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Let go of preconceived notions of what being on mission looks like. More than likely it may look very different from what you think. I had an acquaintance who once who went on mission for a few weeks in a Latin American country. She said the call was so powerful that she had could not NOT go. She was worried because had this idea of what a missionary looked like, acted like, and did. She said she was none of those things, in her mind. She said, "I'm just a beauty shop lady." She said the whole way there on multiple flights she was so depressed because she felt like failure before she even began. Well, when they got there, they all took a tour of the town to look for mission opportunities. They visited a Christian woman in her home who told the lady that she had such beautiful nails. The lady told her that she worked in a beauty shop in America. The woman just so happened to be a beautician in that city and invited her to come to her shop every day and help [1] learn to paint nail so beautifully and [2] help her with her customers and paint their nails. You get the picture. She went to the local beauty shop every single day except the two Sundays they were there and did an enormous amount of fingernails and shared Jesus and her Christian faith and testimony with every SINGLE customer. She was able give Christian counsel some women about their marriages [women tend to tell their beauticians everything!} A few of the women wanted their husbands to hear about Christ and they came to the beauty shop and a few of the women and couples starting going to church. She came back on cloud nine at what God had done and how he used her just like she was.

The most important thing will be your spiritual walk with God and your spiritual growth and maturity. We minister to others out of the abundance of spiritual life that flows out from our hearts to those around us. It is from the depth and quality of our own spiritual life that we can minister to others. A common mistake many Christians make is getting so focused on figuring out God's to-do list for our lives that we neglect becoming the person He intends for us to be. To the extent that our ministry comes from God's Spirit changing us so that this is a natural outflow of who He has made us to be, our ministry will be anointed and effective. To the extent our ministry is through our own efforts, we'll see a few results and burn ourselves out. Many Christians minister from a position of labor and diligence and throwing themselves into it with passion and effort and exhaust themselves because the ministry is coming from our resources and strength. True effective anointed spiritual ministry comes from God's Spirit overflowing through us toward others. It is a natural result of God transforming us into the unique person He intends for us to be. The first step toward any missions work is cultivating our own spiritual growth and maturity and our own walk with God. I've been a Christian a long time and have seen the whole gamut of people in ministry as well as those declaring their calling. I've seen how the story turns out years and decades later. Without spiritual depth, maturity, and close intimate knowledge, friendship, and trust in God from a consistent walk over years and decades, people simply are not effective in ministry for any extended period of time.

Hi, I believe it goes to the heart of our salvation in Christ. That when Jesus died on the cross He took us to death with Him. It is picking up our crosses and denying ourselves, (denying our wills, exchanging His will to righteousness in place of our wills to unrighteousness) that is to be our walk before Him. This is done by the faith of the heart reckoning ourselves dead unto sin and alive unto a God. For our salvation is a free gift from God. It is all accessed by the faith of the heart turned to Him. Feeding one’s personal relationship with Christ will make these truths real and alive in you. Whereby a smile and the joy of the Lord might be known and felt in such a way that you might know of a truth all things have become new. That henceforth walking in newness of life might be known by experience. May God fill your heart with His love so your heart might overflow. Blessings in Christ, Not me

If you ever had the Holy Spirit in you ,you can rest in this Promise and find peace—- “ I will NEVER leave or forsake you”

So does Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider (non-alcoholic), as I know from personal experience!

We don't need great faith; we need a tiny bit of faith in a great God. Eph 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph 3:18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

I have recently publicly made a declaration of my call to follow God’s command and go on the mission field. Where,when and how will be when God tells me. But interested in reading, discussion on going into the mission field

It is like the person who scorns the person who smokes cigarettes as they consume a pot of coffee everyday and a six pack of beer.

Good morning everyone I'm sitting here drinking a cup of coffee and having breakfast and enjoying your responses to this topic. This can be a very toxic and devisive subject. Nice to see all the respect . I have been a Sabbath keeper and law keeper (The 10 Commandments not the Mosaic law) for about 12 years. Been a believer for over 40 years and am retired 16 years. Keeping the Sabbath has been a huge blessing to me after so many years of study and research. It's wonderful to feel I'm in harmony with God and his wishes for my life as I continue to grow and change in my faith. I'm not a devisive person and don't argue or "WRANGLE" over God's word, as we're commanded not to , and it's not my nature to argue, but if anyone has questions or wish to discuss the topic or ask why I honor the Sabbath, I'm willing to DISCUSS it with you in love God bless in His love, Dave

The Spirit of truth and the spirit of error The Epistles of John tells us further how to know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. All that falls below the line is not of the truth but comes from the spirit of error. https://worshipwarriorsministry.com.au/

Did you test the spirits? sometimes when we want something so bad you can take any little thing and run with it.

