Willa

I don't think that will be Christ's mellinial kingdom on earth. But it might be akin to the New Jeruselem which will come down from heaven. We are not given a lot of information about it, and some of it may be metaphor because our minds may not be able to comprehend it. Streets of gold and the river of life flowing from its midst may not be apt discrptions of its glory. So can we get back to it?. By being born again and following after the Holy Spirit we are being let toward His Presence. To me anywhere that we live in God's presence is paradice. But the fullness will come when we shed the limitations of our earthly bodies. To be absent for the body is to be present with the Lord.

If you look at what ISIL is doing to Christians and every other form of muslim faith, it is already happening today. It happened to the Kurds when we freed Kuwait. It happened in Cambodia in the 70s-80s and may be continuing in Laos and Indonesia. In Africa, I think in Unganda, the dictator was killing off anyone who had a tin roof because it meant they had more education, a better income, and probably were also Christians. The government now is very cordial to Christianity. Today people are not always rounded up into camps. They are just shot, gassed or beheaded in the streets. It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel, hateful and ruthless. We tend to forget the hatred that once lifed in our own hearts and that there, but for the grace of God, go I.

My mother in law even susggested that we have sex prior to marriage. She was a not a practicing Christian and probably had never read a bible. It is not easy to go against the tide of our sinful culture. Our citizenship is in heaven and our culture procedes from the Kingdom of God. He demands purity. We will never regret obeying Him.

If you rest in the fact that God loves you and has it all under control, and is working all things together for good because you love Him; then even though you don't understand why, you will have peace. He uses the circumstances we are in to make us stronger christians as we overcome in spite of them. Sometimes it doesn't feel like we overcome, but when we rely on Christ for strength, wisdom and help, we do. Our faith is like a muscle: it must be exercised and afterwards it may be sore, but it is stronger. But when you lie there exhausted, sore, hurting and feeling no strength, we tend to ask why. But it is times like that in which we must trust and rest in God's strength. He will keep you. It is when we are down and hurting that satan attacks our minds with doubts and fears. We don't have to listen to those because they are lies. So we can just say "I don't have to listen to lies!" We are told that we go through hard times so we can help others with the same help we were given. Meanwhile, practice being thankful and praising God simply because He is worthy.

We are told that perfect love casts out fear. So night terrors do not come from God. Read the last of Romans 8. Nothing shall ever separate you from God's love. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for you. But whenever you get the concern for your husband, even if it is constant, do pray for him. Ask that his heart may be softened, his eyes and ears may be opened, that he may come to repentance and saving knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4 2 Peter 3:9

I studied cultural anthorpology back in the '60s. In that class I was told that the Hebrew people were the only ancient culture that calculated a person's age from the time of conception. Can anyone verify this? (Therefore theirs was the only culture that clearly understood that people are born from that union.) The teacher, whose hobby also was anthropology, also mentioned that the Hebrew culture is the only one that is patriarchal but matrilineal, which we know is true. Just curious. Blessings, Willa

We are told in James 1:13 that each one is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Satan tempted Eve in the garden and Jesus in the wilderness. Otherwise I don't remember anyone else that he tempted. We are told that satan entered Judas, causing him to betray Jesus. But in John 12:6 he is identified as a thief and had the money box, and used to take what was put into it-- unconfessed sin--so it left him vulnerable to satan tempting with 30 pieces of silver and entering him to betray Christ. We are told that God cannot bear the presence of sin, which is why we cannot enter into His presence but by the blood of Jesus which has covered, blotted our and romoved our sins. Those in the lake of fire have rejected the blood of Christ.

Eph. 3:5b-6 as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets that the gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel. This is also called the mystery of the church, that we are joint heirs with the Jews--we are in Christ together--as in God's eyes there is no longer Jew and Gentile. We are all one in Christ. We demonstrate this to heavenly beings by our love for one another, Even when we disagree, we still have love for one another.

