Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 2459

With GOD all things are Possible.....

LOVE

I don'i read much because of my bad eye sight ; but I always thought that God put together leaves to make a covering for the private areas of Adam and Eve;. Actually, He used skins.

Amen Brother Tucker!

Lord respond to the cry of this heart calling out to you. Come to him as you did to me. I didn't even know what to pray. All I could say is: Jesus please help me, over and over.

When the name of Jesus is spoken, Ministering angels listen. When the Bible is read out loud, angels hasten to listen; the demons flee.

Trust in Jesus. No matter how bad things seem, if you will call on the Lord, He wills to come to you. Just speak your mind to him.

Lord please make a way when there seems to be none. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Fear is the opposite of faith. Stand in faith as a family. My grandson loves for me to read 2 or 3 short Psalms from the Bible. He says it makes him feel happy.

Do what draws your family closer. Speak faith only. Praise God for mercy and grace.

I will tell a part of my full testimony. My salvation was akin to Pauls on the Damascus road. Later, after all the getting free from spiritual warfare; I would hear accusations against me in my mind, about sins, hating my ex, having hurtful thoughts; hating myself. People who told me to my face that anyone as bad as I had been could not possibly be saved. I didn't FEEL worthy. I thought I would let Jesus off the "hook". I saw a vision of Him on the cross but it was laying on the ground. I picked up a big rock and started hitting the nails in his hands. He was looking in my eyes ( that were streaming in tears.). Every time I hit him, He said, I Love You. I couldn't hurt Him anymore. I felt his arms around me. I woke.

I gave him all I had ever been or done; all the memories of sin that hurt like a crown of thorns. Maybe it was faith but I asked Him to erase all the memories of sin from me. He did it. Those memories are just gone. Who I had been, was buried.

I had to learn new things, like the joy of my Salvation.

In my experience, the Holy Spirit is not an authoritarian that frowns when we miss the mark, Don't learn faster, don't look like other Christians that seem to have it all figured out. That's not Him. If we give all our preconceived perceptions of Him, TO HIM; He gives us the new Life of a beloved child of God. You can have as much of heaven, NOW, as you give yourself freedom to take. "Taste and see the Goodness of the Lord." YOU are why He went to the Cross. He looked all the way forward 2000 years and saw your face.

Give Him your life (alpha, omega), and you take His Life .... as in cutting a covenant.

Then as His Bride, Song of Solomon 6:3, 7-10; Isaiah 49:14-18, 22:-26, I am the Lord: they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me!

There is no gender in this thought. He is YOUR beloved.

Draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you. You can have as much love as you are able to hold.

A time to mourn; a time to dance. Selah.

Mike, yes, it is very wrong to pray to the Virgin Mary - in fact she hasn't even been a virgin since the birth of Jesus, since she had many more children ( Mt 12:46-50, 13:55,56 & others).

Jesus alone makes intercession for us ( Rom 8:34) & His Spirit also intercedes on our behalf when we are unable to pray properly, maybe in ignorance ( Rom 8:26). So the whole purpose of prayer, whether in praise & worship or in requesting from the Lord, is to direct our prayer to the Lord only without any other mediator (whether a priest, Mary or another Saint). To do that, means that we have no confidence that our prayers to God will be heard & so we need an intermediary between God & man. Our Intermediary can only & will only be Christ Jesus. To go to another means that we do despite to Christ's Holy & Blessd position with the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

There is no benefit to pray to Mary. Because she is not God. It is abomination to pray to her.

1st commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Exodus 23:24

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

It is my prayer that all people will yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God know the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Nothing is hid from Him and so many have their minds blinded by incorrect perceptions about who God is! God is Love. If we search for Him with all our heart and not for a doctrine to satisfy our own will, we will find HIM, the lover of our soul!

Judgement

In this chapter we see Amos speaking of the judgement of God as it relates to Sin. The truth is that a Holy God must judge sin and this is why Jesus had to come to make a way for you and I to be saved from our sin. In making application we see today many belive God will overlook sin or that my good works will pay for my sins but nothing could further from the Truth. Sin seperates us from a Holy God and Only Those who have been born again are saved from their sin. How about you? Have you been born again? Let us learn from our text today and the warning from Amos that a Holy God will Judge our Sin.

...... Rev 18:24 - And in her (Babylon) was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Rev 16:6 - For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Rev 17:6 - And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Mystery Babylon killed the prophets

Jesus speaking Luke 13:33 - Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Jesus - Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

the two witnesses of God are mentioned here:

Rev 11:8 - And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Jesus, MY LORD was crucified in JERUSALEM, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. NOT Rome or in Mecca or the USA

Jerusalem killed the prophets, not Rome, and since babylon killed the prophets = Jerusalem

Ezekiel 16:2 - Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Malachi 2:11 - Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.

