Openly Curious

LadyC, The whole key is I had unconfessed sin that was still present in my life. And until I confessed it and surrendered those particular areas of my life totally over to God the sin remained. It has nothing at all to do with the subject blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and it being the only sin I can't be forgiven of. It didn't even matter what I felt or didn't feel as a christian the word of God over rode all of it as Jesus said if I don't forgive others of their tresspasses then my Heavenly Father want forgive me of my tresspasses against him. You see God's word wasn't going to change those words in read remained the same no matter what I personally felt. If I was going to continue I had to fess up and let go and let God have his way further within my heart and life. Till I did then sin remained right in the middle of us. And if I had died in my stubborness and not have forgave then my sin would have condemned me. It was at this point when I let it all go that I found Jesus not only was my Saviour but also my deliverer. God is so much more that just a Saviour if only folks could come to see this within their walk with the Lord. For it was one thing to be under conviction where God is trying to get you to see your error and he shines light on those things that are displeasing to him but it is quite another to just day after day refuse to yield to his spirit and hold on to the things he wants us to let go of. One has to learn in life that God sent Jesus to the cross for us and he forgave us freely and if Christ has suffered all of that shame and agony for us because of our trespasses and sins then we should show forth the same thing amidst our own suffering and tragedies we've had to endure within this life no matter how hard it seems. Sadly those in desperate need and want in their lives don't receive help they so urgently need from God. I hope I've answered you if not we can chat some more and thanks for the up's on "OSAS" God Bless Openly Curious

LadyC, It is unconfessed sin that seperates us from God and when we have and keep unconfessed sin harbored within our hearts and will not confess it before God. Then you as a believer will loose your confidence in God. Just as it says within the gospel of 1 John. If one looses their confidence with God they in their own condemnation of their hearts before him will not approach him so they can receive the things they are so badly in need of which is more mercy and grace so they can be an overcomer in the trials of this life that are so different and diverse for us all. I thank you for all the example of how one harbors sin in their lives but I don't need examples for I am a human being in this life with my on trials and heartaches myself just as even you know these same things or you couldn't have given me the examples you did. I've even been the victim of terrible tragedy and pain in my own life and know of the hatred, bitterness, resentment and fear all the emotions you used in your post. But it had to go if I wanted to continue my relationship with the Lord. Jesus had forgiven me of my sins so I had to forgive others of their sins towards me. And if I refused to do so then the walk with the Lord that I had would have stopped right there as my sin would have kept me seperated from Him. As the word says if I don't forgive others their tresspasses then my tresspasses want be forgiven. My confidence with God would have been gone if I had not forgiven as the sin of unforgiveness harbored within my heart kept me bound in condemnation until I confessed it and forgave it was then the fellowship with God and the confidence was fresh and anew as I obeyed from my heart his word. Sin breaks our fellowship with God no fellowship no relationship God Bless Openly Curious

LadyC, Please help me here what does "OSAS" stand for probably something simple I'm sure and probably figure it out by the time you tell me. Openly Curious

