All Discussion PAGE 93

Matt.17:19-20

"Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?/ And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief."

Before we examine the second event we need see the role of faith in integrating the two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. The body is prepared for the Son to do his will. Psalmist David refers to it. When we abide in Christ who is the Word become flesh the spirit of Christ has given us insight into the truth. Jesus chose the twelve and gave them power to cast out demons. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was yet to come. So the spirit of Christ worked in their ministry. "My Father worketh hitherto and I work" explains at one level the Spirit of the Father works at tandem with the Son of man so the twelve disciples were his associates as well. The cloud of witnesses is associated with the Father, "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (10:20). We are thus constituted with access to both worlds at the same time while we are in our vile bodies. Apostle John refers to it, "but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."(1 John2:23). Faith without works is dead. Without abiding in these two worlds faith does not produce fruits an example of which we see in the failure to cast out demons from the child. Jesus reduces them to the level of their generation since their faith did not work. How apt is our generation where the churches soft pedal on issues like faith and culture wars? "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?(17:17)

American Right and Christian nationalism are the tares choking the good seed. The former do not take the Spirit of the Father or the word of the Spirit. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself

prayer for wisdom and knowledge to understand wisdom to know the difference n friendship, with the knowledge to understand the values of a friendship, the love of a decade that had to end in hurtfulness and sadness to be heartfelt in tears for adultery, that asking for forgiveness of repent. In needing financial capability to get away from the hurt and sadness that has come from this. GOD's forgiveness is needed. GOD, I need you to give me the strength to let go, to know it was wrong. to know the hurt and pain will go away, but can forgiveness be acceptable.

Spencer, 2/2

But when reading the story it is obvious that that person is a person in the end times. That VEIL PERSON who is described in verses 36-39 is probably the antichrist, because in chapter 12 it is obvious that the story refers to the end times.

So in all those stories and visions there is no mention of any kingdom inbetween Rome and the last kingdom of the antichrist. Why? Because it is the time of the nations.The time of Jews ends in Rome and starts again immediately after the rapture.

The very "strange" thing in all that is that the Bible associates the last kingdom, and the person who will rule, the antichrist, described either as a little horn or as a vile man, with Alexander's successors. That is why some in my country have the belief that the antichrist will rise from here. Right or wrong, the time will show. But I hope we will not be here to see that.

GBU

Hello Spencer, 1/2

Back to what we were talking about, 3 weeks ago. I am very sorry for my very late response but there were a lot of things for me to do during those past 3 weeks plus that I spent many days in fasting for personal and family issues.

So about the beasts. Firstly lets start from Nebuchadnezzar's dream (2nd chapter). The 4th kindom in that vision was the Roman empire, the legs.The first is the Babylonians, the 2nd the Persians, the 3rd the Macedonians and the 4th the Romans. Then the feet is the last Kingdom on earth. That Kingdom refers to (as I know it) the Kingdom of the antichrist, the last kingdom which will rule over the whole earth. So from the Romans the story goes direct to the end times, thus ommiting all those empires that existed inbetween.

In the 7th chapter Daniel sees a vision, 4 beasts who come out of the see (figuratively the nations). The 4th kingdom now refers to the last kingdom. The vision mentions the 10 horns and the little horn.

In the 8th chapter Daniel sees another vision. The ram with the 2 horns (the MedoPersians), then the goat who is the king of Grecia (Alexander and the Macedonians). "Aigai" or "Aegae" was the royall city of the Macedonians which means "goats". Alexander is presented as the great horn from which other 4 horns erected (his 4 successors). And then the story says that from one of those horns a little horn erected. This same little horn is refered in both chapters 7 and 8. So that little horn in chapter 8 is not Antiochus the Epiphanes (a successor of Alexander who fought the Jews and destroyed the temple) but it is a person in the end times, or both.

In chapter 11 again Alexander and his successors is mentioned. Four successors will arise from him. In verse 21 says, "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." . That refers to a person who comes out of one of his successors.

Reading the Word (Part 4). Multiple layers and applications.

I have in the past had disagreements with people that insist there is only one meaning of a given scripture. This is no doubt true to one extent; that is not reading spurious meanings into a text based on proper contextualization. When there are so many different types of writings in a given book such as Psalms (impreccatory; prophetic; Thanksgiving at a bunch of others) even from Psalms we can't nail down any one type as a "stand alone." The clearest example would be what some call "Royal" Psalms or something similar about David and the prophetic implications that are both for him and the future Christ. This shows that even David didn't know what he was saying as far as all these meanings. I have argued with some of the Reformed camp that such a statement on my part is wrong and that somehow he had to understand it under Divine guidance; but clearly if that were true we wouldn't see someone like Daniel fasting and praying for 3 weeks to understand his dreams and visions ( Daniel 10:2).

Reading the Bible of course in these circles is focused on worshipping the one true God. There are clearly other benefits to reading the Word such as insights into the hydrological cycle ( Job 36:27); that of the animal kingdom ( Psalm 104:21; etal); historical genealogies (from the first parents in Genesis to those in the beginning of Matthew and Luke). The history of scripture can also be used to verify archaelogical discoveries; and have practical points about wisdom along with the spiritual (which can't really be parceled out). This may be most clearly demonstrated with the admonition to be as "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." ( Matthew 10:16).

We should also keep in mind that the Old Testament and New Testament have different methods of approaching God; but the Lord never changes. The Lord created law as well as grace; which allows us to actually love God as David's admonition in Psalm 119.

