Monday, February 28, 2005

Pray always?

Our Lord tells us to pray without ceasing. (1 Tim. 5:17)  How can we physically do this and carry on life and her demands and responsibilities in this world at the same time?  When I pray, I must put my entire mind, heart, spirit and concentration into my thots.    I love our Father and do not want to leave any opening for satan or his helpers to come into my life.  Do U have suggestion?

Prayer is speaking to God, our Father, our Lord Jesus by his side. Even when no words, he hears our heart towards him, through His Spirit within.

  Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
 

 Jesus is with you, in the Holy Spirit. We learn to know he is there. The thoughts we think we give to his consideration. He guides us in all truth. Acknowledge him, say thank you Jesus in all things. Everything we do should be ran through the Holy Spirit filter, the Spirit of truth. In this way we are speaking with God, this too is a form of prayer.   Gary

Friday, February 25, 2005

Profile of Harold (Geez1951A)

I am 54 years old, I was dying of Heart Disease. I had 2 heart attacks and 2 strokes and my heart was operating at 30%. I was having severe chest pains everyday all day sometimes as many as 13 a day. One evening while mowing the lawn I stopped in the Middle of my lawn and cryed out to God to come into my life and heal me. I felt the power of God course through my body. I began to sing and praise God with everybreath I had and very loudly. That was May 11, 2004 I have not had any pain and have since June been off all mediations.
While being healed I was set free from cigarettes, drugs, alchohol,and evil sinful sexual thoughts. My Back was also healed 2 weeks later while watching Richard Roberts show the Hour of Power. The pain in my back was so bad I would toss and moan all night.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Mountain top prayer (Elder EagleBear Allan)

Super ! enjoyed this message on the mountain top prayer. It reminds me of a place our council goes at time overnite build a fire pray for  the ground we stand on to be holy ground, pray for healing, leadership,forgiveness of sin, top of tellico overlooking  where TRAIL OF TEARS  goes by -- pull up on line if you dont know what it is-- I will pray for great portion of spirit of god to be poured on you tonite, may you be richly blessed spirit warrior (super] Eagle   A beautiful place and a sacred place to meet. God meets you there and he answers your prayers of faith. Many are led to our God through a trail of tears.  

Let me share with you a poem of tears written by Sarah. Sarah was the first person that I led to Jesus on the Internet. She was in a very bad home, but God brought her out. Last I heard of her she was having surgery and was a skeleton in frame. She made it through the surgery ok, but I have not heard from her since last May. She loved our family, I had asked her to live with us, but from so much evil given to her she was afraid to bring bad spirits that follow her. I told her that God's angels surround us and we have his Holy Spirit in our heart... tears   warrior

Re: Suicide

 Gary, These words may be comforting to his family but it is a commandment of God's... "Thou shall not kill"...even yourself.  Only God alone knows the destination of Josh..He alone is the Judge.  I hate evil!!!   Barbara

*Matthew 12:31-32 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven  men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.   It's clear by reading the very words Jesus HIMself spoke, there's only 1 sin that is un4giveable.... Meaning, it will not be 4given now or ever.... That is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.... The question is, what is Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?... Some info copied & pasted.... "Blasphemy is speaking evil of God or denying Him some good which we should attribute to Him. Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is stating that Jesus did his miracles by the power of the devil Matt. 12:22-32 and is an unforgivable sin Mark 3:28-30. Blasphemy arises out of pride, hatred, injustice, etc. Christ was mistakenly accused of blasphemy John 10:30-33"....  Reading  Matt 12:22-32, U will C that Jesus had just performed a miracle & healed a man w/a devil blind, and dumb.... After the man was healed, he spoke & saw.... The Pharisees saw this & accused Jesus of casting out the devils by the power of Beel'zebub, the prince of the devils.... Basically they called the work of the Holy Ghost through Jesus the work of Satan.... This is Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.... Adrian  

 It is evil, but some fall to seducing spirits. Adrian wrote about the unforgivable sin. The Catholics teach that suicide is a sin to send one to hell. Only God knows. I had a nephew who was a Christian who killed himself. I like to think that it was his tired soul that satan took advantage of. Only God knows...Gary

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Mountain top

 In time of trials of running from those who pursue, go to the mountain for prayer, alone above it all, only the stars above.

