Slug1

Over the years in discussion about "prosperity,"here is what I offer: Prosperity isn't truly about "riches", it's about being "rich" with what God has given and by rich, I mean this, the more God gives, the more there is OF oneself to give to others in ministry. But this mindset is in opposition of pretty much all prosperity gospels. You see, when God "gives" more money to prosper a person, it's not for the person, it's so God can use them in greater ways. The prosperity is "for" the ministry or for the church they attend, etc. Prosperity is not so they can "have" more. Also with the usual "prosperity" preaching, comes the push about "divine" health. I'm reminded however about Paul, he had a problem and God didn't change his "health or problem" at all. All that was changed was Paul's outlook, his perspective. Paul was PROSPERED (made rich) by God's revelation to him and this prosperity wasn't about "money" at all. Paul took this prosperity and it caused him to be more focused on the ministry - put MORE of a fire in him for execution of the ministry. That is the heart of "true" prosperity, not a new car, but doing MORE with the car one has We have Timothy also, drink more wine says Paul. IOWs, deal with the stomach issues (like the rest of us - my thought). Paul didn't advise that Timothy "try" harder to be faithful and God would heal him of the problem. At the heart of ALL prosperity gospels, that would be the fruit of those indoctrinated by such a gospel. As for specifics of "health." There are only examples of healing (being MADE healthy through supernatural power/authority of God) throughout the Bible, there are no examples of what can be construed as "divine healthy living" to be in support of any prosperity gospel. There are ONLY examples of CHANGED and RIGHT (righteous) living and this is true prosperity of the Gospel! Let me say as well, As has been mentioned, this CAN mean that a Christian can be physically healthy and financially wealthy but this is NOT because of the Gospel, nor is it because of any prosperity gospel either, when you really view the doctrine.

Hooah. In the many similar threads over the years dealing with the OP's topic, I can't help but think of the Matthew 19:16-22 verses. At the end of the day, if Jesus was to ask one to sell off their possessions and they would not, the heart is exposed.

I was going to edit my post but got called away and didn't get back till now. I was to add a mention about bearing fruit, so yes... we have the ability and even justification to view the fruit of a "pastor" and test the spirit of the words they speak. And based on the "works" they do, one can "discern," good or bad. Soon as a pastor says, "God's has informed me that the present jet is inadequate and He has blessed this ministry with a new jet and this blessing will be released upon "us" when the required offering is achieved, blah, blah, blah..." Run away! Compared to a pastor announcing to their flock, "The 30 year old furnace has failed beyond repair and a new one must be purchased to replace the furnace that is inop. Our treasurer has informed me that the church has on tap for such a repair, is $4,500.00. After three estimates and after counsel with the church leadership, we are $3500.00 short concerning the estimate that was chosen. Please add this "need" to all your prayers and tonight at 7pm, the church will be open for a prayer vigil as well. We will be seeking God in how to proceed with this need."

God knows their heart.

In the Bible, Paul is inspired to warn (Romans 1 and 2 Thess 2), how God will "give up" mankind to their choice of sin/lust. As the years pass, it is getting easier and easier to understand how powerful this "giving up" truly is based on how even many who profess Christ, are deluded to accept this worldliness in their lives and even in their body.

Hooah! At the end of the day, we're to plant seeds and water that seed or water seeds planted by other's who witnessed Christ. However, a person comes along pointing out sin in voice/heart of condemnation... God can't work with that because no watering was done. Many times, the greatest watering Christians can do, is just "walk" and live the message of Christ and "be" Christ-like. Such action fosters opportunity for witnessing (communicating/shining) Christ upon others.

Riverwalker, agree with ya. Persecution comes in many forms and you just described one of the most insidious forms of persecution. To get a Christian to "doubt" their commitment to Christ and halt their obedience of witnessing Him to others. Candor does mitigate this form of persecution and experience in methods of entering into an opportunity to witness Christ, also reduces this form of persecution. If there is opportunity, fellowship with the person and gain trust. Jesus sat with sinners and got to know them more and this opened more opportunity to speak/teach about the consequence of sin. Also, we cannot forget about the "dusting off of one's footware" either. So there is always that too. Paul was even turned away from witnessing Christ in a region of Asia and had to terminate his pursuit of that mission. The Holy Spirit must be listened too. Being a watchman is tough and requires faith to be strong, especially in the face of persecution of all forms.

The states that eliminated mask mandates (even before the vax), their covid numbers drastically plummeted. States that never mandated the mask, their numbers remained low(er/est). Interesting how the immune system does work more efficiently when provided unhindered access to what it is to fight against. Thus why "real" vaccines utilize live viruses. Has anyone ever asked themselves, WHY didn't a live virus vaccine get produced? Well, the answer is simple and obvious... you won't get a VIABLE live virus from a manufacture/modified virus. If what causes covid was provided (to produce a vax), the very first thing that would be found, is that covid NEVER originated in the natural world from any animal = man made. This is why science went the mNRA route and "may" get licensed many years from now. The next question is terrible to ask, was it released unintentionally (a true accident), or intentionally?