Hello '50_Cent's_dog', You said, "All sin is sin" Where will unconfessed sins send you? It say in 1 John aslo, that all wrongdoing is sin. If the bible tells us all wrongdoing is sin then where will my sins send me if they are unconfessed? Yes, "All sin is sin" and murder is not the fruit of the Spirit either so where will unconfessed sin send one? Murderers shall have no part in the holy city New Jerusalem so where will unconfessed sin send the transgressors of God's word. "All sin is sin" Openly Curious I understand your thoughts on "unconfessed" sin. Let me ask you a question. How many times have you forgot to confess a sin? I know that you probably will say that you confessed every sin that you ever committed. How can you be so positive that you confessed every sin? Will God send me to hell even though He gave me the faith to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour 10 years ago. I am righteous in God's eyes because He gave me the faith to believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross. Just as Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as rightiousness. Did Abraham sin? Yes, but God still considered Abraham righteous because he believed God and had faith. 50 cent dog, To him that doeth righteousness is righteous him that doeth unrighteousness is unrighteous that is what it say in Romans This meaning those who do right in God's sight are the righteous. Those who willfully choose to go against God and do the wrong is the unrighteous or wicked in this world and they do not possess the righteousness which is in Jesus Christ. As Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto as righteousness. You said the key word "Faith" The person who commits suicide has given up that "faith" you speak of they have cast it aside and taken matters into their own hands and are choosing to do their own will and way over the will of God. They have taken their trust out of God choosing not to confide with him in fellowship about their problems and deep needs as a result cannot get more of the much needed grace in which they so desperately need within their lives. For God giveth more grace to the humble. As the word also tells us to Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and grace in our time of need. We are also to make our prayers and petitions known to him the word tells us because in our weaknesses Christ will be made strong if we just keep our faith and don't cast it aside. Also the word tell us that those who endure to the end shall be saved and we are to fight the good fight of faith. We have to earnestly contend for our faith lest we loose it and give up as the case of those who want to give up and commit suicide. There is alot of marriages that bust up because they give up on it and don't go to God in the midst of their troubles and get forgiveness and more grace in their time of need. The grace of God is sufficient for every need we have no matter how big or small we think our problems are our own solutions only makes things worse when we fail and put our faith elsewhere. Sometimes our trials in life feel like their choking us and we will never make it through them and sadly some don't survive their trials. But if we don't stay with Jesus we loose all the way around. I do not claim to be a perfect Christian as you seemed to suggest that I am. I have faults and failures that come into my life and when the Lord makes them known to me they have to go if I want my relationship to continue with Him. I want the fellowship with my heavenly Father to continue as sin is how it is broken. So I will endeavor to walk a life of obedience in his sight and will shun the wrong and cling to the right. In other words I'm gonna put up a good scrap in the fight to keep my faith til the end. Because the trial of our faith will have great recompense of reward in the end. I know also that if I walk in obedience to God and do his will then I will have confidence before Him to ask what I will when I get into his presence through prayer and I know he will hear me according to 1 John That is my confidence and that is what I trust in. And it is a shame that a person who once was a believer who once put their trust in Jesus didn't come to this knowledge or couldn't no longer trust in the truth of his word and chose rather to end their life. As far as your question will God send you to hell even though he gave you faith to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour 10 years ago. Well, first I am not the judge of your eternal soul for I do not know of your walk with God. But I will warn you to keep your relationship right with you and the Lord all the days of your life don't let anything get between you and Him. Guard it with the utmost care for it is sin that breaks that fellowship with him and steals our confidence away from us to approach him to ask and receive the things we so desperately need pertaing to this life and godliness. God had dealt to every man a measure of faith but not everyone acts upon that measure of faith given to them as there are still unbelievers who have not acted on that faith given them by God. Not every person will choose to walk out their faith or their profession of that faith they say they have. God Bless Openly Curious

Hello '50_Cent's_dog', You said, "All sin is sin" Where will unconfessed sins send you? It say in 1 John aslo, that all wrongdoing is sin. If the bible tells us all wrongdoing is sin then where will my sins send me if they are unconfessed? Yes, "All sin is sin" and murder is not the fruit of the Spirit either so where will unconfessed sin send one? Murderers shall have no part in the holy city New Jerusalem so where will unconfessed sin send the transgressors of God's word. "All sin is sin" Openly Curious

Hello LadyC, Suicide is murder and a matter of fact it is 1st degree murder. Just because one chooses to kill self doesn't mean it wasn't thought out and premeditated within their hearts and mind. Unfortunately they themselves were the victims of their own crime. They are still a murderer. The word suicide is not in the bible but look the definition of suicide up. Suicide is most defiantly an act of desperation among other things. Mostly it is someone who is seeking to get out of their pain usually it is a very very deep pain the person has and is living with. And seeking to escape this pain they plot against themselves and conspire in their own minds to kill themselves. Thinking it will release them from the pain they are currently in. This is a sad situation indeed for a person to be in that much pain. But nevertheless that is their motive which drives them to kill or murderer their ownselves. They are indeed a tragic victim of their own crime. Yes scripture does say the only sin that won't be forgiven is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But scriptures also says and teaches us in 1 John the things I wrote back in my post to Hannah. God Bless Openly Curious