I have done this before and it works.  I had not mountain so I went into the forest and pretended it was on my mountain.  I got my answer also.  He spoke clearly into my mind and I will never forget those words or His instructions.  Thank You, Father God.  

 I don't know where U live, but I found a mountain once in Tucson, AZ that, when I got almost to the top, I went out on the rocks and looked down and realized why Jesus went up on the mountain to speak to God.  When up there, one can look out and put everything into perspective.  We go about our hurried lives and the world, our world, revolves around us. We do not see much else from that viewpoint.  But, up on the mountain looking down, one can see that our individual world is a very small world in relation to the whole.  I could just picture Jesus up there looking down and the devil telling Him that he could have all of that and more, if He wud just worship him.   

 Looking down there and realizing how small I was compared to the world was very humbling and I did feel closer to God, our Creator.  It was refreshing and takes away our self righteousness and creates a deep feeling of appreciation. Appreciation for the way that our Father God loves us and does for us. It is amazing that a Creator that can create all of that can care about us at all.  Wow.  Makes me look forward to heaven even more realizing that if He can make things like we have here now...what will b waiting for us in heaven.  I cannot even imagine.   

 I would love to go back to be able to pray up on that mountain, but will thank my Father for the sand hill where I live in the summer in northern Michigan.  It is peaceful there by the forest and one can see many signs of God there.  I look forward to the spring and being able to go back up there.  But, I look forward to Jesus return even more. 

  It has been wonderful sitting here pondering on all these things.  I pray that ur mountaintop is as beautiful as that one on Mt. Lemon was.   Walk in love Daisy  

Honored by the Chota Cherokee Elder(Eagle Bear Allan)

I WOULD HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE SITTING UNDER YOUR GOOD TEACHING IT HAS CREATED THINGS IN MY MIND TO DO EXTRA TO HELP I PRAY FOR YOU -----------GREAT SPIRIT WARRIOR--YOU WILL BE KNOWN BY THIS NAME IN THE CHOTA CHEROKEE NATION--SENIOR ELDER EAGLE BEAR ALLEN--WHITE HAWK, CHIEF==BY THE WAY THERE IS NOTHING EVIL IN THIS NAME-- ITMEANS MAN-WHO TALKS WITH GOD     eagle  

We are servants together of the Most High God...Spiritual warfare...He is our strength

A Real Christian (A.W. Tozer)

A real Christian is an odd number anyway.  He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst.  He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge.      --A.W. Tozer  

Very true, the Lord turns the things of the world upside down. That is why we should not try to make the church like the world, to please the world's people. That would be a false message.  

James 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

(YOU ARE THE COMPANY YOU KEEP) (sent from Internet)

Glenn on Discipleship

The longer I live the more I'm convinced that you can indeed tell a great deal about a person by the attitude, character and wisdom exhibited by that person's closest friends and advisors.

Proverbs says we become wise by walking with people of wisdom -and that a companion of fools comes to ruin.

Good counsel, truly candid and wise advice isn't always that easy to get. For a Christian, experienced, godly people who know how to apply the Word of God to everyday choices and circumstances- both within and beyond one's control- and a continuing dialogue with such people of depth comes only through commitment to one another in relationship. Better still, long term relationship. Such interaction takes time and effort. It also takes a willingness to risk a "wounded" ego, personal agendas and selfish ambition, all which unchecked, rachet up one's inflated opinion of one's self. Before honor comes humility, and a haughty spirit before a fall...

