Willa

After years of going from mountain to valley, I told the Lord I just want to dwell in the cleft of the Rock. Perhaps this is similar. It is sooo much better to just dwell in His Presence and commune with Him throughout the day, but especially as we marvel at His amazing Holiness and grace. Still there are times that His promises are dear. I am deathly afraid of dentists chairs and remember the pain of them drilling on live nerves. The last visits I kept remembering the verse in Hebrews about He will never leave me nor forsake me, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me? Even when we live in His presence His word is reassuring.

Fez and One Light are on staff on Worthy, and deserved to be listened to. Fresno Joe is also on staff as a watchman who makes sure there are no personal attacks, and his verses always contain much wisdom. I highly respect these and others who are on staff. Only people who are on staff are allowed to teach on these forums. Mr. Nice, I accept your apology and choose to believe that the remark you made about my beliefs was not a passive agressive attempt to disparage me or cast doubt on my life or my beliefs. To imply by it that I believe I cannot be (or have not been, in this case) cleansed of wickedness or am not being made a vessel of honor is very close to slander. God cleanses our hearts of wickedness when we are saved so that we no longer take pleasure in it. God told me after some severe chastening in the early 70s that He was changing me into a vessel of honor. It was a further cleansing of the heart that He put me through and it was certainly nothing of my own effort. He cleansed me of the spiritual pride that comes from thinking of myself more highly than I ought. He continues to correct my attitudes today, which means He is my Father. His rod and His staff, they comfort me. But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Heb. 12:8 NKJV God chastens and corrects those He loves.

Your mom can't be trusted due to her illness as well as her drugs. You do need to forgive her and trust that while she has been a selfish heathen, she has probably done her best. People without God don't always have much to give and sometimes just want to take. She does need your love, but you need to tell her that it is God's love and that she should seek His help and forgiveness. Your dad is pretty much in the same boat. I have known a few kids like that and found them very mystifying to deal with. My advice is to stay clear of him. God doesn't want us to be stupid. David honored Saul as his king, even though David had already been appointed as the next king. I admire that. Saul was trying to kill him. He was demon possessed at times. But David stayed clear of him, fearing for his life. He honored Saul in his heart and had mercy on his descendants instead of killing them. He did not kill Saul when he had the opportunity. So I would not give your parents access to your child, and would give them very limited access to yourself. I don't know if I would meet with her or not. Pray about it.

Sometimes the answers are hindered as with Daniel. But normally when finances are involved it may be because we are seaking wealth instead of His Kingdom and His righteousness. In Matthew we are told that God knows all our needs but to seak Him and not worldly gain. I realize you have had problems. Our friend has had identity theft and his credit is ruined, his phone was disconnected, and this has gone on for 8 months. $4000. was stolen. He keeps waiting for this to be resolved but it has not happened and he is stressed and troubled. We have prayed daily for this money to be returned to him. All we can do is trust that God is faithful to answer prayers and it will happen in His time. Blessings, Willa

Some of my favorites are those that tell me that He will never leave me or forsake me. They are found at the ends of several gospels, in Hebrews and several places in the old testament to people like Joshua, and ususally with the words that because of His Presence we don't have to fear. Romans 8 is another favorite, full of promises.

I am sorry you do not believe you can possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor, that you can cleanse yourself (through His Spirit) of all wickedness so that you can be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Ooops! Now you have put words in my mouth that I never said. In fact I believe the opposite. Perhaps I mislead you. I had just told you that God had accomplished a similar work of transformation in me by the completed work of the cross (His imputed righteousness) and the washing of the Word. Eph. 5:26 that He might santify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word. NKJV" I had agreed that we can overcome sin. I have emphasized the need to walk in the Spirit. By hearing God's voice and following Him all of the rest is being accomplished. Since 1John 5:13 states that the book is written to believers, I trust the people being addressed in 1John 1:8 are also believers. We are told to not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Rom. 12:2, 13:14. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 1 Cor. 2:18 NKJV Everyone who disagrees with the doctrine of attaining perfection in this life is not automaticly living in habitual sin; this is a false assumtion of some. Our doctrine has brought us also to a state of blamelessness before God when neither our consciences nor our hearts condemn us. But we are aware that God can see imperfections that are yet to be revealed and will be dealt with when they are. Most people here are aware of some of the bad attitudes I struggle with. Often I note them by saying I am preaching to myself again. Each time they pop up I confess them and ask God to deal with them. By making false statements and assumptions about my beliefs you are being less than loving. Please address beliefs in an objective manner.

