oppose it. They want to pull the discussion into the arena of intellect, human wisdom, and worldly moral values. Paul learned this lesson at Mars Hill, and he told us repeatedly that the gospel is spiritual power which is foolishness to the wisdom of the world. Saying you are not afraid of losing a logical debate with an atheist is kind of like saying you are not afraid to show colors to a blind man.

they also bring up subjects that we don't al agree on and push us into arguing amongst ourselves instead of dealing with them... I've been here for some time now and can tell you that they have come here unbelieving and stirring up trouble and were turned into believers.... but I have seen them hurt new Christians by bringing up the things we don't all agree on and it is, that, that we need to not have happen. I think George has done a good job of separating things where that doesn't easily happen. Actually Worthy is not a safe place for an atheist if they are trying to stay that way.

I tell the atheist who Jesus Christ is and that He loves them. I have done that a number of times. They do not want that. They want to smash you into the ground with Satan's lies. In this world you either worship God or Satan. There is no in-between. We can not save the atheist only God can open their heart. We pray that their heart will be opened to God.

Aw thank you @Jostler for your kind words! I'm glad you liked the study and got something out of it. I plan to do more books studies eventually, before going back around to do Level 2. So hopefully they will also be useful for you. Love & Shalom

I'd like to ask an atheist if ever in his or her life, they discovered they were completely wrong about something, and changed their attitude and mind about it? Not believing something doesn't mean it is not true. What if suddenly one woke up to the truth, he or she discovered the error of their deception; and it was too late to change their mind? What if; Christians have it right, and atheists have it all wrong? Can anyone phantom just how long eternity is for making the wrong decision and the wrong choice?

Wow! I thank God for all these words of wisdom and love! The truth is that at times we may disagree with our brothers and sisters but when it boils down to it we have all had hard times that helps us to understand eachother so much more! We may judge eachother at times but the truth is we love and care about eachothers walks with God and will be there in times of brokenness ready to encourage and lift up! I love you all in the Lord (I hope it's ok to say that even though I'm not so close to Him right now) Thank you ?

The race ain't over till it's over. Sometimes we seem to just be wasting time....but then we get so tired of losing out in the Lord that even that failure gives us the drive to get back with God. So then even slack times can teach us something about our true need of God. So in reality nothing is wasted. It's like the story of the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. But then we might have times where we take a nap under the tree in our Christian walks. When we wake up and come to our senses our desire will be to redeem the time...which gives us the impetus to drive forward. Had we not slept would we have run the race with such vigour? So I think things balance themselves out somewhat if we are called in the Lord and His laws are written on our hearts. i think at times we are the hare in the story and at times the tortoise. But we are learning to sleep less...waste less time...in short we grow even though the progress is very uneven to begin with. That growth WILL even out so that it becomes a steady climb...over time. We must persevere and be patient since God is faithful and HE WILL get us there given our patient attitude and willingness to please the Lord. So hang in there and run to win!

Further to proof the Trumpet and the Bowl are not poured at the same time/parallel : 8 Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, 3And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died. When the 2nd Trumpet sounds 1/3 of the sea turned to blood When the 2nd Bowl is poured ALL the sea turned to blood. So the 2nd Trumpet sounded first and people face this consequence : 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. . But when the 2nd Bowl is poured all living creatures in the sea died 3 ..... and every living thing in the sea died. 

To Diane, YES ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I have And for many,many years, and yet as I fell away into really bad places, HE the Holy Spirit would show up, you know that's why we come back,,, HE reach's out you know this because of His love for us... In fact I have only been back for less than 6 months but finally, after I have probably exhausted all attempts to make it through this life under my own steam. So I surrended ; I fully gave all of myself to him was renewed, restored forgiven washed anew,, given a renewed spirit revelation restored and then just 4 days later sinned again, by my standards very small sin but enough to cry out ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LORD WHAT MUST I DO , , , , , , not to fall away again !!!!!!! and HE said go and sin no more, so I said to HIM how ??? Short version Genesis 4 : all of Cains problems were now as mine, So I said what could this show me ??? And HE said to me Cain did not have to follow thru on the temptation inflicting him, So I said LORD I finally get it,,, NOT TO WILLFULLY SIN to make a decision every day to not willfully sin which is in my prayers to HIM every morning since and praise HIM I'm doin ok ,, with help from psalm 19 : 13 This works for me because it lines up with HIS Word and I have a relationship with HIM and as months go by I am falling further in love with HIM.. I dont know many Christians due to my long absence but I know HIM ,,,,, dont bother with people simply find a love for them. Hope this helps you Diane kev.

