Willa

I even tell people my age but never tell what the scale reveals.

Thank you, good to know about EMTV--not familiar with it. I used to use WEB but it didn't upload to my E Sword, which gave me KJV text but labeled it WEB. In 1958 I cut my teeth on AMP; ALT3 reads a little like it but without opinion. A very good study reference. I wish they had a sample of ALTD that I could read, like a page so I could compare. Have you seen any of Zeolla's Old Testament translations?

I respect the ESV because it has returned many of the passages left out by so called earlier manuscripts. It is very readable. But NKJV is probably more reliable. I like to compare them. A lesser known translation is the (ALT3) Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament, Third Edition by Gary F. Zeolla. It reads a little like Amplified but includes much less opinion. It is an excellent reference and uses the 2nd edition of the Byzantine Majority text.

When I walk in the spirit I feel God's compassion for someone else and see their need. This compels me to reach out to the person to help them. Sometimes it is only to pray that God meets their need. Sometimes I just sit and listen to them. Occasionally it is something practical to do for them. God pours His love through me--it is not my own love. Before I was saved I was not the Good Samaritan. I passed as far as I could get on the other side or just stared at a person in need. God's compassion won't let me do that anymore.

Your response reminds me of when the church ladies learned my husband wasn't a Christian. They read 1 Peter 3:1-4 to me: 1Pe 3:1. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. 1Pe 3:2 as they observe your chaste (modest) and respectful behavior. 1Pe 3:3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses 1Pe 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a (meek) gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. I replied: "Me? Meek and quiet? You've got to be kidding!!!" Yet that passage told me what God was trying to do in my life and how He wanted to change me. 50 years later am I meek and quiet? Well, perhaps I am meeker and quieter. lol

Mar 14:23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. Mar 14:24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Mar 14:25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Jesus was celebrating the Passover seder when He drank the cup with His disciples. He is promising that He will come again to celebrate the Passover with them. It wasn't so mush about what He was drinking as it was what they were celebrating--the Passover feast remembering when the death angel passed over the homes of the Jews with the Blood of the Lamb on their door posts so that their sons were not killed in Egypt. This ritual feast requires many types of food with readings and songs, and a serving of wine with each course. I have celebrated this only twice, many years ago, but it was a huge blessing--sort of like visiting the Holy Land and walking where Jesus walked. Historically the wine was very dilute with only enough alcohol to keep one from getting sick from bad water.

I like to call myself an Eisenhower republican because my grandchildren act like they have never heard of him. Of course, if they are reading Obama's history books, they may not have. lol. I remember seeing him in 1953.

God totally healed Kwik of stage 4 cancer some years ago. It returned after years of her being cancer free. The same thing happened to another friend. The doctors had told her to get her affairs in order since she also was in stage 4 and her organs were shutting down. All treatment had failed and there was nothing else they could do. She deeded her house to her daughter. That night several friends from different churches gathered around her bed and prayed for her for several hours. Slowly the huge liver tumor that had broken 2 ribs started to disappear till some months later she was totally cancer free. I knew her well and saw this happen. Years later the cancer returned and she is now with the Lord. I agree that healing side shows are wrong and too many are done by actors. On the other hand, God still heals today. My husband was healed within 3 hours after our pastors anointed him with oil and prayed for him during their noon hour. He had horrible pain from a pinched nerve in his neck that had him bed ridden for a month. It was completely gone by 4 PM. Our pastors rarely talk about the answers to prayer they have seen. When they do they speak of them with hushed voices and in awe of what God has done. Holy ground. In fact, many people complain about no healings or miracles occurring in our church. They just don't know about what God is doing here. We get more excited about people being saved and growing in their faith. Our pastors are focused on teaching the word, chapter by chapter. Never have I been a fan of Kathryn Kuhlman. However, 2 friends went to one of her meetings and watched a severely deformed club foot straighten before their eyes. The guy was not on stage. They were sitting across the isle from the person. Personally I think that God answered the prayers of the people around him who had compassion and the courage to ask. I stopped doubting the miracles in the Bible when I saw and experienced them myself.

God is responsible for healing them. We ask Him to heal them. I would like to see someone try to sue God.

What happened to the "every eye shall see" part. If I have to hear about it on the news via reports of sightings, something isn't right. I should be seeing Him myself.

1. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. We see the apostles were filled many times in the book of Acts. The command to be filled is in a progressive tense that means keep on being filled. Luk 11:11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Luk 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" 2. Each day ask God to lead you to opportunities to share or demonstrate His love or encouragement to others. 3. When reading the Scriptures list the ways God demonstrated His patience, His love, His kindness, His provision, His forbearance, gentleness, power and authority, etc. God is also holy and righteous. We can more easily identify His voice when we are acquainted with His character (which is expressed in His still, small voice). Eph 5:1 AMP. THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Eph 5:2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a  slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Eze 20:41] Eph 5:18. And stop getting drunk with wine in which is reckless behavior, but continue being filled with the Spirit. (Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament 3rd edition by Gary Zeolla)

God was with Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace. Sometimes we still must go through difficult trials.

Both old and New Testaments primarily reveal God to us--His nature and how He deals with people; His love, trustworthiness, righteousness, holiness, omniscience, omnipresence, His discipline, guidance, provision etc. Over the years I have stopped doubting and critiquing God's word and have realized that it is totally trustworthy because God stands behind it. As I apply its precepts to my life I grow in faith and in my relationship with God becomes firm. No more doubting and questioning. Just peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Little children are completely dependent on their parents to provide their needs, guide them, teach and encourage them in the way they should go. We should be dependent on God in the same way. True faith means cling to, trust in and rely upon. As we mature as a christian we don't become more independent but rather we become more dependent. That requires humility.

