All Discussion PAGE 572

The question is; are they in fornication or adultery; I take it from what you are saying there are other wives who these men have a covenant relationship with that makes the situation that much more grave. I am praying now for them. I don't know if they have seen influences where people have illegitimate second marriages approved which means they aren't any worse than them; or if they are amenable to any scriptural admonition on your part or anyone else. Sadly even in my own church a man is there who has a professing son who has lived for years with a woman and has a child but won't get married. I also am lifting up these two men as well. I'm not sure too how remotely their living quarters are from home and if you still keep in contact regularly. Of course the dynamics with their parents also come to mind as to their lives and influences they may have had on them.

You are not alone. I have another friend who came to Christ years ago who still has an unbelieving spouse; and two girls that he also set forth a great example; but one got married and divorced and is seeking a relationship and the other married a Jewish man. I also have an ex wife who married her best friend who called herself a saved person (her name is Ellen). Personally; I felt the Lord show me that remarriage for any reason was wrong for me with my spouse still alive. You can pray she comes to her senses if you like.

If any good news comes up; I hope you will post. God bless;

R. Priday

Matt.17:1-5 "The bright cloud" (1 of 2)

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

On the seventh day with which we have Jesus transfiguring before his disciple the curtain falls on the first event. The Spirit is isolating the glory of blessings of man in his Son. So God blesses the seventh day. (Ge.2:3) Here the bright cloud serves a vital function: God the Father is ratifying the Abstract and the cloud is not simply a cloud but the glory of saints in the world of the Spirit. These are the cloud of witnesses we read in He.12:1 .

Gospel of St Matthew or any other Gospel is not to be confused with the style of narrative we are accustomed in secular literature. Evangelist Matthew is not relaying on what happens in Malachi to carry the narrative forward any more than John who is referring to 'In the beginning' to thicken the plot of Luke to keep the interest of the reader unflagging. 'The Word was God' needs to be heard. God the Father is testifying as with the bright cloud of the glory awaiting His children in his Son. This is how we approach the phrase,"After six days' in v.1.

The cloud serves as a witness. Ps.19:1 has its flip side. Mercy of God makes a way which declares the glory of God and it flows from above the firmament. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."(17:27)The truth of Lam.3:22-23 owes to the waters above. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. So this fish was prepared as God had prepared one for Prophet Jonah. Water serves as witness. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."(Matt.6:34)

I have two granddaughter's both have at one time accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, but both are living out in sin at this time.

I had the pleasure of leading and praying with one upon accepting Jesus as her savior. One accepted Jesus in Church, both in their thirtys. They are both living out of wedlock, living in adultery. Bible says not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven if they die in their sins.

I pray that God have mercy on their souls, and he bring them out and help them and even the ones whom they are living with to

repentance and get right with God.

Would you please help me pray for them both their name are Chasity and Taylor ones they are living with are Jordan and Evan. God is able as we know he is. Praise his Holy name.

Matt.17:24-27 "Seventh day"

"Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?/ Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free." (vv.25-26)

Before we go into the topic let us fix the context within which we are to interpret the three events mentioned here.

First event: Transfiguration of Jesus took place on the seventh day.

v.1 " And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,"

This is pendent on the last verse of the preceding chapter. "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (16:28) It refers to the Son and his kingdom. Taking the two verses together the word 'apart' tells the event was a private preview.

The mountain mentioned in 5:1 is high mountain here. The adjective is placed to indicate farther in time. Jesus set forth the doctrine of his Father where the rock symbolized Zion which is founded on the stone.(Is.28:16) High mountain is to indicate the glory of the Word become flesh. Jesus is referring to the selfsame glory introduced in v.28 "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death", indicating the outpouring of the upon all flesh." This matter was shared with the three indicating the representational nature of the Son tagged by the command number Three. The testimony of Jesus was to be made by a public event and the proof of which was in his resurrection. As the word become flesh the self same glory was freely bestowed through the Son. As the firstborn from all dead, his disciples/associates were all free born. This is what was stipulated in the everlasting Covenant. This is the point of the key verse.