I repeat: Philippians 3:12 is referring to Paul's not already having attained perfection. It would be pretty stupid for Paul to proclaim that he had not already arisen from the dead. 1 John 1:8 clearly states that IF WE SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IT US.. NKJV This certainly states that we are not yet perfect and that those who think they are are only fooling themselves. Can we overcome habitual sin? By all means. Can we lead a victorious, abundant life? Absolutely Will we all be perfect like Jesus when we are in heaven? Yes, because we will see Him as He is. Can we live in love and never fail? Like I said, I would like to hear from your wife.. But that certainly is our goal. Since salvation is completely a gift from God, there is nothing I can do to add to the work of Christ. But the bride of Christ will be clothed in the righteous acts of the saints. These acts are the product of our salvation. They don't produce salvation, salvation produces them. No one is saved by good works or there would be a lot of boasting in heaven, as stated in. Eph. 2. Since this is only an opinion forum and few are allowed to teach, I will refrain from sermons or tomes. I have stated my opinion as confirmed by scripture. Nor will I debate this issue. Perhaps someone else would like to debate this in the soapbox debate or one of our teaching staff would teach on this issue in the study group. Having said that, I am very grateful to God for giving some of you victory over sin in your lives by whatever means, and I would never want to take that away from you. He did a similar work in me by changing me to look more like Jesus by the washing of the Word and the finished work on the cross. I bear this treasure, Jesus, in this imperfect cracked pot of an earthen vessel. Meanwhile we agree to disagree, and we continue to love each other in spite of conflicting interpretations of God's Word. It is the Spirit of Christ in each of us that unifies us and gives us true common ground. I also respect anyone who bases their doctrine on God's Word. Blessings to you all, Willa

The Tabernacle is depicting the reality that is in heaven. Blood was placed on the mercy seat each year for the sins of the people. Now Christ's blood has been placed at the mercy seat of God in heaven. The cherubim surround God's throne in heaven as well. In the wilderness the glory of God emanated from above the mercy seat.

Factions within a church are wrong. They often eventually split a church. Cliques are not good either since God wants us to reach out to the poor, the orphans and widows, and the outcasts of society. Those who are least on earth are greatest in His kingdom. I always told my kids, if you need a friend, be a friend to someone else who needs one.

OK, I went to your site and peaked at your other posts. You said that you have lost friends because you recently made a stronger commitment to the Lord. That is a huge sign of growth. Jesus said that you are not worthy of Him unless you lose friends and even family relationships. It means that you are set apart to God and other people can see it. Yes, at first it is lonely and depressing. But the friendships in Christ are much stronger because His love is stronger. So are there woman's fellowships or Bible studies in your church? If so, do join. Even old ladies groups can be a real blessing. I found these the most supportive when I first recommitted my life to the Lord. They had been there and done that. There were people there I could call for advice and prayer for my problems. I could go to coffee or lunch with them. My husband was not saved at the time, my mom had just died, and I needed the support of these friendships. This is probably not what you were looking for, but it may be God's answer. Have you seen a doctor to make sure you don't have a physical problem like anemia? Ruling that out, have you ever asked God to refill you with His Holy Spirit? I had become drained and didn't even realize it till my new pastor prayed that way for me. As I walked away from speaking with him I realized that I had not been depending on God as I once had, and immediately He filled me again. It felt like a breath of fresh air revitalizing me. I had been in a church that largely did not understand the way the Holy Spirit works in lives so they had been quenching the Spirit and would not receive any outreach of God's love from me. The Holy Spirit intends to flow out through us to others, and with no outlet He sort of stagnates. Most importantly, are you reading your New Testament and praying every day? Depend on God to lead you and fill you. He is the only One who can fill the emptiness in our lives. Look to Him, not to people. This is also how we grow: We apply God's word to our problems. Things like "bless those who persecute you and pray for those who spitefully use you." Then read the psalms and proverbs. Underline the things that help or highlight them with a crayon. Now reread Shiloh's post. Blessings, Willa

