Willa

My favorite psalm is 84--How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts. Where ever believers are assembled together, Christ is in our midst. We are His dwelling place. During the early days of my marriage my unbelieving husband would not allow me to go to church, took my keys away from me and prevented it. I caved and back slid. Our hearts tend to grow cold slowly when isolated from believers. We don't even realize it is happening, but it is insidious. I changed into a person I did not recognize and after a few years I realized that I would have to become a good example for our baby as well as become the person my husband married to save our marriage. I never want to go there again. Wherever the Bible is being taught, we are needed. We can inspire others to become less worldly by loving them and demonstrating a love for a more godly life. We can testify as to how we depend on God's promises and character and He answers our prayers daily. Becoming judgmental or self righteous will only drive them away from godliness and makes it better to stay away. I have seen this used as an excuse for not attending church as well as being unable to find a place where the Bible is taught. The latter is a grave concern. Attending a home fellowship or Bible study would be my option in that case. I have attended several churches that I didn't fully agree with the doctrine, but it didn't matter as long as they taught the Word. If we have been hurt in churches, well, get over it! God tells us to love others and forgive as we have been forgiven. That doesn't mean we should stay under a pastor who has wronged us and is unrepentant. But we should still forgive and love as Christ did. Last night an evangelist spoke at our church. He is sent out by us, and had returned after attending YWAM. He has been asked to teach YWAM units in evangelism. He does one on one, street evangelism, knocks on doors, hands out pamphlets and is more than not rebuffed. But his heart burns to see people freed from the darkness and accept Jesus. He and his wife are sent together, with their kids, and will be establishing schools and seminars teaching others how to tell others about Christ. His is a cross cultural ministry as he reaches out to muslims, hindus, anyone who is lost, with the Good News. I came away inspired and excited as I caught his vision. I am not an evangelist, but I so admire those who are. We need the other parts of the Body of Christ. He stirred up love and good works and exhorted us.

You are not allowed to ask for financial support here. God has helped others who were destitute, but He normally stretches our faith. Do you know Him personally as your Lord and Savior? If so then you know that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all we need will be added to us. I don't say this lightly or callously. We have been in need, without work, and desperate as well, but not so much as friends. Our daughter in law has MS and intense neuropathy in her eyes and limbs that is also very painful. There are meds specific for nerve pain that might help, like neurontin, but you might have to go to the ER for help. Some seizure meds also help. You are very frightened. The enemy attacks us and our weakest point and torments us with doubts and fears. Recognize the attack and put your focus on the God who loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you. Rest in the arms of the Good Shepherd.

This reminds me of when our sons were young and we made them say "sorry" to each other and shake hands. They hated it and most often were not sorry. But some people claim they will never say they are sorry for a wrong. So I figured it was a good exercise in doing the right thing. If they couldn't tell a human they are sorry, how would they ever be able to say the words to God? Today they serve God. The children who were never told to say "sorry" do not. Don't know if it has bearing, but we are told to bring up a child in the way he should go.

I can only add that true repentance means righting the wrong if possible. Go to the person that you lied to and tell the truth. Matthew was a thief and gave back more than he stole. If you are married then confess your lust to her; it will hurt her deeply but ask her forgiveness and prayers. You need to build such a relationship with her that you can immediately think of her when you thoughts go elsewhere, and think of the other person as a beautiful child of God who belongs to someone else. Love your wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her. Serve your wife and cherish her above all women.

At one time worldly affairs meant the things of the world that do not pertain to godliness such as gong to night clubs, gambling in Las Vegas, or other forms of gambling, pornography, drugs, alcohol and other addictions, dancing, television, or allowing hobbies to be a consuming priority that distracts from serving Christ. But the affairs of life gives the connotation that it is everyday things that can distract us and choke out the word. Luke 8:14 NKJV Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. To me this implies that anything can distract us from growing in Christ that so consumes our time and attention that we fail to keep our mind and thoughts in Him. We need to be so disciplined and so consumed with love for Christ that he becomes first in all things, and family and work should should still keep Christ foremost in our hearts. Often in the busy ness of life we are tempted to shove Him to the side till we have time. For instance, putting God first means that He directs me to serve my husband and supervise my home in an orderly manner, loving and disciplining the the kids as necessary. That way I call upon Him first when the toddler comes inside holding a half eaten toadstool. Instead of panic, I experience calm.

Young mothers chasing pre school children, attending to shopping, washing clothes, fixing meals are by necessity entangled with the affairs of everyday life. Dads are consumed with their work details and come home to tired kids and moms who also want his attention and help. It takes a little time to get our priorities in order and look at it all through God's priorities, putting Him first. He restores the peace and order. Just my take on it. It is a matter of turning to God first to solve our problems, no matter how small.

Often the heart has replaced the bowells, which is a more litteral KJV but no longer means the seat of our innermost being as it did in ancient times. Sometimes "gut" might work, as in I have a gut feeling. The Holy Spirit can distinguish spirit from soul. Often pneuma is used for Spirit or breath or wind. Our spirits can communicate with the Holy Spirit and with God. Soul is psyche and constitutes what charaterizes us as an individual.

