BibleStudent100

There seems to be two ways to interpret this phrase: A) The writer does not say that Jesus’ sweat was actually mingled with his blood. He may only have been drawing a comparison, perhaps indicating that Christ’s perspiration formed like drops of blood or describing how the dripping of Jesus’ sweat resembled a drop-by-drop flowing of blood from a wound. B) Jesus’ blood may have exuded through his skin, being mixed with his sweat. Blood or elements thereof can seep through unruptured walls of blood vessels in a condition called diapedesis, and in hematidrosis there is an excreting of perspiration tinged with blood pigment or blood. What is the view of my esteemed spiritual colleagues in this forum?

Do we know what Trump's personal views are about abortion, gay rights, etc.? Or does he support a more "Christian" cause to just garner votes from born-again Christians or do we not care as long as "the guy in the office supports" Christian values even though he is not a true believer.

A LOT of paganism has been injected into "religious" holidays. Thank about Easter...

Pure protein my brother!

When reading your posting, I thought about this verse as it applies to ALL politicians and earthly political movements (part b of the verse): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6). The world's governments bounce from one position/policy/program, etc. to another to another to another and the common man is the one who suffers.

In viewing some episodes on Youtube, I would say that the series is much more realistic and authentic than the typical Hollywood Jesus movies. Sometimes, dialogue needs to be created to fill in the "blanks" of an event in the Bible as the Bible gives just a brief summary of an event. For example, Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well lasts for only 24 verses. To portray that important "encounter" in a movie, a script writer would need to add dialogue (Jesus' encounter with the man with the withered hand lasts only 5 verses, etc.). To include ONLY the Bible included dialogue would mean that some gospel events would feel like "truncated and incomplete" events in the history of Jesus' 3.5 years on the earth. I hear the Jehovah Witnesses are filming a complete movie (17 hours in length) of the life and times of Jesus. I wonder how they will address the "limited" dialogue of some of the happenings in the life of Jesus.

Very touching story; thank you for sharing and more importantly, thank you for your perseverance.

Job did not know why those calamities had come upon him. Job mistakenly concluded that in some way “God himself [had] given, and God himself [had] taken away.” (Job 1:21) Possibly, Satan deliberately sought to give Job the impression that it was God who had caused his affliction. But as we know and was unknown to Job, Satan was testing Job's integrity and God was allowing it. So Job was confused at that moments and this verse underscores Job's inability to understand the whole picture.

At the beginning he intrigued me, but after so many crazy stories, I think otherwise, especially after he admitted to picking up a dead bear and placing it in his back seat. Some of these politicians, including Biden and Trump and Harris, say the most bizarre things...

Indeed, the Jewish religious leaders (and even the apostles at first [John the Baptizer too]) were looking for a Messiah who would take on a political role as "savior" for the Jewish people, not a spiritual savior.

Amen Neighbor!

Elizabeth and Mary were related and of course we remember that Mary spent a few months with Elizabeth. Did the two families who grew up about 80 miles apart every connect for "family reunions"? I would be interested in knowing what other Forum members think

Good morning Diamond. I am so sorry to hear about your health conditions. Age 71 is still young! But I am glad to hear that your body is healing and I wish you further speedy recovery! I too have thought a lot about the "heavy" topics we discuss a lot in this forum and how we sometimes focus too much on them. God is a "happy god" (1 Timothy 1:11) and we should never forget that. When we observe the playful antics of baby kittens or watch otters zipping down a mud slide and splashing into a pond, do we not discern something about their Maker? He must be a happy Person. Certainly a God that created a monkey must himself have a sense of humor. Consider, too, the spontaneous squeal of delight as a child gazes at a tiny baby chick! Have a blessed and happy day!

These texts refer to Jesus as warrior who battles against the evil hordes. These verses do not say that Christian humans should take up battle. Jesus, while on earth, said: "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).

As we all remember, at the time that John the Baptizer baptized Jesus, he saw the dove ascend from heaven and he even heard God’s voice so we might wonder if John here in this verse was lacking faith, despite seeing the miracles. But the expectation that the Messiah would be an earthly king was a strong one and deeply entrenched in the Jewish tradition and was shared by John the Baptizer and his disciples. So his question, “Are we to expect a different one?” may have meant, ‘Are we to expect yet another one who will fulfill all the hopes of the Jews?’ Also, prior to his ascension, Jesus’ disciples still held the view that he would at that time deliver Israel from Gentile domination and set up the Kingdom (i.e. restore the reign of the Davidic line) on earth.—Lu 24:21; Ac 1:6. Thus, the question was predicated not on a lack of faith, but rather on an erroneous view shared by many.