MB what is the Bible definition of an antichrist?

1 John 2:22 - Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (ALL Jews deny Jesus and that makes them antichrist, if they believed in Jesus then they would be CHRISTIANS. IF you do not believe me call any Synagogue and ask them if Jesus is the Messiah.) 1 John 2:23 - Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

If Jews do not accept Jesus as messiah, then who is their messiah? SATAN?

1 Corinthians 16:22 - If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (CURSED) Maranatha.

DO JEWS LOVE JESUS OR ARE THEY CURSED?

At least muslims consider Jesus a prophet of the Lord. Jews consider Jesus as FALSE PROPHET AND DECEIVER.

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 16 - For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, EVEN AS THEY HAVE OF THE JEWS: WHO BOTH KILLED THE LORD JESUS, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and THEY PLEASE NOT GOD, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: FOR THE WRATH IS COME UPON THEM TO THE UTTERMOST.

In Judges 3. Could you expound on who is Ehud? What is his connection to Moab? How did he become the deliverer? I understand that he defeated Moab. I have to discuss

You are so right about a pre-trib rapture because after the letters to the churches they are not mentioned anymore.

You are so right in your assessment of what this woman represents.

I would encourage others to read the history of Catholicism from it's conception.

Also note the the comments the Pope of today has made and is promoting.

2nd Chronicles 7:14 Sums up not only the book of Joel but the entire Bible. God is telling us what we must do. We need to humble ourselves, pray and seek his face, and turn from our wicked way. Then will he hear from heaven and heal the land. This is a powerful scripture. We are truly living in the last days. Everything that happen in the Biblical days are happening today.

very well said

The two witnesses are Elijah and Moses.

Muslims did not come into existence until late in the sixth century. Peoples of the Bible are referred to by their nation, or positions. Like Egyptian or Jordanians.

Moses was a Prophet who preached to and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Here in Revelation he represents the New Testament. He is also a "type" of Christ. Compare their attributes, there are many things common to both Moses and Christ.

Elijah was a Prophet who here in Revelation represents the Old Testament. He preached to the Northern Tribes of Israel dressed in camel skins and fur. John the Baptist was a type of Elijah in attire and message he preached, and also was a Prophet.

A Muslim person will have a major role in Daniel's 70th week as the Antichrist.

yes if you ask for forgiveness through CHrist, you will be forgiven absolutely. Once you ask for forgiveness, the sin then belongs to Christ and you have no right or ownership of it. He has bought and paid for it. Any shame or guilt is His and not yours. As far as your "ex", in God's eyes you are probably still married to him.

I've looked at those Isaiah references you gave & could not find any reference to "dreaming of a Bible verse". Is this what you meant or maybe you have had a verse come to you in a dream? If you can give extra information about what you're thinking.

Why is it wrong to pray to the Virgin Mary? I know that it takes away the reason for Jesus coming and dying for our sins, but is there any benefit to pray to Mary as some believe?

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So to, our minds have to be 'gathered together' & focused on the 'race that is set before us'. In meditation, one is required to do the opposite, & release the mind from everything & thus allow anything to enter in & either control us or fill us. And most often these thoughts won't be what Christians should be 'meditating' on.

I've written at length, as I sense your earnestness in your quest, as also my personal identification with you in your struggles. Look to the Lord, wait upon Him, & don't let Him go until you "receive the blessing". He wants to reveal Himself to you & give you the joy of His Salvation: the question is: are you really ready to humble yourself in His Sight, to read & 'meditate' on His Word & wait for His Ministry of conviction - for without conviction there is no salvation.

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My wife, as many others, have always been in that blessd position of receiving Christ as a child, being baptized, & continuing on strongly in the faith. For some of us, we were allowed to go through the miry clay to then come to the point of conviction & salvation & being set upon that Rock. You need to bring up your life before the Lord & seek that deep conviction of sin by God's Spirit, so that your salvation will be real & only of the Lord; you will never need to "learn about how to return to God", for that conviction is also your confirmation that a divine transaction has taken place, i.e. your sins handed over in return for His forgiveness of your sins & removal of that penalty it deserved.