On earth the kings spare their sons from the taxes of the realm. Similarly the anointing of the Spirit makes the saints freed from the law of sin. Seventh days refers Ge.2:3

please remember me in your prayers today please remember my daughter Jessica and her family

Matt.17:12-13 "Elijah and John the Baptist"

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them./Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."

Are they the two witnesses that Jesus refers to? Firstly ask how credible are the disciples to zoom them in their crosshairs when as the following passage reveals that they were still novices,- Jesus explains,"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:"(v.20). Their faith was yet to be steadfast without which all their mental gyrations as to the identity of two witnesses would fall flat. One proof was in their failure to cast out the demon that afflicted the boy in vv. 14-20.

We shal examine Re.11:3-4 for clues.

" And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth./ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

And I will give power" this is what the risen Jesus promised his disciples/ associates in (Matt.28:18-20). Ze.4:14 refers them as "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth". Lo I am with you always is another promise by the risen Christ. Besides 'a thousand two hundred and threescore days' is a tag set by the Spirit to indicate two witnesses could be any two appointed by God. In short these two witnesses are chosen from both worlds of the Spirit and the body as one. Without which the interpretation falls flat.

St Matt.17:9-13 "Two witnesses"

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Transfiguration took place against an high mountain, again the mountain of the Lord referred in Is.2. As with the Sermon on the Mount, here the Spirit highlight the glory of the spiritual body awaiting the saints who have received the Man sent from Above. Moses Elias in their flesh doubled for the One to come. Here we have Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today. The transfiguration was, therefore a pointer to the glory which is to come. (He.13:8). This also explains why Jesus warned his disciples to keep the matter a secret.

10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

I pray one day the religions aka principalities that voynich the innocent and take money for stories stolen are full of light and find the business of souls dried up and the churches empty and parks full of families outdoors playing with kids ,loving gods beauty surrounding them with the sun .where sons and daughters are taught truth and kindness are super powers and lies and hate are not tolerated towards anyone..that together all kinds represent gods children and love overcomes everytime.amen.

Ugh. I just cut off my comment again with some stupid button on my computer. In short I am impressed by your superior wit and content with any subject; clearly it is superior to mine. I hope I'm not just enjoying the sound of my own voice; so to speak with all my commentary. I intend to make better use of my time with devoting more to evangelism and service in the future; this time I have had in my current situation is limited to have this much available for this site.

I was also starting to comment on my confusion about heaven and hell experiences. There was a supposed resurrection of an African pastor I heard about yesterday from Nov. 2001 which seemed iron clad with a picture of the mortuary statement with time of death; relateive testifying; etc. In any case this guy seems to have disappeared off the radar since 2002 when someone was supposed to have interviewed him. There are a few people like Bill Weise who at least has much scripture that is discussed corroborating with his story. When people are clinically dead the question is how long does it take for the soul to actually enter eternity? As for me; people sometimes express annoyance when anyone says the Lord has shown them something; but such things as the mark of the Beast were clearly shown to the point that the terror is so great that it used to leave me with a feeling of vertigo; beyond what I can handle. I have felt a clear calling to preach on that matter since my conversion in 1982. Spiritual discernment is my gifting as you probably are aware; but I am still mystified by the way He works. I know that obedience and disciplines help us in strength; but the times when there seems to be a particular anointing still seem unpredictable. I can think of 3 individuals in my life who have a gift of discernment out of probably hundreds I have known.

It seems God has until now closed the door for me to move out. I strongly feel that I need to continue communicating with my old roommate

Hi Richard,

continued..I need a little more space.

We can also break this commandment using things of nature. The world we live in is really naturally beautiful and we can enjoy this beauty with a heart of gratitude and wonder before God who made it all. Getting out into nature is great, but can to some be an idol along with photographs and paintings of natural beauty.

