LanceA

With a bigger name playing the character it might build a little bit more momentum.

Yes you have responsibilities to not do certain things. We have our carnal self to deal with along with attacks by satan. Just remember Jesus has already died for your sins. Even as a Christian we fall short and sin, is this satans fault? He does tempt us and puts road blocks in our way but that doesn't mean we will faulter. We have someone much greater with us and we can overcome the temptations and wants of this world. If we try to fight a spiritual battle with our carnal self then we will fail. We are to fight a spiritual battle with spiritual defenses and offenses. Dive into the Word of God and learn how to overcome this world.

We are to hate sin. To dismiss satan and act like he isn't causing issues isn't biblical. Satan will attack us and we need to lean on God and use the authority He gave us over satan.

Hey Mike, I think someone mentioned Charis Bible College in this thread. I am attending Charis and I'm 42. I am in the first year program online and after that will see where God leads me. The second and third year has to be done at the college. It is a great program and during the second year you get to do a missions trip. Third year program is more specific to what you want, missions, ministry, media and business. They have extension schools as well throughout the US so you might have one close to you. Lance

This is something I wrote up for another forum I am on and thought it would go along with this topic. Ok I know this topic will have a few who disagree, but I thought it should be brought up anyways. Is the feminist movement in some way stirred up by satan? If we look at the Church's current state with a lot more female pastors and leaders we could possibly agree this is the cause of satan and spiritual warfare. How many churches have been divided because of a denomination allowing women ministers? How many friendships have been torn apart over this as well? The Church is in a confused state and satan is loving every bit of it. 1 Corinthians 14:33 NASB "for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" So if this confusion within the church isn't from God then that only leaves us to ascertain that it is coming from satan. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy the Church and divide it. John 10:10 NASB The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; So with this feminist movement women have a lot more rights than they had before. So according to the Bible do women have a right to be a pastor/leader of the Church? The Bible does say men and women have the same equality. 1. Made in God's Image 2. Dominion over the Earth 3. Joint heirs in Christ The equality men have with women has nothing to do with leadership in the Church or the home. The feminist movement is a form of rebellion and the Bible has something to say about rebellion. 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king. Granted this verse is referring to Saul and his disobedience to God, we can surely use it in any part or our lives. If men or women rebel against the Word of God, He will reject us. Now why would God claim women should submit to their husbands and not have equal roles in the household and the Church? There are a few verses that can clarify this in the Bible and it starts in Genesis and the fall of man. In Genesis 2:22 we see that God created a women out of Adams rib. Man was created first for a reason, and this reason is to be the symbol of leadership in the family and spiritual leadership. In Genesis 3 we see the women being deceived by satan and therefore causing the fall of man. Granted man also ate the fruit, but since the woman was the one deceived she was punished for it and we see that punishment in Genesis 4:16. "To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you." The Word of God is truth and technically we don't have to go any further than the part where God says man will rule over a woman. This doesn't mean men can be abusive to a woman, but within the household and spiritual concerns the man is the leader. Even in the New Testament it speaks of this same command from God; so we know it didn't end with the old law. 1 Timothy 2:11-15 "A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 "The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in Church" So this solidifies what the Old Testament says about man and woman. A lot of people will say Paul was speaking to a certain Church, but I disagree. Why would he comment on creation and the fall of man if this was for just one Church? Another verse in the Bible claims that women are a weaker vessel. 1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman" This verse is talking about submitting to our wives but not submitting to them as a leader but out of understanding and being sensitive to their needs. Now the verse does say the woman is weaker than the man. I am not fully sure this is speaking of physically weaker or spiritually? Could it be because of the temptation with satan and Eve that God considers women weaker spiritually than man and that is another motivation behind not allowing a woman to be a leader? This is just my speculation and most likely it is the physical part that men need to be sensitive towards. The biggest argument I have come across with the women pastors or leaders is the Holy Spirit spoke to me and this is what He said. The bible speaks of testing the spirits and if a spirit or a person is telling you that this is ok then we are to test the spirits with the Word of God. If the Word of God doesn't line up with what the spirit is saying then we are not to go along with it. 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" Psalms 119:169 "Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your Word" So from what we see from the Word of God we are to test the spirits and get clear understanding according to the Word of God. If it doesn't line up with the Word of God then it isn't coming from the Holy Spirit. The next verse it talks about Christ being the head of every man and man to woman. 1 Corinthians 11:3-9 "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ" The Word of God speaks for itself and clearly states the roles of man and women. If we believe the Bible is God Breathed, then we have to accept that every part of the Bible is truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." The Word is Truth John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" Psalm 119:160 "The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting" Titus 1:6-7 and 1 Timothy 3:2 both give qualifications for leaders of a church and specifically state it is a man not a woman. I believe I have provided enough evidence that the Word of God states the man is the leader of the household and the Church. I believe the result of the feminist movement has caused a lot of division in the Church lately and this is caused by satan and spiritual warfare. I have many women in my life and I respect all of them. I have female family members who have mentored me in the Word of God and I love them dearly. Even though they have been mentors of mine they all agree that women should not be leaders of the Church and it is the man’s responsibility to be in charge of the household. I hope this brings some good conversation and doesn't cause any type of bad feelings because someone disagrees. Lance

