*Zion*

I totally agree, this applies to every person - regardless of which nation/culture they come from.

You hit the nail on the head my friend, we can only do it in God's Spirit, not in our flesh. I was posting about this somewhere else yesterday, I'm sure... Let me tell you, the enemy is going to do all he can to get us to forget to pray that prayer: 'Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit today!' We need to pray this prayer every day because we just can't do it alone. I'm with you, Omegaman, in Him. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit today, we pray, in Jesus' mighty Name! Amen!

Extremely helpful, thank you! Now to force my husband into admitting he's wrong...

I guess the phrase 'pick on someone your own size' is quite useless in this situation...

In many religions/cultures, water is considered sacred; we all know its importance - how much more at that time, without assisted distillation and faucets handy... But the living waters that Jesus gives us are in fact actually alive! They are the Holy Spirit. When we feel weak and spiritually parched, He brings refreshing and a flow of His love, truth and power into our lives. We can't live in eternity without this water. We need a fresh in-flowing every day! All we have to do is ask, He's more than willing to fill us with Himself. Be blessed, stay filled

So true...

The way i see it is this: perfect solution for long term (or infinite) problem - permanent eradication; perfect solution for short term (or finite) problem - permanent eradication. Sin is the problem. We've been given the choice to be vessels of sin or vessels of righteousness. I choose the one that keeps me alive

Romans 8:1 Therefore, [there is] now nocondemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. If we live and walk in the flesh then there is more than enough condemnation to go around - especially from the accuser of the brethren, let alone each other (although we seem to be doing too good a job of it, sadly). This is because we are alive to our flesh, which has been condemned. God has already resolved the issue. However, to those who are alive in Christ and live and walk in the spirit of God, we would know not to condemn but to encourage one another in Godly truth. This is true Christianity, not as seen on TV.

Think about this set up. It's very logically useful. People don't simply trade things anymore. Money isn't just currency and coins and notes, its the assignment of value that everything is given. That way it's all fair, right? Okay, some people are overly compensated, others are plain clean ripped off. But who are those that decide that a thing is a certain value and therefore you should pay such an amount for it? So many factors to consider: quantity, quality, usefulness, presentation, age of item/antiquity (see the difference? Nobody wants a cheeseburger that was made last year...) all of which capture our focus to acquire as many things as possible to fill our lives which as much value as possible. Well, that's what the enemy wants us to think, anyway. If I buy a dishwasher my life will be easier. Will it really? Maybe. But it's best to have the most up-to-date model, even though it's most expensive. A big brand name (of course they're the most trustworthy!) Pretty soon the focus goes from [money = things = value] to [money = value], and then we have long gone far beyond losing sight of what is really important. Love, friendship, fun: God. It's so inevitable that the Bible says that loving money is the root of all evil. But if our riches come from God... ah! Abraham acquired wealth from God that could not be found on earth because it was specifically founded on God's promise and blessing. What a wealthy man he truly is!

Oh! So true!!!

Another sign of the times: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition), Major scale backsliding. This one scares me the most. I don't want that to be me. Matthew 24:4-14 (provides the order in which it's all going down...) 4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [[a]appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; 8 All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the [b]birth pangs [of the [c]intolerable anguish]. 9 Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended and repelled and will [d]begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. 11 And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. 12 And the love of [e]the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.

Are females over 15 years actually women though? I would say still adolescent... are they properly informed and equipped with enough maturity to make such decisions?

First of all, God is not going to give you choices like the one you describe in choosing your father or some guy, and I don't know how much the OCD you mention would play in the situation. I would strongly recommend praying about whether or not you hold the relationship with your father in higher regard than the Lord Himself based on your words above. Perhaps the Lord has allowed this into your life to call attention to a problem He wants you to work on? What makes me say that? Anytime we put anything or anyone before the Lord in our lives it can become an idol, a false god, in other words -- and idolatry is not something the Lord will allow without dealing with it. Please don't get me wrong -- a great relationship with our parents is a good thing, but we are fallen creatures and can therefore take things too far at times. I agree, and the same also applies to the man you have a relationship with. God always takes first place, this must always be true and never change. However I know that if I wasn't truly happy with my husband, I would feel like there was something missing between us, and I would end up being completely unhappy. I have had to watch my own father die. It was anguish. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, and I don't think God goes around playing russian roulette with our lives at will. Yes it's about priority, but it's also about perspective too. Jesus loves you. If we seek Him first (the Kingdom of God) and His righteousness, then all these things shall be added unto us. trust in Him always. Be blessed, CloudDream.

True thing

I don't know if you are still following this topic, but I have some news for you. Jesus thinks that you are so precious, you are worth dying for. He's coming back for you, if you will be His bride - part of the body of Christ. From what you have written here, I would say that you have already found the perfect Husband- both man and God - Jesus Christ! he will never leave you, nor forsake you, and nothing can separate you from His love. Nothing! Be blessed, and know that you are highly favoured and powerfully loved by the King of kings! In Jesus' mighty Name!!!

Hi, interesting discussion, to say the least! I always thought that the 'Second Coming' and the 'Rapture' were one and the same event...

We cannot enforce a rebuke on someone. But they can choose take it from the Lord or endure His wrath for their disobedience. Shame that people can place saving face above the truth.

Hi Fez, I've also been contemplating what you have said, and I think that it's also possible for people to confuse someone excelling in doing their best for God with being proud. We can glory in God by bringing Him our best, like David dancing with all his night before God, but there may be some Michals waiting to pounce on the judgement wagon. When it comes to pride, the stress is on the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:17 However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord. Is this what you're talking about?

