Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Is art making a graven image for worship?

20:4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:     Have a big question regarding this verse and I hope you can help me here. I'm an artist and is it a sin to create paintings and sculptures of people and animals? What about angels? I'd like to know.   I love to make photographs. No, not unless they are used as objects of worship. But, if we make a beautiful image, not for worship and someone uses it for worship? It is their sin, not ours. It was not intended for worship. The rest of the verse implies that this was for worship...     Exo 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6  And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
   

Monday, December 13, 2004

Questions

Don't U believe you're spiritually a male or a female
  Mat 22:23  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
Mat 22:24  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Mat 22:25  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Mat 22:26  Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
Mat 22:27  And last of all the woman died also.
Mat 22:28  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Mat 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
    >>.... Don't U believe you're spiritually a male or a female & reguardless if some1 was 2 have a sex change, spiritually they're still the same gender, meaning, the sex change would not change the fact that the person was still commiting sin by ultimately having sex w/the same gender spiritually, reguardless of what the flesh seems 2 reveal?... If this in fact is not true, then what's wrong w/some1 having a sex change?... We could say, well it's changing the way God created us, yet many modify their bodies 2 suit their preferences in other ways.... This would give some1 a loop hole 2 say, then if my gender is what holds me in sin, then I can have a sex change & do as I want & not live in sin.... A clearer way 2 ask this would be, if we're only male & female by the flesh, what is sinful about having a sex change & becomming a different gender so that U can have sex w/what used 2 be the same gender so that it will no longer be a homosexual act?.... That means, if you're only male & female by gender, & even if it's a sin 2 change your gender, once U've commited that sin, you're no longer in sin by having sex w/what used 2 be the same gender b/c now you've become the opposite in the flesh & it doesn't matter b/c that's the only thing that determines whether we're male or female.... Mr. Gary, I hope that doesn't confuse U & I'm not trying 2 mess w/U.... That's is what I thought about when thinking about God Cing us as male & female.... It's my belief that God does realize who we R & we're that person.... Whether male or female, whatever gender we were created as, is spiritually what we R, reguardless of a sex change.... That's why I believe those who have sex changes R living in sin, b/c spiritually they're still the same reguardless of the fact that they altered their gender physically.... Maybe U don't have an exact answer based on the absolute Truth, I would still be curious 2 know your opinion if & WHEN U have time 2 reply....   Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.   1 Sam 16:7  ... for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

  >> yet I do believe there's judgement against us when we walk after the flesh.... Some kinda punishment which requires judgement   Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
1 Cor 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1 Cor 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1 Cor 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Cor 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Cor 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Cor 5:6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1 Cor 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Cor 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Scripture only..Gary (superragman

Re: Captain of Hosts (Hiram)

We Christians must understand that anywhere God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit stands, walks, or lives is holy and must not be defiled. Our bodies are the temple of God. They must be kept holy. Our homes are where God lives with us, they must be kept holy. All of our possessions are dedicated unto God and must be considered holy.
We are to be wholly holy unto Almighty God. The word "holy" simply means: "dedicated to sacred use." This kind of dedication will please God and bring all His benefits to cover the believer.  Hiram

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Re:Taking back America for God (Hiram)

I have learned that the things we teach in our homes will be the things that our children follow. Our oldest daughter came home from school one day, very upset, because the teacher was teaching evolution. She said to me: Dad I don't want to study that stuff. I responded this way: Darling, study every thing they teach you in school, so you will be able to judge for yourself what is true and what is false. If you don't believe what is taught, don't accept it. Just pass the test then discord it. She is a teacher in the public school system today and teaches salvation through Jesus Christ. Not as a school subject, but by personal testimony to each child. I fear we will never, in these last days, return to the standards that our nation was founded upon; therefore we must be diligent in our teaching in our homes, 

Hiram 

Salvation by faith

Cheryl177: faith without works is dead       I thought Salvation was through faith and faith alone? The catholic church use to teach it was through faith and good works until the refmration and then it was taught that salvation was through faith alone as taught in the bible. or did my history instructor blotch part of the story? Tasha
  Here is what I see from the Bible, and believe.   Ephesians 2:8 and 9 followed by 10 gives the answer Faith in Jesus Christ, followed by the evidence of a changed life, fulfilling his purpose.   Faith   Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  followed by Gods purpose   Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Faith   John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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.   Titus 3:5  Notby works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;   Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.   The work begins after salvation, by conforming our lives to Jesus Christ. We receive the fruit of the Spirit, which are to be our new life in Christ.   Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
God is more interested in our heart, than in our performance.   Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.   It doesn't sound easy, being saved, but still it is by faith in Jesus. The Father gives the Spirit, without which we are not his. You must be born from above, through faith. We believe, God does the rest. Then we want to do his will as explained in His Bible.   Gary (Superragman)

