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I certainly agree with 2 Cor.9:7&8. No, we don't have to pay tithes and He doesn't have to do anything for us either, but He did and does. In the O.T. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek and in Deut.12:6 God commands His people to tithe of all their increase. I don't believe the N.T. annuls the O.T. but instead fulfills it. In Mk.12:42 Jesus didn't stop the widow from putting her two mites into the treasury knowing full well that she couldn't afford it. Not promoting a prosperity gospel but there is a promise given in Luke.6:38. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Well said. God can use who and what ever to fulfill His purpose.

Is it not proper from a Christian's perspective of mutual love and respect?

No, a believer can not because that is what they are. They may stumble but the attonment is applied.

Jesus' attonement is for anyone that will receive it. If a person comes in contact with the workings of the Holy Spirit and rejects it (calling it the work of the devil) they are literally sealing themself off from devine intervention and therefore prayer for them is meaningless.

I also appreciate beautiful architecture but I'm in agreement with Bopeep. God recognized Abel's sacrifice rather than Cain's which was much more pleasing to the eye. Our works in themselves don't merit a stitch with God.

That makes alot of sense. What about those that die without the oil ? I believe the parable of the ten virgins addresses that. They are not partakers of the marriage supper (bride) but they are virgins - they will have to stand the judgement - but because they stood for Christ He will stand for them. They are the recipients of 'not a cold glass of water will go unrewarded'.

God's Word is perfect. There are not two creation accounts as some would suppose. When God created man He created him in His own image but He also manifested him as, 'out of the dust of the earth'. Adam was not deceived but entered into the transgression with the wife that he loved because he knew that God would not lose him, but he was not able to redeem her. The second Adam, Jesus Christ is able, he became the kinsman and entered in to pay the price and redeem His bride.

In the Greek the phrase "doth not commit sin" is a word that means that we don't habitually practice sin. It doesn't mean that we don't stumble in a sincere attempt to serve the Lord. It means that we do not make sin our way of life. So then if a person doesn't practice sin then they must be a believer. Is it then fair to say that the only real sin is unbelief. Jesus said 'go and sin no more'.

I agree, Pilate wasn't able to receive it so there was nothing there for him.

Do you think there is a difference between the organized church [denominations, Calvin, Luther, etc] and the body of Christ as the church of Jesus Christ [as spoken of in Eph 2 - a spiritual habitation]? I understand that the body of Christ includes believers from all Christian religious affiliations. Are you saying that the body of Christ did not survive past the first century? I believe that Jesus Christ's mystical body of believers is not bound by any denomination in fact I believe that God has kept His church despite that which has transpired through the ages. I think we are living in the time were we will see that which all the ages have longed to see i.e. the catching away. If it is time for the harvest than the grain (believers) must be about ripe - similiar to that which went into the ground, those of the first age. As has been said 'Christ's church is not an organization but an organism'.

Hi clb, The New Perspective is actually an old reality. Luther's arguments on works are way off base. I don't know if he didn't understand or deliberately went to far, after all he was trying to oppose the Catholic Church. Many times when one sees a wrong they go to far the other way in trying to correct it. However, Luther's "Faith Alone" cry was way off base. We may look at that era and see scriptural short falls but it was a large step in its time. Aside from what man did with it to justify their own agendas. Do you not feel that it was a moving of God's Spirit? With what I know of Luther and Calvin I find it hard to believe that it was of the Lord. Do you think we are where we should be? I'm thinking when we are ready we're out of here. I'm not sure what you mean. I believe there is typology in scripture. The parable of the seed going down and coming up again I think also applies to the historical church. The first church going down in the dark ages and starting to come up again as God worked through the reformers each one a step closer, grace, sanctification, restoration of the gifts until it will be that the hearts of the children will be turned to the faith of the fathers. Since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever I believe the church will again be a refection of the Book of Acts. Not for a show but the same relationship with her Lord. Then she will be ready to meet Him in the air. I don't think scripture supports a rapture where the sky splits open and God grabs us by the collar and drags us up.

Hi clb, The New Perspective is actually an old reality. Luther's arguments on works are way off base. I don't know if he didn't understand or deliberately went to far, after all he was trying to oppose the Catholic Church. Many times when one sees a wrong they go to far the other way in trying to correct it. However, Luther's "Faith Alone" cry was way off base. We may look at that era and see scriptural short falls but it was a large step in its time. Aside from what man did with it to justify their own agendas. Do you not feel that it was a moving of God's Spirit? With what I know of Luther and Calvin I find it hard to believe that it was of the Lord. Do you think we are where we should be? I'm thinking when we are ready we're out of here.

Hi clb, The New Perspective is actually an old reality. Luther's arguments on works are way off base. I don't know if he didn't understand or deliberately went to far, after all he was trying to oppose the Catholic Church. Many times when one sees a wrong they go to far the other way in trying to correct it. However, Luther's "Faith Alone" cry was way off base. We may look at that era and see scriptural short falls but it was a large step in its time. Aside from what man did with it to justify their own agendas. Do you not feel that it was a moving of God's Spirit?