I think the important thing is to not live a life of starkness and drabness (look up the Nicholites, for example-they are in my husband's family line in the 1600's in America). We can celebrate beauty and creativity and artistic talent without falling into idolatry. We can enjoy flowers in our gardens, not just raise vegetables. We can have pets and not just food for consumption. We can have embellishment on our furnishings and not insist on only simplicity and functionality as some sects have promoted. We can enjoy food that tastes good and looks appetizing instead of gruel and mush. Asceticism is not what we are called to, but to be thankful to God for all that He has provided for our benefit, enjoyment, and contentment.

But the focus of our life should be to worship God, bring Him glory, and be filled with gratitude to Him for all that He brings to us. This world was made to be inhabited by mankind, for us to enjoy all the ways God has manifested His beauty, abundance, glory, grace, and power. We are to live a joyful life as opposed to a somber one, and still live soberly and aware of the threat of the evil one. We are to live in trust in Jesus and in all the spiritual ways given to satisfy us even when we suffer.

So, let's praise the Lord and give Him glory because He has done great things for us and is marvelous beyond what we could ever imagine. Why would we want to confine Him to an image when He is uncontainable!

Hello Richard,

I think that God has been VERY clear that we are not to make or have in our possession ANY image that we would bow down to, pray to, give reverence to, or worship.

You noted such things as items depicting our Lord. I would add crosses-whether worn or hung, if they are used more than a reminder to us of all of Christ's work for us. You mentioned things that remind us of our loved ones who have died. I think photos are fine if put in an family album or hung on our walls as long as we do not "talk" to them or hold the item or the person in a state of reverence in our minds and hearts. We need to avoid thinking that any of dead people are near us in spirit, offer any protection for us, or who have any input into our lives. I believe that there is an impenetrable division between this world and the world after death that the Lord doesn't allow any crossover. Angels are allowed to go between the heavens and our natural world in obedience to God, but we are not to seek such interactions or do any kind of worship to them.

In the area of things that represent occultic matters, I think we need to be careful about what is shown of the clothing we wear and the jewelry we wear. Often times the emblems can be from occultic artistic expressions and it is wise to scrutinize any "adornment" before we purchase or accept from others such things. I am not sure where to go to find out what some of the images that are currently fashionable truly represent. Any ideas. Perhaps simplicity in dress is a pretty safe way to show ourselves to others. We need to be careful of the impression we give to others with how we dress.

And you mentioned music artists. I don't think we should be taken in by ANY famous person, anyone with desirable gifts, and even great preachers, reformers, or Christian leaders. We need to see them all as like us, needing God's grace because we all are sinners and at the same time saints. We need to guard ourselves from idols of any kind. cont.

Yes, Richard,

I will continue to pray for your situation. It is a big decision and it involves your parents best interests as well as your own well-being. It is tough seeing one's parents age to the point of needing so much more care than you can provide, yet they want you to be the provider in this time of need. I hope that they will be led to make choices that will help them in the long run while they still can make those choices on their own. And I pray that the Lord will open doors to living arrangements that will benefit you and whomever you will be living with.

This isn't a comment related to your past issue; but one on prayer.

I have been contemplating for months whether the painful decision to temporarily move out would be something to give my mom the impetus to get more help for herself and my dad before she does serious injury to herself. It is also to press her to start following a couple specific things the doctors have told her to do that she is holding out on. My concern is that the next fall would be catastrophic; and since my dad's mind is going (although he is in physically better shape) she needs help as it has proven for the last 2 years to be too much.

I have a Christian friend who I lived with in the past in Pittsburgh that has a room available according to a church bulletin. Things were a bit tricky there before as to his being noisy at night; etc. He may not be amenable to a short term stay (actaully he just texted me that he is not sure about the house but he would talk later).

I wanted to ask you specifically as we have discussed these matters before and I'm sure you'll keep me in prayer.

Agape; Rich P.

oops for 14 I meant their supposed sinlessness.

S. Spencer,

It think that I will end here. I pray that anyone who thinks themselves to have reached a state of sinless perfection would be given a heart like David, who knew the Lord and knew he needed to cast Himself continually upon the mercies and grace of God for righteousness that he did not have in all of his earthly life.

