Micah68

On the first day, God created light and God saw that it was good. After that, it says that He divided it from the darkness and that was the first day. Nothing more about things being good until the third day. The second day, it just says that He made the firmament and then divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters that were above the firmament. And it just says it was so. God never called the darkness good, but it was there already. Any being that is good but has never been tempted with evil has the potential for evil if confronted with it. God created satan so beautiful and wise that he became proud and that pride caused him to fall. Since that time, God has always been working on His plan to free His creation and to help them to get back into a perfect state. The only way to do it is to be tempted with evil and reject it out of a free will love for God through the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. Then that person will be a new creature, one that has been confronted with evil and has overcome by the power of Jesus' life. The serpent may not have been so obviously evil as we think of a serpent today. Remember, its punishment was to go on its belly and eat dust, etc. That means that it didn't do that before. In Strong's concordance 'serpent' is #5175 which means: 'a snake (from its hiss), serpent and it comes from #5172 which means to hiss or whisper a spell along with a few other things that are very interesting to what happens to us here on earth. So you can see that satan certainly was like that to Eve. You can picture him saying to Eve, "Yeah, God didn't really say that. You're not really going to die. Your eyes are going to be opened." And he made it sound so interesting, which is exactly what he has been doing to human beings ever since. By principle we have to know his wiles and reject it soundly.

Well, you're asking a very general question but pleasing God and pleasing your husband are not mutually exclusive. I mean, just because you do the one doesn't mean you can't do the other unless your husband is asking you to sin. Loving God should bring you closer to your husband and loving your husband should bring you closer to God. Being married is all about learning to be unselfish and to think about the other person more than yourself. Being a Christian I would think would make your husband happy. He won't be happy though if he was used to going out drinking, etc with you. One more thing, on Internet websites, if you type in all capital letters, people think that you're shouting at them. So, it's a little shocking when you type like that. I would recommend using lower case letters except when capitals are necessary.

I can't figure out how to link the article but on the WorldNet Daily website you can find the article where the president of Iran actually said this (that Israel must be wiped off the map) in a speech to some students. You don't have to look any further than your news headlines to see Scripture being fulfilled in our times. This world is marching toward a climactic showdown. It may look very bad for awhile but we should all know by now that it is a divine set up so that God can get the final victory. Just like in Elijah's showdown with the prophets of Baal where Elijah waited until the time of the evening sacrifice, God is going to have an evening sacrifice. It may look like a hopeless cause at some points but we have to remember the end of the story in Elijah's day. What a great story. We may see it play out in front of our eyes. I hope we are all working towards the same end.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to renew mine now!

Just like you want her to give you a break, can't you give her one? The pastor already told you that she's having some problems. It most likely has nothing to do with you. Quit taking it personally and get your mind on God. Look for God and that's what you will find. Even if she did have some problems with you, so what? Didn't Jesus tell us to love even those who give us a hard time? Reread Matthew 5. Don't look for scowling in the Bible. Look for how to overcome.

I don't know why they'd go for our food supply. We are already killing ourselves with what we're eating.

I'd hardly call this storm 'pounding.' It's more a meteorologist's event than a weather event. It's a windy, rainy day. But on the weather reports what do you see? All the news reporters out there in the rain interviewing the passersby and asking them what they think about the 'superstorm' or the huge Nor'easter. They all are answering, Well, I've seen worse. Or some say, Well, it's a windy, rainy day. Out on the ocean it's a different story. There are 20-27 foot waves out there. Not a day to go for a cruise.

Well, He ain't exactly happy. Not long ago Vermont started civil unions. Now Massachusetts has homosexual marriage and Connecticut also just began to allow civil unions on October 1st. Is it any wonder that New England had nine days straight of rain not long ago and at this moment is once again under the gun as three storms converge to create some very nasty weather over the next few days? I'm surprised it's not worse. We all have sinned in varying degrees. We have allowed our governments to enact evil, unchristian laws with scarcely a whimper. Now and then you hear about people opposing the evil laws and standing up for the Bible or the Ten Commandments. But if Christians were to unite and all go against what our country has done against God and against His Holy Scriptures, then you would see a change in these United States. Otherwise, we're in for a rough road ahead. Let's do as much as we can and hang onto our hats!!

