Willa

Yes, Jesus was called the Word before being born as a human. He now has ascended back to His throne at the right hand of Father God. In the Revelation He is called One like the Son of Man, the Alpha and Omega [the beginning and the end] and the Lamb as though it had been slain. Jesus also called Himself the I AM, the same as Who spoke out Moses' burning bush. This is called a "state of being". He simply IS. In fact He said "Before Abraham was, I AM, to help them understand His eternal existance. Our God is an awesome God.

I agree with Dustin. You should take her seriously. Sometimes post partum blues can lead to psychosis and can be helped with medications. I would try to get her to seek medical help. Sometimes there are free clinics that can direct her to a more appropriate place that might help at mimimum expense or pro-rated as she is able to pay.

Sister, that is one of the wake up calls God sent to me when I backslid. If people have to ask me if I am a Christian, something is wrong. The only "work" that it takes is repenting, to read the Bible and pray daily, and to attend church regularly. Ususally our interests change when we are in His word, communing with Him, and surrounding ourselves with more mature Christians. We start allowing Him to live in us to love others and to forgive. We don't work at bearing good fruit. It is produced naturally when we are connected to the Vine. The branch does not grunt and groan to produce a grape. It just drinks in the sun, the water, CO2 and the nutrients provided by the vine. It is God Who gives the growth. I can't say that I have much fear as a Christian. I do fear for others, for the heartache that is in store for them should they continue to make ungodly choices.

There is often a list of people who go from church to church begging for food and money. Some churches circulate it so other pastors are aware of these who are deadbeats and who even sell what is provided for buying alcohol and drugs. So it is best to limit it to your church and to people known to have a real need. We take boxes of food to those who have become temporarily disabled of our congregation. Others we offer chores for food. Some we may pay their heat or utility bill directly if they can prove they are destitute and they are being disconnected. Our pastor has a small house trailor on his rural property where he occasionally houses homeless people. It is sort of a case by case thing and much wisdom and discernment is needed. We also have a pantry and occasionally let the congregation know when it is low or what sorts of food is needed. Routinely I sort through my cupboards and share what we have over purchased with the pantry. If there are food processing plants near you, they often donate when there are truck spills of fruit, vegetables and potatoes.

It can be physically dangerous to fast without water, and I was told not to do that. It is even more dangerous to the kidneys to do it in hot weather and most say we can only live 3 days due to dehydration under those conditions. So I would not recommend going without water more than a day. Generally we should not go without food more than 3 weeks. The body starts consuming the muscles for energy. This is why anorexia is so dangerous. I knew a guy who went without food for 3 weeks but ended up in the hospital because his body started surviving on his heart muscle. He nearly died and permanent damage was done to his heart. Some people only fast from certain kinds of foods or activities, such as not eating meat or from spending time and money on entertainment. When the disciples were unable to deliver a man who was demon possessed, Jesus said that this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting. One guy I know was not happy with his life, the way he treated his family and his attitudes, so he took a week retreat in the mountains camping out in the snow. He fasted, prayed, and read the Bible. But he also had survival training in the millitary and had water available. He did come back changed.

I was an attendant on school busses working with special needs children, many of whom had behavioral problems. It was always a challange, but I would start each year by asking God to give me a special love for the kids placed under my care. He was faithful to do that. I will pray as well that He give you great organizational skills. Somehow when you love the kids, you really enjoy them. A friend ran a pre school and always had the older children helping the younger children. Someone else would say things like, when you are listening, put up your hand. It always amazed me how they gained their cooperation. When we had an accident, once, we had the children evacuate but had them hold hands to keep them together in a dangerous intersection. I can't say that I envy you. On busses we could strap them in so it made things relatively easy. But we did do a lot of singing--even the high school kids enjoyed that. One time we were singing "Hit the road, jack, don't you come back no more, no more, and all the autistic kids were singing the "no more" part--even the non verbal ones.

Yes, you did a great job. A beautiful photo of a beautiful creation of God. Thank you for sharing it with us.