Since you were confessing your sins and believing on the Lord as your Savior, this was when you were born again (saved). The Holy Spirit then entered your heart/life. The Holy Spirit will never leave you. Also, we do not go by feelings. Feelings can come and go. Instead we believe what God has said in the Bible....have faith in what He has promised us. That means don't have faith in feelings but have faith in God. A Christian cannot become demon possessed. A Christian might be oppressed but never possessed. I agree with the others who recommend you find a new church. Look for a good Bible teaching church with loving members. Perhaps the combination of going by your feelings and a pastor telling you that you have demons has led to your mental breakdowns? A pastor should know that a Christian can't be demon possessed. Please seek a new church.

Hi Rivers, Sorry to read about your troubles but they are actually working for good, to teach you to trust in God no matter what is happening and no matter how you are feeling. IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YOU, Rivers: The Holy Spirit has not left you. I repeat, the Holy Spirit has not left you. If the Holy Spirit had left you we would not be having this conversation, and you would not be the least bit concerned about the Holy Spirit. You may have lost the joy and the peace of the Holy Spirit and the reason for this will be revealed to you in due course as you learn more about spiritual warfare and the need to put on spiritual armour in order to counter the attacks of Satan and his demons. Back in Paul's day the congregation at Ephesus strayed from the number one rule of Christian faith, "Love the Lord you God with all your heart, and soul, and strength, and mind;" but God gave them the opportunity to repent and return to serving Him out of love for Him. Rev 2:1-7 (1) "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: (2) "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; (3) and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. (4) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. (6) But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' I hope and pray you will keep trusting God, and that you will allow Jesus to lead you through the valley of the shadow of death and into His green pastures beside His still waters. Love from Michael37.

My reply is based on the above quote When a person confesses their sins to the Lord and puts their faith and trust in Jesus to save them, and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. God's word tells us He will indeed cleanse us of all unrighteousness. At that moment the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to stay and be with us always. Since the Holy Spirit resides in a Christian, Satan cannot possess a Christian. One of Satan's tricks is to convince us that we messed up somehow and God has abandoned us. God assures us and promises us that he will never leave us or forsake us. God is not done with you. Feelings that God has forsaken us come from Satan who is our adversary. He is always trying to drive a wedge between us and God and one of his tricks is to convince you that your a loser and God is done through self condemnation. God will NEVER tell us to sin or tempt us to sin. He will NEVER lie to us. He will never tell you, that you are a loser. That kind of thinking comes from Satan Greater is He (God) who is in me, than he (Satan) that is in the world. 2 Corinthians 1 : 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Mathew 28 : 20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." As to the church your attending, I agree that seeking another church to attend is a good idea.

