Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Jesus, conforming us to His image. Spiritual growth is perhaps best described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by God's power He "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
There are two lists in Galatians 5:19-23. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the “acts of the flesh.” These are the things that our lives were identified by before we trusted in Christ for salvation. The acts of the flesh are the activities that we are to confess, repent of, and with God’s help, overcome. As we experience spiritual growth, fewer and fewer of the “acts of the flesh” will be evident in our lives. The second list is the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). These are what our lives should be identified by now that we have experienced salvation in Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is identified by the fruit of the Spirit becoming increasingly evident in a believer’s life.
When that transformation of salvation takes place, spiritual growth begins. The Holy Spirit indwells us (John 14:16-17). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old nature is replaced with a new one (Romans chapters 6-7). Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that occurs as we study and apply God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). As we seek after spiritual growth, we can pray to God, asking Him for wisdom on what areas He desires for us to grow spiritually. We can ask God to help us increase our faith and knowledge of Him. God desires for us to grow spiritually. God has given us all we need to experience spiritual growth. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome sin more and more, and steadily become more and more like our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Link
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155 comments:
hah might I be first.
this is from the last post
well this will likely get lost in the change of postings
Lisa
Joel Rosenberg is not prewrath but pretrib. His referring to tribulation I would interpret as any time of turmoil or trouble rather than THE tribulation. He has frequently said that while he is convinced we are living in the last days and that the rapture is near, he also realizes that he has the potential to be wrong FURTHER since the US is not mentioned in so far as we know in prophecy there must be something that takes her out of the picture. He speculated in Dead Heat that it was a nuke attack (it still might be) but as Glenn Beck said when he interviewed him it could just as easily be economic. So since the rapture may or may not happen before something bad happens to the US irrelevant of THE tribulation, it would be prudent to stock up on some sort of currency with which to purchase goods since the dollar might be worthless and with what will you purchase goods and services?
excellent post btw
GREAT POST MR. HYDE!
Jim G.
Jib, I think Lisa may have been referring to Joel Richardson who, I believe, is prewrath.
Arabs fear fallout of nuclear conflict
Nervous Arab states fear a war in the Gulf but a nuclear-armed Iran is an even greater concern
Great post Mr Hyde.
Might I venture to guess Mac helped out with this one?
Have a God filled day everyone
(and a good sleep Mac)
Jib,
You might be interested to know that the United States is, in fact, mentioned in the Bible!
Vicki
Yes, great post, My Hyde.
Vicki, you have me curious about your statement that the US is mentioned in the Bible...please tell us more about that.
Have a great day, folks!
<><
Jib,
Your right about Joel Rosenburg I meant Joel Richardson. He's the author of "Joels Trumpet."(their names a too similar.)
Hi, Donna,
I’ll be glad to try to explain, though it may be a bigger study than I have room for here on this forum.
It’s good to remember that the Bible interprets itself. If we find out from the Bible what the prophetic symbols mean, it will help us understand what these fantastic prophecies mean. (Please note: You can find a list of these symbols in my blog. I find them invaluable!)
If you look at Rev. 13, the first beast mentioned comes up out of the sea.
According to Daniel 7:23, a beast represents a kingdom, government – a political power.
The sea (waters) represents “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues”--inhabited areas (see Rev. 17:15)
It has horns with crowns. Horns represent powers, strength or kings or kingdoms (Deut. 33:17, Zech. 1:18,19, etc.) So these powers are kingly powers with crowns.
Opposed to this is a lamblike beast with two horns (no crowns) which comes out of the earth.
So this is a nation coming out of a relatively uninhabited area (since earth may be considered the opposite of water). Instead of arising out of a turbulent multitude of tongues and peoples, it is arising more peacefully in a more unoccupied area.
There’s a lot more proof in identifying the USA as the second beast in Rev. 13, but I’ll let you digest this first. Please let know if you want me to go on.
Blessings to you!
Vicki
Thanks for taking all the time to type all of that out, VIcki.
That is one (of many) interpretations, and one that I have not heard before.
'Proof' though? I'm not so sure any of us can "prove" anything at this point in time.
I'll spend more time on it all asap...but first I gotta finish mowing the lawn (which I love doing)!
:)
Interesting:
Iran and Russia sign Major Oil Deal
Vicki, Shalom!
I would disagree with your interpretation of the "lamblike beast with two horns (no crowns) which comes out of the earth." Rather than being the US, I believe that is a coming Shia-Sunni Islamic Union (two horns on "the religion of peace"). This union might possibly be from Ahmadinejad's proposal for a unified Islamic currency, or it could simply be the Islamic ability to fight together against the infidel. The first beast comes out of the sea. Not only is the sea representative of "peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues", the sea is also to the West of Israel. The lamb-like creature comes out of the earth, out of the deserts, which are to the East of Israel. In this way it shows the entire world, from East to West, is against G_D's Chosen People.
Frankly, I believe that in the coming year we will see the War of Psalm 83. This isn't the war of Gog/Magog (since Russia isn't involved). Instead, it's a war where all the nations around Israel, aided by Tehran, launch an attack against Israel. This could be either in retaliation for Israel trying to destroy Iran's nuclear program, or it could be a pre-emptive attack to prevent Israel from trying. As the article Mac linked to earlier in the blog pointed out, the Arab countries may not like Iran, but they're more afraid of what would happen if nuclear hostilities break out. Much as they hate Iran, they may find it in their interests to take out Israel rather than see Israel try and fail.
(FWIW, I don't think the War of Psalm 83 was the War of Independence, simply because Egypt played a major role in that war, but is not mentioned in Psalm 83. Saudi Arabia IS mentioned, so their participation will be a confirmation that his is that war.)
If this does happen, I predict it will happen shortly after Nov. 4 (the US Presidential Elections) and be finished by Nov. 13. The reason for this is 13 Nov. 2008 (in the Gregorian calender) is 15 Cheshvan 5769 (in the Hebrew calender), or 70 years after the Kristalnacht pogrom in Germany, which historians generally use as the date for the beginning of the Holocaust. (Then the angel of the Lord spoke out and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long will you be without mercy for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that have felt your anger these seventy years?" Zechariah 1:12 NAB) This war will result in the defeat of Israel's neighbors, including Saudi Arabia. Another confirmation that this war would be the War of Psalm 83 is if most of the "guest workers" in Saudi Arabia participate in looting after the war before returning home. (For thus said the LORD of hosts (after he had already sent me) concerning the nations that have plundered you: Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye. See, I wave my hand over them; they become plunder for their slaves. Thus you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. Zechariah 2:12-13 NAB)
Again, if this is the case, then it could be that Israel damages but does not destroy the Iranian nuclear sites, i.e., it delays but doesn't stop the Iranian nuclear bomb plans. Naturally, Ahmadinejad would boast about how Israel failed in it's bid for Zionist world domination, and how Iran is undeterred in its bid to be a nuclear power within the next year. Naturally, once everyone sees the nose camera pictures from the jets that executed the attacks, no one will believe him, and the experts will predict at least five years before they assemble their first bomb. Since the main nuclear plant is being built by Russia, that could increase the amount of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. What's more, since Jordan is one of the countries that attacked (and lost), Israel might just decide to take advantage of that and force an agreement modifying how Jordan administers the Temple Mount. Specifically, Israel might just tell Jordan that it can control the mosques on the Mount, but Israel will control the Mount itself, including all archaeological investigations. This opens up the path to rebuilding the Third Temple.
Of course, much as the Temple Institute may want to rush right up there and start throwing stones together, I imagine that they would be stopped by the combined shrieks of all the biblical archaeologists in the world, shrieking at the thought of this construction going on without proper archaeological investigation (which would be necessary to confirm the location of the Holy of Holies.) Remember, the Antichrist doesn't form a covenant with Israel, he CONFIRMS a covenant.
This war which would appear to have defeated Israel's enemies for the foreseeable future, would give Israel the peace it needs to fulfill the prophecy in Ezekiel 38. A little over a year later, in the spring of 2010, we have the War of Gog and Magog. A few months later, after things have settled down and peace treaties have been negotiated, the new government in Jordan confirms the original treaty confirming Israeli control of the Mount on July 19, 2010. This opens the way for the rebuilding of the Third Temple to begin on July 20, 2010 (on Tisha B'Av, or the 9th of Av, 5770).
<><
Hey all,
Donna, I was about to post the website for the article on Gazprom, very interesting... especially the part about the russian help constructing transportation corridors in Iran. Russia's hands are so deep in Iran's pockets their coming out the other side, so to speak.
Another article from jamestown's site was about the middle eastern union.
http://jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2373229
It clearly shows that Sarkozy and many other nations are beginning to recognise Turkey as critical to any peace effort in the middle east. It'll be interesting to see which way Erdodan (sp?) swings. There was speculation last week about a possible military coup in Turkey, which by most commentators was seen more as a power consolidation move by the ruling party. (vis-a-vis Stalin). I believe the ruling party may turn more away from the country's westernism push and more towards hard-line Islam. We'll know soon enough. My other thought on this article is that some great event will occur in the middle east, like Jim C's referenced Psalm 83 war that will push Turkey to accept the Sarkozy dominance. That would be truly interesting.
In His Grip,
Scott
There are some things written about the U.S that's easier to figure out but I'm finding it written in the "Oral Torah."
This is just a guess- but I think the "Oral Torah" may have been written specifically for the Jewish Nation because God has "blinded their eyes" from what we Christians study until His appointed time. So they still have their own guide to assist to figure out future events.
Now this book "Prophecies for the Era of Muslim Terror" does not state that as the reason of course but is a presumption on my part.
So far the "Oral Torah" prophesies have been 100% accurate so that leads me to believe it is indeed inspired by God. (not truth mixed w/untruth) The author connects the Torah,Oral Torah & Talmud w/the prophesies.
Here is an example:
The deceiver continues not keeping his word & the oppressor continues to be violent.(Isaiah 21:2)
My loins are full of anguish;pains have gripped me;my hearing is distorted; I am afraid to look. I have become disoriented; panic has terrified me. He has transformed festivity into horror...Babylonia..(Ibid, 3,4,9)
Israel (during the period of Iraq's ascendancy) will be overcome by panic & fear & will cry out: "We have no chance of ever escaping this never-ending nightmare." (Yalkut
Shim'oni,Isaiah 499)
Desert storms from the west...will be launched by a powerful nation..against the one who is violent and does not keep his word...at a time when..panic has terrified me//And the lookout announced,"It has fallen, Babylonia has really fallen."
(Isaiah 21:1-9)
*Also a note: In the Bible, "the Sea" is synonymous for the westerly direction, just as the "Mediterranean Sea" is west of Israel.
So the Almighty declares "DESERT STORMS FROM THE WEST" will bring about the downfall of Iraq.
The previous chapter describes when the Jews were asking the Prophet Daniel WHEN Babylonia would fall. The Almighty had decreed that Babylonia would exist for only 70 years. 70 yrs. period.
But before He said "hold on for a little bit longer." (It will happen sometime before 71 yrs.) Daniel then reads from the prophet Isaiah and reminds them about "violent storms" that will bring it's downfall.
