All Discussion PAGE 674

Dear Anonymous,

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus HAS done all that you are asking for in your post. Believe it is true for you. He died for you and for your sins. There is no if, ands, or buts about it. Anyone and everyone can come to Him for salvation, forgiveness of sins, right standing before the Father, sanctification from the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus and the Gospel of what He HAS done as our Savior. Walk in faith and confidence that you have what you are seeking in your post already in Jesus.

Amen,may God bless my family, He knows what is needed.

Please pray for my son Oliver that he may pass his statistics exam with flying colors today. To God be the Glory! Thanks.

Yes, Jesse, this verse should bolster our faith knowing that God is able to do all that we ask of Him inn prayer and does so much more that we fail to ask Him for. It is good to remember how much greater He is than anyone else and be assured that we will have our prayers answered in the best ways and that God is absolutely greater and more splendid than we can even know in this life.

Look what we have to expect for now and to look forward to in eternity!

Hello Mara 444,

I have read that Zechariah, John the Baptists' father) was serving his round for temple service as the priest in the month of Sivan (June-July) when John was conceived, making his birth sometime in the month of Nissan (March). Since John's mother, Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary conceived Jesus, Jesus would have been born in the month of Tishri (September) perhaps around Rosh Hoshannah or Yom Kippur. Also Jesus was born while King Herod was still alive. Herod died on about 4 B.C. So, since he decreed that all male Jewish babies 2 years or younger would be killed, it is likely that Jesus was born between 6 and 4 B.C.

Hello Mary,

This site only recently changed to requiring someone to have an account to submit a post. For many, years this was not so, There must have been a good reason for the admin to make this change.

I know from my experience that sites that allow comments usually are plagued with people who wish to rile up the serious posters or are argumentative, or say outlandish things to get attention. These are referred to as "trolls". Also "bots" will also "contribute, but they are not real people, but just computer generated responses.

I hope you will stay her and give this site a good chance. But if you find another site that you prefer better, then that is probably best for you. God's blessing to you.

Hello Dante, I agree that Adam and Eve were free to eat of the tree of life, just as they were free to eat of any other tree in the garden, even the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They opted to eat of the one tree forbidden to them instead of eating from the tree of life. I don't know it they knew that this tree would make them immortal or not. But they opted not to eat of it prior to eating of the tree forbidden to them. They desired what they were not supposed to have and broke God's good commandment to them instead of being satisfied with all of the fruit from the other trees in the garden, including the tree of life.

In just looking at what Genesis says, we are not given information about what Adam and Eve thought or the motives of their hearts even. We can infer about these, but we truly don't know their hearts, bit God did. Eve did say that she saw that the fruit of this tree was good for foo, was pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise when the serpent tempted her. Other than that, we do not know what Adam and Eve's true relationship with God was like nor how much they knew about Him. they did not know what sin was until they sinned. And most likely did not know about the evil one.

i would like you to pray for my wife misty to heel her wrist she broke bake to normal. and heel her of her strep a she has .and to ask to heel me from my covid and swollen lymp note .and heel me from my asthma an anxiety i know the lord can heel ive seen him do it in the past.i am a strong believer

Avoiding extremes.

Christians; in today's society are becoming further marginalized and indeed; hated which is itself a sign that the end is near ( Matt. 10:22-although likely not reaching complete fulfillment until the Tribulation is underway). When we are hated it should be because of His Name's sake not because we are on some side campaign and using scripture to defend it. We cannot focus all our attention on "humanitarian" issues and neglect preaching the total depravity of man; for instance by quoting the beatitudes out of context. As with anything; there are both extremes. If we end up being so caught up in the "doctrines of election" that we fail to love our enemies (since they may be by the eternal counsel of the godhead not be part of "God's elect") then HUMAN logic would tell us that we have no reason to show them love. Now no Calvinist would say that he knows for certain WHO God's elect are but may not consider someone like Judas Iscariot who Christ showed no malice toward until the end. In fact it was prophesied how much it would hurt that a trusted friend would betray him even though it was also prophesied that he would be the son of perdition. We are called to love our enemies; pray for those who despitefully use us ( Matt. 5:44). Again; with the other extreme we somehow think that if we are loving enough (at least some do) that we will win over people because of a "God filled vaccuum". Looking at Christ Himself-the ultimate "selfless" example He didn't mince words with niceties because He knew all too well that the broad road was where most go; and ontly "few" would be saved. Hell was real; originally created for the rebellious angels. He would NOT ever praise anyone unless it was true faith that was motivating them; and made clear the deplorable state of the human heart; especially to those who felt most self justified (Pharisees and lawyers). Somehow unsaved people envision a Christ loved by most; rather than what really happened

Just as many of us do in the Church today. We know the LORD and we fear the LORD, but we have our own set of standards of Worship. We no longer follow a code of holiness. We no longer honor or even fear the presence of GOD in the sanctuary. Some with a thought that the mercy and grace of GOD will cover their sins.

