On 1/9/2020 at 4:15 PM, Sonshine said:

Right.  I was being sarcastic.  Each time a Christian is convicted of sin, he repents, confesses his sin and asks the LORD to forgive him.  And our Father in heaven forgives.  He promises. 

1 John 1:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This was written to the Christian. This confessing is not salvific. It's like when Jesus explained his deciples didn't need a bath just to wash their feet. Conversion is different.

I agree that the sin to be repented of is relying on ones own righteousness, or guilt over sin as if those things ever saved..We are to turn away from US and rely on the finished work of Christ. A " sinnets prayer", a date, feeling sorry are not strong evidences of salvation. What you are saved by is what you are kept by. And since Jesus says He's the only one whose hand a Christian can never be plucked from it is Christ who saves and He who keeps. Even Satan believes in Jesus.. Repentance is more..it's a reliance on the imputed work of Christ who has made the Christian a new creation and sealed with the holy spirit for that day! Christ is the only anchor that does not fail; the only foundation that survived the storm. Don't build you house on sinking sand. 

 Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand. 

God used plenty women in the Bible.. He had to because in those situations like in Judges, Barak would not obey the Lord to his vocation. Barak didn't get the glory of that battle if you recall as Deborah said. He basically said, Deborah I'm too scared to go alone come with me and I'll go.lol... and Jael was the woman , again, God used to kill Sisera. Where men are not obeying God to follow their vocation to lead, God rose up godly women as a judgement. God made men leaders and women helpers. Why is this offensive? 

I used to have bad acid reflux and took ppis and zantac. For me, in my own self care I got off the meds, changed my diet and use probiotics. I'm good now. Again this was something I decided.. I'm not advocating for anyone to take what I've said and drop meds without your Dr knowing. Tc 

We don't "celebrate" as unbelievers do. We are challenged to look back at 2019 and reflect... And recall Gods faithfulness, grace, patience. Reflection on opportunities we had to obey and didn't, reflection on how we might be more faithful in 2020. I can glorify God in anything and everything. 1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT: "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Col 2:16
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath

For me and my family we do not believe God is graceless or less honored by celebrating Jesus birth when we do around winter. Just in my personal studies Jesus was actually born in a house type place. back in that time the house was separated between livestock and ppl. They were abiding in the lower rooms with the livestock possibly. And when the Wiseman were led to Jesus he was at least already 2 from various studying I've done. We just bring glory to God by showing the world period.. you don't have to wait for a holiday either. Our reasonable service that brings God glory is to be a daily living sacrifice. It's just that to the secular world they follow holidays and we as Christian's can use this to use as an opportunity to share Christ. For some reason even unbelievers even go to church on holidays and we have opportunity to share the gospel.

Here are some links:

https://www.gotquestions.org/amp/what-year-was-Jesus-born.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/amp/where-was-Jesus-born.html

On 6/5/2017 at 4:11 PM, JacquelineDeane55 said:

Hi guys.

I don't know where to post this, but the Lord has been laying it in my heart for the past few days to tell people about Jesus. This burden is so strong that I have felt sick and very desperate to reach out to others and tell them about Jesus. I asked my Pastor if there were any ministries I could do through my church to serve God,but all he said ti me was that if there was anything, he'd let me know. God has been driving me to serve Him so bad that I don't think I can wait much longer for an answer from my Pastor, I am desperate here and I don't think he understands just how urgent it is to witness to the lost. People are dying and going to Hell. That is no laughing matter.

So I am going to write a post and witness to the lost on here...

Dear person much loved by the Lord,

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners like you and me. Have you ever thought about what happens after you die? I have. It has brought me much anxiety thinking about it, because I know that this life does not last forever and one day, we all will die.

A lot of people today do not think about where they will spend eternity, and this thinking is a big mistake.

But what happens after death? The Bible is the only book that can tell us what happens to us after we die. God Himself wrote this great book; it is probably the most important book that was ever written.

Do you mind if I quote some Scriptures? Some people get offended when I quote the Bible, but I never do. Do you know why? Because I am a Christian and I believe that Jesus is my Saviour. The Bible says so. And with that being said, I will give you some Bible verses to help you and educate you.

So what happens after we die? The Bible teaches that man is a tripart being composed of spirit, soul, and a fleshly body. At death, our souls separate from our body and goes back to God to be judged by Him. God will judge everything we do in the body, whether good or bad.

But here is the bad news. You see, nobody is truly a good person. You see, only God is truly good.

Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever hated anyone? If you have, then you have sinned. Killing others is also a sin, and yet you hear every day on the news that someone has murdered somebody else. Why? Because mankind are sinners and on their way to a burning Hell.

