LightofJesus

May I ask how this poll is telling you what God is saying to the church about unity???

Why is it that people think God has stopped talking since the bible was written. He had to speak to the hearts of people who wrote it and He still speaks to guide us and to give us understanding of His purpose in our lives. Really I think it is a cop out to not get in the face of God for themselves and find out what God wants them to do in this time we have here. There is so much work to do and if you think you can do it without getting close to God and listen to His voice for direction, I feel you will have a rude awakening when you face our Creator. He is talking beyond the bible and has much to say, and when He speaks it is lined up with HIS Word, not our understanding of HIS Word. Let's get real with God or it will be too late when you suddenly are face to face beyond this life. Ask and you will recieve, that is scripture, but what is He telling us to ask for? Anything that is His will for us. Now whatever that may be is not all written in scripture now is it? But it is written on our hearts, that is where we need to listen not to our heads. We need to get down off of the high horse and seek His face for understanding of His word even the word we hear in our hearts!!!!

exactly ,thankyou,i was thinking along these same lines,you took the words right out of my mind,some bro. and sis. babes in christ!only see in the phisical,and are spiritually blind,

and that stops the flow of holy spirit,to enlighten , we are spiritual in a phisical embodiment,our phisical body is like our home,only housing our spirit.

It seems like everytime I come to these forums, as a body we sure have alot of disagreements and very little edifying. I just pray that the Lord bring us together as one as Jesus did pray that we be one as the Father and Him are one!!! This is scripture for those that may think this is not His will. I do not want to be sarcastic but it seems that so many want to quote scripture instead of trying to be what scripture says to be!!! Be ye doers of the word not just hearers only!!!

Why is it that people think God has stopped talking since the bible was written. He had to speak to the hearts of people who wrote it and He still speaks to guide us and to give us understanding of His purpose in our lives. Really I think it is a cop out to not get in the face of God for themselves and find out what God wants them to do in this time we have here. There is so much work to do and if you think you can do it without getting close to God and listen to His voice for direction, I feel you will have a rude awakening when you face our Creator. He is talking beyond the bible and has much to say, and when He speaks it is lined up with HIS Word, not our understanding of HIS Word. Let's get real with God or it will be too late when you suddenly are face to face beyond this life. Ask and you will recieve, that is scripture, but what is He telling us to ask for? Anything that is His will for us. Now whatever that may be is not all written in scripture now is it? But it is written on our hearts, that is where we need to listen not to our heads. We need to get down off of the high horse and seek His face for understanding of His word even the word we hear in our hearts!!!!

I did it with the help of the one who underlined all the answers. I was doing fine until I scrolled down and found that. I only cheated on 4

My hubby brought this to me and I thought I'd share it with ya.

Can you find 16 books of the Bible?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for the facts, and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. YES, THERE WILL BE SOME REALLY EASY ONES TO SPOT. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little old lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there are really sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. (One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him 3 weeks to find the 16th one.)

Maybe you can copy and paste it into your own post and highlight the books This would mean that you can't cheat by looking at other peoples posts though. Oh well.....give it a shot anyway.

1. I Esdras (9 chapters) History of Israel from Josiah to the return from captivity.

2. II Esdras (16 chapters) A book of seven prophetic visions supposedly written by Ezra (5:1-10; 7:26-32; 15:33-36).

3. Tobit (14 chapters) A religious fantasy where Tobit

It seems, bigblue, that your protestations to the phenomenon known as being "slain in the spirit" has touched quite a nerve in this thread. As a recovering Southern Baptist who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, I can empathize with your position and fully understand just why it is not scriptural. I personally have been on both sides of this coin and it was none other than my Heavenly Father who showed me the truth of His word in a rather dramatic fashion. I have listened to the teachings of my denomination, accepting them at face value because I was a newly minted Born Again believer and surely these learned men knew much more about God's Word than I knew. As my leaders and teachers in the things of God, surely they would teach me the truth of Scripture and for the most part, they did.

However, as I studied the role of denominations within the Body of Christ, I became aware that denominations arose in opposition to a doctrine that was being taught which a certain group of people within that denomination opposed as a false teaching. An excellent example of this is the Lutheran denomination which sprang into existence through the teachings of a Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther. It was never Luther's intention to start a new denomination, he was only interested in reforming some of the false doctrine he had spotted in the Catholic faith. However, when the Catholic Church rejected Martin Luther's teachings as heresy, the followers of Martin Luther broke from the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Denomination was formed, against the expressed wishes of Martin Luther. This denomination arose because some people disagreed with the stance an established denomination had taken on a biblical issue, feeling that their take on the subject was really God's truth. In light of this, no denomination has a corner on what God's really saying in His Word and this then leads to the position that no denomination will ever fully mature in the Lord because they cannot be taught the deeper things of God which contradicts with their established doctrine.

