All Discussion PAGE 2931

I would like to understand more of Proverb chapter 1, verse 17.

Adam, good point on Isaiah 43:7. But what does that mean? What is Glory and what is Pleasure? Philosophically and Theologically speaking, God is Self-Sufficient. He doesn't lack anything and He doesn't need anything. He doesn't need love. He doesn't need to be loved. He doesn't need Pleasure? How would you define Pleasure? God also doesn't have a need to be Glorified. We praise Him because of who He is and what He does. But does He need our accolades? Does God have a need to feel good about Himself?

Pleasure and Glory are vague terms. How do you define them? Thanks. Good point.

Rich - in Reply on Hebrews 10 These are all excellent comments; and they make my heart feel good. It is not easy sometimes; but always put your faith in the lord. You pray to the lord by yourself but usually you always pray with others; at least one other; and I don't know where and when you accepted the Lord as your saviour; but when we do that; we usually go to the church where we got saved or back to the church of our parents and or where we were named or baptized. The ideas is once we accept the Lord; we usually hang around with others with strong faith in God; Our Father in Heaven as you say in the lord's prayer, which I say often and a lot of other christians do; what I did 50 years ago or more is make a commitment to carry a small Bible in my wallet; and I always followed that commitment; and I also later carry a special bigger small Bible that, I had a sentimental attachment to, on my belt; but then another person who was having some issues I thing related to his family asked me for the one on my belt; and I gave it to him although I did not want to; but then when he saw it was from someone; he said no don't give me that one as that must be special to you; and so I gave him the old almost deteriorated one that he wanted but now i have two small ones along with the old back cover back of my old 50 year one. So what you could do is go some where where you can find another Christian; preferable a priest or minister and I know that some may have a bad reputation from the past; however, most of them would never do that today; but the main thing is your faith; and they are use to dealing with people; and sometimes also; if you have other issues; then it may be time to get help there; and a priest or minister and or another man of God and family usually can help there; but what ever you do; don't ever lose faith in God; know that He loves you; and his word is that He will always stand by us, we must never give up, Others can help us c He is there. So, why not go C

Amen, Amen. Awesome!

Why has the tithe been changed to strickly money?

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE, he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live 26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Note: The same question JESUS asked back then remains for you and I in 2020, never-the-less, the question for us in 2020 is: Believest thou that JESUS is the RESURRECTION and LIFE and anyone that believeth in JESUS though that person were dead SHALL LIVE and anyone that beliveveth in JESUS SHALL never die. Through John 3:16-21 I believeth all stated in verse 25-26, and looking forward to being at the Marriage Supper of the LAMB.

Hallelujah, Amen Amen. All glory belongs to God and I totally believe just what you said. I too pray for the world because God is in full control.

Marie, the only angel I know is my precious love who shares my life & home - and she is beautiful!

But of the other angelic beings, we are not told about their looks, except that sometimes they appear in radiant white, shining, or in human form for a specific purpose. I'm sure they look 'perfect' as God's creations & the fact that outer beauty is of no consequence in heavenly terms. God always looks at the real person (the "heart" as we call it) when he sees us & not like how people generally look at us, at our physical appearance.

Just as God gives his word to man, man must give it to woman, and they both must give it to their children.

Debra, no, snakes are just part of the animal kingdom created by God. I think you might be referring to Genesis chapter 3, the temptation of Adam & Eve. Satan came to tempt man & woman to sin, and he did so, by indwelling a serpent & speaking to them through it. Obviously, they seemed to accept that this talk coming from an animal was nothing unusual. However, we don't know what form this serpent took; it may well have been a taller animal with legs or such like, but we see that after God cursed Satan for doing this, the serpent was confined to slither on the ground & lick the dust (3:14).