I am not saying we can't get wise counsel from complete strangers, via reading books and online documents, etc., just that the depth of meaning, balance and personal correction ALL of us need comes from long term relationships out of which we learn how to live, not only parrot truths we've memorized. Frankly, without -my- mentors, those who have stuck by me, patiently walked with me, rebuked me, listened to and cried with me, consistently albeit not perfectly loved me and my family... THESE are the one's (humanly speaking) I owe my life to. The mark of these who have discipled and all these years later still disciple me by their words and example have brought the Word of God into clear focus for me to apply. It's not just the information but the application I've seen in their lives that inspires me and moves me beyond my own spiritual laziness, baseness and self-righteousness.

The application of truth in love is often fraught with risk, laced with human mistakes and in fact, hurts. Truth not only hurts others as we apply it to them, but to ourselves.

In the western world, the age of autonomy has been discussed and of course, the term "accountability" is being tossed about more and more. "Community" is a word linked with these. But speaking from personal experience, you cannot gain love, truth or stability unless you link yourself and your decisions with people who live it out before you. By God's grace and will, by their patient commitment to me and mine to them, I have been SO blessed by such friends. May you choose and do the hard work to cultivate as well as keep such friends.

Who are your closest friends and advisors? They are a rather good measure of who you are and who you will become.  (I SURE PRAY SO)  (from Daisy)

Monday, February 21, 2005

two salvations

These last two nights brought two more to the Lord. Welcome Margaret and Andrew into God's family. 

Saturday, February 19, 2005

What is with this?

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.   What is with this "if I be lifted up..."?

How was Jesus killed?  

John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.


He was literally lifted up on the cross. Moses fashioned a brass serpent and lifted it up so the multitudes who had been bitten by serpents would be healed. Jesus was lifted up for our healing.

  1 Pet 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

   We are also to exalt him before others.  

Phil 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.      ....and..."if I go and prepare a place..."?  

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.


  And, this verse still troubles me.  This I find in many places where our Father God has hardened hearts or chosen some and not all.  There are those that have said, "God wants ALL saved".  But, this is not an answer to me.  

John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.


There is a way we come to Jesus. First, God draws us to him second, we hear the word third, we believe and confess him.  

 Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
  Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2 Pet 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


 We must choose. We must change our minds and turn to God. This is repentance. This is God's will for us.  Id we refuse and willfully go deeper in sin, he gives us over to our choices and allows our hearts to become hardened.
  God calls us, we respond or disobey him. Those who respond are his chosen. I still like the choice given us in John 3:16 Whosoever will...  

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.


God wants to give us eternal life. Whosoever believes he will receive. If we harden our hearts, we remain condemned.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Help for addiction (to smoking)

maybe you could send me some scripture to help also??? 

Exo 15:26  And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.


2 Cor 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  

1 Cor 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14  Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Cor 16:15  I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) (addicted to Jesus)
1 Cor 16:16  That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

1 Cor 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Gary

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Reiki

Reiki Pronounced as ray-key; from the Japanase words Rei = spirit, and Ki = life force energy.

An occult, new age healing technique developed by Japanese Buddhist monk Mikao Usui Sensei, based on Sanskrit sutras believed to relate to cosmic symbols used by the Buddha for healing. Sometimes described as a form of Shinto/Buddhist Qigong.

Healing energy is said to be channeled into a patient's body by laying on of hands. However, generally, no contact is made with the body. Practitioners claim the healing energy can also be applied long-distance (e.g. on mailing lists, people are sometimes asked to "send Reiki" to someone).

Buddhist also use the practice to help transcend the ego, and to see "Reality."

Reiki is not a religion, but rather a religious practice. Popularized in the West as a New Age, alternative healing technique. Reiki practitioners say that Reiki is not taught, but rather "transferred" by a Reiki Master. http://www.apologeticsindex.org/r00.html

Profile of a spirit guide

This is the profile of the woman, who claimed to be a devout Christian...with the supposed Arab translation below.  

