All Discussion PAGE 1917

Hi Karen. I love those verses in Philippians 2:12,13. In my heart, they are very rich in meaning. You're correct that salvation is a free gift - in entirety - we can contribute nothing at all to make our salvation anymore secure or special - in Christ Jesus, God has had His demands for our redemption fully realized & nothing more could be done by Him, & certainly, not by us.

If then salvation is offered freely to all when the sinner comes in repentance & faith, why the need to work out our salvation with fear & trembling? I realize that many 'Christians' have been taught, or they may have come to a wrong understanding, that if salvation is a free gift & secures them entirely, then whatever sin they commit & whatever amount of sin they engage in, will not negate that free gift. But this is a grossly false understanding from Satan, which might even show that an unregenerated spirit still exists within. When that gift is given, the forgiven sinner is so thankful for the burden & consequences of sin being removed. And that forgiven sinner also receives the Promise of the Father, the Gift of the Holy Spirit Who will indwell the child of God ( John 14:17; Romans 8:9). So, now we have a new person; outwardly without change, but inwardly completely renewed by God.

But Satan is never far away to divert our hearts from God, to look to the world & its offerings, & to become less focussed upon the Lord Who saved us & to any emerging sin within. That's why the Apostle Paul & the other apostles, had to continually remind & teach believers of who they are in Christ ( 1 Corinthians 6:19,20) & not lose their focus, becoming distracted. Every believer with God's Spirit in residence will seek to please God in every way & will do so with the power He gives us. As God is in us accomplishing His Purposes in our lives (v13), so then we too must be sensitive to God, bringing forth the fruits of our salvation (i.e. v12: exercising them carefully) to the praise of God & witness to all.

Hello,my name is diana .i would like ask prayer for my ex husband off his health .doctors vist.organs be better.good poistive plianing health be more years to come /as for myself .thank you

Please pray for learning difficulties in children. intelligence. spelling. jmm. our callings in life. educations. all god's children. ministry. teaching. friends. peace. scripture. disciplines. special answers to prayer. love. all things prayer for. thank you jehovah love you all.

Hello ,my name is diana ,i live minnestioa was looking knowing off god to closer to know bible. to start learning keep myself .to know veres. to know what god is all about.my time and effort im gratefull to know that im child off god .knew about the lord littley to know what the meaning effort to be close to lord jesus christ our savor

Hello Beth. I don't believe that a piece of paper declaring the marriage of two persons is a requirement of God. Marriage in the days of old were often very elaborate affairs, as still are in countries of Asia, etc., & the presence of so many witnesses & before God, were sufficient evidence of a 'recognized' marriage. In the 13th Century AD, "banns of marriage" were introduced in the U.K. whereby a public announcement in the couple's Church was made over three Sundays prior to the wedding day. But this was done, so that any 'objections' to the proposed marriage could be submitted. And from this 'banns of marriage', marriage licences were introduced later.

Today, if two people plan on marriage without a ceremony, witnesses, or a licence (i.e. wanting to enter a permanent, loving cohabitation on their terms), would do well to ensure that their union will not suffer in terms of any legal requirements or acceptability in the (Christian) community/Church. Before God, such a union would be considered a marriage & any permanent separation would likewise be deemed a divorce. I feel that it's in the best interests of all, most of all the couple, that a marriage be solemnized officially with a marriage licence received at the end. But before God? A licence is only a piece of paper that can easily be lost or destroyed - it's the agreement, commitment, & sacrificial love between two people that's vital.

Hi Theresa,

Jesus taught us many things while on this earth, including why we need to be baptized, and exactly how we need to perform the baptisim.

Matthew 3:16

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

Yes, Jesus was submerged.

Matthew 28:19

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

If we are Christ followers, we will listen to His instructions, and follow Jesus.

Regarding your question about Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist is stating that: he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

On the day of Pentecost, after His resurection, Jesus did send the Holy Spirit to baptize believers and the evidence of the Holy Spirit that day is found in Acts 2:3-4 "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

So, I believe that John the Baptists reference to fire in Matthew 3:11 may have referred to the future purification that would come with Christ's baptism as observed above, with the cloven tongues like of fire in conjunction with receiving the Holy Spirit during Pentecost.

Hope this helps, and God bless.

Hi Peter. That is a good observation which not many pick up on & one that has come up previously on this Site. We're not given any clear indication as to why the name, Jehoahaz, is also referred to as Ahaziah. Both names are clearly in the Hebrew text, so this isn't a transcription error that we're dealing with.