Remember we are a three part being, body, soul and spirit. If we are born again the demon cannot influence out spirit, but if we stray our body and soul can be influenced and oppressed. Can we be possessed? I'm not really sure about this. It is a good discussion because there are so many variables. Is the person actually born again would be my first question.

Here are three easy steps to get rid of the pounds. 1. Don't eat after 7pm. Any fat you take in before bed will be used up as energy when sleeping instead of the fat stored in body. 2. Stop drinking soda. 3. Eat portions. Common size would be the size of your fist. Make sure you have a snack in between your meals. This can be fruit or some sort of bar with protein. Now if you are working out I would maybe take some sort of protein shake with the in between meals. Eating like this doesn't take away the items you like to eat. If you have cravings for lets say a cake, don't buy or make the cake just have a small piece and move on. One good way to stay within the portions and never bring the extra food to the table. Leave it on the counter or even put in the fridge right away, this will keep you from going back for seconds. Hope this helps

I read it as pologymy as well. If you have someone that was married and not saved, or didn't know about Christ at all, that person gets a divorce and lets say 10 years later he is a Christian then all of his previous sins are washed away by the blood of Christ. Now lets say he gets married as a Christian and he feels God calling him to be a pastor, would his previous marriage keep him from being a pastor? He could very well be keeping his current life in order because he has Christ now.

This topic always stirs up anger and bickering. Praise God we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in our learning

Hi everyone, I'm new to forum so I am just checking out some of the posts on here. I did a little write up on this very subject a few days ago and if you all don't mind I'll just copy and paste it in here. There are many Christians who say we can't judge. The bible does state you are not to judge in the below verse. This seems to be the verse Christians use to claim we aren't allowed to judge anyone. Matthew 7:1-5 7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? In this verse it doesn't necessarily say not to judge, but when you do judge you will also be judged by the same degree you judged someone. And if you are also in sin then get your act straight before you cast blame on someone else. I will use the following verses to support my claim that Christians can judge. John 7:24 "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” This verse is talking about righteous judgement. What is right judgment? In the KJV says righteous judgement and NASB does as well. Righteous judgment is Biblical Judgment. Judge a person according to what the Word of God says. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you. The first part of this passage tells us not to associate with certain people who are in sin. To find out who is in sin we must judge them. It also states we aren't here to judge outsiders (non Christians) but judge members of the Church. God judges the non Christians and we judge fellow Christians. It also states to get rid of the evil people among us. NASB says to get rid of the wicked among us. So here it says we are to get rid of wicked members of the church. To find out if someone in the church is wicked we must judge them. Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. This passage tells us to Abhor evil. To abhor evil we must judge the person first to find the evil. James 5:19-20 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. God wants us to confront brothers and sisters in Christ and let them know of their sinful ways therefore judging them. If we don't let other Christians know that they are walking the wrong path then we are allowing them to possibly face death (hell). This is a good thing to do this. The following are examples of where Apostles judging others. 2 Timothy 2:16-17 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus 2 Timothy 4:14-15 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 1 Timothy 1:19-20 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Paul in these verses is judging and telling other Christians about things others have done. 3 John 1:9-10 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church John is telling others of something Diotrephes has done. Again we see judgement from a Christian telling other Christians. 1 Timothy 5:20 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. Here it tells us we are to confront Christians in sin (judge) and do this in front of other Christians and this is to make other Christians think twice about entering into sin. James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. Here it tells us we are to do the right thing and that right thing is to judge other Christians, not out of hate or anger, but to help them see that what they are doing is wrong and also to help other Christians see this before they act on it. My position is we can judge other Christians but we need to do it out of love and not pride or anger. I don't think Christians wanted to kick others out of the Church but it happened. Can this be abused like anything else? Yes! We need to trust in the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us.