fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 7, 2024 0:54:27 GMT -5
Eva:
yup...it is considered hate speech!
However, there is a big conflict concerning it in the USA.
Some government entities and/or states have tried to enact laws to punish it.
Notice a good amount of what is considered 'hate' speech.... is what people have twisted Biblical truths.
For example:
take God's saying( in the Bible)
it is wrong for women to have sex with woman, and men with men.
Well, if a Christian were to bring that up a gay couple could or might or would be, very angry and even have hurt feelings....
They make a false and often wrong jump into thinking the Christian 'hates' them....
But is that true? Is it said out of 'hate'? or could it be the very opposite... it was said out of love.
Why does God say that is more the question.
What would happen if every human being on the planet, were exclusively 'gay'? In no time at all, that, would end the human race. There would be no more babies.
Who would love that to happen? Would Satan love that?
But back to is hate speech illegal in the USA?
I think there are strong factions, in the US that would absolutely LOVE to make it so!
They would not only ban speaking or writing but burn every Bible and make it a crime to own one due to the wrongly accused 'hate' in it.
Remember, people love their sins ( and yes, there are a ton of sins, not just this one...)
After all a mass murderer could claim: He was born that way!!!
Therefore, to speak against his torturing and murdering people would be hate speech!!!
In fact, I just saw on Amir's site today, a Muslim explaining why pedophilia is not wrong!
So, to say that pedophilia is wrong, is also considered hate speech! At least, according to this Muslim....
and if we wait long enough it too will in fact, potentially also be considered hate speech, to say anything against it.
But there is also a strong ( but getting weaker) faction in the USA that says:
No it is still,
a 1st amendment Free speech right!!!!
Those who so want to shut Christians and the Bible up are also not thinking down the road ( so to speak)....
Yes, to cancel certain freedoms of thought and speech, that one group hates... works fine for them for a time!!! They may successfully shut off any talk they do not want to hear.
UNTIL.......
It comes back and bites them!
At some point, it could happen that some other group will punish them and their talk!
Like so many gays that are pro hamas!
Not realizing that if they were to go to Gaza and be openly gay.... they would last about 10 minutes ( maybe not even that long!!!)
and it would not be just time in prison for 'expressing' themselves.....
No! The people who would be against the gays free speech in Gaza would toss them off the nearest high building to their death.
I also watch an incredibly sad video on Amir's site of Hamas beating some citizens who apparently stole a bit of food ( that Hamas stole first)
They beat them and broke as many and as much of their bones as possible and then murdered them.
Oh but first they spray painted the word thief in Arabic on their back and tied their hands and feet together... and a large group would take metal rods and endlessly beat them.
Well, that is another way, of stopping someone... they don't even get a trial, or prison for stealing a loaf of bread!
So yes, a large group of people in our country wants to go down this path also...
But this kind of cold hearts,lack of compassion, inability to debate and present opposing well thought out ideas and kill,
and really hate....
all points to the end times!!!
This is what sinners will end up like, without the love of Christ.
Look at how quickly we have the first murder in the Bible Cain kills his brother Able in the 4th chapter of Genesis!
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Post by evafromgreece on Jul 10, 2024 2:43:46 GMT -5
Focused on Romans 1 : 31 “ heartless, ruthless.” In Greek it’s written as “ «Άνθρωποι χωρίς σύνεση, δεν κρατούν το λόγο τους, δεν έχουν στοργή, διαλλακτικότητα και έλεος.» ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ 1:31 TGV bible.com/bible/173/rom.1.31.TGV”Basically this applies also to me . I keep praying every day that God will transform all these parts in me. For example . My parents in Rhodes live in an abusive environment. Our relatives are our neighbours and the situations there were always really bad, since I was a kid till now. Sometimes when I want to protect my parents, that tend to be depressed after our relatives try to cause a fight or speak badly about them , I want to fight back and I want to hurt them too. Even if I live miles away , I want to fight back. Is it ok for them to threat badly my parents, of course not. But most likely there should be a different way to protect them instead of fighting back .
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 10, 2024 9:17:38 GMT -5
Eva:
I know for me, and for a lot of people,
For example:
mothers.... when someone is hurting their child, or children...
Find it harder to deal with their children or loved ones being hurt, way more than if the hurt/abuse etc. was aimed at them.
