Debp

That reminds me, recently another alligator was trying to get into a lady's home!

It seems the alligators like to wander from body of water to the next body of water. I remember a couple incidents where they were in swimming pools....one incident involved a young couple swimming in their pool. The guy saw the alligator and jumped out! I think he helped the lady out after that! But he sure jumped out fast first! My mom watches golf on TV. Sometimes they show an alligator in the small man-made lakes on the golf course.

Yes, I remember that incident at Disney World....so awful the little boy dragged into the water and killed. Also, recently the lady walking with her dogs was attacked and killed. I forgot the State...was it South Carolina? Somebody from Florida told me that the alligators will sometimes be in the road.

There was another alligator attack just the other day on a young woman swimming or wading in a lake in Florida. She got significant injuries, was airlifted to a hospital. The alligator was 8 feet long, a trapper removed him from the lake. I'm wondering why people would swim or even wade in States where there are alligators. Maybe they are just braver than me?!

I always loved Jesus, however I was truly born again in 1972. That's when I truly understood salvation and experienced the Holy Spirit's work in my heart and life.

A topic worth bumping up...

Yes, stand firm in faith, resist them in the name of Jesus. Also, you should try reading the Psalms before bed....try meditating (mulling over) on some verses. Also, keep reading Ephesians 6, about the armor of God.

I believe repentance starts in our hearts when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. Of course, afterwards our thoughts will agree with what our hearts came to realize. When our hearts are involved, this is much more than turning over new leafs.

Yes, thank you missmuffet, it was a very good topic and post!

So are you saying that if a murderer comes to true, saving faith in Christ as his Savior, that the murderer cannot be forgiven?

Not in ourselves. However, through Christ we are made worthy....we are given the imputed righteousness of Christ when Christ took our sins upon Himself. Of course, there is also the process of sanctification throughout the life of a believer.

Glad to see you back! I'm sorry you were hurt by your family. Please remember that you are loved and appreciated here! You are not alone...not everyone has family that stays in touch, including me. One of my friends (now passed away) once said we can't pick our family but we can pick our friends.

Anyone seeing the humor in things lately? Please bestow upon us your funny stuff....

I hope everyone takes the time to read the above.... it's hilarious! Thanks Neighbor! Tell them it has beavers or something....

Another beautiful devotional reading. And like the author noted, we have not just rest, but God's rest. Truly a blessing.

That sounds really nice! Not sure what pikelets are though.... A New Zealand thing? Btw, have you met nzkev.... another New Zealand guy?

Does anyone else ever reflect upon how love, peace and thankfulness go hand in hand? We have the peace of Christ in our hearts/lives, therefore we are able to extend love and forgiveness towards our neighbor, and even towards ourselves. Also, there is a thankfulness in the heart of one who is in Christ. Be thankful for what we have, even if it is little. There are always others who have it much worse. Look for the good things in our lives....seeing, walking, hearing....all blessings from the Lord. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Naomi, there is nothing wrong with pressing on to knowing Christ more (sanctification/walking with Christ). However, there are some here that are teaching that works alongside of Christ save, and that one can lose salvation when one sins.. That teaching is what Sonshine was warning you about. Please remember.... I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21 Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:2-3

I am not speaking of our human understanding of who Jesus is, or us knowing about Him intellectually when I talk of the foundation. The only foundation is Jesus Christ Himself....when the reality of Christ is in our hearts and lives, this is the most blessed thing. Upon Christ everything else is laid.

Amen. We have the imputed righteousness of Christ. He took our sins and gives us His righteousness. This is the basis of our faith. Of course, the Christian life is a walk as we are being sanctified throughout our lifetime. We are not saying to stay in one place. However, we are warning do not throw away our foundation of our faith and Salvation....which is Christ alone!! Do not place our works in the place of Christ....works will not save.

If your schedule allows, have you thought of some type of volunteering outside of your church?

Thanks WordSword, the author covers all points very well.

Last night on the news they showed a video of a cat chasing off a coyote from a backyard. The cat went after the coyote a couple of times. Funny thing...the owners of that home say it isn't even their cat! I guess he thinks it's his home!

Thanks Thomas, for this interesting topic! I think it's wonderful that your church is welcoming refugees. Please keep us updated. I read many Muslim refugees are coming to Christ because in the refugee camps the native missionaries have visited them and they have responded to the love of Christ. Many lost their homes due to Isis and so are questioning their Muslim faith... something unheard of before.

Good answers for you already by everyone. Just keep reading the Bible, especially the New Testament, and pray for understanding. If you come across difficult to understand verses, jot down the reference. Then you can look up the meaning in a couple of Bible commentaries. Also, I hope you have a good church....you can make a list of some of your questions on some verses, and ask your pastor about them.