. not to discredit u are saying but please show me where you come to these conclusions. Hello ruck1b, One question probably a favorite of yours. How does this conversation edify the body? Seems controversial to me you know, like you've been asking in other threads. OC

Hello babyspice, I sure am glad I'm not on the verge of suicide myself for you have just counseled me to go ahead with it as I will fall right into the arms of Jesus if I do. WOW WEE What about a little help from you to get me set free now while I'm alive and kicking on this earth. Bad counsel all the way around God bless Openly Curious

Hello Hannah, I like your name and well I am one of those who disagree with your opinion. First because murder is a sin and I'm sure every Christian would accept it as being a sin as willsmon said in her post "Thou shalt not murder" so this is a commandment and law of God that carries penalties or has consequences if you break it. We are told in 1 John that when we sin we have an advocate (lawyer) with the Father and if we are faithful to confess our sins then He is faithful and just to forgive us our tresspasses (sins). Well the advocate is Jesus Christ who interceeds between us and the Father as Jesus shed his blood on the cross so that we can obtain his mercy in times of need. And if we will faithfully come to God and confess our faults and failures which are our transgressions against the commands and laws of God. Then if we will do that it tell us that God will be faithful and just to forgive us of our tresspasses. Because of the blood of his only begotten son that was shed for the atonement of those sins. Now since that is the prescribe course for our sins, faults, failures, tresspasses, wickedness or whatever you want to call our wrong doings against the will of God we have to abide by that prescribed course if we want to be forgiven when we mess up and blow it. Now if a person kills themselves they are gone there is no time left for them to be faithful and go to God and repent of their sin of murder for it is over for good in that persons life when they die. One might say well I'll repent before I kill myself then I'll be forgiven and alright with God and everything will be all better for me. But that is only a lie the devil holds out for them to embrace because if they truly repented then they wouldn't willfully and knowing break the commandment of God that is not true repentance it's a Lie. God Bless Hannah Openly Curious

OpenlyCurious, Here are a few points to ponder, as to whether aliens exist, that is intelligent extraterrestrial beings. Jehovah God is the Sovereign of the Universe, so if there are other beings God created them. We know from what the Bible says that after armageddon, Satan and his demons will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, Rev 19:20,21, Rev 20:10, Matt 25:41. Now, here takes a little ratiocination. God put in the middle of the Garden of Eden, the tree of life. Most likely if Adam and Eve had been loyal for a period of time they would have been allowed to eat of the tree of life, and thereby granted everlasting life. If they had been loyal, after gaining everlasting life they would NEVER have died. Armageddon will be brought on because the world of men have gotten so rotten, and they will be annihilated, Ps 92:7, 37:38. Now, if there are intelligent beings on other planets, would they all reach the point of being so wicked as to deserve destruction, AT THE SAME TIME. It would mean that all other planets would have to reach the same level of wickedness at the same time. This is very unlikely!! Of course there is another scenario. Maybe other intelligent beings did not sin against God. Therefore they would have no reason to worry about armageddon. Is it likely that all men created on other planets would be disloyal to God, or would a number of created beings remain loyal to God?? It is a real condemnation to mankind that all men created on other planets would invariably be disloyal. So the truth is; no one knows. More than likely though, we are the first intelligent beings created on a planet. Probably, in the future many, many planets will have intelligent life on them. Because the principle of Universal Sovereignty will have been decided, there will be no reason for man, or any other intelligent being to be allowed to live, if they turn bad. So never again will we find ourselves in the mess we are in now. Remember, Jesus came to earth to give his life for us. Jesus cannot die again, so anyone sinning against God in the future will deserve death, because there will be no sacrifice for him. Hello, Thank you for your response I have my own opinions in this regards in the which I discussed with another person which I will also refer you to that post so that you can ponder on some of my biblical thoughts it is post #69 and I'm especially referring to the scriptures found in 1 Corinthians 15:34-41 that I am addressing within that particular conversation which pertains to the "terrestrial" beings and the "celesstial" beings. God Bless Openly Curious I don't think we have to worry about failing God once we go to be with the Lord. Because the Lord said something in Revelation that seems to mean we will never fail God again. Rev. 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus. He is my friend, true to the end. He gave himself to redeem me. Jesus, wonderful Lord. and again. Rev. 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 22 1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 4 points: 1) no more curse 2) his servants serve him. In this life we often fail him, but there we shall serve him. 3) His name shall be in their foreheads. signifies ownership and authority 4) reign for ever and ever. we defintely stay "good" from then on, and never fail again. Hello WhySoBlind, Praise be to God and no we don't or never shall we ever again feel the awful effects of sin anymore. Thank you so much for the uplifting scriptures of our glorious future with the Lord. I'm so glad that we have been justified by faith and the wrong was rightened that happened in the beginning by our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God Bless You Richly Above Anything That You Can Ask Or Think Openly Curious