Rom 3:23 :
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Now that you know that no one is good in God's eyes, how do we then become good? How do we become vindicated before God? The Bible teaches that we need to have Jesus' righteousness but the only way to do that is to come to Him by faith:

Rom 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So you see that you need to believe in your heart that God raised up Jesus from the dead, and you also need to confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord.

If you die without Christ, you will spend eternity in Hell. In our modern world today, people think that Hell is a place of never-ending parties and good times. They think that all of their friends will be there. But that is far from the truth. You would think that these people have never read the Bible, or that they have never taken it seriously.

The Bible teaches that Hell is a place of never-ending fire and torment, and my dear friend, that is not very much fun (this truth has scared a lot of people). It is a place of tears and no hope. It is darkness and loneliness. You won't be able to see anyone at all. It is eternal separation from God Himself. Since God is the Source of Joy and Happiness, that means that everything apart from Him is tears, sorrow, and no happiness. And that does not sound like very much fun at all, doesn't it?

So my dear friend, for your own eternal safety, I pray that you will accept Jesus Christ into your heart today, and make Him Lord over your life.

If you have done this, you need to find a Bible-believing church where you can grow in God's Word. And you also need to find out what God wants you to do with your life, so that you may serve Him.

Blessings,
Jacqueline

I agree with all you've said ty for sharing! Additionally, I would add Ephesians 2:8-10 our faith, grace, salvation are gifts from God. So if any person lacks faith let them ask of God because one cannot change ones own spiritual condition- dead in trespasses.. but in Christ, from Christ we are given life. Welcome to worthy chat! 

Np thx for letting me know!

Deleted

I have had this and knew immediately I was under spiritual attack. I was consciously aware that I was asleep and couldn't move or speak so I prayed and God removed the darkness of that dream, protected me and woke me. I've had other experiences same thing but I was able to walk around my room- saw a book flailing it's pages wildly and walked into something demonic. Words were appearing on a wall and disappeared after the words were written. These were not just dreams. They were an attack. I haven't had one in years but the best thing to to is pray and cry out to the Lord to shield you and wake you. Just my opinion.

The church we attend ( husband and I) holds holiday events in the church itself, so no one is left out. However, I'm sure our pastor meets with a selection of few who he confides in alone as well. I'm not offended at all by this, because I know our pastor needs just as much uplifting spiritually as I do. He spends all week biblically counseling others 10 hrs + a day. He also travels to other churches outside the USA and ministers, as well as preparing sermons etc. I'm glad our pastor has devout church members in his life to keep watch over him and aid him and his family when rest , counseling for himself is needed. I'm thankful he does not get burned out because of those faithful close few who are spiritual help and physical help to him by giving him and his family vacation time etc. Maybe you could just ask the pastor yourself since God tells us if we have something against a brother to go directly to them and reconcile then come back to worship. You could always offer to help set up in your church where it would house Everyone. Tc blessings

28 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

Well of course, it is Biblical after all. I do prefer tonic water to  club soda.

But I kid, as I don't drink any alcohol. I take my chances on my waters straight up.

Rofl yeah I don't drink alcohol either. 

8 hours ago, R. Hartono said:

Is plumbing water or river water in your country drinkable ? Or do you drink gallon/bottled water ?

Another question : since when mankind cook water be4 drinking it ?

Did the Hebrew cook water during 40 years in the desert ?

 

 

We drink bottled water because our water main is under construction in the city ,so we're always on boil alert. I am picky about the brand since cheaper labels and even more expensive contain more arsenic than others. We stick to aquafina or disani .. here's the link by consumer report

 https://www.consumerreports.org/water-quality/arsenic-in-some-bottled-water-brands-at-unsafe-levels/

No clue if the Hebrews boiled but they did add alcohol to purify their water.

23 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

Thursday 12-26-19, Kislev 29, 5780 5th. day of the weekly cycle, 6th. Winter day,

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel Fifteen:22

1 Samuel Fifteen:10-35

God Rejects Saul As King:

10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying,

11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.

12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.

14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

28 And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord.

32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Love always, Walter and Debbie

Yes obedience and God tells us in Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. In Ephesians 2:8-10 God tells us: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

And lastly a vs that speaks to me is this: Galatians 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

As Christian's we are not our own " 

Corinthians 6:19-20 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.". We as believers are marked with the seal of the Holy spirit: Ephesians 1:13-14 "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." We are indwelled : Ephesians 4:29-32 and we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit who lives in us, empowering us to obey as much as humanly possible. We know as Christian's we still have remaining sin because though we are new creations in Christ our old nature battles within us our new nature so as Paul says : Romans 7:15-20 New International Version (NIV)

^"15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." So any obedience , any love is a work of God in us, empowering us to do good works. God sees us in light of the imputed righteousness that was gifted to us from Christ our savior. It good to remember to see ourselves the way God does lest we forget that we didn't save ourselves, so we cannot keep ourselves, it was He who began this good work in us and promises to complete it. The goodness in us is there because of God in us. Hope I'm making sense.

