Logostician

How does the catholic church come to the conclusion that Peter is only for them. Did Jesus talk about an apostolic succession? I have nothing against catholics. I think anyone who asks Jesus to be their savior will be saved, despite all the other rituals, that they may practice that Jesus did not teach. But why not make it simple, and go directly to Jesus? I honestly think that catholics are saved in spite of their catholicism, in the same way anyone else is, faith in Jesus Christ as the savior of the world, and their personal savior.

Where you are seeing differences between Christians in terms of denominations and scriptural interpretations, I am seeing unity in Jesus Christ. We live in a world that is deeply divided. It's hard to find agreement on anything. And agreeing in a go along to get along fashion in this world doesn't work either. The focus of the unity is the key. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I'm going to follow him even as the world increasingly hardens hearts against him. For me it's simple. Jesus plus nothing. I have been in many churches, and met many brothers and sisters there. Most of them were denominational. But it didn't matter. We were united in Christ. I have always felt welcome. These are the people I will be sharing eternity with, and millions more, because we have the one thing we need, Jesus. The Old Testament and the New Testament are not so much different as they are progressions in God's eternal plan. The OT reveals God and his will. The NT tells us that Jesus is the only way to fulfill the will of God. God doesn't change. His plan was always to lead us by the hand back to him. Everything in the Bible points to Jesus. What could more unifying?

Since we don't know what God knows so we should never tell someone they are destined for hell. But you should certainly tell them that heaven will be their destination if they choose Jesus. Jno 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. There is a reason this is such a popular verse. "Whosever" may be today's atheist and tomorrow's saint. The great apostle Paul wasn't looking too good when he was persecuting Christians, until Jesus made himself known to him. In fact none of us were pleasing to God, until we came to Jesus and became sons of God. We don't know who will come to Jesus today, tomorrow, or even at the very end of their time in this world. But God knows, because he knows everything. That's why Jesus is the proper judge, and will move hearts to him at the time of his choosing. For us the answer is simple. We are to bring as many people to a knowledge and love of Jesus Christ as we possibly can. This is the greatest love that we can give. Jesus exceeded anything that we can do by dying for the sins of all mankind. This was the greatest act of love in the history of history. You cannot bring people to Jesus by driving them away from Jesus. Jesus is real. And hell is real too. But love will always work better than fear to bring people to Jesus. Be honest. But be loving Again Jesus is the best example. He spoke of hell. But he is the one that saves us from it. Out of pure and forgiving love. All things occur within the will of God, including salvation. But we are expected to do our part as sons of God, and let God save WHOSOEVER earnestly seeks him. 1 Cor 3:6-7 I have planted, Apollo has watered, but God gave the increase. So neither is he who planted anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. The gospel is the "good news", literally. Eternal life with Jesus is available to "WHOSOEVER" will beleive in him as their savior. God knows who will accept this free gift before we do, and actually before the foundations of the world. He is never caught off guard, or surprised. This is predestination coinciding with our own free will. It's up to us to exercise the free will part. God will handle the predestination part. He will never be surprised at who comes to him, no matter how bad they may look to us before they do. This is a really good reason to love your neighbor. Even the ones in a vile state today, may become new creatures in Christ tomorrow. We will probably be surprised by some people we see in heaven. And sadly, some that we don't. Let's let Jesus sit on the throne and judge. I think he's earned it.

1 Jno 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Even the apostle that Jesus loved cannot tell you exactly what we will be. But being like Jesus sounds pretty good to me. God created me the first time, probably before I was born, and perhaps during the first six days of creation waiting to "appear" in bodily form when he willed it. He didn't ask me if I wanted to be black or white, male or female, or anything else. He made me the way he wanted to make me. And he knew I would return to him forever upon leaving this world. God can do anything he wants with me. He owns me and loves me. I trust him completely to do everything perfectly. I am so glad he is in charge of me, and not me. My choices apart from God have been incredibly stupid in the past. With God, I have made good choices, because they weren't really mine. They were his. I leave everything to God to do with me as he will in the first creation, and the one to come. 1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. However wonderful we imagine a life with Jesus in heaven to be, and whatever we become, it will barely scratch the surface of the wonders God will provide. I will be what he wants me to be, and he will show me wonders beyond my imagination and limitations in this life. I trust him. Completely. I beleive that some things are clear though. We will have new and incorruptible bodies in heaven. Whether you call it our spirit, soul, and/or mind that occupies these bodies is probably beside the point. The essence of us, in full self awareness, and awareness of things outside of our selves will occupy incorruptible spiritual bodies not unlike that of Jesus after his resurrection, when he walked among his disciples for 40 days (Act 1:3), and even ate and drank with them. I beleive these bodies will be capable of everything our present bodies are capable of, and much, much more. But these are just my thoughts. I can't accurately answer questions about our precise state of being in heaven, but Jesus will be more than happy to do that, when we get there, and meet him face to face.