Whenever a denomination or an individual ceases to to be able to be taught the deeper things of God simply because such a teaching goes against their own denomination's take on the subject, they have reached the maximum level of their spiritual maturation. Since we are not omniscient beings, we can never know the full depth of God's mysteries on our own. We need to be taught "line upon line, precept upon precept" as Isaiah taught in the 28th chapter of his book, verse 10. The Person who does this is the Holy Spirit, yet many a Christian will not accept the deeper teachings of the Spirit, especially when such teachings are contrary to their denominational teachings. Yet the denominational teachings are not infallible because the denomination, being formed by men, cannot be an omnicient being in its own right. When Satan has placed false doctrine in a denomination (and he has done it in every denomination) and these false doctrines have been accepted as the very truth of God by that denomination, it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to blast that denomination out of its error. This has such an adverse effect on the people within that denomination who have accepted the false doctrine introduced by Satan as the very truth of God, that the denomination dare not change course. Therefore, the arguments defending the error within a denimination are mounted by the leaders and teachers within that denomination to prove that their view is the only true view on that particular subject. Discussions become heated, Scripture becomes twisted, the false doctrines become more firmly embedded within the fabric of the denomination as they are firmly believed to be not a false doctrine, but the true doctrine from the Word of God. And they will prove their stance by Scripture, often quoting Scripture totally out of context in order to prove a preconcieved point of view is true, not false. Thus we have the dust-up that is evidenced in this thread.

For example, bigblue offered up the opinion that the last verse in 1 Corinthians 14 was talking about order in the worship service, yet this is not the context of that verse. 1 Corinthians 14 is all about the proper use of the gifts of the Spirit and is essentially a continuation of 1 Corinthians 12. The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is essentially a parenthetical chapter that inserts the subject of God's love in the middle of a discussion on the gifts of the Spirit to the Body of Christ and their proper usage. It is necessary because the only way you can properly utilize the gifts of the Spirit is with the love of God, the Agape kind of love. However, you can put parenthesis around the entire 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, temporarly move it to one side and then read Chapter 12 and continue with Chapter 14. The subject matter continues without a hitch, winding up with Paul admonishing the Corinthians that the use of the gifts of the Spirit should be done decently and in order. Nowhere in the context of 1 Corinthians 12 or 14 is the worship service discussed, only the gifts of the Holy Spirit, what they are and how they should be utilized within corporate worship. Therefore the utilization of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the main thrust of 1 Corinthians 14, not the form of corporate worship. That is only incidental to the utilization of the gifts, hence 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 is speaking of the utilization of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not laying down guidelines for corporate worship. In this context, Sherman is right and bigblue is wrong in the opinions they have separately expressed. Sorry, bigblue that your denominational toes have been stomped on, but that is the fate of those who will not let the Holy Spirit teach them the deeper things of God because such things are counter to what their denomination teaches on that subject.

I have read many of these posts and am so glad to have come to this post. I have never heard or read something so God in response to this subject!!! God is so much bigger than many of us allow Him to be. We have not come close to all of Him yet and I believe that scripture is only an outline of what God has in store for us. I for one want all He has to give, but this is also a frightening thing cause the closer we get to God the more we see how we are dirtbags. Just to put it simple. We are so close to an explosive act of God and we want to wonder if God can slay us in the Spirit. Well He can do whatever He wants. So try and just let God be God all by Himself and watch the wonders of God in our very lives and those around us. He will if we let Him!!!!

I know without a doubt I would be dead and six feet under. I was in such a deep dark place I really didn't think I was ever going to get out, but GOD heard my heart and plucked me out of that despair and cleaned me up!!! Suicide was definetly on the top of my list but even too afraid to do that. Boy I was a loser! But now I am an overcomer due to our Lord and Saviour!!!

Damon,

Can I say one thing, you said something about the real world being this world we see, can I correct you on that, this is not the real world, we are spirit and our residence is with God which is the real world, our true identity is our life beyond this temporary exsistance!!!! Hallelujah!!!