I am clairvoyant, clairaudient, empathic and an intuitive counselor. As well as being able to communicate with departed loved ones, I also connect to the emotions and feelings of people in your present relationships for personal growth and understanding.
I also bring healing into my spiritual work. I have obtained the Master/Teacher level in the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki System of Natural Healing  The Universal life force energy is available to all. I believe Reiki comes to us through the grace of God and it is this same grace that heals us and fosters our personal growth.
Attuning to your Guides and Angels will open an exciting new adventure on your spiritual path. I embrace my spiritual and intuitive being. Connecting with my guides has awakened in me a strong desire to assist others on their journey towards enlightenment. I feel that I can offer you steps toward your own personal empowerment and can assist you in connecting to your Spiritual Guides, Angels and Teachers Within.  

 1 Tim 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Gary

Arabic translation or New Age?

I spoke in chat with someone speaking NewAge thoughts. As I spoke with her she spoke that the Bible in English was in error, etc. She did mention that John the Baptist wrote the gospel of John, showing her ignorance. After a lengthy discussion, she said, well I am a devout Methodist. She sent me the Lord's Prayer, supposedly from the original  Arabic in translated into English. It isn't even close to what we know. It exalts man, not God. It is  to me a new age creation and false. Let us compare the translations and see if you smell a fake?

KJV Mat 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration. Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide.

(Where is the exaltion of the Father? It exalts self, as if all have God within, if they only will get in touch with his cosmic presence, all are gods, etc.)

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  

Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.

Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.

( our desire? it is His Kingdom, his will to be done, our desires can produce bad results.)


Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.  

Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.

(Share from where? our hearts? They are deceitfully wicked. Daily bread is God's daily provision, he provides it not us.)

 
Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  

Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.

 (mistakes? what is sin, a mistake or a deliberate disobedience?)


Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

(Our purpose? Or his purpose?)

For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.


(ground? Thine is the kingdom, and the glory is His, the power is his, not all will be gathered and made whole, some will be burned up.)

Lords Prayer Translated from Aramaic
A Translation of "Our Father" directly from Aramaic into English

O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration. Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide.

Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.

Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.

 (Thy will be done, not our desires, we are not God)

Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.

Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.

(mistakes and not sin, sounds like Bill Clintons words)

Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.

(New Age words in red)

Matthew 6:9-15 (Young's Literal Translation)    9thus therefore pray ye: `Our Father who [art] in the heavens! hallowed be Thy name.

       10`Thy reign come: Thy will come to pass, as in heaven also on the earth.

       11`Our appointed bread give us to-day.

       12`And forgive us our debts, as also we forgive our debtors.

       13`And mayest Thou not lead us to temptation, but deliver us from the evil, because Thine is the reign, and the power, and the glory -- to the ages. Amen.

  Beware of these experts whose fruit is of another spirit.

Monday, February 14, 2005

I am not ashamed (Dixie)

Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
 

Ashamed???  How can a mere mortal like myself b ashamed that a King of Kings, a Son of God (the only begotten), a Lord with the power and wisdom of The Almighty Creator, would love me and knowing all my weaknesses and faults, forgive and still love me?  How can I keep from loving one that loves me with a love that is beyond human understanding?  Why wud I be ashamed of that?  I am humbled by it, but not ashamed.  Proud?  Maybe somewhat.  But, that love and His powerful gifts are available to all who will believe and accept.  I have done nothing to deserve that wonderful love given me, therefor I have nothing to take credit for.  I am not beautiful.  I am not highly intelligent.  I am not especially talented.  I am not anything but an ordinary woman like so many in my world today.  But, I AM special because I am loved by this Jesus, King of Kings. He is my best friend and lover of my soul. He died for me so that I can live forever in His home so could I do less than to live for Him?   My Jesus has done it all.  When He said, "It is finished", He had done it all...mark it 'Paid In Full'.  With this He has allowed me to become a child of the Most High God, an heir with Him in His kingdom in heaven.  No way will I b ashamed of that.  Would you be?   

