p.rehbein

Walls have been a part of History since, well, since man figured out how to build them. I do understand what the OP is saying though. However, to actually turn the Southwest lands into something other than desert, would cost far more than building a wall. Folks in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California have been trying to do that for years. Now, a lot of the Southern land is Ranch land, and is being used, so, not all of it is going to waste. As well, a goodly portion consists of mountains. One of the most dangerous stretches (as I understand it) is along the Arizona border. I saw one of the Border Police shows that said in one stretch, one County, over 200 people a year die trying to cross there. A wall may be more humane that leaving it as it is? In truth, we could never build an actual wall the length of our Southern border. A combination of wall, fence, and electronic surveillance would probably be the only way to secure our Southern border.........and, even then.......folks would still get in.

I love the Country Church. The majority of Churches I have attended, the Congregation numbered between 20 and 60. I got to know some good, loving, God fearing Saints in those Churches, but I also know (like was said earlier) some of them, (a few of them?) were Spiritually dead. Still, I could never attend a Mega Church.......not knocking those who do, it just isn't for me...... This is one I love to see. Would love to go there.

A few years ago, someone was telling me that repentance was over hyped...water baptism is what was needed....or such. I wrote back to them my thoughts on the need to repent, and why it is important for all believers...... some of this you stated in the OP, and I hope this is in agreement with your OP: Why is “repentenc” necessary prior to water baptism. IF we understand that water baptism is a symbolic act giving "witness" to a spiritual rebirth, then we can understand the need for "repentance." Our spiritual rebirth into Jesus can not be seen/witnessed by the naked eye, thus Jesus commanded that we be water baptized, and, in this way, we profess to the Church and the World that we have become His disciples. The forgiveness of sin HAS ALREADY occurred.......Water baptism IS NOT unto salvation. It IS a "witness" OF our salvation to the Church, and to the World. So why would Jesus want us to do this? Let Him tell us Himself: Matthew 10:32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 .) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Luke 12:8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 .) But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Ok, what about repentance............ The first word Jesus preached in public was “repent”……….. Matthew 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Look at what is said in Acts 4:16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 .) For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 .) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. And again in Acts 20:20) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 .) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. So, in Acts 2:38, when Peter said: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He was well in line with the teaching of Jesus…….This is not a new concept/teaching…….consider: Proverbs 28:13)He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. John taught this as well……consider: 1st John 1:6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 .) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 .) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 .) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Again, consider what Luke wrote……….Luke 15:10) Likewise, I sa y unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And in the 13th Chapter, Luke records this…..from verse 3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. And Peter taught in Acts 3:19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; You can decide for yourselves IF we should "repent" of our sins..........as for me and my house we will with a sincere and contrite heart repent of our sins and pray that God will be faithful to forgive us of our sins..... AND we will be water baptized because Jesus said we were to be.......and to PROCLAIM to the Church and the World that we are His disciples. God bless you each and every one.

SALVATION ISA GIFT OF GRACE! Salvation: Salvation is a multi step process in my opinion, based on how I understand Scripture. Before I can fully explain my thoughts, it is necessary to establish a “base line” of Biblical beliefs from Scripture. Step One in God’s Salvation Plan: “Called” We who are saved are called by God unto salvation. He calls us to become His children. 1) God is a Spirit. John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 2) John 6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day I believe that God calls us through the Holy Spirit. In that the Holy Spirit moves upon our heart, upon our spirit to make us aware of our sinful life. A life apart from God equates to a sin filled life in my opinion. To be apart from God is to be living in sin. 3) Romans 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 .) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Once we become aware of His calling, of the Holy Spirit moving upon/within us, we face a decision. This is“conviction.” Being convicted by the Holy Spirit of our sinful life apart from God, we must decide if we are going to “confess” our sins, and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and accept into our lives as our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Or, we can turn and walk away, and deny Him. Sadly, there are those that do just this in my opinion, for I have known some who walked away from His calling, never to be visited by the Holy Spirit again. Conviction leading to Confession (which can also be stated as Repentance) is when we are down on our knees and with a sincere and contrite heart confess our sinful life apart from God, and ask Him into our lives, to receive salvation through Grace. His Grace is a gift, and not of any work of ours, and that gift was purchased with the precious blood that His only begotten Son shed on Calvary’s cross. Our salvation was bought with His blood. When God bestows His gift of Grace upon us, and the blood of Christ is applied to our hearts, cleansing us of all sin, we become a “new born” believer. 1stJohn 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Revelation 1:5 “…Unto him that loved us, and washed usfrom our sins in his own blood.” Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctifythe people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.” Romans 3:24-25 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” In my opinion, this “new birth”is a “spiritual” rebirth, not a physical one. Just as Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus. John 3:4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 .) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 .) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 .) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. God bless.

Excellent thread! Just my opinion: I believe we were not told what Paul's thorn was for his struggle would serve as an example for all believers who would follow him...by that I mean.....live after.... I believe we all have our thorn, and if we approach it as did Paul, we will allow God to reveal His power through us.

After my Mother passed, I gave a lot of thought to this, and I wrote the following: Almost home, I'm almost home I can almost see that golden shore. Almost home, I'm almost home Where I'll reign with Him forever more. Almost home, I'm almost home, I can almost hear that Angel Band. Almost home, I'm almost home, I can almost touch His nail scared hand. Almost home, I'm almost home, Lord, I can almost touch Your nail scared hand.

Boy, I kinda wonder if I should add a comment, but, shoot. I looked through the comments, and kept wondering when: John 3:16 would show up? 14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15)That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17)For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. and: Ephesians 2: 4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. To me (and maybe just me) these are the Gospel of Salvation.