The possible reason I see, is based on the same meaning of both names, which is, "Yah has grasped". It might seem strange that what appears as two entirely different names can have the same meaning. It probably appears more apparent to the Hebrew speaker, but I learn that the elements of words (i.e. slightly changing the letters within the words), gives forth another name but still retaining its intended meaning. Now why did the writer do this? One can only guess, but I feel that since Jehoahaz is also a king (son of Jehu of the kingdom of Israel: 2 Kings 13:8,9), maybe it was felt it would be prudent to avoid a mistaken identity, though unfortunately, creating some confusion to us non-Hebrew readers. Even though the Jehoahaz of Israel reigned 15 to 20 years after Jehoahaz of Judah, continual reference to those kings by the same name may have brought confusion, hence Ahaziah being referred to a Judah's king. Just my thoughts.

As well, we do have many instances of name changes in the Bible, though I'm unsure whether they still retained the same meaning, probably not. E.g. Daniel - Belteshazzar; Dorcas - Tabitha; Esther - Hadassaah; Jedediah - Solomon; Gideon - Jerub-baal.

Thanks, SolaScrip.

I take the Millenium to be literal

I'm sure some will be happy to discuss this topic, And by the way, great topic! I also will join in later.

Enjoying the grand kids at the moment.

God bless.

Heavenly Father, please be merciful and heal this family of the Covid.

Protect them just like you did me and my family when we all caught it. (4 unvaccinated adults, 1 vaccinated adult, 6 unvaccinated children. 1 adult with severe asthma, copd, and emphysema who was obese and unvaccinated!) Protect their lungs Father just as you did mine!

I believe you are stopping this Covid right now and I command it not to harm their lungs in Jesus mighty name! Lord I thank you and I praise you because I know it's not your will for us to be sickly. Jesus you always healed those you encountered with illnesses, Thank you Lord!

Let it depart from their homes and bodies and lungs and cells. We Bind and rebuke every spirit that's not of you Lord that would taunt them causing fear and doubt. Let your peace that passes all understanding rest upon them with a spirit of praise. in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you for hearing us tonight!

Donna,

I'd tell the baby Christian what Jesus said when he was asked the same question. He said 2 things 1) love God with all your heart and 2) love your neighbor like yourself.



Once you know these two things you can move on to discovery. Do not take another's word about what happened in the Bible without looking into it yourself. Allow the Bible to define itself. The Internet offers basic education, nothing I believe about the future can be found on the Internet.

I'll try to report it like your favorite news caster. The problem is it's neither sweet in your mouth, nor sweet in your belly. That means it's hard medicine to bear. No one wants to believe it, that America will be taken.

So long.... ask any question and I'll answer it. I'll be real nice, you'll see.

Donna, ok. Just was wondering. Grace is a lovely nickname. My given name means "mighty with the sword." So, it reminds me to use the Word of God correctly, because of its power and authority when used rightly

No offense taken. Just wanted to be clear that I was here for a no-nonsense, impersonal, discussion of the facts of The Word.

I pray that you will look into some of what I presented. It is very important for Christians to see through all of the false doctrine that is being foisted upon us from every side these days.

Acts 20:28-31

God bless.

James, I will pray for you and your family.

Dear Lord Jesus, we ask you to bring swift complete healing from covid for James and all of his family members. Keep covid from exacerbating anyone with asthma and keep covid from affecting Loucresia's heart. Lord, we know that you are the Healer of Your people. We come to You for Your power to be extended to this family. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Thank you, GiGi. I think I agree with all of what you said and I'm not that far behind you in years. Done with the vast majority of nonsense in life and ready to be dedicated to the Lord, and the defense of His Word, for the remainder of my days.

God bless.

....continued

With this plague (fie and hail) Pharaoh speaks to Moses and says that he had sinned, that YHWH is righteous, and that the Egyptians are wicked. He said he would release the Israelites if Moses would make the fire and hail stop. But we see that Pharaoh was a manipulator and thought he could manipulate Moses AND YHWH. After Moses causes the hail and fire to stop, Pharaoh rescinds his words. It seems that Pharaoh may have had a hint of humility before YHWH but not enough to cause him to truly repent. He must have thought he could outsmart YHWH. And so, his heart was hardened even more. Instead of allowing his heart to be softened, YHWH squeezed Pharaoh's heart to push out more and more any sense of repentance or mortification before YHWH, along with any honor, respect, or reverence Pharaoh may have had towards YHWH after these plagues. Pharaoh just became more prideful, more arrogant, and more contrary to YHWH.