You also wrote about not feeling close to God anymore, despite your attempts to 'feel' that intimacy. We have that saying: 'that our faith is not based on feeling but on fact'. In other words, what Christ has done for us & what has taken place in us as a result, is fact-based & not feeling-based. I'm not saying that we can't 'feel' closeness to the Lord, but that acceptance by Him & intimacy is primarily based on what He has done in us. So 'feelings' can change day-by-day depending on our mental, emotional or physical circumstances & this could affect how we 'feel' with God, yet, however we feel in God's Presence, cannot change the fact of God's Love & His Salvation for us. He promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us. I would stay well away from meditation 'to reach your inner self'. The only meditating we can do is to focus our hearts & minds on the Godhead & His Word. Peter (in 1 Pet 1:13) speaks of "girding the loins of your mind", which references those wearing long robes during work, etc., as they would gather that part of the garment that would interfere with the job in hand, or the long road to travel on.

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Carl, you've said some things here that require some further dealing. Specifically, "I have decided to worship and return to God. I don't believe I am worthy. I have been a christian all my life but for the past 15 years or so I have been a non believer." And, "I used to feel emotional and feel the closeness to God. Now I find it difficult to feel."

My testimony is quite similar to yours, having been brought up in a God-fearing home & going through all the spiritual exercises a child would do. I left home at 17 yrs of age to pursue my career, which took me into a world devoid of a Christian environment & counsel. I caved in to the lusts of the flesh & for identification with my peers; & for all intents & purposes, I was not a Christian, never saved, having just given a mental/verbal assent to the Gospel. However, after almost nine years of wicked living, the Spirit of God met me in my defence quarters & brought me into an extremely deep conviction of my sin - I was literally torn apart because of the gravity of my sin & certainty of a Christless eternity.

You've said that you've decided to return to God. Was this a mental decision from a sense of being wayward & because of the circumstances you may find yourself in & in the world of turmoil today? You know Carl, if WE decide to follow God or attend to His commands, then that's all we'll do (as the Jews do in their mental affirmation & obedience to God). But if we sense the Spirit's Work in us, then actually a miracle takes place in our lives, & we can't help but weep for our sins & call upon the Saviour for the work of the Cross to be applied to us. That drawing to & convicting of, is all of God & can never be of us. And this is the more pertinent to folk like us, who were either never saved or have come out of a long period of Christ rejection & disobedience.

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I have been asking questions a lot lately as i have recommitted my life to Jesus, I have repented and totally turned from my old way of life, verse 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them is he who loves me, and is loved by my father and i will love him and manifest myself to him. I've been a backslider of the worst kind, will Jesus manifest himself again to me I do my best to keep his word but it seems like I've lost something

Baptism(miktva), is a physical sign of one's faith in THE Saviour promises, and, being in solidarity with him(doing as HE did), and, simple Obedience to his simple command(which are NOT grievous!). Remember, if baptism alone, brought salvation, then many false men who crept in unawares, must receive salvation, and, even many devil worshipping folk must at least partly qualify, for water baptism, was also known of and practiced in many ancient cultures!

Remember, salvation, is the ultimate gift of creator to his creation, and, with it goes the only road to immortality possible!(ezekiel18:4 & 20 in particular; the entire chapter in general, and compare it with the sermon on the mount; supplement it with John1:VIII to X and John2:I to VI and James1:XVII & XVIII also James2:VIII to XXVI, Capping it with Matthew V:13 to 20(from HIS mouth, in the sermon on the mount therefore: irrefutable!

Situations may seem overwhelming, but we cry to God to lead us to a rock higher than ourselves, He is a great God

He has inheritance to those that fear Him Vs 5

Valarie, There are many verses concerning being thankful. King David is most thankful in the book of Psalms

Psalm 106:1 Psalm 107:1 Ephesians 5:20 1Thessalonians 5:18. Also in the New Testament, Our Lord Jesus

always gave thanks to God the Father. I believe our Father God wants us to always come before him with

a thankful heart. " May the Lord bless you and keep you" numbers 6:24

With regards to this thread, I must ask for my own clarification, "How is the cross any different?"

We worship the lamb, the cross, etc.

Made by men's hands...

No life or breathe in them...

Not trying to be argumentative; it just always pricks me when I read these scriptures because not only do I believe in devotional studies, but I also believe in keeping the context and reading from Genesis to Revelations.

The thief will be in THE Kingdom, But, in the one where the saviour has come back to rule earth during a millineum of 1000 years(see the revelation of the saviour, esp., 19:XI to XVI +XIX to XXI & particularly, 20: I to XV & 21:I to VII);pray for discernment, so as "rightly divide the word of truth", believing Scripture, not the words of men!

Be Well; Blessings upon you!!