The Lord Jesus was appointed to be God's High Priest forever.....the High Priest of a New Covenant, from a tribe (Judah) that had never before ministered before His altar. He was appointed by an oath from God, unlike Aaron and his descendants, of the tribe of Levi, who were alone appointed to officiate at the altar under the Old Covenant. This is not a subject that yields to casual reading. It requires some study but it truly is fundamental to understanding the answer to your question. One of the very basic, fundamental reasons God determined there must be a new Priesthood to administer the New Covenant involves this question of cross bearing. The book of Hebrews opens up a lot of this, but understanding what Paul said about it in Hebrews does require some background understanding of the old Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood under the Old Covenant. But ask Yourself this question. If WE have been made a kingdom of PRIESTS....and Jesus is our High Priest, what "order" of priesthood is our own priestly "appointment" in accordance with? Levi or Melchizedek? Under the Old Covenant, the offices of King and Priest were strictly separated, with Levi and sons of Levi alone occupying the priesthood and Judah and his sons appointed to hold the office of King. A son of Levi, or any other tribe other than Judah were not allowed to occupy the place of governmental authority. No King was given authority to offer sacrifices at the altar in behalf of the people. In Jesus Christ God united the two offices....so there had to be a change in the Law....a New Covenant. What was once separated and that separation guarded by the Law, is now united and "peace" is established between the two offices. What was lacking in the old Law had to be "filled up" and superseded by a new Law. In the Old Testament, the priest's job was to minister to God on behalf of the people...representing the people before the presence of God. The King's job was to minister the things of God to the people, representing God in the eyes of the people. IN Jesus, the two roles were united that there might be ONE intercessor, ONE mediator between God and man. One eternal sacrifice to replace the insufficient "shadow" that pointed to the reality of Jesus to come. So what is it that makes the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek different than the priesthood after the order of Levi? Hebrews 6 and 7 begin to reveal that: The PRIMARY distinction between the ministry of the Levitical priesthood and the Priesthood of Melchizedek is that Levitical priests were required to offer the blood of sheep, goats and bulls, continuously, repeatedly - only "covering" sin, but incapable of removing it. The Levitical priest offered the blood of animals and the priest after the order of Melchizedek first offers HIMSELF. Only Jesus the High Priest, had pure blood to offer, one time, for the sake of ALL...a permanent sacrifice of HIMSELF, never to be repeated and all sufficient....never NEEDING to be repeated, having satisfied the Justice of God, filling up the payment required by Justice for all sin.....death. Now, having purified us we are appointed to serve as priests in His Temple, appointed to perform the work of the Temple with the one exception of entering the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the evidence of satisfied Justice on the Heavenly mercy seat, once for all...which only our High Priest could have done. In Him, once for all Mercy has triumphed over Justice. He ministered this for our sake by taking up a literal, physical cross, and dying a literal physical death. But now we, to fulfill our priestly office under our great High Priest, must begin our ministry as He began His.....by FIRST sacrificing ourselves. NOW....IN HIM, we too have been provided access behind the veil....as priests after the order of Melchizedek. "Take up your cross....." the first act of the Melchizedek priesthood....modeled for us by the High Priest. I pray that this might be a beginning....and He will guide the study of those who desire to understand the responsibilities of and the power and authority He has made available to those who have been made priests after the order of Melchizedek. Exactly how we take up our own crosses, is quite simple, but difficult to explain. But in short His literal physical death WAS our own death to the flesh and "reckoning" ourselves dead in line with that reality is what overcomes sin in our lives. Taking up our own cross is not "dying to self"...it is recognizing we ARE dead.....and walking "reckoning" that truth a reality...already....an accomplished fact.

Propitiate means to soothe, calm, appease, or satisfy someone and to me the implication is after someone has been wronged. So with Jesus Christ being the propitiation for our sins, it means that he and he alone satisfied God's wrath against sinners and appeased God in a way that we NEVER could. If Jesus had never become the propitiation for OUR sins - we would all burn in hell. Propitiation - satisfying God's wrath - it's a VERY big deal.... ...as well as a big word!

One day of the week belongs to the LORD. However whether its Saturday or Sunday, it matters not. Romans 14:5 - we are not to judge one another as to which day a brother keeps a Holy unto the Lord. https://worshipwarriorsministry.com.au/

Like others have said, the conviction is a good thing. As believers we're called on to do certain things. At the top of the list is "Love God with all of your being and love your neighbor as yourself." As Jesus said, those two cover everything. We're bound to fail at that at times but God forgives us for it. It's still important to try. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which comes about from prayer, reading the Bible, obeying God, fellowship with other believers, and so on. The conviction you feel is part of that renewing process. Let it happen and don't harden your heart against it. Further on in the New Testament we're told that God is faithful to keep up His part of the process (Philippians 1:6). Bear in mind that the promises and good things in the Bible apply to you as much as the warnings, convictions, and so on. And finally, while it is good to set goals, reading the Bible isn't a race. We do it to grow closer to God, gain better understanding, to arm ourselves to deal with our problems, and to help others deal with theirs. It can be easier to digest and less overwhelming if taken in small portions. In short, read the quantity you're comfortable with reading in one sitting. If you feel led to read more, do so.