Of course we can't blame it on satan if we choose to do something wrong. It was him that offered us the possibility but it was our responsibility to refuse it. That's what free will is all about. You have the choice but God wants you to choose God out of love for Him. Jesus left us the power of his overcoming life, the Holy Spirit to give us the power to overcome. If we call ourselves Christians, we have to use it to that end. He came to destroy the works of the devil. Now it's up to us to refuse to give in. That destroys it in our lives. It can have no power over us unless we give it power. The Scripture says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil." That's pretty clear. (1 Jo 3:8) It also says, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (Jo 8:34) So, a person's choices are important. We do not want to serve sin or the devil so we must choose God. Choosing God is choosing life. De 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. It has always been God's desire to give us life. The choice is up to us.

Great thoughts, IreneM. Let's add to it. If Jesus were to knock on your door, would you be embarassed to let him in because your house is so messy? Or would he find some unsavory things there? I like that book that asked the question: What would Jesus do? It's called 'In His Steps.' It makes you think about your everyday activities and helps you to make decisions in a way that would honor Jesus.

I'd like to add a thought to those who think that they will be the ones to live until the ripe old age of 90 even though they smoke. Think of this: my husband's dad was a life time smoker. He was dying of emphysema and cancer when his house caught fire. His dear wife, my husband's mother, could not get him out of the house in time. It was a gruesome, horrible death and his family has to live the rest of their lives knowing that he died in that way. Next time you light up, think about it. Could that happen to you? I am not making this up. I'm not trying to be nasty but the thought is: what's nastier, to shock a few folks into quitting or to justify their continuation of smoking?

So, go buy more cigarettes and smoke them all and end your life early, rationalizing that it's not a sin and then go and try your rationalizations on God when He asks you why your life ended so early and you could not be more of a use for Him, why you couldn't stick around to help your family and why you had to be a burden to others at the end of your life when emphysema took over your body. Keep on smoking and then when you want to light up in His presence, He'll give you the thumbs down. Oops, too late to quit then. We are responsible for that which we have knowlede of. People today know that smoking kills. Granted some people seem to be able to smoke and still live long lives. That doesn't cut it as an excuse because the fact is the majority don't. As for eating junk etc, well, why not clean that up too? But some of us cannot afford the prices of organic foods so we just do the best we can to keep this temple of God in the best shape we can. We live in a terrible world and we are responsible to do what we can in it.

In my Father's house are many mansions. John 14:2 There are many different heavens. Someone who does not know Jesus but lives a righteous life will get a righteous man's reward.

Another thought: There's no smoking in heaven. Quit before you go.

Some Christians have the false idea that they have to help everyone. Sorry, but everyone does not want help. If someone does not want your help, you cannot force them to love God. They have free will and they have used it to make decisions against God. You can only pray for them and let God take care of it. It seems cruel but maybe the best thing that could happen to them would be a mild judgment from God Himself. It might finally get their attention and then they would be willing to hear from you. Until then, if they don't want to hear from you, you're wasting your time, being a pest and perhaps making them twice fit for hell.

Well, some Episcopalians (I'm not sure if it's the mainstream group or what) have not exactly shown themselves to be in line with Bible teachings lately. The problem is that other churches may jump on this bandwagon and then it starts to snowball. People then begin to think that's the norm and if you say any different, you're not being 'tolerant.' But we can have hope because we know scripturally that in order to be made aright, things have to get worse first. So, when things get rough, let's not panic but know that our redemption draweth nigh.

Stick with the no sugar deal and you'll be a lot less grumpy from now on!! Sugar is bad news ... but that's another subject. I didn't try to read the article because of the others' apparent troubles with it, but why should we believe scientists about whether or not it's the end of the world? Besides 'the end of the world' is just an expression we use to say the end of these times or the end of satan's kingdom or the end of the world as we know it. In reality, if we were to look at it from God's perspective, He would probably be thrilled and call it the beginning of His kingdom or the 'beginning of the world.' The fact however remains that there will be much turmoil in the next years because satan does not easily give up something that he has held in the palm of his hand for so long. But the beauty of the Bible is that you can know the end of our story by reading the end of HISstory.

