Riverwalker

But what happens when the present situation ceases to be profitable, as it seems to be soon coming

Kind of feel like Frodo in the Lord of the Rings Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. Gandalf: 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 to us. If we are to face these times, let us face them is strength and faith.

Very good word.....if we have built our house on Jesus the storm and wind and the rage may flail around us....but inside we are warm and safe and at peace...because we know our house will not fall if it is built on the rock!

And yet as you said, it must happen for things to end

If I was Taiwan I would be very afraid, the only thing standing between China and them is the bobblehead in chief, and right now he is focused on the saber rattling over the Ukraine I would not be surprised if Russians take Ukraine the same time the Chinese try to take Taiwan and we will be left standing in the middle calling for Mommy

I have had a lot of things happen to me in life, personal, relationships, family et al....but I look at each of these things as times God was with me. I also lived a very fortunate childhood, with a mom and dad who loved and cared for me, a brother and sister who I loved and annoyed and who loved and annoyed me. I never knew the insecurity some kids grow up with So with a good home life, and God with me through all my trials....I have no beefs, just victories, Never a victim always a victor Never overcome, always an overcomer you may beat me down for a while, but I will smile through my missing teeth, stand up brush the dirt off and say "round 2" God is with me

Only if they choose to be

There is a reason God calls the unbeliever a fool Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools

I am a bit of a fretter, Being responsible for my family's well being running a business and getting older all can lay their stress on me, When ever I get anxious I go to God in prayer as we are instructed Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. But sometimes I get a little too enthusiastic in my prayer and forget the second part of the scripture Which tells us, after you pray and thanks God for helping you and getting his Peace STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things So today for break I decided to take a walk, the sky was blue the sun was shining and the air was fresh. I had just finished praying (as I habit of doing while working) and when I started walking and started praying again And it was one of those moments when God gives a little tug on the leash to get me back on track, and I could hear his words in my heart "would you just relax, I got this" and I had to laugh...I was over stressing and forgot the part where I was supposed to stop thinking about it all. And then the line from the 46th Psalm came to me "Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.[c] 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields[d] with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. So does it ever get too much for you? And how do you respond?

Romans 9 is quoting Malachi 1 2-3 (well after they were gone and buried) This is not talking about hate as we know it God favored Jacob, made a nation of Him, because he was a smart a wily man who listened and sought out God Esau was a lout and slow coach who sold his birth rite for a bowl of stew. God could not make a nation from that So He favored (loved) Jacob and disfavored (hated) Esua

It is elemental to everything we are doing in this earth Will we find a way to get humble ourselves and fall on our knees and submit to a greater God or in our pride and self importance resist Him and lose the grace we so desperately need? This one thing will determine out eternity. James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

But we must stand in the face of opposition We must put our light on a stand for all to see After all, if God be for us, who can be against us

Amen Unforgiveness is an insidious thing For If we hold unforgiveness towards someone who hurt us, we are only letting them hurt us more They usually don't care if you are hurt, or even know you are mad. Your anger towards them hurts them not at all. But it hurts you. It places a block between you and God, it robs you of blessings and forgiveness....and over all you are miserable Why would you ever let someone who hurt you once, keep hurting you. Let them go...give them to God, forego your right to see justice done and give into the hands of God.....and be free, be at peace Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Again everlasting punishment is the second death And it is saying that the devil and the false prophet deceived THEM The BOTH referring to the devil and the false prophet....who suffer eternally because they cannot meet the second death and the hamster wheel spins

Neither of those quotes about PEOPLE but the devil and the false prophet...you are trying to cross a gap between people and the devil and his angels that has no bridge

It maty sound like it.....but it is not saying it. There is torment but it is not eternal...the smoke there of is. The outer darkness lasts until the second death in the lake of fire

What does satan gain from my believing the annhilation of the lost?

While the word Trinity is not found in the bible the concept is all over it The concept of eternal torment and devils with pitchforks is only found in works of fiction like Dante's Inferno

The punishment is eternal...there is no coming back from the second death which revelation says follows hell and judgment day in the lake of fire No what I am objecting to is what cannot be found in the bible....eternal torment

Eternity is a very long time, what purpose would God have in making anyone suffer forever. He came to save us, because he loved us. Those who reject God will go into the eternal second death.....God is a God of Justice.... the second death is Justice, eternal torment is not, it is also malicious, pettily vengeful and not at all what God is. And the bible ford not say they will be eternally tormented, but eternally punished, that is that the second death....will be forever. They will be removed from existence and we will go on to eternity

Yes the fire is forever The smoke is forever... the torment is not

The lake of fire COMES AFTER judgment day 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second [d]death.

What would little Craig say? " Stop the world I want to get off" What would Young Adult Christian Craig say? "Surely God you will not endure such apostasy as this" and 43 years later what does Old Man Craig say? "How long oh Lord will you endure such a stiff necked people. We have so long enjoyed the fruit of living in a land that sang " God Bless America" only now to shove the old eaten and rotted cores back in your face." I am glad I will not be here to see what is wrought 40 years from now

I have never found eternal torment in the bible, The fire is eternal The smoke there of is eternal (and the lake of fire was meant for the devil and His angels who will suffer forever) The punishment (the second death) eternal but cannot find torment Also the scripture I quoted clearly states that hell gives up its dead to be judged and the final disposition is in the lake of fire And then I see no justice in the eternal torment of a human being for being foolish. They wanted no God, they get no God, just enteral death....forever

To my understanding hell is the grave, the place the lost await judgment day, the outer darkness, and the torment is all self inflicted. "Great weeping and gnashing of teeth" is the ultimate sign of regret, meeting God and then being cast into the outer darkness, with the knowledge that you could have had all the peace, joy fulfillment et al....had you just not been so foolish But at the end of things, the lost are brought forth and judged. And if there name is not in the lambs book of life, they are tossed into the lake of fire (which was reserved for the devil and his angels) and meet the second death Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before [c]God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. His angles are reserved in ever lasting chains Jude 6:6 And the angels who did not keep their [c]proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;