wingnut-

Sometimes we just need to clean our lenses to see things more clearly, so what I would suggest is to consider this analogy that scripture teaches. You're married, so I think the concept will ring true to you. God describes His children as a bride, a chosen bride, just like when you fell in love you chose a woman. Now you didn't choose a woman that despises you, or doesn't respect you, or most importantly, doesn't love you or want a relationship with you. God desires that everyone come to Him, but does not force Himself on people. It is up to each of us as individuals to work out our own salvation, just as it is up to each of us to put effort into our relationships with other people for them to succeed. Why is one path narrow and the other wide? Because it is always easier to do the wrong thing than it is to do the right thing, and more people are willing to go along with what is wrong to avoid personal complications. In other words, more people love themselves, so they choose whatever direction makes their life easier. God bless

Ok, so basically you are in fact convinced that everyone else is wrong, which makes you the lone Christian, and the rest of us with the different gospel we all agree on are accursed. Not just those of us here, but according to your own words, the 7 billion people on earth and everyone through the course of church history. This somehow makes sense to you given the great multitude in heaven? Also, to expand on your problematic presentation, you are discounting the Holy Spirit. You see, the problem you face when you make such claims is, those who are led by the Spirit immediately recognize something false when we see it, because His words are written on our hearts. It's not really something that can be described physically speaking, other than to say false teaching causes discomfort, or sets off alarm bells. Now you have also said that those who disagree with you distort or dismiss scripture, yet in reading your responses to scripture that has refuted you, you are guilty of this charge. Case in point, this is an example of the pot calling the kettle black from the other thread where you said this. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. This verse is not speaking of substitution. And this verse has been grossly misunderstood. How can a person believe that Jesus was literally "made sin?" Jesus is the pure and holy God! He cannot literally be "made sin." Unless a person understands the gospel he will not understand this verse. What you are basically saying is, II Corinthians 5:21 doesn't say what it says, because it disagrees with your presentation, so unless a person accepts your gospel, they don't understand this verse. The only one grossly misunderstanding this verse is you, and this is just one example of what qualifies you as being the one to bring a different gospel. This is why you are experiencing difficulties with the body of Christ, and you will continue to as long as you follow a false gospel and particularly when you try to sell it to others. Calling everyone foolish who disagrees with you does not strengthen your argument, I was merely trying to help you out, but I know when to shake the dust off of my feet.

Well Richard, having read your posts in this thread and the other thread, I can see why. Here is a passage of scripture for you to ponder. Galatians 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Once you mull that over, let's just examine what is known. You come to the church with a different gospel and seem surprised that it is not accepted. Either the entire world has been lost for two thousand years until you came along, and now you are the lone Christian, or maybe you are wrong?

Based on what you have said, it sounds like there is something God wants you to address but you have not yet submitted this area of your life. To get "unstuck", that is what is required. Our growth is a process, and for each individual it is different because we each have different strongholds to break down. God chooses what order because He is making us into who we are in Him, for His glory. Whatever it is that hinders you at this point, you will have to come to a point where you are willing to submit to His will. How difficult things become is entirely up to you, but the example I would offer up from scripture is Jonah. You don't want to get swallowed by the big fish, praying for you.

I would suggest you start with the four gospels, and one very important thing to do before reading your bible is pray and ask God for understanding. Don't overdo it, I would recommend a chapter at most so you get the context of the passage. In regards to the issue of pornography, what you are experiencing there is personal conviction, regarding a sin you are committing. What you need to do is remove this from your life, by any means necessary. There are software options available that will block these type of sites, and if you find that doesn't work, then perhaps staying off the internet altogether is necessary. If it is through television, there are ways to block these types of programs there as well, and if that doesn't work, get rid of cable altogether. The bottom line is, you are ashamed of your actions, and this is why you feel God is mad at you. He isn't mad at you by the way, you are precious to Him, but He does hate sin, and your body is the temple in which He resides, so treat it appropriately. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. God bless

Your value isn't found in your relationship status, and at your age, what you will mostly find is not a guy who is thinking long term commitment. My advice is that you just focus on your studies and enjoy the social experience of college without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. What you really want is the right guy, and the odds of finding him at this stage of your life is extremely unlikely. Consider it a blessing you are single, which allows you to concentrate on your education and your relationship with God. Put Him first, and all these other things will come much easier. I Peter 2:4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. God bless

The truth is, you can't do anything about it. If he wants to drink, he is going to drink. If you give him a ultimatum to stop drinking, all that will happen is he will start lying to you about it. You cannot change this type of behavior in a person, bottom line. If he decides to quit drinking, then he will do so in his own time. If he was a drinker when you met, he will probably say that to you, so what you need to change has nothing to do with him. Choose someone that doesn't drink. You only have two viable options here. 1) You break up with him, and when he asks why you say because you can't be with someone who drinks. You tried, and it isn't working. 2) You continue to date him, and ask God to change him. God can change someone's behavior effectively, other people cannot, so stop trying. God bless

Exactly how scripture reads to me, thanks for sharing.