May God bless you Damon!!!

Shiloh,

Well I just need to say something here. I was an alcoholic, I used drugs and smoked cigarettes----until JESUS!!!! Now I want to know if this makes me less of a Christian just because of what I used to do?????? Does this constitute I am disobedient, oh yeah I've been married three times and now a widow. I even hope to marry again! Boy now I am really in for it!

I guess I would really like to know what you have to offer someone in the world that is like what I was like?

I am not condemning or meaning what I said to Suzanne about my life to be a reflection on anyone else. I am not presenting myself as a holier than thou. I do miss the mark in my life. I can look back with much regret at times when I have let the Lord down.

I will tell what I do NOT have to offer to someone in the world and that is condemnation, shame or guilt. I am actually a very laid back person. I am a very accepting person in that I can hang out and love anyone who wants to be loved. I can and have eaten dinner with pot heads, and some of the most foul mouthed rednecks you have ever seen. I know and have worked with and had long conversations with people with a police rap sheet longer than your arm.

What I have discovered is that most people know that that they are messed up. They don't need us to tell them that. They may not agree with us about God, but they know because they have a witness inside them, a moral compass that God has given all of us, that their life is not what it should be. They already know they have made a mess of things, and whether they openly admit or not, they are seeking the answer they need to set things right.

But the Bible teaches that it is goodness of God that leads man to repentance. It is when we love the sinner genuinely, with no ulterior motives, no agenda, that they will see Christ.

Ok Shiloh,

I need to apologize for my misunderstanding of your post. I just read it as if you felt you had some special seat in the house here. I though, know I was what I was for a purpose by which God can use me for the comfort of those in the same position I was in. We have a ministry here in town where we minister to the misfits misdressed and misbehavin' types and they need Jesus too. It amazes me still how many of these are turned away to this day from "CHURCH".

Well shalom to you too Shiloh!!!

Shiloh,

Well I just need to say something here. I was an alcoholic, I used drugs and smoked cigarettes----until JESUS!!!! Now I want to know if this makes me less of a Christian just because of what I used to do?????? Does this constitute I am disobedient, oh yeah I've been married three times and now a widow. I even hope to marry again! Boy now I am really in for it!

I guess I would really like to know what you have to offer someone in the world that is like what I was like?

My daily schedule is really crazy. It's funny, my 9 yr old son told me the other day that there is always time for the Lord. Yu both are very helpful and right. Thank you! Unfortunately not. My husband and I gave our room to my aunt that is staying with us.

cwill, you may be the perfect example needed for the others in your home. If they are Christians then they may get hungry for more of the word as you start praying for your household and they may be able to get their own places to live, or get a bigger place for all of you!!! Prayer is the power cord for change!!!

I do not know what kind of schedule you keep, but if you are a stay at home mom, try and get up earlier than everyone else! Or wait for everyone to go to work or school. Like I said I do not know your house schedule to help on too many suggestions!

First of all, what kind of friends are they? Are they friends that he had before he was in prison? If so he should not be associating with them. He needs Christian friends and more teaching of his new life. Limits and structure is what he needs if he wants the new life the Lord has for him. Also this woman needs to stay away, flags are going up everywhere here. All that needs to happen is for him to do one little thing that will cause for him to slip into the lifestyle he was living before. His whole environment needs to be restructured for change. This is not for him to make the rules here, he is on your turf and you make the rules and if he cannot stick to them then he needs to stay behind the bars until he can!!!

This is my opinion!

Absolute truth here Damien!!!

I cannot seem to get the fonts or the size I would like to use when I type here????? HELP please?!?!

WOW!!! That is Jesus for sure!!!

No, I do not believe that some people will burn in hell for their sins, here's two short reasons why ...

Nobody burns anywhere for their sins, since we all commit sins everyday whether we know that we do or not. Griping and complaining are definitely sin, how many of us complain from day to day? Though we may feel we have the right to, doesn't mean we ought to. People don't spend eternity with god because they refuse to accept his free gift of salvation and accept him into their hearts as lord.

Lastly, hell and the Lake of Fire are two separate places. Hell and death and hades will be THROWN into the Lake of Fire, I thnk many people use the two places interchangeably ... when scripture definitely says they're different. Hell is a placeholding place of pure torment, the lake of fire is where the eternal burning that most of us speak of will take place.

