Willa

Logan is a really cool guy to have for a brother. It sounds like you are in a very good place with people to love you and take good care of you. Our grandsons are your age--13, 15, 17, and we really enjoy them and miss them when we don't see them often. I hope that you will come to realize that Jesus loves you even more than your new family, and that He promises to be with you forever. He alone is the perfect Brother and God, and His Father also wants to be your Father God in heaven. They can be very real to you and the best part of your life. You only need to ask them into your life and ask God to forgive you for all the rotten things you have ever done. God alone can really give you a new life that offers real peace and joy. Blessings, Willa

Sin literally is an archery term meaning to miss the mark. It is a broad term for not being perfect in God's eyes, and includes : Transgression= violation of the law , law breaking; also to side step or overstep the limits of the law.... .. Iniquity= lawlessness, wickedness, unrighteousness, evil, a wrong or injury, bad or worthless Lawlessness= the flagrent violation of the known will of God Trespass= a false step, a blunder, to fall away or to fall beside, a diviation from uprightness and truth Unrighteousness= injustice Error= to wander or forsake the right path Ungodliness= impiety, without reverance for God and acting against God's demands Vine's expository dictionary

I tried another Christian forum for a while but got wickedly attacked. I asked them to remove my name because I didn't feel safe there. It was pretty shallow and often a free for all. I tried Facebook but it doesn't seem secure so I don't use that type of program. But I couldn't get used to people making "noise" without saying anything. There didn't seem to be any point to it.

Psm 61 is mine. NKJV Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You; When my heart is overwehelmed, Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

The purpose for replacing Judas was to have another official witness of the ministry, teachings, the death and ressurection of Jesus from the time of John the Baptist to His assencion into heaven. Acts 1:21-22 So in that regard Paul did not qualify. But he was one of the greatest missionaries and the one who gave us much of the New Testament. His teachings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by the rest of the leaders of the Church, and his ministry had their approval. Jesus appeared to Paul as the resurrected, ascended Christ, but Paul was not a personal witness to his life on earth, his death, resurrection and ascension. He wasn't even present at the birth of the church on Pentacost. That is why he called himself one as born out of due time in 1 Cor. 15:8. But in nearly all his letters he introduces himself as the Apostle Paul, chosen by God. Apostle literaly means sent out one. He and Barnabus were both sent by James and Peter to the gentiles as well as by the church at Antioch.. Apostles may be missionaries or church planters that God has chosen and gifted for this purpose, just as God calls some to be pastors and equips them for the job. I don't believe that any born again believer can take it upon themselves to become these things even though they graduate as valadictorians from their seminary. It is God who chooses, calls, sends and enables these people.

Verse 11 starts by listing the gifted people in the church and the offices God calls them to exercise those gifts, such as evangelists, pastors and teachers. They all take a part in building up the body of Christ as they speak the truth in love. Christ is their, and our head. As the whole body works together we all do our part to edify or build up each other in love. For without love we are a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. It is only when God's love motivates His gifts and His ministers that we are correctly built up. When the minister is motivated by self righteousness condemnation, for instance, his words may do more harm than good, because his attitude speaks louder. But when love does not speak God's truth, it may also cause growth to go askew. Preaching that it is by our works that we go to heaven may be done in love but not in truth. Salvation is a gift from God, not of works. So both truth and love are needed and all the gifts and ministries are needed so that we won't be deceived by false teaching, and for us to become more Christ like. That is why we need each other in the body of Christ.

Col. 2:8-9 NKJV Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. FOR IN HIM DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Phil. 2:7-8 NKJV but made Himelf of no reputation, taking the FORM of a bondservant, and coming in the LIKENESS of men. And being found in APPEARANCE as a man-- Our Christ did not grasp or hang onto the reputation and Name that He held in the beginning, and He gave up being in the form and likeness of God the Father, but emptied Himself-- His full and complete Godhead--into the form of a man or the appearance of a man. This just says that He no longer looked like the Father in heaven but looked like a man. He took on the reputation of a man born out of wedlock (according to the rumors) who died among thieves on a cross. He was of no reputation. So while He took upon Himself a bad reputation and the limitations of a human body, all the fullnes of the Godhead dwelt in bodily form. He was fully God and fully man.

i can't even find a movie by that title. by any chance do you mean Son of God, the movie that came out last year? i watched that one. it was fairly biblical, but it left a very bad taste for me. when Jesus started working miracles, they were always preceded by weird mystical sounding music, and some 'look' in his eyes that, with the music, made it all seem more like He was practicing magic than performing God's work. No, it was an old one used by evangelists. Now when I googled it, I only found one put out by LDS--I don't recommend that one. Sorry.

