jehovah Nissi

Here is another question. If God created MAN (meaning every single human being on this planet: past, present, and future) in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26, Colossians 3:10), wouldn't it be a slam against God's own character to say that He created some in His own image and likeness to go to hell??? That sounds pretty blasphemous if you ask me. That would be like a major car manufacturer like Chevy making a bunch of Corvettes only to sell some and to bring the others to the compound...(for those who like analogies, that's the best one I could think of) Also, God is a fisher of man. Jesus said to His disciples to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men (Matt 4:19, Mark 1:17). I don't see anywhere in scripture where Jesus is teaching them to fish for God's chosen men. Rather He taught them to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to EVERY creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). hmm...sounds like in vs. 16 God is giving us a choice there. See God will take any fish that comes to His bait...which is His word (Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES"). God want's everyone!!! You would have to twist God's word too much to say anything different. J

Sorry if that joke caused any offense

And yet Abraham an itinerant sheep herder from back neck Babylon became the Father of Faith, and yet King David a Shepherd has become the model of a King in this world, and yet Jesus the son of a Galilean Carpenter from Nazarath is the Son of God and will Lead the world. What good ever came from Nazarath? The problem Lorax is that God isn't as much as interested in your education as He is your heart. Paul counted all his knowing as dung so that he could gain Christ Jesus and the high calling of his Faith. There's this song I listen to by a man named Jason Upton and in it he say's, "Through the Pennyless and Homeless Jesus the Son the pure will inherit the Kingdom to come." "Who will we praise when we've praised all our lives men who build Kingdoms and men who build Fame?" "What will we do when all that remains is God on the Throne with a child in His arms and Love in His eye's, and the sound of His heart cry?" I'm not particularly as impressed with someones education as I am with where they stand on issues that are dear to our Lords Heart and whether or not they are a Leader, a Leader needs to be courageous for what he believes, because really that is what's going to matter and is what matters. If we build up our lives based on a premise that our education and famous leaders will Save us, we are in desperate trouble because only a Carpenter from Nazarath of Galilee can Save us and we seem to have forgotten why it is that we are Blessed. Remember you see a back woods hick from Alaska but God looks deeper than that. He see's things upside down. What looks like weakness and can be misconstrued as such is really strength. It may look like He's killing you but He's Saving your life. He also isn't a Politician because He listens way too carefully. I'm not opposed to education either, I think we should all strive to not be ignorant but let's not be ignorant in our striving, eh. Peace, Dave Do these verses fit here? 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." Peace, J

God is no respecter of persons in that He chooses based on His own good pleasure and not on some quality in the person being chosen. Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. LT And His "good pleasure" is that none perish (2 Peter 3:9) but that all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Obviously that verse doesn't convince you guys that the doctrine that you are following is from the devil himself...and no kross...this is not the first time I've heard this doctrine...I just marvel every time I see someone actually taken away with this doctrine. As far as the predestination verses above...I believe that Shiloh has done an amazing job explaining those verses. I still stand that God is not a respecter of persons in that He gives everyone an equal chance to receive salvation because that is what that verse in Acts 10:34 is referring to when Peter sees that the Gentiles can receive the gift as well. Then it goes on to say in verse 35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." It has nothing to do with the quality of the person...it's not of works lest any man should boast. Everyone...from "every nation" has a chance at salvation...you would have to twist God's word too much to say anything different, and that is exactly what this doctrine has done. Seems to me that you guys are pretty fixed on what you believe so I guess it's no bother arguing it anymore...I guess we're just going to have to agree to disagree. Peace, J

Deep...Yo bro, I would start with every scripture that talks about covetousness and envy...I can think of one - James 3:16 "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and EVERY EVIL THING are there." I would also make it a practice to start putting others before yourself. Start to look out for the interests for others...if you see a need...go out of your way to meet that need. I also agree that you took the first step in acknowledging your problem. Keep plugging away bro, God sees you just as Jesus is right now in heaven! Walking in victory, J

WOW. My Bible says that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Wouldn't He be respecting the ones He has chosen for salvation more than those that He so called chose for hell??? God Choosing people to go to hell??? That is the most ridiculous doctrine that I have ever heard of!

This is great because my pastor had a sermon on what Jesus said to the storm and waves when His deciples woke Him up cuz they thought they were parishing. Jesus Got up and spoke to the storm and said "shhhhhhhhhhh". when fear tries to come in your life or anxiety or worry...just remember what Jesus said..."shhhhhhhhhhhhhh" "peace, be still". Always remember God's promises (Isaiah 26:3, 54:13, 55:12). Very nice Julz

Grow more intimate in a relationship with your Lord Jesus Christ (which is exactly what He want's you to do (1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 7:19, 10:22, James 4:8, 1 John 1:3)). When you draw near, He draws near...when He draws near, light commeth...when light commeth, darkness flees...when darkness flees, there is fullness of Joy and all the other fruits of the Spirit (Galations 5:22). It all comes down to this...How is your relationship with the Lord? I just checked my heart tonight on the same thing...needless to say there is work to be done...but who can't say the same? It's a growing process...relationships don't form overnight...it takes time, and as you get to know Him better...the meaning of life becomes more relevant. I Love ya sister...keep on, J

