Willa

They say that when we focus on not doing something it just intensifies, because that is what we focus on. In Romans 7 that is what he does. The evil he doesn't want to do is what he does because that is what he focuses on. When we focus on following Jesus and the things of the Spirit then we do that. That is why I keep going back to Romans 8. Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Our associate pastor was also a clinical psychologist. He said that when people hold unforgiveness and always dwell on that person they eventually become like them. This is why we need to focus on Jesus. We will eventually become more like Him. All through the book of Hebrews we are admonished to look at Jesus.

I had the same problem with depth perception and spatial perception. It was also hard to judge speed for that reason. My vision therapy really helped that. I still have some problems but it is mostly resolved. I always have to check the stairs when I go down, for instance.

We see in the word that the law is not for those made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ, but for sinners that they might know their need for a Savior. Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom 10:4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Gal 2:16 “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Gal 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed iseveryone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Jas 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. Gal 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”, Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 1Ti 1:9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man slayers, Heb 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Believers fulfill the law by allowing Christ in us to love others and serve others. That also brings glory to God. There is no longer an obligation for believers to obey the law. We are not "under" the law or under the old covenant. Instead we are already declared righteous by God, having Christ's righteousness conferred on us. We are set free to serve God in love. We are given a new heart and a new Spirit that delights in serving God and being a blessing. Even if that is obeying the speed limit, it is being a blessing by being a law abiding citizen. It brings peace and joy.

Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. His righteousness was credited to our account. He took our unrighteousness upon Himself when He went to the cross. Rom 4:22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." Rom 4:23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, Rom 4:24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Rom 4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

God is also using it all to save souls. Our church is growing again and is planing another building project. We now meet in a huge carpeted gymnasium which doubles as a play area that is also partitioned for class rooms during the week.. We will soon be building a sanctuary as well since our school is also expanding and growing. More Sunday school space is needed as well. We are bursting at the seams. Four portable buildings have been moved onto the property and it is not enough. We normally baptize outside but do to the freezing temperatures we put a watering trough in the sanctuary and baptized in that! lol. Hopefully they will think to include an indoor baptismal in the new sanctuary. There is also a fresh spirit of rejoicing. God must be doing it because no one really knows what is happening or why. It is all very strange. The world around us is crumbling, people are dropping dead of covid, and our church is rejoicing; it is a bright light in the darkness.

I agree, missmuffy. We can only "channel" Christ's love and forgiveness. It is not in ourselves to forgive. It is Christ in us Who forgives. His life in us enables us to offer forgiveness as it undoubtedly did in Stephen. God forgives them even when we can't, or when they never apologize or ask for forgiveness. Unforgiveness only corrupts us. We have no choice but to forgive or the bitterness will affect every area of our lives and hurt every person we know and love.

I have also heard this, as if Paul couldn't possibly be that human. I think that Paul is lending us what he has learned from his own experience. Remember that He was taught by Jesus in the desert before he appeared on the scene. Paul was very human and had human failings and struggles.

It is also associated with my dyslexia. My eyes also sometimes switch dominance for near and far work. Ok well. Probably many people have it but few realize it. I discovered what was going on in a developmental psych class and took therapy for it which did help. It raised my GPA by a point.

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 am right handed but my eyes change in dominance. That means in archery one day I was hitting bulls eyes and then next I couldn't hit the target.

I find that Romans 8 is the answer to the quandary of Romans 7. When we walk in response to the Spirit we don't obey the old man or the flesh. It has to do where we focus our attention. We have to keep our focus on Jesus to walk on the water or walk in the Spirit. When we focus on the flesh we fall. Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

God will use this experience to keep you close to Himself.

Uganda is a Christian nation constitutionally. That is more than the US can say. It is their neighboring nations that are extremist Muslim.

Jesus did call those who rejected Him sons of Beelzebub. However, he has always had a remnant. Remember that the first church consisted of Jews, including the 12 apostles and Paul, and all who were saved at Pentecost. Not all of Israel was condemned. That is why we pray for Israel today that their eyes and hearts might be opened to the love of their Savior.