I enjoyed your thoughts Pat. We normally find waiting easier if we are convinced that what we are waiting for is worth the delay and that it really will come eventually. In this regard, it is good to reflect on the fact that all sincere worshipers of God are waiting for the fulfillment of his magnificent promises found in the Bible! Focusing on these rewards makes our waiting much easier too. Additionally, in order to help us learn patience, the Bible encourages us to meditate on the example of a farmer. He sows his seed and has no choice but to wait patiently—doing what he can to protect his crop—until it is time for the harvest. Then his patience is rewarded, and he sees the fruits of his labor. (James 5:7) The apostle Paul mentions another example of patience. He reminds us of faithful men and women of old. They were looking forward to the outworking of God’s purposes, but they had to wait for God’s appointed time. Paul encourages us to imitate these, “who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”—Hebrews 6:11, 12.

I love all these insightful (and even a little philosophical) thoughts! Indeed, this can be a challenging concept to fully understand, but like a lot of you in the forum, I have thought a lot about this matter too. If I may add some thoughts: God’s almightiness is undeniably perfect and is infinite in capacity. Yet his perfection in strength does not require him to use his power to the full extent of his omnipotence in any or in all cases. If, in certain respects, God chooses to exercise his infinite ability of foreknowledge in a selective way and to the degree that pleases him, then assuredly no human or angel can rightly say: “What are you doing?” (Job 9:12;) It is therefore not a question of ability, what God can foresee, foreknow, and foreordain, for “with God all things are possible.” (Mt 19:26) The question is what God sees fit to foresee, foreknow, and foreordain, for “everything that he delighted to do he has done.”—Ps 115:3. Selective exercise of foreknowledge might is therefore not simply an unleashing of limitless power but is constantly governed by his purpose and, where merited, tempered by his mercy.

We all have heard of the reputation C.H. Spurgeon had for one of his favorite subject for sermons: hellfire. He thundered forth with graphic descriptions of the hideous torments awaiting sinners. Nowadays, that kind of preaching is seldom heard. Do you know if Pastor Spurgeon preached much about love and how that quality should be paramount in our lives?

We all know about the frightening dangers and risks posed by AI, but it does have its advantageous in fields such as reading medical x-rays, logistics, etc. But has anyone used AI in their ministry? Is there a way we can utilize AI as a tool in our evangelizing work or in other aspects of our Christian lives?

When asked about our view on homosexuality by someone who has little faith in the veracity of the Bible, it serves little purpose to quote the many Bible verses that condemn homosexuality, especially now, when the LGBTQ+ agenda has become totally acceptable and even “honored” in our society. So I take a different tack: “The Bible does NOT promote the hatred of gays! It tells us to ‘pursue peace with all people’ (Hebrews 12:14). So it is wrong to engage in bullying, hate crimes, or any other type of mistreatment of gays.” In less than a minute, I have given a good start to a Biblical perspective. If time allows, I continue: Our Christian mission is to follow God’s standard on behavior and just as one should not commit adultery or engage in fornication, people can change: “…that is what some of you were” (1 Corinthians 6:11. So even if those who stopped practicing homosexuality still feel any inclination toward that lifestyle, these urges can be kept under control: “Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all” (Galatians 5:16).

Matthew 28: 19, 20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Does not every Christian have a responsibility to preach the gospel, whether one is "well trained" or not? There is Biblical precedent for children providing a message for the Lord. 2 Kings chapter 5 comes to mind.

Living together is sinful in God's eyes and so that needs to remediated as soon as possible. God's blessing stream is like a faucet; the more your conduct and behavior and attitude align with Biblical norms, the more God will bless you. Thus, "cleaning up" your living arrangements is crucial as step 1. Perhaps you could ask her to move out and then you could start to date her in a Christian fashion to see if she is the right person to select as a marriage mate, based upon her needed changes.

Well stated brother!

Cyborgs and et al makes for a great novel and is fanciful thinking! We will have to see. But, I do believe that the frightening power associated with Generative AI will definitely have an impact upon the End Times. We all, of course, appreciate the positive assistance from AI (e.g. reading medical scans faster and more accurately than doctors can, etc.), but humans, in general, being controlled by the Devil will find nefarious ways we have yet to even contemplate to use AI to thwart God's message in the Time of the End. I find the future to be unsettled, EXCEPT that God has a Plan and we trust his Plan, even though the years prior to that will be filled with what Revelation 6:12 and 13 say: "“And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind casts its unripe figs.”