That's what makes it fun for me! In such moments you are at the school of the Holy Spirit, running you through what you need to know and address. Look at it this way - if you were learning martial arts from a master in the mountains, he might shout at you, strike you or work you to exhaustion. But is he doing it because he is unkind and wants to upset you? No, it's for honing, enhancing and refining your skills to make you a better fighter - a disciple of his school. In the same way, the Bible is not just a book containing the truth of the Universe, but it's also you personal training manual. What is highlighted to you today will not be tomorrow, and what is highlighted tomorrow is not right to be highlighted today. The Word is alive! Cherish each moment with it. Studying it is a form of worship. Love & Shalom

"I feel deep down that I need to do something" Get down on your knees and thank God you learned about your girl friend before you were married. Try meeting a prospective wife at a church, and not in your dreams or the internet. Your whole story is not normal. Instead of the internet,screen to screen, try face to face, the old way.

@Firm Foundation This is hijacking a thread once again ... seriously is every thread you're involved in about being "cast" out of God's presence? No where in this thread is the mention of sin ... or living in sin ... or even any hint of such a thing ... it's the question I'd like to explore ... You cannot get closer to God than you concept of God will allow. So apparently, you don't understand the topic being discussed ... or perhaps you're living in FEAR of being "CAST OUT" of His presence and live in this fear? Have you explored this possibility? The reality is if you are living in this type of fear ... then you're working from a "performance" based understanding of a heavenly Father. If so, then perhaps should investigate this further in your own personal time with the Lord. For now, let's stay on the topic. I believe if we truly explore this out ... it will us to reevaluate our relationship with our Heavenly Father ... and let us go to a new level of worship and adoration.

Here's mine. Proof God exists is SUPER EASY for anyone to understand (sadly, the stubborn denier is the exception): 1) Each DNA contains 100 million pages worth of instructions to build the entire body. Do instructions write themselves? Nope. Instructions don't write themselves. Behind every instruction is an 'instructor' who authored it. Carl Sagan said: "The information content of a simple cell has been established as around one trillion bits, comparable to about 100 million pages of the Encyclopaedia Britannica." 2) Every genome is written as a quaternary molecular digital code: "All present life is based on digitally-encoded information." (American Academy of Sciences). Do digital programs write themselves? Nope again. 3) Each cell contains hi-tech miniature organs (organelles - nucleus, golgi bodies, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.) - none of which are naturally found elsewhere - hence no natural explanation for their existence. 4) Who can write a 100 million pages worth of instructions and then stuff it into every cell of our body? This hyper-intellect is who we will face on Judgment Day.

If we follow the two love commandments, loving God and loving our brothers, which is only possible by the power of the indwelling Spirit. We are still required to keep the Sabbath rest of God but the simple fact, so easily overlooked is that in Him, by the power of the Spirit keeping the Sabbath is no longer required just on the seventh day of the week It is now expected to be observed as a Spirit led LIFESTYLE, EVERY day of the week. Continuously turning away from doing our own works, or speaking our own words (RESTING from any customary work at all) in favor of doing ONLY what He wants to do and speaking ONLY what He wants said. This is the "lifestyle" Jesus modeled for us even before He went to the cross. He repeatedly informed us He did nothing He did not first see Father doing and He said nothing He did not first hear Father say. He did not "do" His own will at any time but only what the Father gave Him to do (or say). There ARE no 'good' works except those which He does, through us. While we are resting in His finished work....having ceased from doing our own works altogether. What was commanded before as a physical observance with rules and regulations no man could keep perfectly, was nothing more than a shadow of the Spirit powered lifestyle enabled by His sacrifice which enables us to fulfill the Law no flesh could keep....by satisfying an even HIGHER standard than the Law required. Seven days a week...not just one. By resting EVERY day in His finished work while He works through us. Every one of the Laws has been fulfilled in Him the exact same way, with striving to meet the conditions of rules imposed on flesh replaced by a living, moment by moment relationship, submitted and obedient to Him, in which He will never tell us to do anything that violates ANY law, including the Sabbath. Seven days a week.

Pray and get yourself into a good church. If your present church isn't doing it for you then you really need to examine yourself and your hobbies and/or start looking for a different one.

John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 7:2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand. 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 7:4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. Here is another clear case of scripture showing that Jesus had brothers. The brethren could not be disciples because they are differentiated in the text in John 7:3. In John 7:5 brethren could not mean a disciple because they did not believe in him.

Mary was just a normal woman with sexual life, a part from being described as a chastise virgin.

