amazingrace

I like KJV to be read in church, I dont know why.... but it just pleases me to hear it being read. But for daily reading, when I read it myself, I find the outdated language tedious. I own a KJV but seldom use it. For daily reading I prefer the NKJV. I have the NASB on CD's.

Apostolicman, I am glad to see that you want to be in God's will in this matter, and that you are in prayer about it. I have made an observation, though, from your first post, that has me concerned. It's this: In the entire post, which is several lengthy paragraphs, I dont see any mention of what Jennifer's thoughts might be. I see your mutual friends appearing to be steering you into a relationship. Even her father seems to have by-passed her in the decision. Now, maybe this is a girl God would approve for you, but it's not up to your friends or families to say so... the final word is the Lord's. So I would advise you to take it very slow and easy. If anything develops between you and her, it should first be a good friendship. Get to know one another on different levels....not dating.... but association-- church functions, friendly gatherings (6 or more people but not necessarily 'couples'). Hey...it might turn out that you have nothing in common except your love for the Lord. And while this is probably the most important issue...it cannot be the only one. It could be that she isnt the one at all. But she might be the agent God chose to bring someone else into your life. Tell your friends that you appreciate their efforts, but that you'd really like to wait quietly on the Lord. He will not disappoint you, and we know His timing is perfect. (Don't forget what happened when Sarah took matters in her own hands instead of trusting God for His promise.)

I think you may be a bit confused. As the first man created by God, Adam had no ancestors. We are the descendents of Adam, not his ancestors.

ncorpotha, I can emphasize somewhat with you. My dear husband of over 42 years is not a believer, and therefore has little interest in biblical spiritual matters. He does attend church with me sometimes, but when he does he regards it as 'putting in his time' . At home he does not want to read the Bible or discuss anything pertaining to Christian life... except to point out how some Christian has behaved unChristian-like (he seems to actually watch for these events). In regards to your wife, at least she isnt altogether reluctant to participate in some devotional time with you. You must remember that if she is a non-believer or a believer who is dis-interested and or discouraged, bringing her into a positive, joyful and peaceful relationship with the Lord is the desire of your heart, but it is the Holy Spirit who will work in her life to accomplish this. What you must continue to do is be an example of Christly love in her life. Pray for her. Let her know that you pray for her, for God to bless her with a desire to know Him better. What I have come to realize in my own life is that praying for my husband has brought incredible change in my own life. God has crafted a more patient person in me, more understanding, less critical, more thoughtful in what and how I say to him. But it's a process. It can be a very long one. Even when she does become more interested in things spiritual, it may not be a grand epiphany... it might be something that gives only a glimmer of hope. Just thank God quietly and steadfastly every day that you pray for her and wait for Him to work in her heart. God bless you. G.

While it is true we don't usually get 'do-overs' with our dreams, we do often need to know Scriptures to counteract the affects of dreams that are disturbing. In this particular case, the verse "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" comes to mind.

Dear Wayne B, grace and peace to you. "BUT the spirit is perfect and pure" is a nice idea, but it is not biblically accurate. Even babies who have not yet sinned are born with the sin nature. It is not until the moment of regeneration through faith in our Lord Jesus, that our spirit achieves the imputed perfection of Christ. Everyone is born with at least one "birth defect"... and it is a spiritual one... it is the sin nature. A child's innocence is temporary, lasting only until the first time s/he commits an act of disobedience. Yes, there is at least during the first year or so, an innocence, but it does not last. Think about it... how many children have to be taught to be naughty?

There are cases of cremation in the Bible, also embalming as well. In Numbers 16:35 we see that the Lord sent fire to "consume the 250 men who burned incense". 1 Samual 31:11-13 tells how the valiant men retrieved the bodies of Saul and his 3 sons, burned them with fire, and buried them beneath the oak at Jabesh, then mourned and fasted for 7 days. Genesis 50:1-2 tells of the death of Jacob, Joseph's grief, and then he ordered Jacob's body to be embalmed. However, later on, in the laws given to Moses from God, the Jews are warned against touching the body of a dead person, so this would, in affect, outlaw embalming since the process requires prolonged contact with the corpse.

The Bible is very clear about Jesus being the ONLY way regardless of heritage. Is there any hope for the Jews? Yes, they have the same blessed hope as non-Jews...to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is 53:1-3 But, oh, how few believe it! Who will listen? To whom will God reveal His saving power? In God's eyes He was like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. But in our eyes there was no attractiveness at all, nothing to make us want him. Here we see that our own Lord Jesus had no special physical beauty. This should be our example. Physical beauty is fleeting. Look at the Hollywood notables who try desperately to hold onto their looks by having plastic surgery and wearing Sears weather-beater makeup.... and see how many of them are truly content? The Bible says "Man looks at the outside appearance, but God looks on the heart" .... when a person has a beautiful heart, there is a countenance that accompianies it that is irristible.