I am glad your marriage is working for you. We are going on 53 years.

Other people who have done far less than her are now in federal prison. She knowingly committed a felony; she had even given lectures on security issues like this and then did it herself.

This is a subject worth digging up. Notice you are quoting a post from 2009. I do agree with trying to discover literal in gramatical and cultural context as Shiloh explained. Word studies are also very meaningful to me since the first Bible I read was the Amplified. KJV uses very antiquated language that has often changed in usage. It is also useful to examine the verb tense to discover the literal meaning. But as said, these can be used in extreme to reach for a pet doctrine instead of trying to discover the Truth impartially. Blessings, Willa

It is also true that Christians are fleeing these countries as well. Kenya, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon all have populations which have fled for freedom from fear of oppression and death.

If all that unbelievers can see is hypocrites among Christians, it is possible that God is convicting them of their own hypocrisy and need for a Savior. Of course, the media also enforces this misconception. Our pastor usually replies to this by asking if they know just one genuine Christian. Most often they do.

Statement of FaithWe believe in God, the almighty creator of heaven and earth. We believe in the triunity of God. We believe that God is eternally One, and also eternally the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit — the three being distinct, but not separate. Each Person of the Godhead coexists from everlasting to everlasting. We believe in the Messiah, Jesus, God’s only begotten son, God come in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and buried. On the third day, He rose again. Soon afterward He ascended into heaven. Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father and He will return to judge both the living and the dead and reign for evermore. We believe all mankind are sinful and are therefore subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. We believe that everyone is in need of God’s salvation. Mankind is absolutely unable to fulfill the heavy demands of God’s righteousness, holiness and glory. Therefore, God, in sending His Only Begotten Son, has accomplished redemption for us through the shedding of Jesus’ blood. Because of His Son’s death, God has forgiven us of our sins, reconciled us to Himself, and justified us by making Him our righteousness. We believe that salvation is a gift received by faith alone, in Messiah alone, and is expressed in the individual’s recognition and repentance of sin, and the acceptance of the risen Messiah as Saviour, Lord and God. We believe in the supreme Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. And that there is no other name under Heaven by which we can approach the holy throne of God. Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man. We believe that immediately upon death, the soul of the believer is absent from the body, and present with the Lord. We believe in the ongoing work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit after redemption for the purpose of producing life changing fruit — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. We believe that the 66 books of the Canon, from Genesis to Revelation are the exhaustive, inerrant and inspired word of God.

That's good! Mankind is just no competent enough to do what requires omniscience to do. Then why do you believe you are competent enough to understand the scriptures? - do you claim omniscience? By claiming to not be competent to interpret Scripture, your are claiming to not possess the light of the Holy Spirit. This implies that you are not born again as all of us are. It is impossible to be born again by the sacraments. You must be born again by believing on the the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a personal relationship with the Father that was gained by Christ on our behalf. By His blood we come boldly to the Throne of Grace. There is nothing in the Bible that says we should pray to Mary or any other person declared a saint by the RCC. There is nothing that says we have to go to a priest or pope for anything. In fact, we are told to confess our sins to one another that we may be healed, not a priest. We must also agree as to what constitutes the Bible. The statement of faith of this forum is the 66 books of the Bible. So that is the parameter we abide by. When a person is all over the place using extra biblical sources that the rest of us don't recognize and often even scorn, we immediately discount the claims. Most of us use Scripture to interpret Scripture, and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. We then may compare this with interpretations of other Christians. So please debate issues using the Source recognized by the forum's statement of faith, the 66 books of the Holy Bible.

How old are you? Do you have your own place? Does he have a good paying job and can he support your? If you still live at home you need to obey and honor your parents according to the 10 commandments. Do both of you have a real relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you read your Bibles daily and pray to Jesus and the Father?. Do you repeat prayers (Catholic) or do you talk to God from your heart as genuine Christians do? I know many genuine Christians in the Catholic church who have a relationship with the Living God, and don't pray to saints but to God. They confess their sins to God and believe they are forgiven based on the scriptures in 1 John 1. They believe thay are saved based on Ephesians 2:8 and the book of Romans 10:9-10. Your boyfriend needs to be doing these things as well; when God is the center of a marriage, it can last because God is changing both of you to be more like Him and you are conforming your lives by surrendering them to the authority of the Scriptures.

The problem with freely giving is when the person starts taking advantage of you.

WA increased its gas tax again just when the prices fell so we wouldn't notice it. We are the highest in the nation for gas tax. It is $2.69 at Costco but up to $3.00 other places.