We spend much time praying for others that God would soften hearts and also for their healing. One of God's names in the old testament is the God who heals, and I believe He is the source of all healing whether He uses meds, doctors or miracles. There are times He has told me not to pray, but someone else prayed and the person was healed or saved. Other times I have asked God to provide jobs, or that He would enable a person to live a godly life, or for comfort during grief. Praying at all times is living in communion with God and communicating throughout the day--whether thanking Him for the beauty of spring flowers, sunshine as well as refreshing rain, praying for the safety of all concerned when spotting a careless driver, or asking for God's mercy when seeing an ambulence. I often pray for the safety of police officers and others engaged in dangerous work or sports. OK. So our grandson just broke his ankle in a football game and the youngest grand daughter in the other family broke her wrist while tackling her big brother in another football game. And you wonder why I pray?? They haven't even started driving yet. Its enough to make a Jewish grandma out of me! Oy vey!

By george, I think you've got it! All church doctrine should agree with scripture. It should not go beyond what scripture clearly states. And it should place faith in Christs life, death, and resurrection for the sin of mankind at the center of such doctrine. Welcome, Willa

Hi!. I have come to understand Jesus the way that you seem to have, but it is the simple truth of the Gospel as held by evengelicals in general, as I think you have expressed. Perhaps there is more than you have stated that I will not agree to. But He is the center of Christianity and it is completely by God's grace through faith that we are saved and forgiven of our sinfulness. The new testament is the covenant of grace or unmerited favor, ratified by the blood of Jesus on the cross. The old covenant or testament speaks of the covenants with the Jews throughout history, as well as the Mosaic covenant with the law. The covenant of grace occurred because Jesus kept the law of God perfectly on my behalf, thus fulfilled it, and credited to me His righteous in exchange for my sinfulness when He died for me. He is my near kinsman/redeemer Who paid my debt and bought me from satan's domain with His blood. He is God in human flesh, crucified, buried and risen. Is that what you are saying? Blessings and welcome, Willa

Yeah but you're missing one thing. Holy Spirit baptism and the seal of salvation wasn't accounted for until after the resurrection. Abraham and John lived before the resurrection. The Jewish people in Israel in 2014 are living after the resurrection, so they also must be born again to see the kingdom of God. At least, that's my conclusion. I thought that is what I said. Sorry I didn't explain myself fully and clearly.

I have run into this before but am not really sure what it is called or where from Scripture it is gotten--you are suggesting that the physical domain promised to Abraham and obtained by David but lost by Solomon will one day restored to the Jews as a nation, correct? clb I onlly know that God is incapable of lieing. So if the full inheritance has not been fully realized to date, it will be in the future. The gifts and promises of God are without recall. In the same way, there are many prophesies that have yet to come to pass, but will take place in the future. I interpret God's word litterally unless it is stated otherwise and an interpretation is given. Scripture interprets scripture. It is not bound by my understanding or lack there of.

I would not go see it. Don't want to give my money to another Hollywood fable. But every so often I remember that my sister in law said that "Jesus Christ Superstar" really helped her to believe. I did not see that one either. But it reminds me that God can use most anything if a person is seaking Him. We can always tell people that the Book was better, and refer them to Genesis. Then we can tell them that the movie was really taken from Jewish fiction that was based on a true event.

Paul repeats "the gospel by which you were saved in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He then goes on to list all who had seen Him alive and well after his resurrection. One of Jesus' names at birth was Emmanuel, which means God with us. Matt. 1:23 There was always a lot of meaning ascribed by the Hebrews to names. I dimly remember that Jesus means Jehovah saves, because He will save His people from their sins. Matt. 1:21 We are told in John 1 that He was called the Word when He pre existed with the Father in eternity past. Philippians 2:5-11 also tells repeats this, and that He was born in human flesh to die for out sins. Believe means to trust in and rely upon. To believe in His Name is to trust in His reputation and character, such as a person's good name. Most of us don't understand it all when we receive Christ. We just know that we are sinners who need forgiveness. I only knew that God forgave me because Jesus loves me. Many times during grief, I have rememberd that God still loves me because Jesus died for my sins. That is the essense of the Gospel or good news. But another important part of the story is that when we are forgiven and saved, Jesus sends us another Comfortor, one like Him, His Holy Spirit. He doen't leave us alone but sends Him to adopt us, guide us, teach us, help us to understand the Bible, and enable us to lead the Christian life. That is how we are born again. Blessings Willa

