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Shooting from the hip here, perhaps Paul is implying a righteous judgement through the understanding from the Holy Spirit and not a condemning judgement of others - a discernment of what is reality concerning the circumstances being analyzed.

Yeah, I overstepped but tried to walk it back here. The reason I will no longer be initiating threads on this forum is a back channel issue, and better left at that.

I should add, that Tolkien didn't intentionally write analogies into the LOTRs like lewis did with Narnia. in fact, in an interview he was asked about analogies and he denied it, according to him the LOTRs was intended for entertainment purposes only. However one can easily make analogies out of a lot of the content, I believe a lot of that was because his faith just naturally flowed into his writing. But it was not intentional, and there certainly are elements that cannot be made into analogies at all.

@warrior12 What is righteousness in the specific sircumstances. Rahab risked her life when she deceived her own people who were looking for the spy(s) she had hidden in her home. Ans she lied to the soldiers who were looking for them and the result was that her life was spare and she did not died when Jericho fell. And she lived to married an Israelite and she was the grade grandmother of Jesus Christ. I should have said of Jesse the father of King David. And by extension the great-great-greate.....grandmother of Jesus as it was thought to be though Joseph his adopted Father.

It's almost always unfortunate to see someone leave, especially over something so minor. The problem is that people disagree with your definition of the term. Was Jezebel an influencer of her day? Sure. No argument there. Are a lot of them motivated by money and/or morally and spiritually bankrupt? Absolutely. But lumping all influencers in with her is a misuse of the term. They can have a variety of motives and causes, and may in fact legitimately believe in or use what they're promoting. They can operate on a scale ranging from local to global. They aren't all success stories and millionaires. The majority certainly isn't always right, but if multiple brothers and sisters are taking issue with your definition then maybe it's time to reconsider the definition or just chalk it up to having a difference of opinions and move away from the topic itself rather than walking away from the community itself and assuming ill intent. Instead what I'm seeing are posts about leaving because of "too much leaven", assuming people merely want to be contrary, and making what reads like an ultimatum. These are hallmarks of an emotional response. From what you've said it sounds like you're in a place of frustration. Take a break if you need to, and bear in mind Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" If you take a break and still believe Worthy isn't the place for you I can't say you wouldn't be missed, but it's also okay. Like Paul said we're the body of Christ. Different individual believers connect at different places. If you're not connecting in a given group of believers it's unfortunate, but no matter how hard we might try we can't meaningfully graft a finger to an ear or vice versa and expect it to function in a proper or meaningful way. I've said my part regarding the definition of influencer. You've said yours. We disagree, that's it. To continue further down that path is to indulge in what one of the verses you posted, I Timothy 6:4, warns against. Consequently I'm not going to engage in any further discussion over differing definitions, and I don't think anyone else should, either. There's a saying, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." In Romans 14:1 Paul expresses a thought similar to the second part, telling us not to quarrel over little things, using terms like "opinions" and "disputable matters" depending on translation. This thread is very much both of those things and isn't worth the fuss surrounding it. What's far more important to me is this: Regardless of whether or not this is what's going on, the fact that you have this perception is worth some consideration on all sides. Opinions like that don't come out of nowhere, but rather in response to repeated exposure to particular stimuli. Maybe I'm naive but for my part I don't think the oversight team or our members are prone to acting out of malice. If anything the oversight has been rather generous in giving people the benefit of the doubt and gone above and beyond the call of duty in being patient and engaging as evidenced by some of the blatant trolls we've been blighted with over the past year or so. For my part I apologize if I've come off as contrary, hostile, or aggressive toward you here or in other threads. I stand by all of what I've said and realize parts of this post could possibly be read that way, but none of it is in the spirit of wanting you to go away or feel bad.

@ladypeartree @JohnD

Hi backontrack, May I encourage you to know that Christ has by His Holy Spirit placed us all, (who believe) in His Body. `But now has God set the members every one of them in the Body, as it has pleased Him.` (1 Cor. 12: 18) So, we are all in unity, (Eph. 4: 3) which we are to keep otherwise we, individually will not be in the Body. That means our attitude is of grace towards each other. Now, the differences we have while on this earth regarding various topics, will either remain as truth with us or get done away with when we go to glory. We, as humans do not do the uniting, (as if we ever could) but the Holy Spirit does that when we are incorporated into the Body of Christ.

Glad you brought that up Michael, about relationships. God`s relationship with Israel is as you said a husband and wife, (Isa. 54: 5) The word `husband `is master. Thus, the nation of Israel knew that God was their master, and He would look after them. As to the believers in the Body of Christ we know that the Lord is the Head of the Body, which is a closer relationship than master.