(When the Jews of that time were asking these questions re: Babylonia it was no longer a threat as it was overcome by the Medes. It also lasted less than 70 yrs.)
Exekiel 13:13 "Therefore said the Almighty, I will cause...storms to break out..(In order to put a stop to the threats from Babylonia)
So what happened?
Desert Storm 1 (Bush Senior) began Jan 16th & ended formally 47 days later on March 3rd 1991, corresponding to 14 Adar.
The UN Security Council authorization to use "all necessary force" against Iraq was suspended. When Sadam would not comply w/the inspections-the UN reactivated the use of force 12 yrs later.
12 years later
Desert Storm 2 (Bush Jr.) began March 20,2003 and ended formally 43days later on May 1st AGAIN on 14 Adar.
So here are your "Storms" Desert Storm 1 & Desert Storm 2. Bush Senior & Bush Junior.(Didn't we all have a "feeling" Bush Jr. was going to finish what his father had started? I did.)
If you add the actual days of war together it comes to 90 days.
"At a time when Muslims are launching harsh wars in the world-during that period of time, a coalition of Christian nations will travel great distances in order to war against the Muslims for a period of 3 months."(Zohar II,32)
"From all that the Almighty has said, not even one utterance will go unfulfilled." (Babylonian Talmud,Sofrim 13:11)
This is a great reassurance that whatever is happening in our day is all under God's direction & control.
There is something in this book about another future war & it doesn't seem to be describe Gog & Magog. I'll look into it further.
BTW:
Desert Storm 1 began in Iraq's
59th year (Jan 16th) and Desert Storm 2 ended March 17th in it's 70th year but before it's 71st year.
**Just as what the prophet Daniel foretold.
The ending of the 1st Desert Storm & the announcement of the 2nd Desert Storm both happened on the exact same day in the Jewish Calander: The 14th of Adar. This suggests continuity from the Divine perspective-two phases of the same war.
You might want to check out this web site regarding the oral Torah.
www.torah.org/learning/basics/primer/torah/oraltorah.html
Oil closed with a great big drop in price and below $140/barrel. Russia and Iran have formed a partnership and the bear is circling the world gaining the edge. Things are getting very interesting and in the same breath are beginning to coalesce to bring elements into play that have never been so.
Good response Jim C. on Psalm 83. I don't believe the scene of the USA being part of that lamb like beast but time will tell, won't it.
I am visiting my daughter in Arkansas and had a few minutes before dinner is served. This is a home that has real joy now because Becky's precious hubby was recently saved (Feb 2008) and has made a very public acknowledgment of his new birth. Becky and LeRoy are enthusiastically involved in their church here in Bella Vista. Prayers are being answered faster than I can form them and God is WONDERFUL.
You all have a great week and enjoy your opportunities to serve and love God.
Grany
Beth called. They are home again.
The good news: The blockage cleared itself........
The bad news: The tumors have grown since Geoff was in the hospital in Jan. and they cannot be removed.
The scriptural news: We will be like Joshua and Caleb and only act on God's news.
Beth's Prayer Request. She has asked our family for the following prayers in ascending order:
1) Pray for Geoff to be OK'd for Medicaid (they have no insurance).
2) Pray for Geoff to be OK'd for his VA pension (since his time in the service flying helicopters during Vietnam is the original cause of the problem.
3) Pray for help with her Father.
4) Pray for her sanity......she is on meds which are helping the tears.
5) And of course, pray for his complete healing.
She sends her love to all the prayer warriors who have come to the Lord on their behalf and with grateful thanks, asks you not to stop. I add mine to hers....God bless you.
Love, Mom (Sharon)
FYI: Geoff flew the helicopters to help recover bodies from a disaster that involved radioactivity or some type of chemical... just in case you wondered about the statement of his service during 'Nam.
Wilma,
The Lord is WONDERFUL and I'm rejoicing with you!
Kathy
There is supposed to be a prisoner swap around 9am Israeli time.
Israel will be releasing known killers of innocent Jews. One of the parents of the killers even declared, he will kill more Jews.
The Red Cross is going to be the liason and aid in the transfer.
I have a bad feeling about this swap.
Please pray for God to protect Israel and the innocent people who's job it is to assist in this swap.
Wilma, Bella Vista means beautiful view. How cool that your family lives in an area with a nice name. It's wonderful that your son in law has accepted Christ.
I was watching television last night and there was a local pastor who actually used to be my pastor. He was preaching about dreams and not letting them die. At the end of the show, he spoke directly with aword from the Lord. He mentioned something about not losing the dream of having the book published. I knew that was for me. I told the Lord that I will hold out hope. After all there are still 3 copies of my seven books out there.
Today I received my books back from a publisher who were rejecting the idea of even reading them.
God knew I was going to need that word. I am holding fast, he is faithful that promised.
If I could submit one wish for any prayer request, it would not have to do with my books. It would be that every single person on our prayer list would come to Christ.
He is coming soon. I love the way one blogger put it....Keep your sticks on the ice
"Great post Mr Hyde.
Might I venture to guess Mac helped out with this one?"
Thank you, my dear. Actually methinks it is you who provides the positive input with the posts rather than mac.
Lori; I'm praying for those people.
Watch The Stone Report. Just FF past the conference news. You'll want to see it. Prophetic warning.
wow Joel's post on the MU is really rather scary and or exciting depending on your point of view.
Lisa
my apologies-too many Joel's
Jim did you see this? San Fran OFFICIALLY condemns catholic church
I would agree-I don't see the second beast as the US at all. The only credible verse (IMO) that could theoretically refer to the US is the verse in Isaiah 18:1-2 "Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which [is] beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters:" and it's not exactly cheery is it.
Lisa,
Thanks you.
The prophecy info starts about 7:20 into the Perry Stone Video.
Jim G.
Clueless!
Archbishop of Canterbury: 'Christian doctrine is offensive to Muslims'
You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
-Isaiah 55:12
What do I do when Satan attacks?
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
James 4:7-8 NLT
Wickedness, when you examine it, turns out to be the pursuit of some good in the wrong way. You can be good for the mere sake of goodness; you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness. You can do a kind action when you are not feeling kind and when it gives you no pleasure, simply because kindness is right; but no one ever did a cruel action simply because cruelty was wrong—only because cruelty was pleasant or useful to him. In other words, badness cannot succeed even in being bad in the same way in which goodness is good. Goodness is, so to speak, itself; badness is only spoiled goodness.… Evil is a parasite, not an original thing.
C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
The prisoner swap article is enough to make you sick in the morning.
I can't figure out why Israel would swap such an evil person for what? I don't think anyone they swapped him for was alive.
The barbarian had the red carpet treatment and people in gaza did their ususal-pass out candy.
(Doesn't it say something in the Bible that they will "pass out sweets")
Jib, Shalom! You wrote (with a link):
Jim did you see this? San Fran OFFICIALLY condemns catholic church
Oh, my Dear and Fluffy Lord...
<><
Jim C.,
I have to tell you that until this morning, I thought the picture in your profile (the one that shows up with your posts) was a big pizza! I realized I didn't know what the words around the pizza said, so I went to your profile to see the enlarged picture and then realized it wasn't a pizza afterall! Ha! Thanks for the chuckle :-)
Blessings,
Jen
Jen, shalom! I know what you mean. I wish the lettering was easier to read, but it was a choice between that and Snoopy as "Joe Cool", and I thought "Joe Cool" wasn't as appropriate.
<><
Mac, Shalom! I have to agree with you that the Archbishop of Canterbury is clueless. No wonder the Anglican Communion is self-destructing. I couldn't help but compare his comments with those of Pope John Paul II. When JP2 apologized for actions by the Church, he apologized for the actions while defending the truths of Christianity. The Archbishop sounds as if he is apologizing for Christianity itself, as if violence is an inherent (but unwanted) part of Christianity. While the Archbishop said the Christian belief in the Trinity 'is difficult, sometimes offensive, to Muslims', JP2 would (and did) say things like "Muslims reject the Christian belief in the Trinity" (i.e., a statement of fact without judgement) or "While Christian belief in a Triune God is not accepted by Muslims, our shared belief in a Supreme God can be a source of working together on common issues such as poverty."
In short, Dr. Williams seems less like a shepherd defending his flock and more like a shepherd concerned with ensuring his flock does not offend the wolves surrounding it.
Frankly, whenever someone talks about the "violent history of Christianity" I tell them that's poppycock, and tell them about the Irish. Specifically, the conversion of Irish to Christianity. We're talking about a people who could make a simple cattle raid sound like a great and glorious battle. Yet in all that time, there is not one example recorded in history of conversion by force practiced among the Irish. I then ask them why the relatively few cases of wars or battles fought for (or in defense of) Christianity is more representative of Christianity than the thousands upon thousands of Christian, working in quiet simplicity though the years, feeding and clothing the poor or caring for the sick?
<><
Here's message that just came from Beth via Sharon;
I am really struggling, once again, with wondering when Geoff's time is up. I hate feeling this way, and I know God has brought him through so many times, but I wonder when that will no longer happen. I feel that his time left on this earth is growing near and I don't want him to know that I feel like that. But, every time he ends up with a CT scan, it just comes back worse. I'm trying so hard to just forget about those pictures and just trust God for a complete healing, but so far all news has been bad and I hate it. Our lives just wouldn't be the same without him. I'm really tired of thinking about that. I have such a hard time just believing for a complete healing. He needs so much prayer and needs the biggest miracle ever. I know that fear isn't from God, but it sure is hard to get on top of that with the big C word. We were told that the tumors have really grown since Jan. and are pushing on his organs now and we could end up in the hospital a lot with these tumors cutting off different organs. I'm tired, angry, confused and just plain sad. I feel like he is a walking time bomb.
Please have Lori pull out all the stops for prayer warriors. If you reply to this email, please start a new one. Don't send this back with it as I don't want Geoff to know how I feel.
Love to all,
Beth
Here's message that just came from Beth via Sharon;
I am really struggling, once again, with wondering when Geoff's time is up. I hate feeling this way, and I know God has brought him through so many times, but I wonder when that will no longer happen. I feel that his time left on this earth is growing near and I don't want him to know that I feel like that. But, every time he ends up with a CT scan, it just comes back worse. I'm trying so hard to just forget about those pictures and just trust God for a complete healing, but so far all news has been bad and I hate it. Our lives just wouldn't be the same without him. I'm really tired of thinking about that. I have such a hard time just believing for a complete healing. He needs so much prayer and needs the biggest miracle ever. I know that fear isn't from God, but it sure is hard to get on top of that with the big C word. We were told that the tumors have really grown since Jan. and are pushing on his organs now and we could end up in the hospital a lot with these tumors cutting off different organs. I'm tired, angry, confused and just plain sad. I feel like he is a walking time bomb.
Please have Lori pull out all the stops for prayer warriors. If you reply to this email, please start a new one. Don't send this back with it as I don't want Geoff to know how I feel.
Love to all,
Beth
Good work Israel for appeasing the enemy.
Now we want to kidnap more
Hi everyone!