This is a dangerous way to start thinking... Some try to squeeze Genesis into the fallacies found in the modern evolutionary science textbook and come out the other side with a compromised faith. Even though there are many layers of interpretation within Genesis, it absolutely can be taken literally and is backed up scientifically, with plenty of indicative evidence. Let's remember the "ages of the Earth" are not fact, but a theory. There is no supporting evidence for arguing these ages of the earth, other than layers of rock and ageing fossils - both of which are dated with methods based upon assumptive parameters, set by mere men. Of course, everyone is welcome to believe whatever theory they want! But to start to look at a Genesis and think it's not literal or "largely irrelevant to our faith", is a slippery path... Who is the Lord Jesus and what was His mission's purpose, without Genesis? How can we make sense of Exodus without Genesis? Should we therefore ignore Exodus to Deuteronomy? Should we then forget the history and prophets because they were towards Israel and also "irrelevant" to our faith? There is no New Testament without the Old, neither will you ever truly understand the New without the Old. Pretty much all of the Word can be taken allegorically, but it doesn't forfeit the literal interpretation whilst doing so. Are some only saying otherwise because of their great faith in mankind's "flawless" scientific disciplines? Again, you are welcome to believe anything you want. As for me, I stand on the side of "Bible first, science after". Love & Shalom

The world is in darkness and ignorance and thinks we are the ones that are upside down. One day soon the prophetic reality will become the only reality.

Why do you keep on talking about Atheist? You're the only one I know who keeps asking these kind of questions,we are always willing to talk to everybody who comes here to fellowship and to find Jesus. How many Atheist did you see here who don't want to push what they believe and disagree with everything which is biblical,if they're interested in learning about God then they can let us know and we help them find the only way ( Jesus). You may reach out to them when you can but we don't want new believers to get confused . Let's focus on the One who can save us and how to win more people for Christ

The part I put in red is an important consideration.

There is no doubt that the "fleshly" man believes that self-assurance (politically correct word for arrogance) indicates strength and power in this wicked world. However the "spiritual" man believes that Biblical humility causes one to view himself honestly and objectively, acknowledging his imperfections and his lowly position before God. (1 Peter 5:6) What is more, one recognizes—and even rejoices in—the superior qualities one sees in others. (Philippians 2:3) Spiritual people do not become bitter with envy or consumed by jealousy. (Galatians 5:26) Genuine humility fosters good relationships with others and contributes to emotional security and stability.

It's been said that the Christian walk is "easy to do the hard way and hard to do the easy way" If we come at the kingdom without a full consecration and effort...then we will find that we are constantly in a battle to listen for God and do as the Spirit directs us. We will miss many opportunities. Wisdom dictates that we rely on the fear of the Lord to keep us on the strait and narrow path at this level of consecration. This is the easy to do it the hard way method. But if we come fully to God with a whole heart and a willing mind...we may just be allowed into the easy walk of the Spirit where the burden of Jesus becomes light. With grace there are no guarantees of course. Each of us must be inspected by God...there is no law that makes God conform to an acceptance of us for mechanical observance. God looks on the heart. This is the hard to do it easy way. Most people will do the former since it is indeed very difficult even seemingly impossible for many to God to God with a full surrender to His will. Few can give themselves to that amount...ALL. But only THAT amount will afford us the full grace of the keeping power of God. So whether we find the walk easy or hard we are to keep to the narrow path and be productive with the grace we have been given.

While I do agree with you jade 100%. Thomas is referring to the following remarks in another thread about proving the bible true to an unbeliever. I quoted the remarks below that has Thomas upset. And I agree with him that the remarks in and of themselves are insensitive and not very Christ like. That we need to be sensitive in a sense and polite when discussing with unbelievers about our faith. We also need to take care when discussing together on a message board ways in which we can reach them for Christ. Tact and politeness show unbeliever's that we, as Christians value them, just as God values them.

And what reaction do you get from wannabee Beckhams, film/pop stars or ambitous ruthless buisnessmen/women? Too often the image of a Christian is of a weak/arogant/bigoted person, yes that is the media but people believe what the media tells them. It takes time for people to learn that being kind is not weakness. That having strong views is not arogant ( depending how one talk ) That having views different to those commonly held is not being biggoted. It takes even longer for nonchristians to accept that there 'goodness' is worthles and that they are sinners in need of a saviour.

Can an atheist really contribute to a thread on biblical topics? They lack the Holy Spirit and the understanding that comes from Him.

Thomas how many threads must you post on this issue? George has stated why and he is led by the Lord with this ministry? How many times must you rebel against the way this is set up? Cant you keep your complaints to one forum and one thread instead of all the ones you have going?

As much as i want to scream. I think its best i stay quiet and in prayer

The first thing the World picks up on is phoniness/ hypocrisy.......we are “ New Creations” in Christ .No need for “Acts”. Let’s let Christ be Himself “ through” us.

believers are to be a Christ like example to the world, & yes people look at Christians differently because they might want to know why believers act the way they do & if Jesus is real & people who see us might be drawn to Jesus by our example

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" 1 Corinthians 2:14 Sow the seeds..... a tiny spark can grow to light God is light.....

Well, the world does think we're a little bit peculiar. 1 Peter 2:9 For ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light; KJV