I hope your weekend goes well. I finished painting the laundry room so our washer and dryer can go back in on Monday now that the flooring is in. We need to make decisions about the cabinetry that will go in there whether it will be the same as our kitchen or just white utility type cabinets that were there before. So many decisions to be made in this adventure. Please pray that we make wise choices that will keep us within our budget.

S.Spencer

Pt.2

11) they express a Pelagian view that we must "Keep" our salvation by the good works we do by not sinning outwardly, thus denying that our salvation is solely due to the grace, mercy, and love of God given to us freely in Christ by His sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection. It is His blood shed for us that cleanses us of our sin. It is the regeneration brought to us by the Holy Spirit that quickens us to eternal life and faith, and it is the Father who justifies us because Jesus' righteousness is our sole plea before the Father that we have as our ONLY defense from His condemnation and His righteousness is our only plea, witness, and evidence which the Father accepts as our righteousness before Him.

12) they underestimate the deceitfulness of sin and so are deceived into thinking that they have no sinful nature any longer and that they can be sinless in the moment or in a continuing way for the remainder of their life on earth.

13) they think there are two classes of believers, those who are as they: sinless and perfect as Jesus was on earth (how absurd) and others who are still "carnal" yet justified, but not sanctified like they are. This leads to arrogance and self-righteous attitudes that are sinful. This does not square with what Paul says in Galatians and Ephesians concerning how Jesus made all believers one in Christ regardless. We All stand equal before God and All of us have an equal need for the ongoing grace, mercy and love of God as well as the need to be continually sanctified to become more and more like Jesus in this life.

( Gal. 2:16-21;3:1-18; Eph 2:15)

14) they devalue the work of Jesus by trying to add to His work by their supposed sinfulness. This is saying that Jesus did not accomplish ALL of salvation for every believer.

15) they refuse to truly be like David in Ps. 51 when he admitted to having "secret" sin, unknown sin, and sin deep within Himself that God can only know of. He asked God to be merciful on himself

Yes,I agree S. Spencer, it is up to the Holy spirit to convict of sin and lead anyone in the truth, so we pray for this to happen in us and in others, including those who claim to have no sin and no longer sin and the sinful nature is removed from them and that the old man is dead and gone along with the desire to sin.

To those who believe in sinless perfection I would say that these things have occurred in them:

1) they have believed false teaching.

2) they underestimate the holiness of God including the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that their holiness is the standard of righteousness.

3) they bring this standard lower according to their own determination of what holiness is.

4) they redefine sin in such a way that they can admit that they do not sin

5) they harden their hearts to the conviction of their own sin and sinfulness by the Holy Spirit due to a sense of pride and self-congratulation.

6) they deny that temptation arises within us due to sin's presence within us. Temptation from without, as with Jesus' temptation in the desert by Satan was unique because from within Him there was no sinful nature to be tempted by evil whether from within Himself and from without.

7) they misapply Scripture to support their view to the denial of so many Scriptures that speak of the sinful nature and actual sins committed in and by believers.

8) they fear that if they find they commit sin they lose their salvation and so they have a vital need for their doctrine and profession of sinfulness to be true.

9) this fear of losing salvation shows an inadequate knowledge of how we are saved perhaps even believing a "different gospel" that is works based and dependent on the persons ability to stay sinless.

10) they see their known faults, weaknesses, and mistakes as acceptable and not sinful instead of seeing them as sinful being a result of having a sinful nature within them. It is truly amazing what they will excuse as not sinful as "just being human".

see pt.

On Christian music and idolotry:

The second and third lines in Chris Tomlin's song "Good Good Father" state:

But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night

And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone

David Crowder's song "He really loves us" has this in the third line

"There is no judgment"

And Danny Gokey's song "Love God Love People" says at the end of the fourth stanza

"Love God and love People" (no brainer).

Finally there is the song "What would Jesus do" states in the 11th Stanza

"What would Jesus do

He would love first..etc."