Sunny and warm in Bella Vista and I am enjoying the days here with my family. I read all of the comments and just wanted Lori to know that I am standing with you in prayer for Geoff and Beth. Lori you know what action to take in regard to those tumors and I am standing in agreement and authority with you regarding them.
To everyone: I refuse to let fear into the front, back, side or garage door of my being and there is nothing any worse to stop the flow of the Holy Spirit than fear and doubt. If you are sowing either of these two characters into others hearts, you are abetting the enemy of our souls. This is the time to understand and start using the authority of the believers. You are not the victims, you are the redeemed and enabled to stand in any battle. You might not like what I am telling you but it is time to quit being whimps and start living the life of Authorized Born Again Believers in Jesus Christ and all of the subsequent power of that relationship.
I just experienced a near death attack on my own body and if I hadn't stood my ground you would be hearing my daughter tell you of my death. I AM NOT KIDDING ANY OF YOU IN THE LEAST! I exhibited all of the classic symptoms of a massive heart attack while eating lunch with daughter and son-in-law. My throat froze up, couldn't swallow, breath and the pain was horrible. I felt like something was squeezing the life out of me and to breath was excuciatingly painful. My head hurt so bad that I thought it would explode and I didn't have anyway of speaking except "Jesus"! Did you know you can say that word gasping for breath or without breath? I felt the grip on my heart loosen, then I said "Jesus, HELP!" Another loosening and then I said, "I plead" and the fist let loose. I walked out of the restaurant on my own and even though I didn't feel too great and we came home, I know what was happening would have killed me if I had not spoken out.
It took all of my strength and will power to do it but God moved the tormenter out of my way so I could continue the fight for His kingdom. My heart rate was really crazy for a while and the ER physician was very serious about me leaving the hospital. I know hospitals are great places for sick people but I am not ready to turn in my bowling shoes just yet.
Do what you want but don't forget, the choice is yours to choose blessings or cursing, life or death. I choose life and that I give totally to the Lord and His kingdom./
Love you all,
Grany
Wilma,
I stand in agreement for you against the attack from the enemy. He has no power over you. I'm grateful you know the authority we have in Christ.
It sounds to me like Beth's faith has waivered. I am praying that God would strengthen her faith. He certainly needs her to be speaking the word of God over now, not giving up on him.
It's sad in one respect that I cannot contact her. I just pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to her in such a way that she will recognize this as an attack and take appropriate measures.
Again, Wilma, I'm glad you're with us.
I have prayed for Geoff and his family--that if it is God's will, he will be healed, and that through this experience they all will grow closer to Him.
Vicki
Bush Says Drill, Drill, Drill — and Oil Drops $9!
Jim C.
Hereare some Catholic inspired video clips that could keep you quite busy. All kinds of things. The Main Sitemay be "on the fringe" Catholic.
I didn't go into it but thought you might get a charge (one way or another) out of it.
Lori,
I will be praying for Beth and Goeff and the rest of their family.
Grany, thank you for sharing your stories.
I was so happy to read about your son in law.
I was wondering if the DVD's and books of Joel's that you gave your family members for Christmas helped lead him to Christ?
Scott (and everyone else), thanks for the posts and information.
Things are getting very interesting, to say the least
Just started listening to this podcast from Calvary Chapel.
I was at the part about choosing life. It is the one entitled "What does the Lord require?"
I say AMEN to you Wilma! Thank you Lord Jesus for your victory for our Wilma!
http://nwcpodcast.org/
Love you my friend!
Grace
PS: praying for Beth and Geoff
Praise God - Wilma!!!!
Glad you're still with us & about your son-in-law.
Lori - Am praying for Geoff & family - very sad.
Vicki said it perfectly:
...that if it is God's will, he will be healed, and that through this experience they all will grow closer to Him.
Obama's 'Big Brother' vanishes from speech
'Civilian security force' excised from 'call to service' transcript
I echo what Alesia said -praise God, Wilma! Also praying for Beth and Geoff - may God's perfect will be done.
Tony Snow: The President's Defender
And if it is God's will the Geoff enter into His arms forever, where there is no pain, so suffering, no sickness, no death, praise God! ANd all will grow closer to Him!
Under the link "Here" I posted for Jim C. there is a 39min speech called:
"Current Freemasonic Enemies of America and the World."
This pastor does a very good job in identifying the root cause of the disease of "Global Spirituality" and how it has spread out like cancer into our society. If you wonder "why" current events are progressing as they are-it's worth watching.
The pastor is Catholic-yet he identifies how Catholicism has embraced the UN and this underlying Global theology.
Jim C.
The reason why I asked you those questions the other day is because I fear the Catholic Church will eventually permit ties w/the Anti-Christ. I don't know if it's the largest but it's certainly the most political & visible Church on the world stage.
When this psuedo peace maker comes on the scene to unite the world do you see the Catholic organization standing against & apart from that?
His intentions won't be initially obvious. It's peace & unity. Why would the Pope go against it? Is'nt that what he's about? We see him shaking the hands of every group of religious leaders in the world.
(At the rate the Protestant types are going I see them accepting the Unity theology as well.)
At first everyone will probably be able to worship their own god in peace. (various countries already have and are building "Worship Gardens" where every major religion is represented) Then as they come together into this "spiritual enlightenment" it will turn into "we really all worship the same god."
Then the Anti-Christ will finally say "yeah and I'm he!" Now bow down & worship me!
Many people will already love him because he has brought unity & peace to the world so those who resist will become the "enemy."
Didn't the Temple Mount org. also echo something similar in that it will be re-contructed for "everyone's" benefit? (I wonder if there is more info on that one.)
In that same clip the pastor was also against a group called "Promise Keepers." So to find out why I did a little snooping around. I first checked out their main website which didn't raise any red flags-but after some do diligence I can see why.
Seek God
The Pubic Eyeexplains more about the "inside" teachings to the men which are not readily apparent.
This was unreal-taken from another site:
"And do note that Freemasonry is a male-only organization. Masonry is also suspect in a book that Promise Keepers distributed widely to its membership, called "The Masculine Journey." This book teaches Christian men to emphasize their manhood (i.e. penis), just like pagan witchcraft and Freemasonry. Author of this very-controversial book, Robert Hicks, writes:
"We are called and addressed by God in terminology that describes who and what we are -- zakar, phallic males. Possessing a penis places unique requirements upon men before God in how they are to worship Him. We are called to worship God as phallic kinds of guys, not as some sort of androgynous, neutered non-males, or the feminized males so popular in many feminist-enlightened churches. We are told by God to worship Him in accordance with what we are, phallic men" (p. 49, http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/pk/pk-tmj.htm).
"Our culture has presented many initiation rites or passages to manhood that are associated with the phallus [penis]. Which ones have you experienced? Do you have a story to share with other men about one such event?" ("Exploring the Issues with Other Men").
Other objections are that they support:
"Faith Only" re: salvation
"Millennial" in view.
lisa;
"Possessing a penis places unique requirements upon men before God in how they are to worship Him. We are called to worship God as phallic kinds of guys, not as some sort of androgynous, neutered non-males, or the feminized males so popular in many feminist-enlightened churches. We are told by God to worship Him in accordance with what we are, phallic men" (p. 49, "
These false teachers have obviously never read their Bibles!!
Wonder what they believe about gays?? I read the following verses as having nothing to do with the flesh!
Jhn 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Jhn 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
Maranatha!
(My apologies on the length of this post. Because most of you aren't Catholic, I feel compelled to go into more detail so you understand Catholic thought and belief. If most of you WERE Catholic, I'd be skipping over a lot of this stuff.)
Lisa, Shalom! You wrote:
Here are some Catholic inspired video clips that could keep you quite busy. All kinds of things. The Main Site may be "on the fringe" Catholic.
Feh. The group running the web site (Most Holy Family Monastery) are Sedevacantists, a latin word that means "empty chair." They are schismatics who believe that Pope Pius XII was the last true Pope. They believe that John XXIII was not elected properly, or that he apostasized, and that every Pope from that time to the present (which includes Pope Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI) are anti-Popes and that there is no real true Pope. Their real issue is that they do not like the reforms created in Vatican II. Rather than go through and show why each and every document from Vatican II is wrong, they want to have the entire Ecumenical Council thrown out. The easiest way to do that is to say that Pope John XXIII was not a true pope; if he wasn't a true pope then he didn't have the authority to call an ecumenical council, therefore, Vatican II and everything coming from it is invalid.
You can read more about Sedevacantism and the arguments against it here.
I'll have to watch that video about Freemasonry. Freemasonry has been defined by the Church as a non-Christian cult and very dangerous spiritually; and has forbidden any Catholic from joining the Freemasons and any group derived from them. While you don't see very much active anti-Catholicism among the Masons in America, it is a very strong anti-Catholic movement in Europe. About 20 years ago, a banker who was wanted for questioning in Italy was found hanging from under a bridge in London. It turned out later that:
a) he was a fairly high-level Mason;
b) he had embezzled or mismanaged a number of investment accounts, all with some connection to the Vatican;
c) his death was not a suicide (hands tied behind his back; noose tied and placed by someone else, death by strangulation) and that he went without a struggle to his death; and
d) the placement of the body during hanging and its location (at the intersection of the government and financial districts in London) was very symbolic to Masons -- someone wanted to send a message to somebody.
The resulting financial scandal brought down the Italian government and (more directly) almost bankrupted the Vatican. Pope JP2 had to call a special synod of bishops to discuss the financial crisis. Officially, the case is unsolved; unofficially, it's considered to have been a direct attack by the Freemasons aimed at destroying the Catholic Church through financial means.
Prophetically, in 1972, Pope Paul VI said in a homily marking the 9th anniversary of his coronation that, “from some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God.” (You can read an analysis of this homily here. He was NOT saying there were Satanists in the Vatican, or the the 2nd Vatican Council was the smoke. He was saying that there was something preternaturally evil at work, using secular "social experts" to distort the decisions of the Council and bring confusion to the Church. In other words, using secular society to attack the Church. I'm mentioning this because there are some people who believe the "smoke of Satan" also refers to elements of Freemasonry, i.e., worldly desires, infecting the Church. I'm thinking of this priest (Priest investigated over $6.5m exorcism scam), this con man from a few months ago (Italy: Fake priest linked to exorcism fraud), and the Protestant ministers in Africa who preach the Gospel of Prosperity, driving expensive cars while the people attending their meetings live in poverty.
I'm more concerned about what I wrote in the previous blog, about the possibility of an invalidly elected Pope and a true schism. I used to think that in the event of a major schism, I would follow Rome. Now, I'm thinking I'm going to have to listen carefully to what each claimant to the Throne of Peter is saying. You may want to read Mark Mallett's blog about for formation of "parallel communities", where one community holds the believers, and the other holds those who follow the new faith. (Guess which community has more food? Trumpets of Warning! — Part V)
Lisa, Shalom! You are coming up with SUCH material lately that I can't help but respond!
I remember when Promise Keepers came out, they had to set up a separate parallel organization for Catholics, since some of the "promises" that the men were supposed to make were phrased in such a way that Catholics couldn't make them. I assumed that it had to do with "Sola Scripture"; but I can tell you that "Sola Fides" (only faith) would have been a deal-breaker too!