The Holy Spirit is God; and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of one mind. They are one God. They should all sound the same. Prophecy should always be judged by scripture. 1 Cor. 14:3, 29. Does it reveal God's nature of righteousnes, authority, love, comfort, peace and gentle kindness? Sometimes this may involve a gentle rebuke. Does it point to spiritual riches in heaven or to earthly riches which rust and theives can steal? The latter is not godly. I am under the impression from past discussions that some of your people who prophecy may not doing so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It may be self that is speaking or it may be another spirit. The quotation from 2 Peter 1:20-21 says that no prophecy OF SCRIPTURE is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. NKJV The prophets of old were stoned to death if one part of it did not come true. Those who prophecy in church today should be doing so to build up, encourage and strengthen the whole body of Christ, or to edify. It is safest when God had already impressed the same thing to you in His still, small voice; so you should receive it as confirmation. Often in our churches in the US, the pastor's sermon may be prophecy if he has prayed for God's inspiration and guidance for His sermon. The prophet should not sound like a personal fortune teller since that may be a spirit of divination. The pastor or prophet should not be controlling the people or making them think they will perish if they leave or don't receive what they said. That is a mark of a cult. EZ 13:1-9 speaks of false prophets. Blessings, Willa

The law is the schoolmaster that brings us to Christ. It is when we discover that we can't perfectly obey the law and that we need Christ to change our attitudes, that we turn to His indwelling Spirit to enable us to follow Him and fill us with His loving compassion. At this point we change from striving to keep the 10 commandments and even all the dietary and social laws, to keeping the law of love which Jesus says fulfills all the law. We stop trying to be right and start demonstrating His love to others. Jesus fullfilled the law perfectly on our behalf and conferred His rightousness on us when He took upon Himself our sins, so that we stand righteous and justified before God by faith, according to the law. According to practice, we practice the law of merciful love. As far as the Hebraic form of worship, it's feasts are a picture of all that Christ did and will do for us, and a mirror of God's temple in heaven.

Wishing you all the true riches of the Kingdom of God in this coming year. Willa

What version are you using? Unless it is public domain we must state this. (I forget as well) But it is always good to know.

The thing that gives me hope is that every month another dozen or so people in our church give their lives to Christ. Most follow up with discipleship and regular church attendance. God is not willing that any should perish. The Holy spirit is still working. Since this is no longer the politically correct thing or fashionable thing, it is more likely that these are true sheep.

Yes we can overcome sin. But being perfect is an unattainable goal in this body. As soon as we think we have attained perfection we appear to be self righteous and are unaware of the pride that has crept into our lives. Sin is missing the mark, or imperfection. When we obey God and walk in the Spirit, we still do so imperfectly. We bear this treasure in earthen vessels. The treasure is the Holy Spirit. The vessel is this imperfect body of flesh, our flawed character with good intentions, and our words which so easily can be misconstrued. So our walk is clumsy as we are daily being washed in the Word and being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Any good in us or that we do can only be attributed to Christ in us and the work of the Holy Spirit. God uses us in spite of ourselves. In Mark 10:18 we are told that only God is good. But in so stating Christ was also claiming His own diety. He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. Phil. 3:12 NKJV Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has already laid hold of for me. V.9 and being found in Him, not having my own righteousnes which is from the law, but that which is through faith in (reliance on) Christ, the righteousness which is FROM God by faith. Not only are we saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast, but the just shall live by his faith. And our faith has been credited to us as righteousness. Yes, our faith produces the fruit of good works, but these do not count toward our salvation. They are the product of our salvation. Faith is, after all, reliance on Christ. Normally all we have to do is ask our spouses (or parents) if we have attained to the perfection of God. So we die daily to sin and present our bodies as living sacrifices to God.

