Widor1

The church is the most logical answer? That assumes two things that are not in evidence: That you know and have considered all possible ideas That logic is might be more important than what the bible has revealed - careful there! The church is the most logical answer to ME. And I have considered the other possibilities. I don't see the Archangel Michael being the restrainer. In order to be taken OUT of the world he would have to be in the world. I don't believe he is. It says the restrainer will be "taken out of the way", but it doesn't say the restrainer will be taken out of the world. Although the Thessalonians knew what was restraining, we are not specifically told. If one is saved, Christ's blood covers them and they are redeemed. What makes my salvation better than theirs, because I believed before them? Why would they not be members of the church if they are saved? Dan 11:32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Dan 11:33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Dan 11:34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. Dan 11:35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. Rev 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Rev 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Welcome to Worthy Mamav! God bless you in the study of His Living Word What is the "purpose", or intention, for believers in Christ? Paul says in the beginning of the chapter: Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, Rom 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Because Jesus died for us, we are no longer condemned in the eyes of God! Jesus's sacrifice acted as a covering for the world; when He took our sin upon Himself, He received the punishment that was meant for us. To truly believe that means to accept that there is nothing you can do to earn favor in the eyes of God. It means God looks at Jesus instead of us, because it is not based on what we do that makes us justified, but what Jesus did. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who lives inside of every believer. He helps us by giving us instruction and direction, and He molds us in the image of Jesus. In this chapter in Romans, Paul is discussing the difference between people who allow the Spirit of God dwelling in them to lead their lives, versus people who lead their lives themselves. Because we are no longer condemned, we no longer have to submit our lives to our flesh, but we can let the Holy Spirit do the work in us. So, what is the purpose of God that people are called to? We are called to live according by the Spirit and not the flesh. We are called to let God do the work in us, since God saved us from the work we were doing on our own. If we put our full trust in God, it does not matter what happens to us on earth, because God has a plan. His plan is good, because it ends in our redemption and salvation, even if that means suffering while we are on earth. The "condition" of that verse is that we walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh, that we put our full faith in the work that Jesus did on the cross. If you are fearful about a lot of things, what (or who) are you putting your trust in? I'm not saying that I am never worried or afraid...the Lord is constantly working on me! But I believe that the Word is for the world, you and me included. Joh 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mat 11:30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Do you have burdens? Do you believe? If so, then Jesus was talking to you The Word is alive because it applied to people when it was written, but it also applies to us today. God bless you!

Well, lots of people have predicted the end of the world down to the "exact" date... like Harold Camping. I wouldn't put it past them to give a 12 hour warning lol.

Your just in a battle. God has already won the war for us. I'm not giving any advise. I was married for 25 years and it was a good marriage. We had our tiffs but they never lasted long. Stop trying to figure this all out, had it over to God and wait. You said you hoped you would to to be with the Lord when you die. Do you Christ and your Lord and Savior? Do you remember a time when you asked Jesus into your life? If you are not a Christian all you have to do is ask God for forgive you of your sins. Then as Jesus into your heart to be the Lord and Savior of your life. Thank Him for dying on a cross, shedding His Blood to cover your sins, and then walk with Him. Get into the word. Start in the book of John and know that he loves you. Then start praying for your husband that He will do the same. Forgive him and wait for God to work. I would also encourage you to get into a good Bible believing, teaching church. You are never alone! Use this time to grow with God. Get into the Word and fall in love with Jesus! He died for us while we were undeserving sinners and commanded us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. We must die to ourselves to follow Jesus, and that means we must die to our own will and let Him take over. Your husband is an undeserving sinner that Jesus died for as well. You cannot change his heart, but God can. All you can do is pray, forgive, seek forgiveness, and move forward with God. He will carry you through this. Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mat 11:30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Amen! Come Lord Jesus

I completely agree Marilyn. There is nothing we can do to substitue what Jesus did on the cross, and thank God for that! I was speaking in reference to verse 23, about bringing the gift to the alter.

Mat 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' Mat 5:22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. Mat 5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, Mat 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. If someone is angry with you, especially without cause, it is all the more important for you to reconcile for your benefit, but most importantly THEIRS. We are called to be set apart from the world, to take up our cross and follow Him. We are going to be hated because the world hated Him first. Because He abides in us, because the cross is offensive to the world, we are also offensive...without cause! 1Jn 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1Jn 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Rom 3:10 As it is written: "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; If you know that someone is angry at you for no reason, and you know without a doubt that you are not in the wrong...is it right for you to let them fester? Aren't you prideful, if you think that you shouldn't have to work it out with them, since they are clearly wrong? If we look at verses 21 and 22, even the person who was angry was still guilty of murder, even if they did not commit murder. Not only angry, but angry "without cause." If you are about to go worship God by bringing a sacrifice, and you know someone is angry with you (without cause of course), how could you truly worship God? God is love; what Jesus did was true love. He died and we didn't deserve it. So, you forgive your brother, even if he doesn't deserve it. Even if you are not wrong. You make yourself humble, because God is humble. And maybe your brother will realize that he was wrong all along, and seek your forgiveness. Everyone wins with Jesus

Maybe the same reason that God told Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering. Through faith Abraham responded and obeyed, even though God already knew the outcome. God can see everything, while we can only see what is past and what is now. He transforms us and molds us over time while he "uses" us to show His glory! Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Dear Alex, You ask great questions. Personally I have never pondered these, and it honestly doesn't bother me because we are here in a fallen world, and understanding "why" isn't going to change what "is". I'm sorry you feel confused and angry. I encourage you to pray to God and ask Him for understanding, as He is the One who has all the answers you seek. I will be praying for you! 1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Mat 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Mat 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. P.S. Welcome to Worthy!