I remember also, that the organization grew so quickly that there were financial problems and accusations of mismanagement; membership dropped off quickly, but the organization re-organized and (last I heard) was doing well. I'd be interested in knowing if the Hicks book was distributed before or after the reorganization. To me, it's a perfect example of how subtle heresy can be. The RCC defines heresy as "a truth emphasized out of balance with other truths." I can see much of what Hicks said being a good and valid part of an anthropology text. What Hicks is doing and where he goes wrong is emphasizing a truth (men have penises) and saying it is THE defining truth. It ignores the other truths (That it is an outward sign of masculinity, but not the sum total of who men are; that G_D has given men gifts and talents [SEPARATE from the penis] that He has not given to women, that we need to be aware of, treasure, and use these gifts in the worship of G_D) in favor of focusing on phallic-based initiation rites.
<><
Shalom, all! I'd warn this Episcopalian bishop to be careful who he defines as "demonic"
US bishop hits out at 'demonic' African church leaders
Christian clerics from Africa have criticised US liberals for encouraging progressive practices including the ordination of gay priests and the blessings of same-sex unions, calling them apostates and blaming them for causing a schism in the Anglican Communion.
...
Angered by their criticism, Chane denied that the Episcopal church was guilty of leading the Anglican communion into error.
"I think it's really very dangerous when someone stands up and says: 'I have the way and I have the truth and I know how to interpret holy scripture and you are following what is the right way,'" he said "It's really very, very dangerous and I think it's demonic.
<><
Jim, did you scare everyone off, giving us too much homework? (no new post since 11:31am!)
Anne,
Sometimes I wonder! Truthfully, it seems that afternoons are pretty slow here around the cave.
<><
I'm here - watching everything.
Muhahahahaha
Excuse me,
Are we suppose to have a full blood red moon tonight? It's at least Blood Orange
Can anyone else see it? I didn't think TN had that much smog.
Lisa
Funny you should say that, Lisa. Our moon tonight here in Michigan was very orange, too. Could it have something to do with the fires in California?
Now the orange/red faded back to normal color as it reached higher in the sky.
At least those Africans have some good sense in standing on the Word and calling it like it is.The Africans must actually be reading their Bibles.
Look who calls who demonic-anytime you call out error your labled "Demonic","Pharisee" etc..
These gay people will use this same agenda they already have going with outlawing the Bible. They will rewrite their own w/o any offensive remarks in it which will then be considered "legal".
John G.,
The Promise Keepers are actually quite Anti-Gay. It's the usual truth mixed with error deception.
Satan has numerous tracks going at once to take us straight to hell.The problem is people who don't read their Bibles don't know any better or want to be bothered to know. We really should be reading His World daily.
Sue from Praise & Coffee put up an awesome post of an article that Tony Snow wrote almost exactly one year ago & was published in Christianity Today - Tony Snow article
Very good!
Thanks Sue
Lisa and Michigander, Shalom!
If the moon is full, then what you're seeing is called a Harvest Moon. The color change is due to particulates in the air. It could be from the fires in California, but it's just as likely to be humidity.
<><
Shalom, all. I don't know if I'm just bored ("C'mon! Just a little war? Something prophetic?"), down because I don't have a job yet, or just being in a very dark place. I've been reading different prophecies, and they all involve death, disaster, and the destruction of the USA (or significant portions thereof). My oldest daughter (living with me until they get the housing situation figured out at the University -- about $213 million in flood damage there) is mostly used to my insane behavior ("Dad, how many jars of peanut butter and bags of rice do we need?"), but I think she thinks I've gone a little over the top after sitting her down yesterday and telling her that, when faced with a choice between suicide and rape, it is morally acceptable to choose suicide.
This came after considering the possibility of invasion by China, which I think is a significant possibility after the coming economic collapse, since they hold the bulk of America's debt. The thing that China needs more than anything else, even more than food, is women. There are several tens of millions more men than there are women in China, enough of a difference that there's a good chance that a majority of young men 18-25 will never find a wife in China. (You know, that age group where males are looking for mates and wind up joining the army?) Gang-based sexual violence against women is a growing problem in the cities, and there's a growing business in Southeast Asia of kidnapping women from the surrounding countries and selling them into marriage in China. My nightmare is an invading army that will round up women and force them into Army "pleasure camps" like the Japanese did with the Koreans during WW2. Ergo, my heart-to-heart with her yesterday.
On the plus side, we went to see "Kung-Fu Panda" today -- really funny!
<...sigh...>
So how are you all doing? (Glad you're still here, BTW, Grany!)
<><
"but I think she thinks I've gone a little over the top after sitting her down yesterday and telling her that, when faced with a choice between suicide and rape, it is morally acceptable to choose suicide."
HUH? SAY WHAT???
Jim - can you please back this up with scripture or at the very least your thoughts on this.
Me very confused. :-(
BTW - 2 things...
Jim - Sorry you are in a dark place. I forgot to add.
The Tony Snow article is also posted at Joel Rosenberg's site, as well.
Campsmore,
This is for Beth & Geoff.
The Lord is faithful. I wanted to say something but was waiting to send along words of inspiration when Andrew Strom sent this out today. He didn't write it but when I saw this I knew it was just the inspired words I was looking for and is meant for you.
"How often have we been tempted to give up on God, on prayer, on
waiting, on patience and endurance, because God delayed in
answering prayer immediately? How many parents, after praying
for decades, have still not seen the salvation of a child? How many
believers have prayed night and day for healing, but still suffer or have to behold the suffering of a loved-one? Not a few have prayed
and fasted for their financial needs to be met, and have agonized
because of mounting debt? BUT GOD was in full control and had
a reason for the delay, for delays are not denials. We must keep
the bow string taut and continue to pray, for only God knows how
close to the crest of the hill we are. We must not give up despite
disappointments, for God will justify Himself and bring glory to
Himself. That great man of faith, Elijah, not only prayed to God for
rain. He also kept gazing toward the horizon for the tell-tale signs
of a cloud, until eventually a cloud the size of a man's fist
appeared. He persevered until the heavens unleashed its glory,
and God's word was fulfilled.
Had Jesus forgotten Mary and Martha? We see this very clearly in
the raising of Lazarus—that tenderest and most touching of all
miracles. When Lazarus was ill - when his state had become critical -Martha and Mary, you remember, sent word to Jesus. Now Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, and the happiest memories
encircled that village home; yet the Gospel tells us that when
Jesus heard the news, He abode two days still in the place where
He was. There are seasons when two days seems like a moment;
there are seasons when two days seems an eternity. When a life
is in the balance half-an-hour is endless; twice four-and-twenty
hours is unbearable. What did it mean? Had Jesus quite forgotten
them? Was He deaf and dead to the prayers of the sisters' love? I
think that Martha and Mary, with their eyes on dying Lazarus,
knew the burden of divine delay. They knew its burden then; they
know its meaning now. They see it irradiated with purpose and
with wisdom. A little boon might have been granted instantly, but
the great actions of God have tardy wheels. The greater and richer the blessing that we pray for, the more must we reckon on the
delays of God. Nor should we forget for this is very important
what I might call the moral training of delay. Did we get everything we craved for in the very hour of asking it, I think it would be a long farewell to manhood. The one sure way to ruin a young child is to give it immediately all for which it asks; and to the Ancient of days,whose hairs are white as wool (see Dan_7:9), I fancy the oldest readers are but as little children.
Think of Christ's treatment of the Syro-phoenician woman when
she came to Him praying for her daughter. All her motherhood was
on her lips and in her eyes as she pled and interceded for her child.
Do you think it was cruel of Christ to answer her never a word?
Do you think it was harsh to speak about the dogs? How much
we should have missed, and how much Christ Himself would have
missed, had it not been for that practice of delay! It was that which called out in her fine persistence, her faith, her wit, all that was brightest in her. She might have been anybody when she began,but she was a woman among women when she ended. And many
a person has begun by being anybody, and ended by being a
woman among women, because they were kept praying and
pleading long for something that was to be granted by and by.
Work reveals character, but so does waiting. Waiting shows the
baby or the man. We need to be tested to prove if we be worthy
just to receive and use the thing we crave. So it often is that God
delays, and will not answer us, and keeps us waiting. It is not in
scorn, but in the wisest love, that He will not for a while.
There Is Silent Preparation behind God's Delay
Then it is very helpful to remember that divine delay does not mean inactivity. God is not idle when He does not answer us; He is busier preparing the answer than we think. There have been men
of genius who could only work irregularly; for long periods they
seemed to do nothing at all. Then suddenly, and as if by inspiration,
their powers took fire and they wrought at a white heat. You may
be sure of it that the periods in between were not so idle as the
world considered them. By thought, by reading, by communion
with glad nature, half unconsciously they were preparing for their work. And when the kindling came, and the fire burned within them,when they were divinely swept into utterance or action, they owed far more than we should ever guess to the silent preparation of delay. As it is with men of genius, so with God, only in loftier and nobler ways. His delays are not the delays of inactivity. They are the delays of preparation. In an instant the tropical storm may burst and break, yet for weeks unseen the storm has been preparing. The sunshine of May comes, and all the world is green, yet on God's loom of January that robe was being spun. And the morning breaks when at last some prayer is answered, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose, yet the answer was being fashioned in these very years when we said there was no eye to pity and no arm to save."
campsmore,
If you copy & paste it onto Word and send as an attachment it comes out normal. I wanted to correct the hard returns but I think I had deleted notepad as I don't have it.
The Holy War--A Spiritual Warfare Primer
Prayer for God's will
Sometimes prayer is not so easy. We ask, we seek, we wait, we hope, and we yearn to hear from God. Yet, many times, what we ask for does not come to pass and our prayers seem to be spoken into the void. But, that can be quite good. Have there ever been prayers that you are glad were not answered? Sometimes our short sightedness causes us to pray outside the will of God, and that is the problem.
When Jesus was praying in Luke 22:42, in the Garden of Gesthemene, He asked the Father, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." Jesus did not want to go through the ordeal of the crucifixion and He asked the Father for a way out. His prayer was not answered the way Jesus requested. Nevertheless, He submitted His will to the will of the Father, and that is the key to prayer.
What would be a good prayer? Depending on the subject, it would be a request to the Lord to forgive, to heal, to reveal, to interceded, to help, etc. But, and this is important, we must realize that it is not our will that is to be done, but God's. We must primarily ask for God's will to be accomplished, not ours. This means that we must enter prayer by faith and accept, in advance, that what we are requesting may not be answered the way we hope it will. We must look to God as the wise counselor, the all-knowing Lord who loves us deeply and who hears our prayers, but has a divine plan and purpose for His creation that God will carry out. Therefore, we must not only pray for others, for forgiveness, for healing, etc., we must also pray that we are moved into the will of God in every area of our lives so that our prayers might more accurately reflect the will of God.
Furthermore, we must ask the Lord to reveal to us anything that we are doing that prevents our prayers from being heard and prevents us from being in His will. We must seek forgiveness for our sins and conformity to God's purpose and plan. Then, our prayers will be more frequently answered.
