Leaderboard

Something amazing just happened! I have lived in Stonebridge apartments in Harrisburg, PA for several years, ever since I moved in I have been asking God to lead me to the other believers in the complex so we could get a meeting going. I just woke up at about 7am and went out on the balcony to get some air, I could hear someone singing down below. It sounded like she was praying! I went down to her and asked her a question, if she was a Christian! She said yes! I told her I had been looking for her for a long time! I gave her my cell #, she is going to send me a text later, we may get together and start praying together! She said she did not know of any other believers here but it was such a relief that I found her! There has been a tremendous spiritual battle going on and I am not alone anymore! HALLELUJAH! THANK GOD!

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 22 So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. 23 Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. Proverbs 4:20-21

Faith Defined Dr. Charles Stanley 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight So much is written about faith these days. We think we talk about trusting God, and try, even though we stumble at times, to walk by faith. Many times, it is our trying that trips us up. God wants us to learn to live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means that living with the idea that He is able to do what we cannot do for ourselves. What a victorious thought! It is also a marvelous invitation to experience freedom from doubt, worry and disbelief. Before we can trust God fully, we must come to a point of helpless dependence. It is here that we realize we simply cannot do it all, but all that is needed, and have all the answers. If we could, there would be no need for God. We would be in total control and very proud of it. While God gives us the ability to solve many of the problems we face, His greater desire is for us to live our lives dependent on Him. Godly dependence is not a sign of weakness but one of immeasurable strength and confidence. There are problems in life that only God can solve, tasks only He can perform, and solutions that can only be discovered through the wisdom He gives. The basic foundation to faith is: trust God more than you trust yourself. When you do this, you gain wisdom and hope for every area of your life. Dear Lord, help me to trust You more. Give me a confident conviction that You keep your promises.Amen

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Its sad that people get trapped into false doctrine and if they question their teachings they are labeled as committing an unforgiveable sin aka heretic. This is how most cults and false religions operate. Messiah warned us repeatedly about false prophets and teaches that appear as sheep but are actually wolves. Also, Messiah warned us about the leaven of the Pharisees which are the doctrines and teachings of men that nullify the commandments of God.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

There is some internal evidence here. The word "formed" in the Hebrew relates to a potter. He works with clay The "breath" of God is spirit in nature and thus existed from eternity. It only came when the nostrils were in place The word "became" implies that it was not before. That is, the living soul was new thing - a created thing. And so Isaiah 43:7; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him If man was a single entity this verse would create an absurdity. "Create" (Bara - Heb.) means some part of him never existed before and came into being. "Formed" (Yatsar - Heb.) implies clay-like material that was already in existence being used. "Made" (Asah - Heb.) means fashioned into a different form with some preexisting material like a carpenter makes a table from wood. The reason that I fight for this truth is that the full salvation of man pertains to three different processes for each of the three parts. Rebirth is only for the spirit of man (Jn.3:6) The soul must be tempered by fiery trials (1st Pet.1:4-9), must have the attributes of Christ added to it (2nd Pet.1:4-11) and must be transformed by the renewing of the mind - its main organ (Rom.12.2 - metamorphoo - Gk.) The body must be resurrected or changed to be fit for the Kingdom (1st Cor.15:50-54)

Amen! These great truths are hardly taught today. I judge that each verse here is worth at least an A4 (US Legal). Go well.

Sunday 6-5-22 1st. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Sivan 5, 5782 78th. Spring Day After the 49 days of Counting the Omer, after having fully achieved inner renewal by merit of having assessed and developed each of our 49 attributes, we arrive at the fiftieth day. On this day we celebrate the Festival of Shavuot ... Day 49 – Sivan 5 -June 5-22 Malchut of Malchut: Nobility in Nobility Psalm 27; Isa. 12:1-6; Dan. 2:44; 7:27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Isa. 12:1-6 1 And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Read full chapter Dan. 2:44; 7:27 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 7:27 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Examine the sovereignty of your sovereignty. Does it come from deep-rooted inner confidence in myself? Or is it just a put-on to mask my insecurities? Does that cause my sovereignty to be excessive? Am I aware of my uniqueness as a person? Of my personal contribution? Exercise for the day: Take a moment and concentrate on yourself, on your true inner self, not on your performance and how you project to others; and be at peace with yourself knowing that God created a very special person which is you. Prayer 1 John Five:13-15 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Read full chapter Confident in God Read: 1 John 5:13–15 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 23–24; John 15 Download MP3 Subscribe to iTunes This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 A 2018 study of adults in the United Kingdom found that, on average, “they checked their smartphones every twelve minutes of the waking day.” But let’s be honest, this statistic seems extremely conservative when I consider how frequently I search Google to find the answer to a question or respond to endless alerts that come to my phone throughout the day. Many of us consistently look to our devices, confident they’ll provide what we need to keep us organized, informed, and connected. As believers in Jesus, we have a resource infinitely better than a smartphone. God loves and cares for us intimately and desires for us to come to Him with our needs. The Bible says that when we pray, we can be confident “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). By reading the Bible and storing God’s words in our hearts, we can pray assuredly for things that we know He already desires for us, including peace, wisdom, and faith that He’ll provide what we need (v. 15). Sometimes it may seem like God doesn’t hear us when our situation doesn’t change. But we build our confidence in God by consistently turning to Him for help in every circumstance (Psalm 116:2). This allows us to grow in faith, trusting that although we may not get everything we desire, He’s promised to provide what we need in His perfect timing. When have you lacked boldness when coming to God in prayer? How can you be confident and intentional in your prayers? Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I can come confidently to You in prayer, trusting You to supply all my needs. INSIGHT One of the key ideas in 1 John 5:14–15 is confidence. John says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (v. 14). The Greek word translated “confidence” (parrēsia) is also used in Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” In other places parrēsia is translated variously as “plainly” (Mark 8:32; John 10:24), “openly” (John 18:20), “publicly” (John 7:13; 11:54), “fearlessly” (Ephesians 6:19), and “courage” (Philippians 1:20). Taken together, the various translations express a sense of being unashamed, unreserved, or audacious. This is the kind of confidence we can have in approaching God in prayer because He’s our Father and wants to hear what those who care about His will have to say. By Kimya Loder|June 5th, 2022 Love, Walter and Debbie

