WarriorforHim

2 Corinthians 12:7.. Paul speaks of a.. thorn in the flesh.. He calls it “a messenger of satan that had a purpose of torment. Many explanations have been put forward, but whether Paul is referring to a physical, spiritual, or emotional affliction.. or something else entirely.. Since he was not talking of a literal thorn, he must have been speaking metaphorically. Paul clues us in concerning the thorn’s purpose: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations.” So, God’s goal in allowing the thorn in the flesh was to keep Paul humble. Anyone who had encountered Jesus and was commissioned personally by Him (Acts 9:2-8) would, in his natural state, become..puffed up. Add to that the fact that Paul was moved by the Holy Spirit to write much of the New Testament, and it is easy to see how Paul could become haughty. Paul also says that the affliction came from or by a “messenger of Satan.” Just as God allowed Satan to torment Job ( Job 1:1-12) God allowed Satan to torment Paul for God’s own good purpose. No one likes to live in pain. Paul sought the Lord three times to remove this source of pain from him (2 Cor. 12:8). He probably had many good reasons why he should be pain free.. he could have a more effective ministry; he could reach more people with the gospel; he could glorify God even more.. But the Lord was more concerned with building Paul’s character and preventing pride. Instead of removing the problem, whatever it was, God gave Paul more overwhelming grace and more compensating strength. Paul learned that God’s "power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9).

In the Old Testament God would refer to himself as simply “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). That in itself is an awesome statement. Jesus later when talking to the Jews told them “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58). Jesus is not only saying that he existed since before his physical birth on earth, but he is identifying himself as being God, as being the I Am. Jesus again identified himself as the I am when he was being arrested in the garden. The soldiers asked if Jesus was “Jesus of Nazareth” and Jesus replied in such away that the soldiers fell to the ground. “Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:6).

The most significant question of the universe continues to be.. Who do we think Christ is? Your answer to this most important question will not only determine your eternal destiny; but also reflects the way you live now. One of the most powerful thoughts a Christian possesses is the fact that Jesus Christ can NEVER be less than who He is... He is LORD. The Preexistence of Jesus Christ as God 1. As taught by John the Baptist (John 1:1)2. As taught by the apostle John(1:11)3. As taught by the apostle Paul (1 Tim 3:16)4. As taught by Christ Himself (John 8:58) What was Christ Jesus the Savior doing before His Bethlehem appearance? a. He created the universe ( John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). This creation included everything, from electrons to galaxies, and from angels to Adam. b. He was controlling this created universe ( Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17). c. He was communing with the Father - John 17:24. The Incarnation. That God the Son could take upon himself the full nature of man and yet retain the full nature of God. The Bible declares that Christ was as much God as if He had never been man, and as much man as if He had never been God. When God the Son joined himself to a body at Bethlehem, it was an eternal arrangement. He will continue to manifest Himself in this body throughout eternity.

Predestination means that God created everyone to be with Him, but He also gives free will to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Read the whole thing not just one paragraph.. God predetermined that salvation would be by grace through faith in Christ crucified alone.. Thus, all are afforded the opportunity to be saved. Predestination has to do with more than just going to heaven. God has predestined that all who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ would be conformed to the image of Christ. It is to every Christians advantage to grow in the likeness of Christ. Life eternal and internal do not exist apart from Christ .

Has God predetermined who will or will not go to heaven? The term predestination the context of salvation literally means: knowing who to choose or own before the beneficiary's decision will be made in agreement with the call to salvation. God who is omniscient already knew in eternity past who would respond in agreement with His offer of eternal life through Christ Jesus by faith. God predetermined that salvation would be by grace through faith in Christ crucified alone.. Thus, all are afforded the opportunity to be saved (Titus 2:11) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, God never predestined that people would go to hell (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. As a matter of fact, hell was purposefully and exclusively prepared for satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41) Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. While it is both true and tragic that people are going to hell... they do so at their OWN choosing. God has purposed that people would be born to be born again ( 1 Timothy 2:4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This required God's offer of salvation and man's responsibility to receive God's gift of eternal life by faith. God will never save anyone without their consent ( John 1:12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. Predestination has to do with more than just going to heaven. God has predestined that all who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ would be conformed to the image of Christ. It is to every Christians advantage to grow in the likeness of Christ. Life eternal and internal do not exist apart from Christ .

SHUT UP...be quiet and listen to Him....SIT DOWN.. wait upon the Lord AND HANG ON... watch and see what the Lord can do when you trust in Him. He is who He says He will do what He says He will do. He has promised in His word what He will do just trust in Him.

Why would the believers suffer with non believers? He came to save non believers so now WE can be with Him forever.

Revelation 3:10-13..10 Because you have kept the word of My [a]perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of [b]testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole [c]world, to [d]test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

We can't trust in man. Man will let you down but He keeps His promises

Jeremiah 17:7-8 .7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. 8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.

John 6:47-51..47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

John 6:47-51..47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

We have flesh ( sinful nature ) . This is why we need a savior and we need to repent ( turn from our evil ways ).

If you think you are sinless you need to face reality and realize you need a savior.read 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. Cross references:1 John 1:8 : Job 15:14; Prov 20:9; Rom 3:10ff; James 3:21 John 1:8 : John 8:44; 1 John 2:41 John 1:9 : Ps 32:5; Prov 28:131 John 1:9 : Titus 2:141 John 1:10 : Job 15:141 John 1:10 : John 3:33; 1 John 5:101 John 1:10 : 1 John 2:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Like everything else it is what you make of it. Social media can be used for ministry.. or evil, so if you make it evil it is evil. God will use what He needs to use to reach His children. Never put restrictions on the Lord.

When the word talks of sin causing death it's Spiritual death not physical death..when 10 people say so and one says 10 people are wrong who is right??? Everybody has physical death..they are warning what sin causes..seperatiuon from God. I dust my feeet with this now.With some you can never concince..you need to ask your pastor and study for yourself.I won't go on about myself but I will say I have studied this over 40 yrs and am not dumb..so carry on if you wish.

If spiritual death isn't for humans who is it for? Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Colossians 2:13) When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions. Study spiritual death because it IS real In Romans 6:23 death there is spiritual death not physical death.

Spiritual death is separation of the soul from God. It is so important because eternity is forever. (Ephesians 2:1-3) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Colossians 2:13) When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions. ( Ephesians 4:18) being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth

When you honor Christ you are blessed because without Him we can do nothing. The world tries to live their lives as they wish and end up paying for it in the long run. Their lives might look good on the outside, big houses.. fine cars etc, but, eternity is forever. 1 Peter 3:13-16 13 Who is [a]there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [b]are blessed. And do not fear their [c]intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but [d]sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a [e]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [f]reverence; 16 [g]and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

Can anyone prove that God exists besides looking around at CREATION? Can man create?..no.Can anyone prove God doesn't exist? This question will be debated forever.Since neither can be proven one way or the other all we can do is go about our every day living and not worry so much about trying to prove it ..since nobody will ever win this debate.