Are your prayers answered? If not, perhaps you might want to evaluate whether or not you are in the will of God? Perhaps you might want to pray specifically to be in the will of God in your life, your desires, your location, your job, your service, etc. Ask God to speak to you and to guide you into His will.
Jim,
Suicide is the same as murdering yourself. Since we don't believe in unconditional security:
Rev 21:7
"He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be His God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly,unbelieving,abominable
, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
We might be babies here-nothing bad ever happens to us but I believe women getting stolen & raped was quite common place in the Bible.I don't recall the Jewish women who were taken into captivity killing themselves.(And some were raped by those fallen angels-BLAH)
Jim, we have to endure to the end-that's His rules.There is no easy way out.We can't be cowardly either.
And you had to bring up the China Men thing up did you? I never even considered that one. But I'll tell you what- there is no way I'm killing myself over it. We have to fear God more than man & look forward to our blessed hope.
Your allowing the enemy to get ahold of your mind-have Jesus kick his butt out of there.If you need to cry out-cry out.He is faithful.
Perspective-Look at eternity versus our fleeting moments on this earth.
2 Timothy 3:10-14
"But you have carefully followed my doctrine,manner of life ,purpose,faith,longsuffering,
love,perserverance,persecutions
,afflictions,with happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I have endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution....
But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.But you continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of , knowing from whom you have learned them..."
Keep your mind on Christ and heaven bound-your getting anxious of things to come. (Which may or may not happen like we predict)
I read somewhere that a man made a comment that he wished that he lived in the Biblical days.The days of the apostles when history was written down. He was then reminded that he IS living in Biblical History at THIS VERY MOMENT.
Should we consider it an honor? Or merely a burdon?
Alesia, my apologies! Yes, I should have explained that more!
The viewpoint came from the time of the Muslim invasions of Europe, particularly the Ottoman Empire. There were numerous examples of the Muslim soldiers gang-raping the women when conquering a city, frequently raping the women to death. The ones who were left alive could be taken back as booty, to be sold into a harem, never to see a Christian face again. The question arose that, in the face of such defilement (there's a reason rape used to be called "a fate worse than death"), what were the acceptable options for Christian women. It was decided that in cases where (for example) the woman has been chased to the top of a tower and her only visible options are to suffer defilement or to throw herself off the tower to protect her virtue, that this act of suicide was morally acceptable (not preferable, but acceptable) and would not be considered a sin of despair as an ordinary act of suicide would be. It would fall into the same class as several of the early Church saints with the title, "Virgin and Martyr" -- women who fought against their attackers to the point of death.
In my mind I was imagining what would happen if the trucks rolled into town to pick up women for the pleasure camps, what could she do.
Like I said, a very dark place...
<><
The virgin on the tower sounds like the Knights Templar or something.
Remaining a virgin is not the be all end all(throw youself off a cliff for it) but I can understand fighting to your death.
At least the final outcome is not of your own doing. If it's God's will He may interceed someway if your fighting for you life.
If you place the decision in your own hands-that just may prove your faithlessness.
Our Riches in Christ:
Discovering the Believer's Inheritance in Ephesians
"Prayer for God's Will"
post at 10:15pm
AMEN & AMEN
Great post Mac!
Jim C,
Thanks for clarifying. I have thoughts about that, but no time to write. I'll try to comment later.
Have a Blessed day all!
The word of God slowed the bullet so that it didn’t kill anybody
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
07-18-2008
"They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which He had given their forefathers through Moses" (Judg. 3:4).
There is a spiritual truth God revealed in the conquest of the Promised Land recorded in Judges chapter 3: "These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan" (Judg 3:1-3).
They didn't pass the test. "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs" ( Judg 3:7-8).
Martin Luther said there are three things necessary to create a successful minister of God: prayer, meditation, and temptation. You'll really never know the strength and reality of your faith until you experience difficulty in life. You'll never know for sure whether God can be trusted or if you'll fall to temptation.
The apostle Peter thought his faith in Christ was solid until the temptation came to deny Him. Jesus knew Peter was not mature yet and that he would deny Jesus three times in one day. Peter didn't believe it. Sure enough, Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter could not believe he could do such a terrible thing. In order to discover this about himself, he needed to be placed in a situation to reveal his true condition.
God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart.
If you fail the test, do not be overly concerned. Learn from it and grow through the experience just as Peter did.
China Prepares Olympic Bible Giveaway
Even this guy is into Rick Warren!
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, who oversees publications for the China Christian Council, told China Daily. “The Olympic spirit and the spirit of living a ‘purpose-driven life’ that Christians believe in come together in the combination.”
PLEASE WATCH Our YOUTUBE VIDEOS
"AN INSIDER's WARNING" - Lakeland Revival
Ian Mander from Video Foundry has done a great job putting
these videos together in a hurry. There are 5 parts - totalling
about 35 mins. The series is called "AN INSIDER's WARNING".
Please give comments and ratings and also post them on blogs,
etc, if you can, my friends? -This will be a huge help.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
(He could have picked a better choice for the music but he did make some great points.)
JIm, please know that I will be praying for you today. I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing to be in a dark place from time to time as I believe the Bible teaches that we can grow during these times.
Please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers as everyone here is. I really do think about you all often throughout the day!
:)
I encourage everyone to read over the links mac sent out on Ephesians...I haven't read these particular links, but know Ephesians is about the riches we ALREADY have in Christ because of what HE has done.
All (or at least most) of the letters in the New Testament explain that there is NOTHING that can separate us from Christ.
Unbelief is the ONLY unforgiveable sin, as thru unbelief we are not forgiven.
It is important to read the letters as a whole letter....not just a line here or there.
I know I sound like a broken record as I have suggested this many times...but it is important.
It just surprises me that believers could think that what they do has an affect on their salvation.
It has to do with faith and what is in the heart.
To not understand this is missing out on so much...the whole thing really.
I am not planning to get into another debate about this again...I just urge folks to read the letters that explain what Christ has ALREADY accomplished for us.
Thats what the letters are for...to teach us about what Christ has done for us. They all say the same thing. That's what the "good news" is all about.
There are lots of good Bible teachers out there who put these letters and other books of the BIble into outline form to help guide us.
I KNOW I am going to heaven no matter what I DO. (Of course if I completely turn away and totally reject Christ at some pt in time, that would be a different story; I don't believe its possible for that to happen to a "true" believer who had a "saving" faith in Him and Him alone).
So thats all I have to say for now!
<><
Maranatha!!
donna;
Thank you for the post at 7:10.
You have stated the believers position in Christ very well!
It just surprises me that believers could think that what they do has an affect on their salvation.
"It has to do with faith and what is in the heart.
To not understand this is missing out on so much...the whole thing really. Thats what the letters are for...to teach us about what Christ has done for us. They all say the same thing. That's what the "good news" is all about. I KNOW I am going to heaven no matter what I DO. (Of course if I completely turn away and totally reject Christ at some pt in time, that would be a different story; I don't believe its possible for that to happen to a "true" believer who had a "saving" faith in Him and Him alone)."
Amen!
Maranatha!
mac;
Thank you for the link to the teaching in Ephesians. I am in the process of reading and it is very good. Most of us need to be reminded all the time of this truth!
Maranatha!
Mac, thank you so much for your commentary, "Prayer for God's Will." Excellent thoughts.
Donna, I read an interesting thing today:
What if someone had told Noah, "You won't be saved by that ark you're building; you're saved by your relationship with God."
If Noah had believed her and stopped building the ark as a result -- where would we be now?
Hope all on the forum have a good weekend!
Vicki
Mr Carroll, speaking as one who has been in a dark place once or twice in the past, and who has been delivered out through the mercy of the Lord each time - know that I'm praying with you.
Read ALL the Word. 2 Tim 3:16,17
True Christians in the past have been led away from God by false teachers. (2 Tim 2:18, Rom 16:17,18; 2 Cor 11:3,4;Col 2:18 etc.)
Sin in the life of a true Christian can lead to spiritual death.( Luke 15:24,32; Rom 8:13;
Jam 1:14-16;5:19,20;Gal 5:19-21,6:7,8 etc.)
Ezekiel 33:17-20
"Yet the children of your people say,"The way of the Lord is not fair! When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die (spiritual death)because of it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to your ways."
Ezekiel 3:20,21
"Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die;because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you have delivered your soul.
Read Ezekiel 18:21-32
Ezekiel 18:24
"But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity (YES IT IS POSSIBLE), and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered;because the unfaithfullness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
(John 14:15)
Here's a new take on how the 3rd Temple/Temple Mount situation might shake out. Our Joel is even mentioned by the book reviewer.
Whadaya think, Jim C?
Temple Mount fiction
Blessings,
Jen
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.
The Lord asks us to be honest and fair. If you are from the OSAS position, please don't misrepresent the position of those who reject OSAS as a position of advocating salvation by works. None of us believe that we can earn salvation. What we are saying is that salvation is by faith and faith needs to be active and ongoing.
Just as a marriage can end in death (divorce)if neglected, and just as a physical birth can end in death if neglegted, so too can spiritual birth according to Holy Scriptures.
I think it is worth noting that none of us did anything to be born (physically). Life (whether physical or spiritual) is a gift of God. Perhaps you can say that our parents obviously did some work conceiving us but ultimately all physical life is a gift from God. The fact that physical and spiritual death exist is attributable to our choices, not God's. There is no blame to place on God and He is not any less holy and perfect and just if we choose to walk away from the precious gift of either physical or spiritual life that He gives us when we place our faith in Him. It is also worth noting that Jesus conquered both sin and death. I think Scripture clearly teaches that He conquered both spiritual and physical death. When we abide in Him, we identify with both His death and resurrection. Not even physical death will overcome the one who abides in Christ. The choice to abide is ours. The work is His.
Apostacy of people who were once in Christ is a real possibility. It happens not due to works but due to a person ceasing to keep their faith in the one and only name by which we can be saved.
This position is not saying that we are saved by works (unless of course you believe that saving faith = works).
Jim G.
Question for those who embrace OSAS:
Are little children saved? Let's assume we believe in some age of accountability that only God is able to judge. Are little ones who have not yet reached that age saved? If they die prior to that age, do they go to heaven or hell?
Are some adults not saved?
If you answered yes to both questions, then clearly you do believe that a person can lose their salvation. Right?
Jim G.
In other words, how do children pass from being saved, to being unsaved as they pass into the age of accountability?
I don't want to label myself as being OSAS, as I'm not comfortable with that term.
It just sounds to me as if some of you say that salvation is by faith and faith alone, but you also have to do x y and z to continue being saved.
Wrong!
I believe the Bible teaches that you are saved by faith and faith alone and works will follow.
"I'll show you my faith by my works".
And if we yeild to Him, He will use us and work thru us.
If we do not yeild to Him we can quench the Holy Spirit... but we will still be saved by thru faith in Him.
"There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Like I said, I do not want to get into another big debate about it...but here I am doing it!