It takes two people to disagree, sevenseas. I suggest that you look at things from my point of view as well before you start to get defensive. All I wished to do was clarify the situation. Now I have the suspicion I was right all along, but I will leave to the mods to judge if need be. Sincerely, God bless you.

Hi, it's been a while, but I've been re-thinking the issue. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I really feel like it's a mixture of these things: Matthew 24:12 And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, 2 Timothy 3:2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. I don't think I'm being too sensitive, in fact I can sense the increase in apathy even among Christians. I really wish we would love each other more, and more importantly, love Christ more. We should be encouraging each other to do this better, but instead people are making fun of one another for doing so, and start to judge and condemn. I have seen this with my own eyes and have experienced it directly. It really grieves me. I ask again, ever felt like this? Or is it just me?

That is exactly it! Praise God! Bless you Steven, you have such a beautiful, gracious way of delivering God's truth!

Back to the subject at hand, pride has an incredibly subtle way of feeding our flesh the most obvious lies about ourselves. Our flesh sees ourselves as better than we are; more beautiful, more talented, more knowledgeable... but: 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 6 Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete. It would be so good if we as fellow Christians together can pray specifically against every proud and lofty thing, whether we see it in ourselves or whether we discern the spirit of pride operating in any other vein. Remember, just as this verses say, this battle is a spiritual one, not against one another, or any other person even. I hope others reading this thread can see how easy it is to read responses as personal conflict. We must be very careful to make our position extremely clear, that we are and must point our united 'finger' at the devil and the demons themselves. Then, when we are ready, we can punish every disobedience, just like it says. When? When our own submission and obedience to Christ is utterly complete. But we have to be ready to punish, just like it says. That means prepared, and waiting. Because when we do totally submit to Christ and His truth, we will have the correct image of ourselves. In Christ, we are more than conquerors. Without Him, we truly are nothing. To be completely clear, that is not false humility, but the core of the issue. Be blessed guys.

Well then maybe you should also take a look at your posts and have a good think as to how I could have possibly perceived them as personal. But like you already said, you yourself in particular can't see anything like that you your responses at all, so I must definitely be the one in the wrong. My mistake. There should be no problem at all, then. Like I said, I just wanted to clarify. Don't want to start getting the wrong impression of you at all.

Sorry, but I disagree that pride is caused by insecurity. The root of the matter is the heart...it is deceitful and wicked above all things. Not all rich people flaunt their wealth...not at all. Many talented people have been given their talent to glorify Christ even though not all use it that way. All talented people certainly do not flaunt their talent. Perhaps those with less talent observe it that way as they are jealous. See how easy it is to flip the coin? Not to be argumentative, but God sees the heart...best to let Him deal with what we may perceive is the problem with someone else. God gives to each of us and we can only be responsible for our own little gifts Everybody pulls everybody down to step up above? Seriously? That is a very broad brush and remarks like that, IMO, are damaging and not quite true. Again, please do not perceive this as a personal argument...it is not. Actually, (and I hate to disagree, but I'd rather speak the truth in love) the real truth is that everybody has pride. It's in the flesh. This is why Paul says we must crucify the flesh, because it seeks to exalt itself against God. I don't think he was talking to just one or two people, but that his brush was extremely broad. It is our daily sacrifice, as the bible says. And I'm glad you stated that your intention is not to be personal. This issue is between everyone individually with God. No person has a right to judge another, especially in this context. "Judge lest ye be judged, for in the same you that you judge, so shall ye also be judged." It's all about the truth in LOVE, not "knowing it all."

Yes you do, every one of us does. We can be proud we passed a test, obtained a qualification, finished a home DIY project. We can be proud of our children's achievements, proud of a meal we cooked that people love. Proud of an artwork we created. There is a lot we can be proud about. Biblical pride is another thing entirely. That we should ask the Lord to deal with. But not feeling proud about our achievements, and being too humble and self effacing is something satan loves us to feel. Blessings! I agree. I think people should take a look at false humility. That really is a matter of pride. yeah, there's another rung on the ladder We can each only examine our own heart.......trouble is, those of us with a false humility will not see that...much like deception. Stating constantly "I am nothing" starts to grate after awhile, IMO. It's like someone constantly stating they are a sinner after they have accepted Christ. Do you know how many times we are called saints in the NT? That word appears, so I have learned, 229 times in the original Greek manuscripts and refers to the living...not the dead. Perhaps a better understanding of one's position in Christ and an understanding of all that He has done for us and how God sees us, would help. Yes, we sin, but God does not consider us as worthless and nothing and sinners. Paul also stated, such were some of you, BUT you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor 6:11 So, understanding pride, conviction and humility is better understood with an overview of what scripture teaches. Be careful you are not under false conviction...or guilt..... My conviction and experience is that a person becomes less prideful the more they understand the work of Christ on their behalf. That, was the reason Paul wrote as he did...Paul also wrote of our position in Christ and is the one who started off all his letter to a church using the term 'saints', save one, the believers at Galatia So, I think it becomes more of Christ and less of me... It is not a matter of a spiritual experience, but practical hands on work and understanding what the Bible says If you find yourself prideful, clean the toilets at church and don't tell anyone That's an interesting take, Sevenseas. Are you talking about me specifically? Seeing as I've taken myself as the example of pride in this particular discussion concerning the matter? If so, how is it false pride to admit to being proud, despite having nothing to be proud about? How is it false pride to request prayer and encouragement on the matter? And to dare to make it a subject of discussion? How is it false humility to want nothing to do with pride and to hate it? Was David then guilty of false humility when he said "Be it far from me!"? I ask because I don't want to misunderstand, take it personally and then take offense.