Jesus may have been only a few months old when Herod issued his decree. We know the maji went to his home, not to his birth place and did not see a newborn like the shepherds saw. A different Greek word was even used for the baby. But Herod may have issued the decree shortly after the maji did not return to tell him where they had found the Messiah. We also don't know how many maji there were. There may have been a caravan to protect from thieves. And they may not have rode camels because they were considered unclean in Israel, but they may have rode horses instead. There is much that is folk lore mixed with the story that is not contained in scripture. Just try to find a nativity set that does not have maji and camels! Our pastor tried to trace the actual date through astronomy, as to when planets or stars might have overlapped to give off a very bright light in that area, using computer programs. He found 4 BC to have been a likely time, adjusting for the Jewish calandar. It does make for interesting speculation. I wonder why God did not think it important to record the dates of some of these events for us. He kept dates in the old testament prophesies down to the year, and even sometimes the day. We are only told it was to be so many years after certain events, and there are even different ways to calculate that. Blessings, Willa

We just do all we know how to do, depending on God's word, guidance, love and wisdom; but it is purely by God's grace that they are saved. While both our sons are saved, I watch some of our 6 grandchildren remain uncommitted but in church. So it is encouraging to watch 2 grow in God. Thank you for your prayers. They learned that she has MS 20 years ago, and right after he was laid off after a funding cut back. They have gone through some very hard struggles that have taken their toll on his body as well--both his heart and stress induced infirmities. He is doing much better this time; God has given him peace in the midst of troubles most of the time. I was really hoping that others would contribute family devotion ideas that have worked for them, since I am a firm believer that the family that prays together, stays together. Hubby would pray for each son individually before he left for school. He still leads the 2 of us in prayer each night. But family devotions was always difficult for us. Thank you and Joe for your encouragement and prayers. Willa

In the USA pride and rebellion are considered noble things. Love is promoted but not understood as being commitment and devotion; rather love is treated casually and as fickle, based on feelings or attraction. Faithfulness or allegiance are overlooked as unnecessary. Joy and happiness are equated with fun and amusement. Peace and security are equated with financial gain. Goodness and meakness or gentleness are considered as being naive and or weak. There is no patience and often little self control. Perhaps kindness or "doing unto others" is still thought of as a virture. But it is losing rapidly to being kind to ones self. Our culture is warped and so in need of Jesus. Our only hope is God's grace. Perhaps that is right where God wants us.

Romans 11:7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seaks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8. God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this very day. 11. I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 15. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 17 And if some of the braches (of the olive tree) were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches--. 20 Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 23--They also, if they do not continue in unbelief,will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 25-- Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31. Even so these also have been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. I believe the "time of the gentiles" is soon coming to an end. The gospel is being spread widely as are Bibles being distributed. But many more are needed. We see that fewer of us gentiles in Europe and the Americas are receiving Christ and more are believing fables, and new age, and churches are just not adhering to Scripture. Yet more people of Jewish heritage are turning to Christ. While most Jews today are in fact athiests [even of those who live in Israel], there are growing numbers receiving Christ both here and in Israel. Some are on our forums. I am blest to see people on Worthy from Hebrew backgrounds or ancestry, as well as from such nations as China and india. But I am grieved to see our nation turning from godliness to fables, cults and false religions in the USA. And I believe that the Koran is a threat to the world. It is hard for me to comprehend that the love of God in Christ Jesus should be rejected in favor of such evil and deception. So perhaps the partial blindness and hardness is now coming upon the Gentiles. And even though i know and understand what the Bible is saying here, and understand that it was the rejection of Christ at His first coming that caused the Jews so much heartache at the hands of evil men, it is still difficult to grasp the kindness and severity of God in v. 22. I guess it is so that we all should rely solely on His grace through His gift of faith, and recognize that no ancestor such as Abraham or self effort to be worthy of heaven will afford us anything. The only way is through the covenant of grace ratified by the blood of the Messiah.

Ok I know my question now. Ok, John Chapter 3 says you must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Are the Jewish people born again? When I refer to the 'christian church' I'm referring to all born again believers in Christ who have accepted Jesus as Savior. Is that also required of the Jewish people of Israel also? - David The faith of Abraham was accounted to him as righteousness. Even John the Baptist was not seemingly born again, evev though he had been filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother's womb. He called himself a friend of the Bridegroom, but was not a part of the Bride of Christ which came into existance at pentacost.. I have a lot of questions I plant to ask the Lord someday since I really don't understand His plan as well as I would like, either.

I don't understand something. Why would God bless certain men or families on this old earth but not bring them to salvation in the end. What's the point of that, blessing Israel but not saving them or some. God has always had a remnant among the Jews who stayed faithful to Him.

I have run into this before but am not really sure what it is called or where from Scripture it is gotten--you are suggesting that the physical domain promised to Abraham and obtained by David but lost by Solomon will one day restored to the Jews as a nation, correct? clb This is my understanding from the OT prophets. I will try to find specific references if you wish, but I am sure others know them much better.