This is what happens to people who fight against God; who denounce Him; who resist Him; who do not esteem Him. their hearts become hardened by their deliberate opposition to God.

In this chapter, the YHWH continues to talk to Moses and sends Moses and Aaron back to Pharaoh bringing more plagues upon Egypt, but sparing the Israelites in the land of Goshen. Pharaoh's heart is hardened further, even though at one point he admits to having sinned and acknowledged the True God of the Israelites. Yet we discover that his words were not true words of repentance because he hardened his heart further when the plagues were stopped. He was just giving lip service in order to get a reprieve from this God he did not really know nor honor. Yet all of the ways of Pharaoh, God had orchestrated to bring about His purposes. By now the Israelites should be so thankful and sold out to YHWH seeing how they were spared the plagues how powerful YHWH truly was.

The Egyptians worshipped both cows and bulls. The cow-god was Hathor and represented all of the best qualities of a female. The bull-god was Apis, Hathor's son (who was the most sacred bull-god as there were many bull-gods) who represented protection, virility, male prowess. Also, Apis was worshipped as actually god-creator and represented divinity and eternity. Seth was a donkey or camel -god, sometimes a mix of livestock represented storms and desert.

Resheph was the name of the horse-god and represented war and pestilence.

Menes was a goat-god.

The pestilence (murrian) affected both humans and a variety of livestock. YHWH smiting the livestock of the Egyptians was pestilence demonstrated His defeat of all these livestock-gods.

The next plague was skin boils, pustules, skin eruptions.

There were gods/goddesses of healing, medicine.

Sekmet-goddess of healing

Thoth-god of healing

Isis-goddess of medicine

YHWH sending this plague challenged these gods ability to heal.

The next plague was that of fire and hail.

Shango was the fire and thunder god.

Nut was the hail god.

So YHWH was showing He was stronger and more fierce than these gods.

we need prayer. Pray for my sister Loucreasia she is having bad reaction to covid infection. She has bad heart issues and we all got asthma. Her and all my siblings and me have covid. Pray for complete healing. Pray this goes away and we all get better. Half of us have been vaxed out of the six by the way.

This entire chapter; clearly is a description of the events of Armageddon; and the geographical changes on earth immediately afterwards. The destruction of nations in verses 1-8; and the horror of pitch and brimstone showing an opening to hell in verses 9-10. The rest of the chapter illustrates what Rev. 17 states; with the destruction of Babylon and Rev. 19 with all the birds gorging on the feast the Lord provides (the dead carcasses). For anyone who says God doesn't have a message about his care for animals; this certainly rebuffs it. The conditions will be suitable for the unclean birds and God even ensures "not one of them shall want her mate" in verse 16. Everything has its place; and along with the always visible reminder of the previous destruction will be a restored earth suitable for life to flourish and God's redeemed to live. Revelation has parallel verses to this entire passage; but there are many other scriptures as well (Daniel; Zechariah; Jeremiah) as well as Psalms describing the same event. The controversy of Zion in verse 8 surely can be traced to Psalm 83 which likely occurs at the beginning of the time of Jacob's trouble. This chapter simply cannot match any event in the time of Isaiah 700 years before Christ came to earth. The whole book is interweaved between events in surrounding nations at that time; and in the future as well as Isaiah's own personal life. This shows irrefutable evidence of the inspiration of this text both to past fulfillments (including those of Christ's ministry itself reaching the Gentiles); and those yet to come.

GiGi, no, just Grace. It's what my mom calls me.

Chris & GiGi,

You are missing the point of the narrative, the sixth trumpet, the day of the lord, judgment day when both houses of Israel experience Jacobs time of trouble. Spend some time with Isaiah 47, see how America is described, told to sit in the dirt, in darkness.

You said Israel will be "preserved". Israel will be invaded and taken into a third captivity at the day of the lord ( Luke 21:20-24). America will be nowhere to be found to save Israel, they received their part in the abomination of desolation in the same hour, spoken of by Daniel. Antichrist rules all strong holds for 42 months, at which time Christ returns to take the kingdom. It is at this point and only at this point that Israel is reestablished, Isaiah 14:2, with the resurrected saints, and only the saints.

Praying for you, your children, and your children's children.

Pray for them that persecute you. And let your light so shine. Here are some great scriptures for Targeted Individuals to stand on and practice.

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:11

Luke 6:22

That did indeed help to confirm my thinking and it is good to have endorsement.