Having said that how about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Amen I thought it was ther to give us a choice. God wants a people who choose to love Him and obey Him out of love. I totally agree with you. I also agree with what Ovedya said about the tree of life for scripture speaks much about the eating of the Word. What I was getting at is that there were two trees in the garden and therefore I believe them to be similar in type but of course different in nature/source. 'We can believe the truth and receive the gift of eternal life or we can believe the lie and be dammed by it'. Considering the times we live in I believe mysteries no longer serve a purpose for if we are being prepared for the catching away there can be no more mysteries. For is that not the whole idea of the opening of the book? Rev.10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. The most prominent question then is 'what is the voice of the seventh angel' after which the mysteries shall be finished. I understand him to be the 'seventh' angel that was sent to the church of Laodicea. (Angel meaning a messenger sent from God)

Having said that how about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Amen

Based on the premise that the spiritual world operates in what we would call other dimensions but also accepting that spirits need a vessel, human or otherwise to express themselves in, the question is: does this space and time have any impact on the spirits mobility? We know that there will be a 'time' when we will move back into eternity but while we are in this loop is 'space and time' a factor? Thinking about this Mars-One mission, if it were possible to 'pull it off' would there be any such thing as a 'ride along affect' spiritually speaking or is that just a juvenile thought? I have heard it said that in crossing the speed of light it would move into another dimension? Demonstrated in the spirit realm's ability to move through objects. I would be interested in what you have to say about it.

Both Cain and Abel were religious and were trying to worship. Abel approached God in His provided way, so by revelation he knew that a substitutionary life was required for his sins. In contrast Cain was doing the best he could by the works of his hands, which can not in itself please God. The sad part is that Cain could not humble himself and turn to God's way. I'm thankful for examples that we have as in King David's sin and repentance.

You may have heard about the non-profit organization based in the Netherlands that is looking for 20 candidates to take a one way trip to Mars for the purpose of colonization. The target date for this mission is in the year 2024 and the current short list contains 1058 applicants. Our local paper ran an article about a 23 year old male, university student, that has made the list and he sounds..? Q. Why do you want to spend the rest of your life on Mars? A. It's less why I want to and more why is it important at all. Expansion into space is the next great step in human evolution. It's one of the most important things for us as a species to expand our home and satisfy our curiosity. Q. You're so young and this is a one-way trip to Mars. What would you miss most about Earth? A. It wouldn't make sense if you didn't miss family and friends. But it's so much more about yourself. It's about something for all of us... Personally, I'd miss the arts - to not be able to see a movie or take a in a poetry slam. These are the most human things we do. You're leaving behind what in essence is humanity: the culture we've built. Q. Are you skeptical this mission will happen? A. Skepticism is one of the most important tools we can employ in regards to Mars One. The logistics of this enterprise would require an unprecedented push for new technologies.There are problems that need to be solved - the problems of radiation, muscle atrophy, and the budget questions. Q. What do your family and friends say about your desire to spend the rest of your life on Mars? A. My girlfriend and I have talked about a long-distance relationship (laughs). I'm sure they'll let us make phone calls. My family is very skeptical. They understand that if this is an actual possibility I would not refuse it. I'm sure they're scared. There are 1057 other people (on the list) and 40 people will be chosen for the next short list. It's still just a dream. Q. What abilities would you bring to Mars One? A. I'm an analytical person and deep thinker. The kinds of people accepted into the mission are extremely humanistic or extremely technical. You need both to be competent ambassadors of Earth.

God is faithfull I retired in 2012 but my wife wasn"t ready to and after a couple of months I got tired of solo domestic duties so I figured I better find an excuse so I started looking around. I applied for a position that would have been better suited for someone looking for a challenge then forgot about it. Couple months later and I'm at it. We are in training and the Lord knows how to do it. I guess I still am on easy street perhaps you are further along and ready for the next hurtle. God bless

May I add to that Mt.5:45 "...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

Is that the second coming or the rapture to you? The parable of the 10 virgins with the catching away of His bride to the marriage supper. I suppose that is the one we want to be ready for after that it is 'ready or not'. We know for sure that the Bridegroom in the Parable of the Ten Virgins is Jesus Christ.There is alot of debate over the significance of the parable and if it is regarding the rapture or the second coming. Do you care to state your position as to its application?

Is that the second coming or the rapture to you? The parable of the 10 virgins with the catching away of His bride to the marriage supper. I suppose that is the one we want to be ready for after that it is 'ready or not'.

Question then: Was sin intentional on God's part? In other words did God create Adam and Eve knowing He would need to send His Son to die for the sins of mankind? William Branham has said that in God were attributes such as creator, love, to be a God the father, a savior, healer etc and so to express these attributes we have space, time and that which is in it. Albert Einstein had said: As cold is the absence of heat and darkness is the absence of light so is evil the absence of God. Although Einstein would not have considered himself a Christian he did say we live in an 'intelligent universe'.