Have you taken time to find all the scriptures throughout the Bible concerning the occult or divination? If not, the Holy Spirit cannot use the truth found in all those scriptures to convict you and renew your mind. "You" can't renew your mind, that is the Holy Spirit's job. Your job is to study God's Word so the Holy Spirit has what is needed to "change" your mind. Here is an interpretation of what your post says (to me): you are saying, "I study and research the occult and even produce products of the occult. Because of this study and active production of occultism, the enemy has altered my mind and as a result of this change of mind, the enemy has used this to cause doubt, to harden my heart, to make me believe time is running out, cause me to believe I need to be punished harshly, I'm dead meat, the enemy is presently pounding my mind with guilt as well..." You have provided the enemy ALL it needs to mold your mind and thus, lead you into unrighteousness. Now imagine if you studied the scriptures, involved yourself in Bible studies, fasted (a righteous work), prayed, etc. Then the Holy Spirit can "reNEW" your mind and lead you in ways of righteousness and repentance. Know this, "guilt" will initially "feel" like conviction. In time one can discern whether or not one has guilt from the enemy, or conviction from the Holy Spirit. Here is how... guilt's pain will allow you to remain in what is sinful and can hold you to what is sinful = resist the scriptures... into unrighteousness. Conviction will initially be painful but will uplift you to seek after the scriptures (the Word/Jesus) = resist the sin... into repentance.

Save his reputation from what/whom? Clearly not with those who have taken the time to research on their own.

Hooah! Thus why the science was suppressed and even today, ignored due to indoctrination through all the fear propaganda.

A virus has a size calibre of .1 - .15 um. A military M40 mask, properly fitted (airtight against the skin), is not effective against viruses. How can a properly fitted piece of cloth or even a M95 be more effective, even if cloth or an M95 was possibly fitted to airtightness against a face?

With my family and friends, I raised the issue of standing near a smoker, and whether or not they could "smell" the smoke through their mask while in the presence of a smoker. "All" and I mean ALL of them admitted they could smell the smoke while wearing their masks. I then asked if they knew the SIZE of a virus in relation to smoke particles? "All" and I mean ALL of them admitted they did not. I advised them to find out and then to consider the effectiveness of a cloth mask against a virus. Sometimes I raised the fact that "even in the movies" when a virus was dealt with, airborne or not, those who came into proximity of a virus were wearing WHAT?

Since most anti-maskers are the "silent majority" they live up to not worrying about pushing any agenda. Thus, they remain "silent" while poised to defend freedom.

Hooah, that is a great example of "adaptation" but not for evolution. At the end of the day, or at the end of the year, or at the end of 1000 years, the finch with the new beak, is still the same finch. It has not "become" a new creature which is what "evolution" entails. Edit: Humans who live near the equator compared to humans who live far from the equator, no evolving at all while the bodies have adapted to how the climate is. Adaption only, no evolving.

Yes, I tried to address that with a reply to Justin.

Hooah and Amen, God bless ya sister!!

I always viewed adaptation to man's increase in use of what is provided in the world. To me, when God provided "clothing" to sinful man, this is an adaptation. Hey, look... this rock can kill my brother, hey now man knows how to formed ore into metal, then into a weapon. Hey, this water can be used to create electricity, hey look... etc. But, man never evolve as in the changing of one creature into another. The only change of one creature into another is when one believes and the old creature is left behind and the new creature moves forward. Still not evolution :-)

Hooah, the English term "perfect" can be misconstrued. It is very interesting that after each day of creating, God said it was good and only after viewing a completed work in creating mankind, was creation... very good. There is no place for evolvement of life after all was "very" good.

Concerning your response and the underlined part in the quote, we also cannot forget that God declared creation perfect. Evolution is when something (within) is not perfect and requires improvement.

Began ex nihilo and then with what was created, mankind is formed. Voted - supernaturally.

I can see how this specific part can do nothing but spin. Tell me, in Jesus' prayer and the use of "they" (NKJV), do you consider "they" as specific persons or many (non-specific) people?

I will be addressing other parts of your response when I can. This part I'm led to address now. Again, I have to disagree with your conclusion about prayer concerning "everyone" being a waste of time. The reason why is if I apply your reasoning/interpretation to Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, then most of the prayer He spoke would fall into what you refer to, as a waste of time. Edit: Let me add, I do pray for America and it's leaders, I never name any of the population nor name leaders during prayer... have I been wasting my time = God doesn't know "who" I'm praying about?

I joined my first Christian message board back in 2004 (or was it 05?), and this topic does come up and at the end of the day, it was either legalism or trollism. I once asked (a troll), if they surf the internet and their obvious answer was, "yes." So I dealt the hand of, "I assume you use a cell or a computer, however, with todays technology many a TV can be used to browse the internet. If I'm surfing Youtube early in the morning to listen too worship songs with my cell and later in the day, I sat in the living room and use the TV to find worship music on Youtube... was I righteous in the morning and then doing the exact same thing in the afternoon, sinful because I was using the TV? I will troll, the trolls.

In as much truth as possible, TV is as sinful as using the internet.