I think the very first thing we should do, is to immediately take the pain, hurts, abuse, sorrows etc.
To the Lord in prayer.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
And
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Also
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18
As you know, God might answer.... immediately,
but...
He may also wait ( His timing... not ours).
However, it can give a kind of peace, just talking to Jesus, and knowing He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
Jesus did say we would have tribulations, in this life:
I (Jesus) have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
and
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
And we are to even pray for our 'enemies'
( I often pray that their ( the ones doing the hurting or abusing ) hearts will be softened, and that they will hear the truth, and be set free...from sin, evil, hard hearts, anger, etc.)
But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44
and
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32
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Post by Cindy on Jul 10, 2024 10:52:16 GMT -5
Focused on Romans 1 : 31 “ heartless, ruthless.” In Greek it’s written as “ «Άνθρωποι χωρίς σύνεση, δεν κρατούν το λόγο τους, δεν έχουν στοργή, διαλλακτικότητα και έλεος.» ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ 1:31 TGV bible.com/bible/173/rom.1.31.TGV”Basically this applies also to me . I keep praying every day that God will transform all these parts in me. For example . My parents in Rhodes live in an abusive environment. Our relatives are our neighbours and the situations there were always really bad, since I was a kid till now. Sometimes when I want to protect my parents, that tend to be depressed after our relatives try to cause a fight or speak badly about them , I want to fight back and I want to hurt them too. Even if I live miles away , I want to fight back. Is it ok for them to threat badly my parents, of course not. But most likely there should be a different way to protect them instead of fighting back . We are all like that hon. All of us have a sin nature and all of us can say and do the most horrid things if we are not purposely walking in the Holy Spirit. Barbara had great suggestions for that though. It's perfectly OK to tell God how you feel, after all, He already knows exactly how you feel and what you'd like to do or say. That you don't do it because you want your life to honor God shows a lot of maturity. Ask the Lord to help you and ask Him to change your heart to be like His, and He will do it. He usually does it a little at a time all through our lives, but sometimes He may change our hearts in a big way at different times too. That's what David prayed too. I like to combine the way different versions translate it: “Create in me a clean, pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Let's go on to the last two characteristics in this verse now: “without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,” (2 Timothy 3:3) To me it almost seems like the characteristics are all saying a lot of the same things. The word translated "brutal" is also translated as: "fierce, unmerciful, savage, cruel, and without gentleness." The Greek word for "brutal" is really a noun meaning “untamed beasts.”
When these people cannot have their way, they become a lot like savage beasts. I see those characteristics daily in the news, and hear about them in people's relationships today. Now let's look at the other ways "not lovers of the good" is translated: "haters of good, without kindness, despises those that are good, opposed to what is good, with no interest for what is good." So we can see from this that they not only hate people who they view as good, (like all who are really saved) but they hate everything that has anything to do with "good" which would include God and any laws or rules that uphold the good. They don't just not love good, or good people, or God, they aren't just uninterested in it, they actively hate it and work against anything or anyone that's "good". That sounds like an excellent description of Satan to me. That makes sense though since the people that are being described are unsaved and therefore children of Satan. Instead of honoring what is good, they despise what is good and honor what is evil. In society today the standards of right and wrong have been twisted, if not destroyed. “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil,” (Isa. 5:20). These people are enemies of all that is good and virtuous. Instead of focusing on God and His will, these people focus on themselves and their own wills (cf. Phil. 3:19). It sure seems to me like Paul is using the worst descriptive words he can think of. And this is what we're seeing today. Sadly it's only going to get worse.
But there's yet another way to look at these characteristics. Not just the ones we're talking about today, but all of them, even the ones we haven't gotten to yet. We also need to remember that these words describe us. OK, maybe we haven't done anything outwardly that others could see that would cause us to be labeled by any of these words. But even if we haven't, if we search our hearts with the Lord's help, we will see we are very capable of being all of these things. The main reason we haven't been completely like this is because God, in His grace was subduing our sin nature and preventing us from being as bad as we could have been. He knew we would belong to Him even before we were saved and so He kept us from the worst sin. It's like that old saying, "There but for the grace of God go I." In other words, if it wasn't for God stopping us, we could have been every bit as bad as the people today or the people running Hitler's concentration camps, or the terrorists attacking Israel today. It's when we begin to see just how evil we really are, that we begin to realize what Jesus forgave us for, and what He saved us from. If He had not saved us from ourselves we would have destroyed ourselves just like so many today are.