LOL That was awesome. Thanks for posting it!

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Thank you for this answer. In my own experience I have found that these churches that focus on the small issues tend to focus less on the gospel, and less on Christ. There is truly only One Church, and I am so thankful that I am a part of it! I totally disagree with you. It is the fundamentals that are stand firm - the Jesus, His sacrifice on the cross, the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus, the Trinity, the Holy Word of God and all that is in it, the divinity of Jesus, the rapture, the resurrection and the judgement, etc do not change but the interpretation of baptism, the manner or order of a worship service, etc those do make a difference in the denominations. Sister, in my experience this was not the case. I agree that for the most part churches who have a different interpretation of baptism or the Lord's Supper do keep Jesus as the focus, the death and ressurection, divinity and humanity of Jesus remaining the key to our salvation and the reason for our joy. I have many brothers and sisters who worship with all kinds of denominations. However, I was only speaking of my personal experience at a church that I was a member of, so I am not quite sure what I said that you disagree with?

Welcome to Worthy!

I went through something similar. Man, the day God opened my eyes to this, a peace settled over me and dwelt in me that has not gone away since. And I know it never will! Amen and Hallelujah!!! It is finished!

Thank you for this answer. In my own experience I have found that these churches that focus on the small issues tend to focus less on the gospel, and less on Christ. There is truly only One Church, and I am so thankful that I am a part of it!

The NIV was the bible that I began to learn about who Jesus is. When I began to study out the root meanings for different words, I also saw slight differences. After praying, I decided to switch. I go back and forth between the NKJV and ESV. I don't think the NIV is false. It was good for me as a "babe in Christ." 1Co 3:2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; KJV 1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. NIV 1 Jn 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 1 Jn 5:7 For there are three that testify: 1 Jn 5:8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

I cant drink coffee (it makes me ill) but I love the taste. For the past 22 yrs I have not had but maybe one cup a year. That one cup gives me the worst shakes lol. Im jittery for an hour or so. Later I get ill, stomach pain, from coffee. Sigh. Wish I could have the taste without the pain. My hubby is giddy. He saw a news item today that drinking coffee can help reduce the risks from getting alzheimers. Now he has an excuse to drink large amounts of it lol. Have you tried (dare I suggest it) decaf? They make decaf espresso that has the taste but not the jitters that have helped some people I know.

(1) I feel the need to defend the Gospel because: 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. I don't plan on changing anyone's mind or heart; I can't! I believe that the Spirit can work through me though, and He will do the changing. (2) True. I admit that I have not read all of the Old Testament. I started this thread because I do not know all of the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus or where they are, and was honestly taken aback when this person (my brother) wrote this to me, since usually when we talk about God and Jesus he spends most of the conversation blaspheming. I am well aware that I need to read my bible more (who doesn't?), and I just wanted some help from other Christians who might have dealt with a similar situation, or who could help point me in the right direction in the bible on where to continue my study. My family has never read the New Testament, and they don't care to. To them, Jesus is just a "good teacher." They do not consider the New Testament to be divinely inspired by God, to my knowledge. They have very literally closed their eyes and ears to the truth. It is very concerning for me. I do have faith that God can and will change their hearts... as well as my own. I think you make a good point about understanding and discerning the Word. That is something that I will pray for more fervently. Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Praise the Lord for this man's witness. Praying for those who are persecuted in the name of Jesus

God is faithful, even if we do not always understand why we are put through trials and really hard situations. I am lifting you up in prayer to our awesome God, to whom we have been reconciled by the blood of Jesus Christ. Use this as an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord in prayer, and know that when it's all over, you will come out stronger on the other side. God loves you very much, and is the only One worthy of our trust. Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; Rom 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Rom 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Rom 8:24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Rom 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Rom 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER." Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Pe 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 1Pe 2:22 "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"; 1Pe 2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 1Pe 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake

This is very good advice. To learn truth and love, we must find the source, which is God. The closer you are to Jesus, the more these things fade away and don't bother you as much (I'm speaking from my own experiences!). God desires all people to come back to Him. Every person on this earth was created in His image, and we must love them because God loves them, because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to everyone in the world. Keep praying for strength and an open heart, for yourself. And pray for your enemies to find Jesus and be reconciled! Mat 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' Mat 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Mat 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Mat 5:47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Mat 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

~ A Dog Who Can Bite Squarely On The Marx And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 1 Thessalonians 4:11

No she isn't I think the argument could be made that she definitely could have some communist tendencies Maybe.

The dog is definitely a communist.