Willa

Joh 8:57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." Joh 8:59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

God doesn't want us to become self righteous, but to lean wholly on His grace, knowing that except for the life of Jesus dwelling in us, that we are just a hand full of dirt. God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Rom 4:5 But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Some claim that the church is not mentioned in the Revelation after the 4th chapter as evidence of the pre-trib rapture. I believe it will be removed before the bowls of wrath because repeatedly we see that we are not destined for wrath. Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 1Th 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Romans gambled for Jesus' cloak by casting lots. However, the Jews used the Urim and Thummin to ask God questions. I am personally opposed to gambling because the motive is usually greed.

Some people use the term religious to mean anything to do with God. Or they mean regularly repeating rituals. Some people used the term spiritual to mean having to do with spiritism, or occult. Neither is true of the way we are to practice our faith. But the things of the Spirit are understood by the Spirit of God, and they are foolishness to the natural mind. So it is no use to try to explain very much to them because they will just think we are weird. Which is true--we are God's own peculiar people.

Act 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. Acts 20:7 upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together — This, compared with 1Co 16:2, and other similar allusions, plainly indicates that the Christian observance of the day afterwards distinctly called “the Lord’s Day,” was already a fixed practice of the churches. Jamison, Faucet & Brown. Acts 20:7 Upon the first day of the week (en de miāi tōn sabbatōn). The cardinal miāi used here for the ordinal prōtēi (Mar 16:9) like the Hebrew ehadh as in Mar 16:2; Mat 28:1; Luk 24:1; Joh 20:1 and in harmony with the Koiné[28928]š idiom (Robertson, Grammar, p. 671). Either the singular (Mar 16:9) sabbatou or the plural sabbaton as here was used for the week (sabbath to sabbath). For the first time here we have services mentioned on the first day of the week though in 1Co 16:2 it is implied by the collections stored on that day. In Rev 1:10 the Lord’s day seems to be the day of the week on which Jesus rose from the grave. Worship on the first day of the week instead of the seventh naturally arose in Gentile churches, though Joh 20:26 seems to mean that from the very start the disciples began to meet on the first (or eighth) day. But liberty was allowed as Paul makes plain in Rom 14:5. When we were gathered together (sunēgmenōn hēmōn). Genitive absolute, perfect passive participle of sunagō, to gather together, a formal meeting of the disciples. See this verb used for gatherings of disciples in Act 4:31; Act 11:26; Act 14:27; Act 15:6, Act 15:30; Act 19:7, Act 19:8; 1Co 5:4. In Heb 10:25 the substantive episunagōgēn is used for the regular gatherings which some were already neglecting. It is impossible for a church to flourish without regular meetings even if they have to meet in the catacombs as became necessary in Rome. In Russia today the Soviets are trying to break up conventicles of Baptists. They probably met on our Saturday evening, the beginning of the first day at sunset. So these Christians began the day (Sunday) with worship. But, since this is a Gentile community, it is quite possible that Luke means our Sunday evening as the time when this meeting occurs, and the language in Joh 20:19 “it being evening on that day the first day of the week” naturally means the evening following the day, not the evening preceding the day. To break bread (klasai arton). First aorist active infinitive of purpose of klaō. The language naturally bears the same meaning as in Act 2:42, the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper which usually followed the Agapē. See note on 1Co 10:16. The time came, when the Agapē was no longer observed, perhaps because of the abuses noted in 1Co 11:20. Rackham argues that the absence of the article with bread here and its presence (ton arton) in Act 20:11shows that the Agapē is ] referred to in Act 20:7and the Eucharist in Act 20:11, but not necessarily so because ton arton may merely refer to arton in Act 20:7. At any rate it should be noted that Paul, who conducted this service, was not a member of the church in Troas, but only a visitor. Discoursed (dielegeto). Imperfect middle because he kept on at length. Intending (mellō). Being about to, on the point of. On the morrow (tēi epaurion). Locative case with hēmerāi understood after the adverb epaurion. If Paul spoke on our Saturday evening, he made the journey on the first day of the week (our Sunday) after sunrise. If he spoke on our Sunday evening, then he left on our Monday morning. Robertson's Word Pictures.

We are not to judge each other as to new moons or Sabboths, so bless you in what you are convinced you should do. I would not want to make you or any other brothers to stumble by trying to convince you otherwise.

2Ti 2:15 NKJV Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 ESV Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 LITV Give diligence to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 2Ti 2:15 WEB Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. I don't understand King James' archaic language. Some meanings have changed a lot, such as conversation. It meant a life style, not an exchange of words as we use it today. My comprehension is bad enough without having to stumble over things like that. Thees and thous don't help me either. So I don't consider it accurate to today's English and I don't wish to own a King James Bible. I never recommend it to people. But I am glad that you like it. People need a Bible they will read.