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

I'm slightly confused about your post? You do mean Hell as in Hades; two compartments in the Earth separated by a great divide, one side being the torment side where the 'rich man' was sent; and the other compartment {paradise - Abraham's bosom] where Lazarus was?

Yes the bossom but he never asked admittance into heaven for when they separated. Ppl in hell are there because they refuse to believe and follow God and hate him even. They will continue to reject thus staying in hell. God didn't even spare his own son. Eternal means eternal otherwise what would that mean for those in heaven etc? So you believe ppl from hell can go to heaven based on some variable then the same could be true of those in heaven- by some variable they could in theory ear a spot in hell . God tells us we die once then the judgment. No second chance not that I believe anyone in hell would want to stop rejection Jesus . Sure reject the suffering but not believe or love God even though God loves all . Last reply tc 

The Bible is foolishness to some but others it is the power of God and stands as the final word of truth. It's hard to miss the reality of hell if you read the word. Ppl do not seem to understand that if God is good He must be just also. Again we have many examples here of corrupt justice system letting murderers go.. are you not outraged? You should be. God is a God of justice and mercy. He sent His only son to die in our place. Would you do that ? Give your childs life in place to atone for a stranger's sin? I wouldn't.. I'm not God. He makes a way to be forgiven but if one rejects that what else can save? Nothing. Remember the story of Lazarus in hell? A man dies once then the judgment. If he'll is punishment for sin and you don't believe the God then why bother with the fact that we sin.. The law was given as a mirror to us to know what sin is so we see we need a savior. Some love sin or are to prideful and will not accept Jesus' atonement. Read your Bible and stop making an idol - a God that does not exist! 

Hell exists because God is a just judge. How many corrupt events have you seen/ heard in the news? Would you want even an earthly judge to be unjust? Letting a child murderer go free because the judge is not just? No. You would be outraged. God provides a way to be forgiven by the faith in the crucifixion and ressurrection. That day Jesus shed His blood for our sake out of His love. If people reject the only way to be forgiven what more is there? The acceptance of punishment is necessary otherwise what is sin? 
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell

we needed the law to show us we are not good. We needed it to even realize the reality of sin against a holy just God so we would see our need for a savior.

8 hours ago, missmuffet said:

It is the right thing to do to honor your mother and father if you have Christian parents but.....

If a parent ever instructs a child to do something that clearly contradicts God’s commands, that child must obey God rather than his/her parents (Acts 5:29).

Yeah my father and mother split in divorce she has schizophrenia and landed herself in prison and lives at a health facility apartment where she comes and goes. She stalked me 3 yrs and is dangerous so the restraining order was necessary so I wouldn't sin against her and she wouldn't hurt my family. My father and his widow are another story. I reached out to the woman who kicked me out for my faith in Christ even though she didn't reach back. At some pt I decided to let God take it all cause clearly I wasn't helping. I pray for my step mother and mother from time to time and gave both the gospel.. that is how I honor them both now. I'm an adult with my own family now and do not fall under their obedience. My husband is the head under God.

The command to honor my parents has been a difficult one meaning I do not try to speak ill of them all Willy nilly but if I need help in an area and it's in relation to them I am honest so I can be helped. It's interesting though I came from an unsavory upbringing and one has died my mine only searches for the best in that one because at the end of the day though few and infrequent there were some and I refuse to be bitter. I honor my living mother by doing what is best for us both..a restraining order lol.. so yes kinda a confusing thing to do when parents are sinfully abusive. Just my thoughts and experience for now.

Wonderfully explained!

On 12/6/2019 at 8:01 PM, Omegaman 3.0 said:

Going to try an experiment here, a photo of a painting I did, and a photo from my balcony of clouds on 12/07/19, and a sunset from my balcony I showed earlier but I have manipulated the images to add subtle animation. This might not be he right place to show this, and I do not know if they will even work or load here, but I wanted to try it somewhere:

Hmmm, after uploading these, I can see the animation it the painting and the sunset, but not so much in the grey clouds one, back to the drawing board maybe!

Beautiful!!!

I enjoy photography too? It's nice to be able to share a passion! My photo resolution I think is too high any ideas? I'd love to be in