Evil exists because men who were created by a perfect God departed from God. Independent deviation from God is evil. You don't have to read far into the Bible to find it. Adam and Eve depart from God. The grace of God is within withdrawn from them as God allows their request to withdraw from him. Without God's guidance, sin enters into the world quickly as evidenced by Adam and Eve's first born son, Cain, who murders his brother Abel. So if you're looking for someone to blame, blame all of humanity which was contained in Adam and Eve. But don't blame God who merely answered their prayer to depart from him. Fortunately, God loves us, and threw us lifeline to pull us out of a certain death sentence for the sin/evil we brought on ourselves. That lifeline is Jesus. Jno 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but through me. Jesus restores our former state of grace in the eyes of our father, and makes us fit to be Sons of God.

I substantially agree with you. We need to understand that we are not of this world. But I think that God views our thoughts, words, and actions in this world as being very important. The following are some of my thoughts, not arguments. There will soon come a time when the antichrist will will be the head of the government of the world. And God will be the one who puts him in that position. And anyone who follows him will not be found in the book of life. I'm sure we can agree that this would be good time to resist government. I don't beleive we are there yet, but we seem to be in a irreversible downward spiral to that time. I know that the murder of unborn children through abortion, and gay marriage are an abomination to God, and I will not follow those leaders who support these and other abominations. For me it's simple. Jesus is far far above any man or group of men. If any man, even a so called"leader", tells me to do something contrary to the will of God, I will not do it. And I will accept the consequences in this world, because my reward is is in the next. My savior was crucified for following the will of his Father in heaven. I'm just a servant, and in no way greater than the master. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a very Godly man in Germany during WW2, and the holocaust when Nazis murdered 6 million jews. He chose disobedience to these murderers, and obedience to God. Corrie ten Boom, like many others Christians in Nazi Germany, hid jews that otherwise would have been slaughtered during Hitler's reign of terror. These people listened to Jesus first, and then defied the evil of "leaders". I am a retired Marine. I have killed enemy soldiers. It was not pleasant. But I'm at peace with it, because I laid it at the feet of Jesus beforehand, as King David did so many times as he asked God to deliver his enemies into his hand, and God delivered them. 2 Sam 5:19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. I have also worked as a caregiver to mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and other people with needs that hinder and even threaten their lives. I have fought to keep them heathy, happy and alive. So how could I possibly take life and promote life? God has the answer. Eccl 3:1-8 King James Version To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. It sounds confusing. But it isn't. Seek the will of God through fervent prayer and the power of the indwelling Spirit. Seek his will always. And then do it. Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God, rather than men. The only true judge is Jesus. If you have been listening to him, and following him in this present world, he will surely judge you well, as we enter the next.

God. Let there be light.

Poor people loved and followed Jesus when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among them. These were the ones who were not invested in the world. They followed him everywhere, as the pharisees, lawyers and others shunned him. When Jesus fed the multitudes with a few small fish and loaves of bread, it was not advertised beforehand that there would be a free meal. These people were there because they were following Jesus to hear the words Jesus spoke which touched their hearts. Somebody was finally giving them a purpose and a wonderful gift of joy in a life without much joy. And they consumed these words with a great appetite, from a Savior that truly is the bread of life. Nothing in this world can truly satisfy the heart, soul, and mind like Jesus. This is the peace that surpasses all understanding. It takes humility to yield fully to Jesus and let him control your life. But the desire to do so is powerful. When you give your life to Jesus, you have entered the kingdom of heaven, even in this present world, because the Spirit of Jesus lives in you. And heaven is wherever God is, including in you. When this this life concludes, you will experience a glorified and perfect kingdom of heaven when Jesus takes you by the hand from this present life to an eternal life with him.

Very true. Love is the only thing that increases as you give it away.

