Willa

You are worth so much to God that Jesus died for you. He took your worthlessness on the cross and conferred on you His worth. Think about that.

Yes we are told to be content with what we have, there is great godliness in contentment. It usually refers to material things, but it applies to most anything. We should be thankful in all things. Thanksgiving will help.

It is saying that Revelation and Daniel already took place.

There was first a division between Paul and Barnabas, and then people started following Paul vs Barnabas and Paul rebuked them for it. Then there were separations between the Jewish Christians and gentile Christians; and the Coptic and Ethiopian churches with its gnostic influences and the Greek church and the Roman church and the Syrian church. Sometimes language separated churches. Sometimes it is different interpretations of Scripture. The Greek and Latin churches separated over whether the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit or just the Father sent Him. I know a church that split over the color of the carpet! So often our disagreements are stupid. It is when the people are not allowed to read the word of God and they create doctrines to fleece the flocks that we should object and leave. That happened in the Roman church and happens today. They would have done well to stick to the precepts of Scripture. The earliest doctrines and creeds were developed as the churches encountered false teaching that needed to be corrected. They were always measured against Scripture at that time. It was when they departed from Scripture that they got into trouble. It pays to search the Scriptures to see of the teaching is true.

My son once worked in a cold storage plant which used ammonia, and he had to be rescued from one while he was doing tests. He won't forget that one either. His still works with measuring hazardous gasses.

OK, swarms of mosquitos will get to me as well. Once while camping I had over 40 bites one night and now I panic when I hear them buzz me. We have West Nile virus here now as well. Not fond of yellow jackets either.

Got over #1 when a high school sophomore. Our speech teacher also taught drama. She had us all do dramatic interpretations of Mary Had a Little Lamb. By the time we were done we had made such fools of ourselves no one really cared anymore. It was a blast! (I did a tragic interpretation.)

It means that He is in charge, the ruler of all. He is the final authority and there is none higher than Him. When we take Him as our personal Lord and Savior, it means that we submit to His authority over us want to be His bond slave and serve Him.

Fear of falling ever since I was climbing on a steep, icy roof to adjust a TV antenna. I don't have good spatial perception. So when my hubby would pass a vehicle on a narrow rocky one lane road when he had a flat tire and there was a steep cliff down on my side I was in terror. That was a habit of his. A suspension foot bridge also terrified me--500' drop and my kids were jumping on it making it gallop. Now that I am old I am also wary of falling. It's not easy to get up anymore. This morning I nearly asphyxiated. Something I swallowed blocked my airway. I could only inhale a tiny squeak, so I blew out as hard as I could. I was dizzy and near passing out when I finally could inhale a bit more, and slowly normal breathing returned. In spite of the fact that I would love to see Jesus, I was fighting to breathe. No big fear there. Just wishing hubby were there to pound on my back or do a Heimlick maneuver.

Songs like this and the Revelation song are true worship. They are all about God.

This song always brought my hubby to his feet, hands raised and tears in his eyes. Now he is singing it in God's presence.

They were to keep themselves separate from the sins of the land. Lot failed to do so and suffered. Abraham had sought a wife from his own people for his himself and for his son. Many peoples made treaties by intermarrying, giving a daughter. Haman tried to smooth it all over by offering this treaty. Jacob thought that would be expedient and avoid an international incident. His sons weren't going to let them get by with it. According to law I believe that they both could have been executed, but this was a heathen who had violated her. When David's son raped his half sister, David did nothing about it. He should have killed the offending son. Instead Absolon did it and hated his father for not avenging his sister. This started the trouble David had with Absolon till his death. We don't realize the protection that Judism and Christianity have given women. In Arab lands even today often women are considered less valuable than hunting dogs and horses. We are not treated as equals at all. The law of Moses gave women some protection just as it gave slaves some protection. God wrote to protect the poor, the widows and orphans. It was Paul who wrote that in Christ there is neither male nor female, gentile nor Jew, slave nor free, but all are the same in God's kingdom. This was an earth shattering notion. It is only in Judeo/Christianity that the weaker are to be protected and honored.

I am truly glad to hear that all those eths that cloud my comprehension of King James are a blessing to someone.

About a year after we were married we had a house fire that pretty much destroyed everything we owned. It started in the apartment below us but we had no insurance. We were forced to use the things that were heavily smoke damaged, wear the old clothes donated to us, dig silverware and dishes from the ashes and clean them the best we could. My aunt whom I had only seen a few times sent me $100.00! With tears I thanked her and told her we could probably never repay her. She told me to pass it along and help someone else in need someday. I have. I also bought a sewing machine with that money which I still have. It was heavy duty and perfect for hemming boys jeans and mending. Years later I told my dad what his sister had done and he just smiled. Apparently he had sent her the dividends from some investments many years before that helped her finish her schooling, and she too had passed it on.