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Please explain? Re: remark concerning Catholic faith

Is this a repudiation of the Catholic faith   Please explain

Re: The second thing to look at is that Peter was married, for it was his wives mother who was healed. For the Catholic faith, tradition has it that the Pope is after the example of Peter, yet they do not marry, nor do the priests marry. I am not interested in upsetting anyone about where they worship, but the Bible should be our authority and not traditions.

Every faith must be based on truth. Where does truth come from? From God's word or the traditions of men? I was using a truth of scripture, Peter was married. I do not know the reason for the Catholic faith requiring celebacy. It was not because of Peter. Perhaps the church has the answer?   I am only speaking what the Bible says...In love, Gary

 

 

Monday, February 7, 2005

Re: tempting of Jesus

How is it possible the devil could dare tempt Jesus who is also
God, the devils own Creator?
I know satan did because the Bible tells us this, but I have often
pondered how it could be possible.
As I continue reading your lessons each day and study the Bible,
I marvel at all God has done and is still doing.  There are many
things in the Bible that just plain boggle my mind, but I believe
everything written knowing God is the Author.  
One of my sons asked me the other day how I could accept the
Bible as all truth when it was man who wrote it.  I told my son that
is what faith is all about, and I asked him, " how do you know I am
really your mother?"  He said, " because you gave birth to me".
I said, " how do you know that is a truth, you were a newborn
baby, how can you know it was me who gave birth to you?"
Well, he said, because I know it .  " How?, you were born
knowing nothing, HOW DO YOU REALLY KNOW?"   Well you
told me?   LOL  Told my son  that was faith in his mom that
she was speaking truth because without that?  He had no other
way of knowing I was really his mother,  and my faith comes from
believing everything God has written in the Bible is true because
HE SAID IT.


 
I very good story, yes the Bible is true. People will believe everything but God's truth. Jesus said this...

  John 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
John 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
John 5:45  Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
John 5:46  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
John 5:47  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?


  Regarding satan tempting Jesus, Jesus was in flesh, satan comes against flesh with thoughts designed for the weakness of the flesh. God in the flesh of Jesus resisted with the word of God. Another mention is in Hebrews...  

 Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

If Jesus had not have come and experienced all the trials of being human, he could not identify with our sufferings.  

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Gary

 

Sunday, February 6, 2005

Re: Tempted by death (Hiram)

We move from victory to victory in the name of Jesus. Scripture says it this way: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1: 17). Everything we do in the name of Jesus is an action of faith. Each action is a new work of faith. The old faith, used at a prior time, is of no value for today's problems. We must apply our faith each time in order to keep hearing from the Lord God. Hiram.

Friday, February 4, 2005

Re: Age of Grace

It states in summary that we all are now products of his mercy that is the elect, the Jews and the Gentiles. I don't mean this in a negative way but this passage really gives more support for my argument than it does for yours. Since the death of Christ we are now living in the age of grace

This is the age of grace for those born again in Christ, If not in Christ Jesus, you are still under the law of sin and death.  

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
 

Paul? I know nothing of you or your past. If all you want to do is debate, I want no more of this. If you want Jesus and salvation by faith in him, by his grace? It will take a humbling, a true desire for this? I speak from past experience. For I had turned from God following an unhappy divorce, I was away for 8 years. I was bitter and sarcastic. When I saw a local pastor in a 7/11 store I said, are you here for wine and beer? I was alone and alienated, given over to the free will choice that I made. However, having received Jesus by grace, he never left me, I was able to do things that I had never been able to do before. Finally, at the start of a new business, I knew I could not succeed without God. I had never really studied the Bible much. I found a good Bible teaching church that believed the Bible is all true. There is a good God and a bad devil, heaven and hell. I came back and began to study, he has guided me for 28 years.  

What I do on the Internet is help those who are seeking to find their way to Jesus by faith in him and the word of God. I also disciple them, sending out a daily Bible study...Sincerely, Gary

Thursday, February 3, 2005

A debate?