The first question here is what is God's love? There is nothing in any of these songs that show any differentiation of God's love from that of man. Assuming that God never has anything negative to say goes against the verses that state God chastises anone He loves and we are illegitimate sons otherwise (see Hebrews 12:6; 12:8). To say there is no judgment is only true as to a believer's standing at the Bema Seat Judgment and missing the Great White Throne condemnation. We are judged according to 2 Corinthians 5:10 and be judged as to works done for Him; good or bad. If we aren't one of His own we are judged and condemned already ( John 3:18).

No one should argue as to a Christian demonstrating love and patience; but that doesn't mean that we should stand for hypocrisy within the House of God; or societal evils such as abortion without sounding the trumpet as a watchman to avoid the condemnation warned of in Ezekiel 3:18. But such exhortations seem to be missing entirely in today's Christian songs; whether it is warning of the deceptiveness of Satan or sin itself; or the Tribulation to come or hell itself without repentance. Anyone on this forum who wishes to rebut that statement let me know; perhaps there are some independent artists I should be made aware of that I haven't heard lately.

Thus; artists are idolized saying what people want to hear and are "Christian" by name only.

Hi Gigi.

I see this the way you do Gigi.

It troubles me to hear someone say they have been made perfect and they no longer "commit" sin when the Holy spirit convicts us of sin. The holyspirit also guides us to truth.

In 1 John 1 John is writing to believers. John says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10.

John is writing to believers!!

There is not much more to said to a person if the Holy spirit isn't convicting and guiding them to this truth.

God bless.

Luke 12:14-15 " A man's life" (2 of 2)

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth".

Jesus as the Son is called the prince of life. In his resurrection he also established the way to life abundant, which is not same as abundance of things. Mammon another name for the devil holds riches as his ace in his sleeve to destroy the unwary and fools. The Parable of the Rich Fool gives us a look of one who was not rich towards God. He was a fool to believe only in a world the other man's riches have blinded his eye of faith. For them there is no remedy. The man who had great possession could not get over it in order to follow Jesus. He heard how to be perfect but abundance of the other man's wealth closed his ear of faith. "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."(Matt.19:21-22). Without faith one cannot be perfect where the grace of God makes both worlds of the body and of the Spirit in harmony.

Grace of God works through his Son so He makes a way open before His children. The fish that supplied the tribute money is a case in point. We have false shepherds cheating IRS to conceal their ill-gotten coins but Jesus showed how to navigate both worlds at the same time. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." (Matt.17:22)

All promises of God are yea in his Son. So what was the point of God blessing 'them' on the sixth day? (Ge.1:28-30)Blessings mentioned on each day in the Abstract work together so God's commandment to "subdue' is to create over-comers and not fools whose art of deal come unstuck in spectacular fashion at the end of their lives.

Luke 12: 14 "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" (1 of 2)

Here we have question and it is asked by Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law. The quarrel over inheritance on the basis of the Law of Moses did not interest him. Moses himself could have supplied his bitter experience. He had tried to intervene in the quarrel of his fellowmen and what was the result? "And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known."(Ex.2:14). His own hands were not clean, enough. Jesus knew no sin and did no sin so he could have cast the first stone on man who transgressed according to the law. " He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."( John 8:7)

Jesus was among as the Word made flesh to prove that the Law was doable and not dabble in the justice system that only dealt with one world. As the Law that he represented covered both worlds, the present and the worlds to come. So he stood outside their petty squabbles over wealth which was 'other man's riches' meaning it was devil's business.

One may ask Does God condone capital punishment?

All Authority come from God. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God./ Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Those who are in power are themselves subject to God.

Law of sin is not from God. Man chose knowledge of good and evil over the commandment of God so he is servant to sin from the greatest to the lowest. So whatever name one calls, President or Caesar are servants to sin and their laws are accordingly sinful. Rather than ask if capital punishment is good or bad, ask yourself under what law you come: under the Law of the Spirit or under law of sin? (Ro.8:1)"

Further insight on idol worship and witnessing.