However, when we realize this, we cannot dwell on how bad we were but instead should dwell on how amazing God's grace and forgiveness is. He didn't just die to forgive our sins, but to rescue us from the shame and guilt of those sins as well. So beating our self up is a sin because we are forgiven and the perfect life that Jesus lived has been put on our account. Good scriptures to keep in mind are these: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4–9)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 11, 2024 23:06:45 GMT -5
I know the sins that caught me in my youth, and some I still have to struggle with to this day.... and thus.....having to take my thoughts captive....daily
But 'brutal' is a sin, that I have a hard time, understanding how people can be cruel and brutally physically hurt others?
Were they born lacking compassion?
Or..... would I have found it 'easy' if I had been exposed to it 'daily' from infancy,
and actually 'taught' it every day throughout 'school' Such as Hamas teaches their children?
There are plenty of other sins if I was not born again.... I would not find 'difficult'to indulge in.... But now, I am in a constant spiritual war against them.
But, I hurt and cringe seeing others hurting physically.
instead of wanting to hurt them more, I want to stop their pain, if I could.
I 'guess' hating would tear down that barrier to some extent.... but even then.... being 'brutal' is hard to grasp.
I guess, if I actually were to 'hate' someone so badly I would rather just shoot them!!!
so they would die quickly and not suffer.
I cannot understand how some humans ( they must be demon possessed) seem to 'enjoy' being a 'torturer'.
It must be a warped sense of 'power' like they are a 'god' over their victim?
Even writing about it, makes me want to cry....
Why wouldn't they ( if they had to kill someone) find the 'quickest' way to end a life?
Because the way of being 'brutal', does not even seem to be based on revenge... like the victim you are hurting.... hurt someone you loved so then, you want them to suffer to the same degree.
And the exact opposite of a Christian praying for their 'enemy'!!!
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Post by evafromgreece on Jul 15, 2024 11:17:14 GMT -5
Thank you both Cindy and Barbara for your replies! Thank you Barbara for the verses!
In fact I tend to beat up myself for things that have not been fixed yet. I keep on praying about them, but God’s time is different than our time Philippians 4:4-7 is a great encouragement Holy Spirit has a lot of work to do with me. I feel really close to what Paul said in 1 Timothy 15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”. I can really relate with the last part.
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Post by Cindy on Jul 15, 2024 11:26:06 GMT -5
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they're demon possessed Barbara!
We're on to the next verse now: “treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” (2 Timothy 3:4) Treacherous is also translated as “traitors, or betrayers.” Treacherous is the Greek compound “to give over” which was used idiomatically for “a betrayer” like in Luke 6:16 and Acts 7:52. This is a person that can't be trusted by anyone. It doesn't matter if you think you're a friend of theirs or their child, parent, or spouse. They will lie, break their word, and betray you and use you if it will benefit them in some way. I'm met people like this in the past year. Some of them pretend they love you or that you're their best friend, because that's what they think they have to do in order to get what they really want from you - and what they really want is not your love or friendship! Others simply pretend to be a "good person" when all the while they are constantly lying to you and doing the opposite of what they have told you with a smile on their face. Then there's the kind that acts like a terrorist to you, but acts nice and sweet to everyone else, making it look like you're the one that's nuts.
Rash is also translated as "headstrong, reckless, stubborn, heady, ruthless, thoughtless," This is a Greek compound used idiomatically for not thinking and thereby acting irrationally. That instantly made me think back to this scripture: “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28) Other ways of translating "a depraved mind" are "a reprobate mind, a corrupt mind, a debased mind, a worthless mind, or an unfit mind." When MacArthur speaks about this scripture he calls it insanity. God literally causes them to become insane. Like he said in one sermon, insanity causes people to be unable to tell what their gender is, or think it's OK to have sex with someone of the same sex as themselves. It's also insane to applaud what terrorists do to anyone but especially to children! That last scripture makes me think of this one: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” (Titus 1:15) All of these scriptures explain what is happening around the world today. Unbelievers minds and consciences are corrupted and they have been given over to insanity. Some have embraced that insanity and love it. Others fight it. This is where the people who especially have parents and/or spouses that are Christians that pray for them have an advantage. They have a chance to change. Why do I say that? Because God tells us: “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” (1 Corinthians 7:14) So the unbelieving spouse or child is more protected more than those where all are unbelievers. I would say too that any of the unbelievers who have one or more Christians praying for their salvation would also be somewhat protected too, and would still have a chance of being saved and getting the mind of Christ instead of an insane mind.