<><
My position and understanding of faith and how it works in regards to salvation goes back to my original question. Where do you view faith as originating? If you view faith as originating from yourself, then logically you are the one who must maintain that faith in order to keep your salvation. I can see how then one would think you could lose your salvation, if you stop believing. Faith from self then logically in my mind becomes a work we do. I am not fearful I will stop believing but that I will be disobedient. I understand Ephesians to say that faith is part of the gift of salvation. Faith, the ability to believe the gospel message and submit to it, comes from God. It must if we are spiritually dead. This makes salvation a complete work of God so that God gets the glory and we can’t boast. And this type of faith will never die. It may wax and wane and become disobedient at times, but it will never cease because God is the author of faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Those who fall away were only playing church. They are the tares, the look-a-likes, and the church is full of them. When the gospel reached their heart it took "no firm root". (Mt. 13:21) Who plants the root? Who’s the Master Gardener? There are many verses and passages where it says God chooses. There are also verses and passages that say our salvation is not according to man’s will. This is obviously God’s perspective. I am most happy to rest in His power, love, choice, and mercy on my behalf and not take any credit for choosing Him. It’s all about His glory anyhow. And from God’s perspective when He chooses from before the foundation of the world it’s for all eternity. Our choice as I said before comes into play after salvation. The faith He gifts us with is to be obedient faith. When it is not, He steps in as a loving Father and disciplines us. But nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch us from the Father’s hand, not even ourselves. We are not to put our trust in Christ (I’m talking from man’s perspective now) and then go on our merry way, living like the devil. Paul says we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, not for living any old way we want to. We are to work out our gift of salvation with fear and trembling, not work for it. Here is where our will and choice factors in. If you are trying to maintain your salvation by keeping the faith in your own power, by abiding in Him in your own power, then you are working for your salvation. Confess before God that there is nothing good in you that you have to offer Him. He paid the price of sin for us in His death. He did all the work for us. Accept fully and completely His work and His work alone. As God, Jesus lived a sinless, perfect life. He met the qualifications as a perfect sacrifice for sin. The Father showed His approval of His Son’s sacrifice by raising Him from the dead. If you believe and submit yourself to all of this truth, that you are a sinner, that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, God in human flesh and Lord of the universe, that He paid the price for your sin, and He rose again so that you too might walk in newness of life, then He has granted you the gift of salvation and eternal life. He will not take that gift away nor will He let you walk away from Him. Now live obediently for Him! Thank Him for His wonderful gift! Love Him! Praise Him! Embrace Him! Serve Him! Rejoice in Him! Rest, oh rest in Him and in His wonderful grace alone!
Jen, shalom! You wrote:
Here's a new take on how the 3rd Temple/Temple Mount situation might shake out. Our Joel is even mentioned by the book reviewer.
Whadaya think, Jim C?
Huh! I can think of better plots than THIS one. And if character development doesn't matter, I've got it made!
<><
Hi, all! I'm testing a new image in my profile. Does this look better than the pizza?
<><
Kathy,
I have to admit, I have found you to be very consistent in your position. I appreciate your consistency. Given your premises, I think find your logic sound. I think we simply disagree about some of the premises. Thank you for helping us to at least distill the one of the fundamental issues here. That is, where does faith originate.
You believe that the Bible teaches it is 100% from God and that man has no part in it. God chooses the individuals to whom He will impart true faith and thus be made alive in Christ. Not all are chosen. Some are doomed from birth because God in His sovereignty has chosen not to impart saving faith into them (for reasons beyond our understanding and beyond our right to question). Once we are made alive in Christ, God holds us accountable for our actions but that accountability has to do with rewards we receive (or fail to receive) in heaven. He is the Master Gardener and He is our Loving Father who disciplines those he loves (his children). It has nothing to do with us getting to heaven (in other words, nothing to do with our eternal destiny). I hope that is a fair assessment of your understanding of the nature of salvation.
I too believe that the Bible clearly does teach that Christians will be rewarded for works done after they accept Christ as Lord and Savior. I am not implying that these works play into one's salvation.
I simply believe that if one considers the verb tenses used in the original NT Greek, it is very clear that saving faith needs to be an ongoing action, not a single event. Faith that Jesus is Lord and Savior requires yielding and surrendering to Him. The Bible teaches and admonishes us to continue to yield and surrender to His Lordship and acknowledge He is God. I'm not suggesting that in practice we do this 100% of the time without fail. When Christians fail the Lord though, they have a choice (which reflects faith). Either we repent and keep our hearts towards God or we don't.
Just like in a marriage, we fail our spouses but that doesn't mean we automatically are divorced. It takes repeated failures, hardening of one's heart, and then a decision to divorce (kill the marriage).
Anyway, that's how I understand the Bible, what it teaches about God, man, faith, and the nature of salvation (meaning being reconciled to God by His grace through faith and abiding in Christ).
It's ironic but I feel that there is more security and assurance for the believer in this position than in the OSAS position. If OSAS is really what the Bible teaches, how can a person who asks Christ into their hearts and then backslides know if they are still saved or if they never were really saved?
How can believers discern who is their brother or sister in Christ? This is important now and I think will become much more important as persecution increases.
If OSAS is not what the Bible teaches, it is INCREDIBLY dangerous because it gives people who are in danger going to hell a false sense of security. From my perspective, it is an old lie from the enemy. "Surely you won't die."
Any thoughts regarding children? Are they all initially saved?
If yes, how do some lose their salvation if OSAS is true? The answer is easy if you believe you must have the faith of a child to enter into the kingdom of God. As we grow old, we become faithless and we must express our faith in Christ and abide (remain) in Him.
Jim G.
Donna,
You wrote:
It just sounds to me as if some of you say that salvation is by faith and faith alone, but you also have to do x y and z to continue being saved.
Can you give an example of x, y, and z that we suggest is necessary?
I think the difference is the nature of faith. Do we have the ability to cease having faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord?
I think there are warnings all over the Bible about this. They are not warnings for unbelievers and they are not warnings about losing rewards in heaven. They are warnings about being separated from Christ after having entered into a saving relationship with Christ.
What about children? Are they saved? As some enter into adulthood and reject Christ, don't they lose their salvation?
Jim G.
Jim C.
I like the crucifix. It has a very "Catholic" look and feel which of course fits you well.
But I also like your original "Powered by Prayer" which by the grace of God my eyes were able to read;-)
Jim G.
Kathy,
I was talking to a godly older woman at our church whom I admire very much. She is very passionate in her love for our Lord (like you). Somehow we got on the subject of eschaetology. We just touched on it briefly but she is very convinced that Mathew 24 is for us (as opposed to a post rapture Jewish audience). She definitely believes and senses that we will experience some times of tribulation before the return of the Lord. I don't think she has read any pre-wrath books but that is definitely the conclusion she reaches from Scripture.
If you could only recommend one or maybe two books on the pre-wrath position, which would they be? I've only read Marvin Rosenthal's book.
Jim G.
Lisa,
Thanks for the video links featuring Andrew Strom you posted at 6:58AM regarding "AN INSIDER's WARNING" - Lakeland Revival.
They were very good!
Jim G.
Have Oil Prices Peaked? Crude Plunges $16 in 3 Days
HI Jim...As I mentioned earlier, my concerns are not around OSAS but around faith vs works regarding salvation.
My comments were geared towards other people's comments.
I am not sure what to think about the OSAS issue...I see it as more of a Calvinism vs Armenianism issue....with the way you describe and discuss it.
Personally, I tend to "lean towards" Calvinism but do not consider myself 100% Calvinist.
I consider myself a born again Christian, which I realize can mean lots of things, especially these days it seems!
I trust in God thru Jesus Christ for all things.
The end of Job teaches about the vastness of God....
I don't like to put too many other labels on myself.
I do however, believe 100% that the BIble teaches that we can enter into heaven ONLY thru a saving faith in Jesus's copmpleted work alone.
NO amount of works on our part will help gain us entry into heaven.
This is the pt I am trying to emphasize.
I just spotted this interesting article on
The Olive Tree Ministry Website
Dinars for Dollars: Arabs Buying Out Collapsing Western Banks
Donna
I suspect you might be more comfortable with the actual name of the osas position which is "eternal security"-one's position in Christ is eternally secure because of His work on the Cross and that you can't lose your salvation by sinning. I think the root is essentially Calvinism vs Armenianism. While I don't know that there is actual scriptural proof for a meld of the two I still think that both can be satisfied by a concept of general predestination (ie a the world was created such that a certain number of people will come to Christ throughout history) and free will-individuals then exercise their free will to be part of the general group. Calvinism generally teaches that individuals are predestined-you will be saved but not your neighbor or your brother etc. While I am acquainted with the verses that support predestination I find it odd that God would send Christ to die for the whole world if only specific individuals are already chosen to be saved. The concept of limited atonement (which is a logical out growth of individual predestination) I don't find to be scriptural.
Jim G
no one who teaches the position of eternal security teaches that children are "saved" at birth. Since most who hold to eternal security are of the calvinist bent they also teach the total depravity of man. The age of accountability as taught by many probably only has inferred support from scripture and Jewish tradition. As an example, David clearly thought his newborn son went to paradise at death but does that mean all children when they die go to heaven. I read some scripture recently that if one of the parents was of faith then their child would be saved but if born into a household of no faith they were not-sorry don't remember the actual verses but I think Wayne referred to it recently and could likely refer you to the verse. That brings up an interesting point when one considers all the children who have been aborted. What will their eternal destiny be? They never even made it to birth so no decision could be made but if you believe that they are unique persons at the moment of conception what do we do with them? Doesn't the Bible say somewhere that all are conceived in sin?
two prayer requests
It is official-I did fracture toes and foot bone and they are healing but very slowly. In fact, I now have to wear my big boot instead of the little shoe because I am having too much pain and too slow a recovery. Plus originally there was some question as to whether the foot was fractured (when the doc compared my xray of now to the xray of 5 years ago they are different and thus fracture confimred). I also may have some nerve injury. I am still not allowed to drive so hubby is still being chauffeur which is problematic when I am on call because if it's the middle of the night everyone has to wake up and go in.
number two
my brother needs a new job. the charter school he is teaching at most likely is going to fire him in less than 20 days. seems he has fallen afoul of the owner's daughter by doing good deeds. He had hoped to get a job much closer to home but that apparently has fallen through. his name is Todd.
duh
pray for faster healing for me.
Jim G,
I would recommend to your friend The Prewrath Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple by Kristen's dad. Marv's book is also excellent as well.
I prefer the term eternal security over OSAS because it could lead someone who made a decision for Christ into believing that they can go on their merry way, living as they please. We are instructed to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith.
I do see Scripture giving us God's perspective on salvation and man's perspective on salvation.
God has foreknowledge, He predestines, He chooses, He calls, He's the author, giver of faith, He justifies, He glorifies.
Man hopes in Christ (Eph. 1:12), we believe in Christ. (Eph. 1:13)
An anonymous lyricist melds the two beautifully in the hymn "The Inner Life": "I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me; it was not I that found, O Saviour true; no, I was found of Thee. "
When we are saved we are enlightened to God's plan. Paul even touches on it in Eph. 1:8,9: "In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him..."