I think repentance precedes regeneration, and water baptism is a symbol of repentance. Repentance means change. In this case a change of heart mind and soul from the old carnal man to the new man. If repentance is viewed as a process leading to asking Jesus to be your savior, it can take a while. But the final act of repentance comes with asking Jesus to be your savior, and water baptism, if any usually comes later as a symbol of regeneration. In John the Baptist's time he called for repentance with his baptisms for people who did not yet know Jesus. This was more of an initiation of a process that would lead to Jesus and his salvation when he became known to them. Today we know who Jesus is, and repent in finality and are saved at the same time. I think of water baptism mostly as a symbol. I know many will disagree with me. But God looks on the inner man. Heart, mind and soul. Not things external to the man like water. If anyone believes in his heart and confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, he does not need to immediately fill up a bathtub. He is saved by faith through grace. I think water baptism is a good time to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, but there is no bad time. Baptism in Spirit, on the other hand is vital life giving. It is a free gift from God, through Jesus at salvation which makes us sons of God. It is always given to us by God at salvation. No works, rituals, or symbols are required. It is Jesus plus nothing.

1 Jno 4:19 We love him because he first loved us.

I'm not sure why anyone would assign any real significance to the "shroud of Turin". Quite frankly, whether it's real or not, doesn't really matter to me. I have a relationship with a living, loving savior named Jesus. He is not dead. He is risen and very much alive. A death shroud meant nothing him. And same is true for me. The cross is the true symbol of the death of Jesus. That is why you see it displayed in churches, and people's homes, and worn around people's necks. The cross is a powerful symbol of Christ's sacrifice for the sins of all mankind that provides salvation for anyone who will beleive and ask. But even so, we don't worship crosses. We worship the Holy One who was nailed on a cross for our sins. So I guess the reason you see so much about the cross and crucifixion in the Bible is because it is the greatest act of love from God toward men that is unparalleled and eternal. And the reason you don't read about a supposedly imprinted death shroud in the Bible, is because even if it was real, it is irrelevant to our faith in Jesus. I advise pursuing. relationship with Jesus, rather than worrying about a piece of cloth. Cloth can't save. Jesus saves.

There are always struggles within churches between loving acceptance and adherence to the full and truthful word of God. There is also a struggle between worldly things and full adherence to the teachings of Jesus. The go along (with the world) to get along (with the world) approach is dangerous. An ecumenical approach is good when it is based on agreement to the full teachings of Jesus. But an ecumenical approach that avoids the full teachings of Jesus, and adherence to these teachings is a trap. Half truths are no truths The seven churches of Revelation are instructive. They were actual churches at the time of John's writing. But I also think they represent the churches of all time, and especially the end times when churches will be, and are, under assault from without, and within. 5 out of 7 churches in the book of Revelation receive stern rebukes from Jesus. Ephesus adheres to church discipline and the teachings of Christ, and would reject ecumenicalism. But during this quest they have lost their strong love for Jesus and each other. Pergamos is the church that will allow anything and everything, to the point of outright heresy. They have gone far beyond ecumenicalism in a quest for "inclusiveness" that no longer resembles Christianity at all. Thyatira displays love, but like Pergamos allows heresy in it's midst. Like Pergamos, false teaching is tolerated in the ecumenical quest for inclusiveness. Sardis is called the dying church. They are going through hollow formalism that lacks love. Laodicea is the lukewarm church that has lost it's intensity of love as their worldly wealth has increased, and their heavenly treasures have diminished. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia find no fault with Jesus. Smyrna is the opposite of Laodicea. They are poor in worldly terms, but rich in love and faithfulness to God. They remain true to Jesus and will not tolerate an ecumenical, anything goes approach. Philadelphia also "hast kept my word". They are the loyal church that will not budge from truth of Jesus. So what is the answer? Love and truth must coexist in the church to be pleasing to Jesus. We cannot have stern formalism that lacks love. And we cannot have love that denies the full truth of the teachings of Jesus. As the world falls further into sin, and politically correct conformism, we must stand true to Jesus, and be prepared for the persecution it brings, rather than allowing the world to encroach and allow our churches to die from a cancer that is introduced from the outside/world, and then weakens and eventually kills us from the inside. But we must do all things with love.