What I have observed over my many decades of adulthood is that most of the time people pick out who they want for themselves, then ask for God's blessing in the matter. Then they proceed anyway, just as if they have good sense. I know that is what I did. As if I were better qualified than God to find the perfect mate for me. Being focused on finding the 'right' person instead of seeking God's will really messed up my life, and I have seen the same thing happen to others over and over. Get your priorities straight. "Seek the Lord and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

Just to lighten the discussion a little: The first time, I married for looks. If I ever get a second chance, I will marry for money.... then encourage him to see a plastic surgeon!

Right-e-o

The Bible dictionary defines bitterness: extreme enmity; sour temper According to the Bible: Eph 4: 31 bitterness agaist others is to be avoided Col 3:19 avoid bitterness against a wife Heb 12:15 cites bitterness as a source of defilement James 3:14 tells us that bitterness is contrary to the truth Whether or not bitterness is a sin (personally I think it is), it is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit

If the anger is not dealt with correctly, it can cause a root of bitterness to grow... so wouldnt this also be sinning, even if we dont act or speack violently?

To be angry and not sin means to me that one might feel a sense of injustice or be angry because of some real thing that has occurred that should not have happened, but not allow the anger to control how we respond to the situation. Not seek revenge or lash out in retaliation, but to seek instead, to resolve the issue in a way that will glorify God.

I dont think the question is whether or not it was a fish or a whale. The real issue is that this particular sea creature was especially prepared by God for a specific purpose, and was under God's control and direction the whole time. It swallowed Jonah and after 3 days it deposited Jonah on dry land. Jonah 1:17 And the Lord prepared a great fish..... Jonah 2:10 the Lord spoke to the fish, and the fish vomited him up on land....

I suppose they understand the message they are trying to convey, but I dont. I dont see how these lyrics minister to, or bring comfort to believers, or glory to God. No one needs to respond. I am expressing my opinion, not trying to debate.

Just my opinion: If a person is merely a "collector" of guns, that is to say ... put them on display and have them to admire... he would need only enough ammo to fire one occasionally as a demonstration. I would be concerned about 100,000 rounds.

Grace: God's Riches At Christ's Expense

I don't think they are saying she had a demon. Death had taken her and he prayed and commanded it to let her go. Yes, but you see the basic problem with this is that it is God who has the power over life and death, not death itself. No one has the power to command death to release any one unless God wills it. To say that he (Wigglesworth) commanded death to let her go is simply not right. Even Jesus, when He raised Lazarus, when He raised the son of the widow of Nain, when He raised the daughter of Jairus, did not rebuke any 'spirit of death'. Furthermore, (at the risk of being redundant) "death as the final enemy to be overcome" speaks of our hope in the resurrection, where our physical bodies will be finally and permanently raised in glory and reunited with our spirits to dwell eternally with the Lord Jesus. And this is all I will say about it.

The story of Saul's encounter with the witch of Endor can be found in I Sam 28:1-10. She was a medium, specializing in 'necromancy' ... communicating with the dead. However, we know that this is not possible. Those practicing this form of witchcraft are actually calling up familiar spirits that impersonate the dead person. In the case of Saul and the witch of Endor, however, notice how surprised she was ... even terrified... because it was actually Samuel who was called forth at the Lord's beckoning. Whatever (so-called) powers psychics might have are also derived from the demonic realm. The Biblical warnings against such practices are clear. We are to trust our future to God, that He will reveal His plans for us in His own timing, and communicating with the dead is strictly forbidden also.

I addressed that passage already.

I attribute the 'always immaculate and tidy house' to June Cleaver, Harriet Nelson, Donna Reed and Aunt Bea who were always perfectly dressed and never broke a sweat. In the real world, one needs to find a balance between neat and clean, and relaxed and happy. Most days, my house was in a state of 'organized chaos' until about 2 in the afternoon. Then I encouraged the kids to pick up and put away so the house would look nice for when their dad came home. Sometimes it worked that way, other times it didnt. In any case, as long as the house wasnt dirty, it was okay. My husband, for all of his worts and wrinkles, was always a pitcher-inner... so I could count on him to help out when he was at home.

Would you kindly show Scripture that says that physical death (the natural ending of a person's human existence) is a 'spirit' ? I know that in 1 Cor 15:26 Paul refers to death as the last enemy Christ will overcome, but this is referrences our glorious hope of bodily resurrection. I would like to help you understand a little about the spiritual realm if you please. Physical death is not a spirit but may well be caused by one. When Jesus was casting out the "deaf and dumb" spirit He was casting out the cause of the deafness and dumbness. And we who are spiritual should take note that many problems are truly the result of evil spirits and not just natural phenomena. LT The dumb and deaf spirit was cast out of a living person...one I doubt seriously was a believer prior to his deliverance... seeing as how the HS would not have shared His temple. Mrs. Wigglesworth was dead, and from what I have heard and read about Mrs. Wigglesworth, she was a godly, born-again woman, who would not have had a demon of any kind. The idea that a 'demon of death' could be expelled from a dead believer is not only not biblical... it is ludicrous. I would still like to see actual Scripture to support the idea of a 'spirit of death'.

Would you kindly show Scripture that says that physical death (the natural ending of a person's human existence) is a 'spirit' ? I know that in 1 Cor 15:26 Paul refers to death as the last enemy Christ will overcome, but this is referrences our glorious hope of bodily resurrection.