Just because someone claims to hate me doesnt make them my enemy of I refuse to hate them

Being a Christian doesn't have to be defined as having a disregard of the sciences. Some worldly knowledge can be difficult in grasping. Godly knowledge is difficult in the doing,(without the Holy Spirit). Otherwise we'd all still be in some dark age.( We are, but in a different way, in a spiritual way, not having enough doers of the word). Edit: Medical science is a great benefit for mankind.

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV) But God has revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The deep things of God, how can one know when one has or is entering into the deep things of God…? There can only be one answer to this inquiry and that is to the degree one sees, enters into and walks in righteousness, to that degree has one entered into the deep things of God…. For righteousness is the deepest depths of God, as one search’s deeper into God, one sees and walks in righteousness the more, and the more deeper will that one’s experience of God be… For this is our salvation in Christ, that we, the believing soul might walk in righteousness…. God has opened the door, those that by faith find it will be pillars in the house of God…. For Christ did die and took all to death with Him, those that are willing to enter into His death with Him by faith and deny all of themselves will experience God as God would have them experience Him…. Then the scripture that says ‘according to the power that works within us’ takes its proper place and all becomes second to that power of that new life growing in one…. For the just shall live by faith are not just by and by words that mean something, but not quite exactly clear, but are an exacting path forward to all that will venture to embrace their death in Christ by faith…. Then faith, then trusting God becomes one’s all, and then most assuredly the just shall live by faith becomes a living reality and those words also take their proper place….. Be blessed all that would walk in righteousness and enter into the deep things of God…. A fellow follower of His, Not me

Thank you, brother. I may have assumed that the modern terminology was familiar, but I thought launching with Jezebel would give the OP a sense of direction. The follow up post should have been sufficient clarification. BTW, the Greek word referenced in the other response refers to 'busybody' by Peter. An astute observation. I have voiced the opinion often that certain members come on my threads solely to be contrary and without edification. I deal shrewdly with them according to scripture, but this is not well understood Psalm 18:26 I love when people throw a WWJD at me. I know exactly what He did. He dealt shrewdly with them.

Agreed. Influencer is a current phenomenon with a discrete definition; you have described what an Influencer is, how they operate, and their place in this world of men. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not an Influencer. The Spirit of the living God is not an Influencer. We are not Influencers either, for Influencers operate for the express purpose of monetary gain. We show forth the love and life of Christ not for the love of money, but for the love of God and our neighbor.

I spouted my thoughts on UFOs as a conspiracy theorist for many years. I am no longer a conspiracy theorist since global governments confirm the phenomenon, citing threats to national security and aviation. After millions of sightings over millennia, secret investigations, coverups, and now congressional investigations, why some soft disclosure and acknowledgement at this point in history? Can we logically conclude that this will lead to further disclosure? Yes. What is the likelihood that this will not be related to evolution, specifically panspermia?

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10:42 Jesus being the Word will judge righteously. I believe according to the measure of faith to which we have received. (Rom. 12:3, 2 Cor. 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.) The later speaking of giving but I think the principle applies to knowledge/understanding of His Word. We mustn't beat ourselves up for what we don't know but continue to seek Him, not so much about Him (although both walk hand in hand.)

Many believers have lost their supernatural, prophetic edge but it is the time to get it back. He is asking you today, "Where did you lose it? Where is the place your fire went out? When did you stop believing to see the impossible?" WHERE DID YOU STOP BELIEVING? The time that Jesus asked Mary and Martha, "Where have you laid him?" (John 11:34) – referring to Lazarus, who was dead and buried. In other words, in the spiritual sense, He asked them, "Where did you stop believing? Where is the place where you laid down your faith that I would make your brother whole?" What have you lost? What has been buried beneath the waters of disappointment? Did the devil try to convince you that because a certain person rejected you, God has rejected you and your purpose is over? It's Not Over! Pick back up your supernatural promise. Pick back up that dream that has lain dormant. His promises are swimming toward you. Stretch forth and take hold of them! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

You and me both. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

I don't know for sure what's going on in Luke 21:20-24 but it looks quite a bit like Matt 24:16-19 and Mark 13:15-17 Matt 24 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. 18And let no one in the field return for his cloak. 19How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! Mark 13 15Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. 16And let no one in the field return for his cloak. 17How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! Luke 21 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. 22For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! This is the time when the abomination of desolation is standing where and when it should not be. So whatever it's going to look like it appears it's the time when the beast has risen. It's not destruction on Israel by other nations, it's the great tribulation and distress on the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding land, perhaps all of Israel, excluding the mountains. And it's internal, at the hand of the beast, not by other countries against Jerusalem and Israel. It's not armies surrounding Israel, it's armies surrounding Jerusalem.