I'll try and work on the next two tomorrow, God willing!
Edited to add: Sorry Eva, you posted while I was posting this! I feel the same way though!
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Post by evafromgreece on Jul 17, 2024 14:12:53 GMT -5
I was thinking while reading these verses ... Europe is becoming more and more away from Christianity and closer to the "open minded" life style. In fact this so called "freedom" is something that people were practicing long ago, in the ancient world, while they were involved for examples in rituals worshipping their demons while making orgies, or being gay was considered ok in ancient Greece and much more. So people think that they are moving forward, but in fact they are moving back to the past. This is not progress... I know that this is happening worldwide, but I think that in Europe we have reached an extreme level of this. Except some countries like Germany, were there are some vivid Christian communities , in Europe things are hard. I believe that even if the same things happen in US, at least you can find more Christian communities and more fellow Christians that actually live their faith. No wonder that so many years I am in this forum and not on a Greek , or a European one. I wish I could have more Christian people around me in the community and the everyday life! Ahhh... I wish this could be reality !
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Post by Cindy on Jul 18, 2024 7:19:53 GMT -5
I was thinking while reading these verses ... Europe is becoming more and more away from Christianity and closer to the "open minded" life style. In fact this so called "freedom" is something that people were practicing long ago, in the ancient world, while they were involved for examples in rituals worshipping their demons while making orgies, or being gay was considered ok in ancient Greece and much more. So people think that they are moving forward, but in fact they are moving back to the past. This is not progress... I know that this is happening worldwide, but I think that in Europe we have reached an extreme level of this. Except some countries like Germany, were there are some vivid Christian communities , in Europe things are hard. I believe that even if the same things happen in US, at least you can find more Christian communities and more fellow Christians that actually live their faith. No wonder that so many years I am in this forum and not on a Greek , or a European one. I wish I could have more Christian people around me in the community and the everyday life! Ahhh... I wish this could be reality ! Believe me Eva, it's just as bad here as it is in Europe. It's very difficult to find a church that teaches the Truth from the Bible here too. There's a lot more false teaching than truth here too. I honestly believe that it was the Lord who led you to Fresh Hope and put the 3 of us together. Even back then I used to get private messages from new members saying they were so glad they had finally found a forum that didn't put up with any false teaching. Later, before I had to close our old board, I got messages saying that we were the last true (English) Christian board left. What you wish for is what we wish for and all who are really save wish for. One day our wish will come true because one day the only people alive will be those who are really saved!
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Post by Cindy on Jul 18, 2024 10:01:27 GMT -5
Speaking of demon possessed, I know I've said this before but some of the things the Bible says about demon possessed people might be interesting to add here too since we're seeing a lot of this too:
Demonic possession manifests itself in many ways: 1. can’t speak, can’t hear, self harming (like cutting themselves) (Mark 9:17, Mark 9:18-26; Matt. 9:32). 2. can’t speak or see (Matt. 12:22). 3. seizures, self harming, attempted suicide (Matt. 17:15-18). 4. great strength, insanity, cutting, self destruction, attempted suicide, screaming, going naked - inappropriate behavior, living in tombs or other inappropriate places, isolating, Extremely violent, (Matt 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39) . 5. convulsions, screaming, self harming, (Mark 1:26; Mark 9:20). 6. paralysis, screaming, cripples (like from a stroke) (Acts 8:7). 7. high fever, Demons often manifest symptoms of diseases.. (Luke 4:38). (But disease isn't always due to possession.). 8. harming others, (Acts 19:15–16). 9. attempted murder (1 Samuel 19:9–10). 10. acting treacherously, (Judges 9:23). 11. depression, (1 Samuel 16:14). 12. prostitution, orgies, idolatry, murdering children (today it's called abortion), are all things that the people who worshiped idols (which are demons) did. When you worship a demon, they have a hold on you and cause you to do all these things and more. This is spoken about all though the OT, but I’m only going to list a couple that speak about it. (Deut 32:17, 2 Chronicles 18:22, Ezekiel 16:15–21).