I agree that your faith must show up in everything you do. Otherwise it is no faith at all. James 2:17 says that faith, if it has no works, is dead, being alone. If Abraham had said, "Yes, Lord, I believe you" and had not done what the Lord required of him, then we would not have the beautiful example of faith that we see in his life. If he had not gone ahead with the sacrifice, God could not have said to him, "Now, I know that you love me." It's the same with us. God wants to see our faith in action. But let's not judge the judge before she even begins. If she is confirmed, who knows, maybe she is destined to be a bit like Queen Esther, the right person in the right place at the right time to do something important.

Well, it seems that God has put you in the perfect spot to get your attention. His commandments are important to Him and a true marriage should be based on keeping them. That means putting God first and loving one another more than self's desires. What's it worth to you to spend the rest of your life with this woman? Are you willing to regain her trust? Well, it's going to take some time, time that should be spent letting her get to know your character and strength, not time spent living together. Maybe you need to get to know your character and strength too. Becoming a man of your word and a man of honor doesn't happen over night. It happens line upon line and step after step. So start by doing the things suggested in the posts above. Get rid of the porn. Since you didn't get rid of it before, it shows that you had not made a complete break with it in your heart. If she is really worth it and you really love her, it will be well worth the time and effort you put in to healing your soul and it will help her also. Then your marriage will truly get off on the right foot, plus you'll be a good example to your children. You have to think of them too, you know. It will help them tremendously to see their dad work things out and treat his intended with respect and honor. Best wishes. God be with you.

While it is true that the flesh profiteth nothing, it is also true that what we do in the flesh has a direct correspondence to our belief. All you have to do is read the book of James to know that that your faith is shown by your works. Therefore, if in fact the chip is the mark, and someone were to take it, even though it is a natural thing, that person would be proving that he or she really has no belief in God at all. Without the mark a person will not be able to buy or sell. So, taking it proves that you are more interested in your natural life than your faith in God. God is able to take care of His sheep. We are proving every day of our lives who is in control of our life by our choices. Are we ruled by this flesh? Or does Jesus rule in our spirit? Jesus had total control over his flesh. His spirit was in control. He left us an example that we have to let him rule over our flesh. Otherwise, we're in big trouble when the big decision time comes. God is leading everyone on earth to that valley of decision. What will you decide? Esau gave it all up for a bowl of pottage. He couldn't get it back even though he carefully sought it with tears. So, you may think that it's just a natural thing but there is so much more to it. The natural proves what is in the spirit.

God does not always show us why He is judging a certain place, but this thing you can be sure of: it's not a blessing. Read through Deuteronomy 28. God blesses those who keep His commandments and those who don't, bring their own judgments on their heads.

He will just bring further judgments on his city. Revelations 16:9, 11 talks about how people will not repent in spite of God's judgments. It's happening right while we watch.

India and Pakistan have been at odds and at war over parts of Kashmir and over their differences in faith for years. Maybe God will force them to work together on recovery efforts. That would be interesting.

It's true that we can always pray that somehow people will see the light, but the people in charge down there don't get it and don't want to get it. According to scripture, people will only learn righteousness when God's judgments are in the earth. It may sound unchristian but maybe we should pray that they be judged again with the hopes that the judgment will straighten them out. However, the Scripture also says that even though God judges, people still will not repent. It's very sad but how can the righteous be freed from the evil? There are righteous out there who don't know the truth and they will turn to God when they see that He has a standard and that He won't put up with sin.

Halloween is well documented as a pagan holiday. We don't have to go through that again. However, the Scripture says, "Come out from among them and be ye separate." It also says that we should be a light to a dark world. How can we be a light to a dark world if we're doing the same things as them? No one will ever know that God means to be worshipped in holiness if we're just like the world. Some will answer back and say that Jesus said that he didn't want to take his disciples out of the world. But then again you have to read the whole thing. He prayed that God would keep his disciples from the evil. Halloween is evil. You can't change that fact. Get over it and find something positive to do with your time. As far as Christmas goes, Jeremiah 10:4 says "For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Sounds like an old time description of a christmas tree to me. Vain customs, foolishness. If we want to celebrate Jesus, we should be doing it every day. Most people can't give up their customs of Christmas because they are too entrenched in it. If we can't give something up, it's because we love that thing more than God. Idolatry.