Blessings, Footprint. Do you believe in the Trinity?. If you spoke in tongues when you were saved and produce fruit of the Spirit, I am thrilled for you. If you were baptized in Jesus Name and not the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, I would still believe you were legitimately baptized if you had first surrendered to Christ as your Lord and Master. Some people are only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal when they speak in tongues because they become boastful, proud and divisive and lack love. Some are seeking a gift instead of seeking God's face in humility. So a more reliable evidence of having been born again is a total change in attitudes. God gives them a new heart. They are no longer boasting about sin but are ashamed of it. They identify with and love Christ and other Christians. They have a love for the Scriptures and profound peace and joy. The are concerned for the lost. Jesus promised in Acts that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them. The Acts 2:4 experience was to empower them to do God's will, to preach the Gospel and to function as the church. It was also a sign to unbelievers around them and a fulfillment of prophecy. This is from the statement of faith that you agreed to when you signed in: We 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.

In the beginning thoughts would occur to me that I KNEW were not my own; such as to donate to a group I knew nothing about when I didn't donate to ANYTHING! It was a persistent thought that finally moved me to get into my car and drive to a nearby town, not knowing where they were located. I then found an address and went to the house and handed her the money. $5.00. When I got home I phoned a mentor and told her what hand happened. She had also been thinking of giving there, so I picked her up and took her as well. It seems that she had told God that she would donate whatever price she could get for some fill dirt they had from digging a basement. It came to $5o. While there they opened their mail and learned that their little church was $50 overdrawn at the bank, plus a $5 bank charge (in 1970) equaled exactly what the two of us had donated. God blessed me beyond measure for my obedience. He not only replaced the $5 (another story), but He demonstrated how He also would care for my needs when I put my trust in Him. That was the biggest blessing. Moreover, I was so amazed that God would use me to help supply their need before they were even aware of it, that I surrendered all my doubts about the miracles in the Bible and my skepticism, and gave myself totally to God. He immediately filled me with His Holy Spirit and overwhelming joy in knowing Him so intimately.

1Jn 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1Ti 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. As others have said, the beauty of the Lord is His light, His purity. I try to imagine Him--like the sun, a consuming, purifying fire that is all powerful and beyond my comprehension. His light is like the sun in that I cannot gaze upon it without losing my sight. It is like the radiation of the sun in that it could consume me. He is greater than all the suns or stars combined--so far beyond my comprehension. Yet He sent His Son to be a human like me, even a servant, so that I might have a glimmer of His nature. His Spirit in me cries out Daddy, Abba! How can someone that glorious by my Daddy? How can I be born of Him? He has placed a little bit of light in me and told me to let it shine among men. Mind boggling! Together, in harmony, our lights combine as a greater light.

We are to make ware with: (1) To our own sinful propensities - which are a part of the kingdom of darkness; (2) With the evil passions of others - their pride, ambition, and spirit of revenge - which are also a part of that kingdom; (3) With the evil customs, laws, opinions, employments, pleasures of the world - which are also a part of that dark kingdom; (4) With error, superstition, false doctrine - which are also a part of that kingdom; and, (5) With the wickedness of the pagan world - the sins of benighted nations - also a part of that kingdom. Wherever we come in contact with evil - whether in our own hearts or elsewhere - there we are to make war. From Barnes' Notes. 2Co 10:4 ESV For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 2Co 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, It is important to know that in Christ we have been given authority over the things and ideas we encounter that oppose God. There are ranks of angels. Satan was only an archangel, a created being. Yes they are scary beasties (Ezekiel 1), but not anywhere near the power and majesty of our Almighty God. And Jesus is given a Name above every name and is preeminent, above all things. Colosians 1. Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Col 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Col 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col 2:15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. Christ has already won the victory at the cross. Jesus bruised His heal while giving satan a kick in the head which in my opinion resulted in a lethal concussion.

My recollection is that in the beginning they were in slavery but they prospered greatly and were very comfortable. They weren't moving giant stones to build pyramids. Meanwhile they had to wait till the sin of the Caananites was full before God permitted them to enter the Promised Land. The last pharaoh was abusing them and made them desperate enough to call out to God. Welcome to Worthy, notJohn.

I figure answers can be yes, no or wait. When silence, that is often wait because it is not in God's timing. It is hard to learn not to go ahead of God and do things in our own strength but to wait for His time. I think of Moses who was told he would rescue his people from the Egyptians so he went out and killed one that was abusing a Hebrew. For that he spent 40 years in the wilderness till he learned not to do things in his own strength and wisdom.

Always remember the beatitudes Mat 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mat 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mat 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. I have had some very abusive things said to me and wrongful accusations said on this site. But then at least one time I lost it and hurt someone terribly, and I was even mistaken about the facts I maintained. I feel so terrible about my sin that I hope not to repeat this. Certainly I can't throw stones at my offender when I have been just as bad. So I hang my head in shame. Who knows what I have said unknowingly that hurt someone.

