Billiards Ball

1) You're not alone, you could have asked me, and I'd have joined you there. 2) Yes, Jesus sent us two-by-two for some situations to avoid the burnout you experienced. 3) Mediate on 2 Tim 2:24-26 before returning to that site

At what point are we quibbling over words and concepts, as prohibited in the NT?

JESUS IS GOD. HERE ARE 30 COMMON BIBLE VERSIONS IN ENGLISH WHERE HE'S MORE THAN THE "good" SHEPHERD: https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-4.htm Stop.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I'm tired of water baptism CULTS. Splashing about in a river where my neighbor has recently urinated does NOT do anything--obedience to the command to be baptized is what bears fruit.

Biblically, an elder's crown is awarded to good shepherds (aka pastors, elders, presbyters, bishops in Greek). Biblically, Jesus is the GREAT Shepherd and Chief Shepherd.

Yes, use logic and math principles: All other religions teach "perfect yourself morally", an impossibility--to achieve the ability to be part of utopia without ruining it. Christianity = Jesus gives a free gift of perfection to anyone trusting Him. Make a one-time decision to trust Jesus, not yourself, to make you perfect after you die or rapture to enter utopia. He died for your sin, guilt and shame and took the punishment you and I deserve--on the cross. He then resurrected in power so you can trust Him for eternal life. Logically, all other religions fall short--because they rely on ME not GOD to save/perfect.

You need both Bible knowledge and experience of the love and peace of God: Knowledge - The Bible says whoever has placed their trust in Jesus is LOVED by God and will NOT be spit out--the "spit out" reference is to a church's standing in the ancient world, not an individual who trusted Jesus for salvation Peace of God - You need to pray to God, not ask us on a forum, for God to help you FEEL love and peace, and to fill you inside with His Spirit. We are to continually ask for the Spirit to fill us, per the Bible!

Yes, "those with their minds on the things of the Spirit" are thinking about God's Word and spiritual revelations. Even experienced evangelicals, however, can get a little cessationist and forget God brings us fresh light and peace when we pursue the Spirit.

By "not safe", I must assume you mean "1 in 10,000 people has very bad side effects as opposed" to "COVID can give you permanent sense, brain or lung damage".

The Bible is inerrant and contains no contradictions: “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory [and thankfully, each of us who is born again will do so].” “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end [and at the very end when we meet Jesus, our conviction will be glorified].”

Why can't we say "three powerful Gods who are One in the most intimate possible way"? For example, a picture God uses for this unity is marital relations where two people uniquely join to become one yet with two different personalities.

He was saved in Gen 17, trusting God. He is known internationally as righteous for sacrificing His unique Son (as a type of Christ) decades after.

How about a BIBLE PASSAGE? Verses are all-powerful but the Bible teaches (unlike many studies and sermons) in PASSAGES.

WONDERFUL that you're reading the New Testament. Trust Jesus, not your own religious efforts, for eternal life!

Zoom is your friend. After all, most churches are holding online meetings. Google for a church that offers one-on-one discipleship. I also disciple people, as does my spouse. Send us a PM.

Jesus said "Whoever trusts me for eternal life will NEVER perish in Hell." (John 3:16) Trust Jesus today for eternal life and trust that He tells the truth, not lies--you HAVE salvation!

If you trust Jesus for salvation, all former contracts with Satan are broken, the blood of Christ washes away your sin, guilt, condemnation . . .

Jesus's Old Testament appearances are called "hierophanies". No one has seen the Father--His voice only was heard in the New Testament. JESUS interacted with Abraham and Abraham trusted Him for a son--a miracle, unique son, a type of Jesus as God's Son. Both testaments are clear. People who trust God for salvation are saved, people who trust themselves for salvation are lost.

1) Modern meteorologists are still sometimes surprised by wind behavior (scientific/prescient Bible accuracy). 2) We are sometimes surprised at who receives Jesus as Savior. We are to witness to many people, not knowing before we do who will be touched by the Spirit as we evangelize.

There is a freshness and joy that comes with being truly born again. Jesus said those who get to Heaven "love like a little child".

Most every church in America is on Zoom now, find a local church to meet with people, even during a lockdown. SALVATION is encouraging as is assurance, memorize John 3:16 - “God loved the world in this way--He gave His Son, so whoever trusts Him shall never perish but has eternal life."

But bad advice to tell you "just stop your addiction". You need to understand God's power is required, and not just willpower, which fails. Myths debunked: · Not willpower, but wounded heart repair · Not willpower, but trusting the love of Jesus · Not a moral problem, it starts that way then becomes a brain problem · It’s not about drugs, it’s about medicating pain · Not about “a good or bad person” but a change on the cellular level · People who counsel “pray it away, study more” haven’t been addicted · It’s not “the addiction made me do it”, it’s the underlying wounds that must be treated ** · Break the cycle by understanding the four-part willpower noose cycle · 1 Root of bondage o Early sex exposure/early sex imprinting, father wounds, abuse · 2 Shame mindset o Guilt “I did wrong” > Shame “I’m wrong” > shame is who you see yourself to be o Feel worthless and inadequate, anger is a secondary emotion, the primary is fear · 3 Binge, purge, wait a while, binge (to numb shame) o Addiction is to feel euphoric or feel nothing, avoids feeling pain (but increases pain) o Triggering > Ritual > Acting out > Triggering Cycle, like a coke addict who sees a $20 bill · 4 Cloak of denial with others o Habit key = Identity, I am not ashamed · 5 The works noose pushes it all deeper

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd over other shepherds. Many pastors take the analogy too far/become overly controlling, but elders who serve well win a Shepherd's Crown.

Assurance is based on Bible facts. How you understand salvation colors how you understand assurance: Heaven is a perfect place where morally imperfect sinners cannot live (without ruining life there). Jesus died and rose for our sin, trust Him today to make you perfect when you meet in person--when He brings you to Heaven. I trusted Jesus, not me, in the past, for perfection. In the present and future I have 100% asssurance. If you're not 100% sure about salvation (assured) trust JESUS NOW FOR SALVATION, not your own efforts to someday (never!) achieve moral perfection / right action 100% of the time).

Start with verses about salvation, like John 3:16. You definitely need to find a local church that will have Zoom meetings now, during this pandemic time, so you can have helpful Christian friends and fellowship.