Hai sir, please pray for my fathers health Mr. Gurreddy age about 58 who is suffering from Ear pain since two years .... He undergone two surgeries for inside ear due to heavy pain unable to sleep every night time ...some time he will feel with pressing like needles , he is crying with out sleeping ... We dont know as well doctors also unable to find what happened inside his ear , I can only trust in precious heavenly father can heal heal my fathers pain permanently pls pray for in this regard , in Jesus Christ name I pray Amen.

Protection from evil doers. Witchcraft. A hedge of protection around me and each family member. Wisdom and courage for the next steps. Eyes wide opened.

Thank you for praying.

Hello, Why are certain books removed from the bible. And Are Pastors not preaching from Book of Revelations?

Galatians 4:16

"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

Who told you there were only 66 books? God told me the Apocrypha is his word i studied the Apocrypha. you can't just throw out a claim something is not scripture or fake if you haven't even studied it

Thanks for your thoughts, Gerald. I'm trying to the way I read and think about Genesis to Genesis itself.

Regarding the tree of life:

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

I take from this that it was within Adam's power to eat of the tree of life at any time.

To prevent Adam from eating of the tree, God kicks Adam out of the garden for the express purpose of preventing him from eating from the tree of life:

Genesis 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, . . .

This seems plain to me, that Adam could have eaten of the tree of life, but had not, and the LORD God decided to prevent him from being able to.

Would you agree Adam could have, but had not, and that the LORD decided to prevent him from eating of the tree?

I don't know much; just a sinner saved by grace. The Bible verses usually I am able to find on the search engine which I am aware exist but not just where in the Bible.

No exact answer; there in regard to your question. Scholars say that the sheep grazing as mentioned in the scripture (not sure which Gospel) indicate that it is probably more likely in the early spring than December. Since December 21 to 23 is the "winter solstice" the pagans would often celebrate that event; and since the Catholic church in particular likes to celebrate events so that there is some familiarity to the time we likely ended up with December 25. Another example is Easter whose name came from "Ishtar" which was borrowing directly from pagan tradition with the fertility symbols related to the egg. THAT season corresponds according to scripture as Passover; and many think it was in reality Wednesday evening the Lord was crucified (for 3 FULL days and nights that He was physically dead).

Anyway; the bigger issue here is the YEAR. AD 0 BTW doesn't exist; we go from BC 1 to AD 1. There were said to be 490 years ( Daniel 9:25) from the building of the Temple was announced by Cyrus until the coming of the Messiah. A lot depends exactly what year THAT was on. Also there are those convinced that there had to be a planetary conjunction to appear as the star mentioned; although it would seem it was a distinctly supernatural event (as well as the sun AND full moon darkening at the same time which BTW there is historical record around the world of such an event). There was also the specific rulers in Jerusalem; etc.; all told many think it was closer to AD 30 when the crucifixion occurred making the actual fulfillment of His public ministry starting in 27 AD.

Hope that is helpful. At any rate I know better than trying to do only what the Lord can do in a battle of intellectual wits. Nonetheless we need to be prepared to have an answer for the hope in us ( 1 Peter 3:1-5).

Why is this page not in all bible pages we read today. Who removes it and why?

I'm glad to see that the moderators, of which you are not one , are more respectful of the right to free speech and less presumptuous of the motives of others , than you are. If you want this site to be filled only with posts that you agree with then I am very sorry for you . Personally I love free speech and try not to guess at the motives of others in regard to what they say and why they might be saying it . Stimulation is good for the brain . Stagnation is bad for my faith . I have lived and worked in countries that do not have any free speech at all . It's horrible , fearful , paranoid , secretive and soul destroying . If you had ever experienced a society in which everyone is trying to second guess everyone else's motives and reasons for doing and saying every and any thing , you would understand what an enormous privilege , to be treasured , free speech is . When reading posts on here , I also try to remember that not everyone is as articulate or educated as everyone else and sometimes the way a person expresses themselves may not be accurately interpreted if English is their second language or they are not used to writing things that are going to be read by others . A little leeway is in order I think ?