13. Again, in Romans 1:21–32 we see a lot more of what demons cause in humans: adultery, fornication, homosexuality and other perverted sexual acts, transvestites, trans genders, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, disobedient, senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless, and finally filled with every kind of evil and wickedness.
People open themselves up to possession by being unsaved. No demon can possess a person who has been saved. Why? Because everyone who is saved has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. God cannot dwell in a person that has a demon dwelling within them. It must be one or the other. And once a person is saved, it is for eternity. We cannot lose our salvation.
There are some things that more or less invite demons to possess a person. Some of those things are alcoholism, illegal drug use, "getting high" even if it is legal, or even if it is prescribed. Pornography, sexual perversion, idolatry, paganism, violence, and long term bitterness and hate.
All of that afflicts unsaved people who are possessed by demons. We need to remember though that neither Satan nor demons can bother anyone, saved or unsaved, unless the Lord has given His permission. Luke 22:31 is a New Testament example of this and of course we also have the book of Job as an Old Testament example.
Here's the next two character traits: “treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” (2 Timothy 3:4) Conceited is also translated as: “High-minded, puffed up, of vain pretensions, swollen with conceit.” Another word which I think describes this trait today very well is narcissistic. The personality disorder known as narcissism is marked by an inflated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a desire for attention and admiration. The 5 main traits of a narcissist are: Grandiose Sense of Self-Importance, Fantasizing About Achievements, Attention-Seeking Behavior, Lack of Empathy, and Exploiting Others. They tend to ignore the wants and needs of others, and exploit relationships for personal gain. That sure sounds like a lot of people today! Finally we have "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". That to me says they love themselves and the world rather than God and focus on their will instead of God's. I know we are all familiar with the scriptures that tell us not to love the world and that those who do love the world and the things of the world are enemies of God. (1 John 2:15, James 4:4)
Let me quote the entire passage we've been looking at again so I can point out something else about it:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5) One of my commentaries pointed this out and I wanted to share it: "The fact that this list in verses 2–4 begins and ends with violations of the chief commandments—love of neighbor and love of God (Matt 22:34–40)—suggests that sin is reaching its climax in a complete slide away from God toward pure evil." I can agree with that!
Now, for the very last line in this passage: "having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” That to me has always been a chilling or frightening ending. Why? Because all of these traits we have been talking about, all of which we see around us every day, are also traits that we don't necessarily see even though they are present, because they are in some of the people we see at church every week! Remember the passage about the possessed man in the synagogue in Luke 4:31–35 that Jesus cast the demon out of? I'm quite sure that no one in that synagogue knew he had a demon and he was probably at the synagogue regularly like everyone else. But there is one way to tell. These people may talk like they're saved, and they may act like it while they are in church, but that's where it ends! I'll tell you a little secret. The last year we had our old board, I had to check people out before allowing them to register because we were getting so many trolls. A friend showed me that the easiest way to find out what a person was like was to look at their Facebook page. What I found shocked me. People that I thought were great Christians, when on Facebook they were swearing and saying things that no Christian would ever say! It's not as easy as that anymore as many have become aware that they can be found out that way. But this is yet another reason for the fellowship of the church. If we are with each other as friends during the week, we will know what the others are really like. (and they will know what we are really alike!) I'm sure you all can add to this one!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 23, 2024 23:35:08 GMT -5
I will get back to this hopefully tomorrow but I have been having bouts of either no sleep or sleeping a LOT!
Not to mention in the past week, so much in the 'news' has happened not just in Israel
but in our country a past president shot another won't run again the head of the Secret Service who did a terrible job resigned and on and on it goes
and then there is family stuff and not feeling well
And having to answer about 50 questions tomorrow as a beta reader, to a female Christian novelist
And tomorrow is Bible study!!!
Sooooo I will make an effort for tomorrow or if not then Thurs.