I think most people still view God as that “ Mean Old Man In The Sky, The Cosmic Kill-Joy who is determined to wipe away any hints of Fun.Eager to Punish and Cast into Hell all that dare disobey!What an effective liar Satan is!His first lie was to tell Adam and Eve that God did not really mean what He told them-GOD was deceiving the two,There was something much better going on that God was hiding from them. “ Eat of the tree .....know good from evil ......and be like God!” With the 613 Commandments , God showed man Good and Evil, Right from Wrong and we all know how that has and is working out.The whole Bible and the story of mankind is God showing Satan to be the true liar all along.Satan has done a great job of putting a lid on our perception of our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit , Who is more powerful than Satan ,has blessed many with the Truth about God. “Your God is too small”, somebody said.Paul was willing to set aside everything simply to “ know Him”. I know what he meant.May the Holy Spirit lead us all to “ know”Him as He truly is.A LOT of good things will follow.

I happen to speak English...so I use English words that those I hope to communicate with will understand. I am bound by the Words of God, not by the unbelief and confusion others like to introduce. There are a number of "exceptions" to Levitical Law where Kings (David AND Solomon) appeared to take up the office of priest and there are precious types embodied in those exceptions. It would be better to enlighten people on why those were allowed than simply dismiss them by reference to your own thinking and no Word at all. If you can.

OH! What does it mean? I was taught when I was younger that it meant we all have burdens to bear. I would hear, "Well, that's her cross to bear" or "Oh my, what a cross that family has to bear!" I said to that long ago - Ppshaw!!! People in the Bible met with their cross ONE time. And the purpose was to be executed and die. The cross mean to die. Not literally - Jesus did not ask us to die on a cross. We are to die to self daily. Jesus only had to bear the cross once as our example on how WE are to live every single day. [Note Luke 9:23 has the descriptor "daily".] We live in the flesh and when waking up each morning, it's our task as Christians is to consider ourselves dead to sin, dead to the world's ways, and dead to selfishness that interferes with being a servant of God. If you take all the descriptors in all five of those above verses, it would say - "If anyone would come after Jesus Christ, he/she should: deny him/herself daily take up his/her cross daily follow Jesus Christ daily [whew! there's a 3-step progression there I think!!] and if these things aren't done, then he/she is not worthy of Jesus Christ and CANNOT be his disciple." Rather a serious teaching Jesus gave there I think.

When Jesus carried His cross up Golgotha to be crucified, no one was thinking of the cross as symbolic of a burden to carry. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop. Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death. Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless. Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Although these multitudes often followed Him as Messiah, their view of who the Messiah really was—and what He would do—was distorted. They thought the Christ would usher in the restored kingdom. They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Even Christ’s own inner circle of disciples thought the kingdom was coming soon (Luke 19:11). When Jesus began teaching that He was going to die at the hands of the Jewish leaders and their Gentile overlords (Luke 9:22), His popularity sank. Many of the shocked followers rejected Him. Truly, they were not able to put to death their own ideas, plans, and desires, and exchange them for His. Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost. In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests. Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, “Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life”? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions: • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose? Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self (“Take up your cross and follow Me”) with the gift of life in Christ: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25-26). https://www.gotquestions.org/take-up-your-cross.html

Well, we do have to subject ourselves to the Lord's authority. That is because the Lord knows what is best for us. It isn't always what we want to do.

Subject ourselves to the Lord's authority.

We can get ourselves into a lot of trouble. If we read the Bible, we can learn how to avoid doing that. That is not being against you.

Hebrews 4:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Addison, God's word convicts and encourages and does lots of things. Whatever you feel convicted of take it to the Lord and confess and ask for help. God wants that, the sooner the better. We are not perfect yet but we will be one day but for now if we stumble we have Jesus, our Savior and advocate. Jesus is praying for you and us that is such a comfort. We have the victory in Christ our Lord. 1 John 1:9 New International Version (NIV) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Your worry may be a strong indicator that it's NOT you. A guy tells me he lost salvation masturbating to porn. I asked, "How did you feel?" He said, "Dirty, ashamed, guilty". I asked, "How did you USED to feel about this, before you were born again?" He said, "I loved it! ... wait a minute, I'M SAVED!" 1) Check your salvation. Are you trusting YOU for Heaven or did you place your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation instead? 2) Check your boredom, go read Matthew on http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/mt/1.html and see what THOSE people say--and how stupid/uninformed/evil most of their commentary is. It will change your Bible reading from zero to 100!