OpenlyCurious, Here are a few points to ponder, as to whether aliens exist, that is intelligent extraterrestrial beings. Jehovah God is the Sovereign of the Universe, so if there are other beings God created them. We know from what the Bible says that after armageddon, Satan and his demons will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, Rev 19:20,21, Rev 20:10, Matt 25:41. Now, here takes a little ratiocination. God put in the middle of the Garden of Eden, the tree of life. Most likely if Adam and Eve had been loyal for a period of time they would have been allowed to eat of the tree of life, and thereby granted everlasting life. If they had been loyal, after gaining everlasting life they would NEVER have died. Armageddon will be brought on because the world of men have gotten so rotten, and they will be annihilated, Ps 92:7, 37:38. Now, if there are intelligent beings on other planets, would they all reach the point of being so wicked as to deserve destruction, AT THE SAME TIME. It would mean that all other planets would have to reach the same level of wickedness at the same time. This is very unlikely!! Of course there is another scenario. Maybe other intelligent beings did not sin against God. Therefore they would have no reason to worry about armageddon. Is it likely that all men created on other planets would be disloyal to God, or would a number of created beings remain loyal to God?? It is a real condemnation to mankind that all men created on other planets would invariably be disloyal. So the truth is; no one knows. More than likely though, we are the first intelligent beings created on a planet. Probably, in the future many, many planets will have intelligent life on them. Because the principle of Universal Sovereignty will have been decided, there will be no reason for man, or any other intelligent being to be allowed to live, if they turn bad. So never again will we find ourselves in the mess we are in now. Remember, Jesus came to earth to give his life for us. Jesus cannot die again, so anyone sinning against God in the future will deserve death, because there will be no sacrifice for him. Hello, Thank you for your response I have my own opinions in this regards in the which I discussed with another person which I will also refer you to that post so that you can ponder on some of my biblical thoughts it is post #69 and I'm especially referring to the scriptures found in 1 Corinthians 15:34-41 that I am addressing within that particular conversation which pertains to the "terrestrial" beings and the "celesstial" beings. God Bless Openly Curious

Right on GentleGiant, Good Preaching Amen and Amen This is the good stuff that makes me want to shout Hallelujah Glory to God for we are overcomers through Christ Jesus and more that a conqueror as nothing can seperate us from the love of God as he will work all things for the good to those that love him. God Bless Openly Curious

Paul said what it was ... "a messenger of satan sent to buffet him lest he should be exalted above measure". If a "messenger" of God is an angel, then what is a "messenger" of satan? Did not part of the angels leave heaven with the devil? Peace. abranchofHim is exactly correct here regarding Paul's thorn in the flesh as it records exactly what the thorn in the flesh was in verse #7 (a messenger of Satan) and you can read throughout the book of Acts about all the things that Paul had to endure in his missionary journeys because of the trouble the messenger of Satan (demon) caused or stirred up to hinder Paul's ministry but throughout Paul's walk with the Lord Paul found that the grace of God was sufficent in all of his weaknesses Christ was made strong within his life. To buffet means "to box" and Paul had to fight the good fight of faith as he said in 1 & 2 Timothy that he had fought a good fight and a crown of righteousness was layed up in store for him as he was close to his death. What a testimony to have at the end of your life "I have fought a good fight and finished my course as the grace of God was sufficient to meet all of my needs." God Bless you abundantly Openly Curious