Israel was to be the bride of God the Father, but she kept seeking to worship other gods--spiritual adultry. However, Israel was chosen to bear God's Son in human flesh, and was promised the land as her inheritance. It is promised in Romans that she will again come into God's favor and grace and receive their promised Messiah. Jesus is the Father's heir. But we, the church, are betrothed to the Christ. This is more like being married but the marriage is not yet celebrated and consumated. It is much more than an engagement because the bride is already purchased and the groom has gone to prepare a home for her. When the Father approves, Christ will return unannounced to snatch her away and take her home. Then there will be a celebration. It is promised that since we are adopted as sons, we will be coheirs with Christ. We will reign and rule with Him as kings and priests. But priests do not inherit the land. The Jews have been promised a land whose borders have never been fully obtained, but will be in the future.

Yes, I remember them well. They were the ones with a fork rake on the back side that first leveled me and the tilled me so that the word of God could take deep root.

When I pray for the things God wants, as stated in His Word, I am given the assurance He will answer them. But it may take years before He brings His promises to pass. I just keep on asking till I see it answered. He has promised to take care of our daily needs in the sermon on the Mount. It may not be a million dollar house--it may be a room at the Y. It may not be steak and lobster, but it may be venison, green beans and jello in a soup kitchen. But to pray for mighty miracles I think we sometimes have to pray the way God is telling us to pray in His still small voice. It is a step of obedience at risk of being made a fool. Or it may spring from a heart of compassion with very little faith. Our pastor had preached through and interpreter at an outdoor meeting in India. Afterward he gave an invitation for those who wanted prayer to come forward. Several thousand came forward. He was at loss as what to do because there is no way that each could be spoken to and prayed for specificly. So he just asked God to meet all their needs. He later learned that all kinds of miracles had taken place, as reported by the local pastors who had transported the people to the site. Marriages were heal, people stopped abusing alcohol, the blind received their sight, people were saved, they were healed of diseases. He was awed and humbled. Sometimes, to be delivered from sin takes more than a firm desire not to do it anymore. It also takes a firm desire to obey whatever Jesus wants you to do, and focusing on that. It is to take His yoke, for His burden is light, possibly to witness to others about our Savior. It takes avoiding situations that might tempt you or friends that get you into trouble. You can use parental controls on TV and even get them for internet. I hate getting into a good drama on TV only to find it full of blatent sex and vile language and torture sceens.. So I use parental controls for myself and screan out that stuff. They are not a temptation--they just fill my mind with garbage and stuff I hate and don't want to dwell on. Also don't set yourself for failure. I used to leave loopholes when I went on a diet--to stick to it UNLESS hubby brings me home brownies. So he did. We are told to let our yes be yes and our no be no. We can't leave loopholes. When we are praying for someone else, God must also take into account their will. It may take a long time to answer those prayers. Without knowing what mountains you speak of, it is hard to answer you or even know how to pray for you. Sometimes God gives us a gift of faith. When I prayed for the salvation of my husband and my daughter in law's mother, I somehow knew God would do it. He had not only given me promises in His word, He had given me encouraging signs and verses along the way. I found myself like Caleb, praying " give me this mountain", where the Anikim (giants) live.

In the past I shared how our son has taken family devotions into the computer age. He sends a short text from the Bible to his kids' phones accompanied by an application or word of encouragement after praying for God's inspiration.. He leaves early in the morning for work so he does this during his break. His kids friends are now asking for it to be forwarded to them, as well. And people at work are asking about it, since he has his bible out and is texting. So now they stop and ask what his message for the day is. Recently he was informed of an impending lay off and to start looking for work elsewhere. He has been deeply troubled since medical insurance keeps his wife's expensive infusions coming for her multiple sclerosis. It is the only thing that has slowed her rapid decline. Knowing dad is struggling to depend fully on God's word right now, his 12 year old and 16 year old have been sending bible passages of hope and encouragement back to him. This is so cool to see that God's word has been planted in fertile, deep soil that has yielded fruit. It also means they are searching God's word for themselves to find help and guidance in time of need. I Hope this inspires some of you to try texting devotions to your family. It is often hard to find suitable material for family devotions or to gather everyone together for them. We tried for years and so did he. This is the one thing that has worked for them. Or if you have found other things that have worked for you, please share them.