So even though the serpent, as an animal, was cursed, it was so because of Satan's influence through it. It still is an animal that survives today as any other creature, but the evil spirit (Satan) that took it over for the temptation, is the one in question. Then verse 15, gives us the first prophecy about Jesus' Sacrifice: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This means that Satan will not just attack (be enemies) to the seed of the woman (all of us), but that Jesus (as the pure Holy Seed from woman) will have victory over him at the Cross ("bruise thy head"), as Satan would "bruise His Heel" by filling the Jewish priests with evil accusations against Jesus to crucify Him. So the snake is not evil at all; but Satan is.

In the New Testament Christ acknowledged the Sabbath, however he was not a Sabbath keeper. He was often accused of breaking the Sabbath. Christ went about healing the sick and feeding the hungry on the Sabbath Day.

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"Can celibacy work?" Celibacy is an acceptable state to be in (whether called or compelled to be in) & it is a demonstration to the Lord & yourself that you are serious about what you are going through. But celibacy alone will be a struggle if done in your own strength. Your whole attitude is to be close to the Lord through the study of His Word, in prayer (especially when the temptations come), in meeting with other Christians who understand your situation & able to support & counsel you, are all essential in gaining victory. You should never feel alone & isolated in being celibate, but to rejoice that your struggles against the flesh are for the Lord & His Glory & that He is mindful of what you're going through. The apostle Paul prayed earnestly that the Lord would remove the 'thorn in his flesh' (possibly an optical problem), but the Lord was quiet over the matter. You can read about it in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; the key thought here is: that "His Grace (for the infirmity) is given in sufficient measure; & His Strength (to you) is made perfect in (your) weakness". Ruben, you can really prove the Lord in a mighty, special way as you leave your desires completely with Him & trust Him for the strength to persevere & overcome.

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Ruben, I really sense your frustration & helplessness. I am a heterosexual so I hope someone else who is going through the same conflicts can respond as well, though I thought to pen a few lines to you.

I understand from your plea, that you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have homosexual tendencies but trying to live as Christ wants you to. I confess that I'm ignorant how these 'other lifestyles' arise, except to discern that our fallen nature has played havoc with how we are, the way we think, & the things we do. You know the Scriptures about the way God views this type of lifestyle, but what He does see is that you recognize His view on this issue & that only through desire for a new life & abstinence from that which is wrong, is what you too are sensing.

As I mentioned, we often have 'thorns in the flesh', simply because we are human, imperfect, & with sinful flesh. Some may have a physically deformity or with lower mental capacity or carrying emotional pain from a young age. Yours affects your need for love & companionship which is a very strong compulsion. In my case, I was born with colour blindness (to some degree), & though this generally hasn't affected me in my daily life, it destroyed my sole ambition for a career as an airline pilot. I struggled with this 'loss' for many years & wondered why the Lord allowed this to be my lot. As a Christian, I realize that there is always a purpose in our lives; for me, it could have meant an air accident which could have brought disastrous results, but I could see that all things happen for a reason. I never ever settled into any career that I could enjoy, but content to be in Christ.

Your struggle is different I know but the same principles apply. If Satan tries to get me in a weak area of my life, I should expect his attack there, I must withstand him, I must cleave to Christ & I must press on in faith. It will never be an easy road to tread, but you must resist Satan at every instance. (page 2).

The other person may not know they are dragging spiritual bondage behind them: like an unclean spirit. (It's scripture)

I'm celibate. If mr. unclean shows up,

Put on praise music You love and read some chapters. Don't be alone with them till you know their story.

Thank you for looking that up and telling me. For weeks he's refused to hear anything others were patiently trying to teach. Then that day it just hit me hard, all the accusations. Pages of railing on Paul. It was so obvious that he was wasting time and effort, others were trying to solve his problem.

I really try to avoid confrontation. I don't want to embarrass Jesus.