Monday July 15 2019 started like any other workday. I worked part time for a major car rental company, driving rental cars between branches or to the airport. I usually worked on a crew with 4 or 5 other gentlemen. At 66 years old, I was actually one of the youngest. Most of the others were in their 70s. All of us were retired and looked at this minimum pay job as just something to do to get us out of the house. On this particular Monday 5 of us were in a minivan on the NY State thruway to pick up some cars in Jamestown and take them to the Buffalo airport. Myself and another gentleman were in the middle seats. We'd done this hour and a half drive so much that we were both sleeping.t The next thing I knew I'm in one of the worst amusement park rides I've ever been on. My ribs were hurting so bad I could barely breathe. I thought I was going to die. The first responders asked me to move so they could get to the guy in the backseat. That's when I first realized I couldn't move my legs. They got me out on a backboard, and the next thing I knew was being lifeflighted to Buffalo. I've been in hospitals and rehab centers up until Dec 24 when I came to live with my daughter and her family. We're (my wife and I) are having a house built which will be less than a mile from my daughter. We should be moved in some time in March. Because we have to take out a mortgage, my wife has had to continue to work. Since she lives 2 1/2 hours away, and given the winter weather, I haven't seen her as much as I would have liked. The accident was caused by a NY State trooper, who rammed into our stopped van at about 70 plus miles an hour. There is a lot about this accident that is public knowledge but I'll suffice it to say he has been suspended from the NYSP. Otherwise everything else is in litigation and I shouldn't comment. I do need prayer though in not being bitter toward him. My purpose in posting this is just for all of us who call ourselves Christians to be open to the possibility that life changing events like this can happen that challenge our faith. I'm as much a believer as I was before, but I'm not the same believer. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself: Lord, we had our retirement planned out - why did this have to happen. For one thing, we're going to have a huge mortgage, as to where our old house was paid off. But I trust the Lord and He knows what He's doing. Even when we don't. I'm never going to walk again, nor can I control my bowel and bladder. Life has definitely changed. I hope others will share similar experiences and we can encourage each other with that.

So very well said. People have become too dependent on their little screens instead of God. They consult Google instead of the Bible.

Yes, very good advise

Amen

And if my Grandmother had wheels she'd be a wagon. Poppycock. Pay it no mind. Attention is all these types seek.

“Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back— given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38 Have your heart right with Christ, and He will visit you often, and so turn weekdays into Sundays, meals into sacraments, homes into temples and earth into heaven. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"If you give your soul up to anything earthly, whether it be the wealth, or the honours, or the pleasures of this world, you might as well hunt after the mirage of the desert or try to collect the mists of the morning, or to store up for yourself the clouds of the sky, for all these things are passing away". ~ Charles Spurgeon

If this was the case i.e. Mary being a goddess, then why would Christ address her in the following way "3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."? (KJV John 2:3-5)And secondly why is she not part of the Holy Trinity?

