L10

Is it merely a worldly faith and Repentance at times ? Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord"...many people believe they are saved because they are basing their salvation on their profession . If our salvation is based on a profession, it is not a biblical conversion. The devils believe in Christ, and they have professed Him as the son of God , .."Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, have you come to torment us before our time".... Yes, we are saved by Grace through faith....but their is a Belief that does not lead to salvation , and there is a worldly/humanistic sorrow that masks itself as Repentance that does not lead to salvation, wouldnt you agree? Unless Faith and Repentance have come from God, no one can be saved...the problem is their is a humanistic Faith and Repentance that is not from God and every sunday we see many people told that they are saved because they have become emotionally stirred and are sorrowful for the ramifications of sin...but that is not salvation. so, if we are looking to our sincerity of our profession, it can be a false profession. If your faith is based solely in an intellectual way... could this be one of the means in which Jesus will say "Depart from me, for you never knew me" ?

Amen~! And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5 Again I Say Amen~! And Amen~! And Amen~! Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalms 103:1 Glory~! Glory~! Glory To The KING OF KINGS~! I Love You Jesus I Love You Joe, I always love your prayers, your following, and kindness. I am not trying to make a discernment, and certainly not going to be rude, but is there a reason that you quote a person, and then just have your pre established content shared? I am just making sure you are do the posting on here, and not someone else that may have access to your computer. I guess you could have an injury that prevents typing as well, but I know things such as Dragon work pretty well. Just making sure you are fine. Share something about your personal feelings on the entrace to Heaven if you are ok. Thanks my friend.

One reason so many are deceived is because the devil can and does mimic feelings. Actualy Mike, the devil is very well adapt at using the truth. He stuffs a lie in the middle of it. People chew on it that type of thing all the time. Why do people feeling so good need to even know about victory? It's all good, right? Gospel light...with artificial sweetener What we need to hear is all the truth all the time. Mr. Smiley has denied what the word actually states more than once to often. No worries. You are right...Joel will not be putting anyone in hell...however, he is not keeping them out either. Mike, how do you go from Joel to Copeland and everything in between? I'll give you A+ for enthusiasm, but -C for some of the things you seem to agree with including the gods thing and the no Trinity thing. Anyway, remarkably off topic I would only insert that both Copeland and Osteen are WOF (Word of Faith), Prosperity, Name it claim it speakers. Do they help people with money or psychology? Probably, but not too much with that Christian walk. Seems the greatest thing to understand from both of them is that Rich is good with Jesus, and wanted. Seems that they both also help very little with a person that is in true bondage. There are so many people that are under a curse of sorts, and all the positive thinking, prayer oils,,, they are not going to help in the capacity as suggested. Never are we to believe that giving to a particular ministry is going to bring us wealth or happiness. Ok, I got ranting, so please don't rate my content either. Funny thing~ I believe that gifts exist today. I just don't buy the hyperbole that many are selling. FYI~ A guy on TBN was selling a series of recording on how to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Was there not a sever admonishing to a former sorcerer for trying to do the same thing? There was a heavy price he paid for that. Just saying, and yet there are a few decent people on that Channel. Just so embarrassed to instruct some of my newly Christian friends to watch it. UGH

Good idea, what are evil Spirits? Are they all in chains? Are some oppressing Christians? Do they have an interest in keeping the unsaved saved? Can they keep the unsaved from being saved if God decrees for them to be saved? Have they studied humans for a great many years? Lastly, most difficult~ Are the fallen angels for certain? Or are they part of the Giant population issue.. you know what I mean????

Hi L10 Don't get me started on Joseph Prince, but apart from that, you seem to have better discernment than he does. As the Bible explicitly tells us to test the spirits, that would actually knock Mr Princes assertion that good feelings are an indication of the presence of God right out of the water Mr. Prince needs to test that spirit from which he got that idea. It is NOT scriptural and yes, the devil can certainly 'give' one good feelings in order to lead them astray. Good feelings do not go along with good judgement. We may sometimes have to make a decision based on the Bible alone (well preferably all of the time) but that does not always make us feel good. Sometimes, we may actually feel pretty bad. Someone once explained it like this, Feelings are not bad in and of themselves. They were given to us by God. They just don't get to run the show...or the train That was funny. Thanks, but I am working hard to understand. I try not to insert my foot in my mouth though... try not to. LOL

I think this was a good post as a person discerning, but when I apply a humble look at things, there is a conundrum of sorts. It is not fully that easy to tell when it is our understanding, and when it is God's. Though we know from Is 55:8 " My ways are not your ways, and your thoughts are not mine" ~ being God. So, why is it strictly divided between awesome people on the gifts of the spirit? Why huge division on the Calvin/ Arminian debate, that seems to grow worse. Now emergent thinking as well. I do not believe it is purely humans pushing away the Holy Spirit, or it would not be so evenly divided on the C/A thing. It also would not have so many scriptures that show clarity for both sides. So, I think your post was excellent for so many things in our walk, 99.9% of them. Still some answers are not going to be agreed upon by the most humble and intelligent Christian scholars. I have noted this in volume after volume. Thanks for the good post though.