In my last post; I discussed the concern over graven images in Catholicism; but in reality this is evident in Greek and Russian Orthodox and many other denominations as well. A key factor here is to consider that all which is worthy in regard to any true saint of God is Christ Himself who has taken up residence. This does tie into an individual soul and spirit submissive to that authority and rewarded for faithfulness accordingly; but we cannot adequately represent that either. Going beyond saints who are in scripture or designated by man we have those who keep images; whether pictoral or sculptural of deceased loved ones; whether professing believers in life or not. Those who are not have no chance whatsoever of bringing the true God into the equation when we focus on remembering their lives or "sensing their presence." That at best is our imagination; and oftentimes are demons who trigger these memories and try to control us. I have not found it beneficial or edifying to always bombard people who have such keepsakes but don't think much about it but nonetheless the danger is very real. And objects that are directly correlating to demon gods or goddesses of course are going to invite evil to fill a household with all the curses inherent with such things. Getting into an exhaustive list of all these items is beyond the scope of this post; but this would include anything with "supernatural powers" such as scapulars; holy water; images; etc.

In witnessing; therefore we must be attentive in particular to cultures from Eastern religions that have these sorts of things tied in with family possessions. This of course involves those who practice polytheism in this countryu and ranges from seemingly innocuous items with New Age mystics to overtly Satanic items actually used in rituals.

In the next post I will discuss the idols of this culture as to media magnates; rock stars and entertainers.

Idolatry: Exodus 20:4-5 state:

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.

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;

Recently; there was an issue in regard to an artist that I have befriended in my local church. It seems another brother agrees with me; that images representing Christ or anything in the Godhead are included with any created item when it comes to worship. We cannot adequately represent a depiction of an omnipotent; omnipresent and omniscient God. Even if it doesn't cause us to worship it; we shouldn't tempt others who may be from backgrounds or denominations where such imagery is worshipped.

Much of this type of logic is attempted to be justified in Catholicism; where we see images of Mary who according to their own theologians is supposed to be honored rather than worshipped. "How We Honor Jesus Through Mary" by Dave Armstrong written July 1 2015 states: " St. Louis Marie de Montfort, one of the giants in the history of Marian devotion, wrote: "We never give more honor to Jesus than when we honor his Mother, and we honor her simply and solely to honor him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek-Jesus, her Son."" Such is the logic of the author Carl Keating a leading Catholic apologist. In practice though we see people worshipping the images of the Virgin Mary and those indoctrinated in that believe in her perpetual virginity and that she was sinless; which is not recorded in scripture. In fact we see scriptures of Christ's brothers and sisters mentioned (see Mtthew 13:56; and John 7). Perhaps a depiction of a saint isn't an issue for us but we also shouldn't cause another to sin because of it

please pray for my daughter Jessica and her family please remember me in your prayers

Hi Jagggard 912,

All Authority come from God. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God./ Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Those who are in power are themselves subject to God.

Law of sin is not from God. Man chose knowledge of good and evil over the commandment of God so he is servant to sin from the greatest to the lowest. So whatever name one calls, President or Caesar are servants to sin and their laws are accordingly sinful. Rather than ask if capital punishment is good or bad, ask yourself under what law you come: under the Law of the Spirit or under law of sin? (Ro.8:1)

Pr.29:18 "Vision"

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

Vision is precisely what St Paul says, "We walk by faith and not by sight."(2 Co.5:7) It is borne out of knowledge,-St Paul calls it the glory of the same quality as of the spiritual body because it is from God,- who gives it a glory as with the see. So the seed ('whose sed is in itself-Ge.1:11) is part of the Abstract that shall never change. This glory is Person specific. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In short the vision that we speak here is to hold on to both worlds of the Spirit and of the body as one. St Paul gives us the context in v.1. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Israel took pride in the Law of Moses but they perished just the same, save Joshua and Caleb because they had no vision. It began much earlier when the turned to the golden calf soon after Moses went up the mount. Their lack of vision would trouble them when during the time of the kings there were two places for golden calf worship one at Dan and at Bethel. "An eye for an eye" as set in the law characterize them now so the nation stands guilty of genocide. So as fulfillment of the Law that Jesus taught us 'to turn the other cheek also. He also showed with his life. God gave as a commandment: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:"(Ge.1:28) His vision was clear and knew the reason God blessed 'then' on the sixth day from this prayer, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:11)

Yes, that is the best way to go about contacting someone here to check in with them. I hope you are enjoying your new home.