Please pray for my finances and to sleep at night. I have no money coming in

Did I miss something?Why everything in reply on Matthew 24:38?But Carlos,thank GOD for the Word that was given for and to us to pay a sin debt that we we could never pay.Jesus redeemed us because we were incapable us redeem ourselves.Thank GOD that He does all the work.Just think for a moment-----GOD.GOD,redeeming us back to GOD(JESUS)He came to bring us eternal life,those who believe in HIM.The law convicts,the Word frees.The law was given as a substitute teacher until the Home room teacher took over.I say this with all joy.Yes Carlos,JESUS said ;My SHEEP hear my voice,and I know them and they follow me.JESUS knows His Sheep by name and when He calls them by name they come forth.James,Carlos,Chris and on and on until there is a number that no man can count.GOD Bless.

The heroes of faith in the Old Testament learned that it was the LORD that won the battle every time. Their part in any victory was to simply believe and do as he commanded them.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus withstood the devil's temptations by using scripture. The better we know the Word of God, the greater our ability to stand against the assaults of the tempter.

In John chapter 15 we learn that unless we abide in Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. We wither as a dried branch off the vine.

In Ephesians 6, we are instructed in the proper use of the armour of God and told that our warfare is in the spiritual realm, not against flesh and blood.

1 Peter 5:8-11 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 John chapter 2 gives us some great instruction on the battles we face with our own nature and the ways of this world.

1 John 5:4-5"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Rich,

I think there are many believers who at one point or another have had that same feeling of doubt about their salvation. I know I have. Is it possible that you are trying to deal with your circumstances on your own, and not trusting in the Lord? Once a person receives Christ, they need to be mended. We come to the Lord broken, and we call out to Him to save us, and to mend us. Our past will never leave us. It will always be stuck in the cortex of our brain. But we have to trust Christ. Being mended is a lifetime process my friend. But Christ will mend you. You just have to trust Him. There are some things you said that stand out. You say you don't feel you have that closeness with the Lord that you used to have, your prayers feel like they are not getting through, and don't feel saved. You used the word "feel" three times. Those are fleshly terms, not spiritual. Feelings are human senses and emotions. How do you feel Spirit? You can't feel Spirit. Whether or not you "feel" saved, you're still saved. You don't have to feel anything to know you are saved. If you truly from your heart called out to the Lord to come into your life, and to save you, His promise in Romans 10:13 is that He promised to save you. As far as your prayers getting through, if you ask anything according to His will (Not yours), that prayer will always be answered. Listen to this, cut it out and put it on your refrigerator if you need to: Prayer is the means by which you express your submission to God's will in whatever you are asking Him for, and knowing that He will always answer that prayer.

Whether or not you feel saved, you are. Christ is in you (If you received Him). He will never leave you. You are eternally secure in Him. All you have to do is trust Him. You're relationship with Jesus Christ will never change. You might break fellowship with Him, but you can call out to Him to restore that any time. But your relationship as a child of God will never change! Salvation is eternal!

Anyone else dealing with same sex attraction and trying to live a Celibate life have any tips? Can this lifestyle really work? Is it really the best choice for my situation?

Pray for me to have strength in my sexual sins. I just gave in and don't want to feel guilty for doing so. Need strength to stop and to continue the long road ahead of me.

God created us for his pleasure and glory. Isaiah 43:7

I looked up the name Yassir Davin and there is someone with that name on the tube and the channel shows that they are Muslim. So no doubt they believe the Bible is corrupted and that is why they think the Lord had to send Muhammed or Mohammed or however they spell it nowadays. Supposedly their last prophet was to fix the errors that sprang from the Bible. I am not sure it is the same person. But the line of thinking of Yassir would fit the comments if they were Muslim.

Joe , Acts 5:13 And the rest durst no man join himself to them means not any of the other people (believers) followed after or did what Ananias and his wife did to lie to the Holy Spirit. Because fear came over the others when they saw that they died. And verse 14, mearns that even more people became believers or saved because of what happened and they now truly know that God was with Peter and had given him Holy Spirit and it's Power.