Matt.17:5 "Hear ye him" (2 of 2)

"And behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

The Spirit uses the expression, "behold" which is not solely addressed to the natural ear but also to the ear of faith. This is the significance of the bright cloud,- they have heard and woe to ye if you pretend not to hear it. The scribes and Pharisees were good at this hypocrisy, "Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:/All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."(23:2) Similarly whosoever speaks of justification and have no faith in works he is a liar. "f we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." ( 1 John 1:10). His word is not in them is what Apostle John says to them. God witnessed 'Hear ye him" and the cloud of witnesses representing the world of the Spirit is in each of us witnesses the truth. Hypocrisy of the Evangelicalism is to deny the works. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."(John6:29)

Elisha would thus know beforehand the plan of King of Syria, and as the servant tells, "None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber." (2 Ki.6:12). This is precisely what Jesus meant, "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."( Luke 12:3). Psalmist David calls the cloud of witnesses as the great congregation. (Ps.40:9) This is the reason that I spare not myself to reveal what the Spirit has instructed me, despite of my age and infirmities because this shall be read and become the mainstream as and when God shall decide. So patience and faith makes my labour of love as for His glory. Amen

Please pray for me. I want to do work for GOD in any capacity. I have had a stroke, but I am still mobile but in spurts. I want to serve GOD in any way I can. Thank you

Reading the Word (part 3)

The fear of the Lord. With my scripture memory still lacking I will cite the verse "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and then ask the readers to discover how many times that is mentioned and perhaps do a further study on the subject. Today's sermon was from 1 Peter specifically in verse 17 discussing how as believers we should have fear that in general isn't with terror but at times if we have sin in our lives it probably some of that should shake us up. The story of Ananias and Sapphira was examined as to the reaction of the church afterwards and the Holy fear and terror invoked ( Acts 5:1-11).

It is easy for us to sit in our comfy place and read about destruction of whole cities or the future Tribulation and not have it speak to us. Some want to symbolize some of the literal statements of judgment; but I am not focusing on that. We can look at events in the far past and future as so remote from us that we don't sense the relevance; specifically it's prompting us to get busy spreading the Gospel and keep ourselves unspotted from the world. ( James 1:27). With so many trying to predict the time the Lord is coming back and put together all the puzzle pieces can ignore the many CONDITIONAL promises which are just as true. Specific behaviors good or bad bear certain fruits as well as resulting in blessing or cursing. I have seen this true in at least one case warning a person about continuing in certain behavior (in that case I believe it was followed by a mental breakdown). We can't be sure when we will reap what we sow; it is for sure in final judgment. This seems very cut and dry; for instance verses talking about the insanity of a foolish man committing adultery. Proverbs 22:14 brings the point out that men who follow God escape these traps but the wicked are caught in their own traps that they try to ensnare others ( Psalm 141:10 also found in Proverbs and no doubt other Psalms).

More in part 4

Reading the Word (part 2).

Today in Sunday school someone mentioned that before prayer it is good to say "Lord I don't love you; or other people (fill in the blank). Alas some with a spiritual gift of compassion would find what I am saying repulsive. We all can apply this principle to scripture reading as well "help me with my unbelief" ( Mark 9:24); or "God be merciful to me a sinner" ( Luke 18:13).

Since we are reading the "living Word" ( John 1:1) it behooves us to focus on our Lord and Savior and how much He suffered for our benefit. It also is important that we trust the Lord and also His Word as being truth and something we can lean on. Trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding ( Proverbs 3:5-6) is something we need to discuss in more detail.

Assuming we have a legitimate faith and basic understanding that the Bible is the truth and we live on that premise we could say that we trust the Lord. That of course is easier said than done; we can suddenly find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances and allow our emotions to dictate through either a "fight or flight" mentality. This is true if we face martyrdom or serious persecution; but as with anything else the Lord usually leads us through the valleys of everyday trials and stresses to teach us to trust Him more for those big things. We can look at scripture for these examples with the 12 Apostles and their growth through Christ's earthly ministry then after Pentacost; or look at the kings of Israel with all their sins exposed for us to see.

There are a few who don't have sins mentioned; it is noteworthy that only Moses seems to be a Prophet whose sins were mentioned and the consequence of not being able to enter the Promised Land. David technically prophesied as well about the Messiah in the Psalms in particular and his personal sins and immediate consequences out the for us to see. These; of course are examples for us all ( 1 Cor. 10:11).

Having a healthy fear of God (to come part 3

How to approach Scripture reading.

Jeremiah 15:16 says: Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

I have in a previous post discussed various methods of daily devotionals. There is pure scripture reading (for instance with a read the Bible in a year app); or "Daily Bread" or deeper things such as Oswald Chambers which I personally recommended for its depth and conviction level. When confined by a busy daily routine of work and personal responsibilities this approach of an allotted 15 minutes or so doesn't give us enough time for an exhaustive concordance analysis; or study of cross references; or examining the original Greek; Aramaic; or Hebrew; etc.

My ADHD type of mind (at least that is what I was diagnosed as about 30 years ago) tends to wander; thus making set times and planned studies more laborious than others (not overlooking my own sin and distractions). It certainly is important that we don't confine our meditation on the Word just to that allotted devotional session. I have found for myself that reading big chunks of material then later digesting it sometimes can have some benefits. First of all; once we have familiarized ourselves with scripture in general; certain passages tend to trigger once again things we have taken in that are proven; tried and true and we can relate to as aiding in our personal struggles and growth. I tend to do things backwards; in other words read a bunch of details then later see the big picture; much as I tend to start a drawing from a small spot then later on come up with a much better artist sketch than if I deliberately premeditated that I would draw a specific subject.

In open air preaching; it does help to have verses in our minds even if we have tracts as usually a formal sermon isn't the best approach in that arena with people coming and going. Having an attitude of worship and praise (part 2

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.