This is a page on Greek tenses illustrating how short our English falls in trying to translate them in our Bibles. In 1 John 3 King James translates all in the simple present "he sins" #1, while the Greek says it in #5 the lifestyle present. 1John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning [as a lifestyle] The Present Tense A. Narrow-Band Presents 1. Instantaneous (Aorist, Punctiliar) Present 2. Progressive (Descriptive) Present B. Broad-Band Presents 3. Present of Past Action Still in Progress 4. Iterative Present 5. Lifestyle (Customary, General) Present 6. Gnomic Present C. Special Uses of the Present Tense 7. Historical (Dramatic) Present 8. Futuristic Present 9. Present Retained in Indirect Discourse With reference to aspect, the present tense is internal (that is, it portrays the action from the inside of the event, without special regard for beginning or end), but it makes no comment as to fulfillment (or completion). The present tense's portrayal of an even "focusses on its development or progress and sees the occurence in regard to its internal make-up, without beginning or end in view" (Fanning, 102). It is sometimes called progressive: It "basically represents an activity as in process (or in progress)" McKay, 225). With reference to time, the present indicative is usually present time, but it may be other than or broader that the present time (e.g. historical present, gnomic present). The specific uses of the present tense can be categorized into three groups: narrow-band presents, broad-band presents, and special uses. "Narrow band" means that the action is portrayed as occuring over a relatively short interval; "broad band" means that the action is portrayed as occurring over a longer time interval; "special uses" include instances that do not fit into the other two categories, especially those involving a time frame that is other than the present. A. Narrow-Band Presents The action is portrayed as being in progress, or as occurring. In the indicative mood, it is portrayed as occurring in the present time ("right now"), that is, at the time speaking. 1. Instantaneous (Aorist, Punctiliar) Present The present tense be used to indicate that an action is completed at the moment of speaking. This occurs only in the indicative. Mark 2:5 Jesus ... said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." 2. Progressive (Descriptive) Present The present tense may be used to describe a scene is progress, especially in narrative literature. Matt 25:8 Our lamps are [right now] going out. B. Broad-Band Presents The following four categories of the present tense include those that are used to indicate an event or occurence taking place over a long interval, or an extended sequence of events. 3. Extending-from-Past Present (Present of Past Action Still in Progress) The present tense may be used to describe an action that, begun in the past, continues in the present. The emphasis is on the present time. Luke 15:29 I have served you for these many years. 4. Iterative Present The present tense may be used to describe an event that repeatedly happens. Matt 7:7 Ask ... seek ... knock. 5. Lifestyle (Customary, General) Present [customarily, as a lifestyle] The customary present is used to signal either (1) an action that regularly occurs or (2) an ongoing state. The action is usually iterative, or repeated, but not without interruption. Luke 18:12 I [customarily] fast twice a week. 1John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning [as a lifestyle] 6. Gnomic Present The present tense may be used to make a statement of a general, timeless fact. "It does not say that something is happening, but that something doeshappen" (Williams, 27). The action or state continues without time limits. 2Cor 9:7 God loves [as a general, timeless fact] a cheerful giver. C. Special Uses of the Present Tense 7. Historical (Dramatic) Present The present tense may be used fairly frequently in narrative literature to portray a past event vividly, as though the reader were in the midst of the scene as it unfolds. [The category is frequently misunderstood; see Wallace for his discussions of exegetically significant examples.] Matt 26:40 He came to his disciples and found them sleeping, and he said ... 8. Futuristic Present The present tense may be used to describe a future event, though it typically adds the connotations of immediacy and certainty. Most instances involve verbs whose lexical meaning involves anticipations. a. Completely Futuristic The present tense may describe an event that is wholly subsequent to the time of speaking, as if it were present. John 4:25 Messiah is coming. b. Mostly Futuristic (Ingressive-Futuristic) The present tense may describe an event begun in the present but completed in the future. Mark 10:33 I am going up to Jerusalem. 9. Present Retained in Indirect Discourse Generally speaking, the tense of the Greek verb in indirect discourse is retained from the direct discourse. This category is frequently confused with the historical present with dire exegetical consequences; see Wallace. John 5:13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who he was. That was only the present tense. There are also past tense and future tense, perfect, imperfect and pluperperfect, and aorist tenses. Hope I got them all. Most of these cannot be translated directly by one word, as King James often does, and that may drastically change the meaning. In some cases it changes doctrine of some people who claim that people won't sin after they are saved.

Wuest: For by the grace have you been saved in time past completely, through faith, with the result that your salvation persists through present time; and this is not from you as a source; of God it is the gift, not from a source of works, in order that no one might boast; Eph 2:8 YLT: for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you—of God the gift, Eph 2:9 not of works, that no one may boast; I do believe that we are saved when we first believed and trusted in Christ as Savior AND LORD, and that is our legal standing before God; we are currently being saved from our sins as we die to ourselves (the eternal penalty has already been paid for by Christ and we are learning to follow the Spirit of love, but we occasionally do the things we hate); and we will be made perfect when we see Christ and when our bodies are redeemed. We have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We have the Spirit of Christ living in us. We are saved. Some bad habits still remain and are dying, but we are being changed from glory to glory as we behold Christ in the Scriptures. I have never heard a Calvinist say that you are not saved because you don't have enough faith. They say you are not saved because God didn't choose you and predestine you to be saved. It is the Word of Faith people who say you aren't healed or saved because you don't have enough faith. Both are wrong in my estimation. We aren't saved because we choose to not believe in Christ, in the Bible or parts of the Bible, and so harden our hearts. Even that faith we once had is taken away because of our own choices.

The Greeks allowed everyone to copy their Scriptures.