I know that no one else is ever tempted by self righteousness. I go down the street at the speed limit and watch all the speeders Cruze by me. So I become proud and think about all those sinners endangering the lives of others. If I am not better than them, I certainly am showing how much more I love God by obeying the law. I can get so ugly so fast without even realizing it when I compare myself with others. That is why God had to bring me so low to show me He loves me just as I am.

Some years ago God really drilled this home to me. I had a frozen shoulder as well as a crushed foot. I couldn't even use crutches but had to crawl on raw bloody hands and knees. I felt so useless, not even being able to cook for my family. God told me clearly that I don't have to be able to do a thing for Him to delight in me. As soon as I a born again Jesus' life is in me and I am pleasing to God. He treasures each one of us no matter how insignificant or how little we can accomplish.

The New Testament is not a covenant. It is by grace, a free gift that doesn't have to be fulfilled on our part. Like the Abrahamic covenant, where God performed both parts of the covenant, God fulfilled all parts of this one. He is both our sacrifice and our scapegoat. He fulfilled it by living a perfect iife and conferring on us His righteousness. In turn He took our sinful nature upon Himself and suffered on the cross for it. When we walk after the Spirit we don't need to work at obeying the law. It is written on our hearts to desire to obey His desires for us. In love for our fellow mankind we reach out to people to bless them and in doing so we also bless and glorify God. We go far beyond merely obeying the law. We go the extra mile in loving compassion as the Holy Spirit leads us. it is Christ in us that now lives in us, not our old selfish nature that was striving to please God. He delights in us already just because He sees Jesus in us.

My church doesn't believe they should be practiced in regular church services. It is reserved for small groups or retreats where people understand what is occurring, so unbelievers won't walk in and think we are all insane. 1Co 14:23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

We are born again when we hear and believe, trusting in Christ as Lord and God, and asking Him to forgive us and come into our lives to help us to live the Christian life. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I was born again when I first repented in the 8th grade. I was filled with the Holy Spirit when I was 25. For some people these occur concurrently. Joh 1:11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, Joh 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Off the subject, I was amazed at Sunday's baptism service that about half of the 25 odd people who were immersed were adult men over 40. Only 5 of the people were under 20. Most people are saved when they are young.

I probably need to listen to your admonition, but I have always resisted "Saying" any prayer. Repeating prayers has never been beneficial in my own life. Instead praying in the Spirit has been a blessing to me. So while I admire your discipline it has just never helped me to repeat any prayer. Just talking to God and praying with the help of the Holy Spirit has been the biggest blessing to me. My Catholic cousin has written me several times with a prayer she found for some purpose, as if it is some magic formula that "works". No, it is God Who answers our prayers. There is no magic formula and we can't put Him in a box. We simply pour out our hearts to Him and sit at His feet. So if you want to repeat prayers and that blesses you, great. Just don't think that what works for you is a magic formula that will work for everyone. Each person is unique and God works with each person in a unique way, tailored to each one. Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

I believe that last portion of Mark is valid. One reason I no longer read NASV is because of this portion and other portions of the Bible that are omitted or that they cast doubt on. It is very easy to disparage those portions that we don't want to believe. Where does it stop? Some people want to kick out everything Paul wrote. It is dangerous to do these things. The only portion I think probably shouldn't be there is in 1 John 5:6, and I am a strong Trinitarian.

Yes, each time the memory comes up we choose to forgive. I agree that eventually we grow to pity the person. They are/were tormented by the demons that drove them to abuse. Lord have mercy on them. There but for the grace of God go I.

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. It would seem that those who habitually walk in the light, or in the Spirit, do not need to ask for daily forgiveness when we have no known sin. We are aware that we are very imperfect, but thankfully the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us and make us able to come boldly to the throne of grace. Heb 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Joh 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. The words of the New Testament are used by the Holy Spirit to feed us and create life in people. It is through the words that we are born again. Through them we are granted faith. 2Ti 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Perhaps conservative Christians are more apt to bring up a child in the way they should go. So far only one of 6 grandchildren has not followed in this, and we are still praying for her.