Those of us who are under the blood of Jesus will not burn but those that will not accept the gift of LIFE which is Jesus will not be in heaven. That is as simple as it can get. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life!!!!

I think it depends on why you really want to drink? I was one that the Lord delivered instantly!!!!!! I was a heavy drinker and smoker and had my share of drugs all gone instantly!!! Praise God forever!!!! But I also think it is an issue that only you and the Lord knows what is best for you. I will not say that you should not cause it may not be an issue for you but for me it would be sin cause it is an issue for me! An occassional glass of wine with dinner or something I see nothing wrong as long as it does not take you down a wrong road as it probably would with me.

Awesome Awesome Awesome!!!

Desktop,

Just to let you know I do read the word of God, the difference is I also read what Jesus said! He fulfilled the law not pound it into us so has to make it religion!!

"We have this treasure in earthern vessels," 2 Cor. 4/7. "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin: but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Ro. 8/10. "The Body is dead because of sin". The admonishment in 1 Tim. 2/9 and 1 Pet. 3/3 is for women to not busy or concern themselves with the outward appearence, (as is the way of the world,) but to be attentive to the "inner man of the heart." "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning,"......"but let it be the hidden man of the heart," ......."But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4/16. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Gal. 5/25, "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3/3. I would also add, (concerning the haircut,) that there is a difference between being clean, and tidy, presentable, and altering one`s countenance to appear more appealing and attractive to members of the opposite sex, which is what the whole of the Beauty Industry is about, "AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT:"

How 'bout a little context to your verses, bud...

Amen

Why is it you continually attack women. We are not to be bound to what you say and what you understand about the word. God did not say we could not wear make-up. How trivial in what you seem to be so important. What is important is getting the Word of God out to save souls. Now!!! If I was still in the world and came across things you seem to believe to be of God I would run from God and never think twice about it. Please pray and seek God for what words you should speak for you may be causing many to not seek after the Lord IMO

Another wonder of God manifested in our midst!!!!

I am not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, but it seems to be. In many Christian churches and organizations modern prophecy is not accepted, which I do not see as a good thing. However, in arenas where it is accepted, false prophets seem to be accepted. Let me explain, there are many people out there claiming to be prophets and giving out prophecies which either contradict the scriptures or don't come true and no one sends these false prophets packing. I know that not everyone who accepts prophets does not regulate them, but it seems that many go easy on so called prophets. Can anyone explain this to me.

People are not applying His Word to correct false prophets. They just ignore it and move on. Same thing with heresey. Or even an apostate movement.

Maybe they feel they are not perfect so they don't care to judge as in correcting others. Maybe the cause for unity is such that they believe keeping it is far more important than dealing with errors. Maybe they believe that loving one another is more important, and they are leaving the correction up to the Lord since they may see that the false prophet feels bad enough as it is when his predictions turns out to be false kind of like having a pie in his face put there by a clown...which would be himself. Or maybe routine is all that is really going on and that people really do not want to be that involved since they are just doing their expected duty by keeping fellowship in going to church.

Which kind of shows, can anyone really have fellowship when no one really knows if a beleiver has engaged in something not of faith but if they do, is known in his or her speech, but yet, to respect one another, we dare not correct or it will be seen as attacking that person and thus disrupting unity or fellowship? As long as everyone believes in Jesus is the Saviour, why quibble over what people would say... semantics?

Maybe that is the reason they do not deal with false prophets? And maybe that is the reason why the falling away would happen in the last days.

The falling away is I believe already happening. But the reason for the falling away is due to an apostate church. The church will not deal with sin as it is. A prophet is to tell what is on the heart of God for future things also for the moment things. He/she will recieve as the Lord leads them to tell. Now as far as coming true, that depends on the timing of the Lord, and to test the spirit requires a discerning gift from the Lord also, you will not know to check of the spirit behind this "prophet " without the gift of discernment. Yes the true "prophet's " word given has to line up with the word of God!! Now some think that when a prophet speaks he/she will quote scripture, not so. He/she will say what is on the Father's heart for things to come, or what will be going on in a personal matter, words of knowledge. But they will give clarity of what is already written in the Word!!! When we read what the word has for us as far as prophecy, so many things are still waiting to be fulfilled, now what if everyone in those times said, they haven't come to pass so therefore must not be of God. Be careful and ask God for discernent and for clarity so as to not just walk away from something that may change your life!!!

Hallelujah, the finished work of His miracle!!!