Christianity is a community of people who each have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and therefore each other. Personal means you know somebody, which starts with believing that they are, and then goes far beyond in love, trust, and committment. And Jesus is the one we know, love, and trust. The Spirit of Jesus lives in us. It doesn't get more personal than that. Rites and rituals are for religionists who substitute these things for the real and personal relationship with Jesus that unites us with God. Christianity is not a religion. It is a direct relationship with God, through the Son of God. John 14:9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” The apostles knew Jesus personally. They beleived and followed him. So they knew the Father too. The same is true for us. Saying there might be God, or I'll pretend like there is a God, denies a personal relationship a with God. Any works that men might call good are also meaningless in that they have not been authored by the indwelling Spirit of God. We all know people that we like and love who we think of as good. And we try to bring them to Jesus, with varying levels of success in our own eyes. It's heartbreaking when they deny him. Because he is the way. And there is no other way. And there is no good without God. Goodness flows into and out of us like a wellspring that is the Spirit of God. God really doesn't ask too much of us. He knows our frame, that we are weak. But certainly it is not too much for him to ask that we recognize that he is. He is known to be from all of his creation around us. But it's up to us to seek a personal relationship with him through Jesus Christ. Some would like to think, and have said "There are many ways to heaven". The source of that deception is the prince of this world. Let no man be deceived. There is only one way to heaven. The way. Jesus.

Well said. Amen.

Nothing in this world is "safe". Taking a shower in the morning isn't safe. You could fall and be seriously injured. Driving to work isn't safe. You be seriously injured or killed in a car accident. Even after you park your car and begin walking you could be run over by a car in the parking lot. If you live in certain cities like Seattle or Portland, you could be attacked and killed by evil, hateful people who think they have a cause, or they could just be common thieves. If you don't get the vaccine, you could get Covid and become seriously ill, and die. If you do get the vaccine, you could become seriously ill, and die. If a bee stings you, you could become seriously ill and die. You could have cancer right now at a microscopic level which is totally undetectable, but will quickly metasticize. It may have been caused by the air you breathe, the water you drink, or the food you eat. Unless you stop breathing, and eating, you cannot prevent it. But asphyxiation and starvation are sure to be deadly. I accept the risks, and will continue to get out of bed in the morning, take a shower, eat breakfast, go to work, and breathe while doing all of these things. And Jesus can take me at any time. After all, he's in control, not me. And I am clinging to him, not this world. I will not get the Covid vaccine because I already got Covid in November. Prior to that time, I prayed to Jesus saying your will be done as to whether I get Covid or not. When I did get Covid, my prayer was your will be done as to whether I survive it or not. God is in charge. Not me. All you can do is make reasonable choices, and not obsess about them. One thing is certain...everyone will die. Even more certainly...everyone in Christ will live forever, even though he dies in this world. Eternal life with Jesus is more important than this short life in this world. And he is in control of this world and the next. John 12:25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

They enjoyed companionship with God and each other in a perfect world. They would have enjoyed children and the generations that followed them in this perfect world as well. As far as specific activities, I think God was fully capable of capable of keeping Adam and Eve from being bored in the garden, just as he will keep us from being bored in heaven. Creation and the fall are covered quickly in Genesis, but there was obviously a lot going on. The time between the creation and the fall is not certain. I am sure there was plenty to do in the meantime, before everything became hard. But the fall had to happen to bring Jesus into the world to be freely chosen by people with knowledge of good (Jesus/God) and evil (departing from Jesus/God). Eden was a foretaste of heaven that lasted for an unknown period of time for exactly two people. All of humanity thereafter has had to choose Jesus in order to someday see the promised glorified kingdom of God foreshadowed by the Garden of Eden. I don't know what the activities agenda will be in heaven, so I'll just keep trusting Jesus. But the center of it will be Jesus. And we will be a community that loves God and each other.