Back to wedding pictures!
Katherine, Shalom! Tell the truth: in your wedding photos, have you ever wanted to airbrush in horns and a tail on anyone?
<><
Jim G. & whoever else is interested:
I had bought "Is This The Mary Of The Bible?" from Evangelical Outreach to look into that subject matter a little further but w/it they included a couple of their CD's and several tracs/brocures which I thought was quite nice.
I also had noticed two books available calledThe Believer’s Conditional Security & The Myth of Eternal Security (I now plan to buy these after I finish my current reading.)
Aparently the author "Dan Corner" has taped many debates between himself & eternal security and popular Calvinst teachers.
These debates,Articles,MP3 downloads, books,etc are all on the website.
FYI,
Grumpy (ATTY),
Is giving his financial advice on The Trumpet.
Look in comments:
Kathy,
Thanks for the book recommendations. I'd like to read Kristen's dad's book, too.
I totally agree with you regarding the Lord initiating our relationship with Him. Several thoughts come to mind regarding that.
1.) Words from one of my favorite hymns: "Oh, how I love Jesus...because He first loved me."
2.) We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. I John 4:19-20
3.) Jesus called (and still calls) all people to follow Him. Some did not heed the call though because the price was too high.
To me, this clearly indicates that the Lord allows us to freely accept or reject his offer of mercy and grace. There is a cost to following Christ.
I can live with the term "eternal security" but I think it doesn't differentiate our positions much because I believe we are "eternally secure" in Christ as long as we are "in Christ" and that means we have an active, abiding faith. I've seen folks place their faith in Christ and live for Him for quite some time and then later, totally abandon the faith and deny Christ. I believe you would say either they never had true faith or if they did, they are just disobedient children whose salvation remains secure. Fair enough. I just don't see Scripture leading me to that position.
By the way, I love the Scriptures you included in your last comment.
One thing I must ask you about though. You wrote:
We are instructed to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Cor. 13:5
Haven't you said that we can do nothing. Why take a test if we can do nothing about the results. Indeed, we can do something. We can repent and yield to the Holy Spirit. Why would the Holy Spirit cause Paul to write this if those to whom he wrote could not take any action if they fail the test?
Jim G.
Lisa,
I had heard of Dan Corner and have found some of his writings on the internet. While he might have much to say that is correct, I was troubled by his lack of grace. In other words, in my opinion, he came across in a few places as being a bit harsh and unloving in the way he presented his position. Just a heads up regarding that. Otherwise, there might be plenty of good.
I have to admit, I've felt the same way about other ministers too though (John MacArthur, for example). I know many people love and admire him very much but I'm afraid the way he has attacked folks who don't believe the way he does has made it difficult for me to respect and therefor listen to him very much. That is probably as much my own problem (maybe more) than it is his.
Truth is truth and we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water. But, we need to be loving and wise and gracious in the way we communicate. Many here at the cave are just that (in particular, Kathy) and that is why I love you all!
Lisa, thank you, thank you for the tip about Grumpy. I've been wondering what he thinks about all this.
Jim G,
Examining ourselves is part of working out our gift of salvation with fear and trembling, isn't it? (Not working for it or working to keep it.) If someone fails the test God can use that to draw them into a true relationship with Him by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, can't He?
Jim C,
I can honestly say I've never had the desire nor thought to put horns and a tail on a subject in one of my wedding images. (As for using the cloning tool in Photoshop and exchanging heads, now that's another story, but never in a wedding photo, just fun family stuff!)
Just want to share a beautiful song with you all today... Sweet Celestial Music
Hymn for the Day;-)
Blessed Assurance, Third Day (Live)
”Blessed Assurance" By The Isaacs (ACAPELLA)
Blessed Assurance, Third Day (with good Scripture verses and pictures)
Jim G.
Lori, Shalom! Do you know when your uncle Bob will have more copies of his book available? I really don't like placing orders with bookstores until I know about when the book will be available. I'll also probably try ordering it through Barnes and Noble at the mall instead of Amazon.
Then again, maybe I'll try ordering it through Prairie Lights Bookstore downtown. It's an independent bookstore, they can always use business, and I'd REALLY like to see how high their eyebrows shoot up at getting an order for a book about religion. (This IS The People's Republic of Iowa City, of course.)
<><
Jim,
I'll email and ask him....
Or you could just see if that "mom and pop" can get it...
I'll ask anyway.
lori
Lisa,
I checked the link you left to the article at Joel's Trumpet. I didn't see any comments by Grumpy. Does he go by another name there? I only saw 7 comments posted in response to the article about the banking system problems.
Jim G.
Today's God's Daily Promises
Our prayers bring us into God's presence
How should I pray?
For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:4 NLT
Pray like this:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
Aligning my will to God's
E. Stanley Jones described the effect of prayer on us like this:
Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God. Aligned to God's redemptive will, anything, everything can happen in character, conduct, and creativeness. The whole person is heightened by that prayer contact. In that contact I find health for my body, illumination for my mind, and moral and spiritual reinforcement for my soul. "Prayer is a time exposure to God," so I expose myself to God for an hour and a half or two hours a day, asking less and less for things and more and more for Himself. For having Him, I have everything. He gives me what I need for character, conduct, and creativeness, so I'm rich with His riches, strong in His strength, pure in His purity, and able in His ability.
Jim G. -
Grumpy now goes by:
Armeggedon_through_to_you or
AKA -- ATTY
oops - spelled Armageddon wrong!
1,000 pardons!
Hosanna, Soweto Gospel Choir
Alesia,
Thanks for the tip on Grumpy (aka ATTY). I work in the court system so when I saw the abbreviation ATTY, I thought that Grumpy must be an attorney. Grumpy, if you're reading this, sorry.
Jim G.
This is a book advertisement but the video brought up some good points. Especially how Marianne Williamson who wrote "A course in miracles"has spearheaded the new govt "Peace Alliance."
Mystery Babylon Fake it If you like imagery it's good-The end w/Bush is great.
OK ~sigh~
Lisa-
First, the video you linked to was not "Mystery Babylon Fake it".
I searched for the one titled that & you just HAD TO KNOW the "patriot" in me was going to give you guff about THAT one.
come on now girl - really?
Jib -
I'm so sorry about your foot - you poor binky.
Praying for a speedy FULL recovery.
Also praying for your brother.
Jim C. - I know you said you were in a "dark" place but you neglected to say sick & twisted too. horns & tails OH MY!
LOL
Jim G,
I agree with your assessment on Corner's style. The book I'm reading isn't that way but I've noticed on a couple of the tracs it's definitely to the point.
One of the CD's was fine & exposed what eternal security proponents told people who called in w/their problems on a talk show. How whatever sin they were committing was not good(Adultry,Contemplating Suicide,etc.)but since their past, present,& future sins are already forgiven it's not a big deal.
One lady was ready to commit suicide right after she got the confirmation from the host that her OSAS belief secured her into eternal life. The host really danced around that one & wouldn't come out & say what she wanted to hear. He convinced her to let him get her some help in order to change her mind although she was really irritated that he wouldn't just come out & say it.(Your saved regardless.)
The other one "The dramatized Gospel" was really dramatized. The sounds of people screaming in hell in the background was not pleasant.
Barack Obama and the UN’s Drive for Global Governance
Jib, praying for healing in Jesus' name.
The big boot is no fun. I know someone who had to use it for a small time.
Fake it
Alesia,
Hey I voted for the guy too but come on-he's part of the system
Skull & Bones- Giving the finger.
I heard an interview from one of his former undercover protectors that he's no angel.
He was out to get the Evangelical vote & was arguing how much he had to give over to the Christian community in order to secure their vote. (& nasty cuss words were involved in the discussion.)
The guy is a typical politician.
Obama was just courting La Raza (A Mexican united (racist) movement-aimed @ taking over parts of the US. Especially CA-they want to claim it back by taking over demographically -breeding, legal & illegal immigration,laws & services.) He was siding w/them & wooing La Raza that he would keep the borders open.
I give up on posting Fake it. It's actually playing when I copy & paste then still comes up wrong.
"I give up on posting Fake it. It's actually playing when I copy & paste then still comes up wrong."
See, that's because people shouldn't be watching that horrible thing!
mwuhahahahahahahahahaha
Not so much offended by the GWB stuff as the other stuff. Although, am still offended by the GWB a bit.
(Good song though)
Someone was trying to argue that we don't read our Bibles because there are female angels in Zacheriah 5:9.Then I just had to find this articleThe Two Women with Wings of a Storkwhich caught my interest.
This person was defending Bentley's female angels.
I can't finish it-time for bed.
Zec 5:9 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens.NASB
Lisa, I don't see any angels in Zec 5:9. The expression for women used is:
H802
נשׁים אשּׁה
sh-shaw', naw-sheem'
The first form is the feminine of H376 or H582; the second form is an irregular plural; a woman (used in the same wide sense as H582).: - [adulter]ess, each, every, female, X many, + none, one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
But even if you could demonstrate female gender for some angels; Bentley's angel is problematic:
Todd Bentley - When The Angel Came
And Here
And there's lots more, but it seems that some people just want this to be of God and throw discernment out the window.
New article from the Lambert Dolphin site: Arminian or Calvinist?
Great article on Arminianisn vs Calvinism! Thanks for posting it, Mac!
Thanks also for clarifying some of the other posts.
I personally do not plan to spend any time on questionable and possible false teachers and some of the other crazy topics that have been coming up....but I do appreciate your taking the time to set the record straight.
Another rainy day here. I am glad I got out on the lake as often as I did on the sunny days.
Jib I will add you and your brother to my prayers. I'm really sorry to hear that your foot was broken again. :(
Alesia, great post at 4:04 thanks
Mac,
Yes, they'll try anything to justify the angel argument.
Women w/wings=angel.
It's certainly and interesting yet frustrating study on human behavior.
Has anyone studied Zechariah's prophetic visions or the book? I read he had 8 visions in one day.
I see a book called "Zechariah's prophetic vision for the new World"
"The book of Zechariah is the most messianic,apocalyptic & eschatological book of the Old Testament." He is also one of the most Christ-centered of all the prophets. He speaks more of Christ,His work and His glory than all the other minor prophets combined."
"Norbert Lieth explains how Zechariah documents Jesus First & Second coming: His future rule,priesthood,kinship,humanity & divinity."
I got through the "Two women w/wings of a stork" article-part 1.
It's getting very interesting:
"As the Holy City, New Jerusalem is “expressed” in three dimensions (“Its length, breadth, and height are equal” (Revelation 21:16) as the ultimate manifestation of the Triune God’s Image, the Woman, the Lamb’s Wife is a perfect three–dimensional cube); even so, the indistinguishable character of Satan’s “masterpiece” (Mystery, Babylon the Great) can be adjudged as a three–dimensional unity (i.e., Apostate Religion, Commercial and Political) which in its totality is Babylon, the Great City. Thus, the “appearance” of this Great City lends “herself” to this indistinguishable and infamous expression: The Composite of all that Satan, the Dragon, the Serpent, Lucifer, the Devil, the Antichrist/Beast and the False Prophet/Second Beast have wrought upon this earthly clod!