A simple question that has probably been thrown around Protestant circles for a few hundred years. Why do we have so many varying theological differences, and some that are hugely divisive? Why imparticular do we have such a huge difference in Arminian and Calvinist believers? Would the Holy Spirit not want us to know with clarity what is absolute? Or, is it that God does know all, who will be saved, if grace is resistible...., but He needs for us to drop our own pride. It is almost like liking opposing teams in a super bowl, and the person is not going to change their mind. I have participated in many discussions that were sorta controversial, and shared scriptures, early manuscript translations, and many other tools to get to come conclusions. Some people come to a conclusion for Occum's razor (the least amount of discussion point points to a clearer one) and then they stick by that. Those people are probably fine, but they refuse to look deeper into what God may want them to look into. Why does Nomran Geisler see 2 points to Calvinism, while Michael Horton or Charles Stanley see 5 points? Why is Stephen Ashby sharing a reformed Arminian view that share penal substitution, which is in arms with Wesley followers? Why do some people insist that the tribulation will not occur until all Christians are raptured, and others share mid Trib, post trib? Would the Great Comforter not find it a great help to clear up these messes, and to bring about a dropping of our spiritual pride; simply to help us to understand some of these important truths? If you don't believe they are important, you are free to share that. Please, discern that I fully Believe the Holy Spirit dwells within me, and give me conviction, understanding, and I am not putting Him down one bit. I am asking a question that should challenge our minds though, and maybe even our very sin of pride. God Bless, and be gentle if you can

At the risk of getting said discussion cranked up again, I believe it came from too many TV programs and not enough scripture Why do I think that? The main reason would be that scripture does not ever describe what they look like let alone an ability to...ahem...cough...gag...shapeshift However, those who confirm this opinion will no doubt staunchly defend it. Well there is pretty clear argument that satan is even able to create to a degree, not to create actual life, but create incredible disgusting things. Look for example at the snakes that Pharoh was able to have thrown down from staffs. He is simply a counterfeiter, a wannabe, and yet He has a very seemingly human attention. One could say that He is very much of the ways of the world, and He knows how to catch the fancy of nearly anyone that seeks this. I believe that satan and his legions have witnessed mans traits and ways for a great many years, and He knows how to mimick, deceive, and even send a spirit that we have invited, to our actual being. Will it Possess? I do not believe, but I do believe the ramifications can be horrible without taking the full armor, fully repent, and continue to be aware. Scripture is clear that once He has been rebuked or removed, he waits for the house (body) to be swept clean and prepared for even more of his lower demons, and many of them. Don't play around friends, it is out there, and they are out there. Watch Joel Osteen all you want, and believe that every happy feeling is of God, but Satan will, and does try to pretend to be God. Test the spirits, and the Bible tells you how.

I do appreciate the help, and now that I am home I can get to my Greek interlinear study as well. It is just amazing that many Evangelists take that very verse and tell their flock that it pertains to life on this very earth,,, today. It is basically a new Gospel of sorts being taught, and I get a sick feeling in my gut when I hear it. Not that I trust my gut, but I do trust scripture.

Briefly to touch a subject that I have noted emergent Churches, as well as several Bible translations drifting towards. Matthew 7:13.. shares how the gate is narrow for entering life, and yet this is after it shares that the path is wide that leads to hell (destruction~ in most new translations). Seeing some Evangelists, such as Joseph Prince recently calling out the people that ever said this was meaning anything about few people being in Heaven was very interesting. He also went on to say that whenever you have a good feeling in you.. "that is God". Well, we know that God shares good, but so does the imposter, right? We know that God also shares some things that are not good. To the point... ! Does anyone know the greek translation of this passage, and does it imply to heaven and hell, or as Prince and many others are now saying; to life today? I have spent my whole life with the understanding that even the explanation of the parable of the sower shows why so many will simply not make it to Heaven, so many distractions, as Jesus shares very capably. What to you all think??

I recall some important scriptural significance in the book of James. James 1:5 shares much about how we are to pray, and how to believe fully that God will hear our prayers. Yes, so very true, as it goes on to share that a person that prays without faith is lost like a tide. I sigh for the Christians that pray with half of their heart, half of their desire to reach out to God. I believe that this is part of a demonstration of our faith being strong. Seek the will of God, and pray with all your might. You better also believe that God is listening to those prayers of yours, as He loves you. The answer is not always "yes", but we praise Him the same. My faith is strong enough to die for Him. Yes I can say that, and I have days of weakness when I wonder if I would cower for a moment like Peter's denial. I believe that our witness, our 24/7 walk, and our desire to know God's word and will greater is the most significant part of our Strength in faith. Just my meager answer, but also sharing a verse that has probably not been ellaborrated upon. Blessings to you all.....

Well, it just passed recently, so thought I would ask this now. Before the obvious question, please allow me to share that many decent Christians dress up their kids, and they partake in an activity that does not seem to glorify the darker side of Halloween. Now that I have coerced the discussion slightly, feel free to share your personal beliefs of celebrating Halloween. Do you partake in the Holiday in any manner? Do you partake only in the benign costumes, and even share Bible tracts? Do you participate fully in Halloween, and see no problem with that? Any other thoughts? Is it All Saints day? Is it Reformation Day, being 495 years to the hilt since Luther nailed the 95 theses upon the castle door? What do you think, as this is pretty important stuff. one FACT, it is highly celebrated by witches, and it is their most powerful date of the year.... hmmm. YOUR THOUGHTS??

Dani, I read and see the pain. In my own life I have some very deep pain, and I feel that a great percentage is not my direct fault. I have figured that I need to keep this stuff on the terms with Jesus. I have not been opening up the Bible as much as I used to in a situation that would merit some good reflection; and thus it becomes "MY" opinion. Yes, they need your prayers, and probably the added prayers in agreement. I am in agreement that the mindset of Jesus Christ become part of these estranged and struggling people. Yes, I also believe there is a time to release thy self, and that is certainly an ok thing. You do need a break, but maybe not the break that some non christian friends would share with ya. I am glad that you seem to be keeping focus, even with these horrible circumstances. I pray that you will be a difference maker, via prayer or example; or both. Blessings to you.

Brother, I think you have gotten to know the lowest of the low in my life now. I am so sorry !! God Bless you, always

Thanks so much, that really touched my heart. God has brought me to a point of forgiveness today, which is better than yesterday's low. So now I forgive the people that I allowed to hurt me. Again, thanks