Jesus does not forgive again and again as much as he forgives eternally. At salvation, his forgiveness is sufficient for all sins, past, present, and future. And Jesus knows every one of these sins before he blots them out. While salvation does involve forgiveness of sin. It is more about asking Jesus to be your savior and becoming a new creature. Salvation is about establishing and fully recognizing a deep and eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are redeemed from our sinful carnal natures and become fit to be sons of God by having faith in Jesus. This is the grace and love of God, which is boundless. As men, we cannot blot out the sins of our fellow man. We can not give them eternal life. Only Jesus can do that. And only Jesus is fit to judge every man who has ever lived. He earned that on the cross. We are told not to judge, and that we will be judged as we judge our fellow man. The flip side of judging others is to forgive them. We need to forgive to yield to the judgement of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgiveness parallels the parable of the good samaritan. The good samaritan cares for the physical needs of the wounded man regardless of who he is. This is an act of love, which Jesus calls us to. But forgiveness is a powerful act of love that restores the soul of the foregiver as well as the foregiven. The injured man in the parable of the good samaritan is not said to ask for help from the priest, Levite, or samaritan. He is described as "half dead" and probably unconscious and unable to ask for help. Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn't. But it really doesn't matter to the priest and the Levite. They have no love for the man and would pass him by in either case. In contrast the samaritan has a heart to help this man that overcomes the societal and personal issues between jews and samaritans. He is going to help the injured man whether he asks for help or not because it is in his heart to do so. This is how Jesus wants us to approach forgiveness which heals the eternal soul rather than the mortal body. Agape love is a free gift that should be given freely all the time. It does not require special requests, and if it is only given in response to the requests of men who have wronged us it will surely wither on the vine. Is it easy to love your enemy? No. Is it easy to foregive those who wrong us, especially repeatedly? No. But is this what Jesus wants from a soul that is united with his Spirit? Yes. We can always find convenient reasons not to forgive. We can rationalize a lack of forgiveness in a way that seems very logical. But Jesus wants more from us. He wants himself in us.

If this was a dream, cast your fears away because demons flee at the name of Jesus. If this really happened, cast your fears away because Jesus protected you. There is truly power in the name of Jesus. I have been oppressed before. Calling out the name of Jesus, verbally if possible, or just mentally, if that's all that's possible works. Just his name. No other words are necessary. Let your faith in Jesus overcome your fear, and let Jesus overcome your oppressors. May the peace of God which surpasseth all understanding keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

I'm at peace, because Jesus is the one thing that this world cannot cancel. This world has been trying to cancel Jesus since it began plotting his crucifixion. Nobody can separate me from Jesus. They can kill me, as they did Jesus, and I will live, because he lives. I am victorious because Jesus is victorious. Everything else is shifting sand. Jesus is the immoveable rock. Peace comes from a full commitment to Jesus Christ. There is no other way. He is the way.

Did you notice the BLM/ Antifa riots that have been going on for months, or is it only the left wing narrative surrounding a single day, with news coverage that will probably last for months, that has captured your attention?

We've all wondered about these things at some point in our journey with Jesus. It's OK to ask questions about the nature of God. We can't know everything about God. But I think he wants us to search him out and to know him. There is no knowledge test to get into heaven. You only have to knock and it will be opened to you. But we all have some level of desire to know him more and more. Romans is a very deep book. Paul lays out some serious theology about the nature of God and his plan for us. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't come together for you immediately or if you hear different people present different views. Only when we leave this world to see Jesus in the next world will we know the things of God clearly. And even then we will not know everything because we're not him. 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. I would like to address your concerns about approaching God and asking him questions. Do it. Jesus is infinitely approachable and the ultimate teacher. To me, that's praying. Just talk to him. Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. God wants to work on things with us. He wants to answer our questions so we can be fully united with him. Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Here we have a high priest, King of kings, and Lord of Lords, who is always working on our behalf. Always approachable. Always wants to help us. And always does. Because he always loves us. You have questions about free will vs predestination. Many people seem to think you have to choose one or the other. I don't. I think God gave us free will to choose him because only this is an act of true love, as when husbands and wives choose each other. Forcing us to him would take true love out the picture, and potentially force those who didn't love to come to him anyway. God is love, and love does not force. It draws. 1 Jno 4:16 God is love. And he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God. And God in him Predestination works for me in the sense that God sees all things past, present, and future. He knows we will be saved before we even ask. He knows who has a heart for him and will provide a way for them to come to him, while still leaving the choice to them. As for why God allows/causes some to be hardened against him. I think Romans gives a pretty good answer. Rom 1: 20-24 For the invisible things from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. Because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and there foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. As with salvation for those who love God, and are saved, I see the same free will and predestinational knowledge of God working in those that will not be saved. God says he should be known by all the things he created. But even with this obvious knowledge men harden their hearts against him, and choose any false narrative they can think of other than the true creator God. It says God gives them up to the sin and lusts they have already formed in their own hearts. There is no love in these hardened hearts. These people have hardened their own hearts against God of their own free will. But God does not force them to come to him because true love cannot be forced. He allows them to fall of their own free will. It is predestined because he knows it will happen and allows it to happen.. I don't know everything. This is just what I think. I'm sure I'm wrong or overly simplistic about alot of things. But I know Jesus is my Lord. And I love him, and he loves me. And that's what's really important. Keep searching God. It's time well spent.