When our inside is done, then we will look again to the outside with paint, new fencing, and perhaps a deck, deck cover and new driveway pavement. But it all depends on how much the inside costs us. We can put in the new lawn ourselves and do some of the fencing if we hire someone to set the new posts.

It is very interesting how some topics pop up here. It is enlightening to me and I seek to gain more understanding in order to either accept what one is saying, refute the doctrine, or just leave it.

Sometimes, it may be best to simply present the gospel in its pure form as a contrast to some of the convoluted teachings some add to it. Much prayer is needed to combat the enemy that wants to promote serious error and even heresy here. We can pray for wisdom, discernment, boldness, and true concern for others as we seek to present what is truly correct teaching from the Scriptures. But everyone has their "own" idea of what the truth is. This is where we need to know what to say in a conversation to bring about a redemptive end in a discussion.

Hi Jagggard912. This is not an easy question to answer, only because how our minds & hearts have been affected by current govt laws, often apalling court judgements, & the sentiments of society in general. However, since your question relates only to God's view of capital punishment (both by God's Command to His people Israel & His expectancy for the present day we're in), my short answer is, Yes, I believe that nothing has changed before God about sin, of wilful murder & what he expects as the correct punishment to be meted out.

There is no question about God's requirements in relation to murder, adultery, kidnapping, sodomy, rape, witchcraft, etc. ( Genesis 9:6; Exodus chaps 21, 22, 35; Leviticus chaps 22, 24, & others), though proponents for a 'no capital punishment', will claim that Israel was a theocracy (rule under God alone), whereas Gentiles have their own govts & subject to new laws consistent with the consensus of society's expectations. But has God changed? So, why does God allow govts to enact laws inconsistent with His Requirements? Well, I could confidently say that no govt anywhere, would give much regard to God's Laws & Requirements for the proper functioning of society. Many may have started well, having a strong Judeo/Christian foundation, but having sinful, & many Christ-rejecting men at the helm, given to society's whims & for the on-going battle for votes, some God-honoring Laws are side-lined, if not altogether discarded.

So what happens when a capital crime is committed (i.e. wilful murder) and is proved beyond doubt with hard evidence & not just circumstantial? Usually, a life sentence in prison, either for life or parole, & rarely the death penalty. If the prisoner is released back into society, whether as a murderer, rapist, child molester, etc., & he re-offends, hardly anyone batters an eyelid, as the prisoner has served his time. But when that criminal offends again, I ask, 'who then are the real criminals?' Society remains mute.

GiGi,

Thank you! Yes, it is such a privilege and a blessing to be able to follow the Lord despite the distractions of everyday life. He has blessed me in ways that I don't feel I deserve.

I am happy to hear that your home remodel is going well and that you found some great contractors to do the work. We had a house built recently, moved in on June 8th, 2023, and the only thing left that we want to do in the near future is finish our basement. We had popcorn ceiling in our last house. We never liked it, but we left it alone. I learned the hard way that it's almost impossible to paint popcorn ceiling with a paint roller. (What a dummy!)

Anyway, I have been coming on here frequently to read and I must say that one of the most recent topics has really been out there in "left-field." I'll leave it at that as I'm sure you know what I'm referring to, plus I have nothing to add to the things you and others have spoken against such a bold claim.

Again, thank you so much for reaching out. I guess the only way to check on someone that hasn't been posting for a while is by finding the last post that person initiated, and enter a comment there, and they will receive an email notification.

Blessings in Christ!!!

Hi Gigi.

Thanks for reaching out!

I will get back with you tomorrow it's getting late here.

Good night and God bless.