I tried to explain to my granddaughter in law that when I was young the tattooed lady was a side show at the circus.

I would much rather see these colors on fingers and toes than on faces. I believe that facial make up should enhance features slightly but not call attention to a feature. So lips should not be purple, green or blue, eye shadow should be barely discernible, eye brows should follow the contours of the bone structure and not point straight up and so on. Women should not look like clowns! I can't wear much make up because I am allergic to even hypoallergenic stuff. However, I do think it is attractive when not used in excess by WOMEN, not men. Even the thought of being kissed by a man wearing make up makes my skin crawl. Men wearing nail polish? I adapted to men wearing ear rings so it might be possible to accept nail polish on men but I don't think I would find it attractive, just as I usually don't think tattoos are attractive.

2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 2Ti 4:15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. Not all people are healthy for us to maintain a relationship. I am thinking of relatives with whom we have turned the other cheek for decades and continued to offer love. God once told me that it doesn't glorify Him to be a door mat, but I should stand firm and say enough is enough. No more being manipulated so as to be the but of their abuse or allowing my family to be badly treated. Yes, we forgive. It is not wrong to avoid some people under these circumstances.

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. This speaks of habitual liars who are unrepentant. Rev 22:15 NKJV But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. I have to add that we should give some latitude to new believers. Lying was one of the first things God dealt with in my life but it may not be in someone else's. God is merciful to not show us all our sins at once but deals with them little by little as we are able. He changes our hearts first so that we no longer love the lie, wink at it or boast about it. We start to see sin as God does and to hate it. in time evil habits are broken.

Act 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: Act 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." These were the only laws or requirements placed upon Gentiles (us) in the church. All others the Holy Spirit is given to us to follow Him in love rather than laws. The 10 commandments are given as a guide how to live a life full of God's blessing. Instead we are warned against following such regulations such as not touching unclean animals, which only give you the appearance of being holy and religious: Col 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—Col 2:21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," Col 2:22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? Col 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

I went with my husband to the church of his choice for 6 months and then, after he received Christ, asked if we could just visit my home church. He actually liked it better (it was not dead but was full of love and joy). Right after that the pastor of the dead church wanted him to go to door and testify to people. That was a deal breaker that only God could have arranged. We never went back. There is a lot of truth and beauty in the liturgy that God can use, excluding the veneration of Mary. Praying that God will use it all to bring about his salvation.

True, but often the blessings we receive from God are not material. He blesses our obedience when we respond out of love.

I think it would vindicate and protect the police. It might even help to convict criminals. When I was working on school busses someone with mental problems made false accusations about me so they put a camera on my bus. I was thankful because it vindicated me. Sometimes officers leave their mike keyed so it could be known what they were dealing with. It was broadcast on the scanner and was pretty bad.

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I was unaware. It is heartbreaking that the Roman church has taken one step forward and two steps back into a man made dead religion rather than a Christ centered, Bible centered living faith. Some Protestant churches have also rejected the Bible as their sole source of doctrine but include tradition and human reasoning as sources of doctrine. They also are on their way to becoming dead religions. Others have made preaching a means of getting rich. All such errors should be rejected and avoided. I have known many Roman Catholics who love Jesus, read and love their Bibles and walk with God in spite of the errors in their denomination. Most people don't read or understand the Bible. They should pray and ask God to help them to understand it. I once found a small medal of the descending dove, the Holy Spirit, that had this printed on the back: "Come Holy Spirit, enlighten me". AMEN! 1Co 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1Co 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Christianity has nothing to do with Islam; even though Islam calls Jesus a prophet, it does not recognize Him as being our Creator or God with us Immanuel. Likewise, Judaism does not recognize Jesus as I AM, our Creator, or God with us the Messiah. While Christianity includes Old Testament Scriptures, Judaism does not recognize the New Testament Christian Scriptures. Christianity revolves around Christ Jesus. Taoism is related to Zen Buddhism and Shinto, but not Roman Catholicism. It has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. I understand that the Roman church did away with the sale of indulgences some time after Luther's death. Could be wrong, but I remember thinking that it was one thing made right but dozens of false doctrines to go. They added some worse ones after that, as well.

Fenelon, born 1651, was a close friend of Madame Guyon, who was his first cousin. They strongly influenced the protestant movement in its early days. Personally I have found that his letters to be profound and true. Hebrews states: Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Heb 4:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Heb 4:10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Heb 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Fenelon deals with an aspect of the rest of faith. We cease from our own works and trust in the completed work of Christ on the cross. We trust in His blood. This is the true Sabbath rest that brings peace. We give up our own agendas and adopt God's. Nevertheless not my will be done but thine were the words of Jesus as He wrestled to surrender to God's will at Gethsemane . That is not unbiblical rubbish. It is trusting in God's love and goodness. It is to cast all our cares on Him for He cares for you. It is trusting that He is all-knowing and forsees the future. This allows us to rest in His arms. It allows us to surrender our wills because we can trust Him. That is faith in a nutshell. The opposite is to wrestle with God, to struggle. Self will is rooted in pride, the source of contention. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The humble have quieted their hearts and walk in the Spirit with God. They follow Him. The Spirit causes us to hunger for God's word. As the Holy Spirit opens our understanding we become familiar with His nature, His character, and the full meaning of His Name. We learn that way to recognize His voice and not be deceived.