*Zion*

This could indeed happen, and it is the real test: Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. He said it.

Thanks for the food. Got me thinking: The same question could be applied to all twelve apostles. Did they follow Jesus because they really believe? Did they grow to believe as time wore on? What about this: Acts 5v1-5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Seconds later the same thing happened to his wife. Why were the others gathered afraid? These two died in sin. What does that tell you? The same principles apply to Jesus' disciples today. Just remember, we all have the same capacity to deny/betray Him/fall away. The love of many will grow cold. And if we do not love God, we are not His friends, but enemies. What about this: Revelation 3:15-16 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth. What is God telling us about these people? Their hearts aren't cold, but they are lukewarm and not hot. In other words, not 100%. With God it's all or nothing: James 1v5-7 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Anything. Take that any way you want to. Definitely got me thinking. Blessings xx

Yes, but he was restored when he re-affirmed his love for Jesus three times also. Judas betrayed Jesus and was condemned in his un-repentance. It may not be new, but that doesn't mean its any less important. The once-saved-always-saved doctrine didn't really work out for Judas, did it?

This is the prayer we should be praying now more than ever, as the day fast approaches. However, it seems that the hearts of many indeed have grown cold. From a search on the subject via Google: UPDATE: DAR Denies They are Censoring Prayers - Fox News Radio radio.foxnews.com › Home › topbar Patriotic Group Denies Removing Jesus & Telling Members to Stop ... www.theblaze.com/.../patriotic-group-denies-removing-jesu... Christians Deny Jesus at National Prayer Breakfast - Beyond ... rabbirami.blogspot.com/2009/.../christians-deny-jesus-at-national.ht... Bush Denies Jesus Christ! *** site and link removed ... the site has proven to be very untrustworthy and full of conspiracy theories and very little fact *** Police chaplains told not to use 'Jesus' in official prayers www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2898292/posts These are but a few... It has begun!!! We live in perilous times, brethren. But more than praying to escape tribulation or persecution, we need to pray that we will endure to the end. Ask yourself, will you stand with Jesus? Blessings xx 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

People in advertising know what they're selling. Seems more like a publicity grab for emotions to stir more than anything else...

lol Xero it is hard to kick against the pricks. Your explanation of that passage made very little sense. Sometimes we should just let the word speak for itself. Elohim is used here, and scholars tell us that the word is plural. God is clearly identified as "Us" and "our". You may not believe in the Trinity but it's hard to get around this clear verse of scripture. Agreed, Saved34 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

There is no other. Only Y-shua. Only Jesus. He is the only Way, Truth and Life. The only One.

I've heard this testimony before, it seems genuine. Makes one stop and take stock.

I think we're all in agreement that all the signs pointed to and were connected to that same promise.

Actually I was told that there are over 300 prophesies throughout the Bible fortelling of the Messiah; that being vision, words, and live action. That means that they're not just happening to Isaiah alone or solely contained in the book of Isaiah. Consider that God made coverings for Adam and Eve out of fur. Where did that fur come from? The first sacrifice, shedding blood (I don't know of which animal) to provide a covering over the shame and disobedience of mankind. What did God say in judgement over the serpent? "you will bruise his heel but he shall crush your head." Who is he? His feet were pierced, bruising His heels. The enemy thought he had overcome Him, but He will crush every single one of the beast's heads (see the book of revelation). From the very beginning, God was showing us Who was to come.

Same thing with Psalm 22: Psalm of David and yet it accurately shows what Jesus went through for us on the cross on which He died. Sometimes God just wants us to share how He feels, not to harm us but so we understand and learn. In fact, verses 4 and 5 clearly show this also. Christ Himself learned obedience through suffering. How the Father's heart is grieved and burdened on our behalf! Let us also learn to share in His joy and love all the more. This is seriously getting to me!

Thanks to everyone who's being praying. God is so faithful. From what I can tell the husband is really trying his best. My friend is much happier. He's still got a long way to go, but he's really focused on their relationship now it seems. Blessings

Siksky, you better preach on ! He who has ears, let him hear

I didn't say you had to accept it, I just wanted to see things from Jie's point of view

Ok, at the risk of digging the nail deeper, if Jie has had a vision shown to him about heavenly books, and if that vision was given by God, who are we to dispute? The problem that we have is that we can only go by scripture, and while God always confirms His specific communication (dreams, visions etc) with His holy eternal scripture, it's not always clear to others receiving the information second-hand. So Jie, if you say that these books exist, I won't dispute with you. But I'll leave just as your experience unless/until God leads me to enquire further. Blessings.

Please provide scriptural references, I would be very interested to learn more.

Ok, sorry I haven't replied in a while. Lots happening. Again, things seem to be on the improve. Total miracle, I really don't know how, but God is doing it. If I seem one-sided, it may be because I've known my friend for longer, I know what her personality's like, and I've also seen her husband in 'action'. She's not perfect, but she wouldn't care or have stuck it out this long with the kids if she didn't actually love him. And she does, I just know. Chetty and Flamingo Fandango: pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. I know God is working on behalf of my friend and her husband. Your situations actually sound more like abuse (verbal/emotional). But there's nothing that our God can't handle. Just remember: vengeance is Mine, sayeth the Lord. And his revenge is so much worse than ours, so just continue to bless and pray. God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. My friend was just thinking about this scripture today. Sounded good when she said it.

Bad news. Things were improving, and my friend really was opening herself up, but her husband let her down big time. He says that he's given her all that he has to her and has nothing else for her: no passion, desire or marital love. devastation like you wouldn't believe.

Ooh! You just made things very interesting Sheya Joie. I wonder why that didn't come up at the time it happened...

Sounds like extremely sound advice. Let us know how it goes:)

Thank you so much! This clarifies a lot. But if anyone has something else to add, please feel free.

Glad you liked it, I'll try to post another one

And I think it's also written somewhere that God does not ever tempt us to sin, is that right?

Alright, but what about this: why David; who throughout scripture prays to be kept from sin, to be made pure and seeks refuge in God alone? Why not use one of his enemies, or inflict said judgement just the same? After all, it was the people God was angry with. Or was He angry with David too? If so, He could have accomplished with same results without extra sin being committed, right? I'm not trying to demand an answer from God, I just want to understand...

Ok, so if David had decided against it, he would have been in the right, correct?