YEAH AMEN EW Angelique

Thank you so much for answering. Would you consider someone who can tell if someone was lying, deceitful or just tell if someone is not a who they say they are have the discerning gift? Or is it something altogether different than that? First off, let me say that there is no such thing as "the gift of discernment." It is called the gift of discerning of spirits. Discernment pertains to reading someone's body language, voice inflections and such. Discernment is the ability to recognize things like sarcasm, figures of speech, idioms, or when someone is making an attempt at humor. It is totally different than the gift of discerning of spirits. Discerning of Spirits is the ability to know when someone is operating under the influence of a evil spirit. Sometimes, you can even tell that without any gift! However, this gift is the ability know the difference between lying signs and wonders or whether or not someone is really moving in the power of the Holy Spirit, especially when encountering spiritual manifestations of supernatural power. This is gift is necessary because Satan can impersonate many of the gifts of the spirit. Again, if someone tells you they have the "gift of discernment," you can write it off. They don't know what they are talking about. Well said! Touch

James 4:8 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. NKJV Luv ya sis

No weapon formed against you shall prosper... (Is. 54:17)

Hey I heard Rodney speak in the Twin Cities the other year. let me tell you...He's a mighty man of God and he knows the Word. People were set free that night (you know because the truth sets you free). Anita, you are very blessed to have him as your pastor. And yes, Souls are being won to the Lord through his ministry. Petri...have you sat under Rodney's teachings? In his meatings? Have you talked to him in person? Have you inquired of him about your accusation??? Maybe he could have cleared some things up for you before you went and riddiculed him for the whole world to see. Judge their fruits before you even think about accusing someone of being a false teacher, and if you don't know how to judge their fruits...then stay away from it. J

I thought about what Paul was relating about God. Paul was saying that God doesn't cause our pain and trouble but God comforts us so that we can comfort others who have been were we are. I have been horribly abused (emotionally, physically, sexually) and very deeply hurt by church but if someone comes to me who has been hurt like I have, I can understand what they are going through. If someone came to me and said, I understand, but they have not been in my shoes, I might wonder, "How would you know anything about how a feel?" But, later this week, something hit me. I was asking God how he comforts us because the aforementioned verse says God comforts us in all our troubles. We go to God and God comforts us but the missing link was Jesus. I had always talked with God as the Source but didn't understand that Jesus was the path to God. I can go to Jesus who feels everything and knows my hurts better than anyone, including my husband. I thought if Jesus is praying and thinking about me then that's the biggest comfort ever. For someone who used to believe with all of my heart that God hated me, to discover that he thinks about me (and everyone else, good thoughts) just really made a difference.

Then how do you explain Hebrews 6:4-6? It has nothing to do with the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That passage pertains to apostacy which is a different issue, altogether. Ok, thanks...I have something new to study

Than please explain 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Does not God give us a certain amount of stewardship/trust in what is rightfully His? Isn't that putting faith in us? Now granted, God is wise...He tests us to make sure we are being good stewards (kind of like when God tested Abraham by telling him to offer his son as a sacrifice to see if He could trust him)...but always the more, He does trust us. If you say "I trust this person," would that be the same as saying "I have faith in this person?" J

Then how do you explain 1 Thessalonians 2:4?

Then how do you explain Hebrews 6:4-6?

You just answered your own question...God dosn't want robots in heaven

Grace and peace is multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ (2 peter 1:3). And yes, the most dependible way to understand or have knowledge of God is through His writen word. Peace, J

How can God have unconditional love twards us without faith (Galatians 5:6, 1 John 4:8 - faith working through God). Everything you said about God seeing the end from the begining (I think is what you ment)...that takes nothing but faith (Heb. 11:1 - you quoted it)...that's what faith is! He created us in His image and likness right? And if it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6)...then faith must be a pretty big part of God. Please, back your theories up with scripture. The ones you gave actually proved your theory wrong...And back them up with scripture especially when you are giving someong an answer to their question. I say this in Love...the Word of God must be rightly divided. I think you have misunderstood the original question. It was not addressed to our faith in God, but if God had faith in us If you look at my post closely, I was talking about God's faith and how it is pretty evident in scripture that God has faith...I put an emphisis on God's faith in general because it was said that "God simply does not need faith" which is unscriptural. As far as my answer to the OP's question...I allready gave it earlier. J

How can God have unconditional love twards us without faith (Galatians 5:6, 1 John 4:8 - faith working through God). Everything you said about God seeing the end from the begining (I think is what you ment)...that takes nothing but faith (Heb. 11:1 - you quoted it)...that's what faith is! He created us in His image and likness right? And if it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6)...then faith must be a pretty big part of God. Please, back your theories up with scripture. The ones you gave actually proved your theory wrong...And back them up with scripture especially when you are giving someong an answer to their question. I say this in Love...the Word of God must be rightly divided.

I don't think using Mark 16:18 to witness for Christ is foolish or presumptuous. It would be an extremely compelling reason--perhaps the MOST compelling for skeptics--to accept the truth of the Bible. It could save countless souls. Also, Mark 16:18 doesn't come with a disclaimer. It explicitly says if a believer drinks poison, they'll survive. Period. Either you read that plainly, or you don't. I await responses by Leonard and others. Didn't Jesus rebuke satin for trying to get Him to jump off a cliff to defy the laws of gravity???? satin even gave Him scripture (Matthew 4:6-7).