My dad was saved as a teenager but when he went to college he abandoned his faith for the pride of philosophical debate. He returned to the faith before he died. That college even today has a philosophy class that warns the students that if they are still Christians at the end of his class, he will flunk them. It teaches secular humanism as well. My cousin's husband claimed that his classes taught him logic. But because of how my dad was corrupted by philosophy and the pride of reasoning, I have not wanted to even study these things. He used to have me debate one side of an issue and then debate the other side. I call it mental gymnastics. Solomon would call it vanity.. It is much more satisfying to walk with God.

When people curse using God's name, wish me happy holidays, or use X for Christ, my stomach knots up and I try not to say much because it will be with a bad attitude. But the one that outraged me was the receptionist who wished me happy holidays on the day before halloween. I know that some people celebrate all saints day and especially the day of the dead in areas with a large hispanic populations. But I really draw the line on this. Holidays should include Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, I don't give a rip about new years and I refuse to include Halloween. It is like including Obama in presidents day which was only for combining Washington's and Lincolns birthdays. It just isn't right! Ok. So there are a few pet peeves that set me off. Calling me a Ms. is another one.

I agree with William and Alejandro. So often people can read the word and apply it to other people they know, but it is God Who applies it to our own hearts and gives us light in the dark places of our lives. If we love the light, rather than the darkness, we will come to saving knowledge of Christ. But if we reject the light, even that which we have will be taken away. Men are not saved because their deeds are evil and they love darkness rather than the light. There is nothing wrong in learning the word in academics as it is good to learn the background, context, geography and culture of those addressed. And I learn a lot from wordstudies of the original languages. But it is best to then ask, how does this apply to me and my circumstances. We are told that the stories of the old testament were written for examples and a warning. 1 Cor 10:1-12 So we need to pay attention to the lessons that we can gain from them as well. There are a few like this in the New testament, such as that of Annanias, which reminds us that we serve a holy God Who cannot be deceived. I have known people who can recite the Bible better than I can, but they use it to justifiy themselves and condemn others. One such person continued to live in sin. He threatened the judges that granted his wife a divorse, causing restraining orders protecting her and the judge. Then, when his daughter was a teen and visited him he and his cousin took turns raping her. He was a vile, dangerous man who never took responsibility for his own actions. He always blamed them on someone else.

John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe in Him is condemned already, because he does not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Those who believe also trust in and rely on Jesus. For God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. All of us did stupid things before we were saved, that is why we need a Savior. But after we are saved we may still backslide as did the prodigal son. Our Father welcomes us back if we come back in humility, knowing we have no right to ask for forgiveness. I don't believe a person will backslide who is fully committed and submitted to the Lord. Having a full revelation of Who Jesus is, we, like Tomas, fall on our faces to Him as our Lord and our God. Pride was the sin of satan that caused him to rebel. Pride goes before a fall, and causes us to reject His authority over us. 1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and overseer of your souls." As our Good Shepherd He is in the business of retrieving lost sheep, restoring our souls, and welcoming prodigals--even if someone may have in ignorance led a little one astray. The only unforgivable sin that I am aware of is rejecting our Savior till our deaths, allowing our hearts to become so hardened that we knowingly attribute His miraculous works of loveingkindness to satan. When I explained the way of salvation to a person many years ago, I answered her question: yes a person can wait till right before death to be saved. What I didn't realize was that there was a good chance that each time they said no, they would harden their hearts till they would no longer want to be saved. And even if they were saved, they will have wasted their whole lives doing what they would later regret, and forfeit an abundant, fulfilling life.

He is saying that Elijah found safety in Sidon, and Elisha only healed a Syrian, neither of which are in Judah or Israel. They were rejected in their own country as was Jesus. John 1:11 He came unto His own and His own received Him not. See Matthew 23:29-37.

I believe that our primary focus and relationship with be with God. However, God has always dealt with mankind according to families. Nations are not often mentioned, but the ancient tribal families names are. So it will be likely that we will also be associated with saved family members as well, but on a platonic basis. The lusts of the flesh will be no more. Sigh. But we will be so overcome with the joy of being in God's presence that we won't miss it. The chapters in Revelation that reveal Christ and what is going on in heaven give us a glimpse of what awaits us.