With all due respect, I understand that this is not your theory in the sense that you created it. The gospel of prosperity has been embraced by many people. And I beleive it is a trap to take our eyes off Jesus. It is particularly popular among televangelists who have acquired considerable wealth in the course of their ministeries. The gospel of prosperity makes them feel better about aquiring worldly wealth, or at least less guilty. And they can point to it and say, "Look how God is blessing me!", as the poor pay for their jet airplanes and extravagant lifestyles. I can quote many scriptures that counter the gospel of prosperity. But I will use one continuous agent for reasons of continuity and clear context, rather than cherry picking verses. The following is a continuous teaching from Jesus, and his sermon on the mount. Mat 6:19-24 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither the moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye. If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thy eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. The Puritan Christians who formed this country were good Godly people for the most part. But they weren't perfect. They used to say "The Lord helps those who help themselves". But there is no such verse in the Bible. The Lord does not reward selfishness. The Lord rewards charity, which appears in the KJV as the translation for the greek agape, which means divinely inspired love. Later in the sermon on the mount Jesus says that God will provide what we need. V 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Notice how God comes first. And what are these things that will be added to us? They're right there in the immediately preceding verses. V 31 specifically states food, drink, and clothing. These are basic needs. God is saying he will provide for our basic needs. He is not promising an abundance of worldly wealth. After all we are not of this world. We are of the kingdom of God. This is why Jesus tells us to store our treasures in heaven. Money is needed for basic individual and family needs. God knows that, and will provide for us. But the only true good that comes from excess wealth beyond meeting these needs is to give it away to those in need. Anything good, in the eyes of God, must invoke agape/charity/love for God and our neighbors. These are the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mat 22:37-40) on which "hang all the law and the prophets". Francis Chan was right in his book, "Crazy Love". You might want to read it. The single eye in the verses above is a heart, soul, mind, and love totally focused on Jesus. The pursuit of excessive wealth is the evil eye focused on the accumulation of worldly wealth. I choose Jesus. He is the focal point and destination of the narrow road I will follow, no matter how difficult it may be at times. The world has no hold on me. I am free in this world because I am a bondman of Jesus Christ. Be well.

King Manasseh is probably the most evil king in the entire history of Judah or Israel. He practices any and all forms of idolatry, and leads the people into the same sins. He desecrates the temple. He sacrifices his own children. God is prepared to destroy Judah at the hands of the Assyrians who have already destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. But when Manasseh humbles himself before the Lord, his prayer is answered, and God delivers Judah from destruction. If God would hear and answer this prayer, there is no prayer that can't be answered. Humbling, meaning repentance is the key. A similiar situation occurs in Ninevah, which is interestingly that capital of Assyria which laters destroys the Northern kingdom of Israel, and even later becomes the threat to Judah that Manasseh prays to God for deliverance from. God tells Jonah to tell Ninevah that they will be destroyed for their abundance of sin. But when the Ninevites repent and pray to God, God spares them. All prayers to God come from sinners, because we are all sinners. God looks for the humble, contrite, and repentant heart of the one who is praying. He would rather give life than take it. He would rather save than condemn. Let Jesus be the judge of good and evil, and rejoice in his mercy. 2 Chr 33:1-10 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord,(D) following the detestable(E) practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles.(F) He bowed down(G) to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name(H) will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord,(I) he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children(J) in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums(K) and spiritists.(L) He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. 7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple,(M) of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land(N) I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.” 9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

We're going to leave everything behind eventually. So now is a good time to start letting worldly things go. The more the worldly things of life hinder our relationship with Jesus, the more we should want to let them go. Does God really need to ask us to give things up? Hasn't he already done that? We are supposed to live Godly lives. Shouldn't we know our worldly weaknesses already, and be praying to him to heal us? I specifically prayed to be released from alcohol 12 yrs ago, and God healed me overnight. I have never had the slightest desire to drink since that time. But I suggest that we not choose to keep some sins, and remove others. We should pray to God for a clean and pure heart committed to him. 100%. Let God do the work in us. It's the only way it's going to get done anyway. And he wants to do it. Ask and you will receive.