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Post by evafromgreece on Jul 24, 2024 15:46:27 GMT -5
I was thinking while reading these verses ... Europe is becoming more and more away from Christianity and closer to the "open minded" life style. In fact this so called "freedom" is something that people were practicing long ago, in the ancient world, while they were involved for examples in rituals worshipping their demons while making orgies, or being gay was considered ok in ancient Greece and much more. So people think that they are moving forward, but in fact they are moving back to the past. This is not progress... I know that this is happening worldwide, but I think that in Europe we have reached an extreme level of this. Except some countries like Germany, were there are some vivid Christian communities , in Europe things are hard. I believe that even if the same things happen in US, at least you can find more Christian communities and more fellow Christians that actually live their faith. No wonder that so many years I am in this forum and not on a Greek , or a European one. I wish I could have more Christian people around me in the community and the everyday life! Ahhh... I wish this could be reality ! Believe me Eva, it's just as bad here as it is in Europe. It's very difficult to find a church that teaches the Truth from the Bible here too. There's a lot more false teaching than truth here too. I honestly believe that it was the Lord who led you to Fresh Hope and put the 3 of us together. Even back then I used to get private messages from new members saying they were so glad they had finally found a forum that didn't put up with any false teaching. Later, before I had to close our old board, I got messages saying that we were the last true (English) Christian board left. What you wish for is what we wish for and all who are really save wish for. One day our wish will come true because one day the only people alive will be those who are really saved!
I am really blessed to be here :) You reminded me the old forum! Wow , how many years has it been? I think I joined around 2007 or 2008.
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Post by Cindy on Jul 25, 2024 8:31:50 GMT -5
I am really blessed to be here :) You reminded me the old forum! Wow , how many years has it been? I think I joined around 2007 or 2008. I know that I started counseling you and Barbara in January of 2012 which is 12 and a half years ago and you both joined quite awhile before that! If it was 2007 then it's been 17 years!
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Jul 26, 2024 12:55:44 GMT -5
Don't remember when I first joined here, but name was CatmanIam. Later rejoined as oliverwithatwist, did not know that was an alcoholic drink. I'm not the brightest candle in the candelabra. LOL. It was the name of an old racehorse I used to know.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 27, 2024 8:06:14 GMT -5
I am so sorry, please forgive me....
the author I was beta reading for, had a TON of questions for her betas to answer after finishing the 2nd novel in her series
But they were not just a yes or no type but one requiring some thoughtfulness and more like a paragraph each to answer.
There were categories like:
Plot, setting, Character relationship, Biblical content,etc. etc. etc. and under each category a list of questions....
So I had made that commitment a long time ago, and just got tied up in it and not to mention sleepy and sleep some days away
( which........ oh by the way....not a wink of sleep last night for the likes of me sigh!)
Anyway, here I am...tho I am not sure I will be easy to understand as I am soooo tired.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 27, 2024 8:53:25 GMT -5
conceited:
It is kind of funny (but not), but it seems to me, that on the net, the people leaving comments:
more and more of the folks are extremely scornful, with a lot of conceit!!!
as IF they are soooooo intellectually superior... especially, as opposed to the very very stupid Christians!
And yet, even top colleges today, seem to teach less and less real knowledge and information:
but instead, a lot of sinful ideas, combined with telling students they can be whatever they want etc. etc.
But the posters that leave comments: their conceit seems to me, too often to know no bounds!
It is true that I often believe I know waaaay more than they do.....
But that is because, I know the Lord, who is the ultimate in knowledge!!!
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7
and
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12
Plus
Claiming to be wise, they became fools Romans 1:22
I will come back (prayerfully....later today as I am falling asleep now
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Post by Cindy on Jul 27, 2024 13:22:50 GMT -5
Barbara, don't worry about it. We all have a life off line too. I liked what you wrote!Don't remember when I first joined here, but name was CatmanIam. Later rejoined as oliverwithatwist, did not know that was an alcoholic drink. I'm not the brightest candle in the candelabra. LOL. It was the name of an old racehorse I used to know. I vaguely remember your first one, but this one I remember well! I had some really crazy usernames show up. One had Crap in their name and I wasn't going to allow them onto the board, but I wasn't positive it was as bad as I thought it was so I sent them a message asking them to change their name and then I'd let them in as a member. They obliged me but explained that the Crappie was a fish. I was so embarrassed! Oh well! Another one had hell in their email address and I almost didn't let them in, turned out to be Lee who was a great posted!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 28, 2024 0:01:18 GMT -5
Well, I probably should not have laughed but the Crappie one was funny ( in retrospect at least :) hahaha
WEll I did not get back today and Amir had a LOT of posts today so that took a LONG time.