Have you been baptized yet? That is a step that might help you put the past behind you and help you identify with the body of Christ.

Fruit can mean the fruit of the Spirit. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. It can mean witnessing and bringing souls to Christ, visiting the sick, the widows and orphans, or reaching out to help others as God's love motivates us.

Before you leave, since they have good sermons, it might help to ask the pastor if there is a woman's group, or if there are other small groups that meet during the week. Often these small groups are great for mentoring and they can be very compassionate and supportive when they realize that you are earnestly seeking God.

I think that taking up our cross is doing something we really don't want to do but obeying God anyhow.

I guess I believe all of the above can be true. We are told if we suffer with Him we will be glorified with Him, but I think that includes rejection, persecution, false accusations and all that Christ suffered. I don't like to suffer either. In fact, I suggested that God might want to be glorified another way in me because I don't suffer gracefully at all. He told me I need more practice and sent more suffering anyhow!

This is not true. When Peter was sent to the house of Cornelius they were first filled with the Holy Spirit and were then allowed to be baptized. You can become oppressed (beaten down) by the enemy if you have believed a lie. Even Christians can tell us lies. The moment we lose God's peace is when we know we are in error. If you can go back to when this happened, can you think of what you were doing or even thinking that may have taken you off course.? I agree that it does not mean the Holy Spirit has left you. It just means that you lost God's peace. That is what the enemy does to us to make us concerned about ourselves instead of being concerned about others, and he succeeds in making us ineffective in God' service. I had a person tell me my faith wasn't strong enough and I was in sin, and that was the lie that stole my peace. As soon as I knew it was a lie, the peace was restored. Just seek God' face and ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation. Sometimes it can be pride or self righteousness that does it to us. But usually God will show you what He wants to teach us through it all. So keep reading the Scriptures and ask God to restore the joy of your salvation. If God loves you so much He would send Jesus to the cross for your sins, He certainly will not abandoned you. Trust God's word, not feelings. Heb 13:5 AMP Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] [Jos 1:5] Heb 13:6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? [Psa 27:1; Psa 118:6]

We don't need great faith; we need a tiny bit of faith in a great God. Eph 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph 3:18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

You would only be tempting many Christians and causing them to fall if it is too erotic. Never cause a brother to stumble.

As I said, baptism is an act of obedience and God always blesses us when we obey Him. It often builds people's faith that they have been forgiven and are a new person in Christ when they are buried with Him in baptism.

Edification is building up, encouraging and strengthening our brothers and sisters in the Lord. This definitely includes teaching the word. 2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 2Pe 1:6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 2Pe 1:7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2Pe 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Pe 1:9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Confirm means to firm up or strengthen. So we strengthen our beliefs by practicing those virtues listed in 2 Peter. Praying in the Spirit also strengthens the believer. 1Co 14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Hopefully it will curb the bullying of Christian students.

Yes, around 1960-1970 they legalized abortion and using profanity, repealed the "blue laws" which included laws against witchcraft, and removed prayer in schools. It became illegal to say the pledge of allegiance and sing our national hymns, sing Christmas carols in schools, or display the 10 commandments. So we reaped a nation that promotes civil unrest and anarchy thanks to Saul Alinsky, Obama and other community organizers. They protested the war and attitudes changed toward our government to that of distrust. A spirit of rebellion took over as well as lack of respect and commitment in marriage, toward our nation and toward God. Illegal immigration became rampant and with it came drugs and soaring crime rates. Within 10 years our nation was corrupted.

women look for a best friend for marriage, and she won't settle for cohabiting if she is a genuine christian. As for mental illness etc. it depends on what type and if it is easily controlled by meds. Aspergers I wouldn't worry much. Having worked with that and the spectrum, they are too loose in the diagnosis.

So glad you all didn't know me when I was going through menopause! It was never ending overreaction!

GOD aways gives me plenty of opportunity to produce the fruit--very challenging situations that try me to the uttermost. The areas I have had the most problems in I failed in so badly that I still hang my head in shame. When faced with similar situations I remember my shame and while I may not have the best attitudes as yet, as least I am able to hold my tongue and recognize it so that I don't disgrace God's Name. At least by recognizing my weakness it keeps me from spiritual pride or self righteousness. The only good thing in me is Christ Jesus.

MY HUSBAND. HE WAS SAVED AS ARE OUR TWO SONS, AND THEIR CHILDREN LESS ONE.

Welcome to Worthy, Wombat. You might check out www.legalzoom.com%2Farticles%2Ffact-or-fiction-five-myths-about-common-law-marriage&usg=AOvVaw29ws3OzbkIgTR8sdIj4eDG