Alive

and of course speaking of the Kingdom of God. Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

OK--this one needs work and not yet ready for prime time or even after 12 news.

I have to move on for now….perhaps will continue at a later time.

My question in response to tatwo referring to the destroying in Christ’s name, was to ask are they? Neither can be. They would have to be Christ’s for it to be true. This reality shifts the conversation away from Christians and puts it onto two parties that are not Christ’s. I asked, “who is destroying in His Nature or Name”. This is impossible.

This is a disjointed discussion. The above doesn’t address my question. So be it. God bless you.

Yup

It sounds like an idea that could bear fruit, brother. I am praying.

I hope the mayor fares well. He is in a real pickle.

Is Israel or Hamas destroying in the Nature of the Lord…in His Name?

The biblical definition of sin may help. The focus is to miss the mark and that mark is the perfect Righteousness of Christ. sinned G0264 ἁμαρτάνω ----- [Analytics] sinned (104x) G0264 (45x) [Mounce Greek Dictionary] gk G279 | s G264 ἁμαρτάνω hamartanō 43x pr. to miss a mark; to be in error, 1 Cor. 15:34; Tit. 3:11; to sin, Jn. 5:14; to be guilty of wrong, Mt. 18:15 → sin. ☞ mounce | niv | esv | csb | nrsv | nkjv | kjv

Who are these people to say how Israel gives aid to their enemy. Its ridiculous on its face.

I am not certain that I see just what the point is here any longer. Israel, such as it is is an entirely secular nation, so they cannot be reasonably held to abide by the teachings of Christ. They are one of many nations in this fallen world and they happen to be surrounded by those who wish to eliminate them--man, woman and child. Hamas has committed unthinkable atrocities while using their own citizens as shields. Does this need repeating? So I ask, do those judging Israel, so judge Hamas with as much enthusiasm. From an earthly point of view--which is what is relevant here--I see no moral equivalence. Israel does not want all of their enemies wiped off the earth as does Iran and its proxies. Israel drops leaflets and warns the innocent. This is remarkable in this war's context. Do you also condemn Hamas? I pray that we refrain from any undue condemnation. Its easy from the comfort of our sofa...we do not wear their shoes.

In my own life and walk, I have found it a very real blessing to have come to a place where I realize that I can do nothing without Him. Its makes for a daily reliance on and looking to Him in near constant prayer/conversing with Him. This mindset, if you will, drives me closer to Him. We understand, that the battle is in the mind and in this ever confused and sinful world, we need our minds set on Him. Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)

Thanks for the belly chuckle, George. I read that article this morning and you nailed it.

Thank you for this thoughtful and very good post. There is no other Name given among men whereby we are saved. Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I called the DMV here the other day to ask what was required and she said, I must have a utility bill that proves residency.

I understand Marilyn, but I am reaching out to all of our brethren's hearts and minds who find themselves in all manner of structures.

That is funny. You should send it to Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It sure is. I saw a note--maybe on X--about a number such as that DOGE found that is like a ghost account. No accounting whatsoever. I thought it too large a number, but who knows.

You're killing me over here!

Wow! That is nuts, if accurate. Perhaps this is where the missing DOGE money went.

I suspect that these two are connected. What I mean is that the spiritual state of the Church may very well be causal in some fashion to whatever is happening across the earth. A large fresh harvest of souls into the Kingdom. It is my hope and prayer that we see a greater realization of true Unity in the experience of the Church. Paul by the Holy Spirit speaks of this here. Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to lead a life worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called to the one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” 9 Now the expression “he ascended,” what does it imply except that he also descended to the lower regions, to the earth? 10 He who descended is himself the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. 11 And it was he who gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and brought together by every supporting ligament, according to the working of each individual part, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. The following is something I put down some years back and I am convinced the subject is relevant to the subject at hand and well worth all who are members of His Church to consider. More than consider, but strive to improve according to His Grace and working in us. Factions We wonder why the church (small c) lacks power and a strong witness that results in great fruit and revival of love, joy in the Holy Spirit with many souls coming in and thirsty for Truth. We wonder why so many remain in a state of spiritual infancy. I suggest that it is the ‘spirit’ of factions or division. Not so much the doctrinal differences within christendom, but rather the hearts and attitudes that come from the root of factions. That attitude says, “we are more special than you folks over there”. We are ‘especial’ because we say this or because we use these special terms and words that are more special than yours”. There are those among us who specialize in this. There are those whose main function is to plant and fertilize this spirit of faction. I don’t say, ‘intent’—I say ‘function’. These things do not come from God. I tell you, the Lord and the Holy Spirit can’t and won’t function in that environment. That spirit and that fleshly emanation hinders the flow of Life and Power in the church. I will share a dream that the Lord gave that helped me be prepared for a difficult time that was to come. It served me well then and does now. It is my hope that it will be of some help. Please—I adjure you. Consider these things and strive to not take part in these things. It starts with a revelation and a changed heart. I don’t believe that the Lord gave this dream only for myself. —-There was a great field and in that field were a great many bodies that had been dismembered in the most heinous fashion. Parts and pieces all over. As I was looking at the scene a word came to my mind that described it. It was a word that has no human equivalent, but was a combination of things like horror, disgust and atrocity. I didn’t know the word then and I haven’t since, but it was a powerful impression. Very powerful and impossible to describe. I woke like a shot from a cannon and said, “Lord, what the heck was that”. He said, “that is how I feel when I see my body divided”. The impact that lesson had on me can’t be overstated.——– 1Cor. 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become 1evident among you. Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 1Cor. 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 1Cor. 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? May we all look to Him, the Head of the Church for "grace to help in time of need".

It seems to me that your are making more of someone participating in a Representative Republic than is warranted. I appreciate your opinion. I agree with @other one. We as Christians have a civil responsibility to affect the course of elections fro the good of all, for the safety and well being of our neighbors. Of course it's true that we are citizens of Christ's Kingdom as we were transferred there as scripture states. However, while in these earthen vessels, we are also citizens of the state in which we reside. We use the roads and sidewalks, we benefit from the clean air and water and the relative safety provided by police and we have an abundance of foods and healthcare items provided in the context of such a wealthy state...thus we are clearly not severed entirely and are free to take part according to each person's conscience. We are indeed blessed as God has provided for all who live in such states. When the NT was written, the world was ruled by an emperor and inflexibly controlled by an army. Not so for us. I do love my neighbor and wish him and his children a peaceful life.

The answer to all of this is as simple as can be. In any assembly whether two or many, Christ must be seen, appreciated, understood and yielded to as Head of the Church...of that gathering/assembly. When any man usurps that Authority, the Holy Spirit is hindered from working. Understanding and maturity varies and God is gracious--but this principle needs to be taught. Should be taught.