Well, technically they were half brothers. LOL! Same mom, different dad. He also had at least two sisters. But we don't know their names. Mark 6:3 = "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?' And they were offended at him.

I do understand that is your personal choice. I do not understand why you think others should do as you do. Would it be ok to wear the shirt and drive a $100,000...thus giving the appearance of greed? Would it be ok to wear the shirt and weight 350 pounds...thus giving the appearance of slothfulness?

But there is nothing hypocritical about it. He did nothing that was a sin or even remotely against the teachings of Jesus

Absolutely. Our concept of Elohim is far too limited. It seems the more revelation I get of the Father, the more I feel overwhelmed by His majesty, glory, power and love. This is the main problem for most atheists in the world as well. Their concept of who God is, is far too small. As they try and fit Him into an infrastructure of laws and morality, written by mere men, they inevitably trip up. But we could all do with opening our minds more and pushing our understanding of Him past the traditions of men - to observe His splendour through His Word, with great awe. Love & Shalom

Hi Addison, When you read the newspaper, do you read it as though it is all about YOU? Of course not, that`s silly. Well it seems to me you are reading God`s word as all about YOU. When actually it is all about the Lord. We read about His character and His plans for - the Body of Christ, for Israel & the nations. The gospels are about Jesus when He was manifested on earth. He came to Israel and that is mainly what you read. You will have to read Acts, Paul`s writings, and the epistles and letters, for what the Lord says to the Body of Christ. Now there is truth throughout God`s word that we need to take heed of, however we also need to realise who the Lord is speaking to. That will make reading the Bible more sense. Marilyn. BTW I have written a blog on Christ the centre of the Bible. It`s in Marilyn`s messages in the blog area. It may help you get a better overview.

I believe in predestination.. But predestination derived from God Foreknowing every individuals personal response to His revealed Will... I totally reject the version of predestination that says that God creates one person to be mind controlled by Him to accept His will as a saved zombie like being and God creating another person to serve no other purpose but to burn in the eternal lake of fire..

Gee I don't know. I attend a corporate worship service on Thursday evenings. Why? Because the local body is now so crowded there is no room at the Sunday services. The local body leaders decided lets also have services Thursdays as a solution for now. Being able to attend on Thursday evening I do, to make a seat for someone else on Sunday. I also attend with a second body of friends on Sunday at another facility that does have room. Lots of groups have worship, sermons, and teaching at all days and evenings of the week. Where I worked and had to have facilities readied for people there simply was not a night, nor day, that the facilities were not in use for worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship. My guess is there is no bad time to worship and join with others to worship together.

Christianity meets on the first day of the week to remember that this was the day that Jesus rose from the dead. It does not matter what day we meet together so long as we do meet together. Sunday is confient, but if in your area Christians want to meet on a Wednesday or before dawn on a Monday or on any day at any time go for it. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God wants to be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth. So whether you meet every Tuesday lunch time, or on Thursday after tea it does not matter. It only matters if one says that we Must meet on this day and on this day only, then it becomes a work to earn salvation.

... that's the point of the thread. To explore our own understandings of God ... and how our perceptions may be skewed. I read an interesting Open God's Love Letter that I was forwarded.

The bible tells us that every day is as the sabbath for a Christian. Romans 14:5 One indeed esteems a day above another day; and another esteems every day alike . Let each one be fully assured in his own mind. The bible tells us not to judge one another regarding the sabbath. Colossians 2:16 ¶ Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths. 17 For these are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. The bible also tells us that the first Christians met on the first day of the week (sunday). Acts 20 and many other verses in the new testament.

This is another fork in this concept we should explore. How important the roles of us as FATHERS in shaping our kids faith. This is something to really grab hold of ... and I believe if us (men) grabbed hold of this ... it would also help our wives faith as well.

I always considered God a loving heavenly Father. However, I know that some people who perceive of God as a hard taskmaster or a punishing figure often have difficulties believing in God. Or sometimes if they do believe in God, they might become very hard or judgmental towards others.

I can live well without it for the love of my Brothers an Sisters around me

When it comes down to issues that divide Christians, issues like homosexuality, it almost always comes down to a matter of Bible interpretation. One of the finest Biblical scholars of the past several decades was the late Walter Wink. He has written an essay on the question that indicates that the Bible doesn't always say what we think it does. You can find it at: http://www.stpetersloganville.org/images/Homosexuality_and_the_Bible.pdf