Hello, maybe your ancestors were slave owners? That can't be disproven.

I agree with Spencer that this seems to be a tabloid-style attack that only takes away from the point you were trying to make. Who are "early church fathers" to you? Maybe your fathers aren't others' "fathers". My father is God the father.

Pondering on the verse of the day, I notice the pronouncement of Paul, the benediction. First he talks about the capability of the Lord. He says, now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

When I pause here, I don't believe anyone

can piece together words like that in any literature better than that. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!



All that I'm complaining about, all that I'm asking the Lord about, He's doing much more. And He knows so much more.



And it's according to the power that is working in us. The word working is the word energy. According to the DUNAMIS, the power that is energizing in us.



And then the creed concerning the Lord in the next verse ( Ephesians 3:21). Unto him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus into all ages, world without end. Amen.



Just by these verses, Verses 17 through 21, you get that sense and understanding that Paul knows who Jesus is!

Hello Mary. My opinion...

Disabled children are also born, is that God's Will or God planned it? No, not at all. Something went wrong during the pregnasy, probably some drugs taken, probably something during baby's formation in the womb, diffected/altered DNA, many reasons may cause bad things. Homosexuality may be something created since birth, but it can be also caused due to psychological reasons during growing up, many people that don't receive love during their time as childs and teenagers have often problems with it. But besides that in our days it has become kind of a fashion, especially among famous people (and not only) and since those are often examples, many follow.

So it is not somebody to be condemned, especially those who have problems with it, these people need real love but they also need freedom. BUT, and this is the important thing we all have to have in mind, all these things that occur to people, during their lives here on earth are a result of man's apostasy from God, they are a result of the sinful life we are living away from God's commandments and God's protection. We have chosen to live away from God and those (everything bad in our lives) are the inevitable consequences. Sin causes death, both biological and psychological. If people stayed obedient in the beginning and stayed pure as they were created none of those would have happened. So it is our fault, not God's, like any other sin. So what can somebody do now? As for any other passion or sin the only person that can set us free is only God. If one goes to God humble, with faith, and having decided in their heart that they want to get free, God will definately set them free. Also you should know that God is love but He is also truth. That means that everything outside truth (and how things were designed and created by God), are not His likings. He wishes people to become in His image, pure and clean from any sin, whatever that sin is, from the least to the biggest.

GBU

Thank you so much for sharing this my brother. I always enjoy reading J. Vernon McGee.

And it is true that our flesh cannot produce anything pleasing to the Lord.

Hi Sammi.

You stated;

"it's not often possible to discern some ones motive for posting and I think it's folly to try to do so . I don't believe that we know anyone's heart or mind fully . Secondly , the truth often makes uncomfortable reading , but if it is the truth it must not be ignored or covered up".

Here's the issue.

When Stlouistv stated; "the early church fathers who were slave owners btw had no business removing these books out of the bible and lied and said they were not inspired.

( That was contentious) There wasn't a need to discern anything being there was no proof provided with that racially tone msg that had no other purpose but to be contentious.

"THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS WHO WERE SLAVE OWNERS." ???

Did that have to be added?

Is that not purposely contentious?

Where is the reasoning behind the comment or explanation. Proof and purpose?

Who and how is that statement declared truth?

Because he said so?

Just because you have freedom of speech means you have to speak, He should have pleaded the fifth.

Sammi I believe a person don't have to agree with peoples "opinions" but we all should earnestly covet what is truth and clarity.

I'm not a partial person and I am not influenced by any worldly culture or mans traditions whether male, female, or race. We're all held accountable to true worship in the church, without the world's influence.

Some love to use these sites to function in a way their local Church won't allow them. However this site has Guidelines.

We come here and take advantage of its liberty but let's not ignore

Galatians 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

Concerning the topic of the books of the Apocrypha there are groups out there that use those books to divide racially.

I've debated them and is very familiar with their catch phrases.

Let's see what follows.

God bless.

God has not changed , it was man's disobedience that brought about his death .

It is by man's obedience to the gospel do they live .

In truth when a person is truly BORN again he enters into that eternal will of God preordained from before the foundations of the world .

Man is the head of the woman or wife as God is the head of the man .

Only God is incorruptible . Therefore anything that God created being not God is or can be corrupted .