We need a scripturally balanced perspective on healing : 1. All healing is from God (regardless of medical science). In that sense it is "supernatural". 2. God has provided healing properties in countless herbs and plants , and generally have serious side effects). UNREFINED HERBS CAN HAVE VERY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, NOT JUST SOME PHARMASEUTICALS. Even there, Paul could not heal at will (e.g. Epaphroditus and Timotheus). 5. At the same time, where needed to authenticate the Gospel (e.g. Africa) God will give the gift of miracles to individuals. 6. Christians are generally not to resort to "faith healers" but to the elders of the local church. 7. The elders must pray in faith, believing that there will be healing from GOD AS THEY OBEY WITH their prayers and their anointing with oil. I EDITED YOUR REMARKS SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST AGREE ON A FEW OF YOUR COMMENTS. GOD STILL HEALS TODAY AND ONLY FAITH AS A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED IS REQUIRED. HE HAS NOT CHANGED. WE NEED A TINY BIT OF FAITH IN A GREAT, LOVING GOD. God still does the healing, not someones great faith. Sometimes God does honor a persons faith when they simply recognize Jesus as the God who heals. God also gives gifts of faith in some circumstances. I don't remember seeing God heal twice in the same way. He wants us to be totally dependant on Him whether He heals us or says no and gives us grace to endure.

You will need to learn to smile and reply "God bless you" when people say ugly things to you. And definitely start praying when this is said to your dad and his wife. It is sad how peoples bitterness overflows to hurt others.

One ugly fish!. The best part was that it was a catch and release. But I do wonder what the 3463 pound sturgeon looked like.

Those that do not believe that God can heal supernaturally today, that this gift ended with the apostles along with the others, will often twist scriptures to mean only mental or spiritual healing when we are forgiven of our sins. It is obvious that God has not changed and still heals today whether by use of medicine or not. God heals and makes people whole mentally spiritually and physically. For instance, when the 10 lepers came to Jesus He healed them and removed the lepersy. But the one who came back and gave thanks to God He made whole, which implys to make sound by replacing dead or lost tissue but also to be made whole by salvation and mental stability.

I always remember Saul/Paul, who went about murdering Christians till Jesus struck him blind and asked him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? So I have prayed for the salvation of muslims, but I admit not recently to my shame. This is something I should persist in. But I also have prayed that when their hearts are so hardened and satanic that they shall never be saved, that God might remove them. And that He might save those who are still able to be converted. This is a very difficult thing for those who will automaticly die upon conversion even to another muslim sect. But God knows His own. Sending Christian radio into Iran was effective. However this cult of Islam is even more fanatical. It seems that each one that arises is more perverted than the last. So I do now pray for the muslim world that God may rescue souls from among them, to open their eyes to His love and forgiveness and that the Holy Spirit might convict of personal sin, and God's righteousness and judgement for the sin of rejecting His love and redemption.. Thank you for the reminder, Jade.

Hebrews 13:21-22 NKJV Now may the God of peace Who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT, MAKE YOU COMPLETE (perfect) IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN YOU WHAT IS WELL PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen I think that these verses pretty much sum it up. It is God Who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. It is all His work from the gift of faith, which is not of ourselves, to the outworking of that faith to fulfill the good works created for us to walk therein. Our maturing through trials, our maturing in our understanding of the Word of Truth, and our maturing in love are all a work of God. What I call maturing is what you call perfection--maturing is another word my Greek dictionary provided. But while we grow in these things during our lives, we are never totally complete (perfect) but by the blood of Christ and His life in us--that which is imputed on us. I go to heaven because of His born again life in me, having been sealed by His Spirit.

