wingnut-

Hello sister, I think there is an important distinction to be made here in what Ezekiel is talking about. He is prophesying about future events for the nation of Israel, but this is a spiritual reference in the sense that the bones returned in 1947 when the land was returned to the Jews, but the breath will not enter them until the last days. The key in this is the word breath, in Hebrew it is Ruach (not positive on the spelling), which literally means Spirit. This is speaking of the same thing that Joel prophesies about in regards to the Spirit being poured out in the last days, this is the breath of life. The living again is in regards to them being born again. God bless

Considering I forgave her once, only to have the pattern repeated, I would never believe it wouldn't happen again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. As the Who put it, I won't be fooled again!

I had a similar experience with marriage in regards to infidelity, and all I can say is, there is nothing in this world that would ever get me to take my ex back. I would rather face a firing squad or a hangman's noose, much more humane.

I don't see anything wrong with it, certainly nothing in scripture. I told my daughter she can dispose of me however she chooses and that I'm fine with cremation as it would be less expense for her. Welcome to worthy by the way. God bless

Amen

I never saw the movie all the way through, just didn't appeal to me, the song is ok I guess, not one of my favorites by Prince.

To me, the proper order is God first, then your marriage. The marriage is after all not just a covenant between you and your spouse, but also with God. So to answer your question, no, I do not think you should risk your marriage over this. It's not easy to be in such a situation, but in anything you have to find a proper balance, and it sounds like you are taking on an awful lot. You are right to try and help your mother, despite her not being a very good mother to you. You are most likely right to not expect any appreciation for your efforts either, and it's good you recognize that so as to avoid future disappointment. It shows your heart is in the right place as far as being truly charitable with no expectation of something in return for it. I don't think you should risk everything though, putting yourself in a position where you are unable to take care of yourself. Do the best you can, will be praying for you and your family. God bless

Treason.

II Timothy 3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Hey Jewel, The article itself is well written and informative, but I have to say I think Norman chose a bad title that doesn't accurately reflect what he is trying to convey to the reader. The fact that the enemy disguises himself as one of us is an important thing for believers to recognize, which I think is what he addresses in the article. Of course there are many scriptures that deal with the infiltration of the enemy within the church, wolves in sheep's clothing, and also how a believer should use discernment to prevent deception. I would also say that the reference to James is quite revealing, and personally is something I have always understood in regards to what James is speaking of when he writes faith without works is dead. James touches on the fact that the enemy understands perfectly who God is, even in regards to the trinity, and that one way for us to distinguish between the two is by our works. This is also supported in other parts of scripture in regards to us being known by our fruit. James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? A popular common phrase people use, actions speak louder than words, is to me, the point that James is making. It is what we do that makes us known to others, moreso than what we say. Thanks for sharing, this particular topic has been on my mind a lot lately, so interesting timing for this thread. God bless

Praying.

Hello Marilyn, I don't see that passage saying what you are taking it to say. It is speaking of Jesus being far above all, and though His throne is presently located above, it is clearly not staying there in the age that is to come. In Ephesians 1 Paul writes multiple times about our inheritance, and our inheritance are all things associated with the New Jerusalem. We are told several times in Revelation that both God and Jesus are in the city, and that the throne is in the city. Take this verse from Ephesians 1 for example, and what it says. Ephesians 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. He is going to unite all things in heaven and on earth, not divide them up. Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. Both are the temple in the city, both are in the city. Revelation 21: 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Can you explain how the Lamb is the lamp in the city if He is not in the city? Revelation 22:3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. This verse is very clear on the matter, the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. If the city is not on the earth, then how do the kings of the earth and the nations have access to it? Revelation 21:24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. If I am understanding you correctly, we have Jesus and the church in the third heavens, Israel and the New Jerusalem hovering just above the earth with God the Father? Who is on the earth then? And why does scripture states that the 144,000 follow Jesus wherever He goes? How do you explain that? God bless

Hello Marilyn, The Lord does not dwell with me at the present time, He dwells within me, big difference. There would be no reason for God to announce He is going to dwell with us in the future if nothing were different about it than the present. The Lord won't be following anyone around, the exact opposite is said. Revelation 14: 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, If I understand your position correctly, can you explain how the 144,000 can follow Jesus wherever He goes if they are on earth and He is in the third heavens? Or if your position is that Jesus is on earth, then can you explain how the Bride can forever be with the Lord if they are in the third heaven? God bless