Man was not created corrupted nor was it Gods will that man be corrupted ( and die) For it is written " Man shall not LIVE by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God "

The Word of God to Adam was " of all the trees in the garden you may freely eat "

This then included the tree of life .

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt surely die for in the day you eat of you shall surely die "

Thus God revealed HIS will for man that he should live and not die .

Moreover God also revealed that man was free to eat of the tree of life .

Thus God by that word that came forth from His mouth gave Adam His knowledge of what was good to eat and what was evil to eat .

It was the rejection of Gods word as to what is good and what is evil and believing the lie' thou shalt not surely d" that they died .

Man is still doing that which is right or good in his own eyes and in doing so is faced with its consequences .

God is not a tyrant . Nor indeed is He democratic .

But while He is not a tyrant nor democratic He does have His own imperatives .

You MUST be born again ,"not of corruptible seed but of the incorruptible seed which is the Word of God "

For by one man's disobedience all die .

Likewise by one man's obedience do all men live .

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm trying to limit myself to the words in Genesis, not as those clarified and/or modified in later texts.

From my reading of Genesis, there was nothing stated that prevented Adam or Eve from eating of the tree of life. That to me is an important point in my personal interpretation of Genesis.

Projecting, as I read Genesis, that Adam chose mortality to eternity without Eve is supported as an interpretation. It's an interpretation that has much meaning to me.

Hi Mary, I agree with your last few sentences that we are absolutely to love each other. Love a person, but not love sin; hate sin. Sins are not people, and people are not sins. One common deception is to bundle these together as if people have "no choice" but to choose to sin 24/7 and if you don't accept it then you're "wrong." We shouldn't attempt to judge people's salvation, but the Bible supports discernment on who you let influence or corrupt you, and it doesn't mean for you to put you or your family in danger, for example. Someone would not hire an atheist for a pastor of a Christian church, for example, for fear of not wanting to "judge" them for their beliefs.

I don't believe God created anyone LGBT but he gives the gift of freewill which means people can choose good or evil. God is clear on what is good or evil and that is not in agreement with the world that has its own different list. Many things God deemed evil, the world calls "good". People use all kinds of clever rationalizations. One of those is that "I can't help it, I'm born this way" rationalization. Currently its being used to rationalize committing sodomy and other acts God said is sin. But the same doesn't even apply to those who consider themselves heterosexuals. Just because someone may choose to find someone average or above in attractiveness doesn't mean they will act on their passion, fantasy, or lust. Most don't. This means its a choice, yet when it comes to a LGBT the claim is that they somehow have no choice in the matter but to act out their desires. I don't think God buys it.

Ironically, what is claimed as a lack of choice for this sin is then suddenly a choice for committing the sin of murder. So the rationalizations are hypocritical and contradict themselves as the world's invented morals usually do. So, a mother rationalizes that murdering her son or daughter in the womb is ok, because its her choice. And they call that "health care." Satan is the father of lies.

Lord Jesus, I am continuing to ask for strong protection (pleading the blood of Jesus over us & family and asking for Holy Warrior angels and a wall of Holy Spirit fire to surround each of us), deliverance, healing (thank you for all healing you have already granted, we need a lot of healing in the heart, also physical right now), peace and salvation and wisdom and an infilling with the Holy Spirit. Please grant what Paul prayed in Eph. 3:14-19 for each of us. Also Lord please intervene concerning the painful things you know about. Please send encouragement. Please forgive the sins that have led to these things. Please grant what I'm asking also to others who are in need. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

Father, please help us all and all people to believe on the name of th Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

StLouisTv,

Is there any proof that you can share that would show without a doubt that these books were indeed inspired by God?

I find it interesting what Paul said in Acts 20:27, " For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."



What a great verse!



He hasn't withheld anything from them. He wanted them to know the (whole council) of God. That's why he sat house to house and publicly, any way he could, day and night as a slave of Christ, in order that every believer that he came in contact with would have the whole council of God.



That is one of the reasons why we have these times together, to go through the whole bible, chapter by chapter to see what it says. To know the whole council of God!

Now, Paul's statement would not make much sense if he left any part of those apocryphal books out. And Paul says he gave them the entire council of God, meaning nothing left out.

However, in all of Paul's writings, he never once quoted from any of those books. None of the apostles did either.

Plus, not once did Jesus ever quote from any of those books. It would seem that if they were inspired, Paul would have taught from them.

Perhaps there might be some valuable historical information in these books, but are the truly inspired by God?