Since my sister in law told me that when she was back slidden, Jesus Christ Super Star brought her back to the Lord, I have concluded that God can use anything for His purposes. So bashing the movies might destroy how God is working in someone's life. I usually just comment that the Book was better. And if pressed further, I would read the Bible account. However, these movies can etch misconceptions in our minds. I had one do that to me and later I misread the account so that it matched the movie! I was really ashamed that I had held this misunderstanding for so many years. So they can bring error. We need more movies that accurately illustrate the Bible, word for word. Has anyone seen the Life of Christ? I have heard that it was used as an evangelistic tool around the world.

I wonder what people who are polygamous in other countries do when they move here and become citizens. Since it is illegal here in the US, do they divorse the second wife? They vow to uphold our laws, but I can't imagine this happening. They would have to keep on providing for all families irregardless. This is more of a cultural thing. Pastors or elders can only have one wife, and deacons, but otherwise it was just discouraged in the new testament. Having mistrisses or concubines is still practiced in many countries in South America and even by English royalty, it seems. It is very hard for missionaries to discourage this practice, even though we consider it fornication. But they try. Here the man is usually divorsed by the scorned wife, and children suffer.

Cool thought for the day. Thank you, Jade.

It sounds more like a dream to me. Some can be very real to us, and God does speak to us through dreams at times, or visions. But that is just a guess. Had it been real one would have thought someone would have said somethings about it like did you year that? Where is it coming from? Willa

Perhaps much of the satanism exhibited by these performers is done for the image and publicity. It bothers me worse that they are such a bad example for people and make satinism sound like a cool thing. I don't know anything about the guy because I don't listen to much secular music. I find it depressing and it makes me angry because it promotes decadent life styles. But I do believe that a double minded person won't receive anything from God. And the artists who are Christian but are in a secular market find that the demands of touring takes a huge toll on them and the temptation for drugs and alcohol is extremely strong. So it becomes a matter of "Choose you this day who you will serve or rely on--Christ or the alcohol and drugs." To believe in Christ means to rely on Him. And "who are you glorifying by your music, your performance and your lifestyle--the enemy, yourself, or God ? " And most performers do live in motels and in their vans. It sounds like he does OK if he can still afford the motels. They do need our prayers. That being said, We reep what we sow. But a life wholly given to God doesn't promise all will be well. Read the book of Job. We all go through a lot of hard stuff. If God told you to write this to him, then you have obeyed. But love is the key. It is important to convey God's love for him and to speak with compassion and without any judgement or condemnation. I think you did a fairly good job. But you may have stepped on other peoples' toes who felt convicted by what you told him. So pray for the other guy, too. And don't take it personally when you get backlash. Expect it. Our pastors have said that they get attacked every Sunday, both before the service and afterwards. So don't let it discourage you. Just don't give too much attention to the enemy but always point to the unmerited mercy and love of God for all, but especially for His children. I spend as little time as possible speaking about the enemy because someone pointed out that he receives attention as worship. Whether that is true or not, we are repeatedly told to look at Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. We are told to keep our eyes on the prize. Peter was able to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. So I try to stay focused on the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

With love in Christ,Kwik I agree with Kwik. I think of it more like a game of chess or even checkers. Satin makes a move, intending it for evil, but God makes another move that turns it into something good. But I don't believe that God uses evil such as false prophets to tell your future. We are definitely told not to listen to them. We are not to follow false shepherds either. God's voice is full of love and comfort, even when it corrects us. We are not to listen to other voices. His voice causes the Holy Spirit in us to confirm His words by the fruit of the Spirit, filling us with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. No, I don't believe God would use satan to fulfill a promise to you. But I might doubt if it were truly God who made the promise, especially if that promise concerned worldly gain. That would sound more like a temptation, and satan might provide gain to seduce you away from God. Blessings, Willa