I thought that way at one time as well. Then God found me. Being a christian is about God revealing Himself to each of us, our receiving the gift of forgiveness and redemption that Jesus provided on the cross, and in gratitude and thanksgiving our surrendering our lives to Him as Lord. Yes we follow Him, but not so as to find Him. We follow Him because we already have a deep relationship with Him and we hunger to be close to Him. It is like a marriage. You are only in puppy love if you have not established a relationship with Him. And if you are only dating and are uncommited, you don't have much more than an acquaintance. When you fully receive how much God loves you, you will want to make that life committment to Him. But it takes humility to receive His love and forgiveness. We know how much we need Him in our lives.

Peer pressure will be a big thing for the next couple of years. But after high school, should you be out in the real world, it becomes better. At least I felt a lot more freedom to be more independant when I was in college. By independant I mean I could be myself and reflect the values I was raised with, which were pretty biblical. As long as you are under you aunts roof you should honor her wishes. She loves you and wants what is best for you.

No, not a logical one but some people try to manufacture one because 1 Cor 13 says that gifts will cease when that which is Perfect comes. To me that means when Jesus comes. We do not see such things as dramatic miracles as often, but they do occur, especially when evangelists preach in lands like India where the gospel has often never been heard. Several healings have occurred in my family, and I have seen one very spectacular one in a good friend. Some people also have the gift of praying to God in unknown languages. I believe that most of these things are more private here in the USA, where unscrupulous people sometimes claim to have these gifts and use them as a means to get rich. Sometimes it has been shown that these healings are faked. Signs and wonders are not necessarily a sign of authenticity. Both the magicians of Pharaoh and the Antichrist were performers of miracles.

Still, people must be redeemed from the control of sin and the influence of satan. They must trust in Christ as their near kinsman redeemer. He has paid the most costly purchase price of all, that of His life blood. Christ took away the greatest weapon of satan, the fear of death, when He arose from the dead. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that because He lives, I too shall live.

YES GOD CHASTENS AND SOMETIMES IT IS EMOTIONAL SCOURGING. Heb. 12:7-8 NKJV If you endure chastening God deals with you as with sons,, for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.. During the early 70s I fell into gross sin of spiritual pride and self righteousness. God scourged me. No longer was I privileged to fellowship with Him. It was as though I were not saved and God humbled me. While I was not aware of any specific sin and searched my heart and scriptures for the answer, it was a couple of months before I understood my problem. Meanwhile I felt like Job. The only word that God had given me was that I had been a vessel of dishonor and that He was changing me. So I understand the words of Hebrews that say we should strengthen hands that hang down and the feeble knees, and that chastening yields the peacable fruit of righteousness..Hebrews 12:11-12 And I know but I know that in me there is no good thing but for the life of Jesus Himself. I also know that I am a genuine child of God. Since then God only has to gently correct me and guide me. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. Psm 111:10

I like the movie "The Nativity" because the shepherds look like the filthy, unkept, stinking people that they were. These men slept with their sheep. I have heard that it was their custom to sleep across the doorway of the pen to be aware of anything trying to sneak in or out. If you have ever raised sheep you will realize how much they stink. No cute, clean little boys came to the stable which likely also smelled badly. Yet Jesus calls Himself the good Shepherd Who is willing to lay down His life for His sheep. He was willing to live among us filthy stinking sinners to rescue us, to lead us and protect us. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Rom. 5: 8-10 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -- 9b having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled we shall be saved by His life. 2 Cor. 4:6 For it is God Who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, who has shone in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