“And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do. He married Mary. But Joseph did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And he named him Jesus.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭ERV‬‬

The Catholics are trapped here by their theology - theology that is based partly on over-veneration of Mary (the doctrine of her immaculate conception) and partly on the limited biological knowledge of the early Christian theologians. Their problem is that, according to this understanding, any child born of Mary (not only Jesus!) would have been without sin. Therefore, they argued, Mary could not possibly have been "allowed" to have other children. I learned this from a Catholic

1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NASB20) For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ‘to serve a living and true God’ We serve a living and true God, for as little as one might understand Him, it does not change the fact that He is living and true.. For getting to know this living and true God is in the expression of life itself, all else is a means to this end… For life itself is His and He has chosen to share this life with all that would be willing to receive it…This is the true life that is only found in the freedom that righteousness brings to light…. For righteousness is the expression of this very life, the very life of this living and true God, the one that we are to serve…. For getting to know this living and true God will be the direct expression of one’s walking in newness of life….. For the new life that has been birthed in one does not sin, for to the degree this life has grown to be the ruling power of life, to that degree will one find themselves walking in freedom from sin… And in this walking will one get to know this living and true God… For this, one can not, but the Lord Jesus can, and it is this, that is the salvation that is ours, such is the free gift of God, to all that find themselves willing to want it…. Be blessed in the discovery of that which is our’s, Not me

1 Samuel 10 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

You can PM George or Omegaman 3.0 as they are the only two still active who can make the change.

The above is worth repeating.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

https://www.scripture-images.com/images/kjv/layout_01/Genesis-43-20-KJV-And-said-O-sir-we-came-indeed-down-at-the-first-I01043020-L01.jpg https://www.scripture-images.com/images/kjv/layout_01/Genesis-43-21-KJV-And-it-came-to-pass-when-we-came-to-the-inn--I01043021-L01.jpg https://www.scripture-images.com/images/kjv/layout_01/Genesis-43-22-KJV-And-other-money-have-we-brought-down-in-our-hands-I01043022-L01.jpg https://www.scripture-images.com/images/kjv/layout_01/Genesis-43-23-KJV-And-he-said-Peace-be-to-you-fear-not-your-God--I01043023-L01.jpg https://www.scripture-images.com/images/kjv/layout_01/Genesis-43-24-KJV-And-the-man-brought-the-men-into-Joseph-s-house--I01043024-L01.jpg Love, Walter and Debbie

Colossians 3:[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

This concept is called mariolatry. If you ever travel to Europe and visit churches, cathedrals and museums, the number of artworks featuring Mary as more than an earthling, a female, who was blessed to carry in her womb the son of God is mind-blowing. But as the Catholic Church elevates Mary, it is of note to be reminded of the following: Peter, whom the Catholics incorrectly identify as the "original Pope," never mentions Mary even once in his two letters She is mentioned in only 5 of the 27 books of the Greek Scriptures. Although she is spoken of in the Gospels with respect and favor for her humble role as the mother of the Messiah. Indeed, Mary was a loving and tender person who understood the sufferings of womanhood (she lost her husband at a relatively young age and had to endure watching her son die in an agonizing way).The Bible allows us to respect and even love Mary as a faithful disciple of Jesus. (Acts 1:14) The Scriptures clearly show that Mary, as an anointed Christian, would be “raised a spiritual body,” to “inherit the kingdom of God,” together with the 12 apostles and other faithful first-century Christians.—1 Cor. 15:42-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-16. However, nowhere does the Bible authorize us to adore Mary or to pray to her for intercession, nor to be venerated. Prayers should be addressed to God, through Christ.

This all about the failed RCC doctrine of Immaculate Conception. They had to invent a way to keep Mary from being a 'sinner' because the silly Augustinian doctrine of original sin caught them between a rock and a hard place. One dumb idea leads to many others.

I have a catholic colleague who believes this. However, it is a false catholic doctrine and not Bible doctrine. When I point out that Joseph did not 'know' her "UNTIL" (meaning Joseph did not 'know' her before she gave birth to Jesus) implying that he did afterward, she simply says that she would have to have her priest explain it to me. She cannot explain it. No doubt Mary is a special lady to be chosen to bring Jesus into the world, but, she is in nowise the 'queen of heaven' , or 'the mother of God'.

I have never seen this taught by Catholics that Mary is a higher god than Jesus. The Catholic Church has always taught the Jesus is fully man and fully God, and that his humanity came from Mary. They just teach that she was born without sin and didn't have sex. They think Mary already ascended to heaven and is now called the queen of heaven, and that she intercedes for Catholics. This is contrary to Scripture that says Christ is the only intermediary between God and man and is our intercessor. There is nothing that says any dead person or saint can intercede for or help anyone. We should only pray to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We should never pray to angels or people. There are people who pray to their dead relatives. The Bible states this very sinful and calls it praying to familiar spirits. It is sad what happens when a church departs from Scripture. You can't even reason with Catholics because they don't rely on plainly read Scripture to back up their beliefs. They rely on their traditions and the interpretations of their priests. That is why Catholics are now placed in their own section away from our main forum so they can't confuse new believers with their unbiblical doctrines.

I try not to be too serious most of the time. I believe in Creation. We differ in the "how". It's not a matter of belief or unbelief in the Bible itself. The idea of the Big Bang comports quite well theologically. It implies a beginning of the universe and the created order i.e., "In the beginning, God..."

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (romans 8:18)

In the temp territories the Russians have taken, anyone that will not cooperate is executed. How to win on the world stage is not Russia's forte. They have proven themselves butchers, looters and murderers.