There are several places in the Bible that say that people who practice certain sins shall not inherit the Kingdom, and that we should judge those within the church. Listed are sexually immoral, covetous, idolaters, extortioners. 1 Cor. 5:11, adultry, fornication, uncleanliness, lewdness, idolitry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries (those that practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God) Galatian 5:10-21, fornictor, unclean person, covetous man who is an idolater, Eph 5:5; fornicators, idoliter, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, cheaters, 1 Cor. 6:8-10; dogs(sodomites), sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie, Rev:22:16 It should be clear that the people who habitually and continually practice these things and make them a life style are those that are spoken of. They aren't speaking of those who have occasionally fallen and have completely repented of these sins, for of such were some of us at one time. But Christ has redeemed us and cleansed us from these things. So fornication should no longer be practiced if one wants to be a preacher of the Word. That means the person should either be legally married or should be celibate. An alcoholic should be abstaining from alcohol. A homosexual should be abstaining from the practices. Notice that it doesn't mention playing cards, dancing, smoking, or having an occasional glass of wine, or many of the other things that holiness people might name as evil. Dress codes are not mentioned, nor the type of music one plays or listens to. THESE are not the types of things we should be judging others about. But we should not associate with people who call themselves Christians who habitually practice the things that will exclude them from heaven. Nor should they be in the pulpit preaching the gospel. That makes a mockery of God.

Israel will be competing with Russia for sales of natural gas to Europe. They had an agreement with Cyprus to use the island as a conduit to take the gas into Europe. Russia is fighting tooth and nail to maintain its monopoly on this trade. Part of the battle in the Ukrane is likely due to this. So putting a base on Cyprus is just another trump. The turning of Turkey against Israel is due to the fact that Israel did not include them in the agreement with Cyprus. Israel's oil and gas resourses are a real threat to all the middle east since it makes them a major player in the power struggles there. All of the religious reasons may even take second place to this.

1. I have been in churches that practiced both. My mom pointed out that immersion is accepted by all churches. It is also more meaningful as illustrated in Scripture, since it testifies to the death and buriel of the old sinful man and the resurrection of the new man, as we identify with Christ's death buriel and resurrection. Some people cannot physically be immersed due to health problems, and in such cases I am sure that God understands. As said, it is not even critical to salvation but is an act of obedience and a testimony after we are saved. The act of obedience that God required of me was to make restitution. 2. Women may sing, pray, prophecy, and otherwise speak when under the authority of her husband and the pastor, and when under the inspiriation of the Holy Spirit. We are not supposed to teach or have authority over men as a head pastor according to Scripture. There may be exceptions when there is no man to do the job, as with Deborah the judge, but it is not the norm. 3. I have participated in a foot washing ceremony in a small group setting of a woman's prayer group. It was an act of love and was very meaningful. Feet don't bother me, since I was a nurse many years ago. Cool water can feel very good on a hot day as does soaking them in warm water on a cold day, especially when they ache. The point is to make it a blessing and a time of refreshment for the people you care for. 4. God heals, period. We can have all faith as to move mountains but without love we are nothing. The power behind it all is God's love. When pastors use oil in obedience to scripture, it is God's word that gives grace. No one has earned or is worthy of healing. He heals because He has compassion on us. He does honor His Word. But God wants us to depend on Him, not a method.

Have you ever seen the smiley face that has a bullet hole in its forehead? I agree with floating axe. There are times that I have screamed "its just not fair!" to God. The stuff that goes on in the world, that has been set in motion and we get caught in the cross fire, happens to all of us. Sometimes we trust that God has it all under control and will somehow use it for good, and sometimes we are completely overwhelmed and are in the darkness of dispair and grief. Sometimes we throw temper tantrums, and sometimes we pout like Jonah who sat under the plant and then even it died. Sometimes we feel totally alone like Elijah. Sometimes we live with Job. But it is satan who came to kill, steal and destroy. He is the father of lies. And he attacks us when we are down. He tempts us to sin and bitterly blame God when we are hurting. Still God offers us grace and comfort. But each time I go through tough trials, something in me is so wounded its life slips away. It is self. It is me that screams and protests till nothing is left but "nevertheless, not my will be done, but Thine." Then peace comes. Corrie tenBoom said, Don't wrestle, just nestle. As long as I am throwing my tantrum, God can't comfort me. And in the end I just want Him to hold me close. Eventuallly perhaps I will come to the place that I can rest in His perfect peace in all circumstances, with nothing but joy in my heart, even in the midst of tragedy. It is a place of complete trust and reliance on God. And it is when my old man, the self, is lifeless.

Surrender of our will, trust, and obedience to His will. Soak in the Scriptures which reveal how He deals with His children, His heart toward them, and His patient love. Study Christ, as He came to reveal the Father. Then surrender, trust and obey to the best you can, and cast yourself on His mercy and grace because even our best obedience is imperfect when compared to Jesus. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is reliance on Him.