If you are doing a bible study and trying to discern doctrine, I would use one of the versions BoPeep suggeted. I use the NKJV because the archaic language of KJV impedes my understanding of the Scriptures, and words have changed in meaning since the 1600s. I also like the Amplified, which defines words as you go, but it can get wordy. It is based largely on the ASV of 1901?. ASV was considered very accurate but still contains the thees and thous, if those don't bother you. The NASV mostly bases its translation on the manuscript from Alexandria Egypt which contained changes made by a Gnostic cult. The ASV uses manuscripts the Catholic church had used while KJV used manuscripts from the Greek Orthodox church as well. The latter was the most accepted in the first centuries AD but their early ones had been destroyed by the Roman Emporers. If you want one for devotionals, NIV may be OK. I often have compared bibles for better understanding. That is easy to do online. Bible Study Tools (free) has a parallel bible option in which you can read most any two you choose, side by side. That may also help you choose one to buy. Another great Bible study tool can be downloaded for free, but you must pay for copywrited bibles and books. It is E-Sword. The KJV contains Strongs numbering over a word so that if you place your cursor on it, a brief definition in Greek with be shown. ASV and many other good but older versions are free as well as some good commentaries and Greek lexicons (dictionaries).

It was a slow process for me. I started by hearing God, 1957, being convicted of sin, repenting and turning to Jesus for forgiveness, confession to friends and making restitution, 1958, and starting to read the Bible 1959. All of this was led of the Spirit as God put these things on my heart. Then I received some bad teaching and started looking for a church that fed me. I was baptized but was still looking for teaching and I understood very little of the Bible because I had surrendered very little of my life to God. After I got better teaching and accepted the Trinity, the Bible started making more sense. I learned that salvation was by faith, and that Jesus did not just give me a second chance to try to be good enough to get into heaven. He purchased my salvation with His blood and it is a free gift! 1961. Then I learned about walking or being led by the Holy Spirit. and started surrendering problem areas of my life to God by seaking solutions in the Bible. He did such a good job with those that I surrendered it all. 1970. That is when the Bible became God's love letter to me. I could understand it. When was I saved? I believe that it was when I first repented and started obeying the things the Holy Spirit put upon my heart. But my personal belief is that I could have been lost any time up until I fully surrendered to Him and worshipped Him with a heart full of thanksgiving and praise. He was no longer a God Who was somewhere listing. He became closer than breath itself, living in me and working through me. Blessings, Willa

As a wife, I was directed to 1 Peter 3:1-12. Substitute husbands for wives in the first part, in " if some do not obey the word, they may without a word may be won by the conduct of their (husbands)". ''Then skip to v.7 through 12. Dwell with them with understanding. Women want to be held, reassured, and treated with affection and honor. Appreciate her. Help with the kids as much as possible and be a good dad. Kids wear out a woman and they need some quiet time as much as you do when you come home from work. And ask her what you can do to help. --having compassion, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing--. Most of all, ask God to fill you with His love for her 1 Cor. 134-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails-- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, v 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes it and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (Read passage) As you put God first in your life, He redirects you to your wife and family. You do need to absorb His Word and the things of God to become established in Him. But try to give time to her and kids as well. When hubby was saved he followed me around like a puppy and was almost annoying. It was the answer to my years of prayers, but I realized that God was using the time to prepare my heart to receive my new hubby, a changed man. He was also changing me to be more submissive and to honor him as I should, even before he was saved. So give it all some time and be very patient and kind with her. We have been married 52 years now, and God has slowly made him into the man of my dreams. He is so good and faithful. Blessings, Willa

TV commersials. Buying the latest and best. Gossip, fault finding, and most of the things teens and women of the world chat about. Latest diets, latest trends and all the fads. I don't know what men consider worldly and empty chatter.

I dealt with a blind child who asked me what sunlight was. I toldd her, as we road, that when she felt warmth, it was sunlight. When we were in the shade and it was cooler, there was no sunlight. We translate these things into the senses they do have. For a deaf person, I would also blow on an arm to explain wind, and place a hand out the window to explain strong wind sound.. Vibrations can be felt and strong vibrations would explain sound. Vibrations are what our ears sense.

It is very hard for some people, especially appartment dwellers, to find a place to bury their pets, especially a dog as large as a rottie. It is sad that so much turmoil was caused by the pet. Few mark the area with a headstone. He must have been very special.

Today there are "churches" that don't believe the Bible much less preach the way of salvation. The Catholic church teaches that you are saved if you have done all the sacrements, baptized as a baby confirmation, Lords'Supper, marriage last rites confessions and maybe more. But rituals don't save us. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethern, I declare to you the goapel which I preached to you, which also your received and in which you stand, by which you are saved---3b that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephus (Peter), then by the twelve, John 3:36 NKJV He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; The Amplified version tells us that to believe means to trust in, rely upon, adhere to and cling to. It is not mere intellecual assent. Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than the one we have preached to you, let him be accursed. The Gospel is simple. Epesians 2:8 NKJV For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. So yes, churches definintely need to hear the Gospel. The Bible needs to be preached and taught to all who will hear.

When we are born again we are set apart unto God by His Spirit living in us. As we learn to walk in the Spirit we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh so we do not act like the world. Instead we begin to do the works prepared for us before the foundations of the world. As we focus on Christ, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness become our objective. We read the Bible daily and pray constantly to become better acquainted with our Creator. So we daily are washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit and our minds are renewed. Titus 2:14, 3:5-6 Romans 12:1-2 We present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly giving ourselves to the Lord to be transformed. Eph. 5:25b-27 --Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himsmself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Holiness and sanctification are things that God does in our hearts. As our hearts are changed, our words and actions will reflect this.