Too many times us Christians, would rather drink Milk instead of eat meat . Because we are too weak to handle the meat. The word of God cut going in as well as coming out. Our ever lasting life are in God hands all the chances that our Lord have given us, it's time to grow up, and let everyone know, that we are not doing our part in this in this Christian walk. Everyone turn from your evil way. Repent and pray and turn back from your every ways and tell someone about God. In reference to proverbs 30.

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I want to be more and more Christ like but i keep falling back I need prayer to be stronger through jesus name.

I understand what you are saying and i have repented and turn away from the life i was living but for the first time in years i am alcohol and drug free and every sin i have ever done is coming back to haunt me, I guess what i am saying even though i don't feel have that closeness with the Lord i used to have and my prayers feel like they are not getting through, so without that closeness am i still saved? Because i don't feel saved.

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Jesus could only be the Perfect Offering to pay for our sin & to turn away God's Anger against us. So, this Jesus Who is in Heaven now says, that He will come again one day to restore all things back to perfection, but for now He gives us the opportunity to come to Him in faith in what He has done for us. So, after creating all things new for those who love Jesus & God, is there anything that can be added to Scripture after this? Nothing can be added at all.

I hope this helps you a little in your understanding & discussion with Muslim friends.

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You may not be able to do Scriptural comparisons, since only the very learned who know both the Bible & Quran well are able to do, so all you can do is:

a. tell them that we (Christians) agree that the Bible as given to us by God, is complete from beginning (with Creation) to the end (destruction of the Earth & the bringing in of the new heavens & Earth freed at last from sin's corruption). And God warns us in Revelation 22:18,19: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." So what Jesus (by the Angel) has said, is that we are forbidden to add anything more to what God has revealed to us or else God will judge us.

b. the Muslim will then say to you that this is false & why has Allah then given us the Quran? You cannot enter into debate about this as you & I can't give clear answers about Quranic writings, but we can tell them the reason why ONLY the biblical message is important: that is, we are all sinners (Muslims will agree to that, though their understanding about sin is slightly different to ours), & as sinners God has to judge us (because He is Holy & Just), we're found guilty as a result & sent to Hell forever. We earlier did tried to obey God & do our best, but all our good efforts were not acceptable to Him & we remained guilty. But since God loves us so much ( John 3:16), He had to do something permanent: He gave of Himself, through Jesus, the "Word of God" & (a Soul) (Quran calls Him Kalimat'ullah, (Surah 4:171).

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Emmanuel, the books you mentioned form part of what we call 'The Apocrypha' & were not included in the Canon of Scripture. Canonizing of Scripture took place over the ages since post-Apostolic days, which essentially means that the Church fathers & others involved in Scriptural examination viewed that some published writings did not conform to the accepted doctrines or teachings in the other accepted books: because of their authorship, authenticity, or dubious references, raised 'red flags' as to their worth to be included in Scripture. I'm not saying that everything in the Apocrypha is wrong, but there are many differences there to cause concern, & so these books were left out (i.e. not canonized).

That "Muslims say that our Bible is incomplete". I've worked with Muslims & studied Islam in my earlier ministry so am aware of this claim, amongst many others. This claim of theirs has to do with the Bible being current & valid only to a certain point in time. That is, only till the coming of Jesus (the Prophet) & with His Life & Ministry. They don't accept the letters written by the apostles of Christ & when they understand the Gospels, they think of the Gospel of Barnabas only, which is not accepted at all by Christians. So, if (to them), the Bible has ended with Jesus, then why shouldn't everyone then accept God's next prophet, Mohammed & his revelations from Allah. This is why they claim that our Bible is incomplete: because al-Quran is given by Allah to bring His latest message to all. So what do they do when someone like Baha'ullah comes on the scene after Mohammed? They of course, reject him, because it won't fit into their belief that Mohammed is God's last prophet. You & I can't use any of this as an argument with Muslims, as they will just reject your words. In fact, it is not advisable to even find fault with their Book, as this will cause them anger & to not listen to you at all.

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