That`s right RdJ, however, it is about God`s relationship with the NATION of Israel. God is their husband,`meaning in Hebrew - Master.

Anyone . How can this be futher expanded or explained in your own words ?.

Easter celebrates the resurrection, not the birth.

They are all convinced they have the truth. We know they are teaching falsely. As are gap proponents. The earth didn't become a mess in one day, and God didn't restore anything. Nope. That dog won't hunt. Light was created day one. The rest of the universe day four. None of these existed by verse 2. What does fine pottery begin as? Why would God say something you made up? Your own translations fail to say that the earth BECAME anything. Don't blame me because you can't accept the definition of formless. I also have shown where Hebrew was translated but you reject it because it doesn't say what you want to believe. The difference is, the original definition fits perfectly with the six day creation, the seven day week and the well known history of our beginning. It wasn't until the 18th century that people decided they needed to re-define words to allow for the old earth non-believers claim. Despite many such evidences to the contrary, you stomp your foot and call the definition of a word stupid. Yet, you're breathing formless air. Hmmmmm. You said it got destroyed. Obviously, He didn't destroy it, so it had to be faulty. Connect your own dots. It's your false claim. You need to think it through. You say fact, I say heresy.

2 Peter 1 Common English Bible Greeting 1 From Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who received a faith equal to ours through the justice of our God and savior Jesus Christ. 2 May you have more and more grace and peace through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Christian life in outline 3 By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory. 4 Through his honor and glory he has given us his precious and wonderful promises, that you may share the divine nature and escape from the world’s immorality that sinful craving produces. 5 This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. 8 If all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Whoever lacks these things is shortsighted and blind, forgetting that they were cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be eager to confirm your call and election. Do this and you will never ever be lost. 11 In this way you will receive a rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

I believe this could cause the false prophet to appear in Israel next year. When I read the Olivet discourse,I see a series of events pertaining to the last 3.5 years. The arrival of the false prophet into israel,that is the second beast in revelation 13. Luke 21 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Then the persecution of the christians in Israel begins and lasts 3.5 years.A time,times and a half. Luke 21 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. Then the nations attack Israel leading to a nuclear war. Luke 21 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. From my understanding,the abomination that causes desolation is placed in Jerusalem AFTER the muslim nations have conquered Israel.The abomination of desolation being the cause of fearful and great signs in the heavens in the previous verse. The abomination of desolation which causes great tribulation is what I believe to be Israelis nuclear policy being implemented by its closest ally.The policy is called the Samson option. The Samson Option (Hebrew: ברירת שמשון, b'rerat shimshon) is Israel's deterrence strategy of massive retaliation with nuclear weapons as a "last resort" against a country whose military has invaded and/or destroyed much of Israel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Option

Christ does not marry any individuals persons. He is in a covenant relationship with the body of Christ as a whole. He is married as a metaphor I believe. Because it’s a covenant. But each person is a member of the body. It’s the body that’s married and has nothing to do with the sex of the persons.

Other than Lucifer & his ilk, and the clearly understood enemies in armed combat between nations... How do you identify 'your enemy'? It seems we have to make a judgement here... a rather strong one. Are the people we fight in a war really our enemies? We dont know them as individuals we fight because two governments or rulers have decreed that we will do so . I grew up hearing from my grandparents about truces at Christmas when the " enemies " played football and shared food and drink then went back to killing each other once the day of truce was over I dont have the energy left at my time of life to hate anyone and we would need to be personally betrayed in my humble opinion to call someone an enemy . I am not sure even then I could honestly say someone was an enemy just that I no longer trust them nor do I want them in my life ..doesnt mean I hate them

That, in my own way, is one of the things I try and do here. Not getting into long discussions, but just stating what I see and think, and letting people do their own thing. If I am wrong I trust the Holy Spirit will not let someone fall over it, and when I am right I leave it to the Holy Spirit to make them understand. But these 100 + posts in long threads tend to lead discussions in circles where people are not willing to change their minds or let others have their own thoughts about it.

Not your place to judge, but maybe your place to educate. I see far too much discussion about scripture and prophecy to the point of getting in fights with each other and far too little about the practical aspects of living as a Christian on a daily basis, the how to of it and such. That's what Jesus did, concentrated on teaching living by the word instead of just sitting around a temple and discussing the word and its esoteric meanings instead.

We must always evaluate the spirit of a thing... we are either leading and encouraging others to the truth or we are not... it is no difficult thing to understand what spirit it is when given this litmus! Of course, we are in a place darkness and evil BUT we are to be light leading to truth not condemnation for who and where they are... I believe most know there is something very wrong here and condemning them for who and where they are? Christ never so instructed us to do so... John 3:17 (KJV) [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. We don't have to condemn anyone it is built within their practice...

