All Discussion PAGE 1749

William P.S. For the believer death is the grave when we die spirit goes back to God who gave it body corrupts and soul or breath life ends and if not born again body rots soul ends in the grave both eventually at different times will be resurrected.

Levi, it think it is up to the individual to decide on this. The "tree of life", either drawn as art or as an object carved, erected a decorated, or a real tree kept in ground or cut and decorated have been part of pagan religions throughout time. It is often associated with occultic and magick practices such as in Kabbalah.

It really is up to each person to decide about whether to use it or not at Christmas time. The first extensive use of the lighted and decorated tree at Christmas in the church began with Martin Luther. I am sure it was already a custom in Germany, which had its roots in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice (Saturnalia), but Luther assigned better symbolic meaning to the tree. I am sure that in the dark of winter before electricity, the lighted tree was cheerful.

We know that Jesus was not born on December 25th. This was the day many pagan religions used as the birth or death day of their god (usually associated with the planet Saturn). In the 3rd century A.D. the church began to adopt and adapt the pagan traditions of the people in the Roman world and weave them into Christian festivals so that the pagans would be more likely to follow Christ without having to give up the traditions/celebrations they were accustomed to, but these traditions were "christianized", given Christian meanings and flavor.

I think we would be surprised to discover how much of the way we celebrate any tradition or holiday can be traced back to pagan practices. That does not necessarily mean we are participating in a pagan practice or ritual if we do not believe it to be as we celebrate. For me, having a tree is a family tradition at Christmas that I have enjoyed because it is beautiful and cheerful at a dreary time of year; because we have made many family memories decorating the tree and singing or playing carols as we gather; and because the decorations and the tree can be used to explain or symbolize so many aspects of Christ and his work of salvation for us

Hi William Just something to think about, if when Christ returns for His church and the believers since the day of Pentecost and ending the age of grace will be resurrected to heaven, and the book of revelation talks about the resurrection of the just and unjust throughout history which would be everyone esle then how could anyone in any form be currently in heaven?

Hi Allen Not trying to change your mind but I'm curious what don't you believe and why?

Lynda Simple answer is no

Yes, it is true that I give lengthy replies or explanations. It is me being me. It also is because I have been misunderstood so many times in my life that I want people to understand me more thoroughly. But then again, the Scripture says to "let my words be few) and that an abundance of words can lead into sin (In James, I believe).

So I have to keep this in mind.

Those who enjoy a long post, will read and consider mine. Those who find it difficult, can skim or just ignore. I am not offended if anyone skips over what I write.

We do not know how many or who we impact with our witness on this site. it is a blessing.

Cynthia,

I do not know of any Scripture that speaks directly to addiction to drugs or even alcohol (which we are to use in moderation and not for drunkenness) In Revelations 21:8, it speaks of sorcery and the word is translated "pharmakia" (maybe mi-spelled) which means "the mixing of potions. So , here it speaks of the one compounding the drugs, but not to addiction.

I believe that addiction is a work of the enemy. He uses a physical substance that affects the brain in a certain way to enslave the person into dependency after repeated use. So, there is a spiritual element to it along with the physical and mental addiction. Some people are miraculously healed from addiction, but others make a determined effort to get help. Also, some people are past the point of being able to help themselves. But in all of this, prayer and fasting for such people is what many believers are called to do as intercession for the one addicted.

Families often get caught up in the addicted persons problems because they love them, they may enable them and bail them out of trouble. Often the addicted person will steal, abuse and disrupt family life of those related to them to the point that the family has to step away and severe contact with the person for safety and financial stability sake. We had to do this with my brother who was severely bi-polar since he was 14 and involved with drugs and criminal behavior that harmed other people, both inside and outside of our family. I prayed for him for years and years and he finally was delivered by finding a woman who helped him get into treatment and they then married when he was around 50.

Whenever I see homeless people on corners and around "camps", I extend my hand out to them and pray for God to intervene and send the right person to them to help them, since some I have seen on the street for several decades and they are past the point of being able to help themselves.

God works, sometimes, quickly, and sometimes slowly.

Voodoo doll does nothing against a Christian, sounds like you have been around churches focusing on money, have to be careful of that.

Sasha, I agree with you. In general, men should step up and answer God's call on them to be spiritual leaders in their homes and church congregations. But where male leadership is lacking, God may choose to call and anoint and supply a woman to lead or teach within a select congregational in need. My sister-in law from Africa says that many of the men in villages are Muslims, so the believing women often take up this role to be used for the spiritual growth of new believers, whether male of female.

people to listen to radio station and feel spirits attacking my body, I've prayed and fasted and feel them in my mind all the time.

Oh, Mike, so good! Another brother in the Lord. Welcome. I pray that God will lead you to a Christian fellowship that teaches the Christian faith correctly from Scripture and that has opportunities for you to interact often with believers who truly live to please God because they love Him so.

Hi Sasha,

I think that many do not desire water baptism because many churches today (and pastors) do not preach , teach or practice it much. They downplay it as an option to having received "Jesus into their hearts". But it is a command of Jesus' for people to repent, believe and be baptized (in water). I would love to that every church has a body of water on the property for people to be immediately baptized as soon as they come to belief in Jesus. I think this was the usual practice in the New Testament church, with a few exception mentioned in Acts. I do think that God does do something vital in baptism that we just cannot really explain with 100% accuracy. It is a matter of faith that baptism is not just a physical cleansing or a rite. Jesus never intended it as such. In Baptism, whatever spiritual thing that is done, it is done by God alone.

In churches today, many are required to go through some classes before being baptized. I do not see evidence of this in the Scripture. The teaching and training in the faith should follow baptism, in my opinion.

We do not know how many or who we impact with our witness on this site. it is a blessing.