Welcome. There is a balance. To those who think when they are saved they can continue to live a sinful lifestyle, God admonishes to turn away from wickedness and walk in the Spirit. To those who continually fail in their struggle against sin and cannot forgive themselves, He comforts with the the knowledge that He sees them as bearing in themselves the righteousness of Christ. God tries to spare us the misery of the hell we make of our lives by living in sin. He came to bring us an abundant life full of joy, peace and the fruit of the Spirit. I do agree with Shiloh. Blessings, Willa Romans 4:20-25; 5:20-6:2, 23;, 7:4; 8:1, 31-34 Galatians 5: 13-14, 16-18; 6:7-9 John 10:10; 13:34-35

So much of these are publicity stunts to keep them in the public eye. I have to say that should another earthquake hit California, I would hope that it takes out Hollywood and SanFrancisco. But since judgement always begins with the household of God, I guess I better start praying for their hearts be softened instead. Perhaps even sold souls can be redeemed.

When speaking of the curse of the law in Galatians 2:10-14, we are told that Christ became a curse for us in v. 13. In this way we are freed from any curses by His death on the cross; just as He took our sins, He took our curses. But some weakness are geneticly inherited. One of these can be alcoholism, another is diabetes. Those who have close relatives with these weakness, such as native Americans, including those of Alaska, need to be especially careful to avoid alcohol just as a diabetic should avoid high calorie meals, processed sugars and alcohol, or to use them sparingly with protein to minimize the affect. Alcoholism seems to be related to stress in some people. Exercise is a far more constructive and effective way to handle stress and also aides in the control of diabetes.

Lower gas prices does help with lower cost of moving food and products across our nation. But businesses and farmers are likely to keep the difference to balance previous losses rather than passing it along to the consumer. It may help some where there are price wars. Grocery stores and gas stations make very little profit. The delis, convenience stores and garages always kept them afloat. A better way to measure unemployment is to combine it with the number of people using food banks. When mimimum wage increases, say from $9 to $10, it causes the cost to consumers to go up. Retired people on fixed incomes suffer. In 1998 minimum wage was $4,70. This means that the teacher who retired at that time made $40,000 per year is having a rough time by now when the average salary for the same job might be $70,000 today. Cost of food and housing have also nearly doubled. But the government manages to juggle the figures so that on paper our cost of living hardly goes up at all. One thing they don't include is the cost of gas, and many people commute to their jobs. Cost of harvesting crops has been prohibitive, causing farmers to not bother to harvest crops.. So lower gas prices do help out our pocketbooks a lot when we don't have money for extras. When gas prices shoot up again we will likely have another recession. I imagine that they will be held down till after elections. When minimum wage increases forced other wages up so dramaticly, businesses started taking their manufacturing to other poorer countries to keep costs down and thier products competitive. So we poured money into China and Mexico, building plants there so we can use their labor. We are no longer a competitive labor force for unskilled labor. Raising minimum wage only continues to push us out of the job market with other countries because we can't compete with cheap foreign labor. Moreover, we are finding competent skilled labor in China and India that is making better products than our own and much cheaper. So foreign markets no longer buy our products and neither do we. Even our natural resources are now owned by foreign companies and shipped overseas. The national debt is such that you personally owe over $50,000 per year, well into the future, that our government has already spent of your money. This will increase because our government keeps on spending and borrowing beyond its means to repay, and much of it is not necessary but is paying for "pork" and our president's bribes or repaying political favors. That is why we can't continue to increase entitlements--our government is too poor. They have been also stealing money from social security/medicare that we have been having deducted from our checks each month, and spending it on things like Obamacare. Furthermore, we are still buying the good will of other countries by sending them billions that we don't have. This should be converted from gifts into trade. No more free handouts for ourselves or for others. The well is dry. The present practice of demanding a 20,000 page bill to be passed in 3 days, before it can be read, needs to be made illegal. The last budget bill had been ready for months but he waited till the last minute to introduce it so no one can read it. But had it not been passed, he would have made it presidential edict, further establishing the dictatorial powers of the president. Our republic has been replaced by a dictatorship within one term of office. And this is one thing that is worth protesting,