No I'm saying there is a difference in one having the gift inside of them and in how they deliver that gift to the body of Christ. It is one thing to have a gift it is another thing to give that gift away to others. If I possess a gift from God it is something God has given to me directly for he has shown it to me personally and nobody else shares in that gift with me it remains inside of my heart and mind alone. But when I choose to share the gifts and talents I have been given by God with the Body of Christ it is then I have to take on another role in order to deliver or give the gifts and talents to the body of Christ so they will be edified and uplifted by the part God has given to me for the building up of the saints. These roles being apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers that we have to step into these offices in order for the body of Christ to benefit by the gifts we have. You can have the gift of knowledge but if you don't step into and take on the role of a teacher the gift is only dormant within yourself and nobody in the body of christ will benefit. So having a gift is quite different from delivering the gift to the body they are two seperate and distinct things. The delivery of the gifts and talents to the body of Christ is what is called the manifestation of the Spirit. It is in this delivery process that the body of Christ sees the gifts and callings of God within your life being revealed (manifested) to them as you share your part with everyone in the body as you speak forth you are then prophesying which brings exhortation, edification and comfort to the body of saints. That is why Paul the apostle said that he would we all prophesied instead of speaking in tongues without an interpreter being present because the body of christ don't get anything out of that persons gift and calling (1 corinthians 14) if we can't understand the language being used. There are many within the body of christ who are gifted by God but the body of christ will never see the manifestation of the Spirit in their lives if they don't exercise and use those gifts and talents with the saints of God. To hide one's gifts and callings doesn't bring glory to God nor the body of christ. But I'm glad you now believe or at least are acknowledging the gifts of the Spirit in the bible which is what your posts are suggesting to me now, rather than what your thoughts were at the beginning of this thread. God Bless Openly Curious

Well my source would be me. I'm not perfect in Greek, but after a few years of study I feel I know what I'm talking about on basic definitions. It's gramatics that throw me off still. Regardless, a "prophecy" is more of a declaration and not always dealing with the future. Either way, what I was getting across is that in modern times a "seer" is someone that fortells the future on their own power. Likewise, what the OP was talking about was simply being able to do it on his own as well. One who has the gift of prophecy does so not on his own ability, but purely off what God has revealed to him. I just wonder where you got the last part of your recourse here-- (One who has the gift of prophecy does so not on his own ability, but purely off what God has revealed to him). Sure sounds like you are learning new things from this thread as I am referring to post #23 & 24 in the which your reply was then that you did not believe in the gifts but now I see a change. Study does us all good keep at it for the Lord has more things to show and teach you within his word. God Bless You Richly In The Knowledge of Him In His Stead Openly Curious Read post 27. I was saying that it's absurd to say there is a difference between prophecy and prophesying....and if we make the distinction then it isn't biblical. As for my resource...prophesy is a gift of the SPIRIT. Prophesying is when you speak a revealed word or message to someone or a group of people as was the case in the story of Samuel the prophet God revealed to him what would happen if the people of Israel persisted on wanting a king over them like the other nations and Samuel went and prophesied that word from God to the people. That is the gift of prophesying. Some prophets are used in this manner and gifting. Other prophets are used in prophecy such as Ezekiel and Daniel and John the Revelator these prophets had dreams and visions from God as the angel of God would reveal to them the interpretations of what those dreams were and meant and they wrote those things down. The things that these prophets were shown were end-time events that were to happen in the future. Both gifts prophesying and prophecy are relating to future tense whether that future tense is only a few days away as in the case of Sameul the prophet when Israel took the king Saul over them and rejected God as there king it was then that the prophecy of Sameul you can read did in fact come to pass. The prophecy gift is also future tense but from a much futher distance in the future tense as it relates to end-time events that are yet to happen in this earth. A prophet can have both of these gifts and be used by God to prophesy a word from the Lord that was given to them and also speak forth prophetically (Jeremiah is a good example) on the subjects dealing with end time events that are recorded and given to us by God within the pages of his word. When a preacher is speaking on the rapture and preaching to us we need to be ready to go because God could come at any moment he is speaking a prophetic utterance as the rapture is a future event as no man knows the day nor the hour in which he will return. So a person can have the gift of prophecy and know things that God has shown and revealed to them in the Spirit. But it is only prophecy at that point and until the minister speaks that prophecy forth out of his mouth that is when it becomes prophesying and it is at that time of speaking it forth that others who hear the prophecy is when the body of Christ becomes uplifted, edified and strengthened. 1 corinthians 13:9 ; 14:1-6,32 & Romans 12:6 A person can have the gift of knowledge but until they share that knowledge and speak it forth it remains a gift of knowledge within that person alone. But when that person using that gift of knowledge it is then it imparts so much to others in the office of a teacher. So a teacher can have the gift of knowledge but unless they use other gifts like the role of a teacher the other gift remains dormant within the person. God Bless Openly Curious