Well, for starters the passage of scripture you quoted. Revelation 21:9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, The Bride represents believers, the two are connected right here as one. The other evidence is in regards to the 7 churches, and all the promises to the overcomers/ conquerors/ believers directly associated with attributes of the New Jerusalem. Here are some additional passages that I had not posted previously, beginning with the great multitude. Revelation 7:14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Those who have washed their robes have the right to the tree, and to enter the city. This includes the great multitude who washed their robes. Also it is important to note they may enter the city by the gates, the 12 gates represent the 12 tribes of Israel, there is no other way into the city. Revelation 7:15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. They are before the throne of God, and the throne of God and the Lamb are in the city. God and the Lamb are the temple, and they are in the city which is where the great multitude serves them. There is no sun so it cannot strike them, and the living water is in the city. Everything promised to the great multitude, as well as the 7 churches, is in the city. The Bride itself is connected to the city. God bless

Hello Marilyn, I am not sure how you are coming to the conclusion that Christ is the tree of life in scripture. He is often spoken of as the "bread of life", but the tree of life does not produce bread, it produces fruit (12 kinds). To me, this is actually contradictory in regards to Jesus, and I will explain why with scripture. Genesis 3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Following the original sin, Adam and Eve were removed from the garden to prevent them from eating of the tree of life, and also God put up a guard to the tree of life. Jesus is not kept from us, we did not have to get by the cherubim and flaming sword to receive salvation. Jesus also walked in the garden with Adam and Eve before the fall, and the tree was still there. Revelation 22: 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The tree of life produces 12 kinds of fruit on a monthly basis, so how does that equate to Jesus, does He only produce fruit on a monthly basis? And what about the leaves of the tree for healing of the nations?

Zechariah 14 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

It's an interesting question, but not one I think has a definitive answer. I have a lot of women I would consider to be close friends, most of them are married. I have no interest in anything besides friendship, and have no reason to suspect they do either, but how does one really know that? I can say I don't make a habit of spending time alone with any of them, but have on occasion shared a lunch break or something with them. It's probably best to always err on the side of caution though. God bless

Continued prayers.

It sounds like you are depressed, and perhaps even a little overwhelmed by life. I don't think you should approach reading your bible or praying as though it were some kind of work duty or school assignment. When you find yourself feeling helpless, that is probably when you need to pray or read your bible. Whenever possible, focus on the blessings in your life and don't dwell on the negatives, remember though that when tribulation comes it is for your benefit and growth. Rather than trying to find a way out, look for a way in, as in God's will for your life. Praying for you, God bless.

Seeker is a designation for someone who is doing just that, seeking to know the Lord but not yet a believer.

I think we always have to speak the truth to people, but I would suggest attempting to do it in a loving manner or you may find yourself permanently alienated from your sister. If you truly care about her then look for a way to guide her in the right direction, if you come on too strong or abrasive you will most likely have the opposite effect. I can certainly understand your disapproval, especially in regards to your mother's well being. Will be praying that the Lord provides you with the right words to say and that this situation is resolved. God bless

You are most welcome, and just to be clear I wasn't under the impression you were upset with him at all, just a reminder that it's a direction you want to avoid, no matter how frustrating it may be. I agree that she should stop this as well, which is why I think appealing to her as one Christian woman to another is the way to go. Maybe she doesn't realize she is hurting you, and as a sister in Christ that should matter. So I would go with the biblical approach to resolving issues within the body, first go to her one on one, and if that does not stop it then go with two or three others. Will be praying that this is resolved quickly and peace is restored to you. God bless

I think one important thing that you don't want to do, is to allow these thoughts to cause problems in your marriage. In other words, don't get angry with your husband over this, if you do what you are sending him is a message that you don't trust him. So, if this woman continues to approach him, don't take your frustration out on him. The only other suggestion I have is that maybe you go to this woman yourself and express your concerns, not in a confrontational sort of way, but just to let her know from one Christian to another that you're not comfortable with this. God bless