As you will see we have a serious problem here and the death of Ananias and Saphira can actually prove that the Bible is false.

The problem is in you, not God's word  

 Great response! What's wrong are you unable to reason through that the story is seriously flawed and contradicts what nearly all the N.T. authors wrote regarding God's grace. C'mon don't you like to be challenged, don't you like to debate?

Rom 9:17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
 

 Thank you for replying. This passage speaks clearly on the God of wrath from the O.T. alluding to the time of Pharaoh (9:18) remember he hardened Pharoah's heart, when he used wrath and destruction (9:22) as a means to an end. This passage can be summed up by reading 9:23-24. It states in summary that we all are now products of his mercy that is the elect, the Jews and the Gentiles. I don't mean this in a negative way but this passage really gives more support for my argument than it does for yours. Since the death of Christ we are now living in the age of grace. Mercy seems to mirror grace which by definition is unmeritted favor. I have studied the Bible for many years and can not find any N.T. verses that would support the God of wrath we see in the story of Ananias and Saphira. Everything I come across in the N.Y. points to grace being the way God handles situations since Christ paid the ransom for all sin. I welcome any thoughts.  

remember he hardened Pharoah's heart, when he used wrath

It is God's desire to increase our choices. If we sin he allows us to continue until we nearly destroy ourselves, then  if we are worth our salt we will turn to him, instead of rebelling.

  Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 


  If they repent and come to their senses, God is waiting for them.
 

Luke 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.


Ananias and Sapphira were examples to the new church that God does not want hypocrisy, lying to the Holy Ghost.   The fact that you are still here, is an example of God's long suffering and grace towards the backslider.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Two Salvations

Welcome two men into the family of God. Both received the Lord in the evening of Feb 1, 2004.

DanTheManXu812: IVE BEEN SAVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


JameskewlNC: I am saved in Jesus, he died for all of our sins, so that we may have eternal life, amen to that

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Questions about Rapture and pergatory

Question:  How can Jesus be at God, the Father's Right hand and how can those that have passed on before be present with Jesus if they are in paradise and Jesus is in heaven at the Father's right hand? 

Simple answers...Before Jesus came, those who had faith in the promises of God, old testament promises went to a holding place, called paradise. Jesus had not yet come to redeem them. So how could they go to him until he finished the way of salvation by way of the cross and resurrection? This made a new covenant; by faith we receive grace. After Jesus came our soul goes to him, our new glorious bodies will come later. At the rapture those saints remaining in paradise will join with the new saved people and receive their new bodies.  

 Hell was said to be in the center of the earth. Abrahams bosom or paradise was separated from hell but visable from hell.  

Luke 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

 Why must He come and get those "sleeping" 1st before those that are here left alive, if they are with Him?  

 

There are three groups of people. Jesus will bring with him the souls that are with him in heaven. He will call the dead from paradise as well as the souls already with him and they will receive bodies like as his body. Then those who are on earth allive he will call up to meet him in the air...and they will be changed.   1 Cor 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  

 Is the Catholic "pergatory" their understanding of the"paradise" we are understanding without the possibility of changing the final destination?

  No pergatory. They use a  verse in psalms to justify their strange idea. One verse eludes to baptizing for the dead, but in the context of false teaching.  

 1 Cor 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
 
1 Cor 15:29  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?  

This is a part of the false teachings that Paul was making reference too. If they say their is no resurrection? Then how can they also claim that they are baptized for the dead?   In the same context, if the Bible says: 

 Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:   There is no second chance after death.  

 2 Cor 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 Cor 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2 Cor 6:3  Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
 

No one can pray anbother into salvation or somehow by baptism save another after death.   So how can pergatory be true? It would go against God's word.   I am not bashing Catholics, but we must go by God's word, not a tradition from men.  Jesus said this:

 Mat 15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  

Mark 7:8  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:9  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.


Traditions based on truth are good. but to hide the way of salvation, (by grace ye are saved by faith in Jesus.) it is a wrong tradition.   Gary