And tomorrow is church but maybe in the afternoon ( we usually nap in the afternoon after church sooooo)
But I got the beta thing all done
so I should be back here more steadily, if not tomorrow God willing..... then .... Monday! :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jul 30, 2024 11:22:47 GMT -5
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God 2 Timothy 3:5
This has been true throughout history, but is, if possible, even more so, in our day!
One glaring example, is sexual immorality. It may seem exciting, fun, etc. at first. So much so, those captivated and enslaved by it, hate God or anyone, who might in any way, open their eyes to the truth.
They certainly do want to hear or know God's truth in these verses:
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Of course there are a plethora of 'pleasures'. ( which if not confessed and repented of, leads a person to Hell)
There are all sorts of material ones, mansions, castles, fine clothing, fine wines, fine drugs,power, money, fame,frivolous amusements, etc. the list goes on and on.
Pleasures and self happiness, are the only good things in the lives of such people, who are only living for such 'pleasures'.
Not believing in God, they spend all their time and effort, following what, at first is pleasurable, but which adds to their spiritual destruction.
They are self absorbed, fulfilling their desires and passions. However, they are actually slaves to these things, sinful 'pleasures', which are actually, slow acting poison.
The only antidote to this poison, is the one thing ( God), they reject.
Our life today, is filled with all manner of things to lavish upon ourselves. But it is a sad, empty, and ultimately..... deadly life.
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Post by evafromgreece on Jul 30, 2024 16:19:13 GMT -5
Here's the next two character traits: “treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” (2 Timothy 3:4) Conceited is also translated as: “High-minded, puffed up, of vain pretensions, swollen with conceit.” Another word which I think describes this trait today very well is narcissistic. The personality disorder known as narcissism is marked by an inflated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a desire for attention and admiration. The 5 main traits of a narcissist are: Grandiose Sense of Self-Importance, Fantasizing About Achievements, Attention-Seeking Behavior, Lack of Empathy, and Exploiting Others. They tend to ignore the wants and needs of others, and exploit relationships for personal gain. That sure sounds like a lot of people today! Finally we have "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". That to me says they love themselves and the world rather than God and focus on their will instead of God's. I know we are all familiar with the scriptures that tell us not to love the world and that those who do love the world and the things of the world are enemies of God. (1 John 2:15, James 4:4)
Recently I am hoping and praying that the Lord come back soon. I pray for that every day. I know that Christians over the centuries have been praying for the same thing too. But ... I hope that He will return in our days
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Post by Cindy on Aug 1, 2024 10:23:41 GMT -5
Recently I am hoping and praying that the Lord come back soon. I pray for that every day. I know that Christians over the centuries have been praying for the same thing too. But ... I hope that He will return in our days I'm praying that too Eva and I know a lot of us are! I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you more. I'm afraid this just isn't a good time for me to be doing studies as I'm having surgery at the end of the month and I have pre-operation appointments every week. Plus I still have to meet with the lawyer every couple of weeks about the estate and have some work to do still for my sons estate. So I just don't have a lot of time left. But I will do my best to answer any questions you have. And I know Barbara will help too! And Barbara is more then qualifed to do Bible Studies as well!
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Post by evafromgreece on Sept 16, 2024 17:07:35 GMT -5
Recently I am thinking that , we cannot even imagine what suffered our Lord to save us. How to empathise with the Lord? Can we? We let’s say we cut our finger with a paper and it’s huge for us. Or we are in situations on emotional pain , but still that’s nothing compared to what Jesus suffered. At least for me is good to remember this and to try to understand it.
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Sept 17, 2024 14:50:13 GMT -5
His suffering on the Cross was terrible, but the suffering and horror of being separated from His Father and having all the sins of the world past, present, and future cast upon Him was even worse. He endured this because He loves us and wanted to make a way for us to be in Heaven with Him for all eternity.
Maybe someone on here can explain this better than I can.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 24, 2024 9:11:44 GMT -5
I think you said it beautifully John!
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