Best regards

Roy

Also; there will be a Millennial sort of tabernacle as all the O.T. festivals and feasts are symbolic of the future dwelling with men on earth. What a glorious day that will be; when each one can "sit under his own vine and fig tree" and enjoy the blessings of the restored earth; ruling and reigning with Christ!

Hello,

A sluggard is one who is lazy, slothful, idle. Also, can be someone who is villianous or up to no good.

The tabernacle; signifies the dwelling place. The Most High; in O.T. times; would be within the Ark of the Covenant; which would be in the inner court; surrounded by the outer court; and other areas further out including the areas of animal sacrifice. Hence; Christ went outside the gate after making the sacrifice for us. Sobering thought. It is important to see that the Lord would only dwell according to certain parameters as to the furniture (the shewbread being next to the ark; and carvings of Cherubim). Besides these guidelines; He chose who would be able to be in the inner court; the lineage of Levite priests; as well as the King who would build the tabernacle and when. The overall design in the inner sanctum was rather simple even in Solomon's temple despite the ornate design and complex manual for construction of the rest. God Himself warned Solomon; in fact not to hoard gold; silver; and horses or start being seduced by foreign gods (related to all the amorous behavior with foreign women). One of the earlier altars that David purchased after the plague hit was Ornan's threshingfloor in 1 Chronicles 21. This was done in ad-hoc fashion; as an immediate end to an ongloing plague by the angel had to be offset. Now; of course God's tabernacle dwells with men; as His Spirit has taken up residence in a Christian and among those gathered together in His name. This caused the death of Ananias and Sapphira much in the same way that those carrying the Ark were slain in the Old Testament when they erred in picking it up when it dropped. The Ark also blessed the residence where it sat after that event; and also caused plagues among those who took it (the Philistines). We should keep in mind the admonitions of the candlestick being removed in Revelation as well. He who destroys the temple God Himself will destroy. ( 1 Cor. 3:17). That could be viewed as self-destruction; or perhaps the effect of martyrdom although the soul would go on to be with the Lord.

Dear Donna,

I will continue to pray for you and the things you mentioned. Thanks for filling us in a bit on your siuation.

Also, are you saying that you and GraceAmbassador (who posts on here are the same person)?

Dear April, I agree in prayer for all of these requests.

Lord Jesus, April is in need of Your protection and deliverance from those who are acting against her for so long. Cause these actions to be thwarted and stopped. Provide all that is needed for April to move and be in a better position to care for herself and grandchildren. Deliver her children from the slavery of drug and alcohol abuse. Release their bodies, and minds from dependency on these things. We ask these things in Your name Jesus. Amen.

In light of much of today's erroneous doctrine; particularly occurring among female megapastors (sometimes in conjunction with their husbands) we can perhaps better appreciate Paul's admonition that a woman not teach or exercise authority over a man ( 1 Tim 2:12). There were certain protocols or roles that exemplify the elder/pastor; deacon; and Bishop as to personal behavior to qualify for the position and the way the job was to be carried out. In 1 Cor. 11 verse 2:16 we see that women WOULD pray and prophesy (apparently related to public worship). The instruction for head covering indicates submission to men and relates to their role with the church; some of which seems rather mysterious related to the angels and glory. As for a Deacon; apparently Romans 16:1 indicates that indeed Phoebe was in such a position AND commended by Paul. Since this word also translates "servant"; the role could signify a different sort of role here. It should also be remembered that the admonitions seen in the above verses and elsewhere mention the church as the emphasis; there are other verses indicating the way a woman is to submit in silence outside the church with their husbands. Given the instructions of women Titus 2 indicates women are to teach what is good and other verses (including some in the Old Testament Psalms and Proverbs) show wisdom given from mothers as well. There is an exception somewhere where a woman instructs a man (I believe it is Lydia and Barnabus) in the matter of the Holy Spirit and correct teaching since his understanding of the role in the time of John the Baptist.

I can't seem to find it; but again this would be a private matter outside church worship. However; a believing wife could explain the way of salvation to her husband; provided she is still submissive in any way that would not damage her living for the Lord. It would seem the best way to reach another spouse generally is by example of behavior of a believer to the nonbeliever.

I totally agree. I'm even super careful about letting someone lay hands on me. I need to test their spirit first.

Hello Learning,

No, Jesus' brother, (Judas or Jude) is not the same person as Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus). Also, there was another apostle named Judas, but he was not Judas Iscariot nor Jesus' brother. Judas must have been a common name back then.