Well my source would be me. I'm not perfect in Greek, but after a few years of study I feel I know what I'm talking about on basic definitions. It's gramatics that throw me off still. Regardless, a "prophecy" is more of a declaration and not always dealing with the future. Either way, what I was getting across is that in modern times a "seer" is someone that fortells the future on their own power. Likewise, what the OP was talking about was simply being able to do it on his own as well. One who has the gift of prophecy does so not on his own ability, but purely off what God has revealed to him. I just wonder where you got the last part of your recourse here-- (One who has the gift of prophecy does so not on his own ability, but purely off what God has revealed to him). Sure sounds like you are learning new things from this thread as I am referring to post #23 & 24 in the which your reply was then that you did not believe in the gifts but now I see a change. Study does us all good keep at it for the Lord has more things to show and teach you within his word. God Bless You Richly In The Knowledge of Him In His Stead Openly Curious

Hello, I agree with you Smalcald and share in your opinions everything right now seems to be working towards a borderless government that seeks to tare down any ideas of nationalism and patritism. These have to be torn down in order to create the revised Roman Empire in the which I believe the EU is playing it's part at this time and interval in history. All nations of the earth even the US is moving towards the New World Order or the One World Government and as time progresses in our history it just keeps getting closer and closer to the final fulfillment of what God has foretold to us in his word. And as the days continue we will continue to see more and more of the things foretold in the bible being played out right before our eyes being fulfilled little by little as we continue to advance forward in time. The signs are all around us and those who know the word of God can see and discern the times in which we live. God Bless In His Stead Openly Curious

I agree with EricH, As the scriptures tell us that the husband will be won by the conversation of the wife. It is your behavior that you exhibit in front of your husband that can win out in your relationship with your husband and with God. As your husband sees you walking out and living your faith in front of him it will bring conviction upon his heart as he will literally feel the very presence of God within your life and know over time what you have is true and a genuine faith. This is the wisdom that God has provided within the word for wives who have unbelieving husbands and you will not go wrong if you heed his counsel in this area (1 Corinthians 3:1-7). God's wisdom is far beyond our own reasoning and solutions to our own problems. so go with God and stand strong in the faith you have in the one and only true and living God. God Bless You Richly In Your Walk With Him Openly Curious

Thanks for the humor Iryssa God Bless Openly Curious

Hello Smalcald, Thanks for your response. After I read your comments I was reminded of a scripture passage that is found in the book of Ephesians. (Ephesians 3:14-21) (v14)"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v15) Of whom the whole family "in heaven" and "earth" is named. (v16) That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strenghtened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (v17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love. (v18) May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height. (v19) And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (v20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. (v21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. I have found comfort many times in my walk with the Lord with these verses because I know there are things I have not yet learned about God as verse 18 says that there are breadth and length and depth and height in God that are yet to be found out there are breadth in God I have not yet experience. there are length in God I have not yet walked there are depths to God I have yet not gone and there are heights in God I have yet to see but as I continue to grow in the knowledge of God he keeps on blowing my mind with the riches of his glory. The creator of it all can surely do abundantly above all that we ask or think according to his will that worketh in us. His word is his will and gives light to our souls and minds. The love of God does indeed pass all human understanding for sure. God Bless You Richly And Strenghten You With Might By His Spirit In The Inner Man Openly Curious