In Mark 9 The father of a child with a violent mute spirit seeks Jesus' help. He did believe that Jesus had the power to cast out the evil spirit, but was doubting whether Jesus would do so for his son, since the disciples had not been able to do so. Jesus says, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help me in my unbelief!"

The father was asking for Jesus to increase is ability to believe, but he did have faith.

I think it is likely that there were boats in the time of Noah used for river travel and even open water travel/or fishing. But they had never seen a boat like Noah's, nor did they likely believe that God had told Noah to build it or say anything about rain or a flood, (which they did not know about before the flood. I think that they did not believe Noah was in communication with God because God didn't communicate with the majority of mankind at that time, due to their wickedness. They had shut out the relationship with God and the revelation of God due to their refusal to believe in and serve Him. It is highly likely that they had turned to the worship of and trust in false idols, spiritual beings, and ancestors, such as Cain or anyone else who had died previous to the flood. Their hearts were far from God. And God gave them over to their wickedness, unbelief, and idolatry. They probably did know of Noah's godliness and faith. Probably taunted, mocked, and scoffed him about it for 120 years.

God had a for not intervening to improve the situation before the flood in miraculous ways. We are not told why he withheld his power to do so. But it shows that mankind, once turned away from God, cannot turn back to Him without His help.

Dear Allen, thanks for sharing. If I am understanding you correctly, at this time, you do not believe the Bible stories as written in Scripture? If this is your belief now, I will pray for God to help to believe what is really true about God, our world and history as recorded in Scripture. You can ask God for the same thing, that He will help you to know and believe only what is true. It is o.k. to have doubts. We should admit our doubts to God and to believers.

If I have misunderstood what you we trying to say, please let me know.

Hi Alex One of the greatest laws in Gods word is the law of believing which works for both believer and unbeliever, for the believer when born again now all actions can be changed based Gods word based on faith spiritually given when born again and acted on producing fruit for God. The unbeliever also believes but his believing action is totally so to speak controlled by the five senses not spiritual faith, Therefore everything is a product of his senses which is against God. That's why all believing equals receiving either positive spiritual Godly or negative the senses ungodly.

Gigi This is one of my viewpoints if someones pointing figure at me there pointing three back at themselves, also if I,m being picked on everyone else is being left alone. Your a little long in explanation but that's part of you being you, thank God were not all the same I couldn't put up with me all the time.LOL Perhaps others will get this.

Hi Levi The answer isn't complicated if a decorated tree blesses you because you like it that's one thing, if you believe it makes you closer to God that's an entirely different situation. One of these is taste and decorative the other is idolatry this is covered in Romans 14. If you like it fine, if you worship it? It's that simple.

for a saved person, the soul of a man does he sleep after death, or does the soul go to heaven

Hello Cynthia This is a challenging field of deliverance because some so-called christians think if God put it here he wanted it used, the other challenge is it has become [acceptable] in society. The word sorcery is pharmacia but keeping things in balance not everything used medically is dope. How to handle an individual on that stuff is to lovingly ask why they do it, but the reality is until they want delivered like us before being born again, pray for them that father intercedes.

I had a friend who was a believer got tricked into doing dope hard core I picked him up and he moved in and promised to clean up His act. I told him make the promise to God I also told Him any trace while living with me he's leaving. Three days later he packed his bags I looked at Him in tears because i knew i would never see him alive again.

Six months later he was gone, God will do everything he can to keep someone out of the soup, but they have to want it. The reason I say tricked because who intentionally really wants to slowly kill themselves.

Precious friend, the Correct Question to ask is, Does God 'Require' water baptism, Today, Under GRACE? IF 'yes,' Then we should ask the who, what, when, where, and why.

However, IF God's 'Answer is No,' then we do not have to be 'Concerned' with these, Correct?

Here is our "study" showing "God's Answer of NO!" FOR us, Today, Under GRACE, IF you wish to review it

God's ONE Baptism: Link

Precious friend, some of us are not "trying to Deliberately Disobey" any of God's Commands That "Are FOR us," Today, Under GRACE. We are Deliberately trying to plant the seed of God's Command 2 Timothy 2:15 That Dispels the 'Confusion' over water baptism.

Here is our "study" showing water is not "God's ONE Baptism" FOR us, Today, Under Grace, IF you wish to review it

ONE Baptism:

Link

Amen Sister Gi Gi and Brother Chris!!

You are a valuable asset to our spiritual growth on this site.

God bless and keep on.

ooops, Kent. I thought he post was to me. Let's see what name It replies to you. I want to understand what people write so that we also learn more about another's ideas and meanings.

Thanks for your input.

Hi Kent,

I want to understand your post better. Can you elaborate for me in a specific manner. i want to comprehend what you wish to say to me.

Hello Chris,

Thank you again for your support and remarks. I agree that this forum is not a usual church that would have a pastor, a council, and the appointment and commissioning of leaders in that church body. This is my first foray into such a forum as this and, although I have read and understand the site guidelines, there may be "rules" that have crept up over the past years that I am not aware of. I think all groups have such unsaid "rules" and I do not want to offend anyone unnecessarily. I do agree that we are all equal on this site as we are all equal in Christ, as Paul has stated. We are to utilize the abilities God has blessed us with to work together to build each other up, guided by the Holy Spirit, so we can reach the full measure that Christ desires for us individually and as a body.

Thank you for encouraging me and for understanding my intentions and believing that I am in this for the glory of God

Hi my name is Langley Holland and I'm a newly rededicated Christian man. I stopped using drugs when I made the decision to serve Christ. I am being harassed by an evil drug dealer and he is scaring my wife and I very much. Would you please pray for the protection of my family and home as well as the salvation for this angry lost soul. I know and believe God answers prayers and works miracles. No giant is to big to be slayed. GOD BLESS YOU.