Both faith and love are found in Christ Jesus. Truth and grace are also found in Him. Ephesians 1 also lists the blessings found in Christ. When we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we possess these things. As Tinky said, saving faith is a gift from God.

Luke 5:21 says "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God?" 23-24 Jesus replied "which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say 'Rise us and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins." The Jews were always angered when Jesus claimed to be the Messiah or to be I AM--Jehovah. These they considered blasphemy because they had hardened hearts. I really don't think it had anything to do with their future spiritual desolation. It revealed their present state. But our God is faithful to His promises to the righteous Jews of their forefathers. All Israel shall be saved and inherit the fulness of their promised land. Romans 11:28-29 But concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. NKJV It is only because of their rejection that we are offered the crumbs from our Master's table. We don't deserve God's mercy either. It is by grace that we are saved. It is we gentiles that crucified our Lord.

When I was saved I was aware that our Father was aware of me and cared about me personally. I had sinned and needed forgiveness. I asked for forgiveness and became aware that I was forgiven because Jesus loved me and died for me, and He arose from the dead. God led me to try to make restitution and confess my faith to these people. Then He drew me to read the New Testament. I finally was baptized because my mom convinced me to do so. God was instead dealing with the lack of love in my heart, and my need to allow His Spirit to love through me. But it took me years to understand that. I saw lack of love in everyone else but myself. The essential is that we start walking in the Spirit in obedience to what God leads us to do. It was the habit of some in the early centuries to put off baptism till shortly before death--not that I recommend that. I am only saying that some people cannot physically be immersed. I do not believe that these people are not saved due to lack of baptism if disabilities prohibit this. Each person is responsible to the light given him. If God does lead a person to be baptized and he refuses, I still believe that God is patient and will continue to draw that person to obey. Blue Gem, I watched a guy go through that fear of baptism. He couldn't swim and watched helplessly as his brother drowned. So he was terrified to be immersed. It took a few months, but God convinced him to trust Him in this. Obedience in baptism is the fruit of salvation. It does not cause a person to be born again--it is the fruit of our new birth and one of the good works prepared for us to walk therein. We are saved by faith, and even that is a gift from God. Blessings to all this Chrismas Day. Willa

I hesitate to blend eastern meditation and thought with a relationship with God. If a person is ADSD or ADD or something of that nature, and this is an alternative to something like ritalin, it might be useful if it is not combined with eastern philosophy. But it sounds like something my hairbrained charismatic Catholic cousin would cook up. She is always going off on "holy giggles" or a toronto experience instead of loving God's word, or His producing fruit in her life. She even came up with " new and powerful" written prayers for specific diseases. Prayer that is "powerful" is that which is according to His will. Many people "pray the promises", reminding Him as Moses did. We are also told that the prayers of a righteous man avails much. But all it really takes is a heart that pursues treasures in heaven, a little faith in a powerful loving God, and a simple prayer.

The commandment is to love God with all our heart soul, strength & mind. Each person's relationship with God is highly personal, and maybe the person needs to obey out of fear. I don't think I have ever feared hell. I have feared the chastening of God and the thought of being without His fellowship is frightening. He is my security blanket--my Comforter.