Hello jamie, Thanks for your response. Demons do have the ability to transform themselves and can come to us in many different forms and faces in order to deceive our minds as he plays on our imaginations to gain a foothold within our lives so we will in turn go and carry out the devil's plans in this earth fulfilling the devil's will instead of God's will for our lives. And the devil's plans is to deceive the whole human race and keep us away from the one true and living God as he will play on any area he can use to draw us away from God. So we must keep on the whole armor of God according to Ephesians 6 so we will not be drawn away from God by the enemies tactics to deceive us with. So demons are real and we must be on guard lest we be lead away with the lies of the devil. God Bless You Richly Openly Curious

Hello shanbopop Thanks for your response. I think you would benefit if you were to go back and read the entire post #69 in this thread as it addresses in great detail the things you have mentioned here and there are alot of people who share in your mindset as the person I was addressing within that post. God bless You Richly As You Study His Word. Openly Curious

Hello Gerioke, The battle between good and evil is being waged here on this earth and in the heavenlies or heavens (Ephesians 6:10-18) and Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). We as Christians have to engage in this battle if we want to win the fight between good and evil we have to fight the good fight of faith. It is called a good fight because if we as saints of God know our rightful place in Christ then we know we have been given authority in Christ and through him we have already won the fight. That is why it is a GOOD fight instead of a BAD fight (1 Timothy 6:12 & 2 Timothy 4:7). We as Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle and we have to use spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4) if we intend to win as well. In the beginning when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree in the garden sin (evil) entered in the universe at that time and death passed upon all of the human race forward. Good was already in the world prior to the fall of man as they were both naked and didn't even know it until there eyes were opened. Adam and Eve then knew both good and evil and could then see they were both naked and sewed fig leaves together to hide their nakedness as sin also brought shame into this world. So mankind's battle while living in this world is against the evil or sin Satan brought into the world by subtility or trickery and he is still doing this to mankind today as Satan and his demons brings the various temptations to mankind to get him to live in a sinful fallen state as Satan draws man away from God (James 1:13). Now as sin or evil entered into the world through Adam disobedience Grace also entered into the world through the obedience of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-21). So evil is only "contained" as you asked in your post as we get rid of it out of our lives through the shed blood on the cross that washes us from our sins as we confess it and forsake it as we say "no" to the temptations of Satan. It is then you walk a victorious life in Christ and sin shall not have dominion over you. God Bless Openly Curious

Hello NewPilgrim, I agree with you and God did create our universe in which we live and HE DID IN FACT put mankind at the centre of it under Christ. As God put and gave mankind authority and made him ruler over all that He created and made in the beginning (Genesis 1:28). And it does not matter what we discover within this universe we live in because it will always be mankind who will have authority over it whether on this earth or in the sky above us and the things the enemy tries to use against us to deceive mankind with. So mankind is at the centre of this universe under Christ as mankind was created with the purpose to have dominion on this earth and no demonic realm can take that authority away from a child of God we have to willingly give it up on our own and choose not to take our rightful place in this universe with Christ as he rules within our hearts and mind. God Bless Abundantly Openly Curious

The planets are the lights God put in the firmament on the 4th day of creation and they were not created and put in the sky for the purpose of other life forms. They were created and put up in the sky for signs, days, seasons and years they were created for that purpose only and they have been faithfully rotating around this earth since the beginning of time regulating the times and seasons. The sun and moon and stars were also created on that same day for the purposes God so stated about them in genesis chapter one. God has told us in his word what he put up in the heavens when he created them in the beginning and has given to us what each of his creations were and what their purpose was that they were to do and fullfil. And the universe in which is God's handiwork as recorded in the book of psalms is enormous as you've stated for sure. All of God's creation is evidence to us of our creator as we ourselves were created for His purpose. God Bless You Richly In Your Studies Openly Curious