Friday, December 10, 2004

Strong Meat

 

Re: No More Manna

 Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We must be weaned from milk and begin to eat and chew meat. Milk fed children are weak and unable to work as adults, but those who have feasted on the solid foods, such as vegetables or meat are able to discern both good and evil. No strong Christian should ever be able to say: I didn't know it was wrong. When we have been fed on the strong meat of the scriptures and have grown strong in faith, we will never again be satisfied with milk, which is repentance, believing on Jesus, or any of the other gentle things that we teach little believers. We will govern ourselves by the motto: "Thus saith the Lord."

  Hiram

Room questions

Mercy4me73: the flesh comes first......then after were born from above     we are in the spirit, i.e. walking in the spirit....   Alittle bit later he had this 2 say....   Mercy4me73: walking in the flesh........its walking in sin&the wages of sin is death.......but if we are born from above we are not walking in the flesh, but walking in the spirit,...and were not under the law, because we're upholding the law
We are not...supposed to walk in the flesh, but in the spirit in our decisions and way of life. Jesus should be master, not our fleshly thoughts and appetites. In the spirit, the laws of God are written on our hearts. Still we are flesh with flesh needs of food, clothing, loving one another, marriage.   "There is , there4, now no condemnation 2 them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1...    There is no condemnation in Christ, so we walk in his spirit.   Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
  If we are of God we will want to do those things that are eternal, but all fall at times, wrestling with the lusts of the flesh. Jesus keeps us.
I just hope the person who said that doesn't believe it's impossible 2 walk after the flesh just b/c U've accepted Jesus.... There's a choice....   I am sure he realizes this. But, we know what God wants and we do serve him.   My 2nd question comes from the comment:ShelteredbyGod: God does not see us as man or women....
NotAroomDlsruptr: including women
Cowboymusmin: amen sheltered
Superragman: all in Christ are being prepared as his Bride...He loves us and cherishes us
WILSWIFE18: ty sheltered
Superragman: has fellowship
Cowboymusmin: yes amen
Superragman: shares all things
Cowboymusmin: yes
ShelteredbyGod: we are spirit
  U can tell Cowboymusmin agreed b/c he said amen & WILSWIFE was saying ty.... Do U believe God C us as man & woman?.... If God didn't C the difference, it would not matter who we married, nor would there be matriotical control in a Christian home.... There's a clear role 4 men & women of God & I believe HE Cs the difference or there would not be different roles, nor would man be held accountable the way he is 4 what goes on in his home.... The Word of God clearly seperates certain roles 4 man & woman of God.... There4 HE must C us in spirit, yet our spirit shows if we're man or woman.... That's why a sex change could never change a person, b/c spiritually they're what they was created 2 be.... Whether man or woman.... I don't believe 1 is greater than the other, yet I believe God Cs the difference.... I'm not trying 2 make things complicated but the only thing we have as absolute is Gods Word & small things like this allow people 2 twist Gods Word & they get confused & then confuse others.... Maybe I'm wrong, if so, please let me know.... May GOD BLESS U as U seek HIM 1st.... Adrian   In Christ Jesus, there is no difference. This is in the spiritual life from this time on. Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.   This does not refer to our physical natures. There are differences in body roles and roles of authority. Marriage is one man and one woman, The husband is the head of the household, even dying for the family if necessary. Wives are loved, husbands are given respect. We do not give license to fornication or homosexual behavior, for this are sin to God, plainly spoken of in the scriptures.   God sees us as his son, not male or female, Jew or Gentile. Yet he has given authority and responsibility to us based on gender.   Thanks for the questions, I am honored to be able to respond. Each must find truth using the Bible and His Spirit...Gary

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Who should we respect?

John the Baptist said: John 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease. Jesus is to be magnified not the preacher. In our study of Moses and Joshua, the people feared them, greatly respected them. Respect is required for a leader and from a leader.  There is a danger though of a leader replacing God in a persons mind. This is not good. How should a learner relate to a teacher? There is one verse I want to point out, but it must be taken with the verses before and after.   Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5  For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

All are responsible to God for their spiritual life. We are to learn responsibility, learn to do right, sharing all good things with those who teach and we are to sow to the spirit. The seed we sow is God's word. This brings a spiritual harvest. Share all good things with one another, love one another. It is Christ who is magnified in our lives.   Gary (Superragman)