Here, I would hasten to point out, that the convergence of this awful amalgamation of religion, commerce and politics and the difficulty to clearly delineate the “tripartite” character of its participants in Revelation 17 through 19 is, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, purposefully blurred, to emphasize both the culmination of Satan’s efforts are but one, while drawing our immediate attention to what presents itself before the world as most characteristic of this End Time’s abominable brew.
Whereas most of the commentators quoted within this script cite that Babylon the Great is either in totality an apostate religious phenomenon (e.g., Dave Hunt) or is tripartite in nature, viz., religious, commercial and political. I would boldly conclude that the ultimate manifestation of this Great City attempts to counterfeit the perfect work of the Triune God; therefore, the Great City’s singularity of expression and, ipso facto, the purposeful difficulty in attempting to separate or compartmentalize the various aspects of the Great City.
Without controversy, and as S. Franklin Logsden, former Sr. Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, declared: The U.S.A. is the Mystery Babylon of the Last Days! 7
This, my friends, is the aforementioned “abominable brew” to which I have alluded. Throughout this text we have repeatedly warned and described the poignant justifications for such a conclusion. I would only add to the preponderance of evidence a further clarification to substantiate our rationale. There is today no other superpower upon the globe, nor has there ever been such an intensity of expression, wherein a nation state has so wed its political power
with its religious heritage–and I speak specifically of the West’s religious expression: Christianity. The Apostate Religion reviewed in the Revelation is the ultimate counterfeit of the Woman, the Lamb’s Wife, i.e., The Mother of Harlots, the Woman whose name is Wickedness.
Alesia,
methinks you've been talking to Mac alot :-) binky? at least you didn't tell me I was a sooky la la.
Thank you all for your prayers. It has been very trying at times not to be able to do things especially drive. I probably should have been in the yucky big boot about 5 weeks ago but that's water under the bridge.
Jim love the new picture.
I've been thinking of updating mine. will have to consider my options.
Mac
loved the article and loved the comment at the end about going through the door of "all who will my enter" and then finding on the back side of the door "chosen by Christ from the foundation of the world". I still think perhaps defining predestination in a more general fashion is the way to go. oh well.
I read the following post on another forum, and, with permission from the author (a pastor), I am posting it here. It gave me some things to think about, so thought you might be interested, too.
Vicki
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Though you may not agree with all that I will have to say, at least there is something to think about. I will do this point by point"
1. I am worried that prayer is being "unionized". By that I mean that it seems to have become the property of the few rather than the many. You may be thinking to yourself, what is the pastor talking about? First go over to 1 Corinthians 12 the chapter that lists the Gifts of the Spirit. Look closely. Prayer is not in the list. But prayer seems to have become a 'gift'. I say that because of what we hear so much about and that is "Prayer Warriors". Where this word came from I don't really know but it seems to imply that God hears the prayer of some more than of others.
A former leader of prayer ministries in a large conference once told me that when the conference president really wanted to get things done he would give the task to the prayer warriors. The implication is that some prayer better than others or that God hears the prayers of some more than others. It could be said that it seems that prayer has become the patrimony of a few.
I am not for a minute playing down those who spend time with the Lord in prayer, but I am not comfortable that prayer seems to have become a 'department' in the church. It seems to me that if a brother or a sister has a burden for prayer then the the challenge would not be to organize, as it were, a prayer club but rather call the entire church to prayer. (If I were a pastor of a congregation again I would not rest till the members of the church had personal devotions and family worship).
Some will not agree, but I am concerned that we do not fall into what might be called mysticism. The Catholic Church provides all kinds of ways to pray, the stations of the Cross, the beads and all the rest. We must be careful that we ourselves don't develop a kind of mysticism in respect to prayer. For example, prayer walks are in someplaces increasing in popularity. The text that is used by some to justify the importance of prayer walking and it is the one where God says that He will give us whatever our feet touch and so the prayer walk.
Need we speak of the Prayer of Jabez?
It seems to me that tells us where to pray and how pray and how to enhance our prayers very easily can become mysticism. It is no wonder that non-Christians use beads, bells, prayer flags and more to enhance their prayers. Recently _____________ had a book published on the subject of prayer in which the he suggests that we say certain words as we breath in and others as we breath out and even states that we can enhance our prayer life if we follow certain customs of non-Christian religions.
2. Prayer is, for some, replacing the word of God as authority. We used to say, What does the Word of God say, now it is not rare to hear someone say, I'll pray about it. One women said, I don't care what the Bible says, I know what God told me.
In conclusion - prayer is not for 'prayer warriors' or prayer ministries alone but it is for everyone. Secondly those who pray don't have to follow some technique to make their prayers more effective. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship him in spirit and truth. Thirdly, to depend on prayer to discern the will of God is not safe. Please read Matthew 7:21,22. I have a sermon about that and it suggest that as we trust more in prayer and less in the Bible, the devil will step in and begin to answer our prayers. Please take a moment and read the verses.
It is not my purpose to play down the importance of prayer and those who have a special burden for it. My concern is that there seems to be an increasing trend to mysticism in prayer and to narrow it to the a favored few. Respectfully, I don't believe that is the way to go.
Katherine and Alesia, Shalom! RE: photoshopping wedding photos -- I couldn't resist. First, CNN Headline News had a story about a guy who invited EVERYBODY to the wedding reception, and that was followed by people emailing in their own personal wedding "moments."
Then there was the original CSI story where they had to investigate a murder at a wedding. Someone had killed the mother of the groom and the problem was that eliminating suspects was like whittling down the Las Vegas phone book. She had been a prosecutor, and was also a world-class b*tch who hated her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. (As a friend of the bride put it, "She's a nurse! She works in a children's cancer unit! How can anyone hate a nurse who works with dying children?!") The victim had also stood up at the reception banquet and given a toast where she told her son, "It's alright if you want to take a mistress!" (She was joking.) It turns out that her death was an accident, and the people who did it tried to cover it up because the woman was so nasty, no one would believe it was an accident! And, as the team reviewed all the videotapes of the wedding, they decided the prosecutor would have a hard time finding 12 people who wouldn't find the defendants "not guilty" just on principle!
Then there's the "The Closer" episode where a dead body turned up on the steps of a church, and Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson got into a knock-down fight with the bridezilla because Brenda wasn't moving the body out of the way so Bridezilla could have her wedding as planned. A video of the fight showed up on YouTube, became the top-rated video, and as her boss put it, "Congratulations, Brenda. You are more popular than porn."
Anyway, all of that together just made me wonder if you had ever run across anyone who was so nasty -- a "monster-in-law" or a bridezilla -- that you wee tempted to ... improve ... the pictures of the event, if only for your own personal collection.
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Vicki,
Not sure I agree completely, but, I guess I see the overall point the pastor was trying to make.
I've been guilty of using the phrase "Prayer Warriors" but I use that term in regards to ANYONE that prays, not placing any one person over another - and a plea to ALL, not a select few.
I do think asking only certain people to pray (and specifically NOT wanting certain others to pray) is a HORRENDOUS ABOMINATION!
To think some are better than others or more qualified, for whatever reason - more righteous, more in line with their own doctrine, etc. is one the most hurtful & heinous acts a Christian can do to a fellow Christian.
If a person is making an earnest plea to our Creator, on behalf of another, how can any one person be more important, heard better, or do it more properly than another person?
My 2 cents
Jib - hehehe ~many giggles~ true enough but Mac can't take credit for "binky" that's my token/affectionate word to show sympathy = equivalent to "poor baby". So, if you see me use that word it means, me like you & feel sorry. LOL
Jim C - I love The Closer!
Note from Uncle Bob;
Dear Lori,
Another shipment went to them last week. They should have it Monday or Tuesday.
Uncle Bob
Jeff-saw this & thought of your situation.
Crying Out to the Lord
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
07-19-2008
"But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer. . ." (Judg 3:8-9).
I often receive requests to help someone whose life is in a difficult place.. After a few questions I am able to discern if the Lord has called me to get involved. More often than not, I am not to be involved. Many times I find this person has not experienced enough pain to want to do anything about their situation. Until they are really ready to cry out to the Lord for a solution to their situation, they will simply talk about desiring change but never take the necessary steps needed for change."
If you invest time into someone who has not yet come to the place of wanting a spiritual solution to their problem, you will become emotionally exhausted. The apostle Paul understood this principle when he actually turned such people over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (I Cor. 5:5).
The people of Israel were finally in enough pain to cry out to God for relief from their oppression. Like so many times throughout the scriptures, God answered by raising up a deliverer. "But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died (Judg 3:8-11)."
Are you in a difficult place in your life? Are you only talking about changing or are you really ready to cry out to the Lord for a solution? Start now the process of changing your situation for the better and asking for help if needed.
Vicki, the pastor left out the positive affirmation type prayers where you claim to have received something before you actually get it and even thank God (or whoever you’re praying to) for already having got it. Norman Vincent Peale and Catherine Ponder were great promoters of these ideas (using the Bible as reference). I’ve been there done that.
Alesia; I totally agree and I would also venture to say “judgmental”.
Jim; Stop trying to corrupt Kathy. Shall I send you a photo of myself so that you can scribble a moustache on my upper lip? Quite childish really…I like the way you think, though!
and here I thought it was an Aussie term. :-) glad to be in the favored group.
wow- for those of you who have not read Joel's recent post with the article by Tony Snow written about 1 year before his death I urge you to read it. It is phenomenal.
BHP birth certificate as posted by Kos and confirmed "real" by BHO staff possibly exposed as forgery!"
ha the first BHP should be BHO. darn keyboard
Don Koenig's view of end time chronology. It may be further out than we might think according to him.
When Will Jesus Christ Return?
Mac,
I still think Mt. 24 is a rapture passage, plain and simple. That it contains signs for which the church should be watching. Though the church did not officially start until Pentecost, the elect were chosen from before the foundation of the world! And the church age does not come to fruition before all of the events occur in Mt. 24. Didn't Jesus say He would be with us until the end of the age? The triple cosmic sign in Mt. 24 signals the end of the age...And that is when I will be "incorruptible", well, at least put it on anyway! (Doesn't Paul say we receive our resurrection bodies at the coming of Christ and Christ says He's coming at the end of the age. See how plain and simple it really is?!)
Hmph!
"wow- for those of you who have not read Joel's recent post with the article by Tony Snow written about 1 year before his death I urge you to read it. It is phenomenal."
Well, I see someone doesn't read MY comments! I posted that article DAYS ago!
wah
I remembered someone had mentioned it but it didn't seem that anyone else had read it. my comment was an extra reminder to read it mostly. sorry about that.
I should have prefaced my comment with-someone else a few day ago mentioned this article and I just had time to read it which really is true and not just blowin' smoke!
Don Koenig...I wonder if he is related to Bill.
New post is up.
BTW, re the Don Koenig article - I don't necessarily agree with all he writes. Alesia and I were talking about end times precursors and I remembered I'd seen the article and thought it might be of interest.
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