glorywatch

The spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit produces "fruit". These character traits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentelness and self-control) are a result of the fruit of the spirit. I like the way One-light and Anna explained it as well.

It all comes down to "hath God said?" Either we believe what the Word of God says about what is truth and what isn't or we believe false teachings, no matter how beautiful or wonderful we think some of what they believe is. Every since the garden it's come down to that one thing....belief in the Word of God. God set the standard. God said what is truth. God said what is the way to him. Anything that does not line up with what God says is FALSE. All the semantics in the world won't alter the facts. It's either TRUTH according to God's Word or it's false, also according to God's Word. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by me." There are NO other ways to God. Pure and simple.

I agree with both comments above. Also, one way to be sure is to check what you are being told to see if it lines up with Scripture. God will NEVER tell you anything that is contrary to HIS Word.

Thank You glorywatch I can see why you honor the Feast in Leviticus 23. And I definitely agree with you about our Christian-Jewish roots. But don't understand how Purim is manmade if it in the Bible Paul I was going by what verse 27 in Esther 9 says: "the Jews took it upon theselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed." Mordecai had written to the Jews instructing them that they should continue this feast/festival (Purim)described in previous verses in chapter 9. If you look in Leviticus 23 you will see the festivals that God ordered and Purim is not in them. I am not saying that it should not be observed or that there is anything wrong with it. Just giving some of the historical background about it. I am glad to see someone that thinks the festivals should be observed!

Purim was a festival ordained by the Jews. It was man made as opposed to the feasts in Leviticus 23 which are divinely ordained. Jesus observed all sever on those celebrations and was crucified on one of them.(Passover). Each of the festivals can be linked to "harvest". The implications of those fesitvals ordained by God go far beyond the realm of agriculture. They lay before us the seven crucial steps in God's plan to harvest - to gather - humans (his creations) into His everlasting family. Jesus is seen through out those plans. I don't see a link to Christ in the man-made festival of Purim. When we Christians distanced ourselves from our Jewish roots which God established, we lost a lot of the understanding of the importance and signifigance of the meanings of celebrations. We also lost the ability to understand what would seem to us a small thing but in the Kingdom of God is of great importance. The Jews understood.

Thanks for sharing...those things are amazing!

Scripture tells us the husband is head of the family as Christ is head of the Church. (Ephesians 5:23). The blessing is in obedience, even if it goes against "what you want." Verse 24 of Ephesians goes on to say that wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Struggling with obedience is tough. Praying for you.

I don't think its wrong either. I personally don't wear one, I wear the Messianic Seal because of what it means. I also find it to be an intersting witness tool. Many people are confused by it and it opens an unexpected door to share what it means.

I read the same things the others posted about it having to do with the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. I just wanted to add that I read that Psalm 120 begins the journey in a distand land in hostile surroundings; Psalm 122 pictures the pilgrims arriving in Jerusalem; and the rest of the Psalms move toward the temple, mentioning various characteristics of God.

Joseph, no offense, but I would never look to breath freshner to restore my faith. Hitting your knees in prayer and delving into the Word would do it.

Your eyes are much better than mine and I am glad you posted what it said. That just adds to the offensiveness to me. It does sound New Age. Mysterious force and God on the same label?

I have trouble memorizing Scripture too. But in Psalm 119:11 it says, "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." And in the same Psalm vs 105, it says that "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." I think those two verses alone tell us how important it is to know Scripture, if for no other reason that it keeps us on the right path and that we won't sin against God.

I find it offensive. In my opinion, all these "cutesy" things that are marketed with "God" as the selling point, like breath spray, trivialize the GOD who created us all and loved us enough to send HIS Son to die for us.

You would think that, but clearly that isn't the case. One needs only to look at the website I mentioned to see that people view him as their 'hope."

Yesterday in church, our pastor said that

I absolutely agree with this both in content and approach! That's precisely what I would do! So far, this is how I feel and am not feeling any leading to do otherwise.

I believe that when you are born again, you may loose the passion you had for something, such a painting, because maybe you painting your 'god". Many of us tend to put whatever we enjoy before God and when we come to have a personal relationship with God, we put God in His rightful place, and the thing we were passionate about is put in its rightful place...it is no longer first priority in our lives. I hope this makes sense!

The Jews understood what the reference to pigs meant. They were unclean. Jesus does not want us to entrust His word to those who don't want to listen. They usually only tear it apart. We should not stop giving God's word to unbelievers, but just as onelight said, we must be wise and discerning in what we teach and to whom, so that we will not be wasting time on those who refuse to hear.

Manie, thanks

oh wow a whole study to tell us something we already knew..... ummm did the government fund this project

Ooohh, personal contact! Are you up for the challenge? I have enjoyed planting seeds in both Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons when they come to visit, as long as I am not busy and can dedicate the time. Hunter, thank you too. Another reason why like to get feedback. Onelight, yes it would be great, but honestly I don't think I am up to the challenge right now. Much like some of the things you posted, my family has been through ALOT these past three months. I sorta feel wrung out if you know what I mean. I could write a letter easy enough, but one on one....not at this time.

Sweet~lady, you just voiced some of my concerns for posting on the web, but I made an exception for this fallen soldier and never gave it another thought. There must be over 1,000 postings on his memorial. I do so appreciate your thoughts on this. I understand completely about JW"s. I wanted others opinions on this because it helps to put things into perspective, but the bottom line is, I will only do what I feel the Holy Spirit leads me to do. Again, thanks for your opinion!

What an excellent question. I don't hold with the pre or mid-tribulational rapture view and not wishing to debate it either. Looking forward to some answers.

I am impressed at how taticfully you said that. I was still scratching my head for a way to say it that would be proper.