I just want to echo the good advice you have already received and let you know that I am praying for your family. God bless

One place to begin in understanding this, is the book of Micah. The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem 5 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. As to the one who rules with an iron rod, there is little doubt in scripture. The Reign of the Lord's Anointed Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” So, who is the only begotten Son of God? Pretty easy to answer that question. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And back to the rod of iron again... Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. There is little doubt as to who the Word Of God is, or who is King of kings and Lord of lords. That is the child spoken of in Revelation 12, the only begotten Son of God, born in Bethlehem, and prophesied to rule with a rod of iron. God bless

Ah, well that resolves one of those unknown mysteries, I always wondered if they would self destruct.

I agree with willa, we are all so different that our transformation is not necessarily generic. For some it is a process, for others it is immediate. It's not that God is different, He is the same for everyone, but not everyone is truly ready to submit themselves to God. At a moment, they may respond with emotion, but what is truly in their heart only God knows.

Well, the first thing I would say is, Christianity is not really a religion, it is a way of life. The first thing I would recommend, is getting a good bible version and start off reading the gospels. I love Matthew, so I would start there and read the gospel of Jesus Christ. John's gospel would be my second recommendation to you. Then I would go back and read Mark and Luke as well, because we are all different, sometimes different gospels speak more to one person than they will to another. So read them all, and ask questions of us at any time, we all want to see you find your way along this wonderful path of salvation and peace. Praying for you. God bless

Ultimately I would say this comes down to a matter of personal conviction. My entire life I have always stood up for others, those who could not or would not stand up for themselves. There was a time when I had no hesitation about dishing out violence in return, but I have come to a place in my life where I know this is not who God wants me to be any longer. I will still step in and protect others, but my days of giving it back are over. This is my personal conviction on the matter, and I do not pretend to know what God wants from others. Revelation 13:9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. It seems to me from scripture, that there is a mixture of either camp even in the last days, every person among us should do the will of the Lord. God bless

I am similar to neighbor, in that I really just live in the day I am in. I don't think about the future and I don't dwell on the past, but I suppose one highlight that stood out for me in 2018 was the birth of my second grandson.

I can't speak to anything on a personal level, but I would like to echo what others have said to you. There is nothing wrong with taking medication when needed, the advances in medicine have all come about by God's will. Nothing that exists, exists outside of His purposes. I would also add that Luke was a physician himself, and I don't see anywhere in scripture where he stopped being a physician because he believed in our Lord. God bless

Keep reading brother. I Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah! God bless

True love isn't about money, or material things, it is much deeper. I don't think that is the problem at all. I for one could live in a cardboard box and be content with someone I truly loved. Have you considered that you cannot have true love until the right person enters your life? It is possible that you are not ready yet, because your heart isn't looking for the right things. God will bring the right person into your life when and if you are ready for it, in the meantime you need to focus on your relationship with Him. As a fellow believer, I can tell you any man of God is not considering a woman's financial status, but her spiritual status is of utmost importance. Find the joy you are meant to have in Him, and perhaps these other things will be added to you. God bless

What was the garden of eden? Only two people in that equation, yet rebellion still occurred.

Matthew 13:18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Not everyone who hears understands, not everyone who hears embraces, not everyone who hears follows, not everyone who hears is born again. Now, if she says Jesus is not the way, the truth and the life, then how can she be a believer? I think that says it all right there, regardless of how long she attended church earlier in her life, the cares of the world are what she values now. My advice, run now. God bless

You did, it is there for you to link now.

Yes, I think most are more interested in the more immediate future than what comes next. It is important though, not to forget that this is also prophecy that must take place, so the two different battles should not be confused. This plays a large part in the differing views, how one sees certain events. If misplaced in the timeline, it throws everything out of whack.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Post the video in the video forum, then when it is approved you can directly link it in this thread.

Welcome to worthy I pray you find the fellowship here as wonderful as I have. God bless