One way I exercise faith is to pray about the little things, especially for help finding the things I have lost, for cars that won't start, before attempts to do household repairs, and for those every day annoyances. Chances are that nothing goes right till we pray about them. But as God is faithful about these things, He reminds us that He cares about us, and will be faithful to help us in the big things. He wants us to depend on and rely on Him. That is one way that believe is defined. That is why some of His names are The Lord Who Heals, the Lord Our Peace, the Lord Our Rightousness, and the Lord will Provide. 1 Peter 1:6b-7 you have been grieved by various trials that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory and the revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 But also for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to your virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control perserverance, to perserverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The point of these scriptures is that we are to continue to grow in our dependance on God and not rest on our laurals. Having a religious experience when we were at church camp doesn't count for much if we haven't continued to grow in applying God's word to our lives and continuded to pray and depend on Him. Trials establish and stregthen our faith. They keep the seed of the word from dieing because it does not have root. They insure that our works are not burned and we are not just saved as by fire. They eventually produce the abundant life that Jesus came to give us, and produce fruit of the Spirit in our lives like faithfulness and patient endurance. However, I have to admit that rarely think to add trials to the list of "joys". They just don't feel joyful at the time when my first reaction is usually fear, sadness or discouragement. I have to remind myself that God loves us and has been faithful to help us for years. That is why He sometimes lovingly chides me saying Willa, oh you of little faith.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is a Christian classic and it speaks of some of the things you have hit on.

I have noticed a difference since halloween. There are new people that join all the time, and usually it takes some a little while to realize that Worthy differs from other forums in that we are more focused on living out Christ's love in gentleness and compassion, which joins our hearts. It is always possible that some that are more immature in their walk have joined. It is equally possible that imposters have crept in. A couple have been booted. But I can only tell you that I have also noticed a difference. And I hope that the abrasiveness has not rubbed off on me. Do continue to come and be yourself. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. God's light and love will prevail. Blessings Willa

Smith Wigglesworth was called the "apostle of faith" by some people. He seems to have been a simple man who believed God's word, and many were saved through his ministry as an evangelist. I don't recall hearing anything bad about him but it has been many years since I have heard the name. Your uncle seems to be delusional if he is seeking some new apostle. We don't believe that there are true apostles today. Unfortunately, there are cults that promote some pretty sickening things, and there are abusive people who use the Bible like a weapon to justify themselves. I have known of a couple as well. I have no idea who the other guy is that you mentioned.

Hi, Amelia. I gave up on being a perfectionist and being organized because it was impossible to be that way and live with my husband. So I started going with the flow and adapting myself to him. But to make my marriage work, I also had to put God first in my life. I am not saying these things would have made a difference for you since you seem to know God's word. 'Never been a teacher, just a teaching assistant in a vocational nursing program, which I enjoyed. Later I was a bus attendant for special needs children. These included bahavioral children. Reasonable order had to be maintained for safety--stay in seats and speak quietly to the people nearby. This was a challange. Ages ranged from 18 months through highschool. The one thing I did each year was to pray that God would give me His special love for the kids. Love is the key. God never let me down. Like you said, though, you can't give when you are so drained. So I have to agree that there are times we need to recoup and soak in God's healing. During a very difficult time in our marriage, when my hubby was deeply depressed, I quit teaching and worked a couple of days a week at an auto auction. It was a low stress job that got me out of the house occasionally and involved exercise--washing cars and driving them through the auction. Exercise is very important in relieving stress. A zumba or fitness class might help, but washing cars was stretching exercise and relaxing, and I could pray while I worked. However, it is God's word that restores the soul. It seems like you have taxed yourself to the extreme. You have a job, you are finishing up a divorse, and you are taking counseling courses. Sometimes we keep ourselves busy so we don't finish up the grieving process and allow ourselves to mourn. That is not good. It eventually affects our health. I am not sure that this is what you are doing, but you are definitely not allowing yourself time to put God first in your life. Even if you have your devotions right after you get home from work or before bed, it would be better than not at all. You need God's help for strength and wisdom, and most of all to keep on filling you with His loving Spirit when you feel drained. Sometimes it is necessary to just be quiet in His Presence. Don't just read the psalms, meditate on them.