Riverwalker

I will praying for you and God's best will in this. Keep us informed

If that is about to happen it has all been foretold. I always think of the line from Tolkien. He had an insight a wisdom in line with the bible “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” and know that God is with us, and will help us. On a side note this morning I wake up and find that I have been put in facebook jail (a 24 hour posting ban) this morning because I posted content that goes against their hate speech and inferiority policy. I find it interesting that they are accusing God of hate speech, because what I posted was what Psalm 14:1 says "The fool has said in his heart there is no God" I guess now if God's truth is offensive, it too must be destroyed

God calls...we answer. Our Choice to be Christian is completely voluntary. And completely dependent on us taking the action to believe. Yes God chooses the gift, God wraps the gift and God gives the gift....but unless we willingly receive the gift, it goes unfulfilled

I am afraid I do not, I don't have the much time or mental acuity What is bad is looking at a question that is a week old and having to look through the thread to see if I already answered it. The difference between Senior and Senile is two little letters

While I do not disagree with what is being said here. It is a rather insular view. We are not alone here, there are many others. There are the lost that we can share the light with, there are the saved who can encourage and exhort us, there are the pastors who can open the word to us, and there are, for some of us, spouses and family to help share the load and if we have no earthly family, we have our heavenly one. So while there is one source, there are many ports. And many things and people here to find joy in, to encourage, to exhort, to show mercy and compassion, to be with. We are not alone, not desolate. We have God and we have each other. That will sustain us very nicely

And many as choose to be saved and made righteous John 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. Romans 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

I am afraid I have to disagree with you on Romans 7 Paul is talking about himself and the dual nature we all have to deal with The evil of the Flesh and the Righteousness of the Spirit. Romans 7: 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. In Chapter 12 he tells us to submit our bodies as a living sacrifice, because there is no way that the flesh can ever be redeemed, this is why we will get a new body on Resurrection Romans 12:12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We are no longer BOUND to the sin nature, but as long as we take breath into this corrupt body we will have to fight it. 2 Corinthians 10:, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. We have been set free from sin, it is no longer our master, but unless you have found a secret that I am unware of, we all still deal with sin.

Agreed with one proviso, I would change MUST use, to SHOULD use. We should desire the best gifts, but we are not forced to use them

Often the best policy unless you are specifically led to share. Besides your fruit will tell the tale

That unity will come at the end of all things, when we are all gathered together in one accord. In the mean time, there will be many who reject the path of righteousness. And be watchful, for the desire to see all be part of the flock, and lead to some wolves in sheep clothing entering the fold

So wonderful, thanks for sharing. I had a similar "kick start" moment in my life when all cards were dealt and I could crumble or I could fly . I am glad you flew

Love this, I have long known that God keeps things from me, because If I was aware of them I would just mess them up. Not really known for my patience

There is a lot to take in here, and a lot to say, but I am going to have to take my time and process this. I just wanted to make two initial comments 1. This is not goodbye, but rather, until we meet again on the streets of Gold. 2.Not all the answers are available to us now, and this thing you call your mind is not found in physical matter, it did not evolve, it is the essence of you, your soul. Who you are. And who you will always be when the flesh we have fails us. There are greater things involved in who you are than can be found inside your head. The brain is merely the interface between our physical existence and our spiritual existence. The flesh we inhabit has a sin nature, and it is inherited from our ancestor Adam. We will be free of that when we breathe our last, and our new bodies on ressurections will not have that

Thank you again. So let me see If I got the focus of this message His mercies endureth forever And like the Manna of old, they are new every morning Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a] his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The purpose of the Law was to show us the need for Christ, Romans 8:8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 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, 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. The purpose of individual commandments is to keep us and others from harm (which can be caused when we choose to sin) and to make us victorius

"And what bearing (if any) does this have on the way the Church handles or mishandles the Gospel?" Which church do you speak of? The entirety of Christianity or some organization of man? The Old Covenant (Testament) was completed on the Cross, through the blood of the lamb the price was paid. The New Covenant was created On resurrection and empowered on Pentecost. While there is no where in the bible that states explicitly when this change occurred, I base the above on many scriptures including: John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Galatians 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 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, 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. 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. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Acts 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

I would that every gathering of Christians be like this

I am glad it all worked out well for you. We are instructed NOT to let various things move us, we are to take authority over those words and thoughts and bring them into the captivity of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 2nd Corinthians 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. In a weakened condition and in pain that is almost impossible to do, but with God all things are possible, so do not lose heart in any situation, for God is with us

Any statement that starts with the above, is problematic. If it is true, there is no but.

Paul laid it out very simply in Ephesians and James is saying the same thing, from the Other Direction Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Nobody quotes vs 10, but it seals the deal) We are not saved by works....we are saved TO them. And Just like an apple that bears n0 leaves or fruit as is its nature, must be dead. So to a Christian's whose nature it is to do good works, if none follow salvation, that too is dead

No I think you just needed to find the right forum...and may I suggest you have. Today's world is full of narcissists who cannot allow anyone else to be right, or share their spotlight. they are rude, callous and entirely in appropriate. The only way they will accept you is if you fall in lock step with them and bow to their greatness. I have been on many such forums, Christian or not, and while it doesn't bother me what people say about me (because seriously who are they that I should believe them when God tells me I am his child) But I am about as an introverted asocial being as you can get, who does not require the company. My wife, in God's wisdom, is just the opposite, and she craves companionship and friendship and I hear the same story for her, "all I want to do is be part of the conversation, why does there have to be so much drama?" It is the world we live in today and it has infiltrated to some degree the rank and file of Christianity That being said, I have to tell you this site is safe. It is very well moderated and its purpose is clear, to be a place for all Christians to gather and share. Oh occasionally people like me forget the purpose and speak out a bit inappropriately, but one quick jerk on my leash by the mods, and I fall back into line. So I hope you give this site a chance.

I find that the more I strike out on my own, the m0re trouble I get into. If Jesus is not my captain, if the Holy Sprit is not leading me but playing catch up, sooner or later this plane of life I am flying is going to end up as a smudge on a mountain top. More than a few of us, have Jesus along for the ride when he should be piloting our lives A Pilot Selects the flight plan Adjusts the flight plan as needed Is responsible for everyone on the plane Makes the final call when it is safe to fly and when we should stay grounded Flies the plane Issues orders that are beneficial both for the journey and the passengers A Co-Pilot assists, the pilot, Files the pilots flight plan Takes care of the check lists Makes sure the fuel is on b0ard Occasionally takes the wheel and flies Follows orders Jesus should be leading, and we should be following Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. ------------- Romans 8: 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ------------- John 14:4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Life as a Christian means putting God first, submitting to His will, and trusting in his guidance, wisdom and knowledge to make sure we are going to arrive at our intended destination. If you have brought Jesus along for the ride, do not be surprised if you find the seat next to is empty right about the time the mountain top looms large in front of you. He will help you in your disaster, but with Him as your pilot, there will be no disasters.

You have to understand that my usual modus operendi has been to cut people off at the knees, then pray for healing....So I am trying to moderate my responses

Gonna have ponder that as well as all the rest. Thank you again for posting. Sounds like Solomon was going through a rough patch there, but I love how it softens at the end.

Yes the world is Black and White, and gray is just white that has been polluted with black. But remember these are people we are talking about and God loves them, and we are supposed to have compassion. Besides no decision is final until we breathe out our last breath.