I believe @faithfull-prophet4040 is honest about something that often plagues many belivers, which is that we have times of human weakness that in no way affect our standing eternally.

Looks like the experts no longer expect the eggs to hatch again this year Some interesting facts I uncovered reading all the info on them Shadow is NOT jackies first mate ... shadow chased him off and became her mate Jackie is two years older than shadow They were both hatched by the same pair so brother and sister from batches two years apart Their parents left the area unexpectedly after raising several broods there

The relationship of God with His People is among other things, depicted in the Bible as analogous to that of a bride and groom, and a husband and wife. Where the relationship is marred by the unfaithfulness of God's People, their depiction is analogous to a harlot. As you know, metaphors carry meanings across with the literal being used to describe the figurative.

One learns theology partly through sermons, partly through talking/discussing theology and partly through study. This then influences one's choice of what church to join. As a church member one can discuss sermon content with the preachers. It is what Paul was driving at when he moaned about " baby Christians " not growing in their faith so to be able to eat solid food.

@believeinHim You know, fellowship has its vertical (Godward) aspect (1 John 1.3) as well as its horizontal aspect (Acts 2.42).

You did ask. I just don't know. I voted for Trump twice. Didn't feel too bad about it the first time. Wanted to throw up the second time - was physically ill about it. But everyone kept pushing me - you HAVE TO VOTE FOR TRUMP!!!! - they screamed at me. They made me feel like a moron if I questioned anything about him. And I still have MANY trepidations about him. This third time? I have absolutely no idea. I'll have to pray about it. November comes, God alone willing, we will just have to see.

If no one gets 270 delegates, the next President will be elected by the House of Representatives.

"Believe in the Messiah" is a rather vague statement. All Jews believe in A Messiah. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Needless to say, that goes along with believing that what He says is true. And genuine belief leads to commitment - in other words, following Him and obeying His teaching.

Yes, the sciences/increase in knowledge are a means in which God has set His clock: Daniel 12:4 (KJV) [4] But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. It's like being in the Mall 'you are here'...

Jesus Christ and Him crucified are the deepest things of God. 1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 1Co 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 1Co 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than me impart 1Co 2:7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 1Co 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1Co 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1Co 2:15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1Co 2:16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Just an FYI: Flying discs have been painted in prehistoric caves and renaissance paintings.

Listening to a YT video of two physicists having a discussion, as someone once stated, is like coming to understand how a dog feels like, listening to his human master talking. Job is asked by God, where was he when the universe was formed? Most of us cannot fathom the deep things of this material universe, how are we to fathom the deep things of God, which aren't given any defining words? Even His way of thinking is alien to man. Thoughts need to be given defining words to frame them into the physical world. Isa.55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

If we are unwilling to let the bible drive our view of life, if we are unwilling to sit regularly under a biblical expository ministry, if we will not learn to eat the 'meat' of Christian belief then we are also unwilling to listen to rebukes and exhortations whether from God, a preacher or other Christians.

What do you mean by ' believers divided ' ? All Christians are part of Gods body and as such are united.

I definitely will be voting for Trump and I'll be proud to do it. Trump's policies were great for America plus I am certain this time around, he will work to undo all the WOKE, LGBT, and liberal garbage that has been forced on America the last few years. He jokingly said he wanted to be a dictator for his 1st day, but I hope he actually will be. We need whatever it takes to undo the massive damage Biden has done to America.

I'm with you - there's still a long way to go until November! I think there's a good chance both Biden & Trump get sidelined, for whatever reason. I still thing things are ripe for a viable 3rd party candidate, in that a fair amount of people would rather not have either of these guys in there. But then the challenge would be for any of them to get the 270 delegates needed . . .

It's only FEBRUARY! Haven't a clue who will even be alive in November. Or whether there will even be an election. But planting season is coming up real soon. That's something to plan about, yessir.

My Dad had seen some hard times in the past, and it drove him to smoke, and to smoke usually more than one pack a day for years. In the late '50s evidence mounted on the media about the heavy risks involved in smoking, and he decided to quit about 1960. It was difficult to do, but he was determined, and he did it. He quit cold turkey, and I never saw him smoke again. And he lived until 2002. I am certain that if he had not quit he would not have lived any where as long as that. He was also baptized just a few years before his death. His quitting also helped to stop me from ever having my first smoke. Thank you Jesus!

Hi @secondtimearound Great to have been smoke-free for 42 years, right? It used to be that mothers and fathers and sons and daughters would almost 'inherit' the smoking habit. A century ago, with women working in factories and then with huge numbers of women joining the military, it became pretty normal for teen daughters to start to share the contents of their mothers' cigarette packs; and for fathers and sons to go to a bar for beer in a smoke-filled establishment.